Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Friday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the latest from the world of television--the shows you love, the shows you hate...and of course the shows you love to hate.

This week: NBC won't show Madonna on the cross and won't develop scripted dramas for the 8 p.m. hour. Viewers pant for salacious details about a "Dancing With the Stars" contestant's messy marriage break-up. And Flavor Flav finale beats season debut of ABC's "What About Brian" and series premiere of NBC's "Twenty Good Years."

Downsizing NBC Plots An Unscripted Future , ( Post, Oct. 20, 2006 )

The transcript follows.

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.

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Bivalve, Md.: Now that Survivor has gone multicultural and almost all the contestants are under thirty-five, how are the TV ratings?

Lisa de Moraes: Hi. It's still holding its own on Thursdays at 8 -- edging out "Ugly Betty" by a couple million viewers and a rating point among young viewers. But it's continuing its slow downward trend, which is not unusual for a reality series that's had so many editions as this one....

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Washington, D.C.: Hi, I didn't watch Project Runway this season except I caught the last 2-part episode last night. I have to say that the other contestants made a pretty good case about the tattoo man cheating. What are your opinions on this scandal? Do you think there is any truth to the accusations?

Lisa de Moraes: I think that anyone who thinks they can know what happened based on watching an episode of a reality series that was edited by people who have a vested interest in the outcome had better watch out for snake-oil salesmen....

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Washington, D.C.: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!! I want Medium!! Stupid NBC!

Lisa de Moraes: "Medium" will be back on NBC's schedule soon enough pookie -- have you seen the numbers on some of the net's new dramas, and comedies? Now stop crying and eat your vegetables....

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Washington, D.C.: I loved the Project Runway finale, and I loved Jeffrey's collection. It was so obvious from the previous week's teaser that he was going to show. Yes, he cries and hugs Uli, and we're led to believe he's out even though no one says it. Clearly we're being set up to think he's out, but of course he's not.

The people who think he's such a meanie need a clue. He may not be the nicest guy, but I'm positive that the editing makes him out to be meaner than he really is.

The point of the show is not to crown the most wearable collection (Uli or Laura), or the nicest guy (Michael, definitely). We're talking fashion! Cutting edge and innovation, people!

Lisa de Moraes: Sorry, but you are wrong. He gave an interview to someone in which he said we should not blame editing for making him look so bad because, he says, he deliberately set out to be a super-jerk on the show. But, we wanted readers to know, he's really a very sweet guy -- except, of course, when he has to be a monster in order to reduce a fellow contestant's mom to tears -- all for the camera, of course, so that viewers at home would love him, which apparently was part of his strategy to win the competition. Which, in my little world, defines "jerk." His final collection definitely was the most cutting edge; had they picked the winner based on contestants' work throughout the show, I'm not sure he would have won because he had some truly awful weeks.

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Alexandria, Va.: What does NBC's decision mean for "My Name is Earl" and "The Office"? Are they going to move them to 9 p.m.?

Lisa de Moraes: Kevin Reilly, head of entertainment at NBC, seemed to be saying "no" yesterday. But if his boss Jeff Zucker's point is that the cost of these productions prohibits 8 p.m. broadcast, then maybe not...only time will tell (oh god, not that old cliche!)

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Rockville, Md.: Regarding NBC 2.0 or whatever it's called: Don't viewers just want to watch good programs at 8 p.m.? Do they really care whether they're unscripted or not? And why is Jeff Zucker the one making these decisions? Did that guy develop one good show when he was head of programming at NBC? Didn't he create this problem? Weren't his only "accomplishments" (using that term lightly) supersizing the Thursday sitcoms and running Saturday Night Live sketches in prime time?

