From a media release:

Killer choreography, dynamic dancing and non-stop drama are set to takeoverÂ Family ChannelÂ on Family Day Weekend as the networkâ€™s flagship seriesÂ The Next StepÂ returns for its fourth season. Starting at the crack of dawn, onÂ Saturday, February 13, audiences can experience all the kicks, tricks and hair flips the popular tween drama has to offer with a nonstop three-day, full series marathon which culminates with the highly anticipated season four premiere onÂ Monday, February 15 at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT. Following the Family Day festivities, new episodes will air regularlyÂ Fridays at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Known for its jaw-dropping dance routines and high-energy performances,Â The Next StepÂ follows the lives of an elite group of dancers who train at The Next Step dance studio. Season four begins with A-Troupe returning home from their win at the International competition. The studio is now considered one of the best in the world, but achieving victory at the highest level has the dancers questioning their futures â€“ some feel theyâ€™ve reached their full potential, while others are still waiting for their chance to shine. Riley is offered a surprising new position with A-Troupe, while James, West and Eldon are swept off on a whirlwind escapade to London, England. Amidst the changes a crop of talented but untested newbies are welcomed to the studio and the team must use every ounce of their talent and determination to recapture the old A-Troupe magic in time to defend their title at Regionals.

The Next StepÂ stars Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Brittany Raymond as Riley; Logan Fabbro as Amanda; Myles Erlick as Noah; Trevor Tordjman as James; Lamar Johnson as West; Isaac Lupien as Eldon; Jordan Clark as Giselle; Briar Nolet as Richelle and Skylar Alexis Healey as Skylar. New to the cast this season are Giuseppe Bausilio as Alfie; Alexandra Chaves as Piper; Erika Prevost as Sloane; Akiel Julien as LaTroy; Isaiah Peck as Henry; Shelby Bain as Amy; and Allie Goodbun as Cassie. The new season will also feature special appearances by fan-favourite characters from past seasons, cast members from spin-off seriesÂ Lost & Found Music Studios, and mark the directorial debut for cast members Trevor Tordjman and Lamar Johnson.

The Next StepÂ is produced by Temple Street, a division of Boat Rocker Studios, in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Lost & Found Music Studios,Â Winginâ€™ It,Â Kids in the Hall), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black,Â Being Erica,Â Winginâ€™ It), and Laura Harbin (Lost & Found Music Studios, Winginâ€™ It). BBC Worldwide handles the international rights to the series.

Big Brother Canada

Big Brother Canada is Back with all the 24/7 Action Canadians Can Handle – Season 4 Premieres March 2 on Global

February 3, 2016 Greg David

From a media release:

Global’s smash-hit original series Big Brother Canada is back and bigger than ever with Season 4 premiering on Wednesday, March 2 at 9 pm ET/PT. Hosted by Arisa Cox, the much-anticipated fourth season promises more surprises, more challenges, and more houseguest shenanigans all under the watchful eye of Big Brother.
Recently nominated for a sixth Canadian Screen Award, Big Brother Canada also welcomes the return of an all-new season of the Big Brother Canada Side Show, premiering on Friday, March 4 at 10 pm ET on Slice and Saturday, March 5 at 8 pm ET on Global. This year Arisa Cox is joined by panellists Peter Brown (Season 1 houseguest) and Sarah Hanlon (Season 3 winner) who talk through the exploits of the week, analyze game strategy, make predictions, and discuss those oh-so important showmances.

For die-hard fans, Big Brother Canada After Dark is back seven days a week where the cameras never stop rolling in the Big Brother Canada house. Viewers can catch all the late-night activity, secret conversations, and backroom alliances beginning Friday, March 4 at 3 am ET on Slice. And for those who still want more #BBCAN4 action, free live feeds from the Big Brother Canada House will also be available on BigBrotherCanada.ca.

Following a coast-to-coast casting call, a new group of houseguests are moving into an overhauled Big Brother Canada house outfitted wall-to-wall with cameras and microphones capturing their every move. The houseguests compete for a grand prize of $100,000, a $25,000 gift card from The Brick, and an OxiCleanTM prize pack valued at $10,000 that includes $500 of fabric care products and a $9,500 wardrobe makeover. The upcoming season of the fan favourite series continues to offer unparalleled digital extensions that augment the social dynamics and real-time momentum of the 24/7 television production. Big Brother Canada extends from series to site at BigBrotherCanada.ca with exclusive content, full episodes, 24-hour live streams, and a host of surprises and opportunities that allow fans to directly impact the show.

