Just hours now remain until season three of Lost lands on Sky One and, for many, the first time to catch the show in glorious HD.

It's not too long before several other shows follow suit... coming soon to Sky One are the new seasons of 24 (January), Nip/Tuck (January 8), Rescue Me (January 9) and Battlestar Galactica (January 10).

Meanwhile, I'm now officially obsessed with Sky Travel following last weekend's Airline marathon - other ridiculous guilty pleasures lining the schedules include Redcoats, The Tube and 24 Hours In Soho, not to forget the superbly dreamy World Live (which surely deserves its own 24 hour channel?). This should serve as inspiration to us all: do be a bit random at times, check out a channel or programme that you normally would flip straight past. Who knows, you might surprise yourself.

And if you need help searching for a show, why not visit our brand new TV Guide?

Wow, a great segway. But enough pre-amble, on to the main course...

Rhys: "Hi, I know you're probably sick of questions about Lost already, but will it be able to be downloaded on Sky By Broadband? Im sure I read that it would somewhere!"
Neil: Yes - although apparently not in time for tonight's season launch.

Laura: "I know that you have already been asked if sky one will overtake the US in showing Lost, but what I want to know is if RTE2 in Ireland is taking a break as well or will they continue to show Lost and overtake the S?"
Neil: Nope. It's coming back in the US as early as it possibly can under the new "no breaks" system; the amount of time involved to produce the episodes guarantees that. But even so, you still wouldn't get it before the US. On a related note, ABC will be showing snippets from the second part of the season over the coming weeks during ad breaks in new series Day Break.

Murray: "Hi, ben loving 24 ever since season 1 started in 2001, was just wondering when sky 1 will begin to show the new season. I have heard it will be either before or within a week of FOX. any info? thanks"
Neil: It will definitely be back in January, but not before Fox.

David: "The OC aired 2 episodes on wed and thur last week was it a success and which one had the higher ratings?"
Neil: The Wednesday one fared marginally better but the numbers are still as low as for the premiere. It's February before it returns on E4, by the way.

Samuel Boberts: "Hi, Neil! I really appreciate what you do for us every week, although I can't believe you fell asleep during The OC's premiere... Can you tell me how good The Office US is doing on ITV2? I really think its a great show. Thanks!"
Neil: Similar to Entourage, it's managing between 70,000 and 80,000. Not as much as it deserves.

This week I have time with the cast of Five's new (and soon-to-be-axed) US drama Vanished, and I need questions!

Drop me a line if you have a burning question to ask of Chris Egan (aka "the boyfriend"), John Allen Nelson (aka "the senator") or Ming Na (aka "the agent").

Check back next week to hear from Bones beauty Michaela Conlin (aka Angela) and Tripping Over hunk Abe Forsythe (aka Nic).

Jay: "Hi Neil, I love your column... Please can you let me know when the new series of ER is coming to the UK? thanks."
Neil: January! Ditto for Smallville and Desperate Housewives.

Rua: "Hey, I've been hearing rumours that FOX have shelved Justice now, is this true? I thought it was doing okay state-side ratings wise. I've been really enjoying this show, it's possibly FOX's best show from the new season, great to hear that NBC have given Studio 60 a full season though"
Neil: It's been pulled for the rest of November sweeps. The word is that it will complete its initial run of 13 episodes but most likely won't be picked up beyond that. Can I get a round of tears?

Lola: "Someone told me that a cancelled Tru calling after only 1 and 1/2 seasons will be making a comaback because it is back in huge demand. Is this true? I hope it is as me and my family love it."
Neil: Erm... no. But some rather enthusiastic fans have commissioned their own (unofficial) third season online - click here if you have several days to spare.

Foggy: "HI Neil, Do you know if Stargate SG-1 is getting canned, I keep hearing rumours about it and it seems that in America it's taking a huge break. Please tell me it's coming back."
Neil: Dead once this season ends.

