Hi again. Now that Southland is being picked up by TNT, is there a chance Season 2 will air in Canada, or will we be forced to wait for DVD? And while we’re on the topic, how much Canadian content is REALLY required before a network like TNT can be carried in Canada? (How about the NASA channel? That space station robotic arm is in just about every shot, and THAT is Canadian content.) Thanks. – Ryan

Amber: That arm is titillating; I dunno what planet you’re from. Bazinga! — just kidding. In all seriousness, neither CTV nor Canwest have any plans to air Southland here. CTV had the rights when the series was on NBC, but a rep tells me that changed with the cancellation. So if Rogers, The Movie Network/Movie Central or Super Station all pass on the sophomore season once it returns in 2010, you will have to wait for the DVD.

As for Canadian content, the current CRTC regulations (as I understand them) state that at least 60 per cent of programming between 6 a.m. and midnight, and 50 per cent of programming between 6 p.m. and midnight, must be partially written, produced, presented or contributed by Canadians. Usually news eats a large part of that requirement, but as we all know, there are many issues going on right now between networks, broadcasters and the CRTC. Clearly something isn’t working and our programming is suffering as far as I’m concerned.

Hi Amber, do you have any news on Defying Gravity? Has ABC cancelled it? If so, is there a chance that another network could pick up its production? – Kevin

Amber: Officially the series hasn’t been cancelled. There are a couple of episodes that remain unaired, but ABC hasn’t announced when or if they will make it back onto its schedule. Here in Canada, the series went dark on CTV once Flashpoint returned, but it did play out in full on Space.

As for future episodes, I’m doubtful that will happen on any networks. The sets have been torn down and those involved are moving onto other projects, so it’s a safe bet to assume the series is done and over.

It’s too bad because the series itself wasn’t terrible, but the Friday night timeslot coupled with the “Grey’s Anatomy in Space” promotional line probably turned off more potential viewers than it garnered.

Does Accidentally On Purpose have a chance of being picked up or will it go away? I love Jenna Elfman, but cannot stand this show; she could do so much better. Also, do you think that Melrose Place will be picked up for a full season? – Luke

Amber: I cannot agree with you more — Accidentally on Purpose is a terrible, terrible comedy as far as I’m concerned and that saddens me because I’m a fan of all of the actors on-board the project individually.

Ratings-wise, the comedy has fared pretty close to its lead-in, How I Met Your Mother, and is lucky that it’s in a fairly successful CBS Monday night comedy block. That means the series actually does have a chance at making a full season, but it will probably suffer a similar fate to last year’s newbie comedy, Worst Week, and become a one-season wonder.

As for CW’s Melrose Place, I seriously think the network is hoping Heather Locklear can save the show — again. The producers have obviously done some revamping and it looks as though the show will continue to be stroked for now, but if ratings don’t improve to the heights of 90210 (or even Smallville) The CW has some other shows on the back burner it might bring out.

Hey Amber, what’s the deal with The Closer and Saving Grace? They are both really good shows. I am going to miss Patrick Swayze's The Beast too. He portrayed a really good character and it was a good show. – Carey

Amber: The deal with The Closer is that the latest season airs on Super Channel, which unfortunately isn’t available across Canada just yet. Repeats also air weeknights on Viva.

Saving Grace will return in the summer of 2010, however TNT has cancelled any further production of the series and only nine episodes will air. Here in Canada, Showcase has traditionally picked up the series, but so far the network has given no indication if it will continue to do so with the fourth and final season.

Dear Amber, I heard a rumour that The Best Years is returning. Is this true? If so, is it going to air in Canada? Your fan. – Ivana

Amber: Hey there Ivana, thanks for your fan-ship! Sorry, but The Best Years isn’t coming back. It was a Canadian series that ran on E! back in 2007, and on The N in the U.S. I think you might be confused because The N ordered a second season that ran there before it came here in April, but it was eventually cancelled on both networks.
 
Hi Amber, what are your thoughts on the cancellation of The Unusuals on ABC and Global? I only managed to see a few episodes and was so disappointed to hear of this. I enjoy Amber Tamblyn, but really found myself tuning in for the chemistry between Adam Goldberg (Eric) and Harold Perrineau (Leo). What an absolutely entertaining pair! Any word on whether it will be released on DVD? – Lexi

Amber: To be honest, I was never a huge fan of The Unusuals and wasn’t surprised when it was cancelled. It was good summer fodder, but summer dramas are really hard to pull off. This midseason seems as though it was exceptionally hard, if you stop and think about all of the cancelled series that just didn’t make it: The Unusuals, The Listener in the U.S., The Philanthropist, Cupid … Castle could be the one exception.

No word on a DVD release just yet, but keep an eye peeled on Diana’s DVDs every Tuesday here at TVGuide.ca for any updates.

Dear Font of all TV Knowledge, I just bought Battlestar Galactica: The Plan and I’m going to watch it tonight. When and where will the new Caprica series air? I just can't wait! – Linda

Amber: You won’t have to wait too long – Caprica premières on SyFy Jan. 22, 2010. Obviously we don’t have access to that station here, but the series is heading north eventually. Space hasn’t announced if it will air the series in simulcast or in another timeslot just yet, but it has bought the rights.

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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