TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 332
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured

Comments and queries for the week of November 9

I thought Daniel [Maslany] was brilliant in this episode [of Murdoch Mysteries]. When he first started on the show I thought he was obnoxious. The seasons have passed and the backstory of Watts’s life have filled in, a sister, two brothers and finding out that his religion is Judaism. He has adjusted so well. The notebook is gone (I think), he has friendships and support in the station. I agree with him about his way of preparing for the show, give him time with the script. Let him find his way with it. Congratulations to everyone on a spectacular show, one of my favourites. —Jan

The episode was brilliant and the performance given by Daniel Maslany was exceptional. Definitely CSA-worthy. —Fatima

This was a great episode, and bravo to Daniel Maslany! —Lloyd

He was absolutely stellar in this episode. His non-verbals were superb and quite instrumental in fleshing out both the character and the experience. The continuation of both is why this is my No. 1 television watching choice. —Ingrid

Maslany has been a wonderful addition to this show; when he first appeared, I thought that maybe he was slightly Aspergers-like, with his high intelligence but lack of social skills and filter. So, kind of endearingly quirky, for sure, and very Colombo-like. Hope he’s included in many more episodes to come. This was a good one—I figured I knew who the murderer was from the outset, but the twists and turns as the episode progressed made me doubt myself, thanks to the convincing acting by Maslany—good job! —D Mac

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

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Mr. D

Link: Q&A with Gerry Dee on the finale season of Mr. D

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: Q&A with Gerry Dee on the finale season of Mr. D
“We ended season seven in a way that we handcuffed ourselves a bit. That could have been the last episode, right? When we decided to come back for one more, our conversation with CBC we had to get creative. How does Gerry get back? There’s the easy way where it’s a bad dream and it wasn’t true but we wanted to think of something that was a little more clever so we think that we have done that with this.” Continue reading.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

DHX Media to sell Halifax Animation Studio to focus and streamline its production operations

1 Comment

From a media release:

DHX Media (or the “Company”) (TSX: DHX, NASDAQ: DHXM), a global children’s content and brands company, has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Halifax animation studio. The sale is part of the Company’s ongoing strategic shift to focus and streamline its production operations.

“The sale will generate operating efficiencies by consolidating animation production, and aligns with our objectives of rationalizing costs, simplifying our organization and focusing resources,” said Michael Donovan, CEO and Executive Chairman, DHX Media.

DHX Media is headquartered in Halifax. The sale does not include This Hour Has 22 Minutes, which continues to be owned by DHX Media and produced in Halifax.

The sale is expected to close on or about December 31, 2018, and is subject to customary closing conditions, applicable third party consents and the execution of certain ancillary agreements.

About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX, NASDAQ: DHXM) is a global children’s content and brands company, recognized for such high-profile properties as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and the acclaimed Degrassi franchise. One of the world’s foremost producers of children’s shows, DHX Media owns the world’s largest independent library of children’s content, at 13,000 half-hours. It licenses its content to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide and generates royalties through its global consumer products program. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media operates one of the largest networks of children’s channels on YouTube. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has offices worldwide.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries features a ripped-from-the-headlines case

2 Comments

Unlike the Halloween episode of Murdoch Mysteries—which deeply divided new and old fans alike—last week’s instalment, “Brothers Keeper,” was a major hit. Viewers loved getting a peek into Det. Watts’ backstory and were impressed by Daniel Maslany’s performance. One reader thinks he should be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and I agree. (Read my interview with Daniel if you haven’t already.)

As for Monday’s new episode—note that on November 19 the show is pre-empted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize—it appears Murdoch Mysteries is going with a rare ripped from the headlines-inspired tale. Here’s what the CBC has revealed as the main storyline for “Drowning in Money,” written by Noelle Girard and directed by Alison Reid.

When a wealthy, high society couple is found drowned in their pool in an apparent double suicide, Murdoch suspects murder.

And here are a few more tidbits I can reveal after watching a screener.

Is “Drowning in Money” based on a real-life case?
It certainly appears the deaths of Franklin and Louise resembles the current investigation into the case of Barry and Honey Sherman. Their deaths were first thought to be a suicide, only to be deemed a double-murder. I’ll be speaking with writer Noelle Girard and will confirm this.

A newish Newsome
OK, we were introduced to Effie Newsome (Clare McConnell) when she and Crabtree met at the Henry and Ruth’s nuptials. Effie is representing a cousin of hers who is suing Crabtree for faulty brake work done on his car.

John Brackenreid in love?
When he’s not working the murder case with Murdoch, Crabtree and Watts, John is speaking with Persephone (Hannah Endicott-Douglas), a daughter of the deceased. They do make a super-cute couple.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Preview: History recognizes Remembrance Day with superior 100 Days to Victory

I’m a bit of a history buff, particularly when it comes to the First and Second World Wars. I’ve watched dozens of documentaries, miniseries and films, and have visited sites of battles in France. I thought I knew almost everything. Not even close.

Airing on Remembrance Day on History, 100 Days to Victory unveiled two hours of material I’d read scant details about. Produced by Bristow Global Media and Electric Media in association with Corus Entertainment’s History and narrated by Peter Outerbridge, 100 Days to Victory—broadcast Sunday, Nov. 11, at 9 and 10 p.m. ET/PT on the specialty channel—tracks the final 100 days in the First World War. The program is a stunning achievement in television, combining words from historians and recreations of crucial battles to tell the story of Canada’s important role in the conflagration.

The opening minutes set the scene. It’s early 1918 on the Western Front and German forces are making a final push to crush the Allies and win the war. French Marshal Ferdinand Foch and British Field Marshal Douglas Haig, desperate for a victory, turn to Canadian General Arthur Currie and Australian General John Monash for advice. Between them, the pair devises a brash and ingenious plan to rout the enemy using a combination of forces in a whole new way.

Along the journey, the producers introduce the background of each of the four military leaders; where they came from, their military backgrounds and personalities. And, using actual letters and diary entries written by military leaders and everyday soldiers in the trenches, the program provides a well-rounded description of what was happening and going through everyone’s minds. Historians like Dr. Tim Cook of the Canadian War Museum, Prof. Elaine McFarland, Patrick Watt and Mat McLachlan offer a detailed play-by-play of each battlefield move.

In the second instalment, Allied forces smash through Germany’s impregnable Hindenburg Line—a five-trench, fortified, 600-kilometre horror bristling with barbed wire, machine guns and booby traps—with daring Canadian Corps advances planned by Currie.

Remembrance Day, for me, is a time of reflection. And, by watching programs like 100 Days to Victory, I’m able to put myself in the shoes of Canadians who fought to defend this country and salute them.

100 Days to Victory airs Sunday, Nov. 11, at 9 and 10 p.m. ET/PT on History.

Images courtesy of Corus Entertainment.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail