On TV: Will Your Favorite Shows Return Next Season? NBC's Fall Schedule, More

Columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Friday, May 1 at 1 p.m. ET to take your questions about the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes.

Take this week's poll , about shows on the bubble for another season.

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Lisa de Moraes: That annual rite of spring known as the Upfronts begins, sort of, this Monday at a clamback NBC is calling its "In Front" presentation -- as in "in front of the other networks. NBC will unveil the list of shows it's bringing back next season and new one's it's bought. However, NBC is not expected to actually to commit to where it's going to put those shows because -- NBC learned the hard way last season -- it's not a good idea to announce your schedule weeks ahead of the competition when you're the fourth-placed network. Meanwhile, ABC, CBS, Fox and CW will announce their new skeds the third week fo May during Broadcast Network Upfront Week -- like God intended.

A bunch of shows on the networks are "on the bubble" -- may come back, may not. Cast your votes here for which ones you think are worth saving, and which should be scrubbed.

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Pittsburgh: How are "Idol's" numbers faring as the season rolls on? I started out watching it, but lost interest after 2 or 3 weeks of the "finals" and don't even watch it on DVR anymore. I've watched every other past season. No one on this season spoke to me, there was no one to rally around, and no controversy to spark some interest. As the weather gets nicer, my TV time diminishes and I bet other people's do to. Is there a downward sliding trend in the rating this season?

Lisa de Moraes: Hi...."Idol" was down compared to last season, then it started to come back up but was skewing older than in past seasons, which is absolutely no surprise given that an eight season old reality series. This past Wednesday it clocked a low-ish number, but that may have had something to do with people being confused by Obama's news conference, or because they wanted to watch the post-news conference blah, blah, blah around the dial. All that said, Wednesday's smaller-than-usual audience was still more than 22 million viewers strong and "Idol" Tuesday and Wedesday are still the season's No. 1 and No. 2 series both among all viewers and among among 18-49 year olds...

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HBO's number game: Pooks - my head is still spinning from the 'True Blood' ratings new-math from the fall, but my question is how the winter/spring shows have fared - Big Love, Conchords, Ladies Detective, In Treatment? Actually doing well, doing well by HBO standards, or doing "great!" by their pumped-up weird calculations?

Lisa de Moraes: It's nearly impossible to tell because the premium cable networks say they are including all the various forms of distribution at their disposal and not sharing all the numbers. So I pick D -- doing "great" by their pumped-up weird calculations...HBO suits used to mock Showtime for doing just what they are doing now, in re their calculations...

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Pentagon City, Va.: So tell me, do you think my Subway-buying and receipt-mailing will get us another season of "Chuck"? He knows kung fu, people. How can you not renew it?

Lisa de Moraes: NBC is unveiling its show pickups on Monday. A critic I know who is is in love with this show says he's going to bring one of the Subway foot-longs he bought to try to save the show -- like I said, total fanboy -- to throw at Ben Silverman if "Chuck" is not on the Saved list. I'll take pictures...

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Seattle: What do you think "Chuck's" chances are for being renewed? Do you think we'll hear sometime on Monday? Chuck's fanbase is going crazy on Twitter. We hope you'll have some insight for us.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, we will know on Monday. Kinda.Remember last year when NBC announced with great fanfare a bunch of new series that were going to turn the network around in primetime -- and now they're being burned off in the summer? Can anyone say "The Philanthropist"? "Merlin"?

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Minneapolis: "Little Miss Perfect" is really creepy. Is this where Miss California came from?

Lisa de Moraes: I'm not objective on this subject because one of my nieces was a friend of Jon Benet.....I find the whole scene very, very scary...

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Rockville: So the President cost the networks some money? I seem to remember that they do not own the ether. It is ours to use and let them use. Or am I wrong?

Lisa de Moraes: Given how many people in this country did not watch, I'm not sure all of those "ours" you speak of feel the same way you do about the news conference. 28-9 million people is not the majority of the country. Or course the crowd would have been much bigger, and the broadcast networks less unhappy, had the president wanted to address the nation because of some major development. But that was not the case.

That said, yes, the broadcast networks use the public airwaves and they have a responsibility to the country as a result. So they need to realize this is a president who is going to use primetime TV to a much greater extent than recent presidents, and find a way to accomodate that.I still can't get my head around the fact no one at any of the broadcast networks counted 100 days from President Obama's first day in office, saw it was the first Wednesday of the May sweep and get out in front of this problem. They would not have been left scrambling and unhappy had they been prepared...

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Shows in trouble: Lisa, The Obama Show already has a wacky next-door neighbor, Vice President Joe Biden.

Lisa de Moraes: You are so right, pookster! And,an adorable dog. This show should have been a 50 share....

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Richmond, Va.: Pretend you are a celeb in LA and you want to promote your movie. You can go on either Leno in primetime at 10 p.m. or Conan at 11:30 p.m. For the celebrity, there really isn't much of a decision here. You go on Leno at the expense of Conan. Do you think NBC has set Conan up to fail?

Lisa de Moraes: Pretty much, yup.... There may be some hope for Conan in that NBC TV stations are all knicker-knotted over the Leno show -- they think it's going to be such a lousy lead-in for their local news. That's because Leno's drop-off now, on "Tonight" show, after his monologue is huge...If it's the same pattern on his 10 p.m. show, their 11 o'clock newscasts are in trouble. So I hear NBC is now getting station input on how Leno's 10 o'clock show will look. This has gotta be a huge headache for Leno. Personally, I think he made a mistake not jumping to ABC...

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Silver Spring, Md.: Dearest Lisa, we love "Private Practice" -- even the weird stuff -- but wonder, did WJLA cut the scene when Violet was being slapped by the crazy would-be baby stealer? Seemed like they did.

Lisa de Moraes: I did not watch on WJLA last night -- using web to view -- so I did not see the interruption. We just called WJLA and a station rep said they were unaware of any interruption. Can you provide more details and I'll look into it some more?

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Arlington, Va.: Was glad to see "Ugly Betty" back on last night. Does this show have a hope of surviving past this season?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. I think it will be back...

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It's TV-related, I guess: Have you heard anything about an "Arrested Development" movie?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. That said -- still no script, so hope you aren't expecting it real soon...

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DC: So if Fox didn't air the Obama-fest Tuesday night, how were their ratings? Did they get what they expected out of it?

Lisa de Moraes: "Lie to Me" did its usual 7.7 million viewers. Which Fox insists is all it expected...

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Chicago: What do you think about "Parks and Recreation" -- does it have a future?

Lisa de Moraes: Virtually certain to come back...

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How expensive are Saturday shows?: If "Chuck" has a loyal following, why not juts plunk it on Saturday when the expectations are lower, and people can DVR or tape it? Is it just too expensive to make a show for Saturdays when eyeballs are smaller?

Lisa de Moraes: Because "Rerun Theatre" is a whole lot cheaper than "Chuck." Saturday is where networks like to rerun episodes of dramas -- particularly dramas that are serialized because if you don't get the second play of that episode very quickly after the first play, no one is going to watch. You see the kind of numbers even "strong" shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" are doing in reruns these days? And don't even get me started on the numbers for reruns of "Lost" and "Heroes." The broadcast economic model is still largely contingent on two plays of each episode of primetime shows. Which is a long way of saying "Rerun Theatre" is here to stay. "Chuck's" following may be loyal, but that's not the question. The question is, is that loyal following large enough to sustain a broadcast TV show. See "Jericho"....

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Silver Spring, Md.: (Possible "Private Practice" SPOILERS)

The crazy lady was about to start cutting Violet, Violet screamed and the crazy lady started to slap Violet, who was paralyzed from the neck down. Suddenly, the scene was cut off by the news people announcing the upcoming news for 11 -- this all occurred at about 10:45 p.m..

Lisa de Moraes: Crikey! Will check it out. thanks...

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Fairfax, Va.: With all the pleas to save Chuck, I guess we should ask what do you think of the show?

Lisa de Moraes: I think if it had been on another network it might have stood a chance. On NBC, on Monday at 8, against CBS's comedies and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and Fox's "House"? Not a prayer. I loved the show early on. I have issues with it as a promotional vehicle for Subway, which seems to be the path NBC will take it down to compensate for smaller audience, if it's going to bring the show back...

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Bethesda, Md.: Pookie,

Where was my "Harper's Island" last night? Is it gone already? I thought they had already made all the episodes of it...

