Submit your question to Rob Owen

This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about post-writers's strike prime time, "Supernatural" and "Shark." As always, thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming.

-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

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Q: Now that the writers' strike is over and production is gearing up on several shows, what can we expect? Will the end of the season just be a walk through or will we get quality scripts? I feel that the shows that have good creative writers will shine with the limited opportunity, but most shows will just "finish it out." What are the critic's view on this, if any?

-- Bill, Sewickley

Rob: I don't think anyone sets out to make bad TV. It happens, but it's not intentional.

I tend to think the writers were thinking of their shows and characters during the strike. Some may even have a wealth of ideas that come pouring out. Generally, I expect the programs will largely resemble their pre-strike conditions. We'll find out come March and April when new episodes begin to air.

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Q: Can you look into your crystal ball and provide a guess as to whether or not "Las Vegas" and "Supernatural" will be back next season?

I have a buddy who loves the shows and got me hooked, but shows he likes have a tendency to get canceled just when he gets me to watch them. I think it is really a cruel joke on his part.

-- Bill, Monroeville

Rob: We've all been there, either as Bill or his friend who got him hooked.

My generally cloudy crystal ball is murkier than usual this year because of the writers' strike cutting development season short. I tend to think on-the-bubble shows, as these two are, stand a better chance of renewal because there are fewer series in the development pipeline. Of the two, "Supernatural" may stand a better chance of returning, especially after this report on the future of "Las Vegas."

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Q: You mentioned in the article about "Jericho" returning a couple of Sundays ago, that a character will be back to cause trouble, but if you weren't paying close attention, you might not remember them. I guess I wasn't paying attention. Who did you mean?

-- Jen, Oakland

Rob: It was Goetz, the character played by D.B. Sweeney, who was revealed to be back in Jericho at the end of a recent episode. He also appeared in a couple of episodes during the first season.

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Q: My daughter and I are both big fans of the CBS show "Shark." Will it be back with new episodes this season? I can't seem to find this information anywhere!

-- Gerda, Annandale, Va.

Rob: Four more episodes will be produced for the current season. No air date yet, but they're likely to start airing in late April.

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Q: Why do we have to watch commercials for Viagra, Levitra, K-Y personal lubricant, etc. during football games and in the early evening? It gets downright embarrassing when my 13- and 15-year-old grandsons are watching with us. Keep those commercials later at night and with shows that don't appeal to the younger folks.

-- Barbara, Monroeville

Rob: Seeing as most of the pharmaceutical ads air during the national news, those ads ARE airing during shows with little appeal to younger viewers. Hi-yo!

Yeah, that was snarky, but it's also true. Those ads run during the national evening news because the audience watching (baby boomers and older, generally) are the target audience. You're always welcome to complain to the networks (see addresses here), but they're unlikely to care.

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Q: Currently, Channel 4 simulcasts it's morning news on WPTT, 1360 AM. When the mandatory switch to digital television takes effect next February, will the simulcast still be possible technically? (I realize that at some point either side of the agreement could decide to change the arrangement for a variety of other reasons).

-- Mike, White Oak

Rob: Yes, WTAE will continue to be able to patch the audio of its broadcast through to the radio station.

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Q: I saw this quote from a Comcast representative in a recent Q&A:

"Comcast digital converters offer the consumer the best value as we are continually upgrading to the latest technology for no additional charge, therefore protecting our customers from technological obsolescence."

I've also seen this line in their marketing documents a number of times. I've never gotten a call or a letter from Comcast saying that they have new, better boxes and they can bring me a new one. Instead, I keep paying the rental fee month after month, probably a lot longer than the boxes are actually worth. Has Comcast ever actually upgraded somebody to a new, improved box without the customer actually having to change service (like from straight digital to DVR service)?

-- David, Coraopolis

Rob: You make a good point, David. I think, unfortunately, the onus is on the consumer to know when a new box is available and then make that request. You're right that Comcast won't send out an announcement about the availability of new equipment.

"Comcast is continually upgrading its products and services," said spokeswoman Jody Doherty. "Existing boxes receive regular software enhancements, some visible, some not so. A noticeable enhancement was the introduction of our new interactive program guide several years ago; less obvious, but still important, are memory increases or changes in daylight savings time. When new boxes are added they become a part of our inventory and through new installations, upgrades and service calls, they are deployed."

I want to compliment Verizon. I received a flyer in the mail that Verizon FiOS TV was available in our area. I called the number provided on the flyer but they needed our customer number and since we have direct pay we get no bill, so no number.

So I went to their Web site to order the service. When I placed the order I got a message that I would receive a confirmation number within 24 hours. 24 hours later, no number. So I called the local office and was told they were having problems with the Web site and my order never went through. The rep said he could take the order but there was only one problem. They were out of HD Boxes and won't be getting any in until the end of March. They tried to give me a standard box for 2 months but I refused.

After years of dealing with people on the Internet I had printed out the Web page that showed what I had originally ordered. I found out the regional manager's e-mail address and sent him an e-mail expressing my displeasure and a copy of the online order that didn't go through.

The next day I received a phone call from a service manager telling me that they would be at my home Friday with everything I ordered (a one-week instead of one-month wait). Plus, I was given the movie package free for a year.

So it does show that there are companies out there that still want your business. Kudos to Verizon.

-- Patrick, South Fayette

Mr. Owen, I'm a senior citizen and I have enjoyed watching on Comcast Channel 52, the game shows, as does many friends of mine and other people. They took it off and want us to pay for it and yet they leave on 44 channel, this porno stuff. This guy and these women in skimpy clothes and sitting on one another and going to bed with them together. Why? Why do they do this? They even have it on in the afternoon when kids can see it but they won't let us old people enjoy something. Even the old game shows, they're fun to watch, they're nice. To watch this porno stuff? Something should be done about it. Thank you.

-- Anonymous caller, upset that Comcast moved GSN to a more expensive digital tier of service but still carries VH1 on expanded basic.