TV Q&A with Rob Owen

Friday, July 03, 2009

This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about "Jon & Kate Plus 8," "Expedition Africa" and freelance meteorologists. As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

Q: Your job is a TV critic. What is your opinion on "Jon & Kate Plus 8"?

-- Alex, 16, New Castle

Rob: My opinion about the show hasn't changed much since last month's blog post. Parents have an obligation to protect their children, not exploit them by putting them on reality TV shows, which is what Jon and Kate Gosselin have done. Children don't belong on reality programs. Period.

Q: Is there a reason why "The Wonder Years" has not come out on dvd yet? It's been more than 20 years since this show began. I thought by now they would have each season on dvd.

-- Chris, 45, McCandless

Rob: Yes, there is and it's the same reason other shows haven't been released on DVD: Music rights. The cost to get the DVD rights to the music on these shows makes them prohibitive near-impossible to release. Studios could opt to pull out the music but they know fans would revolt because the music is too integral to both series.

All hope is not lost: "Ally McBeal" was thought to be un-releaseable but this week Entertainment Weekly reported it's on its way to DVD.

Q: I've searched the internet but I have been unable to find TV ratings for show such as "Expedition Africa." I really enjoy the show and I'd like to see future shows of this type. I don't see these shows on the Nielsen ratings, how do I find out how they are doing ratings wise?

-- Linda, 45, Cecil

Rob: Nielsen does release a weekly list of the Top 50 cable programs on its press site but that only encompasses a small number of all the cable shows out there. In a recent week, none were History Channel shows.

But a History Channel publicist says "Expedition Africa" is doing well for the network, averaging 1.2 million viewers in its 10 p.m. Sunday time slot. That may not seem like a big number but for a niche cable network it's quite respectable and bodes well for future seasons of the show or something like it.

Q: Does MTV ever plan on producing any new seasons of "Road Rules"? They keep producing their "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" shows, but I question the "Road Rules" part of that since cast members from that show are few and far between anymore. Instead, MTV brings in new people who have never been on either of the shows.

-- John, 50, Green Tree

Rob: It sounds like producers would entertain another "Road Rules" but the ball is in MTV's court.

"We are proud to have completed 14 seasons of 'Road Rules' and would welcome the chance to give fans another season of the series should the opportunity present itself," said "The Real World/Road Rules Challenge" executive producer Jonathan Murray in a statement provided by MTV. "The current season of 'The Real World/Road Rules Challenge' continues to be a hit for the network and an audience favorite but to the fans of 'Road Rules,' let MTV know you want the show back!"

Q: Is the fourth hour of the "Today" show no longer on Channel 11 at 2 p.m.?

-- Linda, 54, Pittsburgh

Rob: It continues to air on WPXI as long as NBC produces a fourth hour.

"NBC produces the fourth hour of 'Today' in the morning and normally we tape-delay it for airing at 2 p.m.," explains WPXI program director Mark Barash. "During Wimbledon, they are NOT producing the fourth hour of 'Today' so we are left without our normal 2 p.m. programming. As a result, we are moving 'Ellen,' which is being pre-empted by Wimbledon, to 2 p.m."

Q: I have been watching both Dave Trygar on KDKA and Michael Haynes on WTAE as freelance meteorologists for each station's newscasts. Since both stations are in need of a fourth weather person, why don't these stations just hire them? Both of these guys do a great job on their respective newscasts, so why do the news directors keep saying they are looking to fill the vacancies when they have the talent right here now?

Also, I'd like to give a "job well done" to KDKA's Jon Burnett for his fine coverage during last Wednesday's storm. For someone who does not have that over-rated "meteorologist" title under his name, he by far provided the best coverage that night considering he was alone in the KD weather center compared to the other stations that brought in their whole weather teams.

-- Don, East McKeesport

Rob: Actually, KDKA usually only fields a team of three meteorologists, which they currently have. As far as WTAE goes, I've wondered the same thing: Why not just hire the freelance guy? Obviously, the folks in charge there are not going to say. My guess is it comes down to finances and playing to demographics.

"Michael does a great job for us, but right now we are in a holding pattern when it comes to filling our fourth meteorologist position," explained WTAE news director Alex Bongiorno. "I don't know when that holding pattern will change at this point."

She added that Haynes "would be considered among other qualified applicants."

Q: One of the reasons given for the switch to digital broadcasting was that this change would allow local stations to broadcast with extra bandwidth, thus giving them extra channels.

Are any of our local stations planning to use this newly available space to broadcast the network feed the next time they feel the need to scream "death from the sky is coming" over a radar screen for 4 hours?

Just wondering.

-- Kurt, 50, Natrona Heights

Rob: Kurt's idea seems like a good one to me. Or better yet, run a crawl on the main channel directing viewers to severe weather coverage on a digital sub-channel.

But in talking to several local TV station general managers, it's clear they won't be going for it. Remember, they see weather coverage as an invaluable part of their news brand and they're not about to sacrifice that even if some viewers wish they would.

"Unfortunately, running a crawl doesn't guarantee that people will switch channels -- especially if the digital channel is on some upper tier in the channel 700 range," wrote WPXI general manager Ray Carter in an e-mail. "The government-granted license we hold requires that we operate in the best interest of the public and with their safety in mind. With that in mind, when there is severe weather, we will get on the channel with the largest audience as quickly as we can. Severe weather can't be an after-thought and relegated to a non-primary channel."

WTAE general manager Rick Henry said the station will use its judgment when weather break-ins are warranted.

"The bottom line for us is that it's a primary obligation to warn people in a severe weather situation," Henry said, adding that he doesn't take break-ins lightly because he knows some viewers will be irritated. As for shifting the network feed to a digital sub-channel instead, Henry said that's not something they have a legal right to do.

WPXI said the same thing.

"Running the network programming on one of the digital channels while severe weather is covered on the main channel isn't possible either," Carter said. "Stations don't usually have the ability to put network programming on other channels, even in the new digital world. For example, my NBC contract would not allow me to put NBC programming on RTN."

Sorry, Kurt. It was a smart, logical idea that would seem to please a lot more viewers, but it looks like it won't happen.

Q: When is Comcast going to finally allow DVR subscribers to manage and program their DVR via the Internet?

It was January 2008 that the Post-Gazette reported, "Within months, Comcast subscribers will be able to check TV listings on the Fancast site and have the digital video recorder attached to their TV record a show."

Apparently "within months" is morphing into "within years."

-- Mark, Squirrel Hill

Rob: So it seems. And that function is available to Verizon's FiOS TV subscribers.

Per Comcast spokesman Bob Grove: "We are continuing to work on this functionality, which will add convenience for customers in the way AnyRoom On Demand and Universal Caller ID have done recently."

There's no ETA on when this function may become available.

Q: I was a long-time Comcast subscriber, since the TCI days, who switched to Verizon's FiOS TV in April. So far I am pleased with the service. More channels, especially HD channels. Have you gotten much feedback from other subscribers who made the switch? I'm just curious as to what others think.

-- Linda, 57, McCandless

Rob: I have not heard many complaints, so take that for what it's worth. I have no doubt that your question will prompt some.

We've reported many times that negotiations to bring FiOS TV to the City of Pittsburgh are ongoing and are expected to conclude this summer (I'm guessing sometime this month). But some city residents are so eager they keep e-mailing/phoning me seeking personal reassurance that FiOS will come.

First published on July 3, 2009 at 12:00 am