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.
What Would Sal Do?

CraveTV’s next Canadian Original Series, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?, begins streaming March 24 exclusively on CraveTV

From a media release:

CraveTV today announced its third Canadian Original series, the satiric WHAT WOULD SAL DO? From New Metric Media, the producers of CraveTV hit comedy LETTERKENNY, the eight-episode, half-hour comedy, about a slacker who discovers he’s the second coming of Christ, begins streaming exclusively on CraveTV on Friday, March 24, as part of the #iCraveFridays weekly roll-out of new content. WHAT WOULD SAL DO? joins a growing list of Canadian Original series exclusive to CraveTV subscribers, which also includes LETTERKENNY and the upcoming RUSSELL PETERS IS THE INDIAN DETECTIVE.

The series received the following three Canadian Screen Award nominations last week: Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role (Jennifer Dale); Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series (Ryan McDonald); and Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series (Andrew De Angelis)

WHAT WOULD SAL DO? is a modern-day parable of an entitled underachiever who, for the first time in his life, is challenged to be a good person when he discovers he’s the second coming of Christ. The series stars: Dylan Taylor(ROGUE) as the titular slacker Sal; Jennifer Dale (STREET LEGAL) as his mom, the virgin Maria; Ryan McDonald (2012) as Sal’s best friend; Scott Thompson (THE KIDS IN THE HALL) as an ambitious priest; and in a supporting role, LETTERKENNY’s K. Trevor Wilson. Set in modern-day Sudbury, WHAT WOULD SAL DO? comes from showrunner Andrew De Angelis (MR. D, KILLJOYS), with episodes directed by Samir Rehem (SKINS), and is produced by New Metric Media.

WHAT WOULD SAL DO? joins the growing lineup of CraveTV Originals – series available only to Canadian audiences on CraveTV. Recent notable CraveTV Originals include the recently launched OUTSIDERS, the sophomore season of Canadian sensation LETTERKENNY, as well as SHUT EYE, CASUAL, MANHATTAN, and DEADBEAT, among others. WHAT WOULD SAL DO? bolsters CraveTV’s popular Comedies Collection, streaming alongside LETTERKENNY, SOUTH PARK, and ANGIE TRIBECA.

WHAT WOULD SAL DO? is acquired by CraveTV from New Metric Media. Series is written, created, and executive produced by Andrew De Angelis and directed by Samir Rehem. Additional writers include Kurt Smeaton, Mark Forward, Alex Levine, Mark De Angelis, and Brandy Hewitt. Executive Producers for New Metric Media are Mark Montefiore and Patrick O’Sullivan. The series is produced by New Metric Media, in association with DHX Media and with the participation of the Canadian Media Fund and Ontario and Federal Tax Credits.

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Cardinal

Links: Cardinal

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From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

Link: John Doyle: New CTV series Cardinal is landmark Canadian TV
In part, it’s the use of the Canadian landscape that makes Cardinal landmark TV in this neck of the woods. It is steeped in the texture of “North,” it is character driven, but the characters are of this North, anchored in it, in every fibre of their being. Continue reading. 

From Bill Harris of Postmedia Network:

Blood seeps into the clear ice and white snow in new Canadian cop drama Cardinal
Nothing stands out like a cardinal in the cold Canadian winter.

If you’re lucky enough to see one at a bird feeder, or sitting in a snowy cedar, you know that they really are a marvel of nature. In the bleakness of January, how can something be that colourful?

Also attempting to stand out at this time of year is the new Canadian TV show Cardinal, which debuts Wednesday, Jan. 25 on CTV. Continue reading. 

From Brendan Kelly of the Montreal Gazette:

Karine Vanasse investigates new terrain in CTV’s Cardinal
“For the past few years, one of my goals was to do something in English Canada. It’s a difficult market, because they don’t do that many series. It’s great to do these shows in the States, but there was something about doing a show in English Canada that got me really excited.” Continue reading.

From Brad Wheeler of The Globe and Mail:

Actor Billy Campbell on Cardinal, the frozen wilds and the roles that matter most
“This is a specifically and definitively Canadian show. And I think it gives it a real heft. And it may sound trite to say this, but the environment is another character.

Maybe the main character in the whole story. It stands in nicely for the kind of frozen wilds of Cardinal’s heart.” Continue reading.

