Submit your question to Rob Owen

This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about "Monk," "Deal or No Deal" and the identity of an early '80s series. As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

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Q: Do you know when the following shows will return: "Monk," "The Amazing Race" and "Next Great American Band"?

-- Mel, E. Pittsburgh

Rob: July 18, probably in the fall, and when pigs fly, respectively.

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Q: Why do some talk show hosts keep a desk microphone in front of them when they obviously are wearing a small, clip-on mic as well? Are the desk mics actually "live" or just for show? Is this like a good-luck or superstitious thing?

Also I have noticed Glen Beck with an antique desk mic in front of him lately.

-- Jeff, Uniontown

Rob: I don't think it's superstitious, but just a nostalgic nod to the past as the universally understood symbol of broadcasting.

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Q: I am looking for the name of an early '80s Saturday- or Sunday-morning TV show where a man jumped through time and space with a hand-held device that would blink red if there was something wrong with the timeline, and green when it was fixed. A young boy went along with him. Later in the series it was revealed that there was a group of people that did this.

-- Weston, Mesa, Az.

Rob: Sounds like you're thinking of the prime-time series "Voyagers!" (1982-83, NBC), which is available on DVD. It starred the late Jon Erik-Hexum as a history-repairing time traveler who was joined in his adventures by a child, played by Meeno Peluce.

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Q: How is "Dexter" doing in the ratings on CBS Sundays? I love this show and watch on Showtime, but any publicity is good publicity right? I'm wondering if the fan base is growing with airings on CBS?

-- Mark, Whitehall

Rob: I imagine so. The CBS broadcasts would seem to expose the show to a broader audience. I even heard from one viewer who is now thinking of subscribing to Showtime after seeing "Dexter" on CBS.

As for the ratings, through March 31, "Dexter" ranks No. 41 (tied with NBC's "Law & Order") among 241 prime-time series season-to-date. The show usually ranks No. 2 in its time slot, which seems pretty decent for a series that already aired on Showtime and is available on DVD.

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Q: I know it probably won't be affected, but I have a radio that I can listen to TV stations on at my desk during the day. With the change of the digital/antenna systems in February 2009, will my stations on my radio change. Will I still be able to listen to them?

-- Debbie, Shaler

Rob: Good question. I have one of those radios with a TV band, too, and I was surprised to read recently that the radio will not get the TV station signals after the transition to digital is complete next February.

When you think about it, that makes sense. We get those signals on our radios over the same spectrum as TV signals. I also noticed Best Buy puts a warning on radios with the non-digital TV band.

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Q: I am an avid viewer of "Deal or No Deal" and was wondering if you can explain why NBC would tape an episode for air but not broadcast the show. I saw the show online titled "Deal or No Deal Lost Episode." It was in season three, episode 37. There wasn't anything unusual about the show. Will it be aired at some point. thanks.

-- Christian, Hopewell Twp

Rob: According to a network publicist, this episode is running online only with no plans to show it on-air. No reason was given.

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Q: I'm wondering how TV Land thinks their show "High School Reunion" is "new" and "original" as per their promotion of it? It's the exact same show that aired for three seasons on the WB, right down to the cast labels (e.g. "the pipsqueak," etc.) and the "Hall Pass" dates. The show certainly isn't "original" and the only thing "new" is the addition of "detention" for those cast members with past issues to try to work things out.

-- John, Green Tree

Rob: TV Land calls it original because these are original episodes of a show that has not previously aired on their network. But I agree with you, it's disingenuous at best.

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Q: I would love to complain about local news, but I guess you have a lifetime's supply.

I watch a lot of movies on TV, both old and new. All (or almost all) of the movies on Dish PPV or the premium movie channels are broadcast in pan-and-scan format only. The only channel that consistently shows movie in letterbox format is TCM. Several months ago I e-mailed HBO as to why they didn't show at least some of the multiple showings of movies in letterbox. They have yet to extend me the courtesy of a reply ?? any reply.

I was just wondering if you had any ideas or thoughts about this.

-- Lou, Plum

Rob: HBO apologized for the non-response, and according to an HBO representative, movies are letterboxed on HBO's HD channel, which Dish Network may not carry.

"We don't do it on the regular services because -- despite the expanding ownership of large-screen TVs -- most people still have standard-sized TVs and find the 'smaller' picture irritating," the HBO rep explained. "The people who most seem to appreciate letterboxing are big screen owners and film purists."

I can attest to both statements. When network shows began turning up in letterbox, my phone was ringing off the hook with complaints.

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Q: Bob Bruce has not been on Channel 11 morning newscasts. Is he gone from Channel 11 or just the morning newscasts?

-- Linda, Pittsburgh

Rob: Pittsburgh local news viewers are such worriers. Normally I just ignore these questions (I get them all the time) because by the time I publish an answer, the news anchor in question is back from vacation. But this is the second one I received this week about Bob Bruce, so I did ask WPXI news director Corrie Harding, who cofirmed my suspicion that, yes, Bruce is simply on vacation.

For future reference, unless a news anchor is gone for more than two consecutive weeks, let's just all assume the person is on vacation. If it's any more than two weeks, then it's time to start asking questions.

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Dennis Haysbert is the best actor in "Mr. Baseball" (1992) and he deserves the award with actor Tom Selleck.

Gratefully yours,
Tracey C. Smith