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.

Seven New Original Lifestyle Series join OMNI’s fall schedule

From a media release:

With everything from Italian cooking to Kama Sutra, today OMNI Television unveils its Fall Schedule featuring seven new original titles, six newly acquired series, six returning favourites, and the return of Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition. OMNI’s revamped schedule boasts the best mix of informative lifestyle programs, coveted telenovelas, and gripping scripted and reality prime-time series beginningSaturday, Sept. 5.

Additionally, OMNI’s first original Chinese language crime series Blood & Water will premiere this Fall, with broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

See below for series descriptions followed by the OMNI Television Fall 2015 schedule; the new series join thepreviously announced OMNI Television current affairs programs.

New OMNI Television Series 

L’Arte Di Cucinare **OMNI Television Original***
Born and raised in Friuli, Italy,  Chef Gianni Cescia serves up authentic dishes and old world charm to Italian audiences, demonstrating the art of eating well.

Nos Portugeuses **OMNI Television Original***
Each weekly episode of Nos Portuguese will focus on a theme that defines the current Portuguese-Canadian community, covering a variety of topics such as language retention, connection to Portugal, and Canadian politics.

Kama Sutra **OMNI Television Original***
Hosted by South Asian therapist, Rebecca Rosenblat, Kama Sutra is just as it sounds – a program designed to answer candid questions about intimate matters in Hindi and Urdu.

Kitty Talk **OMNI Television Original***
An engrossing weekly women’s South Asian talk show featuring three hosts sharing their thoughts on what’s trending in the community including current affairs, lifestyle, cooking, fashion, health, and entertainment.

Afro-X **OMNI Television Original***
Afro-X celebrates African-Canadian culture featuring segments focused on fashion, food, language, lifestyle, and much more.

Parwaaz **OMNI Television Original***
Catering to the Punjabi community in Edmonton, Alberta, Parwaaz  focuses on entertainment and culture, with discussions on the hottest issues of the week, as well as community events, and poetry.

Glee China
With his deep passion for music, Xiao Wen, an Accounting Professor at Chen Xi University, decides to take over the underachieving university choir and pledges to lead them to first place at the national championships. However, the choir members are an eclectic group without much experience, and a shortage of singers and a tight budget are not the only challenges for the choir. After the leader of the basketball team, Xiang Yuan, and the enthusiastic and outgoing team center, Li Yiyuan,  join the choir, they qualify for competition. But Xiao Wen’s nemesis, Yan Su, the cheerleading coach, tries everything to shatter their dreams.

24 India
Based on the American series of the same name, 24 India is an Indian television series in Hindi. Set in Mumbai, India, the series follows Anti-Terrorist Unit director Jai Singh Rathod’s efforts to thwart the assassination of Indian Prime Minister candidate, Aditya Singhania, while his own family comes under threat from the perpetrators.

Supernanny China
Based on the hit U.S. and UK versions, Supernanny (China) features Lan Hai, a modern-day Mary Poppins who takes on the unruliest children in China and rescues desperate, overstressed parents. It’s the first child-rearing show ever produced in China, and it is rooted in Chinese society to meet the unique needs of Chinese parents. Using innovative, time-tested methods, Lan is able to solve problems with behaviour, sleep, mealtimes, potty training and other challenges that have irritated parents around the world for centuries.

Planet’s Got Talent
Highlighting the most incredible acts from across the globe, from Indonesia to Iceland, Bulgaria to Brazil, and China to Chile, Planet’s Got Talent steers audiences through hilarious, show-stopping, heart-pumping performances.

Ramayan
Based on the ancient Indian Hindu religious epic of the same name, Ramayan tells the story of Rama, an avatar of the Hindu Supreme-God Vishnu, whose wife Sita is abducted by the King of Sri Lanka, Ravana. Thematically, the Ramayan explores human values and the concept of dharma – that which upholds, supports or maintains the regulatory order of the universe.

