Gail: Hi, everybody. It's a rainy day in St. Louis, but have you noticed how gorgeous the trees are in the rain? Drive along Lindell next to Forest Park if you get a chance; the view is spectacular. Not so much the view from my desk, which features the KDNL tower and a sliver of McDonald's. (Hey, my colleagues say, you have a window. Quit whining.) What I'll actually quit doing is wasting time, and get to your questions. Thanks to all the newbies who posted today, by the way. And if anybody's lurking out there live, feel free to jump in.

Kevin: I have heard different rumors, but do you know the story of why Rene Knotts was hired to replace Mike Bush as the sports director for KSDK instead of Frank C. or Malcolm Briggs? Frank and Malcolm seem to have so much talent.

Gail: I don't. Dan Caesar has covered sports on TV longer than I've been TV critic, so I leave sports stories to him. Also: It's been a long time. Unless you actually are Frank Cusumano or Malcolm Briggs (and arguably even in that case), isn't it time to let this go?

Stephanie: Hey Gail,
LOVED last Sunday's Mad Men. What is the animosity between Don and Roger about? I thought it was because Don was mad that SC was sold, but then wouldn't he be mad at Bert also? Then I thought Don lost respect for Roger for marrying Jane. What have I missed? I can't believe there are only 3 episodes left. Can't wait to see Betty's next move!

Gail: The last two "Mad Men" have been brilliant, as always, but have left me feeling unsettled. Everybody behaved SO badly two weeks ago, and now everything just seems to be disintegrating. Which is surely the point. I think Don broke off with Roger because Roger broke the rules. First, he not only slept with Don's secretary, he left his wife for her. Then, he told her that Don and Betty had separated, violating Don's privacy. And finally he told Betty about the contract, on purpose. That was the final straw!

phinst: Hi Gail,
I was wondering what your thoughts and/or what the viewer's thoughts were on the new melrose place? are people watching and will it last?
first i have to say, it hasn't yet been a great show, but i think with a few tweaks it could be much better. i'm starting to get to know the characters better, and starting to like some(ella)i just feel that it has been moving to slow for the rest of the viewer's to catch on to. now i do admit i'm guilty of watching some of these(guilty pleasures)(models,inc, o.c,the original melrose) and unfortunately they don't last that long..
i just hope it turns into a show that will last a few years.

Gail: I wasn't a viewer of the original "Melrose Place"; not sure why. So even the attraction of seeing some returning characters isn't there for me. Thus I'm kind of indifferent about the new one. Ratings are not good, and it will take a real turnaround to save it, even on the CW -- which this week picked up "Vampire Diaries," its big hit, for the full season but said nothing about "MP."

Lauren: Hello Gail,

Just wondering about the status of Cupid that aired on ABC. I have heard that it's been canceled but you never know. I also heard that Southland was canceled but may be moving to another network. Have you heard anything about this?

Thanks.

Gail: ABC canceled "Cupid" -- Rob Thomas' remake of his previously canceled "Cupid" -- last May. This is probably the last try for "Cupid."

NBC stopped production on the second season of "Southland" after six episodes and won't air it. Executive producer John Wells says other networks (most likely TNT) are interested, but they'd only air the first season's few plus the new six and see how it goes. I'm surprised at the general enthusiasm for this show, which I thought started strong but really went downhill fast.