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

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.

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Dark Matter

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. 

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Steven Sabados ends CBC’s Steven and Chris

3 Comments

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.

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Amazing Race Canada, Featured, Orphan Black

Comments and queries for the week of August 21

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What channels will be casualties of à la carte?

If a show has enough buzz and Netflix doesn’t get to it first, some Canadian telecom will probably grab it. I think CraveTV has a bunch of British shows like The Fall already. “Edgy” stuff like Black Mirror will remain on a premium channel and/or HBO Canada.

My dad will be disappointed in Bite going because of the Trailer Park Boys reruns. I myself only know it because it airs a slightly different cut of Whose Line Is It Anyway? episodes than the regular CW version.

HBO, AMC, the main U.S. networks, CTV, CBC and major kids channels like YTV will be fine. Toss-ups to me are things like Space. Sci-fi is already a limited audience and those fans are generally less likely to rely on traditional TV anyway. It’s only mainstream hit in Orphan Black is apparently supposed to wrap in 2017 anyway so it might not last too long without it. And even if it did close before then, CTV would probably just take it for Season 5, they already air reruns and Saturdays at 9 p.m. aren’t exactly busy to begin with. —Dan Amazing

Teletoon Retro is going? That’s disappointing. That channel is in a list of 23 channels our household awould keep along with CTV, CBC, TSN, City, Global, YTV, Treehouse, Space, Disney Junior, MTV, CW, CBC Newsworld, Sportsnet, Wild TV, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Teletoon, APTN, Movie Central, Food Network, Showcase and Family Channel. I actually know a lot of people who like that Teletoon Retro, both adults and kids. My kids are quite taken with Jem and the Holograms, Care Bears and The Smurfs. —Ally

Eighty per cent of the channels could go and I wouldn’t miss them. One thing I am worried about is losing some of the better U.S. series from places like Starz, TNT, USA, etc., and also some British series that are currently being picked up by channels like Showtime, Bravo, A&E and Super Channel. These are shows we don’t have access to otherwise. If some smart channel concentrated on stuff like that, and actually did some marketing, they could probably make a go of it. —Dan

Is The Amazing Race Canada too difficult?

Last week wasn’t the big penalty episode, it was two weeks ago with the Face Off: Sami & Ope/Neil & Kristen not counting the penalty Nic & Sabrina had to take because it was unsafe to do the horse Detour after dark when they were U-Turned. Counting the two at the Face Off, the soccer one, and tonight, we have five official penalties across four teams so far.

At this point I have to wonder if some of the tasks are too hard. Kristin wasn’t wrong in saying you can use a penalty as strategy. Dujean & Leilani got third place with or without the penalty after all. I love how Jon was clearly about to fall over laughing at the Gagging & Wipeout Brothers.

On the one hand, I respect Sami & Ope for doing the math alone, on the other it seems rather stubborn and reckless. Luckily, they didn’t take another penalty this Leg or they would be out. Strategically, they gained nothing except maybe bragging rights at home now. I think it was just pride. They need to pick it up if they want to last longer.

I enjoyed the reunion. Ribbing Hamilton about the passport and Sabrina always struggling was funny. I also loved how everyone else froze when Dana casually let it drop they were still in the Top 3 of the fan poll. I guess that province is really happy they finally got a team on the show. And irony with Neil ribbing Nic for the soccer penalty. —Dan Amazing

 

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

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Bryan Baeumler’s Leave It to Bryan and House of Bryan return

From a media release:

Bryan Baeumler is all business this fall as HGTV Canada’s all-star contractor straps on his toolbelt to deliver two new seasons with the return of hit series Leave It To Bryan and House of Bryan. Leave It To Bryan, premiering with back-to-back episodes Mondays at 10pm ET/PT beginning August 31, enters its fifth season as homeowners leave their keys, cash and renovation in Bryan’s hands. Fresh off the tremendous success of House of Bryan: In The Sticks, the #1 series ever on HGTV Canada*, Bryan and his wife Sarah return to complete their forever home in House of Bryan: The Final Straw, premiering with back-to-back episodes Sundays at 9pm ET/PT beginning October 11.

The fifth season of Leave It To Bryan follows the veteran contractor as he tackles everything from a 100-year-old house to homeowners with small budgets but big demands, and more than a few speed bumps along the way on each project. It might not be his house, but the power is in Bryan’s hands as he gives the homeowners the renovation they really need. As the new season of Leave It To Bryan wraps up on October 12, Bryan launches straight into House of Bryan: The Final Straw a day earlier on October 11.

With the stunning addition to their country home finally complete, Bryan is anxious to keep the renovation momentum going. In House of Bryan:The Final Straw, Bryan begins renovating the interior of the untouched original home while Sarah reprises her role as designer. After the long and arduous task of building their dream addition, Bryan and Sarah are hoping for a smoother journey but with a shorter timeline and a tighter budget, it could be anything but clear sailing. Despite the huge task at hand, Bryan can’t help but escape the rigors of the indoors to take on side projects around the property, including the addition of a chicken coop and finally completing the treehouse.

Leave It To Bryan and House of Bryan: The Final Straw are produced by Si Entertainment in association with HGTV Canada. Bryan and Sarah will also be featured in the recently green-lit Canadian original series Bryan Inc. (WT).

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