From You’ve Been Hooked:
Link: 5×5 With The Hook: Hugh Dillon
“The writing on that show was so good it transcended language barriers/cultural differences and has stood the test of time. And it is amazing how we can drop all the walls we put up when we recognize the truth and beauty in the stories. Sometimes it’s a song a show or even a sport that provides that moment of connection, and life is good and you’re in the moment and you’re connected; can’t beat it!” Continue reading.Â
From Hermoine Wilson of The TV Junkies:
Link: Why iconic author Margaret Atwood is killing it on TV right now
“I think that is one of the effects that series like this can have because each one is centred on a letter and learning letters and how they fit into words of course helps children read. But I don’t think it was in my mind anyway. If your primary purpose is didactic, the story will often be boring.” Continue reading.
From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:
Link: Margaret Atwood on alliteration, new Wandering Wenda show, being a teen puppeteer
“Kids think it’s funny and when the parents read the books, they often get mixed up and kids think that’s funny too. The Bs and Ds are particularly difficult for kids with dyslexia, and the Rs are particularly difficult with some people from other countries who are learning English. So in fact the R book has been used as a teaching aide in language classes for that reason.” Continue reading.Â
From a media release:
CTV along with producing partners Big Light Productions and Blue Ice Pictures announced today that production has wrapped on THE INDIAN DETECTIVE, following international production in Cape Town, South Africa and Mumbai, India earlier this year. The four-part, one-hour, comedic drama, starring international comedy sensation Russell Peters in his first scripted TV series, is set to premiere as part of CTV’s 2017/18 schedule.
THE INDIAN DETECTIVE follows Toronto cop Doug D’Mello (Peters) as he becomes embroiled in a murder case while visiting his father, Stanley (Anupam Kher), in Mumbai. The investigation leads Doug to uncover a dangerous conspiracy while dealing with his own ambivalence towards a country where despite his heritage, he is an outsider.
As THE INDIAN DETECTIVE, Peters is a charming, smart, ambitious Toronto cop of Indian heritage whose dreams of becoming a homicide detective are put on hold when he is unjustly suspended.
Additional cast members also confirmed today include Canadian icon William Shatner (STAR TREK), who wrapped filming in Cape Town earlier this year playing a billionaire property developer from Toronto who may have ties to the criminal underworld.
Additionally, award-winning actor and Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher (Silver Linings Playbook, Bend It Like Beckham) stars as Stanley D’Mello, Doug’s father, a retired airline pilot who moved back to India after the death of his wife. He’s a lovable rascal, trying to reconnect with his son in his golden years. Christina Cole (Casino Royale. SUITS) plays Constable Robyn Gerner, Doug’s tough, beautiful all-Canadian partner. Mishqah Parthiepal (Snake Park) stars as Priya Sehgal, an earnest and dedicated lawyer, born into an upper-middle class family in Mumbai; Priya has chosen to dedicate herself to serving the legal needs of the poor of the Annapuri Slum.
Equal doses comedy and high-stakes drama, THE INDIAN DETECTIVE is executive produced by Golden Globe®-winning and Emmy®-nominated Frank Spotnitz (THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, THE X-FILES) of Big Light Productions and Lance Samuels and Daniel Iron (MADIBA, THE BOOK OF NEGROES) of Blue Ice Pictures.
THE INDIAN DETECTIVE is a co-production between Big Light Productions, Blue Ice Pictures, Wonder Films, and Bell Media. The series was created, executive produced, and written for Russell Peters by Spotnitz and Smita Bhide (HUNTED, TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES). The series is directed by BAFTA award-winner Sandy Johnson (BENIDORM, JONATHAN CREEK) and produced by Trevor Hopkins (FORTITUDE, CUFFS). It is executive produced by Blue Ice Pictures’ Daniel Iron and Lance Samuels (MADIBA, THE BOOK OF NEGROES), Wonder Films’ Mark Burton (Water, Tallulah), Russell Peters (HIP-HOP EVOLUTION), CPI Pictures’ Clayton Peters (Breakaway, RUSSELL PETERS VERSUS THE WORLD), and Paul Canterna. Co-executive producer is Sharon Remmer (THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, MEDICI: MASTERS OF FLORENCE).
Jane Maggs is a writer from Newfoundland living in Toronto. As a playwright, Jane has been produced in Toronto, Newfoundland and her work has been invited to be part of such workshops as the Banff Playwrights Colony and the Tarragon Theatre Playwrights Unit. Maggs is a 2011 screenwriting graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Feature Film program, and has been writing for film and TV ever since. She just completed the first season of the CBC drama Bellevue which she was co-creator, co-showrunner and writer of six episodes.
Jane is currently development on a couple of projects with her sister Adriana Maggs with Shaftesbury Films adapting the popular Aimée Leduc novel series for TV, and working on a half-hour comedy for CBC. Maggs’ feature Goalie that she also co-wrote with her sister is set for a fall 2017 production. Jane is also working on a couple of new project ideas with Adrienne Mitchell, with whom she created Bellevue.
Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.
Want to support TV, eh?’s work? Become a Patreon!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:
Link: Why the fuss about funding We Are Canada? It’s just tedious TV
I’m aware of the series called We Are Canada, but had declined to draw your attention to it because, well, it is that most fatiguing of things to write about – a worthy, well-meaning Canadian effort. There isn’t much to say. But now that it has drawn attention, I will say this – it is very, very tedious TV. Continue reading.
