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

Comments and queries for the week of Feb. 27

How does one apply to be considered to have Paul and his kickass crew do your deck or “customize” indoors?—Darren

Hey Darren! Isn’t the work that Paul Lafrance and his crew do on Custom Built, Disaster Decks and Decked Out fantastic? I’d love to have him come over and work his magic in my yard. Anyway, you can apply to have Paul, or many other HGTV hosts, swing by your place via the Casting Call page on HGTV.ca’s website. Good luck!

 

So many great choices [in the Canadian Screen Award nominations]! I agree that Orphan Black will likely win, but it’s worth remembering that the CSA voting took place just as 19-2’s ASTOUNDING season 2 premiere aired (truly, one of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV). It might be a tight race indeed. I’m excited to watch the awards.

P.S.: You guys should watch Vikings!—Lisa

I’m surprised by the unanimous love for Orphan Black in the “Will win” department, despite the near-unaminous opinion that the stellar 19-2 “Should win.” Is this mainly a pity vote for OB since it keeps getting snubbed by Emmy? Don’t get me wrong, I like OB a lot, but as far as drama goes, I think 19-2 is head and shoulders above. That said, Tatiana is definitely deserving for Best Actress.

Best Actor, definitely Jared Keeso, the heard-and-soul of 19-2. But why wasn’t Adrian Holmes nominated too? He turned (and continues to turn) in a great performance as Nick.

For Comedic Actress, I would vote for Kacey Rohl in Working the Engels. While the show wasn’t a great one, I felt she was the surprise bright spot in the cast (sorry Andrea!) with her comedic timing and great reactions to the wackiness of her family (I’d only seen her prior dramatic turn on Fringe).—Jeff

 

I have been preaching the gospel of Hard Rock Medical so hard, you’d think I was on their payroll. It’s such an interesting and well-produced show and so much better than the typical medical drama.—Meridith

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

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Awards, Featured

Interview: Andrea Martin previews Sunday’s Canadian Screen Awards

By Chis Jancelewicz

It’s only fitting that one of the most hilarious women to ever grace the Canadian small screen is hosting the annual gala to honour Canadian film and television. SCTV alum Andrea Martin is taking the mic this year to helm the 3rd Annual Canadian Screen Awards on March 1, and promises to bring the funny.

TV, Eh? sat down to chat with the comedic star about hosting the gig (while simultaneously being nominated for her comedy Meet the Engels).

It’s cold out there. What are you going to do if the temperature is like this on March 1?
Andrea Martin: [Laughs.] I’m going to be inside! Or … where WILL the red carpet be? It might be outside. Oh, it is outside. They probably have heaters, though. This IS Canada.

Is there a lot to be proud of this year in terms of Canadian entertainment?
I think it’s so varied! Usually, there’s a lot of French-Canadian films and talent, this year I think there’s more English-speaking films. There’s a nice balance, and a lot of new, young talent.

Have you ever been a host and been nominated at the same time?
I’ve been a host many times, and I’ve been nominated many times. [Laughs.] I’m trying to think! Not in the States, I’ve just won a lot there: two Tonys, two Emmys, a People’s Choice Award … but I’ve never hosted the shows.

Can you reveal any details or surprises about the show to us?
One thing that’s going to be very exciting is they’re putting together packages for each film and TV show, just in case people haven’t seen the productions. The Canadian public hasn’t necessarily seen the stuff up for awards, so they might not tune in if they’re not interested. This way people can be informed.

Is there anything new this year?
It’s not new since the ceremony is already three years old, but I think combining movies and television into one is an exciting, jam-packed evening. It seems there are a lot of actors from the United States included this year, some nice crossover as well.

The Canadian Screen Awards gala airs Sunday, March 1, at 8 p.m. on CBC.

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Featured, Vikings

Review: Harbard enters land of the Vikings

1 Comment

Kevin Durand was vague in his description of Harbard, one of the new characters featured in Season 3 of Vikings. And for good reason. Having someone who rivals The Seer in terms of mystery makes for a fun game for viewers. Is Harbard bad? Good? A walking Viking god? By the end of Thursday’s “The Wanderer,” viewers weren’t left with much information other than this seems to be the man Aslaug, Siggy and Helga have been dreaming about. Now he was in Kattegat—bleeding palm and all—and Helga was in awe.

