Tag Archives: CBC

Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries gets rolling in new episode

As soon as I spotted that image of Rebecca and Julia decked out for a roller derby I knew Monday’s episode was going to be a good one. “Hot Wheels of Thunder” delivered on all counts, not only with a heinous crime and humour, but with nail-biting action too.

Written by Canadian Screen Award winner Peter Mitchell, Simon McNabb and Jordan Christianson and directed by Mitchell, here’s what CBC says about the episode:

Murdoch’s investigation into the death of a roller-skating champion takes him into a world of aggressive and ruthlessly competitive young women.

And here are more spoiler-free facts gleaned from watching a screener:

Medical talk with Julia and Rebecca
The pair begins the episode roller skating along a beachfront path, with Julia quizzing Rebecca about different medical definitions. If you are a guy, two may cause you to cross your legs. I did.

A lady love from Crabtree’s past returns
We won’t say who—that would ruin the fun—but I was certainly glad to see her, even if it was brief. However, her appearance does affect George when it comes to his relationship with Louise Cherry. Also? Brackenreid delivers a speech to George that is laugh-out-loud funny.

Kudos to the set design, wardrobe and construction team
The creative folks who work on the sets, set design and props always make Murdoch look amazing, but they did a particularly fantastic job this week. The roller derby set and wardrobes are astounding. The stunts, choreography and camera work is spot-on too.

Carmilla‘s Natasha Negovanlis guest stars
The fellow Shaftesbury (Murdoch‘s production company) co-worker from Carmilla turns in a villainous performance as Mildred Preston, the leader of The Buffalo Queens roller derby club.

“Whyyyyyyyyy?!?!”
You’ll get this reference on Monday night.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Heartland

Shaun Johnston shines in Sunday’s Heartland

We were left with a couple of serious questions following last week’s episode of Heartland. What would Georgie say to Adam? Was Ghost really a ghost? And, most importantly, would Ty be OK? Sunday’s new episode, “A Long Shot,” written by Pamela Pinch and directed by Canadian Screen Award winner Eleanore Lindo, answers two of three queries … and adds plenty of drama when it comes to Jack.

Here’s what CBC’s synopsis teases:

A secret from Jack’s past threatens to change his relationship with the family forever.

And here’s what we can tell you after screening Sunday’s instalment:

So, how’s Ty?
Amy was super-worried about her husband last Sunday and was losing sleep over it. She had a good reason: those dizzy spells haven’t stopped and Bob is concerned there is something really wrong with his friend. Has anyone Googled, “Diseases you can suffer from in Mongolia”? Malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, viral hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever all pop up. That’s not good.

Tim finds out about, you know
A simple conversation between Mitch and Jack turns dramatic when Tim overhears Lou’s name brought up. Tim’s always been a guy to react without thinking and Sunday is no different. As an aside, Kevin McGarry appears in Sunday’s episode of Saving Hope, showing a very different side of him than we see on Heartland.

Is Trouble too much … trouble?
A dangerous situation develops at Heartland, and Georgie calls on Trouble to come through. But is the horse too skittish to be relied on when lives are at stake?

Kari Matchett guest stars
It’s always great to see Kari Matchett on television, and she certainly makes an impact on Heartland. Her character, Claire Wallace, pays a visit with a Canadian horse she wants Amy to look at. A horse isn’t the only reason for her visit; she has some news that shakes Jack up. I’ve written this before and it still stands: Shaun Johnston doesn’t get a ton of airtime—you simply can’t on a show with such a large cast—but he makes the most of that time when he does. He’s simply fantastic in this episode.

Heartland airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Workin' Moms

Link: 5×5 With The Hook: Alden Adair

From You’ve Been Hooked:

Link: 5×5 With The Hook: Alden Adair
“Canada has some great artists breaking new ground, and I hope it continues. It takes bold artists, but it also takes good policy, and willing producers and networks. I hope that the trend continues, and that shows get the investments they need. We have the talent and skills, we just need that money yo’. But ya, this year I’ve witnessed the best Canadian television I’ve ever seen. Period.” Continue reading.

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Awards

Link: The national embarrassment that is the Canadian Screen Awards

From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

Link: The national embarrassment that is the Canadian Screen Awards
A celebration of the best of Canadian film and TV, it’s a gala awards show in which the very best of our productions are honoured. Damn fine. Excellence celebrated and smiling, happy people.

On the other hand, the Canadian Screen Awards is a kind of alternative reality that trades in fake news and outlandish assertions. Howie Mandel is the host for the shindig. The idea that Mandel has any connection to current Canadian film and TV is patently absurd. Continue reading. 

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Schitt's Creek

CBC orders Season 4 of Schitt’s Creek

From a media release:

CBC today announced the renewal of hit comedy series SCHITT’S CREEK. Currently airing its third season on CBC, the acclaimed series is co-created by and stars father-son duo Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy, who also serves as showrunner. SCHITT’S CREEK returns with Season 4 in winter 2018.

One of Canada’s most-watched comedies, the award-winning series draws a total reach of more than 1.6 million weekly and an average audience of 877,000 (2+ AMA) Season 3 to date on CBC, with 37% of viewers in the 25-54 demographic.*

SCHITT’S CREEK has been recognized with 39 award nominations and 16 wins to date, including 2016 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Comedy Series, Best Writing in a Comedy for Daniel Levy and Best Comedy Performance for both Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. At the 2017 Canadian Screen Award Industry Gala for Creative Fiction held on March 8, Emily Hampshire was named best supporting actress in a comedy for the second year in a row.

SCHITT’S CREEK is a half-hour single-camera comedy starring Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Daniel Levy, Annie Murphy, Chris Elliott, Jennifer Robertson and Emily Hampshire. The series follows a wealthy family who suddenly find themselves broke and forced to live in Schitt’s Creek, a small town they once bought as a joke.

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