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

Alan Thicke and Co. contend with reno pains in Unusually Thicke: Under Construction

From a media release:

The Thickes are going through major changes this fall, both in their personal lives and at home in a wall-destroying and star-studded new season of the Canadian original series Unusually Thicke: Under Construction. While everyone’s favourite TV dad, Canada’s own Alan Thicke, coordinates his workload of TV and film appearances, his wife Tanya is ready to inject some youthful energy into their home with her list of contemporary renovations. Premiering with back-to-back episodes September 3 at 10pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada, Unusually Thicke: Under Construction follows Alan, Tanya, and son Carter as they juggle their fascinating daily lives with the challenges of home improvements.

While Alan keeps busy with everything from serving as a corporate spokesperson to fulfilling his passion for celebrity golf tournaments, he must also make time to play his cards wisely at home as he clashes with Tanya over renovation decisions. From their bedroom to the backyard, no part of the house is off limits and Alan leaves no cushion unturned when he orders a germ inspection that reveals some disturbing news. When the renos become too much to handle, Alan and Tanya make a temporary escape in a different kind of home, an RV. Their life on the road is soon cut short as Tanya receives alarming photos of their ambitious kitchen renovation gone horribly wrong. Whether he’s trying to keep an eye on Carter with new home security cameras or just trying to keep his noisy neighbours at bay, Alan proves that even Hollywood stars have everyday problems.

Unusually Thicke is produced by Peacock Alley Entertainment in association with HGTV Canada.

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Degrassi

MTV Bids a Fond Farewell to Degrassi with Season 14 Finale and Special Movie Event

From a media release:

After 14 incredible seasons with Bell Media, the iconic original Canadian series DEGRASSI  ends its run on MTV with the one-hour series finale onFriday, July 31 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by the two-hour original movie DEGRASSI: DON’T LOOK BACK on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 9 p.m. ET. In the epic series finale on MTV, the students of DEGRASSI head to prom before they take the stage to graduate. Then, in DEGRASSI: DON’T LOOK BACK, everyone thinks it will be the best summer ever, but the city has something else in store for them.

DEGRASSI has made an incredible impact in Canadian television, bringing its weekly audience along as it tackles the tough challenges of high school. Since Bell Media’s partnership with Epitome Pictures began in 2001, DEGRASSI has won 19 Gemini Awards, 10 Canadian Screen Awards, two Teen Choice Awards, a Peabody Award, and has received four Emmy® Award nominations. Season 14 is currently streaming on MTV.ca, while Season 12 and 13 are streaming on CraveTV.

In the series finale on MTV, “Finally” Part 1 and 2 (Friday, July 31 at 9 p.m. ET), while Alli (Melinda Shankar) may have her future set in stone, Clare (Aislinn Paul) starts to see that maybe, not having everything figured out is a good thing after all. Meanwhile, with all the excitement surrounding graduation, Dallas (Demetrius Joyette) and Drew (Luke Bilyk) must come together to ensure prom is a night to remember for years to come.

In the original Canadian movie DEGRASSI: DON’T LOOK BACK (Sunday, Aug. 2 at 9 p.m. ET), Maya (Olivia Scriven) has high hopes of spending the summer lifeguarding at the beach with Zig (Ricardo Hoyos), but her hopes are crushed when she fails her CPR class. Determined not to let her summer be a total bust, she sets her sights on a nanny job for a prestigious music producer, but is foiled by Gloria (Nicole Samantha Huff) who swoops in and gets the job. Frankie’s (Sara Waisglass) pumped for her summer job as a city hall intern but finds it’s an uphill battle with the other older interns. Meanwhile, Zoe is determined to coast through summer school with Tristan (Lyle Lettau) by riding the coat-tails of Hunter and Grace. And while all the kids have challenges, what really overshadows the summer is that sexy and infuriating Gloria goes missing. This cloud hovers over everyone’s summer as they are all, in one way or another, touched by her disappearance.

DEGRASSI cast regulars include Amanda Arcuri as Lola Pacini; Luke Bilyk as Drew Torres; Munro Chambers as Eli Goldsworthy; Reiya Downs as Shay Powers; Sarah Fisher as Becky; Ana Golja as Zoë Rivas; Nikki Gould as Grace Cardinal; Ricardo Hoyos as Zig Novak; Demetrius Joyette as Mike Dallas; Ehren Kassam as Jonah Haak; Andre Kim as Winston Chu; Lyle Lettau as Tristan Milligan; Spencer Macpherson as Hunter Hollingsworth; Eric Osborne as Miles Hollingsworth III; Aislinn Paul as Clare; Cristine Prosperi as Imogen; AJ Saudin as Connor; Olivia Scriven as Maya Matlin; Melinda Shankar as Alli; Jessica Tyler as Jenna; Olivia Scriven as Maya; Sara Waisglass as Frankie Hollingsworth; and Richard Walters as Deon “Tiny” Bell. Classic cast member Stefan Brogren returns as Principal Archie “Snake” Simpson.

