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.
Awards

WGC Screenwriting Awards 2023 finalists announced

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From a media release:

The WGC Screenwriting Awards are now in their 27th year of celebrating the very best Canadian screenwriters—the all-important talent behind the most engaging and powerful Canadian-made series, films, and shorts.

In contention for the 2023 awards are scripts from Sort Of (Jenn Engels, Kyah Green, Léa Geronimo Rondot), Fakes (Tabia Lau, David Turko), Transplant (Laura Good), The Porter (Marsha Greene), Subjects of Desire (Jennifer Holness), Brother (Clement Virgo), The Missus Downstairs “A Christmas to Misremember” (Mary Walsh, Dave Sullivan), Astrid & Lilly Save the World (Alix Markman, Veronika Paz, Betsy Van Stone, Noelle Stehman), The Guava Juice Show (Christine Mitchell, John Hazlett, Lienne Sawatsky, Dan Williams) and many others.

Please see the complete list of categories and finalists below.

The 2023 WGC Screenwriting Awards will recognize Canadian screenwriters and their scripts at a ceremony on April 24 at Koerner Hall in Toronto—the Writers Guild of Canada’s first in-person awards since 2019.

In addition to the nine categories featured, one WGC member will be awarded the prestigious Showrunner Award, a special prize previously won by Anthony Q. Farrell (Shelved, Run the Burbs, Overlord & the Underwoods), Morwyn Brebner (Coroner, Saving Hope), Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp), and others. The ceremony will be hosted by Vance Banzo, a Saulteaux/Cree comedian, actor, writer, and member of award-winning sketch comedy troupe and series, TALLBOYZ.

Save the date: The 27th annual WGC Screenwriting Awards ceremony takes place at 8:00 pm EDT on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Koerner Hall in Toronto. Tickets will go on sale soon via www.wgc.ca.

2023 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS FINALISTS

CHILDREN’S

Circuit Breakers, “Permanent Detention” I Story by Melody Fox, Teleplay by Melody Fox & Tim Shell

The Guava Juice Show, “Adventure 9000” I Written by Christine Mitchell
The Guava Juice Show, “Hampersands of Time” I Written by John Hazlett & Lienne Sawatsky & Dan Williams

Odd Squad, “Why Did the Chicken Cross the Dimension” I Written by Andrew De Angelis

Super Wish, “Pinatatown” I Written by Mark Steinberg

Super Wish, “Simon Says Relax” I Written by Tally Yong Knoll

COMEDY SERIES

Acting Good, “Battle in the Bush” I Written by Sonya Ballantyne

Children Ruin Everything, “Road Trips” I Written by Kurt Smeaton

Fakes, “A Cup of Ambition” I Written by Tabia Lau

Fakes, “Real G’s Move in Silence Like Lasagna” I Written by David Turko

Sort Of, “Sort of 2gethr” I Written by Jenn Engels

Sort Of, “Sort of Amsterdam” I Written by Kyah Green & Léa Geronimo Rondot

DOCUMENTARY

My Tree I Written by Jason Sherman

Subjects of Desire I Written by Jennifer Holness

Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children I Written by Barri Cohen

DRAMA SERIES

Coroner, “Heartbeet” I Written by Laura Good

Moonshine, “The Three Sisters of Fate” I Written by Sheri Elwood

The Porter, “Episode 104” I Written by Marsha Greene

Pretty Hard Cases, “Dirty Laundry” I Written by Tassie Cameron

Transplant, “And So It Goes” I Written by Laura Good

FEATURE FILM

Bones of Crows I Written by Marie Clements

Brother I Written by Clement Virgo

The Swearing Jar I Written by Kate Hewlett

MOW & MINISERIES

County Line: All In I Written by James Phillips

Farmer Seeking Love I Written by Gemma Holdway

Written in the Stars I Written by David Elver

PRESCHOOL

Dino Ranch, “Wings Over Dino Ranch” I Written by Ben Joseph & Mike D’Ascenzo

Luna, Chip & Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go, “The Wildest Goose Chase” I Written by Louise Moon

Momolu and Friends, “Broken But Beautiful” I Written by Madeleine Patton

Sago Mini Friends, “Gary’s New Horn” I Written by Meghan Read

Team Zenko Go!, “Home is Where Ken’s Heart Is” I Written by Jeff Sager

SHORTS

Junior’s Giant I Written by Debra McGrath

The Missus Downstairs “A Christmas to Misremember” I Written by Mary Walsh & Dave Sullivan

Second Life I Written by Darrin Rose

True Dating Stories, “Salma” I Written by Nour Hadidi

True Dating Stories, “Vanessa “Vanjie” Mateao” I Written by Kayla Lorette

TWEENS & TEENS

Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “DoppelKopfel” I Written by Alix Markman

Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “One Rib” I Written by Veronika Paz

Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “Tontoom” I Written by Written by Betsy Van Stone & Noelle Stehman

The Hardy Boys, “A Midnight Scare” I Written by Laura Seaton & Heather Taylor

Holly Hobbie, “The Accidental Activist” I Written by Courtney Walker

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Shelved

Shelved, Season 1

From Noel Ransome of the Canadian Press:

Link: ‘Shelved’ is a sitcom that shows a deep love for public libraries
When Toronto’s Lyndie Greenwood received the script material for CTV’s library-based comedy “Shelved” more than a year ago, she was living in California and prepared to say goodbye to her acting career. Continue reading.

From Aisling Murphy of The Record:

Link: ‘This is the Toronto I want to be a part of’: How ‘The Office’ alum Anthony Q. Farrell made a TV show about a Parkdale library
“I’m interested in people who have differences of opinion, people who come from different sides of the tracks. I want to look at places where stories come and the library is one of those places for me. The people who walk through that door are always interesting.” Continue reading.

