Ho ho ho! Welcome to the festive edition of Tube Talk, aka the first annual Whozapalooza!



That's right - this week it's all about Doctor Who. We have gossip on this year's Christmas Special (The Runaway Bride) - starring Catherine Tate as the Doc's new (albeit temporary) assistant - as well as scoop on the explosive Torchwood finale and new spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures.

But there's more on the box this Christmas - and you'd be a fool to miss the two-hour Doc Martin special (Christmas Day, 9pm, ITV1), the final Vicar Of Dibley (Christmas Day and New Year's Day, BBC One) and the new Wind in the Willows adaptation with Matt Lucas (New Year's Day, 6.20pm, BBC One). Five's festive flagship is Michael Heseltine On Trees, which just about says it all. Although the RI Christmas Lectures are well worth a look - daily on Five beginning Christmas morning.

I know I promised news on Nicholas Lyndhurst's new sitcom After You've Gone this week, but there's just one word to sum it up: awful.

Anyway, my sack is bulging this week so let's start unloading...

Raz: "Neil...Just stumbled on this website while looking for information on the second series of the E-Ring, you seem like you know your stuff so I thought I'd ask if you knew whether FX have picked up the 2nd Series of The E-Ring, I am desperately trying to find information on it after tonights episode. Also I know the final West Wing was shown some time ago... are there any plans for a new series with Jimmy Smits as the president, I am hearing chatter that there may be? Can you do some digging. PS More of your stinging wit please..I love it"
Neil: FX hasn't picked up the second season of E-Ring because it doesn't (and won't) exist. I haven't heard anything about a West Wing spinoff but I'd consider it unlikely.

Ric: "I was just wandering how you were able to watch the Us shows over here so early"
Neil: Hey, I'm a journalist... I have ways and means.

Sean: "This week you said that Angela's Eyes has been renewed but Lifetime has announced that it has been cancelled. Yep. There you go. How excited are you about FTN's new line-up? Quite excited? Not excited? Indifferent?"
Neil: That's the last time I believe a press person. As for FTN, I can't say I'm a regular viewer but I do tune in occasionally for the fantastic Booze Britain (soon to be copied by ITV2 in The F*** It Generation).

Jimmy: "Hi Neil: Just wondering why season 13 of ER is shorter than usual as there are only 13 episodes. Thought there was about 24 in a season. Any idea why. Will there be any episode previews for ER on site Great column neil keep up the good work."
Neil: Not sure where you heard that - season 13 has 25 episodes. As for previews, there are plans to improve the Spoiler Spot further in the new year so keep your eyes peeled...

Chris Rushworth: "I have enjoyed watching repeats of quantum leap and heard about a new series being planned is it still going ahead?"
Neil: This would be A Bold Leap Forward, which - somewhat ironically - remains on the whiteboard for now.

The final swag spot of the year houses the usual sort of DVD goodness but also a very special bonus prize.

First up are three copies of The State Within - the complete first series on DVD. It's out on January 22nd so there's opportunity to get this mighty early. But having said that we probably won't be sending them out until next April anyway. Nevertheless, to be in with a chance of winning just click yourself here.

And as if that wasn't good enough there's also something else on offer this week...

Now, some of you may have noticed that Tube Talk always has a different title each week, but what you may not have realised is that the title actually relates to a quote from a choice show I happen to be gushing over at that given moment. And now my gushing becomes a competition!

For one lucky reader there's the opportunity to win a very limited edition Digital Spy Christmas Card. To make it all the more special I'll even sign it!! All you need to do is tell me which show, airing some time over the Christmas period, that the title of last week's Tube Talk came from. The first person to email me in the usual manner with the right answer gets the card. Only entries received after the ep in question airs will be counted, so no guessing allowed.

There... I told you my sack was bulging this week!

Vicky Park: "Im a huge Oc fan! and i was wondering when and what channel the fourth season will be shown? i heard its either in january or march! i can't wait til march!!"
Neil: It was supposed to be February but is actually being brought forward to Tuesday, January 9 at 9pm on E4, then begins on T4 the following Sunday at 2.50pm.

Abigail: "Hi is there any chance that Hotel Babylon will be released onto DVD??? And has a second series been commissioned?"
Neil: Series one is out on DVD on February 19, preceded by repeats on Living TV. And yes, a second series will air on the Beeb next year.

bex: "Will Supernatural season 1 be repeated before season 2 starts because i missed the first season and want to watch the 2nd...or does it not matter if i missed the first season, will i still understand the 2nd?"
Neil: No repeats, I'm afraid (these actually aired a few months ago). You probably need some prior knowledge to understand the mythology of the second season but it's mostly standalone eps so you should be fine.

robpalmer135: "Any idea on when season 6 of Curb Your Enthusiasm will begin in the states, will it be the the usual 10 episodes, and will it be the last season?"
Neil: It's likely to be another run of ten eps, airing sometime early next year in the US (and no doubt 2012 on More4). It's not confirmed yet but I expect this will be the last season and hopefully so. I should point out that I'm a huge fan of CYE (in the appreciative sense) but I'm of the opinion that things of this ilk should be ended before they start to deteriorate and ruin the memory.

