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In this very special edition of Tube Talk I've thrown out the usual round of questions and answers, crappy swag spot prizes and boring chat with celebrities for a TV-related countdown! It's the Tube Talk equivalent of one of Channel 4's four-hour compilation shows - but there's not a Jimmy Carr or Chris Parker in sight.
All year long I've been keeping a tally of which shows you've been asking and chatting to me about and now I'm finally ready to unveil your top 20.
So here goes, brace yourselves. If you fancy a bit of fun, maybe down a shot of something suitable after each position is announced.
20. WEEDS
This darker version of Desperate Housewives tickled your funny bones when it made its debut on Sky One at the start of the year. A third season has now been commissioned but UK viewers are still desperate to see the second. Rest assured that it will be along in the next few months!
This darker version of Desperate Housewives tickled your funny bones when it made its debut on Sky One at the start of the year. A third season has now been commissioned but UK viewers are still desperate to see the second. Rest assured that it will be along in the next few months!
19. GHOST WHISPERER
Jennifer Love Hewitt's supernatural drama crossed the Atlantic this summer, quickly becoming one of E4's top-rated shows. A second season airs on the channel in 2007 but if you missed the first, there's another chance to catch it - this time on abc1 - from this Tuesday (January 2).
Jennifer Love Hewitt's supernatural drama crossed the Atlantic this summer, quickly becoming one of E4's top-rated shows. A second season airs on the channel in 2007 but if you missed the first, there's another chance to catch it - this time on abc1 - from this Tuesday (January 2).
18. CHARMED
After eight years the manor finally closed for the girls in May. Other series to end last season - but not to make it in your top 20 - include Will & Grace (#61), Malcolm in the Middle (#103), Invasion (#29) and Alias (#42).
After eight years the manor finally closed for the girls in May. Other series to end last season - but not to make it in your top 20 - include Will & Grace (#61), Malcolm in the Middle (#103), Invasion (#29) and Alias (#42).
17. STARGATE ATLANTIS
As the autumn rolled round, sci-fi fans began to get antsy for their fix of new episodes from the Stargate universe. Although its parent series SG-1 has now been axed, Atlantis will return for a new season in 2007. Another spinoff series is planned for 2008.
As the autumn rolled round, sci-fi fans began to get antsy for their fix of new episodes from the Stargate universe. Although its parent series SG-1 has now been axed, Atlantis will return for a new season in 2007. Another spinoff series is planned for 2008.
16. HEROES
This Lost-a-like serial drama - first flagged by Tube Talk back in March - has excited you more than any other new series this season, even though it has yet to air in the UK! Since its US debut in September, Heroes quickly established itself as the number one breakout show of the season, and in recent weeks even managed to surpass ratings for Lost. It airs in the UK on Sci Fi from February 19.
This Lost-a-like serial drama - first flagged by Tube Talk back in March - has excited you more than any other new series this season, even though it has yet to air in the UK! Since its US debut in September, Heroes quickly established itself as the number one breakout show of the season, and in recent weeks even managed to surpass ratings for Lost. It airs in the UK on Sci Fi from February 19.
15. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
Frustration abounded when the third season of Battlestar Galactica appeared - but then subsequently disappeared - from Sky One's autumn schedules. It finally debuts on January 9 - and, for the first time, in high definition on Sky One HD.
Frustration abounded when the third season of Battlestar Galactica appeared - but then subsequently disappeared - from Sky One's autumn schedules. It finally debuts on January 9 - and, for the first time, in high definition on Sky One HD.
14. STARGATE SG-1
The US Sci Fi Channel called time on the granddaddy of sci-fi series in August, announcing that an expected eleventh season would not be commissioned. The final half of the final season will premiere exclusively in the UK beginning January, almost three months before the show wraps in the US. Although the TV series is coming to a close, SG-1 will live on: two straight-to-DVD movies are planned for an end of 2007 release.
The US Sci Fi Channel called time on the granddaddy of sci-fi series in August, announcing that an expected eleventh season would not be commissioned. The final half of the final season will premiere exclusively in the UK beginning January, almost three months before the show wraps in the US. Although the TV series is coming to a close, SG-1 will live on: two straight-to-DVD movies are planned for an end of 2007 release.
YOUR TOP TEN COMEDIES OF 2006
10. Everybody Hates Chris
9. Will & Grace
8. Kath & Kim
7. Arrested Development
6. My Name Is Earl
5. How I Met Your Mother
4. Entourage
3. Joey
2. Weeds
1. Scrubs
10. Everybody Hates Chris
9. Will & Grace
8. Kath & Kim
7. Arrested Development
6. My Name Is Earl
5. How I Met Your Mother
4. Entourage
3. Joey
2. Weeds
1. Scrubs
13. THE SOPRANOS
Tony will take one final bow this summer as the acclaimed crime series returns to E4 for its last eight episodes.
Tony will take one final bow this summer as the acclaimed crime series returns to E4 for its last eight episodes.
12. SCRUBS
This comedy series set new records this year after airing on an impressive four UK broadcasters at the same time. Where new episodes would air was anyone's guess, but a fresh season of episodes finally popped up on E4 in the spring. In the US, speculation continues over whether Zach Braff will stick around for a potential seventh season in 2007/08 - although producers have insisted that the show will carry on with or without him.
This comedy series set new records this year after airing on an impressive four UK broadcasters at the same time. Where new episodes would air was anyone's guess, but a fresh season of episodes finally popped up on E4 in the spring. In the US, speculation continues over whether Zach Braff will stick around for a potential seventh season in 2007/08 - although producers have insisted that the show will carry on with or without him.
11. NCIS
Terrestrial viewers got the chance to sample one of CBS's most popular series after Five played out seasons one and two on Saturday nights. Season three follows on Friday nights from January 5, while newer episodes air on FX from later in the year.
Terrestrial viewers got the chance to sample one of CBS's most popular series after Five played out seasons one and two on Saturday nights. Season three follows on Friday nights from January 5, while newer episodes air on FX from later in the year.
10. DOCTOR WHO
David Tennant took over from Christopher Eccleston as the Time Lord at the start of the year but after just one series lost assistant Billie Piper to the rift. The third series - starring Freema Agyeman as the new assistant - has now finished filming and will air from March. Tennant has refused to confirm whether he will stay on board beyond an expected fourth series in 2008. Meanwhile, new spinoff Torchwood debuted in October, drawing a decidedly mixed reaction from fans. It reached number 34 in your chart.
David Tennant took over from Christopher Eccleston as the Time Lord at the start of the year but after just one series lost assistant Billie Piper to the rift. The third series - starring Freema Agyeman as the new assistant - has now finished filming and will air from March. Tennant has refused to confirm whether he will stay on board beyond an expected fourth series in 2008. Meanwhile, new spinoff Torchwood debuted in October, drawing a decidedly mixed reaction from fans. It reached number 34 in your chart.
9. NIP/TUCK
The controversial third season wrapped earlier in the year, finally unmasking the warped truth behind the carver. The fourth season has already aired in the US but, like fellow oddball series Rescue Me, has been delayed numerous times by Sky One in the UK. It finally premieres Monday, January 8 at 10pm.
The controversial third season wrapped earlier in the year, finally unmasking the warped truth behind the carver. The fourth season has already aired in the US but, like fellow oddball series Rescue Me, has been delayed numerous times by Sky One in the UK. It finally premieres Monday, January 8 at 10pm.
8. GREY'S ANATOMY
The medical drama won a whole new set of fans when it debuted terrestrially on Five earlier in the year. New episodes can be found on Living TV ahead of the second season debut on Five in 2007 - but expect to see it on a new night, freed from the House sandwich.
The medical drama won a whole new set of fans when it debuted terrestrially on Five earlier in the year. New episodes can be found on Living TV ahead of the second season debut on Five in 2007 - but expect to see it on a new night, freed from the House sandwich.
7. PRISON BREAK
Following Lost, audiences were begging for another serialised drama to excite the synapses and quicken the pulses. Paul Scheuring delivered with Prison Break, an unusually compelling premise that managed to beat the odds and improve with time. The good news is that the second season - airing on Five from Monday, January 15 - is even better than the first!
Following Lost, audiences were begging for another serialised drama to excite the synapses and quicken the pulses. Paul Scheuring delivered with Prison Break, an unusually compelling premise that managed to beat the odds and improve with time. The good news is that the second season - airing on Five from Monday, January 15 - is even better than the first!
THE TOP TEN NEW US SHOWS (2006-2007 SEASON) YOU'VE BEEN MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN 2006
10. Shark
9. Ugly Betty
8. Six Degrees
7. Vanished
6. Smith
5. Friday Night Lights
4. Justice
3. Dexter
2. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
1. Heroes
10. Shark
9. Ugly Betty
8. Six Degrees
7. Vanished
6. Smith
5. Friday Night Lights
4. Justice
3. Dexter
2. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
1. Heroes
6. SUPERNATURAL
Jensen and Jared arrived in January to kick demon asses wherever they could find them. Their combination of good humour, good looks and good... ass-kicking?... left you begging for a second season before the first had even finished. ITV2 finally delivers, Sunday, January 28!
