Hi Amber, love your column. My question is about reality shows like Survivor, The Amazing Race and Big Brother. What payment do the losing contestants receive? Are there secondary prizes? (Btw, I totally agree with you about Fawlty Towers!) – Ralf

Amber: Each show is set out differently in terms of contestants’ financial compensation, but networks are very mum about specific amounts. For example, I’ve heard a rumour that Survivor contestants are paid $10,000 each to attend the live finale, but during contestant interviews I’ve only managed to confirm an undisclosed amount, as CBS asks them not to give a number. In 2005, MSNBC revealed that Survivor and The Amazing Race contestants were paid on a sliding scale based on their elimination, with the participants winning anything from $1,500 to the million dollar prize. Mind you, certain editions (like the All-Stars) reportedly pay more.

Many moons ago, Durham County aired on Global – any chance of it returning to this network or some other station in Canada? Also, what’s up with the latest season of The Closer? – D

Amber: This sounds like a case of subscriber blues. If you want to catch up on The Closer, you need to order Super Channel. It’s a fairly small monthly addition to your bill for a world of decent shows. As for Durham County, Season 3 will bow sometime this year on The Movie Network and Movie Central, and will also be available On Demand. Did you miss Season 2? If so, you should really check it out – True Blood’s Michelle Forbes had an incredible role.

I am in agreement with you about the original Melrose Place. I just bought Season 5, Vol. 2, which is just a cash grab, in my opinion. Anyways, Melrose was one of my first truly loved TV shows. Will the last two seasons be released soon? – Donna

Amber: It’s such a guilty pleasure, isn’t it? The first season was terrible, but once Heather Locklear joined and Vanessa Williams exited, it was such fun. I actually spent all of New Year’s Day eating leftover dip and watching the DVDs with my roommate. But I digress.

There has been no announcement from Paramount Home Entertainment on whether the final two seasons will be released, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t be at this point. The volumes have hit DVD at fairly regular intervals, so my guess is that if Season 6 is released, it will hit shelves by November – if there aren’t any bigger fish to fry in the Paramount vaults.

I'm a big fan of Supernatural. Will this be the last season for the show? I heard a rumour they only planned for a five-year run and as we all know, this is the fifth season. – Ringo

Amber: Five years was indeed the timeline in creator Eric Kripke’s head when Supernatural began, but he’s openly stated he would do another season if The CW is on board. His fear is the storylines will become watered down, which is why he wanted to wrap up after five. But, that doesn’t mean new ones can’t be introduced in the future. Both Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are signed up for six seasons, so things look promising.

Hi, was Life cancelled? That was a damn good cop show, as was Boomtown. – Chappy

Amber: Sorry, ‘fraid so! Life started off strong in the ratings, but died down when NBC shuffled it around across the prime-time board.

Great news, Amber. I noticed you made no mention of the return of Southland in your most recent column, but TNT purchased the rights to the show and its set to return Jan. 12, 2010! – Craig

Amber: Hey Craig, a reader asked about Southland back in November after TNT confirmed it picked up the show; however, it still isn’t airing in Canada just yet. So I’d say the news is more bittersweet than great at this point — bittersweet rather than rotten because I’m holding out for an eventual DVD release.

Season 1 of What I Like About You is available to buy, but I was wondering if they will ever release Seasons 2-4? I really like this show and would definitely buy all the seasons if they were available. Thanks. – Julie

Amber: Sorry Julie, but Warner Bros. has no current plans to release any of the remaining seasons.

Hi Amber, will Season 7 of One Tree Hill be the last one? Thanks. – Fiona

Amber: To be honest, I thought Season 6 would be the show’s last and yet it wasn’t. One Tree Hill’s been posting decent numbers for The CW, even without Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, so I have a feeling it may be renewed again. However, we have no confirmation from the network just yet — that should happen by May, at the latest.

Hi, I love the show The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Any news of its return? – Daniela

Amber: Not yet. HBO executives admitted they’d love to keep doing the series, but because the show’s creative vision, Anthony Minghella, passed away after the pilot, and because the series is a co-production with the U.K., there are many hats trying to sort out how to proceed.

I love Trauma. Do you think they will bring it back? – Sharon

Amber: Yes, with the remaining six unaired episodes in the spring. After that, it’s highly doubtful. Not only did NBC order a whopping 18 new pilots this year that will contend with a potential sophomore season of Trauma, the series is quite costly to produce considering its below-average ratings.

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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