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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Baby talk on Murdoch Mysteries

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“There hasn’t been any baby talk yet, but that’s the logical next step. Who knows how long that will take or how it will come about?” Hélène Joy would be a worthy foil for Det. Murdoch. I’m pretty sure she already knew William and Julia were going to adopt back when I spoke to her on the set of Murdoch Mysteries late last year. If so, good on her for keeping things vague from my prying questions.

The addition of Roland—the pair adopted him last week—made an immediate impact on our favourite couple: he threw their lives into complete disarray. Adding an infant to a television series is always a challenge, and it will be interesting to see how Murdoch Mysteries handles the little fellow from week to week. Will he be handed off to a nanny? I don’t think so, as Julia and William seem intent on having him there all the time. Perhaps he’ll be shown cooing in a corner, leaping about in William’s latest contraption, the Gleeful Bouncer—a.k.a. Jolly Jumper. One of the great strengths of the series continues to be the not-so-subtle nods to things we use in everyday life that were on the cusp of being realized in Murdoch’s world. Having a Gleeful Bouncer made me laugh out loud and be inspired by the creativity in the writers’ room.

Monday’s “The Big Chill” also paid homage to the 1922 documentary Nanook of the North. The murder of a man on-board the CGS Arctic introduced viewers to Nuniq, an Inuit man who struck me as a nod to Nanook. The thought was proven true when Crabtree befriended Nuniq and proposed he document him in the city’s hot spots and call it “Nuniq of Toronto.” Crabtree has had some pretty serious storylines so far this season, so it was fun to not only see him create play-by-play and colour commentating last week but serve as a drunken wingman for Nuniq this week.

Real Canadian history was covered as well. Captain Joseph Bernier—played with aplomb by InSecurity‘s Rémy Girard—really did explore the islands of the north and claimed the area for Canada and was given the Royal Geographical Society’s Back Award for his work.

“The Big Chill” had all the hallmarks of a classic Murdoch Mysteries episode, the perfect tonic for a cold January night.

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

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Children's Programming, Industry News

YTV Introduces Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables in World Premiere Event

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From a media release:

YTV presents the world premiere of Canada’s most beloved red-head in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables on Monday, February 15 at 6 p.m. ET/PT in a two-hour special, television event. The much anticipated original movie was filmed in Canada and stars acclaimed actor Martin Sheen as Matthew Cuthbert, 13-year old newcomer Ella Ballentine as Anne Shirley and Canadian actress Sara Botsford as Marilla Cuthbert.

True to the beloved tale that has enchanted fans for over a century, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, a fiercely imaginative little girl who touches the lives of everyone she meets. Taken from an orphanage to help with the household of an older couple, Anne becomes the charge of strait-laced Marilla Cuthbert and her shy brother Matthew Cuthbert. Though Marilla is determined to bring discipline to the irrepressible Anne, neither has any idea as to the profound impact they will soon have on each other’s lives.

YTV welcomes Tourism Prince Edward Island as the presenting sponsor of this world television premiere with sponsor billboards, custom travel vignettes and a contest created in partnership with Corus. Tourism Prince Edward Island will also be featured in YTV’s Big Fun Movies leading up to the broadcast premiere. The integration will feature Canadian families talking about the fun, adventure and kindred spirits that await them on Prince Edward Island.

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables is produced by Breakthrough Entertainment in association with the author’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler who served as Executive Producer. The film was directed by John Kent Harrison (The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler) and was based on the original script by Susan Coyne (Slings and Arrows, Best Laid Plans). Additional cast includes Julia Lalonde, Kate Honig, Stefani Kimber, Drew Haytaoglu, Kyle Gatehouse and Linda Kash.

First published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables remains an iconic work of Canadian literature, which has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. The eight classic Anne of Green Gables novels set in P.E.I. have attracted generations of readers inspired by the adventures of the spirited redhead Anne Shirley, who comes to stay at Green Gables and wins the hearts of everyone she meets.

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Featured, Mr. D

Love is in the air for Mr. D’s Simon in Season 5

Mark Little has got a lot on his comedy plate. The veteran comedian and actor figures he’s got at least a dozen projects in various stages of development at the moment. He’s just flown into Toronto after a week in Atlanta where he was performing improv with friends. Prior to that, he spent Christmas with family and managed to unwind for a whole five says until the wheels started to turn and he started writing again.

Mr. D, returning for Season 5 on CBC this Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., represents one project where Little doesn’t have to write—series creator Gerry Dee and his writing room take care of that—but his character, Simon Hunt, does require work.

“Every summer I arrive in Halifax to film Mr. D and I have to go through the process,” Little says. “How does this guy talk again, how does he feel about things? I also watch old episodes. Doing that to figure out who you are is a weird experience.” Definitely helping Little immerse himself in the role of Xavier Academy’s socially awkward science teacher (with a borderline creepy relationship with his mother) is Simon’s wardrobe; as soon as he buttons that plaid shirt up to the top, dons the cargo pants and ties up the desert boots, he’s become the TV character. Good thing too, because the Picnicface performer called on all his acting skills in Episode 2, where he did artistic battle with Wes Williams. Simon signs up for guitar lessons with Williams’ Paul Dwyer and things get destructive.

“Wes really dives into his character,” Little says with a laugh. “He really works to figure out his motivation and that keeps me on my toes. His method takes him to a pretty intense place and it really brings out natural reactions from me.”

