I heard that NBC might bring Chuck back earlier than the set date of March 2010. Is there any truth to this? I love the show and NBC really needs the help us Chuck viewers can give them. —Sarah
Amber: NBC would be dumb to wait until March to bring back one of its most successful shows. Of course, NBC isn’t known for making smart decisions in recent years, so that’s still the plan — for now. I have a feeling that when Trauma is cancelled (yes, I am putting it out there that Trauma is going to be cancelled), Chuck will get an early return to Monday nights. Keep an eye on it, and write me back if I’m right.

If I’m wrong, let’s pretend this conversation never happened.

Hi Amber, any word on when we might see the new season of Sons of Anarchy here in the Great White North? Thank you. —Dave from the trailer
Amber: Wish I had a trailer. Or an RV … I always thought it would be so much fun to take a road trip across Canada in an RV. With Doritos, of course. Or possibly Smartfood … that stuff is my kryptonite.

Argh, such a tangent. Sorry about that. Anyhow, no news on Sons of Anarchy just yet. Super Channel still hasn’t released an airdate so we need to sit tight. Actually, the station doesn’t even have it listed right now, so we’re still waiting to find out IF it will return. You can always wait for the DVD or find it on one of those illegal computer sites, but I know TVG readers would never …

Hi Amber, I started watching Dexter last season on Bravo! and was hooked. This season, it's airing on The Movie Network, which I do not have. Will it be returning to Bravo! at some point? Thanks. —Joy
Amber: I think you might be a bit behind on the Dexter phenomenon. Season 4 is currently airing on The Movie Network and Movie Central, while Season 1 just wrapped up on Bravo! The good news is that Season 2 will begin uncut on Nov. 6, so you can continue getting your fix. The bad news is that the network doesn’t currently own the rights to the third and fourth seasons. But by then, you could just catch up with the DVDs.

I heard that Southland has been cancelled all because of The Jay Leno Show in NBC’s 10 p.m. timeslot. Any noise on another station picking it up? It really is a terrific show! —Donna
Amber: Technically, Southland wasn’t cancelled because of Leno, but it sounds as though NBC is using Jay Leno as an excuse. Let me clarify: when the execs saw the first few episodes of the second season, they felt the content was too dark for a 9 p.m. timeslot. The natural assumption is that they would have scheduled the show at 10 p.m., but Leno was already airing. (It’s funny how that decision was made after Southland executive producer John Wells admitted he hoped Leno would fall flat on his face though, don’t you think?)

Anyhow, according to reports there are currently two networks bidding for the series. Neither network has been named, but TNT is rumoured to be one of them. If that’s the case, we may not get it here in Canada, as CTV pulled the show off its schedule when NBC did. A representative tells me that while Southland may wind up back on their schedule, there are no plans for that to happen right now.

Will the Glee cast members actually sing at the World Series or will it mostly just be lip-syncing? Either way I'll be watching. —Todd
Amber: Me too, I heart Glee and I heart baseball so it’s my perfect combination. When the kids take the field during Game 3, it will be to sing the national anthem. Fox hasn’t revealed whether or not the actors will be in character or if they will lip-sync (like many performers do during big live events like this), but I’m going to bet that just like the show, it’s going to be awesome.

Hi Amber, I am curious about how networks and local stations program their shows. When a TV show originally airs on one of the networks between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., I understand it is scheduled at one of those times due to “content.” A TV show with more explicit scenes will air later and a “family-friendly” program will air at 8 p.m. However, when the same shows enter off-network broadcasting, I have seen them in the mornings, afternoons and early evenings. What's up with that? Thanks. —Kevin
Amber: You’re absolutely right — series that air during certain time periods because of their content are known to show up in weird timeslots long after the original broadcast. But have you ever noticed how heavily edited these episodes are? It’s amazing how technology allows networks to seamlessly cut shots and words. Of course, there are still certain standards to which broadcasters need to adhere, and questionable content is usually removed. Otherwise, you can bet they’ll be hearing about it from a regulator.

Hi Amber, is In Plain Sight returning? I really enjoyed this show and haven't seen it anywhere in my TV listings. Thanks. —Gisele
Amber: In Plain Sight aired this summer on Global. I don’t know if the station will air the upcoming third season given their recent financial troubles, but if it’s going to show up anywhere it should be on Canwest.

Hey Amber, I’ve been reading your articles for awhile now. I am a huge TV junkie so I find it interesting to see where we are similar and where we completely differ. This fall season has been spectacular. I love Glee and Modern Family, but as hard as I try, I really hate Community. I wanted to know your thoughts; I think it's just awful. Another show that’s really hard to get my head around is Bored To Death. I still don’t know what to think, what are your thoughts? P.S. How bad is How I Met Your Mother this year! —Rams
Amber: There’s a guy on my brother’s hockey team named Rams; I think it’s such a wicked name. Anyhow, thanks for reading and dishing on what you like to watch — I love to know what people find interesting, even if I don’t always agree.

But, I do agree with you that this season has been spectacular as far as new shows are concerned. We’re lucky because there was a lot of worry that the recession would affect us, and we definitely didn’t need that after the writers’ strike.

So where do I stand on the shows you mentioned? Glee and Modern Family are on my must-watch lists, for sure (careful, there’s no new episode of Glee this week, by the way), and Cougar Town is also actually growing on me, despite my initial knee-jerk reaction to avoid it. I agree that there’s something off about Community … I’ve been watching every week and I liken it to the way I’ve come to feel about How I Met Your Mother, coincidentally — if I laugh out loud a minimum of three times an episode, I consider it a success.

As for Bored To Death … quite frankly it just bores me. I’m not giving up yet, but the humour just doesn’t do it for me.

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, 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.

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