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.
The Romeo Section

Link: The Romeo Section is a subtly sexy thriller for grown-ups

From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

The Romeo Section is a subtly sexy thriller for grown-ups
Welcome to The Romeo Section (CBC, 9 p.m.), an expertly made and deftly engrossing cerebral thriller. Eight years after CBC cancelled Intelligence, creator Chris Haddock is back with this, an espionage drama that is John le Carré-esque in its depiction of spies under pressure. Less dark and less densely plotted than Intelligence, it is, nevertheless, serious-minded on the matter of differentiating ethical decisions. And those decisions, influenced by vanity and ego, are often life-and-death decisions. Continue reading.

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Industry News, The Code

Production begins on Global’s new original drama The Code starring Jason Priestley

From a media release:

– Set to premiere on Global in Spring 2016, the series is produced by Entertainment One in association with Shaw Media –

Entertainment One Television (eOne) and Shaw Media announced today that production has begun on The Code (working title) starring Golden Globe nominee and Canadian Screen Award winner Jason Priestley. Set to premiere on Global in spring 2016, this new 10-episode one-hour drama series is a rousing P.I. procedural with a wry wit that combines drama, humour, and romance. Priestley plays “Matt ‘Shadow’ Shade”, an ex-pro hockey player who uses his ability to read people and anticipate their moves in his new gig as a crime-solving P.I. along with his smart, beautiful, and feisty partner “Angie Everett” played by Cindy Sampson (Rogue, Rookie Blue).

Shot on location in and around Toronto, The Code takes a modern spin on the classic noir hero story, as Matt and Angie investigate a wide range of fascinating cases from fraud to adultery to conspiracy and murder, while offering a great relationship drama along the way.

Additional cast include Barry Flatman (Fargo, Defiance) as Shade’s father “Don” – the ultimate blue-collar hockey dad. Matt Shade wouldn’t be the ex-pro athlete that he is if Don hadn’t driven him to every game and pushed him to be focused and hard-working. Jordyn Negri (Warehouse 13, Dino Dan) plays Shade’s visually impaired daughter “Jules” who is wise beyond her years but yearns to fit in – just like every 14-year-old.

The Code will also feature guest stars throughout the season, including hockey legend Doug Gilmour who makes a cameo in episode one.

The Code is executive produced by John Morayniss and Rachel Fulford for eOne along with Shawn Piller, Lloyd Segan, Shelley Eriksen, Alan McCullough, Tassie Cameron, Kelly Makin and Jason Priestley. Showrunners/writers are Shelley Eriksen (Continuum, Flashpoint) and Alan McCullough (Rookie Blue, Reign). Set to direct this season are Kelly Makin, Anne Wheeler, Shawn Piller, Charles Officer, Jason Priestley, Rob Lieberman and Jerry Ciccoritti.

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Children's Programming, Degrassi, Some Assembly Required

Link: When it comes to tween TV production, Canada comes of age

From Jeremy Dickson of Kidscreen:

When it comes to tween TV production, Canada comes of age
Oh Canada. It’s the celebrated home of maple syrup, hockey and Degrassi-star-turned-rapper Drake. Within the global kids entertainment biz, the country is gaining a reputation as a burgeoning breeding ground for high-quality TV sitcoms and dramas that target tweens and teens. Continue reading.

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Dramas and Comedies

Link: Kids in the Hall on Lorne Michaels’ “Muscle,” Hollywood Homophobia and their Monty Python Obsession

From Seth Abramovitch of The Hollywood Reporter:

Kids in the Hall on Lorne Michaels’ “Muscle,” Hollywood Homophobia and their Monty Python Obsession
Nearly 30 years later, the show’s influence can be felt in every corner of the comedy universe – from the films of Seth Rogen (the Steve Jobs star has called them “the benchmark of Canadian comedy”) to descendants like Key & Peele and Inside Amy Schumer. Even Michaels’ crown jewel, Saturday Night Live, in whose immense shadow the Kids have long stood, has borrowed increasingly from their playbook – most recently with the casting of Good Neighbor’s Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett, who mine the mundane for a similar strain of surrealist humour. Continue reading.

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