TV, eh? podcast episode 74 - "Not Unless Mucus is Sexy"

Anthony mocks Diane's pain (well, her stuffed-up-ness) as they chat about the TV, eh? Midseason Charity Auction, the baffling cancellation of Combat Hospital, the Air Farce and Ron James New Year's Specials, TV-related Christmas gifts, the upcoming premieres of King, Bubble Wrap Kids, Million Dollar Neighbourhood and Canada's Greatest Know-It-All, the depressing finale numbers for Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays plus the not-depressing interview with star/writer Matt Watts, and the most irritating televised Canadians of 2011.

Episode 74: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh podcast episode 73 - "Nothing Would Be Better As A Reality Show"

Our guests this week are Mark McKinney and Jesse Camacho of Less Than Kind, who preview season three, premiering January on HBO Canada. Anthony and Diane also talk renewals and premiere dates and give their new years resolutions for Canadian TV.


Episode 73: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 72 - "We're Often Better Than"

Diane and Anthony preview the TV, eh? Midseason Charity Auction in support of Kids Help Phone, launching on Monday. Diane shares a few of the items she secretly wants to keep. How cool are they? You'll have to listen to find out - or wait until Monday.

We also catch up on the news of the week, including premiere dates for Bomb Girls and Less Than Kind, Kiefer Sutherland's web series, CBC's holiday schedule and the looming CBC budget cuts. Plus: just what do we want from the CBC anyway?

Episode 72: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 71 - "Cat-astrophe"

Anthony - yes, Anthony! - does the interview this week, with Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen of the MuchMore documentary series Metal Evolution, airing on Fridays.

We also discuss the CBC winter schedule, Showcase picking up Out Of Time, the Sanctuary marathon on Space and Murdoch Mysteries marathon on FX Canada, plus the copyright infringement claim against the producers of Canada Sings.

Episode 71: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 70 - "A Delicious Twist"

Diane and Anthony make a plea for auction items for the first TV, eh? charity auction, benefiting Kids Help Phone. Contact Diane if you have an item or experience to donate.

We also discuss the happy news of Murdoch Mysteries being rescued from cancellation by CBC, Russell Peters' Christmas special, Lisa Ray's Top Chef Canada hosting gig, fans lining up in an orderly fashion to "swarm" the Republic of Doyle cast during their book launch, whether The Firm signals a new era in coproductions airing in the US, and the pretty, pretty picture of Jian Ghomeshi in the LA Times. I mean, the article in the LA Times about CBC Radio.

Episode 70: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 69 - "Bladey Folly and the Crickets"

Blame Diane and her vacation last week for the thin content this week, but she and Anthony share the big news in Canadian TV land:

• CBC give up some (but not all) the requested documents
• Battle of the Blades announces a winner
• Cover Me Canada announced a winner tooGlobal renews Canada Sings
• The Firm has an airdate in the US, which will probably be the same here on Global
• Flashpoint has another emotional episode tonight, filmed at Air Canada Centre and guest starring Aaron Douglas and Benjamin Ayres
• Samantha Bee guests on Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays tonight, and will be in Good Dog as well

Episode 69: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 68 - "Oh The Webs We Weave"

Anthony flies solo as host with special guests Candice LePage and Nick Montgomery. Diane contributes an interview with Ed Witzke of What's Up Warthogs about the show and his participation in Bullying Awareness Week.

Episode 68: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed.

Your host
Anthony Marco

TV, eh? podcast episode 67 - "99 44/100 Percent Pure Evil"

It's the Halloween edition of the TV, eh? podcast and fittingly Diane talks to Alex House (Todd)and Chris Leavins (Atticus) of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.

Anthony and Diane talk about the Directors Guild of Canada awards, the casting call for YTV's Zoink'd, production on the pilot of Borealis, ABC Family coming to Canada as ABC Spark, Being Erica's international success, and the era of on-demand television meaning there are no safe timeslots for Canadian shows.

Episode 67: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 66 - "Putting on Your Coshos and Going to the Beach"

This week's guest is Adam Beach of the upcoming Arctic Air on CBC. First, Anthony and Diane talk Flashpoint's ION debut, congratulate Adam Barken on his Flashpoint "cosho" gig (Anthony's trying to make that word happen - don't humour him), the premieres of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil and Canada's Worst Drivers, Canadian TV in foreign markets, the Facebook Follies documentary, and a slightly heartening explanation for the very disheartening CBC ratings.

Episode 66: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 65 - "When You Lose To Footwear"

Our guest this week is Allan Hawco, star and creator of Republic of Doyle, who dishes on the new season coming up in January, including the plethora of guest stars including Russell Crowe.

First, Anthony and Diane live-podcast the Canadian Comedy Awards, sort of, and dish on this week's Canadian television news: Living In Your Car and Extraordinary Canadians premiere, Haven has been renewed, Martin Short and Dina Pugliese join Canada's Got Talent, The Educated Pervert is in development, production on Transporters is halted after an injury, and Canadian kids programs rock the international marketplace.

Episode 65: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 64 - "Gotta Get Better To Be Bad"

Anthony's back, and he and Diane talk about some "think pieces," including whether Bravo should be allowed to skirt its mandate to show the arts, the mystery of Murdoch Mysteries' cancellation, and women on and in TV.

Diane talks to head writer Heather Conkie of Heartland about what's new for season five, how the show has evolved over the years, and her start in the industry.

Episode 64: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 63 - "Rebooting Insecurity"

This week our guest is InSecurity creator Kevin White, who talks about what’s new for season two. We also talk about the fate of his other co-creation, the newly cancelled Dan For Mayor. But first, Diane Wild and Mike Vardy, sitting in for Anthony again, talk about the crazy world of Canadian TV:

• King season 2 is in production
• Canada Sings is casting for season 2 
• Ed Asner joins Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays 
• Sanctuary is returning October 7 and this week also sees the premieres of That’s So Weird, Property Brothers, and Sidekick
• Mr. Young has invaded the US and Latin America 
• Transporter’s seen some on-set turmoil 
• And the CRTC’s been busy, approving a karaoke channel, deciding it won’t regulate Netflix, and heading to the supreme court over the “tv tax”
• Speaking of Netflix, Mike mentions a great RSS feed to discover what's new

Episode 63: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Mike Vardy can be found at vardy.me and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 62 - "Michael Tuesdays, Thursdays, and This Episode"

This week, Diane chats with Matt Watts, writer and star of Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays. Mike Vardy of Dyscultured steps in for Anthony Marco, and he and Diane chat about the timeslot change for Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays (now on Tuesdays on CBC), as well as the remaining fall premieres, ratings so far, CTV's new iPad app, and the CRTC's vertical integration ruling.

Episode 62: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Mike Vardy can be found at themikevardy.com and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 61 - "We Crown Our Champion"

From 32 to 16 to 8 to 4 to 2 and now the results of the TV, eh? Throwdown Showdown are in and the winner is ... well, listen to the podcast.

We also have two interviews this week, with Erin Karpluk, star of Being Erica, and Sheri Elwood, creator of Call Me Fitz.

And we go over the premieres coming up this week, the cancellations of the week that was, and the upcoming shows that will be.

Episode 61: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 60 - "Alliterative Angst"

Our guest this week is Peter Mooney of Camelot and Rookie Blue. But first, Anthony and Diane reveal the 2 shows that will go head-to-head in the TV, eh? Throwdown Showdown, despair over the Geminis, and list this week's season premieres.

Episode 60: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 59 - "Play Fitzy For Me"

Episode 59: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

We release the results of the Final Four in the TV, eh? Throwdown Showdown - voting for the top two starts Tuesday evening - then run down this week's fall premieres, and give our predictions for Wednesday's Geminis.

This week Diane talks to Jason Priestley of Call Me Fitz about the show's upcoming second season, its Gemini nomination haul, how mean Anthony is, and Diane learns a new word: necropodiphilia. Don't Google it. Seriously.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 58 - "What's the Buzz Tell Me What's Happenin' "

Episode 58: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

We've got the results of round 2 of the TV, eh? Throwdown Showdown, with the Elite Eight moving on to the next round to continue the battle for Canada's best scripted series ever. Listen to hear all the details and check back on the site Tuesday evening for round 3 voting.

