Pop culture Q&A

June 12, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. Is it true that they are taking “America’s Most Wanted” off the air? The program that gets criminals caught that the police cannot catch or find? Is the TV company giving in to the greed of more money from sports?

A. The Fox show, which has been a regular presence on Fox since 1988, will continue but as two-hour specials each quarter instead of a weekly series.

The show has not made money for Fox “in quite awhile,” Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said, according to published reports. And, let’s not forget, networks want to make money. Still, given the show’s importance and long history with the network, Fox did want to keep the franchise going with the specials.

By the way, Fox is not replacing it with sports but with reruns of other programming, a fairly common practice by broadcast networks these days. In fact, CBS raised eyebrows by putting a first-run scripted series, “Rules of Engagement,” in its Saturday lineup for fall.

Q. What is going on with TV these days? Why have so many great shows been canceled? “Kings,” “Damages,” “The Event,” “V,” “The Cape,” “Detroit 1-8-7” — all interesting, thought provoking, super creative, substantial, responsible, well portrayed and fun to experience — are no longer available for anyone, including those of us with super, normal and even average intelligence. Are they politically or philosophically correct, or incorrect, or what? Next we’ll be hearing that shows like “The Good Wife” and “The Chicago Code” are doomed. Are they not superficial, dumb, juvenile or crass enough?

A. First of all, “Damages” will be back, but on DirecTV, beginning July 13. And “The Good Wife” has been picked up for a third season. On the other hand, Fox did drop “The Chicago Code.”

While I understand your unhappiness about some shows — I am a fan of “Chicago Code” and “Detroit 1-8-7,” too, and thought “The Cape” was promising — viewers make their choices for their own reasons, including a longing for escapism. But that does not mean they embrace only the “superficial, dumb, juvenile or crass.” I don’t think it’s a reflection on my intelligence that I was unenthusiastic about “The Event” or “V.”

The coming broadcast TV season will include the returns of not only “The Good Wife” but “Blue Bloods,” “NCIS,” “CSI”, “Bones,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Parenthood” and “Community,” all of which have their merits; you may find something to like in new series such as the Americanized version of “Prime Suspect” or the new comedy “2 Broke Girls.” There also will be more down the road of cable series such as “Justified,” “The Closer,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “Mad Men.”

TV always has had a mix of good and bad — depending on your taste. But let’s try to make some readers happy.

Q. As a former Philadelphian and brain- aneurysm survivor, I didn’t miss an episode of “Body of Proof!” Will it be around again in the fall?

A. Yes. The series starring Dana Delany has been picked up for a second season.

Q. Glad to hear that “Boardwalk Empire” has been renewed. Very good series. Could you please tell us who does the theme music and where I can get it? Love that guitar work.

A. The opening theme is a song called “Straight Up and Down” by the Brian Jonestown Massacre. It is on the band’s album “Take It From the Man!” and available as a download.

2011, Akron Beacon Journal