Based on Endemol Shine Group’s worldwide hit franchise and commissioned by Shaw Media, Season 4 of Big Brother Canada is produced by Insight Productions in association with Shaw Media. Erin Brock and Sue Brophey serve as Supervising Producers. John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby serve as Executive Producers.

Big Brother Canada premieres on Global, Wednesday, March 2 at 9 pm ET/PT and airs Wednesdays at 9 pm ET/PT, Thursdays at 8 pm ET/PT (eviction episode), and Sundays at 7 pm ET/PT. Viewers who miss the premiere can catch up on Big Brother Canada for free following the broadcast the next day on BigBrotherCanada.ca and Global Go.

Podcast

Podcast: Best Episode Ever, Season 7, Episode 9

February 3, 2016 Greg David 1 Comment

I don’t just love Canadian TV. As a child of the 1970s and 80s, television was my babysitter, whether I was tuning in to Sesame Street and The Polka Dot Door orâ€”during my formative yearsâ€”checking out The Incredible Hulk, The A-Team, Magnum PI, Mork & Mindy, Three’s CompanyÂ and Happy Days.

So it was a real treat to be asked to guest star on the Best Episode Ever podcast this week. Anthony Marco, Bob Goyetche and Dave Brodbeck get together (almost) every week to chat about three television series from the past. The discussions are informative and darned entertaining, and I was honoured to be asked on to discussÂ Simon & Simon.Â The full podcast can be found here for your streaming pleasure. Past instalments of Best Episode Ever can be accessed here.

In addition to a bunch other podcasts, Anthony co-hosts the weekly TV, Eh? podcasts with myself and Diane; those can all be found here.

Featured, Schitt's Creek

Review: Schitt’s Creek – “Bob’s Bagels”

February 2, 2016 Kathleen Butler 1 Comment

The clever dialogue between characters continues in episode 5. And with each interaction we glimpse a bit more into who they are as characters. Maybe that’s the key to good writing – and good acting – to fully embrace the character. The writers and actors on this show have done just that.

We actually see a bit of emotional growth with Moira’s character. It’s short lived mind you, but it is there nonetheless.

Moira’s daughter Alexis is very sick. It’s just a cold, but to Moira it is one step from death and she has no plans to go near her daughter. And when husband Johnny takes his daughter some orange juice, Moira tells him not to touch her, as she closes and locks the motel door between their rooms.

Moira checks in on her before heading out to her choir practice telling Alexis that “mummy’s gotta fight for her solo.” But she doesn’t go to the choir rehearsal after all, instead she goes out looking for medicine for Alexis. It is highly uncharacteristic and surprises both of them. Moira admits to feeling something, and Alexis suggests “maternal instincts, maybe?” Moira shoots back, “No, that’s not it.”

Moira is later shown in bed beside Alexis telling her a bedtime story. It seems like another touching show of motherly love until Alexis falls asleep on her arm. Moira shakes the sick Alexis awake saying, “Alexis, you’re on my arm. Alexis, seriously, I can’t feel it.” So in character.

David meanwhile has an interview at an “upscale boutique” and needs Stevie to drive him. It turns out to be the Blouse Barn where he and the mayor shopped last week. Not great for David who had called the shop skanky to the owner’s face. The chemistry with Stevie continues, but sparks fly between him and the owner of the “boutique”. He gets the job in spite of himself. I’m looking forward to seeing how this story line develops.

Johnny continues working on his business plan and Bob sarcastically tells Roland that there is “lots of quiet planning going on…Johnny treats himself to a muffin or two, but I guess that’s part of the planning.” Johnny then explains how an idea is born.

He uses the muffin as an example, saying he likes the muffin, but would rather have a bagel. And since he hasn’t seen a bagel since he got to this town, he might think this town could use a bagel shop. Bob loves the idea and Bob’s Bagels is born. It takes the rest of the show for Johnny to convince Bob it was just an example of an idea and a bagel shop wasn’t viable. Bob is indignant when he says he’ll want to see a business plan next time.

There are real people who are a lot like Bob. Just like all of them, really. They’re caricatures and it’s funny.

Letterkenny

Link: Jared Keeso’s ‘Letterkenny’ carves out its own place on Crave TV

February 2, 2016 Greg David

From Bill Harris of Postmedia Network:

Jared Keeso’s ‘Letterkenny’ carves out its own place on Crave TV
Here are three things you’ll need to feel the full effect ofÂ Letterkenny.

An open mind. An open ear. An open beer.

Letterkenny makes its debut on Crave TV â€“ which is Bell Media’s online streaming service â€“ on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7. There are six new episodes commissioned by Crave TV, following a handful of independently made digital shorts titled Letterkenny Problems that existed prior to this. Continue reading.