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.
Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Scott McGillivray goes On Vacation with Income Property

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You know what you’re going to get when you tune in to Income Property. Not only will Scott McGillivray entertain as he renovates a couple’s home, but he educates folks on how to make the most money out of their investments. It’s a formula that’s worked for 10 seasons on HGTV and I’m frankly surprised it’s taken this long for a spinoff.

Debuting Wednesday with two back-to-back episodes, Income Property: On Vacation is exactly what it sounds like as McGillivray leaves the big city in his rear-view mirror to aid people in adding value to their vacation properties. In the first, McGillivray helps musician Justin Rutledge turn the lakeside shack on his in Prince Edward County land into a money-maker. It isn’t easy, but then anything McGillivray tackles rarely is. Wall-to-wall wood paneling, outdated appliances, a burgeoning mouse and raccoon population, black mould, expired avians and moisture throughout has Justin stressed, but the flop-haired contractor sees lots of potential.

After checking with local building codes, McGillivray—as he does with Income Property—presents Rutledge with two renovation options. I always get a kick out of McGillivray’s reactions to things as the demotion portion of the project gets underway and Wednesday’s debut of On Vacation is no exception. Let’s just say some questionable wiring leads to a funny scene in the old shower. Then, after days painting, rerouting plumbing, replacing rotting floors and intense renos, Rutledge’s new cabin is ready to hit the market, and bring in a tidy little profit for the singer-songwriter too.

Watching the team work to the proposed plan is fun and informative, but I constantly wonder why this series isn’t made up of hour-long episodes. Until that happens, I’ll have to be content with Income Property and this great spinoff, On Vacation.

Income Property: On Vacation airs Wednesdays at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET on HGTV Canada.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries goes to hell

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“Bl**dy H*ell” indeed. With just two episodes left in this season, Murdoch Mysteries rid itself of another villain intent on taking down anyone associated with Det. William Murdoch. OK, so it wasn’t a serial killer or Gillies back from the dead, but Chief Constable Davis was a wily fellow.

Where Chief Constable Giles became a character fans could feel compassion for, Davis was a straight-up jerk to the end, framing Brackenreid for racketeering when it was Davis who’d been shaking down businesses in Station House No. 5’s territory since he was a lowly constable. Unlike most Murdoch Mysteries episodes, Monday’s newest—written by Paul Aitken—got right into the action, first by having Rebecca rush to the aid of a man who’d fallen off a ladder and had a piece of glass pierce his chest and following with the arrest of a pawn broker selling stolen goods. Before long, Murdoch and Brackenreid were up to their eyeballs in corrupt cops led by Davis. But the moustachioed Chief Constable successfully stayed ahead of the two and Brackenreid was framed. Brackenreid quite understandably took the job in City Records—that meant he could keep his police pension—and ran into one of the show’s most colourful people not based on a real-life character.

David Hewlett was simply fantastic as the uptight Mr. Dilton Dilbert, the head of City Records whose Swear Jar was 10 cents richer mere seconds after Brackenreid had joined the office. Yes, putting Brackenreid in that spot was humorous, but it also contributed to the main story, as he uncovered deep corruption within the city. With help from Murdoch, Crabtree and Higgins, Brackenreid proved Davis was the one in charge of the racketeering ring and sent the bad cop packing … right into City Records. Bloody hell, indeed. (Favourite moment of the night? Higgins eating a spoiled sandwich to throw Davis off the trail. A close second? George going through his repertoire of Italian, Swedish and Hungarian voices to help identify the “woman” involved in the money drop plot.)

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

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Motive

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Kristin Lehman

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Women Behind Canadian TV: Kristin Lehman
“I haven’t looked at the DGC (Director’s Guild of Canada) to see how many women attempt to register. I haven’t actually sat in that many women director’s environments to talk about the challenges that are faced. I certainly think that that arena that we’re talking about isn’t any different than arenas that most women face in the workplace. It’s always a bit of an uphill battle because systemically women are marginalized and can be not afforded the same opportunities as most men. I hope that changes and I’d like that to change.” Continue reading.

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When Calls the Heart

When Calls the Heart returns to Super Channel for season three Wednesday, April 13

From a media release:

Super Channel, is pleased to announce to the delight of Canadian “hearties” across the country, that the sweeping frontier drama, When Calls the Heart, will return for a third season on Wednesday, April 13 at 8 p.m. ET (SC2). Each episode will also be available on Super Channel On Demand the day following its initial broadcast.

The enchanting Hallmark Channel original series is a Canadian co-production filmed on location in British Columbia and based on the bestselling book series by acclaimed Canadian author Janette Oke.

Returning cast this season includes Lori Loughlin (Fuller House, 90210) as Abigail Stanton, Erin Krakow (Army Wives) as Elizabeth Thatcher, Daniel Lissing (Last Resort) as Jack Thornton, Jack Wagner (The Bold and the Beautiful) as Bill Avery and Kristina Wagner (General Hospital) as Nora, Jack’s estranged wife. Guest stars this season include Brooke Shields as Jack’s mother, Charlotte.

Season three brings new challenges and opportunities to the tight-knit residents of Hope Valley. In the season three premiere episode, “New Year’s Wish”, a fresh start for Jack and Elizabeth, a surprise guest for Abigail, an adventure for Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Lee (Kavan Smith), an unwanted visitor from Pastor Hogan’s (Mark Humphrey) past, and new beginnings for the town makes this the most unforgettable New Year’s celebration Hope Valley has ever seen.

When Calls the Heart is produced by Canadians Vicki Sotheran and Greg Malcolm, and executive produced by Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr., and Michael Shepard. Eric Jarboe and Neill Fearnley are co-executive producers.

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Uncategorized

Link: Why Canadian TV Producers Don’t Want To Make A Downton Abbey

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From James Bawden:

Why Canadian TV Producers Don’t Want To Make A Downton Abbey
“Why can’t Canadian TV make a Downton Abbey?” one guest asked me and everybody stopped eating to listen to my reply. I patiently explained that first of all Canadian TV simply hasn’t that kind of money these days to finance such an expensive undertaking.

How many TV adaptations of great Canadian novels have you seen on CBC or anywhere else ion the last few years?

“None!” shouted the hostess.

I rest my case. Continue reading. 

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