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.
Children's Programming, Web series

Production begins on the third season of CBC Gem’s Detention Adventure

From a media release:

Award-winning producer LoCo Motion Pictures is proud to announce that production on the third season of its CBC Gem original scripted tween series Detention Adventure commenced on July 5th in Toronto. In addition, Blue Ant International has secured the worldwide distribution rights to the third season of the series (outside of Canada).

In the new season, Carolyn Taylor (Baroness Von Sketch Show) will guest star in five episodes and up-and-coming singer, dancer and actor Danté Prince has been tapped to co-star as “Dash” alongside returning series regulars Simone Miller Castoro-Qualizza as “Raign Westrook,” Tomaso Sanelli as “Brett Austin,” Alina Prijono as “Joy Jayadi,” Jack Fulton as “Norman ‘Hulk’ Bean,” Lilly Bartlam as “Kelly Darnell,” Andrew Moodie as “Principal Lounsberry,” Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as “Coach Rod,” and Stacey McGunnigle as “Miss Marner.” Benjamin Ayres will also return as a guest star as “Bruno Black.”

In season 3, the Detention Adventure Team is at it again working to uncover the secret hidden in Lawren Harris’ painting given to them by none other than Principal Lounsberry. Their investigation is interrupted after learning they will be spending one of their final weeks of school at Island School! Unimpressed when Island School proves to be a dilapidated camp, the kids soon realize that the camp is more than it appears and might just hold the answers they’re looking for. With the help of the charismatic new art school student, Dash, the team explores what Lawren Harris’ painting could mean through different art forms while forging new bonds with their fellow Island School students. But with the crew heading off to high school, does growing up mean growing apart?

Co-created by Joe Kicak and Carmen Albano, Detention Adventure is written by Kicak, Albano, Lisa Rose Snow, Jay Vaidya and Cassie Cao. The series is executive produced by Lauren Corber, Kicak and Albano. Ryan West is producer.

Detention Adventure launched in 2019 as CBC’s first original kids scripted series for CBC Gem. Since then, the series has received numerous awards and accolades including Kidscreen Award winner for Best Web/App Series: Kid and CSA winner for Best Writing, Children’s & Youth and Best Original Music. Blue Ant International has licensed the first two seasons of the series to platforms in more than 125 territories, including the US, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Latin America, the Nordics and Hong Kong.

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Children's Programming, Industry News

Headspinner Productions has begun production on re-imagining of classic Canadian TV series Hilarious House of Frightenstein entitled Happy House of Frightenstein!

From a media release:

Headspinner Productions announces they have started production on the preschool animated series HAPPY HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN based on the beloved characters from the 1971 Canadian Classic series Hilarious House of Frightenstein. Timed with the 50th anniversary of the original series, 10 x 3 minute episodes will launch this fall for Halloween on the marbleKids YouTube channel, with the Canadian linear broadcast announcement to follow.

Headspinner principals Michelle Melanson (The Next Step, Fangbone!) and Ken Cuperus (Hudson and Rex, The Stanley Dynamic) will produce the series alongside creative partner Sandy Jobin-Bevans (Just Like Mom and Dad, The Parker-Andersons/Amelia Parker). Also on board as executive producer is original series producer and actor, Mitch Markowitz. Writers on the series include Diana Moore, Nisha Khan, Jan Caruana and Kara Harun. Original Art Design by Aaron Hong and Animation Services by Keyframe Digital Studios in St. Catharines, Ontario. Happy House of Frightenstein follows the misadventures of COUNT JR., WOLFIE, IGGY, AND GRIZ – the beloved characters from the original Hilarious House of Frightenstein, reimagined as wee children of the night – as they play, laugh, and grow together in the Happy House of Frightenstein, a giant castle-like play structure located in the charmingly spooky backyard of the iconic Castle Frightenstein.

The series was made possible with funding from the Canada Media Fund and the Shaw Rocket Fund through the CMF-SRF Kids Digital Animated Series program and support from marbleKids YouTube Channel and Distribution360, who will handle global distribution.

130 x 60 min episodes of Hilarious House of Frightenstein were produced in 1971 by brothers Riff and Mitch Markowitz in Hamilton, Ontario. It went on to be one of the longest running children’s shows in history, airing on CHCH, YTV, Showcase, Space and Drive In Classics in Canada alone. It currently airs on CRAVE in Canada. It also aired throughout the US and many European countries. Popular character actor, Billy Van, played most of the characters in the original, and legendary horror icon, Vincent Price, was also a major part of the original series.

