Pop culture Q&A

June 20, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. With the broadcast networks developing good shows and then pulling them after one or two seasons (or less), do you give a good reason why the average viewer should even pay attention to new offerings? My wife and I loved “The Forgotten,” “Jericho,” “Pushing Daisies” and “Eli Stone,” but they didn’t last nearly long enough. We feel jilted. Now we watch only series from the pay channels since they seem to stick with their shows much longer.

A. Cable and premium channels also have been known to yank shows before their time. HBO’s “Deadwood” and “Carnivale” each left their fans with unresolved stories.

Almost any show is at risk of a short run, and it has been that way for much of TV’s history; “You’re in the Picture,” a 1961 series with Jackie Gleason, was canceled after one telecast. In most cases, survival is a matter of whether a program can bring in enough audience and revenue to justify its continued existence. And though many broadcast shows get yanked soon, others endure, often for a long time.

“Law & Order” just ended a two-decade run. A sampling of scripted shows returning this fall after more than three seasons on the air includes “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and its two spinoffs, “NCIS,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Medium,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “House,” “The Office” and “Bones.” And reality TV has included perennials such as “Survivor” and “American Idol” — although there have even been cases of reality competitions pulled off the air before they were done.

Q. I have a question that’s been driving me crazy for years. I recall a cartoon series in the early ’60s that had a dog that would writhe in ecstasy and float above the ground upside down when his master gave him a dog bone. I can’t remember the cartoon or the name of the dog. Can you help me?

A. You are most likely remembering Snuffles, a dog in the “Quick Draw McGraw” cartoons. When Quick Draw needed Snuffles’ help, he would have to give him a dog biscuit, leading to a euphoric reaction of the sort you are describing.

Q. Can you please tell me if the shows “Caprica” and “V” are done until the fall season starts? If not, when are they coming back on with new shows?

A. “V” has completed its first season, and I would not expect it back until ABC begins airing its fall lineup. “Caprica” has had what it called a midseason finale after airing 10 of its first 20 episodes; Syfy has not set a date for its return.

Q. “Barney Miller” was one of my favorite TV shows of the ’70s. Do you know if there has ever been a reunion show or retrospective about it? I remember that there was at least one spinoff, “Fish,” with Abe Vigoda. Also, do you know if it’s been released on either DVD or VHS?

A. I do not know of a reunion show about the police comedy, which originally aired from 1975 to 1982. (The “Fish” spin-off was 1977-78.) Three seasons of Barney have been released on DVD, as well as “Barney Miller: Fan Favorites,” a sampler of episodes from the third season.

Q. I cannot find a wonderful film (even at the library) called “Angelo, My Love,” brilliantly written and directed by Robert Duvall. It is about Gypsy families, and it is fascinating and informative.

A. From what I can find, the 1983 film made its way to VHS and the old laserdisc format but is not available in an authorized DVD.