The first of several Star Spots in this issue (always the way: you wait for one and then three come at once) features Catherine Tate, who plays the Doc's unwitting new assistant Donna in The Runaway Bride.

Regular readers of Tube Talk will know that I'm far from a fan of The Catherine Tate Show but she actually puts in a reasonably good performance in the special - and is a very sweet person "in real life".

As you'll know, Donna is a one-episode-only assistant - not that Catherine would have minded staying on for longer. "They didn't ask me to be the assistant," she said. "I tend not to dwell on my failures in my career! Donna had a complete emancipation in her adventures with Dr Who and didn't want to stay... and also, they didn't ask me." But she added: "It was just such a fantastic job to get, one of the best things I've done. It was just wonderful."

Chris G: "Hi Neil - great page, love keeping up to date with whats going on in TV land! Just watched the season finale of Hollyoaks in the City and can't remember the last time I watched such an entertaining end to a British series! Very under rated! I know channel 4 have said the're not recommisioning it but is there any chance at all that they might reconsider especially after the series will soon finish airing its repeats on channel 4 (with additional fans surely!) and with the online petition which has been set up?!"
Neil: Nope, it's axed. But in the Hollyoaks universe spinoffs are ten a penny so I'm sure another will be along before too long.

Joachim: "I like your new premiere page - great for setting the Humax to. But I noticed House wasn't on there. Don't tell me season 3 has started on Five already and I haven't noticed!"
Neil: I haven't a confirmed date at the moment (the original plan was the third week of Jan) but I'd guess towards the end of Jan.

Rosie: "Hi Neil, do you know if the IT crowd is returning for a second series and if it is, when? Also, does anyone die in torchwood finale?!?! Thanks! :)"
Neil: A second series airs from the Spring. As for the Torchwood finale (look away if you don't want to know), at least one of the major characters will be murdered.

Mick: "Hi Neil, I don't suppose you have any idea when season 8 of Charmed is expected to be released on DVD? Also do you have any info on what special features will be on the boxset?"
Neil: The season 8 set is provisionally down for March 5. There's also a complete series boxset out on the same day, available in a limited edition "magic chest" variety. Can I get an "oooh"?

bex: "What were the ratings like for one tree hill, i'm thinking they wont be as great as this show deserves because E4 decided to put it in the worst possible
timeslot! also will it be on again around next july? and in a better timeslot...otherwise i may have to steal their xmas presents from them =]"
Neil: It was around 100k for the series - quite impressive, considering the awful scheduling. The next season is destined for E4 but as to when, it's "yet to be decided".

Next up, we were lucky enough to get some time with Elisabeth Sladen, last seen as Sarah Jane in the series 2 episode "School Reunion" but now making a full-time comeback in her own spinoff series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, on New Year's Day.

Like fellow spinoff series Torchwood, Elisabeth's show was also the brainchild of Russell T Davies - and she admits to being amazed at how well he knows Sarah Jane. "He even wrote for my weird speech patterns, it's quite bizarre!" she said. "I opened the script and one of the things that I thought was 'my god, I never thought of that, how lovely!' The second scene I thought 'how amazing' and the third scene 'I never thought that could happen'. So in a script with a character I thought I'd known for thirty years, he's already done three things I never even thought of! We'll see what lies ahead, I truly don't know."

Check back on DS later this week to read the full transcript.

Mhairi: "Hi Neil previously you mentioned that rescue me would be starting 28th November. I still haven't seen it yet? Is it coming?"
Neil: I don't know what Sky is playing at with this show, to be honest. It was supposed to be November, then January, now February 15.

Natasha: "According to the Scifi UK channel website, Heroes isn't due to start until 'February 07' now. Your article says 9 Jan 07. Can you confirm which it is? Thanks :)"
Neil: Ignore the cult section for now. It's February 19, 10pm.

Nicci: "Do you by chance know the start date ITV4 will be showing 'Smith'?"
Neil: No confirmed date yet, but I'm told that it's likely to be the third week of Jan.

Leyona: "Hey Neil, I'm an ER Addict and was wondering whether you know the exact date for the season 13 premiere on e4? The advert is hardly ever on and I don't want to miss the advert for it when it has the date on."
Neil: Check the Premiere List page, my dear.

Ems: "Love the column! I see you more as an ausiello than kristin though! Just wondering your premiere list doesn't have smallville on it .. are you not a fan or dont we know the date yet? Thanks hun!"
Neil: Hmm, but he likes Snapple. I guess our equivalent would be some kind of Ribena. I hate Ribena.

As far as Smallville goes, I know there have been whisperings that it's moving to ITV2. Well, that's kind of right. ITV2 will be airing old episodes of Smallville, starting from March, but E4 still remains the home for new eps from January (and yes, the date remains unconfirmed at the mo).

Penny: "Please can you tell me when Lost will be back on after the xmas break?"
Neil: Lost returns February 11, just four days after the US.

Now the biggie... the Doctor himself.

At the press screening for the Christmas special last week I managed to grab a quick chat with Davey Tennant (who still has a ridiculously small waist) and asked him about working with Catherine Tate and new full-time assistant Freema Agyeman. "It was a little bit odd because, going back [to filming] in July, it was like going back to school," he said. "Everyone was there, all the old team... except Bill wasn't there. But it was a very different script, a very different relationship and a very different character so I suppose that's what acting's about really."

He still "keeps in touch" with Billie, he added, and sees her "all the time". But he promised: "It's different and just as good this year."

Anne: "Hi Neil, great column last week, you're on fire man! Any idea when the 2nd series of Criminal Minds will be airing on Living (I assume they have the 1st run rights again), also, I know the 3rd season of Las Vegas has only just finished on Sky (or is about to) but any news on when they will be showing the current season airing in the US? They made us wait ages last time & I ended up buying the DVDs from the US - surely not the greatest idea for them"
Neil: Nothing confirmed on either, save for the new seasons will be on their respective channels first.

Colm: "Hi Neil, i am a huge afterlife fan and wanted to know if you could tell me if it is coming back for a third series....we (the afterlife fans) are getting mixed replies from ITV!"
Neil: The official word is that no decision has yet been made, but reading between a few lines I think it's been axed.

David Wilson: "The Wire - Any idea if, when and where for the UK???"
Neil: Yep - now confirmed for FX on February 13 at 10pm.

Jon: "Saw you mentioned that new episodes of SG1 air on Sky in January. Apparently new ones don't show in the US until April... Love the column by the way!"
Neil: Hmm, it certainly appears so, doesn't it?

Stephen: "It's "bumph", surely? Congrats on the new Premiere List page - a great addition to an already fanstastic service. Worth every penny!"
Neil: Thanks Stephen... I think.

Darren: "Don't suppose you fancy telling me when we can expect Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy on five as an early Christmas pressie"
Neil: Try last January? Now that's an early Christmas present.

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

Waterloo Road: Next term there's a new stud in town - and he's immediately breaking the hearts of his classmates but his prowess doesn't stop there: Prince Charming is also getting jiggy with the headmaster's new secretary. Who, incidentally, is also getting jiggy with the headmaster. Meanwhile, Lorna survived her plunge in the pool and returns to Waterloo Road. And when she has accomodation problems, guess where she ends up living? Waterloo Road returns to BBC One on Thursday, January 18

The Sarah Jane Adventures: I may have misled slightly a few issues ago when I said that there is a "Mr. Smith" on the scene. Well, there is, only it's a computer. That's not the only gadget she has at her disposal, though. Courtesy of the doc she also has "sonic lipstick", allowing her to open things as she sees fit. The Sarah Jane Adventures airs New Year's Day on BBC One

Torchwood: OK, a few more hints on the finale now. One character you need to watch out for is a guy named Billis, who first appears as the caretaker in 1941 (where, in case you didn't know, Tosh and CJ are transported to courtesy of the ever-widening rift). He somehow - and I won't spoil it by saying exactly how - but somehow appears in the present day... eventually with blood on his hands. One guy you definitely need to watch out for is someone called James Harper - he's a very interesting chap. Also appearing in the finale are Lisa (Ianto's cyberwoman), Diane, Tosh's dead mother and Rhys's arse. Finally, CJ turns the gun on each member of his team - but who will survive? Torchwood concludes New Year's Day on BBC Three

Doctor Who - The Runaway Bride: Plenty of humour in this episode, which begins as bride Donna is walking down the aisle preparing to marry. But suddenly she is whisked away and into the TARDIS, much to the confusion of her and the Doctor. Much weirdness ensues as they attempt to find out why it happened and avoid a bunch of menacing Santas. Sarah Parish stars as The Empress of Racnoss (a big spider), the bad girl of the piece. She's the last survivor of the Racnoss, by the way, who were a race killed off by none other than the Timelords (hint: her survival is linked - in a very imaginative new way of thinking - to an event that occurred 6 billion years ago). Rose is finally laid to rest in this episode, having played a big part in numerous references throughout. And here's a cryptic clue (fill in the blanks!) on a poignant quote from Donna, aimed at the Doc, towards the end of the ep: "Just promise me one thing - f*** *o*eo**" Doctor Who - The Runaway Bride airs at 7pm on Christmas Day on BBC One

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

OK, so there ends this year's Whozapalooza. Hope you digged.

There's no regular Tube Talk next week but there will be another special edition on New Year's eve, counting down your 20 most popular shows of the year. The next regular edition of Tube Talk with questions will be on Thursday, January 4.

Like every year, I'm off now to indulge in Christmas cheer and make a disgrace of myself at the dinner table. To everyone - have a cracking Christmas!


Additional reporting by Kris Green and Ben Rawson-Jones