Gail: Hi, everybody. Did you catch that grand slam by Chris Carpenter? Kind of wish he'd saved it for the playoffs. But I digress. We're here to talk TV, not baseball, and I have tons of questions and comments -- only half from Ms. April Lindsey, who has a lot on her mind today. So let's get started, first with an issue that, justifiably, is annoying many people this week.

PamE: Happy October Gail!

I heard on the radio this morning that Channel 5 is not going to show the new episodes of "Parks and Recreation" and "SNL Weekend Update Thursday" tonight. They are showing Moms like Me and a Metromix informercial instead. Here we go again with the crazy programming decisions! I really enjoy Weekend Update. I am surprised they are even going to show "The Office". How dare us for wanting to see the new programs!

Gail: Yes, that's true -- outrageous! I have never heard of a network affiliate preempting programming in the SECOND week of the new season. This is disrespectful both to viewers and to the network, which is struggling enough without having an hour bumped on competitive Thursday nights in the 21st largest television market.

Lauren: Gail,

Noticed that KSDK isn't airing SNL Weekend Update Thursday or Parks & Rec tonight. Not a good sign of confidence from the affiliates for NBC's "powerhouse night of comedy" (of course they wouldn't dare pre-empt Leno...). I know I'll be able to catch them tomorrow on Hulu (if I watch them at all), but didn't know if you knew if they'd be showing them in the middle of the night or over the weekend.

Gail: It has nothing to do with a vote of confidence or no confidence for the shows preempted. It's about getting the money from the infomercials. I know what let's do -- let's watch all NBC shows on Hulu and teach KSDK a lesson. The bumped shows are scheduled to air at 1 and 1:30 a.m. Monday (late Sunday), but what are the odds they'll really start on time?

Stevie B: Once again thank you very much channel 5 for looking out for us viewers by pre-emptying NEW programming THREE WEEKS in to the new season! I'm glad you contracted with an out of state company that has affiliations with 36 other cities to let me know what events are going on this weekend. Not like I could pick up a free RFT. I'm sure the topical material presented in the SNL Weekend Update Thursday won't be just as funny and relavent say Sunday night at 2:30 in the morning or something! Sheesh!

Sorry for the rant Gail, but I feel better now.

Gail: Again, not about content. About money. Have you called over there to complain? You can learn from the "Contact KSDK" section of the website that Channel 5's main switchboard number is 314-421-5055 and that the number for the news desk, which is always staffed, is 444-5125.

majigail: My DVR says that KSDK has Moms Like Me and Metromix on tonight instead of Parks and Recreation and SNL Thursday.
A. Is it crazy?
B. If it's not crazy, when will Parks and SNL actually be on?
C. Why are they doing this to me?

Gail: Your DVR is never crazy, and they are clearly doing it to torture you.
I checked this morning, and my DVR has picked up "Parks and Recreation," which I'm trying to like and in fact am liking better, at 1:30 a.m. Monday. I don't record "SNL," but I'm sure if you had them set as series recordings, the DVR is on top of it.