Tag Archives: Discovery

Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Discovery’s Mighty Cruise Ships sets sail with a new season on February 12

From a media release:

Discovery’s original Canadian series MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS embarks on its second season voyage, Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT beginning Feb. 12 on Discovery and the Discovery GO app. Produced by Discovery’s in-house production unit, Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), the visually stunning, six-episode series features unprecedented access to billion-dollar, cutting-edge, opulent vessels that sail passengers away to high seas luxury.

From the newest and largest cruise ship in its fleet able to accommodate more than 4,600 guests, to a vessel that is referred to as “a boutique hotel at sea”, and a ship able to navigate down the tightest of passages to remarkable places, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS takes viewers to some of the world’s most extraordinary hotspots. The series also goes behind the scenes of these seafaring marvels to reveal the high-stakes, behind-the-scenes navigational and technological challenges aboard the floating state-of-the-art vessels.

A true Canadian success story, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is distributed to 160 countries worldwide by EPI’s distribution arm, Exploration Distribution Inc. – the international distributor for all of EPI and Bell Media programs.

Sailing to the world’s most blissful nautical hotspots, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS journeys to exotic ports in old world Mediterranean cities including Rome, Athens, Venice, and Barcelona; the challenging but breathtaking high Arctic; the rugged coastlines of Norway and Scotland; and for the first time, to the Caribbean.

Episode highlights from Season 2 of MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS:

“Carnival Vista”
Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Carnival Vista is the new flagship for one of the world’s largest cruise lines. It can carry more than 4,600 passengers and boasts 10 restaurants, nearly 2,000 staterooms, and a crew of 1,400 ready to tend to their guests’ every need. The top deck features Carnival’s largest waterpark at sea with a 140 metre-long slide, and a first-ever suspended bike loop that allows guests to pedal 46 metres above the sea.

“Royal Clipper”
Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Royal Clipper is the largest sailing cruise ship in the world, with five masts that soar 58 metres high, supporting 42 sails carrying the ship to a speed of 17 knots. With a ratio of one crew member for every two guests, the Royal Clipper offers the epitome of pampered service. On this ship, adventure is written on the wind.

“Viking Sea”
Sunday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Viking Sea is the second ocean-going vessel launched by the owners of Viking River Cruises. Reviews for the first cruise ship were stellar, but each ship – and each voyage – is a new test. No casinos, bumper cars, or discos on this ship – just fine food, dramatic destinations, and sublime Scandinavian décor making Viking Sea one of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world.

“Europa 2”
Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Life aboard Europa 2 is all about luxury. That means having plenty of room to relax. The ship offers more space per passenger than any other. There is always a free chaise by the pool or a table available in the restaurant. And the crew caters to every request or whim. A special aerial tour in an exotic port? Done. A surprise beach barbeque to celebrate a family birthday? No problem. The credo on this vessel is simple: “Small ships make big things happen.”

“Ocean Endeavour”
Sunday, March 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

With an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of zodiacs, Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for adventure. A voyage on this ship is not just a cruise…it’s an expedition. In the hands of an experienced staff who are experts in arctic ice, wildlife, and natural history, each trip ashore promises a rugged but enriching experience.

“MSC Divina”
Sunday, March 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

MSC Divina is divine – all marble and mirrors, with dramatic lighting and Swarovski crystal staircases. Featuring the best of Mediterranean design and North American convenience, the ship cruises the Caribbean in a style more often associated with ships one-quarter its size. Carrying 4,200 passengers, a cruise on this ship offers the best of Europe on board, with stops at the top ports in the Caribbean.

MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is produced by Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), a production house wholly owned by Discovery Canada. Karen McCairley is the Executive Producer. The Series Producer is Richard Martyn. Kelly McKeown is Director of Production.

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Featured, Heartland, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Comments and queries for the week of December 9

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.

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Frontier

Link: Allan Hawco’s new Frontier

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Link: Allan Hawco’s new Frontier
Allan Hawco is Canadian television’s most prolific multi-tasker.

