TV
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“ Tube Talk ”
It's the weekend, so it must be time for a new Tube Talk (*). This week we're going to be taking a look at how some of our favourite US imports are doing in the ratings here, plus looking ahead to the renewal season, which is now upon us once again.
Stephanie: "I am already hooked on the show Bones. I know Bones is doing very well in the US especially with it being a brand new show so I was wondering if you know how it has been doing on Sky One?"
Neil: Fairly well, actually. In its Thursday, 10pm slot it's getting just over half a million, making it one of Sky One's top-performing shows.
Kel: "Does ITV have any plans to return fantastic comedy 'Married... with Children' to weeknights on ITV2 (or any other timeslots for that matter)?"
Neil: It's now back on weeknights at 7pm.
Ashley: "When is the second series of Doctor Who going to be broadcast?"
Neil: The Doc's back next month on BBC One.
Dawn: "Is there any new info on how 'Supernatural' is doing in the UK ratings? I'm a huge UK fan and want to see the show continue here and in the US."
Neil: You and me both. It fluctuates from week to week and has edged close to a million, making it one of the highest-rated series on multichannel period. Last week's episode had 640,000.
Jackie Nelson: "Any news on a channel here picking up the miniseries Into The West?"
Neil: BBC Two has the rights to this (more info).
Luke Bugler: "Last week you said you were unsure about when Lost will return but your very own Digital Spy is reporting it starting on Wednesday, June 28 2006 in the 'cult' area. Do your friends know more than you?"
Neil: Of course they don't. The date we're carrying over in cult - do check out the section if you haven't already - is merely a projected date. One that is looking more and more unlikely, admittedly.
Sanaa: "Have just discover the column and am loving it! A few questions - Grey's Anatomy on Channel 5 is this true? Also Project Catwalk are we going to get a second series? How did it do in the ratings?"
Neil: It is true about Grey's Anatomy, which now receives its Five premiere on April 6 at 10pm. Project Catwalk began poorly with around 180,000 viewers but has increased to around 340,000 in recent weeks. As for a second series, it could go either way.
Kirsty: "I loved Life As We Know It and was gutted to hear it had been axed in the US bedause of poor ratings. Is this true? I've had withdrawal symptoms since it 'Oh so abruptly' ended! Any possibility it will be carried on for us Brits? Please...."
Neil: Seeing as you asked so nicely... no.
Paul: "I watched all of Surface from the US and I consider it to be a fantastic show, I hear that the ratings in the US are not great, any information, if it is going to be picked up for a second season ?"
Neil: Time for a quick preview of what to expect in the weeks ahead. In around two months' time - mid-May - the US networks will unveil their new Fall (Autumn) schedules, detailing all of the series renewed for next season and the new shows getting a shot in the lineup. That comes just ahead of the LA screenings, when the UK broadcasters will descend upon tinsel town to fight it out for the rights to these new shows. Between now and May we'll see the networks gradually confirming shows for renewal, a process that began this week with the announcements that CSI and its spinoffs, Without A Trace, Cold Case, Numb3rs and House will all be back in 2006-07. Returning to Surface, I think it's now unlikely we'll get a second season.
arshad: "I was wondering, what ratings do Smallville and Prison Break get in the UK?"
Neil: Smallville is one of E4's top shows, with a first-run audience of around 650,000. Prison Break is also doing solid numbers, with an average audience of around 2 million so far.
Samantha: "Hi, I love your column and read it every week. Could you tell me when season 2 of Veronica Mars will be hitting our screens and is season 5 really going to be the last for Alias?"
Neil: Look out for Vera's return this summer. Season five really is the last for Alias.
Dave P: "Do you know if season 2 is the end of Lost or will there be a 3rd series?"
Neil: There will be a third series - expect an announcement within the next few weeks.
Karl: "Hi Neil I was wondering do you
know what shows are going to be on the new irish channel?"
Neil: Channel 6, for those out of the loop, is a new Irish station (not broadcasting in the UK) launching at the end of this month. The channel will target a young demo with a general entertainment focus, weighted heavily with US imports. More acquisitions were confirmed this week, including House and the US Office.
Emma Pearson: "Quickie question - Bravo are advertising "new" alias episodes on a monday at 3pm - is this the new series? If so will it be repeated on an evening?"
Neil: Not sure whether you have crossed wires somewhere (or need to visit the optician's) but the plan is still to air Alias on Sundays at 10pm from next week.
jimboc: "I've been loving the ER repeats on More 4 - but they missed out 2 crucial episodes where Carter and Lucy got stabbed. Why??? And will they be showing these episodes any time soon?"
Neil: Because they are daytime repeats (and it is a made-for-primetime show), you may have noticed several cut scenes already. In episodes where these themes have more significance - as these did - C4 has decided not to air them at all.
daclick: "Do you know if there are any more seasons of Warner Bros' Supernatural planned?"
Neil: I'm pretty confident that this show will be picked up for a second season; look out for the word one way or another in the weeks ahead.
More next Saturday!
