Lost without 'Lost'

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James: "Do you know if the Showtime series, Masters Of Horror, is coming to the UK?"

Neil: It began last night (Friday) at 11pm on Bravo. Sorry I didn't answer this one sooner!

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Samatha Young: "After Series 1 of Lost finished on Wednesday there was an announcement that Series 2 would be on in the spring. Would June be classed as spring or has it been changed again? I'm kinda suspecting that maybe it will run after Desperate Housewives finishes... Do you know how long Series 2 of Desperate Housewives is?"

Neil: Yes, June is what I heard and I think billing it as "Spring" is just a way of making it sound sooner than it actually is. I'd certainly be surprised if they brought it back before then. Housewives is due to wrap at the end of May.

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Peter Austin: "Any chance of a UK version of The Amazing Race?"

Neil: Extremely unlikely, which is extremely disappointing (although ITV had a similar - but crap - show called The Race around five years ago). Amazing Race is arguably the best of the reality genre (and contrary to popular opinion, I actually found season eight really enjoyable) and it's a shame it hasn't found success here.

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Charlotte: "Hi, great column! I can't believe i've only just found this! Could you tell me when the OC season 3 will start on terrestrial TV? I'm only a student and can't afford the luxury that is freeview and sky!!!"

Neil: Prime example of around 50% of my queries - already answered, often in the very edition people click on to send me the email. The best tip I can give is to do a quick search of the site using the search box up top. Use double quotes around the programme name, e.g. search for "The O.C." or "One Tree Hill" and you'll get your answer.

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Dan: "After the announcement that Paul O'Grady is moving to Channel 4, would you be able to find out anymore information on his new show. Will it be that same as the ITV one, but just on a different channel, or will the format slightly change, or be completely made-over? Also, it says he will be on 6 months of the year, will this be broken down into 2 series of 3 months?"

Neil: It won't be literally the same show, but it will be incredibly similar. On the final part, I'd say that's probably a good guess.

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Russell Weir: "I loved the series of Gimme Gimme Gimme do you know if it will ever make a return?"

Neil: Alas not, but it's probably for the best. Great as it was, the jokes did get somewhat predictable and samey towards the end - "I've got something in my eye", etc.

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Matthew: "So being a television guru, what do you think of the ITV rebrand? Do you think its a good idea to unite the channels like the BBC did a few years ago, or do you think it would be better for each of the channels to have an individual look (Channel 4 etc for example) which may help them to grow separately and attract a more defined audience?"

Neil: I'm not convinced that it's the branding of the channel that creates a defined audience - it's the programming. ITV already does a great job of that - ITV3, for example, is right where it should be - but for them, it's more about cultivating a "family" of channels. Giving each one its own (distinct) identity would probably confuse things somewhat.

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Emily Buchanan: "Was just wondering if there is going to be a second series of Green Wing on Channel 4, and if so, when might it be on the air?"

Neil: Yes, there will be. Not sure exactly when just yet, but soon.

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Moka: "Do you know if the BBC plan to repeat the episode of Doctor Who shown on Chirstmas day? We had it recorded on our Sky+ but the hard drive failed and we had to have a new box installed before we got a chance to see it. :("

Neil: BBC Three re-aired it on New Year's Day but there are no further encores scheduled at present. Let's face it though, it won't be too long before it finds its way onto UKTV Gold.

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Ian Johnston: "Two questions for you: 1.Do you have any idea when the 4400 will continue? 2.Will Sky+ ever make a decent programme guide. One you can search more than 2 days ahead; One you can control how many episodes of a programme to keep; One that has even 5-10% of the usability of Tivo or ReplayTV. Answering question 1 would be great. Question 2 would try even Budha's patience."

Neil: To answer the first, this summer.. and I can't wait! 'Fraid I can't enlighten you on the second point - have you tried emailing Sky?

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Daz: "hey Neil...What's actually happening with Futurama???I hear there may be some more ep's... and what are the chances that it will come to British TV?"

Neil: Yes, it's looking likely.. and without doubt.

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Graeme O'Neill: "What are the chances of a third season of Lost? How is the show doing in America compared to last year? and is it just as good as series 1?"

Neil: About as much chance as me still being asked about the new season of The O.C. at some point over the next week (a certainty). The tone of the second season is completely different from the outset and, in my humble opinion, is one of the few series to have actually improved on its first season.

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Peter Soden: "Can you please tell me if or when the next season 2 of Rome will be on?"

Neil: Season two has been greenlit. Production will begin this March but the series won't be ready until 2007.

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Barney Parker: "Neil, I think i may have misunderstood a comment you made several issues ago.

Flashback.... (aka "Previously on Tube Talk")

Matthew: "BBC2 showed star trek NG and Voyager a couple of years ago - are they planning on showing it ever again? (Do they own the rights any more?) And do you know if they will ever make any more Voyager episodes? (even though they did get home)"

Neil: No to the first question, but yes to the second. In fact, try tonight (Saturday), 7.05pm on Five. Now how's that for service?

....End Flashback

Are you saying there may be more episodes of Voyager? If there are, i would kill to find out when! If not, never mind, and thanks for reading my mail!!!"

Neil: Erm... oops. Yes, you've misunderstood but it appears I got a little carried away with myself and inadvertently commissioned a new series of Voyager. But we'll gloss over that (just like my unhealthy crush on Traci Bingham) and move on to the final query for this week...

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Rachel: "Lost final was fantastic!! But please tell me we will get to see into the hatch when it comes back?"

Neil: Rest assured Rachel, your curiosity will finally be satisfied - sooner rather than later - in the season two premiere. And it's good, oh so good. To anyone thinking of reading up on what happens, don't. Wait it out - it's worth it, I promise.

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Before we go, a quick reminder of the shows premiering over the next week:

Monday
America's Next Top Model - 9pm on Living TV

Tuesday
The Wire - 9pm on FX

Wednesday
Desperate Housewives - 10pm on Channel 4

Friday
American Idol - 8.30pm on ITV2

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That's all for this week - more again next Saturday!