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

Massive Monster Mayhem lands on Family Channel on Oct. 23

From a media release:

The biggest, baddest and most hilarious monsters are invading Family Channel with the world premiere of Massive Monster Mayhem on Monday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT. Real-life kids are pitted against Master Mayhem (the self-proclaimed “Greatest Ruler in the Universe”) and his squad of all-star monsters in the most grueling and toughest challenges known to mankind. A laugh-out-loud comedy, combined with sci-fi adventure and a reality game show, the action-packed competition series is like a video game brought to life! The series was co-created by Artur Spigel (Founder of 7ate9 Entertainment) and Michael Chaves. Spigel also serves as executive producer, along with Steven DeNure, Anne Loi, Asaph Fipke, Ken Faier and Josh Scherba of DHX Media.

Planet earth is under attack and it’s up to real-life kid heroes, to suit up and fight back! Combining cutting-edge, real-time CGI with pre-visualization technology, Massive Monster Mayhem showcases real-life kids competing in out-of-this-world challenges in hopes of becoming Earth’s champion and winning cool prizes. Contestants are eliminated through a series of three rounds, which conclude when the last player standing faces off against one of Master Mayhem’s colossal monsters. Every episode also features two hosts who provide hilarious commentary during the competition and non-stop hijinks from Master Mayhem and his monsters. Following the premiere, new episodes of Massive Monster Mayhem air every Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT on Family.

For those who miss an episode or want to watch on the go, episodes of Massive Monster Mayhem will be available on The Family Channel App and Family OnDemand beginning Tuesday, October 24. Fans can also head over to Family.ca to find out more about their favourite monsters.

 

 

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Industry News

Share your views on the future of programming in Canada

From a media release:

Starting today, the CRTC is inviting Canadians to share their views on how they will access audio and video content in the coming years and its impact on the Canadian market. The CRTC is accepting comments until November 24, 2017.

This consultation arises from the Government’s request that the CRTC submit a report on future distribution models for Canadian programming, as well as its continued creation, production and distribution. This report is due by no later than June 1, 2018.

Canadians can participate in the consultation’s first phase by:

  • filling out the online form;
  • writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON2; or
  • sending a fax to (819) 994-0218.

Comments collected will help shape the second phase of the public consultation. Further details related to the format and deadlines of the second phase will be shared at a later date.

Quick Facts

  • On September 28, 2017, the Governor-in-Council used its power under Section 15(1) of the Broadcasting Act and requested that the CRTC provide a report relating to the announced review of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Acts.
  • As directed by the Governor-in-Council, the CRTC is seeking comments on:
    • What programming distribution model(s) is/are likely to exist in the future?
    • How and through whom will Canadians access their programming?
    • To what extent these models will ensure a vibrant domestic market?
  • Interested parties are also invited to submit studies or relevant research on these or related issues that could inform the CRTC.

Quote
“We want to hear from Canadians and interested parties from all regions of the country on these important questions referred to the Commission by the Government. This will ensure we have the necessary information and evidence to prepare a report that will help inform the upcoming review of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Acts.”

– Ian Scott, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the CRTC

 

 

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Industry News

Link: In the era of Netflix, what do we want Canadian Content to be?

From Callum Marsh of the National Post:

Link: In the era of Netflix, what do we want Canadian Content to be?
What these flustered complaints share is an uncertainty about the very nature of “Canadian Content.” The presumption that we have an accepted, universal definition of “content that reflects our identity and our history” – fostered by politicians eager to appear patriotic and protective of national interests – makes it difficult to determine realistically what we want from art and culture in Canada, and next to impossible to legislate the kind of policy that could make it happen. It’s easy to say that Joly’s plan doesn’t do enough. It’s harder to say what it ought to do better.  Continue reading.

 

 

 

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Interrupt This Program reveals art created in the world’s wounded places

Art can be a powerful tool. It can be used to make a statement, get a response and cause social change. That’s certainly the aim of the art and artists showcased in Interrupt This Program, returning for Season 3 this Friday at 8:30 p.m. on CBC.

Montreal documentarians Frank Fiorito and Nabil Mehchi of Noble Television have travelled the world, recording a quartet of artists and a Canadian who are immersed in the local culture of a city, creating art that speaks out against injustice. Friday’s return instalment heads to Mexico City, where violence erupts daily.

