Hi Amber, I was wondering if you could tell me when or if HBO has signed on for Season 2 of How To Make It In America and Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures? Unfortunately I haven’t heard if any of these shows are returning for another season. —Kimberly

Amber: You’ll be half-happy. How to Make It has indeed been confirmed for a second season and will air in the U.S. (and probably Canada) sometime next summer. However, The Movie Network and Movie Central have so far opted not to pick up a second of Bloodletting — they were happy keeping it as an eight-part “special.”

Hi Amber, when did Saturday night become the night of the week for failing shows? I remember back when it was just like any other weeknight, with The Golden Girls, a very successful show, airing Saturdays for the seven-year duration of the show. —Jordan

Amber: It happened sometime in the late 1980s, early 1990s, when an increasing number of older shows were relegated to the weekends in order for new series to debut during the week. That, plus the advent of a trillion cable stations, online viewing, and TV on DVD sure hasn’t helped either — ratings are split amongst so many sources nowadays. And, of course, advertisers want the young buck, so networks are always in search of that key 19-49-year-old demo — you know, the ones who presumably don’t stay in on the weekends to catch up on the old telly.

Hi Amber, I need the news you know. I see My Boys has kicked off a new season down south. When do we get it up here, and where? Also, any news airing on Burn Notice’s next season in Canada? —Hugh

Amber: No My Boys in Canada, sorry Hugh — Peachtree isn’t airing the TBS series, and since that’s the only channel that comes through to Canadian soil, we’re SOL. And I tested the online site too, just in case — no cigar.

As for Burn Notice, Super Channel was working to obtain rights to air the new season, but so far nothing has come to fruition. You can watch it from the beginning this fall on Showcase, however. If enough Canucks tune in, they might just keep it on the air.

Hi Amber, I really enjoy reading your column every Monday. I watch Doc Martin every Wednesday on Vision TV and when they show shots of the village it looks like a beautiful area, so I was wondering where the series is filmed? —Lorraine

Amber: I’m sort of shocked that someone here actually watches the other Doctor Crankypants — what a concept. Martin Clunes is great, but since House debuted on Fox only a couple of months after Doc Martin, the latter very rarely gets any attention here. Anyhow, the series films in a small fishing village called Port Isaac in North Cornwall in the U.K., and most of the inside stuff is done in a converted barn.

Hi Amber, double question. When and where will the new Futurama season air in Canada and when will the remaining seasons of Newhart show up on DVD? —Sean

Amber: I have a hunch that Teletoon is trying to secure rights to the new episodes of Futurama, but so far no luck. As for Newhart, unfortunately there are no new plans to release anything further than the first season.

Hi Amber, I'm willing to accept the premise that this family on No Ordinary Family is suddenly endowed with superpowers, but I am having serious trouble suspending my disbelief that Michael Chiklis would ever be able to land the smokin' hot Julie Benz. Am I alone in this? —Diane

Amber: Less-than-attractive men being paired with beautiful women is not a new concept — you’ve watched TV before, right? Do I need to bring up According to Jim or The King of Queens? I guess we’re supposed to believe that Chiklis’s charm is what landed him such a “smokin’” wife, but they actually do have pretty good chemistry in the pilot. Besides, it’s all about personality, right? Right?!

Hi Amber, is Dog The Bounty Hunter making a movie? —Tim

Amber: Duane “Dog” Chapman is credited as playing Bogg in an upcoming film called Austin High, but that’s it for now.

Hi Amber, Eric Stonestreet’s character, Cameron Tucker, on Modern Family always has these great button-down shirts. Any idea on finding out where to shop for them? —Chas

Amber: He has fantastic shirts, doesn’t he? Stonestreet has said that, knowing his character, they would probably be custom-made, but in reality the costume peeps grab them from Macy’s.

Hey Amber, love the column! I have a few questions: One, any new developments in terms of Cougar Town's alleged name change? Two, do you know what time Doctor Who will air on Space for this upcoming season? And three, do you think that Supernatural's new Friday time-slot will be detrimental? I know that Smallville did/does well on Fridays, but every other show I’ve heard of usually goes there to die ... Sorry for all the questions, but I would love to hear your answers! —Kelly

Amber: You don’t ask for much, do you? Well, as far as Cougar Town goes, the name is staying put. After defending the name for an entire season, why would they really want to throw even more money to rebrand the show? It’s just got “bad idea” written all over it.

Next, new Doctor Who episodes aren’t expected to be released until at least spring of next year, so you’ll have to sit tight — Season 5 wrapped on Space at the end of July.

Finally, I have a good feeling about the new Friday night time-slot for Supernatural. After all, the series has attracted quite a loyal fanbase, and The CW doesn’t really count ratings the way the rest of the big American networks do. If anything, I’d be worried about the new management, not the timeslot.

You mentioned that Merlin is on Space, but it’s repeats of the show that we saw last summer. When will Season 2 air? —BC

Amber: Yep, the first season of Merlin is currently repeating on Space, and the second season is set to premiere sometime in early September. Space is a little behind the Brits and the Americans, but it’s better than nothing.

Hi Amber, Just wondering if Faces of a Vanishing World will be available online? I know thousands of JoeyL’s followers who aren’t in the U.S. would love to see it. —Rob

Amber: That’s because Joey Lawrence is Canadian. No, not that Joey Lawrence, the JoeyL who has hair, and has also become something of a prodigy (he was 19 when the show was shot) thanks to his outstanding photography. Unfortunately, not only does the artist now live in New York, but his series airs on Ovation, which we don’t get here — online or otherwise.

That’s all for this week!

What's your question? amber@tvguide.ca

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

 

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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 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.

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