We also talk about many news-like substances this week, including:

• Season finales including ratings for Dan for Mayor and Hiccups and revised dates for Combat Hospital and Rookie Blue, plus The Listener and The Borgias.
• Premieres include Lost Girl and the Picnicface sneak peek. Check out all the fall premieres here.
• The Geminis have announced presenters and Tom Green as host of the livestream.
• Meg Tilly is going to star in Bomb Girls and Diane's genuine attempt to convey excitement fails miserably.
• Holllywood Suite brings four new specialty channels to Canada.
• And Diane previews her visit to the set of Mr. Young.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 57 - "Queuing Up Premiere Season"

Episode 57: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

The voting's in for the first round of the TV, eh? Throwdown Showdown and we've got the nail-biting results in the podcast. The new poll, with the surviving 16 shows pitted head-to-head, will be posted Tuesday evening.

We also chat about the fall premieres, the new Battle of the Blades competitors, Cashing In, more casting information and the start of production on The Firm, and Russell Peters hosting the Geminis.

CBC celebrates its 75th anniversary this year by forgetting that not everyone loves the CBC.

And  QMI Agency (aka the "news" service of Sun Media) write an embarrassingly glowing "news" article about how everyone loves Sun News Network. Or at least how for 9 hours once it beat CTV News Channel in the ratings.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 56 - "The Throwdown Showdown"

Episode 56: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

This week we have the ultimate CanCon tournament: 32 shows go head-to-head in the TV, eh? Throwndown Showdown to see which will emerge the victor. Vote in the first round on www.tv-eh.com.

But first, Anthony and I talk about the latest news, including:

• The Directors Guild of Canada award nominations
• The special Gemini awards
• Teletoon's new original productions
• Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD fall programs
• Call Me Fitz and Living in Your Car fall premiere dates
• The CBC pilot Wish List

And some big discussion pieces that we discuss not-biggishly:

• Charting the future of the CBC
• Rebirth of television

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 55 - The End is Geminigh

Episode 55: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Anthony and Diane talk about the Gemini Award nominations – all eleventy million billion of them (full list here).

Some shows have started production: That’s So Weird and Wingin’ It are heading into their third seasons while Highland Gardens is a new one we dissect without having seen a second of it.

Flashpoint’s future on CBS looks grim, while ABC is high on Rookie Blue but not so much on Combat Hospital .

And we discuss the imminent arrival of FX Canada and what it means for viewers and industry types.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 54 - "Feeling Good About The Planet"

Episode 54: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Guest Teri Vogel, who attended Comic-Con in San Diego last month, gives us the scoop on the Lost Girl  panel (available on YouTube here).

Anthony and Diane talk about Russell Crowe's tweet-confirmation that he will indeed guest star on Republic of Doyle, Molly Parker's addition to the cast of The Firm, and Comedy Network's development slate. We also rant about a Toronto Star "article" that allows reality producers to congratulate themselves on their feel-good programming, and discuss the CRTC's new CanCon spending minimums (with - shock - a minimum of ranting).

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 52 - CanConundrum

Episode 53: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Anthony and Diane talk about all the news in the Canadian TV world this week – um, that the entire Durham County series is on iTunes as of August 1 – and then get into discussions about other TV-related topics:

• Will the Geminis matter this year? No. But who knows, maybe next year?
• Want to go to a live taping in Toronto? Here’s a list.
• Why should Canadian media care more about Canadian shows than the Canadian networks who own them do? (And should we let foreigncompetition in?)
• Are the spoiler police spoiling television?
• And Canada leads the scifi invasion.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 52 - "A Whale of a Summer"

Episode 52: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed    

Diane and Anthony interview CBC Radio 3's Brent Hodge, the producer/director of the Said The Whale documentary Winning America, which airs on CBC Saturday, July 23 ... only in BC, it turns out. So Vancouverite Diane gets to rub that in Hamiltonian Anthony's face. But we chat about filming the band and their adventures in getting robbed in California, performing at SXSW, and winning the Juno.

We also discuss Shaw's new Movie Club (supposedly their answer to Netflix), Rookie Blue's renewal for season 3, The Firm adding Juliette Lewis and Callum Keith Rennie to the cast, Blackstone starting production on season 2 and offering an autograph signing and audition contest, the Family Cook Off casting call, and Emmy CanCon.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 51 - "The Papillon Effect"

Episode 51: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

There's 2 big interviews this week: Diane talks to David Paetkau of Flashpoint, and Anthony chats with former Kid in the Hall Kevin McDonald of Bite TV's Papillon.

