Gail: Hi, everybody. As I look out the window, the sky seems to be clearing, which is good, because there was flooding in my neighborhood again last night. Is this the end of the world or what? But that’s not our topic; TV is our topic, and I have lots of good questions already today, so let’s get started.

ptz: Enjoyed GLEE. Happy to see Pushing Daisies appearing on my DVR for Sat. evening. I took your advice and kept it in the timer. Now my question,
should I delete Flipping Out-is there any more of Jeff?, Eli Stone, Feasting on Asphalt, Leverage, Trust Me? Enjoy your insights on current tv programs.
Gail: I’m glad you liked “Glee.” I haven’t liked a show so much since, well, “Pushing Daisies,” which begins airing its final three episodes on ABC Saturday. “Eli Stone” and “Dirty Sexy Money” will burn off their last episodes afterward, also on Sataurdays.
“Flipping Out” is in production for a return this summer; no date set. “Feasting on Asphalt” is now “Feasting on Waves.” “Leverage” returns July 15 (that was in my summer TV roundup), but “Trust Me” was canceled.

Stevie B: Hi Gail,
I enjoyed the season of WORST WEEK this past year. Sort of had that “Meet the Parents”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” vibe. I thought the writing was clever. I didn’t notice it on the fall line up. Is it a “one and done”?

Also, I have really been enjoying “Rescue Me” this season. I think it has made giant improvements from the previous season and has returned to “must see TV” status. How about you?
Gail: I kind of liked “Worst Week,” but it got bad reviews and worse ratings. It was canceled. It think “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fans might disagree with your comparison.
I’ve never been a huge fan of “Rescue Me” — the kind of show I can admire but not enjoy. I’ve heard this season is an improvement, but others have disagreed. I just haven’t had time to keep up.

garricks: Hey, Gail!
Friday at 8 CDT ABC is airing “Un-Broke: Everything You Need to Know About Money” Any buzz? Press releases?
Gail: I’ve only seen clips from this ABC News special, kind of a “personal finance for dummies” with segments featuring Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, the Jonas Brothers (who teach teenage girls about the stock market!), Cedric the Entertainer, Seth Green and the E*Trade Babies and more. But it seems amusing, and probably informative, in a silly way.

Tired of bad TV: Why do networks get rid of good shows with fairly good ratings, then turn around and bring us shows we already know will fail? Everybody Hates Chris and The Game on CW both had good ratings, both were cancelled, but CW thinks a remake of Melrose Place is going to give them better ratings? The demographic they’re trying to reach doesn’t even remember Melrose Place! I can’t help but point out that with the cancellation of those two shows, the CW is left with just one person of color on the network, the teenager on 90210 (more recycled garbage).
Gail: Networks always think they can do better. But they don’t rutinely cancel shows with good ratings (unless those shows are older and more expensive, like “Without a Trace” on CBS) in favor of trying something new. “Everybody Hates Chris” had terrible ratings, which is a shame, because I think it was a wonderful show. But even before the move to Fridays, it was one of the lowest-rated shows on TV, and this season its numbers were so low, they could barely be measured (a 2 share on average). Chris Rock knew that and wrote a final episode that seemed like a finale.
“The Game” was doing just about as badly. Of course, other factors are at work here. The CW wanted to get out of the sitcom business. It won’t program Sunday nights in the fall, giving it just 10 hours a week to fill. Unfortunately, getting out of the sitcom business also meant getting out of the diversity business. “Chris” and “The Game” were the only two shows on the network with primarily black casts.

garricks: “Mental” had an interesting premiere…have you seen more episodes? Is it a “House” clone?
Gail: Fox would like “Mental” to be a Fox clone. It seems to be trying too hard, though. I’ve seen next week’s episode as well, and it’s OK, but the whole thing seems strained, with a weak supporting cast. (Chris Vance, the lead shrink, who was Whistler on “Prison Break,” is a real cutie, though.) The most interesting thing about this show, though, is that it was shot in Bogota, Colombia! Seriously! It’s a Fox International project and will air in 35 countries.

Bert: What shows will we see on FX in the near future?
Gail: Come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve heard any new shows announced by FX. And none show up on the website. I’m sure something’s percolating over there, though.

