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On the subject of Idol, congratulations to anyone who managed to sit through the four-and-a-half hour marathon on ITV2 last night. What's with the bitchy Paula this season?
Emma: "I know it's early days but is there any indication of when One Tree Hill season 3 will come back to the UK?"
Neil: There's no real update on this but I'm answering it this week in the hope it will ease the load on my mailbox. It's looking like the Summer for season three - but cherish it when you finally get to see it, because it's looking like it may be the last one.
Nialli: "Any idea if More4 will show season 7 of the West Wing soon after the current season 6 ends? Also, season 6 was released on DVD before More4 started broadcasting it: is this something likely to happen again with this series? Thanks for any answers"
Neil: You'll have to wait... for just one week! C4 are finally doing the right thing by West Wing fans and premiering the final season after the sixth wraps this week. Mark the premiere in your diary: Friday, March 10.
John: "Hi there, have been reading through your Tube Talk section and have to say very good and keep up the good work. Now to my questions. I have heard that there could be a spin off from Dr Who which will have Captain Jack as the lead role. Is this true? If so do you know when it could be on or what is happening with it?"
Neil: Shame on you, John, for this is very old news. But thankfully I always leap upon the opportunity to rehash old stories so yes, I can exclusively reveal that Captain Jack (John Barrowman) will lead in Torchwood (it's an anagram of "Doctor Who" - clever, no?), a thirteen-ep Who spinoff centred on a group of alien crime investigators. Shooting begins this summer for a TX towards the end of the year.
Chris Rushworth: "Will five be showing series 2 of Two and a half men?"
Neil: There'll be a new episode every weekday at 6.30pm from Thursday, March 9, following on from season one.
Karen: "Do you know when Entourage will be showing? I've watched season one on DVD so I'm eargerly awaiting its showing in the UK to catch the second series."
Neil: Hmm, now this is an interesting one. I'm now hearing that ITV doesn't have the rights to this show after all.
Lee: "thanks fo the info on the changes but im just wondering if that is definatly the new lineup and its not gonna change next week again lol and if they r not going to stick uktvg2+1 next to g2 where it belongs same as uktv people and its timeshifted channel which are still not together .it was confusing before lets hope they get it totally right this time"
Neil: Lee's talking about this Tuesday's Sky EPG reshuffle, people. The point he makes is a good - if a graceless - one, but there are darker forces at play. While it would be convenient from a consumer perspective to have all spinoff channels bunched together, rival broadcasters don't quite see it that way. Slotting in UKTV G2+1 next to UKTV G2 on EPG 112, for example, would force Living TV down to 113, ITV2 down to 119, and so on. Particularly in the upper echelon of the EPG, ranking is crucial as it determines how accessible your listings are in the guide.
Robbie: "I've heard rumours that Channel 4 are going to do what the Germans heve done with their Big Brother and either produce a year long version, or produce a UK version of Big Brother - Das Dorf. Is this true?"
Neil: No - not for now, at least. I think the duration is likely to be progressively increased over a number of years to see how far it can be pushed. It's worth noting that the "never-ending" Das Dorf was axed, indicating that viewers do like to have some finish line in sight (even though who wins is largely irrelevant).
Lindy: "I recently really got into a programme called missing on Living TV about a group of FBI agents, they replaced that with a show called Miracles and now have stopped both, can you tell me if they have any plans to show the new series of either of them."
Neil: Miracles was axed after just one season of thirteen episodes, which you can watch again every night at around 3am from Tuesday, April 18. Missing is still in production but there's no word of a return yet.
Adam Williamson: "Hey, loving the collum! I was wondering if you knew when season 8 of Will and grace will start on LIVINGtv?"
Neil: The final season kicks off with a hilarious live episode on Thursday, April 6.
Liz: "You Lie, You Lie, it's not on ITV on Monday, it's Agatha Christie's Poirot!!! Why you lie!?!"
Neil: Because I like being a scamp? I should clear this up, actually, and explain why I appeared to mislead you over the return
That's it for another week. Join me next Saturday for more, when we'll also be taking a look at how some of our favourite shows have been doing in the ratings.
Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled this week for the new-look Digital Spy! (**)
(*) This is a complete lie.
(**) This isn't.