In between, there's some news about Lost Girl getting 22 episodes this season, Being Human shooting season two, and Flashpoint's ratings.

Plus, the CRTC is delaying CBC's license hearing which can't be good news. And some Canadians are going to be CBC-less after the digital transition.

There's also 2 giveaways:

1. Comment on this post for a chance to win an Expedition Impossible tshirt provided by CTV.
2. Get the most Rts for @tv_eh on Twitter this week for a chance to win a CBC Radio 3 CD. 

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 50 - Marco and Wild's First Fight

Episode 50: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Canada Sings premieres August 10 on Global, and contestant Erin Raimondo -- team captain for 1-800-GOT-JUNK -- joins us for an interview, in which she doesn't tell Diane who won the competition. Dammit.

But first, Anthony and Diane ramble and fight about various topics, including Flashpoint returning Friday and The Yard (aka "Kiddie Sopranos") premiering Friday, Haven coming back July 18 (check out Anthony's interview with Emily Rose here), rumours of Russell Crowe visiting Republic of Doyle while he's folk festing with another Doyle, Diane wondering just how Canadian the writing staff of Combat Hospital is, and the idea of Google buying Hulu and possibly entering the Canadian market causing Canadian broadcasters to quake ... more than usual, that is.

Also? Our second fight will be about the order of our last names in this podcast title.


Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 49 - Larping It All Up

Episode 49: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed   


Anthony goes it alone again this week, with an interview with Michael McNamara of Fanboy Confessional, some exciting news about Space, and a roundup of Canadian television news. If Diane were titling this podcast she'd have called it Anthony's Nerdfest.

Your host

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 48 - Almost Checkmate

Episode 48: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed   

Our guests this week are Ryan and Jason Belleville, the brothers who co-created Almost Heroes, in which Ryan costars with Paul Campbell. Diane chats with them about her surprising love of the show, what it's like to work with your brother and not want to kill him, their sitcom world and characters, and promoting a series with this newfangled Internet thing.

But first, Anthony and Diane react to the reaction to our discussion about the Save Endgame petition. Let's just say that those who were angry with us last week would be livid this week.

We also talk about this week's premieres of Combat Hospital (aka Sexy Doctor War Time) and Rookie Blue, and Bell's announcement that they've optioned the works of three Canadian authors we've never heard of.

We end, as always, it seems, with a discussion of the CRTC hearings, where they seek to tame vertical integration and figure out what to do about those scary smart phones and tablets. Or something. 

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 47 – What Tangled Web Series We Weave

Episode 47: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed   

The podcast ends with a terrific discussion about web series between writer/producers Kellie Ann Benz (also of The Shorts Report), Jill Golick (Ruby Skye PI) and Nicholas Humphries (Riese). Diane does her best to stay out of the way.

First, Anthony and Diane discuss the upcoming CBC schedule, including Doyle’s take on it as ignoring the arts to become glorified karaoke, as well as Movie Central/Movie Network’s production slate. We admire, sort of, the quixotic campaign to save Endgame, and don’t admire the way the same “news” has been coming out of the Banff Media Festival for years.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 46 - Calling the Colorado Kid

Episode 46: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed   
 
Anthony flies solo this week with an interview with Haven's Emily Rose, on the season one DVD release and the upcoming season two of the Showcase series.

Your host

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here

TV, eh? podcast episode 45 - Desperate Bomb Girls

Episode 45: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed   

Our guest today is the lovely and funny Deb McGrath of the upcoming Single White Spenny as well as Little Mosque on the Prairie.

First, Anthony and Diane talk about news from the upfronts, including new series Bomb Girls, Canada’s Got Talent, Secret Millionaire Canada, and The Quon Dynasty, and that A Channel is being rebranded as CTV Two. In fact, nearly all the new Canadian shows are reality series, making this HuffPo Canada article even more ridiculous.

Since summer is the season for stuffing schedules with Canadian content, premiering soon are Dan For Mayor (June 5), Almost Heroes and Single White Spenny (June 5), and Comedy Network announces their summer slate, with Picnicface, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, and more.

