TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 3131

TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Rick Mercer Report

In the news: Rick Mercer profile

May 4, 2007 Diane Wild

From the Georgia Straight:

Rick Mercer: minister of humour
“I get to cover what I love, which is Canadian politics. I get to travel the country, hang out with polar bears, or go to Nunavut, or do whatever I want. That offer obviously never came along from the States because that job’s only available here and I have it.”

Uncategorized

In the news: Durham County debuts Monday

May 4, 2007 Diane Wild

From John Doyle of the Globe and Mail – see second-last item:

Downward dog, upward profit
“This six-part Canadian crime drama, about an emotionally damaged homicide detective (Hugh Dillon) hunting a serial killer, and possibly a copycat killer, is as moody as all get-out. In style and tone, it is clearly influenced by such HBO dramas as Six Feet Under and The Sopranos. Perhaps too much so. Visually sumptuous and adult, it is decidedly grim and seethes with male rage. The opening episode is rich, compelling and deeply disquieting drama.”

Uncategorized

In the news: Hugh Dillon on Durham County

May 2, 2007 Diane Wild

From Lee-Anne Goodman of the Canadian Press:

Rock star-turned-serious actor Hugh Dillon shines in gritty drama ‘Durham County’
“Durham County” is the brainchild of a group of women – producers Adrienne Mitchell and Janis Lundman, writer Laurie Finstad Knizhnik and director Holly Dale. Shot in a Montreal suburb, it’s a dark, taut thriller that wouldn’t look out of place on an American cable channel alongside shows like “Dexter” and “The Wire.” That’s something Dillon, a native of Kingston, Ont., now based in Los Angeles, is particularly proud of.”

In the news: CTV merger sparks call for more Canadian drama

May 2, 2007 Diane Wild

From John Doyle of the Globe and Mail:

When Canadians watch TV, they want drama
“When most Canadians watch TV, drama is what they want to watch, and the majority of the most-watched programs in Canada each week are dramas. But we’re not making any.”

And a reaction from Denis McGrath of Dead Things on Sticks, with a list of Canadian dramas currently in development:

Canadians Want Drama
“So is the CRTC going to extract from CTV the first plank in a new drama committment? That’s what Doyle seems to be calling for. That would be great.”

In the news: Canadian talent backs CTV/CHUM merger

May 1, 2007 Diane Wild

From the Financial Post:

Artistic community backs CTV’s CHUM takeover
The artistic community tried to rally Tuesday behind the CTV Inc. takeover of CHUM Ltd., telling CRTC officials that CTV is the only player committed to fostering and nurturing Canadian talent. Nevertheless, the chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Konrad von Finckenstein, appeared unmoved.

But, from Bloomberg later:

Canadian Regulator to Reject Calls to Block Chum Deal
Canada’s broadcasting regulator will reject calls to bar CTVglobemedia Inc. from taking over rival Chum Ltd. because the agency will ensure the company produces enough Canadian shows to meet standards.