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, Saving Hope

Saving Hope: Charlie makes a key connection

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Whoa, whoa, WHOA. With just a few more weeks until Saving Hope‘s series finale on CTV, the drama is unrelenting. By the end of last week’s A-storyline, Charlie had suffered a breakdown in front of Amos (Don McKellar) who, of course, no one else can see. That meant Dawn witnessed the incident and was last seen making a phone call to the head of Hope Zion to lodge a formal complaint. Meanwhile, self-help guru Layla (Missy Peregrym) made a connection with Alex over beliefs and medicine.

This Thursday’s new episode, “Fix You,” would—by the title, at least—hint both Alex and Charlie could be headed for some kind of fixing. Here is what CTV has to say about the episode, written by Katrina Saville and directed by Alison Reid:

The whole staff of Hope Zion Hospital is called in for questioning by the hospital board regarding Dr. Charlie Harris’ bizarre and erratic behaviour. Although Charlie is not privy to what is being said about him, a spirit is listening in and reporting back to Charlie. Meanwhile, as Dr. Alex Reid monitors Layla (Missy Peregrym, ROOKIE BLUE), a self-help guru, post her awake surgery, Layla convinces Alex to allow her to perform some of her new age techniques on her. Though he is reluctant to do so, Dr. Shahir Hamza agrees to do in-utero spina bifida surgery on the fetus of a university student, who is putting the baby up for adoption.

And here’s a bit more info after watching an advance screener:

Layla is back
Yup, there is more to her story than what was revealed last week. Turns out she’s ready to be discharged but Alex still has concerns regarding Layla’s health. And Layla is worried about Alex’s energy, something she refers to as a black cloud “spewing gunk.” That can’t be good. The pair share several wonderful scenes, including one about truths that occurs in a very fitting location.

Charlie is in rough shape
With the staff being summoned regarding their observations about Charlie, he’s determined to fight for his job. He’s hoping Alex will stand up and defend his actions, but will she? And Amos is far from done speaking with Charlie and has some choice words for him before the embattled doctor goes in for his assessment. Also, Amos shows off some skills we’ve never seen from the spirits on Saving Hope before, which leads to interesting ways of showing Charlie’s assessment. And Amos is paramount in Charlie making a key realization about his own past.

Shahir makes a decision
The synopsis above hints at the story, a tragic case that could very well end up having a very happy ending for Shahir and Jonathan.

Cassie faces her fear
Um, we had no idea there was even a name for the phobia Cassie has in tonight’s episode. That scene, plus a few more, provide some funny moments to temper the serious we get on Thursday.

Saving Hope airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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Great Canadian Baking Show, Industry News

CBC announces hosts and judges for The Great Canadian Baking Show

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From a media release:

CBC today announced the team of hosts and judges for THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (8×60), the public broadcaster’s homegrown take on hit format The Great British Bake Off. The series will be hosted by actor and writer Daniel Levy (Schitt’s Creek, The Hills: The After Show) and actor Julia Chan (Saving Hope, A Kid Like Jake), who will keep the judges buttered up and bakers laughing even when the going gets tough. Judging which competitors measure up are acclaimed pastry chefs Bruno Feldeisen, former executive pastry chef for the Four Seasons in New York and Vancouver and a multiple James Beard Award nominee; and Rochelle Adonis, the Quebec-raised, European-trained creator of a flagship tea shop and confectionary brand in Australia. Produced by Proper Television, THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW starts filming in Toronto this week following a nationwide search for Canada’s top amateur bakers, and will premiere Wednesday, November 1 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC.

Based on the beloved British format, THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW brings together 10 amateur bakers from across the country to compete in a series of themed culinary challenges as they celebrate their diverse backgrounds, families and communities. Each episode will feature three rounds including the Signature Bake, the Technical Bake and the Show Stopper. After the bakes are tasted and critiqued, the judges will decide who will become the week’s Star Baker and who will be sent home. The final three bakers will compete for the Great Canadian Baking Show title.

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW is presented with Robin Hood. The Robin Hood Baking Family consists of a portfolio of leading baking brands.

While waiting for the Canadian series, CBC audiences can whet their appetite with the most recent season of the British series (Season 7), which will air as THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW starting Wednesday, August 23 at 8 p.m. ET (8:30 NT) on CBC. Season 6 is available to stream now at cbc.ca/watch.