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Cardinal: Why Billy Campbell couldn’t pass on this role
“The script was so compelling that I really, really wanted to be a part of it. I have a tendency when I read something to imagine myself as a producer and I always read something with a question in the back of my mind of ‘would I cast myself in the part?’ I instantly saw myself in this part and saw the answer to that question being ‘yes.’” Continue reading.

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Cardinal could be The Killing for Canada
“We all felt we had this great chance to create that kind of incredible series, that we should really go for it. We all love those kinds of shows, and it takes time finding the right partnerships and the right property. I think CTV found something great to run with.” Continue reading.

 

 

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Dragons' Den

Dragons’ Den audition tour commences in preparation for new season

From a media release:

It’s time for all aspiring entrepreneurs to get their business pitches ready for a chance to be a part of DRAGONS’ DEN’s incredible 12th season on CBC. This February, producers will once again head coast to coast on a multi-city audition tour in search of the country’s best businesses in need of a Dragon investment.

As in previous years, auditions will be open to the public, kicking off in Toronto on Feb. 11 in the Barbara Frum Atrium at CBC’s Toronto headquarters (250 Front Street West). A full list of audition dates and cities are listed below, and venues can be found online via the DRAGONS’ DEN website (cbc.ca/dragonsden/auditions).

The audition tour welcomes participants of all ages, with businesses at any stage of development. Hopeful entrepreneurs should prepare to pitch their concept to the DRAGONS’ DEN producers in five minutes or less. If they show the producers they have what it takes to pitch in the Den, they could be invited to Toronto to face the Dragons. Prospective pitchers are encouraged to apply online and bring a completed application form to the audition.

Producers will be on the lookout for entrepreneurs in the following cities:

  • Feb. 11 – Toronto, ON
  • Feb. 15 – Fort McMurray, AB
  • Feb. 15 – Richmond, BC
  • Feb. 15 – North Bay, ON
  • Feb. 16 – Edmonton, AB
  • Feb. 17 – Nanaimo, BC
  • Feb. 17 – Windsor, ON
  • Feb. 18 – Calgary, AB
  • Feb.18 –  London, ON
  • Feb.18 –  Vancouver, BC
  • Feb. 22 – Collingwood, ON
  • Feb. 23 – Belleville, ON
  • Feb. 24 – Kingston, ON
  • Feb. 25 – Barrie, ON
  • Feb. 25 – Montreal, QC
  • Feb. 25 – Ottawa, ON
  • March 1 – Grand Prairie, AB
  • March 1 – Oshawa, ON
  • March 2 – Fredericton, NB
  • March 3 – Abbotsford, BC
  • March 3 – Charlottetown, PE
  • March 4 – Halifax, NS
  • March 4 – Hamilton, ON
  • March 4 – Vancouver, BC
  • March 9 – Waterloo, ON
  • March 9 –  Kelowna, BC
  • March 11 – Calgary, AB
  • March 11 – Victoria, BC
  • March 15 – Guelph, ON
  • March 17 – Quebec City, QC
  • March 18 – Montreal, QC
  • March 22 – Regina, SK
  • March 24 – Saskatoon, SK
  • March 25 – Niagara Falls, ON
  • March 25 – Winnipeg, MB
  • April 1 – Toronto, ON

 

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Mary Kills People

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Marsha Greene

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Marsha Greene
“But I do see the importance of women having showrunner power. The female showrunners I’ve worked with are treated with a lot of respect in the room. They don’t have to demand to have their ideas heard or valued, because it comes with the job. Having said that, I imagine those are all things they dealt with en route to getting that job. So I think I’ve gotten to reap the benefits of their hard work, because my experiences have been working for women who are generous, encouraging and supportive of other female writers.” Continue reading.

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The Nature of Things

Link: Good News: Jennifer Gardy Is Back On Nature Of Things

From Jim Bawden:

Link: Good News: Jennifer Gardy Is Back On Nature Of Things
Big news of the TV week is the return of Jennifer Gardy to CBC-TV’s The Nature Of Things with the fifth of her popular Myth Or Science specials.”The first four were all big ratings hits,” reports Dr. Gardy “but I never guessed when we started we’d be doing a fifth installment.”

“The first four were all big ratings hits,” reports Dr. Gardy “but I never guessed when we started we’d be doing a fifth installment.”

Check it out on CBC-TV Thursday at 8. Got that? Continue reading. 

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