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When Calls the Heart

Link: When Calls the Heart renewed for Season 3

From Denise Petski of Deadline:

When Calls the Heart renewed for Season 3
Hallmark Channel has picked up a third season of original scripted series When Calls The Heart for premiere in February. The network ordered 10 hours of Season 3, with a 2-hour sneak peek of episodes 1 and 2 premiering during the 2015 holiday season. Based on the bestselling series of books of the same name by Janette Oke, When Calls The Heart tells the story of a young woman who begins a new chapter in her life in an early 20th century coal mining town. Stars Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Jack Wagner and Kristina Wagner are set for Season 3. Continue reading.

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Industry News

Discovery unveils fall schedule; Highway Thru Hell & Worst Driver return dates

From a media release:

On the heels of a tremendous broadcast year that saw Discovery reclaim its position as the #1 entertainment specialty channel among total viewers while maintaining its lead among key demos in primetime*, the network today unveiled its Fall 2015 lineup. Featuring the return of fan-favourite hits mixed with several newly acquired titles, Discovery’s fall season kicks off with an early start for perenial favourite MYTHBUSTERS airing Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT beginning Aug. 23. The premieres ramp up with the Season 21 premiere of Discovery’s flagship daily science magazine program DAILY PLANET on Monday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, followed by the season premiere of EDGE OF ALASKA at 9 p.m. ET/PT and new series TREASURE QUEST: SNAKE ISLAND at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Then, following the Labour Day long weekend, Discovery’s massive Tuesday night lineup launches when Jamie Davis and his heavy vehicle rescue company return for a thrilling new season of the homegrown hit HIGHWAY THRU HELL beginning Sept. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT,immediately following the debut of highly anticipated new series PACIFIC WARRIORS (9 p.m. ET/PT). But first, Tuesday nights get started with a new season of another Canadian favourite, FOOL’S GOLD (8 p.m. ET).

The premieres continue throughout September and into October with another new title appearing on Discovery – CUBAN CHROME airing Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT beginning Sept. 3. New titles will also debut across the Discovery suite of channels through September and October (highlights below).

Discovery’s Fall 2015 Premiere Dates:

Sunday, Aug. 23

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

MYTHBUSTERS (New Season)

So exactly how hard is it to find a needle in a haystack, anyway? And can water dripping on your forehead really drive you insane? These are the kinds of questions, myths, and urban legends put to the test in this humorous series.

Monday, Aug. 31

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

DAILY PLANET (New Season)

Co-hosts Dan Riskin and Ziya Tong serve up another season of wonderful, weird, and watercooler-worthy stories from around the world. Feeding the need for speed with race cars and rocket ships, and inspired by the newest generation of inventors and adventurers,DAILY PLANET provides an all-access pass to the gadgets, gizmos, and tech toys that are shaping the future.

9 p.m. ET/PT

EDGE OF ALASKA (New Season)

Hidden deep in the wilderness of eastern Alaska is the toughest town in America: McCarthy. Once considered the state’s very own “Sin City”, McCarthy is now an isolated town surrounded by extreme wilderness – a refuge for people who don’t want to be found. While some believe in continuing the town’s frontier way of life, others feel the future of McCarthy hinges on it pushing forward into the modern age.

10 p.m. ET/PT

TREASURE QUEST: SNAKE ISLAND (NEW SERIES)

In 1524, a horde of Incan gold – known as the “Treasure of the Trinity” – was stolen. For 500 years, Jesuit priests and privateers such as Thomas Cavendish and mathematician Paul Thiry have searched for this legendary bounty. Now a new theory has emerged about the treasure’s possible location – a remote locale home to thousands of deadly vipers. The series features a team of the world’s top explorers as they set out on a two-month journey to find the priceless treasure.

Thursday, Sept. 3

8 p.m. ET/PT

HOW IT’S MADE: DREAM CARS (New Season – World Premiere)

HOW IT’S MADE: DREAM CARS lifts the hood to reveal how luxury cars are made, learning about their inner workings and showcasing their gorgeous interiors. For each “dream car” featured, distinguishing features are brought into focus and celebrated during exhilarating test drives on private courses.

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

CUBAN CHROME (NEW SERIES)

Through “A Lo Cubano” Car Club, a passionate group of car enthusiasts, restorers, mechanics, and apprentices, the series explores the challenges and joys of life in Cuba, presenting an authentic look into the club’s culture of passion, grit, determination, and ingenuity.

Tuesday, Sept. 8

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

FOOL’S GOLD (New Season – World Premiere)

The Shotgun Exploration crew is back at Straw Lake in their hunt for gold. Armed with greater knowledge, new equipment, and hopefully better luck to help them avoid going broke, the crew hopes to strike it rich.

