Hi Amber, I hope you enjoyed watching the Olympics and are ready for everything to get back to normal. You answered a question recently about who pays for the renovations and stuff like that on shows like Holmes on Holmes, etc. and left a link for casting calls.
Are any of these existing shows or maybe future new shows ever going to go outside of Toronto? It’s not like it is the only city that exist in the country. I am sure that there are many people in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, etc that could really use the help of these shows. - Kevin
Amber: Well, I still have that damned “I Believe” song in my head and a torn chair from Crosby’s overtime goal, but other than that, yes … things are quite normal, thanks for the well-wishes.
As for the HGTV plight, I sympathize. It’s similar to how Canadians can’t participate on Survivor or The Amazing Race — so much fun to watch, but why can’t we actually do it? I did notice all of the casting calls are looking for residents of the greater Toronto area, but I also noticed that sister stations Slice and Food Network cast in places like Alberta, B.C. and Vancouver, so there is hope.
The problem is that most production companies are based in Toronto, and because of budgets that’s where many shows throw their casting net. There are series filmed outside of the GTA, though. Take it Outside and The Stagers hail from B.C.; Bugs and Bloom is from Alberta; Property Shop and Face Lift are based in Quebec; Bed and Breakfast Dream is in PEI, and Family Renovation is from Nova Scotia.
“Those are just a handful of shows that are currently airing of have aired, but that doesn’t include the many shows we have and are currently developing,” says director of original programming for HGTV, Michelle Kosoy. “HGTV has an open door policy to meet and collaborate with producers from every region.”
Hi Amber, where is Burn Notice? I know USA Network is running current episodes and I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens with Michael and Fiona! I don't even see it listed as a series on the Super Channel website. – Stephanie
Amber: If and when the series returns to Super Channel is still up in the air, but the network confirms it is working on bringing the show back so Canadian viewers can see the second half of Season 3.
Amber, I haven't seen any recent episodes of Lie to Me. Is it just on hiatus because of the Olympics or has the show been cancelled? Also, I understand the detective show Life was cancelled. Another show I enjoyed, particularly the lead actor, Damian Lewis. He's an amazing look-alike to Steven McQueen and has similar mannerism to McQueen. If ever there was to be a movie made about McQueen he would be a natural for the movie. – Jim
Amber: Funny, I’ve never made that comparison, but I can see it now that you mention it. You’re right, Life was cancelled last year, but there are no McQueen movies in the works for Lewis. Actually, he’s just wrapping up a starring in a London theatre production of Molière’s The Misanthrope alongside Keira Knightley that earned some mixed reviews.
As for Lie to Me, Fox put it on a bit of a hiatus and plans to air the rest of Season 2 Monday nights beginning June 7. Unfortunately, the ratings were below 10 million an episode and that really can’t compete on a fall schedule, so the network is testing the waters to see if the show can pull similar numbers on the summer sked, a feat that would be considered successful.
Hi Amber! I was wondering if you know when The Vampire Diaries is coming back?
- Shelby
Amber: Oh my gosh, let me gush for a moment here. I am having serious withdrawal from that show — it’s SUCH a guilty pleasure of mine and I love that I can catch it at 6 p.m. ET thanks to timeshifting. OK, gush over. Vampire Diaries returns with new episodes on March 25.
I follow you all the time, but what's the deal with Accidentally on Purpose??? Are the rumours true, is it cancelled??? I love this show and Jon Foster is soooo yummy.
Thanks. – Tasha
Amber: It’s OK you can relax, the series is not cancelled. CBS moved it from Monday nights to make room for Rules of Engagement (which is performing better) but will pair it with The New Adventures of Old Christine on Wednesday nights beginning April 7.
On a side note, am I the only one who finds Billie and Zack as a couple hard to swallow?
Hey, I was wondering about Merlin. The kids loved that this summer. Have we heard anything about it this year? Thanks. – B
Amber: I’ve heard, unfortunately, that CTV did not pick up the rights to air the second season. In the U.S., SyFy acquired the show, but no word yet on whether or not Space will do the same here. This surprises me since the ratings were decent for a summer series here in Canada, and because I got tons of questions from readers about its return. If I hear anything new I’ll keep you posted.
Hi Amber, I love reading your column. So many of the shows my husband and I watch seem to keep disappearing from TV. We are almost afraid to invest any more time in new shows just to watch them get cancelled: Trauma and Defying Gravity are recent examples. We started watching My Name is Earl and found out it is cancelled as well. Anyway, my husband was wondering what has happened with Crusoe and also Flash Gordon. Are there any new episodes? Crusoe repeats have just started up again on Citytv. Thanks for your help. – Judy
Amber: I hear ya; loving a show and having it cancelled is a huge frustration to anyone. With a movie at least you get closure — you know it’s the end. But with a season finale, there is often doubt as to whether or not the show will come back for another run, and often producers like to use cliffhangers to keep people watching from one instalment to the next. Unfortunately, neither Flash Gordon nor Crusoe are returning. But on a positive note, at least Trauma is getting another shot now that NBC has brought it back for several episodes.
Hi Amber, do you know when the second season of True Blood will come out on DVD? – Jane
Amber: May 25. Look for DVD columnist Diana Cowan’s complete review. In the meantime, re-watch or get hooked on Season 1, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Space.
Hi Amber, I was just wondering if you had heard anything definite about Smallville returning for a tenth season. Thanks. – Keith
Amber: Just last week actually, and yes: Smallville has been picked up for a 10th season.
Hi Amber, I don't know if you've answered this already, but do you know if and when a Canadian station will air the second season of Southland? I know Bravo aired the first season. Thanks. – Jen
Amber: Super Channel will air the first and second season beginning tonight. If you need more reasons to subscribe here they are: Sons of Anarchy, Men of a Certain Age, The Closer, Party Down and Justified.
______________________________________________________________________
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.