Diane’s cut cable so we talk about her experiences and, related, how the CRTC is reviewing Netflix and other “over-the-top” services that may or may not be broadcasters.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 44: Transporter - CanCon in Disguise

Episode 44: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed 

Nancy Robertson, star of Hiccups, is our guest to talk about the series' return. First, Anthony and Diane talk about the new Transformer - The Series, summer series (Combat Hospital, Rookie Blue, The Kennedys, Canada Sings), and the financing of The Firm that makes it a Canadian series. Then we solve all the problems of the Canadian television industry in about 5 minutes flat. Or not.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 43 - Controversial Meat

Episode 43: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Our guest this week is Brent Butt of Hiccups, which now has a second season premiere date of May 30 on CTV.


But first, Anthony and Diane discuss the horse meat controversy of Top Chef Canada, casting call for Operation Unplugged, the upcoming sort-of Canadian series The Firm, and Lost Girl's season two production news. We also talk about how Canadian networks buying US programs right about now is facing some competition from Netflix and common sense.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 42 - God Created Aliens and Aliens Created Dinosaurs

Episode 42: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

In a Very Special Episode, Anthony and Diane meet for the first time in person and record the podcast on the Vancouver seawall, where an informative (possibly drunk) passer-by provided our title.

Anthony has a great interview with Martin Wood, Executive Producer of Sanctuary, about the web-to-TV model among other things.

But first, we talk about the big news that Hiccups and Dan For Mayor finally have return dates: May 30 and June respectively. Plus CTV’s summer schedule includes Flashpoint, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and the mother network airing of The Borgias, and Almost Heroes and Single White Spenny are coming to Showcase on June 5.

While being distracted by floatplanes and pretty mountains, we discuss how social media is going to save live TV (or not), how Canada watches a surprising amount of online video, and that Crackle, like Netflix in the US, is getting into the original scripted series business.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 41 – We Pwn Sun News

Episode 41: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Anthony and I chat about the election, the Royal Wedding, why I’m not doing interviews for Canada Sings (hint: I’ll only sign an embargo agreement if you’re, like, giving me embargoed information), CBC throwing The Debaters onto their hockey-filled schedule, and whether Canadian co-productions are competition or cooperation. Oh, and we discover the fun fact that the TV, eh? website has higher ratings than some Sun News shows.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 40 - A Pubcaster, a Prodco and a Docusoap Walk into a Bar ...

Episode 40: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

No interview this week but we have lots of news-like items to share. The Borgias has been renewed for a second season by US broadcaster Showtime, making it very likely Bravo will follow here in Canada. So don't fret: we'll see more of this slice of Canadian history on our TV screens.

CBC has announced a new dramatic series for winter 2012 called Arctic Air, and that's pretty much all the media release says about it (it's apparently like a scripted version of Ice Pilots NWT and created by a Flashpoint writer.)

Poor rich Brett Wilson wasn't unemployed for long - he went from Dragons' Den to Slice's new Risky Business. Befriend and Betray airs on Showcase April 30. We slightly mock the GREAT NEWS that a Canadian writer has been hired on a Canadian show: Annmarie Morais joins Haven for the rest of season two.

Which leads Diane into a bit of a rant about the hocus pocus of CanCon, where content and the truth is spread to the breaking point.

Canadian actors want you to vote for the arts in the upcoming election. And a panel at the National Association of Broadcasters wants to predict the future of TV.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 39 – A Ubiquitous Hat

Episode 39: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed   

Diane chats with the star of Mr. Young, our guest this week Brendan Meyer, about his YTV show, its renewal for season two, and the parallels between his life and the 14-year-old teacher he plays.

But first, Anthony and Diane puzzle over why the CRTC would consider regulating Netflix as a broadcaster, the painful lessons American broadcasters learned from Hulu, which has helped train their audience to abandon them, and CTV’s foray into a mobile app for news.

We’re agreed that we have no interest in the Titanic co-production, and that John Brunton and his ubiquitous hat have led to a glut of pseudo-Canadian reality TV.

Then we attempt to alienate all sides in the CRTC hearing, blasting broadcasters and writers for making industry issues worse through finger pointing and whining.

Somewhere in there we manage to insult our own listeners (ANTHONY!) and each other.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 38 - She Sells Sanctuary

Episode 38: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Amanda Tapping of Sanctuary is our guest this week, talking with Diane about what's coming up in the next half of season three (premiering April 15), season four (now in production), and the charity Sanctuary for Kids.

