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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries scores on the cricket pitch

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First of all, if you don’t already watch Frankie Drake Mysteries you should on Monday. I won’t spoil it for you, but just check it out. I promise that you WILL scream and clap your hands together. OK, enough with the public service announcement; we’ve got a new Murdoch Mysteries to discuss!

Tonight’s instalment is called “Biffers and Blockers,” and here’s what the faithful folks at CBC have revealed as the main storyline:

When a player dies violently on the cricket pitch, Murdoch and Brackenreid encounter some very unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Sounds positively dreadful! And here are more details we can share after watching the episode written by Dan Trotta and directed by Megan Follows.

Cricket, anyone?
I still don’t get how cricket is played. Or more succinctly, how it’s scored. I love the whites, the laid-back attitude, the strikeouts (wait, are they called strikeouts?) and all that, but I’m still not clear on how the game is scored and why some games go on for more than one day. Can a Murdoch fan help me out? Thanks in advance. Oh, by the way, it’s Henry who is on the cricket pitch for the main story and lands several great scenes and dialogue all episode long. Also? The cricket setting is stunning.

Julia’s fresh eyes
We’ve loved the direction Julia is headed in this season. She’s more flirty and playful and teasing William like mad. It’s awesome. Turns out she’s got an eye for athletes. And, as it turns out, she has some news for William. Squeeee!

The dead have risen
No, zombies haven’t invaded Toronto (again) but a previously dead character re-appears. I’m not going to spoil it, other than to say I was A) thrilled to see them return, and B) stoked at how they were worked into the story.

Paulino Nunes guest-stars
Nunes, who previously played Carlo Corsi in “Murdoch at the Opera,” returns to portray a hotshot cricket player who doesn’t win any friends amongst the players on the field pitch. Honestly? Trotta’s script turns him into an instantly memorable character. He’s a real hoot.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Mary Kills People, Masterchef Canada

Comments and queries for the week of January 12

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Michael Bonacini’s Christmas at the Farm is one of the best cooking shows ever. Quiet, not drowning out with music and a good down-to-earth love of food. He should do a regular show. —Alice

We agree! Are you listening, Bell Media??

How do I find out the music being played during the Jan. 3 episode of Mary Kills People, especially when the couple, who wanted to be killed, were dancing on their balcony? Where does one find out the credits? Thank you. —Jan

We used our trusty Shazam app and discovered the song you’re talking about is “For Your Precious Love” by Otis Redding. It was really effective in that wonderfully sad, heartfelt scene between Betty and Victor Lisko. Fun fact: Betty Lisko is played by Karen Robinson, who can also be seen co-starring in Schitt’s Creek and Frankie Drake Mysteries, both on CBC.

 

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

 

 

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Featured, Frankie Drake Mysteries

Preview: Frankie Drake Mysteries flies high with Lucas Bryant and Laurence Fox

This week on Frankie Drake Mysteries are two truly high-profile guest stars. I’ve been excited for this episode ever since I saw a short video of Lucas Bryant and Laurence Fox fooling around in the Drake makeup trailer where they were on location.

“The Pilot,” written by co-creators Michelle Ricci and Carol Hay and directed by Leslie Hope, finds Bryant playing Phillip Anderson, an aviator whose son is kidnapped. I’ve been a fan of Bryant since Season 1 of Haven (serious Stephen King fan over here) and was furthered in CBC’s excellent miniseries Shoot the Messenger, which bows on WGN in the U.S. on Feb. 26. As for Fox, he’s been on my radar for over 40 episodes of the PBS series Inspector Lewis, where he played DS James Hathaway. Anyway, enough of me being a fanboy; here’s what the CBC has revealed as the synopsis for Monday’s episode:

A day off turns into a day at the office for Frankie and Trudy when the son of an aviator is kidnapped.

And here is more information I gleaned from watching a screener.

Airplanes aplenty
I love airplanes. I love history. I was, therefore, giddy to see “The Pilot” involved both as stunning old aircraft zipped around the sky in Guelph, Ont. for the episode. (Read Bill Brioux’s set visit piece for more details.) Interestingly, this was the first episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries to be filmed but airs as Episode 7. Ah, the magic of television. And meetings.

Charlotte Sullivan guest-stars
Hold onto your hats Rookie Blue and Mary Kills People fans! Charlotte Sullivan, who also appears in CBC’s Caught next month, is Meara, wife of Phillip Anderson and mother to Charlie, the missing child.

Cheeky Fox
When we first meet Laurence Fox, he’s an unnamed gent who sidles up to Frankie and begins some major flirting. Who is he, and why does he seem to have bad will towards Phillip Anderson? They have a history, but what is it? Like I’ve already said, this was the first episode of Frankie to be filmed, but it doesn’t feel like it. Frankie’s sass, strong character and love of motorcycles and planes are firmly in place, as well as her relationship with Trudy. As a matter of fact, we learn some key backstory about Frankie thanks to her motorcycle and the conversation she has about it.

A storyline never revisited
Kris Holden-Ried appears at the end of Monday’s episode as a someone Frankie turns to for support. What’s interesting is that it’s tied to the backstory we’ve already mentioned but is never referred to, so far at least, in Season 1. Again, this was the first episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries so things change, but it would have been interesting to see this storyline fleshed out more.

A very special guest star
On top of the folks we’ve already mentioned, a certain someone drops by to escort Frankie into a building where women aren’t allowed. I kind of wish their name had been left out of the credits because it’s a major spoiler. I’ve already said too much.

Frankie Drake Mysteries airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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Industry News

Look Mom! Productions launches production on new adult animated comedy, Gary & His Demons

From a media release:

Look Mom! Productions, Blue Ant Media’s Toronto-based, animation studio has launched production on Gary & His Demons (16×11’), an animated comedy that centres around 45-year-old Gary. He’s tired. His hairline is receding, he wears horn-rimmed glasses and he’s just chased his final demon before his long-overdue retirement. But Gary soon discovers that his boss has again failed to find his replacement and Gary will be forced to keep fighting demons for eternity. But nothing can change Gary’s fate. He’s the chosen one, whether he likes it or not.

Based on a short form pilot from the Bite on Mondo Incubator, Gary & His Demons is produced in partnership with LA-based, MONDO. The series is set to premiere on MONDO’s’s channel on VRV in Spring 2018. As part of this announcement, Blue Ant International will add Gary & His Demons to its premium scripted offering to buyers worldwide in late 2018.

The series is created by Mark Little, known for his work on Picnicface, Space Riders and Mr. D., and has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Little also serves as Head Writer, Co-Director and the voice of Gary. Gary & His Demons is Executive Produced by Josh Bowen (Executive Producer and Creative Director, Look Mom! Productions) and Wendy Willis and Pia Chikiamco (MONDO’s Six Point Harness studio). The series is Co-directed by Lou Solis, known for his work on Ugly Americans, Moonbeam City and the Secret Path.

Look Mom! Productions announced its launch in late 2017, along with two new animated, action-comedy series for the kids 6-11 category Toy Hunters (26×11’) and Cloudface (26×11’).

 

 

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