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.
Book of Negroes, Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Comments and queries for the week of Feb. 20

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By far the biggest focus of conversation was Monday’s most recent episode of Murdoch Mysteries, which saw the relationship between Lillian and Emily move to a whole new level.

Other topics of conversation this week included the early lead Murdoch has taken in our poll of Favourite Canadian TV Show on Netflix—vote now for your chance to win a one-year subscription to Netflix—and cutting the cable cord.

I love Murdoch Mysteries. The characters are wonderful, the sets are outstanding and I look forward to each episode. The most recent one in which Dr. Grace followed her heart where it led her was amazing. Gay, straight, whatever its about love and a person developing into who they are. Kudos to everyone involved.—Carol

Personally, I’m more offended by people dropping a show they claim to love because they introduce an LGBT storyline, especially when they claim it goes against “family values.” Any family that doesn’t value compassion, understanding and acceptance of others is a family I don’t want to know. That being said, I was a bit worried that this storyline might be pandering just a little bit—you know what I mean; a young, attractive supporting character having a lesbian fling with an equally attractive woman, which just happens to air during sweeps—until I read this article. I have faith in the show’s writers, though, and I’m looking forward to seeing how a lesbian relationship in turn-of-the-20th-century ultra-conservative Toronto plays out. (And if it does turn out to be pandering … well, I’ll probably still watch. Can’t guarantee it won’t bug me if that turns out to be the case, though.)—The Crazed Spruce

I have watched this show faithfully since it began and will continue to do so, although I was disappointed in Emily’s newfound love relationship. Not because of the gay/lesbian aspect of it, but I was hoping she would rekindle her attraction to George. A storyline around them would have been interesting and comical, because they play off each other so well. It seems like all the TV shows are incorporating a gay/lesbian person; how about more handicapped people being integrated into the TV shows too!!—Linda

Because that’s what makes them good shows! They create situations that make us talk and debate, they develop characters so well that we care about what happens to them and makes their stories stay with us long after the show is over. How dull would it be if they recycled the same plot points every episode or have their characters never develop or grow? I appreciate how Murdoch Mysteries challenges me on EVERY level, not just an intellectual but on a personal and even spiritual level. I can see this storyline doing just that with our favourite characters. No matter how it turns out, it’s going to make for some pretty great television.—Amy

I don’t want to sound like a snob, but I don’t watch a single program you have in your show categories. I seem drawn to shows like Justified, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Last Week Tonight, Silicon Valley, Breaking Bad, Veep, Peaky Blinders and Penny Dreadful. Why can’t Canadian TV networks make shows like these? I know there are plenty of big-time Canadian actors and most head south. And it seems like we are left with the same group of actors that find themselves playing the same part on another similar show. I haven’t seen The Book of Negroes and I will say this does look like a quality show. Hopefully, there is a generation of new writers and actors just waiting to burst onto the scene. I really do hope so.—Lee

I too cut the cable about four years back and it was a exactly what Diane said: cost vs. benefit. I had a huge cable subscription with all the bells and whistles and surmised I only watched five channels. So spend almost a hundred bucks a month for five channels? It made and makes no sense. I miss a few shows that I am willing to pay specifically for but my wife and I are both happy without extra bill and save a good hunk of change. To me this was a quality issue. I would rather pay for the shows I watch and those shows are more readily available and more convenient streaming.—Marvin

My husband and I compromised: he’s allowed to have cable and I’m allowed to have wine. I never watch TV. Netflix is good enough for me.—Jennie

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

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Uncategorized

Link: CBC considering sale of downtown Toronto headquarters

1 Comment

From Jen Gerson of The National Post:

In the face of new technology and budget cuts, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is mulling the sale of its downtown Toronto headquarters, a move network officials admit may shake staff morale and its public image.

“I understand the attachment that people make to those kinds of symbols,” said Fred Mattocks, general manager of media operations and technology for CBC English services. “But our connection with Canada has never been about a building. It’s always been about programming and content.” Continue reading.

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Motive

Link: CTV’s MOTIVE Returns for Season 3, March 8

From a media release:

CTV is set for a killer new Sunday night as hit original crime drama MOTIVE returns for Season 3, Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, beginning March 8 on CTV and CTV GO. The third season continues with the program’s signature “whydunit” format, revealing the killer and victim at the start of each of its 13 new episodes. And it arrives with an incredible list of guest stars: Dylan Walsh (UNFORGETTABLE), Alexis Bledel (MAD MEN), Chris Klein (WILFRED), C. Thomas Howell (GRIMM), Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club), Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), Charles Martin Smith (Dolphin Tale 2), and more appear, joining previously announced guest stars Victor Garber (Argo, ALIAS), Jessica Lowndes (90210), and Luisa D’Oliveira (CRACKED), as a new set of murders unfolds for viewers each week.

