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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Intervention Canada premieres on T+E, April 1 at 9 p.m. ET

From a media release:

As announced today, the next season of the powerful docu-series Intervention Canada will premiere on its new home, T+E, beginning April 1 at 9 p.m. ET. In each episode, viewers get an up-close and personal look at the life of an addict and their family who are desperately trying to help them. The series premieres on T+E during its current free preview, which began March 4 and runs until May 4.

Intervention Canada provides an unflinching glimpse at the horrifying reality of the life of an addict, as well as the gut-wrenching toll their addiction takes on their family and friends. With the help of professional interventionists Andrew Galloway, Maureen Brine, Jesse Hanson, and Geri Bemister, each episode culminates in a dramatic intervention where the subject must make a life-and-death decision – continue their descent to rock bottom alone, or accept the offer of a clear path to recovery in one of Canada’s top addiction treatment facilities. This season, the series looks at addictions and dependencies on alcohol, crystal meth, cocaine, opioids, and eating disorders. Intervention Canada is based on the hit A+E format and is now in its fifth season.

Select storylines on this season of Intervention Canada include:

  • An expectant mother in BC who is determined to free her partner from a deadly fentanyl addiction before the birth of their child;
  • Three Ontario born siblings struggling to save their father from the grips of crippling alcoholism;
  • A four-time Canadian MMA fighting champion grappling to overcome an addiction to crystal meth both for the sake of his son, and ultimately his own life.

Intervention Canada is produced by Open Door Co. and Insight Productions, in association with Blue Ant Media. Executive Producers are Tom Powers for Open Door Co. and John Brunton and John Murray for Insight Productions. The Series Producer is Thomas Chenoweth. Sam Linton is Head of Original Content at Blue Ant Media.

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Featured

Comments and queries for the week of March 8

Will there be a Season 13 of Murdoch Mysteries and if so, when will it air? —Regina

Hi Regina. There has been no official word on Season 13 of Murdoch Mysteries. That should be in the coming weeks.

Season 12 is great, just like the 11 previous ones! This season has pleased the audience with a variety of plots, expansion of the subject of episodes and an increase in the number of interesting characters. The season finale is generally terrific without the heavy dramatic upheavals of the heroes of the show, but there are questions to investigate next season (we hope so much!). It is very good that there were no problems in the relationship of William and Julia. But in some episodes of Season 12, their roles were not prioritized. Of course, this made it possible to reveal other characters, but I believe that Detective Murdoch and Dr. Ogden should be in the centre of the plot! It was the charisma and talent of Yannick Bisson and Hélène Joy that ensured the super popularity of the show. I hope that Season 13 will take place and there are many wishes. I’d love to see a Christmas or New Year’s special. It is a pity that in the 12th season there was no such episode. Perhaps Dr. Ogden will again become the coroner instead of Miss Hart. Maybe William and Julia will expand the geographical scope of the show and conduct an investigation in another country. It will be very interesting to meet with James Pendrick and his new ideas, Terence Myers and even with Detective Fellows. Hopefully, George will meet his love, maybe Dr. Grace will come back to the show again. Finally, a lot of fans of the show want to see the baby Julia and William, this couple deserves to be happy. In general, the romantic storyline is very important in this show. Murdoch Mysteries is a unique show, really the best crime drama, not only in Canada but also outside. Thanks to everyone who creates it! —Lilia

Am I the only one who feels that Season 12 has taken a dive? Several episodes don’t know if they want to be a goofy comedy or some silly science fiction. Very disappointing to a show that has been superior. —Leslie

Loved Season 12 as well as the whole series. I do hope that it continues for many years to come. I just wish that they would make more per season. —Carol

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Cottage Life celebrates spring with seven new and returning series

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From a media release:

After a long winter, Cottage Life is celebrating spring with an eight-week, national free preview running until May 5, with a slate of brand new series that showcase weekend and lakefront living. Headlining the new lineup is The Bryk Cottage (6×30), a documentary series that follows professional contractor and TV contractor and designer, Danielle Bryk, as she knocks down and rebuilds her sister’s beloved, but dilapidated cottage with thoughtful design and eco-friendly materials. Also new this spring, the channel gives audiences an advanced look at the first episode of the fan favourite series Life Below Zero: Canada (1×30), which will air in full in 2020. Popular Canadian-shot series Lakefront Luxury (10×30) and Hope For Wildlife (10×60) are both back with new seasons and Bondi Vet: Coast to Coast (10×60) introduces new vets to Bondi Vet fans.

As an added springtime bonus, Cottage Life fans in Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton have the chance to meet Danielle Bryk, Hope Swinimer, two of the Australian Bondi Vets, as well as Sue Aikens from the original Life Below Zero series at different upcoming Cottage Life consumer shows. For more information on the TV talent lined up for each Cottage Life Show visit shows.cottagelife.com.

