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Featured, Open Heart

Open Heart’s Mena Massoud opens up about Jared

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Mena Massoud realizes the Canadian television industry is difficult. Often, you have to pay your dues over a period of years before snagging your first gig. But that didn’t happen for the Ryerson Theatre School grad, who scored his first acting role on Open Heart straight out of school.

“I had my first audition and then about a month later I got a call back and then a few weeks after that I got a screen test with Karis,” Massoud explains. “And then it all came together.” He laughs and quickly notes his story is one of extreme luck and timing. It’s also the story of a memorable character. The Markham, Ont., native portrays Jared Malik, the snarky and in-your-face head of the Youth Volunteer Program at Open Heart Memorial. Those under his supervision are Dylan Blake (Karis Cameron)—currently investigating the disappearance of her father—Mikayla Walker (Cristine Prosperi) and Wes Silver (Justin Kelly). Massoud’s role is a tough one: be too snarky and fans of Dylan’s will label you a villain. It’s a label the basketball fan is quick to dismiss.

“The one thing I want to do with all of my roles is make the characters real,” he says. “[Creator/executive producer] Ramona Barckert and [executive producer] Stefan Brogren and I sat down and really worked on him. As the show goes on it becomes more of a balancing act because he starts to open up and you see another side of him. That was journey in itself. I think that even when you meet jerks, there is a human side to them.”

Viewers have already gotten a chance to see that more human side of Jared; Open Heart’s lockdown a few weeks ago found Mikayla and Jared sharing some personal space—and a kiss— before the all-clear was called by security. How that smooch affects their working relationship has yet to be seen, though Wes made his feelings known by gagging when Mikayla confessed what had happened. Massoud had a lot of fun during production, reading scripts and observing how Jared evolved and interacted with the other characters and utilizing his comedic side. Who can forget that scene in the hospital supply closet when Dylan spilled cleaner all over Jared and he had to strip down to his skivvies?

“That’s the amazing thing about Jared and about this show,” Massoud says with a laugh recalling that scene. “It’s has a mystery and a thriller element to it, but it has some very funny moments. I think Justin and I have the most moments like that in the series. It’s very much like real life. Some days are really lousy and dramatic and other days are fun and funny.”

Open Heart airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on YTV.

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19-2, Featured

Review: Back to square one on 19-2

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Well, I certainly didn’t see that coming. I was pretty sure that things were going to go Nick and Ben’s way with regard to outing the mole in 19. After all, they’d ruled out Nick and had arrested Antony Tremblay, the man they’d seen in the motel with an underage girl. When his phone call was a request for their friend in 19 to get him out of there, I figured it was only a matter of time until the mole was revealed.

Um, no.

By the end of “Property Line,” Nick and Ben were back at the beginning after Kaz killed Tremblay. I’ve been waiting for Kaz to show his violent side ever since he was introduced, but it still surprised me when he shot Tremblay in the head and made it look like a suicide. If Nick had anything to do with the cover-up he should be ashamed; the SQ knew Tremblay had been murdered right away. I’m pretty sure Nick didn’t literally get his hands dirty because that would have made him an accessory or something. Now Nick has a secret from Ben: the real circumstances surrounding Tremblay’s death.

Raise your hand if you thought Tyler was going to end up with a butcher’s knife in his abdomen? Yeah, me too. I was sure the big man was going to be torn open when he tackled that emotionally disturbed woman; he was lucky even though she wasn’t. That sad conclusion served to spotlight some of the more awful jobs cops are ordered to do, like arresting people who have been ordered to vacate their homes because the city is razing old buildings. Rather than ridding the streets of criminals, they were forced to be the bad guys in a no-win situation. Of those evicted, keep your eye on Paul (Michael Therriault) the husband of the woman who suffered a stroke. He’s in next week’s episode so that likely won’t end well.

Meanwhile, Mary-Louise is clearly having an affect on Bear. Though she opted out of another back tattoo in Montreal, her comment to ML about going to Thailand to have it done hints her firm work and life plans are crumbling. I’m hoping she goes for it.

Notes and quotes

  • “You can sleep when you’re in jail.” J.M. is always so caring when handling junkies.
  • “Ma,am, let go of the wall.” I’m not sure I could be as calm as Ben evicting a yelling pregnant woman from her apartment.
  • Laugh out loud scene of the night: J.M. being swarmed by wasps and running right at Audrey so she was stung too.

19-2 airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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Best Laid Plans, Book of Negroes, Featured, Polls

Poll: What CanLit should CBC tackle next?

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The Book of Negroes was a stunning success for CBC, getting 1.4 million viewers to tune in to the mini-series adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s critically acclaimed novel. Last year’s Best Laid Plans, based on Terry Fallis’ book, was less of a ratings winner, but did just earn star Jonas Chernick a Canadian Screen Award. Some of my favourite television memories involve Anne of Green Gables and other shows based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s imagination.

Since The Book of Negroes 2 is unlikely, and the Canadian industry was scooped on Life of Pi, what work of Canadian literature do you think CBC should adapt next?  There’s too much to choose from for a multiple choice poll, so put your suggestions in the comments … and may the best book win.

 

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Featured

He Said/She Said: CraveTV vs shomi vs Netflix

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Join Greg and Diane on Mondays as we debate a TV-related issue that’s on our minds. This week: CraveTV vs shomi vs Netflix.

She said:

This could be my shortest She Said ever: Netflix. Because it’s the only one available to me.

