Here’s the transcript from my Oct. 15 live chat. The chat for Oct. 22 is already scheduled, so if you’re reading this and have questions and comments of your own, click here to post in advance.

Gail: Hi, everybody. Welcome to this special “Brrrr!” edition of our TV chat. My fall clothes are feeling neglected because I never got to wear them before pulling out the winter stuff, but I promise a warmup before next Thursday’s chat. And in any case, we always have hot topics, right? So let’s get started.
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Charles_Williams: Gail, I watched “Cougar Town” last Yhursday night. It was immature and badly overacted. But I kept watching. What’s wrong with me?
Gail: Badly written, too. Juvenile and crude. Maybe you watched because you felt sorry for Courteney Cox, working so hard with such bad material? Well, don’t; she also helped create the show, so she’s responsible. Maybe you kept watching because you’re also juvenile and crude? No, wait, I know that’s not the case. So I have to assume you kept watching because you lost the remote and have two broken legs.
Lots of people are watching, too, even if they don’t know why either. “Cougar Town” has already been picked up for the full season.
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April Lindsey: Hey Gail!

What was up with Pete’s coughing fit on MM? He led with saying, “This will be the death of me” or something similar and then spent the entire shoot coughing.
Gail: The evil Lucky Strike guy made Pete, who doesn’t smoke, take a puff of the product. His determination to control everyone and everything, even that, set up the encounter with Sal and its extremely sad aftermath.
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Bert: So, I know the creator/writer of The Shield is incredible. I loved the Shield, and his new show, Sons of Anarchy, might be even better. I thought I read in one of your columns that he’s also taking over creatively for another show. Am I remembering right? What show?
Gail: I just talked to the wonderful Shawn Ryan this week. After “The Shield,” actually during, he moved on to executive produce “The Unit” with David Mamet. Now he’s the showrunner on Fox’s “Lie To Me,” and FX just picked up his new series, “Terriers,” a dramedy about private eyes.
But he doesn’t have anything to do with “Sons of Anarchy.” That’s Kurt Sutter’s show. Sutter’s wife, by the way, is Katey Sagal, who stars in “SoA.”
Shawn Ryan also didn’t create “Glee.” That’s Ryan Murphy, with whom he’s often confused. Ryan Murphy also created “Nip/Tuck.”
Wow, you got a lot of answers for your money.
Look for more from Shawn Ryan in my Sunday story on the A&E cover about TV insiders on Twitter.

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Ann: Regarding NBC’s cancellation of Southland - My Mom and I both liked this show and were looking forward to a new season; we had saved your column about all the shows as a reminder about when Southland’s new episodes were scheduled to begin. We both enjoy your columns - thanks for keeping even those of us who still like reading the newspaper in hard-copy format informed. I sent an email to NBC this evening, it was probably more therapy for us than a persuasive argument for NBC to reconsider it’s decision but at least we tried to be a voice for viewers.
Gail: It never helps to write to a TV network, but it can make you feel better. In the case of “Southland,” NBC reportedly told producers that the new season’s episodes were too dark for 9/10 p.m. I don’t know if that’s true. Ratings had plummeted after NBC picked up Season 2 last spring, and the top management of the network has since changed.
Thanks for BUYING the paper! I like holding it in my hands to read it, too.
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Jeff: Gail, I just got next week’s issue of TV Guide and was shocked to read that Southland has been canceled without airing its first episode of the season. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked anymore at what the Mensas in network TV do. While certainly not a top-line drama, I enjoyed the first short season of the show and was looking forward to watching the new season. I have just about had it with network TV and NBC in particular (Boomtown another example). Most of the shows I really like are on cable anymore. Why would anyone want to invest time in a new show these days?
Gail: You probably would also have been shocked to read that first on Tube Talk and then in the PD days before that TV Guide came out. Really, for breaking news, online is where it’s happening, and I try to get TV news up ASAP at www.stltoday.com/tubetalk.
When a favorite show is canceled, it’s always canceled too soon. I’m not all worked up over the demise of “Southland,” which I thought really went downhill after the pilot. On the other hand, my beloved “Boomtown” was brilliant in its first season, until NBC tinkered with it and ruined it in Season 2. So that’s sad.
Cable networks cancel shows, too. You “invest time” in a new show because you enjoy it, just as you invest time in dating without being sure you won’t break up. Or something like that.
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MMK: I was really disappointed to read on Tube Talk about Southland’s cancellation before it even returned. Do you know whether the Season 2 episodes that were already shot will wind up elsewhere? Or maybe if another network will pick it up?
Gail: Hey, somebody who reads Tube Talk! I should have moved you to the top of the queue. I’m hearing rumors (not yet confirmed) that TNT might pick up “Southland,” either the six that are made as a trial or for additional episodes. It would be a good fit.
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April Lindsey: What do you think of Eastwick? I’s so much fun to watch, I loved the movie with JN too. I tend to love these kinds of shows (Lipstick Jungle), but no one else does.
Gail: “Eastwick” isn’t doing well, and it’s not holding up for me, although I enjoyed the pilot. Doesn’t surprise me that anyone who liked “Lipstick Jungle” would like it, though. You’re a jinx, April!
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Bert: GP, what do you think about LD on the new season of CYE?
Biggest jerk ever!
I love it.
Gail: Let me translate: Larry David. Curb Your Enthusiasm. You aren’t limited to 140 characters here, Bert; feel free to spell things out.
The first two Curbs, Larry’s jerkiness was almost too much for me. But I always enjoy seeing him get what he deserves, and I’m loving the Seinfeld stuff.
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MaryAnn: Is MAD TV returning this year? I have looked for it on Saturday nights and it still wasn’t on this past weekend.
Thanks!
Gail: It’s been canceled; sorry. Fox is replacing it with a new late-night show with Wanda Sykes, debuting Nov. 7.

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Martin: Do you know what happened with “Dr. Oz” show Monday on KSDK? It started out as one episode then cut off and returned as another episode. It appeared that the first episode was being censored.
Gail: Some others also suspected censorship, but the station tells me they started running the wrong episode, one that had already aired, and pulled it a few minutes in to replace it with the right one.
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Harry: I just discovered Dollhouse and now hear it may be cancelled. I think the only thing I hate about programs not being renewed is there’s no closure.
If it weren’t for Dexter I wouldn’t be watching Showtime. But, then, the writing on Californication is marvelous, too. That’s the shame. I always love programs that no one else likes.
Gail: What I hear about “Dollhouse,” which has tiny viewership in Season 2, is that the remaining episodes will air and that Joss Whedon promises some sort of closure in the last one. Maybe if you’d watched earlier you could have saved it….
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JMcD: Wasn’t Ugly Betty scheduled for 7 p.m. last night (Fri., Oct. 9)? What happened?
Gail: ABC bumped it on short notice to this Friday, when it will air 7-9 p.m., bumping the season premiere of “Supernanny.” And no, it’s not good news for “Ugly Betty” to have been slotted on Fridays.
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Nancy: Hi Gail,

Did I miss something? I thought the campaign to save Chuck had succeeded and that Subway had stepped in to sponsor them. But they weren’t on the Fall schedule and I have not heard anything about when it might be back. Was it a casualty of the “Leno effect” like Southland? Is there a reason that NBC couldn’t put Southland in the late slot on Saturday nights when Leno isn’t on? I thought Southland was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. I loved how gritty and real it was.

Thanks!
Gail: Either the “Save Chuck” campaign was successful or the Subway deal (which includes product integration in the show) got “Chuck” renewed. But NBC isn’t planning to bring it back till March. (That could possibly change if something like “Mercy” or “Trauma” is canceled.) The “Leno effect” may be real, but “Chuck” isn’t a victim. NBC sees it as a 7 p.m. show, and that’s where it’s always run. NBC might burn off “Southland” on Saturdays, but nobody would make an expensive show to air at a time when so few are watching.
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garricks: Hi, Gail!

OK, so Southland wasn’t the bestest show ever, but I don’t think it deserved the cancellation it got. I’ve heard it might head over to TNT? Do you think it would survive over there?

Is NBC trying to drive itself out of business?

–garrick
Gail: So glad you got out of your sickbed to chat! I do think “Southland” might work on TNT. That network isn’t really the home of cutting-edge cable dramas, so “Southland” wouldn’t have to be the bestest show ever, but it might also get more room to breathe than it did on NBC. Also, “Southland” comes from John Wells (”ER”), and TNT would probably love to get in bed with a producer with his track record.
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Mel: In regards to Charles_Williams’ post, I watch “Cougar Town” also and I view it as a guilty pleasure. Not sure why, but I think it is a fun show. It has its awkward moments, but so does the “Office.”
Gail: Mel, are you a guy Mel or a gal Mel?
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Paul: Gail, it seems to me that Ch.4’s digital broadcast signal is getting progressively worse - and unfortunately it seems to get profoundly bad during prime-viewing periods. I’ve started to dread prime-time on CBS strictly because I can’t see through the awful signal. It is ruining viewing of a lot of of CBS’s key shows (Survivior, CSI, Amazing Race, etc.). I’ve seriously gotten pretty comfortable with the idea of abandoning some of these shows I love JUST because I can’t watch them. late at night the signals is better, but mornings and evenings it is awful. I’ve aligned my antenna to maximize broadcast reception for KMOV, but to no avail. I used the signal strength checking function on my DVR the other day and discovered that most digital broadcast signals in the city come in at around 91-97% strength, but KMOV 4.1 comes in at about 78-83% !!! Is this common? Is it only in the city? Is there some one at “network affiliations” (or whatever) that I can write about this? This is even more frustrating to me than KSDK pre-empting prime-time so much.
Gail: I can’t answer this. Have you called the station and asked to talk to the chief engineer? I’d hate for you to have to abandon “The Amazing Race.”
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John: Hi Gail,
I am excited for the new season of “30 Rock” and wanted to know if you have seen any episodes for this season. Does it live up to past seasons? Thanks.
Gail: I’ve seen the first two. Tonight’s season premiere disappointed me just a little because it seemed unusually broad and jokey with less cohesion than I like. But still, very funny. I thought the second one was great.
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D. Segal: I have been a fan of Friday Night Lights since it started first run on NBC, I think it was on cable last year and then on NBC, is it coming back this year and when?
Gail: “Friday Night Lights” was on DirecTV last season before NBC and begins again there — this month, I think. But it won’t be back on NBC until next summer.
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PamE: Hi Gail:
It is a week later and I still continue to watch “the Forever Dance” at Pam and Jim’s wedding. It was complete genius! Although, I could have done without the beginning scenes of the episode(the morning sickness), I thought that episode was the best so far. Will Pam have the baby by the season finale?
Gail: I think they’re saying the baby will be born in sweeps (go figure), but that could mean February or May. Yes, though, this year. I’m wondering what that will mean for the show, but I’m all for this union.
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TERRY: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION IN WHAT I HAVE READ THAT THE CARDINALS AND THE BLUES ARE WORKING TOWARD NOT MAKING ANY OF THEIR GAMES AVAILABLE ON FREE TV. THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME, I HAVE ACCESS, HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY OF THE ELDERLY THAT ARE GOING TO BE SHUT OUT. ITS JUST GREED!
Gail: Did your Caps Lock key get stuck?
I think it would be sad to have no games on free TV, but that’s coming sooner rather than later. Consider how few there are now (and how unwatchable the Cardinals are on KSDK). There’s always radio, and I can’t speak for hockey, but baseball is great on radio.
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Mel: Gail, I’m a gal. I like to think that when I’m 40 I can still kick it like I am 20 Changing the subject, but did you by chance get my CSI question.
Gail: If you’re a woman who likes “Cougar Town,” I’m afraid of you. And for you. I just think there’s so much hatred of woman — and really, is CC’s character even middle-aged? — on that show.
I answer questions out of order, and yes, I’ll discuss “CSI” later.
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ReberRowdy: Gail,

I consider Friday Night Lights one of the best television programs ever. And Layla Garrity has the sexiest voice ever. What is it’s future? I know it is scheduled to start on Direct TV. But will it trickle down to network tv eventually?

Thanks

Dennis
Gail: My editor, who’s on maternity leave, just watched every episode of “FNL” in a couple of weeks. The return date on DirecTV is Oct. 28, and she doesn’t have DirecTV — which is kind of the point; they want people who like the show to dump cable and subscribe. I don’t know how well that worked last time.
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Jenni: Our family watches Channel 4 news at the 10 p.m. time slot. For many weeks, during August and Sept., the weather man was the “Tom Cruise” guy(our family’s nickname for him, since he does resemble the actor a bit). We kept wondering where Kent Erhardt had gone to. Now, Kent is back at 10, doing the weather, but no sign of TC. What’s going on with the weathermen at KMOV? Thanks for solving this mystery for us.
Gail: KMOV no longer has a chief meteorologist. Kent Ehrhardt and Steve Templeton share top billing. Steve is assigned to 10 p.m., so maybe he’s been in vacation and Kent is filling in.

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gabmet: Hi Gail, I’m wondering where Scott Connell is again. It seems he was on in the mornings for awhile, now he’s been gone for 2 weeks. Do you know what the deal with their daytime weather staff is?
Gail: For one thing, people get vacations and change assignments to fill in for others. For another, KSDK has had furloughs. I always say, check the website, and if the person’s picture is still there, he or she is still employed. And Scott Connell is still on the website.

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Mel: Has CSI dropped in ratings since William Peterson has left the show? I continue to watch, but I feel the cast doesn’t meld the same way as before. Strange that one cast member can do that, but since his departure I feel there is a void. Losing Jorga Fox and Gary Dourdan were sad, but the show was still good without them. I know Fox is back. Is there hope Peterson will return also? Just curious.
Gail: “CSI” ratings have dropped, and you can bet CBS is worried about it. Like you, I can’t put my finger on what’s wrong, but Laurence Fishburne, great actor that he is, is no substitute for William Petersen. CBS is trying to increase his popularity, though, by having him cross over through all three “CSI” editions in November. Meanwhile, they’ve talked Jorja Fox into staying indefinitely. I also imagine they’re working on Petersen, who has producer credit on the series and probably doesn’t want it to crash and burn.
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Gail: That’s all for today, guys. They have a cake in the newsroom saying “Best Wishes Gail and Kevin,” and I’m going to have a piece now even though I’m not the “Gail” in question. See you back here next week, same time.

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