Sign in

Amber Dowling

@amberdowling.bsky.social
248 followers 75 following 26 posts

TV critic and lifestyle/entertainment writer in the GTA. Pets and sports lovers welcome.

PostsRepliesMedia
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Jason Priestley says Canadian TV has nothing to apologize for with the debut of his new Victoria-set series, Private Eyes West Coast www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film...
theglobeandmail.com
Jason Priestley says there’s a global appetite for Canadian-made TV
The actor’s latest show Private Eyes West Coast doesn’t shy away from its Canadian setting in Victoria
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Monster: The Ed Gein Story took me a long time to get through and I’m still feeling queasy. Did you make it through or did you have to turn it off? My full thoughts in today's @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film...
theglobeandmail.com
Netflix’s Monster sinks with gruesome Ed Gein retelling
True-crime series is grotesque, exhausting and unsettling
001
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
"It’s not told from Gacy’s point of view, and strips his power by ignoring him and focusing on the wreckage he caused." Excited to announce my @avclub.com debut, a hot take on Peacock's serial killer drama, "Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy" www.avclub.com/devil-in-dis...
avclub.com
Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is a refreshing take on the serial-killer drama
Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is a refreshing take on the serial-killer drama
020
Reposted by Amber Dowling
Judith Pereira @heypereira.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
"When the end comes, how will you sum up your life? How will others do it for you? More importantly, how will those narratives match, and what did it cost to get there?" @amberdowling.bsky.social looks at the fourth season of #Hacks www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
Hacks Season 4 delivers a brutal truth: Fame isn’t worth the cost
The HBO Max comedy has tackled cancel culture, feminism and the price of fame
032
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
That time I witnessed an incredible community coming together to create something beautiful and impactful. North of North is downright joy. www.indiewire.com/features/int...
indiewire.com
How a Community — and Netflix — Created an Entire Production Ecosystem in Nunavut for ‘North of North’
Nunavut, the largest & northernmost territory of Canada, never played host to a production before. Netflix's original Canadian series changed that.
032
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
The Handmaid's Tale Cast and Crew Urge People to 'Take Action' or Face a Real-Life Gilead "Misogyny is at the reptilian brain stem of white nationalism, and it's never going to go away." www.tvguide.com/news/the-han...
tvguide.com
The Handmaid's Tale Cast and Crew on the Show's Eerie, Real-Life Predictions
'Misogyny is at the reptilian brain stem of white nationalism, and it's never going to go away.'
000
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
“I can’t imagine how cathartic it is to turn on a show where people are acting out their rage. These 40-year-old women are literally burning it all down because of what they’ve been through in their lives.” www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
Yellowjackets star Christina Ricci knows why the show strikes a chord: rage
Ricci believes women can especially relate to its dark, emotional themes, in a world where women are experiencing real-life feelings of hopelessness and antagonism
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
These two are sheer goals.
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Need a weekend watch? Netflix's Adolescence has a 100% score on @rottentomatoes.com, or so says this article quoting my review. www.mensjournal.com/entertainmen...
mensjournal.com
Netflix's Latest Crime Show Snags Rare 100 Percent Rotten Tomatoes Score
Will you be watching?
000
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Netflix’s newest crime drama Adolescence is astoundingly immersive… but that also makes it really hard to watch. My review for @thewrap.com www.thewrap.com/adolescence-...
thewrap.com
‘Adolescence’ Review: Netflix’s Disturbing Limited Series Is Almost Impossible to Stomach
"Adolescence" is a must-watch psychological drama, involving a 13-year-old murder suspect, that spotlights a new kind of toxic masculinity
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
“We will never be the 51st state.” Trudeau is exiting as the PM who stood up for Canadians. Dictator Trump, however, continues showing us exactly who he is. So let’s just start calling a spade a spade.
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
…How did we get here?
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
I'm a softballer for life. But knowing the Win or Lose creators had to axe their original vision for the series (especially in today's climate) feels extra icky. www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
Pixar’s Win or Lose could have been a home run, but strikes out when it matters most
A storyline that Disney forced the show’s creators to drop could have inspired enthusiasm in transgender children without getting into the issue’s politics
002
Reposted by Amber Dowling
J. Kelly Nestruck @nestruck.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Small Achievable Goals slides into North of North's slot on CBC tonight. Written by and starring Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill, it's a menopause romp full of heavy bleeding and murderous thoughts. @amberdowling.bsky.social writes about it: www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
CBC’s Small Achievable Goals dares to tackle society’s most taboo subject: menopause
Many women feel alone, ashamed and utterly perplexed about what’s happening to their bodies, but Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill are hoping to change that with their eight-episode CBC comedy
2144
Reposted by Amber Dowling
Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Beyond the Gates, 1st network TV soap opera centered on a Black family in nearly 35 years, debuted on CBS today. Here's my feature story, from 2 visits to the Atlanta set, outlining how a groundbreaking step forward in diversity was built from ground up. loom.ly/chdtEsI
loom.ly
'Beyond the Gates' is 1st network daytime soap centering a Black family in 25 years
