Tag Archives: Featured

Burden of Truth, Featured

Showrunners exit CBC legal drama Burden of Truth starring Kristin Kreuk

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Not only has the CBC’s new legal drama gone through a name change, but the project’s showrunners—Noelle Carbone and Adriana Maggs—have departed the project.

“Noelle and Adriana, were both key to shaping the first season of Burden of Truth, but at this time they have left to pursue other projects,” confirmed a representative from eOne, one of the show’s production companies, on Friday afternoon. While it’s fairly common for a television project to swap out some key cast between being greenlit and production, it’s a little more rare for showrunners to leave. Production on the 10-episode project, starring Kristin Kreuk, is set to begin this summer in Manitoba with a winter 2018 debut. Carbone most recently served as writer and co-executive producer on CTV projects Saving Hope and Rookie Blue; Maggs was writer and consulting producer on Space’s Aftermath and Rookie Blue.

We’re awaiting news on who will assume showrunner duties on the series.

Formerly known as Burden of Proof, Burden of Truth stars Kreuk as lawyer Joanna Hanley, who returns to her hometown to take a case after being passed over as partner in the big-city firm she’s been working for. After clearing a drug company accused of causing a debilitating illness among high school girls, Joanna discovers the case has more to it than she first assumed.

Burden of Truth is produced by eOne, ICF Films and Eagle Vision. The series was created by Brad Simpson (Rookie Blue, King) and executive-produced by Ilana Frank (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Linda Pope (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Jocelyn Hamilton (Mary Kills People, Cardinal) and Kreuk (Smallville, Beauty and the Beast). Kyle Irving and Lisa Meeches (Taken, Ice Road Truckers) are co-executive producers.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels /The CW

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Viceland’s Funny How? dissects the art of standup comedy

I listen to a daily podcast from former radio show hosts Humble & Fred. The pair, in addition to discussing the latest news of the day and dissecting their lives, often have standup comedians in to promote their latest shows and talk a little shop. I’m always fascinated when a comedian drops by because, quite often, discussion turns to writing and the mechanics of standup. I love that kind of insight. What makes a person want to get up in front of a room of strangers and attempt to make them laugh?

That’s all covered in Viceland’s latest original series, Funny How? Debuting Monday and broadcast all week long at 11:30 p.m. ET on the channel, Funny How? trails Canadian Kliph Nesteroff, former comic and author of The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels, and the History of American Comedy, as he discusses all things standup with the folks who do it every day.

The debut instalment, “The Art of the Bomb,” delves into exactly that … bombing on stage. Nesteroff shares his own experiences, rattling off numerous Toronto clubs where he crapped out, and chatting with folks like Dave Attell, Mike Birbiglia, Artie Lange and Chris Robinson, who recall their first time bombing with an audience. But what makes this episode, and Funny How? in general, so interesting is its analysis of standup comedy. What, exactly, does it mean to bomb on stage? Is it merely that your jokes don’t work, or does the audience play a part in it too? And how does failing on stage help in one’s evolution as a standup comic? As Attell says, failing on-stage doesn’t just happen in the beginning of your career; it can derail a veteran too.

Upcoming episodes cover breaking in, comedy classes, and niche comedy from the LGBTQ community to Christian comics. If you’re a visitor to comedy clubs, a fan of standup comedy or just marvel in the fact folks have the guts to do it as a hobby or career, give Funny How? a peek.

Funny How? airs Monday, July 10, to Friday, July 14, at 11:30 p.m. ET on Viceland.

Image courtesy of Rogers.

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Featured, Orphan Black

Orphan Black 505: Cosima makes a disturbing discovery

Much like Episode 503 focused on Alison a couple of weeks ago, this week’s new instalment of Orphan Black spends extra time with Cosima, as she accompanies Delphine to a bizarre dinner at P.T. Westmorland’s mansion and digs into the science behind the Creature in the woods. Meanwhile, Sarah spends some quality time with Kira, which leads to a better understanding of Kira’s special abilities.

Here’s our spoiler-free peek at “Ease for Idle Millionaires,” written by Jenn Engels and directed by Helen Shaver.

Cophine angst
If you thought Delphine getting shot to protect Cosima and the rest of the Leda clones would forever end Cophine’s trust issues, you were sadly mistaken. However…

Cophine romance
…it’s Cophine. Of course they can’t keep their hands off each other.

P.T. throws a dinner party
And Westmorland family values are as twisted as you imagine.

Cosima folllows the science
And finds a disturbing connection between the Creature and Kira.

Orphan Black airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Space.

Image courtesy of Bell Media.

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Amazing Race Canada, Featured

Comments and queries for the week of July 7

The Amazing Penalty Canada tradition continues! Aaron & Deb seemed fun, kinda a bummer they’re gone already (and such a big part of the preseason promos). YouTube guy’s face when he realized what a tightrope was = priceless. Giver Guys are annoying. Bert & Karen don’t seem like they’ll last but he was smart for using his arms. The other guy sliding on his butt was funny. —DanAmazing

Sensitive Skin is a fabulous show. Unique and funny and honest and sad. I can’t believe it’s been cancelled. There is so much crap on TV, and finally we had a quality series that I looked forward to watching and now it’s gone. They would rather turn out all of those cookie-cutter cop shows that are all the same, but I guess they make more money. That’s what it’s all about these days. I am so disappointed. —Betty

I’m very disappointed in the cancellation of Chopped Canada. It was one of my favourite shows on the Food Network. I’ve watched every episode, tried the options that many of the chefs had used. Why would you cancel such a great show? —Will

I agree with so many of the other commenters here [about You Gotta Eat Here!]. John Catucci is the most genuine and engaging host on Food Network. He’s a likeable and witty character who makes the best of every situation. I don’t mean to bring anybody down, but the hosts for Ginormous Foods and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives are mundane. The concept of Ginormous Foods and the challenges is what entices me to watch but Josh Denny is the reason why I never finish an episode. Catucci is the ideal host and I really wish to continue seeing him on Food Network. —Trish

 

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

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Dark Matter, Featured

Dark Matter: A familiar face returns to wreak havoc on the Raza crew

Season 3 of Dark Matter is just getting better. Not only has The Android gotten some key scenes to play in and out of costume but last week’s episode expanded Adrian Maro into a fully-fleshed character we care about … and laugh at. And with Ferrous Corps’ fleet already departed, things don’t look good for the crew of the Raza, or anyone really.

It’s hard to believe we’ve already arrived at Episode 6 of this season, but rather than get down, let’s talk about “One More Card to Play,” written by Alison Hepburn and directed by Gail Harvey. Here is Space’s official synopsis:

Familiar faces from the past return, causing havoc and forcing our crew to scramble to save their already damaged reputations.

And here are some fun tidbits we gleaned from watching a screener.

Ryo is on the warpath
I certainly understand his anger—there was an assassination attempt on his life after all—but is targeting the man accused and his family focusing on the right person or people? And just who are those two clan members who don’t seem to fit in with the rest of the group?

In sci-fi TV, you never know who may return …
We’re not giving anything away that will ruin the surprise, though perhaps the producers should have kept someone’s name out of the opening credits.

… and don’t accept everything you see as fact
We were mighty confused by some of the decisions made by our heroes until midway through the episode. The payoff is worth it.

Dark Matter airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Space.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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