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This week's TV Q&A responds to questions "Lost," "Two and a Half Men" and local snow coverage. As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

Q: If you have any meet-and-greets with someone from "Two and a Half Men" at press tour, can you ask if they have a "Wizard of Oz" fan on their writing staff? They make an awful lot of Oz references on the show!

-- Lin, Sheraden

Rob: Never let it be said that I don't try to get viewers' questions answered.

I put this query to "Two and a Half Men" executive producer Lee Aronsohn and after he looked at me like I was insane -- not the first time it's happened at press tour -- he acknowledged some references, more in the show's early seasons (a reference to "flying monkeys," Evelyn dressed as the Wicked Witch), but no specific attempt to mention the film classic.

"It's only because 'The Wizard of Oz' is such a touchstone of the culture," he said. "We haven't sat down and said, 'How do we get more 'Wizard of Oz' references in.' If we think of one and it's funny, we put it in."

Q: Saw your "Lost" article this week. Tell me you've seen the premiere ... tell me it's awesome ... give me some hints!

-- Ben, 27, Pittsburgh

Rob: For the final season, "Lost" producers are playing coy because there are spoilers galore in the first episode.

"I think I had to read [the script] about three times before it actually made sense," said actress Emilie de Ravin, who returns to the show as Claire. "Totally does, but just getting my mind wrapped back into it."

The past two years ABC has screened the season premiere in advance for critics but this time, fearing that to say anything about the episode would give away too much, TV critics will have to watch it on Feb. 2 just like everyone else.

Q: When will "Friday Night Lights" return?

-- Polly, McDonald

Rob: NBC announced yesterday "Friday Night Lights" will return to its prime time schedule April 30, airing at 8 p.m. Friday.

Q: Can you tell me if CBS has plans to bring back "Rules of Engagement"?

-- Paul, 34, Lawrenceville

Rob: "Rules" returns to Monday nights, airing at 8:30 p.m. beginning March 1. That will bump "Accidentally on Purpose" to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday beginning March 31 after "Gary Unmarried" has completed its 2009-10 season run.

Q: Why does the media continue to try and incite panic over what is a fairly typical snow storm in -- gasp! -- January? The hysteria over this latest "storm" on Jan. 8 was all the more ridiculous because the prognostications were so completely wrong; the storm fell apart before 10 o'clock, and the predictions that the heaviest snow would fall between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. make every weatherperson look foolish.

-- Allen, 25, Pittsburgh

Rob: I'll take that question and raise you one: Why do viewers treat weather forecasts like a promise? They are by nature predictions. In this case, I think the forecasters were right. It was snowing at 5 a.m. last Friday in the City of Pittsburgh and predicted accumulations were being realized.

As for the hype factor, I think we can chalk it up to two things: 1) Weather stories spike the ratings. If they did not, there would not be as many. This is one of those instances where, collectively, viewers have only themselves to blame, and, 2) Weather is easy and inexpensive for local stations to cover in the bounds of a regular newscast, sort of like a fire or an accident. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if there's simply less news to cover during snowy periods because more people are staying home and many public activities get canceled.

I do feel sorry for the on-air folks who had to try to find new and different ways to cover the same thing five mornings straight last week. KDKA's Ross Guidotti and Rick Dayton joked about his "official CBS-issued pen" for measuring snow. And my love for the kindness of Pittsburghers grew as a woman, presumably a stranger, brought WTAE's Janelle Hall coffee during her live shot last Friday morning.

Q: How is it that we have had snow every winter since I was born 50 years ago and now the weather is 90 percent of the news? Not just WTAE but all the stations. It's ridiculous that we have to act like 3-6 inches of snow is a blizzard and devote on-the-street reporting to coverage over and over again for an hour and a half every evening. I've started watching CNN and looking to the PG for updates on real news.

And while you are at it, why are the "journalists" or news anchors dressing like they're spending the night at the theatre these days -- lots of lips gloss, shiny baubles and low-cut tops? Obviously referring to the women, and WTAE is worst of them all. I want news, not "Entertainment Tonight."

-- Jen, Pittsburgh

Rob: I can't say I've noticed news anchors dressing any differently.

As for the weather coverage, the same answer to the previous question applies: If viewers did not watch it, TV stations would not inundate us with weather coverage.

Would it make you feel any better to know it's not just Pittsburgh TV stations? I'm in Los Angeles and it was raining on Wednesday -- not big thunderstorms, mostly just a gentle rain -- and it was the top story on morning newscasts. That which is semi-unusual -- rain in L.A., day-after-day snow in Pittsburgh -- is deemed newsworthy.

Q: Since the city signed a deal with Verizon to start allowing it to sell its FiOS TV service about six or so months ago, have you heard any word as to when they plan to start offering the service in the city and where it would be most likely what neighborhood they will expand into first?

-- DJ, 34, Mt. Washington

Rob: Verizon began installing FiOS TV service in the city last fall. See the Sept. 25 TV Q&A for details on how to figure out when it might hit your neighborhood.

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