First, I’d like to put my guess out there for your super-top-secret announcement coming later this summer. My guess is that you have a guest-starring role on one of next season’s new shows. Close? Anyways, I thought Drop Dead Diva was supposed to start airing on Global on June 9. What happened? I can’t even find it on their schedule. Do you have an update? Thanks. —Wanda
Amber: Nope, that’s not it but keep guessing. I flexed my acting chops when I was an extra on Murdoch Mysteries and my face is still red from that nightmare. My stints on etalk and ET Canada are as far as I’ll ever go on-camera. As for Drop Dead Diva, Global was supposed to air the series, then pulled out at the last minute. The network claims it’s still on tap but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Hi Amber, I am a huge fan of the late 1990s show Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, starring Ryan Reynolds. I was wondering if you know if it will be released on DVD? —Jennifer
Amber: You stirred some memories, Jennifer. I forgot Reynolds used to be one of the Pizza guys. In my mind, he’ll always be the gaudy Van Wilder — the movie before Tara Reid’s public downfall, or my co-worker Denette’s crush. Anyhow, Pizza Place still doesn’t have a release date and Fox is dragging on announcing one.
Hi Amber, my wife and I were fans of Less than Kind when it aired on Citytv but we missed Season 2 because we don’t have HBO. Are there plans to release the DVD? —Jason
Amber: Not now — the first season hasn’t been released either so it will take a while. If you enjoyed the black comedy as you claim, I recommend testing an HBO subscription and catching up with the On Demand function. You might find some other shows you like, too.
Hi Amber, I saw in your cancelled/renewed/pending show list that Medium had been renewed. Then, a future poll asked if we are more upset at Ghost Whisperer or Medium being cancelled. So is Medium coming back or not? Thanks. —Sue
Amber: It’s returning — we messed up and assumed Medium was done. CBS won’t admit defeat so easily and renewed the show despite diminishing ratings and soaring production costs. Our apologies.
Hi there, I love reading your column and follow you on Twitter. Now that I have you buttered up, do you know if Season 4 of Burn Notice will air in Canada? Super Channel aired the first three. Hopefully you have good news for me. —Nicole
Amber: You’re smart — Twitter is where I update outside of my Monday space. Sometimes I bitch, too. Anyhow, since Burn Notice airs in the U.S. now, it’s expected to come to Canada later — like many cable shows. Super Channel hasn’t committed to Burn but keep checking, that’s where it should be.
Hello Amber, I watched the finale of American Idol and was pleased Lee Dewyze won. But during the tribute to Simon Cowell, all the past winners sang for him … except David Cook! Simon also seemed to notice his absence. Where was he? —Abel
Amber: Sorry this one took awhile, it was hidden in the depths of my junk mail. Cook was absent from the commemoration because he was at a charity gig in Kansas, but sent congratulations to Dewyze via Twitter. I was rooting for Crystal Bowersox, in case you were wondering.
Hi Amber, I love reading your column every Monday morning. As glad as I am that SYTYCD is back, is there any news when my favourite version, SYTYCD Canada, will return? Thanks in advance. —Renee
Amber: Definite news — SYTYCD Canada returns Aug. 15 and runs through until fall when it’s replaced by new series The Defenders and $#*! My Dad Says (I am so sick of typing that title). It’s about time the show returned — auditions wrapped in March!
Hi Amber, quick question — with Supernatural moving to Fridays on CW, will it still air on Thursdays in Canada? —Sonia
Amber: Doubtful. Actually, I’m having a hard time tracking down a network to confirm it’s airing at all. SunTV has first-run rights but with all these newsy developments, it’s unclear what will happen to their programming. However, Space confirms Supernatural and Smallville return there this fall, but not day and time with CW.
Hi Amber, I have heard so much good about Hot in Cleveland, will we get it in Canada? Thank you. —Dolores
Amber: If you missed my announcement, CTV airs the debut episode tonight (Monday).
Dear Amber, it seems strange that A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster were fired from Criminal Minds while the spinoff is a go. Would it make sense to scrap the spinoff and keep these great actresses on the payroll? Thanks. —Amber
Amber: To fans, that looks like the obvious answer. But to CBS, Criminal Minds is aging and costly; the actors are paid more once their show is a hit and they renegotiate their contracts. Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior signifies new ad dollars, a fresh audience and future potential — bottom line.
Hi Amber, who is the artist and what is the name of the song played at the end of Y&R on June 22? It was played during the scene with Lily, Cane and Mac. —Victoria
Amber: “When the Wind Blows” by Melena Buscema and Michelle Chrenshaw.
Hi Amber, The Closer is the No. 1 show on TNT; will we ever get this great show on a Canadian channel? —Cynthia
Amber: Yes, and soon. Super Channel airs the sixth season beginning Aug. 2. I wanted to do a Top 10 Southern belles piece to honour the return, but I was vetoed by staff for a Top 10 Gordon Ramsay insults. Phooey. For more summer debuts print off our Summer Calendars.
Hi Amber, Canadian fans of White Collar are trying to find out if Season 2 will be shown on Bravo! this July? It is an excellent show; we are going to have major withdrawals if our U.S. friends are watching it and we can’t get it. Anything you can find out would be great. —Dee
Amber: Bravo! has no plans to air Season 2 of White Collar in July and hasn’t announced any future airings either. Remember that the first season didn’t begin in Canada until October — which is the way it goes with cable series — so there’s still hope.
Hi Amber, ABC Family premièred a show called Huge last week. Do you know if any Canadian stations will carry it? —Joe
Amber: No one. I’m surprised MuchMusic didn’t buy it given its current slate of series like The Hard Times of RJ Berger, Pretty Little Liars and its history of picking up ABC Family series like Greek, Make It or Break It and 10 Things I Hate About You. Perhaps it will come here later on though.
Global carried Southland, then Bravo! had promos for it, and now it’s gone. When will it air in Canada? —Debs
Amber: It already did, on Super Channel. Sorry!
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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.