Lisa de Moraes: Hey -- he brought us "Fear Factor", give the guy his props... And yes, of course viewers just want to watch good programs at 8, and at 9, and at 10 and at 11. (Not so sure about daytime TV). Zucker's just trying to find a way to contain runaway costs of producing scripted programming which is a concern for all broadcast networks, whether they'll fess up to it or not publicly. Don't think making sweeping statement about not developing scripted fare for 8 p.m. is necessarily the right answer -- "Friends" did pretty well for the network, ratings-wise and financially, at 8 for many years. And as I recall, ABC's "Lost" got its start at 8 o'clock. And yes, Zucker kept NBC's 18-49 ratings propped up a couple seasons longer than they would have otherwise stayed up (and brought the company additional bucks) by supersizing hit series like "Friends." Which, seriously, was out of the box thinking for Hollywood at thee time, and he deserves credit for the creative smoke- and- mirroring. And it's not his fault he was sent to LA to become the head of entertainment when he had never developed a scripted drama or comedy in his life and, for the past decade, hadn't even been a serious student of primetime TV because he had to get up at 3 a.m. to executive produce "Today" show. The guy who promoted him to the job was Bob Wright. You can't blame Zucker for seeing an opportunity and going after it. I do sometimes wonder what Wright's smoking....

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Grey's Fan in Arlington: Are the rumors true that Isaiah Washington will be fired due to the scuffle with Patrick Dempsey?

Lisa de Moraes: I would doubt it. If everyone who got into a scuffle on the set of a TV show or a flick were fired, this town would be shut down.....

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Arlington, Va.: How cute is the kid that plays Justin on "Ugly Betty"? Why can't all TV kids be as interesting as him?

Lisa de Moraes: everyone in that family is cute. Even Betty's father is cute... Except, of course, he seems to be using a dead person's social security number -- not so cute...Yes, I agree with you, children on TV comedies mostly should be clubbed, but Justin (Mark Indelicato) is the rare exception.

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Towson, Md.: All-knowing Pookie:

In Wednesday's column you mention that the CW's "The Runaway" was so well hidden that nobody found it until it was dead.

Well, I'm concerned about "Veronica Mars" ending up on the cold slab in the same TV morgue.

In fact, my wife was very upset that we missed the first two episodes. Hey, don't blame me. I didn't even know which channel in Baltimore IS the CW until I channel-surfed for it the other day, nor did I know that VM had premiered, since I saw no publicity for it anywhere.

What type of ratings is "Veronica Mars" getting? Since the whole CW is a wretched mess anyway, will they keep this show on regardless of pathetic ratings?

P.S. I've never watched an episode of "Buffy" in my life, so, no, I'm not one of those die-hard lost show fanatics. I simply like "Veronica Mars."

Lisa de Moraes: This week, "VM" clocked about 3 million viewers, off of "Gilmore Girls'" nearly 5 million. But CW is a demographic play, not going for tonnage, and "VM" doesn't suck among young viewers. More important, there are so few shows on CW's schedule -- CW is the love child of the late UPN and WB networks, for those of you not in the know -- that were developed by Dawn Ostroff when she was head of UPN, I doubt she'll take "VM" off the schedule since it's one show she developed to which she can point with some pride.

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NBCU?: NBCU? Are they serious about the name? NBCU, as in NB C U later 700 employees? Oh my goodness! Now I really understand why you love your job.

Lisa de Moraes: Well, it stands for NBC/Universal, but I get your point. Even better is the company's TV production division, which is called NBC Universal TV Studio -- NUTS to you....

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Happy Friday!: Lisa:

I love your chats and opinions.

Is it just me or is Desperate Housewives just as lame as it was last year? I am already so sick of the "love child's" mother and that whole story line. And did they have to rush Bree's wedding to the guy who ran over his competition for Susan last year, so they could explain Marcia's real life pregnancy?

It is has just been boring so far, and my response has been who cares?

Thanks.

Lisa de Moraes: Ironically, I think they've decided Marcia Cross's character will not be pregnant during the season, which means they will have to use some creative camera angles....

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Is NBC going too fast?: Pookie, I'm all for progress but I don't want to watch TV in a little window over my DSL line! The technology ain't there yet for TV over the Internet.

Also, the suit seemed impressed that they had 88 million video streams off MSNBC.com in September but that's a long ways from 8 to 13 million viewers per night for 30 or 60 minutes.

And much of the non-NYC/non-LA world -can- get home and watch an 8p.m. (7p.m. CST) show.

Lisa de Moraes: I know the picture's not so pretty, but the technology is great if you missed the episode's broadcast, missed the repeat during that network's Saturday Rerun Theatre, forgot to set your TiVo, and don't know how to program your VCR. Then there's the mobility issue. Huge upside to being able to catch up on episodes of your favorite show, even on itsy bitsy iPod screen, while hanging at the dog park, for instance.

