Here comes the mild weather and the sunny days. The arrival of the beautiful season brings back feel good shows. Through the novelties, some expected series stand out. A brief overview of summer TV evenings
• To read also: Start of the 21st season of “Sucré Salé” this Monday
Sweety salty
Patrice Bélanger has just returned to service. The cultural magazine, now in its 21st season, will continue to highlight our artists and the many summer activities that are coming back to life. About fifteen collaborators including the faithful Varda Étienne, Francisco Randez and Bryan Audet will enhance the program with their reports. And we’re adding BBQ with the new Sucré Salé Grillé column on Fridays.
The furry ones
Veterinarian Sébastien Kfoury hosts for a 5th season this friendly animal talkshow where artists are introduced to fabulous specimens as well as species they love. Christine Beaulieu was there recently. Anne-Élisabeth Bossé, Julie Le Breton, Stéphane Fallu and Jean-Sébastien Girard are among the next guests.
The other noon at the table next door
There are no banal encounters in this charming radio concept that made the leap to television three seasons ago. The exchanges are real, friendly. Well-chosen guest duos. They are often revealed there thanks to the intimacy of the format. I can’t wait to see the exchange tomorrow between two of our great storytellers, Boucar Diouf and Fred Pellerin. It will be about their villages, elves and their wounds, we are told.
So You Think You Can Dance
One of my favorite shows. They are already in their 17th season. We see extraordinary dancers perform there, taking up challenges, adapting to styles that are not their own, taking advantage of the expertise of the greatest choreographers. There are always quite spectacular numbers. New this season is at the judges’ table. For the first time, creator Nigel Lythgoe is not there. Nor the exuberant Mary Murphy. tWitch will be there, as will Matthew Morrison seen in Glee and JoJo Siwa, discovered in Dance Moms.
Guarantee – Power
Those who have followed the Danish series Borgen, a woman in power, on ARTV will be happy to find Birgitte Nyborg almost 10 years after the 3rd season. The one who has never had it easy in politics is Minister of Foreign Affairs and her career is in jeopardy when an oil crisis in Greenland risks having disastrous international fallout. It is always fascinating to observe the corridors of power. The environment is a hot topic to talk about.
The beautiful tour
Created during the pandemic, this cultural magazine hosted by Guy Jodoin allows us to discover corners of Quebec through the eyes and performances of artists who are from there or who perform there.
Tree Companions
This documentary series immerses us in the daily life of people who work in forestry camps to reforest Abitibi. This reforestation is necessary for the survival of the forestry sector. Around 10 million black spruce and jack pine shoots are planted each season by around 40 workers. A physically demanding task that pays $0.10 per tree. A supportive environment strewn with pitfalls in the middle of nature.
American Ninja Warrior
This competition is in its 14th season. We see athletes evolve on extreme courses of great complexity. The competition is fierce, difficult both physically and mentally. Some “ninja” face the course every year. It is sport-spectacle and self-transcendence.
Let’s drink somewhere else
Valérie Chevalier has taken up the torch of this series which makes us discover corners of the country through the drinks that are consumed there and the people who make or sell them. The season begins in Spain. It will be about sherry, orange wine and vermouth. Tastings enhanced by flamenco in the beauties of Andalusia and Catalonia. We will also discover what mosto and horchata are.
The Umbrella Academy
This adaptation of the comic book of the same name starring actor Elliot Page is in its third season. Our dysfunctional superheroes with special powers will face another entity, the Sparrow Academy.
There are people at mass
A sign that summer is setting in, Christian Bégin is taking his place at the end of the main table of this new genre talkshow which will begin its sixth season. We appreciate the candor of his animation, his questions that often lead us to areas that we know less, and especially the great diversity of the guests who enrich the conversations. We also like the full scope of the choir that sings their names.
Westworld
This dystopian series halfway between science fiction and western is back for a fourth season. We are immersed in an amusement park for adults where visitors can fulfill their lowest fantasies, going so far as to kill, since the hosts are androids who can be reset. Will Evan Rachel Wood be back after the Season 3 finale? As the characters are robots in this world where anything goes, anything is possible.
Stranger Things
Difficult to comment on the content of the second part of season 4 which has just landed on the platform. We know that there will be two additional episodes. We’ll see where the clashes facing our adventurous friends are, what this new supernatural threat is that seems even more powerful than the Demogorgon, and if Eleven regains her powers.
The Bachelorette
For the 19th season of the popular reality show, there will be not just one but two singles to conquer. Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia, who appeared on a recent season of The Bachelor, are still looking for Prince Charming. An extra twist.
House of Dragon
Game of Thrones fans will be happy to reconnect with this universe as cruel as it is fantastic. This is an adaptation of the most recent story by its author, George R.R. Martin, but which takes place 300 years before the action of the other seasons. We will follow the fate of the powerful Targaryen dynasty, those who have power over the dragons. Matt Smith, seen in The Crown, will star there.
