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.
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Timber Kings return for Season 3

From a media release:

Canada’s favourite log home builders return this winter in a new high-stakes, high-reward season of Timber Kings premiering January 3rd at 10pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada. The awe-inspiring builds and hilarious hijinks continue online with full episodes and bonus scenes appearing on HGTV.ca the day after broadcast. Fans can also get a closer look at their favourite cast members on-air in the six-part special series Timber Kings: Under the Hard Hat premiering March 13th at 10pm ET/PT.

Season three of Timber Kings kicks off with Joel and Bryan Sr. putting the final touches on an enormous 82,000-square foot home in Russia that includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Meanwhile, Beat takes on the most perilous build of his career: a luxury vacation home on the edge of a 100-foot cliff. When they’re not building the world’s most spectacular log homes, the crew tackles plenty of impressive side projects. It’s sink or swim for Peter as he undertakes an adventurous experiment to build a wooden raft that can handle white water rapids. André focuses his attention on a sentimental kids’ play-palace at the local hospital, while Bryan Jr. whips up an outdoor kitchen before hitting the beach in search of the ultimate driftwood bar.

After every episode, fans can catch exclusive bonus scenes on HGTV.ca that dive deeper into the storylines from that week. Whether it’s taking a tour of the Russian mansion, getting an even closer look at the challenges of log home building, or getting an all-access pass to Joel’s Tough Mudder race, these bonus scenes offer an extended look at life as a Timber King.

Beginning March 13th, Timber Kings: Under the Hard Hat takes over the 10pm Sunday spot with back-to-back episodes. Each half-hour installment provides an in-depth look at one of the cast members, revisits their best builds, biggest challenges, and priceless pranks. There’s no holding back as the entire Timber Kings cast serves up a healthy dose of fresh colour commentary on their fellow builders.

Fans can watch past episodes on HGTV.ca or catch-up with an all-day marathon on January 3rd starting at 9am and leading up to the season premiere at 10pm ET/PT.

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Children's Programming, Industry News

Lost & Found Music Studios debuts Jan. 8 on Family

This winter, Family Channel raises its voice with the premiere of Lost & Found Music Studios, an all-new original series from Temple Street Productions and creator Frank van Keeken, the forces behind The Next Step. Debuting Friday, January 8 at 6 p.m. ET/PT, the pitch perfect drama follows a group of aspiring musicians who are part of a unique music program, run by a musician-turned-producer. From pop to rock and hip-hop to R&B, the series showcases some of the best young voices Canada has to offer with original songs and stellar performances featured in each episode. For music aficionados who want to get in the studio earlier, Family’s got a special presentation of the series this Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following the epic season three finale of The Next Step beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

A live music venue, recording studio and jam space, Lost & Found is an amazing place where young musicians go to become great. Members immerse themselves in music, write songs record tracks and form bands in hopes of turning their passion into a profession. But, if making it in the music industry wasn’t hard enough, these aspiring artists also have to deal with the many issues teens face including first crushes, peer pressure, difficult home lives and trying to fit in. Following the series premiere, new episodes of Lost & Found Music Studios will air regularly Fridays at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes will also be offered on Family OnDemand as they become available weekly beginning January 9.

On Friday, December 11, Family gets into the holiday spirit, gifting viewers with a special presentation of Lost & Found Music Studios at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. In the series preview, titled “Lost and Found,” the musicians prepare a goodbye party for graduates of the studio. Audiences are introduced to overachiever Leia, who hopes to write and perform a song with her crush, Luke; band member John, who’s having a hard time expressing his feelings for dancer, Michelle; and talented but shy singer-songwriter Eva, who is eager to break out of her shell. The exciting episode is ushered in by the season three finale of The Next Step at 7 p.m. ET/PT which sees the A-Troupe dancers lay it all on the line as they compete for the title of “International Champions.”

