I am – Hercules!!

Is “Deadwood” dead?
No. HBO has already ordered a third season of “Deadwood”; it’s likely to turn up early next year.

What about “The Wire” and “Carnivale”?
“The Wire” is going into production and will be back next year too. “Carnivale” is cancelled, dead as “Arli$$.”

Does “Six Feet Under” reclaim the “Deadwood” slot in a week or two?
No. “Six Feet Under” is back for its final season June 6, but HBO has moved it to 9 p.m. Mondays; it’s no longer getting its first airings on Sunday nights.

What will replace “Deadwood”?
The second half of the Paul Newman miniseries “Empire Falls” is cablecast next Sunday. Taking over the “Deadwood” slot on June 5 are the second season of “Entourage” and Lisa Kudrow’s new pretend-reality series “The Comeback.”

And when “Entourage” folds up shop?
“Rome,” set in ancient Italy (and not to be confused with ABC’s “Empire,” which launches June 28), arrives in autumn.

What about “The Sopranos”?
The sixth and final season of “The Sopranos” is in production now; we’ll get to see it next spring. We’d long heard season six was to be a 10-episode affair, but during Wednesday’s “60 Minutes” profile of series mastermind David Chase, I think somebody mentioned 13 episodes.

What’s doing with “Deadwood” tonight?
We meet mining tycoon George Hearst, whose interest in the Deadwood camp has had everyone peeing their pants all season. And while Martha Bullock appears ready to flee Deadwood, Alma Garret appears prepared to marry the whore-happy prospector who has been overseeing her claim for her.

Take up valuable bandwidth with your predictions and reactions.

9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.

Herc’s favorite HBO shows ever -
on season-box DVD sets:

Carnivale
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Deadwood
Entourage
The Larry Sanders Show
Oz
Six Feet Under
The Sopranos
The Wire