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW is produced by Proper Television in association with CBC and Love Productions. The executive producer is Cathie James, and the series producer is Marike Emery. The format is owned by Love Productions and distributed by Sky Vision. In addition to the original British series, the format has been produced in 23 territories including America, Australia, France and Ireland.

 

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19-2

Critically-Acclaimed Drama 19-2 Lands on CTV for its Climactic Final Season, July 31

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From a media release:

CTV announced today that after a successful three-season run on Bravo, the final eight episodes of the critically acclaimed drama 19-2 will premiere on CTV in a special final-season broadcast event, Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 31. The hour-long drama sees the return of Canadian Screen Award-winning actors Adrian Holmes and Jared Keeso as beat partners Nick Barron and Ben Chartier, navigating systemic corruption in Montréal while in the wake of a shared personal tragedy.

Season 4 of 19-2 will also get a CraveTV First Look with all new episodes premiering one day earlier, Sundays at 10 p.m. ET beginning July 30. Seasons 1 – 3 of the critically acclaimed drama are streaming now, exclusively on CraveTV.

Winner of multiple Canadian Screen Awards including Best Drama as well as Best Actor for both Keeso and Holmes, 19-2 has garnered much critical acclaim and accolades throughout its three-season run. Cited as a series that “defies expectations” by the New York Times, and “exciting” by the Wall Street Journal, the series was also nominated for a 2016 International Emmy®Award.

Season 4 of 19-2 begins with Nick and Ben working to avenge the death of Nick’s sister and Ben’s lover, Amelie. In the process, they find themselves pulled into an escalating cycle of mob violence and revenge. While Nick is determined to move forward, Ben fights to keep his faith in justice and in himself. As a raging gang war intensifies, the entire squad is pushed to their limits and forced to depend on each other more than ever.

In the Season 4 premiere episode, “Swimming,” (Monday, July 31 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV) Nick and Ben are set on taking down Inspector Elise Roberge (Krista Bridges, RANSOM) in order to avenge the brutal murder of Nick’s sister Amelie. Nick is first on site at a horrific event with many casualties. Meanwhile, Ben and Audrey are implicated in a tragic accident.

19-2 is co-produced by Sphère Média Plus and Echo Media in association with Bell Media. Executive producers are Jocelyn Deschênes, Virginia Rankin, and Josee Vallee from Sphère Média Plus, Luc Châtelain from Echo Media, and showrunner Bruce Smith.

19-2’s exceptional cast ensemble sees the return of CSA-nominee and Gemeaux winner Laurence Lebeouf (MARCHE À L’OMBRE) as fiery officer Audrey Pouliot; CSA-nominee Dan Petronijevic (SAVING HOPE) as angry beat-cop J.M.; CSA-nominee Benz Antoine (MARY KILLS PEOPLE) as jovial officer Tyler, on the mend and in recovery; Mylène Dinh-Robic (Sleeper) as no-nonsense Béatrice, seeking redemption after losing her stripes; CSA-nominee Bruce Ramsay (21 THUNDER) as manipulative District Commander Marcel Gendron; and Alexander De Jordy (LETTERKENNY) as young cop Richard Dulac. CSA-nominee Maxim Roy (BAD BLOOD) returns to guest star as Nick’s ex-wife Detective Isabelle Latendresse.

Joining 19-2 this final season are Aiza Ntibarikure (THE ART OF MORE) as Roxanne, a new young female cop; and Sagine Sémajuste (LOST GIRL) as Farah, a social worker.

Writers Bruce Smith (CRACKED), Nikolijne Troubetzkoy (CALL ME FITZ), Lynne Kamm (8 Count) return, with Jackie May (Van Helsing) and Greg Nelson (SAVING HOPE) joining the writer’s room this season. Louis Choquette (THIS LIFE, VERSAILLES) and Sturla Gunnarsson (MOTIVE), return to direct.

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Orphan Black

Link: Interview: Kristian Bruun

From Starrymag:

Link: Interview: Kristian Bruun
“I mean I would be remiss if I didn’t mention twerking on the bed with Alison (Tatiana Maslany) in our underwear and all the money. I mean, that was just an insane scene to film and it was something on my bucket list that I didn’t know was on my bucket list, you know rolling around on a bed full of money. If you ever get the chance to do it, I honestly recommend it. I mean it doesn’t have to be twenties, it can be ones.” Continue reading.

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