Submit your question to Rob Owen
This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about local TV, "Close to Home" and "Jericho."
As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.
-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor
Q: Why does KDKA insist on cutting short the parting interviews of "Survivor" evictees in order to run a local advertisement? I've noted that this practice has been going on for a while now, not just this new season. I find it to be highly annoying.
-- John, Green Tree
I watched last week, and I think they cut away literally one or two seconds early. I think all we missed was the evicted contestant's last word, which one could pretty much guess from context clues.
"We are provided program segment times by the network for each program. We program our server to roll our breaks at that exact time. Occasionally the network timings are off by a few seconds and the break rolls automatically either slightly early or slightly late," explained KDKA general manager Chris Pike. "Viewers notice it only when program content runs right up to the end, as in the case of 'Survivor.' The break timing can be overridden by an operator if they are available. I will try to make sure our operators are aware of the 'Survivor' issue and try to better anticipate this problem. We apologize for the interruption and appreciate their loyal viewership."
Q:"Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" are supposed to be in HD. Why is WPXI not showing them in HD?
-- Mike, Friendship
"We are doing some testing and installing the necessary equipment," explained WPXI program director Mark Barash. "Stay tuned for launch date."
Q: WTAE's Jon Burton appears to be a fairly beefy guy. However, in a recent broadcast, Sally Wiggin seemed to be quite a bit taller and Andrew Stockey towered above him. How tall is Jon?
-- Beverly, Rankin
Oh, the nebby questions I receive. For the record, Burton said he's 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Q: A few days ago Bob Bruce mentioned that Newlin Achinal had her babies. But I never heard another word. With Trisha Pittman, we saw pictures on the Web site and a news article. Is everything OK with the babies or is Newlin being private?
-- Michelle, Pittsburgh
Archinal gave birth to twins -- a boy, James, and a girl, Palmer -- on Sept. 12. Mom, dad Mark and the babies are doing well. Archinal is expected back on the air by late November or early December. Jodine Costanzo will be her primary sub in the mornings.
As for pictures on WPXI.com, news director Corrie Harding said the station is giving Archinal "the appropriate amount of time to get comfortable. We'll feature them on the Web site soon."
Q: It just took 10 minutes to realize that the "new and improved" version of "Close to Home" was neither new nor improved. In view of the fact that so many new shows don't make it, why, when one has the kind of success that "Close to Home" had, do they feel the need to try to "make it better." I think it's pretty obvious that David James Elliot is nothing more than a future love interest for Annabeth. Oh Please!!!
--Dorothy, Brentwood
Dorothy, 10 minutes is about all I could bear. The tortured expository dialogue explaining all the new characters and changes was more than I could take. I agree, they mucked up a decent show.
Q: I was wondering what your opinion was on the premiere of the new CBS show "Jericho"? I watched the first show and was lost. All I got out of the first show was that Atlanta and Denver got nuked. Other than that, what was the show about?
-- Pat Conroy, South Fayette
I guess it will be about the characters trying to survive without the aid of modern communication. I didn't care much for "Jericho," as I wrote in my review (second item: https://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06262/722939-237.stm), calling it this season's "Wolf Lake." Ouch. That was pretty harsh.
Q: What happened to "E-Ring" on NBC? Last I heard, it was coming back on.
-- Jas, Espyville
NBC did promise it would return, but they did not bring it back. It was canceled and the remaining unaired episodes won't air.
Q: Why did Aisha Tyler leave "Ghost Whisperer"?
-- Joyce, Danbury, Conn.
'Cause she ain't afraid of no ghosts? Seriously, I have no idea. Could have been the producers's idea to breathe new life into the undead story (and hook viewers with that jaw-dropping season finale) or maybe she was bored playing Jennifer Love Hewitt's best friend.
Q: Is "King of Queens" going to be on this season? I really loved this show, but haven't seen any promos for the new season.
-- Debbie, Pittsburgh
As we reported in the fall preview issue of TV Week (https://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06260/722156-237.stm), "King of Queens" will be back at midseason. Although given the disappointing ratings for "The Class" this week, maybe it will be sooner.
PHONE CALLS OF THE WEEK
"Her tops are really getting a little bit low for a news person" -- Elderly Female Caller No. 1 complaining about Wendy Bell's wardrobe.
"These girls on KDKA, they all look like they're trying to imitate Veronica Lake," complained Elderly Female Caller No. 2. "That Sonni Abatta, Kristine Sorensen and Rebecca Hower, they look like they need Arnold Zegarelli. On television, they look terrible."
These are not out of the norm. What does it say about our culture that the viewers most likely to snipe about the appearance of women are other women?
First Published: September 29, 2006, 4:00 a.m.
