Ask Amber: March 8/10

Hi there, first off I enjoy your column, so keep up the good work. But I was hoping you could help me regarding Scrubs. Now that Lost is back and airing in its spot, do you have any idea what ABC is doing with Scrubs? I know they were burning off the last remaining episodes by airing two a night for the last few weeks but are they done? Are they even filming new episodes or has the cast and crew been told it was over? Thanks and I appreciate any help. —David

Amber: I have been bugging ABC myself for this one. While I’m not a huge Scrubs gal, I do love me some Better Off Ted and want my last two episodes. In your case, you wrote just in time: ABC will “burn off” the last two ordered Scrubs episodes this week and next on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The show becomes the first non-repeat comedy to occupy that timeslot on the network since Hank’s cancellation in December. While I understand why Hank was canned, I don’t understand why nothing new has been in its slot until now. Why not boost the comedy lineup ABC managed to procure from obscurity this season with something new?

Regardless, while no official decision has been made on Scrubs or Ted, I have a feeling neither will survive another season. No new episodes of either are in production, and actors from both shows have signed on to pilots.

Dear Amber, I watched an extremely short-lived series (maybe five or six episodes aired) on Fox in the mid-to-late ‘90s called Profit. I loved this show since the bad guy always won rather than the usual Hollywood endings on shows. The main character had a beautiful apartment, but had a hidden room with a cardboard box in which he slept because he couldn’t function normally. Do you know the star’s name and whether he has done anything since? He had the most unusual voice, and I am interested to see his other work. Thanks. —Ronnalie

Amber: Heck yes, I remember that show. And the actor you’re thinking of. You see, Adrian Pasdar has been in the news quite a bit lately, and not just for his work as Nathan Petrelli on Heroes the past four years. When he was axed from the series I don’t think he took it too well, as he was officially charged with a DUI last month. Long story short, I’m certain you won’t see him in any upcoming pilots this May.

You can, however, take a browse through your local Walmart’s TV on DVD library and catch up on his work on Judging Amy or Mysterious Ways.

Can you tell me why Canadians can't view programs online originating on American stations? —Trevor

Amber: It’s a fairly complicated legal issue having to do with international distribution fees and iron-clad contracts, but it still sucks, right? While those lawyer people continue to work it all out, our online menu of TV fodder is fairly restricted. For now, CTV.ca, Globaltv.ca, Citytv.com and CBC.ca all have full episodes of Canadian and American series that you can watch the next day.

Amber, you have a great column and I was hoping you could tell me when Earth: Final Conflict Season 2 on DVD will be released? Thank you. —Don

Amber: Thanks for saying so, Don — I most certainly enjoy doing it. I hate to let you down, but the Earth: Final Conflict DVD releases are a bit tricky because of the split ownership. Universal owns the rights to the first two seasons, (the first of which was finally released last year) whereas Seasons 3, 4 and 5 were released by A.D. Vision back in 2003. Even cruddier is that the latter has stopped distributing the seasons, while Universal still hasn’t announced a Season 2 release date.

I was surprised to learn in the Feb. 8 Ask Amber column that Robert Joy (CSI: NY) is Canadian, and it got me wondering which other Canucks are on current U.S. shows? Sometimes, it seems like half the cast is Canadian! Love your column.  Thanks. —Howard

Amber: And I love hearing that. Canadians are literally everywhere you look — whenever I’m in L.A., I’m floored by the amount of actors and producers who profess their love for our country. To name every Canadian actor would take ages, and I’d probably forget a show or two to boot. For now, why don’t you check out our quiz on leading Canadian actors?

Hi there. Since all the TV shows took a longer break at Christmas and another one during Olympics, are they going to run longer or still have the finales in May? —Megan

Amber: Actually, no. Most season finales will still go down in May as originally planned. The only exception I can find right now is Glee, which has been extended to June 8. Lie to Me could also finale sometime in the summer, depending on when Fox airs the second half of its sophomore season.

Hi Amber, I seem to remember CHCH airing USA Network's Psych for a while, but then it disappeared. This show is one of my favourites because it's so full of humour and the characters are easy to love, especially Shawn and Gus. I was wondering if you could tell me if any networks are carrying it here in Canada. Thanks for any info you are able to provide me and other Psych fans out there with. —Tanya

Amber: I’d love to help you out, but unfortunately the show is one of the ones that has disappeared from Canadian schedules. You’re right — it used to air on CH (CH was derived from the call sign of flagship CHCH in 2001), but that was before Canwest converted the station into E! Canada, and we all know how that turned out. Great shows like Psych fell victim to the switch and never returned.

Hi Amber, is there any chance of a Corner Gas reunion happening? —Zachary

Amber: Only if you watch CTV Monday nights between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and catch Hiccups and Dan For Mayor, there’s a reunion of sorts for you.

Seriously, it’s a little early for a reunion, but Brent Butt has always said he’d be open to the prospect one day. For now, the sets are just crumbling away.

Law & Order UK was carried by Citytv and now Showcase, but will Season 2 be shown on either? Thanks. —Debs

Amber: According to my sources, Season 2 will definitely return to Citytv, but when and where on the schedule is still up for debate. Did you know some American viewers are jealous we get to see it and they don’t? Rare, right? Let’s bask in that smug feeling, just for a second or two.
 
I am wondering if Flashpoint will return with new episodes? I thought that it was one of the most intense and emotional program on television. —Brenda

Amber: Yup, yup — Flashpoint is actually filming the next batch of episodes right now and they sound tantalizing. Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a wait involved. CBS is still dragging its heels on airing the show in the U.S., so I’m thinking maybe it will air in the summer there. Here in Canada, CTV hasn’t decided what to do (we’ve already aired more episodes here than the U.S. has), but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s gambling on May or June as well.

Hi Amber, when will Dexter's next season begin? —Ev

Amber: This fall. Are you as jazzed as I am? My only concern is that the original show runner, Clyde Phillips, is leaving and the tone/feel won’t be the same. In his defence, last season was one heck of a way to go out, don’t you think?

Hi Amber, I love your column, you are amazing at it. I have just a quick question: did anybody but me think the [Winter Olympics'] closing ceremony sucked? I guess I just thought it would at least be equal to the opening one, but instead it just jumped from Michael Bublé to Avril Lavigne, etc., etc. ... Thanks bunches. —Tarra

Amber: Yeah, I’m going to be honest … I didn’t watch one second of it. I was too busy … celebrating … Crosby’s overtime winning goal, and then fixing my armchair from breaking when it happened. I haven’t heard anyone with that complaint, but I’m sure you aren’t alone.