Here’s the transcript from my Aug. 20 TV chat. If you read it and realize you have questions of your own, go on and submit them now for the next chat, scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.

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Gail: Hi, everybody. Made it in without an umbrella, although the sky is looking threatening again. I still say I caused this recent bad weather by watering last Sunday, right before the first deluge. Clearly, you guys have been spending a lot of time indoors, watching TV, this last week, because I have lots of good questions and comments already. So let’s get started.

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Dorianne: Will Castle be coming back this season? If so, when?

Gail: “Castle” was renewed by ABC. The fall season begins the week of Sept. 21, and I’m currently (well, not at this moment) putting together a list of premiere and season premiere dates that will run with my Big Fall TV Preview on Sunday, Sept. 6. Clip ‘n’ save!

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Mel: Hey Gail! Has there ever been a case where a show was cancelled, then over the summer they ran re-runs or never before seen episodes and the ratings were so high they decided to have the show come back? Just curious.

Gail: There’s canceled and then there’s canceled. If a network is just saying it won’t order more episodes of a series that’s still in production, there’s a chance for minds to be changed. A lot of series famously floundered then went on to become hits — “Seinfeld,” “Designing Women,” “Northern Exposure,” “Cagney & Lacey.” But I don’t have stats on any that were canceled-canceled coming back.
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Veteran71: I have heard that another network has picked up The Unit and will air it this fall. Can you tell me what that network is and where to find it? The Unit is the best show on television.

Gail: What you may be seeing promos for is “The Unit” in prime time on MyNetworkTV (Channel 46 in St. Louis, 7 on Charter) this fall. BUT those episodes are repeats of the CBS episodes. Just to make sure on rumors that another network would pick up “The Unit,” I queried executive producer Shawn Ryan via Twitter, asking if there was any hope. He answered me: “Sadly, no.” So you’ll have to be happy with reruns or find a new favorite.
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Eunice Davis: I love the television show HawthoRNe on the TNT channel on Tuesday nights, I have found out that this show has been renewed for a second season, I would like to know what do you think about the show and also the new trend or maybe it’s an old trend making a come back with shows focusing on nurses, there is Nurse Jackie on Showtime and also NBC has one coming this fall called Mercy. Do you see this as something new coming to television and possibly more shows about nurses coming along ?

Gail: I’m not a fan of “Hawthorne,” but many are, and TNT has renewed it for another season. I interviewed St. Louis nurses before “Nurse Jackie” began about the trend you mentioned. I think networks are trying to fill the “ER” void with new medical shows and got the idea that nurses were fresh. I’ve seen “Mercy,” though, and it’s not very good.

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Matt B: GP;

Someone is holding a pair of clippers up to Oliver and tells you have to be on one of those VH1 type dating shows or Oscar gets the Kojak treatment, which show would you choose and why (oh, just play along!) ?

MB

Gail: Turn Oliver into a Sphynx cat and he can star in the next “Austin Powers” sequel? Hmmm, there’s a thought. But I did just find a VH1 dating show I think I can embrace: the new “My Antonio,” with Antonio Sabato Jr. I haven’t watched yet, but he seems like a pretty classy guy (tell me: why does he need help getting dates?) and maybe the women won’t be so trampy.
I also sampled “Megan Wants a Millionaire.” They had some trouble this week with one of the guys being in trouble with the law. It’s always a “shock” when this happens, isn’t it?

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Elliot Williams: Gail,
Can you tell me when ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ is starting in the fall? I’ve been waiting all summer for the next season. Thanks.

Gail: Hello, Elliot. Did you type this yourself? I finally have good news for you. “Clone Wars” returns Oct. 2 on the Cartoon Network with 22 new episodes. If I get any in advance, maybe I’ll share!
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Donald: Ms. Pennington,

While perusing through the iTunes store, I saw a link to a free download for a TV show called Defying Gravity. I had never heard of the show before and really enjoyed watching the 3 free episodes. Now I’m hooked and wondering when I can see more episodes.

Can you give me the lowdown on this show? Is it on a network schedule?

Gail: “Defying Gravity” — which has been described as “Grey’s Anatomy in space” — premiered on ABC in August. It airs Sunday nights. Because the premiere fell during my trek to Los Angeles, I actually haven’t seen an episode. But I understand ratings aren’t good.
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Matt B: GP:

Summer reruns, have you been watching Emmy nominated Jim Parsons in repeats of the Big Bang Theory?

MB

Gail: The Emmy-nominated AND Television Critics Association Award winner Jim Parsons? I met him a couple of times in Los Angeles; very nice guy. And I like him and the show just fine. I don’t quite understand all the acclaim, though. My choice for best comedy in the TCA Awards would certainly have been “30 Rock,” not “Big Bang Theory.” What am I missing?
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Danielle: Were you surprised by the outcome of Top Chef: Masters last night? I was pretty sure Hubert Keller was going to win. At least it wasn’t Ciarello! Do you think there will be a second season?

Gail: Spoilers alert, people. Skip past if you haven’t watched yet.
I loved, loved, loved “Top Chef Masters,” and the finale was awesome. Can you imagine getting to sample all those great dishes? (And how in the world did the diners manage to sample all 12?)I was really sure dear Hubert would win, but Rick Bayless is a great chef and it was nice for him to pull it off.
I can’t imagine that there won’t be a Season 2, but Bravo hasn’t confirmed.
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Dave S.: Channel 11 is advertising that “Regis and Kelly” are moving there. What’s coming on channel 4 in the morning? Any other local station programmimg updates for fall?

Gail: I’ll have a fall-daytime preview next month, but in the meantime I’ve been putting details up on Tube Talk as they come in. You can find KSDK, KTVI and KPLR schedules there already. I’ll have to wring one out of KMOV, but I believe they’re moving “The Doctors” into the 9 a.m. slot after dropping my beloved “Regis & Kelly.” It will air on Channel 11 at 9 a.m., its same time period.

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Gina: Are you watching this season of Big Brother? I don’t think they have ever cast such obnoxious people! At least now Chima is gone. Are they still going to eliminate two people tonight?

Gail: Because the charming Chima was kicked out (that actually happened Friday night and was shown Tuesday), there’s only one elimination tonight. The whole episode is going to be live, including a POV, elimination and HOH competition. The season has annoyed me no end, and I’ve skipped a lot of it, but maybe I’ll jump back in for the end. I loved it so much when Chima, after swearing her head off, yelling at the producers and throwing her mike pack in the hot tub, went into the diary room and was promptly escorted out the other door by security, not even getting to sit down.

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Lisa Hunt: Dear Gail,

There were supposed to be 2 back to back episodes of Merlin last night. (which my family really enjoys) During the 1st episode, halfway through, it was stopped for the Cardinals game. Then the 2nd episode started after 10 minutes had aired which made it a little hard to follow.

Will KSDK rebroadcast these episodes? I have looked all over their website but can’t find any info.

Thanks for any help you can give us,

Gail: The Cardinals game went into rain delays twice on Sunday and finally concluded during “Merlin.” KSDK tells me they contacted the network about repeating the “Merlin” episodes but couldn’t get permission. (This has been on Tube Talk all week, btw; be sure to check there for news like this.) But you can watch it on Hulu as streaming video.
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Matt B: GP:

Did/will you watch the Octomom show on fox? Did Fox send out any advance copies?

MB

Gail: Fox didn’t send it out and I actually forgot it was on; I was out last night and got home just in time for “Top Chef.” It’s being streamed on Hulu, but interest was pretty low and ratings were lousy. People are saying today this means there’s no way she’ll get a TV show.
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C-Vo: Has that show about the woman who’s re-incarnated in a plain woman’s body been renewed? I really ike it even though I can never remember its name.

Gail: It’s now official that Lifetime has renewed “Drop Dead Diva” for a second season. They hope you’ll learn the name, since “Diva” is the top-rated drama on Lifetime since “Army Wives.” The 13 new episodes will air next year.

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suzyjax: What’s the most exciting thing you received in the mail this week? Or shoudl I ask for top 3 with the fall season approaching (and the mailbox perhaps bulging)?
Gail: It’s hard to top the box of Jell-o I got last week from Sprout (the PBS preschool network). Actually, the office got three boxes with four boxes of Jell-o in each one, plus cookie cutters to make jigglers. (I’m unclear about the theme.) Your tax dollars at work.
But this week, I reacted with glee to get a box of “Glee,” with two more episodes and a cheerleader fleece. And with even more glee to get the next two episodes of “Mad Men.”

