From Denis McGrath for Cartt.ca:
Link: Reflections from the Writers’ Room: “He Rode a Blais-sing Saddle!â€
Did you hear the one where a six-figure-earning chair of the CRTC hijacked his own hearing to go after some guy who hurt his feelings on “The Twitter?â€
In the world of content creation it wasn’t the most important twist to come out of the group license renewal hearing last week, but it sure was the most surprising. Continue reading.
Thank you, Canada’s Worst Driver
To Andrew Younghusband and Canada’s Worst Driver, I am not a bad driver but I am a frightened driver from a terrible car accident. I have watched your show since Season 3 and I want to thank you for the confidence your show has given me. Hints and instructions I have received while watching saved me the other night from another accident.
At first, when I returned to driving, I was probably a danger to myself and others from being so nervous. LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO is the key that saved me from hitting a huge buck while driving home after dark. If stressed while driving, I think of Andrew and your show to improve a positive thought pattern while I am driving in any weather or tense driving situation. I repeat only the secret to success, “look where you want to go.” When I returned to driving I pulled over on the shoulder every time an 18-wheeler was behind me. It took me a long time to get anywhere!
Your show changed my life and gave me freedom from fear and the ability to become a better driver. Your show has made a huge difference in my life and many others. Thank you sincerely from my heart. —Virginia
Is Heartland’s Gobi desert storyline a dud?
“Galvanizing†isn’t quite the word. It’s more like even a lot of the people who otherwise are enjoying the show think it outright stinks. It’s a dud. It’s nice that the actor is happy, but it’s pretty clear this was one of the worst story decisions, especially in timing, the show has ever made. —Kelly
The episode in which they introduced the Gobi bear storyline was horrendous. I like the show, but half the episodes are poorly written and eye rollingly idiotic. There’s probably four bad episodes for every one good episode. I think maybe certain writers think they have to dull things down for a family audience. I’ll watch this show to the end because it’s telling a rural Western Canadian story but it’s never been a favourite. It’s a shame too because in the episodes that are written well it is a great show. —Alicia
I love Heartland and the direction they are taking it into this season. It is great to see them stretch the relationship of Ty and Amy without breaking it. I love the reflections Amy places on her relationship with Ty over the past few seasons while driving to the doctor’s office. It would beautiful to see this from Ty’s end as well. Keep making a beautiful and enjoyable family show for all of us. —Steven
Great interview Graham, love your passion and commitment to Heartland. I work with dogs and the connection with animals is so very real, they struggle with emotions just like us, they have same medical problems we have, they have social issues, separation issues. For you wanting to show that hopefully next year will be awesome. I can see Ty working more in the reserve or more wild animals coming into the clinic. But whatever happens you are a great actor with a great love to telling the truth to every story. Hope you never leave Heartland. —Karen
Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh.
In last week’s penultimate episode of This Life, the Lawsons suffered twin traumas, as Janine suddenly passed away from a heart attack and Natalie was rushed into emergency surgery. In Sunday’s Season 2 finale, “Choose Life,” the family struggles to regain their footing as they gather for Janine’s funeral.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come.
Natalie recovers from surgery
But learns her treatment options are now severely limited. Can she finally make peace with the unknown?
Oliver tries his hand at love and responsibility
With mixed results. Shannon Kook makes another welcome appearance as Oliver’s new love interest, JD.
Matthew and Nicole move forward
Which means not reverting back to the way things were.
Caleb, Emma and Romy follow their own paths
All three of Natalie’s kids end the season with a better sense of who they are and where they’re headed.
Listen for a Leonard Cohen tribute
Did you expect anything less from a show that so proudly showcases Montreal music?
No word yet on Season 3
But “Choose Life” serves as a lovely series finale if the show is not renewed. Savour another round of fine performances by the entire cast, but take a special moment to recognize the work of Torri Higginson, who has consistently brought subtlety and humour to an emotionally gruelling role. And then hope CBC does the right thing.
This Life airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on CBC.
Image courtesy of CBC.
From a media release:
TVO’s first commissioned drama series, Hard Rock Medical, returns with nine new episodes in January 2017. The episodes premiere on TVO starting on Sunday, January 8 at 8 pm, and for the first time, all of new the episodes will be available on demand on tvo.org following the January 8 broadcast.
Loosely inspired by the world-renowned Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), Hard Rock Medical’s students navigate their way through an offbeat medical training program in the North at Hard Rock U. With another year of med school under their belts, the stakes are raised with the students travelling by snowmobile to rescue a lumberjack with severed fingers, tending to patients with hypothermia, and caring for seniors with addiction issues.
The students are immersed in all areas of Northern life, as they grapple with issues of medical ethics, and struggle to keep their personal lives together. In the Nipissing First Nation, Eva and Melanie face a difficult cancer case that is complicated by Eva’s relationship with the patient’s mother. Gary and Charlie are embedded with EMS teams, working alongside paramedics, local police, and emergency room doctors. Cameron and Gina are based out of a downtown clinic doing outreach to street kids, seniors, and drug addicts, and Nancy and Farida learn what it takes to be a doctor in a small regional hospital.
The series’ ensemble cast returns including Canadian talents, Patrick McKenna (The Red Green Show, Traders), Angela Asher (18 to Life, Degrassi: The Next Generation), Tamara Duarte (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Northern Ontario favourite, Stéphane Paquette.
Mini docs that give an in-depth look into life in the North accompany the series. Created by students at North Bay’s Canadore College, topics include: the Full Moon Ceremony, inspiring accounts from the Nipissing First Nation, and the art and music of Hard Rock Medical. The short films will air on TVO in January and be available on tvo.org following the broadcast.
New episodes of Hard Rock Medical premiere on TVO beginning on Sunday, January 8 at 8 pm and repeat Mondays at 10:30 pm and Fridays at 7 pm. All nine 30-minute episodes will be available on demand on tvo.org, directly following the broadcast premiere, where viewers can also catch up on past episodes. The series will also be broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).
Hard Rock Medical is produced by Distinct Features and was co-created by Smith Corindia and Derek Diorio. The series received funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support the regional production of the series, which is shot entirely in Northern Ontario. Filming for the new episodes took place exclusively in North Bay.
From Heather M. of The Televixen:
Link: The Romeo Section Season 2 finale preview: “Final Measuresâ€
Somehow, we’re already at the end of the second season of The Romeo Section, and the finale is a fantastic dance between Norman, Wolfgang, Al, and Gary on one side, and Rufus, Tony, Mei Mei, and Jimmy on the other. There are several moments of just flat-out clever maneuvering that are simply a joy to behold. Continue reading.Â
