Anon: "what the hell are you doing we want tube talk now"

Neil: Proof, were it ever needed, that I have the best fans in the world.


Lewis Card: "I too am sorry to hear joey has been cancelled, I hope five decide to show this soon. Also, has everybody hates chris been picked up for a second series?"

Neil: It has indeed. As for Joey, still no word on when it will air - but it will be shown.


Bupesh: "I saw that season 5 of Curb Your Enthusiasm is going to be released on DVD in September but it has yet to be shown on more4... do they have any plans?"

Neil: Yes, it will be shown although as of yet, there is no definitive airdate. They normally release DVD sets to coincide with the end of a broadcast airing, so on that basis we could predict late July / early August.


Wilfred: "I really would like to know if ITV will repeat Season 1 of Supernatural because I missed several episodes."

Neil: A fair bet that ITV2 will rerun this, probably in the run-up to season two next January.


Gary: "could You please answer my Question on if wether charmed could have a spinoff, and if it sounds likely please"

Neil: No, there are no spinoffs coming, even though there was talk of possible spinoffs earlier in the year.


Kris Roberts: "Firstly let me say how sad I am that ITV have seen fit to cancel Rosemary & Thyme, and therefore wondered how likely it is that another network will Pick it up. Also, having heard good reports about Prison Break, (which I have not seen), do you know how likely repeats are?"

Neil: To the first question: Not going to happen (it doesn't work like that over here, as the commercial profiles - and budgets - of the main networks are quite different). Prison Break repeats on UKTV Gold as part of a new "US TV" strand - In Justice also features - from July.


Richard Hooker: "Thanks for the answer to the question about the Sopranos. But added question that you may not be able to answer, but with all channel four great US shows that mostly filmed in HD what taking them so long with starting up a channel not just selling eps via TV drive in HD?"

Neil: I do question "taking so long", given that HD has only really just arrived over here. A fully-blown C4 HD channel is a certainty in the long run, but for now it will be just limited to random VOD offerings and technical trials.


Leon: "I am a huge fan of "Scrubs" and currently watch it on ABC1. Unfortunatley, they seem to be showing alot of repeats lately - do they only have the rights to certain seasons? I know E4 once broadcast it but I haven't seen it listed lately. I am also ware Paraoumount show it but I only recieve the Freeview service. Could you tell me where and when I might be able to see original episodes of "Scrubs" on ABC1 or another channel? Thanks."

Neil: ABC1 has the rights to seasons one and two, Sky One has the third, Paramount is home to season four and E4 is where you can catch the new season later this summer.


Simon T: "Enjoy the column a lot. Just wondering if theres any news about if, when and where the second series of The Contender will be shown?"

Neil: The new season begins on ESPN in the US on July 18, so expect to see it on ITV4 either later that week or the following week.


Sandy: "Hi Neil! Thanks for keeping us in the loop every week. I was very disappointed to read that 'Stacked' (the new show with Pamela Anderson) had got axed as I thought it was great, but I was wondering if you knew anything about the drama RESCUE ME? The show has just finished its second season on Sky One and I loved it! Is it returning, if so, when?"

Neil: The new season begins in the US this week but will probably be kept back by Sky again until next year.


Andrew: "So ITV are targetting BB this year - Soccer Aid, X Factor, World Cup, Love Island. What your take on their chances of doing real damage? how is it going so far? and will Deal or No Deal's move to primetime be enough to help Big Brother through its first primetime World Cup unharmed?"

Neil: As expected, Soccer Aid didn't do brilliantly but The X Factor is likely to do a very good job with its head-to-head this week. The World Cup is a no brainer for ratings success, while Love Island faces an uphill struggle when it starts in the middle of July. Although with that show, you should look beyond the raw figures and instead at the profile of the audience. As for DOND, I'm not convinced that people will choose not to watch the World Cup and it instead. It's more about picking the best show to scoop up all of those who are unlikely to watch the game in the first place.


Betty: "Would you know if there are going to be any DVD's of NCIS"

Neil: Yes - season one is out on July 24, just as it comes to an end on Five.


Karen: "Any chance that Missing has been renewed as it ended on a big cliffhanger. Love the column!"

Neil: Sorry to break the bad news - it's been axed.


Alex: "Will we be getting HBO's tale of mormon Polygamy, Big Love, any time soon, it looks great on the HBO web site and I have heard good things about it."

Neil: Big Love begins with a double-bill at 9pm on Monday, June 12 on Five.


Andrew: "Is it true that NBC are going to move Studio 60 from its Thursday slot before it starts in the autumn because it will go up against Grey's Anatomy and CSI?"

Neil: They already have - it's now set for Mondays at 10.


Andy W: "Hi Neil, do you have any information on the season 6 of '24' and when it will be aired in the UK?"

Neil: Once again 24 is being kept back for January, so expect February on Sky One. Details about the plot are currently patchy, although (select text to right for minor spoiler) part of the season is rumoured to be set in Shanghai - which will make sense if you've seen the season five finale. The first two episodes of the next season have already been written.


Ted T: "Hey there, I was wondering if Channel 4 will show the American version of Deal or No Deal?"

Neil: No plans, but I wouldn't imagine so. Challenge is probably your best bet for this, although to be honest, you're not missing much.


Frank: "Hey Neil, I was wondering if you could answer some questions on UK TV for me. Will there be a new series of Suburban Shootout on five? And when is afterlife coming back?"

Neil: Afterlife will be back as part of the autumn schedules. Suburban Shootout has been given the go-ahead for a second series, despite a less-than-impressive first.


Andrew: "Do you know what new shows from the USA are looking good and what channels they will be picked up on yet? Also, is it likely the 4th season of the OC will be the last?"

Neil: No word on UK pickups yet - the LA screenings ended last week so now we'll see deals made over the coming weeks and into the summer months. The ones to look out for include Six Degrees, Traveler, Heroes, Studio 60, Vanished and Raines. I'll be getting my hands on the pilots in the coming weeks so look out for a more informed opinion soon. As for The O.C., it's way too soon to say but this year will be a pivotal year for the show - it too airs in the uber-competitive, aforementioned Thursday 9pm slot.


Matthew: "DO you know what the Fat Controller's name was?"

Neil: A quick search on Wikipedia reveals that the Controller's real name is actually Sir Topham Hatt. I did not know that.


Stacey: "Will live with regis and kelly ever come to our screens? I love them so much maybe ABC1 should have them"

Neil: No offence, Stacey, but this is one of the worst taste requests I've received.


Ryan: "Hi Neil, has The Unit been picked up by any UK or Irish channel?"

Neil: Apparently, Bravo is in talks for - and close to nabbing - The Unit.


Jean D.R.: "The obligatory Doctor Who question: - what's happening next?

Neil: I don't have to ruin the show for everyone, you know. But it is fun. So for some gentle teasers, click to the right: The Impossible Planet is the first of another two-parter that sees Rose and the Doc stranded on a ship orbiting an all-consuming black hole after the TARDIS takes a tumble onto the planet below. Keep an eye out for the suspiciously subserviant Ood, a herd race that apparently dies if they aren't being told what to do, and a cameo from Will Thorp, who gets covered in strange symbols by the mysterious - and "awake" - bad guy (horrifying, no?) A potentially good story here, but unfortunately let down by poor direction.


More next weekend!