It is nice to see the audience get nice gifts on the talk shows, but what does it do for me as a viewer? — Murph, Plantation

Silly them. They don't understand that it's all about you.

Will ABC rerun last season's episodes of Dirty Sexy Money before they begin the new season? They could get a lot of new viewers if they do. — A.E.L., e-mail

Great minds think alike. ABC isn't going to rerun Dirty Sexy Money, but its cable sister network, SoapNet, is presenting a marathon of all last season's episodes from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sept. 27. This will set up the audience for the return of DSM to ABC on Oct. 1.

Since I have insomnia on occasion, I watch reruns in the middle of the night. Is there any chance Empty Nest, with Richard Mulligan, will ever be shown? — L.M., Fort Lauderdale

There is less chance than ever. TV Land, the home of vintage series, is moving toward more original programming in place of the oldies. This seems to be a rock-headed move, since the network is abandoning the niche that makes it distinctive to become just one more in an overcrowded pack. I suspect the usual culprit, pursuit of younger demographics, is the reason.

As one of the several hundred thousand viewers who pay extra for premium channels, such as HBO, Showtime, Starz, The Movie Channel, etc., why don't they have better shows? Even the shows on demand are horrible. With all of the movies that come to Blockbuster and other video stores, I'm sure the viewers would be happy to pay to watch some of the recently released movies that have come out on DVD. Why? — J.J.L., Delray Beach

Actually, premium cable channels have more than 40 million subscribers. The value of the shows are a matter of personal taste, and you sound like a tough audience.

While there's no Sopranos or Sex and the City currently, there are many entertaining premium cable series: Entourage, Weeds, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Big Love, The Tudors and Dexter, to name just a few. A channel's video on demand is only going to be as good as the shows on the schedule, although you can catch up on series that might not have caught your attention previously.

Premium channels do not get movies as quickly as video stores get DVDs. There is a gap of at least six months, sometimes almost a year.

I love the FX show Damages with Glenn Close. Can you tell me when the new season will begin? — B.C., e-mail

The latest word from FX is Damages will not be back until early 2009. It's in line behind the final season of The Shield and the new season of Nip/Tuck.

Is this the first year that the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon did not happen?

— Irwin, Boynton Beach

It happened. It raised a record $65 million.

Please tell me why Carpoolers was canceled. It was such a fun show. I was sure it would be a hit because of all of the real carpoolers, who must have some troubles in the car together. How can I go about getting it renewed? Is Faith Ford going to be in any new shows? — C.L., Fort Lauderdale

Carpoolers was canceled because not enough viewers, including me, had your high opinion of it. Your only hope of bringing it back is to buy your own network. Even then, most of those involved have moved on. Faith Ford isn't in any new series, but Jerry O'Connell stars in the new Fox comedy Do Not Disturb.

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Write to Tom

Send your questions to Tom Jicha, TV/Radio Writer, Sun Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293 or tjicha@SunSentinel.com. Personal replies are not possible. Please do not send self-addressed stamped envelopes.


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