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Washington, D.C.: Friday Night Lights: I'm probably on the far-snarky end of the TV-watching spectrum, but I have to say as far as straight-up major network shows, FNL has suckered me in good. Really think the acting and filming is top notch. So why do I hear that there is a question about whether it's going to survive??

Lisa de Moraes: Because hardly anyone is watching -- 6.6 million viewers this week -- and it's barely beating "Girlmore Girls" among 18-49 year olds NBC and the other broadcast networks target -- a 2.7 rating to "GG's" 2.1....that said, it's a well-done show, critics love it and NBC does too; the network has scheduled at least one broadcast of the show on Monday night in "Studio 60's" time slot, which makes sense given the tradition of Monday football. On West Coast, for instance, people can watch "Monday Night Football" on ESPN and then catch NBC's football drama....

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Is anyone else sick of serials? I love shows with some history, but it's getting so that if you missed the first show or any show after that, it's impossible to catch up. Who has the time to be that committed?

And what's with all the shows with voice-overs? It worked for Wonder Years (showing my age), but now it's just sooo old.

Love the chats and the columns. Keep it up.

Lisa de Moraes: Interesting at yesterday's Hollywood Radio and TV Society's annual grill-the-programmers lunch to hear TV industry suits schmoozing in the room beforehand talking about how they don't have time to commit to the new serialized dramas. If they don't have time how do they expect others to have time. They have nannies, and housekeepers and gardeners and dog walkers...Personally, I love the voiceover thing. Very Harper Lee....

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Lisa, because you are the wise TV guru, please tell me something. Why, after many attempts, am I the only person on this planet who cannot stand to watch Grey's Anatomy? Granted I love Sandra Oh, but I cannot understand the passion people have for this show. Am I missing something in my brain? And now that supposedly Isaiah Washington used an anti-gay slur during that fight with Patrick Dempsey, I really cannot watch. But it's the top rated show. I much prefer to watch the actual best show on TV, HBO's The Wire.

Lisa de Moraes: Wow, this one's a no brainer after your last sentence... My diagnosis: It's because you enjoy being wrist-slittingly depressed and have no patience for a romp about dim-witted nymphomaniac doctors-in-training. Next patient!

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Arlington, Va.: Re Project Runway finale: hated Jeffrey's clothes, if I was a size 3 I'd buy everything that Uli and Laura created, and what the h-ll happened to Michael? his clothes were dreck! As soon as I have a spare thousand (or two) I'd hire Laura in a New York minute for the perfect little black dress.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, Laura should have done an entire collection of little black dresses for her fashion week show, and the last dress should have had her web address for ordering them online embroidered across the derriere so viewers could jot it down while the model was walking back up the runway. She'd have made pots more than that lousy $100,000 the producers gave winner Jeffrey....

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East Coast Issues: I love The Amazing Race. I also watch Desperate Housewives, though I wouldn't say I love it. CBS's football schedule sucks. Amazing Race always starts late. I always miss the first 20 minutes of Desperate Housewives. How much longer am I going to have to put up with this? It isn't a problem for my parents in Pacific time...

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, football is responsible for most of the ills that beset television. This world would be a far better place without it...

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Burke, Va.: Could you whip out your claws and take another gratuitous swipe at Tina Fey?

I've become dependent on a weekly fix of "meowwwww!".

Lisa de Moraes: You know, after her show plunged to just 5.7 million viewers last week -- barely beating CW's "America's Next Top Model's" 5.2 million(and I think she may have been beat by ANTM among young viewers), I just don't have the heart. It's like kicking a lame horse....And it's too bad because, honestly, this week's second episode of "30 Rock" was so much better than the pilot...

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Cambridge, Mass.: Lisa -- can you give us some perspective? What were the early ratings for The Office, Seinfeld and other series that networks gave some room to grow?

Lisa de Moraes: I don't have them off the top of my head, especially on a Friday when I have had far too little coffee, but suffice it to say they were really, really lousy and only network patience saved them.

