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This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about "Stargate Atlantis," "Mind of Mencia" and Kristine Sorensen's blinking belt. As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.
-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor
Q: I am a fan of "Stargate Atlantis" and missed the final episode on Jan. 9. Do you know if the Sci Fi Channel will repeat this and if so when? They have always replayed these episodes the following week but after the Jan 9 airing, they haven't had the show on.
-- Debbie, 50, Brentwood
Rob: Sci Fi has no current plans to re-play the "Stargate Atlantis" finale and it doesn't appear that full episodes are online at Hulu.com.
But "Stargate SG-1" fans take note: Two new direct-to-DVD movies have their Sci Fi Channel premieres soon. On March 27, "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" (9 p.m.) premieres, followed on April 3 by "Stargate Continuum" (9 p.m.).
Q: Any word on whether or not "Mind Of Mencia" will be back on Comedy Central for a new season?
-- Aaron, 20, Export
Rob: It will not. It has been canceled.
Q: I've noticed that on at least two of the last three Fridays, "Dateline NBC" has aired an in-depth story that was exactly the same story that aired on ABC (either "20/20" or "Primetime," can't remember which one) over the summer. The first one was about a radio host who poisoned his wife to death and the second one was about a female Florida State student who police turned into a drug informant, who later was killed when making a purchase.
Is this just an odd coincidence or a new trend?
-- Joe, 32, Squirrel Hill
Rob: NBC had no comment on this, but it's not unusual for competing news outlets to cover the same topical/sensational/investigative stories. Local stations do it with some frequency during sweeps periods.
Q: My daughters and I really enjoyed the ABC Family show "The Middleman" last summer. It was fun, witty and intelligently written with wonderful characters and situations. Have you heard whether it has been renewed for next summer?
-- Jerr, 48, Pittsburgh
Rob: The series will not be back, however it will be out on DVD this summer.
Q: On Jan. 10 and 11 and also on Jan. 18, Stephanie Watson had very pretty necklaces on. Can you tell me if it was her personal jewelry or if they can be bought at a store in Pittsburgh? The necklace she had on on Saturday night the 10th and Sunday the 11th was very nice. Any answers you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
-- Marie, 40, Bridgeville
Rob: I left voice mail and e-mail messages for Watson over the course of a couple of weeks in an attempt to answer your question but she never responded.
Q: What's with Sally Wiggin, et al., using those ear phones to give their reports while they're in Tampa? Are they thinking that Mike Tomlin will suddenly want to tell them something? Looks rather stupid. Rob, don't let them do that to you when they downsize your job.
-- Marian, 66, North Side
Rob: Hmmm, what has Marian heard that I haven't? And if I did lose my job, why would I be forced to wear large headphones?
It also appears that Marian has jumped to conclusions about why such headphones are used. The large headphones are actually nothing new in Channel 4 sports coverage. WTAE anchors use them during pre-game Steelers shows at Heinz field, too. They're used because the noise is so loud that a normal ear piece can't get the job done. Anchors need to hear instructions from producers and the larger headphones are required to facilitate that in large crowd situations.
Q: Why did KDKA management think it was acceptable for Kristine Sorensen to wear a belt for a few days that featured an LED screen so she could prove to the world she likes the Steelers as much as anyone?
Of course, because the parade coverage couldn't be complete without her being center of attention, she had to trudge the gimmick out and wear it over her winter coat. (Oh, by the way, we mercifully couldn't read whatever it said because it was too bright outside.)
Her ad-lib skills consist of either "that's right!" or a silly giggle (whether or not that goofy laugh is appropriate, she cares less, she has to be included no matter what -- and any noise from her counts).
-- Mark, 40, Pittsburgh
Rob: I noticed the LED belt during parade coverage and it also struck me as amateurish.
Q: I am fed up with watching Pittsburgh weather forecaster's continually mess up the forecast. Overhype of snowstorms is a norm and leading off the newscast on an update on traffic moving through a one-inch snow has become a highlight.
I couldn't believe that on Friday after a full day of snow and several inches falling KDKA's Jeff Verzella proclaimed we had a few snow flurries throughout the day. If local stations can't present an accurate forecast then why have a weather at all on the news.
