TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 1062
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Link: 10 famous people (besides Drake) who got their start on Toronto kids’ shows

From Ed Conroy of the Toronto Star:

10 famous people (besides Drake) who got their start on Toronto kids’ shows
Here are eight appearances from stars that passed through some fairly foggy Toronto kids’ shows back in the day.

John Candy, Cucumber 

(TVOntario, 1972)

Cucumber (Children’s Underground Club of United Moose and Beaver for Enthusiastic Reporters) was a weekday afternoon children’s program that encouraged viewers to be expressive and creative. Hosted by Moose and Beaver, the Cucumber clubhouse also saw many visitors including an impossibly young John Candy, here playing superhero Weatherman in an episode all about — you guessed it — weather. Continue reading.

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Link: Wynonna Earp a “real woman” fighting demons in new Calgary-shot series

From Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald:

Wynonna Earp a “real woman” fighting demons in new Calgary-shot series
“We are still keeping the sexiness, Melanie is a very beautiful woman,” says Andras. “She is surrounded by very beautiful people. This is definitely a cast of gorgeousity. But we are really going for a real look. This is a real woman. She is a three-dimensional woman with flaws and feelings and she wears pants. But boy she looks great in them.” Continue reading.

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Link: CBC President Acknowledges that Public Broadcaster’s Very Existence is at Risk

From Broadcaster Magazine:

CBC President Acknowledges that Public Broadcaster’s Very Existence is at Risk
In a prepared speech, Lacroix admitted that public broadcasters “are at fault for not speaking loudly enough about the threats we face,” and “like the proverbial frog put in cold water that is slowly heated, we’ve resisted telling people that we risk being boiled to death.” Continue reading.

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Comments and queries for the week of September 18

TV, Eh? competes on Canada’s Smartest Person

Wow, just watched the video of Canada’s Smartest Person: Journalist Edition. It was hilarious! Good for you, Greg. You did really well…did you drink champagne from the winner’s cup? —Joyce


Production begins on CBC’s Human Town

Sounds like Sunnyside, which is hilarious. I shall be taking a look. —Iris


Continuum‘s Rachel Nichols says goodbye to Kiera

I tried to watch this show but found myself weeping with boredom after a few episodes. This is what is sad and pathetic about Canadian TV – a show that no one outside the industry has ever heard of can last for years before being cancelled. —Snicker Doodle

A show that airs in Canada, the U.S., France, UK and Australia is definitely not “a show no one outside of the industry has ever heard of.” As for “weeping with boredom,” I appreciate and respect your opinion. I don’t agree with it, but I respect it.

 

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

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Review: Amazing Race Canada reveals its finalists

After a week away from The Amazing Race Canada—I was off on my own adventures in Parry Sound and Sudbury, Ont.—I checked back in just in time as the final three teams were set up for next week’s season finale. (As an aside, I was disappointed Dujean and Leilani became bitter with each other last week and were eliminated while airing their dirty laundry.)

So, after a gruelling Leg in Edmonton jam-packed with drama and stolen cabs, Brent and Sean, Matt and Nick and Gino and Jesse will battle it out for the trucks, money and title in next Wednesday’s last episode. Eliminated on the mat at the Muttart Conservatory were Simi and Ope, who never gave up hope despite the fact they suffered from having two cabs stolen from under them.

I get that it’s a race, but I wasn’t impressed that Gino and Jesse stole that first cab from Nick and Matt at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. That move forced the wrestlers to play dirty pool and grabbed Simi and Ope’s ride, something they clearly didn’t feel good about doing. Gino and Jesse made it a twofer when they then absconded with Simi and Ope’s cab after the curling Face Off. Again, I understand The Amazing Race Canada is a competition and calls for desperate times, but I was disappointed. I guess I’m just a sucker for fair play and the world just isn’t a fair place sometimes.

Still, kudos to the father-daughter team for ending the Race with their heads up and thanks to Ope for the inspirational words about this country.

“It’s amazin’!” he said tearfully in front of Jon Montgomery.

Speaking of amazin’, how about Brent and Sean? The brothers have emerged as perhaps the most unlikely of frontrunners after beating out their more physical competitors to land in first place for the week. They conquered garbage, curling, shopping for snacks and acting to emerge as bona fide contenders for the title. They also showed sportsmanship; after taking someone’s cab at Fort Edmonton Park they ordered a replacement.

Here’s how the teams finished this Leg:

  1. Brent and Sean
  2. Nick and Matt
  3. Gino and Jesse
  4. Simi and Ope (eliminated)

Notes and quotes

  • That newlywed couple were in on the joke, right? They knew their big day would be interrupted by finalists, I’m sure.
  • “Shopping. I mean, this is our task.” — Sean
  • Nick and Matt may be tough guys, but jumper cables are NOT a snack.

The Amazing Race Canada season finale airs next Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV followed by After the Race.

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