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Birmingham, Ala.: With a Friday chat, I think you have to expect a certain number of Grey's Anatomy questions, so here's mine: Could Meredith's 2 years of bad hair days have been cured miraculously by an appendectomy? She also smiled more in last night's episode than I can remember. Is this also a benefit of her surgery? Is she still on the morphine? And a follow-up, is there a requirement that at least one of the females on this show have bad hair? Last night it was Izzie, to signal her distracted state of mind, I suppose.

Lisa de Moraes: see, and I was thinking her hair looked really flat and bad last night. True, she did actually smile. I suspect they put her on a morphine patch after her surgery and that's the reason. And yes, it does seem to be a rule that one of the females on the show has to have a bad hair day, to illustrate inner angst....

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Capitol Hill: I don't get the point of the 'The Class'-'How I Met your Mother' switcharoo. And am I the only one to think that 'How' is actually pretty funny?

Lisa de Moraes: It is usual for returning sitcoms to get the 8 p.m. half hour and the 9 p.m. half hour, creating a so-called "hammock" half hour in which a network can grow an audience for a new sitcom. When CBS originally announced its schedule in May, new "The Class" was in the 8:30 p.m. hammock timeslot between "Mother" and "2.5 Men." But then CBS suits started buying into the hype about "The Class" being the Next Big Thing because it was from one of the "Friends" people. So they moved it to 8. Now, thanks to "The Class's" not-great ratings, CBS is acknowledging it was not a great move and have put the show where it should have been in the first place...

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Washington, D.C.: I'm rediscovering, through Bravo's re-runs, how much I loved Six Feet Under. I do wonder how they do the voice-overs for the "bad words" in the show. Did the actors do voice overs during the series knowing (hoping?) that the show would end up in syndication? Did they come in last year to do it? How does that work?

Lisa de Moraes: Don't know specifically how it worked on this show but HBO has mentioned before they create alternate versions of some scenes on series they want to syndicate if they think the scene will be a problem in syndication. That said, some of the dubbing over of adult language on HBO's "Sex and the City" is very clunky and I'm surprised they didn't do it more smoothly from the get-go...

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NYC, N.Y.: I have tivo'ed all of the episodes of Shark, but I haven't watched any of them yet. Is it worth keeping, or should I just delete?

Lisa de Moraes: If you like James Woods you're going to love "Shark."

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Alexandria, Va.: Any word on when Big Loves comes back? Gotta get my polygamy fix..

Lisa de Moraes: Did I not get the memo? Isn't it gone? Did I just have a wonderful dream it had been cancelled?

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Washington, D.C.: Uli and Laura can set up boutiques and start rolling in the money, but are they really going to do anything that different? You may not like Jeffrey, but he had the most range and wackiness. Those fashion peeps love them some wacky. And I've gone from totally on Angela's mom side to kinda on Jeffrey's.

Lisa de Moraes: Ah yes but fashion is, alas, a business. If no one buys the outfits, the rangey, wacky dresses bring in no money, boo hoo. Give me the perfect little black dress every time.

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Gray's Anatomy: But really, "Scrubs" is more dramatic and "ER" is funnier.

Lisa de Moraes: undeniably true....

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Birmingham, Ala.: OK, I've read your column and the chat so far, but I still need you to break it down slowly for me. Why should I care about NBCU 2.0? Will I notice a difference soon as a mere viewer?

Lisa de Moraes: NBCU 2.0 is about whacking the staff of NBC Universal to the tune of about 700 employees and shifting dollars over to "new media" and, in terms of what you see on the air, a consolidation of MSNBC and NBC News -- okay, you may not notice that difference except more "Dateline" on MSNBC or "Deal or No Deal" reruns -- oh, and curling during Winter Olympics. But seriously folks, NBCU also said they would not develop scripted programming for the 8 pm. hour, though entertainment division chief Kevin Reilly did his level best to mow that down during yesterday's grill-the-programmers lunch. He noted the 8 p.m hour was already staked out for reality fare on many nights by other networks with shows like "Survivor" and "Dancing with the Stars" and "Idol" come January. Still,I get the feeling a "1 vs 100" vs "Survivor" smackdown may be in our future.....

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Washington, D.C.: I have a love/hate relationship with Friday Night Lights. I love Football, but I hate Texas. What's a boy to do?

Lisa de Moraes: Wow, that's a hard one. It's so much easier when you hate football and Texas. Um, I'm going to go with: watch "Dancing with the Stars" instead.....

