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.
Frontier

It’s a cutthroat, untamed new world as Discovery’s Frontier premieres November 6

From a media release:

FRONTIER, Discovery Canada’s riveting new drama, makes its worldwide debut Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, beginning Nov. 6. Ambitiously cinematic in scope, the network’s first-ever scripted series shot entirely in stunning 4K UHD follows the chaotic and violent struggle to control wealth and power in the North American fur trade of the late 18th century. The gritty series’ star-studded international cast is led by action star Jason Momoa (GAME OF THRONES, Justice League), Landon Liboiron (HEMLOCK GROVE, DEGRASSI), Alun Armstrong(NEW TRICKS, Braveheart), Zoe Boyle (DOWNTON ABBEY, SONS OF ANARCHY), Allan Hawco (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE), and Jessica Matten (A Red Girl’s Reasoning). Unabashedly true to its time period, the six-part series offers viewers the raw beauty and cutthroat power struggle of the fur trade, portraying a world of unfettered ferocity.

Discovery’s broadcast of FRONTIER is sponsored by Samsung Canada, the exclusive 4K UHD TV partner. The series is commissioned by Discovery Canada and shot in St. John’s, Nfld., Louisbourg, N.S., and Cornwall, U.K., providing the stunning backdrop for this premium, beautifully vivid 4K UHD drama series. Following each television premiere, episodes of the groundbreaking series will be available on the Discovery GO app.

Set against the stunning, raw backdrop of 1700s Canada, FRONTIER is a thrilling action-filled series revolving around warring factions vying for control of the fur trade in a ruthless game of wealth and power. Irish stowaway Michael Smyth (Liboiron) has barely stepped foot in the New World when he becomes embroiled in a dangerous battle between the fearless and violent Declan Harp (Momoa), and the formidable Lord Benton (Armstrong) of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

A dramatic story of revenge and riches, betrayal and brutality, and survival of the fittest in the James Bay fur trade, FRONTIER’s rich and raw cast of characters are all gunning to be the last man standing – from the combustible Scottish Brown Brothers (Hawco, Michael Patric, Stephen Lord), to crafty ale house owner Grace Emberly (Boyle), to treacherous Captain Chesterfield (Evan Jonigkeit), and rich America entrepreneur Samuel Grant (Shawn Doyle). All are willing to do whatever it takes to hold the keys to the kingdom of the New World.

FRONTIER is co-created by Rob and Peter Blackie, and produced by Take The Shot Productions and ASAP Entertainment, in association with Discovery, the exclusive Canadian broadcaster. Netflix is the international broadcast partner. Edwina Follows is Executive Producer for Discovery, and Ken MacDonald is Vice-President and General Manager, Discovery. Tracey Pearce is President, Distribution and Pay, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media. For Take The Shot Productions, Alex Patrick, John Vatcher, Rob Blackie, Peter Blackie, Allan Hawco, Perry Chafe, and Michael Levine are Executive Producers. For ASAP Entertainment, Brad Peyton and Jeff Fierson are Executive Producers.

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Amazing Race Canada

CTV renews The Amazing Race Canada for a fifth season

From a media release:

Race on, Canada! As announced this afternoon by host Jon Montgomery, CTV confirmed it has renewed a new instalment of Canada’s #1 summer series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. The announcement sets the stage for a fifth adrenaline-pumping season during Canada’s historic 150thanniversary in 2017, with plans to celebrate and showcase the country like never before.

CTV also confirmed today that casting for the upcoming fifth season is now open. Fans of the competition series can get set to grab their camera and their partner, and prep their auditions for the extraordinary opportunity to embark on a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The deadline for submission is Thursday, December 1 at 11:59 PM ET. For all casting details and updates, including instructions on how to submit an audition video, fans can visit CTV.ca/TheAmazingRaceCanada, the CTV Facebook page, and follow @AmazingRaceCDA.

CTV renews Season 5 of Canada’s #1 summer series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.

Spanning the corners of the country and beyond, Season 4 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA averaged 1.9 million viewers, with a season high of 2.1 million Canadians catching Steph Leclair and Kristen McKenzie’s race to the mat to claim the title and grand prize in the Season 4 finale in September.

