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.
Ransom

Cameras roll on Global’s original series Ransom

2 Comments

From a media release:

Global independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), Big Light Productions, Sienna Films, and Wildcats Productions, in partnership with leading broadcasters Global (Canada), TF1 (France), CBS (US), and RTL (Germany) announce that production has begun in Toronto on the riveting new original drama Ransom. The 13-episode series starring Luke Roberts (Black Sails, Wolf Hall, Game of Thrones) as expert hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont is also set to film in Francethis fall.

Joining the cast as Beaumont’s team are Tony Award-nominated Sarah Greene (Penny Dreadful, Burnt) as Maxine Carlson, a young newcomer eager to prove herself; Brandon Jay McLaren (Graceland, The Killing, Chicago Fire) as Oliver Yates, a psychological profiler; and Nazneen Contractor (Heroes Reborn, Covert Affairs, 24) as ex-cop Zara Hallam.

Ransom follows crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont (Roberts), whose team is brought in to save lives when no one else can. Eric understands criminals better than they do, and uses his insight into human behaviour to resolve the most difficult kidnap and ransom cases. Despite the stakes, Eric refuses to resort to violence, even when confronted by some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. While Eric’s considerable powers of manipulation make him the best at what he does professionally, they often complicate his relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Is Eric being himself, or who he needs to be in order to get what he wants? It’s often hard to tell the difference.

Ransom is inspired by the professional experiences of distinguished crisis negotiator Laurent Combalbert. Laurent Combalbert and his partner, Marwan Mery, are among the top negotiators in the world. They travel the globe to help multinational corporations and governmental agencies with complex negotiations and conflict resolution.

Ransom is created by David Vainola (Diamonds, Combat Hospital) and Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files, The Man in the High Castle). The series is executive produced by Spotnitz, Jennifer Kawaja, and Julia Sereny via their Sienna Films banner; and Valerie Pechels and Odile McDonald of Wildcats Productions, who also brought the IP on which the show is inspired. Ransom has been co-developed by TF1 and Corus Entertainment Inc., with the participation of the Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image Animé in France as well as Canada Media Fund, and will be produced with the financial assistance of the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

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Featured, Killjoys

Killjoys’ Hannah John-Kamen details Dutch’s Season 2

“More challenges, more questions to be answered, more characters. Some questions answered. Bigger, more action. Romance. Explosions!” That’s Hannah John-Kamen’s description of Season 2 of Killjoys. And if what happened in Episode 1 is any indication, she wasn’t kidding.

We’ve already gotten indications, through “Dutch and the Real Girl,” that Khylen’s actions are a reaction to a larger story, something John-Kamen outlined when we spoke last January from the set of the Space and Syfy drama.

We’re talking on the set of Season 2 while you’re in the midst of production. Do you feel like you’re hitting your stride at this point?
Hannah John-Kamen: To be honest, when we came back for Season 2 it felt like we’d never left. We really, really picked up where we left off. We were in our stride straight away.

The Old Town set this season is incredible. As an actor, it’s just another layer to help you get into this character, isn’t it?
One of the most exciting parts is when you see, in the script, that we’re going to be in a whole new world. And then to see the sets is so exciting.

Was it a bit of a learning curve for you, coming into a genre that is so beloved and has a built-in audience?
I remember when the only thing that was out while we were shooting Season 1 was a picture and a small synopsis of the show. But then we did the Fan Expo here in Canada and in the back of my mind I wondered if we were going to have any fans because there was so little information about the show. And then we went through the room and it was packed full of fans already. I remember the questions they asked the panel were so amazing and in sync and intellectual about the show. The questions about The Quad, about Leith, Westerley and the politics. It was nice to have a built-in audience, but it’s also nice to have a new audience. This show has action, drama, romance, comedy … everything that appeals to an audience.

Dutch had quite the journey last season. Khylen, the fight with D’Avin … she’s gone through a lot. Will Khylen be a big part of her storyline in Season 2?
Yes. It’s unfinished business. When we left Episode 10 in Season 1, there are so many more questions to be answered. It’s bigger than just Dutch and Khylen now. Now it’s expanding. The relationship with Khylen isn’t just about Dutch anymore, it’s everyone in The Quad now. It’s another journey.

Killjoys_S2_cast
Killjoys images courtesy of Space

Dutch has got to be pretty pissed off at this point. It’s one thing for Khylen to come after her, but now he’s targeting D’Avin and Johnny.
But not everything is black and white, especially with Khylen. It could be being done for the greater good; there is a reason why he’s doing the things he’s doing.

It’s so much fun to hate him. Rob Stewart plays him so well.
He’s a lovable rogue! It’s fun to hate him, but at the same time there is such a love for Yala, the little girl that he saved, and we still don’t know why he saved her. He’s protecting Dutch, always has and always will.

I know that we will be visiting more of Dutch’s Yala phase. I’d love to explore the first time that Dutch and Johnny met, with her in a bloody wedding dress.

Did you have any questions for Michelle Lovretta between Season 1 and 2?
Michelle is so amazing and open to a knock on the door and talking about the arc and in general what’s going to happen. I don’t know details about each episode because those can always change.

Talk about Dutch’s wardrobe. Pretty kick-ass.
Are you kidding?! I love the wardrobe. It’s so gorgeous. The wardrobe is so important. The material, the leather, it’s harsh but sexy. And then, when I go undercover, the wardrobe is elegant but with the Dutch twist on it. Honestly, it really does make the character.

What’s your elevator pitch that summarizes Season 2?
More challenges, more questions to be answered, more characters. Some questions answered. Bigger, more action. Romance. Explosions!

Killjoys airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Space.

