Blogcritics Author: Diane Kristine

Cock'd Gunns Gets Second Chance, Hopes For Second Season

Diane Kristine — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 01:12:04 EST

Mock documentary is a cross between Spinal Tap and Trailer Park Boys.
The mockumentary series Cock'd Gunns is about a fictional rock band looking for their break. It also happens to be a show looking for a break. The first season, reminiscent of both Spinal Tap and Trailer Park Boys, is being replayed Fridays on IFC beginning January 9, and it's probably safe to say those reruns will be new to a lot of...

How to Divorce and Not Wreck the Kids Filmmaker Shares Stories of 'Good' Divorces

Diane Kristine — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:08:51 EST

Documentary aims to prove the end of a marriage doesn't have to be the end of a family.
After hearing Maureen Palmer's personal tale of divorce, which involved sharing a home with her ex-husband for the benefit of their children, I had to ask: "Are you special?" Palmer, whose documentary How to Divorce and Not Wreck the Kids airs January 8 on CBC, laughed. "I'm not special. I'm really quite flawed. No,...

Wild Roses Explores Thorny Saga Of Two Families

Diane Kristine — Sun, 4 Jan 2009 16:49:40 EST

Actress Michelle Harrison explains the Shakespearean scope of the night time soap.
Debuting Tuesday on CBC is Wild Roses, a sweeping soap set in Calgary and the surrounding ranch lands and oil fields. While the network is calling the show Shakespearean, it's most obviously J.R. Ewing-ean. "Some of the bigger themes are quite Shakespearean, like loss and love and betrayal," explains star Michelle Harrison, who...

Erin Karpluk is Being Erica

Diane Kristine — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:30:53 EST

The new dramedy premieres January 5 on CBC.
If being human means having regrets, Erica Strange is very, very human. The central character of Being Erica, which premieres January 5 on CBC and will also air later on SOAPnet and BBC, has enough regrets to fuel a 13-episode season and beyond. Erin Karpluk (Godiva's), who plays Erica with winning charm, describes her character as a...

Michelle Forbes Delves Into The Darkness Of Durham County

Diane Kristine — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 18:39:43 EST

The Battlestar Galactica/In Treatment actress joins the Canadian series for its second season.
A new neighbour is coming to Durham County with some dark new secrets. The second season of the acclaimed television drama, set to air on Canada's The Movie Network and Movie Central next year, is adding cast member Michelle Forbes (In Treatment, Battlestar Galactica) as the latest foil for Hugh Dillon's Mike Sweeney. The atmospheric series...

Brigitte Nielsen Helps PRISM Awards Illuminate Substance Abuse Issues

Diane Kristine — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:41:58 EDT

The actress spreads her message of sobriety.
"I'd hit rock bottom. I was going to commit suicide or die of alcohol poisoning. My husband had said that unless I did something, he was going to leave, and I'd lose contact with my children."Those are the stark words of Brigitte Nielsen, who found a new kind of fame and a new kind of calling after appearing on Celebrity Rehab...

Home to House: An Interview With Returning Writer Lawrence Kaplow

Diane Kristine — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:21:44 EDT

This week's "Not Cancer" episode marks the series return for the writer/co-executive producer.
Tuesday’s "Not Cancer" episode of House, co-written by series creator David Shore, marks the return of Lawrence Kaplow to the writing credits after a season away. Because I've interviewed him twice before, and because he’s one of my favourite writers on one of my all-time favourite shows, House fans might understand why I...

Rolling The Dice on the Emmys

Diane Kristine — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:28:19 EDT

Predicting the winners with my heart, head, and random number generator.
I have no crystal ball to peer into the future. I have no psychic powers to peer into the minds of voters of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (and I'm not sure I'd have the mental fortitude to withstand that anyway). I do have a heart that has its favourites, a head that processes what more knowledgeable critics think, and a...

Don't Mess With The Iconic Moment: An Interview With House Writer Doris Egan

Diane Kristine — Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:43:46 EDT

House and Wilson will reunite - but when? A writer/producer gives the answer, sort of.
House star Hugh Laurie and creator David Shore have already let it slip: in the aftermath of Amber's death, House and Wilson eventually patch things up. "I don't think it's a shock that the lovers are reunited," House writer Doris Egan said archly. Nearly as unsurprising might be that Egan helped orchestrate the reunion, since...

Unexpected Moments Bring Joy To Treehouse TV's Are We There Yet?: World Adventure

Diane Kristine — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:31:20 EDT

Live action travel show for kids, by kids.
Are We There Yet?: World Adventure is a live-action preschool travel adventure series that takes viewers on 39 brand new, globe-trotting adventures across ten countries and 27 cities. For the second season, two new sets of child hosts welcome children to explore the world with them. Instead of the first season's brother/sister sibling pairs,...