I watched the Curb Your Enthusiasm new season opener on Sept. 20 expecting to see the Seinfeld gang, as advertised. But no Seinfeld gang. What happened? – S.G.L., e-mail

Did you read my preview of Curb’s new season? The sixth paragraph began, “Starting with the season’s third episode – the first two will resolve the leftover hurricane squatters story line – the gang will come together to discuss the feasibility of a Seinfeld reunion.” Tune in tonight and you will see Jerry, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards.

Why shouldn’t shows like American Idol, America’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance , etc., be required to reveal the actual results? During elections, the percentages and actual vote numbers candidates received are always revealed. I’m sure everyone would want to know how close the votes were between the winner, Kevin Skinner, and Barbara Padilla in the America’s Got Talent finale. Are the shows trying to hide something or are they afraid that their voting system will be challenged? – B.C., e-mail

I have had these feelings many times. But there is a basic flaw in this thinking. Inherent is a distrust of the programs. How would this change if they announced percentages or actual counts? If your favorite didn’t win, you would still question the vote. What’s the solution, to have Jimmy Carter monitor the voting?

I read your reply about Timothy Hutton and his late father, Jim. Is Timothy married and does he have any children? Also, is he related to Betty Hutton or Robert Hutton?

– M.G., West Park

Timothy Hutton is married to Aurore Giscard d’Estaing, niece of a former French president. They have a son, Milo. Hutton has another son, Emmanuel, from a previous marriage to Debra Winger. He is not related to either of the Huttons you asked about. Betty Hutton was born Elizabeth June Thornberg. Robert Hutton’s real surname was Winne.

As much of an annoying royal pain in the neck that Royal Pains was, it was somewhat addictive in a Desperate Housewives sort of way. After the season finale, it said stay tuned until next summer for new episodes. Do we have to wait a whole year before the new episodes air? I doubt I’ll remember much after a year passes. – A.C.S., Plantation

Royal Pains was a summer show and apparently will stay a summer show. Summer is cable’s high season for scripted series because the broadcast networks are dominated by reruns and reality. We’re not talking about something as complex as Lost, so it shouldn’t be that difficult to pick right up on the story lines and relationships when Royal Pains returns.

Whatever happened to that new show Hawthorne , starring Jada Pinkett Smith as a nurse? Has it been canceled? – T.O., Margate

Hawthorne has finished its first season. It will be back probably in the spring or next summer.

I enjoy shows like 48 Hours Mystery, 20/ 20 and Dateline and was wondering if they pay any of the people profiled or interviewed for their appearance. Is the content treated like an extended news show or more an entertainment show, where being paid for an appearance is acceptable? – G.B., Plantation

Every network has a rule that any program produced by the news division is prohibited from paying for interviews. This sounds better than it is in practice. At the very least, interviewees are often flown to New York or Los Angeles, put up in ritzy hotels and allowed to avail themselves of the mini-bar. Another ploy to get around the no-pay-to-play rule is to pay for photos or video. “Got a baby picture of so-and-so? We’ll pay you $100K to let us show it on the air.” Technically, they have observed the rule but the “hot get” winds up going home with a pocket full of cash.

Write to Tom …

Send your questions to Tom Jicha, TV/Radio Writer, Sun Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293 or . Personal replies are not possible. Please do not send self-addressed stamped envelopes.