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.
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Comments and queries for the week of Jan. 9

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Three TV shows and one story took hold of readers this week. There was lots of praise for Donald Sutherland’s Pirate’s Passage and The Book of Negroes but Lost Girl fans have started to lose faith in the final season. Meanwhile, readers weighed in on D.K. Latta’s piece for The Huffington Post. Check out the link to read one particularly insightful observation.

My wife and I just watched Pirate’s Passage. Wow, that really was very good, very top-class and well done. I’m 64, and I wish we’d had Canadian stories like this to read and on TV and as literature studies in school when I was growing up. Thanks to all for Pirate’s Passage! Please do lots more.–Steve and Tracy

I just finished watching Pirate’s Passage, and already I want more. This is a wonderfully produced project; I cannot recommend it enough to anyone wanting to enjoy a good old Canadian story.–Brandon

The Book of Negroes looks fantastic and I can’t recall such a great miniseries being made in Canada since Anne of Green Gables came out. Sure, there have been attempts, but for the most part there’s been political thrillers or issues-heavy miniseries that only appealed to niche viewers and failed ratings-wise. I am curious how The Book of Negroes will do in the ratings. There’s been plenty of promotion and the trailer is very enticing.–Alicia

The writers have not given the relationship between Lost Girl‘s Bo and Lauren much dignity. In the second show in which they were a true couple (Season 3), the writers had them flinging sarcasm at each other; not a good start for a relationship. When Bo went through the trial of the Dawning, when she emerged, there was no embrace or kiss with Lauren. Lauren was just standing there with all the others, there was no indication of them as a couple. Then shortly after that, the writers had Lauren ask Bo for a break in their relationship. She goes off to join Taft. In the 4th season, Lauren joins the Dark and foils the Morrigan, which to me indicates that Lauren wanted Bo all along, that she was trying to gain Bo’s favor by her actions against the Morrigan. And now in Season 5, they are “exes”? When did we get that discussion??–Sue

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

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Book of Negroes

Book of Negroes attracts 1.7 million viewers

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GemCBC

From a media release:

Canadians continue to prove their love of THE BOOK OF NEGROES as ratings for the premiere of the miniseries won in prime time last night, with 1.7 Canadians tuning in to watch. It was the number-one program in prime time last night, beating the People’s Choice Awards on Global at 9 p.m.

On social media, #BookofNegroes saw great success over all time zones, particularly on Twitter where the hashtag was trending nationwide for over two hours, generating a social reach into the millions.

The award-winning novel by Lawrence Hill has been given a new life on the small screen; Canadians can watch on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on CBC until February 11, 2015.

 

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Schitt's Creek

Link: Schitt’s Creek may be an awful title, but CBC’s new comedy is really, really good

From David Berry of The National Post:

I have no idea what your reaction to hearing that the CBC was going to air a show called Schitt’s Creek was, but mine was to roll my eyes so hard I almost pulled a calf muscle. Never mind that legitimate comedic treasures Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy were attached — hell, that might have even made it slightly worse, given the recent track record of Canadian comedy legends in sitcoms — that name just reeked of overstraining humour, like putting wacky glasses on a watermelon before you splatter it. I could practically taste the desperation sweat. Continue reading.

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Industry News

ACTRA Toronto announces 13th annual award nominees

From a media release:

ACTRA Toronto announces the nominees for the 13th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto. The ACTRA Awards in Toronto will take place at the Carlu on Friday, February 20, 2015.

Nominees for Outstanding Performance – Voice:

  • David Berni (Yay-Ok) Rocket Monkeys, “Monkey Proof”
  • Cory Doran (Multiple Personality Mike) Total Drama “The Final Wreck-ening”
  • Julie Lemieux (Granny Butternut) Numb Chucks “Granny’s Gone Wild”
  • Terry McGurrin (Dillweed) Numb Chucks “Moosetaken Identity”
  • Tony Nappo (Jimmy Falcone) Fugget About It, “The Balls on this Room!”

Nominees for Outstanding Performance – Female:

  • Lauren Ash (Carol) Dirty Singles
  • Christine Horne (Erin) Entangled
  • Andrea Martin (Ceil) Working the Engels, Pilot
  • Tatiana Maslany (various) Orphan Black, “By Means Which Have Never Yet Been Tried”
  • Kate Trotter (Alice) Tru Love

Nominees for Outstanding Performance – Male:

  • Gavin Crawford (Adam) Two 4 One
  • Ennis Esmer (Sean) Dirty Singles
  • Jordan Gavaris (Felix) Orphan Black, “Mingling Its Own Nature With It”
  • Pat Mills (David Gold) Guidance
  • Colin Mochrie (Carl) The Anniversary

Tantoo Cardinal will be presented with ACTRA Toronto’s 2015 Award of Excellence at the live show and party this year. The Award of Excellence recognizes an exceptional body of work and a commitment to advocacy on behalf of all performers. Jamie Jones will be honoured with the ACTRA Toronto Stunt Award. The show will be hosted by Arisa Cox, with musical entertainment by God Made Me Funky.

ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing over 15,000 of Canada’s 22,000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada.  As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.

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