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Steven Sabados issues statement following Chris Hyndman’s death

Steven Sabados issued a statement Friday regarding the passing of Chris Hyndman, his longtime partner and co-star on CBC’s Steven and Chris.

“I, our families and friends, wish to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming expressions of tenderness, love and tribute in honour of my beloved Christopher,” Sabados posted on the Steven and Chris Facebook page.

“Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing his generous, larger-than-life spirit lives on.

From the moment I met Christopher, we went forward in life, side by side and shoulder to shoulder. He was my best friend, my confidante, my partner, my one love.

Over 27 years, we built a beautiful life together; always remembered, always cherished.

As we find our way through this difficult time, we are asking for privacy.

Thank you for your understanding.”

The message comes after Hyndman’s body was found Monday, Aug. 3, in an alleyway near the home he and Sabados shared in Toronto’s Queen St. and Broadview Ave. neighbourhood. It’s believed he was sleepwalking on the terrace of his penthouse apartment when the accident happened.

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 CBC’s 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, Less Than Kind

Comments and queries for the week of August 7

12 Awesome Canadian TV Show Theme Songs
Wow, what a lot of memories! Great to see the Kids in their prime. I always got a kick out of Seeing Things. Loved the show. The theme wasn’t as good as the ones you’ve picked, perhaps, but it went with the show and it was funny. —Rita

Today’s Special and The Polka Dot Door. —Stevie

I’m a little biased but Less Than Kind‘s credit sequence and theme song “I Hate Winnipeg” (a.k.a. “One Great City”) by The Weakerthans is a pretty cool thing. —Marvin

How about Junior Forest Rangers and the original Littlest Hobo theme from the 60s? I mention these two because I’m an old fart and they were an important part of my childhood.

Also Mosquito Lake—although there was little love for the show from critics and it lasted just one season, Ian Thomas wrote the catchy tune. Still plays in my head from time to time. No link to that I’m afraid. Seems the only memories of that show are as “the worst Canadian sitcom ever.” My little claim to fame. —Dan

 

Face Offs and frigid temperatures on The Amazing Race Canada
That was the most dramatic episode of the Race I’ve seen in years. Still not sure how I feel about the Face Off automatically giving a penalty, but apparently it’s only 15 minutes in other versions of the show. And we didn’t get to see it work properly anyway so I can’t judge it yet. I bet the producers were freaking out behind the scenes.

I’m not sure but I thought the teams (in the U.S. version at least), depart for the next Leg 12 hours after they check-in at the mat. (After time penalties have been applied as needed). So I assume last week’s leg finished at 1:30 in the afternoon.

I probably would have done the same as Gino/Jesse in trying to flush out the Express Pass. Although, it was an easier Detour so Brent and Sean had a good chance of keeping it regardless. Although Nic and Sabrina may annoy them at the next airport.

How much dumb luck can Nic and Sabrina have? Three weeks ago they survived a penalty with about five minutes to spare, indirectly helping Brian and Cynthia eliminate Dana and Amanda. Two weeks ago they survived because Hamilton lost his passport. This week they got U-Turned but didn’t have to do the task because it was dangerous to be on horses after dark, and two other teams took time penalties, so Nic and Sabrina are still safe and didn’t have to do the Face Off with no penalty!

They didn’t say how long Nic and Sabrina got penalized for the horse-ride did they? It probably won’t matter with two other teams also serving penalties, and not being able to do the task is not really Nic and Sabrina’s fault there either, so it shouldn’t be as long as other penalties.

I kind of respect Kristin for at least finishing the horse thing. They are probably the next team to go though with her new leg problems plus they and Simi and Ope still have Face Off penalties to wait out. —Dan

 

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

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Amazing Race Canada, Featured

Review: Face Offs and frigid temperatures on Amazing Race Canada

1 Comment

“We can’t expect miracles.” Sabrina’s throwaway comment midway through Wednesday’s newest episode of The Amazing Race ended up being prophetic for she and Nic, Simi and Ope and Neil and Kristin, as the trio of teams were not only saved from elimination but from serious injury too.

