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Comments and queries for the week of Jan. 9

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Three TV shows and one story took hold of readers this week. There was lots of praise for Donald Sutherland’s Pirate’s Passage and The Book of Negroes but Lost Girl fans have started to lose faith in the final season. Meanwhile, readers weighed in on D.K. Latta’s piece for The Huffington Post. Check out the link to read one particularly insightful observation.

My wife and I just watched Pirate’s Passage. Wow, that really was very good, very top-class and well done. I’m 64, and I wish we’d had Canadian stories like this to read and on TV and as literature studies in school when I was growing up. Thanks to all for Pirate’s Passage! Please do lots more.–Steve and Tracy

I just finished watching Pirate’s Passage, and already I want more. This is a wonderfully produced project; I cannot recommend it enough to anyone wanting to enjoy a good old Canadian story.–Brandon

The Book of Negroes looks fantastic and I can’t recall such a great miniseries being made in Canada since Anne of Green Gables came out. Sure, there have been attempts, but for the most part there’s been political thrillers or issues-heavy miniseries that only appealed to niche viewers and failed ratings-wise. I am curious how The Book of Negroes will do in the ratings. There’s been plenty of promotion and the trailer is very enticing.–Alicia

The writers have not given the relationship between Lost Girl‘s Bo and Lauren much dignity. In the second show in which they were a true couple (Season 3), the writers had them flinging sarcasm at each other; not a good start for a relationship. When Bo went through the trial of the Dawning, when she emerged, there was no embrace or kiss with Lauren. Lauren was just standing there with all the others, there was no indication of them as a couple. Then shortly after that, the writers had Lauren ask Bo for a break in their relationship. She goes off to join Taft. In the 4th season, Lauren joins the Dark and foils the Morrigan, which to me indicates that Lauren wanted Bo all along, that she was trying to gain Bo’s favor by her actions against the Morrigan. And now in Season 5, they are “exes”? When did we get that discussion??–Sue

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

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Book of Negroes

Book of Negroes attracts 1.7 million viewers

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GemCBC

From a media release:

Canadians continue to prove their love of THE BOOK OF NEGROES as ratings for the premiere of the miniseries won in prime time last night, with 1.7 Canadians tuning in to watch. It was the number-one program in prime time last night, beating the People’s Choice Awards on Global at 9 p.m.

On social media, #BookofNegroes saw great success over all time zones, particularly on Twitter where the hashtag was trending nationwide for over two hours, generating a social reach into the millions.

The award-winning novel by Lawrence Hill has been given a new life on the small screen; Canadians can watch on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on CBC until February 11, 2015.

 

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Book of Negroes

Link: Book of Negroes star Aunjanue Ellis on the power of period dramas

From CBC’s Q:

Book of Negroes star Aunjanue Ellis on the power of period dramas
The Book of Negroes, a television adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s acclaimed book by the same name, had its television debut last night. Today, lead actress Aunjanue Ellis joins guest host Gill Deacon to discuss the much-anticipated miniseries and what the period drama can teach us about present day society. Read more and listen here.

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Sunnyside

Tonight: Sunnyside, The Nature of Things, Doc Zone, Storage Wars Canada, The Liquidator

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Sunnyside, City – “The Top Hat”
From hipsters and young professionals to yoga moms and romantic crooks, Sunnyside is a quirky neighbourhood in transition, where residents aren’t always what they seem and surprises lurk around every slightly dingy corner. In the series premiere, paranormal activity affects a couple’s love life; and Calliope (Kathleen Phillips, Dan for Mayor, Mr. D) breaks it off with Bad Boy Samson (Pat Thornton, Satisfaction, The Jon Dore Show) when their first date ends in a police shootout. Meanwhile, Dave (Rob Norman, MANTOWN improve troupe, Just for Laughs), the yuppie dad, introduces his toddler to the Baby Fight Club; and “The Hole” (Norm MacDonald, Saturday Night Live) – an open manhole that replaces the Internet – answers residents’ questions.

The Nature of Things, CBC – “Myth or Science 3: You Are What You Eat”
An exciting scientific journey with Dr. Jennifer Gardy to put food claims to the test and discover if they’re science fact or science fiction.

Doc Zone, CBC – “Wild & Dangerous”
Wild & Dangerous peers into the relationships between people and their exotic pets and examines the issues that come with keeping undomesticated animals. Does love for a pet outweigh concern for public safety, endangered species, and habitats at risk?

Storage Wars Canada, OLN – “Bigger, Stronger, Meaner, Dumber”
Roy hires bodyguards to keep the riff raff away at an auction in Brampton, ON. Then, Bogart quits… but just when he thinks he’s out, Paul tries to pull him back in. Celebrity guests include Canadian healthy living advocates Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod (Body Break), as well as Canadian National Cricket Team player Harvir Baidwan.

The Liquidator, OLN – “Show Me The Moo-La”
Daniel makes deals for a load of LED screens and Chinese merchandise without consulting Jeff. Meanwhile, a cattle farmer wants to trade a steer for some furniture, so Jeff goes whole-cow into the beef business – but a mathematical error leaves him red-faced in front of new employee Ian.

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