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.

Poll: What is your favourite Canadian TV show of the 2000s?

The third series in the Great Canadian TV Playoff is complete and Due South edged out The Kids in the Hall for favourite show of the 1990s.

Now it’s time for the final decade: the 2000s.

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 70s and the 80s battle it out head to head starting on Monday!

[A quick note to Murdoch Mysteries fans: your favourite bowed in 2008 and still continues, so it fits in the 2010s bracket.]

What is your favourite Canadian television series of the 2000s?

  • Durham County (51%, 401 Votes)
  • Flashpoint (21%, 162 Votes)
  • Being Erica (10%, 77 Votes)
  • Corner Gas (5%, 43 Votes)
  • Slings & Arrows (5%, 38 Votes)
  • The Rick Mercer Report (4%, 30 Votes)
  • DaVinci’s Inquest (3%, 20 Votes)
  • Trailer Park Boys (2%, 17 Votes)

Total Voters: 788

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The Warrant Is All: Space Original Series KILLJOYS Premieres June 19

From a media release:

Move over Boba Fett, a new generation of badass bounty hunters are taking over the galaxy as Space premieres the new original Canadian action adventure series KILLJOYS on Friday, June 19 at 9 p.m. ET. Created by showrunner Michelle Lovretta (LOST GIRL) and produced by Temple Street Productions, KILLJOYS follows a trio of reclamation agents – or “Killjoys” – as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant planetary system on the brink of a bloody, class war. The 10-episode, one-hour series will also air simultaneously in the U.S., on Syfy.

Leading the Killjoys team is Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen, Viva Forever), a gorgeous, former assassin with a complicated past; her loyal partner John (Aaron Ashmore, SMALLVILLE), a witty, technical wizard with a vulnerable heart; and his estranged brother D’avin (Luke Macfarlane, BROTHERS & SISTERS), an elite soldier with an expertise in combat tactics. Together, the three Killjoys form a highly accomplished team of bounty hunters, each with distinct and valuable specialties to offer as they navigate the culturally rich, politically complex, and economically polarized worlds of The Quad. As previously announced, Canadian genre icon Amanda Tapping guest stars as a fiercely clever scientist, whose charismatic charm keeps her true intentions concealed from the Killjoys.

In the series premiere of KILLJOYS, “Bangarang” (Friday, June 19 at 9 p.m. ET) Killjoys Dutch and John are in serious need of R&R after capturing a dangerous smuggler in the badlands of Westerley. But when a death warrant is posted for D’avin, John secretly takes the job to save his estranged brother. With a competing Killjoy also on the job, the team is in a race against time to clear D’avin’s name and their own. For a sneak peek at the premiere of KILLJOYS, click here.

Meet the KILLJOYS team:

DUTCH – Level 5
Gorgeous, complicated, and deadly, Dutch is the leader of the Killjoy trio. A top-level Killjoy with serious combat skills, Dutch is a much-loved and a charming presence in her community, with a unique gift for earning people’s trust and respect regardless of their class. While bold and fun-loving on the surface, under her banter and protective flirtations there is maturity, pain, and a deep solemnity resulting from a dark secret past.

JOHNNY JAQOBIS – Level 3
A Level 3 Killjoy and Dutch’s long-time partner, John is a peacemaker who hates conflict, despite his profession. Cheerful and kind-hearted, John prefers not to fight, but his sarcastic wit has put him into the fray often enough to teach him how to do it well. As the team’s resident mechanic and pilot, John can fix, build, and fly any machine.

D’AVIN JAQOBIS
John’s older brother, D’avin is many things: handsome, strong, sarcastic, and loyal, but above all, he is a born soldier. As the team’s newest addition, he brings a hard-won expertise in tactics and hand-to-hand combat. But what Dutch and John don’t know is that D’avin left the military under mysterious circumstances, and he’s come to The Quad to square his unfinished business with some potentially dangerous people.

LUCY
Lucy is a small private ship with a distinct personality, who has ties to the Killjoys back to the day that Dutch and John first met. She has served them well ever since, and while not one to play favourites, Lucy often demonstrates a distinct fondness for John. Comprised of a small cockpit, Spartan sleeping quarters, and a lounge area, Lucy provides the team with interplanetary transportation, as well as a private work/live space.

KILLJOYS was created by Michelle Lovretta who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. Executive producers are David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg of Temple Street Productions. Director and Consulting Producer is Chris Grismer. Co-Executive Producers are Karen Troubetzkoy and Jeremy Boxen. Consulting Producers are Emily Andreas, Adam Barken and Aaron Martin. Supervising Producer is Andrea Boyd. Producer is Regina Robb. Universal Cable Productions distributes the series worldwide.

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TV, eh? podcast episode 182 – Five Million Award Shows Later

Diane, Anthony and Greg’s spirited discussion includes the ongoing Great Canadian TV Playoff pitting shows from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 2000s against one another on the road to the best Canadian TV program of all time. Vote now!