After some digression about the leadership debate and Aaron Sorkin, we chat about the WGC screenwriting award winners, the huge numbers for The Kennedys premiere on History, and the premiere of Canadian Pickers.

In our new Viewer Mail segment (ok, a Listener Comment), we close with a discussion on the possibility of a direct link between content creators and audience - eliminating the middleman of the pesky broadcast networks - spurred by a comment to the last podcast by Russell McOrmond. 

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 37 – Six Degrees of Canadian Bacon

Episode 37: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  


This week’s guests are Ennis Esmer and Jessica Phillips (plus the Lil Jono doll) of Wipeout Canada, which got big numbers in Sunday’s TVTropolis debut.

Todd & The Book of Pure Evil has been renewed for season two, and Space orders a new pilot called Borealis.

Lots of quick news: The Borgias also got great numbers in its premiere on Bravo, rumour has it Hiccups and Dan for Mayor will return in May (but don’t quote us on that), Skatoony begins production on season two, and Degrassi picks up a Peabody award.

Also, Global introduces an iPhone/iPod Touch app which makes Anthony and Diane uncharacteristically happy.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at anthonymarco.com, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 36 – The Hot Combat Sexy Doctors Hospital Zone

Episode 36: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  
 
We dedicate the episode to Roger Abbott of Air Farce, who died Saturday of leukemia. (Listen to his appearance on the podcast with Bill Brioux and Chris Haddock.)

Our guest this week is Sidney Imbeau, the star of Family Channel’s new show Really Me.

We’re in the midst of CBC’s finale week as hockey playoffs take over the schedule soon. Say goodbye forever to 18 to Life, and goodbye for now to everything else.

Premiering in June are Rookie Blue and The Hot Zone [working title of what used to be Combat Hospital (working title)].

King premieres April 17 with a media release designed to make Diane’s blood pressure rise.

The Listener moves to Fridays to punish it for being successful on Tuesdays.

Like the Energizer bunny, Degrassi keeps going, in production for season 11 now.

We lament the fact that Rick Mercer Report and 22 Minutes are off the air now that an election is looming, and call for the government to pass a bill that they must return.

And April is the new September, with new shows premiering to fill the spring months.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 35 - Smack Dab in the Middle of Grey

Episode 35: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Our guest is Dan Speerin of Truth Mashup, talking about content creation for web versus television, satire, biting the had that feeds you, and why Canada needs a Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie to be hip.

First we talk about the Corner Gas set sale, Jann Arden and Vanilla Ice - seriously? - as judges for Canada Sings,  and the fact that Village on a Diet isn't dead yet.

We send a happy 75th birthday to David Suzuki (our "king of environmentalists") and 80th to William Shatner ("the male Betty White"). And Diane rambles a bit about international coproductions and the giant grey area Canadian content lives in.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

 

TV, eh? podcast episode 34 - What Scaredy Squirrel is Afraid Of

Episode 34: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Our guests this week are Shawn Doyle and Patrick Gallagher of Endgame who discuss their developing bromance, some surprising (and very possibly untrue) spoilers about sex and space battles, and the need for a Republic of Gallagher show.

First Anthony and Diane make a bit of a PSA to donate to a disaster relief agency in the wake of the Japanese earthquake … but make it an unrestricted donation. (CBC has a list of charities here.)

We also go through a roundup of spring shows airing now or coming up.

Jason Priestley is going to be guest starring and directing Haven next season and Anthony is thrilled to pieces.

And we talk endlessly about Scaredly Squirrel, not letting the fact that we hadn’t heard of it before get in the way but waxing nostalgic about the cartoons of our youth.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 33 - Channel Surfing Lessons

Interviews with Endgame star Shawn Doyle and creator Avrum Jacobson preview the Showcase show that premieres March 14.

Anthony and Diane run down some news, including Stargate and Sanctuary’s return dates, Lavalife cofounder Bruce Croxon replacing Brett Wilson on Dragons’ Den, the Top Chef Canada premiere date, and the Bruce McDonald Bravo series Yonge Street – Toronto Rock & Roll Stories.

Plus, the CRTC approves the BCE purchase of CTVglobemedia and the Globe and Mail discusses French-Canadian TV’s success.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 32: Doggone Good

Episode 32: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom) is our guest this week, talking about his upcoming HBO Canada show Good Dog and the controversial Q interview that had Diane a tiny bit nervous about interviewing him.