Jamie3516: I really like The Unit, but CBS dropped it to make room for more of it’s less interesting lineup. Is there any chance another network might pick it up?
Gail: Fans of “The Unit” are passionate about it, but it’s doubtful that another network will pick it up, and here’s why. Ratings have declined over the years, not grown. And it “skews old,” meaning the average viewer is over 49 (in this case, 55).

garricks: Is there an announced date for Eureka!’s return? I’m looking forward to downloading it from the iTunes store. Fun show!
Gail: “Eureka” returns July 10 on what will by then be known as Syfy. I prounounced that “siffy” to a publicist this week, just to be contrary, and she laughed and said, well, it’s still prounced Sci Fi, but I guess people might call it that. I think we all should: Siffy, Siffy, Siffy.

JW: For what it’s worth since the finale was two weeks ago, my work colleagues, husband and I all felt that Gilles was robbed of the winner award and Melissa robbed of 2nd place. Every dance that Shawn did had a gymnastics-component more than a dance component, and none of us felt that she was the best dancer of the three. Perhaps ABC should disallow Olympic athletes in the future who bring their own sentimental following who will vote for them regardless of how they dance. I’ve passed on these comments to ABC.com as well, but I didn’t know if you were keeping track of your readers’ comments regarding the final results.
Gail: The ship has pretty much sailed on this topic. Wish you’d gone to my blog, Tube Talk (www.stltoday.com/tubetalk) to discuss it after the finale. Some people agreed with you that Gilles should have won. But do you really think an Olympic athlete brings more of a built-in following than an actor or singer or boy band member?

Gary: is smarter than a 5th grader coming back?
Gail: I honestly don’t know whether it will be back on Fox. But I do know there’s a half-hour syndicated version for fall, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, that will air in St. Louis.

The Sheppards: We are not a couple tied to the TV or even being entertained. There is life
in giving to others, at least among the retired. The few shows that we do
enjoy, including Chuck, are returning - except maybe one, and that is
Numb3rs.
Gail: “Numb3rs” will return in the fall, remaining at 9 p.m. Fridays. Did you miss my renewed-canceled list in last Sunday’s A&E section?

Barry: Many thanks for the tv schedule updates. I’m surprised NBC dropped “Medium” but glad CBS picked it up. So… do you know what’s happening (happened) to “Chuck”?
Gail: You must have been abducted by aliens on the day “Chuck” was renewed in an interesting deal with Subway. I hear Sarah may go to work for Subway (rather than the fro-yo shop) next season.

Elizabeth: Speaking of summer TV, do you have any word on when Bravo will premier the third season of Flipping Out and Work Out? Do you know the same information for Stargate Infinity on SyFy (what a dopey name). When does it premiere, have you seen an advance copy and was it any good?
Gail: Siffy, Siffy, Siffy. Yes, dopey name, however you pronounce it.
Do you mean “Stargate: Universe”? That’s the next spinoff, set for fall. I think “Infinity” was an old animated series, but I am not the ultimate authority on the “Stargate” universe.
You read earlier about “Flipping Out.” “Work Out” is over.

garricks: “Reaper” had what may be the lamest series finale ever (barring “The Sopranos” cut to black and “St. Elsewhere’s” snow globe). I was really disappointed. Any word from the showrunners about the decisions they made? Or did it wrap before the cancellation notice?
Gail: Hey, you still remember those bad finales, so they did their work.
There was all sorts of behind-the-scenes turmoil at “Reaper,” as witnessed by Tyler Labine going off and getting a new show even before it was canceled. I’m not sure the last episode was even written as a series finale. Some sources don’t think the creators had a plan beyond season one and had nowhere much to go in season two.

Laura: I was very upset to read about the CBS shows that are cancelled: The Unit, Without a Trace, and Eleventh Hour. Is there any way to write to CBS? Is there any hope?
Gail: You can always contact a network via the website (CBS.com, etc). Go all the way to the bottom of the page, usually, and look for the “contact us” line. They probably won’t read your email, though.
“Eleventh Hour” ratings weren’t great, and as a successful network, CBS can pass on shows that other networks might keep. Ditto “The Unit,” which also, as noted, “skewed old.” “Without a Trace” was very expensive, and negotiations to cut costs failed. “Cold Case” survived instead.

Chuck: I believe in your last chat you said the digital transition is June 17th, it’s actually June 12th. Wanted to make sure you had the correct date.
Gail: Thanks for giving me a chance to correct this. June 12 is in fact the date.

RS: You wrote that Flashpoint was still in production and would be available next summer (not this year). Why is the show on hiatus for an entire year? In addition, why was Eleventh Hour cancelled when their rating numbers were not bad? Any chance for a reprieve there?
Gail: “Flashpoint” is a Canadian series that was imported by CBS during the writers strike. It did well enough then, not so well in season. But it’s still being made in Canada and probably will be back next summer, or even some episodes this summer.

Ed H: I hate to ask a Jon and Kate question, but my daughter LOVES that show - almost every night she wants to watch “Jon and Kate Hawaii” or “Jon and Kate San Diego” - we watched the premier earlier this week and told our daughter she had to leave the room. Doesn’t TLC realize that little kids watch this and don’t need to be exposed to the ..downfall.. this family has had? Personally I think they are both trash, but the eposides from last season will remain forever on my DVR - but I don’t think we will be watching any new ones as long as they mention the ‘drama’.
Gail: It makes me feel dirty even to know about their personal problems, let alone witness them. Ratings for the season premiere were huge, however, and TLC now wants 40 more episodes. Poor little kids.

Cole Train: I know that Reaper was cancelled but is there any chance of it getting picked up elsewhere or of there being a movie to wrap up the story? (I know its a longshot.) The season finale left it wide open just like Tyler Labine’s other show that shouldn’t have been cancelled, Invasion. Since he’s on another new show I’m guessing all hope is dead. It was such a good show too. I guess it didn’t appeal enough to teen girls for the CW.
Gail: Tyler Labine is great (I also loved “Invasion”), so let’s just look forward to his new show.

stpeteguy: Hi Gail, Some of my favorite shows are UK productions. One has started it’s new season, Primeval. Any word on when the new seasons of Torchword, Dr. Who (usually on SciFi), and Robin Hood might start showing?
Gail: I don’t have dates on any of those shows, although I have a vague memory of hearing something about “Dr. Who” episodes. You’d probably be better off consulting the BBC America website.

Rich: Why did Reaper get canceld? I didn’t even hear about it being on the buble. I am going to miss this show. It was one of my favorits.
Gail: There was lots of advance talk about “Reaper” being in danger, and there are campaigns in progress to try to get it picked up in syndication. Google “save Reaper” to find one.

john: I noticed that the TV listings now show a digital channel 11-2. Do you know if will be on-air anytime soon? If so, what types of programming will be broadcast on that channel? Thanks!
Gail: No, not yet, but I’ll try to put together a story after the digital switch about which stations are splitting their signals and putting up new channels. KPLR used to have a second, digital channel, The Tube, but that was a music video network that folded.

Ed H: Gail, a few months ago there was a show called “Homeland Security” or something like that - basically a ‘Cops’ like show but centered around DHS, ICE, CBP type issues. It seemed like it was real (not scripted/actors) - Is there any word on if this show will make it back on TV?
Gail: “Homeland Security” didn’t do well on ABC, but I understand some episodes are left and will be burned off this summer.

Don H: Have you talked to anyone at KSDK about the problem they’re having with their broadcast equipment? At least 5-6 times within the last month programming has suddenly been interrupted by the commercials scheduled for the next break (which you then get to sit through again - hooray!). It has taken up to 2 minutes for them to resolve this, with the program continuing the entire time. I figure that a complaint from you would carry more weight than mine, so I’m hoping you were aware and had questioned them about it.
Gail: I have asked specific questions about big problems, such as the outage during “Celebrity Apprentice,” and there’s always an explanation. As for the general, widespread problems, like the ones you mention, I think they may be in denial. You have to think it’s due to cutbacks caused by Gannett budget cutting.

Gail: That’s it for today, guys, and I’m pretty excited that I finished the last question at exactly 2 p.m. It’s like on Twitter when you come out at exactly 140 characters. Speaking of which — come on Twitter and follow me (and others); it’s such fun. I’m at Twitter.com/GailPennington — easy!
See you here next week.