On TV

Reality, Non-Reality and Everything In-Between

Columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Friday, Jan. 16 at noon ET to take your questions about the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes.

This week, Lisa chats about watching "Idol" so you don't have to, as well as "CSI" surviving without Grissom, and the cancellation of "Prison Break."

Pookie, the transcript follows.

And take this week's survey.

TV columns | On TV discussion transcripts | de Moraes on TV blog.

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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Baltimore: RIP Patrick McGoohan: How odd that we discussed remake of "The Prisoner" last week, as Patrick McGoohan died a few days ago. The obituaries I read (especially one in the London Daily Telegraph) showed he was a unique personality. From a TV biz perspective there were two interesting points in the Telegraph obit.

In the early '60s, McGoohan earned the then huge sum of 2,000 pounds a week -- he was by far the highest paid actor in British TV. And the series he was doing then ("Danger Man," a.k.a. "Secret Agent") was the first British produced series picked up by a U.S. network.

Best of all -- he was born in Queens! Although he moved to Ireland with his Irish born parents while still a lad.

"Be seeing you..."

washingtonpost.com: Prisoner star Patrick McGoohan dies (London Daily Telegraph)

Lisa de Moraes: Now we know why "Prisoner" remake producers were dancing around the question in re whether McGoohan would do a cameo...

Secret Agent Man

Secret Agent Man

They're giving you a number

And takin 'way your name..

(sadly, that's all of the lyrics I can remember off the top of my head without having had any coffee yet)

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Washington: Lisa:

I was excited for the return of "24" but they turned me off with their first factual error -- No Senate committee would be in session at 8 a.m. They need us to consult.

Lisa de Moraes: If I had a buck for every factual mistake they'd made on "24" over the years....yes, they need us to consult..

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Washington, D.C.: I caught some of the relaunched "Scrubs" on ABC last night. Wow, that was some terrible television. Poorly written, poorly acted, weird plot decisions, and JD and Elliot are back together--good thing the brought the show back for that!

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, sometimes it's kinder just to shoot the horse and put it out of its misery. Oh, I forgot to mention that last week Ian McKellen "Lear" mad-scene nudity won our TeamTV Poll by a resounding 86 percent, versus just 14 percent who thought PBS did the right thing censoring the nudity. Does that add up to 100 -- it is so hard to do math without coffee....This week's Poll 42 percent yes like the new American Idol Judge, Kara DioGuardi and 58 percent say give her the hook. Vote now -- vote often!

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Now that Grissom has left: Who gets the maggots?

Lisa de Moraes: If there is a god in heaven, marg......

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washingtonpost.com: WAPO TEAM TV STATUS WATCH...

RENEWED: "The Office" (NBC) for a sixth season; "30 Rock" (NBC) for a fourth season; "Biggest Loser" (NBC) for an eighth season; "The Life and Times of Tim" (HBO) for a second season...

DEAD: "Prison Break" (Fox), after four seasons; "Swingtown" (CBS), after one season...

DATE SET: "The Untitled Daniels/Schur/Poehler Series" (NBC) April 9; "ER" series finale (NBC) April 2; "Sit Down, Shut Up" (Fox) April 19

Lisa de Moraes: And here is our latest What Happened to My Favorite Show update. Geesh, this really is hard without caffeine.. plus I'm at the [Dinner Rolls Bit] press tour trying hard not to listen to the 12 year olds from Disney Channel's new "Sonny with a Chance" talk to us about how "it's all about the writing." ...

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Chicago: Are TV stations suddenly showing a lot more ads? I'm an inveterate channel-flipper so I have a pretty good feel for how long commercial breaks go, etc., but recently it seems like I'm watching all ads all the time no matter how many channels I flip to. What's up?

Lisa de Moraes: Ads? Who watches the ads any more. That is so 1990. You need to buy a DVR -- best investment you'll ever make. But thanks for the story tip. I'll actually watch my TV this weekend and see what's going on..

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Orlando, Fla.: A friend and I were both coincidentally stopped on the streets and asked a survey. We both have fairly similar demographic backgrounds except she is 40 and I am 52. She was selected to participate in a marketing research project and I was not. It turns out it was to view a TV show pilot. Do you think our ages is what determined which of us was selected and which was not, and should I fear that TV networks could care little what someone my age thinks?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, yes, and yes -- have you been absorbing nothing we've been telling you in the TV Column all these years? You have entered The Land of the Irrelevant...Oh, and the boy-hunk on "Sonny with a Chance" just reduced about 100 TV critics and bloggers to tears explaining how being "the hot guy is way too much fun" because he used to have to wear a retainer "for a while and was totally not hot. And, he says is Scarlett Johansson (sp?) wants to stop by, he'd love to do a scene or two with her.. Oh great, someone just asked the star how she stays grounded. Her response: "My support system includes my best friends which now includes my cast and I go to church every Sunday. My faith is strong and my parents are incredible. I can talk to them about anything. No matter what. If I were to say 'I quit' today. I don't want to sing. I don't want to act any more. My mom would say "okay, let's go back to school." Hahahahaha...oh wait. She was serious...And Tina Fey is her idol and she wants to do the "Disneyfied version" of "30 Rock."...

