All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
Diggstown

Links: Diggstown, Season 1

From Michela Rosano of Canadian Geographic:

Link: Our Country: Vinessa Antoine’s favourite place in Canada
“I recently shot the first season of Diggstown in Nova Scotia, which is a place I had never visited before. When I started to do research for my character, Marcie Diggs, I learned that Nova Scotia has Canada’s oldest and largest black community, North Preston in Halifax.” Continue reading. 

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Link: Diggstown’s Vinessa Antoine is the face of change as first Black woman to star in prime-time TV drama
“Growing up in Toronto, seeing faces on television like your own was virtually non-existent. But if a young person turns on the television in the future and thinks that they are being represented, that there is a possibility out there for me, then hopefully things will change.” Continue reading.

From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

Link: Halifax-shot ‘Diggstown’ making strides for representation in Canadian TV
“It’s so important to be able to have stories that are driven and come from communities that are like mine and like so many other communities that are considered minority communities. It’s so important to show that representation because there’s nothing more Canadian, I feel than multiculturalism and diversity.’” Continue reading. 

From Elizabeth Patterson of the Cape Breton Post:

Link: East Bay native acting up a storm
“It’s a good week to be Billy MacLellan.”

The actor, who hails from East Bay, has had a busy winter with various acting and writing projects, some of which are coming to fruition right now. He even had his very own Canadian minute a few days ago. Continue reading. 

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: REVIEW: CBC’s Diggstown
I didn’t expect to dig Diggstown as much as I do, but I do.

The story takes place in North Preston, Nova Scotia, billed as Canada’s Largest Black Community. At the centre stands Marcia Diggs (Vinessa Antoine, above left with Karen LeBlanc), a rising star, big city, corporate lawyer who – for reasons unclear in the pilot but amplified later on – is knocked back down to her rural roots in Nova Scotia. Continue reading. 

From Melissa Girimonte of The Televixen:

Link: Vinessa Antoine and Natasha Henstridge welcome us to Diggstown
“Mental health issues are something that’s kept behind closed doors. You’re meant to feel ashamed or you don’t talk about it. With Marcie, it’s prevalent in her family. They’re a religious family as well. This tight-knit community in Nova Scotia, North Preston, is heavily religious. The idea of mental health and suicide are not discussed very much.” Continue reading. 

From Charles Trapunski of Brief Take:

Link: Interview: Diggstown’s Vinessa Antoine and Natasha Henstridge
“I think that people who see this show will start to see Nova Scotia as yet another option as a Canadian province in which to shoot. There’s just a different vibe over there, in terms of working in TV and film, but also it’s not just a beautiful,  Nova Scotian gorgeous backdrop. It’s a real character, Nova Scotia, and there are just parts that aren’t that beautiful and there are shows that should be shot there.” Continue reading.

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Diggstown’s Vinessa Antoine on Marcie’s complicated relationships
“It’s so important to show all communities of Canada, but this Black community hasn’t been really shown. It’s a nice feeling to be able to bring that to the Canadian audience.” Continue reading.

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Top Chef Canada

Food Network Canada’s Top Chef Canada returns with a never-seen-before twist

From a media release:

Food Network Canada’s #1 series last spring*, Top Chef Canada, returns with the nation’s best and brightest professional chefs as they prepare to enter the toughest culinary competition in the country starting Monday, April 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Representing the coming of age in the Canadian culinary scene, 11 chefs enter the competition and are introduced to a brand-new twist that sees three talented chef contenders compete against each other in order to earn the coveted 12th spot in the competition.

Prepared to impress the judges, each chef must spark the taste buds of Top Chef Canada’s expert panel of judges comprised of chef, restaurant co-owner and host, Eden Grinshpan, owner of The McEwan Group, head judge chef Mark McEwan and resident judges: powerhouse restaurateur Janet Zuccarini, writer and international food personality Mijune Pak and renowned food journalist and critic Chris Nuttall-Smith. This season the chefs will compete for the prestigious title of Canada’s Top Chef and the grand prize of $100,000 provided by Interac Corp., a design-inspired Café kitchen, a culinary tour of Italy for two from Air Transat and $5,000 worth of Cuisinart® products.