Set and shot in Vancouver, Season 3 of MOTIVE begins with Detective Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman, THE KILLING), returning to the Homicide team after a six-month, self-imposed absence. A lot has changed for the team – Detectives Oscar Vega (Louis Ferreira, SGU STARGATE UNIVERSE) and Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny, THE ASSISTANTS), Sergeant Mark Cross (Warren Christie, ALPHAS), and Dr. Betty Rogers (Lauren Holly, NCIS) — since then, and now Angie will have to find a way to fit in. In the six months since she left, Detective Lucas has begun giving orders, and is now the primary on key cases; Detective Oscar Vega has made a genuine effort to fill in the gaps Angie left behind; and he and Sergeant Mark Cross are getting along. But this season Vega will have more to focus on than just his work, facing a crisis that threatens not only his career, but his personal life as well. And viewers will see a new side of the always confident and charming Dr. Betty Rogers, when she comes up against a dangerous and threatening adversary. As Angie adjusts to the changes, she finds herself fixated on her first case back, and on one intriguing character in particular who will draw the team – and viewers — in from the very first episode of the season.

In the season three premiere entitled “Six Months Later” (Sunday, March 8 at10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), Detective Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman) finds herself in a new role within the Metro Police Department, away from Homicide. But news concerning her former partner, Detective Vega (Louis Ferreira), lures her back to help investigate a case involving his father and the death of a beautiful young socialite. A recovering addict, the victim’s past points to a potential overdose as a cause of death. But as details emerge, it becomes clear her death was no accident. Victor Garber (Argo, Titanic), Jessica Lowndes (90210), Tony Plana (UGLY BETTY, Primal Fear), and Luisa D’Oliveira (CRACKED) guest star.

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Canada's Smartest Person

Link: Electus Picks Up U.S. Rights to ‘Canada’s Smartest Person’

From Etan Vlessing of The Hollywood Reporter:

Electus has secured the U.S. format rights to produce an American version of Canada’s Smartest Person.

The reality competition series that sees brainiacs battle to be named the country’s smartest person first aired on the CBC in Canada and is produced by Toronto-based Media Headquarters, in association with Group M Entertainment. Continue reading.

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Featured, Vikings

Kevin Durand goes from Vikings fan to major player

It would seem like a no-brainer to have Kevin Durand join the cast of Vikings. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native is tall, muscular and has piercing eyes, three prerequisites needed to participate in the Canada/Irish co-production’s pillaging of early England.

And yet Durand—who is currently in production on Season 2 of The Strain in Toronto—was a little nervous about hopping on board the show’s longships as it launches into Season 3 on History on Thursday.

“It was scary to commit to a show that you’re a big fan of,” Durand says with a laugh. “Vikings is way up there for my wife and I, but when I read the words he had written, it just set me afire and I wanted to step up and live up to it.”

The “he” is Michael Hirst, Vikings‘ creator, showrunner and lone writer, the man who has crafted Ragnar Lothbrok’s (Travis Fimmel) journey from lowly farmer to King. Season 3 picks up soon after the events of the last adventures, with Ragnar, Rollo (Clive Standen), Floki (Gustaf SkarsgÃ¥rd), Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), Athelstan (George Blagden) and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) once again venturing across the Atlantic to meet with King Ecbert (Linus Roache) and claim the farmland he’d promised them. Of course, things never go exactly as planned, and Ragnar finds himself caught up in a family feud between Princess Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) and her uncle and brother, who have teamed to steal her kingdom of Mercia.

Durand plays Harbard, a mysterious figure who shows up in Kattegat while Ragnar and most of the men are in England, and he has a almost spiritual effect on Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig), Helga (Maude Hirst) and Queen Auslaug (Alyssa Sutherland). Punching the name “Harbard” into Google brings up a couple of references, most notably the Norse gods of Odin and Loki.

“It’s so difficult to expand on what you’ve already found out,” Durand admits. “All I can really divulge is that he wanders into Kattegat and there is something influential and magical about him. Some are sucked in by him and others are skeptical. His actions will be felt for a time to come. Who he is will take some time to reveal.”

It didn’t take Durand long to fully immerse himself into the character of Harbard thanks to the show’s incredible sets, wardrobe and, especially, makeup. He recalls the beard created Harbard and thinking how weird it was as it was first being applied to his face. Two hours later and he didn’t recognize himself.

“I’m looking in the mirror at hair that goes down to my waist and a beard that just screams, ‘I am so virile! I will conquer!'”

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

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