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My desk: WAIT! What's happening with 'The Office' and 'Earl?'

Speaking of 'Earl,' how 'bout that dance sequence last night?!?

Have a great weekend!

Lisa de Moraes: Reilly -- lovely guy, great program developer -- told lunchers yesterday he would not pull "Earl" and "Office" out of the 8 p.m. hour...but again, I get the feeling he may not be the final word on NBC's schedule. I think it's up to his boss.

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Arlington, Va.: Hi Lisa, love your chats. I also really love Studio 60, and I'm surprised other people haven't caught on. At first I was skeptical about Sting appearing on this week's episode (seemed like he was promoting his new CD), but by the end of the episode, I really loved the way they pulled it all together, and I was glad Sting was there. Please please tell me that this show won't get cancelled!

Lisa de Moraes: tell all your trustfunder friends to watch because right now it's riding on the fact it's audience is very very upscale, which advertisers like even when tonnage is lacking....

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Brad Garrett's sitcom: I can't remember the name of it, but didn't you say you liked it? It's dreck! Anyway, I have free Showtime for a few months and I really like that creepy show, Dexter. I'm' mad that I missed the second episode and now I have no clue what's going on. Does Showtime have some sort of "On Demand" channel like HBO? They only replay the most recent episode during the week so I can't catch up one.

Lisa de Moraes: yes, Showtime had on -demand...and, to be perfectly clear, I like Brad Garrett in the show because he's such a pro and can make an eyebrow-raising hilarious, and I said it's fascinating to compare and contrast his work to the other actors on the show, who are mediocre...

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Kingston, Jamaica: Lisa: "I know the picture's not so pretty, but the technology is great if you missed the episode's broadcast, missed the repeat during that network's Saturday Rerun Theatre, forgot to set your TiVo, and don't know how to program your VCR. Then there's the mobility issue. Huge upside to being able to catch up on episodes of your favorite show, even on itsy bitsy iPod screen, while hanging at the dog park, for instance."

Except when you're out of the country and you've paid for satellite but then the power goes out and you're out of power for exactly the hour of Earl and the Office, and you go to the Web site, and they say "Sorry! Only for people in the U.S.!" Hey - I still pay taxes!

Lisa de Moraes: wow, really? I say write to your congressman....

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Reston, Va.: Hey Pookie,

So I'm greeted this morning by my print edition of the Post, and the headline that stands out is: NBC Taking a Step Back from TV.

Even before the coffee took effect, I was thinking that this actually happened a couple of years ago. They're just going to not pay people to not do quality work, which seems to be more cost effective than paying people to not do quality work.

How long until they become the number 5 network?

Lisa de Moraes: in a nutshell -- yes.

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RE: Studio 60: There's nothing more upscale than Sting playing a lute.

Lisa de Moraes: I know -- and hot too. You hardly ever get upscale AND hot....He really has everything.

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Colorado: I have to say, as a Yankee liberal elitist, FNL is a great insight into a very different culture--without hostility or condescension--much like Duvall's Apostle.

Lisa de Moraes: What is a liberal elitist like you doing in Colorado? Don't you know you're in a scarily conservative state? Get out while you can...I did...unless, of course, you live in Boulder -- then you're safe.....

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30 Rock: Is the blonde girl the same actress who was in Ally McBeal? She looks completely different. Why did they pick her over Rachel Dratch for that role?

Lisa de Moraes: Somebody said in some interview that they were looking for a more "sitcom" actress, once they decided not to actually show comedy sketches on the show. "More sitcom actress" is another way of saying, taller, prettier, blonder, and bigger breasts ....and yes, she looks different than when she was on "Ally McBeal" because she actually ate a cookie.....

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Bryn Mawr, Pa.: DC shouldn't feel alone in hating "Grey's Anatomy" because I'm a hater too. And I'm a 30 year old woman - their target demographic! I watched it a couple of times the first season and felt a tremendous need to bang my head against a wall. Plus Meredith's voice is like nails running down a chalkboard. All of my female friends are total suckers for this show and they think I'm the weird one. Of course, these are the same friends who didn't understand why I found "Arrested Development" even remotely funny. I guess it's time to find new friends?