From Kevin Bourne of Shifter:

Link: Shelved is a comedic look at classism and diversity in Toronto
As the premiere begins, it immediately feels like more like an independent theatre production than a show on a major network. This creates a sense of community and intimacy; not only among the characters, but also with viewers. Continue reading.

From Michelle Dorey Forestell of The Kingstonist:

Link: Hometown ‘nerd’ Chris Sandiford stars in CTV’s ‘Shelved’
Chris Sandiford isn’t just a nerd. He plays one on television. And he learned all of his nerdiness right here in Kingston. Continue reading.

From Melody McCune of Geek Girl Authority:

Link: Taylor Love Talks Getting Her Funny On in SHELVED
“Sheila is very funny, but she’s far more grounded because she’s dealing with so much. She’s mature. She’s almost a straight woman without sounding too boring, [even though] she’s not boring at all. I think a lot of people will see themselves in her.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Podcast

TV, Eh? Podcast Episode 259: Sullivan’s Crossing set to debut on CTV, no more The Porter on CBC and CSAs, Part 1

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Welcome back to another bi-weekly chat about the latest news in Canadian TV! First, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.

Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, which includes the cancellation of CBC’s The Porter, Sullivan’s Crossing to debut on CTV, more Skymed for CBC, a development deal for Priyanka, and Part 1 of our discussion about the Canadian Screen Awards, focusing on Best Drama and Best Comedy.

This podcast brought to you by Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky and Pelee Island Monarch Vidal.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Mena Massoud explores the burgeoning world of plant-based living in new original series Evolving Vegan, March 30

From a media release:

CTV Life Channel and Crave delve into the exploding vegan food scene across North America, with the launch of all-new Bell Media Studios original series, EVOLVING VEGAN, Thursday, March 30 at 8 p.m. ET. Hosted and executive produced by Mena Massoud (Aladdin), EVOLVING VEGAN is inspired by his online project of the same name, which itself has evolved into a cookbook, and now, an inspiring travel series exploring beautiful meals, talented chefs, and restauranteurs who are making plant-based living delicious and accessible.

Throughout the six, one-hour episodes, Massoud takes viewers on a plant-based escape, and serves up a refreshed look at a flourishing food scene in Los Angeles, Austin, Mexico City, Vancouver, Portland, and Toronto.

In Episode 1, Massoud explores the plant-based food scene in Los Angeles and restaurant-hops with friends Lilly Singh and Laura Marano, indulging in elevated vegan French pastries, “pastrami” sammies, Thai “chicken” wings, and unbelievable “carne” asada.

About Mena Massoud:
Mena was born in Cairo and immigrated to Toronto with his parents and two sisters at the age of three. He began his post-secondary studies in neuroscience before transferring schools and programs and graduating with a BFA in theatre.

He is an actor, author, and entrepreneur. He has founded Evolving Vegan, a project which aims at making veganism accessible to all and has also launched a non-profit organization to aid underrepresented artists, the EDA (Ethnically Diverse Artists) Foundation.

The billion-dollar, international success of Aladdin inspired Mena to create Press Play Productions to continue paving the way for diverse artists and stories.

EVOLVING VEGAN is produced by Bell Media Studios. Jennifer Couke and Michelle Crespi are Executive Producers for Bell Media Studios. Mena Massoud and Ali Mashayekhi are Executive Producers for Press Play Productions.

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Skymed

Paramount+ and CBC announce start of production for the second season of Skymed

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From a media release:

Paramount+, CBC and Piazza Entertainment today announced that production has begun on the sophomore season of the high-stakes medical drama series SKYMED. Filming in Ontario and Manitoba, Canada, the young medics and pilots flying air ambulances return for more life, death and drama in the skies of remote Northern Canada.

The original series will be available in Canada on CBC TV and CBC Gem, and streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and internationally in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, and Germany.

Produced by Piazza Entertainment in association with CBC and CBS Studios, SKYMED’S second season promises new hookups, break ups and heartbreaks as the medevac service expands into new territory, throwing the flight crew into intense new emergencies at work and in their personal lives.

The series is created by Julie Puckrin and inspired by her sister and brother-in-law who met flying air ambulances. Returning to SKYMED is Natasha Calis as ‘Nurse Hayley Roberts,’ Aason (Ace) Nadjiwon as Golden boy pilot ‘Captain Austen Bodie,’ Morgan Holmstrom as no-nonsense ‘Nurse Crystal Highway,’ Praneet Akilla as ‘First Officer Chopper,’ Thomas Elms as icy-cool pilot ‘Captain Nowak,’ Mercedes Morris as ‘First Officer Lexi Martine,’ and Kheon Clarke as ‘Nurse Tristan Green’. Braeden Clarke reprises his recurring role as Crystal’s charming on-again-off-again love interest, ‘Jeremy Wood,’ and Aaron Ashmore returns as ‘Wheezer,’ the wise-cracking big brother that everyone looks up to.

Cast joining the second season includes Sydney Kuhne (“Ginny & Georgia”) as fiery new flight medic ‘Stef,’ Ryan Ali (“The Hummingbird Project”) as handsome young pilot ‘Reese,’ and Nadine Whiteman-Roden (“Faith Heist”) as Dr. Yana Noah.

SKYMED is produced by Piazza Entertainment in association with CBC, Canada’s national public broadcaster, and CBS Studios. The series is created by Julie Puckrin, who also serves as Executive Producer along with Gillian Hormel and Vanessa Piazza. Outside of Canada, SKYMED will be distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

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