"Viva Laughlin" has been yanked after two shows, unfortunately failing to outlive those "Viva Viagra" commercials. Meanwhile "Pushing Daisies," Private Practice," "Back to You" and "Big Bang Theory" all will be around for a full year. Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Friday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. ET to sort through it all, and game out what the writer's strike will mean for reality vs. "Cavemen" ratios.

The transcript follows.

Lisa Watches So You Don't Have To: "Grey's Anatomy" | de Moraes on TV blog | On TV discussion transcripts.

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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Silver Spring, Md.: I watched some of "Viva Laughlin" the other day (I love my DVR) and it was a special kind of awful. But, I have to say, it wasn't really the singing and dancing that made it terrible -- it was the acting, characters, plot ... they were all tremendously bad.

washingtonpost.com: 'Viva Laughlin' Cashes In Its Chips (Post, Oct. 23)

Lisa de Moraes: Hi. ... And yet, "Viva Blackpool" was such fun. Just goes to show you the devil is in the details -- casting, writing, direction, etc...

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"Phenomenon": What a craptacular show. Angel is one of the most annoying people I've ever seen on TV, and the show seems to take all the fun out of magic. Please tell me this show won't last!

Lisa de Moraes: Well it certainly did not get off to a great start -- under 9 million viewers for its debut --- and did nothing to help struggling "Bionic Woman" immediately after it. If NBC thinks this show is going to be another "reality" utility player, like "Deal or No Deal," it's got to improve -- a lot -- in the ratings...

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"Grey's Anatomy": It was almost (almost) worth suffering through the hour last night just to hear earless boy tell Meredith he liked cheerful people!

washingtonpost.com: Lisa Watches It So You Don't Have to: 'Grey's' Chainsaw Madness (washingtonpost.com, Oct. 26)

Lisa de Moraes: I love this show..I like to think of last night's guest star, Twitching Left Foot -- the one attached to the crazy guy who swore it was not his and demanded it be amputated -- was a metaphor for the series. Lots of convulsing, signifying nothing.

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Washington: I really enjoy "Cane," but understand that it is not doing well. What do you think the problem is? I thought it was in a pretty good time slot.

Lisa de Moraes: It's not a bad time slot but CBS's audience is not taking to the show. There is no explaining an audience that embraces "NCIS" and "The Unit" on the same night, but rejects "Cane." Seriously, I can't do it...

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Philadelphia: Is this definitely "Scrubs" last year? If by some miracle its ratings would skyrocket, is there any chance it might come back for another season?

Lisa de Moraes: Probably not because NBC does not own it -- Disney does....It's not just about ratings, it's about ratings versus cost of production. The problem with shows that have been on a few years is that the line on the chart for ratings tends to start going down while the line on the chart for what the cast and crew want to be paid to return for more episodes tends to shoot up -- particularly if the lead thinks he's a film star now. ... If NBC owned a series, it also enjoying ancillary market revenues -- DVD's, overseas sales, etc. -- which can help offset those growing costs...

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Anonymous: Just wondering, Lisa ... do you get to choose which show you watch on our behalf? Did you choose to watch "Grey's" for the TV Blog -- 'cause if you did, bless your heart. Also, said it last week and I'll say it again, "Life" on NBC is getting better and better and Damian Lewis helps make it so.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, I chose "Grey's Anatomy." I too like "Life" but entirely because of Damian Lewis' performance, which is worth watching regardless...

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"Big Shots": Caught the last ten minutes of this last night, but didn't know what it was (waiting for the news to start). I thought it was a non-musical version of "Viva Viagra," but with less scintillating dialogue.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, they really should hire the Viva Viagra writers...

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"Moonlight": When the network orders only four more shows instead of nine, as you reported, does this mean "Moonlight" is likely to "go on hiatus" sometime soon? I'm kind of liking this show.

Lisa de Moraes: I think the network ordered four scripts, not episodes. That means they're on the fence about ordering more episodes and want to see what direction the producers are going in before making the financial commitment for more episodes. Also, they want to bank scripts in case there's a writers strike -- deadline Halloween...

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I Love Scranton: I thought last night's episode of "The Office" was the best by far this season, mainly because of the 30-minute format, and also because of the fantastic Dunder Mifflin tagline: "Limitless Paper in a Paperless World." Genius.

Lisa de Moraes: Brilliant tagline. When I worked for the trade paper The Hollywood Reporter, I tried to get them to adopt the tag: If It's Happening in Hollywood It's News to Us" -- but, sadly, they lacked the needed sense of humor to pull it off, sigh ... oh wait, you wanted to talk about "The Office," not about me. Well, I too really like the fact that "The Office" is back to the half-hour format God intended for this series. The one-hour format looked way too much like they'd swept up the stuff they'd left on the cutting room floor -- I know, very antique image of TV editing -- and slapped it back into the episode...

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Re: What's wrong with "Cane": First of all, Jimmy Smits just looks old and fat. (Sorry, but look at him in those big-shouldered suits.) Second, this show is toeing the line when it comes to stereotyping Cuban-Americans, and Latinos in general. Third, the show doesn't really get to the heart and soul of successful Latin-American super families. Fourth, adding the elements of family rivalry, a near-incestuous relationship and a murder is so 20 years ago, and not sexy in the sense of keeping viewers interested. Sorry, but "Cane" is one of those projects that should be balled up and tossed in the wastebasket.

Lisa de Moraes: All you're saying is that it's totally retro. But tell me "The Unit" isn't -- speaking of stereotypes. And how about "CSI: Miami," speaking of old, scenery chewing lead actors. "one of those projects that should be balled up and tossed in the wastebasket" perfectly describes most of the CBS's most popular Monday comedies -- "King of Queens" anyone? -- and yet, they attracted viewers -- lots of them (the newer ones are definitely better)....Smits actually is now the proper age for a CBS lead. Yes, only on CBS would Smits still be considered the hot young guy to take over the family business...I get why you don't like it, but sounds like you are not the CBS viewer.

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Fairfax, Va.: How is "Chuck" doing? I like it, but not as much as I did early on. Are other people watching it?

Lisa de Moraes: This week it clocked about 7 million viewers. Not doing great, but asking a new series that lacks a pre-sold commodity -- no huge star lead, etc -- to open Monday night is a very tall order...

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Beltsville, Md.: Re: Prison Break. Michael wasn't framed -- he deliberately went into a bank, with a gun, and told them to give him money. Then he fired the gun into the ceiling just before the cops arrived. He did all of this so that he would be put in the prison Lincoln was in, in order to help Lincoln escape before he was executed.

washingtonpost.com: Repeat Offender? Fox's 'Prison Break' Spinoff Sounds Awfully Like 1987's 'Women in Prison' (Post, Oct. 25)

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, his brother was framed, and Michael is among those suffering for it...

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Road Rage: Pookie, I need some instruction on the proper way to execute your pinkie-finger waggle. Was in traffic yesterday needing to use said gesture and was unsure if it is a side-to-side motion or more of a bendy-type movement. I am also missing "The Riches." Any word on when or if the show will return?

Lisa de Moraes: Bend-y, for sure. ... It's really, really satisfying, I've got to say. I use it at least once a day, like when I'm driving to work and some clown behind me in an overcompensating car lays on the horn because I stopped to let the little old lady, or a squirrel, cross the street. "The Riches," meanwhile,is returning in early '08 is all the network has said...

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"New Amsterdam": Have you seen the pilot? Did it really seem that bad? This was one show I really had been looking forward to watching, and now it sounds like I may never get the chance.

Lisa de Moraes: The flashback scene -- possibly the biggest flashback in Fox history, since it jumps back to like the 17th century -- in which the Native American chick puts a "spell" on him to make him immortal until he finds true love at which point he'll age up like the rest of us -- is craptastically bad. Hair and makeup look like my high school's productions. I love this series, but for all the wrong reasons. Starting with the wealth of drinking games it begs for ... Fox having put it on hiatus before it has even debuted is, yes, not a good sign, particularly since Fox has a history of announcing to advertisers in May a series for its primetime slate the following TV season that never makes it on to the air...