Also covered: a no-brainer as Space orders Season 4 of Orphan Black, The Book of Negroes snags two Critics’ Choice Television Awards nominations and all three discuss the Canadian, American and international shows to binge-watch this summer.

Want to contribute to the discussion? Post links and discussion topics on our Reddit page.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Want to become a Patron of the Podcast? We’ve got a Patreon page where you can donate a small amount per podcast and get a sneak peek of each release.

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Review: Broken hearts and ruined plans on Remedy

“You’re not alone, Griffin. You’re not alone.” Unfortunately, Allen’s cell phone plea fell on deaf ears. Last week I wondered just how far Griff could fall; if he goes any further Dillon Casey will be looking for another gig because Griffin is going to be dead.

By the time “Looking for Satellites” concluded, Griff had lied to Sandy, taken $1,000 of her money and bought coke with it. His face dusted with blow, he sat in a drugged-out haze in the apartment. I complained last week about Griff’s actions because I genuinely want him to succeed and kick the habit. Mirroring real life, it’s clear showrunner Greg Spottiswood isn’t going to do that with Griff this year. With just two more episodes left in the season, no epiphany is going to save Griff. I can only hope he doesn’t die.

Allen, meanwhile, did everything he could to get his son’s job back. He succeeded—and scored a tasty-looking omelette to boot—by threatening to let Frank’s job be eliminated, but he got the job done. But I fear it was all in vain. Griff has no interest in listening to Mel or Allen or in working at Bethune.

Monday’s new episode of Remedy wasn’t all about Griffin. Mel was waffling over her decision to move to Dallas with Cutler and it looked like she might not end up going … until EMT Nicole Foster (Kate Hewlett, The Stanley Dynamic and Stargate: Atlantis) walked into the ER looking to see the body of her dead wife, cop Stephanie. The sorrow in Nicole’s voice as she recounted how she and Stephanie met gave me a lump in my throat. I admit things got a little dusty on my couch when Nicole collapsed of a literal broken heart. That close call was enough to strengthen Mel’s resolve—and feelings for Cutler—and finalize her plans to move away.

The season is coming to an end, Remedy fans. Will Griffin die? Will Mel really move to Dallas? Sandy will find out about Griffin’s lie; will she forgive him?

Notes and quotes

  • “All my everything turned upside down.” Nicole with a perfect way to describe love.
  • “You’ve seen my face. Beauty rest. It’s the only shot I’ve got Conner.” Gotta love Sam.
  • “You’re too wild. Too alive.” Ooo, Marla.
  • “He has a vision. It involves a fertility clinic and a stripper.” Can Hugh hang out with Griffin every week?
  • Did Jerry really think kissing Mel would win her back? I just felt badly for the dude.
  • Lanagan Pike? Just where do the Remedy writers come up with these cool names?

Remedy‘s two-hour season finale airs Tuesday, May 19, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global.

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Season 2 of Max & Shred begins production

From a media release:

Production has begun on  season two of Breakthrough Entertainment’s hit kids’ live-action comedy series Max & Shred announced Joan Lambur, Executive Vice-President, Family Entertainment for Breakthrough Entertainment, and an Executive Producer on this series.

Breakthrough will produce 13 all-new episodes of the buddy comedy which airs on YTV (Canada) and Nickelodeon channels globally.  In addition to YTV and Nick, Max & Shred has scored with kid audiences in countries worldwide, including Africa, Australia, Columbia, Italy, Portugal, Russia and the U.K., all of whom are primed for the series’ second season.

The internationally successful buddy comedy chronicles the hilarious and unlikely friendship between Max Asher played by Jonny Gray, (Annedroids, Paranormal Witness 3), a celebrity snowboarder, and Alvin “Shred” Ackerman played by Jake Goodman (Life with Boys, Saving Hope), a science whiz-kid, who become roommates and instant “bros” when Max moves to Colorado to train for the Winter Cup.  The show centres on the boys’ odd couple relationship as they help and hinder each other through the trials of teenage life.  Returning also for a second season are Emilia McCarthy (Zapped, Hemlock Grove) as Alvin’s driven older sister Abby, and Saara Chaudry (DeGrassi, Isabelle Dances into the Spotlight) as Howie, Alvin’s super smart eight-year-old protégé.

 

Max & Shred is executive produced by George Doty IV, whose extensive writing credits include the hit Nickelodeon live-action series iCarly, Victorious, and the beloved buddy-comedy Drake & Josh.  Doty also served as story editor on the iconic animated series Scooby Doo.  Additional executive producers for Max & Shred include Breakthrough Entertainment’s Joan Lambur, Ira Levy, Peter Williamson, Nat Abraham and Michael McGuigan. YTV executives are Jocelyn Hamilton, Vice President, Programming and Jaime Piekarz, Director, Content, Corus Kids.  Nickelodeon Executives are Bronwen O’Keefe, Senior Vice President, Content Strategy and Zuri Rice, Vice President, Development and Production, East Coast.

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