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.
Featured, Podcast

TV Eh B Cs podcast 71 — Where the Puckrin Is Going to Be

Update: At the time this was recorded, Killjoys had not been renewed for a fourth season. Happily, it has been renewed for two more seasons.

Toronto-based writer/producer Julie Puckrin has worked up and down the west coast, in both the United States and Canada. Julie recently completed production on Space’s third season of Killjoys. Her credits include the acclaimed CBC series X Company, three seasons of CTV’s Motive, and Gracepoint, the Fox TV adaptation of the hit British series Broadchurch. She also interned on the Emmy-award winning Mad Men, under showrunner Matthew Weiner. A recipient of the Michener Fellowship, Julie has a Masters of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from the University of Texas at Austin.

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!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Bell Media to Acquire Séries+ and Historia

From a media release:

Bell Media announced today it has entered into an agreement with Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX:CJR.B) to acquire French-language specialty channels Séries+ and Historia.

Séries+ is Québec’s most-watched fiction channel, offering popular locally produced drama, including recent successes SUR-VIE and MIRADOR, as well as the best of foreign series. Historia, a Top 10 channel among A25-54, broadcasts a suite of locally produced original content, ranging from award-winning documentaries, popular reality series like LE LOT DU DIABLE, and drama series such as BÉLIVEAU.

Bell Media currently operates 10 French-language TV channels in Québec, including Canal D, Canal Vie, Cinépop, Investigation, RDS, RDS Info, RDS2, Super Écran, Vrak, and Z.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the Competition Bureau, and is expected to close in mid-2018.

Caution concerning forward-looking statements
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the proposed acquisition by Bell Media Inc. (“Bell Media”) of French-language specialty channels Séries+ and Historia, the expected timing of, and certain benefits expected to result from, the proposed transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed transaction referred to above and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

The completion and timing of the proposed transaction are subject to customary closing conditions, termination rights and other risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, approval by the Competition Bureau and the CRTC. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and conditions, or at the time, contemplated in this news release. The proposed transaction could be modified, restructured or terminated. There can also be no assurance that the benefits expected to result from the proposed transaction will be realized.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Food Network Canada’s The Baker Sisters discover fabulous desserts

3 Comments

Dessert first. It’s been the motto of sisters Rachel Smith and Jean Parker their whole lives. And it’s the mantra of The Baker Sisters—debuting Friday at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada—starring Smith and Parker as they traverse North America, visiting bakeries and chowing down on all things sweet, gooey and icing-laden. As a public service announcement, it should be noted that you will hunt down anything sugary to consume after watching an episode of The Baker Sisters.

“We tell people that, if you don’t have some baked goods in the house, you will wind up drinking the maple syrup,” Smith says. She’s not kidding. Among the confections the pair samples in Friday’s first instalment are Peanut Butter Shorties in Vancouver’s Purebread bakery, massive wedges of buttery shortbread accented with peanut butter, chocolate and crushed peanuts.

The show’s producers, Alibi Entertainment Inc., were on the lookout for a dynamic pair with baking knowledge to host a new project. The Southern Ontario siblings grew up in their mother’s tart shop helping to stuff tins before opening their own company, Maple Key Tart Co., giving them a leg up on the competition when it came to casting.

“We went in for casting, and we just had fun,” Parker says. “I think that’s the magic recipe to the show. We’re sisters and we love each other.” Now, 13 episodes later, viewers get to see what the pair experienced. Each half-hour follows the pair to a trio of bakeries around the continent, meeting employees and getting their hands dirty creating magnificent morsels that go beyond the usual chocolate chip cookie or apple pie. Key ingredients like flour, butter and sugar stay the same but what these bakers do with them is outrageous.

Amid all the treats Smith and Parker sample are butter tarts. The Canadian staple has become a business for the sisters via Maple Key Tart Co., so they’re experts on the pastry. What were their thoughts on the competition?

“It was a totally different tart,” Parker recalls. “Our tart is a less sweet tart with a firmer filling. The one I tried was super-sweet because she used corn syrup and it was crazy runny. Her pastry was more of a butter shortbread. Our tarts truly are like night and day. Hers was delicious. That’s why there are trails dedicated to butter tarts because they can be so different.”

What goes into butter tarts is the topic of hot debate too. Do you go plain (my personal favourite), or are raisins or nuts included?

“I love a good raisin,” Smith says with a laugh. “But people do not like to be surprised with the raisin.”

“I think there is a time and a place for raisins,” Parker says diplomatically. “I’m classic. I like the plain and I think those are the ones you take to a party. People are so passionate about whether raisins or even nuts should be in them.”

The Baker Sisters airs Fridays at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada.

Image courtesy of Corus.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Link: ‘Dark Matter’ EP Vanessa Piazza Sets Multi-Year Producing Partnership with eOne

From Joe Otterson of Variety:

Link: ‘Dark Matter’ EP Vanessa Piazza Sets Multi-Year Producing Partnership with eOne
Entertainment One (eOne) has entered into a multi-year producing partnership with executive producer Vanessa Piazza through her production company Piazza Entertainment.

The partnership encompasses Piazza’s television projects, where eOne will serve as the studio and will control worldwide rights. Piazza developed and executive produced the international hit supernatural series “Lost Girl” and served as executive producer of Seasons 1 and 2 of the sci-fi drama “Dark Matter.” Continue reading.

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Slasher

Link: Slasher: Guilty Party’s Rebecca Liddiard has secrets to hide

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Slasher: Guilty Party’s Rebecca Liddiard has secrets to hide
“When I read it I thought for sure I knew who it was after every episode, but by the time I got to the end I was like ‘Oh!’ Aaron has done a great job with the story arc. Some people claim they figured it out right away, but I don’t believe them because the way he wrote the story is very character driven. When you do find out who the killer is it’s a twist, but it’s organic and really well done.” Continue reading. 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail