Gail: Hi, everybody. The Cardinals are playing this afternoon, so I actually made it to my desk early in a successful attempt to beat the downtown traffic. Remember, this is our last chat for two weeks (we're skipping next week to start Labor Day weekend early), so if you're lurking out there with something to say, say it today or hold your peace till Sept. 10.

Chuck: Hey Gail,

Regarding last weeks question o what you don't see in Big Bang that you apparently do see in 30 Rock. Big names. There are no big dollar names in Big Bang, just quirky real humor. Never been a big 30 Rock fan, too much over acting on that one. I guess I don't see the attraction to Alec Baldwin's character and I almost always find Tracy Morgan not very good in just about everything he does. I just realized there is no question in there is there?

Gail: There doesn't have to be a question; comments are good, too.
What you have to say proves again that nothing is more subjective than sense of humor. "Big Bang Theory" makes me smile. "30 Rock" makes me laugh out loud and then talk about it the next day. I like the way the humor on "30 Rock" is layered and progressive, almost like a "shaggy dog story" (you know that form of joke?) I also like the way the show plays with tone, from smart to silly to sophisticated to slapstick in the same episode. And I especially like the fact that the big-name guests aren't there gratuitously; they always have something specific to do rather than just a cameo. But it doesn't have to be one against the other; even though awards create a "best," there's no real best, just favorites.

Willa: I love Royal Pains on USA. Do you think the audience it gets would make it a hit on network TV? How do you think it compares in quality to a network TV series?

Gail: I like "Royal Pains" too. USA boasted last week that the Aug. 6 episode was watched by 8.2 million viewers over seven days. ("Burn Notice" got 9.1 million the same night, making it the most-watched episode of a scripted show on cable this year.) The quality of "Royal Pains" is absolutely high enough to be on network TV. But ratings? Cable shows air multiple times per week, and viewers add up. A network show just once (or twice), and a show averaging 10 million viewers can still be canceled. So -- sure, maybe a "Royal Pains" could work on network TV. Or not.

G. Pertl: Thanks for letting us know Regis and Kelly are on channel 11. Why did channel 4 let them go ?
And will they continue to be on channel 11 when their new show starts in the fall ? I am very disappointed channel 4 let them go.

Gail: Decisions in TV are always based on ratings, money or both. In the case of "Regis & Kelly," I expect both were involved. Ratings had declined, and the show may have cost more than KMOV wanted to pay. I'm glad KPLR picked them up, too. And yes, the 9 a.m. weekday slot is intended as the permanent time slot.

WWW: I know you have to watch a lot of TV, but when you rent movies, where do you rent them?

Gail: I don't think I've rented a movie since Schnucks closed its video department. Popping in a DVD feels way too much like work to me. I either like to see movies as soon as they come out (and that's fairly rare, too) or watch them on premium cable when they come around. Those HBOs, Starzes, etc. are really expensive and I always feel as if I should make them pay for themselves.