Picked as Critic’s Choice by Henrietta Walmark of the Globe and Mail:

• “In tonight’s premiere there’s at least one barely believable character and a couple of seriously implausible events. Still, it’s slickly produced, with at least a few capable young actors who bring a bit of depth to some pretty clichéd roles.”

Yvonne Zacharias of the Vancouver Sun talks to Randal Edwards (see second item):

• Barbie animators dancing for joy
  “It sounds as though there was a fair amount of hamming it up on set. For example, in lead female actress Samantha Best’s last shoot, Edwards got himself up in Speedo suit, goggles and backscrubber to interrupt a romantic shower scene. It was all a joke and definitely not part of the script. Her reaction? Utter shock. ‘It was my own special goodbye,’ said Edwards.”

Barrett Hooper of Now Toronto isn’t impressed with the first episode of Degrassi writer/producer Aaron Martin’s new series:

• Best Years is the worst: Disappointing college series looks for drama in all the wrong places
  “While Degrassi has been dealing with some pretty topical teen issues – sex, drugs, street racing, strip clubs – The Best Years tries to convince us that a college student’s inability to afford her dorm meal plan is the stuff of good drama. I’m surprised David Mamet hasn’t thought of it.”

Patrick Blennerhassett of the Victoria News profiles The Best Years actor Randal Edwards (the article doesn’t make it clear, but the show is Canadian):

• New TV drama features local actor
  “Randal Edwards, a Pacific Christian High School grad, plays Noah Jensen, roomy of Samantha Best (Charity Shea) in The Best Years. The 13-part one-hour drama follows orphaned and full-ride scholar Best as she heads off to University in Boston, Massachusetts.”

  

Photo credit: Brooke Palmer, courtesy Global Television