Dealing with Howie, and more

Tim Roth (left) can tell if people are being truthful in the new show ''Lie to Me.'' Bryan Cranston returns in ''Breaking Bad.'' (Mike yarish/fox (left); amctv.com)

Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert chatted with readers last Thursday on Boston.com. Here are excerpts.

Q. There are two shows for Howie Mandel now, and zero for Peter Krause? The TV business is baffling.

A. Indeed. You speak truth. With "Deal or No Deal" and "Howie Do It," Mandel has become an NBC mascot. Go figure. Maybe that's why the network is TANKING.

Q. Are you looking forward to "Breaking Bad"? I am, but most of my friends haven't heard of it.

A. The first season was only seven episodes, and it was on the low-profile AMC. I was mixed on the show (which returns March 8). I watched the whole thing and found it compelling. But I never quite believed the main character, played by Bryan Cranston. A wimpy guy with cancer decides to make money by dealing meth, and kills someone in the process? Not buying it.

Q. Isn't it great that "How I Met Your Mother" is now repeating on Mondays on Lifetime?

A. The more people who see "HIMYM," the better. It gives the conventional laugh-track sitcom format a good name.

Q. Do some awards shows instruct audience members to scream?

A. Yeah, shows like the People's Choice and the MTV awards encourage the audience to go wild. They want to create an atmosphere of crazy fun for viewers at home. It's a visual version of a laugh track.

Q. Have you seen the new TNT series with Tom Cavanagh and the guy from "Will and Grace"? It's good to see Cavanagh after "Love Monkey."

A. I've seen two episodes of "Trust Me" (it premieres Jan. 26). Cavanagh's great - like a slightly insane Matthew Perry. But Eric McCormack is, well, he's Will. He's too cutesy and sitcommy for a TNT drama. I have a feeling it will do well, though. I loved "Love Monkey," and was sad it flopped. It was like "High Fidelity: The Series."

Q. I've been totally into "Life On Mars." When is it coming back and is it doing OK in the ratings?

A. I like it too, though it hasn't quite burst through to greatness for me yet. The show will be back on Jan. 28, and it will air after "Lost" on Wednesdays. That could help the so-far mediocre ratings.

Q. Have you seen Fox's "Lie to Me" with Tim Roth? I don't want to get sucked in if it's not going to last.

A. "Lie to Me" is a crime procedural, so you have to like that style of show; but if you do, you'll probably like this one (it premieres on Jan. 21). It has the potential to be a "Mentalist" kind of hit. Roth can read people's facial expressions and know whether they're telling the truth. Fortunately, he does not try to sound American; he's a Brit on and off the show, and that adds a nice bit of flavor.