Q: Do you know if “This Is Us” is looking to go into syndication? I’ve Googled it and found nothing and was a little surprised. I would have thought they would have sold it to someone.
— Jim via email
Rob: The bottom dropped out of the syndication market in the past 10 years. Even before that, serialized shows did not repeat well (e.g., get good ratings) in syndication. So it is unsurprising that “This Is Us,” a heavily serialized program, does not have a syndication deal.
I did share Jim’s question with sources at 20th Television, the production company behind “This Is Us,” but they did not have an answer on if and where it could air on linear TV, only that it’s not currently in linear TV syndication.
Streaming deals are the new version of a syndication deal. All six seasons of “This Is Us” are available on Hulu (episodes also stream on Peacock).
Q: What happened to “The World’s Funniest Animals?” It was on Saturday nights on The CW at 9 p.m. It hasn’t been on for a couple of weeks now. Where did it get moved to and what time?
— Carol, North Huntingdon
Rob: The show is on summer hiatus and will return in the fall — likely in October — on The CW at 9 and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Q: On TV credits, whenever they list casting, the names have “CSA” after the name. Is that some sort of program they have to pass before they can be hired to cast a movie or TV show?
— Tony via Facebook
Rob: Per Pittsburgh casting veteran Nancy Mosser: CSA stands for the Casting Society of America. Those with CSA written after their name in the credits are members.
To become a CSA casting director member, one needs a minimum of 100 weeks in the last five years of experience casting principal (speaking) roles in film, television, theater or commercials. One also needs written recommendations from two CSA members to qualify.
Q: Believe it or not, I always enjoyed the West Shore Home mini infomercials on local newscasts with Joe Klimchak and West Shore founder and CEO B.J. Werzyn. I liked the way they played off of each other. They air on Channel 11 several nights a week (have been airing for several years now). I have seen them on other local newscasts also. Joe Klimchak is the on-field announcer for the Pirates at PNC Park.
Kirsten Page, director of public relations, does a fine job also, but I miss B.J. Will he be doing any cameos with Joe and Kirsten?
— Dave, Clarion
Rob: I’m told B.J. will make drop-in appearance on West Shore Home’s bath and window spots as early as this fall.
