TV Q&A with Rob Owen

Friday, April 03, 2009

This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about the TV Q&A, the departure of WTAE's Ashley DiParlo and the latest on when Verizon's FiOS TV may make it to the City of Pittsburgh. As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

Q: Where are the answers to the TV Q&A?

-- Chris, 33, Mt. Lebanon

Rob: I think Chris skipped over the introduction last week that explained it was not the usual TV Q&A (easy to do since the intro is usually boilerplate). Because I was on vacation last week with no opportunity to write a new column and didn't want to leave readers high and dry, I collected some of the unused questions, many of which were entertaining rants and not really answerable questions, and used those for the column. It's the same thing I did in March 2008 when I was on vacation.

Some of the queries were just plain funny, some ridiculous, but I've learned that usually if I get a question from one person, it's often on the minds of others. It never hurts to know what people are thinking about TV, even when it's a bit off-kilter. For instance ...

Q: I can see why Bob from Las Vegas' question last week would seem annoying to you. I have no idea why he would write to you about it and not the show. But, he's right. I've lived here for three years and if you pronounce Nevada the way Fishburne does on "CSI" he would get a lot of dirty looks and would be corrected every time. It's a real serious thing out here. Don't ask me why.

-- Andrew, 30, Las Vegas

Rob: Sometimes there is value in airing a grievance, even when it's been misdirected.

Q: I've been meaning to write you for a while asking you to do exactly what today's column did -- I'd love to hear the ones you can't print!

I am not a big TV watcher, just mostly sports. But my wife and I argue about the local news all the time. I say it's a waste of time because every newscast leads off with "Breaking News" that's really not breaking, then they go to a car wreck, Ralph Iannoti in front of the jail in pitch darkness, a city school incident, a fire, a kid is missing, now it's time for 15 minutes of weather. But what I really have been meaning to write you about was over the summer you recommended the second season of Showtime's "Dexter" as a good watch. The premise of the show never made any sense to me, so I never watched it. But I figured you seemed like a level-headed guy so I'll try it. I was hooked. The characters in that show had me convinced they were real and it was intense (that was the season Dokes was onto Dexter as the Bay Harbor Butcher and met his untimely demise). What a great story for those 10-12 episodes.

I have not watched season three yet, and probably won't until hockey season is over, but I am looking forward to it even though I don't recall you ever saying anything about it.

-- Al, 47, North Huntingdon

Rob: Alas, I was not as big a fan of the third season of "Dexter." I feel like the show's concept makes it difficult to sustain beyond that perfect first season.

Q: Ha-ha! Loved today's questions-only column! Hopefully this one will not end up in a future edition of it!

My question today is about "good ratings" for cable shows. Is there a threshold for cancellation of a cable program? They seem to have much lower numbers (WWE getting a 5.1 or "Saving Grace" getting a 4.6, etc.), which would likely result in cancellation on a broadcast channel. MLS soccer routinely gets under 2.0, and TNA wrestling gets (maybe) 1.5, yet they are still on. Can you help me understand it all?

-- Jonathon, 38, Bradenton, Florida

Rob: It is confusing and I don't think there is any set threshold for ratings success on cable. Increasingly that's the case on broadcast, too, when we see "Friday Night Lights" get renewed despite averaging fewer than 6 million viewers weekly.

The way to think of things on cable today is that it's all about managing costs. If a show gets good enough ratings that a network can sell ads and make some money, then it's a keeper.

Q: Have "Smarter than a Fifth Grader" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics" been canceled?

-- Marion, 49, Penn Hills

Rob: No. They'll be back this summer, if not sooner.

Q: I know you get enough of this already but I just have to whine about the cancellation of "Life on Mars." There hasn't been a new show this good on network TV since "The Unit" premiered. I think ABC is part of the problem. I haven't watched ABC in more than 20 years because they don't offer anything that is even remotely interesting to me and don't know anyone under the age of 50 who watches any of their shows. It's also in a bad time slot for a network that seems to appeal mostly to those over 65.

I know lots of people who didn't bother giving it a chance because they "never like shows on ABC." It would probably do very well on a cable channel that appeals to people too young to join AARP. Also, cable viewers seem to want more complex shows in general while the big three viewers seem to want brainless drivel like "Dancing with singing has-been celebrities while they all live together in rehab on a desert island" or similar garbage.

I'm no TV exec, but I think this makes a lot of sense. Thanks for letting me vent.

-- Amber, 33, Reserve

Rob: Perhaps we'll see more broadcast-to-cable moves by series in the future, but as we've noted before, shows don't generally make that move because the cost structure for a broadcast network show is much different than a cable show. Broadcast network shows are more expensive and cable networks generally won't spend that much money on their series.

As for "Mars," kudos to producers for wrapping up the story Wednesday night in a surprising but comprehensive way that did not leave loose threads dangling.

Q: Okay, now that I watched the finale of "Life on Mars," I want more. What are the chances that they will release the one and only season on DVD sometime in the future? I was late in tuning into this show (shame on me) and I would love to see the first few episodes that I missed.

-- Chris, 45, McCandless

Rob: "Life on Mars" will be released on DVD on Sept. 29.

Q: Believe me I understand and agree that if not enough viewers support shows they will be gone. But surely shows like "The Wire" and "Rome" had plenty of support?

-- Don, 73, Pittsburgh

Rob: Both those shows aired on HBO, which is premium cable, so the number of viewers is less important to keeping them on the air. "The Wire" had a devoted cult following and a good, long run. "Rome," on the other hand, lasted just two seasons and was canceled because it was an uber-expensive production.

Q: Rob, what's your take on Dean Winters? In the last seven days, he had special guest appearances on "30 Rock," "Terminator" and the "Life on Mars" finale. Is he just a gun-for-hire at this point or an actor with street-cred who's in high demand? I think he's terrific in everything he does, but it was more than a little surreal to see him in 3 of the 7 network shows I DVRed this past week!

-- John, 41, Shadyside

Rob: He certainly excels at playing slimeballs, dating back to his days on "Oz." He's sort of been typecast, although in his early days on "Terminator" he was more of a good guy (I haven't watched that show lately, so I don't know where the character currently stands). Clearly he's doing something right because he keeps getting hired.

Q: Whassup broham, its your buddy from over in HillBilly Holler. The other night I was snuggled up on the couch with my favorite cousin watching "Two and a Half Men." After the show at the start of the credits, which I love to read, there was what appeared to be an essay written by the producer. It was only shown for a few seconds but it appeared to be humorous. Do you know if there is anyplace like a Web site where the little stories are compiled?

-- Mike, 46, Weirton, W.Va.

Rob: Not sure what precipitated Mike's Jethro Bodeen routine, but the scribblings of "Men" executive producer Chuck Lorre are indeed compiled at ChuckLorre.com, including a few that were censored by CBS.

Q: I was watching "American Idol" and saw a preview for a new series called "Glee." It looked very promising and was wondering if you have had a chance to watch any episodes.

-- Mike, 30, Pittsburgh

Rob: I saw the "Glee" pilot in January and blogged about how much I enjoyed it. The pilot airs following the "Idol" finale next month with subsequent episodes airing on Fox this fall.

Q: I've heard the program "Life" is not being renewed. Is it true?

-- Christine, 68, Pittsburgh

Rob: No definitive word yet, but if I were a betting man, I would not stake my life on a "Life" renewal. Its future does not look bright.

Q: Rob, would you rate "Lost" in your Top 10 all-time shows? I would and put it in the lofty status with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in the Top 5. I guess I should wait until the series finale, but I don't think it will disappoint.

-- Jim, 45, Pittsburgh

Rob: "Lost" is definitely a favorite. I'm not a fan of making lists because invariably I leave out a show, but "Lost" has certainly made an impact and was on my Top 10 list for 2008.

Q: I am unsure about what is happening with "Ugly Betty." You have said it is not canceled. However, when will future episodes be aired?

-- Nancy, Venetia

Rob: "Ugly Betty" returns with new episodes on May 7.

Q: I've recorded "Smallville" a few times in HD on Comcast and the sound quality is very poor. I also have taped it on my non-HD Dish DVR and it sounds fine.

-- Kevin, 43, Imperial

Rob: Per Comcast, "Audio problems with WPCW have been resolved."

Q: Where is WTAE's Plugged In reporter Ashley DiParlo going? She said she is getting married. Is she going to stay on TV somewhere else?

-- Steve, 35, Pittsburgh

Rob: DiParlo said a tearful goodbye last week (http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/video/19040248/index.html) as she left Channel 4 to get married and move with her new husband to her hometown of Williamsport, where he has taken a job. She also blogged about her departure.

"I would love to continue in TV news, but between the move and wedding right now, it's very time-consuming," she said by phone this week. "Once we settle in and get back from the wedding, we'll see what happens. I would love to stay in TV if possible."

Q: I am still missing Newlin Archinal on the WPXI morning news. I would like to know why she was removed and what was the thinking that another "blonde" would be better. I have stopped watching this channel in the morning.

-- Helen, 66, Zelienople

Rob: We reported last fall that Archinal was let go in part so Channel 11 could plan for the future.

Q: What is Keith Jones going to be doing at his new job in Florida? Morning anchor?

-- April, 34, Uniontown

Rob: Yes, same job he's been doing at KDKA, albeit with a slightly different tone. Read more about Jones' departure in today's Tuned In column.

Q: Do you know why MSNBC doesn't broadcast in HD and if there is any timeline for it to be switched to HD? Since NBC is broadcast in HD, it seems odd that it is not.

-- Cathy, 65, New Castle

Rob: MSNBC won't be available to cable operators in HD until June 29. At that point, individual cable systems will have to decide whether or not to carry MSNBC HD. At the moment, Comcast has no timetable for adding MSNBC HD.

Q: I know you have been asked this questions many times before but do you have an update on when Verizon FiOS TV is coming to the City of Pittsburgh. I live in the Westwood neighborhood and am currently using the Verizon bundle plan with DirecTV. I am getting tired of the service they provide and am looking forward to FiOS TV.

-- Madeline, 27, Pittsburgh

Rob: We have answered this one many times, but the last answer we gave was that FiOS TV was likely to reach agreement with the city sometime in the first quarter of 2009. We're past that point.

"Verizon is eager to continue negotiations with the City of Pittsburgh and to obtain City Council approval of a cable franchise so that we can bring FiOS TV to Pittsburgh residents as soon as possible but we have no updates to share at this time," said Verizon spokesman Lee Gierczynski.

Howard Stern, director of information services for the City of Pittsburgh, attributed the delay to Verizon focusing on negotiations for a franchise agreement in Philadelphia, which was achieved earlier this year. Representatives of the City of Pittsburgh will meet with Verizon's team later this month.

"I'm hoping this will be a fruitful meeting and we can go from there," Stern said.

If no major obstacles arise, the city's new time table for signing off on a Verizon franchise is sometime this summer. Of course, even after that, it will be a few years before some parts of the city, yet to be determined, will have access to FiOS TV service.

Q: When is KDKA going to join the rest of Pittsburgh news and start broadcasting its newscasts in HD?

-- Jeremy, 23, Grove City

Rob: Another oldie that keeps getting asked because the date keeps getting pushed. KDKA general manager Chris Pike now says Channel 2's newscasts will be broadcast in HD sometime in early June before the June 12 shutdown of analog signals.

Installation of new lighting and a revamped set will take place following the conclusion of May sweeps on May 20. When you see KDKA newscasts anchored from the newsroom or a smaller studio, you'll know HD news is in the offing.

FEEDBACK

As much as I have faulted NBC for making bad decisions in the past (canceling "Freaks and Geeks" before completing even one season and handing Jay Leno the 10 p.m. time slot five nights a week), I have to give the network high praise for its decision to stick with "Friday Night Lights" for an additional two seasons. This decision clearly wasn't made from a ratings standpoint, and in the TV industry, where numbers are often the only things that matter, that seems to be an extremely rare occurrence.

I hope (and have a hunch) that this is the year "FNL" finally gets rewarded in a big way at the major award shows, and NBC will deservedly share in some of that limelight and hopefully benefit from an influx of people later discovering the show on DVD as a result and tuning in for future seasons.

It's great to see a network sticking by a show of such quality. Now if only more people can discover what makes this show worth fighting for.

-- Matt, 29, Bridgeville

Rob: Much as I would like to see a network make an altruistic decision, the reality is NBC renewed "FNL" because executives at NBC and DirecTV found a way to do it that makes economic sense. Because of the way the show is shot, it's a comparatively inexpensive prime-time drama. And the expected turnover of some of the high school students who have graduated also makes it economical (the new actors who come in will be paid less than returning stars would be paid).

That said, I'm glad doing the right thing lined up with economics in this instance. Thank you, NBC and DirecTV, for making the effort.

First published on April 3, 2009 at 12:00 am