It’s been a tough year for all of us, but also for broadcasters. If you have any doubt, check the TV listings for this New Year’s Eve. In a normal year, Citytv, CTV and Global would be hosting big, live, outdoor extravaganzas featuring coast-to-coast Canadian musicians entertaining thousands in front of various stages. This year:
In the mid-’60s, Dawn Wells played girl-next-door Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island. For the young actress, it turned out to be much longer than a three hour or even a three season cruise. Wells died Wednesday from complications from COVID-19. She was 82. The former Miss Nevada was still in her twenties when the series
While it was a bad year for most everything else, 2020 was a great year for documentaries premiering on television, especially profiles of rock ‘n’ roll bands from the ’60s and ’70s. Here, in no particular order, are my nine favourites, in some cases with links to my earlier reviews: Laurel Canyon: A Place in
Pandemic lockdowns got you down? Chase away those blues and kick 2020 to the curb New Year’s Eve by spending it with Ron James — Live from his Living Room. Canada’s hardest working comedian has had enough of being shut out of clubs and theatres. Since March 7, when he entertained 1500 at Hamilton Place,
Two days before Christmas, I enjoyed a great zoom chat with Hélène Joy. The Australian-Canadian actress stars opposite Yannick Bisson as Dr. Julia Ogden on CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. Normally she’d be on a beach halfway ’round the world this time of year, enjoying the summer sun on the west coast of Australia. Instead, like a
This festive Larry Fritz illustration graced the cover of TV Guide for the week of December 24, 1955–65 years ago this week. That was back when signals were pulled in from all over on rooftop antennas–for free. Back when there were TV listings magazines–which sold for 15 cents. Back when binging only took place at the
With some simulcasted imports — such as The Good Doctor — already on hiatus through the holidays, an old reliable climbed to the top of English Canada’s weekly Top 30. NCIS, now in its 18th season, was the only series to crack the two million viewer barrier the week of Dec. 8 – 13 according
Launched this fall, the CBC series Trickster was promoted as “your next must watch series.” Produced by Sienna Films (Cardinal), among others, the North Bay-lensed drama boasted a talented young indigenous cast and some veteran showrunners. A second season was ordered before the first ever aired. The great measure of Canadian television success came next: