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.
Mary Kills People

Season 2 of Global’s original series Mary Kills People returns Jan. 3; plus cast photos

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From a media release:

Following a ground-breaking first season on both sides of the border, Global’s compelling and provocative original drama Mary Kills People returns Wednesday, January 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Caroline Dhavernas, Jay Ryan, and Richard Short, and season guest stars Rachelle Lefevre and Ian Lake, the six-episode, one-hour event series picks up eight months after Mary (Dhavernas) and Des (Short) framed Grady (Greg Bryk) for the deaths of their patients. However, as Mary and Des dive deeper and darker into their illegal work, a mysterious woman, Olivia Bloom (Lefevre), comes to them with a deadly request, unleashing a chain of events that unfolds throughout the season.

From Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures Inc., the return of the highly-anticipated event series will headline Global’s winter schedule this January. For the first look into Season 2, please click here. Additional programming details for Global’s midseason schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

Leading up to the premiere, GlobalTV.com delivers exclusive Mary Kills People content. Giving fans a first look at the Season 2 premiere, a special sneak peek of the first episode will be available December 20, followed by the full first episode January 1 on GlobalTV.com and Global Go. Plus, in anticipation of the new season, viewers can catch up on Season 1 on GlobalTV.com and Global Go beginning December 20, and on Global beginning Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with a two-hour finale at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Saturday, December 30.

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During the thrilling Season 2 premiere, Des is happy to reteam with Mary following his stint in prison, but when a routine case leads to a devastating outcome, Mary questions whether she was better off fighting the good fight without him – in control and unchallenged.

Throughout the new season, viewers will see Mary become more entangled in her illegal work, risking her family and ER career even as she tries to keep her worlds separate and her daughters safe. But secrets can only be hidden for so long when the mysterious Olivia approaches Mary and Des with a deadly request. Then, the personal and the professional come to a head when Ben returns, knee-deep in a complicated undercover case. Ben’s investigation will collide with Mary’s criminal descent, forcing Mary to decide whether to come clean once and for all.

Viewers who miss any of the dramatic moments from Season 2 can watch on GlobalTV.com or Global Go following the broadcast the next day.

Mary Kills People is produced by eOne and Cameron Pictures Inc., in association with Corus Entertainment, and with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. The series is executive produced by Tassie Cameron (Ten Days in the Valley, Rookie Blue), Amy Cameron (The Book of Negroes), Jocelyn Hamilton (Private Eyes), and Tecca Crosby (Private Eyes). The series is directed by Kelly Makin, Norma Bailey, and David Wellington with Holly Dale (who won the 2017 Directors Guild Of Canada Award for “Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Movies For Television And Mini-Series” for her work on Season 1) a 2017 DGC as Co-Executive Producer. Tara Armstrong (Private Eyes) created the series and is executive producer and writer. Additional writers include Tassie Cameron, Morwyn Brebner (Saving Hope), Lara Azzopardi (Backstage) and Marsha Greene (Ten Days in the Valley). eOne controls the worldwide rights for the series.

 

 

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Featured, Masterchef Canada

MasterChef Canada’s Michael Bonacini rings in the holidays with Christmas at the Farm

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I’m a huge food TV fan, especially during the Christmas season. I’ve enjoyed holiday specials starring Michael Smith and Michael Stadtlander and Jamie Oliver churned out a series of them recently. There’s something comforting, for me at least, watching chefs at home making recipes that have become traditions for their families and giving me some ideas too. (I credit Oliver for two standards at my house on Christmas Day: roasted vegetables and a killer gravy.)

Now MasterChef Canada‘s Michael Bonacini has jumped into the mix with his own Gusto special Michael Bonacini’s Christmas at the Farm, airing Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on the specialty channel. The hour-long celebration ticks all the boxes for me: snow, a fireplace, decorations and amazing recipes. Add to that an amiable, charismatic host in Bonacini and Christmas at the Farm is a truly enjoyable project.