But to expand, CraveTV has the HBO and Showtime libraries which give it a great competitive advantage over shomi … except you have to have cable TV with a select few providers in order to subscribe. They’re also doing smart things like streaming original series the day before they’re broadcast.

shomi is more expensive than CraveTV, but you can be an internet or cable TV subscriber with Rogers or Shaw in order to subscribe, and rumour has it eventually it will be available more widely. In its collection are shows previously unavailable in Canada, such as Amazon’s Transparent and The CW’s Jane the Virgin.

Streaming rights have an expiration date and many TV shows I saw on Netflix are now on one or the other of the Canadian streaming services. I expect as time goes on — if CraveTV and shomi both survive — we’ll see the libraries both swap rights and grow.  If I had a cable provider, I wouldn’t change based on the streaming service given the offerings might not outlast my contract.

Neither CraveTV nor shomi are likely to create truly original series as Netflix does, either. Since they’re owned by Canadian broadcasters with CanCon rules, their homegrown shows are likely to air on both the networks and streaming services.

None of that matters to me, since I’m back to where I began: Netflix is the only one available to me, so Netflix wins. Because of its HBO and Showtime library, CraveTV is the one I most wish were open to all, but it would be a supplement to rather than replacement for the movies and original series of Netflix.

He said:

I’m in the same boat as Diane in that I prefer Netflix over the other two offerings, but as a Rogers subscriber I do have access to shomi. As a television critic I’ve also gotten the chance to try out CraveTV.

Netflix will always be head and shoulders above the other two just because I have more international tastes in television and that’s a hole Netflix fills nicely. Sure there is House of Cards — which I plan to binge-watch ASAP — but U.K. series like Happy Valley, Hinterland, Silk and The Bletchley Circle keep me entertained. Add in European offerings like Wallander, Lillyhammer, Dicte and the original version of The Bridge give and I have access to wide range of programming I can’t get on conventional TV or PBS.

Unfortunately, shomi just doesn’t cut it for me. It’s nice to have access to Jane the Virgin and Transparent — programs I plan to watch eventually — but there is nothing on it that I haven’t already seen or causes me to think, “I’ve got an afternoon to kill … I wonder what’s on shomi?” I’m happy to see the original Star Trek and The Twilight Zone available, but much of its stable of TV programs contain seasons of shows I’ve already watched. I love Sons of Anarchy, but the most recent season isn’t there. Same goes for Vikings. Yes, I’m already up to date on both, but the point is, why would I bother watching a series like SOA if I know the latest season isn’t there for me to tune into?

As for CraveTV, I’ve loved what I’ve seen on it so far. The Showtime and HBO back libraries bring incredible value to CraveTV, as well as the wonderful cop drama Bosch, which I blew through over the past week. CraveTV feels exciting and bingeworthy and less like a catch-all for old shows like shomi’s vibe is. The sad part? Since I’m not a Bell subscriber, I won’t be able to enjoy CraveTV for much longer and I’m unwilling to drop my cable service just for that. And that’s a pity, because if I was able to have CraveTV and Netflix, I would be close to cutting the cable completely.

Where do you sit in this discussion? How do Netflix, shomi and CraveTV rank for you? Comment below or via @tv_eh.

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Featured, Masterchef Canada

Review: MasterChef Canada competitor collapses

MasterChef Canada suffered its first call for medics on Sunday night, and it had nothing to do with the high-flying folks of Cirque du Soleil’s show Kurios: A Cabinet of Curiosities. Instead it was frontrunner/former Canadian military member Line who needed medical attention, though not because she cut or burned herself.

Turned out the stress of her Blue Team losing to Andrew’s Red Team during the Team Challenge and a lack of ingesting enough liquids caused the curly-haired home cook to collapse moments after saving herself from the Pressure Test. (Line is fine and returns next week according to the tease for next Sunday’s episode.) Would you have saved yourself from the Pressure Test? Though former CFLer Jon was quick to jump on Line for doing that, I’m pretty sure I would have done the same if I was in her position. After all, MasterChef Canada is a competition, not a summer camp.

Sunday’s “Juggling Act” marked the show’s first Team Challenge, and the all-important first peek at who is rubbing everyone the wrong way. That person is always the last to be picked on a team, and when Jennifer was the one I wasn’t surprised. She’s either super-annoying or being edited that way and was added to Line’s squad last.

It didn’t take long for Jennifer to grate on Line’s nerves because she didn’t know how to use a mandolin; the resulting comments from her team leader left Jennifer in tears and Alvin warning Line that she was being too hard on Jen. Andrew’s team was the polar opposite, a squad full of free thinkers and free-wheeling, a recipe that often results in disaster but in this case secured Andrew and the Red Team a win.

Back in the MasterChef Canada kitchen, the Red Team was tasked with making the French Canadian treat tourtière for the judges. And, after Blue saved Jennifer from elimination and Line took a tumble after saving herself, the remaining cooks got down to business. Having experience making tourtière myself, I know it’s important not to over-season with herbs and cloves and to make sure the meat filling is thick and juicy. Unfortunately, Debra’s wild boar offering was too dry and she left a bay leaf fragment inside, a major no-no. Tammy, meanwhile, foundered because she added too much apple and rosemary to the middle, drawing the attention away from her protein.

In the end it was Debra who was forced to hang up her apron and depart the MasterChef Canada kitchen.

Note and quotes

  • Who else caught the llama head in the first two minutes of the episode? Coincidence or shout-out to last week’s escaped animals?
  • I’m stealing Jon’s idea of tin foil and hotel pans to keep the heat in on an outdoor grill.
  • “I’m so sorry I forgot my lollipop, because there are a whole bunch of suckers here.” I’m not sure what that meant, but clearly Michael meant it as a diss.

MasterChef Canada airs Sundays at 7 p.m. ET on CTV.

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