Free Preview Premieres on Cottage Life

World’s Wildest Weather (Canadian Premiere, season two)
Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT starting March 11
From freak tornadoes to hailstones the size of footballs, this fast-paced, adrenaline-filled documentary series charts some of the most extreme weather from around the world with first-hand, witness statements and personal footage, bringing viewers right into the panic and drama of being caught up in a storm.

Lakefront Luxury (World Premiere, season two)
Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starting March 14
The second season of this aspirational series, gives viewers more stunning views, gorgeous waterfronts and serene sunsets. With unlimited budgets and endless wish lists, each episode explores three opulent properties, which a featured buyer chooses from.

Bondi Vet: Coast to Coast (World Premiere, season one)
Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, starting March 27
Fan favourite series Bondi Vet has been revamped and will introduce five new Australian vets from across the Australia who offer a myriad of exciting animal stories, ranging from the exotic and wild to our favourite domestic creatures.

The Bryk Cottage (World Premiere, season one)
Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, beginning March 28
This documentary series follows contractor and designer Danielle Bryk as she knocks down and rebuilds her sister and brother-in-law’s much-loved, but dilapidated cabin into a new stunning vacation home. Danielle deals with real-life issues as she works with a team of local contractors to use passive building standards that create a low carbon footprint cottage and a new getaway the entire family can cherish for generations.

Hope for Wildlife (World Premiere, season nine)
Friday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, beginning April 5
A brand new season follows beloved nature advocate Hope Swinimer and her team as they rescue animals at her Halifax-based wildlife refuge and release them back into the wild. In this season, Hope forges a new partnership with an expert rescue crew.

Log Cabin Fever (Canadian Premiere, season two)
Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m PT, starting on April 6
New episodes follow southern jack of all trades Charlie Norman, as he and his crew travel throughout Tennessee and the Carolinas to salvage log cabins, barns, churches and old mills. To the Log Cabin team, they are hidden gems waiting to be mined for rare raw materials or carefully resurrected.

Life Below Zero: Canada (30-minute premiere episode; World Premiere Sneak Peek) This 30-minute, premiere episode airs Sunday, April 21 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
Based on BBC’s successful format, Life Below Zero: Canada is an observational documentary series about people who live off the grid in remote regions of northern Canada. The new series is being shot on location in Canada with a focus on Canadian people and stories. The full series airs on Cottage Life in 2020.

Engage with Cottage Life: @cottagelife #cottagelife

Cottage Life, is a Blue Ant Media multi-platform brand, celebrating the people, activities and places that make leisure time special. Exclusive content covers real estate, food, DIY projects and much more. Both informative and entertaining, no one captures the essence of weekend living like this.

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Diggstown

Links: Diggstown, Season 1

From Michela Rosano of Canadian Geographic:

Link: Our Country: Vinessa Antoine’s favourite place in Canada
“I recently shot the first season of Diggstown in Nova Scotia, which is a place I had never visited before. When I started to do research for my character, Marcie Diggs, I learned that Nova Scotia has Canada’s oldest and largest black community, North Preston in Halifax.” Continue reading. 

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Link: Diggstown’s Vinessa Antoine is the face of change as first Black woman to star in prime-time TV drama
“Growing up in Toronto, seeing faces on television like your own was virtually non-existent. But if a young person turns on the television in the future and thinks that they are being represented, that there is a possibility out there for me, then hopefully things will change.” Continue reading.

From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

Link: Halifax-shot ‘Diggstown’ making strides for representation in Canadian TV
“It’s so important to be able to have stories that are driven and come from communities that are like mine and like so many other communities that are considered minority communities. It’s so important to show that representation because there’s nothing more Canadian, I feel than multiculturalism and diversity.’” Continue reading. 

From Elizabeth Patterson of the Cape Breton Post:

Link: East Bay native acting up a storm
“It’s a good week to be Billy MacLellan.”

The actor, who hails from East Bay, has had a busy winter with various acting and writing projects, some of which are coming to fruition right now. He even had his very own Canadian minute a few days ago. Continue reading. 

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: REVIEW: CBC’s Diggstown
I didn’t expect to dig Diggstown as much as I do, but I do.

The story takes place in North Preston, Nova Scotia, billed as Canada’s Largest Black Community. At the centre stands Marcia Diggs (Vinessa Antoine, above left with Karen LeBlanc), a rising star, big city, corporate lawyer who – for reasons unclear in the pilot but amplified later on – is knocked back down to her rural roots in Nova Scotia. Continue reading. 

From Melissa Girimonte of The Televixen:

Link: Vinessa Antoine and Natasha Henstridge welcome us to Diggstown
“Mental health issues are something that’s kept behind closed doors. You’re meant to feel ashamed or you don’t talk about it. With Marcie, it’s prevalent in her family. They’re a religious family as well. This tight-knit community in Nova Scotia, North Preston, is heavily religious. The idea of mental health and suicide are not discussed very much.” Continue reading. 

