Does comedy really equal tragedy plus time? In the wake of ther Jian Ghomeshi incident, I put that question to several Canadian comedians while working on a feature for The Canadian Press. The story went up on the news wire Monday and you can read it here. It started when I began wondering how This Hour Has
What with traveling and deadlines, it had been a while since I last spoke with Scott Thompson. So last Wednesday, the AM900CHML host finally got my take on the whole Ghomeshi thing. We kick it around. We also discuss a possible prequel to The Sopranos as well as the launch of new digital streaming services in Canada such
Are some topics just off limits for comedy? I’ve been having that conversation with several people in the funny business lately while pulling together a feature about a certain ex- CBC radio host. A good example of a TV show that tackles a taboo subject with wit and compassion is Getting On, returning for a second short season
The World Series, municipal elections, Wallendas walking across Chicago skyscrapers (above)–it’s not just The Walking Dead rocking broadcast schedules these days. In the States, shows are finally getting canceled, with three comedies (Bad Judge, A to Z and Manhattan Love Story) and one reality show (Utopia) getting axed. Here’s a look at the overnight estimates for
Thanks to all the fans who came out to the 100th episode screening of Murdoch Mysteries Monday night in Toronto. The screening saw 1000 fans lined up around the block outside CBC’s Broadcast Centre. There were so many on the sidewalk passers by assumed it was a witness express line for former Q interns. Inside, the atrium screening was
Just a few years ago, Murdoch Mysteries was deader than Jian Ghomeshi at a meeting of Intern parents. That was back when City walked away from the series after five seasons. Now it is CBC’s most-watched scripted series and one of the highest-rated dramas in Canada. It could also be Canada’s Top TV export, sold to
A busy week has pushed this ratings report way back. Still, hands up who wants numbers? Worth a look as the season marches well into its second month, MONDAY Gotham remains a consistent winner Monday nights on CTV drawing 1,691,000 overnight viewers. Forever followed with 1,281,000 and Castle remained huge at 10 drawing 1,987,000. Global
Another day, another multi-million-dollar media deal. Wednesday in Toronto, Rogers president and CEO Guy Laurence announced a three year, $100 million partnership with Vice Media. Vice, co-founded 20 years ago in Montreal by Concordia grad Shane Smith, has a proven track record delivering online news to the demo broadcasters seem unable to reach–18 to 34-year-olds.