Note: I am currently in L.A. covering the annual Television Critics Association summer press tour. Check TV Guide Canada (tvguide.ca) for my daily blog and news stories, and take a gander at my agenda to see if any of your shows are on my hit list. Now on to this week's questions.

Where can I see the third season of Da Kink in my Hair? I can only seem to get repeats of the first and second season. I love this show. – Daniela

Amber: I hate to set a negative introductory tone to week’s column, but Daniela, Da Kink is gone. Canwest opted not to pick up a third season of the series, despite the groundbreaking portrayal of African American women it encompassed. It’s unfortunate, because I feel (and this is my personal opinion here) that if Kink had a bigger budget and stronger promotion, it could have amassed a larger following and perhaps even migrated south.

Hello, is Dexter going to return and the Seinfeld reunion? Thanks – Ross

Amber: Loaded question there, Ross. Dexter returns to The Movie Network and Movie Central on Sept. 27 (10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. ET). I have my own personal countdown going, because the fabulous John Lithgow joins the cast this season as Dexter’s latest “rival,” the Trinity Killer. I’m going to do my best to hunt him down at the CBS party this week here in L.A. and try to get some more info for you.

As for the Seinfeld reunion, as I reported last week it will happen on Curb Your Enthusiasm this fall, when the actors guest star as themselves playing their characters. In the season finale, we’ll see snippets of a fake episode that will explain where the characters have been for the last eleven years, but it is an ongoing storyline for Curb.

Hi Amber, do you know if China Beach will ever be on DVD?  I have looked everywhere for it but no luck! Practically everything ever shown on TV is on DVD now, so I don't understand why it isn't. Also when the fall shows begin and they are pre-empted at Christmas why is there such a mix up after the holiday season? Some of the new shows are reruns, some programs that the guide on TV says are a certain episode and the one they show is not what the description says? It is very confusing and frustrating. Thank you – Karen

Amber: Warner Bros. doesn’t have any plans to release it right now, but trust me — there is plenty of TV that hasn’t made it to DVD yet, and that’s a good thing. However, China Beach is a fairly prominent series from its time, so a future release is a definite possibility.

As for the rescheduling problem, I feel your pain. One of the hardest things about producing something like TV Guide is keeping up with the menopausal scheduling decisions some networks make. At Christmas everything is off-air to make room for the holiday specials, but it’s also a time for execs to reexamine their numbers and try to make their primetime grids more competitive and appealing to key audiences. Unfortunately that means some re-jigging and even cancellations are in order, and that in turn makes you, the view, want to pull out your hair.

Hi Amber - I used to love the show Ed with Tom Cavanaugh and it kills me that there are more viewers out there who would prefer trash rather than shows like it. But I digress ...  Do you know when/if it will come out on DVD?? I have been checking in at Amazon and it never comes up. Thanks – Lindsay

Amber: Thanks for keeping the tangent to a minimum, I do appreciate it. I’m hearing that there are music rights issues behind releasing Ed, but that the ultimate goal is to get it out there at some point. Unfortunately I’m not sure how far from now that point is.

Hello Amber, I loved the CBC Vancouver filmed mini-series called Dragon Boys. Will there ever be a continuation as I think it would make a great series. - Laurie M

Amber: Mini-series + CBC = probably not anytime soon. If you email info@omnifilm.com though, you can at least order the two-disk DVD.

Hey there, I do read your articles from time to time, but this question is for you, not about a TV program. I am just wondering how does someone get a job like yours? Is there a school you went to for Journalism? Or can anyone do that job?  Thanks – Bob

Amber: I do answer questions like this from time to time, I guess. I have a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University and have a PVR more maxed out than Rebecca Bloomwood’s credit card. It was bound to happen at some point.

Hi Amber! Wife of one of your Dad's hockey mates here. Is there any truth to the rumour that there is going to be a remake of JAG?  Ladies here at work have a real big crush on our Miltonite who happens to star in the series! Thanks and send the sun our way PLEASE! – Maggie

Amber: My dad’s going to be so happy he got another mention in my column (for those who don’t know he doubles as my agent in a non-Joe Simpson way), but I guess you’re not going to love the fact that a JAG remake isn’t happening anytime soon. Do you watch NCIS? Because that’s actually a JAG spinoff, even though you’d never know it now (and, ironically it’s now getting its own spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles).

As for your Milton boy, David James Elliott, who also graduated from Ryerson by the way, he’s been doing lots of stuff recently. He just appeared on ABC’s Impact and NBC’s The Storm, he had a stint on The Guard, and his upcoming project, Bed and Breakfast, in now in post-production.

Amber, I keep hearing rumours that Life is being cancelled. Please tell me it isn't so. In a sea of dreck and mindless, brain-dead TV, Life is an island of intelligence and humour.  It's clever and pithy and has characters that are actually likeable. Do you have any good news to share?? – Joanna

Amber: Sorry, no. It isn’t being cancelled, it is cancelled. 

Hi Amber:  I have been a lifelong fan of the CFL, and I really enjoy the Canadian classic Grey Cup. Imagine my surprise when I couldn't find it last fall on broadcast television. There are tens of thousands of us out there who still use antennas. As a result of TSN's action all these people are arbitrarily removed from the viewing audience. Not everybody wants to support a cable or satellite bill. Remember curling up on the couch with a beverage and maybe a snack, turning on the CBC and watching the game? Or maybe you're not a sports fan. - John
 
Amber: Where to start? Coors Light and nachos are my preference. As for TSN and this issue, all I can say is welcome to the future. People are in the business of making money, and you only have to look South to see that paid TV is coming, even HBO there is promoting their series and stuff at Comicon, where younger people traditionally go, in hopes that this thing will catch on. That being said I agree something like the Grey Cup should be available to all Canadians, especially with the sport’s decline.

Hi Amber, I just discovered your column recently and I am thrilled to find a Canadian perspective and Canadian answers after following some of the U.S. columns in the past. I am wondering if you know anything about The Unusuals being released on DVD. I really loved it and was sad that it did not catch on. Thanks – Jenny

Amber: I’ve just discovered you’re my favourite new reader, Jenny. Unfortunately there’s no release date for The Unusuals just yet, but it would surprise me if it wasn’t released within the year.

Hi Amber, really missing two of my fave shows. Where is Paranormal State disappear to?  One day it was there and then one day "poof" gone, not even reruns?  Every week I go on a hunt for Grey's as well, I know its summertime but I can survive till September at least on reruns. Thanks bunches - Tarra

Amber: Grey’s repeats air most Thursdays at its usual time on ABC and Paranormal State airs Mondays at 11 p.m. ET on A.

Is Raising the Bar coming back to Canadian TV?  I know it is currently on US networks. Thank you in advance. – Linda

Amber: CTV has no current plans to air it.

I know it's a very slim chance, but are there DVD's available of The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos? Being a relatively new viewer of the show, I would love to see so many of the interviews George has done over the years. – Sandie

Amber: Strombo’s show hasn’t migrated over to DVD … yet. But as reader Micki points out, you can watch the show online at cbc.com/thehour.

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 Office, Dexter, Pushing Daisies, House, Brothers & Sisters and The Big Bang Theory, she’s still crying over the cancellations of Cashmere Mafia and Kitchen Confidential.

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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