Yearly Archives: 2017

Masterchef Canada

MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 4 Finalists Revealed in Advance of March 2 Premiere on CTV

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From a media release:

CTV’s MASTERCHEF CANADA is changing the recipe for the home cook selection process as the series cooks up its fourth season, airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning March 2 on CTV and the CTV GO app, with encores Sundays at 7 p.m. ET beginning March 19 on Gusto. As revealed in a new promo that premiered in last night’s SUPER BOWL LI broadcast on CTV, in a series first, 24 finalists from across Canada are surprised with their first challenge at their homes and offices in their hometowns. Presented with a box of uncooked rice, each aspiring chef has only 20 minutes to decide what they will make, as well as gather all their ingredients, before they travel to the MASTERCHEF CANADA kitchen in Toronto.

Turning up the heat for the Top 24 this season are returning judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. Instead of preparing and presenting their signature dish one-by-one, home cook auditions begin on the finalists’ home turf. With only 12 coveted white aprons up for grabs, the home cooks have to prove they have the culinary skills to cut it in the MASTERCHEF CANADA kitchen, as they compete for $100,000 and a life-changing title.

The Top 24 cooking for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title are:

  • Aaron Polsky, a director of operations, from Montréal, Qué.
  • Ali Jadavji, a designer, from Calgary, Alta.
  • Alice Luo, a PhD student, from Toronto, Ont.
  • Alisha Sood, a make-up artist, from Mississauga, Ont.
  • Barrie McConachie, an employee relations consultant, from Vancouver, B.C.
  • Chris Rivest, a YouTuber and nutrition specialist from Calgary, Alta.
  • Connor Robinson, a musician, from North York, Ont.
  • Grace Liang, a mining engineer intern, from Sudbury, Ont.
  • Jason Mayo, a high school teacher, from Jarvis, Ont.
  • Jay Choo, a medical technician, from Toronto, Ont.
  • Jillian Nowak, a food blogger, from Calgary, Alta.
  • Jordan Levin, a server, from Winnipeg, Man.
  • Justine Joyal, a business student, from Montréal, Qué.
  • Kimberly Cairns, a paramedic, from Saskatoon,
  • Kimberly Duffus, a sales rep, from Malton, Ont.
  • Mai Nguyen, a health and safety advisor, from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Matt VanderHelm, a category manager, from Toronto, Ont.
  • May Nazair, a youth centre manager, from Campbellton, N.B.
  • Miranda Wasstrom, a corporate safety administrator, from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Nii Addico, a contractor, from Kitchener, Ont.
  • Raffaele Spataro, a comedian, from Toronto, Ont.
  • Sheila Lumsden, a homemaker, from Iqaluit, Nunavut
  • Thea VanHerwaarden, a broker, from Vancouver, B.C.
  • Trevor Connie, a plumber/gas fitter, from Edmonton, Alta.

Throughout the season fans are invited to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada for exclusive content, including background on this season’s finalists and the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges, as well as interviews, recipes, and more. CTV.ca will also offer viewers behind-the-scenes glimpses of this season’s challenges, culinary creations, triumphs, and upsets.

Seasons 2 and 3 of MASTERCHEF CANADA are currently streaming on CraveTVâ„¢, and in encore broadcasts on Gusto.

Over 12 episodes of MASTERCHEF CANADA, the home cooks will have their culinary prowess tested through a series of mystery boxes, pressure tests, and team and elimination challenges, with judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile providing direction and feedback throughout the process. At the end of each episode, at least one home cook will be eliminated from the competition until only two remain to battle it out in the finale for a chance to take home $100,000 and the sought after title of MASTERCHEF CANADA.

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Heartland, Wynonna Earp

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Andrea Higgins

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Andrea Higgins
“When I started out in the music industry, especially at the labels, it felt like a boys club, but I never let it shake me. I really don’t think about it too much. I just want to work with great people and do a great job. I do love seeing more female composers on the rise and wish there were more females in “stereotypical” male roles such as mixer, sound engineer, etc. That said, the majority of the productions we work on are led by amazing badass women and it’s very inspiring.” Continue reading.

Related: Check out our interview with Andrea Higgins last spring where she talks about working on Wynonna Earp and Heartland!

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Featured, Pure

Pure: Plots, plans and power plays

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With just two episodes left, Season 1 of Pure is headed for a dramatic conclusion. Gerry Epp (the always great Patrick Garrow) has vowed to “hurt” Noah now that he’s out of jail, Eli Voss continues to evade Noah and Bronco’s plan and Tina (Jessica Clement) has discovered what’s really going on with her mother and father.

