One man Nielsen poll on AI: FWIW, my family this week decided to tape the results show for American Idol and watch the season finale of "Modern Family" instead. I would consider that a bad sign.  Lisa de Moraes: by this season's ratings drop to listen to viewer feedback...  I don't believe in conspiracy theories, but...: I think there's a conspiracy on American Idol to make Lee the winner. He has the personality and stage presence of a dead salmon, is a moderately talented singer in a limited fashion, yet every performance is treated like a new version of Michael Jackson at the Motown Anniversary show (it's on YouTube, kids, go look it up).Crystal's better in every way (not by a lot, mind you, but better) and they take every chance they can to knock her down. Is it really better for business for Lee to win? I can't see how, given that Kris Allen and David Cook are carbon copies of him and their careers are going nowhere. I don't get it.  Lisa de Moraes: Lee "Hallelujah" to sing this week and that gawdawful tune to Casey?  Rockville, MD: Is Hollywood so hard up for writers that CSI: New York had to get its script this week from "Rear Window"? Perhaps younger viewers may not have recogniazed the plot but any Hitchcock fans would have? I guess that is why the show is being moved to Friday where shows go to die.  Lisa de Moraes: I did not watch this week's show -- but now I will. Should we give Bruckheimer points for ripping from the classics instead of ripping from the headlines like Dick Wolf's "L&O" franchise?  30 Rock last night: One of the funniest episodes I have seen on tv.  Lisa de Moraes: And that drunken soliloquy they she gave Kenneth the Page to close out the season-finale episode was brilliant...  All that is sacred: I'm trying to decide if you are a national treasure or merely worth your weight in gold. After drinking the sweet nectar that is your Up Front week reporting over the last few years, I can no longer bear to imagine a world without them. Please, upon retirement you must continue working for this one week a year. A whole nation depends on you.  Lisa de Moraes: I'm blushing prettily as I read this.....thank you.  Summer Shows: Lisa, I'd love a listing of when the summer shows start. I'm thinking especially Leverage, White Collar, Drop Dead Diva, and the Next Food Network Star.  Lisa de Moraes: I think we can manage that in the blog and/or column next week. Meanwhile: "Leverage" is Sunday, June 20. "White Collar" is Tuesday, July 13. "Drop Dead Diva" and "Next Food Network Star" are both coming back on Sunday, June 6.  Saving Idol : Pookie, while lisening to you on the Tony Kornheiser show this morning, I had the most brilliant crossover idea to save American Idol. One of the characters from Glee (Rachel) should try out for American Idol. Imagine Rachel trying out, getting invited to Hollywood, competing on Idol each week. Don't you agree?  Lisa de Moraes: Actually, one of the thespians from "Glee" DID try out for "Idol" -- Amber Riley, who plays "Mercedes." She did not even make it to the televised auditions -- got cut right away. Go figure!  CW fan: Since I can tell you're such a big fan of The CW, I was hoping you had some scoop on the last season of "Smallville." Hopefully announcing that this is the final season in advance will give them plenty of time to craft a satisfying conclusion. Clark and Lois forever!  Lisa de Moraes: Yesterday adertisers were promised there would be lots of guest star appearances by people who have been on the show over the years and that all loose ends would be tied up , and they would all live happily ever after. Okay, I made up that last bit but the rest is true...  American Idol: Pookie,I have never watched American Idol but always read your engaging commentary. You keep pointing out that the numbers are much lower than previous seasons. Should AI keel over, what will you watch so I don't have to instead? We your loyal readers are trying to keep you gainfully employed.  Lisa de Moraes: Thank you for that! I have high hopes for "The X Factor" which is debuting in fall of 2011. It will have Simon Cowell -- and maybe Paula Abdul -- as judges and it will be like "Idol" only no upper age limit -- so we can find our own Susan Boyle...  Bret Michaels: Any idea how NBC is gonna handle the Bret Michaels situation now that he's back in the hospital.There was a preview last night during one of the promos that seemed out of place given yesterday's developments.Also, speaking of NBC, was I the only one who found the Office and 30 Rock finales a tad underwhelming?  Lisa de Moraes: His rep is still saying he will be at the show. Which seems odd given that he reportedly went back into the hospital after suffering what they're calling a "warning stroke" whatever the heck that is. Does not sound good...  The Forgotten: Lisa - was I the only person watching The Forgotten? I liked it. Basic cop show with a twist. I liked that the victim could kind of tell their story. Is it coming back?  Lisa de Moraes: Yes. You were the only person watching "The Forgotten." It is not coming back..  Josh Lyman v2.0: Call me crazy but I really liked The Good Guys--love Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks seemed more at ease on TV than he ever has in the movies. Loved the classic rock soundtrack and overall energy of the show.BUT--is there any way they can really maintain that over the course of a full season?? How were the numbers for the first episode?Also, strong Thursday night for NBC--30 Rock is still the best thing on TV and Community and Parks/Rec have both grown on me. The Office needs to just go away.  CBS fall schedule: Pookie, My girlfriend is heartbroken over CBS' cancellation of "New Adventures of Old Christine." Any chance another network picks the show up or maybe it returns as a mid-season replacement?Paul in Columbus  Lisa de Moraes: Well, once a network does not pick up a show like this, they usually lose the options on the actors, so I don't know how CBS could bring it back. It's produced at Disney and ABC for years said they would pick it up if CBS dropped it, but no word on that. Meanwhile, I can tell you that CBS's new comedies -- "$#*! My Dad Says" and "Mike & Molly" (I still think "Mork &Mindy" would be better) did NOT clip well at CBS's presentation...  Cougar Town : Two questions - 1 Was this show on the bubble? It seemed as through the season finale was almost like a series finale.2 Have they moved away competely from the original premise (and name) about Cougars? I still like the show.  Lisa de Moraes: I think the title of the show was more of a gag to get attention. Yes, I know she shagged younger guys in the first few episodes. But that was gonna get old quick so I don't think the direction in which the show is going was a "course change". No the show was not on the bubble. ABC was happy with its numbers, though of course they'd be happier if they were stronger...  My Boys: I thought I'd get this in first, so that we can all relax for the rest of the discussion. You said that My Boys (a) is a serious, sometimes sad, serial drama with spooky overtones; and (b) it's going to be cancelled. But I see TBS ads every day saying (a) it's a comedy; and (b) it's coming back. What gives?  Lisa de Moraes: It is coming back, but only for nine episode or so. And since the star Jordana Spiro is one of the leads in NBC's new "Love Bites" I think it's safe to say this show is a lame duck. The network never would have let her do the deal with NBC if they wanted to hang on to her. Meanwhile, thank you for posting this question, since I am getting on a plane this evening....  Ghost Whisperer: OK, I haven't watched the the well endowed JLH since Jamie Kennedy was on the show. Do you know if GW or any of the cancelled shows will have special final episodes?  Lisa de Moraes: Pookie -- every episode of "Ghost Whisperers" was special -- she talked to DEAD people! How many actors can do that?  SVU Sharon Stone: Who is writing the lines for Sharon Stone? Her lines sound like they're written for a cartoon western. How long is she going to be on the show? I am hoping that her character is going to be bumped off.  Lisa de Moraes: I don't know if they're going to knock her off but I too would love to see her character leave toes up...  "Bones": We watched the season finale of "Bones" last night, in which both Booth and Brennan are taking off for a year to Afghanistan and Indonesia, respectively. Also, Hodgens and Angela are taking off for a year to Paris. Daisy is going to Indonesia with Brennan, but who cares about her? With all these major characters going on sabbatical, will the show be back in the fall?  Lisa de Moraes: Yes, this show is coming back in the fall , anchoring Fox's Thurdsay lineup. Sounds like they will all have gone through character-changing sabbaticals -- I hate character-changing sabbaticals!  Pookie's Pick: Most surprizing cancellation? Most surprizing save?  Lisa de Moraes: As for Most Surprising Save, I think I'd go with "Medium." Yes, CBS produces it, so it has an advantage, but they have plenty of episodes for syndication now and the ratings were not great...  CBS "Mike & Molly": What is the buzz about this show--as tactless and insensitive as it seems--and certainly could be-----despite some good actors/actresses.  The Boys on Lost: Is there any chance that any of the stars from My Boys make an appearance on the last episode of Lost. Could those characters being stuck on the island explain why it has taken so long to get new episodes?PS, I now have done my good deed for the day. While lost may not continue, the earth should continue to spin for at least another week.  Lisa de Moraes: I really appreciate that you guys are helping me keep the earth spinning on its axis every week. It's a lot of work for one chick to handle alone. I think we should just continue with My Boys questions every week -- even once it's gone, because we know it works. You know, "How Would My Boys Have Handled This Week's "American Idol" elimination" and so on...  The Forgotten: Lisa, I also enjoyed The Forgotten, and I will miss it.  Lisa de Moraes: Wow -- all two people who watched "The Forgotten" -- and BOTH on this chat! What are the odds?  Mercy: Just have to say I'm very disappointed that NBC cancelled this show -- I know you didn't like it (but did you watch it?) but it really was significantly better than most recent broadcast dramas.Poorly placed at 8 p.m. but deserving of more air time. Is there any possibility of either it coming back as a mid-season replacement or surviving in partnership with Direct TV?  Lisa de Moraes: Extremely unlikely. The problem with this show is that it aired on NBC. This network has so little traction these days it's really hard for a show to survive...  I miss my Chipotle salad: I always have one while reading your chat, but it's abit early today, so I will be getting it afterwards. Where do I catch you on the radio? Maybe I can make that part of a breakfast or mid-morning snack routine.  Lisa de Moraes: Tony Kornheiser's radio show on ESPN 980.....I'm not a regular, just show up whenver Tony has something about TV he wants to discuss...  Verdict on Damages: Has the gavel come down on Damages for good? Any chance DirecTV will save it?  Lisa de Moraes: So far -- no dice..  Medium..: Yeah, but Patricia Arquette rocks! My boyfriend drunkingly accosted her on 17th Street a couple of weeks ago and she was surprisingly gracious as he went on and on slurring about how wonderful True Romance was and didn't even mace him or anything, which I was thinking of doing.  Lisa de Moraes: This is my favorite question ever on my chat. Can you bring your boyfriend to the chat next week, so we can ask him some questions about his chance accosting of Patricia Arquette and his love of "True Romance"?  Please not a remake of Hawaii 5-0: Say it's not so, it was bad enough someone tried to re-do The Prisoner, but the thought of anyone else calling himself McGarrett is unimaginable, esp. that guy who played the vampire. And a show called The Defenders? Is that a rip-off of the 1960's show with E.G. Marshall?  Lisa de Moraes: This "The Defenders" is a bromance dramedy and I have to confess I actually liked Jim Belushi in it -- at least in the clips. I can't believe I'm saying I like Belushi in anything, but it just goes to show that you never know, right? Meanwhile, having seen the clips of "Hawaii Five-0" I can report I'm mostly excited about the return of the theme song.... I'm out of time -- sorry this was such a short chat but I have to check out of this hotel....See you next week.
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes takes your questions about the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes. This week, she discusses her coverage from the Upfronts, including new Fall shows and the latest cancellations.