First we dispatch with some news, like 18 to Life's cancellation, Brett Wilson exiting Dragons' Den, Michelle Borth's casting in Combat Hospital, the premieres of Funny As Hell and The Uluit: Champions of the North, and the Archie parody that's gone viral.

We also discuss the CRTC versus Canadian broadcasting industry question on whether Netflix is a broadcaster, and in a stunning twist side with the CRTC in thinking no freaking way.


Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 31: Henshaw's Corner

Episode 31: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  
 
Our guest this week is writer/producer Jim Henshaw, talking about the state of the Canadian television industry aka The Moment of Absolute Certainty Never Arrives.

Before that, Anthony and I chat about The Shat hosting the Genie Awards on March 10, those darn loud ads the CRTC wants to hear you rant about, and Anthony rants about Don Cherry renewing his contract with CBC. We also tease next week's interview with Ken Finkleman of Good Dog with the news that it premieres March 6 with sampling starting February 28.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 30: Some InSecurity Over a Bad Tattoo

Episode 30: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Natalie Lisinska and Richard Yearwood of InSecurity are our guests this week, chatting about the show and Diane's shoe size.

First we go over CBC's recently announced renewals and apparent cancellations, Endgame's March 14 premiere, and Call Me Fitz's US pickup. What does the shakeup at CTV mean? We have no idea, but talk about it anyway. And we discuss the place of the TV critic versus episode recapper versus fanboy in relation to Slate's much-discussed-among-critics piece.

Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 29 - One for The Listeners

Episode 29: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  


This week we have interviews with Craig Olejnik and Ennis Esmer of The Listener, and Ennis talks about his hosting gig on the upcoming Wipeout Canada as well.

Anthony and Diane chat about Jim Henshaw's Super Bowl conspiracy - did Rogers and Shaw "forget" to substitute the Fox feed with their own to thumb their noses at the CRTC? We puzzle about why neither Flashpoint nor Glee saw a post-Super Bowl ratings boost in Canada - Flashpoint actually got fewer viewers than usual. And we riff on the CBC's new five year plan and whether it might one day be a real public broadcaster.






Your hosts

• Anthony Marco can be found at Dyscultured and lovehatethings and Best Episode Ever, and on Twitter here and here.
• Diane Wild can be found here at TV, eh? and on Twitter here and here.

TV, eh? podcast episode 28 - Human Wedgies

Episode 28: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed  

Our guests this week are Damian Abraham of MuchMusic’s The Wedge and the indie band F**ked Up, as well as Meaghan Rath (Sally) of Being Human.

First we start with some Canadian TV news, like The Listener is now coming back February 8. CTV is pretty sure this time. Maybe.

Riese: Kingdom Falling is going from webseries to airing on Space (and Anthony invites Canadian web series creators to contact him and he’ll interview them for this podcast.)

An innovative way to promote a pilot – independently financed and posted on the web – tries to generate buzz with the blandest media release ever.

The BC homegrown TV industry is way down.

BCE is hoping to avoid the mandatory payment for prime-time Canadian programming in the CTVglobemedia purchase.

And it wouldn’t be a Canadian podcast if we didn’t discuss the Internet usage based billing issue. Netflix is one of many not happy about it.

TV, eh? podcast episode 27 - The Beautiful Mountains with the Snow-Tipped Tips

Episode 27: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Not one but two interviews this week, with Stacey Farber of 18 to Life and Brandon Firla of Little Mosque on the Prairie. Both shows are currently airing on CBC and have new DVD releases.

Great news for Flashpoint – they get the plum post-Superbowl spot on CTV and got a new syndication deal with CBS and ION in the US.

Anthony and Diane discuss CBC ‘s “new” direction – will they get rid of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune? Should they? Will they become more of a public broadcaster or are they forced to operate like a private network?

Something CBC does right is getting their programs on iTunes and Netflix – you can already catch InSecurity on Netflix, for example.

Diane shares what she learned about what makes a 6/10 versus 10/10 Canadian Content show. Surprise: Being Human counts! Look for an interview next week.

We discuss the Canadian Media Fund and our puzzlement over how television funding in Canada seems to be a disincentive to creating good or successful shows.