Annoying TV pop-ups to keep popping up

There is not a couch potato in the universe who doesn't hate those annoying pop-up commercials that are strung out across the bottom of the TV screen during our favorite programs.

Try to watch just about anything on USA, TNT, TBS, NBC, Fox or almost every channel and right in the middle of the action a pop-up will pop up.

There are various industry terms for these intrusions: "snipes," "one-thirds," "violators," "bugs" and "blipverts."

Most of us have worse names for them. This week, Associated Press TV writer Frazier Moore reported on a Web site (stoptvpopups.com) where pop-up haters can sound off.

He struck a nerve. Check out Moore's own funny pop-up trashing video on YouTube.

We can all relate to the hate for the pop-up. You can't concentrate on a program with animated graphics scrolling across the screen.

Unfortunately, just venting on a Web site does not offer much satisfaction. And there doesn't seem to be a solution. The pop-up has been an unwelcome form of advertising since 2001. We complain. But we keep watching.

GOING WIDE: During November, Bright House Networks, serving the Tampa area, will roll out 17 new high-definition channels.

Included are BBC America HD, Cartoon Network HD, Crime & Investigation HD, E! HD, Fox Business News HD, Fuse HD, G4 HD, Investigation Discovery HD, Headline News HD, IFC HD, MSNBC HD, Disney HD, Planet Green HD, Style HD, TCM HD, History International HD and WE HD.

Bright House officials say more HD channels will be added in December, bringing the total available to more than 100.

PUNKIN' CHUNKIN': The Science Channel doesn't get a lot of attention, but the network has found something we can all relate to - pumpkin tossing.

The second annual telecast of the world's largest "Punkin' Chunkin' competition will be shown at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 26).

Teams from throughout the country gather in Delaware with homemade contraptions for the 24th annual attempt to catapult pumpkins as far as possible. Last year, a world record was set at 4,483.51 feet.

This year's goal is to reach a mile. Visit the Punkin' Chunkin' Facebook site where users can chunk pumpkins at a rival college to boost their own college's ranking.

KEN OBER: Comic-actor-producer-game show host Ken Ober is being remembered today mostly for his stint on MTV's goofy "Remote Control" in the 1980s. Ober was found dead in his apartment Sunday. He was 52. The cause of death had not been determined, but he reportedly told friends on Saturday that he had flu-like symptoms.

The first generation of MTV viewers fondly recall "Remote Control" as a comedy trivia game show where contestants sat in leather recliners and answered questions about pop culture while holding oversize remote controls.

It ran for five seasons. One season it was taped at the Disney Studios in Orlando and was the subject of a feature in The Tampa Tribune. Comic Colin Quinn was a dopey sidekick to the sarcastic Ober, and actress Kari Wuhrer provided eye candy.

Trivia categories included "Inside Ed McMahon," "Cartoons" and "Dead or Canadian." It was MTV's first departure from the 24-hour music video format.

TUNE IN TONIGHT

"Modern Family," at 9 on ABC

With a history of giving bad gifts, Claire is determined to surprise Phil with an amazing anniversary present - a private performance by one of their favorite musicians, Izzy LaFontaine (Edward Norton, "Primal Fear").