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.

Industry News

Bell Media’s food and lifestyle channel Gusto to begin production on 10 new original Canadian productions

September 13, 2016 Greg David

From a media release:

Shortly after Bell Media began operations of its first food and lifestyle channel Gusto, the network announced today that nine deliciously entertaining new original Canadian series and specials from Gusto Worldwide Media â€“ and one exciting design competition series from Bell Media In-House Production â€“ are confirmed to join Gustoâ€™s slate of homegrown programming in 2016/2017.

The menu of new food-centric series commissioned from Gusto Worldwide Media include seriesÂ THE URBAN VEGETARIANÂ andÂ THE LATIN KITCHEN, as well as specialsÂ SPENCER AND ROBERTâ€™S GAME DAY BUFFET,Â ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS,Â ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPES, andÂ WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCERâ€™S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES. The nine productions, all to be shot in stunning 4K, are set to shoot in Ottawa this year. In addition, Gusto confirmed second seasons of marquee original Canadian seriesÂ A IS FOR APPLE, FISH THE DISH, andÂ ONE WORLD KITCHENÂ from Gusto Worldwide Media. Premiere dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Gusto also announced today that it has begun production onÂ THE SEARCH FOR CANADAâ€™S NEXT DESIGNER, from Bell Media In-House Production in collaboration with Swedish home furnishing retailer, IKEA. The six-episode, 30-minute series, currently in production in Toronto, is hosted by THE MARILYN DENIS SHOWâ€™s design expertÂ Tommy Smythe.

Further details about Gustoâ€™s new original programming is outlined below:

Series

THE URBAN VEGETARIANÂ (15, 30-minute episodes, 2017)
This 15-episode, 30-minute series gives Gusto viewers a chance to eat away some of that post-holiday indulgence guilt by providing yummy meal options that wonâ€™t expand the waistline. Guilt free and delicious.

THE LATIN KITCHEN (15, 30-minute episodes, 2017)
This 15-episode, 30-minute series explores Latin cuisine, including Mexican, Venezuelan, and Spanish! Viewers celebrate the great Latin cuisines of the world with engaging hosts and mouthwatering recipes.

THE SEARCH FOR CANADAâ€™S NEXT DESIGNER (Six, 30-minute episodes, 2016)
From Bell Media In-House Production, this design challenge series sees six, up-and-coming interior designers compete for a coveted design contract with IKEA Canada. Hosted by THE MARILYN DENIS SHOWâ€™s design expertÂ Tommy Smythe, the series follows the designers as they face weekly challenges and eliminations.

Specials:

SPENCER AND ROBERTâ€™S GAME DAY BUFFET (One-hour special, 2016)
Spencer Watts (FISH THE DISH) and Robert Jewell (A IS FOR APPLE) invite the lads over to watch the big game, and take on easy-to-make eats, including chicken wings, pulled pork, and a few surprises. Warning: there might even be a vegetable or two!

ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS (One-hour special, 2016)
This one-hour special brings a global twist to sweet holiday baking with sumptuous, easy-to-make recipes from Italy, Argentina, Japan, and Thailand. This baking is sure to become part of every familyâ€™s holiday traditions.

ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPES (One-hour special, 2016)
This one-hour special see series hosts Hana (Japan), Vanessa (Italy), Natalia (Argentina), and Pailin (Thailand) get together to share their favourite traditional holiday dishes from back home

WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCERâ€™S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES (One-hour special, 2016)
In this one-hour special, series host Spencer Watts serves up his take on traditional holiday fare and more than a little ham bone along the way.

THE URBAN VEGETARIAN,Â THE LATIN KITCHEN,Â SPENCER AND ROBERTâ€™SÂ GAME DAY BUFFET,Â ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS,Â ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPES, andÂ WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCERâ€™S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPESÂ are created by Chris Knight. Production Executive is Robin Johnston. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, CTV and Specialty. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media.

THE SEARCH FOR CANADAâ€™S NEXT DESIGNERÂ is executive produced by Michelle Crespi. John Simpson is co-executive producer. Nanci MacLean is Vice-President, Bell Media Production. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media.

