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.
Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

CTV’s delectable new original series Mary’s Kitchen Crush begins production

From a media release:

CTV, in association with Proper Television, announced today that production has begun on MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH. The all-new, thirty-episode, half-hour series will air on CTV, Gusto, and ultimately stream on demand from the new CTV Super Hub, as part of the new lifestyle brand, CTV Life.

MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH features Canada’s culinary sweetheart and MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 3 winner Mary Berg as she shares her delicious twists on home-cooked classics inspired by her family and friends. The series, produced by Proper Television, is currently shooting in Toronto and will premiere as part of CTV’s 2019 midseason schedule. MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH is currently available for customized brand partnership opportunities.

Mary Berg has spent most of her life cooking and baking for those she loves and building a strong appreciation for the connective powers of beautiful, home-cooked food. In each episode of MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH, she demonstrates her culinary skill and creativity with three to four original recipes – inspired by someone who has made a meaningful impact on her life. The resulting meal is like an edible love letter for family members and close friends. We’ll hear about the memories that motivated her menu choices as she guides viewers clearly through her recipes, offering up plenty of illuminating tips, and take-aways.

Mary Berg’s meteoric culinary journey took off after capturing the Season 3 title of MASTERCHEF CANADA. She can be seen regularly as a food expert on CTV’s YOUR MORNING and THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and can be found developing recipes for shows, food, beverage brands, and her blog A Small Stove. Berg has also started working on her first of two cookbooks to be released in September 2019 and Spring/Summer 2021.

MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH is produced by Proper Television (MASTERCHEF CANADA). Cathie James, Allison Grace, and Lesia Capone serve as Executive Producers and Garrett Wintrip as Series Producer.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Do Higgins and Ruth marry in Murdoch Mysteries’ “My Big Fat Mimico Wedding”?

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Fans of Henry Higgins and Ruth Newsome, your day has arrived! At long last, Higgins is joining the storied Mimico Newsomes in Monday’s Murdoch Mysteries episode, aptly titled “My Big Fat Mimico Wedding.” At least, that’s the plan.

Written by Simon McNabb—who has penned some of the funniest scripts on Murdoch Mysteries—and directed by Gary Harvey, here’s what the CBC has revealed in their official synopsis:

When Murdoch, Ogden, Crabtree and Brackenreid attend Higgins’ and Ruth Newsome’s wedding, a guest repeatedly tries to kill the groom. 

And here are more morsels I can reveal after watching a screener.

Guess who is part of the ceremony?
You can’t have a Newsome storyline, especially a wedding involving one of them, without Rupert Newsome (Cyrus Lane). Lane, as usual, steals every scene he’s in from his co-stars. There are so many giggle-worthy moments that I lost track.

Will Higgins return to Station House No. 4?
It doesn’t appear so when the episode starts and Brackenreid is just fine with it.

George doesn’t attend the wedding solo
That’s all I’ll say about that … other than the journey he takes to get to that state is wonderful.

Speaking of wonderful…
Gary Harvey’s direction is just that. What he does with his large cast of main and supporting characters during key witness testimony is well-executed, fun and really adds to the storytelling.

This is not your typical episode of Murdoch Mysteries
And, because of that, it’s one of my favourites. I can’t wait for fans to see it. Please let me know what you think.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Canada’s Worst Driver buckles up and hits the road for Season 14, Oct. 29

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From a media release:

The country’s most dreadful drivers buckle up for a ride on the road to redemption in Season 14 of Discovery’s longest-running series CANADA’S WORST DRIVER, airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, beginning Oct. 29. Led by returning host and Discovery mainstay Andrew Younghusband, the hit series features seven drivers – each nominated by a friend or family member – as they attempt to prove they possess the necessary skills to graduate from rehab and escape the unfortunate title of “Canada’s Worst Driver.” The all-new season premieres during the network’s nationwide free preview, available Oct. 4 – Nov. 1 through participating TV service providers across Canada.

Hauled off Canada’s highways from Victoria to Saint John, N.B., these reckless drivers head to the Driver Rehabilitation Centre in Dunnville, Ont. where they are stripped of their car keys and driver’s license. Each episode features the tried-and-tested challenges viewers have come to love, each designed to push the drivers to their limits and teach them crucial safe driving skills – all with an eye to eliminate driver distraction.

With the introduction of smartphones, online navigation, and self-driving vehicles, driving schools have refreshed their teaching methods, and the Driver Rehabilitation Centre is no exception. In a first for CANADA’S WORST DRIVER, Season 14 sees Younghusband examine driving’s technological revolution and its influence on automotive trends and safety, focusing on everything from back-up cameras to cell phone usage behind the wheel.

Joining Younghusband once again this season are the show’s merciless team of driving experts including CP24’s Cam Woolley, traffic expert and former OPP sergeant; professional high-performance driving instructor Philippe Létourneau; expert driving instructor Tim Danter; and registered psychotherapist Shyamala Kiru.

Last season, CANADA’S WORST DRIVER drove major audiences across Canada to Discovery. Final data from Numeris for the 2017/18 broadcast year confirms that CANADA’S WORST DRIVER continues to be the most-watched entertainment specialty program during its 10 p.m. ET timeslot among total viewers and the key A25-54 and A18-49 demos. Additionally, the series ranked as a Top 5 series on Discovery among total viewers and A25-54 and A18-49.

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Ghost Wars, Motive

Link: What goes on in a TV writers’ room? Dennis Heaton answers our burning questions

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From Sabrina Furminger of YVR Screen Scene:

Link: What goes on in a TV writers’ room? Dennis Heaton answers our burning questions
“It’s got to be a place where everybody is able to talk about the stuff that you can’t talk about at a dinner party, and you know that that embarrassing story you’re going to tell about the worst date you ever had in your life that ended in you misunderstanding a social cue and making a complete ass out of yourself is not going to be shared publicly with everybody else. It’s got to be an extremely safe space.” Continue reading.

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Industry News

Scott Moore to step down as president of Sportsnet, end of October

From a media release:

Scott Moore, President of Sportsnet & NHL Properties, has announced his decision to leave the company at the end of October.

During his eight-year tenure, Moore repositioned the sports and TV businesses to address the evolving media landscape and viewing habits.  He championed the acquisitions of The Score and Grand Slam of Curling; brokered the deal that brought the FX brand to Canada; launched North America’s first direct-to-consumer mainstream sports product with SN NOW; created Rogers Hometown Hockey; and played a key role in helping Rogers secure the blockbuster 12-year NHL deal.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sportsnet is well positioned for continued growth and success, with a strong team in place to carry the momentum forward.

The search is underway for Moore’s successor.  In the interim, Brace will oversee Sportsnet in addition to his current role.

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