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Outer Mongolia: If your were to be marooned on a deserted island, what would you prize more -- a TV with a power source, or George Clooney?

Lisa de Moraes: Hugh Laurie and a piano. ... Oh wait, that's not an option? Well, then I guess I'd have to settle for Clooney, but if he tried to regale me with stories about his Washington, D.C.-based HBO TV series "K Street" I'd have to conk him on the head with a coconut to put him out of my misery...

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Silver Spring, Md.: Ann Curry's "interview" ambush of Benazir Bhutto was the rudest I have ever seen on network TV. Was she trying to make up for the Matt Lauer softballs to Larry Craig?

Lisa de Moraes: Ann was in a bad mood? I haven't seen it. I need details. Seriously, I adore Ann Curry interviews ... tell me more.

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Lancaster, Pa.: Saw Meredith on the "Today" show this morning. Short skirt, black hose, knee-high boots. Do you think she is Matt and Al's boss (if you know what I mean)?

Lisa de Moraes: Seems like she's just hired Katie's dresser...

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"Married" Land: Does Shondra Rhimes have issues with marriage? She doesn't seem to have regard for the institution.

Lisa de Moraes: I was thinking just that last night. Pretty much every married person on the series has shagged outside the vows, so far as I can tell. Also seems to have issues with doctors, which I can totally appreciate...

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Funny shows?: Hi Lisa -- are there any funny shows (comedies that are actually funny on purpose) on this year? "Earl" is boring; I can't even watch "The Office" anymore; "Scrubs" is same-old-stuff. I do like the Doogie Howser show ,but it's on too early to watch. "Pushing Daisies" is clever but not funny. I like to laugh! Thanks!

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, "Big Bang Theory." The two male leads playing the brainiacs are wonderful. The female lead is dreadful, but somehow it doesn't matter -- oh wait, she's playing an idiot ... so stick around after "the Doogie Howser show" on Monday on CBS and let me know what you think.

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The Pie Hole: Another great week for "Pushing Daisies," but why is it on at 8 p.m. Are they just trying to get my 10-year-old in therapy?

Lisa de Moraes: Why will "Daisies" send your 10-year-old into therapy. Because people die? Has your 10-year-old been introduced to the Grimm's fairytales? Has your 10-year-old seen the Harry Potter flicks?

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Washington: "Amazing Race" is coming back! One of the teams describes themselves as "gothic energizer bunnies." Okay then...

Lisa de Moraes: if they're using expressions like energizer bunnies, I'd write them off as "faux goth."

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Silver Spring, Md,: Lisa, after seeing the hottie wives/girlfriends of several of the male contestants on "The Biggest Loser," I have to think perhaps Male Pattern Optimism has some basis in reality.

Lisa de Moraes: Totally, I've always said so...all you have to do is spend time on the west side of Los Angeles to know that. Of course, most of the pudgy guys with hot younger wives on their arms also have pots of money...

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Washington: To the poster of "Lancaster, Pa.: Saw Meredith on the "Today" show this morning. Short skirt, black hose, knee-high boots. Do you think she is Matt and Al's boss (if you know what I mean)?"

Was it "Ally McBeal" short, or "what's wrong with a woman over 40 wearing a skirt" short?

Lisa de Moraes:...I'd like to know too...

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"Friday Night Lights": Pookie, has "Friday Night Lights" this year lost its charm? I loved it last year because it felt so real. I had family who lived in Massillon, Ohio, and the high school football players were rock stars. I remember my cousin buying beer for the team in her cheerleading uniform! So, to me, "Friday Night Lights" felt real. This year, not so much. What say you, Sage of the TV?