Returning to OMNI Television

Bollywood Star, Season 2 **OMNI Television Original***
In search of Canada’s next Bollywood sensation, Bollywood Star follows Canadian Bollywood hopefuls around Mumbai on their quest to score a role in a Bollywood film and the opportunity to become Bollywood’s next marvel.

Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition
Once the puck drops in October, OMNI will continue to air Saturday night NHL hockey in Punjabi on Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition.

****

OMNI.1 FALL 2015 PREMIERE DATES (Ontario)

All dates are subject to change. All times ET.

Monday, Sept. 14

3:30 p.m. L’Arte Di Cucinare

Sunday, November 1

11:30 a.m. Nos Portugueses

****

OMNI.2 FALL 2015 PREMIERE DATES (Ontario)

All dates are subject to change. All times ET.

Saturday, Sept. 5

8 p.m. Bollywood Star 

Saturday, Sept. 12

12 p.m. Bollywood Freetime Movie

3:30 p.m. Kitty Talk **NEW – OMNI Television Original**

5 p.m. 24 India **NEW**

9 p.m. Planet’s Got Talent **NEW**

 Sunday, Sept. 13

7 p.m. Glee China **NEW**

8 p.m. Super Cinema Movie

10 p.m. Supernanny China **NEW**

Thursday, Sept. 17

11 p.m. Kama Sutra **NEW – OMNI Television Original**

Saturday, October 10

7 p.m. Hockey Night In Canada: Punjabi Edition

Sunday, October 18

6 p.m. Fashion Girls by Dan **New One-Hour Format**

Monday, November 9

2 p.m. Ramayan **NEW**

****

OMNI B.C. FALL 2015 PREMIERE DATES

All dates are subject to change. All times PT.

Saturday, Sept. 5

8 p.m. Bollywood Star 

Sunday, Sept. 6

3 p.m. Afro-X **NEW**

Saturday, Sept. 12

11 a.m. Bollywood Freetime Movie

2:30 p.m. Kitty Talk **NEW**

5 p.m. 24 India **NEW**

9 p.m. Planet’s Got Talent **NEW**

 Sunday, Sept. 13

7 p.m. Glee China **NEW**

8 p.m. Super Cinema Movie

10 p.m. Supernanny China **NEW**

 Thursday, Sept. 17

11 p.m. Kama Sutra **NEW – OMNI Television Original**

Saturday, October 10

4 p.m. Hockey Night In Canada: Punjabi Edition

Sunday, October 18

6 p.m. Fashion Girls by Dan **New One-Hour Format**

Monday, November 9

2 p.m. Ramayan **NEW**

****

OMNI ALBERTA FALL 2015 PREMIERE DATES

All dates are subject to change. All times MT.

Saturday, Sept. 5

8:30 a.m. Afro-X **NEW**

11 a.m. Parwaaz **NEW**

8 p.m. Bollywood Star 

Saturday, Sept. 12

12 p.m. Bollywood Freetime Movie

3:30 p.m. Kitty Talk **NEW – OMNI Television Original**

5 p.m. 24 India **NEW**

9 p.m. Planet’s Got Talent **NEW**

Sunday, Sept. 13

4 p.m. Viet Time TV ** New One-Hour Format**

7 p.m. Glee China

8 p.m. Super Cinema Movie

10 p.m. Supernanny China **NEW**

Thursday, Sept. 17

11 p.m. Kama Sutra **NEW – OMNI Television Original**

Saturday, October 10

5 p.m. Hockey Night In Canada: Punjabi Edition

Sunday, October 18

6 p.m. Fashion Girls by Dan **New One-Hour Format**

Friday, October 30

10:30 a.m. Nos Portugueses **NEW**

Monday, November 9

2 p.m. Ramayan **NEW**

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Link: 5 Favourite Murdoch Mysteries Inventions

From Adnan M. of The Arts Guild:

5 Favourite Murdoch Mysteries Inventions
We have had eight wonderful seasons of Murdoch Mysteries, and the very-Canadian detective has created some pretty cool things in those 114 episodes. I thought I’d take a moment to go over 5 of my favourite inventions by the detective. These are in no particular order. It’s somewhat unwise to pick your favourite because, let’s face it, Murdoch inventions are all cool!