Were the ratings bad enough that they thought a re-run of "Criminal Minds" would do better?

Lisa de Moraes: Now that I've waxed eloquent on Saturday as "Rerun Theatre" I'm going to contradict myself and say it's also "Burnoff Theatre." "Harper's Island" is a failed experiment -- only clocked about 7 million viewers on Thursday at 10. That's way too valuable real estate for CBS to keep a show there that's only snagging 7 million viewers. The good news is, it's been shipped off to Saturday at 9 to play out the rest of the episodes, becauses it's not nice to interrupt Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre in the middle of the story....

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Silver Spring: Any word on Better Off Ted? My disappointment at it being preempted for The Obama Show was more than appeased when Veridian Dynamics (the company at which the characters work) released a fantastic ad criticizing their preemption status. So meta and so funny.

washingtonpost.com:

Lisa de Moraes: I wrote alll about it and posted the video in blog yesterday. And chatted with the show creator, Victor Fresco, about this hilarious PSA, which is in today's column. Love it. He wrote the "PSA" at the Hay Adams hotel here in Washington - he's here on vacation...

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Anonymous: Bill Lawrence said there may be a 9th season of Scrubs (except it wouldn't be Scrubs per se). What's the deal?

Lisa de Moraes: Zac Braff is not staying with the show, what with him being a big movie star and all... There is talk about bringing back other cast members. The numbers on ABC are not great, but then, ABC has a lot of trouble with comedy these days and it is a show ABC Studios owns...

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Arlington, Va.: If Saturday is such a dumping ground, then why is Harper's Island being moved to Saturday nights? Do you think this artistic triumph can make it cool to watch tv on Saturday nights again? (a la "Airwolf" in the '80s)

Lisa de Moraes: Because the show was doing so poorly one of the best timeslots CBS has to offer. No one can say CBS did not give the show a real shot. Fans are lucky it's being played out to the end, rather than cancelled outright...

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Deadwood: DIRECTV is going to air Deadwood series on channel 101. Do you think the language/nudity scenes will be cut or will it all be allowed?

Lisa de Moraes: I would hope it would air in its entirety. What's the point otherwise. If they have to cut out all the language, it will look like an old Japanese horror flick with American English dubbed over it. What a mess that would be.

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washingtonpost.com: Lisa talks to Fresco (2nd item): Obama's Numbers Tank, Ratings-Wise

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okay, I'm clueless . . .: How is buying Subway going to save Chuck? Is this like that peanuts thing for Jericho? Foot longs are so much harder to mail in.

Lisa de Moraes: Oh, "Chuck" fans, bless their little hearts, thought if they bought a lot of Subway footlongs it would convince NBC to bring back the show. This all stems from an episode the other day in which one of the characters brings another one a Subway footlong sandwich and starts basically, saying the lines in the Subway ad, while viewers had to watch the guy eat a footlong sandwich... But if their stunt works, won't that just convince NBC to jam the show full of so many product placement/infomercial scenes, it will barely be worth watching?

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Houston, Texas: Re: Private Practice - I think it was just the end of the scene - the smack and then the screen went dark - I got the same thing in Houston - unless of course, my local affiliate in in cahoots with WJLA!

Lisa de Moraes: Sounds like it was just kinda bad editing on the producers' part....but I'll make some calls after the chat. Thanks, Houston for the FYI!

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The Obama Show: While I remain an enthusiastic fan of this series, I have to admit it runs a little long. I think ratings would go back up if they trimmed it to half an hour and the Prez learned to give short, witty non-answers instead of long, thoughtful discourses. I mean really, what's with him actually -listening- to the questions and trying to answer them seriously? I didn't know presidents could do that.

Lisa de Moraes: The camera really does love President Obama. Me, I love watching him. I'd take a news conference with Obama every week over a "Law & Order" rerun, which is what NBC has in the timeslot -- or "Gary Unmarried" which is what CBS has in the timeslot and which is pure torture to watch -- what the heck happened to Jay Mohr?

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TV viewing suffers due to recession: Pookie, I have had to start putting extra hours in at my job just to make sure I hang onto it. As a result my TV viewing time has been impacted, and I find that there are very few shows I have the energy left to watch from my rapidly filling DVR ... is this a trend?

