Neil's on a break this week: check back in for an all-new Tube Talk on Saturday, October 8!


Robert: "Will 'Today with Des & Mel' make a return? I really miss the show, however I did know that it got moved to the 5-6pm slot, surely if they were on at 1.30-2.30pm ITV would be sure to get the viewers back. They can't be no longer doing the show, as well Mel is still featured in the ITV Days advert."

Neil: My inkling is January.


Dee Caprio: "Will the show Numb3rs be broadcasted on SKY and if so when can we expect the season to begin?"

Neil: Indeed it will - and finally I have a date for you. Catch this excellent show on ITV3, Wednesdays at 9pm from October 5.


Hannah: "I just wanted to check and see if there has been any progress made with everwood and living tv?I know they are repeating season 1 again but surely if they have no plans to repeat 2 or even show 3 another channel could buy the rights to it?I know i go on but there are quite a few of us on the living tv forum who are still fighting for this show. I mean do you even know if living bought the rights to season 3?"

Neil: Still no word on season three, I'm afraid - there's certainly nothing on the horizon for the time being. However, a bit of good news: season two will be repeated, albeit in a graveyard shift. It's on daily from Wednesday, October 5 at 3.25am (evening Tuesday), right after the repeats of season one wrap. But good luck with your plight - it never hurts to let the cheeses know how much you love the show.


Niall: "Is Parkinson returning? The ITV site says he is returning in September. I've checked Radiotimes and he is not mentioned for the next few weeks, and last year he premiered beginning of September. Is everything going well at ITV? Is it going to be a shortened season?"

Neil: All is well - Parky will be back in October, I'm told.


Deborah Gilbert: "I have read that the BBC is making plans to makes its TV programs available for downloading & viewing by computer. Have you heard if this service will be available to those of us in the USA?? There are many fans of British TV over here - especially of EASTENDERS - who would LOVE to be able to watch. Because it was cancelled by BBC America, right now, to be able to watch EastEnders, a group of 50 of us had to start a tape train: We had to pool our money and buy a recorder for a woman in the UK who tapes the show for us then sends it over, where we pass it from person to person. There are tape trains all across the US. We swould gladly pay the BBC to watch its programs on a pay channel here (like HBO), but we'll settle for the legal downloads if they make them available. Any news on that? And BTW, I find it funny to see so many questions about wanting to see more American TV from your readers! There are many over here who would gladly trade you much of our network TV for yours! When BBC America was first announced over here we had high hopes, but it now seems that that station was conceived to be revenge for the Boston Tea Party. And we're left still waiting for a real British TV channel."

Neil: Thanks for your email, Deborah - very interesting to hear about the lengths you go to just to watch EastEnders. The show will most likely be covered under the BBC player but alas, it will be restricted to surfers in the UK only. Given enough time, though, it will be available to you legally - eventually we'll have a situation where we can access pretty much any show we want, when we want - but TV-over-internet is still in its infancy, so it's a waiting game for now, I'm afraid. Meantime, keep those tape trains chugging!


Mark Francis: "Will the new Contender series be shown on ITV2 like the first one? When will it be starting?"

Neil: No, it'll most likely be on ITV4 (as far as I'm aware, a deal hasn't been inked as yet). It begins April 2006 in the US so I guess we'll get it around the same time.


Jay: "Can you tell me when the Channel 4 Elizabeth I drama will air?"

Neil: This Thursday, 9pm.


Steve Johnson: "Where was the bloody advertising for Wife Swap as it seemed to be quite accidental that me and the wife ended up watching it?"

Neil: Good point, Steve. I suspect one of the reasons Wife Swap did so (relatively) poorly is because Channel 4 have been rushing out shorter 4/5 episode seasons and mixing them in with the less popular US versions, leading to much confusion, disappointment and resentment all round.


Nate: "Since there is an ABC1 will there ever be an ABC2 or 3? Do you know if Queer As folk US will be put in a more watchable time slot (E4 12.30pm Showtime 10.00et/pt) if not have any other channels shown interest in broadcasting it? FX has alot of Showtime Programmes - Fat Actress, Huff, Penn and Teller. The L Word is on LivingTV at 10, why?"

Neil: I agree that 'ABC1' does hint at future aspirations and, given time, we'll probably see more multiplexes. There has been suggestion that the channel was so-named in a clever play on the demographic, but I'm not buying that theory (just take a look at the schedule). I suspect it's more to do with distinguishing it (on a wider level) from the US network. On the second point, I doubt it - unless shows are reasonably popular, you rarely see them move into primetime for repeat airings. And for the final one - why not?


Simon T: "Just wondering where and when series 5 of Curb Your Enthusiasm will be shown in the UK? It kicks off next week on HBO in the USA."

Neil: Yep, More4 some time in 2006. Season four premieres later this year.


Carolyn Polanski: "Hi Neil babes! I was just wondering, now More 4 has appeared dorment ready for transmission next month, what exactly will be shown on it. Are we just talking repeats, huge music slots, or some more showings of "are your kids well behaved or do they like a few light slams" Supernanny??? I'm really hoping for some different programming here. Thanks for your time"

Babes: For music, head to E4. More4 is aimed at the 35-54 bracket. Current affairs and clever comedy forms a good part of the lineup. Rather than invest their limited budget on a host of under-par originals, they've hit on the clever idea of investing in a fewer number of quality pieces, so expect a big budget drama, documentary or other "events" once a month. On the repeat list - as well as The Sopranos and ER, right from the start - we have: The Queen’s Sister, Jamie’s Great Escape, The Year London Blew Up, The Somme, Demolition, Priest Idol, The Unteachables and David Starkey’s Monarchy Series II.


Mark H: "When will Threshold be shown on Sky One?"

Neil: November. It's a reasonable series - one I'd recommend trying out, but one that doesn't seem to be of Lost calibre.


Mary: "I've heard that The Biggest Loser UK is starting in October. Can you tell us any more?"

Neil: I sure can, Mary. The show begins October 6th at 9pm. Presenting is Vicki Butler-Henderson (of Top Gear fame) with experts including Mark Bailey and Angie Dowd. Amongst the contestants are a 27-year-old, 21-stone woman who has never had a boyfriend and lives alone and a 31-year-old, 19-stone former Red Coat who wants to be famous. The heaviest contestant weighs in at a meagre 24 stone.


That's it for now - more next Saturday!