Lisa de Moraes: Absolutely -- you don't need my help, you've already got it figured out. And is the fact that I bang my head against a wall after watching each episode of "Grey's" a bad thing? This is new information...

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Columbia, S.C.: "Big Love" definitely isn't cancelled - it's supposed to be back in early 2007, and they've been filming over the summer. I for one can't wait!

Lisa de Moraes: drat -- tt was a dream! Actually, I think they're bring it back for one more season.

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Memphis, Tenn.: Any thoughts on Rosie O'Donnell on Nip/Tuck and a possible spin off??

Lisa de Moraes: I'm thrilled. No, I'm horrified. No, I'm thrilled. No, I'm horrified....

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MNF: Now be nice about football...speaking of which how is Monday Night Football doing since it moved to ESPN?

Lisa de Moraes: Much better than ABC is on Monday nights without it.. about 12 million and change, compared to, say, last week's 8 million viewers for ABC's Monday...But it wasn't about the ratings. it was about the money. Lots ands lots of money....

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SNL and the SNL-esque shows: Lisa,

What are your thoughts on how SNL has been doing so far this season with the reduced cast? The eps seem more "miss" than "hit" to me, although that Brian Williams cameo rocked.

On Studio 60, while I tuned in initially, I didn't feel compelled to return. Re: 30 Rock, the pilot seemed a bit shaky, and this second episode was a step up, but I have to say that Alec Baldwin is worth watching and probably the best reason to tune in. (He's also one of the best parts of the Departed!)

Thanks!

Lisa de Moraes: If they were smart, they'd dump those two losers doing the SNL newscast and ask Brian Williams back to do it every week. I'd watch that...

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Are we there yet?: Is it just me or does NBC's move to "new media" broadcasting smell suspiciously like the brick and mortar is dead war cry of the Internet/mid '90s? Last I checked, the mall's still there ...

Lisa de Moraes: oh, gosh, I think it was just a really nice press release for NBC/Universal -- made them look like they had a plan....

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NBCU Later: The name change makes no sense. You want to simplify, not make more complex, and you never damage a long term respected name that has suffered no damage (well, major damage, not counting the latest programs). How strong are the drugs they're taking at NBC Universal?

A Marketing Expert

Lisa de Moraes: But they've been NBC/Universal for some time. Or are you speaking of NUTS -- NBC Universal Television Studio, or the new NBCU 2.0 "initiative" name?...I think they should change the name to NUTS 2U...

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I Hate Grey's Anatomy Too!!: Good to know I am not alone -- I HATE Grey's Anatomy, to the point where I hit mute when they show a commercial for it. Grey's Anatomy and What About Brian are absolutely gag for me. (And I too, am I woman in my early 30s in the D.C. area).

Lisa de Moraes: geesh, there's a whole underground movement! Come out into the light, people, and let your I Hate Grey's voices be heard...

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Washington, D.C.: Reader said, "FNL is a great insight into a very different culture"

Except it's a TV show and not a documentary. So, I'm not really buying that it's true. If you want a mini-documentary about pretentious high school kids, watch MTV.

Lisa de Moraes: I'm still worried about him being in Colorado and being liberal...that's downright dangerous. seriously.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: Hi Lisa --

I happened to catch an episode of "Shark" last night and I thought I'd fallen into an 80s LA Law time warp...besides that James Woods was so over the top it verged on the absurd. Besides which, I thought we were over these law/medicine shows, and I also do not get Grey's Anatomy at all.

Lisa de Moraes: I find "Shark's" LA Law 80's time warp thing charming. But I still wish it starred Jeremy Northam...

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Arlington, Va.: Dear Queen of the Pooks: Have you ever seen anything as wonderfully awful as "Fashion House?" Bo Derek and the other "actors" are SOOO bad, they're not even a step up from porn. The production looks like something a junior high student might have designed. I can't stop watching...

Lisa de Moraes: I know what you mean. It's the kind of show you must watch in your jammies on the couch, surrounded by lots of junk food and alcohol...

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"SNL" shows: Harry Shearer just said on the other chat that neither of these shows is particularly truthy about backstage. (1) Wow, imagine that. (2) Is SNL still on?

Lisa de Moraes: I suspect both shows -- 30 Rock and Studio 60 -- make backstage look a lot more fun than it really is. I'm out of time. bye.

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