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.
Children's Programming, Industry News

Lambur Productions options Sophie Kinsella’s Fairy Mom and Me

From a media release:

Lambur Productions announced today that it has signed a deal to option the TV rights to internationally bestselling author Sophie Kinsella’s first book for young children  Fairy Mom and Me (published in the UK as Mummy Fairy and Me). Lambur Productions will work with Kinsella, her agents Lucas Alexander Whitley and UK based Executive Producer Helen McAleer to develop the book for a series of live-action television movies.

Fairy Mom and Me tells the story of Ella and her family’s special secret – that her Mom is a fairy! Ella’s Mom comes from a long line of fairies and can perform fantastical spells to make delicious cupcakes, create the perfect birthday party and cause chaos at the supermarket. However, unlike the other fairies in her family who win awards for their magic, Mom’s spells almost always go hilariously wrong – and that’s when Ella has to come to the rescue. A modern day take on fairies and family, Fairy Mom and Me will take audiences on a sweet and funny journey full of magic and mayhem.

This is the first major announcement for Lambur Productions since its launch in October 2017. The deal was brokered by McAleer as well as Araminta Whitley and Philippa Milnes-Smith for Lucas Alexander Whitley. Fairy Mom and Me was released worldwide in the US by Delacorte and in Canada by Puffin Canada in January 2018 and is published in the UK by Puffin in February 2018. A second title follows in the UK in August 2018 (to be published in the US and Canada in January 2019). Rights have also been sold in a further 9 languages.

Sophie Kinsella is a globally bestselling author including most recently for the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller My Not So Perfect Life (published February 2017). Her other books for adults have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 40 languages. They include the globally successful Shopaholic series and other titles such as Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess and Finding Audrey for young adults. Kinsella’s new adult novel, Surprise Me, publishes February 2018.  Fairy Mom and Me is her first work for young children.

About Lambur Productions
Launched in October 2017, Lambur Productions was established to produce the highest quality children’s and family programming. The company is helmed by industry veteran Joan Lambur, a highly respected and well established executive producer whose most recent work includes the award-winning series of three movies, Lucy Maude Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, starring Martin Sheen, Sara Botsford and Ella Ballentine for Corus Entertainment in Canada and PBS in the US. Other series Lambur has executive produced include the British co-production RIDE and buddy comedy Max & Shred, both for Nickelodeon. Building on the strength and experience of its team, Lambur Productions works with broadcasters, creators, writers and other creative talent to develop and produce internationally successful product for partners around the globe. Visit the website at www.lamburproductions.com

 

 

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Featured, Frankie Drake Mysteries

Preview: Frankie Drake Mysteries explores Russian royalty

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Last week, Frankie Drake Mysteries fans got an in-depth peek into Frankie’s life before she was a private detective. “Ghosts” delved into her service in the First World War and the effect it has had on her. It was the darkest episode of Frankie Drake yet, and I really enjoyed it.

This week’s new episode, “Anastasia,” features some new faces as well as a couple of returning ones. Here’s the official word from CBC:

Frankie is hired to confirm the identity of a young woman claiming to be a Russian princess and protect her from those who want her dead.

And, as always, a few notes from me after watching a screener of the instalment written by Michelle Ricci and directed by Cal Coons.

A Dark Matter co-star drops by
We’re still smarting over Dark Matter‘s cancellation, but it is nice to see Jodelle Ferland (a.k.a. Five) stop by 1920s Toronto to portray Anna, a young woman with a very important past. Anna’s lineage has made her famous, and a target. Frankie Drake‘s writing room has taken a key piece from Russia’s past, questioned it, and expertly weaved it into the main storyline. It was a lot of fun to do some Googling after the episode concluded.

Another Slasher: Guilty Party co-star checks in
Last week, Slasher: Guilty Party‘s Jim Watson appeared as Frankie’s war veteran friend; this week fellow Slasher co-star Sebastian Pigott guests as Sasha, a Cossack tasked with protecting Anna from harm.

Ernest Hemingway in the house!
Yup, Steve Lund reprises his role as the not-yet-famous author, trading bon mots with Frankie and generally getting under each other’s skin. Speaking of Steve Lund, we’re pretty sure the place Anna is staying was once known as Stonehaven on Lund’s last TV series, Bitten.

Fall in Ontario
My favourite season of the year looks fantastic on-screen and offers bursts of colour to complement the show’s beautiful wardrobe.

Frankie Drake Mysteries airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries has the recipe for murder

Wasn’t last week’s episode of Murdoch Mysteries a hoot? If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, check out my interview with Noelle Girard, who wrote “Mary Wept.” She gives insight into the main storyline and how it came to be that Higgins and Ruth would be engaged.

Since that episode, a lot of Murdoch fans have noted Violet Hart’s strange behaviour. What was her relationship to Josephine Beatty? Why did she visit her grave? Is she obsessed with Murdoch? Do we have another Eva Pearce on our hands? Time, of course, will tell but you’ve made some interesting observations for sure.

As for this coming Monday’s instalment, “Crabtree a la Carte” gives Jonny Harris plenty of time to perform and deliver some major laughs. Here’s what the CBC has revealed:

When a cooking contest judge is poisoned, Murdoch suspects a tainted ingredient that the other competitors also tasted.

And here are more details of the episode—written by Simon McNabb and directed by Leslie Hope—after watching a screener.

Guest-stars galore
A couple of actors who have previously dropped by Murdoch Mysteries return in different roles. Matt Baram, who appeared as Edward Simms in the episode “Houdini Whodunit” appears on Monday as Roderick Rhodes, a judge at the Madison Fine Beef Culinary Challenge. And Daniel Kash, last seen as Arthur Frumm in “Tattered and Torn” is Randall Gordon, a fellow judge whose attitude is akin to a certain foul-mouthed British celebrity chef.

Aunt Fern to the rescue
Will a family recipe give Crabtree top marks in the cooking competition? I can say the recipe’s name gave me the giggles. Yes, I am 12 years old. There is also a fantastic scene between Murdoch and Crabtree that had me howling. The pair may be close friends but William still sometimes has trouble saying the right thing around George.

Margaret, Watts, Violet and Louise Cherry, oh my!
You can’t have a cooking competition without Margaret Brackenreid! As for Watts, he meets with Louise Cherry first in a very funny bit before a scene change (Watts’ face is classic) and then later as the case takes hold. As for Violet, she figures into the tainted ingredient investigation prominently, giving her ample time with Murdoch. I’m watching everything she does now.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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Baroness von Sketch Show, Kim's Convenience, Workin' Moms

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Aleysa Young

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Aleysa Young
“I realized I was hired because I was a female director who could contribute something. My female perspective would help make the show better instead of ticking off a box. That’s when I started to value myself as a female director who has something to contribute as a woman. I saw that with Workin’ Moms and then with Kim’s Convenience.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Podcast

TV, Eh? podcast Episode 239 — Dry spice and oily nuts

New year, new podcast! The first of 2018 is brought to you by Alba beer from Williams Bros. Brewing and Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller #4 Jess Gamble.

We recap all of the new and returning shows during the first three weeks of January before discussing Rogers and Vice Canada severing ties, Starz coming to Canada and the hits and misses in this year’s Canadian Screen Award nominations.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Want to support TV, eh?’s work? Become a Patreon! Thank you to Sabrina Furminger, our newest patron! Check out her website.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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