Everything about Shoot the Messenger, eh?

TV Eh B Cs podcast 82 — Degrassi, Shoot the Messenger and basketball conspiracies with Dalmar Abuzeid

Dalmar Abuzeid was most recently seen in CBC’s comedy Crawford (after an initial run online, Crawford debuts Thursday, June 14, at 9 p.m. on CBC) and will appear as a series regular this July in the new season of Netflix’s Anne with an E (Season 2 returns in September on CBC), an award-winning series produced by Northwood Entertainment. Other recent credits include guest arcs on DirecTV’s Condor and CBC’s Shoot the Messenger.

Best known for his role as Danny Van Zandt in six seasons of the acclaimed series Degrassi: The Next Generation, Dalmar’s screen roles extend beyond television. Feature credits include the role of Felix in the film Pompeii, opposite Emily Browning, and he just wrapped hockey biopic Goalie, shot in Sudbury, ON.

Born in Toronto, Dalmar is a Meisner-trained actor and still regularly attends acting classes in spite of his theatrical accomplishments.

With a keen interest in all genres and platforms of entertainment, Dalmar also produces and writes comedy, fantasy and parody shorts for YouTube. Together with his former Degrassi castmates, Raymond Ablack, Scott Paterson, Shane Kippel, and Michael Aube, Dalmar is working on writing and producing the first season of the original sketch comedy series, O’Brother, set to release in summer 2018.

Season 1 of Crawford debuts Thursday at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

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Link: Why does Black television suck so bad in Canada?

From Koliah Bourne of Shifter:

Link: Why does Black television suck so bad in Canada?
Canada, we need to have a talk and I know it’s not just with the CRTC or broadcasters who need to offer some more broad offerings, but to producers and Black consumers. First, to producers, what are you creating that includes people like me? Do I matter in what you produce? Do you want someone like me in your shows? Not sure how many shows get pitched with characters like me, but if there are some, why aren’t they getting picked up? Continue reading.

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Comments and queries for the week of May 19

Renew Shoot the Messenger, someone pick up Pure,
X Company, 19-2 and Orphan Black … all great shows! —Rosanna


I loved [Anne] even though it takes some sidetracks from the book. The characters are beautifully crafted, the actors are giving stellar performances and the cinematography is outstanding. I am drawn right into the story with both feet in Avonlea. I can’t wait to see more! PLEASE keep it going. —Monica

Oh nooo, I just finished Episode 7 without knowing until just now it was the last one! Does anyone know if Season 1 is complete? Anything about a second season? I absolutely loved this show, it is so well done and the main actress is just perfect. —Massimiliano


Please, please, please get rid of Thea [on MasterChef Canada]. She should never have lasted this long. —Margaret

 

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

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Comments and queries for the week of December 23

Praise for Shoot the Messenger

Nazeem was hands down the most underrated character on the show. That kid basically tied the entire show together and explained it for anyone (like myself) who was having a bit of trouble figuring out exactly how everybody was connected. What an exciting finale! I’ve never seen the actor who plays Nazeem before in any other production but I’m sure I will soon. —Pat


Excited for Cardinal, but…

I can’t wait to check out this show, but had to laugh at the array of cast photos here because they all look like they are modelling the latest winter wear for an outdoor clothing magazine! —Ellen


Merry Christmas from Murdoch Mysteries fans

Interesting review article. One of the best Murdoch episodes so far. Way to go. Congrats. Merry Christmas. —Tim

Love this show and some hilarious Easter eggs in this episode. —Howie

 

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

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Shoot the Messenger closes out Season 1 in thrilling fashion

How was Sam going to clean up this mess?! That’s the question, among others, I had after last Monday’s episode of Shoot the Messenger. It was certainly going to take more than a couple of wet wipes to tidy up the situation after Sam beat Marco DaSilva to death and grabbed the cell phone. And, with Phil Hardcastle arrested, there was no one to help Sam distance himself from the crime.

The “Full Circle” teleplay, written by Jennifer Holness and directed by Sudz Sutherland, did just that, tying up the loose ends that have been dangling since Episode 1.

Things certainly didn’t look good for Daisy and Simon when things started to roll. Sam Charles’ lawyer, Lewis, had slapped The Gazette with an injunction, delaying story they’d been working so hard on. I can’t help but feel co-creators Sutherland and Holness were not only showing how much legwork it takes to uncover a big story like the one created for Shoot the Messenger, but took a swipe at websites that post articles without doing due diligence, all in the name of clicks. (The fact Shoot the Messenger is airing amid fake news reporting is timely as heck.)

It was, as a writer myself, really interesting to observe the way Mary, Daisy, Simon and Marty sussed out how The Gazette could still write a story about Sam Charles without expressly tying him directly to anything they wrote, including Lawson’s parties and the super jail.

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Meanwhile, Lutz was putting small pieces of his own puzzle together, slowly tying Sam Charles to DaSilva’s death and Lawson’s blackmail plans via careful questioning. With the forensic reports in, DaSilva was identified as the one who’d killed Avril, Hassan and Khaalid, clearing Sam of the deeds. But who, Lutz wanted to know, killed DaSilva?

It wasn’t until halfway through the episode—when Nazeem sat down with Lutz and Daisy—that the circumstances surrounding Khaalid were fully realized. Drugs supplied to Lawson’s sex parties led to Avril and her retinue of ladies. Khaalid became involved with Harry and Sam, and Nazeem and Hassan were determined to pull their friend out by using the video to blackmail Sam into letting Khaalid leave. Hassan turned to Daisy for help, believing her story could protect him from harm. With a copy of the film in hand, Lutz had the evidence he needed. Pair that with Sam’s confession to a tearful Chloe, and his career was over. It also meant The Gazette could print the story, making Simon and Daisy’s careers.

But at what cost? Daisy’s sister has disowned her and she’s turned back to cocaine for solace.

Like I said in an earlier review, Shoot the Messenger is not the type of show you watch while checking emails. It deserves your full attention because of all the machinations and subtleties going on. But what a payoff. Stellar performances by Elyse Levesque, Lucas Bryant and Lyriq Bent carried the ball, while Sutherland and Holness’ intricate storytelling took Season 1 over the goal line.

What did you think of Season 1 of Shoot the Messenger? Comment below!

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