Auction

Kids Help Phone Auction: Blue Jays Fever Package

September 12, 2016 Greg David

One Josh Donaldson official Bobblehead (in box!), 1 autographed J.A. Happ baseball (signed June 2016!) and 1 autographed Marco Estrada baseball (signed June 2016!). Donated by Denis McGrath.

[wpauction id=”168″ /]

Industry News

The Marilyn Denis Show and The Little Potato Company team up for The Little Chef casting call

September 12, 2016 Greg David

From a media release:

It’s a culinary contest like no other! Launching today, little chefs acrossÂ CanadaÂ have the opportunity to showcase their talent and put their cooking skills to the test on CTV’sÂ THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. For the second year in a row,Â THE MARILYN DENIS SHOWÂ and MASTERCHEFÂ CANADA’sÂ Michael Bonacini have partnered with The Little Potato Company to create The Little Chef Casting Call. The contest gives young Canadian chefs the chance to appear on CTV as well as win the culinary trip of a lifetime for their family toÂ Rome, Italy.

To enter the casting call, families must visitÂ Marilyn.caÂ and submit a video of their little chef cooking an original recipe that includes small potatoes. The contest is open to all Canadian children aged 8-13. Videos will be accepted for five weeks beginning today,Â Monday, Sept. 12.

The casting call will culminate with two finalists going head-to-head onÂ THE MARILYN DENIS SHOWÂ to compete for the grand prize of a family adventure for four people inÂ Rome, courtesy of The Little Potato Company. The prize includes airfare, seven nights’ accommodation, and an incredible culinary experience for the travellers.

After the initial call for entries, 10 finalists will be selected by a judging panel and Canadians will be able to vote for their favourite Little Chef atÂ Marilyn.ca. Each semi-finalist wins a culinary prize pack valued atÂ $225. Following the voting period, the judging panel will select the two finalists who will travel toÂ TorontoÂ with their families to appear in an episode ofÂ THE MARILYN DENIS SHOWÂ to compete in a cook-off for a chance to win the grand prize trip. More details about Top 10 and voting will be provided in the coming weeks. Viewers can visitÂ Marilyn.caÂ for full rules and regulations.

The contest will be promoted and featured at major retailers acrossÂ CanadaÂ and supported at store level with “Little Chef Program” support material and promotional programs.

X Company

Link: X Company creators on bringing their series to “a natural, full-circle conclusion”

September 12, 2016 Greg David

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: X Company creators on bringing their series to “a natural, full-circle conclusion”
“Our hope mainly was to inspire Canadians with a little curiosity about the secrets their country has kept, and with a little pride that we were an important part of the bigger picture. And to wonder what they would have done, if they had been that agent, or that German officer, or that team leader, or that wifeâ€¦” Continue reading.Â

Auction, Featured

Kids Help Phone Charity Auction

September 12, 2016 Greg David 7 Comments

In what’s become a yearly event, TV, eh? offers up stunning items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from a set visit and walk-on role in Murdoch Mysteries, wristbands to next year’s MMVAs, signed scripts, anÂ Orphan Black set visit, a meet and greet with the cast of InnerSpace and aÂ Corner Gas watch.

For those working in the Canadian TV industry, there is the opportunity to have your script read and notes given by Shelley Eriksen (Private Eyes, Continuum).

We’ve also got cookbooks, t-shirts, knapsacks and so much more!

And, there will be more items added in the coming days.

All proceeds go to Kids Help Phoneâ€”a free, anonymous and confidential phone and on-line professional counselling service for youth. If youâ€™d like to contribute but donâ€™t want to bid, please go directly to their website to make a donation. (Note tax receipts are not available for auction bids.)

This auction uses simple bidding and endsÂ Friday, Sept. 30Â at 11 a.m. ET. Payment will be due by end of day Monday, Oct. 3, 2015.Â International bidders, please note that any additional taxes and duties charged by customs will be your responsibility.

Click on the links below to start bidding!

Got a question? Email Greg.David@tv-eh.com.