In anticipation of the new season, and the discovery of a new batch of Racers, fans can watch the craziest, funniest, and most-memorable audition videos from the series on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA AUDITIONS, available now on Bell FibeTV1, channel 1. Hosted by fan-favourite competitors Gino & Jesse (Season 3), Natalie & Meaghan (Season 2), Alain & Audrey (Season 2), and Brent & Sean (Season 3) the show delivers commercial-free clips of the most entertaining auditions from Seasons 2 and 3. To relive all of the series’ high-stakes thrills and excitement, viewers can also find all four past seasons of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA available now on CraveTV.

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Industry News

Link: New digital taxes may be the future of Cancon

From Michael Geist of The Globe and Mail:

Link: New digital taxes may be the future of Cancon
Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly has energetically crossed the country emphasizing the economic benefits of the cultural industries. Yet as the government conducts a national consultation on Canadian content in the digital world, new digital taxes may ultimately play a starring role.

Ms. Joly has opened the door to an overhaul of Canadian cultural policy, but the million-dollar – or perhaps billion-dollar – question is how to pay for it. Internal government documents obtained through the Access to Information Act suggest that officials believe foreign sources of funding from international sales and joint productions could play a pivotal role in bringing new money into the system. Continue reading.

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The Romeo Section

Link: Andrew Airlie talks The Romeo Section Season 2 + preview

From Heather M. of The Televixen:

Link: Andrew Airlie talks The Romeo Section Season 2 + preview
This week on The Romeo Section, Wolfgang and Norman continue their investigation while Wolfgang sorts out the after-effects of his mystery mugging. When I visited the set last week, I chatted with Andrew Airlie about Wolfgang and Norman’s camaraderie, and working so closely with Brian Markinson which, surprisingly is a first for the pair. Continue reading.

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Featured

Firsthand: It ain’t easy “Being Greene”

My first experience with the public face of depression was back in 2012, when TSN’s Michael Landsberg discussed it openly in the documentary “Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports and Me.” Because of folks like he and Clara Hughes, who herself has spoken publicly about mental illness, more and more people are opening up about their struggles.

People like the Greene family, who are featured in this week’s episode of Firsthand. Written and directed by Jeff Newman, who executive-produces alongside producer Jocelyn Mitchell, “Being Greene” from Nüman Films delves into a family where mental illness is a part of their lives. Quinn Greene serves as the narrator, describing how he’s the one always looking for a laugh when he’s on stage performing. He introduces his father, Dave, rock quarry operator by day and Elvis tribute artist (he’s pretty darn good) by night; mother Roxie, a writer and intellectual; and youngest son Kane, a big-hearted guy with a gap-toothed smile. Of course, what folks see outwardly is no indication of what’s going on inside their heads.

The small-town Manitoba family pulls back the curtain on their struggles with mental illness as Dave unlocks the door to his childhood home, revealing a major case of hoarding because of a childhood of abuse and poverty. But while Dave found solace and success in performance, he became distanced from Roxie, Quinn and Kane. Roxie has attempted suicide in the past and deals with unipolar depressive disorder, Kane suffers from anxiety and suicidal thoughts and spends days in bed, unable to get up or hold a job. Quinn decides to have Kane move in with him, so he can keep tabs on his brother.

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(l-r) Kane, Roxie and Quinn Greene

The problem? Quinn wants to have his own life, and feels guilty for having that desire. And when, just 13 minutes into “Being Greene,” Kane is openly discussing his dark thoughts at Sara Riel Inc., a mental health facility, I imagined he was on the right path. But then autumn and winter arrive, the darkest seasons of the year for Kane emotionally, and everything spirals out of control. With guys like Kane’s boss, Sam, thinking his employee just needs to eat more fruit to get out of his funk, it’s no wonder some people have trouble discussing their struggles.

But “Being Greene” isn’t meant to be a sob story, or a vehicle to pity the family. Rather, it’s meant to educate and encourage us to talk about our feelings and reveal what’s going on with our own mental health. And, thanks to “The Greene Warriors,” it can be entertaining too.

Firsthand airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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