Submit your question to Rob Owen

This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about Alex O'Loughlin, ABC's "FlashForward" and a new WQEX digital sub-channel.

As always, thanks for reading, and keep the questions coming.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

Q: Will "Heroes" be canceled by NBC?

-- @Marty2634 via Twitter

Rob: One can only hope. The terrible ratings, high cost and bad buzz certainly merit cancellation but it's possible that potential international sales will allow the show to eke out one more year.

Q: My husband and I love "The Mentalist." If we miss an episode (which is rare), we would love to be able to watch it online or on demand, but "The Mentalist" is nowhere to be found. Why is that? When we find it online, it just shows us clips of the show and not full episodes.

-- Viewer question via Keep or Cancel poll comments

Rob: We've written about this before with regards to "Big Bang Theory" and the answer is the same: The production company that makes these shows (Warner Bros.) is in a dispute with the network that airs them (CBS), which is why they are not available on other platforms. Neither side is willing to chat about this impasse and believe me, I've tried multiple times over the past two years with top executives from both companies.

Q: I really miss "Three Rivers." Do you think CBS will get another series for Alex O'Loughlin to star in stay on?

-- Viewer question via Keep or Cancel poll comments

Rob: They're sure trying. CBS, more than any other network, believes in supporting actors they believe can be stars until they find just the right vehicle. They did it with Simon Baker ("The Guardian," "Smith," "The Mentalist") and they're doing it with O'Loughlin, who previously starred in "Moonlight" and "Three Rivers" and is now working on a remake of "Hawaii Five-O." The pilot is in production now and if CBS picks it up, the series could land on the fall schedule.

Q: Can you please explain why such David E. Kelly shows as "The Practice," "Picket Fences," etc. are not available for purchase or rent?

I have "Googled" the world.

No information.

-- Jeff, via e-mail

Rob: The first seasons of both "The Practice" and "Picket Fences" are available. "Ally McBeal" was released on DVD last year after struggles with what to do about the music which was contracted in an era before DVD releases.

As for why there are not more, there are always business considerations: Is there demand for shows like "Boston Public" or additional seasons of "The Practice" or "Picket Fences"? It's conceivable that the first seasons did not sell well, which is why there have not been additional releases.

I've tried for more than three weeks to get an interview with a Fox Home Entertainment executive to ask these questions, but they have not assented to that request.

Q: What is the format for WQEX's new 16-2 operation? I noticed it on Saturday but can't seem to figure what the programming is aimed for. Seemed to be some kind of construction channel.

-- Dale, 69, Cadiz, Ohio

Rob: The new channel started last week. WQED Multimedia spokeswoman Rosemary Martinelli said the non-profit was approached by CMG Media Ventures about leasing a WQEX digital sub-channel. She declined to discuss how much WQED is getting for the channel space.

Regular WQEX 16-1 is rented to ShopNBC. Now 16-2, which is only available over-the-air and not on cable, has been branded CMG-TV.

According to a CMG release, the channel "will focus on topics relating to business; dedicating itself to the inspiration, education and advancement of the business community. The viewing options will include shows from both a local and national perspective and will highlight entrepreneurs as well as corporate executives."

Shows include "Building Dreams," described as "a series that follows the story of an entrepreneur who rehabs a commercial building while reinventing her business;" "Connected" will showcase local minority business owners and "B2B" will feature two-minute highlights of local companies promoting their goods and services.

CMG-TV says it hopes to expand to cable later this year.

Q: It is March and you live near a stream, creek or river: It may flood! DUH!

Can't the TV stations find anything else to talk about? Those seasonal possibilities affect a relatively very few people and really only cause minor inconvenience for some drivers who have to avoid certain streets! Why the overkill?

Is Pittsburgh that small of a town that they have little else to talk about?

-- Tom, 60, Mt. Lebanon

Rob: Yes, it is.

But also, I think it's absolutely right and appropriate for TV stations to cover flood preparations and explain flood warnings, especially if the flooding is going to close a major roadway like the Parkway East in Downtown Pittsburgh as forecasters predict. That will inconvenience thousands, particularly if the road is closed on a weekday.

If the potential for flooding doesn't impact you and you don't want to hear about it, just change the channel or turn off the TV.

ABC had me hooked again with a good series, "FlashForward." I couldn't wait to see it every Thursday. All of a sudden they took it off for several months. Now they're bringing it back on. Too late! I've been away from it long enough to totally lose interest. They can put it where the sun don't shine. ABC will not get me again!

-- Paul, 55, West Mifflin

Rob: Networks are in a jam: Is it better to annoy viewers by airing a lot of reruns or annoy them by resting a show for a few months? It's going to be one or the other (and has been for 40 years as networks usually produce just 22 episodes for a 35-week TV season). Personally, I prefer the latter, airing episodes in blocks of originals the way cable does.

"FlashForward" also had this added complication: Lots of behind-the-scenes turmoil that required time to re-conceive the direction of the show. That also warranted the months-long break.

"I just wonder if it bugs you as much as it bugs me as an English major when you hear some of the things that come out in these newscasts, like Channel 4 using the word 'busted' when they should be saying 'broken.' And the little blond on Channel 2 referring to an America skier as Bode [pronunciation rhymes with node] Miller instead of Bode [sounds like Bodie]. This is way too big a market to be so unprofessional and so uninformed. It makes them sound like they got the copy 10 minutes before going on the air. Eh, maybe they did but as an English major and former print journalist I'd be curious to know if it bugs you as much as it bugs me. Where is Lynn Cullen when we need her? Just wanted to vent. Thank you!"

-- Sharon

Rob: To me there's a difference between misspeaking (Bode/Bode) and mucking up the language (busted). The former is forgivable (we all make mistakes), the latter is less easy to tolerate.

Now's your chance to join Sharon and tally your local news language annoyances in this Post-Gazette forum.

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