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Washington, D.C.: Good grief..."Grey's Anatomy" is making "Gossip Girl" look like Shakespeare (and I love "Gossip Girl"). Cristina getting in the shower last night was the breaking point, why do I keep watching this train wreck of pathetic people?

Lisa de Moraes: You are gonna have to fill me in. I was at the press tour and DVR'd it. What is Christina up to in the shower. Please tell me no knives were involved...

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My new favorite shows.: First, I have to agree about "Scrubs." It was so terrible. The actors actually looked embarrassed. My new favorite shows are all on premium cable (except "30 Rock") - "Little Britain USA," "Life & Times of Tim," and I'm looking forward to the return of the "Flight of the Conchords" on Sunday.

Lisa de Moraes: Apparently you are still employed and can afford "premium" cable. Congratulations....

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Lost in cyberspace: Many bloggers thought that Ben Silverman was stoned at the Leno presser a few weeks ago. Did he appear to be blasted yesterday?

Lisa de Moraes: His cackling did sound kind of medicated, now that you mention it. Ben did not dare get up on stage at this year's press tour. He was spotted flitting by in the hallways and my biggest impression is that he looked very thin -- and jumpy. But he always seems jumpy to me..

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Lexington, Ky.: What's SAG doing re the strike? Are the factions all so mad at each other by now that they'll never manage to kiss and make up?

Lisa de Moraes: I think they tried to draw and quarter their chief negotiator, but Alan Rosenberg successfully fillibustered and saved his career... This will all come to a head right around the time of the Oscars, because that's always the various guilds' trump card -- screwing around with trophy shows which are like printing money for the studios and the network that has the broadcast rights. I love when the guild do that...

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My faith is strong and my parents are incredible: Head-shaving countdown begins in 3...2...1...

Lisa de Moraes: lol....

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Disappointed....: there's no Post "Appreciation" for Patrick McGoohan? Just a skimpy obit that doesn't even mention one of his most lasting contributions to young American imaginations, the Disney TV show/movie, "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh"?

Lisa de Moraes: You are preaching to the choir. I suggested they do an appreciation but, unfortunately, nobody seemed to know who he was. You know, there is a serious problem with the education system in this country.. We ran an appreciation of Ricardo Montalban, "Fantasy Island" guy, instead. Geesh.

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More commercials: Hi Lisa,

It's not just more ads. It's more ads for...how shall I say this...sketchy products and services. Like "Mail in your unwanted gold jewelry and we'll send you money!" And I'm sure this is due to cuts in advertising budgets, but I swear some companies are using commercials that were made 10 or 20 years ago. Others look like they were thrown together. I have very low expectations for the Super Bowl ads.

Lisa de Moraes: Those are called "bottom feeder" ads.. I love bottom feeder ads. I would love to know how many people actually mail in their gold and then wait to find out how much they're going to get in cash for it...And yes, I've heard TV advertisers have put new ads on hold. Superbowl could be quite a bust -- unless they bring back the Budweiser Frog ad -- I'd love to see that again..

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NOON!: OMG You are on at noon. I love it... always do noon! Make my Friday every week!

Lisa de Moraes: Well, my editors would have been most seriously displeased had I missed the Q&A session with the Jonas Brothers, which is coming up here in a bit. There is important journalism being done here today, folks...

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Rockville, Md.: About Patrick McGoohan, he really dominated the screen. I even liked him in "Braveheart." The real image of a king at battle. What a personality and actor. We will miss him, I am sure.

Lisa de Moraes: McGoohan was larger than life. Yes, even bigger than the Jonas Brothers...

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Miami, Fla.: More Ads? It's called product placement and I see it every minute when I watch "Top Chef" (they are the biggest culprit of product placement).

Lisa de Moraes: Well then, stop, um, watching... Reality series are jammed with it. You either embrace the hideousness, or get out of the genre. Those are your only two choices..

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"Draw and Quarter Their Chief Negotiator": Ewww! Thanks. Now I have a vision of Doug Allen's head on a pole someplace.

Lisa de Moraes: You are welcome...

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long commercial breaks: Lisa, isn't there a term called "road blocking" in which ads are timed to go about the same time, regardless of what channel you're on to prevent the avoidance of ads while channel flipping?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. And again, I refer you to the DVR...

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washingtonpost.com: On the 'CSI' Scene Without Petersen, Where Some People Need to Get a Clue (Post, Jan. 13)

Lisa de Moraes: My fabulous producer thinks you need to see this. I agree...

