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.

Comments and queries for the week of September 2

Is SnapShots returning to CBC?

I have enjoyed the SnapShots show. My daughters would be interested in participating. Are there going to be any more episodes of SnapShot? If so, will there be any more auditions and where and when will they be? —Lisa

SnapShots will be back for another season on Sept. 10 on CBC. for auditions and other information, go to the CBC Kids’ Facebook page.


Readers react to the CRTC’s changes to Certified Independent Production Funds

I live in Australia and most of my favourite TV shows were/are filmed in Canada, frequently with Canadian creatives—Stargate (SG1, Atlantis & Universe), Arrow, Dark Matter and The X-Files. Many are set in the U.S. but are still very Canadian. In fact, I’ve seen so much that I can often look at a film without knowing and say that’s British Columbia—the forests, streets, generally the look and feel.

Canadian creatives are every bit as talented as those in other countries. While my mother and I were initially attracted to Stargate because it was American actor Richard Dean Anderson’s new show, we loved the show itself and all of the actors to which it introduced us. In fact, Canadian Michael Shanks was my late mother’s favourite. For genre television fans like myself, some of the names of creatives that I follow from project to project aren’t necessarily well-known names in mainstream television. Examples: James Bamford, Ivon Bartok, Joseph Mallozzi, Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Kavan Smith, Paul McGillion, David Hewlett, Ryan Robbins and Patrick Gilmore, etc.

So I want to see more Canadian creatives names on-screen. —Webgurl

Bad news indeed. Should the Levys, Reitmans and Balcer be given shows in Canada since they clearly have spent their lives and careers in the USA? Never mind that some of them have no experience producing or writing … leaving local talent unemployed and without opportunity. So tomorrow Kiefer Sutherland, his U.S. career having faded, comes to Canada and gets shows/money thrown at him at the expense of lesser-known local creatives? And then Hart Hanson… What constitutes Canadian and what is fair? Is this question too Harperian in nature?

Canadian tax dollars should be spent on creatives residing locally … too few shows get made and far too often the same Canadian writers/producers get those shows. The executives are largely to blame for this turn of events. How do you develop talent, then, given the new regulations and the collusion of executives to deprive local creatives of opportunities and enhance their own reputation by funding American-Canadian U.S.-based talent? —Mir


Saying goodbye to Motive

One of the best, if not the best, truly Canadian series is ending. The unusual twist of victim/killer made this dramatic very intriguing! Kudos to the crew and cast got an outstanding run! Sorry to see you go! —Brenda

My favourite show is ending. So sad. Hope they will renew it in the future. —Bo

Such a shame that a great show has to end. Well, I can only hope it’s replaced by another great Canadian show! God knows there’s not enough of “our” stuff—and too much of everybody else’s! —Stephen

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email Greg.David@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Global National to expand to four more stations

From a media release:

Global News is pleased to announce that its flagship newscast, Global National is expanding to four additional television stations. Starting today, Global National will air on CKSA, a Newcap-owned television station in Lloydminster. Beginning Tuesday, September 6, the show will also run on three additional Corus-owned stations: CKWS Kingston, CHEX Peterborough and Channel 12 Durham. The program will be broadcast at 5:30 p.m. local time in each city.

Global News is also delighted to unveil new local versions of the network morning program, The Morning Show. Launching on Monday, October 17 on CKWS Kingston and on Monday, October 24 on CHEX Peterborough, the show will air from 6-9 a.m. With these programs, CKWS and CHEX will deliver local morning news to their respective viewers for the first time in history. The Morning Show will feature local news and community interviews with network cut-ins from Global’s national team in both markets.

Global National with anchor Dawna Friesen is Canada’s only early-evening national newscast. The multiple award-winning program offers a distinctive voice and approach to the day’s top stories.

With bureaus and correspondents in every major Canadian city, Washington, London and around the world, the Global National team provides Canadians with in-depth analysis and perspective on important national and international events, connecting with audiences coast-to-coast and bringing clarity to the issues and news of the day.