As for what else is to come for Simon story-wise, Little reveals Xavier’s resident science teacher enjoys a workplace flirtation.

“His love life has been hinted at in previous seasons, but I get more going this year,” he says. About time.

Mr. D airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on CBC.

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Schitt's Creek

Link: Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy on Alexis’ growing independence

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy on Alexis’ growing independence
“As self-centred and spoiled as Alexis is, there is a goodness to her. She always has the best intentions and does try to find the good and fun in situations. She’s from a completely different world than Mutt and something he’s never really experienced before. So I think it’s the unknown and the different energy that’s intriguing to him.” Continue reading.

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Masterchef Canada

MasterChef Canada gets Valentine’s Day premiere

From a media release:

Cupid’s arrow strikes a new batch of home cooks as Canada’s favourite food fight returns with MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 3 airing Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV GO app. With food and love intimately intertwined, gourmands and food-lovers from a diverse array of backgrounds and with varying expertise, step out of their homes and into the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen to test their skills as they face-off against their fellow competitors. Challenge after challenge, viewers see who is meant to be as these talented home cooks turn up the heat on the audition process, preparing signature dishes for esteemed judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile.

The premiere episode will be available to viewers early through an exclusive preview beginning Monday, Feb. 8 at CTV.ca, the CTV GO app, and on set top box. New episodes of MASTERCHEF CANADA will also be available on demand at CTV.caand on the CTV GO app, and will encore Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Feb. 15on M3, Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 20 on CTV Two, and Sundays at5 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 21 on CTV. Viewers can check out past MASTERCHEF CANADA episodes back-to-back with Seasons 1 and 2 streaming now exclusively onCraveTVTM.

Finishing its second season with an average audience of 1.7 million viewers,MASTERCHEF CANADA was the #1 Canadian series last spring among total viewers, A18-49, and A25-54, and appetites are whet for a new season of drama and kitchen competition. At stake this season is a $100,000 cash prize and the title of Canada’s next MasterChef, giving the Season 3 finalists every incentive to put their signature dishes on the line for a shot at being the last one standing in the kitchen.

The Top 40 cooking for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title are:

  • Alawn Lai, a Real Estate Developer from Markham, Ont.
  • Alex Gabriele, a Sales Administrator from Montréal, Qué.
  • Allie Romao, a Staffing Consultant from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Amanda Caruso, a Costumer from Montréal, Qué.
  • Amanda Gill, an Athletics and Student Life Coordinator from Montréal, Qué.
  • April Lee Baker, a Homemaker from Calgary, Alta.
  • Carlo Lato, a Server from Montréal, Qué.
  • Carrla Cowley, a High School Teacher from Sturgeon County, Alta.
  • Coco Perron, in Customer Service from Montréal, Qué.
  • Danae Daniels, a Model from Vancouver, B.C.
  • Dave Kantor, VP Operations, Telecommunications from Edmonton, Alta.
  • David Young, a Carpenter from Moncton, N.B.
  • Domingo Lumanog, a Brand Manager from Calgary, Alta.
  • Dru Davids, a Graphic Designer from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Elizabeth Bowers, an Administrator from Toronto, Ont.
  • Ernie Chow, a Management Consultant from Toronto, Ont.
  • Fanassa Kettle, a Pharmacist from Montréal, Qué.
  • Jacqueline Clark, an Accountant from Abbotsford, B.C.
  • Jasdeep Sra, a Carpenter from Surrey, B.C.
  • Jennifer Baglione, a Salon Manager from Maple, Ont.
  • Jeremy Senaris, a Building Plan Examiner from Winnipeg, Man.
  • Jose Torres, a Flight Attendant from Calgary, Alta.
  • Julia Mark, a Makeup Artist from Burnaby, B.C.
  • Kendra Olesen, a Server from Saskatoon, Sask.
  • Les Barr, a Farmer from Digby, N.S.
  • Mags Kandis, a Writer and Designer from Wellington, Ont.
  • Mary Berg, an Insurance Broker from Toronto, Ont.
  • Matthew Astorga, a Digital Design Consultant from Pitt Meadows, B.C.
  • Michelle Nault, a Teacher from Bolton, Ont.
  • Mike Johnson, a Student and Cheerleader from London, Ont.
  • Nicole Olthius, a Stay-At-Home Mom from Cardston, Alta.
  • Reno Vaccaro, a Phys Ed Teacher from Montréal, Qué.
  • Robyn Held, an Investment Banker from Toronto, Ont.
  • Sean Hickey, an Auto Worker from London, Ont.
  • Shawn Karls, a Doctor from Montréal, Qué.
  • Terry Adido, a PhD Law Student from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Travis Petersen, Manager, Oil and Gas Industry, Calgary, Alta.
  • Veronica Cham, a Lawyer from Toronto, Ont.
  • Vince Spitale, a Contractor from Pickering, Ont.
  • Zhara Mian, Unemployed from Toronto, Ont.

 

In the premiere episode (Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. ET/PT), following national auditions to discover Canada’s most promising home cooks, the finalists handle their first pressure cooker of the competition as they prepare their signature dish for judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. For some, this will be the kiss of death as the judges’ discriminating palates will determine whose plates are worthy of a coveted white apron. With the home cooks requiring a ‘yes’ from each judge to receive an apron this season, it’s harder than ever for the finalists to make it into the coveted Top 14. When the competition continues during the second episode, airingSunday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, a select number of home cooks will compete in a head-to-head challenge with the hope of advancing in the competition and reaching the Top 14.

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