Where to watch HAPPY HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN: marbleKids YouTube Channel.

marbleKids is an entertainment channel dedicated to delivering a variety of premium kids content.

Headspinner Productions is a full-service production company based in Toronto, Ontario helmed by award winning creator/writer/producers Ken Cuperus and Michelle Melanson.

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Coroner, Industry News

Morwyn Brebner and Andrew Akman launch Husk Media in partnership with Cineflix Media

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From a media release:

Cineflix Media is teaming up with award-winning showrunner Morwyn Brebner and TV executive Andrew Akman to launch Husk Media, a new television production company.

Toronto-based Husk Media will develop and produce programming for broadcasters and streamers worldwide. With Brebner spearheading creative efforts and Akman leading commercial affairs, the company will focus on projects created by Brebner, as well as projects in partnership with emerging and established writers and showrunners.

Cineflix will provide Husk Media with start-up financing and operating support, and has a first-look to distribute the shingle’s content internationally. The new production company joins Cineflix’s growing joint venture lineup which includes Mirage producer Connect3 Media and International Emmy® Award-winning Marcella producer Buccaneer Media.

Most recently honoured as 2021 Showrunner of the Year by the Writers Guild of Canada, Morwyn Brebner has produced premium scripted television for networks and platforms around the world, and is behind some of the longest-running, most successful dramas ever produced in Canada. Brebner’s credits include creating global hit Coroner (CBC/The CW Network/NBCUniversal International Networks), as well as co-creating supernatural medical series Saving Hope (CTV/ION) and police drama Rookie Blue (ABC/Global Television).

Andrew Akman brings more than 20 years of experience in production, distribution, and broadcasting. He has held senior management positions at some of Canada’s largest media and entertainment companies and will be transitioning out of his current role as COO at Cineflix Media.

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Featured, Private Eyes

Preview: Private Eyes solves its final cases

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I’m going to miss Private Eyes.

The light-hearted whodunnit, starring Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson, has been a joy to watch over the past four seasons. It’s the perfect summer staple, combining the drama of weekly cases, sly wit, a will-they-or-won’t-they tease, and charming performances by Priestley, Sampson, Samantha Wan, Barry Flatman, Jordyn Negri, Nicole DeBoer and Mimi Kuzyk.

Returning Wednesday for Season 5 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular timeslot of 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Thursday, July 15 on Global, the kick-off instalment, “In the Arms of Morpheus” catches up a few days after the cliffhanger, which found Angie Everett (Sampson) shot and Matt Shade (Priestley) at her side.

Spoiler alert: Angie survived. That’s a good thing because it allowed episode writer/executive producer Alexandra Zarowny the opportunity to pen several laugh-out-loud moments between Angie and scene-stealer Nora (Kuzyk).

Wednesday’s crime involves Angie, during her recuperation in the hospital, overhearing someone being threatened. Is there really cause for alarm, or is it just the morphine talking? Shade is doubtful of what his business partner heard, as is Detective Danica Powers (Ruth Goodwin). But Angie sticks to her guns and does a little detective work of her own, which uncovers something sinister going on at the hospital.

I won’t ruin the surprise, but I will say it’s good to see Angie, Shade and the rest all back on my TV. It may only be eight more episodes, but I’m looking forward to the ride.

Private Eyes premieres Wednesday, July 7, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular time slot at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Thursday, July 15, on Global.

Image courtesy of Corus Entertainment.

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Corner Gas Animated

Links: Corner Gas Animated, Season 4

From Melissa Hank of Postmedia:

Link: Brent Butt says goodbye to Corner Gas Animated
They say every dog has its day. Dog River, the setting of Canadian TV franchise Corner Gas, has had 10 seasons. First, as a live-action series from 2004 to 2009 and then as a cartoon revival debuting in 2018. The animated series wraps up its run Monday on CTV Comedy Channel. Continue reading.

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: Brent Butt sets up the 4th and final season of Corner Gas Animated
Check out the latest from Brent Butt, my guest this week on brioux.tv: the podcast. The creator, writer, executive producer and star of Corner Gas Animated returns to brioux.tv: the podcast to set up the fourth and final season of his award-winning series. Continue reading.

From Greg Harder of the Regina Leader Post:

Link: Corner Gas animated series set to go out with a bang
This may be the end of the road for Corner Gas, but that doesn’t mean its final incarnation is running on fumes. Continue reading.

From Stephen Cooke of Saltwire:

Link: Halifax-raised Corrine Koslo reflects on final fill-up for Corner Gas Animated
It’s a long way to go from rural Saskatchewan to seaside Nova Scotia, especially in the middle of a pandemic. Continue reading.

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