Lisa de Moraes: Wait, I'm back at "my cousin buying beer for the team in her cheerleading uniform." Was she 40 at the time, or 18?..meanwhile, NBC and the producers are trying to get a much bigger audience for this show than it enjoyed last season. Which, sadly, they believe means turning the show into something it was not last season, upsetting last year's loyal viewers. Alas, you were not a large enough crowd to sustain a broadcast TV series. The show you knew and loved is no more ... this is "Friday Night Lights Lite"...

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Tarrytown, N.Y.: Lisa, will you also watch and blog the upcoming season of "American Idol"? You should have gotten a Pulitzer for last season's work!

Lisa de Moraes: Aren't you nice, and yes I will...

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Anonymous: You "adore Ann Curry interviews" in that they're so awful or do you really think she's a good interviewer? She went to the Charlie Rose school of interviewing: "Let me tell you what you think..."

Lisa de Moraes: I love how she interrupts the person she's "interviewing"....

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Washington:"How I Met Your Mother" is too early? Invest in a TiVo, or your cable company's DVR, or a VCR. Does the poster know you can watch the "How I Met Your Mother" episodes online, too?

Lisa de Moraes: Did someone complain that "How I Met Your Mother" is on too early. And I thought the question was about "Pushing Daisies"! Clearly I need more coffee....

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La Mesa, Calif.: Does television have the impact of giving a skewed version of what the U.S. is really like? Certainly lots of productions are done away from Southern California, but overall that's what we look at, night-in and night-out, on our TV sets and movie screens. Most of the time, when they pretend to be elsewhere, the untrained eye can see SoCal.

I can understand that costs require that production companies stay close to home. Still, shouldn't they work harder for regional balance (even if they have to fake it, as they are so good at)? But on the "faking it" score, the one thing that gets me the most is the wholesale slaughter of regional accents. Fer instance, can't someone learn to do Bawmer-ese credibly? C'mon Hollywood!

Lisa de Moraes: I was born in Baltimore and when I moved to Denver people told me I had a funny accent -- among other insults (middle school can be so cruel) -- but I swear I couldn't hear it then and I can't hear that accent now...people from Denver love watching old episodes of "Dynasty" to look for accidental- palm- tree sightings.. The British actor on "Journeyman" said he was working on a San Francisco accent, or maybe it was the idiot who plays his wife who, in between flipping her hair around, noted to the TV critics at the press tour that she, being from the east coast, was making no effort to change her accent -- ( because, I assume, she knew all the talent she would require was her great hair, toned heinie and nice rack) -- and wasn't it adorable the British lead was working on a San Francisco-American accent...

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Washington: Hi, Lisa -- I love your columns and your snarky attitude! A question about "Top Model": How long is the actual competition? A month? A couple of months? Over time you can really see weight loss on some of those girls, so the time they are together has to be more than a couple of weeks. Thanks!

Lisa de Moraes: Hmmm. I'm not sure how long they spend shooting this competition; it runs 13 episodes and reality series like to do things on the cheap so I'm assuming it doesn't take long to shoot an edition. Absolutely it's more than a couple of weeks, however...I'm thinking more like a couple months, or more...

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Not a prude, but...: I'm the first to tell a joke/story with strong sexual innuendo, but seems to me "How I Met Your Mother" this season is way too sexual this season, especially at 8 p.m. Are they desperate for viewers? I love that show, but it seems they are just trying too hard this season.

Lisa de Moraes: Ah, that other person must have been psychic. here is the question about "Mother" being on too early...I'm guessing they're trying to goose the numbers which, if that is the case, is not working. It's pulling in about 8.5 million viewers, as of last week. But once "Dancing with the Stars" wraps on ABC in the same time slot, "Mother's" numbers will probably go up...

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Macon, Ga.: Are we about done with them "Bee Movie" blurbs on Thursday night? Because every time I see one, I want to hurl a shoe at my TV. I don't want to break my TV.

Lisa de Moraes: Does that look like an awful movie or what!? I don't think the trailers are doing the flick any favor. Meanwhile, NBC appears to have cut a very expensive deal to get Jerry Seinfeld to appear on the season debut of "30 Rock" based on the number of "Bee Movie" trailers the network has aired on Thursday nights (Seinfeld stars in the flick, at least his voice does).. So what did NBC get for it? "30 Rock" opened with okay but not huge numbers and this week is back down to about 6.5 million viewers. NBC would be quick to point out that it's concentration of 18-49 year olds, which is high, is more important. In other words: not much there, but what there is, is choice.

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Arlington, Va.: This is sort of a TV news question, but what's happening at CBS with Katie Couric, etc.? Any chance she'd just say "to hell with it"?

Lisa de Moraes: She's under contract, for which she is being very well paid. Why would she do that? It's CBS that might say "to hell with it" at some point...

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San Francisco:"Journeyman" can't last much longer, can it? Unless it gets stuck in a time warp or something. It's not good.

Lisa de Moraes: There are several series that should be sending flowers to the writers guild -- for threatening to strike -- and to Nielsen -- for taking three weeks to issue Live+7 Day ratings -- both of which are causing the networks to be more patient with new series this season...

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Coming Up Next on CBS: Dennis Franz is a retired cop living in South Florida in "Sipowitness for da Prosecution!" After Smits and Caruso, who's next? Medavoy?

Lisa de Moraes: Wait for it!

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"Grey's Anatomy": I have to vent about Izzie. While what Meredith did was not noble, she didn't know that McDreamy was married when she hooked up with him. For the writers to equate that with Izzie sleeping with a married man -- knowing he was married -- is awful. And then the whole thing with Dr. Bailey saying "it takes two" to break a marriage ... I am left scratching my head to know exactly what Callie did to make George cheat on her! I don't know why they are trying to make Izzie's blunders into something legitimate.

Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing -- and it's just a guess -- Shonda Rhimes, the show creator, was trying to suggest that Callie took advantage of George when he was still rocked by the death of his father -- the marriage was one of those Vegas quickies. That would seem to suggest George is a child -- and an idiot. Izzie does not get a pass for shagging George when she knew he was married just because Meredith shagged McDreamy when he was married but she did not know it. And what was Izzie hoping to accomplish when she screamed at Cristina that she had no right to judge Izzie because she, Cristina, slept with Burke who was, um, her unmarried boyfriend...it defies logic. But so does bringing a chain saw into the ER. ... Really, you just have to let logic go when you watch this show

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Washington: Given your fixation on CBS and the age of its viewers, how long until you become Nielsen-irrelevant?

Lisa de Moraes: Ages and ages ... I am not the one fixated on the age of viewers. The networks are. I'm just accurately reporting how they make decisions to keep and cancel shows. You've got your gun pointed in the wrong direction, Pookster -- don't shoot the messenger.

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Sun Prairie, Wis.: Any logic behind ABC airing "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on Tuesday (pre-empting the cavemen)? Isn't this the sort of thing you put on Friday or Saturday night, when adults generally aren't watching?

Lisa de Moraes: because they've done okay with it on that night of the week in the past..and isn't it airing before Halloween? The real head-scratcher is Fox airing its annual "The Simpsons" Halloween episode in early November. But, of course, that's because the November sweep is actually starting in November this year, instead of late October...

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TV marriage: Last successful TV married couple: Rob and Laura Petrie. Maybe because they slept in separate beds.

Lisa de Moraes: Wait a minute, what about that couple from "Friends" -- they seemed happy...

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Washington: What are the ratings for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"? In my opinion it's the funniest show on TV. Did you catch Charlie's song "Night Man." I haven't laughed that hard at a TV show in years.

Lisa de Moraes: I did watch last night's episode. It made me lose my appetite for dinner. If I ever meet the clown on that show who gave the interview to the Fox Movie Channel and said how flattered he was that people keep comparing him and his show to Jerry Seinfeld and "Seinfeld" I'm gonna clock him...

I'm out of time. Bye...

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