CBC has said the following about Monday’s new episode, “Communion”:

Noah’s attempt to trap Voss backfires when the Mob leader uses the ruse to turn the tables on his nemesis DEA Special Agent Phoebe O’Reilly (Rosie Perez).
Here’s what we can tell you after watching a screener.
Kudos to the supporting players
Dylan Taylor, Gord Rand, Aaron Hale, Clement and Dylan Everett don’t get top billing, but without them Pure would be one-dimensional. Joey Epp (Taylor) questioning his decisions, Abel Funk (Rand) trying to shake his demons and prove his worth, Ben Novak (Hale) attempting a relationship with Tina, Tina swapping between worlds and Isaac Funk (Everett) proclaiming his strong faith have been fantastic stories to experience.
Gerry wants back in the game
Infuriated at being benched, Gerry is out and plots his revenge on Noah. Our only question is: will Joey let it happen? Joey seems to be wavering on whether or not he wants to be part of the criminal enterprise anymore. Will he betray Gerry and support Noah?
Road trip for Noah, Abel and Bronco
The brothers fly down to Mexico to show Eli how to get cocaine out of milk while Bronco plots to wire them for sound in order to get evidence on Voss. With all of the bad luck Noah has been having, he desperately needs a win. Will it happen in a warmer climate?
Phoebe O’Reilly joins the party
After weeks of phone conversations, O’Reilly (Rosie Perez) is featured heavily on Monday night, organizing the jaunt to Mexico. Perez is perfect as the soft-spoken DEA agent intent on taking Eli down.
Noah and Eli face off
During our set visit to Pure, Ryan Robbins told us he was in awe of working with Peter Outerbridge, particularly during one scene. Now we’re in awe too.
Pure airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries: There goes the “Neighbourhood”

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It’s been a long time since we visited the Murdoch property, that idyllic plot of land next to the river where William is planning to build the house of his dreams. The land figures prominently in Monday’s new episode of Murdoch Mysteries … and for all of the wrong reasons.

Here’s what the CBC has released as the official episode synopsis for “Mr. Murdoch’s Neighbourhood,” written by Carol Hay:

When Murdoch and Ogden use their riverside property as a burial ground to study human decomposition, they dig up more than they imagined.

And here’s what we can tell you after watching an advance screener:

There is a time jump
Murdoch Mysteries doesn’t use time jumps all that much, but it’s important to the main storyline and advances other plotlines too, namely Dr. Ogden’s role at the Toronto College for Women.

Julia Ogden and Rebecca James in the field…
… And in a field alongside Anne Baxter and Katherine Roy; the quartet are there for some key forensic studies alongside Crabtree, Jackson and Higgins.

How’s Murdoch’s house coming along?
It doesn’t take long for viewers to find that out … and that William’s best-laid plans will never cover all circumstances when it comes to home building.

A third Murdoch?!
The series, of course, follows the adventures of Det. William Murdoch. Then there is Lachlan Murdoch, who portrays Constable Henry Higgins. A third Murdoch drops by on Monday night: veteran actor Laurie Murdoch—Lachlan’s dad—who has appeared on Da Vinci’s Inquest, Dan for Mayor and Cold Squad to name but a few. Here he’s Alvin Nash. Keep an eye on Alvin.

Romance for Jackson?
It’s early days, but Jackson certainly seems to have a spark of connection with someone he works with on a case.

Murdoch‘s homage to a classic movie
Crabtree spouts a line from a beloved, critically-acclaimed film during one scene. We won’t spoil it for you, but it made us laugh out loud.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Heartland

Heartland’s horse heartbreak

Sunday’s episode of Heartland was notable for a couple of reasons. First, it’s the first I’ve been able to review in 2017 (three weeks of vacation means missed write-ups) and secondly, it began with stunning images of Vern’s horse barn burning to the ground.

Yes, “Sounds of Silence” began in a dark place and continued with very little let-up on the emotions as the fallout from the fire was fully realized. How many of Casey and Tim’s horses were in the barn, as was Morgan one of them? Turns out Morgan was the only survivor, but he was in bad shape. Not physically, mind you, but emotionally.

I like it when Heartland explores the darker corners of human and equine life. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I enjoy more than some good, funny scenes between Tim and Jack or feelgood stuff between Ty and Amy, but sobering stories like Sunday’s instalment is necessary. Ken Craw’s script delivered on all counts, from Amy and Jack striving to help Morgan through his trauma to Tim aiding Casey through hers. Everybody was on edge, from the Montana horse owners who lost their animals to Tim, who was determined the rodeo would go on despite the massive losses and feeling personally responsible. (That short scene between Jack and Tim in the kitchen was emotionally raw.)

That didn’t stop some folks from going about their daily lives, however, as Jade roped the television reporter for an interview about her participation in the rodeo. I love Caleb, so having him train Clay and Jade was a definite hoot, particularly his visualization techniques. Of course, the complaining about Caleb caused Jade and Clay to bond and the inevitable kiss. Will they evolve into a full-fledged couple or will their competitive natures (and dodgy moonshine) kill the romance?

As for Ty, a sleepwalking Bob has been keeping him hopping; and Adam was freaking out over feeling different because he has diabetes.

Heartland airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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