Vikings has a ton of religious symbolism in it, and this episode was no exception, showing Torstein bathing in the river to wash away the infection in his arm and laying both arms out straight as if he was on a cross as Floki prepped to lop his arm off, the labourer placing the icon in the barn during Athelstan’s prayer and the stigmata on Athelstan’s hands. It is possible to watch Vikings as a surface-level program about Ragnar Lothbrok and his exploits, but there’s plenty of depth for those seeking it. The fact there is a clash of religions between what the Vikings follow and what the Christians do holds constant fascination for me as a viewer, especially when you realize both aren’t that different from one another.

One storyline I’m not too keen on is the budding romance between Lagertha and King Ecbert. I trust that show creator Michael Hirst knows exactly what he’s doing, but I cringed every time Ecbert made goo-goo eyes at the blonde shield maiden and part of me hoped she’d crush his head in with the butt of her sword. Alas, it appears for the time being the romance will continue. I’m also a little sad that Lagertha, for the moment anyway, has gone the route of farmer. I much prefer seeing her in battle than battling weeds, but I’m sure she’ll get back to that sooner or later.

Speaking of budding romance, I was—like Athelstan—a little taken aback by Lady Judith’s forwardness with the former priest. His face may have been in shadow, but I’m pretty sure Athelstan was blushing like crazy when Judith confessed she’d dreamed of making love to him. The poor dude is already conflicted with his belief system and now he’s on the verge of laying down with another man’s wife. Not good.

Notes and quotes

  • That scene where Ragnar and his men pulled up to shore with heads hanging from poles mounted on his boats? Truly scary.
  • Porunn has quickly become the most kick-ass shield maiden since Lagertha.
  • If Ecbert and Lagertha become a couple, what do we call them? Eckbertha? Lagbert?
  • “I’ve always hated this arm.” I have no idea how Torstein came to love one arm more than the other. And maybe I don’t want to know.

Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on History.

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Industry News

Super Channel calls for development submissions

From a media release:

Super Channel, Canada’s only national English pay-television network, is pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the next round of funding through the Super Channel Development Fund. Since launching in November, 2013, the fund has received hundreds of applications from coast to coast and has supported over 80 feature films, documentaries and television series.

Super Channel’s next funding deadline is March 27, 2015. For more information on selection history, criteria, eligibility and the selection process, please go to:

 

http://superchannel.ca/producers

In addition to Melissa Kajpust, the development team at Super Channel includes Julie Di Cresce, Director of Canadian Programming, Maureen Levitt, Creative Development Executive, Western Canada and the Territories, Richard Paradis, Creative Development Representative, Quebec, Carole Henson, National Liaison, in Edmonton and Development Assistant, Jane Clarke.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Preview: Transforming Transgender an intimate look into the lives of transgendered people

“I just didn’t feel right in who I was. I always thought, ‘Am I in the right body?'” That’s how Olie, a young Quebec girl, felt while she was a boy. That stunning quote kicks off Transforming Transgender, airing Thursday as part of CBC’s Doc Zone, a program that informs and educates—as Geena  Rocero explains—the “T” in LGBT.

Executive producer Rachel Low and her team aren’t out to shock viewers with their documentary, but to spotlight, celebrate and produce some very interesting facts. History shows humankind likes to put everyone in one gender or another, when the reality is that isn’t true. Nature presents different variations of flora and fauna, including humans. As Rocero, founder of Gender Proud in New York City points out, gender has been blurred in Asian countries for centuries.

Transforming Transgender interviews a stunning array of transgendered individuals, from children like Olie and Wren to Dr. Carys Massarella (pictured above) and Stephanie Castle, who was born in 1925 and as a child dreamt he saw himself as a girl. Stephanie went into the navy and had a “normal” life with two marriages and kids. It was at the end of the second marriage Stephanie knew she couldn’t hide it anymore and had gender reassignment surgery at 66.

The documentary also presents some sobering stats: 97 per cent of transgendered people experience harassment on the job and 40 per cent will attempt suicide. Unemployment rates are high because of transphobia and depression is a common occurrence. And why not? As several interview subjects point out, they felt isolated from their family and friends because of who they felt they needed to act like versus who they really were.

Far from being a “woe is me” project, Transforming Transgender is also a celebration of becoming who one really is and being supported by those who love you. The most touching moments are those chats with parents who didn’t care whether their child was a boy or a girl, just that they were someone they loved.

“We have this little joke where we hear someone say, ‘Oh, we’re having a boy,'” Wren’s mom says with a laugh. “And I think, ‘Maybe. Maybe not.'”

Transforming Transgender airs as part of Doc Zone at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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