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Industry News

Link: Canadian producers stymied by Brexit waiting game

From Eli Glasner of CBC:

Link: Canadian producers stymied by Brexit waiting game
Like navigating through a thick London fog, Canadian TV and film producers trying to understand the changing terrain of Europe see only uncertainty.

The results of the EU referendum, where a slim majority of Britons voted to leave, caught many Canadian producers off guard. John Weber is the CEO and president of Take 5, the company responsible for a string of European co-productions including the The Tudors, Camelot and Vikings, currently shooting its fifth season. Continue reading. 

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

The Movie Network announces sixth season of hit original stand-up comedy series Funny as Hell

From a media release:

The Movie Network announced today the much-anticipated return of the hit Canadian stand-up series FUNNY AS HELL. Hosted by Canadian comic Jon Dore (INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, KROLL SHOW), Season 6 is commissioned in partnership with Seeso, and the Just for Laughs Group. The six-episode half-hour series goes to production at this year’s Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, July 13 – August 1.

Season 6 features an all-star lineup including Ahmed Bharoocha (THE BRIEFCASE), Aparna Nancherla (LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS), Beth Stelling (THE HALF HOUR, Byron Bowers (LUCAS BROS MOVING CO.), Cameron Esposito (MARRIAGE MATERIAL, TAKE MY WIFE), Emo Philips (UHF), Eugene Mirman (DEBATE WARS, BOB’S BURGERS), Ian Abramson (THE PITCH SHOW), James Davis (REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD, CHELSEA LATELY), Janeane Garofalo (DEBATE WARS, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER), KurtMetzger (INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, HORACE AND PETE), Liza Treyger (HORACE AND PETE, CHELSEA LATELY), The Lucas Brothers (FUNNY AS HELL, LUCAS BROS MOVING CO.), Mary Lynn Rajskub (IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, 24), Sam Morril (Class Act Comedy Album),  Sean Donnelly (MY DUMB FRIENDS Podcast), Sean Patton (BEST BARS IN AMERICA), and ThomasDale (CHELSEA LATELY). Additional comedians will be announced in the coming weeks.

An edgy, no-holds-barred stand up series, FUNNY AS HELL has proved a favoured TV spot among comedians since its inception in 2010. Like previous seasons, Season 6 will encourage the best stand-up comedians in the industry to push the boundaries and have fun in a relaxed, uncensored setting.

Jon Dore is a Canadian comedian and actor. Dore, who  starred in mockumentary-style comedy series THE JON DORE TELEVISION SHOW on The Comedy Network from 2007-2009, has made appearances on  LIVE AT GOTHAM,  HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, and SCARE TACTICS. He is a regular on late night talk shows and was the first stand-up comedian to appear on CONAN. Dore’s feature film credits include the indie drama Gus, opposite Michelle Monaghan, and the comedy film Stag, which picked up two awards for Best Ensemble and Excellence in Filmmaking at the LA Comedy Film Festival. Renowned for his offbeat humor and unique bait-and-switch comedic style, Dore is a favorite on the comedy club and festival circuit. He has had sold-out runs at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and Toronto, at the Washington (DC), Portland, Vancouver, and Halifax festivals, and more recently at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

FUNNY AS HELL is created and executive produced by Just for Laughs Group. It is co-commissioned by Seeso, from NBCUniversal’s Digital Enterprises and Bell Media. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Independent Production, Comedy, Bell Media. Executive for Bell Media is Chris Kelley. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Tracey Pearce is Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Chef Matty Matheson cooks up engrossing TV in Dead Set on Life

Matty Matheson threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game this week and tossed what he described as a “high ball.” But the celebrity chef serves up a strike down the middle with his new Viceland show, Dead Set on Life.

Debuting Thursday on the Canadian cable network, the tattooed, outspoken owner of Toronto’s Parts & Labour, Dog & Bear, P&L Catering, P&L Burger and Maker Pizza travels across Canada, visiting communities, eating food and interacting with the folks who make it. The eight-episode first season races out of the gate with Matheson and his mentor from Le Sélect Bistro, Master Rang, hitting the QEW to Fort Erie, Ont., Matheson’s hometown during his formative years. On the menu? A chicken finger sub made by the folks at the Robo Mart gas station and chicken wings at Southsides.

“I was just back at the Robo Mart the other day and I told them, ‘Are you ready to get very busy?'” Matheson says over the phone. “I think people are going to travel and come in and order the chicken finger sub.” Full confession: we’re plotting  a visit to Fort Erie for exactly that. Dead Set on Life is the latest project Matheson stars in for Vice, following online hits Matty Matheson’s Hangover Cures, Matty’s How-To’s and Keep It Canada. A natural progression in his relationship with the network, Matheson is hoping to strike gold with a television series.

Those expecting him to sit down in a high-end restaurant, extolling the virtues of upper-crust dining are going to be disappointed, though unsurprised. Matheson is in his element talking honestly with folks about their lives and creating tasty, accessible stick-to-your-ribs meals. Aside from Fort Erie, Matheson travels to Ontario’s Norfolk County, Winnipeg and Nova Scotia. Episode 4 catches up with the chef on the Long Plain First Nation in Manitoba, where he not only noshes on elk and bison stew and participates in a pow-wow, but sheds light on the struggles fought by Native Canadians through honest, unflinching dialogue.

“Canada is a beautiful and kind place, but it’s not perfect,” he says. “There are no jobs in the east coast, or I’m on a reservation taking about residential schools. I’m not trying to show every social injustice. I’m a simple guy trying to have a good time, but if some bad shit comes up, I’m going to talk about it.”

Dead Set on Life airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Viceland.

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