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Annandale, Va.: Hi Lisa,

So, my husband is a fan of "The Mentalist." The other day, he used a Patrick Jane tactic from the show to figure out which one of his 6th graders had a laser pointer in class. No one would SAY who had it, but on the count of three, he had the class point to who had it. He really didn't think it would work, but they all pointed to the same kid. Don't you think he should start wearing vests to work?

Lisa de Moraes: That is brilliant. I'm going to share this with the producer. Goody, The Jonas Brothers session is starting. They are showing a clip of their new show. They are jumping in slow motion. They are all wearing plaid -- vests, man-purses. Little girls are chasing them in fast-mo. It's just like a scene from "The Monkees." FYI, they are "absolutely honored" to be performing at the inauguration.

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Sucker: I mailed in my gold. Sent them 6 or so items (various bracelets and necklaces) and was sent a check for $15.90. I returned the check and got my gold back. I'm 40 and have a Masters degree. I don't know how to explain my actions.

Lisa de Moraes: They actually gave you your gold back? Wow.

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Re: Scrubs: I don't know, I actually thought the episodes so far have been better than they have the last couple of years. The Janitor storylines have gone downhill because they don't have him interact with J.D. as much and have just made him more and more absurd. Kelso's wit used to be sharper. And yes, darn it, I want J.D. and Elliot to end up together! If the rest of America gets Ross and Rachel, I think it's the least I can ask for!

Lisa de Moraes: You are so right and it looks like you are going to get your happy ending. Sigh.

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Rome, Ga.: "There's a man who lives a life of danger. To everyone he meets, he stays a stranger. With every move he makes, another chance he takes. Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow."

First verse.

Very sad to lose him.

Lisa de Moraes: Thank you! That was making me crazy. News Flash: the Jonas Brothers have played ping pong with the Obama daughters...

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Jonas Brothers: Were they horrible at the Golden Globes or what? Reading an awful script and feigning excitement at being part of "all that"? Bleck

Lisa de Moraes: They are truly terrible actors. Even their slo-mo jumping in plaid isn't believable, I can report...

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washingtonpost.com: JOHNNY RIVERS - Secret Agent Man 1966 (youtube.com)

Lisa de Moraes: Here it is, folks. Our tribute to McGoohan, making up for the Post's slip up...

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RE: Bottom Feeder Ads: Am I safe in assuming that SHAM-WOW and anything featuring Billy Mays is a bottom feeder ad?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. But I'm strangely drawn to Sham-WOW..Tt looks like it would improve my quality of life substantially...oh and the Jonas Brothers always try to be the best they can be. It's tru -- they just said so..

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Lancaster, Pa.: This may seem twisted, but I think you are the one for it. I think the Today show would have loved the plane splashing into the river when they were on. Then Ann Curry could have jumped in the river and gone out to rescue those people. That would have been great.

Lisa de Moraes: You are very astute. And yes, you've come to the right place. And my producer has pointed out, in the nicest way possible, that I have fallen short as a journalist by not reporting who won the ping pong match. The Obama Girls won...

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Bethesda, Md.: Hello Pookie! I heard Showtime's "L Word" spinoff will be set in prison. Didn't FOX announce they would have a "Prison Break" spinoff with a female lead in 2007? Whatever happened to that?

Lisa de Moraes: You are going to see so many prison chicks next season. Apparently there are pages and pages of research showing that in a depression, what America wants to see on TV to buck itself up is chicks in prison.

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Hudson Plane Crash: I don't have cable or even the new converter box and I'm unemployed. So I spent an enjoyable hour and half,when I should have been watching Dr. Phil and Oprah, watching endless footage of a plane in a river and listening to the endless repetition of a few relevant facts. After it was known that everyone made it out okay and few emotional calls with survivors, it turned into a unchanging shot of a plane and mind-numbing chatter. I mean Oprah was supposed to be on. What gives? The WMDs in Iraq didn't get that much coverage.

Lisa de Moraes: It's all about the pictures. Why do you think CNN will spend an hour covering a car chase in Texas. I mean really, who cares..but the video is riveting -- like Yule Log for news junkies. Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of cable news car chases....

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Bethesda, MD: Lisa,

Who did Seacrest anger in the "Idol" production group? I mean, how easy would it have been to edit out his massively embarrassing moment of trying to high-five the blind contestant. My wife and I watched on DVR and we watched in slow-mo frame-by-frame about ten times with tears practically streaming down our faces from laughing so hard, as you could see Ryan make the "oh s--t" face when he realized what he was doing and then tried very valiantly to play it off. I call it one of the truly classic moments in "AI" history. This might be one demerit for Ryan's race for the Emmy.

Lisa de Moraes: Glad somebody else enjoyed the trainwreck. Okay, so the exec producer of the Jonas Brothers new TV show was just asked if the show is an homage to the flick "Hard Day's Night" " It's hard not to make the comparison to the Beatles in 1962," he responded smugly. And he was not struck dead by lightning...I clearly need to start paying attention to this session. Got to run. Bye...

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