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.

Links: The Indian Detective

From ONTVtoday:

Link: Canadian stand-up Peters takes it to Mumbai in Netflix’s ‘The Indian Detective’
“He meets a very attractive lady who is a public defender and asks him to help her with a case that she’s working on. And I solve the case and upset the local corrupt cops. And the hilarity and drama ensue.” Continue reading.

From Anirudh Bhattacharyya of Hindustan Times:

Link: In new TV series, Russell Peters stars as Toronto cop in Mumbai
Indo-Canadian comic Russell Peters is among the world’s most popular stand-up acts but now, as he makes his debut as the lead in a scripted television series, he appears to have made the transition to the small screen as smoothly as that between the setup and punchline of one of his gags. Continue reading.

From Steven Broadbent of Tellybinge:

Link: Russell Peters interview (The Indian Detective, Netflix)
“It’s light and it will take your mind off all the rubbish that is going on in the world today. There is a truly multi-cultural cast from around the world. It has got beautiful locations and a great looking cast.” Continue reading.

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Link: 7 years later, Being Erica is still dismantling myths of young womanhood

From Gwen Benaway of CBC:

Link: 7 years later, Being Erica is still dismantling myths of young womanhood
While Being Erica has more than its fair share of ridiculous moments, there is a vibrant emotional heart at the centre of the show. I remember watching the very first episode when it aired, struck by the idea of a show entirely devoted to Erica’s growth as a person. Continue reading.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Preview: Travelers closes out Season 2 with a shocking finale

This is it Travelers fans. The second season finale is upon us here in Canada on Showcase. The rest of the world gets to see these 12 instalments beginning on Dec. 26 and can bask in the brilliance of the writing and performances we’ve seen this year.

Were you as shocked as I was when last week’s episodes revealed Marcy once worked for Vincent and that the woman David met in Episode 1, Season 1, had been affected by Vincent’s experiments? Yeah, we didn’t see that coming either, and that’s a testament to creator Brad Wright and his writing team; they just keep throwing curve balls at us. Now the season finale is here with two back-to-back episodes on Showcase.

Here’s what the network has revealed about Monday’s first episode, “Simon,” written by Jason Whiting and directed by Will Waring:

When the team meets Simon, a homeless man with a startling history, they’re led down a path that leads directly to the very first traveler.

Here’s what the network says about the second instalment, “001,” written by Ken Kabatoff and directed by series star Eric McCormack:

In the season finale, the travelers must follow the rules of a madman in order to rescue their kidnapped loved ones and ensure the traveler program isn’t exposed to the world.

And we’ve some info on both episodes after we watched screeners. Bonus: we’ve got some sweet images to share too!

[slideshow_deploy id=’46207′]

 

Flashback!
“Simon” sends us back to 2012 and gives a bit more background on Kat and Mac’s relationship and Vincent, who they literally bump into while attending a soirée. Of course, neither of them can know how much Vincent will impact on their lives at this juncture in the story and we’re given the opportunity to see a more fleshed-out Vincent.

Who drew that half-moon design on the sidewalk?
David and Marcy discovered the sketch last week; on Sunday we learn who did it and other pieces of art. The artist, Simon, becomes a pet project for Vincent. Like Jason on Continuum, it’s the supposedly crazy person who knows the real truth and that’s the case with Simon on Travelers. Pay attention to him because he knows stuff and has seen a lot.

Philip visions are getting worse
I really feel badly for Philip. First, he was addicted to drugs. Now he has to take them to keep his visions of other futures at bay. How tough a gig is that?! Plus, he’s got a crush on Carly. Nope, like is not easy for Philip.

Does the truth come out?
In the opening moments of “001,” it sure seems as though Mac blows the lid off who really is and what he’s doing in 2017. Why he does it is the key to Episode 12 and will have you yelling “Oh my gosh!”—or something stronger—at your TV around the 40-minute mark.

What is Vincent’s plan?
We don’t want to ruin it for you, but will say that not one person involved with our travelers is safe from Vincent’s reach. What happens during the last episode is so shocking and final that I’m not sure how Wright can turn it around in Season 3. But I’ve got my fingers crossed we get to find out thanks to a renewal.

Travelers‘ Season 2 finale airs Monday at 9 and 10 p.m. ET on Showcase.

Images courtesy of Jeff Weddell for Corus.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Traders star Bruce Gray passes away

Bruce Gray, best known for portraying Adam Cunningham on the Global drama Traders, has passed away at the age of 81. According to Northern Stars, Gray died Dec. 13 after a fight with cancer.

Gray played the elder statesman Adam Cunningham at Gardner Ross investment bank on Traders for five seasons alongside Sonja Smits, Patrick McKenna, David Cubitt and Kim Huffman. Gray won a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Role for the part in 1996.

Gray’s passing was first noted on Facebook by Murdoch Mysteries showrunner Peter Mitchell, who was the showrunner on Traders.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gray moved to Canada with his family when he was 13. In addition to roles in Canadian television on such projects as Queer as Folk and The Listener, Gray had roles in American TV series like How I Met Your Mother, Falling Skies, Medium, Playmakers, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Chicago Hope, Beverly Hills 90210 and Murder, She Wrote. His most recent roles were in Good Witch and Timeless.

Gray had an extensive theatre career as well, acting alongside Donald Sutherland in Androcles and the Lion while at the Mermaid Theatre and acting in plays in New Brunswick, British Columbia, New York, Texas; he became a member of the Circle Repertory Company in New York City where he created premiere performances.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Comments and queries for the week of December 15

Just as Murdoch Mysteries is really getting its stride, you introduce and keep this goofy detective in the mix. Totally distracting with his overacting. He is killing the show. Once might have been OK for some light comedy, but not for the whole season. —Paul

I’m pissed. Jackson had become a strong character on the show. They should have taken Higgins off the show. His character is unlikeable, I don’t like how back-stabbing his part has become. Take Higgins and leave Jackson on the show. —Cindy

I absolutely agree with you, Cindy!!! How could they kill Jackson and NOT Higgins? —Beverly


I thoroughly enjoyed A Christmas Fury but was multi-tasking and would love to see it again. As commented by others, it was hilarious, contained salty language and was most enjoyable and satisfying. I had never heard of Hatching, Matching and Dispatching but recognized some of the actors from 22 Minutes and Still Standing, etc. What a comic relief after the many sappy Christmas movies during this season. Please air it again on TV, not just streaming. —Kathleen

 

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail