TV Q&A: Did a Pittsburgher have a hand in a recent ‘NCIS’ episode?

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: While watching “NCIS” a few weeks ago, I heard one character say to another … ‘he’s a jagoff.’ Then later in the show, another character reminded his daughter of Mister Rogers telling us to look for the helpers when something bad happens.

My question is … which writer on this episode is from Pittsburgh? It was very obvious to me that someone from our great city was part of the staff.

– Norb, via email

Rob: Alas, not this time.

While Pittsburghers may have invented and popularized the term “jagoff,” it’s also popular in Chicago, with a 2019 Chicago Magazine essay highlighting its local Chicago history and explaining the term is “derived from the Scots-Irish word ‘jag,’ which means ‘thorn’ or ‘to be pricked.’ Which is exactly what a jagoff is: “a thorn in your side, a person who won’t stop needling you.”

And that brings us to the writers of the Feb. 28 “NCIS” episode.

My understanding is the episode was written by Brian Dietzen and Scott Williams, and neither one has a Pittsburgh background. They wrote the “jagoff” line to pay homage to “NCIS” star Gary Cole’s Chicago background. As for Mister Rogers, Dietzen said both he and Scott were raised on Mister Rogers, and what better lesson to pass onto your kid when you’re dying.

Q: Why doesn’t “The Daily Show” have a live audience? When all of the other late-night talk shows came back after the lockdown, they all had an audience. I think this new form of “The Daily Show” is a real dud. It seems awkward, and Trevor Noah has turned into a real ham, which is disappointing because I used to enjoy him.

– Norma, Squirrel Hill

Rob: My sense is “The Daily Show” team was both trying something new and being careful in the ongoing pandemic when the program moved into a new studio space last fall, but did so without a studio audience.

“The Daily Show” is currently on hiatus while Noah preps to host “The Grammy Awards” (April 3), but when “The Daily Show” returns with new episodes April 11, it will return to its longtime home at 733 11th Ave. in Manhattan – and it will have a live, in-studio audience.

Q: When does CBS plan on bringing back the adventure series “Blood & Treasure”? I see 13 new episodes are ready, but no show dates are listed.

– Rick, Banksville

Rob: While season two of that series was impacted by covid, it wrapped quite a while ago. At this point, my best guess is CBS may air it in the summer. Or perhaps the show gets shipped to Paramount+. Star Matt Barr just signed to star in the “Walker” prequel “Independence,” so it’s unclear if he would be available to film any additional “Blood & Treasure” episodes beyond those already in the can.

Q: Do you know when “Rutherford Falls” will return on Peacock?

– Lois, via email

Rob: It’s a good little show, and my understanding is “Rutherford Falls” will stream its second season this summer on Peacock.