Who knew one of the smallest parts of Canada, Les ÃŽles-De-La-Madeleine, Que., would be the most difficult and dangerous? All of the teams suffered from bone-chilling temperatures (I spotted snow on the ground, so yeah, it was cold) but it was Kristin who was affected the most; she was taken to the hospital suffering from leg cramps after spending what looked like hours buried in cold sand. The result? They had to pass on the Kayak Hockey Face Off challenge because Kristin’s legs wouldn’t allow her to compete, incurring a four-hour penalty.

Simi and Ope suffered the same issues with cold because of the Face Off test; they spent so much time unsuccessfully fending off attackers on the water they took the four-hour penalty as well, hoping other teams would meet the same fate.

I liked the Face Off. The prospect of pitting teams head-to-head is an interesting idea and puts a certain amount of intimacy into the Race, but I think using it during the same Leg as a Double U-Turn nullified its power. I’m hoping the next Face Off is done as a stand-alone extra challenge so it matters more.

As for the Double U-Turn, I understood Gino and Jesse’s plan to flush out the Express Pass by putting Sean and Brent’s picture up there. Props to the East Coast brothers for refusing to use it and gutting out both Detours; not only did they save the Pass but they proved themselves to be fierce competitors. But Sean and Brent U-Turning the already last-place Nic and Sabrina? While I get they were making sure they’d give themselves plenty of time to complete the Ride It challenge, U-Turning the down-on-their-luck couple seemed like kicking someone when they’re down, especially since they incurred a time penalty because it was too dark to ride the horses.

Here’s how the teams finished in Season 3’s first non-elimination Leg:

  1. Gino and Jesse
  2. Brian and Cynthia
  3. Nick and Matt
  4. Dujean and Leilani
  5. Brent and Sean
  6. Nic and Sabrina
  7. Neil and Kristin (time penalty)
  8. Simi and Ope (time penalty, non-elimination)

Notes and quotes

  • I’d love to know how the producers decide when teams will depart on a Leg of the Race. Why 1:30 a.m. for this Leg?
  • “Married, no kids … but I still like the boys.” Brian’s comment to Cynthia made me laugh out loud.
  • “Punch it, Chewie!” Brian is quickly becoming my go-to for favourite quotes.
  • Can we sign a petition to have Kayak Hockey added to the Summer Olympics?
  • “Come on, Gino, work those nipples.” I’m leaving that one alone.

The Amazing Race Canada airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

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Auction, Featured

Bid now: TV, eh? charity auction for Kids Help Phone

KHPWe’ve got set visits, autographed merchandise and other TV-related loot, magazine subscriptions, writer advice and notes, and so much more up for bid, thanks to some generous individuals and organizations. Check out the TV, eh? Charity Auction for Kids Help Phone and bid now, or help spread the word.

Why are we doing this? On August 5, 2014, this site came back from the dead thanks to contributions to our Indiegogo campaign. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of TV, eh?‘s rebirth and pay it forward, we’re reviving our charity auction, with all proceeds to Kids Help Phone — a free, anonymous and confidential phone and on-line professional counselling service for youth. If you’d like to contribute but don’t want to bid, please go directly to their website to make a donation — and tell them TV, eh? sent you. (Note tax receipts are not available for auction bids.)

This auction uses simple bidding and ends August 28, 2015 at 5 pm PT. Payment will be due by end of day September 1, 2015 and shipping costs will be added to physical items as required. International bidders, please note that any additional taxes and duties charged by customs will be your responsibility.

Please email Diane with any issues or questions … and happy bidding.

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Featured

Steven and Chris star passes away

Chris Hyndman, one half of CBC’s long-running lifestyle show Steven and Chris, has passed away at the age of 49.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news Christopher Hyndman died early this morning. Chris was the co-host of CBC’s lifestyle show, Steven and Chris,” Chuck Thompson, head of CBC pubic affairs said in a statement. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Steven, family, friends, colleagues and his many fans at this most difficult time; our thoughts are with them all.” Episodes of Steven and Chris have been pulled from CBC’s schedule.

Police confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Hyndman’s body was found late Monday night in an alleyway near the home he shared with Sabados; there is an ongoing police investigation.

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.

Fans are leaving messages on the show’s Facebook page.

 

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