His latest venture has his production company helming Discovery Channel’s first scripted TV show, Frontier, in which he also has a substantial acting role.

But strangely, for someone as productive as Hawco his latest outing must feel like vacation, considering he starred in CBC’s now cancelled Republic of Doyle and was also showrunner, head writer and co-creator. Continue reading.

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Frontier

Link: New epic Canadian series ‘Frontier’ shakes the dust and cobwebs from fur-flying history

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From Bill Harris of Postmedia Network:

Link: New epic Canadian series ‘Frontier’ shakes the dust and cobwebs from fur-flying history
Historical dramas about the United States are commonplace, but they’re rare in Canada. I’ve often wondered why that is.

“I wonder that, too,” said Allan Hawco, one of the stars and executive producers of the epic new Canadian historical drama Frontier, which debuts Sunday, Nov. 6, on Discovery. “I wonder, is it our psyche as a nation?” Continue reading.

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Blackstone, Featured, Frontier

Jessica Matten heads into a new Frontier for Discovery

Jessica Matten is grateful for the chance to co-star on APTN’s Blackstone, Ron E. Scott’s gritty series spotlighting the issues First Nations people face on a reservation. Though Blackstone is a fictional reservation, stories of alcohol and physical abuse, and land rights are certainly based on fact.

“It was awesome to be a part of a show alongside a lot of people from my childhood,” Matten says of her character, Gina. “It was a full-circle thing. And to talk about issues that really matter to me and are close to my heart was really cool to be a part of.” Blackstone was one of her first major acting roles for the actor and Aboriginal fitness company owner and paved the way to her biggest gig to date in Discovery’s Frontier.

Debuting Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, Matten plays Sokanon, a skilled warrior, hunter and tracker in Declan Harp’s (Jason Momoa) Black Wolf Company, a small fur trade outfit taking business from the faltering Hudson’s Bay Company in 1700s Canada. Co-created by Rob and Peter Blackie, Frontier‘s six-episode first season (it’s since been picked up for a sophomore go-round) is a sprawling, violent adventure outlining the founding of Canada. As Matten describes it, it truly was an ordeal to work next to Momoa as his right-hand. Not.

frontier_momoa_matten
(l-r) Momoa and Matten

“It was gruelling,” she says with a laugh. “All my girlfriends were like, ‘Did he take off his shirt?'” She wouldn’t confirm whether her co-star doffed his top, but does say he’s one of the most down-to-earth people she’s met and has nothing but good things to say about production and everyone involved. Sokanon is an Ojibway character alongside Momoa’s Declan, a Métis, and the Black Wolf Company consists of First Nations’ members coming together under his rule. A situation that occurs in Sokanon’s life causes her to join the gang, who are as much out to protect the land from Lord Benton (Alun Armstrong) and the HBC as they are to make money trading pelts. Matten likens Frontier to a Canadian Game of Thrones in that everyone is fighting for land rather than a throne.

While her fellow co-star, Shawn Doyle—he plays fur trader Samuel Grant in Frontier—is used to being part of period pieces (he assumed the role of John A. Macdonald in CBC’s 2011 TV-movie John A.: Birth of a Country), Matten never thought she’d perform in a historical project because of what she calls a “contemporary First Nations look,” and recalls the irony in being cast because of her lineage.

“I’m actually a direct descendant of the first Métis leader, Cuthbert Grant and Louis Riel, the nephew of Cuthbert Grant,” she says. “In a lot of ways, I feel as though I’m honouring my ancestors and this is a full-circle experience for my family. Things happen for a reason, and I really believe in that.” The battle over land rights has been an issue since the days in which Frontier is set and continue today, and Matten uses that in her portrayal of Sokanon.

“As much as Sokanon is a warrior, she struggles with what Harp is doing and what is right and what is wrong,” she says.

Frontier airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Discovery.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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