CKWS-TV is Southeastern Ontario’s news leader with videographers covering stories throughout the region. The on-air team, which began broadcasting in 1954, brings experience, commitment and insight to the coverage of news, sports, weather and special events.

Since 1955, CHEX Television has been serving the Kawartha Lakes and east-central Ontario from its studios in Peterborough. CHEX is available on 52 cable systems throughout the province and across the country.

Channel 12 has been serving the Durham Region in Ontario since 1993. Channel 12 is the only local, conventional television station in the region and has taken on a leadership role in promoting and covering hundreds of events each year.

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2016-17 Canadian TV season renewal scorecard

With the 2015-16 Canadian television season ended, the networks are putting the finished touches on their primetime lineups for 2016-17. That means celebrations for fans of shows that have been renewed and sadness for programs that won’t return.

To help keep track of what’s been renewed or ending, we’ve put together a handy list for you. Check back often to see the status of your favourites.

Renewed

  • Murdoch Mysteries (CBC)
  • Heartland (CBC)
  • Mr. D (CBC)
  • Vikings (History)
  • Schitt’s Creek (CBC)
  • Saving Hope (CTV)
  • The Rick Mercer Report (CBC)
  • This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC)
  • Hard Rock Medical (TVO)
  • Blood and Water (Omni)
  • Mohawk Girls (APTN)
  • Letterkenny (Crave TV)
  • Dragons’ Den (CBC)
  • Still Standing (CBC)
  • Love It Or List It Vancouver (W Network)
  • Masters of Flip (CMT)
  • Chopped Canada (Food Network)
  • X Company (CBC for third and final season)
  • This Life (CBC)
  • The Romeo Section (CBC)
  • Canada’s Smartest Person (CBC)
  • Hello Goodbye (CBC)
  • Crash Gallery (CBC)
  • Exhibitionists (CBC)
  • Interrupt This Program (CBC)
  • 19-2 (Bravo for fourth and final season)
  • Tiny Plastic Men (Super Channel)
  • The Other Side (APTN)
  • Home to Win (HGTV Canada)
  • Leave It to Bryan (HGTV Canada)
  • Timber Kings (HGTV Canada)
  • Tiny House Hunters (HGTV Canada)
  • Property Brothers (W Network)
  • Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers (W Network)
  • You Gotta Eat Here! (Food Network Canada)
  • First Dates (Slice)
  • Big Brother Canada (Global)
  • Ice Road Truckers (History)
  • Yukon Gold (History)
  • The Stanley Dynamic (YTV)
  • Marketplace (CBC)
  • The Fifth Estate (CBC)
  • Firsthand (CBC)
  • MasterChef Canada (CTV)
  • Canada’s Worst Driver (Discovery)
  • Cold Water Cowboys (Discovery)
  • Highway Thru Hell (Discovery)
  • How It’s Made (Discovery)
  • Jade Fever (Discovery)
  • Mayday (Discovery)
  • Mighty Cruise Ships (Discovery)
  • Vegas Rat Rods (Discovery)
  • Daily Planet (Discovery)
  • The Marilyn Denis Show (CTV)
  • The Social (CTV)
  • Orphan Black (Space)
  • Carnival Eats (Food Network Canada)
  • Degrassi: Next Class (Seasons 3 and 4) (Family Channel)
  • Baroness von Sketch Show (CBC)
  • Wynonna Earp (CHCH)
  • Private Eyes (Global)
  • Dark Matter (Space)
  • Killjoys (Space)

Not returning

  • Sunnyside (City)
  • Fool Canada (CBC)
  • Young Drunk Punk (CBC)
  • Motive (CTV)
  • Strange Empire (CBC)
  • Bitten (Space)
  • Ascension (CBC)
  • Blackstone (APTN)
  • Continuum (Showcase)
  • Lost Girl (Showcase)
  • Open Heart (YTV)
  • Remedy (Global)
  • Spun Out (CTV)
  • Rookie Blue (Global)
  • Haven (Showcase)
  • Package Deal (City)
  • The Pinkertons (CHCH)
  • Border Security (National Geographic)
  • 16×9 (Global)
  • Houdini & Doyle (Global)
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Space renews Killjoys for Season 3

