TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 478
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Uncategorized

Link: Twenty years later, Twitch City is a work of genius and a reminder of what Canadian TV lacks

From Calum Marsh of the National Post:

Link: Twenty years later, Twitch City is a work of genius and a reminder of what Canadian TV lacks
Just about 20 years ago, the CBC inconspicuously broadcast the pilot episode of what remains, two decades later, perhaps the finest program in Canadian television history. It was called Twitch City, and with near-miraculous daring, it defied every trapping and convention of mainstream TV. Conceived by Don McKellar, who stars, in collaboration with Bruce McDonald, who directs, the series was, broadly speaking, an “anti-sitcom” — a misanthropic comedy that seemed actively hostile to the form. Continue reading.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Travelers

Preview: The Travelers team hits the water for high octane adventure

Just because you saved the world from a catastrophic virus doesn’t mean you get any downtime. That’s what MacLaren and the team learn in this week’s new episode of Travelers.

Here’s what Showcase has revealed regarding Monday’s newest episode, “17 Minutes,” written by creator Brad Wright and directed by Amanda Tapping.

A skydiving traveler must try, repeatedly, to save our team from a horrible fate.

And, as always, a few more tidbits from us after watching the episode.

Kat blows her top
No, she’s not still suffering from a fever, but Kat is certainly feeling hot thanks to Grant forgetting something special. We don’t blame her, frankly and he’s in the dog house. That leads to a very funny scene as his team members educate Grant in “21st Century Female Behavior.” I keep forgetting that, despite all of the missions these folks are on, they need to keep their low profile and stay integrated with the population.

Say what?!?!
Just five minutes into “17 Minutes,” everything goes awry for the team in a deadly way. A seemingly routine mission to retrieve an important item turns awful for everyone. Brad Wright and his writers continue to take us on a thrilling ride every week and this one is no exception. It’s twisty, turny and simply fantastic.

Melissa Roxburgh saves the day
Well, her character Carrie tries to anyway. The Vancouver actress portrays the aforementioned skydiver who plummets to earth and attempts to save MacLaren and the squad … and save their mission in the process.

Travelers airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Showcase.

Images courtesy of Corus.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured

Comments and queries for the week of November 24

[The Baker Sisters is] a unique show with a neat concept. The two Baker sisters are very natural and fun to watch. The fact that they get the bakeries to share their recipes appeals to me. —H. Mcauley

The Goods is a great show, but the audience is way too loud, the hosts are always trying to talk above the clapping and hooting. Tone down the audience so a person can hear the show. —Lorra

It’ll be great to watch Russell Peters AND William Shatner [on The Indian Detective] playing Canadians and doing this Canadian TV show that will show how much India is a big part of Canada’s multicultural mosaic. —Stevie

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

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Animal Planet makes holidays happier with six-week free preview, beginning Dec. 1

From a media release:

This holiday season, Animal Planet invites viewers to cuddle up with some of the funniest, wildest, and most touching moments the animal kingdom has to offer during a special Free Preview from Friday, Dec. 1 through Thursday, Jan. 11.

The Animal Planet Free Preview delivers a slate of programming that’s purrrrrr-fect for the whole family, including the new original Canadian series DR. KERI: PRAIRIE VET, airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning Dec. 10. From pedigreed show dogs to prize mares, cows, cute and cuddly cats, and even angry bulls, the series follows the action-packed life of travelling vet Dr. Keri Hudson Reykdal, who’s on the road 24/7 to care for “all creatures big and small.” She’s dedicated her life to animals – treating them, training them, and riding them in horse derbies – with one of the busiest and most unusual mobile veterinary units to roam the northern prairie.

On Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, Animal Planet is giving the gift of cute with a full hour of super adorable holiday cuteness. SUPER CUTE YULE LOG is stocked full of fluffy puppies, cuddly kittens, and other baby animals all frolicking to seasonal tunes across a holiday set.

Animal Planet’s Free Preview is available through television service providers across Canada including: Bell, Bell Aliant, Cogeco, Eastlink, BellMTS, Rogers, SaskTel, Telus, Videotron, and several CCSA partners including Access Communications, Westman Communications, Northwestel Inc., Tbaytel, Novus Entertainment, Wightman Telecom Ltd., and Mitchell Seaforth Cable TV.

Below is a listing of Animal Planet programming highlights during its Free Preview.  All programming is subject to change.

NEW SERIES
DR. KERI: PRAIRIE VET – Original Canadian Series
Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning Dec. 10
She’s a hardworking vet on wheels! It’s calving season in rural Manitoba as the new original Canadian series begins, and Dr. Keri is on call 24/7. She’s running on no sleep, with an emergency C-Section, and a chocolate-chomping dog – all before lunchtime.

DR. KERI: PRAIRIE VET is produced by Merit Motion Pictures in association with Animal Planet and with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Manitoba Films & Video Production Tax Credit, the Canadian Film & Video Production Tax Credit, and the financial investment of Manitoba Film & Music.

RETURNING SERIES
COLLAR OF DUTY – Season 2 – Original Canadian Series
New Season: Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning Dec. 15
This 12-part original Canadian series captures incredible true stories of service and therapy animals that are transforming people’s lives. In each episode, Animal Planet visits individuals living with a service/therapy animal to learn about their relationship and witness how each person’s life has dramatically improved thanks to their special animal. From prisons to courtrooms to classrooms, the series reveals the many ways animals are making a major impact on the humans who need them most.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail