On TV

Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Friday, Dec. 1, 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.

Read " The TV Column."

This week's questions: What's wrong with America that 18-34 year old guys don't want to watch pretty women in their skivvies prancing on stage for an hour on "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show?" Also, why is "Criminal Minds" the fastest growing show on TV -- is it the star ( Mandy Patinkin), the pervy storylines, or the fact that (former) timeslot competitor "Lost" has just become that uninteresting? Also, should CBS have re-shot Jessica Simpson's stunningly bad "9 to 5" performance during last Sunday's Kennedy Center Honors program or should viewers be allowed to enjoy the train wreck? (And it was a train wreck -- I was there).

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.

The transcript follows.

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TV Land 100 phrases: What do you think of the list Pookie.

"Not to have a cow, man" but some good ones are missing "Kiss my grits, TV Land" and some make no sense at all.

washingtonpost.com: Read TV Land's 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases

Lisa de Moraes: Hi. While nobody loves a TV list more than I, I think this list is ill-conceived. JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you" and Alka Seltzer's "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" do not belong in the same list. And if they're using the Kennedy speech, then the line delivered by Walter Cronkite when he announced on-air that President Kennedy was dead surely belongs in the list because it was a defining moment in TV history. This needs to be two distinct two lists -- one for great catchphrases and another for memorable lines delivered on television.

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Big Donal Logue Fan: When I first heard about the premise of the "Knights of Prosperity," it sounded corny to me. However, since hearing that Mr. Logue was involved, I've become interested. Have you seen the pilot, Pookie? Is the show generating any positive buzz? Thx; love the columns and the chats!

Lisa de Moraes: Great pilot, but I'm not sure it's a series. Anyway, enjoy the first episode.....

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Erie, Pa.: Hello. How can I track down contact information of a TV show? My mom would like to email the folks at Gilmore Girls to thank them for a show that she enjoyed watching with my sister, who just passed away. The CW site just has some vague email addy, should I track down some PR addy for the exec producer? I'm just not sure who to contact or if anyone I were to contact would even care, but I appreciate any help. Thanks!

Lisa de Moraes: The show is produced by Warner Bros. TV, but the CW address should get your message to the show producers, I have been assured.

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Alexandria, Va.: To heck with "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", when are we going to see "The Star Wars Holiday Special"?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193524/

Lisa de Moraes: That airs on Life Day......

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Portland, Ore.: Good grief, what happened to 'Studio 60' between last week's episode and this one? Was this the first one written after people started complaining about the show being Sorkin's personal vehicle for publicly lecturing his ex-girlfriend? Or the first one written after Mark McKinney started writing? Because, wow, THAT's the show I was waiting for.

Also (sigh), why don't people love my darling "Scrubs"? Why, Pookie, why?

Lisa de Moraes: People don't watch "Scrubs" because NBC made it too hard to watch "Scrubs" by yanking it on and off the schedule and moving it around when it was on. People eventually give up, move on and find another show they like to watch instead. In re "Studio 60" have not yet watched this week's episode -- I know, my bad -- so I'm not sure what happened. Did they whack Annoying Christian Comic Chick?

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Washington, D.C.: Nothing's wrong with American males if they don't want to sit and watch a one-hour commercial. They are probably doing things worthwhile things like working, fighting, drinking, and spending time with real women.

Lisa de Moraes:...and cussin' and spittin'...don't' forget those.

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P'Oed-ville: So, on this, my last day of maternity leave, I settle into Y&R (I know, it's daytime TV, which you hate, but bear with me, Pookie), and instead channel 9 tells me they are experiencing technical difficulties and instead, Jack Hanna is on my TV. And I don't like wildlife.

What has happened? Why would channel 9 do this?

Lisa de Moraes: Consider it your personal intervention from the TV Gods. Take the message and get back to work before Y&R returns and consider yourself lucky... (I suspect there were transmission difficulties so the station slapped something else on the air instead of running test pattern.)

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Seattle, Wash.: Pookie,

Love the chat and column and you in general! Not a question, but more of a statement and plea. I LOVE Friday Night Lights! It is so well acted, good storylines. I am female and don't care for football or high school boys and STILL love it! I just wanted to write in case People Who Make Decisions About Television are listening-- don't take this show away! BTW, I am "in the demo" (or maybe this only applies to 'Studio 60') with age and salary. Thanks for being your fabulous self and hearing my plea!

Lisa de Moraes: Lucky for you NBC loves this show -- and if you are under 50, live in a household making $100,000 plus a year and have had four years of college, NBC loves you too....

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Washington, D.C.:"Scrubs" is one funny show. I watched it last night after not seeing it for a long time, and it's as funny as ever. Now if NBC would just keep in on Thursday with its other comedies where it belongs...

Lisa de Moraes: I think you're in luck....NBC seems intent upon trying to return to a four-comedy block on the night and is at least pretending it's going to be patient with the shows it has put on that lineup....

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Fallout from Oprah's "Pay It Forward" Show: On your Nov 3rd chat you correctly labelled Oprah as Marie Antoinette: Apparently all the audience members who participated in the $1,000 challenge, had to fly back to Chicago for the follow up show at their own expense, and didn't even get to keep the cameras. The audience sounds off on this comment thread:

http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/11/22/will-you-pay-it-forward-with-oprah-or-rely-on-good-ol-consump/

Lisa de Moraes: wow, I was right? That hardly ever happens......

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"Ugly Betty": Watched the rerun of the "Ugly Betty" pilot last night -- was even more impressed with the series than ever! And it made more sense the second time around. Somehow I'm guessing Rebecca Romijn will be typecast, though, as a glamorous former model (loved her as the slovenly-housekeeping love interest for Ross on "Friends"!).

Lisa de Moraes: I liked her in "Pepper Dennis," so what do I know. It's kind of alarming all the stunt casting ABC is doing so soon on "Betty." Generally networks want producers to wait until season No. 2, so as to not detract from the regular cast and to let viewers get invested in them....Apparently ABC has abandoned that strategy with this show....

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Answers to Qs:1-Guys like women in lingerie but it seems a little too feminine to watch a fashion show. No matter how little clothing they have on.

2-She shouldn't have reshot her performance. (Does anyone who knows Simpson even watch the KCH on TV?) But I also didn't think it was the train wreck that the media made it out to be.

Lisa de Moraes: Oh no, I was there -- Jessica Simpsons' performance at the Kennedy Center Honors was a fabulous train wreck. And I think you are on to something with regard to Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. They need to change the name. Maybe "Victoria's Secret Revealed" or "Girls Stripped Down: Victoria's Secret."

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Reston, Va.: We stopped watching Scrubs years ago, in part because of scheduling but also because it just became too sex-oriented for family viewing. I watched it last night, though, and it is still a very funny show.

But, man, are those people looking old!

Lisa de Moraes: That's the truth. It's like all those series set in high school after the cast has hit its late 20s and early 30s....

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Re: 30 Rock: I decided to give 30 Rock another chance last night because you keep saying Alex Baldwin is so funny. I thought the only improvement in the show was the cartoon-like "opera-esque" musical soundtrack. I felt like I was watching a Bugs Bunny cartoon. However, the show wasn't any funnier than the pilot. Will this show improve?

Lisa de Moraes: Last night's episode was the worst since the pilot. Not sure what happened there but it was lousy...

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Liberty, Mo.: We loved "Six Degrees". Is it gone forever, or will it be back at some point? I think it would be a sleeper hit with grown-ups if it just had a chance.

Lisa de Moraes: Not looking good for that show. sorry.

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Memphis, Tenn.: I know it's not as disturbing as the KFC bowls, but these educational video game commercials really bug me. The mom in ad says, "You won't get into college if you don't play your video games." What kind of parent pressures their children under 10 about college?? That's just nuts.

Lisa de Moraes: My fave to hate is the commercial for the plastic play station for kids age about 14 months. The "mother" in the ad says it comes with instructions to tell her how to use it and that her little girl really likes the peek- a- boo function. How dumb is Mom?

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The Tatooine Cantina: Not to promote uploads of questionable legality, but "The Star Wars Holiday Special" is available on YouTube and truly needs to be seen to be believed. I just wish Lucas had brought back Bea Arthur and Harvey Korman for his recent "Star Wars" prequels -- they would have been much more fun.

Lisa de Moraes: We consider it a public service...

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Dexter: Only two more episodes!!! There is going to be a second season, right? If you have Showtime you so should be watching.

Lisa de Moraes: I certainly hope so....

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de more EYES on de TV de Better: Since Tiny Fey is the obvious weak-link in 30 Rock, who would be a better casting decision for Liz Lemon? Julia Louis Dreyfus?

Lisa de Moraes: hahahaha, like Fey would let anyone else play that role. She is, after all, the writer on the show. Last night her on-air performance wasn't the weak link, it was the writing.

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Ugly Betty: I caught the rerun of the pilot last night, which I missed, and I have to say, it answered so many questions for me! Like how she got the job in the first place. That show is slowly creeping onto my can't miss list.

(Is it bad of me to wonder, from time to time, why she just doesn't tend to that pesky unibrow?)

Lisa de Moraes: Unibrow keeps me up at night too. How can someone who is supposed to be so sharp about publishing be so daft about how she should dress to rise up the ladder at a fashion mag.....

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Vienna, Va.: Six Degrees Fahrenheit is really cold. Six Degrees Celsius is still cold, but is still above freezing.

I think it is confusion between the two that caused the American Public to fail in its embrace of the Six Degrees Hour.

Lisa de Moraes: um, but this is reference to six degrees of separation...or was that a joke and I'm just not nearly caffeinated enough -- which is a distinct possibility.

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TV is my God: Who is more pretentiously arrogant: David Milch or Aaron Sorkin?

Lisa de Moraes: Milch, Mr. Historically Accurate Profanity-Fest -- hands down. Sorkin is at least amusing.

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Rumorville: I heard a rumor that Rosie will leave The View for a full time gig on Nip/Tuck. True?

Lisa de Moraes: Rosie reportedly has a one-year gig on "The View." But since her addition appears to be goosing the numbers, I'm assuming they will want her to re-up. And there is no reason she can't do both shows if she is so inclined. Look at Kelly Ripa.....

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Reston, Va.: Interesting snippet in The Post not long ago - - 55% of consumer goods are purchased by people 50 & over. A person could also glean from other reporting that the Baby Boomers as a group have the most discretionary income of any generation. So why do advertisers still pant after the 18-34 year olds(who probably get most of their discretionary income from their BB parents), and judge a TV show based on whether those under 35 like shows carried by the advertisers?

Lisa de Moraes: They pant after them because they watch the least TV. Older people watch a lot of TV, so advertisers don't pay a premium to reach them because they're there already. Supply and demand, my friend...

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Washington, D.C.: I'm submitting early b/c I find it hilarious when people have to tell us they are submitting early. It is like overhearing cell phone conversations on the METRO. Um, we don't care that you are okay with meatloaf for dinner....but I digress.

Just wanted to get a well-deserved YAY!! in for Criminal Minds and how well it is doing.

I watched the show since it aired last year and have loved it. It's so refreshing to see a show that deserves 18-plus million people watching to actually get that many.

Now, if we could just get the other 18 million still wasting their time picking suitcases to watch more shows like Criminal Minds, television would be an even better place!

Happy Friday. Bye.

Lisa de Moraes: and, "Criminal Minds" is so deliciously, pervy. Let's not forget that....

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Year Without a Santa Claus: Pooks: What is up with the TV special Year without Santa Claus? My 2 year old is FINALLY able to watch and enjoy some of these shows, and when I did a TiVo search to find it, I saw it was on the Family channel, and also on NBC. Then I saw the NBC one is some sort of remake??? Blasphemous! Why did they feel this story was in need of updating?

Lisa de Moraes: oh, don't get me started. Why did anyone feel the need to update "Mr. Deeds" when it was perfect with Gary Cooper and then cast Adam Sandler and add farting jokes? Talk about blasphemous. There is a special place in hell for the people who remade that one...

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Kelly v. Clay: Is the Kelly Ripa-Clay Aiken "feud" just a publicity stunt?

Lisa de Moraes: No, I think Kelly Ripa really is that full of herself. Does everyone know what we're talking about here? Clay Aiken was her guest co-host on "Regis and Kelly," only during an interview she kept talking over him so he finally put his hand over her mouth as a joke and asked his one-and-only-question of the guest and Ripa got all pissy about it and dissed Aiken on-air the next day to Rege. She talked like he'd spit in her eye or licked the rim of her coffee cup or something. Really, where did she learn her manners? Now I just sound like my mother so I'll stop, though I have a lot more to say on the subject.

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Washington, D.C.: RE: KFC Bowls. I'm so glad someone mentioned this. I can stomach some pretty gruesome horror movies or televised surgery, but every time I see an ad for those KFC bowls I lunge for the remote before I hurl. This has to be the most counterproductive ad in history.

Lisa de Moraes: I know: chicken --possibly batter fried -- mashed potatoes, and corn floating in some gravy stuff, topped by THREE cheeses and I think I'm leaving out about three more heart-stopping ingredients...

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Washington, D.C.: I'm working nights.

Daytime TV sucks.

Lisa de Moraes: I once worked nights. Daytime TV does suck, except Turner Classic Movies (I know, here she goes again!) which is now only airing the really good ancient, obscure stuff during the day. Oh, and you can't miss "The View" these days because you never know if violence might erupt and you want to be there when it does.

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Washington, D.C.: Submitting early because of a lunch meeting....

What do you think of the new TBS show "My Boys"? I was skeptical at first, but after watching the first few episodes I really like it. Do you think it'll be around for a while? What have you been hearing--are people watching?

Lisa de Moraes: It's doing okay compared to its "Sex and the City" leadin....

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Springfield, Va.: Shall we stick a fork in Lost?

Lisa de Moraes: Why not...maybe it will be better with a fork in it...

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Kelly v. Clay, Round 2: He's lucky he was guest hosting with Kelly; Kathie Lee would have bitten off his hand at the elbow...

Lisa de Moraes:...I know, sigh, they just don't make 'em like Kathie Lee any more....we miss her.

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Washington, D.C.: How bad was the Simpson performance?

Lisa de Moraes: It was fantastic. While singing "9 to 5" as part of the tribute to Dolly Parton,Simpson flubbed the lyrics, which nobody noticed because we were mesmerized by the way in which she was hanging on to herself for dear life with one arm, right below her own Dolly-Parton-esque cleavage. My theory is that her strapless dress was falling down but maybe that's just because FCC chairman Martin was in the audience and it would have been like early Christmas for me if he'd been in the audience during another CBS wardrobe malfunction...

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Washington, D.C.: Submitting early, because I expect to be drunk by noon.

Are you still watching Survivor? This show keeps hooking me in. Any idea whether it's being picked up for another season?

Lisa de Moraes: I am still watching "Survivor" because it's my job, though not every episode. CBS will air it so long as the ratings hold up and, though it's down noticeably in the numbers, it is still a strong player, especially for a reality series that is so old....

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Ugly Betty and the Uni-Brow: are you sure you watched the pilot? Her plan is to survive a year with the fashion mag so she can go anywhere with the company. She does not understand or care about fashion - its kinda the whole premise of the show...

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, I know, but she wants to stay and SUCCEED for a year so as to, you know, climb the publishing house ladder. And being so smart and all, you'd think she would ask that lovely wardrobe pal of hers for some tips on how to dress and whether unibrows are in or out this year....

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Washington, D.C.: Is Heroes worth watching. I saw some of the first episodes and couldn't decide. Some parts of it were fascinating, while others were down right moronic. Like how nonchalant the cheerleader was when she found herself on an autopsy table and realized she can't be killed.

Lisa de Moraes: I know I'd be pretty nonchalant finding myself on an autopsy table if I knew I could not be killed...Yes, "Heroes" is worth watching, if only because it's this season's most successful freshman series and if you are on this chat you are a serious student of television....

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Rockville, Md.: TCM?

I had no idea how many good films were mad in the 30s. Very soon after film started, too.

Lisa de Moraes: I know you are making fun of me but I refuse to realize it....

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Unibrows: Has TV Guide compiled a list of top TV Unibrows? There would be Bert the Yellow Muppet and I guess now Ugly Betty and then who else?

Lisa de Moraes: I have SO not had enough coffee yet today for this list but it's a wonderful idea so I'm throwing it out for help. When the caffeine kicks in I'll weigh in..

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Annoying commercials: While we're on the subject, what is up with that BMW screaming kid at Christmas ad? I hate that ad with the fire of a thousand suns. It makes my ears bleed.

Lisa de Moraes: That kid gave me a headache when the clip first popped up on YouTube and I like it even less in a TV commercial. Really, social services needs to call on those parents, right after they finish up with Britney Spears....

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Washington, D.C.: RE: Ugly Betty - there was a scene where she was bleaching or waxing her upper lip, so she has some clue.

But yeah, while I am definitely fashion challenged, that means I wear lots of stuff that is blah and boring, but her clothing is some of the ugliest stuff I've ever seen.

Lisa de Moraes: I'd forgotten about that scene. If she knows that chick-moustaches are out, why doesn't she know about unibrows? Clearly there were gaps in her schooling...I blame the public education system.

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Alexandria, Va.: I love David Milch! I say let him be as pretentious as he wants as he remains crazy and brilliant Did I hear correctly that his upcoming surfing show on HBO has an alien (like SPACE alien) angle? Profane, historically accurate surfing aliens! Awesome.

Lisa de Moraes:... and I believe the alien is a surfer...can't wait to hear him explain this one at the press tour....

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Aaron Sorkin, no Comedian: I've read elsewhere suggestions that Studio 60 should have been set at a nightly news studio. Thoughts?

Lisa de Moraes: wow, you think it's pretentious now, can you imagine if it was set in a news program?

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Washington, D.C.: When you make that unibrow list, don't forget to add Abe Vigoda and Sam the Eagle.

Lisa de Moraes: We're off to a great start....

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Unibrowsville.: Andy Rooney.

Lisa de Moraes: terrific. keep 'em coming....

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New York, N.Y.: Selma Hayek played Frida, costarring in the role along side a lush unibrow. Selma Hayek is in Ugly Betty. Clearly Betty caught this unibrow thing from Frida. There's your explanation for the Betty Brow. Please sleep better at night now.

Lisa de Moraes: Thanks for caring...

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Tweezerman -- give it a try: If Peter Gallagher isn't at the top of your unibrow list, there's something entirely wrong with this viewing audience!

Lisa de Moraes: wonderful addition....

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Reston, Va.: Dearest Darling Pookie,

I'm not that big a fan of Clay or Kelly but..If I had just watched someone shake hands with the audience and they took that hand and put it over my mouth they would've drawn back a stump. That was tacky and I bet it he wouldn't have done it to Regis.

By the way, did Clay send Rosie a nice bouquet for outing him?

Lisa de Moraes:...except that then there popped up on You Tube some clips of Kelly having slapped her hand over Rege's mouth a time or two....gotcha!

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Estee Lauder Salon, next door...: Quick -- tell me if unibrows are in or out. I've got an appointment in 5 minutes!

Lisa de Moraes: If you are comfortable in a unibrow then by all means, embrace your unibrow. Just don't get a job at Mode...

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New York City: And Peter Boyle ... who I think is related to Sam the Eagle.

Lisa de Moraes: second cousins...

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unibrows: Sam Waterston on L&O. Plus, they stick out.

Lisa de Moraes: yes, there is the older-guy Sprouted Unibrow sub-category. Andy R. at the top of that list. I'm out of time. This certainly has been a high-brow chat...sorry. bye.

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