Lost & Found Music Studios stars include Shane Harte as Luke; Keara Graves as Leia; Alex Zaichkowski as John; Sarah Carmosino as Rachel; Deshaun Clarke as Jude; Ella Jonas Farlinger as Eva; Levi Randall as Theo; Maranda Thomas as Mary; Alyssa Baker as Maggie; Rakim Kelly as Isaac; Olivia Solo as Annabelle; Jeni Ross as Clara; Katrina Hachey as Hannah; and Matthew Bacik as Nate. Michael Torontow and Ali Milner play Mr. T and Parker who oversee the music program. A companion to The Next Step, the series also features familiar faces from the popular dance drama including Trevor Tordjman as James; Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Jordan Clark as Giselle; and Brittany Raymond as Riley. Fans of both series can see select cast members perform live in venues across the country this winter, as they embark on the international The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour. Tickets are currently available at Family.ca.

Lost & Found Music Studios is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by creator Frank van Keeken (The Next Step, Wingin’ It), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (The Next Step, Orphan Black) and Laura Harbin (The Next Step, Wingin’ It). Temple Street controls the distribution rights internationally, and has secured deals with CBBC and Netflix. Lost & Found Music Studios is also produced with the financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canada Media Fund.

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Industry News, Orphan Black, Rookie Blue, Saving Hope

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Sherry White

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Women Behind Canadian TV: Sherry White
“I have mentored a fair number of younger women and I really believe in fresh, young voices. I know I’m not the only woman or writer that feels that way. One thing people can do is find somebody who is willing to mentor them, or work as an assistant because any kind of foot in the door is the best way to get in there. Many of our great, fantastic writers–Ley Lukins, Noelle Carbone, Katrina Saville–all began as assistants and worked their way up. I have worked with this woman Lisa Rose Snow who is my assistant, and she’s someone who would do everything from edit my scripts to run my errands, but I, over time, have really invested in her voice and she’s somebody I want to hire and want to work with. So taking those jobs that might not be an immediate start as a writer, I think still pay off if you can do a good job at them.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Heartland

Heartland’s tense midseason finale

Talk about a nail-biter of a midseason finale. Sunday’s newest episode of Heartland, the final one of 2015, was unlike any I’ve seen since I started watching the show. Gone were the feel-good, happy endings we’re used to getting, replaced by scary scenes and poisoned animals.

The focus of “A Matter of Trust” was Georgie and Lou’s deteriorating relationship. Heartland hasn’t shied away from portraying the struggles associated with a family ravaged by divorce, but Sunday took another step, first by having mother and daughter wage war over lies, trust and responsibility and then with Georgie running away to Vancouver and leaving her cell phone behind at the ranch. Yes, Georgie is maturing and moving past that awkward phase and taking her first tentative steps into being a woman. She’s not there yet, but she sure wants to hang with and be accepted by the older girls. Everyone can relate to a storyline like that, and Georgie’s feelings. This being Heartland, I’m assuming Georgie will make it to Peter’s door unscathed, but that knowledge certainly didn’t take the edge off that final scene of her alone in the dark and wandering down the street. (As an aside, I hope Michelle Morgan receives a Canadian Screen Award nomination for her work this season; she deserves it.)

Meanwhile, an environmental disaster threatens the life of Phoenix. It’s been awhile since Heartland dealt with that angle, and having Rusty and then Phoenix succumb to poisoned water was tough to watch. Rusty has been treated and is on the road to recovery, but Phoenix may not be so lucky. Georgie’s disappearance means he’s not getting any attention and he needs someone to notice he’s not doing well. Fingers crossed Amy or Ty head back to the barn and discover the horse is in bad shape.

Heartland returns Sunday, January 10, at 7 p.m. on CBC.

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Industry News

Link: CRTC should listen to TV critics, just like everyone else

From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

CRTC should listen to TV critics, just like everyone else
It seems to me that this – the so-called discoverability issue – is a circumstance in which new media can learn from old media. Critics matter. A third-party, independent assessment and recommendation drives viewers to a TV show. Some of the most popular columns written by yours truly are lists of shows to try on Netflix. Continue reading.

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