From Pat Kolafa of The Drumheller Mail:
Link: Heartland shoots Mongolia scenes in Valley
For years, the CBC hit Heartland has been using the scenic back drop of Alberta to tell its unique tale. When it came to filming scenes that take place in Mongolia, the Drumheller valley was its choice. Continue reading.Â
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, as Murdoch Mysteries‘ two-hour holiday special, “Once Upon a Murdoch Christmas” approaches. Written by Paul Aitken, Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci and directed by T.W. Peacocke, CBC says the following:
It’s four days ‘til Christmas, and with no snow on the streets of Toronto, spirits are low until two bombastic businessmen barge into Station House No. 4 with a far-fetched story about a train robbery – a bandit is trying to steal Christmas! Murdoch is baffled but soon, more impossible robberies have him giving chase around the city. Crabtree is convinced the bandit is based on his latest fictional hero but Brackenreid dismisses this outlandish theory. Meanwhile, Constable Jackson forms a Station House No. 4 choir, but with only a few days to whip the singing constables into shape he begs Rebecca James for help. And Ogden finds herself mysteriously spirited away after a family of children who need her help mistake her for a storybook heroine. Stories collide on Christmas Eve – and once again, Murdoch must find a way to pull off a Christmas miracle.
CBC has given us an early Christmas present by revealing the following seven images to get you in the holiday mood! Let me know what you think of the storyline, and images, by commenting below!
[slideshow_deploy id=’38144′]
Murdoch Mysteries‘ “Once Upon a Murdoch Christmas” airs Monday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. on CBC, with an encore broadcast on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, at 5 p.m.
From a media release:
HISTORY®’s Emmy® Award-nominated original series Vikings returned with a vengeance, slaying the competition and seizing the #1 spot of the night across specialty with 465,000 Canadians (2+)  watching its November 30th mid-season premiere. As the enigmatic Ragnar Lothbrok made his return to Kattegat, Vikings claimed top spot in multiple key demos, including 2+, A25-54 and A18-49. Since its launch in 2013, Vikings has consistently been the #1 scripted series across Canadian specialty* (2+, A25-54, A18-34 and A18-49) and following Wednesday’s strong start, the momentum continues.
HISTORY’s domination continued with the special presentation of the premiere of Showcase’s Incorporated and the documentary special Vikings: The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok taking the #2 (127,000 A25-54) and #3 spots (116,000, A25-54) of the night, respectively.
Additional Vikings data highlights include:
In the next episode of Vikings, airing Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HISTORY, the Kattegat locals chide Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) that the gods have deserted him as he struggles to crew his voyage to Wessex. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) prepares to fulfill his dream of exploring the Mediterranean.
From Kate Taylor of The Globe and Mail:
Link: Ad-free CBC could serve as a rallying point for Canadian creativity
In an increasingly scattered but ever more Internet-dependent and globalized media environment, the country needs a public producer, curator and distributor to craft a powerful Brand Canada across all platforms, offering not only news, public affairs and documentaries, but also fiction, variety and arts programming. It needs an iconic institution to nurture and lead the cultural industries, a rallying point for Canadian creativity. Continue reading.
In the penultimate episode of This Life‘s second season, the Lawsons are shaken to their core by a sudden crisis. To make matters worse, Natalie experiences an unexpected medical complication.
Here’s a preview of what’s to come.
This is not a drill
As I’ve interviewed the show’s cast and writers over the past eight weeks, I’ve been repeatedly warned that Episode 209 packs a punch. It’s true. In fact, it packs more than one. An ample stock of wine and chocolate is recommended for viewers.
Romy and Emma face a massive decision
But they also share one of the cutest bonding scenes in the series. Episode writer Rachel Langer says part of the scene was improvised by Julia Scarlett Dan and Stephanie Janusauskas. Listen for the mention of polar bears.
Maggie and Raza try to put the toothpaste back in the tube
Maggie’s confession that she has feelings for Raza makes things awkward at home.
Life goes on
Even as the Lawsons face multiple traumas, they find moments of beauty, connection … and reconnection.
Long, slow clap for the entire cast
This episode features lovely performances from everyone, but I’ll single out veteran actor Peter MacNeill because he makes every series he’s in better.
This Life airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on CBC.
Image courtesy of CBC.