Following a nation-wide search, this season’s competitors represent Canada’s culinary scene from coast to coast and beyond including Dartmouth, N.S., Quebec City, Que., Tofino, B.C., Toronto, Ont., Vancouver, B.C., and more. The 11 competitors confirmed to compete for the title of Canada’s Top Chef are:

  • Tania Ganassini, 31 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
  • Takeshi Horinoue, 37 – Montreal, Que.
  • Hayden Johnston, 29 – Toronto, Ont.
  • Sebastien Laframboise, 31 – Quebec City, Que.
  • Renée Lavallée, 43 – Dartmouth, N.S.
  • Paul Moran, 31 – Tofino, B.C.
  • Dennis Peckham, 41 – Port Moody, B.C.
  • Phillip Scarfone, 33 – Vancouver, B.C.
  • Erin Smith, 32 – Toronto, Ont.
  • Max Straczek, 32 – Vancouver, B.C.
  • Wallace Wong, 27 – Toronto, Ont.

In a never-seen-before twist, the three talented chef contenders set to compete for the final spot in the competition are:

  • Alexei Boldireff, 25 – Edmonton, Alta.
  • Benet Hunt, 28 – Saskatoon, Sask.
  • Paul Kim, 33 – Toronto, Ont.

This season’s Quickfire and Elimination Challenges will test the chefs’ culinary chops and demonstrate their creativity. Each week their dishes will be served to the esteemed Top Chef Canada judging panel, who will be joined by culinary masters and noted food lovers as guest judges. Some of the celebrated culinary personalities from Canada and abroad include Emma Bengtsson (Executive Chef, Aquavit, New York City, N.Y.), Richard Blais (Top Chef: All Stars winner, Owner Juniper & Ivy, San Diego, Calif.), Craig Harding (Chef and Owner, Campagnolo, La Palma and Constantine, Toronto, Ont.), James Beard award- winning restaurant critic Adam Platt, Rob Rossi (Top Chef Canada, Season 1, Chef and Owner, Giulietta,Toronto, Ont.), Marcus Samuelsson (Owner, Red Rooster, Harlem, N.Y.), and Michael Solomonov (Owner, Zahav, Philadelphia, Pa).

On foodnetwork.ca, viewers can get a sneak peek of this season’s most exhilarating locations, learn about the judges’ best ever bites from the series and get to know some of host Eden Grinshpan’s most uniquely lovable “Eden-isms.” Plus, learn more about the competitors and get their restaurant recommendations from across the country. Week-to-week, recaps will be available online highlighting the best and most shocking moments from the season. Fans can also watch full episodes online after broadcast at foodnetwork.ca/topchefcanada and On Demand with participating providers.

Food Network Canada is available on a National Free Preview from March 1 to April 30. Please check local listings for additional details.

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Industry News

Pacific Screenwriting Program announces a Toronto Screenwriting Conference Fellowship for Five BC Writers

From a media release:

The Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP) launches a fellowship with the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, giving five BC writers the opportunity to forge new relationships and showcase their talent on a national scale.

“The mission of the PSP is to provide professional development to BC screenwriters across the full range of seniority and experience.”, said PSP Board Chair, Brian Hamilton. “We are excited to partner with the Toronto Screenwriting Conference on this opportunity, which is ideally suited to mid-level BC writers looking to network with and learn from top screenwriters from across North America who come together to focus on their craft.”

The May 4-5 event is a celebration of form and inspiration. “Unlike other screenwriting events, the attendees at this conference are working professionals looking to elevate their storytelling craft,” says Raila Gutman, PSP Program Director, “the PSP strongly believes in the value this will bring to our five writers.”

Professional screenwriters are invited to apply for one of five fellowships. Applicants must be able to show proof of BC residency. Successful applicants will receive full conference registration to the 2019 Toronto Screenwriting Conference, including flights, and three nights’ accommodation.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Dog’s Best Friend, Evan Goes Wild and North Woods law come to Animal Planet this spring

From a media release:

From unlikely animal companions, to exotic wildlife adventures, to high-stakes conservation drama, Animal Planet delivers something for everyone this spring with new and returning series.

