Pop culture Q&A

September 4, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. I have watched so many good programs on off-network TV channels on cable. Why is it that these channels seem to get the quality shows while the big network channels don’t? I am thinking of “Lights Out,” “Durham County,” “The Killing,” “Sons of Anarchy” and “Burn Notice.” Some are canceled because of a low audience, and some are too graphic for network TV. But the graphic ones could be toned down. We seem to get the same thing on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. I am glad I have alternatives.

A. I am also glad we all have alternatives. And some cable networks offer advantages to show producers, such as fewer content restrictions than on broadcast stations, which are more tightly regulated by the federal government.

But it goes too far to suggest that quality shows are only on cable, or that cable is overall a home to quality programming. Cable will cancel a good show if its numbers don’t add up; “Lights Out” was a one-season wonder. Cable is the cradle of such bad ideas as the “Real Housewives” shows, “Jersey Shore” and classic TV shows with content edited out to make room for more commercials. Not too long ago a David Letterman list involved Top 10 signs you’re watching a bad cable channel. (One example: “Only has two shows about crazy people making cupcakes.”)

As for broadcast TV, the fall lineups on the four networks you mentioned include “Raising Hope,” “Bones,” “Modern Family,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife,” “The Amazing Race,” “Community” and “The Office, among others. A good bit of variety, and a lot of quality, are possible with such shows. Some of the new programs also may prove consistently good. I will be happy as well to see some cable shows return, but I will be looking across broadcast and cable for good shows — taking advantage of all the alternatives.

Q. I am trying to locate an episode of “Two and a Half Men.” Charlie got involved with a “coven of witches.” He and Alan appeared to be under a spell. At the end, Evelyn arrives at Charlie’s dressed as the Wicked Witch from “The Wizard of Oz” and finds the leader of the coven there, too. Upon seeing Evelyn, the witch quickly retreats. Please help me locate this episode. My husband thinks I had a few too many and dreamed it up!

A. You were not dreaming. The episode you remember is called “Hi, Mr. Horned One” and aired during the third season of the long-running sitcom. That season is available on DVD and digital download. “Two and a Half Men,” by the way, begins a new season — minus Charlie Sheen, but with Ashton Kutcher — on Sept. 19.

Q. I saw a show called “Naked City” on Retro TV, and it seemed really good. Have you seen the show? Do you know anything about it?

A. I have seen it, and it is a good program. “The Naked City,” a 1948 film, is still considered a crime classic, documentary-like and dealing with the routine of both police work and the people the police protected. An ABC series followed in 1958, airing one season as a half-hour show and then returning for a 1960-63 run as an hourlong drama. It was shot on location in New York City. John McIntire and James Franciscus were part of the cast the first season; the later cast included Horace McMahon and Paul Burke. The series also was notable for its closing line: “There are 8 million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them.”

In addition to the broadcast replays, there have been several DVD releases of episodes of the show. The original film also is available.

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