Did you know Sammy Davis Jr. could not land a special on a U.S. network TV schedule in the late ’50s — so he made one in Canada instead? That’s just one of the things I learned Monday from my pal Stan Taffel, 16mm film collector extraordinaire. Taffel is the president of Cinecon, an annual Los
To say I was surprised when CBC brought Michael: Tuesday & Thursdays back from the dead is an understatement. The last time something like this happened, three wise men came to visit from the East. Let me state upfront: I really like this well-crafted series, right from the start, and I’m happy to spend more time
It’s new year, Jacob, so walk away from ye (snow) plow; CBC has a barn full of new TV shows comin’ atcha. This week is especially big with the premiere of the Menonnite drug drama Pure Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. That’s followed Tuesday by the third season premiere of the hit comedy Schitt’s Creek and the series debut
Do not adjust your set! CBC’s annual Air Farce New Year’s Eve special premieres Friday night at 8 p.m., 24 hours earlier than normal. Why? New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday this year, and nothing bumps Hockey Night in Canada, not even now that it is really a Rogers/Sportsnet production. The cast has expanded to
When telling the story of young Cindy Loo Who/Two guys in bow ties knew just what to do. They were Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. popular children’s author and illustrator Dr. Seuss, and Warner Bros animation legend Chuck Jones. Together, they made Dr, Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, which premiered 50 years ago this month in 1966. It
An annual holiday tradition at Brioux.TV is a trip down to CBC for a taping of the annual Air Farce New Year’s Eve special. Brampton neighbours Doug and Roberta are part of the entourage and got an extra kick this year out of getting a visual shout out from the studio monitors welcoming “VIP” guests. Every
The CBC is proposing that it get more funding from Ottawa so it can broadcast without commercials. As hard as it will be to say goodbye to that Canadian Tire guy, it is an idea worth investigating. Nobody wants to watch commercials anymore, on any screen. My thumb is poised over every “skip ad” intro
DARTMOUTH, N.S. — When I first heard CBC was doing a series about Mennonites dealing meth I went, “Whaaat?” That was back in the spring during CBC’s annual upfront presentation in Toronto. Among the talent they had assembled for interviews were the producers of Pure, who described it as an Amish Breaking Bad. At that point,