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.
Dragons' Den

Brian Scudamore is Canada’s newest investor on CBC’s Dragon’s Den

From a media release:

CBC today announced that 1-800-GOT-JUNK? founder and CEO Brian Scudamore will join DRAGONS’ DEN for Season 19. The visionary behind one of Canada’s most recognizable brands and the world’s largest junk removal company, Scudamore enters the Den ready to infuse the entrepreneurial landscape with his wealth of expertise and experience. Fans of Dragons’ Den can stream seasons 6 through 18 on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A high school dropout, at 18 years old Scudamore ventured into the world of business – buying a $700 pickup truck to start a one-man junk removal service in Vancouver. Fast forward thirty-five years, and today that business has become a global success with 174 franchises across Canada, the US and Australia. Scudamore didn’t stop there, expanding his franchise business model into painting and home detailing, launching WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine under the umbrella company O2E Brands, which has been named one of Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces. Together, Brian’s portfolio of companies has given hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to turn their business dreams into reality. 

“I’m excited to be joining the team of Dragons on this iconic show that has impacted so many people,” said Scudamore. “I’ve been a huge fan of the show since the beginning and so I’m excited to play even a small role in an iconic show that helps inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Canada!”

“With Brian Scudamore taking a seat on the panel this year, the show gains not only a seasoned, well-known entrepreneur, but also a mentor committed to nurturing the country’s next generation of great innovators,” said Jennifer Dettman, Executive Director, Unscripted Content, CBC. “His presence enriches the Den’s dynamic, offering invaluable expertise and inspiration to Canadian audiences and aspiring entrepreneurs.”

As an advocate for up-and-coming talent, Scudamore has contributed as a board member for the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO) and authored two best-selling books on entrepreneurship: “WTF?! (Willing to Fail): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success” and “BYOB: Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss.” His achievements also include receiving the Fortune Small Business’ Best Bosses Award and the prestigious Best Company to Work For award, which he has won three times. He has been honoured in The Globe and Mail’s Top 40 Under 40 list and recognized by the International Franchise Association as an Entrepreneur of the Year.

Scudamore joins Arlene Dickinson, Wes Hall, Manjit Minhas and Michele Romanow, as Robert Herjavec and Vincenzo Guzzo depart the Den. 

Herjavec was one of the original Dragons back in 2006. After departing the series for a decade, he returned for two seasons, coinciding with his family’s move back to Canada. While he is a staunch supporter of Canadian entrepreneurs, his business priorities have him stepping back from doing more television. 

“As I reflect on my return to Dragons’ Den, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to champion Canadian entrepreneurship,” says Herjavec. “I’ll forever cherish the experience shared and the connections made, and I’m excited to see the continued impact of the Den on future entrepreneurs.”

Guzzo’s departure from the series marks the end of an incredible six season run, characterized by his unique blend of entrepreneurial insight and captivating charisma. Moving forward, he will be focusing on his children and businesses, as he prepares for the next generation of Guzzos to take on the world. 

“I am truly grateful for the incredible six-year journey on Dragons’ Den, and extend my thanks to my fellow Dragons, amazing entrepreneurs, and the viewers who made this experience unforgettable,” said Guzzo. “A parting thought: if they tell you it’s impossible, make sure to prove them wrong. It’s the fuel you need to keep going when you are thinking of giving up. Keep dreaming, innovating and making things happen!” 

Production on Season 19 of DRAGONS’ DEN’s will begin later this spring at CBC in Toronto. Molly Middleton and Amy Bourne are Senior Producers. 

Image courtesy of Jeff Topham.

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Featured

Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman and CEO Channing Dungey joins the Banff World Media Festival Summer Series as a keynote speaker

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is proud to announce Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman and CEO Channing Dungey is joining the Festival’s premium Summit Series lineup as a keynote speaker.  The 45th edition of the Festival will take place June 9 – 12, 2024 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

“We’re delighted to welcome back Channing Dungey as a keynote speaker,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, BANFF Executive Director.  “Channing’s unparalleled expertise and insights are a key driver in shaping the future of the entertainment industry.  She is a visionary whose impact transcends screens.”

The BANFF Summit Series is a curated lineup of keynotes featuring global players who are shaping the future of the media industry. As previously announced, Rob Wade, CEO, FOX Entertainment is also confirmed as a Summit Series keynote. Past Summit Series keynote speakers include Jeffrey Katzenberg, Paula Kerger, Pearlena Igbokwe, Bela Bajaria, Ted Sarandos and Maverick Carter, to name a few.

The Festival will again include master classes going behind the scenes of some of the global industry’s most innovative projects and more than 1,200 facilitated networking opportunities, in addition to over 25,000 meetings connecting the global media industry to ignite new projects and support business growth.

This year, international financing and co-production will be a major focus with the launch of the “Better Together” content stream.  BANFF will also debut “Soundtrack,” a new conference stream focused on music on screen.   Technology, AI and entertainment content on social media and online platforms will also be a key content focus.

Also returning to the BANFF stage in June is the Rockie Awards International Program Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious screen industry competitions, with participation from more than 45+ countries annually including an international jury of 150 industry professionals. Category winners, including the Grand Jury Prize, the Rogers Prize for Canadian Content, the Emerging Talent Prize, the Francophone Prize, and other special prizes, will be announced during the Festival on June 11th.

