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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Bachelor Canada, Featured

Review: Photo shoots and first dates on The Bachelor Canada

It usually takes several weeks for a bachelorette to get mistrustful and jealous of her competition and protective of the bachelor, but Kaylynn got things going early and often on Thursday night.

It began with her scoring the first one-on-one of the season with Tim; the pair swooped over Vancouver in a helicopter before taking a gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain where they shared a meal and smooches before he handed her a rose. Tim explained he’d chosen Kaylynn for the first date because of their almost instant connection and discussions surrounding bullying. Kaylynn bookended the episode by breaking down in tears during the cocktail party and after those who got roses were celebrating. The focus of her ire? Martha, who had tried to be supportive of Kaylynn by trying to assuage her jealousy, explaining that Tim had given her a rose–the first of the week–and that Kaylynn should therefore be happy. Instead, tearful Kaylynn wanted to punch Martha and Tim had to intervene.

I know it makes for great TV, but Kaylynn sure came off like a spoiled brat. Rather than be happy to be sticking around and giving the girls who were eliminated– ER doctor Renee-Anne and nurse Alison–a hug, she made the end of the week all about her. Maybe it’s in her game plan to have Tim come running every time she cries, but I pretty much guarantee he’ll get tired of that and cut her loose.

Tim certainly doesn’t let things go on if they’re not working out. Just ask Sonia the lingerie model, who failed to make a connection with Tim during what was supposed to be a sultry photo shoot for Flare magazine. Despite making a living at being a model, there was just awkwardness between the two and Tim pulled her aside long enough to explain that there was no place for her in the mansion. Natalie the school teacher (and my Bachelor pool pick), on the other hand, assured herself of another week in the mansion by planting a kiss on Tim while the cameras snapped away.

The other group date of the episode–a dragon boat race in the pouring rain–allowed Tim to see enough of Rileigh to keep her around despite her orders that “Show Tim” be put on the shelf in favour of honesty. The fact she accused him of acting a certain way in front of the cameras was a bold move that clearly paid off. Speaking of cameras, The Bachelor Canada looks stellar and slick this season despite dealing with horrible weather that they don’t contend with in Los Angeles.

Next week the guy and the gals head to Cabo where they’ll be bathed in sunlight and saturated with booze.

The Bachelor Canada airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on City.

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Featured, Haven

Review: Shorn tresses and small troubles in Haven

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“I’d rather stab you in the crotch than dance with you.”

“Don’t you have a blowup doll for this?”

Oh, Mara. The super-sarcastic villain of Season 5 who is always quick to cut down poor Nathan and assure him that Audrey is never coming back. Those were just two of the insults the devious dame hurled towards our hero during Thursday’s newest, “Spotlight.” And while the spotlight may literally have referred to Duke’s former female partner-in-crime whose Trouble–getting stressed led to concentrating light through her body and burning stuff and people in the vicinity–but it figuratively meant Nathan and Mara being most of the focus of Episode 3.

The knowledge that Audrey is still alive and buried behind Mara’s psyche had Nathan trucking her off to the family cottage (after some help from Duke) hidden far in the Maine woods away from the police and The Guard who were looking for them both. My initial thought that we would be treated to some kind of an exorcism were in fact mentioned by Mara, but Nathan was just content to sit and mostly let his captive sound off. The mental chess match seemed to go in Mara’s favour when she used her feminine wiles–and Audrey’s memories of the two getting jiggy–to tease Nathan. There was some heavy smooching (it never got to X-rated), just enough to tease Audrey out, who begged Nathan not to give up and to treat Mara as if she was Audrey. It would give her the strength to fight the interloper.

That was working like a charm until Duke showed up to tell Nathan that Dwight and The Guard were on their trail. And then things, story-wise, veered off a bit. Duke–who I think shaved his locks as a final goodbye to Jennifer–started coughing up blood. Mara’s prognosis? Duke was so packed with accumulated Troubles that he was about to explode. She, of course, could help by removing some smaller, less destructive Troubles from him in order to let off some of the pressure inside. The fact Duke and Nathan believed her and cottoned to her plan befuddled me a bit. Why would they trust someone who has brought nothing but pain and sorry to Haven since she set foot in it? Clearly Mara has an ulterior motive, but I guess desperate times call for just such measures. It just rang a little false for me, especially after the emotional butt-kicking Nathan has been handed so far this season.

Haven airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on Showcase.

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Saving Hope

Link: Saving Hope vs Grey’s Anatomy

From Amber Dowling of The Loop:

Who’s better at love: Dr. Alex Reid or Dr. Meredith Grey?
With Saving Hope officially back and Grey’s Anatomy returning Thursday night, we figured it was about time we pitted the show’s two leading ladies against each other in the “Love Doctor” spotlight. So who is better at love, Alex Reid (Erica Durance) or Meredith Grey (Ellen Popeo)? Continue reading.

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Uncategorized

New Homegrown Comedy Series, Young Drunk Punk, Kicks Off Production

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From a media release:

– Bruce McCulloch added to cast in addition to his role as creator, writer, and executive producer–
– Tim Carlson (Gracepoint) and Atticus Mitchell (Fargo) join as series leads Ian and Shinky–
– Principal photography on the 13-episode, half-hour scripted comedy series begins today in Calgary –

New, half-hour Canadian comedy series puts Calgary centre stage, as production on Young Drunk Punk begins today, starring creator, writer, and executive producer Bruce McCulloch (Kids in the Hall). Young Drunk Punk takes viewers on a heartfelt and hilarious coming-of-age journey of two teenage boys living in raucous Calgary during the ‘80s. The show is slated to premiere early 2015 on City, with full broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

Inspired by McCulloch’s life, and told through his unique point-of-view, Young Drunk Punk focuses on two young men – Ian and Shinky – who have recently graduated from high school and don’t quite feel that they belong. The series follows them as they embark on a hilarious and rebellious search to find out who they are, somewhere in the lost years between high school and “what’s next.”

Young Drunk Punk stars Tim Carlson (Gracepoint) as Ian McKay, Atticus Mitchell (Fargo) as Archibald Shinky, McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall) as Ian’s father Lloyd, Tracy Ryan (Nancy Drew) as Ian’s mother Helen, and Allie MacDonald (Lost Girl) as Ian’s sister Belinda.

“We are excited to have Bruce McCulloch in front and behind the camera in this original, yet relatable comedy series that is sure to resonate with viewers from coast-to-coast” said Nataline Rodrigues, Director of Original Programming, Rogers.

The series is produced by Accent Entertainment and SEVEN24 Films. McCulloch serves as executive producer, alongside Susan Cavan from Accent Entertainment, and Jordy Randall and Tom Cox from SEVEN24 films. Paula Smith is the supervising producer. From Rogers Media,Carol Commisso is the Production Executive, Nataline Rodrigues is Director of Original Programming, and Hayden Mindell is Vice President of Television Programming & Content.

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