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.
Awards, Featured

Murdoch Mysteries, Letterkenny and Tatiana Maslany win big at Canadian Screen Awards gala

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Murdoch Mysteries, Letterkenny, Orphan Black, Tatiana Maslany and Kim’s Convenience‘s Paul Sun-Hyung Lee were among the winners at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards gala on Sunday night at Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. Murdoch Mysteries executive producer Christina Jennings made the fans’ night by revealing Season 11 has been ordered by CBC.

“The writing room started last week,” Jennings said in the media room following the show’s Golden Screen Award for highest-rated drama or comedy. “We’ve got 20 episodes, and that takes us to 170 hours of television.”

Host Howie Mandel kicked off the night with a funny skit where he inserted himself into nominees Vikings, Kim’s Convenience, Schitt’s Creek and Race. And, instead of asking the celebrities who they’re wearing, Mandel grabbed a camera guy and asked about his jeans and t-shirt.

The Academy Icon Award was delivered to Just for Laughs; comedian Dave Chapelle was there to deliver the statue to JFL founder Gilbert Rozon and chief operating officer Bruce Hills. Christopher Plummer was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Tantoo Cardinal received the Earle Grey Award. Natasha Negovanlis of Carmilla captured the Fan’s Choice Award.

The pre-broadcast winners are:

Golden Screen Award for TV Drama or Comedy
Murdoch Mysteries, CBC

Golden Screen Award for TV Reality Show
The Amazing Race Canada, CTV

Best Host in a Variety or Reality/Competition Program or Series
Norm Macdonald, 2016 Canadian Screen Awards

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The main television category winners are:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
Adrian Holmes, 19-2

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Kim’s Convenience

Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble)
The Tragically Hip

Fan’s Choice Award
Natasha Negovanlis, Carmilla

Best Dramatic Series
Orphan Black, Space

Best Comedy Series
Letterkenny, CraveTV

Here’s a list of the winners from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s industry awards.

What did you think of last night’s awards? Did your favourite television show, actor or actress win?

Images courtesy of Amy Wilson.

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Saving Hope

Link: Erica Durance hangs up her scalpel

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Link: Erica Durance hangs up her scalpel
“It was difficult, but we finished in this one set that was a favourite of ours and the cast was in the final scene. I wasn’t sure how we would be able to end it at first. I did know we wanted to stay true to our characters. And I think it was written so beautifully, it was a fall to your knees moment.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries gets rolling in new episode

As soon as I spotted that image of Rebecca and Julia decked out for a roller derby I knew Monday’s episode was going to be a good one. “Hot Wheels of Thunder” delivered on all counts, not only with a heinous crime and humour, but with nail-biting action too.

Written by Canadian Screen Award winner Peter Mitchell, Simon McNabb and Jordan Christianson and directed by Mitchell, here’s what CBC says about the episode:

Murdoch’s investigation into the death of a roller-skating champion takes him into a world of aggressive and ruthlessly competitive young women.

And here are more spoiler-free facts gleaned from watching a screener:

Medical talk with Julia and Rebecca
The pair begins the episode roller skating along a beachfront path, with Julia quizzing Rebecca about different medical definitions. If you are a guy, two may cause you to cross your legs. I did.

A lady love from Crabtree’s past returns
We won’t say who—that would ruin the fun—but I was certainly glad to see her, even if it was brief. However, her appearance does affect George when it comes to his relationship with Louise Cherry. Also? Brackenreid delivers a speech to George that is laugh-out-loud funny.

Kudos to the set design, wardrobe and construction team
The creative folks who work on the sets, set design and props always make Murdoch look amazing, but they did a particularly fantastic job this week. The roller derby set and wardrobes are astounding. The stunts, choreography and camera work is spot-on too.

Carmilla‘s Natasha Negovanlis guest stars
The fellow Shaftesbury (Murdoch‘s production company) co-worker from Carmilla turns in a villainous performance as Mildred Preston, the leader of The Buffalo Queens roller derby club.

“Whyyyyyyyyy?!?!”
You’ll get this reference on Monday night.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Saving Hope

Link: Calgary native Erica Durance reflects on five years on Saving Hope at Hope Zion Hospital

From Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald:

Link: Calgary native Erica Durance reflects on five years on Saving Hope at Hope Zion Hospital
Is there a future for Hope?

Erica Durance admits, early on, the thought did enter her mind.

CTV’s Saving Hope began its life back in 2012 as a medical drama with a supernatural twist. It was one of those high-concept hybrid shows that sounded intriguing on paper. But was it sustainable? Was it the sort of premise that lent itself to to a long life in the fickle world of Canadian television? Continue reading.

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Featured, Heartland

Shaun Johnston shines in Sunday’s Heartland

We were left with a couple of serious questions following last week’s episode of Heartland. What would Georgie say to Adam? Was Ghost really a ghost? And, most importantly, would Ty be OK? Sunday’s new episode, “A Long Shot,” written by Pamela Pinch and directed by Canadian Screen Award winner Eleanore Lindo, answers two of three queries … and adds plenty of drama when it comes to Jack.

Here’s what CBC’s synopsis teases:

A secret from Jack’s past threatens to change his relationship with the family forever.

And here’s what we can tell you after screening Sunday’s instalment:

So, how’s Ty?
Amy was super-worried about her husband last Sunday and was losing sleep over it. She had a good reason: those dizzy spells haven’t stopped and Bob is concerned there is something really wrong with his friend. Has anyone Googled, “Diseases you can suffer from in Mongolia”? Malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, viral hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever all pop up. That’s not good.

Tim finds out about, you know
A simple conversation between Mitch and Jack turns dramatic when Tim overhears Lou’s name brought up. Tim’s always been a guy to react without thinking and Sunday is no different. As an aside, Kevin McGarry appears in Sunday’s episode of Saving Hope, showing a very different side of him than we see on Heartland.

Is Trouble too much … trouble?
A dangerous situation develops at Heartland, and Georgie calls on Trouble to come through. But is the horse too skittish to be relied on when lives are at stake?

Kari Matchett guest stars
It’s always great to see Kari Matchett on television, and she certainly makes an impact on Heartland. Her character, Claire Wallace, pays a visit with a Canadian horse she wants Amy to look at. A horse isn’t the only reason for her visit; she has some news that shakes Jack up. I’ve written this before and it still stands: Shaun Johnston doesn’t get a ton of airtime—you simply can’t on a show with such a large cast—but he makes the most of that time when he does. He’s simply fantastic in this episode.

Heartland airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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