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, Strange Empire

Comments and queries for the week of Oct. 10

2 Comments

Strange Empire is my new favourite. I had such high hopes for this and I wasn’t disappointed. I tend to go for good serial dramas with strong female leads and as this is set in the Canadian West, a place very dear to my heart, the show attracted me from the start. Overall, this was a great pilot and I look forward to more. I think the writers did a good job of making the show dark and adult while at the same time keeping out the swearing–I know many people, like my mother, for instance, wouldn’t watch it if there was. I also like the camera work and use of scenery. Can’t wait to see next week’s episode.–Ally

I teach a Western genre class at the college level and my students will be learning about this Canadian-focused (and Canadian-produced) series. I thought the first episode was strong, with a good set-up of narrative arcs for development. The lead characters/actors gave strong (and believable) performances. The show’s approach and characters are quite singular, given the current TV (and mainstream Western genre) landscape.–Chad

 

I was so pleased to see Jo Joyner on Murdoch Mysteries. I hope you  can write her into more episodes. Glad to see our Tanya [from EastEnders] came across the pond! Good luck to her!–Jacqueline

Hang tight Jacqueline, Jo appears in Monday’s episode of Murdoch too!

We love Murdoch Mysteries. [Monday’s] episode was an unbelievable pairing of the dark side of the waterfront and the thugs that control it and the dealing with the feminine movement to gain the vote. It was very violent and we were shocked that the treatment of the women in their “peaceful protest.” We see that Canada (Upper Canada and its Orangemen hold on democracy for men only) was quite violent which is not how I think of Canada. I hope Crabtree gets back with Dr. Grace and that William and Julia get married so they can have their “dream” child.–Lynn

Hold tight, Lynn. Next week’s episode is even better and I can say that things get pretty tough for Dr. Grace and Crabtree…

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Fire off an email to greg@tv-eh.com.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Bachelor Canada, Featured

Review: Bachelor Canada culls more, moves to Tuesdays

The latest news out of The Bachelor Canada is, of course, that Tim Warmels sent more tearful ladies home after deciding they weren’t in the running to be his lady love. But the second thing to note is that, because Fox decided to drop its Tuesday night episode of Utopia–which City simulcasts–The Bachelor Canada moves to Tuesdays starting next week.

As for key storylines for Thursday’s episode, there were a couple. The most notable one–at least for me because I had her in the pool to win–was the tearful exit made by elementary schoolteacher Natalie. Despite the idyllic setting, things were less than ideal on her one-on-one slushy drink date with Tim. Her nervousness at being with him (and it must be noted, desperation) meant she made awkward small talk with The Bachelor. To his credit, Tim announced he wanted Natalie to stick around for the week but admitted he wasn’t going to give her a rose. I understood his reasoning–he wanted to see if he had more of a connection with someone else or not–but I understood her wanting to leave too. Her feelings were hurt and she wanted to exit on her terms alone rather than during a rose ceremony.

Clearly the time away from Nassau and Tim weighed heavily on Natalie’s mind because next week’s Toronto teaser clearly shows (unless the producers pieced together B-roll) Natalie driving her muscle car down the 401 from Cambridge, Ont., to The Big Smoke in a bid to win Tim’s heart. This has happened several times in the Bachelor franchise and I can’t think of one instance where the bachelor or bachelorette welcomed them back into the fold. Natalie’s only chance is that Tim continues to throw curve balls and agrees she can return or that producers tag her to be the lead on the first-ever Bachelorette Canada.

The other major storyline gal-wise was Lisa. The flame-haired single lady has been portrayed as the villain of the season, complaining that Natalie was “cray” and basically making everyone feel less confident about themselves. This may be Lisa’s way of playing the game, but it’s being edited like she’s a holy terror and the other girls are petrified of her.

Rose-wise, the six girls to get them were Sachelle, Lisa (there was a great eye roll from Kaylynn when that happened), Trish (via the shared date rose that sent party girl Rileigh off the island) and April. Tim threw everyone for a loop when he was down to one rose and Kaylynn and Dominque–the two girls he smooched with–before he scampered off and got a second rose so they could both stay. I figure it was allowed because Natalie left unexpectedly; I wonder what Tim’s reaction will be when she arrives in Toronto in the next episode?