9 p.m. ET/PT

PACIFIC WARRIORS (NEW SERIES)

This new series follows the only commercial fishermen haul their catch from a kayak…alone. With only a paddle, these brave Hawaiian men and women venture out to catch some of the most desirable fish in the sea, relying on brute strength to pull in 500-pound Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Ono.

10 p.m. ET/PT

HIGHWAY THRU HELL (New Season – World Premiere)
It’s man versus Mother Nature and the toughest men in the towing business being pushed to their breaking point. The stakes are high – lives, the economy, and thousands of jobs depend on the highways staying open. Building on last season’s risky gamble to expand his heavy recovery operation from the B.C. mountains into the frozen Alberta north, Jamie Davis is tackling new highways this year and facing bigger wrecks than ever before.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

AIRPLANE REPO (New Season)

Pilots pursue aircraft across the country slated for repossession.

Thursdays, Sept. 10

9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT

FAST N’ LOUD (New Season)

FAST N’ LOUD follows Rawlings and Kaufmann as they return derelict rides to their former glory and get them back on the road – but not without putting their own hot-rod spin on them first.

Sunday, Sept. 13

9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT

YUKON MEN (New Season)

Tanana, Alaska on the Yukon River, a frozen village of 200 people, is at the junction of two powerful rivers at the edge of civilization. With no roads in or out, wolves howl through the frigid night air, reminding residents just how isolated they really are.

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

NAKED AND AFRAID (New Season)

Each week, a new pair of complete and total strangers – one man and one woman – find themselves stranded in and, quite literally, exposed to some of the world’s most extreme weather environments. The duos are left high and dry with no food, no water…or clothing!

Monday, Sept. 14

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

HOW IT’S MADE (New Season – World Premiere)

A closer look at how everyday things are manufactured. Each episode features three to four products, with the mix consisting of everyday items including jeans, aluminum foil, and cereal, as well as less common products like wax figurines, braille typewriters, and pinball machines.

Monday, Oct. 26

10 p.m. ET/PT

CANADA’S WORST DRIVER (New Season)

Viewers follow eight drivers, each nominated by a friend or family member, as they are put through the paces in a controlled driving environment and evaluated by a panel of experts. Each episode features tried-and-tested challenges designed to push the drivers to their limits. Each driver must first master basic training and then more advanced techniques in order to graduate. If they don’t, they could be crowned “Canada’s Worst Driver”.

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Featured, Spun Out

Interview: Spun Out’s Paul Campbell on Season 2 and beyond

Paul Campbell hates feeling like the lazy dude among his friends. That’s why the Vancouver native, while chatting about Season 2 of Spun Out last November, had several other projects on the go. (One of those projects, Beyond Repair, came to fruition.) At the time we spoke, Campbell was in the middle of shooting Spun Out and reflected on the changes behind the scenes at CTV’s original comedy, including dropping the live audience.

What was your initial reaction when you found out Season 2 would be shot without a live audience?
Paul Campbell: Initially, I was super bummed. I didn’t really know what it would mean for the show. The Friday night live shows were such a unique experience. The reason I thought we were doing multi-cam was to get to that live show. But a friend of mine [Cobie Smulders] was on How I Met Your Mother for years and that’s how they shot that. I did go and hang out on set and saw how they did it, so in the back of my mind I thought, ‘Well, other shows do this, so there must be a reason.’

To be honest, I prefer shooting without the audience. There is much more freedom in the sense that we have the opportunity to really hone each joke. With the audience, I always felt like we couldn’t explore the laughs because they’d already heard the joke a few times. Now we can do a sixth or seventh pass on them. In that sense, the exploration is a bigger part of it than it was.

Let’s talk about Beckett. There was an on-again, off-again with Stephanie. Does that evolve in Season 2?
Absolutely. The relationship has always been fairly one-sided and there was a conversation early in Season 1 where Beckett copped to having some kind of feeling for her, but she established that she didn’t do work relationships, so that was it. In the final episode of the season he almost acted on his feelings.

For Season 2 that flame hasn’t gone away and over the course of the season they’re both dating different people but Stephanie begins to realize she can’t ignore the feelings she has for him and that comes to a head. What’s so fun is that you have this incredibly loaded relationship that has so much subtext. And that’s fun for the audience.

What was it like working with Russell Peters, when he played Nelson’s brother?
He brought his Russell Peters swagger to the set. He knows his comedy very well and brought something very different to the DLPR world. It’s great to have people come on to the show that know comedy and can bring their own character or enhance the character that was written.

Have you got some projects on the go that you’ll be writing and producing?
I’ve got several projects on the go right now and I’m hoping to be pitching them in the next few weeks. Things that could be on the air in Canada or the U.S. The development process is such a long process that to start now for something four years down the road makes complete sense. I’m so inspired by the creative community in Toronto, and when you see your friends doing their own stuff it’s really inspiring. You feel like the slacker if you’re not doing that.

Spun Out airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

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