-- Peter, 37, North Hills
Rob: Local forecasters have been pretty terrible in their predictions during the past month, but we have to keep in mind: They offer forecasts, not promises. If the weather guessers bother you that much, just don't watch local news during snowstorm season.
Q: I live about five miles east of Butler. I have installed two digital TV converters and bought a rather large indoor/outdoor antenna that I have indoors near a window facing south. I can usually get KDKA, WPXI, WQED and a few others. Reception of WTAE is very iffy and varies quite a lot with time of day. The same can be said for all of them on occasion. Most annoying is the freezing and "tiling" or pixilation of the picture. I've been told that the problem is location and that the digital signal can be blocked by mountains and tall buildings.
Now sometimes I get these channels clearly, and other times not so well. Do we have a problem with people surreptitiously moving mountains and building around from day to day? I don't think the digital reformation is good for this area.
-- Norman, 65, Butler, PA
Rob: We reported back in August that what Norman is experiencing may well happen. It's not only topography that can impact signal reception: Weather can sometimes make a difference, too.
Q: What is with WPXI and PCNC? Perhaps you have an answer because those stations have not replied to my e-mail about this subject.
On Feb. 2, WPXI pre-empted "Jeopardy!" for Steelers' coverage. I'm a big Steelers' fan but it seems that each time there is a 7 p.m. change, it affects the game show. Why not put the special coverage on PCNC and allow the network program to air? Or, from time to time, why not take turns by airing "Jeopardy!" at 7:30 and preempting "Wheel of Fortune?"
In addition, who's in the control room at PCNC? They often cut off Kevin Benson, Trisha Pittman or the news anchor. Just this morning, Mr. Benson was ending his weather report but was cut off on two occasions in mid-sentence for a commercial break. They also fail to turn off the microphones during "Pittsburgh Now," formerly "Honsberger Live!," and we hear the host and guests discussing the program's subject.
-- Paul, 60, West Mifflin
Rob: Regarding technical gaffes on PCNC, it sounds like there may still be some issues with the automated production system.
As for the "Jeopardy!" pre-emption, the reason stations do not use their alternate channels -- whether a cable outlet like PCNC or a digital subchannel -- for specials that pre-empt regular programming is largely because advertisers want to be on the primary channel, which has more viewers. As we've noted in the past, TV stations see advertisers as their primary customers. Viewers' eyeballs are the commodity delivered to the advertiser.
And as you can see below, you were not alone in being upset by the "Jeopardy!" pre-emption. One thing I've learned over the years is that I could write the most brilliant, Pulitzer Prize-winning TV column and readers would still be much more concerned about, say, a missing crossword puzzle. Many readers and viewers are far more concerned with the utilitarian and routine than they are anything special or even extraordinary that a media outlet might present. I think sometimes the folks who run TV stations lose sight of this.
I rushed home Monday evening to watch "Jeopardy." That is the highlight of my day (yes, I live a simple life). I was horrified when I saw that WPXI had more Steelers coverage on. Although I didn't see their news at 5 and 6, I would assume that was the majority of their coverage at those times. WHAT were they thinking? Don't they have a station (PCNC) that would suffice for additional coverage?! They need to realize that not everyone in Pittsburgh lives and dies by the Steelers. Sure it was a great victory for the team and the fans, but when I awakened this morning, my property taxes hadn't disappeared and I still had to go to work to earn my pay. Bottom line, my life is no different today than it was yesterday before the Steelers won the Super Bowl, and I am utterly disgusted that WPXI feels it necessary to pre-empt a show where one may be able to learn something new!
-- Karla, 40, Dormont
"I'm calling to complain about the 'Bones' episode. A month ago, they took them off on Wednesday at 8, saying they would now be on Thursdays at 8. There has been only one. They kept putting other things on instead. Put the 'Bones' on and quit saying you're going to put them on that station and not do it! I am so disgusted with them pre-empting. Last week it was 'American Idol.' Who gives a darn about 'American Idol'? Leave 'Bones' alone. Put them on and don't take them off!"
-- Very upset female caller whose volume and anger level rose consistently through her message