Filmed on his sprawling property outside of Toronto, Bonacini’s traditional plates includes food celebrating his Italian last name and his mother’s Welsh background. Potato and leek soup garnished with smoked salmon is the first to be made, a scrumptious-looking bowl of warmth that is super-easy to create in your own home. Soup is followed by cheddar and bacon scones, gnocchi, roasted leg of lamb, maple roasted root vegetables, slow-roasted breast of veal and molten chocolate lava cake. (Though Bonacini doesn’t give any measurements or directions in the episode, viewers can get the recipes via the Gusto website after broadcast.)

But what sells Christmas at the Farm and sets it apart from other cooking specials is Bonacini. MasterChef Canada viewers get just a taste of his cooking knowledge and personality on CTV’s popular cooking competition. Here Bonacini is allowed to relax, show off his knife skills, discuss how he came to be a chef in the first place and how growing up on a Welsh farm impacted on his life.

Michael Bonacini’s Christmas at the Farm airs Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on Gusto.

Image courtesy of Bell Media.

 

 

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Featured, Heartland

TV Eh B Cs podcast 73 — A Potter’s Craft

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Chris Potter was born in Toronto and raised in London, Ontario, Canada. An early start in theatre and music ultimately led to him finding a calling in film and television work.

An actor with great versatility, Chris has a flare for edgy roles. He has accumulated an impressive volume of credits in a 25 year career. Chris is also an accomplished director and producer. On Heartland he has directed 18 episodes. He has starred in seven successful TV series (over 550 cumulative one-hour episodes) in addition to numerous TV guest appearances, television movies and feature films.

Over the length of his career, Chris has become a recognized international actor and star to many loyal fans. He continues to donate his time, his support, and loyal commitment to numerous charities. Chris and his wife Karen have also placed their family life and raising their four, now grown up, children as their top priority.

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

Want to support TV, eh?’s work? Become a Patreon!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Industry News

Link: Rogers to cut off support for Viceland TV station

From Christine Dobby of The Globe and Mail:

Link: Rogers to cut off support for Viceland TV station
Rogers Media Inc. has informed its partner Vice Media Canada Inc. that it no longer plans to financially support the Viceland television channel, leaving the upstart station’s future in Canada uncertain.

The TV channel aimed at a younger adult audience – which launched early last year, at the same time as a sister station with the same name in the U.S. – is a joint venture between Rogers Media and Vice, which also have a larger partnership that includes the Vice Canada content studio in the Liberty Village area in Toronto. (Rogers Media is owned by Toronto-based cable and wireless company Rogers Communications Inc.) Continue reading.

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Industry News

Minister Joly Announces New Appointment to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

From a media release:

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the appointment of Monique Lafontaine to the position of Commissioner for Ontario of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

A Toronto-based lawyer, Ms. Lafontaine brings over 17 years’ experience in entertainment and communications law. Her areas of specialization include television, radio, new media regulation, program licencing and affiliation agreements, stakeholder relations, and anti-spam and privacy legislation. Ms. Lafontaine holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Laws from York University, and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1994. She is fluently bilingual. She has been appointed for a five-year term effective January 2, 2018.

This appointment is the result of the Government of Canada’s open, transparent and merit-based selection process.

The CRTC is an administrative tribunal that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest. It is dedicated to ensuring that Canadians—as citizens, creators and consumers—have access to a world-class communication system that promotes innovation and enriches their lives.

Quotes

“The communications industry is constantly evolving. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission plays a fundamental role at a time when Canadians, more than ever, need access to diverse and appealing creative content across a variety of platforms. Ms. Lafontaine’s experience and extensive knowledge will be valuable assets in her new position as CRTC Commissioner for Ontario.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

The CRTC’s senior roles are Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson of Broadcasting and Vice-Chairperson of Telecommunications. There can be up to 13 full-time commissioners. These positions are appointed by the Governor in Council.

In 2016, the Government of Canada adopted a new approach to Governor in Council appointments. This approach respects gender parity and is supported by an open, transparent and merit-based selection process: one that will result in the recommendation of exceptionally competent candidates who truly reflect Canada’sdiversity.

This new approach requires a selection process for the majority of full- and part-time positions.

All appointment opportunities for the 18 organizations in the Canadian Heritage Portfolio are posted as they become available on the Governor in Council Appointments website. Interested parties can apply online.

 

 

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