Do share your favourite invention in Murdoch Mysteries in the comments below. It doesn’t have to be by the artful detective himself, but even from others such as serial-inventor James Pendrick. Continue reading.

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

AMI’s Access Unlimited returns for second season

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced today that Access Unlimited, the series that explores the accessibility of Canadian cities from coast to coast, will return for a second season.

The four-part special is produced in partnership with Summerhill Media Inc. and travels across the country with stops in Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Calgary. Each 30-minute episode follows three local residents and examines their daily routine – everything from their commute to work, to visiting local attractions, to participating in their favourite sport or pastime. Those featured in the episodes are living with either vision loss or mobility restriction that can present a unique set of challenges when navigating their respective city. Episodes will also feature interviews with experts and decision makers including transit officials, politicians and accessibility innovators.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, the series will feature embedded described video, integrating natural environmental sounds while interviewees describe actions and surroundings as needed. AMI hopes the series will continue to inform residents of accessibility initiatives or lack thereof, inspire those living with a disability to travel and engage in their community, and encourage cities across Canada to be innovative and conscientious in terms of accessibility.

From August 24 to 27 Access Unlimited will air every night at 7 p.m. beginning with the Niagara Falls episode, followed by Ottawa, Winnipeg and Calgary. Episodes will also be available with the AMI-player on AMI.ca one week after the initial air date. AMI-télé will air the series in French under the name Villes Accessibles at a later date. All four episodes from the first season of Access Unlimited are currently available to watch online.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Link: Dark Matter: 7 Reasons to Binge the Sci-Fi Summer Hit

From Kelly Townsend of The TV Junkies:

Dark Matter: 7 Reasons to Binge the Sci-Fi Summer Hit
It’s no secret that The TV Junkies crew are big fans of Dark Matter. From the plot twists, to the hilarious one-liners, to the awesome chemistry of the Canadian cast, the SyFy/Space Channel series had us from day one and we’ve been hooked ever since.

So, in celebration of all things Dark Matter as we count down to the dramatic season finale on Aug. 29, we’re listing our top reasons why you should be watching. Also, it just so happens that Space Channel in Canada will be airing a marathon of the first 11 episodes of Season 1 on Sunday, August 23 beginning at 9 a.m. ET. Continue reading. 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Steven Sabados ends CBC’s Steven and Chris

There will be no more Steven and Chris without Chris Hyndman: Steven Sabados made the announcement Friday afternoon on Facebook.

“I wanted to write and send a sincere thank you to everyone who has reached out and offered love, support, and words of encouragement over these past few weeks. 

As you can imagine, this has been an incredibly difficult time and I truly appreciate the compassion you’ve so generously offered.

Some of the best times in my life have been at the CBC — creating an incredible show with Christopher by my side and a fantastic team behind the scenes. That being said, it’s impossible for me to even imagine continuing the show without him. The CBC understands and supports my decision 100 per cent and I hope you can as well. 

To all of you who shared our fabulous journey over the last eight years, as Christopher would say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” 

Love, 
Steven”

The announcement comes weeks after the death of his on-air and real-life partner Hyndman was found without vital signs in an alleyway near the couple’s Toronto condominium. It’s believed he stepped off the terrace surrounding their condo while sleepwalking.

A native of Newfoundland, Hyndman teamed with Steven Sabados over 15 years ago to form The Sabados Group Inc.; the group specializes in event planning, product launches and set design.

On Steven and Chris, the couple—along with expert guests—offered a unique take on decor, beauty, health care, relationships, food and parenting. CBC’s media site notes Steven and Chris airs in more than 40 million households in the United States. Sabados and Hyndman starred in HGTV’s Designer Guys, Design Rivals and So Chic with Steven and Chris.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail