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.
Sensitive Skin

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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Featured, Polls

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

1 Comment

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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Young Drunk Punk

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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Featured, Rick Mercer Report

Comments and queries for the week of May 15

What’s your favourite Canadian show of the 2000s?

This is a very difficult choice. From the list, I’d choose Da Vinci’s Inquest. I also loved Billable Hours, Intelligence and Little Mosque on the Prairie. —Iris

I voted for Rick Mercer Report, but I wouldn’t call it my favourite show of that decade; it was just the only one on the above list I actually liked. My favourite show from that decade is probably Degrassi but as its current maybe it doesn’t count for that decade.

Here’s my top 10 Canadian shows for that decade:
Jozi H (2006-2007)
Degrassi: TNG (2001-current)
MVP (2008)
Instant Star (2004-2008)
Wild Roses (2009)
Renegadepress.com (2004-2008)
Caitlin’s Way (2000-2002)
Canadian Idol (2003-2008)
Whistler (2006-2008)
Intelligence (2006-2007) —Alicia

What decade is Canadian TVs best?

70s wins for sure! Canadian TV has never been better than The Trouble with Tracy! —Pat

Love for over the air antenna

We still have regular cable. The alternative to what we have now costs more. Since our household pays for the one line, the other TV is set up with an OTA indoor antenna by RCA. Last year I also bought a digital converter from Best Buy for $60. This arrangement lets us keep using our old analog TVs and watch HD channels. On good days, I can get CTV, CBC, CBLFT, CHCH, TVO, Star Ray, City, OMNI 1 & 2, YesTV, CW, WNED, ABC and CBS. The digital converter by Homeworx is also a PVR that uses something as small as a USB key. Although, I’d rather use my JVC VCR. Been using this unit for over a decade. —Cindy

I’m a slave to Cablevision, because when the government took away the normal over-the-air channels, I could no longer use rabbit ears on my old TV to pull in the NYC stations. I’d need an antenna that can go at least 70 miles and give me the major networks, so should I win an antenna, well, I’d take the ClearStream 2V and stuff it in the attic. Not sure if contest applies to me as I live in U.S., all those pesky customs things and such. —Elyse

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

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Featured, Polls

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

7 Comments

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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