From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:
Link: Suddenly, Vice content seems tone-deaf and terribly male
Fubar Age of Computer has neither the wit or verbal dexterity of Letterkenny nor the benign tomfoolery of Trailer Park Boys. Yours truly has adored both series for their freshness and this Fubar thing feels dated, dumb and tone-deaf to contemporary reality. Continue reading.Â
I’ve been really impressed with the programming AMI-tv is offering. From folks with disabilities struggling to find a job in Employable Me to an all-out culinary competition featuring blind or low vision home cooks, the network is spotlighting truly inspirational people.
The same is true for the channel’s latest offering, Food Spin with Chef Aleem. Debuting Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on AMI-tv, cameras track Toronto’s Aleem Syed from the moment he wakes up to the time he shuts it down at The Holy Grill, his Halal food truck. The hook? Syed is in a wheelchair, but that hasn’t slowed down his passion. A 2008 shooting incident left him paralyzed from the waist down but hasn’t deterred Syed from following his passion; viewers learn that right away as he goes through his culinary education and work ethic.
Syed’s mother is a big part of his life and in the first of 13 episodes we see the duo bicker good-naturedly before getting down to business: Syed wants to re-create his mother’s classic dessert into something he can sell from the truck. After jumping behind the wheel of his car—yes, he drives himself around—Syed hits up a spice shop in Kensington Market to land spices.
Offered in integrated described video for blind and low vision viewers, Food Spin with Chef Aleem‘s production and entertainment value would be equally at home on Food Network Canada and is a testament to the work AMI-tv is doing with their original productions.
Food Spin with Chef Aleem airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on AMI-tv.
Image courtesy of AMI.
From Calum Marsh of the National Post:
Link: Twenty years later, Twitch City is a work of genius and a reminder of what Canadian TV lacks
Just about 20 years ago, the CBC inconspicuously broadcast the pilot episode of what remains, two decades later, perhaps the finest program in Canadian television history. It was called Twitch City, and with near-miraculous daring, it defied every trapping and convention of mainstream TV. Conceived by Don McKellar, who stars, in collaboration with Bruce McDonald, who directs, the series was, broadly speaking, an “anti-sitcom†— a misanthropic comedy that seemed actively hostile to the form. Continue reading.
Just because you saved the world from a catastrophic virus doesn’t mean you get any downtime. That’s what MacLaren and the team learn in this week’s new episode of Travelers.
Here’s what Showcase has revealed regarding Monday’s newest episode, “17 Minutes,” written by creator Brad Wright and directed by Amanda Tapping.
A skydiving traveler must try, repeatedly, to save our team from a horrible fate.
And, as always, a few more tidbits from us after watching the episode.
Kat blows her top
No, she’s not still suffering from a fever, but Kat is certainly feeling hot thanks to Grant forgetting something special. We don’t blame her, frankly and he’s in the dog house. That leads to a very funny scene as his team members educate Grant in “21st Century Female Behavior.” I keep forgetting that, despite all of the missions these folks are on, they need to keep their low profile and stay integrated with the population.
Say what?!?!
Just five minutes into “17 Minutes,” everything goes awry for the team in a deadly way. A seemingly routine mission to retrieve an important item turns awful for everyone. Brad Wright and his writers continue to take us on a thrilling ride every week and this one is no exception. It’s twisty, turny and simply fantastic.
Melissa Roxburgh saves the day
Well, her character Carrie tries to anyway. The Vancouver actress portrays the aforementioned skydiver who plummets to earth and attempts to save MacLaren and the squad … and save their mission in the process.
Travelers airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Showcase.
Images courtesy of Corus.
[The Baker Sisters is] a unique show with a neat concept. The two Baker sisters are very natural and fun to watch. The fact that they get the bakeries to share their recipes appeals to me. —H. Mcauley
The Goods is a great show, but the audience is way too loud, the hosts are always trying to talk above the clapping and hooting. Tone down the audience so a person can hear the show. —Lorra
It’ll be great to watch Russell Peters AND William Shatner [on The Indian Detective] playing Canadians and doing this Canadian TV show that will show how much India is a big part of Canada’s multicultural mosaic. —Stevie
Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.com.
