Submit your question to Rob Owen

This week’s TV Q&a responds to questions about “Men of a certain Age,” “Ice Road Truckers” and recording TV shows through a Comcast digital adapter.

As always, thanks for reading, and keep the questions coming.

– Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor

Q: What happened to the character Sophia on the TNT show “Leverage”?

– Marjorie Hoehn, 66, Level Green, PA

Rob: Gina Bellman, who plays Sophia, was on maternity leave and actress Jeri Ryan was brought in to assist the team in Sophia’s absence. there may be some resolution to this storyline in the “Leverage” season finale on Feb. 17.

Q: I love the show “Men of a certain Age,” but on Monday’s show they said that only two episodes remain. I hope they mean for this season only. Please advise if it will be back next season.

– Carol, 69, Oakmont

Rob: For once, good news on a quality show’s future: We reported last month that “Men” has been renewed for a second season. No word yet on when it might air.

Q: Any word on whether there’ll be a season four of “Ice Road Truckers” and the location? Will Alex still be on the show or will he retire early because of his heart condition? Word was that the producers might have worn out their welcome on the Canadian ice road (over the ocean). true? That’d be unfortunate since driving over the ocean was a different kind of a thrill for the viewer than the Dalton is.

– Ellen, N. Pt. Breeze

Rob: according to the folks at History Channel, the fourth season is currently shooting in Alaska where it has been set since season two.

“This season, our truckers are returning to the Dalton, to face its treacherous challenges, both familiar and new. We’re also adding new ice roads, including ones over the ocean and a river (where fast-flowing water beneath the ice constantly weakens the road), plus our truckers will be hauling the most massive loads ever, some so long (about 3/4 of a football field), they require drivers front and back,” according to a network spokeswoman. “Behind-the-wheel again will be Hugh, Alex, Lisa and Jack, plus two great new truckers in the mix.”

Q: Will you help save “Dollhouse”?

– Tore, 38, Minnesota

Rob: Sorry, no. not every show needs to run 100 episodes. last week’s series finale wrapped up the story pretty conclusively. plus, I’m not going to tilt at windmills. I try to save my ammunition for worthwhile save-a-show battles that can or are more deserving of being won.

Q: I know NBC had ordered three more episodes of “Trauma” for after the Olympics, but any idea of the show’s fate after those three episodes? I really liked that show.

– Tyler, 19, Penn Hills

Rob: not yet. We’ll have to see how the ratings are. Working in the show’s favor: NBC has five hours to fill next fall with the cancellation of “The Jay Leno show.” Working against it: “Trauma” is expensive, wasn’t highly-rated and could be viewed as damaged goods.

Q: I recall your article where you installed your Comcast digital transport adapter kit. I read it with interest because I had mine but had yet to install it. It is now installed, but much to my great dismay I can’t tape anything on my VCR. All I get is static and a “no signal” note at the bottom. I remember you saying you cannot tape a show while watching a different show, and I made sure nobody touched the TV during the tape time. But when i came home to watch my taped show, I get a one hour static screen. I went to Comcast’s on-line chat room, they were zero help. So I am asking an expert — you — what am I doing wrong. Comcast wants me to give them even more money and upgrade to a DVR system. I would appreciate any assistance you can provide to me.

– Dan, Castle Shannon

Rob: I don’t pretend to be an expert on TV hardware, which is why I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM that Dan had. and then I figured out why: I had a weekly recording that was set before I installed the digital adapter. As such, the VCR was set to record “Community” and “Parks and Recreation” on WPXI, Comcast Channel 12. But with the digital adapter installed, I needed to re-set my recording to record off of Channel 3 and set the digital adapter to 12. Turns out that was Dan’s mistake too: the VCR must be set to record on 3 and then you set the actual channel you want to record on the digital adapter. (And then hide the digital adapter remote so no one else in your household can screw it up.)

Q: who are some of the new faces I see doing weekend weather on KDKA-TV?

– Jim, Shadyside

Rob: Since before Christmas KDKA has been using freelancers on occasion, mostly on weekends. Dave Trygar has been around for a few years as a fill-in forecaster. according to KDKA news director Coleen Marren, the new faces include Pittsburgh native Kweilyn Murphy, who won’t be back because she just took a full-time job in Greenville, N.C., and Ashley Dougherty, who also works at WTRF in Wheeling (http://wtrf.com/bios.cfm?func=viewbio&bioid=247).

Q: I enjoy your comments in the PG, and hope you can answer my question. We recently got the Comcast digital converter which allows us to view more TV stations. We have been watching RTV (WPXI) and THIS (WTAE).

Can you tell us where we can obtain a program listing for these stations as they don’t appear in the PG. It has been hit and miss for us. most regular programs insult my intelligence (who wants to watch fat people?); but some of these old ones are reminders of what TV used to be.

We would appreciate it if you could point us in the right direction.

– Terry, South Hills

Rob: because there’s not space in the Post-Gazette’s printed listings to add additional channels, your best bet to find listings for digital sub-channels such as these is on our Web site.

Q: Where’s the voice mail of the week? Those are so funny!

– Linda, 45, Cecil

Rob: I can only print a voice mail of the week when I receive, ahem, entertaining messages. I haven’t gotten any lately.

TV Q&A with Rob Owen