Welcome back to another bi-weekly (ish) chat about the latest news in Canadian TV! First, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.
Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, which includes the debut of Citytv’s newest original series, Wong & Winchester, and CBC’s Sort Of and Best in Miniature being renewed.
This podcast brought to you by Sipsmith Gin and Wayne Gretzky Pinot Grigio.
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From Aisling Murphy of the Toronto Star:
Link: ‘We laugh a lot on set’: Andrew Phung and Rakhee Morzaria on running the ’burbs for a second season
“One thing we noticed right away was that our audience was much younger, was often families and often families of colour. That’s something I’m really proud of. In order for us to make those changes in our media landscape, we have to engage audiences who haven’t always been engaged by mainstream broadcasters.” Continue reading.
From Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald:
Link: What about Bob? Albertans Andrew Phung and Gavin Crawford face off in Season 2 of Run the Burbs
In the three years that Andrew Phung worked at Calgary’s Village Square Leisure Centre co-ordinating youth programs, he got a good look at bureaucracy. Continue reading.
From Courtney Shea of Toronto Life:
Link: “King Street nightlife is fun, but then you turn 30 and just want to be in bed by 11”: A Q&A with Run the Burbs creator Andrew Phung
“If Full House was about the Tanners, you could say Run the Burbs is about their neighbours—the people whose stories never got told. But our show is unique in other ways: a lot of family comedies are about bickering, whereas my show is about two adults who love their kids. It’s funny that such a basic premise feels fresh.” Continue reading.
From Noel Ransome of The Canadian Press:
Link: ‘Run the Burbs’ has a new showrunner and renewed focus on authenticity for Season 2
Newly minted “Run the Burbs” showrunner Anthony Q. Farrell firmly believes that authenticity is a central part of diverse storytelling — from the script to diverging perspectives on set that express what is real versus “what doesn’t feel true.” Continue reading.
From Heather M. of The Televixen:
Link: Previewing Pretty Hard Cases, Season 3
Wednesday night on CBC, Pretty Hard Cases is back for Season 3, picking up eight months after Sam was demoted to a uniform. Continue reading.
From Noel Ransome of The Canadian Press:
Link: From being bullied to falling in love, Mark Critch mines the past for ‘Son of a Critch’ S2
When Mark Critch stepson the set of “Son of a Critch,” wearing his dad’s signature aviator frames and a 1980s-styled fully buttoned suit and tie, it’s a chance for the 48-year-old actor to reminisce about his upbringing. Continue reading.
From Sheldon MacLeod of Saltwire:
Link: Mark Critch: A love letter to his parents
What started out as a memoir of his time growing up under the transmitter tower of VOCM is now into a second season as a television series. Continue reading.
From Melissa Hank of Postmedia:
Link: Workin’ Moms set to say goodbye in Season 7
Catherine Reitman hit the motherlode with her CBC series Workin’ Moms. The show debuted in 2017 and struck a chord with viewers worldwide for its portrayal of parenthood — each raw, honest and funny part of it. Continue reading.
From Johanna Schneller of The Globe and Mail:
Link: ‘TMI was our goal’: The stars of Workin’ Moms reflect on the show’s seven-season run
“It’s not a story about a drug dealer who finally gets busted, or a detective who finds the bad guy. Working mothers just keep getting up and going to work.” Continue reading.
From Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star:
Link: Mothers and breasts and bears: the cast reflects on seven seasons of ‘Workin’ Moms’
“I think what people connected with (in ‘Workin’ Moms’) was what they needed that year … It happens to be that I hired really talented writers and really talented actors to play these compelling stories convincingly, and people connected with that. So I think how it continued to hit was we evolved as the times changed.” Continue reading.
From Isobel Grieve of Toronto Guardian:
Link: Workin’ Moms Sarah McVie Says A Heartfelt Goodbye
With Workin’ Moms about to air its seventh and final season on January 3, I sat down with Sarah McVie, who plays Val, to talk about her journey on the show and what it’s like to say goodbye to such a beloved character. Continue reading.
From Eric Volmers of the Belleville Intelligencer:
Link: Calgary expats reflect on seven seasons of CBC’s Workin’ Moms
It is nearing the end of an interview with Jessalyn Wanlim and Ryan Belleville when they suddenly decide they need to talk about a harrowing experience they shared in 2019. Continue reading.
From Sarah Laing of The Kit:
Link: Workin’ Moms Star Enuka Okuma Bids the Show Farewell
“It became so much more of a gift than I could ever have imagined. There really is a camaraderie there between these women and these characters.” Continue reading.
From Amber Dowling of Variety:
Link: How ‘Workin’ Moms’ Retired After Seven Seasons
Catherine Reitman wanted to share stories of women trying — and often failing — to have it all. Fast forward seven seasons, 83 episodes and dozens of awards nominations (including two International Emmy nods), and she’s ready to put that baby to bed. Continue reading.
From Indiescreen:
Link: Workin’ Moms retire
It’s the last week of shooting for the cast and crew of Workin’ Moms when Indiescreen reached them in mid-September. The CBC series is sunsetting after its upcoming seventh and final season, set to hit the network in early 2023. Continue reading.
