Hey Amber, love your column.  Is it my imagination or is Christian Slater’s My Own Worst Enemy strikingly similar to Jekyll? Also, do you have any idea when Damages and Dexter will return to non-pay Canadian television? You are the fountain of information to which I turn when curious, and I'm impressed by the range of your knowledge. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date. You're the bright spot in my Tuesdays. Does that mean I have no life? – Kacey

Amber: Kacey I’m happy to tell you that you do have a life, because this little column of mine comes out on Mondays, which means you’re clearly too busy to read it right away. But that’s OK; your kind words enable me to forgive you. Now let’s dig into your questions shall we?

Thank you for pointing out how obviously similar My Own Worst Enemy is to the amazing six-part British series Jekyll. I find it ridiculously annoying that major U.S. networks are running out of ideas and rip off international ideas. The show hasn’t even cracked Canada’s 30 most-watched shows, so you can see how unpopular it is. Plus, Christian Slater has nothing on Jekyll’s James Nesbitt; I’ve disliked Slater since The Wizard, which starred a young Fred Savage.

As it currently stands, Dexter will not be returning to free TV now that this whole strike business is behind us, but Damages should return to Showcase in early 2009. Here’s a sneak peek:

 

Hi Amber, I just read a rumour that Brooke Smith has been booted from Grey's Anatomy by the big wigs at ABC. Please, Amber, say it ain't so! Things with Erica Hahn are just starting to get interesting! – Michael

Amber: I totally wish I could help you out and give you some good news here, but the unfortunate truth is that she’s gone. There’s a whole bunch of controversy about whether she was fired because of the gay storyline, although creator Shonda Rhimes released a public statement that this wasn’t the case. I’ll miss Hahn – she grew on me after the first few episodes. Even sadder is that now the Callie character will be pining for her all season (judging from past Grey’s experience) and guest star Melissa George, who will play a bisexual intern on the show, is now having her storyline reworked.

Hi Amber, can you please tell me why CTV doesn't air Cold Case anymore? I used to be able to watch it right after Desperate Housewives, but now I have to choose as they both air at the same time. Argh!! Thanks, Shannon

Amber: Shannon, I’m sorry to tell you that CTV has actually shifted Cold Case over to its sister station A, which I’m told is currently available in B.C., Alberta on access, Victoria, Vancouver, Barrie (Ont.), Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor (Ont.) and Wingham (Ont.), although the station keeps expanding. Unfortunately it’s on at 9 p.m. ET – the same time as Desperate Housewives – so that really doesn’t help your situation. My honest-to-God recommendation is a personal video recorder. If you love your shows, that’s the best way to watch them nowadays. Or, you can watch Desperate Housewives online at CTV broadband.

Hi Amber, when is America's Next Top Model on television now? I thought it was Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on channel 20 in Toronto. It's never on and I'll have to watch it on YouTube. Did they cancel the show for Canadian viewers? – Grace

Amber: No, they didn’t cancel it, although they did move it to Thursday nights. I suspect it is part of A’s new youth-branding strategy. I have to admit, a couple of my colleagues catch the show the same way. Speaking of, you should read their exit interviews with the models every Thursday in our reality section. Some of them are actually quite insightful.

Amber, just heard you on Tim Goodman’s podcast. Good job! I thought I would let you know that Sons of Anarchy is available on Super Channel. Super Channel is turning out to be quite a good set of channels. Some interesting British and Australian series, as well as some American stuff not available elsewhere. – Dan

Amber: I always wonder how many Canadians tune into the podcast. Tim tells me quite a few, actually. But if you did hear us spouting on the illness that is Heroes with him last week, you’ll know I promised a cross-link in our chat. So, in order to honour my word and validate stereotypes of Canadian niceness, you can check it out here. I just really wish he would take down that awful picture of me … 

Hi Amber, I heard that Reaper was being brought back for another season, but I can't find it. Is it going to be one of those midseason replacements? – Anonymous

Amber: Yep, Reaper’s coming back midseason.

Thanks to those of you who wrote in regards to last week’s conversation about Legend of the Seeker. I’ve posted a couple below:

Hello Amber, with respect to Legend of the Seeker, I saw it Nov. 1, 2008. It was on channel 66 on the WGN network and on channel 67 on WPIX (I am in Surrey, B.C.). Unfortunately, you have to have a digital box for this one. I am hoping the show gets picked up for Canada. – Judi

Hi Amber. This is to help Ann-Mari out about her question of what channel Legend of the Seeker is on: The show is on three channels – Channel 60, 61 and 62 on Saturday afternoon and/or early Saturday nights. It did start this past Saturday – Nov. 1. Hope this helps. – Lorraine

That's all for this week!

What's your question? amber@tvguide.ca

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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