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.

Property Brothers: 100 Episodes & Counting Special Premieres Monday, November 9

From a media release:

W Network’s Property Brothers celebrates its 100th episode (airing November 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT). Prior to the milestone episode, Drew and Jonathan Scott, will host the brand new special Property Brothers: 100 Episodes & Counting that takes fans on a hilarious ride through their favourite moments from the past 100 episodes of the hit series. The Property Brothers: 100 Episodes & Counting hour-long special airs Monday, November 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the 100th episode of Property Brothers at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Over 100 episodes and 100 dream home renovations, the Canadian duo have become iconic with their wits and skills while renovating or selling a home. Over the past five seasons, Drew and Jonathan have helped couples find, buy and transform extreme fixer-uppers into incredible homes. They’ve put up walls and brought down houses, pulled up floors, completed miracle renovations in weeks, walked red carpets and been included on People Magazine’s Annual Sexiest Man Alive List and HELLO! Canada’s 50 Most Beautiful List. In the special, viewers see how Property Brothers first came about, how an episode is put together, as well as all-time favourite bits from the show, including the evolution of Drew and Jonathan’s hair styles.

Property Brothers is produced by Cineflix (Property Brothers 5) Inc. in association with W Network. Gerard Barry is among the Executive Producers for Cineflix. For more information on these series, please visit wnetwork.com/propertybrothers.

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Link: Edmonton TV series Blackstone premières fifth and final season

From Fish Griwkowsky of the Edmonton Journal:

Edmonton TV series Blackstone premières fifth and final season
Just don’t hold your breath on a happy ending for everyone involved. One of Blackstone’s great strengths is its acid-scarred realism, portrayed grittily by a terrific cast, including Steven Cree Molison, Carmen Moore, Eric Schweig and Michelle Thrush. Not to mention Ashley Burnham — currently Mrs. Universe — returning to the show this season after a two-year hiatus. Continue reading.

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Murdoch Mysteries introduces new character in Rebecca James

Just a week after a tearful goodbye to Dr. Emily Grace, Murdoch Mysteries is introducing a new character.

Rebecca James, played by Mouna Traoré (Rookie Blue, The Book of Negroes), appears for the first time in tonight’s new episode, “Barenaked Ladies,” as the morgue’s cleaner. Julia is back as the coroner in Station House No. 4 and working on a corpse when Rebecca shows up for her overnight shift.

“Over time I become suspect that she knows a lot more than she’s letting on,” Hélène Joy told me during a set visit earlier this year. “She knows anatomy, she seems to be pulling in the environment, so Julia starts giving her books to read, and over time it becomes really obvious that she’s much more than she admits.” Not much is known about Rebecca at this point, but that changes in the weeks ahead when a bit of detective work reveals much more about Rebecca’s life and what brought her to Canada.

Mirroring real events in history as Murdoch Mysteries does, not everyone is happy with the attention Julia is giving to an African American woman.

As for the rest of Monday’s episode, it’s much lighter in tone than last week’s swan song. There’s still a body count, but Carol Hay’s script calls for several light moments too, including the usual stuff from Crabtree and a couple of zingers from Julia.

And the case of the week? A brilliantly twisted story based on an iconic piece of art you’ll have to see to believe.

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

 

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APTN’s Blackstone ending after five seasons

It’s the end of the road for Blackstone: APTN’s gritty, award-winning drama will conclude with a final eight episodes next month.

“It’s been quite a run and when I say ‘No. 5,’ I’m a little shocked,” says Ron E. Scott, Blackstone‘s writer, executive producer and director. “The show still has a lot of momentum, people aren’t saying, ‘Oh, they’re doing that again?’ After five seasons I think it’s time.”

Critically-acclaimed by critics, beloved by fans and winner of numerous Leo, Gemini and Alberta Media Production Industries Association Awards, Scott’s series hasn’t shied away from hard-hitting First Nations stories. Instead, he’s shone a bright light on such topics as alcoholism, sexual abuse, corruption and violence, societal issues faced on reservations and across the country.

Season 4 was particularly harrowing: former Blackstone chief Andy Fraser (Eric Schweig) was in prison and missed his wife Debbie’s (Andrea Menard) funeral; his son, Alan (Justin Rain), was injured during a blockade against Shale Industries’ plans to drill for oil on Blackstone; and Leona (Carmen Moore) and Gail Stoney (Michelle Thrush) suffered anguish when Wendy (Miika Bryce Whiskeyjack) was kidnapped by Darrien (Julian Black Antelope). Child welfare will be a big focus in the final eight episodes, as will violence against native women, a topic top of mind in Canada because of real-life events surrounding the death of Tina Fontaine and assault on Rinelle Harper.

Season 5 picks up right after the events of last season’s cliffhanger, with Andy still reeling from Debbie’s demise, who he described as the only one who truly knew him. Scott teases Andy comes to the realization he can never go back to being the guy used to having luck and good fortune fall his way. Alan’s injuries affect Andy, as does his relationship with brother Daryl (Steven Cree Molison), who appear to be on the verge of a cash windfall after allowing Shale to conduct test drilling on their private land. Scott describes Gail’s journey this year as “wonderful”; after years of being knocked down, she is going to enjoy a lot of wins thanks to improved health and a renewed focus on life.

Scott, meanwhile, has got several projects in development with networks but has left the door open to more Blackstone stories, including a TV movie if the opportunity came along.

“In this TV market, I don’t know if anyone knows it it’s truly over,” Scott says with a chuckle. “It’s exciting, as a content creator, because there are so many platforms. I would love to do a Blackstone movie, I think that would be really interesting.”

Blackstone airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on APTN beginning Nov. 3.

The past four seasons of Blackstone can be watched on APTN’s website.

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Link: This Life’s Lauren Lee Smith brings a unique character to Canadian TV

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

This Life’s Lauren Lee Smith brings a unique character to Canadian TV
“My favorite times during the whole season were when we got to do the scenes with all of us together because it really felt like we were a family. Each person has such unique personalities so it’s very authentic and very real. I think I can speak for all of us, but we genuinely enjoyed spending time with each other, so I’m glad that’s coming across on camera.” Continue reading. 

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