In addition, taking place on the evening of June 10th, the industry-favourite Rockies Gala will return to recognize the best content and most influential entertainment industry executives, talent and creators in the world.

About Channing Dungey
Highly esteemed executive Channing Dungey serves as Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG), one of the entertainment industry’s most-respected providers of original programming. She is the first Black executive and first woman to lead WBTVG. In this role, she has creative responsibility for all of the Studio’s unrivaled television production activities, including nearly 90 scripted, unscripted, and animated series for streaming platforms, cable, and the broadcast networks. Prior to joining the company, she was Vice President of Original Series at Netflix. Before that, she made history as the first Black executive to run a major television network when she was tapped to serve as president of ABC Entertainment. Dungey graduated from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. 

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

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The Trades

Links: The Trades, Season 1

From Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star:

Link: A love letter to Canada’s blue collar workers, The Trades features a ‘diva’ raccoon and may induce a desire to do handiwork
Who says acting is just make-believe? Anastasia Phillips was so inspired by Audrey Stool, the apprentice carpenter she plays in the new Crave comedy “The Trades,” that when her dishwasher broke she took it apart and fixed it herself. Continue reading.

From Melissa Roushorne of The Sarnia Journal:

Link: Sarnia hosts star-studded premiere for ‘The Trades’
When your night starts off by the ‘Trailer Park Boys’ and ‘The Trades’ star Robb Wells asking the crowd ‘’what the **** is going on Sarnia’ you know it’s going to be a good one. Continue reading.

From Paul Morden of The Sarnia Observer:

Link: Sarnia-inspired comedy series about tradespeople hits Crave
Ryan Lindsay celebrated the arrival of his comedy series, The Trades, on television with many of the people who helped it get there during a weekend screening at Sarnia’s Imperial Theatre. Continue reading.

From Angela Gismondi of Daily Commercial News:

Link: The Trades TV show creator inspired by personal experience, his family and local tradespeople
“At family dinners we would always end up talking about my brothers’ days because of the crazy jobs, the nicknames, the rumours, just all of the humour and comedy that comes along with them working in such a hazardous environment.” Continue reading.

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Murdoch Mysteries, Run the Burbs

Link: Sharron Matthews Talks Murdoch Mysteries and Run the Burbs

From Heather M. of The Televixen:

Link: Sharron Matthews talks Murdoch Mysteries and Run the Burbs
“I did about three, four days of rehearsal with [choreographer] Tim French. He and I have done a version of Footloose together. I’ve seen him as an actor. I’ve seen him as a choreographer and as a director. Laurie Lynd was the director. It’s always something really amazing about coming back to set and having a shorthand already with someone. And I know how to dance. I know how to sing and I know how to very quickly change things up.” Continue reading.

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Awards, Featured

Banff’s 2024 Rockie Awards International Program Competition nominees announced

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is pleased to announce the 2024 Rockie Awards International Program Competition Nominees, recognizing excellence in television and digital media from around the globe. The Rockie Awards ceremony will be held in-person as well as live-streamed during this year’s Festival on Tuesday, June 11th at 5:30pm MT (4:30pm PT/ 7:30pm ET).

The Rockie Awards Grand Jury chooses the coveted Grand Jury Prize, selected from the top-scoring programs across the entire field of nominees. This year’s esteemed Grand Jury includes:

Javiera Balmaceda
Head of Originals, Latin America, CA & AU at Amazon MGM Studios

Julie Chang (above)
EVP, Business Strategy & Co-Productions at Blue Ant Media

Prentiss Fraser
President, TV Distribution at Fifth Season

Nichole T. Roberts
Head of Unscripted at Hoorae

Michael Thorn
President, Scripted Programming at FOX Entertainment 

Morgan Wandell
Head of International Content Development at Apple TV+

“We’re delighted to unveil the nominees for this year’s Rockie Awards, a field that truly embodies excellence and innovation within our industry. This is the best of the best across international content. Deep appreciation goes to the esteemed members of the Grand Jury, whose discerning adjudication elevates the program immeasurably,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director. 

In addition to the Grand Jury Prize, the $25,000 Rogers Prize for Excellence in Canadian Content, awarded to the top Canadian production and the Prix Francophone for the top French language production will also be awarded as well as other special awards. In total, 30 awards will be bestowed in the category streams of Documentary & Factual, Arts & Entertainment, Children & Youth, Scripted, and Podcast, in addition to the presentation of several Rockies Gala Awards to be announced soon.

Leading nominations by company are:

  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – 22 nominations
  • 20th Television – 8 nominations
  • Sky – 5 nominations

Leading nominations by country are:

  • USA – 51 nominations
  • UK – 50 nominations
  • Canada – 40 nominations
  • France – 8 nominations
  • Germany – 7 nominations
  • Taiwan – 6 nominations

Additional countries represented in the nominations are:

  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • The Netherlands
  • Wales

FOR THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES, PLEASE VISIT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16zvZwg34SHW190DzBYx35AY5RGtxcRrvMGnLa_nK5VQ/edit?usp=sharing

About the Rockie Awards:

With a 45-year legacy, the Rockie Awards International Program Competition is open to genres and platforms including drama, non-fiction, digital, kids, youth and podcasts. Timed in the heart of awards voting season, the prestigious Banff World Media Festival competition recognizes excellence in global television and digital content. Entries from more than 45 countries compete each year, and winners are selected by an international industry jury of 150+ senior entertainment and media professionals.

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