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.

Link: ‘Degrassi: Next Class’ not going ‘sensational’ on Netflix, says creator

From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

‘Degrassi: Next Class’ not going ‘sensational’ on Netflix, says creator
Class is set to resume on a new incarnation of “Degrassi,” this time on different platforms — Family Channel in Canada and Netflix in the U.S.

While cast member Ana Golja says some of the content on “Degrassi: Next Class” is “a little more risqué,” the creators insist the show’s Netflix foray hasn’t affected the series in an extreme way. Continue reading.

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Comments and queries for the week of January 1

Haven limps across the finish line

I enjoyed the finale, but I haven’t loved the last two seasons for the reasons you gave, so when it was time for the finale, a part of me was like “finally!” And as much as I like the Shat, I wish they’d cast someone with more of a dangerous vibe. They had all that build-up of this dangerous, malevolent Croatoan, and it ends up being Capt. Kirk?? You mentioned Priestley’s cameo at the end, but I also enjoyed seeing Nicole de Boer popping up too, as well as that artist girl who gave Nathan that nice drawing at the end. And as much as I loved the ending with Nathan’s lovely monologue, I almost groaned when he came across the car at the side of the road because I knew it was going or be the new edition of Audrey. On the one hand, it’s nice that he can start over with Paige, but that was almost too sweet an ending that came close to souring everything that just come before. —JeffDJ

I liked the ending. I also knew it would be someone who resembled Audrey; the payoff was James in the back seat. I also hated the show’s turn in the last couple of seasons. Not the Audrey, Nathan romance—I wanted that from the beginning—but too weird, even for Syfy, as they went into off-the-wall events. I just loved the Troubles they had in the early seasons, then the solutions. —Gerry


Blackstone closes down for good

I am going to miss Blackstone. Favourite actors and favourite show. —Lana

I just wish Blackstone had not ended. The show dealt with many realistic issues that are in today’s world. All the actors and actresses all great. A very powerful show. Please bring it back on. —Charlene

Wishing Blackstone would come back!! Such an amazing series!! —Josse

 

Got a comment or question about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh.

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Link: Air Farce New Year’s Eve special on CBC targets Duffy, Trump, Star Wars

From Bill Brioux of the Canadian Press:

Air Farce New Year’s Eve special on CBC targets Duffy, Trump, Star Wars
The Force is back this year, and so is The Farce.

Canada’s most-popular comedy troupe, The Royal Canadian Air Farce, has been helping Canadians ring in the New Year on TV since 1992.

They’re back again this year on CBC with “Air Farce New Year’s Eve 2015.” Last year’s special was the biggest draw yet, pulling in over 1.8 million viewers. Continue reading.

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Win a 2016 Murdoch Mysteries calendar

The new year is upon us, and what better way to celebrate 2016 than with a Murdoch Mysteries calendar? Courtesy of TV, Eh? and Shaftesbury, this 16-month calendar features 12 full months, plus four small bonus months boasting images from beloved episodes from the last two years.

Winning this calendar couldn’t be easier! Simply comment below listing your favourite Murdoch Mysteries episode of all time—including the episode title, a short episode synopsis and why it’s your favourite. We’ll select a random winner from the comments. The contest closes on Friday, Jan. 8, at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT, so get typing. And don’t forget to vote for Murdoch Mysteries in our TV Ehwards poll!

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First Dates gets messy for Slice (and Global)

Update: Season 1 of Slice’s First Dates is being re-broadcast on Global starting this Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Here’s what I wrote about the show when it debuted last September on Slice.

There’s a wall-sized sign on the wall in the restaurant where First Dates is filmed. The sign says: Things Can Get Messy, and it’s a pretty apt discription of Slice’s latest original series.

Filmed in one of Earls’ Vancouver locations, First Dates uses Big Brothers setup of filming with a multitude of cameras and microphones that capture every step—and misstep—single Canadians make on the dating scene.

Tuesday’s debut focuses on a trio of blind dates that run the gamut from success to bona fide train wreck. This being a nice Canadian production, however, there are no tears and screaming when a match isn’t made, though you can tell from Billi-Ann’s body language she just isn’t feeling it with Charles. Perhaps it’s his penchant for speaking in the third person, or his intimate knowledge of drinks with college-level amounts of booze in them. Regardless, it doesn’t take long for viewers to realize this HR dude by day, party guy by night, is no match for Billi-Ann.

Shaw Media

Much more successful are Denai and Edward, who flirt their way through dinner, aided by her numerous comments about his cuteness, his endless muscle flexing and a shocking moment where he undoes his pants during the appetizer course. Is this the way the kids act during dates nowadays? Are they at the point where twenty somethings throw caution to the wind and flash some skivvy to attract attention? Apparently.

That’s not to say First Dates isn’t highly enjoyable. It is, if you’re looking for pure guilty pleasure entertainment. First Dates the perfect show to sit and watch with friends so that you can laugh, poke fun at—and perhaps commiserate—along with for an hour.

First Dates airs Sundays at 7 p.m. ET on Global.

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