All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
Featured, Haven, Murdoch Mysteries

William Shatner lands Murdoch Mysteries role

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Clearly Peter Mitchell found the right man for the job. Back in March, Murdoch Mysteries‘ showrunner teased what was to come in Season 9 of the period piece Canadian drama, saying “I’m hoping—if we can find the right guy—Mark Twain will come to town.”

That person was found—and revealed by lead actor and producer Yannick Bisson on Tuesday afternoon—when Bisson tweeted out the following image:

Murdoch_1

Earlier in the day, Bisson posted an image of the day’s call sheet, revealing Shatner would be portraying the American author, best-known for penning The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

According to a press release sent out by Shaftesbury, the show’s production company, “when Twain stirs up controversy during a speaking engagement in 1903 Toronto, Detective Murdoch and his colleagues must protect the esteemed writer.” The storyline is featured in Episode 2, “Marked Twain.”

Murdoch Mysteries is the latest Canadian series to feature Shatner as a guest star; he completed filming four episodes of Showcase’s sci-fi series Haven last year.

Shaftesbury teases Season 9 with more info:

“From within the walls of a maximum-security prison to the outer atmosphere of the earth, Season 9 of MURDOCH MYSTERIES explores new worlds and mystifying cases. 1903 begins with Detective Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) and Dr. Emily Grace (Georgina Reilly) still reeling over the arrest of Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris). Then a shocking death brings great change to the world of Station No. 4. Through it all, Murdoch and team continue to solve the unsolvable, coming face to face with everything from an impossible bank robbery to a threat to destroy Canada, confronting each case with wit, wisdom and innovation.”

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Production begins on W Network’s Million Dollar View

From a media release:

Production is underway on W Network’s newest series Million Dollar View,filming across multiple locations in North America. Each half-hour episode of this brand new property series focuses on one realtor and one set of buyers, on the hunt to purchase the perfect property offering a spectacular view and all the amenities that come with it. Palatial cottages in Muskoka, oceanfront homes in Miami’s toniest neighbourhoods, posh downtown Toronto condos, and Manhattan skyscrapers with panoramic riverfront views are just some of the jaw-dropping properties featured in Million Dollar View. The series is produced by Our House Media, in association with W Network and will begin airing in winter 2016.

On Million Dollar View, each episode will follow the emotional and thrilling world of high-end real estate – from touring different homes, deciding on which house to put an offer on, through to negotiations and leading to a major property purchase. This process will give an insight into the lives, tastes and personalities of those buying penthouses, beach houses, cottages and country retreats, while delivering plenty of lavish internal and external property views.

Million Dollar View is produced by Our House Media in association with W Network. Executive Producers are Simon Lloyd and Joe Houlihan. Joanne Virgo serves as Series Producer and Jane Lloyd serves as VP of Production. John MacDonald is the Vice President of Television and Head of Women’s and Family Television for Corus Entertainment.

 

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Letterkenny

Production begins on The Comedy Network and CraveTV Co-Production, Letterkenny

From a media release:

The Comedy Network, CraveTVTM, New Metric Media, and a bunch of other city folks confirmed today that cameras are rollin’ on LETTERKENNY, an original Canadian series commissioned by CraveTV, in partnership with The Comedy Network. Created by Jared Keeso of Bravo original drama 19-2, and based on the internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, the six-part, half-hour series is currently shooting on location in and around Sudbury, ON, which everyone’s really stoked about – if it weren’t for the fact that it’s black fly season. The LETTERKENNY gang will be up der for ‘bout five weeks, ‘til the end of June.

We already told ya that LETTERKENNY stars Keeso as Wayne, a good-ol’ country boy in Letterkenny, Ontario trying to protect his homegrown way of life on the farm. He also executive produces and co-writes on the darn thing. Nathan Dales (KING & MAXWELL) stars as Wayne’s quick-tongued sidekick, Daryl. There’s more casting news to come, so keep your shirt on.

Residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: The Hicks, the Skids, and the Hockey Players, who get at each other about the darnedest things, often ending with someone getting their arse kicked. Daryl and Wayne are Hicks. Michelle Mylett (ASCENSION) plays Wayne’s heart-breaker sister, Katy, who is also a Hick. On the ready to take the piss outta Wayne and Daryl, Dylan Playfair (MR HOCKEY: THE GORDIE HOWE STORY) and Andrew Herr (also, MR HOCKEY: THE GORDIE HOWE STORY) reprise their roles as The Hockey Players, “Jonesy” and “Reilly,” from Letterkenny Problems web series. Tyler Johnston (MOTIVE) stars as lead Skid, Stewart; Stewart’s “sideskid” Devon is played by Alexander De Jordy (19-2); Lisa Codrington (COPPER) stars as Modeen’s bartender, Gail; Jacob Tierney as the Christian Leader Glenn; and K Trevor Wilson stars as Wayne’s buddy, Dan.

Produced by New Metric Media (Cas & Dylan) in partnership with DHX Media and in association with Four Peaks Media Group, Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky) is executive producer, director, and co-writer. Patrick O’Sullivan and Mark Montefiore are executive producers for New Metric Media.

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Featured, Masterchef Canada

MasterChef Canada winner David Jorge cooks up his next move

David Jorge may have won the MasterChef Canada title, trophy and $100,000 windfall, but his two sons, JJ and Nuno, didn’t do too badly either for keeping Dad’s win a secret for months.

“My children did an amazing job,” the Surrey B.C. native said the day after he beat out Line Pelletier for the culinary win. “Even their kindergarten teacher complimented them on keeping the secret. The deal was that if they kept it quiet we’d take them to Disneyland. So we’re doing that.”

Many thought Season 2 of the reality competition was Jorge’s to lose. After all, despite one or two minor flubs along the way he’d been near or at the top of the pack, winning Mystery Box Challenges and keeping himself up in the gallery—and safe—from elimination. His domination was pre-planned in advance back home before Jorge flew east to compete, though he did have to tweak his season finale three-course meal a little bit and swap in the tomato appetizer because fellow competitor Cody Karey made a similar pasta plate earlier on.

Not only did Jorge win consistently, but he was a good guy about it. The result? Rather than turn on him and try to take him out, the MasterChef Canada finalists could only cheer him on from the sidelines. Jorge admits that wasn’t part of his plan, but who he is.

“Unfortunately, or fortunately, I’m one of those people who wants to be everybody’s friend,” Jorge said with a laugh. “I didn’t get to cook in the first episode, so I made a huge meal for everyone. I bought a lamb and roasted that—I tried to do it in an hour—so by the time they had settled in I had this huge meal ready for them. When you feed somebody, they become immediate friends.”

Jorge may have won a crucial $100,000 to put towards a restaurant in Surrey or Vancouver, but he’s not rushing anything yet. The concrete business is still putting bread on the table for his family, so there are no plans to quit that in the near future. Jorge’s immediate plot? Seek out investors to help get his eatery off the ground.

“I’ve been waiting for this news to come out before I started to talk to anyone about partnerships,” he said. “I’m hoping to do something within the next year, but I don’t want to jump into anything just because.”

Season 3 of MasterChef Canada is casting now. Head to the show’s website for details on how to apply.

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