DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you please find out what happened to the CBS “Early Show” team of Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez and Dave the weatherman? Why are they not there anymore and where did they go? They have a new team, but it is not the same. Julie Chang left the show and is doing that talk show. They were the reason I watch the show and not the station. — No Name, Lisbon Falls

ANSWER: The profits in television are determined by ratings, and the CBS morning show has been stuck in third place for far longer than executives would like. So, according to a Nov. 30 story in The New York Times, they decided to replace everyone on “The Early Show.” The story says:

“Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, now the Saturday ‘Early Show’ anchors, will take over the weekday positions from Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez. In addition, Marysol Castro, who formerly handled weather updates for the weekend edition of ‘Good Morning America’ on ABC, will take over for Dave Price, the longtime weekday weather anchor on the program.

The story also notes: “Wholesale on-air upheaval is extremely rare in television news, especially on the morning programs, which generally succeed or fail because of the familiarity that viewers develop with the cast.

“Sean McManus, the president of CBS News, dismissed any concerns that viewers could be alienated by the sweeping changes. He said the new cast members would be familiar to CBS viewers because of Ms. Hill’s daily role reading the news and Mr. Wragge’s frequent appearances filling in as anchor for Mr. Smith.

“More pointedly, Mr. McManus said, ‘When you’re the third-place morning show, it makes sense to do something more dramatic than if you’re in second place or first place.’”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a cassette tape that was made for me by an old friend. The songs are mixed and “screwed” and I was wondering if there is a way to transfer them from the tape to a CD or if there was someone out there that can help me transfer it to a CD? Any help you can off would be appreciated. Thanks. — Christina, Lewiston, christina.berry@maine.edu

ANSWER: Sun Spots doesn’t know what “screwed” means, but she has the following individuals in her Rolodex who transfer cassette tapes.

* Stanley Howard, Salem, abramaudio09@yahoo.com, www.abramaudio.com, 678-2770 or 860-0841, transfers LP records and cassette tapes to CD

* Richard Rau, 225-5222: transfers of music from LP to CD, transfers audio cassette tapes and of reel-to-reel tapes to CD

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a set of Americana Encyclopedias, which are in very good shape, to give away. Please call 576-5586 and leave a message. — Cindy via e-mail

ANSWER: There is not much demand for encyclopedias in this country, but Gina Mitchell of Jay provided the following information if you’d like to donate them to charity: “The Edwin L. Hodges Ministry is based in Decatur, Ala., and was started with the purpose of sending Bibles overseas. It has expanded to include other Christian literature, as well as textbooks, educational books, encyclopedias and children’s books — also greatly needed. www.elhm.org. As I continue to be a part of this outreach, anyone who has books to donate can e-mail gnpmitch@localnet.com or call: 897-3078.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Many of us locals are considering a switch from cable to one of the available dish networks. Do any of your readers who’re connected to Dish or Direct TV have any pros or cons they’d be willing to share? — Gary Haskell, Auburn, garyevanhaskell@aol.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots can already hear her readers sharpening their pencils to send her loud and long complaints about cable and satellite TV. Please save your lead. Helpful, constructive comments will be considered for the column.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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