(*) And while we're on the subject of tubes, apologies again to the poor souls whom I inadvertently pole-danced for on the Northern line this week.
Stephanie: "I am already hooked on the show Bones. I know Bones is doing very well in the US especially with it being a brand new show so I was wondering if you know how it has been doing on Sky One?"
Neil: Fairly well, actually. In its Thursday, 10pm slot it's getting just over half a million, making it one of Sky One's top-performing shows.
Kel: "Does ITV have any plans to return fantastic comedy 'Married... with Children' to weeknights on ITV2 (or any other timeslots for that matter)?"
Neil: It's now back on weeknights at 7pm.
Ashley: "When is the second series of Doctor Who going to be broadcast?"
Neil: The Doc's back next month on BBC One.
Dawn: "Is there any new info on how 'Supernatural' is doing in the UK ratings? I'm a huge UK fan and want to see the show continue here and in the US."
Neil: You and me both. It fluctuates from week to week and has edged close to a million, making it one of the highest-rated series on multichannel period. Last week's episode had 640,000.
Jackie Nelson: "Any news on a channel here picking up the miniseries Into The West?"
Neil: BBC Two has the rights to this (more info).
Luke Bugler: "Last week you said you were unsure about when Lost will return but your very own Digital Spy is reporting it starting on Wednesday, June 28 2006 in the 'cult' area. Do your friends know more than you?"
Neil: Of course they don't. The date we're carrying over in cult - do check out the section if you haven't already - is merely a projected date. One that is looking more and more unlikely, admittedly.
Sanaa: "Have just discover the column and am loving it! A few questions - Grey's Anatomy on Channel 5 is this true? Also Project Catwalk are we going to get a second series? How did it do in the ratings?"
Neil: It is true about Grey's Anatomy, which now receives its Five premiere on April 6 at 10pm. Project Catwalk began poorly with around 180,000 viewers but has increased to around 340,000 in recent weeks. As for a second series, it could go either way.
Kirsty: "I loved Life As We Know It and was gutted to hear it had been axed in the US bedause of poor ratings. Is this true? I've had withdrawal symptoms since it 'Oh so abruptly' ended! Any possibility it will be carried on for us Brits? Please...."
Neil: Seeing as you asked so nicely... no.
Paul: "I watched all of Surface from the US and I consider it to be a fantastic show, I hear that the ratings in the US are not great, any information, if it is going to be picked up for a second season ?"
Neil: Time for a quick preview of what to expect in the weeks ahead. In around two months' time - mid-May - the US networks will unveil their new Fall (Autumn) schedules, detailing all of the series renewed for next season and the new shows getting a shot in the lineup. That comes just ahead of the LA screenings, when the UK broadcasters will descend upon tinsel town to fight it out for the rights to these new shows. Between now and May we'll see the networks gradually confirming shows for renewal, a process that began this week with the announcements that CSI and its spinoffs, Without A Trace, Cold Case, Numb3rs and House will all be back in 2006-07. Returning to Surface, I think it's now unlikely we'll get a second season.
arshad: "I was wondering, what ratings do Smallville and Prison Break get in the UK?"
Neil: Smallville is one of E4's top shows, with a first-run audience of around 650,000. Prison Break is also doing solid numbers, with an average audience of around 2 million so far.
Samantha: "Hi, I love your column and read it every week. Could you tell me when season 2 of Veronica Mars will be hitting our screens and is season 5 really going to be the last for Alias?"
Neil: Look out for Vera's return this summer. Season five really is the last for Alias.
Dave P: "Do you know if season 2 is the end of Lost or will there be a 3rd series?"
Neil: There will be a third series - expect an announcement within the next few weeks.
Karl: "Hi Neil I was wondering do you
know what shows are going to be on the new irish channel?"
Neil: Channel 6, for those out of the loop, is a new Irish station (not broadcasting in the UK) launching at the end of this month. The channel will target a young demo with a general entertainment focus, weighted heavily with US imports. More acquisitions were confirmed this week, including House and the US Office.
Emma Pearson: "Quickie question - Bravo are advertising "new" alias episodes on a monday at 3pm - is this the new series? If so will it be repeated on an evening?"
Neil: Not sure whether you have crossed wires somewhere (or need to visit the optician's) but the plan is still to air Alias on Sundays at 10pm from next week.
jimboc: "I've been loving the ER repeats on More 4 - but they missed out 2 crucial episodes where Carter and Lucy got stabbed. Why??? And will they be showing these episodes any time soon?"
Neil: Because they are daytime repeats (and it is a made-for-primetime show), you may have noticed several cut scenes already. In episodes where these themes have more significance - as these did - C4 has decided not to air them at all.
daclick: "Do you know if there are any more seasons of Warner Bros' Supernatural planned?"
Neil: I'm pretty confident that this show will be picked up for a second season; look out for the word one way or another in the weeks ahead.
More next Saturday!
(*) And while we're on the subject of tubes, apologies again to the poor souls whom I inadvertently pole-danced for on the Northern line this week.
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