On TV

Reality, Non-Reality and Everything In-Between

Post TV Columnist Lisa de Moraes takes a look at what's on the tube in a fast-paced give and take about reality, non-reality, cable and you name it.

Join Lisa on Friday, June 10 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the latest on TV.

De Moraes has written "The TV Column" for The Post since 1998. She served as the TV editor for the entertainment industry trade publication the "Hollywood Reporter" for almost a decade.

A transcript follows.

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Washington D.C.: We have TiVo so I was just able to watch Hit Me Baby One more Time. Holy crap, is that a BAD show. Setting aside the concept, the execution was just terrible. The production values were total crap (looked like a bad Sat afternoon TV show a la Soul Train) and who the heck is the host? And then what the heck is the purpose? My goodness.

On another subject, I was in England this year and saw their dancing reality show. Exactly the same (I think the British judge was on it) with the silly ice skater-type interviews and the judges fans with glitter numbers. Except it wasn't "stars" it was two people who wanted to break into dancing. I think the high ratings here have to do with people liking watching talent shows, not the celebrities. If the U.S. was going to rip off the show entirely, why not have it be real people instead of c list "celebrities?"

Lisa de Moraes: And miss Trista? Are you nuts? (Hi, by the way). I am, alas, not in charge of ABC, and so cannot explain why the network went with C-list celebs instead of nobodies. I can, however address "what the heck is the purpose" of NBC's Hit Me Baby One More Time. It's to get viewers, so they can sell advertising. The host is some Brit DJ, or VJ, or both. Don't you love the way he refers to Vanilla Ice as "Vaniller"? It's so cute.

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Dancing with Stars: What do you think about Trista being the first to be kicked off "Dancing with the Stars"? The soap actress is a worse dancer, and had lower scores from the judges. Viewers must either be sick of Trista (if they vote people off), or over her after four reality shows (if they vote people on).

Lisa de Moraes: It happened because I prayed and prayed and prayed -- really hard. I take full credit. Hopefully, ABC took notice of her early departure (she got voted out by viewers even though other couples weren't as good as Trista and Latest Victim) and will never, ever bring her back. After suffering through Trista on "Bachelor," "Bachelorette," "Scary Trista Wedding" and "Dancing with the Stars," America deserves to live Trista-free and happily ever after.

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Washington, D.C.: Hit Me Baby One More Time. Genius! Wyle E. Coyote GENIUS! But the host, what's his name, really tall British beanpole guy that says "Vaniller Ice." What do you think -- cross between John Elway and Mick Jagger?

Lisa de Moraes: Funny, Vernon Kay reminds me more of Monkees' Davy Jones after eight days on a torture rack....

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Memphis, Tenn.: Was watching the most recent season (from a year ago?) of the Sopranos on DVD and realized, to my surprise, that I was bored. Forget the next season (a year from now?) ... is this show already out of gas?

Lisa de Moraes: Was it only a year ago? Seems like part of my early childhood. HBO certainly hopes it's not out of gas, because their original series aren't pulling in "Sopranos" kind of numbers. Here's the part where HBO contacts me to remind me that's it not about the numbers because they don't sell advertising (unless they do a really big number in which case they like for reporters to write about the numbers.)"Entourage" returned last Sunday with an average of about 1.6 million viewers, after which Lisa Kudrow's new series "Comeback" opened with 1.51 million. The next night, "Six Feet Under" returned for its alleged final season with 2.6 million viewers (last year's season debut clocked 4.2 million, but on Sunday night, not Monday). And "Deadwood" averaged just shy of 3 million viewers in its initial telecasts on Sunday during the season that recently wrapped. Here's the part where HBO contacts me to remind me that they don't just telecast an episode once, it is repeat several more times across their schedule.

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Colorado: What's with HBO moving Six Feet Under to Mondays? Is this because of low ratings for 6FU, or are they trying to cultivate a Monday audience? Are they trying to get out of range of Desperate Housewives, maybe? It seems so odd given the amount of effort they've put into developing the Sunday audience so that a lot of us consider Sunday night our HBO night.

Lisa de Moraes: All of the above. Monday is a night of high viewing levels, and HBO can promote a Monday lineup during its Sunday lineup, so moving into Monday territory is a no brainer. And, it's clear "Desperate Housewives" has scooped up some viewers who had been watching various other networks on Sunday at 9. Everyone took a hit.

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Arlington, Va.: Pookity-dookity-do: Re: Dancing with the "stars": I have found my peace with dreaded Trista. She can be on TV as long as she is humiliated in the process. I rather enjoyed watching her stand there taking criticism. Those are my conditions. (Although I hated seeing her on Discovery HD talking about romantic getaways. It was too much like having her in my home.) And is it just me or did Evander Holyfield's dancing remind anyone else of the "putting on the Ritz" scene from Young Frankenstein?

Lisa de Moraes: Hopefully, no one from ABC is reading or next thing you know, they'll be making over her home on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to accommodate her petiteness -- lower kitchen counters, shorter sofa legs, etc. -- while sending her and That Poor Man on an all-expenses paid vacation to Wisteria Lane, where she'll turn up on an episode of "Desperate Housewives" -- or that island, where she'll play a guest monster on "Lost." I too thrill at the prospect of Trista humiliated but it's best to cut her off completely.

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Colorado Springs, Colo.: Lisa, There actually is some decent TV viewing this summer. BBC America's "Mystery Mondays". Right now they're showing "Second Sight" with Clive Owen, and soon they'll be showing "Prime Suspect", from episode 1. Long live cable!

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, hooray and all that. I thought Lisa Kudrow's HBO show was interesting too. And, this alleged last season of "Six Feet Under" is great for making you feel like your life doesn't suck after all...

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DON'T Hit Me Baby!: Hi Lisa --

Well, I finally got around to watching this show last night. I should note that I am in the target audience for this show -- a thirtysomething child of the 80's who LOVES VH1's Bands Reunited -- but I turned off Hit Me Baby after 5 minutes! So many problems, but let's touch on the obvious: Why do they insist on having audience cheering (probably canned) going on during the entire show -- both when acts are performing and when not? And, more importantly, how much are they paying all those beautiful 20 year-olds to cheer madly for washed-up artists that they've never heard of? What a mess!

Lisa de Moraes: I suspect all those beautiful 20 year olds are waiters/wanna be actors so there's no stopping them, they'll just move on to the next reality series. Cheering during the performances is actually a public service. I can't explain it, but this show continues to win its timeslot among younger viewers, though this week it only averaged about 7 million viewers overall.

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Deadwood: After listening to my husband compare Deadwood to Shakespeare, I finally started watching the first season on DVD. I am hooked. This is an amazingly written show, fascinating characters, and they don't feel the need to spell everything out for you. So I ask as a recent convert, are you on board with Deadwood? It doesn't get the buzz that the Sopranos and some other great shows (justifiably) get.

Lisa de Moraes: Seven minutes of cussing per hour -- what's not to love? I'm hooked -- and I love your husband's Shakespeare thing. I'll use that next time someone gets all sniffy about what I do for a living.

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Anon.: Hey Lisa! I read a book last weekend.

Lisa de Moraes: Me too! What did you read? And, I played the piano. And I took my dogs for a walk. And I still found time to watch TV. I'm a regular Renaissance Woman..

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Reston, V.A.: Why does Hollywood feel the need to turn classic TV into movies? "Dukes of Hazzard," "Bewitched" and "The Honneymooners" are all being released this summer. Shouldn't these TV gems remain untouched? Is it all about profit?

Lisa de Moraes: No, it's about art.... Of course it's about profit! This is a business, pookie -- no handouts from Corporation for Public Broadcasting (thank goodness). And they're doing it because earlier remakes of terrifically horrible TV series did well at the boxoffice. "Charlie's Angels" -- need I say more?

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San Francisco, Calif.: What news do you have of Dennis Miller? Why do you think that CNBC cancelled his show?

Lisa de Moraes: I think he's doing a commercial for some phone company. What the heck happened to him, by the way? He used to be so funny. Now he's just angry.

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Washington, D.C.: After watching the Tonys, I defy anyone to identify a more self-obsessed celebrity than Billy Crystal. And speaking of the mere 6.5 million who watched him last Sunday, why do you suppose so few of us tune in? Is it that the likes of Spamalot, the "best of Broadway", is pure dreck? Or do we as a nation hate Harvey Fierstein that much? Or is it possible that fewer than 100 people in all of America know what A Light in the Piazza could possibly be?

Lisa de Moraes: I assume it's because so few people have seen any of these plays so they have no rooting interest, unlike, say, the Academy Awards.....

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Mars: Honey: Do you think there could be anything as glorious on planet earth as viewing Evander Holyfield ballroom dancing? (Even though he needed an oxygen tank after his performance.) What a show. What a show. What a show. I'm so battered by all of the new summer entries, because for me it was just an exhausting Sept-May 2004-2005 season. My eyes hurt.

Lisa de Moraes: Clearly you lack the stamina to become A Reporter Who Covers Televisions. I told you it was a tough job. Buck up!

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Waynesboro, Va.: What will it take to revive the sitcom? I come home from work at night and flip on WTTG for "Seinfeld," "The Drew Carey Show" and "Frasier," which remain a cut above most of the few alleged sitcoms on these days. And yes, "Arrested Development" is okay, albeit overrated (I sense some critics wouldn't be so ga-ga over it were it a "traditional" three-camera show or if it used a laugh track). Meanwhile, "That '70s Show," which I used to enjoy, is well past its prime; Laura Prepon should leave and develop her own sitcom vehicle. Where's the good characterization and clever writing in the tradition of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"? Doesn't that appeal to young demographics anymore, or do they want something as smugly contrived as "Friends"?

Lisa de Moraes: I was with you until you got to "That 70's Show" being past its prime. "That 70's Show" never had a prime. And, grievously, having seen most of next season's sitcoms, I have to report that it does not look like next season will be what it takes to revive the sitcom. Although they have yanked Shannen Doherty as star of one of next season's new sitcoms, which is a big step in the right direction -- though it does beg the question "who thought that scary, scary woman could carry a comedy and don't they read the tabs?"

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Arlington, Va. : When are new episodes of "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" going to air in the fall? I'm going through withdrawal and it ain't pretty ....

Lisa de Moraes: Um, they're going to air in the fall. I don't have a start date. Hang in there, you've got a couple months to go...

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Ancient Italy: What is the buzz on the new HBO series about Rome? I recently watched the old BBC miniseries I, Claudius, and even though it was tame BBC stuff it was still pretty horrifying in parts. I presume the HBO series will be much worse. Will it be any good?

Lisa de Moraes: As far as I know HBO has not sent out DVD's on "Rome" yet. It's scheduled to debut this fall. I have seen nothing on it so can't report if it's going to be any good. Meanwhile, ABC's competing miniseries "Empire" is scheduled to debut June 28. "I, Claudius" gave me nightmares the first time I saw it. Full disclosure: "Peter Pan" gave me nightmares the first time I saw it.

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Washington, D.C.: As if it hadn't already been clear, shows such as 'Fire Me' are making it more obvious that there isn't much that's real about 'reality TV.' (They manage to put cameras all over these small businesses, but the manager and co-workers are supposedly not in on what's going on?) The premise is phony, the contest isn't legitimate, much of the dialogue is scripted instead of spontaneous -- so please, tell me how this is different from what was going on in the 1950s on the quiz shows that caused such a scandal?

Lisa de Moraes: Congress is far too busy working to keep Janet Jackson's breasts off of television and talking to their agents about which network to sell TV rights to their biographies to, to focus on whether "reality" television shows are deceptive.

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Centreville, Va.: Lisa, I have some Nielsen questions. I guess I can't believe some of the shows that get good ratings. I fully understand, and subscribe to P.T. Barnum's theory, yet can America really be this lame? Anyways, who decides who gets to be a Nielsen? Does Nielsen send out applications? Do they want a wide variety of watchers -- equal amounts of Dems and Repubs? Do they have age requirements? Do the networks have their own internal ratings that they go by? I know, lots of questions but it's all crap to me.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, it appears America really can be this lame? Nielsen decides who gets to be a Nielsen home and yes, they shoot for diversity, though there are some -- like owners of stations whose networks target specific audiences -- who say otherwise, which is part of what the flap over the local people meters is about.

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Fairfax, Va.: Hi, Lisa - NBC lineup question. Does the network's decision to leave Scrubs off the season's upfront plans mean the suits aren't fans of the show?

Lisa de Moraes: I have given up trying to figure out what NBC has in mind when it comes to Scrubs. It defies reason. Death by scheduling, that's what happened to "Scrubs."

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Dancing with the Stars: Ouch. I was mildly entertained by the first episode, but couldn't bear to watch the second. And I'll pretty much watch any old cr-p. I don't understand why this was such a huge hit in Australia. Evander Holyfield should be ashamed of himself! At least the public was smart and voted Trista off first. Hopefully she will take the hint and we won't be subjected to "Trista and Ryan Have a Baby".

Lisa de Moraes: Trista doesn't know the meaning of the word "hint." She can't afford to because Trista, according to ABC's bio of her on the show's web site, is a professional "reality star." I'm betting Trista will have a camera in the delivery room.

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Arlington, Va.: Is it true that Romber were booed when they came onstage during the CBS advertiser get together? And if so, why didn't you share that nice little tidbit with us?

Lisa de Moraes: There was a distinct lack of warmth from the audience at the CBS upfront presentation when Rob and Amber came on stage. Especially compared to the roar that went up when the winners of the latest Amazing Race came on stage -- the couple that beat Rob and Amber. There is sooo much that goes on at the upfronts that I cannot squeeze into the column. Write to my bosses and tell them to give me more room in the paper that week...I could write volumes...

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Northern Virginia: I know that I am one of the few people who watched the Tony awards on Sunday night, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who found Billy Crystal to be totally obnoxious. His schtick pretending to be the host of the Tony's was funny for the first few minutes, but then it just became grating. I tuned in to see Hugh Jackman, a real stage actor both on Broadway and in London's West End, as host. Perhaps Billy did deserve the Tony for Special Performance for his "200 Sundays", but did he deserve all the TV time he got? (The camera kept panning to him even when they finally got him offstage.) Anyway, Hugh Jackman was his usually gracious self and we viewers who tuned in to see him were treated to two song/dance routines by him.

Lisa de Moraes: Maybe he was the only celebrity the cameraman recognized? I've noticed that recently on trophy shows the cameras keep panning to the same two people in the audience. It was very bad during the Oscars -- they kept turning to Oprah in the audience for her reax to whatever was going on up on stage. Is Oprah laughing at Chris Rock's opening remarks about Jude Law? What does Oprah think about Hillary Swank's "I'm just a gal from a trailer park" acceptance speech? Is Oprah okay that "Born into Brothels" beat "The Story of the Weeping Camel" for best documentary feature? Does Oprah think "Aviator" got robbed in the race for best picture?

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Am I OK?: Should I be concerned that I enjoy The Bad Girls Guide with Jenny McCarthy?

Lisa de Moraes: Get help. Immediately. But, out of morbid curiosity, which part of the show do you enjoy? The writing? The acting? The cleavage?

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Trista: She can have a camera in the delivery room as long as she doesn't have a camera at the conception, although I'm sure she's considered that.

Lisa de Moraes: Thanks, now I have to go dip my eyes in lye again...

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Detroit, Mich.: Ah! The Mary Tyler Moore show. I recall coming across the script from the clown-died episode, reading it, and laughing so hard stuff came out of my nose. They knew how to write banter then. Who does now?

Lisa de Moraes: People who are so old -- like 40 -- the networks won't hire them....

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HBO-less: We've never had HBO at our house so the good stuff we miss we catch when it comes out on DVD. We have just finished watching the first season of Six Feet Under and really enjoyed it; however, I've heard rumblings that the series took a serious nose dive at some point. Is it safe to proceed to the second season or will we just be disappointed? When does it jump the shark?

Lisa de Moraes: First season was terrific. Downhill from there. Rent second season....

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Centreville, Va.: Hi Lisa. According to Nielsen, I'm one of about six people who watch American Morning on CNN. And I even like the show. However, the one person who I like the least is Soledad, and she appears to be the one who CNN likes the most. She is way too Crappy Katie Couric for me. Anyways, why is Bill Hemmer leaving and where is he rumored to end up? Him, I like.

Lisa de Moraes: "Chemistry," says CNN/US chief Jonathan Klein. He thinks Miles will have better chemistry with Soledad who, apparently, it untouchable. So Rick Squarejaw is out and is leaving CNN -- very sad stuff. I'm one of the other five watching the show; I like it too. I'm particularly sorry they're losing Jack Cafferty (though he's not leaving the network, instead going to Wolf Blitzer's three-hour p.m. show). I thought he was a fun jolt in the morning.Did I mention that Blitzer is going to be on for three hours?

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Dancing with the Stars worst nightmare:: Rob and/or Amber. Need I say more?

Lisa de Moraes: Fortunately, the dancing show is on ABC, not CBS, so not gonna happen. We may see Ty Pennington on Dancing with the Stars, with his tool belt...

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Newark, N.J.: Do you think the brilliant Hugh Laurie will get a chance to appear on a decent talk show like Jon Stewart's or Ellen's? What was Fox smoking when they made their breakout new star have to endure the agony of Regis and Kelly a few weeks back? Who makes these choices anyway?

Lisa de Moraes: please tell me you're kidding. He went on Regis and Kelly? I'm sick...

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Arlington, Va.: I'm a 26 soon to be 27 year-old-man and I still arrange my weekday early evenings and Sundays around the Simpsons ... am I just too obsessed or should I seek counseling?

Lisa de Moraes: You don't really give me much of a choice there: "too obsessed" or "seek counseling." They seem to be one in the same. I'm guessing you think you should seek counseling and/or get a life. Wow, that was so Carolyn Hax. Reverting back to TV Column-speak: there is NOTHING wrong with you, you are a man of discerning taste....

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Here and There: How's this for a TV concept -- American Idols meet Fear Factor -- karaoke wannabes belching out cheesy pop tunes while performing death-defying and swallowing live insects?

Lisa de Moraes: Can we have a moment here where we instead try to come up with a concept for a good scripted comedy series, which is what is desperately needed on the TV landscape?

(MOMENT)

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Reston, Va.: Have seen the previews for Dick's, I mean Tucker Carlson's, new show. It appears to be the "PTI" of political talk. What a rip-off! Is Tony K complaining already?

Lisa de Moraes: Tony, alas, is now Too Important to come to my little office at The Washington Post to discuss television with me, so I cannot tell you whether he is complaining already. You'll have to ask Tony directly....sigh.

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Re: Hugh Lawrie: Lisa, please explain to all of us guys out here what exactly makes that House dude attractive to women? I didn't realize that skinny and unkept was the look. See, guys are never this confusing -- Pam Anderson is hot -- you ladies may think she looks slutty and trashy (exactly), but at least you can see what guys like about her.

Lisa de Moraes: Enormous.....talent.

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For the Simpsons Obsessed: Counseling?

TiVo. It will solve all of your problems. Best to get the 80-hour one.

Lisa de Moraes: True, but he's still discerning, right?

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Hit Me Pookie: Not sure that I agree that the host -- Dylan McKay, or Vernon McKay, or whatever his name is -- gives off a tortured Davey Jones vibe (although wouldn't that make a great reality show: Inquisition of the Stars ? This week's guest -- Trista Ryan).

Anyway, back on point -- I think Vernon (or Dylan or the Little Bopper or whatever) reminds me more of a younger version of that guy who played the English neighbor on The Jeffersons, with a really bad, faked attempt to make him seem "hip" thrown in. Just a thought ...

Lisa de Moraes: "Inquisition of the Stars." I'm still laughing. What a wonderful show concept. I confess, I'd love to see Trista on that one.

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Centre of Ville, Va.: Oh Gawd! Did you just say 3 hours of Wolf in the AM? I'll never make it to work. I'll fall back to sleep .... hey, maybe not such a bad thing!

Lisa de Moraes: No, he's going to be on 3-6 p.m. so you can fall asleep at your office....

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McLean, Va.: Eyes? Cancelled (closed)?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes...

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Re: Dennis Miller: 9/11 happened to him. Seriously. Don't know about you but it still makes me angry.

Lisa de Moraes: Do you mean 9/11 still makes you angry, or the fact that Dennis Miller hasn't been funny since 9/11 that still makes you angry?

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Rosslyn, Va.: How bad has TV become when I consider shows such as Drew Carey to be infinitely better than some of the sitcoms on today? I'm actually having trouble believing I just wrote that ... good lord!

Lisa de Moraes: You must never ever write that again. Bruce Helford must not be encouraged....

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Wooster, Ohio: Did you happen to see Katie Holmes on Letterman last night? Letterman was his typically hilarious "acting deferential but subversively mocking you" best. While not Tom on Oprah train wreck, she was so awkward I almost felt sorry for her.

Lisa de Moraes: Did Letterman put his hand on her leg? I love watching him do that when he interviews pretty young stars.....

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Scrubbed "Scrubs" Fan: Pookie, you said "I have given up trying to figure out what NBC has in mind when it comes to Scrubs. It defies reason. Death by scheduling, that's what happened to 'Scrubs'."

I loved this show, but got lost trying to watch it because I could never be sure when it would be on. How close are they to the "Magic 100" number of episodes so they can clinch syndication and we can at last get a chance to see it on a somewhat regualr basis?

Lisa de Moraes: My records show they have 93 episodes. I could be wrong...

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Potomac Falls, Va.: Like the above chatter, I'm a huge fan of "Deadwood". Will that make me more or less insterested in "Into the West"?

Lisa de Moraes: Not much cussing in "Into the West."

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There's a place for WHO?: What is the deal with the ad repeated all through the Tony broadcast w/ someone singing 'there's a place for us' from West Side Story (some insurance company) and then Hugh Jacksman and Aretha sing the SAME SONG at the end of the Tonys -- did the company pay for it to be sung or know ahead of time and buy the ad time ? it can't be a coincidence. Thanks oh she who knows all

Lisa de Moraes: No, it can't be a coincidence. I missed it. (Actually I fell asleep before the closing number....)

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Philadelphia, Pa.: When Billy Crystal can high-kick with the best of the Rockettes (while singing on-key), then I'll put up with him hosting -- or pretending to host -- the Tony Awards. Until then, keep him away and let the real stage pros handle it.

Lisa de Moraes: Wow, you people are so hard on Billy Crystal. Let's focus instead on all those wonderful years he hosted the Academy Awards, and cut him some slack... Yes, Hugh can high kick and sing on key and he's terrific and all.

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Re: touchy feely Dave: I have noticed that too but especially love that they don't seem to mind ...

Lisa de Moraes: That's because they're trained professionals...

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Arlington, Va.: Will aliens invade County General during the ER season premier? The show had done the impossible -- it has used up all other outrageous stunts.

Lisa de Moraes: November sweep -- count on it...

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Reston, Va.: Did you catch any of the MTV Movie Awards. Not bad. But EeeeewwFahhhhh ... Tom Cruise made me throw up in my mouth a lil bit. Loved that Napoleon Dynomite did so well.

Lisa de Moraes: I just can't get enough of the Tom Cruise meltdown on television. I hope one of these shows puts him up for an Emmy. Like Oprahs show. they could submit him for best guest actor, playing himself. It's been done before...

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Deadwood, S.D. Territory (pending): Should they just mail Ian McShane his Emmy now and save everybody the bother?

Lisa de Moraes: No, they should mail it to Hugh Laurie and save Ian McShane the embarrassment...

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Actual UPN Viewer: I absolutely adored the Taye Diggs show "Kevin Hill". I'm crushed that it was cancelled! Is there anything I can do to get them to bring it back?

Lisa de Moraes: no. nothing. get over it. that never works....unless DVD sales go through the roof. then they will bring it back...

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TiVo for the Discerning: I cannot answer questions such as that. I am just saying that we live in a great world and have the technology for someone to record the shows they love and still lead their Renaissance-based life.

TiVo is like money -- it is neutral. You can use it for good (BBC Summer Mysteries) or evil (Trista and Ryan's Really Pink Baby Special).

Lisa de Moraes: wow -- that's deep.And yes, the nice think about Tivo-esque technology is that it puts the viewer in charge. It's also what makes the networks nuts...

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Washington, D.C.: 9/11 still makes me angry. You being silly or just offensive?

Lisa de Moraes: neither -- just confused by the wording of the question. But it's perfectly clear that you're still angry....

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Falls Church, Va.: Lisa, I'm a guy, and I have trouble distinguishing between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Any helpful tips? Thanks.

Lisa de Moraes: Brad Pitt is the one who, if he married himself, would be "Bratt," as in Ben... Tom Cruise is the other guy.

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Rockville, Md.: I heard Carnivale on HBO was cancelled. Any truth to this? What are your thoughts?

I have to admit, I was disappointed with the season (series?) finale.

Lisa de Moraes: It's gone....

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Arlington, Va.: Any chance American Dad will get cancelled? Please!

Lisa de Moraes: This time, after prematurely canceling "Family Guy," then seeing DVD sales go through the roof and bringing "Family Guy" back, I'm assuming Fox will wait to see how DVD sales are....and, by the way, "American Dad's" in-season numbers weren't terrible....

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Leesburg, Va.: There was some chatter a while back about making a TV miniseries out of "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. Is that still a possibility (or at least a living rumor)?

Greedy incompetence taking over and forcing the smart people out seems like a really appropriate theme to pursue just now ...

Lisa de Moraes: I hear it's in development at JLo's company..I'm out of time. bye...

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