DEAR SUN SPOTS: For those of us who follow “Jeopardy” it is almost a religion, and when it is taken off for a sports program, we feel hurt and insulted. I feel sports should be on the sports channels so the rest of us can enjoy our favorite programs. Thank you. — No Name via email

ANSWER: You are not alone. Sun Spots also dislikes having regular programming interrupted for sports, such as when high school basketball takes over MPBN Channel 10. But it is a losing battle.

Sports is where the money is. It is the one type of programming that viewers regularly watch live rather than recording it on their DVR to watch later, when they can skip through the commercials.

Sun Spots realizes that older viewers are not as likely to use a DVR, but they are rapidly becoming a minority. As commercials take up more and more of each hour (currently 20 minutes of each 60, or one-third), those who are sick of constant interruptions are abandoning “live” TV — except for sports. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am wondering what is happening with the “Dr. Phil” show. I haven’t seen any new previews of it. It was on Channel 8 for the last 12 years. Did it go to another network? — C.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Have no fear, Dr. Phil will be back for a 13th season. You just have to wait for the fall season to begin. Dr. Phil’s first show will be live from New York City on Sept. 14.

For those with computers, Dr. Phil has a new blog, http://blog.drphil.com, as well as his Facebook page and website, www.drphil.com. At drphil.com there is a rundown of each week’s shows so fans can get a taste of what’s to come.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to Louise Richard (Aug. 23), I have been doing VHS, VHS-c, MiniDV and Digital 8 to DVD conversions. They do have a device that will work with the 8-mm film rather easily, and I’ve seen it at Goodwill several times when I have gone there looking for equipment for myself.

You can also find the projectors on Amazon and eBay for relatively cheap. Best of luck. — Marcus Talarico, Lewiston, 207-689-1439 [email protected]

ANSWER: Thanks for the tips and for letting Sun Spots know that you are available for those services. Louise, however, got the help she needed. Read on.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I must tell you that the response to my request for an 8-mm projector was amazing. We received more than 18 calls. People are so kind.

It turned out our neighbor had one that he had no use for and gave it to us. A big thank-you to all who responded and special thanks to Lenny. — Louise Richard, Rumford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is about placing flags on veterans graves.

I have a Sun Journal article from more than 40 years ago that reads: “There is a state law that all veterans graves be marked with an American flag.”

We pick them up from a veterans organization and volunteers place them on the graves. They placed more than 13 dozen this year at our cemetery.

The city pays for the flags. That means all of us. — Jean Titus, Auburn

ANSWER: Jean is quite right. The requirement to place those flags on veteran graves is a state law and funded by taxpayers.

The disagreement that appeared in the column letters July 2 and 12 was about the potential reuse of the flags from year to year instead of buying new ones.

Some readers thought the flags suffered too much wear and tear to be reused. Others disagreed.

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 emailed to [email protected].