Lisa de Moraes: Networks are hoping just the opposite -- that people watch more television because they can't afford to do anything else...

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Washington, D.C.: Does SciFi have any plans to run the "Caprica" pilot? It's available on DVD, but I'd rather not buy a DVD for one episode of a TV show that will probably be included on the 1st season set (whenever that comes out). Will SciFi just hold the pilot until next spring when they plan to launch the series?

Lisa de Moraes: "Caprica" pilot running in January of 2010, the network says. So you can buy the DVD, or you can wait nine months...

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Anonymous: Clearly we need to bring corporate sponsorship to presidential news conferences. "This question is brought to you by Papa Johns. Better ingredients, better pizza. Order now and get an XL pizza with six toppings for only $13.99!"

Lisa de Moraes: Terrific idea, Anonymous -- do you work for Fox?

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Deadwood (and Oz!) on Directv 101: Directv says they'll be uncut (which I would hope means unedited).

P.S. I just learned this thanks to this chat. I'm soooo happy.

washingtonpost.com: Deadwood and Oz coming to The 101 Network, compliments of DIRECTV

Lisa de Moraes: "Oz" was even more exciting news, I think....

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The Bo Obama Show: Now that I would definitely watch.

Lisa de Moraes: Me too. I want to watch Bo in obedience class, being groomed, playing on White House lawn...and there are zillions of dog nuts out there like me...Bo attending the Westminster Dog Show...

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This week's burning Idol question: Do you think Kris Allen is going to short-sheet Adam at the Idol Manse this week?

On that note, it seems almost a natural for Fox to turn life in the Idol Manse into its own reality (or, considering the cake fight, staged reality) series. You know, double dip the brand.

Lisa de Moraes: The most hilarious part about the "spontaneous birthday-cake bake" video this week on "Idol" was that Adam was taking it very seriously, and the two birthday Idolettes just wanted to throw dough at each other and grab each other for the camera. Adam seemed to vanish from the picture once the fracas started....

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Woodbridge, Va.: Did you catch the TV Land Awards show. The all-star musical tribute to Sid and Marty Krofft was probably the most surreal and disturbing thing I have ever seen on T.V. It was a giant 1970s acid flashback that even included Barry Williams.

washingtonpost.com: TV Land Awards Show Highlights, Videos

Lisa de Moraes: Disturbing is the perfect word -- watch this clip if you dare...

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Leno will be good for Conan: I thought Conan was doing some of his best work back in the days when NBC was giving him 21 day extensions on his contract. Playing underdog to Jay, and bringing Andy Richter back into the fold will play to his strengths.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, he was great when he was scared, but now that he's a big deal, he's become so old-school and Leno-like I hardly recognize him...although, to be fair, I also thought he was terrific during the strike. Maybe what he needs is no writers and being scared again. Maybe that will happen -- at least the scared bits -- when he moved to "Tonight Show."

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But if their stunt works, won't that just convince NBC to jam the show full of so many product placement/infomercial scenes, it will barely be worth watching: But I thought that that's exactly what NBC's revenue-generation plans now involve. (See, e.g. "30 Rock" and The Slanket)

Lisa de Moraes: Nope. The Slanket thing was brilliant on "30 Rock." Somehow I don't mind the product placement on "30 Rock" they way I do on other shows. Maybe that's what good writing is all about? Does Tina Fey write the best product-placement?

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"Caprica" pilot: The DVD has lots of nudity and violence particularly in the first 5 minutes that you won't see on the broadcast version.

Lisa de Moraes: But it does not air on broadcast TV. It's going to run on Sci Fi, which I think by then will be SyFy.....

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Chicago: I was surprised at the hate for "Medium" from the poll- takers. Sure, maybe it's run its course, but there's a universe-wide distance between it and something like "Kath and Kim," which actually did better.

Lisa de Moraes: This does seem to be a cold, ruthless bunch of voters...I like that...

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RIP Bea : Could "The Golden Girls" have gotten a green light in 2009 - show about four over 65 ladies on at 9 p.m. on Saturday night?

Lisa de Moraes: Never. In those days, Nielsen did not provide demographic information like it does now...

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Dollhouse: Sorry, Lisa - you haven't mentioned "Dollhouse" yet.

I just don't know if I would be sad to see "Dollhouse" canceled, or suprised if it gets renewed.

Lisa de Moraes: I'm going with "renewed and airing first on DirecTV 101." Somehow, Fox has got to figure out a way to make the finances on this show work. It's not doing a big enough number for broadcast TV and it's not a cheap show...

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Private Practice Scene cut-off: I live in Charlotte and it did the same thing here. Don't think it was an accident / cut-off. Just think that is how it was supposed to end.

Lisa de Moraes: Another market weighs in.. thanks!

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Bo Obama show: Michelle let it slip in front of 2000 women at a lunch yesterday that she gets up at 5:15 to walk Bo. Do you think we'll see satellite trucks parked in front of the WH to capture her early morning frolicking with Bo?

Lisa de Moraes: Gosh, I hope so....Seriously, they need a Bo-cam, like the Barney-cam at Xmas but only the first year -- before the White House press department started over-producing that annual event and trying to make the First Family the stars -- Barney was the star of the show and he was reduced to background player. It was dreadful...sorry, I feel strongly on that subject...

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Laurel, Md.: Hey Lisa you have any scoop on "Mad Men?" Is it coming back this summer?

Lisa de Moraes: In August...

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Castle: Someone told me of the series "Castle." Before I invest time in catching up on the series, will you tell me if the ratings show it will be around for awhile?

Lisa de Moraes: Not a certainty but I think ABC likes the show...

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Anonymous: People are actually protesting to keep "Chuck" on the air?? Why do they hate America? Will they also promise to buy the products advertised on the show? Or do they believe broadcasters keep series on based on merit, and not ad revenue?

Lisa de Moraes: I think the answer is, yes, they would promise to buy all the products advertised on the show if NBC brings it back....

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Arlington, VA: Has ABC dropped "Samantha Who?" for good, or is it being moved to yet another time? I love that show..Dina is my favorite!

Lisa de Moraes: I too love the show but ABC yanking it out of that Thursday "experiment" early is not a great sign...

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Anonymous: (Possible "Chuck" SPOILER)

How can you NOT renew a show that kills Chevy Chase? They deserve a medal and a better time slot (plus I hate having to choose between "Chuck" and "HIMYM").

Lisa de Moraes: You don't have to choose, pookie, you just need to purchase a DVR....and I too think any show that kills Chevy Chase deserves renewal....

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Pittsburgh: As we've been reminded recently in the obituaries for Bea Arthur, Saturday evening didn't used to be a dead night for TV. CBS ran some of its most brilliant sitcoms then, and people actually stayed home to watch them, or watched with friends. Can such a thing ever happen again?

Lisa de Moraes: Extremely unlikely, now that the networks are only programming for demographics, not tonnage...

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Idol Voting: So we are supposed to believe that Adam came in 4th last week? Despite the judges fawning over him each week, is there a chance Adam is not a slam dunk for the final? I actually think little red-haired girl has an amazing voice and would love to see her go to the end. I think Simon is always on her case because she just isn't that - sorry to say it - pretty.

Lisa de Moraes: I was thinking the other day that maybe Simon keeps trying to whack Allison because he thinks she's too young. Maybe he's worried she will be as successful as Jordin Sparks, which is "not very." It's all I can figure because she's got a great voice and this week proved she can sing a ballad and does not have to put every song through the Rocker-chick grinder...

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My daughters no longer watching Idol: and she's 16. Does Fox really care that me and my fellow fogey husband still watch? We're totally in the wrong demographic and don't even bother to vote.

Lisa de Moraes: It's daughters like yours that keep network suits up at night, trying to figure a way to get her back into the show. Fox cares about you -- just not much...

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Philadelphia: NBC has started running promos for the new Leno show, but they haven't decided on a title? How difficult can that be? Doesn't someone get a salary who can spend five minutes and come up with a title? "Jay Leno at Night." There, done.

Lisa de Moraes: We can surely come up with a better name than that -- with all due respect.. I'll put it up to people next week... I'm out of time but want to report that "Chuck" appears to be the ONLY bubble show you guys want to save -- that is really cold. Meanwhile "Sit Down Shut Up," Surving Suburbia" and "The Game" all have 96 percent voting in favor of being cancelled. You guys definitely have a bright future in broadcast TV!...bye...

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