The hour-long show debuts on CBS Monday, focusing on a family living in a wealthy D.C. suburb. "This is not your grandmother's soap opera," says star Tamara Tunie.
2578
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Just trying to change the vibe around here.
010
Reposted by Amber Dowling
Mike Drucker @mikedrucker.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
I wrote this bit that is entirely unrelated to current things
mcsweeneys.net
Voting for the Mayor Who Promised to Blow Up the City Doesn’t Mean I Approve of the Mayor Blowing Up the City
It’s so easy to label people these days. From the way folks have been talking, you’d think everyone falls into two buckets: those who voted against...
15381711914
Reposted by Amber Dowling
J. Kelly Nestruck @nestruck.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Here's @amberdowling.bsky.social on Netflix's new drama about the sick side of health influencers. www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar scrutinizes the raw milk-peddling world of health influencers
This dramatization of a wild story about a health influencer and her false cancer claims reminds us we can be in control of what we consume and the messages we choose to spread
131
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Are TV schedules looking overly familiar? It's no accident. I shared my thoughts on why in today's Globe and Mail. www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
There’s a reason familiar franchises are populating TV schedules: IP is where the money is
As networks fight to retain cord-cutting viewers, established IP and a predetermined fanbase are keeping audiences hanging on
011
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Tonight feels like an appropriate night for a Canadian Bacon rewatch. (It’s available free on Tubi, if anyone wants to join.)
020
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
I miss human connection while shopping. Stood at the Starbucks cash for 10 minutes without even a smile while they served mobile and drive-thru orders. Finally gave up and ordered on the app. Why is this the new normal?!? 😭
000
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
“Yes, Minister” is one of my forever comfort shows—one I used to watch with my dad growing up. 💜
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
Grief is something that affects us all so differently. So it was interesting to learn more about how grief and coping shape the characters in the new medical drama, Doc. Which, by the way, filmed steps away from my old high school in Mississauga/Oakville. www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
New medical drama Doc puts focus on grief and the importance of dealing with loss
Creators of the real-life story filmed in the GTA hope the show sparks conversations around trauma and loss, and brings a cathartic release
000
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Is Jerry Springer responsible for the birth of Trash TV? Or does the onus fall on trainwreck viewers. Netflix’s newest doc raises the question (while tossing plenty of punches). www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
Netflix’s latest doc blames Jerry Springer for the birth of trash TV
Project examines Springer’s culpability in transforming the talk show space from formulaic lifestyle offering to all-out brawl that exploited small-town folks for entertainment
000
Reposted by Amber Dowling
Daniel Rolph Author @danielrolphauthor.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
I read a book today—one I bought over 5 years ago. Books don’t have deadlines—they wait for you, patiently, until the moment is right.
1877264561
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Just reliving some 2024 TV things over here. What moments would you add? www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
The top 10 most-talked-about TV moments of 2024
From ridiculous reality mishaps to must-see finales that we can’t stop thinking about
000
Reposted by Amber Dowling
J. Kelly Nestruck @nestruck.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Disappointing heist series The Sticky’s sees Amazon’s Prime Video squandering some Canadian IP with international appeal again… www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
Prime Video’s questionably Québécois maple-syrup heist series The Sticky shows why we can’t trust Amazon to deliver Canadian TV
The Amazon Canadian Original lacks any understanding of authenticity or understanding of the setting - the distinct society that is Quebec
232
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Today’s workspace. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Spent six hours in queue trying to get my daughter Swift tickets. No luck, again. On the plus side, I had tons of time to make this from scratch.
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Did anyone actually realize they were remaking Cruel Intentions? www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/televis...
theglobeandmail.com
New Cruel Intentions series is a love letter to the original film but without the salacious buzz
Pretty rich kids doing terrible things continues to be an escapist theme that many viewers love unwinding with – just don’t expect the same shock value of the old Cruel Intentions
101
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
I wasn’t expecting to love this series the way I did, but damn was it uplifting and delightful. www.tvguide.com/news/a-man-o...
tvguide.com
Michael Schur and Ted Danson Discuss Their Uplifting Geriatric Spy Comedy A Man on the Inside
'There is no shelf life to your creativity, to your contribution to the world, to joy'
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Look, my daughter isn’t wanting for anything and we give her a lot. That said, the heartbreak of her frustrated tears every time we’ve gotten close to Taylor Swift tickets over the past year has been… a lot. My heart goes out to all the other parents feeling that right now.
010
Amber Dowling @amberdowling.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Was she always a killer or did circumstances rewire her brain? Whatever the answer, ‘Sweetpea’ taps into female rage in a bloody good way. My season review, now at @torontostar.bsky.social www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
thestar.com
Was she always a killer or did circumstances rewire her brain? Whatever the answer, ‘Sweetpea’ taps into female rage in a bloody good way
The lead character’s transformation from wallflower to killer is deftly handled by Ella Purnell of “Fallout” and “Yellowjackets.”
000