“In Mexico every day, women are killed just for being women,” says Andrea, a local artist as the episode begins. “So we use art as a language to speak what we are feeling or living.”

“If you want to criticize your country, use art as a tool for change, art as a weapon of choice,” says another.

Described by Andrea as a safe place to walk around when she was younger, Mexico City has become a battlefield, with murder a daily occurrence and bodies lying in the street the norm. Femicides, in particular, are on the rise; Andrea and her group of artists—the Women Engraving Resistance—convene to carve intricate designs into wood that are printed onto massive posters to be hung in neighbourhoods. “It’s Not Enough to Survive, Women’s Lives Matter,” reads one. “Does Killing Me Make You More of a Man?” reads another. Aside from the words themselves, the images on the posters are stunning.

Meanwhile, Canadian photographer François describes art centred around a moment in Mexico City’s recent past. Desensitized to the gory images of dead bodies shown on the first page of newspapers, François recalls how 43 students headed to a demonstration went missing. Since then, pop-up art reading simply “+43,” paintings of each missing student have shown up around the city and songs have been written about the incident, bringing together the arts community with a common goal: to find out the truth of what happened.

Other cities visited during Season 3 of Interrupt This Program are Jakarta, Nairobi, Warsaw and Karachi. And, for the first time, the program focuses on an American city: Chicago. With a murder rate since 2001 of 8,384—more than the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined in terms of Americans dead—The Windy City is a conflict zone as serious as any other Fiorito and Mehchi have visited.

Interrupt This Program airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on CBC.

Image courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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Bachelor Canada, Featured

The Bachelor Canada: Chris Leroux begins his journey

With the Major League Baseball playoffs at hand, it totally made sense for The Bachelor Canada to return on Wednesday. After all, single lad Chris Leroux was a professional baseball player. And, after throwing strikes for the Florida Marlins, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, he was hoping to get another win: meeting the gal of his dreams.

Back to host this season of The Bachelor Canada is the always reliable Noah Cappe, who unveiled Chris and the 20 young ladies looking to make an impression on him and land that all-important first impression rose.

After the requisite preamble introducing viewers to Chris, we got some key facts: he played sports as a kid, grew up in Mississauga, Ont., has a massive tattoo on his left side and pitched in the majors but retired from all that because he wanted to settle down. Now Chris has got a house and is looking for someone to move in and choose paint chips with him. After watching him get dressed very, very slowly, it was time to meet some of the 20 ladies who’d signed waivers and joined the fray.

Among those the producers wanted us to keep an eye on prior to the limo drop-offs were 29-year-old lawyer Catie, 24-year-old waitress Meghan, 31-year-old real estate student Shanti, 32-year-old spray tan business owner and single mom Dee, 24-year-old graphic designer/mermaid Lisa, and 27-year-old humanitarian/pageant queen Brittany M. Right out of the gate it seemed like Dee would be a good fit, mainly because she loves the rush of riding a dirt bike, and Meghan because she’s going to speak her mind. Shanti’s “kill list” scared me and her comments about scoping her competition has set her up to be the villain of the season. Once the cars started to roll in, I made mental notes on performer Pricilla and luxury travel nomad Kait.

Once the drinks started to flow, things started to get interesting. Chris fulfilled his promise to Mikaela and spoke to her first; by the time they finished their time together they were holding hands and he felt a connection. Chris also seemed to connect with Kait and Brittany M. But it was Dee who really felt a spark with Chris and she was awarded the all-important first impression rose. Shanti, meanwhile, was upset Chris didn’t approach her for a conversation and seemed ready to leave. Unfortunately, the producers got involved and had Chris go and talk to Shanti. It made for some good TV, but it would have been even better if they had let Shanti walk out.

Shanti was convinced that Chris’ arrival in the bathroom meant she would be getting a rose, but was that guaranteed? Who would be the ladies receiving an all-important flower?

Here’s who will be back next week:

  • Lyndsey
  • Shanti
  • Catie
  • Mikaela
  • April
  • Lara
  • Jessie
  • Stacy
  • Kait
  • Brittany M.
  • Ashley
  • Brittany W.
  • Lisa
  • Meghan
  • Dee (first impression rose)

What did you think of the first episode? Let me know in the comments below!

The Bachelor Canada airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on W Network.

Images courtesy of Corus Entertainment.

 

 

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