Post-Gazette TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions online every Friday in Tuned In Journal blog at post-gazette.com/tv. Here’s a selection of recent queries.
Q: I see that Channel 22 The Point is advertising “The Simpsons” at 10 p.m. beginning in January. What happens to Mark Madden's show?
— TOM VIA TWITTER
Rob: WPNT made a few adjustments to its schedule this past week. Mr. Madden’s show moved to 11 p.m. (after live sporting events have concluded when there’s more potential sports-craving audience available), and it’s being cut to an hour to avoid repetitive content, according to WPNT’s Terry Kowalski.
That set off some other changes, including the move of “The Simpsons” to 10 p.m. weeknights. “Family Guy” moves to 10:30 p.m., “Crime Watch Daily” moves to 6 p.m., “Cops Reloaded” goes to 4 p.m., and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” moved back to WPNT at 5 p.m.
Q: Is Judge Judy prepped in advance about the cases she hears? It seems as if she has insight into the cases that viewers don’t have. She at times seems angrier than she should be at litigants — is that because the shows are edited and we don’t hear and see everything that takes place? Is it possible for the decisions made by “Judge Judy” to be changed?
— DEBBIE, PITTSBURGH
Rob: The folks who appear on the show agree to binding arbitration, so Judge Judy’s ruling is final. But the show also pays any damages awarded, not the people who appear on the show, so even if you lose, you win.
According to a show publicist, Judge Judy is given a one-page complaint and response, so she has the facts of the case before the cameras roll, but she has not heard any testimony.
The shows are edited to fit the 30-minute running time but not by much, according to the publicist. As for her anger, come on now, that’s clearly her shtick.
Q: During the opening of the show “Fresh Off the Boat” the letters “AD” appear on screen. What is that?
— BILL, WHEELING, W.VA.
Rob: AD stands for Audio Description, narration added to a soundtrack to describe visual details that are not clear from the program’s primary soundtrack. AD is transmitted via the Second Audio Program, SAP, usually activated through a TV’s remote control. Details can be found at the Audio Description Project: www.acb.org/adp/sap.html.
Q: Do you think Netflix will produce further seasons of “Longmire”?
— TAMMY, OIL CITY
Rob: Yes, Netflix renewed “Longmire” for a fifth season in late October. No premiere date for the new season was announced, but my guess is it will be in the second half of 2016.
Ask TV questions by emailing rowen@post-gazette.com, including your first name and location, or submitting the form at post-gazette.com/tv.
First Published: January 10, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
