Well, here we are on the other side of a brand-spanking New Year, with its fresh promises and endless possibilities. On a personal level, I’m excited to see what goals I’ll fulfill over the next 12 months, and on a professional level, I’m keen on seeing what new shows and storylines the networks will unveil.

On that note, before I answer this week’s modified batch of questions, I’d like to present you with my five New Year’s resolutions – see how they compare to yours!

5. This year, I will no longer answer any questions on The Closer, Moonlight or Jericho. The latter two aren’t coming back, and the first one airs on Super Channel. Remember that. If something changes, I’ll be sure to update everyone.

4. In an effort to de-stress at work, I will reorganize my cubicle. I currently stare at posters of Bradley Cooper, Columbo, Bill Cosby, Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson, Angelina Jolie and Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill, with a purple geo-design fabric as the backdrop. In 2010, they will be no more. I’m going to make this place so Zen I might lose my sarcasm. At the very least, I’ll invest in some lucky bamboo.

3. I’m going to stop watching Heroes. I’ve held on for three seasons too many, as far as I’m concerned. The Matt/Sylar thing is just ridiculous, and I’m still not sure why the girl who can see music is on the show. No offence to Deanne Bray, the actress who portrays her, but her power is pretty damn lame.

2. I’m will write my own Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice monologue. Seriously, has anyone ever noticed that whenever a character has something important to say, they give a neurotic monologue and repeat themselves several times while staring passionately at the subject they’re trying to sway? This year I’ll write my own and practice it at editorial meetings so everyone else does my work for me while I enjoy peppermint teas and shortbread cookies.

1. At both the winter and summer Television Critics Association press tours, I will not make a fool of myself in front of stars. This requires maintaining an in-depth knowledge of every single actor and actress on TV in case I run into them, wearing flip-flops rather than stilettos to all lawn party events, and never eating carbs from the buffet table before a CW event. Heck, who am I kidding? I love carbs and heels, and will never be able to stop making a fool of myself.


Question time!

Hi there, do any stations have plans to air Chelsea Lately any time soon? If not, how do we make it known that there is a demand for this show in Canada? Thanks. – Vicky

Amber: It’s such a pain – we haven’t been able to see Chelsea Lately ever since E! went dark, and no one has picked up this show since. Does host Chelsea Handler make you cackle too? I really miss her antics. Unfortunately, all I can tell you is to write to the major networks and plead your case. I’m talking Canwest, CTV and Rogers, people.

Hey Amber, I have a question about books that become TV shows. The CW has The Vampire Diaries, HBO has True Blood and there’s also the lesser known Legend of the Seeker. But, the show I really want to know about is still in production with HBO. Game of Thrones is based on a series of fantasy books by George R.R. Martin, and there are some pretty big hitters attached to the cast. Have you heard anything about this show? Thanks, as always. – Robyn

Amber: What I can tell you is this: HBO commissioned a pilot of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series (titled Game of Thrones), but only a pilot. The cabler will see how that looks before making any further decisions, but the industry feeling is that it really needs to screw the pilot up for there not to be any more episodes. From what I understand, the actual series will follow three storylines and remain fairly faithful to the books, which ideally would be one covered per season.

This one has been in production for quite some time, and was put on hold during the Writers Guild of America strike of 2007. Watch for a decision to be made early next year, most likely by the spring.

Hi Amber, the French TV series Les Boys was a spinoff of the very successful movies of the same name. It aired on the French CBC station SRC for two seasons, but I haven't been able to find out if it was renewed for a third season or if it was cancelled. Any news? Thanks. – Mark

Amber: I knew all those years of French immersion would pay off someday (other than during my trip to France, of course). I’ve managed to dig up a Radio-Canada release (in French) that I believe says not only will Les Boys return on Jan. 4 for a third season, but the network has ordered a fourth season as well.

It also looks like Episode 3 of the upcoming season will feature skater Joannie Rochette, Episode 5 will feature Dave Morissett and Georges Laraque, and Episode 7 boasts the likes of Marc-André Fleury and Maxime Talbot.

Hello Amber, I am a big fan of Life on Mars. Is there going to be a second season or has it been cancelled? Thanks. – Luis

Amber: Nope, sorry. ABC opted to end the first season with a whimper, never to bring it back.

Hi Amber, have you heard anything about Season 4 of Boy Meets World coming out on DVD? I read somewhere that the distribution rights were picked up by Lionsgate and that gave me hope that Season 4 and beyond would be released, but I haven’t heard anything since then. Can you shed any light on its status? – Zac

Amber: Unfortunately, there’s nothing new to announce. Lionsgate resurrected fans’ hopes that Season 4 would be released by striking a deal with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment – distributed by ABC Domestic Television back in 2008 – but as of now the project remains only a possibility.

UPDATE, from Oct. 12, 2009: Hi Amber, love your column! Why is What Not to Wear missing from TLC's Friday night lineup? I love a wedding just as much as anyone, but four episodes of Say Yes to the Dress in one night is a bit much! Thanks! – Jen

Original answer: Gosh, I hear you on that one. Four back-to-back episodes of anything in repeats is more than enough for me. As What Not to Wear wrapped up its seventh season at the end of August, and TLC has announced the renewal of several shows without a peep about WNTW, it’s unclear whether the series will return.

Update: TLC has issued a release saying new episodes of this series will return on Jan. 29 with a special 250th episode and a brand-new season featuring a woman who had gastric bypass surgery, a “wicked” gal from Salem and a priest who hates feminine clothes.

That's all for this week!

What's your question? amber@tvguide.ca

Follow Amber on Twitter!

Make sure to check back Mondays at www.tvguide.ca to see if your questions have been answered!

 

                                                    ______________________________________________________________________

A TV junkie, Amber will watch just about anything – once. One of her biggest pet peeves is when networks bounce shows around their schedule, leading to an eventual cancellation. While current gems include The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Dexter, True Blood, House, Lost and The Mentalist, she’s still crying over the cancellations of Kitchen Confidential and Pushing Daisies.

Now Amber devotes her time to analyzing the current state of TV and helping readers dissect complicated schedules. She’ll answer a variety of questions about past and present shows, spoilers and casting: anything is — and should be, up for discussion.

 ______________________________________________________________________