From Charles Trapunski of Brief Take:

Link: Interview: Diggstown’s Vinessa Antoine and Natasha Henstridge
“I think that people who see this show will start to see Nova Scotia as yet another option as a Canadian province in which to shoot. There’s just a different vibe over there, in terms of working in TV and film, but also it’s not just a beautiful,  Nova Scotian gorgeous backdrop. It’s a real character, Nova Scotia, and there are just parts that aren’t that beautiful and there are shows that should be shot there.” Continue reading.

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Diggstown’s Vinessa Antoine on Marcie’s complicated relationships
“It’s so important to show all communities of Canada, but this Black community hasn’t been really shown. It’s a nice feeling to be able to bring that to the Canadian audience.” Continue reading.

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Top Chef Canada

Food Network Canada’s Top Chef Canada returns with a never-seen-before twist

From a media release:

Food Network Canada’s #1 series last spring*, Top Chef Canada, returns with the nation’s best and brightest professional chefs as they prepare to enter the toughest culinary competition in the country starting Monday, April 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Representing the coming of age in the Canadian culinary scene, 11 chefs enter the competition and are introduced to a brand-new twist that sees three talented chef contenders compete against each other in order to earn the coveted 12th spot in the competition.

Prepared to impress the judges, each chef must spark the taste buds of Top Chef Canada’s expert panel of judges comprised of chef, restaurant co-owner and host, Eden Grinshpan, owner of The McEwan Group, head judge chef Mark McEwan and resident judges: powerhouse restaurateur Janet Zuccarini, writer and international food personality Mijune Pak and renowned food journalist and critic Chris Nuttall-Smith. This season the chefs will compete for the prestigious title of Canada’s Top Chef and the grand prize of $100,000 provided by Interac Corp., a design-inspired Café kitchen, a culinary tour of Italy for two from Air Transat and $5,000 worth of Cuisinart® products.

Following a nation-wide search, this season’s competitors represent Canada’s culinary scene from coast to coast and beyond including Dartmouth, N.S., Quebec City, Que., Tofino, B.C., Toronto, Ont., Vancouver, B.C., and more. The 11 competitors confirmed to compete for the title of Canada’s Top Chef are:

  • Tania Ganassini, 31 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
  • Takeshi Horinoue, 37 – Montreal, Que.
  • Hayden Johnston, 29 – Toronto, Ont.
  • Sebastien Laframboise, 31 – Quebec City, Que.
  • Renée Lavallée, 43 – Dartmouth, N.S.
  • Paul Moran, 31 – Tofino, B.C.
  • Dennis Peckham, 41 – Port Moody, B.C.
  • Phillip Scarfone, 33 – Vancouver, B.C.
  • Erin Smith, 32 – Toronto, Ont.
  • Max Straczek, 32 – Vancouver, B.C.
  • Wallace Wong, 27 – Toronto, Ont.

In a never-seen-before twist, the three talented chef contenders set to compete for the final spot in the competition are:

  • Alexei Boldireff, 25 – Edmonton, Alta.
  • Benet Hunt, 28 – Saskatoon, Sask.
  • Paul Kim, 33 – Toronto, Ont.

This season’s Quickfire and Elimination Challenges will test the chefs’ culinary chops and demonstrate their creativity. Each week their dishes will be served to the esteemed Top Chef Canada judging panel, who will be joined by culinary masters and noted food lovers as guest judges. Some of the celebrated culinary personalities from Canada and abroad include Emma Bengtsson (Executive Chef, Aquavit, New York City, N.Y.), Richard Blais (Top Chef: All Stars winner, Owner Juniper & Ivy, San Diego, Calif.), Craig Harding (Chef and Owner, Campagnolo, La Palma and Constantine, Toronto, Ont.), James Beard award- winning restaurant critic Adam Platt, Rob Rossi (Top Chef Canada, Season 1, Chef and Owner, Giulietta,Toronto, Ont.), Marcus Samuelsson (Owner, Red Rooster, Harlem, N.Y.), and Michael Solomonov (Owner, Zahav, Philadelphia, Pa).

On foodnetwork.ca, viewers can get a sneak peek of this season’s most exhilarating locations, learn about the judges’ best ever bites from the series and get to know some of host Eden Grinshpan’s most uniquely lovable “Eden-isms.” Plus, learn more about the competitors and get their restaurant recommendations from across the country. Week-to-week, recaps will be available online highlighting the best and most shocking moments from the season. Fans can also watch full episodes online after broadcast at foodnetwork.ca/topchefcanada and On Demand with participating providers.

Food Network Canada is available on a National Free Preview from March 1 to April 30. Please check local listings for additional details.

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