TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 1478
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Welcome to the new TV, eh?

What’s new? Well, we’re back after a six-ish month hiatus that was meant to be a permanent cancellation, for one thing.

And we’re a “we” for another.

I’ll still do what I used to do – post the evening’s listings for new episodes, link to articles about Canadian TV from elsewhere on the web, and write the occasional interview or rant … I mean, op-ed.

But you’ll notice a big difference in the amount of original, professional content on the site. I’ve taken on a partner, Greg David, formerly of TV Guide Canada, and we recruited a team of contributors who will help us do reviews, interviews, features, and podcasts. Check out their bios.

We’ve been able to make this happen because of the incredible, unbelievable, generous support from you, our readers.

We launched a little Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise $1,500 so Greg and I could get the site up and running until we could find stable funding, and it exploded. In less than a week we exceeded our goal by over 1000%. We’re now stretching to $20,000 while seeking ongoing advertising and sponsorship.

The dream is to have a financially sustainable site that supports professional journalism about Canadian television. With your help we’re already on our way.

If you can contribute, or spread the word, the Indiegogo campaign is live until August 24.

If you want to talk to us about advertising or sponsorship, please get in touch.

And if you want to come to a place where Canadian television is worthy of serious discussion, welcome to the new TV, eh? We’re thrilled to be back.

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TV, eh? to rise from the dead

I’m teaming up with former TV Guide Canada critic Greg David to revive the site in early August with a focus on more original interviews, reviews and features. We’re looking for ways to make it financially sustainable and an Indigogo campaign is step one. Our stretch goal is $5000 but the more we raise, the more we can continue with original content while we look for stable funding.

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TV, eh? podcast episode 162 – “Signing Off”

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish (1)

In our long-delayed final podcast, and final post to TV, eh?, Diane and Anthony wrap things up with our hopes for Canadian TV. There are a lot of balls involved. Thanks to our listeners and readers over the years – this proper goodbye is for you.

Episode 162: Listen or download or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed.

Your hosts

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Air Farce New Year’s Eve special airs December 31

From a media release:

AIR FARCE NEW YEAR’S EVE IS BACK ON CBC TELEVISION, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013 AT 8:00 PM

On December 31st, AIR FARCE leaks the long-lost Rob Ford video. Taking a crack at the biggest stories of 2013, AIR FARCE turns on Toronto’s troubled mayor, who sings about his year of bluster, blunders, and Blurred Lines in a brand-new edition of Canada’s favourite New Year’s Eve party … and CBC’s highest-rated comedy special.

That’s right, AIR FARCE NEW YEAR’S EVE returns to CBC Television on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 8:00 PM (8:30 NT) starring Don Ferguson, Luba Goy, Craig Lauzon, Alan Park, Penelope Corrin, and Arnold Pinnock, and joining in the fun are some of the biggest names of 2013.

The world’s most famous astronaut, Chris Hadfield, gets serenaded by David Bowie; tennis superstar Milos Raonic serves up some laughs against NDP leader Thomas Mulcair; award-winning singer-songwriter Serena Ryder uses the latest tech gadget to meet her biggest fan; and, making a triumphant return to CBC, Steve Smith brings his legendary handyman, Red Green, back for a special appearance.

We also have opera diva Measha Brueggergosman squaring off against Miley Cyrus in a Wrecking Ball Battle; P.J. Stock (Hockey Night in Canada, Battle of the Blades) grilling Russian president Vladimir Putin about the Sochi Olympics; comedian Pat Thornton channelling Mike Duffy in a Hunger Games parody starring the disgraced Senate trio; Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi proving why he’s Canada’s favourite mayor; and a cameo from Lloyd Robertson, answering the viral musical question, “What Does the Fox Say?”

Meanwhile, Quebec premier Pauline Marois’ controversial Charter of Values gets a fashion makeover, Justin Trudeau rolls up to his new headquarters, the news gets some unhelpful assistance from a sign language interpreter, and Will and Kate’s royal nanny search leads to a shortlist of crazy candidates.

It’s an all-new hour capped off by the annual dropping of AIR FARCE’S own F-Bomb on the most annoying targets of 2013. Tune in to find out who fans have chosen for the biggest splat of the season.

Visit www.airfarce.com or follow us on Twitter (@AirFarceCBC) for exclusive updates and exciting contests leading up to the big show on CBC, December 31st at 8:00 PM. And we promise … no twerking.

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Canada’s Best in Show Coverage

TVGuideCA

A few times over the years I’ve mentioned that in a perfect world, TV, eh? wouldn’t exist: Canadian series would be covered on equal footing with American in their home country. I haven’t looked but I don’t think there’s a TV, mate? for Australian TV or a TV, innit? for British television.

After I made it public that I’d be wrapping up this site by the end of the year — posting will be spotty but Anthony and I will do one final podcast on December 30 where we bestow the last TV Ehwards — some people asked for alternatives, and my quick answer is to check the sidebar. I modelled TV, eh? after a combination of The Futon Critic and TV Tattle and I don’t know of another site that aggregates information in quite the same way, but there are many sites that cover Canadian TV to various degrees.

One in particular has over the years turned into the kind of site I’m talking about, though, one that covers Canadian TV as much as American TV and unlike print columnists has the space to cover it extensively. TV Guide Canada under editor Amber Dowling does reviews and recaps and, most recently, released a poll of “Canada’s Best in Show” as voted by 16 Canadian critics (who knew we had that many?!)

Some of those critics do a stellar job of writing about the Canadian industry — I particularly admire the National Post‘s level-headed Scott Stinson, and get a kick out of the shit-disturbing John Doyle of the Globe and Mail — but unlike a web-based, television-focused publication their coverage is to some degree more limited by space and what topics will sell a newspaper.

In my rose-coloured world I think the demise of TV, eh? could benefit to the Canadian TV industry. Other sites exist and may get more attention, some may expand their coverage, maybe some others will crop up, maybe those Eye on Canada folks will do something that’s audience focused in reality and not just in their minds. But TV Guide Canada is working toward that ideal world for Canadian TV coverage now.

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