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

The world of Murdoch Mysteries expands with live tour experience

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From a media release:

Canadian production company Shaftesbury has announced the launch of a new in-person tour experience for fans of the hit show Murdoch Mysteries. The first of its kind in Canada, the Murdoch Mysteries live tour will bring a group of fans from around the world on a 7-day luxury coach tour of Toronto and parts of Southern Ontario, allowing them to experience the historical locations and beautiful settings in Ontario that have played a part in the beloved series. The tour will run September 26th – October 2nd.

In partnership with U.K based Transcendent Travel, the guided tour will take fans from Toronto to locations including Kingston, Dundas, and Peterborough, and includes luxury accommodations and dining, a behind the scenes look at the show being filmed, and a chance to meet the cast of Murdoch Mysteries while taking in some of the best scenic destinations that Ontario has to offer.

With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting travel plans for the last few years, this Murdoch Mysteries live tour represents a return to the exciting in-person events that have been so sorely missed. As Canada’s longest running drama series, Murdoch Mysteries has a devoted international fanbase who will be able to purchase tickets starting today, to take part in this exciting experience.

What:   Murdoch Mysteries Tour of Ontario

When:  September 26th – October 2nd, 2022 (Tickets on sale starting today)

Where: Toronto and surrounding areas

Who:    Shaftesbury, in partnership with Transcendent Travel

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Run the Burbs, Son of a Critch, Strays

CBC renews new original comedies Run the Burbs, Son of a Critch and Strays

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From a media release:

Continuing its commitment to nurturing world-class Canadian comedic talent, CBC today announced the renewal of new original series RUN THE BURBS, SON OF A CRITCH and STRAYS for their second seasons on CBC and CBC Gem. The series join CBC’s 2022-23 comedy slate alongside acclaimed comedy SORT OF from Sienna Films/Sphere Media, also recently announced by CBC and HBO Max as returning for its sophomore season. Additional CBC renewals across all genres and content areas to be announced in the spring.

Created by comedian, writer and actor Andrew Phung (Kim’s Convenience) and his best friend and collaborator, filmmaker Scott Townend (The Secret Marathon), RUN THE BURBS follows the Phams, a young, bold Vietnamese-South Asian-Canadian family taking a different approach to living life to the fullest, while changing the way we think about contemporary family values and life in the burbs. The series is produced by Pier 21 Films, with Endeavor Content holding international distribution rights. RUN THE BURBS premiered on January 5, 2022, and airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem.

Based on Mark Critch’s award-winning, best-selling memoir, SON OF A CRITCH is the hilarious and very real story of 11-year-old Mark coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the 80s. Created by Critch (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Tim McAuliffe (The Office, Last Man on Earth and MacGruber) and produced by Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek), the series is an inter-provincial co-production between Barnsley’s Project 10 Productions Inc. and Newfoundland-based Take the Shot Productions in association with CBC and Lionsgate Television. SON OF A CRITCH premiered on January 4, 2022, ranking as the #1 scripted program on CBC in the 25-54, 18-49 and 18-34 audience demographics,* and garnering CBC’s highest rating for a comedy premiere since Kim’s Convenience debuted in October 2016.** The series airs Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem.

STRAYS follows Shannon Ross (Nicole Power) as the new executive director of the Hamilton East Animal Shelter, where she is boss to an eclectic staff. Developed for television by Kevin White (Kim’s Convenience, Schitt’s Creek), Anita Kapila (Kim’s Convenience, Son of a Critch) and Clara Altimas (Kim’s Convenience), STRAYS is produced by Thunderbird Entertainment and premiered on CBC and CBC Gem in September 2021.

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Featured, Podcast

TV, Eh? Podcast Episode 241: We’re back!

It’s been a while, but the TV, Eh podcast is back with co-hosts Greg David and Amy Wilson.

What can you expect when you download this podcast every couple of weeks? Well, upcoming Canadian TV debuts and returns, and any casting and production announcements that have happened between podcasts.

This week, Greg and Amy talk about Big Brother Canada and When Calls the Heart, both returning to our TV screens soon. Then, it’s on to discuss Transplant and Sort Of, which scored season renewals.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Industry News

Link: Indigenous film/TV funding needs Indigenous-led application, review process: report

From Sadaf Ahsan of The Canadian Press:

Link: Indigenous film/TV funding needs Indigenous-led application, review process: report
A report examining how best to distribute film and television funding to Indigenous creators stresses the need for stronger application guidelines, a review process conducted by Indigenous Peoples and the potential for financial consequences or remedial action when false claims to Indigeneity are made. Continue reading.

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Sort Of

CBC and HBO Max renew Sort Of for a second season

From a media release:

CBC and HBO Max have renewed SORT OF for a second season, it was announced today. Created by Bilal Baig (Acha Bacha) and Fab Filippo (Save Me), the critically acclaimed CBC and Max Original comedy debuted on HBO Max in November 2021 following its Canadian premiere on CBC Gem in October 2021. The series was an official selection of the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and made The Hollywood Reporter, The Globe and Mail and Vanity Fair’s Best TV Shows of 2021 lists. SORT OF also leads this year’s Canadian Screen Award nominations with 13 nods, including Best Comedy Series.

“We are so thrilled that we are able to dive back into the worlds of SORT OF, and to keep exploring the evolution of all our characters (including some new ones!) as they continue to investigate who they are in the world as friends, family members, lovers and human beings,” said Bilal Baig, co-creator, showrunner, executive producer and lead actor.

“SORT OF speaks to the complexity of being human in the world with wit, warmth and an authentic sense of inclusivity, thanks to the distinct voices of Bilal and Fab,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports, CBC. “SORT OF has struck such a powerful chord with audiences, and we are thrilled to work with HBO Max and Sienna Films on the next chapter of Sabi’s story.”

“Baig and Filippo’s honest and insightful storytelling is a lesson in unraveling conventional views of identity,” said Jeniffer Kim, SVP, International Originals, HBO Max. “We could not be more excited to partner with CBC and Sienna Films on another season of this very special show.”

“It’s been a wonderful experience to develop this show from the ground up with Bilal and Fab, and now to have the opportunity in Season 2 to dig even deeper,” said Jennifer Kawaja, executive producer, Sienna Films.

Called “funny, tender, and humane” by NPR, “the kind of representation everyone deserves” by Mashable, and “a small masterpiece of contemporary urban storytelling” by The Globe and Mail, SORT OF follows the journey of “Sabi Mehboob” (Baig), a gender fluid millennial who straddles various identities from sexy bartender at an LGBTQ bookstore/bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown hipster family. Sabi feels like they’re in transition in every aspect of their life, from gender to love to sexuality to family to career. A coming-of-age story, SORT OF exposes the labels we once poured ourselves into as no longer applicable…to anyone.

The series is created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, who also serve as showrunners and executive producers, and produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. Sienna Films’ Jennifer Kawaja is also an executive producer on the series. SORT OF is distributed worldwide by Sphere Media. Abacus Media Rights handles sales outside of the United States and Latin America.

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