Welcome to another Ask Amber Monday. Have a question of your own? Email me: amber@thetvjunkies.com
Hi, I really enjoy your column and I have a question about two returning TBS shows. Do you know if Season 6 of Cougar Town and Season 2 of Ground Floor will be returning to any Canadian TV channels as they did last year? Thanks – Lenny
Amber: Thanks Lenny! You might want to pour yourself a Big Carl because unfortunately I don’t have any updates on the final season of Cougar Town airing in Canada (it returns to the States on Jan. 6). I imagine it will return to City where its always lived, but the broadcaster hasn’t confirmed those plans yet. Fortunately though, the second season of Ground Floor will return to Bell Media–probably on Comedy. Right now all we know is Winter 2015 (just a bit later than the U.S., Dec. 9 return), so keep your eyes peeled and those glasses full.
What’s up with shows having fall finales, like The Blacklist and How to Get Away With Murder? Will they be back in January? I don’t remember a show ending in the fall before, unless it was a summer show, like Big Brother! Legends with Sean Bean has also wrapped up–was it renewed? – Sonja
Amber: It’s super confusing, isn’t it? Fall or winter finales aren’t a new concept, but they’re certainly a new marketing ploy. Networks have been doing this for a couple of years now. They call the last episode before the holiday break the fall/winter finale, and then when the show in question returns in the new year, it’s called the midseason debut or winter premiere. To make matters worse, sometimes the shows actually are ending for the season. It’s all just a big mess. But here’s where things might get a little annoying for you, personally: when both shows return in 2015, they’re going to be competitors. The Blacklist is headed for Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET, where Viola Davis’ Murder is currently raking in the ratings. I hope you have time shifting or a PVR.
Hi Amber, when is Major Crimes coming back? I think the third season is ending in the U.S. soon. – Ash
Amber: GREAT timing on this one–Super Channel has confirmed that the third season of the Mary McDonnell series will return on Monday, Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. ET. It’s definitely a little behind the U.S. (the second part of the third season actually begins there Monday night), but I guess it beats trying to find it illegally somewhere online, right? … Anyhow if you want some more details, the premiere episode, “Down the Drain” kicks off with a bang. It features a case that has the Major Crimes division digging into L.A.’s underground water system and a surrogate adoption that gets a little messy. Or murderous, depending on your point of view.
That’s all for this week. Have a TV question of your own? Email amber@thetvjunkies.com and check back every Monday for Ask Amber.
About The Author
Amber Dowling
Amber Dowling is a bonafide TV Junkie, critic and freelance writer who watches countless shows and lives for dramatic (fictional!) twists. She currently serves as the vice-president of the Television Critics Association and has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows across North America. An advocate for Canadian Television and a lover of the medium in general, Amber founded TheTVJunkies.com as a spot for fellow enthusiasts to connect and collaborate. She previously spent almost eight years as the EIC for TV Guide Canada.
Just to clarify regarding the Major Crimes answer. The back 9 episodes of the season START airing in the states today (Nov 24) not wraps. So when it starts here in Canada it will be airing the 3rd of the remaining 9 in the US, so we’re about two weeks behind.
Glad to see this column returning – it’s nice to have someone in the know about Canadian tv
The networks certainly don’t win me over with their fall finales. They are much too long. I can understand them pre-empting show for Xmas specials, but the shows don’t come back until months later. By that time, I have lost interest, & if they were cancelled at that point, I wouldn’t really care.