The sixth and final season of Downton Abbey began airing in North America Sunday night on PBS–which reminds me, I better get my screeners back from my neighbour Roberta. Have to admire the Brits for getting out before anybody could accuse anybody of overstaying their welcome. If this was a Fox or NBC series, as
With Sportsnet coming off a big year thanks more to the Blue Jays exciting playoff run than their pricey NHL deal, TSN needed a deep run from Team Canada at the World Juniors to get back in the sports network ratings game, Unfortunately, the Canadian junior squad got bounced far earlier than most experts would
With the winter TCA press tour days away, networks in the US and Canada have been bombarding reporters with screeners. This being the age of “Too much TV,” according to FX boss John Landgraf, the screeners are arriving in more and more elaborate packages. Getting noticed has become Job One for PR departments. If content
For the first time in ages I missed the taping of the annual Air Farce New Year’s Eve special in Toronto. I was out of town and could not arrange to get back. Reports from founding member Don Ferguson and producer Mark Selby were that it was one of the most enjoyable two-night tapings ever.
The folks at CTV’s Canada AM asked me to come in Monday morning and talk binge viewing. Specifically, name five binge-worthy shows to catch up on over what’s left of the holidays. You can watch the five-minute report here. The hard part here is narrowing it down to five. That “Peak TV” era FX boss John Landgraf
This festive Larry Fritz illustration graced the cover of TV Guide for the week of December 24, 1955–exactly 60 years ago today. 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 it used to snow in Toronto
On HitFix’s “Best TV Shows of 2015” list, I made Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee my No. 2 pick. So I’m thrilled Jerry Seinfeld’s web series is coming back early. Season 7 (already?) premieres Dec. 30 on Crackle, a service that crosses the border and is free. Guests include Will Ferrell, Steve Martin, Garry Shandling, Kathleen
What are the best regular series Christmas episodes ever? I wrote a story this week for The Canadian Press listing 10 of the best-ever Christmas-themed episodes. The hook was Monday’s episode of Murdoch Mysteries, a two-hour Christmas special featuring guest stars Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) and TV legend Ed Asner. Even Peter Mansbridge gets in on