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.

Dark Matter Exerts Its Gravitational Pull, June 12 on Space

From a media release:

Space takes its rightful place in the far reaches of the galaxy with the premiere of Canadian series, DARK MATTER,  Friday, June 12 at 10 p.m. ET.  Produced by Prodigy Pictures and created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, the one-hour series shot in Toronto follows the crew of a derelict spaceship who awaken from stasis, with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, betrayal, and hidden secrets. DARK MATTER is created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, the team behind the Dark Matter graphic novel and the fan-favourite STARGATE franchise.

DARK MATTER’s crew are One (Marc Bendavid, BITTEN), the charming, moral centre of the crew; Two (Melissa O’Neil, Broadway’s Les Misérables), the tough and determined leader of the group; Three (Anthony Lemke, 19-2), the mercenary who looks out for only himself; the calmly ruthless and stoic Four (Alex Mallari Jr., Robocop); Five (Jodelle Ferland, The Cabin in the Woods), the team’s youngest member with a skill for mechanics and a mysterious ability; the low-key Six (Roger Cross, MOTIVE), a man of integrity; and The Android (Zoie Palmer, LOST GIRL), an outsider among the ship’s human passengers yet an indispensable member who possesses control over the ship’s systems.

In the premiere episode of DARK MATTER (Friday, June 12 at 10 p.m. ET), the crew searches for answers leading them to a rebellious, off-world mining colony and a shocking revelation. Episode 2 of DARK MATTER (Friday, June 19 at 10 p.m. ET) follows the debut of Space original action adventure series, KILLJOYS, at 9 p.m. ET.

Developed by Prodigy Pictures in association with Space, executive producers for DARK MATTER are Jay Firestone (LOST GIRL), creators Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, and Vanessa Piazza (LOST GIRL).

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Review: Remedy closes out Season 2 with hope

For me, the single most dramatic moment of Remedy‘s two episode second season finale wasn’t the shocking conclusion to the first hour, when Sandy had been hit head-on by a truck while driving around Toronto looking for Griffin, or the subsequent roller coaster surgery on her leg. It was that quiet scene between Griffin and Allen in the hospital chapel, a respite from the insanity of the world around them. And the perfect place for Allen to seek confession from his son.

“You don’t have to be a doctor. You don’t have to be anything. I’ll still love you, OK?” Allen said to Griffin during those spare minutes, tears in his eyes. Neither man knew then if Sandy’s leg would be saved by Dr. Jake (with help from Sam and Mel), but Allen took the first important steps to mending their fractured relationship. Congratulations to Dillon Casey, Enrico Colantoni, the episode’s writers, John Callaghan and Greg Spottiswood and director David Frazee for a scene that oozed emotion via body language, facial expressions and soft dialogue.

“Fight or Flight” began the night by serving as a set-up to the season finale, “Day One,” in several ways, the key being Cutler and Mel’s impending outbound flight to Dallas and Griffin’s drop further down the mineshaft of addiction. An attempted intervention for him held by Allen, Sandy, Zoe, Mel and Rebecca had the results I expected—Griff bolted after saying he’d go into rehab—and by nightfall he was literally teetering on the edge of an apartment building.

Which led to this:

Remedy_finale

And then this:

“I’m quitting. Today. I promise,” Griffin told Allen while Sandy was in surgery.

“And all it took was your sister being hit by a truck?” Allen responded.

Seeing the sister he could always rely on to support him like that shook Griffin to his core, especially when she told him post-surgery she already had one baby to take care of and couldn’t play mother to him anymore. That, paired with the time in the chapel with Allen, confirmed he needed to get better and for that he had to get away from his family. The final scene, where he, Frank, PJ and Bruno took a road trip to the Guelph rehab centre was a bro moment and established to Griffin that those three dudes would be there for him when he gets out.

Oh, and Mel is staying at Bethune. No surprise, though the news Cutler is sticking around too was.

Notes and quotes

  • Nurse Patel busting Cutler’s balls for leaving was fantastic. I laughed out loud at her having him paged as Dr. Quitter and scaring him by pretending to be a dead patient.
  • “We can just drive and eat and be miserable. You know, like a proper family.” — Rebecca
  • “Righty-tighty, lefty-loosy.” I hope someone comes up with an excuse to keep Jake around.
  • Did anyone else channel Forrest Gump when Allen took that bite of a chocolate?
  • Those Remedy folks sure come up with interesting ailments to spotlight. I was surprised to discover (via Google of course) that Kleine-Levin Syndrome or “Sleeping Beauty” syndrome really exists.
  • It was great to see Flashpoint‘s Michael Cram drop by for a guest gig on Remedy. Can we book Sergio Di Zio for Season 3?

What did you think of Season 2 of Remedy? Comment below or via @tv_eh.

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Production Begins on Second Season of The Movie Network and Movie Central’s Original Canadian Series SENSITIVE SKIN

From a media release:

The Movie Network and Movie Central announced today that the second season of their Canadian Screen Award-winning original series SENSITIVE SKIN is currently in production in Toronto for six weeks. The new six-episode season focuses on Davina, played by series star and executive producer Kim Cattrall (SEX AND THE CITY), as she enters a transitional phase in her life that uproots her from the sterile streets of Toronto to a new life in the picturesque Toronto Islands. Genie and Tony Award®winner Don McKellar (The Grand Seduction) resumes his role as director and executive producer, while multiple Gemini Award winner and Tony Award® winner Bob Martin (MICHAEL: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS) returns as executive producer. Season 2 is slated to premiere in 2016. Season 1 of SENSITIVE SKIN was picked up by Sky Arts in the U.K. and concluded its critically acclaimed broadcast run earlier this month.

Also returning for Season 2 are: Nicolas Wright (White House Down) as Davina’s neurotic son Orlando; Gemini Award-winner Colm Feore (GOTHAM) as Davina’s brother-in-law Roger; Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason (Last Vegas) as her conservative older sister Veronica; Gemini Award-winner Mary Walsh (THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES) as Sarah Thorn, a well-known radio personality; and Gemini Award-winner Clé Bennett (FLASHPOINT) as Theodore.

Earlier this year, SENSITIVE SKIN took home four Canadian Screen Awards including: the Bell Media Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role(Don McKellar); Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series (Don McKellar); Best Photography in a Comedy Program or Series (Douglas Koch); and Best Picture Editing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series (Matthew Hannam).

The first season of SENSITIVE SKIN followed the story of a woman of a certain age and her long-time husband who sold their family home and moved downtown to a hip condo in a conscious effort to change their lives. The series was created by Hugo Blick (ROGER & VAN HAVE JUST GOT IN). It starred and was executive produced by Kim Cattrall, along with Don McKellar (who directed all six episodes) and Bob Martin (who wrote all six episodes). The second season is written by Susan Coyne (SLINGS & ARROWS), Rosa Laborde (Léo), and Lynn Coady (ORPHAN BLACK). Niv Fichman (Rhombus Media) and Sari Friedland return as producers, with Henry Normal (Baby Cow Productions), Hugo Blick, Andrea Gorfolova, and Jon Rutherford returning as executive producers alongside Cattrall, McKellar, and Martin. The second season of SENSITIVE SKIN is produced by Rhombus Media in association with Baby Cow Productions, The Movie Network, and Movie Central, with the participation of the Rogers Cable Network Fund. Tricon Films & Television serves as international distributor.

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Poll: Favourite Canadian TV Show – the 70s vs. the 80s

The first round of the Great Canadian TV Playoff is complete and the winners of the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 2000s have been decided.

Now on to the next round, where the winners of each decade face off. First up: SCTV, representing the 1970s, goes head-to-head with Degrassi, on behalf of the 1980s.

Unlike the Stanley Cup playoffs, TV, Eh’s Great Canadian TV Playoff boasts solely homegrown head-to-head matchups of television shows. Through the rest of the month, we’ll pit eight television shows (just like the NHL) from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 2000s against one another until the final showdown to name the top Canadian TV series of all time on May 29.

Cast your vote now and spread the word — the winner of the 90s and the 2000s battle it out starting on Wednesday!

What is your favourite Canadian TV series - 70s vs. 80s?

  • SCTV (77%, 62 Votes)
  • Degrassi (23%, 19 Votes)

Total Voters: 81

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Link: Five lessons that taught Bruce McCulloch how to keep them laughing

From Courtney Shea of The Globe and Mail:

Five lessons that taught Bruce McCulloch how to keep them laughing
Thirty years after they first scorched the Canadian comedy landscape with classic bits like The Chicken Lady and Cabbage Head, The Kids in the Hall have reconvened for a North American comeback tour. Since those early days, Bruce McCulloch has found success as a writer, actor, and director (his TV show Young Drunk Punk returns to City this fall). Here, the multi-talented funny guy shares some of the secrets to his success including why good comedy is a lot like doing the nasty. Continue reading.

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