TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 1124
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Murdoch Mysteries, Still Standing

Comments and queries for the week of June 26

South of the border love for Murdoch Mysteries

I am a Bostonian and I currently live in the L.A. area and I find most of our syndicated television dramas/comedies to be “cookie-cutter” programs. When a new and fresh program idea comes along that garners my interest and gains popularity, it eventually gets so diluted (cast/writing changes) and repeated to death it quickly loses its appeal.

It is SO REFRESHING to have found this gem known as Murdoch Mysteries/The Artful Detective.  The core cast are all brilliant in their portrayals of their diverse characters. The continuity of storylines and the character development is a tribute to the writing teams. This TV series has been like opening a very good book and being drawn to the characters, chapter by chapter and always anticipating what will happen next. (Yes, I do realize the basis of this TV show is Ms. Jennings book series—which I am now hoping to read this summer.)

THANK YOU, CANADA and the men and women involved in its total production—quality programming at its best. I also have to thank my sister in Boston. When she told me of the premise (a Toronto detective from the turn the century who solves murders that involve the basic “whodunit” woven with historical characters), I took the bait. BEEN HOOKED ever since. I very much look forward to the next chapter in Season 9. —Corrinna

Murdoch Mysteries star celebrates small-town Canada with laughter

Nice! Love Murdoch Mysteries. It’s my buffer for the rough action that never ends on Game of Thrones. Jonny Harris has a dry sense of humour that I can relate to being a Mainer-Portland, Maine that is. Best wishes to him for success with this endeavor!—Lenora

Is Canada ready for another late-night talk show?

Strombo’s The Hour/Tonight was the closest (and best) we’ve ever come to a viable late-night model. Re-invented the format, top-notch host with smart interview style, top-notch guests (leaning heavily on BIG stars with some windows for Canadian up and comers) and a bold and flashy style. It was the perfect storm that I don’t think can be easily replicated. Someone will want to do it cheap, have low-rent guests, hire a host who thinks they’re better at it than they will be and the writing will be sub-par. And it has to find an audience. But maybe I’m wrong … a reboot of Thicke of the Night? I hear Alan’s schedule is wide open. —Jon

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

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Food Network and Tricon start production on The Incredible Food Race

From a media release:

Family, food, and fun are racing to Food Network Canada’s Fall schedule as production begins on the new Canadian original series, The Incredible Food Race. Hosted by Rick Campanelli (Entertainment Tonight Canada), each episode of The Incredible Food Race features two families battling it out in a super-charged race full of fun food challenges and a main event: the family versus family cook-off of a kid-approved meal.

Food Network Canada’s Chef Corbin Tomaszeski (Restaurant Takeover, Dinner Party Wars) joins the series as chef mentor and commentator for each episode’s main cook-off event. In each episode, the competing families will battle for the grand prize of a year’s supply of free groceries, courtesy of series sponsor, Walmart Canada.

The Incredible Food Race shoots its six episodes across Toronto and the GTA this summer, with stops at some of the city’s most buzzed about food events. Production gets underway this weekend at Toronto Ribfest 2015. The Incredible Food Race will premiere on Food Network Canada in Fall 2015 – broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

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Rookie Blue

Link: Rookie Blue’s Missy Peregrym on Andy’s Baby ‘Struggle,’ Marriage Talk

From Vlada Gelman of TV Line:

Rookie Blue’s Missy Peregrym on Andy’s Baby ‘Struggle,’ Marriage Talk
Rookie Blue‘s bombshell that Marlo is pregnant with Sam’s child may have sent “McSwarek” ‘shippers into a panic, but star Missy Peregrym has her own feelings about the twist.

“I think it’s brilliant, to be honest,” she tells TVLine. “I love the storyline. This is one of my favorite seasons.” Continue reading.

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Auction, Featured

Help us help kids: Contributions wanted for TV, eh?’s charity auction

Almost a year ago, this site came back from the dead thanks to the injection of another partner in Greg David and the generosity of our Indiegogo contributors. To celebrate the first birthday of TV, eh? 2.0 on August 5 — and pay some of that generosity forward — we’re reviving our charity auction. 100% of the proceeds will go to Kids Help Phone, a free, anonymous and confidential phone and on-line professional counselling service for youth. The previous auctions raised $10,000 for them.

In advance of the auction launch, we are asking for contributions to the cause — particularly TV-related swag or experiences, but anything that might grab the interest of our readers. So far we have some amazing items that will go up for bid: a set visit and walk-on role, one-on-one career advice from a senior writer, memorabilia from various shows, DVDs, books, magazine subscriptions, and more.

If you or your organization have items or experiences you can contribute, please contact us. And look for the auction to go live on August 5.

KHP

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Rookie Blue

Link: ‘Rookie Blue’ Boss on Happy Endings, Baby Drama and a Potential Season 7

From Amber Dowling of The Hollywood Reporter:

‘Rookie Blue’ Boss on Happy Endings, Baby Drama and a Potential Season 7
“I’m going to consult if it comes back, because I probably just wouldn’t be able to help myself. I’m excited to see what somebody new brings to it; I feel like I told the story I wanted to tell. I had 74 episodes to do it, which is a blessing and is rare, and I’m excited to write some different things. But also I’m excited to watch what other people do with it. It’s cool to have the chance — if it goes again — to watch it re-bloom through somebody else’s vision.” Continue reading.

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