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.
Industry News

Link: Does the CBC define Canadian culture?

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From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

Link: Does the CBC define Canadian culture?
But the CBC is there permanently, looming over everything, and last week’s shindig was more peculiar than usual. It was less about announcing a new season of CBC TV and mentioning some radio achievement than it was about announcing that the CBC is the crucible of Canadian culture. The CBC’s own perception of itself is that in a chaotic, shifting media landscape, the CBC is reliable, trusted and more Canadian than anything or anybody in the country. Continue reading.

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Bellevue, Featured

Season 2 of Bellevue being developed, but show seeks a new home

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It turns out Bellevue‘s fate is as mysterious as the show itself. After reporting last Friday that a second season was being developed for CBC came a troubling update: there is no home for the Anna Paquin-Shawn Doyle led series after all.

Co-creator, Episode 1 director and executive producer Adrienne Mitchell contacted TV, Eh? on Tuesday night with the following information:

“To clarify, though Season 2 of Bellevue has been in development with CBC, unfortunately, production of a follow-up season is currently not moving forward,” Mitchell wrote. “We are incredibly proud of our talented cast and crew who worked so tirelessly to bring this beautiful series to life. We also feel there are more stories to tell and we’ll be looking for other opportunities to bring this to fruition. In a town like Bellevue, the future is never as it seems!”

Fellow Bellevue co-creator Jane Maggs is going to be part of next month’s Writers Talking TV event—find details on how to attend that here—and we’re sure the topic of a new home for the program will come up. Produced by Mitchell and Janis Lundman’s Back Alley Film Productions Ltd. and Muse Entertainment Enterprises, Bellevue was co-created by Mitchell and Maggs with the latter serving as senior writer, executive producer and co-showrunner with Mitchell.

Season 1 of Bellevue starred Anna Paquin as Annie Rider, a brilliant but troubled cop in the town of Bellevue whose past returned to haunt her following the death of a transgender teen. During the course of her investigation, old wounds were opened and secrets revealed, putting her at odds with her ex-husband, Eddie (Allen Leech), her superior, Police Chief Peter Welland (Shawn Doyle) and putting the relationship with her daughter, Daisy (Madison Ferguson) in jeopardy. Season 1 also starred Billy MacLellan, Sharon Taylor, Janine Theriault, Amber Goldfarb and Sadie O’Neil.

Listen to Maggs discuss her career and the creation of Bellevue during our recent podcast and read Carolyn Potts’ reviews; here’s the link to her season finale review.

Where do you think Bellevue should go if it doesn’t return to CBC? Comment below.

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Industry News

Link: CBC and Vice Media seek different kinds of Canada

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From Simon Houpt of The Globe and Mail:

Link: CBC and Vice Media seek different kinds of Canada
We live in tribal times, when even television networks are declaring allegiances and taking sides.

Every spring, the commercial broadcasters unveil their fall programming, making their annual promises to ad buyers – they’re going to deliver buzzy hits! massive audiences! – at the industry’s so-called Upfront presentations. Continue reading.

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Featured, Polls

Poll: Which three cancelled/ending Canadian TV shows will you miss most?

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Now that CBC has revealed its lineup for the upcoming fall and winter, the 2017-18 broadcast season is beginning to take shape. Yes, Rogers, Corus and Bell Media have yet to announce their primetime lineups, but we already know several programs that won’t be returning next year.

With that in mind, we’d like your opinion on the three Canadian television series you’ll miss most. Some have aired for the last time while others—like Saving Hope, 19-2 and Orphan Black—take their final bow in the coming weeks. Let us know your votes and feel free to make your thoughts known in the comments section below.

NOTE: After this poll was published, the following Season 2 news was received about Bellevue.

[socialpoll id=”2442935″]

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Bellevue, Featured

Comments and queries for the week of May 26

I’m really sad about Bellevue being cancelled. A really good, quality show that deserved another season. It had great social media buzz during its run, but I guess it didn’t get enough TV eyeballs. —Kevin

How much were they spending on Pure? Ratings seemed decent for a midseason series. Sad, but not surprised about The Romeo Section. Anne renewal contingent on Netflix? —Jonathan

Yes, Netflix’s decision regarding a second season of Anne will have a direct impact on whether CBC renews it. You can read about that here.

I love Heartland and don’t want it to end. I was a bit disappointed in Season 10 when Ty came back; it was kind of rushed … Ty comes back, he’s sick and goes straight to the hospital with no time spent with Amy, and then Amy rushed off to the hospital to have the baby. I think the baby should have been left for a later season when Ty was back and they were more settled. Then Season 11 [could] have much more storyline coming up with them getting their own ranch or building on Heartland, then Ty getting his veterinary skills out there exploring more of the ranch than thinking about having a baby. Also, when Mallory left the show it was so poorly done she just on the spur of the moment leaves with no goodbyes or farewell just off to the airport without anyone even knowing she’s going? Tim also adds no value to the show … he is a spare part butting into everyone’s business. —Carol

[Heartland] is a breath of fresh air to watch. Nice clean programming with great storylines. I love it and all the characters! I hope Mitch is back for next season. —Valerie

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

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