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.

Link: Ksenia Solo says her Orphan Black character is no Kenzi

From  Cassandra Szklarski of Canadian Press:

Ksenia Solo says her Orphan Black character is no Kenzi
Lost Girl fans still mourning the loss of beloved character Kenzi may be surprised by actress Ksenia Solo’s turn on Space’s Orphan Black.

Solo says it’s a much different role, and fans of the Showcase serial shouldn’t be expecting some sort of resurrection of their spunky heroine.

“I think maybe in people’s minds they imagine Kenzi coming into clone club,” Solo said Tuesday while also promoting her upcoming role in the AMC series Turn: Washington’s Spies. Continue reading.

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BNN shakes up business with The Disruptors

From a media release:

With a flood of innovative Canadian companies set to go public this year, the next vanguards of our economic growth are popping up everywhere. These are the companies that see and exploit inefficiencies, disrupt the large and lazy and can keep future generations competitive. But few of them will make it to the public markets or the “big exit” without a lot of luck and a lot of help. Airing Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET beginning April 16, BNN’s all-new, original series THE DISRUPTORS traces the most exciting international business news and trends from incubators and venture capitalists, to young entrepreneurs and CEOs of some of the most innovative companies in the world, offering expert analysis and advice to smaller Canadian companies looking to scale up fast. BNN anchor and reporter Amber Kanwar co-hosts the new weekly, half-hour series along with Bruce Croxon, one of the country’s indisputable disruptors, who co-founded the wildly successful online dating site, Lavalife.

Each week, the duo analyzes pitches from the hottest prospects, offering a frank assessment of whether they stand a chance of becoming the next Uber, Airbnb, or Facebook. Hard-nosed, scoop-loving business reporter Kanwar believes innovation has its place, but it better be profitable. Croxon mostly agrees, but the digital disciple also believes no profitable company is safe from the next disruption. THE DISRUPTORS also welcomes leading CEOs of Canadian and international companies who share their own success stories, along with their thoughts on the risks faced by start-ups fighting for traction.

Behind the story pitch that resulted in the creation of THE DISRUPTORS, BNN’s Kanwar specializes in equity markets and is constantly digging for stocks flying under the radar, trends that are about to emerge, and curating research to make it accessible to viewers. Kanwar has interviewed CEOs from across the C-Suite, and brings the day’s biggest business stories to viewers on BNN, CP24 and CTV News Channel.

THE DISRUPTORS is produced by BNN, with additional research provided by BetaKit, the nation’s foremost source for Canadian start-up news and tech innovation.

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Link: Spike UK Eyes ‘Transporter: The Series’, Canadian Drama ’19-2′

From Patrick Munn of TVWise:

Spike UK Eyes ‘Transporter: The Series’, Canadian Drama ’19-2′
Viacom has yet to launch Spike UK just yet, but the nascent channel has already set its sights on two new exclusive drama series.

TVWise understands that Spike UK is in talks with Lagardère Entertainment and Content Film & Television to acquire the exclusive first run UK broadcast rights to action series Transporter: The Series and Canadian cop drama 19-2, respectively. Per sources, the deals cover the first two seasons of both shows, which are expected to premiere on Spike UK later this year. Continue reading.

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Review: Relapses and regret on Remedy

Back in 2000, an episode of ER shook me so much that I think about it every once in awhile. “Be Still My Heart” guest-starred David Krumholtz as a man who everyone brushed off in the ER. I felt dread during the first storyline, as Paul Sobriki (Krumholtz) showed signs of paranoia and instability and only Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin) knew something was amiss. By the end of that first episode, Paul had killed Lucy and John Carter (Noah Wyle) was stabbed in the back and clinging to life.

I drew an immediate parallel between “Be Still My Heart” and “Playing Doctor Conner,” Monday’s latest episode of Remedy, not because of the violence but because of the growing dread and ultimate shock I felt by the end. Having Griffin re-trace the steps he took with Jayne Baugher (Christine Horne) mounted up the tension. Slow to build the relationship between them—both were once in med school and in both cases “complicated” situations surrounded their departures—by the time Griff presented her file, and the diagnosis she had sarcoidosis on the road to progressive fibrosis, they had established trust.

I knew things would end badly for Jayne, but I didn’t expect what came next. After leaving Jayne alone for minutes—I’ll get to that in a second—Griff returned to find her missing. Deciding she didn’t want to burden her family with a long, drawn-out descent into death and her own awful experience of drowning in her own lungs, Jayne cut her wrists and faded away as Griffin watched. It was a tragic scene both because of what Jayne had done and—ultimately—what it forced Griff to do. Rather than tell Zoe the pain he was feeling and hand over the painkillers Linda had surrendered, he popped two.

Speaking of Linda, “Playing Doctor Conner” marked the evolution of her character. She may be a cold-hearted bitch, but she’s deeply troubled as well. The fact Griffin kept her secret—he was meeting with her when Jayne made her fatal decision—will build their relationship and for that I’m glad. It’s always nice to have a one-dimensional character to hate, but I prefer them with some substance too. (Let us also acknowledge the performance by Raoul Bhaneja as Eric, Bethune’s lawyer. I’ve never wanted to punch a TV lawyer harder in the mouth, so kudos to Bhaneja for that.)

Almost lost in the shuffle were the other storylines of the night. Allen once again proved older is wiser when he was able to diagnose a man suffering from chronic neck pain, giving Cutler a much-needed comeuppance and education in listening to patients rather than rushing them out the door. And who else cheered Sandy when she told Mel to back off regarding hiring a nanny? Mel needs to focus on something else. Like maybe Dr. Stubble?

Notes and quotes

  • “I’m starving. We should order Chinese. You’re not veggie, are you?” Eric was trying to come off like a nice guy …
  • “I’ve always been an early riser.” TMI, Griff.
  • “This is Butch. Boot to the groin. You’re welcome.” Cutler is fitting in just fine.

Remedy airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global.

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