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Brian: After watching the season finale of “Mental” Friday night – I’m assuming this show isn’t returning for the fall?
Gail: That’s a good assumption. “Mental” wasn’t a hit for Fox, although I’ve seen way worse. I’ve heard that the last episode actually did a bit to wrap it up, and that’s nice. So many shows just … stop.

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Bert: Hi Gail- AMC isn’t part of DishNetwork’s TurboHD package, what a crime! Anyway, do you know where I can stream the new episodes online? They’re not on AMC.com.

Gail: Seriously? I would protest if I were you.
“Mad Men” isn’t streamed anywhere to my knowledge. It’s available On Demand on cable and for sale/download on iTunes. That might be your best bet. Deduct the amount you have to spend from your DirecTV bill.
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DJ: Gail, any word on what the schedules will be for local stations? Who’s picked up Dr. Oz, Office, 5th Grader, Earl, etc. in syndication?

Gail: Most of that’s already up on Tube Talk (www.stltoday.com/tubetalk). And I have a full preview of fall syndication scheduled for Sept. 13 in the A&E section.
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C-Vo: Did you see that episode of Warehouse 13 that was about St. Louis? Do you think it was really shot here? Great show, by the way. I hope Sci Fi picks it up for another season.

Gail: Come on, it’s Syfy now. Get on board. “Imagine greater,” whatever that means.
“Warehouse 13″ is shot in Toronto, I think. It’s pretty easy to get stock footage of stuff like the Arch, which is why St. Louis turns up as often as it does. A show trying to be fairly authentic can also dress up, say, police cars like St. Louis police cars. But only rarely would a location shoot take place. Only a show like “ER” (which went to Chicago every season) and “The West Wing” would plan regular location shoots, which are expensive and time consuming.
Oh, and yes, Syfy (say it as I do: Siffy) has officially ordered a second season of “Warehouse 13.” The 13 new episodes can be expected in summer 2010.
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Bert: Hi Gail- after this excellent season of True Blood, as well as Entourage and Hung(which is pretty good), what shows will HBO be airing?

Gail: “True Blood,” “Entourage” and “Hung” have all been renewed by HBO, along with “Eastbound and Down” and “Big Love.” The big project HBO is unveiling isn’t a new series but a 10-part miniseries, “The Pacific,” from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, showing a different side of World War II from “Band of Brothers.” It’s due in March. After that comes “Treme,” from David Simon (”The Wire”), a series set in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

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edavis55: I saw episodes of Southland on the on demand channel, Is this show being picked up again by NBC ?

Gail: Yes, NBC renewed “Southland.” Under “Primetime Free” on Charter, you can now find a ton of stuff, including lots of NBC shows.
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goodmaj: When is Friday Night Lights starting on Directv? Thanks!

Gail: The new season starts in October on DirecTV and will air on NBC next summer. That’s right — not till summer.
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Caro: What is your take on Three Rivers and Alex O’Loughlin? He’s got a movie coming out in Jan 2010 with JLo…….his new show starts Oct 4 on CBS. They are re-shooting the pilot/first eppy & the clips so far look much better….although they lost those lovely snug fitting blue scrubs that looked so good on Alex!

Gail: I haven’t seen the reshot “Three Rivers” pilot, only the original. Alex O’Loughlin was adorable as always, but the version I saw wasn’t good at all, pretty hokey and unbelievable in spots. “Three Rivers” is about a transplant team, with O’Loughlin as one of the surgeons. In the original pilot, instead of scrubs, they wore long-sleeved, very clingy blue T-shirts. Nobody liked it, and in the new pilot they’ll wear regular scrubs. Hopefully, the blue will still look good on him.
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goodmaj: Have you seen any episodes of the new Curb Your Enthusiasm? I think it starts towards the end of September?

Gail: “Curb Your Enthusiasm” begins Sept. 20. I have an interview with Larry David that I’ll run at the time. I expect HBO to have episodes out ahead of time; they’re very good about this. The new season, with the mock “Seinfeld” reunion, sounds like a lot of fun.
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Gail: OK, that’s it for today, folks. Thanks for playing, and don’t forget to pick up your lovely parting gift at the door. See you back here next Thursday.

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