First up, Dr. Evan Antin – voted the Sexiest Veterinarian Alive by PEOPLE magazine – takes viewers around the world as he chases his wildlife bucket list in the eight-episode one-hour series EVAN GOES WILD, airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning March 7. Growing up in Kansas it was a fascination with wildlife and a love for animals that led him to become a vet. Sharing videos of his interactions with animals has made Evan the most followed veterinarian on Instagram, with more than one million followers. In EVAN GOES WILD, Evan leaves his Los Angeles-based clinic behind and crosses the globe chasing his dream wildlife experiences, including swimming alongside humpback whales in Tahiti, exploring caves with bats and snakes in the Philippines, and tangling with crocs in the Yucatan. Evan brings his passion and love for all wildlife to each adventure where, as a practicing veterinarian, he also lends a helping hand to animals in need along the way.

Then, dogs may be man’s best friend, but it’s their extraordinary chumminess with other animals that are the focus of Animal Planet’s original Canadian production DOG’S BEST FRIEND, airing Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT beginning March 10. The 12-episode, half-hour series showcases dogs who have struck up friendships with the most unlikely of animal companions, from turtles and dolphins, to cheetahs and cats. Each episode visits two sets of unique animal amigos from near and far, showcasing the fate-filled circumstances that first united the animal buddies. Viewers hear the tale of these extraordinary dog relationships, while expert commentary reveals the pop science and dog psychology contributing to these unlikely furry friendships.

The Conservation Officers of New Hampshire face a never-ending series of challenges carrying out their conservation work in Season 6B of NORTH WOODS LAW, airing Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT beginning April 2. Whether it’s fighting against the clock on a search and rescue, preserving and protecting the state’s resources, or tracking down elusive criminals, there’s never a dull moment for the Conservation Officers of New Hampshire. With the help of new trainees and the indispensable, and adorable, K-9 force, this elite group takes on everything the state can throw at them and works together to get the job done.

Below is a closer look at Animal Planet’s new and returning programming highlights for March and April. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit animalplanet.ca to confirm local broadcast times; programming subject to change).

Thursday, March 7
9 p.m. – EVAN GOES WILD – “Sharks and Recreation” – *Series Premiere*
Evan heads to the Tahitian Island of Mo’orea to fulfill a lifelong dream of swimming with humpback whales; he gathers DNA samples from Lemon sharks and blacktip reef sharks; Evan tries to find a home for a litter of day-old kittens.

Sunday, March 10
8 p.m. – DOG’S BEST FRIEND – *Season Premiere*
A four-year-old American bulldog/boxer rescue pup with a cleft lip named Puka loves to cuddle with Rocket Larry, the African Sulcata Tortoise he shares snacks, cuddles, and even coffee time with. Also featured in this episode, Eligh, a rambunctious Great Pyrenees mountain dog, tried desperately to make friends with the other animals at the farm, but it wasn’t until a bossy donkey named Laura arrived that he finally found his best friend.

Tuesday, April 2
10 p.m. – NORTH WOODS LAW – “Midsummer Mayhem” – *Season 6B Premiere*
Officer Holmes and Trainee Frye respond to an ATV accident where a man’s head has been run over. Officer McKee helps relocate a rare rattlesnake. Officer Courtney assists a dog locked inside a car. On Mt. Willard, a collapsed student needs rescuing.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

AMI-tv re-examines the death of a young Canadian, who was blind, in What Happened to Holly Bartlett, debuting March 28

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announces its newest series What Happened to Holly Bartlett, debuting Thursday, March 28, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

Holly Bartlett, a 31-year-old Dalhousie University graduate student who was blind, was found unconscious under the MacKay Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia, early one morning in March of 2010. She died in hospital the next day from injuries identified as blunt force trauma, and hypothermia. While local authorities determined Holly’s death was accidental—stating she simply became disoriented and fell—there remains several unanswered questions, compelling evidence, and many theories about how she may have died.

Each of the six episodes—hosted by orientation and mobility specialist Peter Parsons—include interviews with family, friends and subject matter experts. The series uses computer animation and dramatic recreations to explore the various theories about what may have happened.

Additionally, the companion What Happened to Holly Bartlett podcast will be available on Apple iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher and other podcast catchers immediately following each new television episode. Hosted by investigative journalist Maggie Rahr, the podcast digs deeper into the inquiry and paints a full picture of Holly’s life and the uncertainty surrounding her death.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, What Happened to Holly Bartlett utilizes Integrated Described Video (IDV) to make episodes accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Season one episodes of What Happened to Holly Bartlett air Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. The series can be watched post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or via the free AMI-tv App.

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