This week, Scott Thompson at Hamilton’s CHML wanted my take on a thorny issue stirring up plenty of controversy in Canadian TV circles: changes to the CRTC regulations regarding funding. The rule change that rankles many in the Canadian writing, directing, acting and production communities: shows now only need to achieve a 6 out of
When I first sat down to screen all the network pilots for this fall season way back in early June, Pitch stood out. It wasn’t a remake of a movie, for one thing, something re-booted to take advantage of an existing Intellectual Property holding. It wasn’t a time travel show. It seemed original, and, better
Kiefer Sutherland is the reason to watch tonight’s premiere of Designated Survivor. He’s nothing like Jack Bauer, dammit. Which is what makes this series interesting. Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman, a U.S. cabinet minister as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development about to get demoted outside the power circle. That’s before the U.S. Capitol Dome blows
Okay, it’s official: as television eclipses film, The Emmys is so much more the show to watch these days instead of The Oscars. Sunday night’s 68th Annual Emmy Awards was pretty terrific from start to finish. Host Jimmy Kimmel has played this room before and that helped. He knew how far to push things, kept his
When I spoke with Jimmy Kimmel in July in Montreal at Just for Laughs he admitted hosting The 68th Annual Emmy Awards was “my big focus right now.” We’ll see what he and his writers came up with tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and CTV. “I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to it
Who knew CFC stood for Cars For Critics? It did Sunday when I won a brand new Cadillac Escalade SUV at the Canadian Film Centre’s annual BBQ and fundraiser. Well, I won it for four days. I’m pretty sure that means I can’t sell it. I’ve got until next September to pick it up from
Actors are not always fond of playing older than they really are but Paul Soles makes the sacrifice in the new CBC digital comedy My 90-Year-Old Roommate. I guess vanity goes out the window at 86. Soles plays the roommate/grandfather to Ethan Cole, who co-created the series with Josh Shultz. Generations clash and hilarity ensues. The
It’s film festival time again in Toronto, with TIFF eating up space in the entertainment sections. There’s another festival just across the border in Buffalo, N.Y., however, that I’m more excited about: The first annual WNY Movie Expo. This fest has risen from the ashes of Cinefest, a haven for 16mm film collectors and enthusiasts for