From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Q. What is going on with Dollhouse

Tom Jicha
TV and Radio Writer

June 28 2009

What is going on with Dollhouse on Fox? I love all the different characters Eliza Dushku takes on. I lived for Fridays just to watch that show. Can you tell me if it will be on again? My favorite show is Ghost Whisperer on CBS. When will the new season start?

— Lisa, Pompano Beach

Dollhouse was the most improbable renewal from last season. Its ratings were among the lowest ever for a pickup by a major network. Fox programmer Kevin Reilly joked that the only reason he is bringing the show back is because his e-mail inbox would be filled with thousands of nasty messages if he didn't. Actually, it's a display of faith in creator Joss Whedon. That and the fact that the small but passionate fan base is willing to spend a fortune on Dollhouse merchandise and DVD sets. Ghost Whisperer will most likely return Sept. 25.

Is Curb Your Enthusiasm coming back to HBO? If so, when is the premiere? — G.D., e-mail

Your wait is almost over. Curb Your Enthusiasm will return for another season in September.

Castle became one of my favorite shows. Is it coming back? — N.B., e-mail

Castle is the only spring tryout drama on ABC to earn a pickup for next season. It will air in its customary time period, 10 p.m. Mondays.

In this computer age I am so grateful you still answer hand-written questions. Can you tell me the name of Paul Douglas' wife? Also, was Trevor Howard related to Leslie Howard? Finally, Anny Blyth played a young girl who prayed to Saint Anne and miracles happened. What was the name of that movie?

— D.R., Tamarac

I'll answer questions delivered by carrier pigeon or on a sign held by someone on a highway off ramp. As for Paul Douglas' wife, you'll have to be more specific. Do you mean his final wife, Jan Sterling, or the previous four: Virginia Field, Elizabeth Farnesworth, Sussie Welles or Geraldine Higgins? The Howards are not related. Trevor's real name was Trevor Wallace Howard-Smith. Leslie's was Leslie Howard Stainer. The movie title you are looking for is Sally and Saint Anne.

I didn't see where CBS renewed Eleventh Hour. I thought it was a great show. But I guess against soap operas like Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, it didn't stand a chance. I hope it will come back. — S.R., e-mail

Eleventh Hour was canceled. Of all the shows to meet this fate, Eleventh Hour has the least to complain about. It was given the most advantageous hour on CBS, following CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, TV's most popular drama. It didn't have to go against Grey's Anatomy most weeks. It was up against the weaker Private Practice. The cushy time period does come with higher expectations and Eleventh Hour was unable to meet them.

I enjoyed your comments about the talents of Chuck Lorre. They were well deserved. But can you explain his numbered white note card at the end of episodes of Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory? They are on screen for only a second (and only viewable if using TiVo and its back-up pause feature). They seem to be a variety of his thoughts. Are these only for his enjoyment? — D.E., Davie

Chuck Lorre's vanity cards are exactly what they seem to be. They are his thoughts on various topics. Think of them as expanded versions of Twitter. Even if you don't agree with his opinions, they are well thought out. That they flash by as quickly as they do and you actually have to make a special effort to read them liberates Lorre from complaints that he is forcing his views on the masses.