The Bachelor Canada moves to Tuesdays starting Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on City.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Cineflix starts production on Home Factory

media_cineflix_logo

From a media release:

Cineflix announced today that it has kicked off production on another new series. Commissioned by HGTV Canada and slated to air on the network in Spring 2015, Home Factory takes viewers into the mega factories to marvel at the machines and meet the unsung heroes who produce the creature comforts people just can’t live without.

Produced by Cineflix, the 14×30 series will take viewers on a whirlwind behind-the-scenes tour through some of the most incredible industrial production facilities in North America. Each episode will feature four everyday household items, giving viewers a look at the materials, technology, and manpower that go into creating these products. Infused with fascinating facts and anecdotes from the men and women on the factory floor, Home Factory reveals that the objects often considered ordinary are in fact anything but.

Home Factory is a Cineflix (Home Factory) Inc. production, in association with Shaw Media. Philip Whelan is one of the Executive Producers for Cineflix. Home Factory builds on the successful Food Factory franchise—a format created by Shaw Media for Food Network Canada—and is distributed internationally by Cineflix Rights.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Uncategorized

Bell Media scores third season of 24CH

unnamed

From a media release:

The Montréal Canadiens and Bell today announced the return of the hotly anticipated documentary series 24CH, airing weekly on RDS, Canal D, CTV Montréal, Bell Local and the Bell TV app. Bell customers can access 24CH Premiere on the Bell TV app, and 24CH The Quiz, a new fan interactive segment for this season, on Bell Local from Fibe TV.

New for the third season of the program, 24CH production teams will follow key Canadiens players on their days off to give a personal perspective on the star athletes, capturing players’ everyday lives, visiting their home towns, and meeting their families.

“The last season of 24CH was the first time a professional sports team offered its fans a weekly series for an entire season, and the overwhelming response resulted in even more programming,” said Kevin Gilmore, Chief Operating Officer for the Montréal Canadiens. “This season, we’ll better acquaint fans with the players and other members of the organization, showing them both at work and outside the Bell Centre and the Bell Sports Complex. We’ll discover the Canadiens’ world and its global scope by visiting our players’ home towns and CH fans worldwide, along with the places where they get together.”

24CH season three will explore the entire organization, revealing the strategies behind the global impact of the Montréal Canadiens and share passionate fan stories from across the country and around the world. This new season also introduces 24CH The Quiz, which will test the fans’ Canadiens knowledge in a fun and engaging format. Hosted by Geneviève Langlois, 24CH The Quiz is available on demand on Bell Local.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Amazing Race Canada, Big Brother Canada

Insight Productions net No. 1 series for Canada

Jon Montgomeryresize

From a media release:

Insight Productions produced two of the biggest ratings hits of the year with CTV’s The Amazing Race Canada and Shaw Media’s Big Brother Canada.

With confirmed numbers now in, blockbuster hit The Amazing Race Canada is the most-watched Canadian program of the year with an average audience of 2.8 million viewers on CTV; the #1 Summer series overall; and the #2 television series in Canada behind only CTV’s The Big Bang Theory.* More than three million Canadians tuned in to see Mickey & Pete’s pantless victory lap in the season finale.

Shaw Media’s Big Brother Canada’s second season, which debuted last March, is the most-watched reality program across all specialty channels.** The show’s rabid fan base ensured that the Big Brother Canada finale outshone even hockey playoffs across specialty channels.*** Coming off the heels of a stellar second season, Big Brother Canada makes the move to Global for Season 3, debuting next year.

“Broadcasters and sponsors alike know that Insight shows deliver viewers week after week,” said John Brunton, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Producer of both series. “That so many Canadians connected so passionately to these shows is a testament in part to Mark Lysakowski and Erin Brock’s phenomenal storytelling ability and exacting standards.”

As previously announced, casting for both Big Brother Canada and The Amazing Race Canada is now underway. For Big Brother Canada, visit www.bigbrothercanadacasting.ca. In person open casting calls begin on October 19 in Vancouver and Calgary, followed by stops in Regina, Halifax, St. John’s, Montréal, and Toronto.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail