TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 978
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Mr. D

Love is in the air for Mr. D’s Simon in Season 5

Mark Little has got a lot on his comedy plate. The veteran comedian and actor figures he’s got at least a dozen projects in various stages of development at the moment. He’s just flown into Toronto after a week in Atlanta where he was performing improv with friends. Prior to that, he spent Christmas with family and managed to unwind for a whole five says until the wheels started to turn and he started writing again.

Mr. D, returning for Season 5 on CBC this Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., represents one project where Little doesn’t have to write—series creator Gerry Dee and his writing room take care of that—but his character, Simon Hunt, does require work.

“Every summer I arrive in Halifax to film Mr. D and I have to go through the process,” Little says. “How does this guy talk again, how does he feel about things? I also watch old episodes. Doing that to figure out who you are is a weird experience.” Definitely helping Little immerse himself in the role of Xavier Academy’s socially awkward science teacher (with a borderline creepy relationship with his mother) is Simon’s wardrobe; as soon as he buttons that plaid shirt up to the top, dons the cargo pants and ties up the desert boots, he’s become the TV character. Good thing too, because the Picnicface performer called on all his acting skills in Episode 2, where he did artistic battle with Wes Williams. Simon signs up for guitar lessons with Williams’ Paul Dwyer and things get destructive.

“Wes really dives into his character,” Little says with a laugh. “He really works to figure out his motivation and that keeps me on my toes. His method takes him to a pretty intense place and it really brings out natural reactions from me.”

As for what else is to come for Simon story-wise, Little reveals Xavier’s resident science teacher enjoys a workplace flirtation.

“His love life has been hinted at in previous seasons, but I get more going this year,” he says. About time.

Mr. D airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on CBC.

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Schitt's Creek

Link: Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy on Alexis’ growing independence

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy on Alexis’ growing independence
“As self-centred and spoiled as Alexis is, there is a goodness to her. She always has the best intentions and does try to find the good and fun in situations. She’s from a completely different world than Mutt and something he’s never really experienced before. So I think it’s the unknown and the different energy that’s intriguing to him.” Continue reading.

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Masterchef Canada

MasterChef Canada gets Valentine’s Day premiere

From a media release:

Cupid’s arrow strikes a new batch of home cooks as Canada’s favourite food fight returns with MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 3 airing Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV GO app. With food and love intimately intertwined, gourmands and food-lovers from a diverse array of backgrounds and with varying expertise, step out of their homes and into the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen to test their skills as they face-off against their fellow competitors. Challenge after challenge, viewers see who is meant to be as these talented home cooks turn up the heat on the audition process, preparing signature dishes for esteemed judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile.

The premiere episode will be available to viewers early through an exclusive preview beginning Monday, Feb. 8 at CTV.ca, the CTV GO app, and on set top box. New episodes of MASTERCHEF CANADA will also be available on demand at CTV.caand on the CTV GO app, and will encore Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Feb. 15on M3, Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 20 on CTV Two, and Sundays at5 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 21 on CTV. Viewers can check out past MASTERCHEF CANADA episodes back-to-back with Seasons 1 and 2 streaming now exclusively onCraveTVTM.

Finishing its second season with an average audience of 1.7 million viewers,MASTERCHEF CANADA was the #1 Canadian series last spring among total viewers, A18-49, and A25-54, and appetites are whet for a new season of drama and kitchen competition. At stake this season is a $100,000 cash prize and the title of Canada’s next MasterChef, giving the Season 3 finalists every incentive to put their signature dishes on the line for a shot at being the last one standing in the kitchen.

The Top 40 cooking for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title are:

