Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! This week, I’ve got another Q&A entry, where I answer questions submitted by readers. Thanks to everyone who sent in something — if you don’t see your “Q” here, I just may “A” it next time. (And keep them coming — any related topic on which you want my opinion and/or a little research? Just let me know!)

Will Flynn writes… Your book sounds very interesting. One question: You mentioned a number of 50’s series are covering in your article. One series I am a big fan of is Private Secretary. Will that show be discussed in your book? Thanks.

Yes, I discuss both Private Secretary and The Ann Sothern Show in my book (available here or on Amazon here) — with picks for some of the best episodes from both (based on everything I’ve screened and read). However, I think you may be surprised to learn that I actually tend to favor The Ann Sothern Show over Private Secretary, finding Ann Sothern to be, after its first season redevelopment, a more relationship-based (and thus character-based) refinement of Private Secretary, with better material for the three main leads. Pick up my book for more specifics!

Christopher says… One recurring theme through your reviews is that of the disappointing final season of a long-running show. If you could redo one of them, which one would you choose and what changes would you make?

Most final seasons that disappoint — regardless of whether they’re actually the worst of their run or not — simply do so because their show has outlived its ability to reliably play to its situation. So, for instance, how would one fix the final year of The Beverly Hillbillies? End the show two years prior. The final year of All In The Family? Scrap it — no point in continuing after Mike and Gloria leave and the situation is destroyed (although it’s not like their last year was great either). Oh, I know — “axe it!” is trite and boring, but the problem with most once-great sitcoms at their ends isn’t conceptual, it’s merely that they’ve lived too long. That’s the most accurate response to your question. However, you asked for a specific example, so I’ll try to give you one. How about… Friends? For that series, I would have preferred that Ross and Rachel reunited early in the final season, with most/all of its episodes then following them as they genuinely worked out their well-established differences, so that the finale could close with them decidedly happy and well-adjusted, clearly evolved as characters in direct relation. That would obviously involve dropping the entire Joey/Rachel arc from the end of Season Nine and early Ten, but that was only schmucky cliffhanger bait anyway, and I think as the series’ central romance, Ross/Rachel deserved a little more care and attention during this final era; pairing them earlier would have drastically improved both the finale and that whole tenth season.

Issa Kelly wants to know… What are your thoughts on the series The Naked Truth?

I haven’t watched all of The Naked Truth, but from what I have seen, I think it’s fascinating because of its annual redevelopments, with several good elements in each iteration. Now, I’m not sure there are any great episodes — and I can’t vouch at this moment for if the good elements in each iteration ever reliably congeal — but if I had the time, it might make an interesting subject for a Wildcard post, or Wildcard series of posts (à la Titus). Heaven knows I’ve covered worse! Would you all like to see it here? Write to me and let me know!

Mr. Melody is curious… I recall from a post discussing Becker, you’ve mentioned that it possibly made you feel as if you’ve have been previously too harsh to Wings. Do you have an updated thoughts on Wings?

Not really. It’s just as I explained in that Becker essay, “I was super critical of Wings because its ensemble workplace structure wasn’t as well-designed as Cheers (the show its creators just left) and it didn’t have the great character work of Frasier (the show its creators would helm right after),” and the only reason I then said that I may have been “harsh” on Wings is because Becker is also associated with both Cheers and Frasier for similar reasons and yet “isn’t even as gem-laden.” That is, Wings has a handful of great episodes — half-hours that may be competitive with the best of their era — in contrast to Becker, which can’t claim the same. So, I was merely recalibrating my earlier judgment of Wings to give an even harsher judgment of Becker.

George asks… Is there an index of all past posts?

Nothing formal that I can point you towards, I’m afraid. But here’s a list of every show I’ve officially covered on Sitcom Tuesdays thus far — including the forthcoming Parks And Recreation — if that’s helpful. (Obviously no Wildcard Wednesday shows are listed.)

Have a question for me? Submit it at the “Ask Jackson (Q&A)” link.

Come back next week for another Wildcard! And stay tuned Monday for another musical rarity!