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, Young Drunk Punk

Preview: Young Drunk Punk a sweet, funny postcard from the 80s

In 1980, the year Young Drunk Punk is set, I was nine. Old enough that—previewing Wednesday’s debut episode on City—I recalled the fashion (spiky hair, striped jackets, pornstaches), the music (Loverboy) and, most importantly, the small-town vibe.

I grew up in the smallish city of Brantford, Ont., a 30-minute drive from Hamilton and a whopping 60 minutes from Toronto. I lived far enough from those metropolis’ that visits were a big deal for me, a window to possible dreams and promises in my future. Certainly bigger opportunities—I thought as I got into my early teens—than I could ever have in Brantford.

So I totally related to Ian McKay (Tim Carlson, Flashpoint) and Archibald Shinky (Atticus Mitchell, Fargo), two kids just graduating from high school in 1980 Calgary and without a damned clue what to do next. Created by Kids in the Hall veteran Bruce McCulloch and inspired by his life (the sitcom was shot in and around the same Calgary townhouse complex he grew up in), Young Drunk Punk is certainly a wistful look back, but it certainly isn’t dated. The issues Ian and Shinky deal with in the first 30 minutes are the same every high school kid wrestles with: fitting in, kissing someone, distancing themselves from their parents and deciding who they are as individuals.

Adding to the laughs in Season 1 are Ian’s dad, Lloyd (McCulloch), who is the head of security at the complex, Ian’s mom Helen (Tracy Ryan, Nancy Drew) and his sister, Belinda (Allie MacDonald, Lost Girl). Belinda plays a large role in tonight’s bow, as Ian is planning to move into her place until she shows up at the family home with all of her belongings; she’s left her boyfriend. Ian and Shinky attend a party where they try to fit in, don’t, and get chased by local punks. The humour is there, but it doesn’t hit you over the head like most shows today. Instead, it’s subtle, heartwarming and family oriented. You get the idea that McCullogh is looking back fondly on his past rather than mocking it.

Sandwiched between The Middle and Modern Family on Wednesday nights, I would have rather seen it paired with Sunnyside for an hourlong block of Canadian comedies on City. That may eventually happen, but in the meantime I’ll enjoy Young Drunk Punk for what what it is, and cringe every time I see a piece of clothing I used to wear.

Young Drunk Punk airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on City.

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19-2

Link: 19-2: Back for a compelling second season

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From James Bawden:

I had a bunch of friends over for dinner and asked them to serve as TV critics for the second season premiere of 19-2. I was floored no one had even heard of the Montreal based series even after it garnered solid reviews for its first season.

“Gritty” is I think the word often used by other TV critics to describe their first impressions. But 19-2 comes from a Quebec cop show now into its third season. Continue reading.

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Featured, Podcast

TV, eh? podcast episode 174 – Not Dead Yet

In this week’s episode, Diane, Greg and Anthony discuss the Canadian Screen Award nominees, the returns of Big Brother Canada, Remedy, Mr. D, 19-2 and debut of Young Drunk Punk and Diane expounds on her latest op-ed, “CBC: Not Dead Yet.” And finally, Anthony uses a Toronto Star piece to explain how to get around Canada’s pesky copyright laws.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Want to become a Patron of the Podcast? We’ve got a Patreon page where you can donate a small amount per podcast and get a sneak peek of each release.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Industry News

Discovery’s Close Encounters returns for Season 2

From a media release:

One million UFO sightings are reported each year, and while most can be debunked, 5% of these cases cannot be explained. Airing in back-to-back weekly timeslots on Fridays at 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. PT, beginning Feb. 6, Discovery’s popular Original Series CLOSE ENCOUNTERS returns for a mesmerizing second season, profiling the most intriguing and convincing of these stories. The 14-part Canadian production from Toronto’s Newroad Media once again examines two stories per episode, combining dramatic recreations, CGI, and dynamic expert interviews to illuminate the planet’s most mystifying UFO encounters.

Extending their journey into the unexplained, viewers can also delve further into the case files at discovery.ca – or even share their own stories on Twitter @EncountersTV (#CloseEncounters) and on Facebook here.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS is produced by New Road Media in association with Discovery Canada. Executive Producers are Ann Marie Redmond and Marlo Miazga. The series producer is Sarah Zammit. Kathryn Oughtred is Production Executive, Discovery Networks. Edwina Follows is Director of Commissioning, Discovery Networks. Ken MacDonald is Vice-President, Programming, Discovery Networks.

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Featured, Mr. D

Preview: Mr. D returns with more awkwardness

New season, same old Gerry Duncan. At the end of Season 3, it appeared Xavier Academy had lost its history teacher. After all, Gerry’s dream job was to teach pays. ed., a gig offered to him by St. Pat’s. But in the season finale’s closing moments he returned to Xavier a self-proclaimed victor.

The move apparently paid off, but not without the typical Mr. D twist. The CBC sitcom returns Tuesday night paired with Schitt’s Creek, the newbie project that garnered record ratings in its double-dose debut last week. But where Schitt’s Creek is more of a traditional sitcom, Mr. D is the new wave, a series that relishes in the awkward moments … and milks them for all they’re worth. It doesn’t take long for cringeworthy stuff to start happening in “Mafia Dad” though it all starts promisingly enough.

Principal Callaghan informs Gerry that he is taking over coaching duties for the varsity basketball team and he’s stoked to carry on the team’s winning ways. Of course, the tallest kid on the team, Eddie, is also the worst (“Such a waste,” Gerry whispers to himself at one point) so Gerry plans to bench him. Enter Eddie’s father, who bribes Gerry with steaks, wine and “weal” sandwiches in a bid to get his son on the floor. It’s not until Bobbi pulls Gerry aside for a warning that he realizes Eddie’s dad may be a Russian mobster.

Speaking of Bobbi, she has her own uncomfortable few moments when Trudy upstages her at a birthday party for Lisa. Though Bobbi got up early to snag a personalized pudding-filled cake for event, Trudy’s gift of a pearl bracelet wins the day. The real source of the bauble leads to a very funny bit in the school office.

But perhaps the funniest storyline of the night belongs to Paul Dwyer. The always-positive and beloved Xavier teacher—the ying to Gerry’s yang—has an incredibly bad week full of damage to both person and possession yet he takes it all in stride. Wes Williams, who plays Dwyer, continues to amaze me with his comic chops.

Mr. D airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on CBC.

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