From a media release:

– Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, and Luke MacFarlane return to star as the Quad’s favourite interplanetary bounty hunters –
– Production begins this winter in Toronto –
– Season 2 finale airs tomorrow night at 9 p.m. ET –

A day before the Season 2 finale and hours before a cast appearance at Canada’s largest genre convention Fan Expo, Space confirmed today that it has renewed its most-watched original series ever, KILLJOYS, committing to an additional 10, one-hour episodes. Season 3 begins production in Toronto this winter, and is expected to debut as part of Space’s popular summer lineup in 2017.

Created by showrunner Michelle Lovretta and produced by Temple Street in association with Space and Syfy, KILLJOYS follows a trio of reclamation agents – or “Killjoys” – as they get pulled further into political turmoil and the deepening mystery surrounding the Quad system, despite their vow to never take sides. Season 3 of the genre series sees the return of Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch, a stout-hearted bounty hunter with a fierce dedication to her Killjoy family, and on a quest to solve the mystery of her own identity; Aaron Ashmore as her loyal partner John, the witty tech wizard with a vulnerable heart; and Luke MacFarlane as D’avin, a born soldier who’s tactical skills and loyalty are as strong as his jawline.

Tonight at FAN EXPO in Toronto, Space presents a special advance screening of the KILLJOYS Season 2 finale at 6:30 p.m. ET in the John Bassett Theatre. Immediately following the screening, INNERSPACE hosts Ajay Fry, Teddy Wilson, and Morgan Hoffman moderate a jam-packed KILLJOYS panel with star Aaron Ashmore, cast mates Sarah Power, Rob Stewart, Thom Allison, Morgan Kelly, and Tamsen McDonough, along with showrunner Michelle Lovretta. Fans with a valid FAN EXPO pass or tickets for Thursday night have access to the panel. Admittance is first come first served. For more info on acquiring FAN EXPO tickets and passes, click here.

Season 2 of KILLJOYS on July 1 debuted with an impressive audience of 444,000, a 12% increase from Season 1. Throughout its Season 2 run, the series has reached nearly 1.1 million viewers each week and more than 3.1 million to viewers to date.

Season 1 of KILLJOYS is available now on CraveTVTM.

In the Season 2 finale of KILLJOYS “How to Kill Friends and Influence People,” (Friday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. ET on Space), the Killjoys and an old enemy join forces in a desperate bid to thwart Level Six’s plans for The Quad.

KILLJOYS was created by Michelle Lovretta (LOST GIRL, THE SECRET CIRCLE) who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. Executive producers are David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, and Karen Troubetzkoy. Universal Cable Productions distributes the series worldwide.

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CRTC gets the facts wrong

From a media release:

Mistakes get made, but most are not newsworthy. This one is.

The CRTC’s recent decision regarding “Certified Independent Production Funds” (CIPFs) includes a significant factual error. It claims that the Canada Media Fund (CMF) argued in favour of reducing the points needed for Canadian productions to receive funding from the CIPFs. The CRTC stated:

“The CMF argued that this amendment would give producers creative flexibility in the development of Canadian productions, which would lead to international market appeal and the potential for international investment. This, in turn, would lead to better recoupment for CIPF-funded programs and would therefore provide more money for CIPFs to invest back into Canadian projects.”

In fact, the CMF didn’t say any of that. Documents on the public record of this proceeding, submitted by the CMF and available on the CRTC’s website, show that the CMF never made these arguments, nor did it even address the issue in any substantive way.

The CMF is a well-established and respected funding body, whose views on the subject would presumably carry significant weight in a proceeding such as this. This makes the misattribution particularly concerning, and the WGC believes the error calls into question the rigour of this CRTC process.

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