You Asked: Feb. 1/10

Hi Amber, love you, love your column, thinking about being you for Halloween! (Since everyone always professes their love for you, I figured I'd up it a bit.) I was very pleased to learn about Big Brother Québec on V network. I tried to contact the network, but did not get through and just wanted to know the eligibility requirements. More specifically, if French-speaking Canadians (like me), who reside outside of Québec are able to participate? Thanks! – Marc

Amber: From what I can tell (and my French is terribly rusty), the show is only open to residents of Québec between the ages of 18 and 88. (Why 88?) I think it’s because contest rules in Québec usually vary quite a bit from Canada’s other provinces, and because the show will broadcast there.

By the way, your Halloween comment is the best compliment ever. You gave me abs from laughing.

Hi Amber, has anyone in Canada picked up the new FX show Archer? Thanks. – Dan

Amber: No, and how disappointing. This animated series began airing just last month on FX (although there was a special preview last fall) to a whopping 1.8 million viewers. I’d say that’s a cigar for a cartoon airing on a cable station. Mind you, the sophomore episode fell 30 per cent in ratings from week to week, so I hope the network didn’t light it just yet.

Hi Amber, I absolutely love your column. My husband and I LOVE the show Southland and we know NBC cancelled it to make room for the Jay Leno prime-time debacle (that worked out well, didn't it?) and U.S. cable station TNT picked it up. Is there any chance of Southland being aired in Canada again? Thank you. – Lisa

Amber: Unfortunately, CTV has zero-zilch-nada plans to air the series as of right now, but you never know when that could change. When a series airs on a U.S. cable station, it’s very rare that a network here will pick it up day-and-date because of the costs. If Southland does well in the U.S., though, CTV might air it after the fact on one of their umbrella stations. Keep in mind, it could also land somewhere else if CTV opts never to air it. For now we just have to sit tight.

Are you related to Natasha Henstridge? Or perhaps some of her DNA was used to clone you. Onto the question: I’m a big fan of some old Fox series including Ned and Stacey. I would love to see Season 2 of this show, which only partially aired in Canada. How can I find out info regarding its release? Thanks respectfully. – Sterling

Amber: Nope, no relation, but thanks for that! You totally made my morning. I wish I could make yours, but there are no rumblings of either a second season airing here right now or of a DVD release. You could write some musings to Sony Pictures and see if they respond, though.

Is Passions still on TV, and if so, what channel and time? – Tom

Amber: Confession time: I used to love watching that campy soap. Everyone, even people who watch garbage like The Hills, would make fun of me. And yes, I just called The Hills garbage while admitting to liking Passions.

Anyhow, the NBC series came to a close after nine seasons with a “happy” ending that consisted of ridiculously insane storylines. A lot of the actors can now be seen on fellow Peacock soap Days of our Lives, if it’s any consolation.

Hi Amber, is Spartacus: Blood and Sand going to air on a non-cable Canadian network or channel? – Ryan

Amber: Heck no. Have you seen the promos? This show is way too graphic and sexual to be seen on anything other than cable – people would have heart attacks.

I sure enjoy watching Damages – how much will we see of Timothy Olyphant’s character this season? Will his double persona be revealed to Ellen (Rose Byrne)? Oh, and if you happen upon him, feel free to tell him he's freakin’ hot, too. I know you're a busy chick, so one last thing – you remind me of Becki Newton from Ugly Betty. Good times! Have fun in L.A. sista! – Annette

Amber: Can you tell I have some catching up to do with my questions? I’ve been back from The City of Angels for a little over a week and yet I’m still somehow behind. Anyhow, I didn’t tell Olyphant he was hot, but I definitely thought it … for you, of course.

It seems as though some outlets are reporting that the actor will return as a part-time recurring character on Season 3, but FX says he isn’t. That’s because Olyphant is starring on his own FX show, Justified, which isn’t yet available in Canada.

And, Becki Newton is way hotter, although I guess I have one up on her now that Ugly Betty is cancelled — I still have a job. What a terrible decision by ABC on that one.

Hi Amber, will the new episodes of White Collar (on USA Network beginning Jan. 18) air on Bravo? Also, do you also know where Canadians can view previous episodes? I have searched everywhere. Thanks! – Dee

Amber: Better late than never, but Bravo! began airing new episodes of this series Friday nights on Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. Unfortunately, the episodes aren’t available anywhere (legally) in Canada just yet, so set those PVRs.

Hey Amber, what happened to Survivor villain Jonny Fairplay? He was up there with the best of them, lying about his grandmother dying and all. I think he should have been cast on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. – Teresa

Amber: Remember when Jonny Fairplay was asked to participate in Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favourites, and he left because he was going through a tough time? I asked Jeff Probst to verify why Fairplay wasn’t invited back and I had my suspicions confirmed:

“Oh, that’s easy. Because it’s called Fans vs. Favourites, not Survivor: Quitters.”

I also asked Fairplay what he thought about Probst’s comment, and he was not impressed. “Wow. I would like to punch out his top front teeth and shatter his jaw, and see how he would do on Survivor.”

What happened to Sarah Carter (Shark)? She was introduced as a new character, Haylen Becall, on CSI: NY and appeared briefly in three episodes before suddenly disappearing. The show needed a new character after killing one off last season and I thought they were doing just that. Now I'm not so sure. – Ralf

Amber: Although original reports stated that our own Canadian sweetheart was joining CSI: NY on a regular basis, CBS only hired her in a recurring role for an unspecified amount of episodes. I don’t see her listed in any of February’s episodes, and March details have yet to be announced. However, a rep with CBS confirms to me that her character has taken a job with the FBI and there are no plans to bring her back right now.

What is happening with Eastwick? Rumour is ABC cancelled it, but do you know if ANYONE is picking it up? I sure hope so. I just love this show and would really like to keep watching it. Thanks Amber, happy new year! – Candace

Amber: Happy new year to you, too! Unfortunately, Eastwick did get the old heave-ho, as did Ugly Betty (the latter just last week). Maybe ABC’s Wednesday 10 p.m. timeslot is cursed. Dirty Sexy Money used to air there and it suffered the same fate. Same goes for Life on Mars. Actually, the only show that made it there for a while was Private Practice, and even that got bumped over to Thursday nights. I feel bad for whatever show lands there next.

Hi Amber, my family and I really enjoy The Unit.  Can you tell me if it is coming back this season? Thanks. – Lesley

Amber: It’s not, sorry.

Dear Amber, what is with the networks cancelling good shows like Without a Trace, Dirty Sexy Money and Worst Week, and keeping shows that are so bad I can’t imagine who’s watching them? Enough with all these reality shows, too. Thanks. – Della

Amber: Let’s be honest, you wanted me to rant, right? I could go on and on about not only the quality of current programming, but the way shows are measured, but everyone is aware of what a mess prime-time schedules have become so that would just be beating a dead horse. Basically, a network considers several things when it makes decisions, including the number and age of viewers, DVD sales, DVR and PVR numbers, online downloads and cost to produce the show itself (high-paid actors, big-money shots, etc.) Unfortunately, good shows sometimes fall prey to one or more of these, leaving viewers like you extremely disappointed.

Hi Amber, I read your column faithfully every Monday because, like you, I am a TV junkie. My question is: I watch only one soap opera a day and that's Days of our Lives. With NBC planning to provide full coverage of the Olympics, does this mean my favourite soap won't be on-air until after the Games are done? – Roxanne

Amber: Unfortunately, yes – if you live in the U.S. We Canadians have Global on our side and since CTV is airing the Olympics, you can still get your Days fix with original episodes the entire run, save for Feb. 15.