Lee: "Hi Neil. I have two questions for you, if that's okay?! Torchwood did really well for BBC Three when it started, I'm just wondering how it has held up over the past few weeks? Have the ratings been steady or have they declined (I suspect it's the latter). Also, I missed the first 'The State Within' so was wondering if the BBC plan to repeat it from the start when it's done? Thanks in advance Mr Wilkes =)"
Neil: Ratings for the Sunday premiere of Torchwood have steadily declined - and will most likely decline further when it goes up against Lost tonight - but together with the numerous repeats throughout the week and the BBC Two repeat, it's performing fairly solidly.

This week's swag spot is a little lacklustre, but do bear with me.

Out now on DVD is the first volume of Robin Hood and thanks to the folks at the BBC, we have one copy up for grabs. Yep, you heard me right, one copy.

I understand the need for cost-cutting and firing staff is one thing, but getting all stingy on Tube Talk is quite another.

Click here to enter, but I'd urge you to boycott this competition in an act of unity against this travesty.

Paul: "Hi Neil, Did Sky confirm as per rumours that 24 will only be min one week behind USA airing during season 6 duration ? Also if USA have 2 x 2hr shows Sun Jan 14/Mon jn 15 will Sky do same to keep in sequence ?"
Neil: Nothing is confirmed yet, but the most likely scenario is that the first two eps will air on January 21, then subsequent episodes every week thereafter (meaning a delay of around three weeks). The alternative is to have double-bills for the first three weeks, which would then put us around 6 days behind the US.

Neil Postlethwaite: "Over the last few weeks you have said The Innocence Project and The State Within are worth watching, whereas Dek's TV Diary said they are pants. What's the DS Party line, as I have a chock-a-block Sky+160 box and want to avoid filling it with crap, but don't want to miss good stuff?!"
Neil: There's no party line here at DS, but in general you should listen to Dek (do click here) for a more matured, measured set of opinions. Don't mistake me for a critic - I just say whether I like something or not.

Reece Page: "Hey Neil, long time reader, must say that Tubetalk is simply the best source of information on the net for anything tv related. Now onto the question. Sky One now have LOST, Yay, Sky One also has 24, Double Yay, but what is going to happen when they are both out around the same time due to the hiatous LOST will be facing? I'm guessing both will be saved for a Sunday Night but isn't LOST taking the 24 timeslot? What will Sky One do? Are they going to change one of the days or change times and create the surefire ratings winner of the week?"
Neil: As I understand it, 24 will play at 9pm then Lost at 10pm, which makes sense: Sunday is traditionally Sky One's night.

Cris: "No matter how late.. your column rocks! Can you tell me something about Dexter? Read about the main character being a blood spatter specialist for Miami police but he's also kills only serial killers. It sounds intriguing. Has this show being picked up here in UK. If so when & where. Glad to hear that Julie Benz is in it."
Neil: The premise is slightly strange: Dexter is a man with homicidal tendencies but, under the mentorship of his adopted police officer father, is guided to act them out on criminals who have managed to get away with their crimes. Catch it on FX from early next year - no confirmed date yet but watch this space.

As always, select the area to the right of each programme to read the text - but be warned that you may well be spoiled.

This week on Torchwood: An absolutely superb episode this week - and finally one that is truly deserving of the "adult" tag. The gang head out to the countryside to investigate a spate of disappearances. People are killed, several of the guys are kidnapped and one of our heroes is shot. Meanwhile Toshiko has a thing for Owen and Owen had a thing for Gwen but only one of these potential pairings will result in some action for Owen. Torchwood airs Sunday nights at 10pm on BBC Three

Next week on Torchwood: Next week marks a star turn for Daniela Denby-Ashe (My Family, EastEnders) in an episode focusing on the hitherto neglected Toshiko. Daniela appears as Mary, a mysterious girl who befriends Toshiko and presents her with a pendant that allows her to read people's thoughts. She isn't too pleased with what she hears from Gwen and Owen, while attempting to read Captain Jack's mind proves fruitless. Meanwhile, as Toshiko's "relationship" with Mary progresses, it becomes clear that she is wanted for more than just sex... Torchwood airs Sunday nights at 10pm on BBC Three

Send your requests for shows to be featured in the Spoiler Spot to the usual place.

That's all for this week - more next week. At some point.


Additional reporting by Kris Green