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, Murdoch Mysteries, Still Standing

Comments and queries for the week of June 26

South of the border love for Murdoch Mysteries

I am a Bostonian and I currently live in the L.A. area and I find most of our syndicated television dramas/comedies to be “cookie-cutter” programs. When a new and fresh program idea comes along that garners my interest and gains popularity, it eventually gets so diluted (cast/writing changes) and repeated to death it quickly loses its appeal.

It is SO REFRESHING to have found this gem known as Murdoch Mysteries/The Artful Detective.  The core cast are all brilliant in their portrayals of their diverse characters. The continuity of storylines and the character development is a tribute to the writing teams. This TV series has been like opening a very good book and being drawn to the characters, chapter by chapter and always anticipating what will happen next. (Yes, I do realize the basis of this TV show is Ms. Jennings book series—which I am now hoping to read this summer.)

THANK YOU, CANADA and the men and women involved in its total production—quality programming at its best. I also have to thank my sister in Boston. When she told me of the premise (a Toronto detective from the turn the century who solves murders that involve the basic “whodunit” woven with historical characters), I took the bait. BEEN HOOKED ever since. I very much look forward to the next chapter in Season 9. —Corrinna

Murdoch Mysteries star celebrates small-town Canada with laughter

Nice! Love Murdoch Mysteries. It’s my buffer for the rough action that never ends on Game of Thrones. Jonny Harris has a dry sense of humour that I can relate to being a Mainer-Portland, Maine that is. Best wishes to him for success with this endeavor!—Lenora

Is Canada ready for another late-night talk show?

Strombo’s The Hour/Tonight was the closest (and best) we’ve ever come to a viable late-night model. Re-invented the format, top-notch host with smart interview style, top-notch guests (leaning heavily on BIG stars with some windows for Canadian up and comers) and a bold and flashy style. It was the perfect storm that I don’t think can be easily replicated. Someone will want to do it cheap, have low-rent guests, hire a host who thinks they’re better at it than they will be and the writing will be sub-par. And it has to find an audience. But maybe I’m wrong … a reboot of Thicke of the Night? I hear Alan’s schedule is wide open. —Jon

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Food Network and Tricon start production on The Incredible Food Race

From a media release:

Family, food, and fun are racing to Food Network Canada’s Fall schedule as production begins on the new Canadian original series, The Incredible Food Race. Hosted by Rick Campanelli (Entertainment Tonight Canada), each episode of The Incredible Food Race features two families battling it out in a super-charged race full of fun food challenges and a main event: the family versus family cook-off of a kid-approved meal.

Food Network Canada’s Chef Corbin Tomaszeski (Restaurant Takeover, Dinner Party Wars) joins the series as chef mentor and commentator for each episode’s main cook-off event. In each episode, the competing families will battle for the grand prize of a year’s supply of free groceries, courtesy of series sponsor, Walmart Canada.

The Incredible Food Race shoots its six episodes across Toronto and the GTA this summer, with stops at some of the city’s most buzzed about food events. Production gets underway this weekend at Toronto Ribfest 2015. The Incredible Food Race will premiere on Food Network Canada in Fall 2015 – broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

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Rookie Blue

Link: Rookie Blue’s Missy Peregrym on Andy’s Baby ‘Struggle,’ Marriage Talk

From Vlada Gelman of TV Line:

Rookie Blue’s Missy Peregrym on Andy’s Baby ‘Struggle,’ Marriage Talk
Rookie Blue‘s bombshell that Marlo is pregnant with Sam’s child may have sent “McSwarek” ‘shippers into a panic, but star Missy Peregrym has her own feelings about the twist.

“I think it’s brilliant, to be honest,” she tells TVLine. “I love the storyline. This is one of my favorite seasons.” Continue reading.

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Rookie Blue

Link: ‘Rookie Blue’ Boss on Happy Endings, Baby Drama and a Potential Season 7

From Amber Dowling of The Hollywood Reporter:

‘Rookie Blue’ Boss on Happy Endings, Baby Drama and a Potential Season 7
“I’m going to consult if it comes back, because I probably just wouldn’t be able to help myself. I’m excited to see what somebody new brings to it; I feel like I told the story I wanted to tell. I had 74 episodes to do it, which is a blessing and is rare, and I’m excited to write some different things. But also I’m excited to watch what other people do with it. It’s cool to have the chance — if it goes again — to watch it re-bloom through somebody else’s vision.” Continue reading.

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Children's Programming, Industry News

YTV renews The Stanley Dynamic for second season

From a media release:

Corus Entertainment’s YTV is pleased to confirm it has renewed its hit show The Stanley Dynamic, from Amaze Film + Television with animation by 9 Story Media Group. The hybrid live action/animated series focuses on the fun-loving Stanleys, a close-knit family with one big twist: their son Luke is an animated cartoon character. Production on the second season of 26×30 minute episodes begins this summer. The first season of The Stanley Dynamic ranks in the top 5 shows for kids 6 to 11 on YTV.

The first season of The Stanley Dynamic focuses on teenaged twin brothers Larry and Luke entering high school. In the second season, the world of the Stanley family will include even crazier antics from the twins, their sister Lori’s ever expanding insect menagerie, and misadventures with their parents, Lane and Lori. Just when viewers thought they had the Stanleys all figured out, some new additions to the household — including pets and extended family members — will totally shift the Stanley dynamic. Season 2 of the series is set to premiere in Fall 2016.

The Stanley Dynamic brings family viewers together to laugh along with the Stanleys. Cartoon Luke and his flesh-and-blood twin brother, Larry, are navigating high school and trying to fit in. Luke prefers to stay under the radar, but his ability to stretch his body like a wad of gum keeps him in the spotlight, while Larry’s love of attention is constantly getting him into trouble. Luckily, the twins have the support of their cartoonist dad, who chronicles the family’s adventures in his comic strip, their overworked mom, and their bug-obsessed, genius sister. Despite the fact that Luke is a cartoon, in the eyes of the Stanleys and the world around them, Luke is just a regular kid, living in a three-dimensional world.

The Stanley Dynamic was created by Ken Cuperus, Jocelyn Hamilton, and Jamie Piekarz. Ken Cuperus (Total Drama Action, Mr. Young) is executive producer/showrunner with Michael Souther (Call Me Fitz, Saint Ralph) and Teza Lawrence (Call Me Fitz, Saint Ralph) also serving as executive producers. Alice Prodanou (My Babysitter’s a Vampire, The Fresh Beat Band) is co-executive producer and Victoria Hirst (Mr. Young, Away From Her) is the Producer.

 

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