Ask Amber: February 13/2012

Hi Amber, love the column. My husband and I are really into Alcatraz, but we are worried about getting too into it since we got burned with The Event. I trust your instincts and insider knowledge. Should we waste our PVR space? —Ashley

Amber: Definitely continue watching the series, especially if you’re enjoying it. Right now the show is posting minor declines in the ratings from the series debut, but it’s also gaining audiences in playback numbers throughout the week. Additionally, Fox has decided to prolong Alcatraz's episode order through to March, rather than doubling up on episodes in February. I’d wager on the renewal side right now, although it is too early to tell for sure.

I know that a show like Wheel of Fortune tapes three or four shows on a day, but Vanna makes dress changes. So what is the deal with the dragons on Dragons’ Den? Arlene has worn the same clothes/red jacket in every show. Thanks for your help, Amber. —Shelley

Amber: The dragons are actually asked to wear the same clothing during each day of taping (they film almost everything at once) so the editors can pick and choose pitches to suit each episode while maintaining continuity. I know it leaves little to desire if you’re into fashion, but rest assured that they’re not wearing ratty, smelly clothes. The dragons do change their outfits — they’re just all identical.

Hi Amber, could you find out if the new season of the BBC show Silent Witness will air in Canada? Thanks. —C

Amber: The U.K. series airs on MExcess, but that’s the only place you can currently catch it on a national channel.

Hi Amber, I have been a huge fan of Super Channel (though I admit they can improve on their movie selection), but I am frustrated with Rizzoli & Isles and The Closer. New episodes aired in the fall, then stopped and returned in January, I believe. Since then, everything has been a repeat. When will there be new episodes? I don't want to miss out on the series finale of The Closer. Thank you for your help! —Geena

Amber: No worries about The Closer’s series finale — that won’t air anywhere until the summer, so for now Super Channel has already broadcast everything available, hence the repeats. The second season of Rizzoli & Isles has also wrapped in both Canada and the U.S., and won’t return until the summer.

Hi Amber, I love your column and look forward to it every Monday when I am back to work. My question is about Kiefer Sutherland’s new show, Touch. I watched the first episode and was absolutely blown away at how good it was. The hour just flew by and I couldn’t look away for a moment. I was talking with my co-workers and it seems as though everybody had the same positive reaction to the show that I did. It was my understanding that there would only be one episode and then we would have to wait until March. Is this correct? Do you have the date that it will air again? I looked on the Fox website and couldn’t find it listed. Thanks. —Amy

Amber: I sure do. Touch returns Monday, March 19, at 9 p.m. ET on Global and Fox. I’ll tell you this — if the series attracts as many viewers in subsequent episodes as it did in the preview, Touch will inevitably be renewed. In Canada it pulled in 1.52 million viewers and in the U.S. it accumulated 12 million pairs of eyeballs. I was a fan of the debut as well, but I remain concerned that the format of the series could grow stale after several episodes. I’m reserving my ultimate judgment until I’ve seen a few more offerings.

Hi Amber, my wife and I love your column. You usually have the answers before we have caught up with TV and know to ask the questions. We have been loving Top Chef: Texas, and at the end of the episodes they keep referring to the Last Chance Kitchen where departing contestants battle to compete again. Will Food Network Canada be carrying this spinoff? Thanks. —Paul

Amber: While Food Network Canada doesn’t air Last Chance Kitchen on the network, it does air the series online. In semi-related news, once Top Chef: Texas ends its run, Canadians will be treated to the second season of Top Chef Canada starting March 12. How’s that for positive spin?

Hi Amber, is Alphas returning to Space for another season? —Lorraine

Amber: Heck yes — the Syfy/Space series will return for another 13 episodes this summer. Exact dates have not yet been announced.
 
Amber are we ever going to see Judge Joe Brown back on our stations? —Anonymous

Amber: Judge Joe Brown never left — because the series is syndicated you will have to check your local listings, but the daytime series is available across the country. Why not try our listings tool to figure out when and where you can watch?

I'm a big fan of The Amazing Race and I often wonder how much rest time there is between legs? Do the contestants have an opportunity to sightsee between legs, and why hasn't someone developed a behind-the-scenes show so we fans can see what happens during the rest period between legs? —Leslie

Amber: It’s my understanding that the contestants actually don’t have much time at all. The last time I spoke with host Phil Keoghan, he said that even he didn’t have a lot of time to actually spend in the countries the show visits. Any downtime they do have is typically spent resting. As for behind-the-scenes coverage, there are videos online at CBS.com but they are unavailable to Canadians. I suggest you start writing CTV to beef up its own online content.

What's your question? amber@tvguide.ca