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.

Makeful’s Post My Party encourages DIY celebrations

Lynzie Kent didn’t have dreams of being a television host. She already runs Love By Lynzie, a successful wedding and event planning company in Toronto, and fronts Electric Blonde, a band that  plays weddings, events and corporate gigs. Throw in a child, and her calendar is pretty packed. But then Makeful called, and Kent found herself in front of the camera hosting Post My Party.

Debuting Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Blue Ant Media’s fledgling craft network—fellow new original Taste of the Country bows right after—Post My Party tracks Kent while she helps clients pull off cool shindigs and saving a buck by doing the decorating yourself. Far from hanging a few sad strands of crepe paper streamers with sticky tape, Kent’s creations are creative, fun and—best of all—easy and accessible. Craft and dollar stores offer untold treasures that can be transformed into playful features in any party.

“I think that there’s a little bit of a shift towards celebrations that are a little more authentic,” Kent says. “For awhile it was all about keeping up with the Joneses and spending a lot of money, but I think people are trying to bring it back to the retro idea of throwing a really sweet party inspired by the person or thing they’re celebrating. That’s a little more down-to-earth and where the handmade aspect comes in.”

Makeful already had the show concept developed with General Purpose Entertainment and were searching for a host. They found Kent on Instagram; the series title references the fact that as parts of the party come together they’re photographed and posted on the social media site. Sunday’s first episode—future instalments cover a boy’s sleepover, a beat the January blues party, a boho-inspired girl’s night in and celebrating the end of a dodgeball season—catches up with Kent as she plans a ballerina-themed birthday party for Avery. With three days plot and create, Kent and Avery’s mother, Betta, craft tiaras made of paper, glue, paint and sparkles, personalized refreshment bottles capped with edible adhesive and candy sprinkles, and a stunning table cover mirroring a ballet tutu. Needless to say, Avery and her friends are astounded.

Achieving what Betta did for Avery is easy. Aside from acquiring items from dollar stores, there is a whole online community offering up crafting tips on YouTube, Pinterest, craft blogs and Makeful’s own  tutorials to inspire and educate.

“You don’t have to look too far anymore for guidance,” Kent says. “And you don’t have to be intimidated by it either.”

Post My Party airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Makeful.

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Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Lisa Rose Snow

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Women Behind Canadian TV: Lisa Rose Snow
“I have worked every “Joe Job” under the sun. I’ve been a nanny, I’ve worked at McDonald’s. It came a time where I was like ‘OK, how can I work in my field and still pay my rent and still make my own thing?’ So I’ve been very fortunate to have a job where I’m in my field, I’m paying my rent and I’m learning a ton under amazing people–lots of amazing women but lots of amazing men as well. I feel like if you surround yourself with really good, strong female leaders then the men they put in the room are good, strong men that are the kind of men you’d want in a room.” Continue reading.

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Comments and queries for the week of March 11

20 Stars, 20 Room Renovations: Home to Win debuts

OMG. I would love to enter my husband in this challenge. He is a farmer but I call him my jack-of-all-trades. I don’t know what heart palpitating challenges you will give him, but I’m sure my heart will be palpitating watching him do these challenges. Please consider him as a contestant. (P.S. – We love to watch HGTV.) —Joan


Murdoch Mysteries‘ showrunner explains heartbreaking episode

Maria, when did you start watching the show? Julia cannot have children, due to a past and painful abortion. My only solution would be for the Murdoch’s to have a surrogate; but, that was the early 1900. No surrogate then? I believe before the season finale, they will have a child. We now know that they are open to adoption, so anything now is possible and acceptable with Julia and William. —Joanne

Joanne, thank you so much for clarification. I watched all the seasons (not in order though) and most certainly I missed that information. One episode, however, sunk in my memory and made me think that it is possible for them to have a child. This was when Det. Murdoch went to the so called “Future Showing” show and got somewhat hypnotized inside the machine. In this episode, he could foresee his future (10 to 12 years from the present time) with Julia and (must be) their son. This story made me think that it is possible for them to have a son, maybe even an adopted one. But it really doesn’t look like anymore. How sad. —Maria


Link: Why Canadian TV producers don’t want to make a Downton Abbey

We arguably did have a Downton Abbey. It was the 90s period drama Road to Avonlea, a Canadian story set in Canada with a large ensemble of great characters with great writing and great acting. It got great ratings on both sides of the border and it holds up rather well today, unlike many shows which become corny with time. That being said, its been a couple decades since the show ended and Emily of New Moon failed to live up to its predecessor. I wish we could get something else; none of the networks really seem to embrace the idea. —Alicia


Curses on Curse of the Frozen Gold

You think it is respectful disrespecting a B-25 bomber war grave on your show? Rooting through it like vultures; you should be slapped for your ignorance of the men that lost their lives and their families. I believe that is a protected war grave and I hope you are reprimanded. —Bill

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Fire off an email to greg@tv-eh.com or on Twitter @tv_eh.

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Link: ‘Wynonna Earp’ showrunner pitched the series as ‘Frozen’ meets ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’

From Donna Dickens at Hitfix.com:

‘Wynonna Earp’ showrunner pitched the series as ‘Frozen’ meets ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
“One thing I think is really important that I try to do is just because she’s a kickass babe doesn’t mean she can’t also be a woman and have feelings and be vulnerable and make mistakes and maybe be stupid about her romantic entanglements. All the women I know are kickass and amazing but are real people who make mistakes.” Continue reading.

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Letterkenny’s huge launch on CraveTV fuels second season order

From a media release:

As announced moments ago on Twitter, CraveTV together with The Comedy Network, has ordered a second season of LETTERKENNY, CraveTV’s first ever original series which debuted on February 7. Produced by New Metric Media in partnership with DHX Media in association with Bell Media, a second season of the smash hit comedy series is set to shoot this spring in Sudbury. The announcement was confirmed by Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV, at today’s Banff World Media Festival’s Content Industry Connectduring Canadian Screen Week. Today’s announcement comes ahead of LETTERKENNY arriving on The Comedy Network schedule later this year.

As part of today’s announcement, CraveTV revealed that LETTERKENNY had the biggest debut of any series on CraveTV since the premium TV streaming service launched in 2014, with more CraveTV users watching LETTERKENNYthan any other series or title on CraveTV. LETTERKENNY is based on the Internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, a series of shorts which have raked in more than 14 million views. Created by Jared Keeso of Bravo’s hit Canadian Screen Award-nominated original drama 19-2, LETTERKENNY is executive produced, directed, and co-written by Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky), who returns for Season 2.

Supported by a massive cross-platform promotional and publicity campaign, all six episodes of Season 1 of LETTERKENNY debuted on CraveTV Super Bowl Sunday (February 7) where the series became an instant hit. It finished the day #1 amongst all titles with more views per episode than any other series. The series has been #1 ever since, making LETTERKENNY the most successful title to ever launch on CraveTV. To date, already nearly one in three CraveTV users have watched LETTERKENNY.

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