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Reader mail and comment board questions…

Q: Has anyone heard anything about Showtime picking up a final season of “Brotherhood”? I know its ratings are low but it's one of the best shows on TV and I'm hoping for a final eighth episode season to wrap everything up. — Tony

A: Doubtful, but nothing has yet been decided. As a premium network Showtime would prefer to give the critically acclaimed series a satisfying ending (like it's doing with the current final season of “The L Word”) so subscribers don't feel like they paid for an incomplete story (hello "Deadwood"). Showtime will make this decision within the next month. The network has only a certain number of series slots available for next season and pilots are coming in. Tough for a network executive to choose to invest in a final season of a show they know won’t perform versus rolling the dice on a new show that might become a hit.  

Q: “Heroes” deserved the post-Super Bowl slot and I think someone at NBC should be fired for putting "The Office" after it — it even dropped in its regular airing after the Super Bowl! I hate NBC for not supporting this great show. — James

A: NBC probably should not have aired “The Office” after the Super Bowl. But I wouldn’t have picked “Heroes” either. Last night’s programming guide description was something like, “Matt tries to change the future when a prophetic painting shows the death of somebody close to him.” That this show about superheroes — a concept allowing for nearly unlimited storytelling possibilities — continues to recycle “heroes try to prevent disastrous prediction from the future” plots is downright clown shoes. My post-Bowl vote would have been the premiere of “Celebrity Apprentice.” The celeb format switch boosted last year and viewers will likely show up again. But NBC is shifting “Apprentice” back to Sunday (where it previously struggled) and is doubling down on it — stretching episodes to two hours each. "Apprentice” has both potential to really score for the network and the need for a big push.

Q: Hi there, love the LiveFeed blog, just a quick Q regarding AMC's British import “Hustle,” starring Adrian Lester and Robert Glenister. The fifth season, sans original cast Jaime Murray from “Dexter,” is currently airing over the pond on BBC One, and I was wondering, now that AMC has established its own original programs, are they still committed for airing this series? It’s like a flashier, with no extravagant technology, more clever version of TNT's copycat, “Leverage.” –deeBee

A: AMC validates your fears. They say they will not air the fifth season. But Netflix carries seasons 1-4 so it will presumably carry five also. 

Q: I just read your clip on the "Nip/Tuck" violent mastectomy scene. You say that the most important thing is the reaction of the viewers. Do your own ethics go any deeper than that? Seriously, if the viewers want to see children being tortured, is that the most important thing? We already know that viewers want to see all sorts of ghoulish things. Children watch all this, and they understand that many people, including people like yourself, approve. They learn: It is entertainment to watch people suffer, to watch other people harming themselves and others, this is fun and for our amusement. What is your own deeper sense of right and wrong? Do you ever think about that? Is your own ethics limited to only what works in your own professional arena, your own career? I say this with sadness. It makes me sad so many adults do not seem to care at all about what people, including children, see on a daily basis. I wish they did. I wish you did. — Ted

A: My belief is: Don’t take TV too seriously or it wins.

Q: My name is Tone. I am 21 years old from Ohio. I am desperately trying to contact Mitch Hurwitz and I came across your article about the “Arrested Development” movie. I know this is completely asinine of me, but can you please help me find a way to at least get his or Ron Howard's attention? I have several ideas for the movie, which I know he has yet to script. And I would give my right leg to be able to get my ideas to him, and possible audition for at least a small role. I have a few videos on YouTube if you would like to get to know my personality a little better, or would just like a laugh at some chick being stupid and thinking she's cute/funny. And I don't mean that in a way to hit on you. If you can find it in the bottom of your heart to help a random girl reach for her dreams I would greatly appreciate it. My YouTube vids are here. — The Tone

A: Sorry, reporters cannot give out contact info, and do not ferry messages to talent. Though, as always, we really appreciate not being hit on.

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