Jensen and Jared arrived in January to kick demon asses wherever they could find them. Their combination of good humour, good looks and good... ass-kicking?... left you begging for a second season before the first had even finished. ITV2 finally delivers, Sunday, January 28!
5. ONE TREE HILL
This US teen series had an extremely troubled year, courtesy of a notoriously insane scheduler who gained employment at E4. Almost one year after its US airing, season three finally appeared on the channel at the end of the summer, with no promotion and in a new graveyard Sunday afternoon slot. Halfway through the run a controversial - but key - episode was ditched, leaving already testy fans plotting to firebomb E4 headquarters. C4 has since assured tube Talk readers that a repeat run, this time including the missing episode, is planned for "some time in 2007". That's something, right?
This US teen series had an extremely troubled year, courtesy of a notoriously insane scheduler who gained employment at E4. Almost one year after its US airing, season three finally appeared on the channel at the end of the summer, with no promotion and in a new graveyard Sunday afternoon slot. Halfway through the run a controversial - but key - episode was ditched, leaving already testy fans plotting to firebomb E4 headquarters. C4 has since assured tube Talk readers that a repeat run, this time including the missing episode, is planned for "some time in 2007". That's something, right?
4. GILMORE GIRLS
"When will season six of the Gilmore Girls air on Hallmark?" drove me to new levels of insanity this year, becoming the question I've been asked more than any other in my life (replacing previous title holder "Why are you staring at me from the bushes?") I still don't know the answer.
"When will season six of the Gilmore Girls air on Hallmark?" drove me to new levels of insanity this year, becoming the question I've been asked more than any other in my life (replacing previous title holder "Why are you staring at me from the bushes?") I still don't know the answer.
3. VERONICA MARS
Interest in Vera perked up in April after I managed to grab the gorgeous Kristin Bell for a quickie in New York. Following the awful scheduling of season one, Living TV redeemed itself by awarding Veronica Mars a prime slot for its second run. Ratings failed to soar through the roof but nevertheless, the channel has picked up the third season for 2007.
Interest in Vera perked up in April after I managed to grab the gorgeous Kristin Bell for a quickie in New York. Following the awful scheduling of season one, Living TV redeemed itself by awarding Veronica Mars a prime slot for its second run. Ratings failed to soar through the roof but nevertheless, the channel has picked up the third season for 2007.
2. EVERWOOD
It was a mixed year for the most diehard fans of anything on the planet, ever. Terrestrial audiences were first treated to season one, then season two of this emotive drama, just before the much-demanded UK premiere of season three. Then season four, airing in the US at the time, was announced to be the last ever. In a further cruel twist, ITV picked up the rights to the last season but shows no sign of putting it on the air.
It was a mixed year for the most diehard fans of anything on the planet, ever. Terrestrial audiences were first treated to season one, then season two of this emotive drama, just before the much-demanded UK premiere of season three. Then season four, airing in the US at the time, was announced to be the last ever. In a further cruel twist, ITV picked up the rights to the last season but shows no sign of putting it on the air.
1. LOST
And the award for your most asked-and-talked about series of the year goes to Lost! Channel 4 started the year as the bad guy when, after wrapping up the first season at Christmas, it looked as if it would be holding back the second season for five months. Bowing to fan pressure, C4 then brought forward the premiere to the Spring but was already facing scorn over when it would follow suit with the third. Then Sky came along and solved the problem for them - brokering a £20 million deal to exclusively air the third and fourth seasons. Within weeks the first six episodes of the third season were airing in HD on Sky One, dividing fans with and without a suitably-equipped television set. When the series returns in Feburary, Sky One showings will be within just four days of their first US broadcast.
And the award for your most asked-and-talked about series of the year goes to Lost! Channel 4 started the year as the bad guy when, after wrapping up the first season at Christmas, it looked as if it would be holding back the second season for five months. Bowing to fan pressure, C4 then brought forward the premiere to the Spring but was already facing scorn over when it would follow suit with the third. Then Sky came along and solved the problem for them - brokering a £20 million deal to exclusively air the third and fourth seasons. Within weeks the first six episodes of the third season were airing in HD on Sky One, dividing fans with and without a suitably-equipped television set. When the series returns in Feburary, Sky One showings will be within just four days of their first US broadcast.
So there we have it - here closes the book on another year of top telly. I'm off now to ring in the new year with my Catherine Tate DVDs.
Tube Talk is back in business this Thursday, January 4.
Have a cracking New Year!
