ok, just called directv. they say that ADOBE is having trouble with the supercast client. and that they can't help me. even though their name is all over this service, on tv, online, everywhere, but they cant help me. no offer of a credit or anything. chalk up another bad customer service experience for me. couldnt even give me a 5 buck credit or anything. just 'i cant help you sir, im very sorry'.
EDIT: oh, and i have the most recent version of adobe AIR for mac osX installed so it isnt an update issue in my opnion