  • Alawn Lai, a Real Estate Developer from Markham, Ont.
  • Alex Gabriele, a Sales Administrator from Montréal, Qué.
  • Allie Romao, a Staffing Consultant from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Amanda Caruso, a Costumer from Montréal, Qué.
  • Amanda Gill, an Athletics and Student Life Coordinator from Montréal, Qué.
  • April Lee Baker, a Homemaker from Calgary, Alta.
  • Carlo Lato, a Server from Montréal, Qué.
  • Carrla Cowley, a High School Teacher from Sturgeon County, Alta.
  • Coco Perron, in Customer Service from Montréal, Qué.
  • Danae Daniels, a Model from Vancouver, B.C.
  • Dave Kantor, VP Operations, Telecommunications from Edmonton, Alta.
  • David Young, a Carpenter from Moncton, N.B.
  • Domingo Lumanog, a Brand Manager from Calgary, Alta.
  • Dru Davids, a Graphic Designer from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Elizabeth Bowers, an Administrator from Toronto, Ont.
  • Ernie Chow, a Management Consultant from Toronto, Ont.
  • Fanassa Kettle, a Pharmacist from Montréal, Qué.
  • Jacqueline Clark, an Accountant from Abbotsford, B.C.
  • Jasdeep Sra, a Carpenter from Surrey, B.C.
  • Jennifer Baglione, a Salon Manager from Maple, Ont.
  • Jeremy Senaris, a Building Plan Examiner from Winnipeg, Man.
  • Jose Torres, a Flight Attendant from Calgary, Alta.
  • Julia Mark, a Makeup Artist from Burnaby, B.C.
  • Kendra Olesen, a Server from Saskatoon, Sask.
  • Les Barr, a Farmer from Digby, N.S.
  • Mags Kandis, a Writer and Designer from Wellington, Ont.
  • Mary Berg, an Insurance Broker from Toronto, Ont.
  • Matthew Astorga, a Digital Design Consultant from Pitt Meadows, B.C.
  • Michelle Nault, a Teacher from Bolton, Ont.
  • Mike Johnson, a Student and Cheerleader from London, Ont.
  • Nicole Olthius, a Stay-At-Home Mom from Cardston, Alta.
  • Reno Vaccaro, a Phys Ed Teacher from Montréal, Qué.
  • Robyn Held, an Investment Banker from Toronto, Ont.
  • Sean Hickey, an Auto Worker from London, Ont.
  • Shawn Karls, a Doctor from Montréal, Qué.
  • Terry Adido, a PhD Law Student from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Travis Petersen, Manager, Oil and Gas Industry, Calgary, Alta.
  • Veronica Cham, a Lawyer from Toronto, Ont.
  • Vince Spitale, a Contractor from Pickering, Ont.
  • Zhara Mian, Unemployed from Toronto, Ont.

 

In the premiere episode (Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. ET/PT), following national auditions to discover Canada’s most promising home cooks, the finalists handle their first pressure cooker of the competition as they prepare their signature dish for judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. For some, this will be the kiss of death as the judges’ discriminating palates will determine whose plates are worthy of a coveted white apron. With the home cooks requiring a ‘yes’ from each judge to receive an apron this season, it’s harder than ever for the finalists to make it into the coveted Top 14. When the competition continues during the second episode, airingSunday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, a select number of home cooks will compete in a head-to-head challenge with the hope of advancing in the competition and reaching the Top 14.

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19-2

Link: ‘19-2,’ a Police Drama on Acorn TV, Is a Slow Burn

From Neil Gunslinger of The New York Times:

‘19-2,’ a Police Drama on Acorn TV, Is a Slow Burn
We’ve seen partners who don’t get along before, of course, but convention leads us to expect them to be thoroughly bonded by the end of the film or of the first episode. Not here. Detente comes slowly, and not easily.

That puts a lot of responsibility on the actors’ shoulders, and Mr. Holmes and Mr. Keeso work the prickly dynamic smartly. They have to, because the writers here (the show is based on a French-Canadian series) don’t resort to shootouts and chases every 10 minutes as some stateside procedurals do. There are major crimes in “19-2,” but there are far more minor ones, just as in real life. A domestic dispute call. A guy complaining that someone else’s car is blocking his driveway. A birthday party that has grown too loud. A man sitting naked in a coin laundry. Continue reading. 

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Award-winning Steve Fonyo documentary makes Super Channel debut

It’s hard to feel sorry for Steve Fonyo, but Hurt certainly tries. And, sometimes, writer-director Alan Zweig succeeds.

It is tough though, especially when Fonyo unleashes an expletive-filled tirade against his girlfriend’s ex, rails against Canada for “not helping” (a.k.a. giving him money) and opines that recreational drug use makes sex better. In a classic case of “how the mighty have fallen,” Zweig’s documentary—the Platform Prize winner at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival debuts on Super Channel on Tuesday—traces Fonyo’s life from hero to dude struggling just to eke out a living.

In 1985, at 19 years of age, Fonyo completed his run across Canada, after having lost his left leg to cancer. He did what Terry Fox was unable by dipping his toe in the Pacific Ocean, raised $13 million for cancer research and was named to the Order of Canada. Fonyo exudes pride as he goes through boxes of old awards, medals and a picture of him meeting then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Then came the fall, a constant tumble brought on by the sudden death of Fonyo’s father and continuing into petty crime and drug use. Money dried up and the Order of Canada was taken away.

Hurt follows Fonyo during a year in his life, 12 months in B.C. marked by anger, sorrow and heartbreak thanks to a marriage ending and tough economic times. Yes, Fonyo is largely responsible for his own situation, and the stubborn attitude he shows towards his neighbours, ex-wife and family is the same that urged him across the country back in 1985.

Hurt isn’t a pretty picture. As a matter of fact, it’s downright sad in some spots, especially when Fonyo eats Chinese food off a plate set on top of a recycling bin, but there are glimmers of hope that Fonyo will triumph over his demons.

Hurt airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Super Channel 4 and Super Channel On Demand.

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