Every week in the run-up to the much-anticipated Heroes premiere in the UK, Tube Talk will be profiling a different Hero.We begin this week with Mohinder Suresh, a character central to the plot who also provides the philosophical voiceovers in each episode.
Actor: Sendhil Ramamurthy
Powers: None known
Occupation: Genetics professor / taxi driver
Location: India / New York
Profile: Young genetics preofessor Mohinder moves to the US from India after hearing of the death of his father Chandra, a genetics researcher with a controversial theory about rapid genetic evolution.
Now for the goodness. Click here to read our exclusive interview with Sendhil, who discusses the show, his character and why he thinks Heroes has become so successful.
But there's more! For those of you already following Heroes as it airs in the US, head down to the star spot for some exclusive tidbits on what to expect in the second half of this season.
Lucy: "So no New Year's resolution to be prompt this year, eh, Neil?"
Neil: My resolution is to continue to provide you with the unbelievably fantastic and informative service you've come to depend on.
Kayli: "Hey, Neil, I was wondering if you could tell me what day CSI: NY Season 3 will be airing as it's not in the premieres page, And another question, Do you know the reason for ER DVDs being so late? I think they're only up to s7 on DVD. Thanks."
Neil: There's no confirmed date for CSI: NY yet, but it shouldn't be too long of a wait. As for ER, this is a consequence of the DVD format coming into play when the show was already multiple seasons in (so they're playing catch-up). It's a similar story with The Simpsons.
Jeremy: "When does the new season of Dr who start on bbc1?"
Neil: It's looking like an early April launch.
Liz: "I have heard of a show called Dexter in America and was wondering if it's coming here?"
Neil: It is! I'm getting a lot of queries about this show of late, which should be an encouraging sign for FX, which airs Dexter over here from the summer.
Lee: "hello im a big fan of the series hex and i wondering when series 3 will be on sky one and when i can buy it"
Neil: Try never! Hex was axed months ago - but has only recently had an outing on Sky Three. Series one and two are available on DVD, however.
robpalmer135: "How well is The O.C. Season 4 doing in the states. are they going to just have 16 episodes or will it be bumped up to the usual 22+ . From my i have heard its worse than season 3 which was pretty poor!"
Neil: As you'll no doubt of heard by now, The O.C. has been axed - and will finish next month in the states. Don't forget that season four begins here on E4 this Tuesday.
Richard Hooker: "Rome 2nd season starts on HBO
on the 14th of Jan in the US as this is a BBC co production when will it be shown on BBC TV and will it be shown on BBC HD channel as it shot in it as that it on HBO HD in the US. They have not even repeated the first season on BBC HD even though they owned the rights in the UK and it was filmed in HD."
on the 14th of Jan in the US as this is a BBC co production when will it be shown on BBC TV and will it be shown on BBC HD channel as it shot in it as that it on HBO HD in the US. They have not even repeated the first season on BBC HD even though they owned the rights in the UK and it was filmed in HD."
Neil: It's looking like late summer before season two airs over here - but it will play out in HD.
DarylSmith: "Being without digital TV of any kind due to funds
(even an aerial upgrade is a expensive!) can I ask what's the best imports coming soon to the main channels. Will we ever see the likes of Boston Law or older fayre like The 4400?"
(even an aerial upgrade is a expensive!) can I ask what's the best imports coming soon to the main channels. Will we ever see the likes of Boston Law or older fayre like The 4400?"
Neil: I doubt it. New seasons of shows like Prison Break, CSI and Desperate Housewives are already, or will shortly be, on the air (see the Premiere List Page for more details). As for new shows, there's Heroes on BBC Two from the Autumn and Brothers & Sisters on Channel 4.
Torchwood may now be over, but I'm still not done with it yet.In this week's swag spot you can win some ever-so-fancy Doctor Who books, courtesy of our (now much less stingy) friends at the BBC.
Click here to enter for free!
Kat: "i've heard a rumour that the dvd for season 8 of Charmed will have special features, is this true? or will they just be on the american set? Also do you know when the new series of My Family is due to start?"
Neil: Rest assured, you'll get your features. New My Family will be around later this Spring, most likely March.
John Kelly: "A UK tv query! Many of the more obscure channels scure channels have a "+1" channel. However, the main channels (101-106) don't have them. Any idea why?"
Neil: Mainly because of the repeat costs involved. But in theory there's nothing to stop the terrestrials from doing so (although you're unlikely to see it with the BBC) and it could happen in future - but you're more likely to see a push towards VOD.
Aaron: "Heya Neil! I was just wondering if you could give us any info about this new E4 Skins business, because I keep seeing adverts, but have no idea what it's actually about! Looks a bit like Sugar Rush..? Cheers"
Neil: It's a bit Sugar Rush, a lot As If, topped with a bit of American Pie. Look out for a special Skins edition of Tube Talk in the coming weeks to find out more.
Julia: "Hey, hope you had a fab Christmas! I've been hearing some really brilliant things about Grey's Anatomy from the States and i was just wondering if Five were going to continue it anytime soon? Did it do well the last time it was on?"
Neil: Thanks Julia - unfortunately I spent most of it in bed being ill, but still, I had Peep Show for company. Grey's Anatomy season two will be winging its way to Five soon - but expect a new timeslot. Although it did reasonable numbers, execs apparently believe it is "too intense" to schedule it behind fellow medical drama House.
Mike: "I hear UKTV Gold have the rights to "The New Adventures of Old Christine", but are they ever going to show it!?"
Neil: It's a good question. Expect later in the spring.
Paul: "Hi Neil, love Tube Talk every week. Kyle XY hasn't been mentioned for a while, in fact not since it started in the US. Any news on this? Is it still going in the States? Been recomissioned? Will we ever see it in the UK?"
Neil: You know what, this is another great show that I'm certain all Tube Talkers will love. Season one lands on Trouble in the UK from February, while a second season airs in the States from the summer. And I've just learnt that I've got some time with lead star Matt Dallas in a few weeks' time, so get any questions for Matt over to the usual place!
Dave: "Hi, when is the UK version of The Apprentice set to return? I remember you saying it was early this year"
Neil: Not too long to go now!
Becky: "OK, so I know Torchwood just finished - but I need more!! I've heard Captain Jack will be appearing in the finale of Doctor Who season 3 - is this definitely true? And will we be seeing any of the rest of the Torchwood team in Doctor Who? Also, do you have ANY idea when Torchwood season 2 might be gracing our screens? Please help!"
Neil: Jack will be appearing in three episodes towards the end of Doctor Who season three. As for new Torchwood, expect it around the same time of the year, i.e. October.
If you're already watching Heroes as it airs in the US, a big well done. (But if you're doing so illegally, shame on you)Exclusive to Tube Talk is the second half of our interview with Sendhil Ramamurthy - aka Mohinder Suresh - who teases us on what to expect in the second half of season one and explains where he thinks the show is heading. Click here to read but be warned, you almost certainly will be spoiled!
There - some exclusive gossip at US pace.. and there's more in this week's spoiler spot.
Eat that, Kristin!
Mark: "I am sure by the time you have enjoyed your favourite repeates of Catherine Tate shows as well as enjoyed the Chrimbo Dr Who edition which she guffed her way through...HHHMMM! you might be able to tell me where bones went? No announcement on Sky at the end of the last episode and no link (although that also happened on Torchwood over Christmas don't yah just love that there sky) Any ideas why we are having these strange breaks I am sure there are more...."
Neil: Just in case my sarcasm was not evident, let me make it clear that I did not spend my Christmas watching that show. Bones is on a break because Sky brought it back earlier than usual (it would have been January otherwise) but returns with new episodes on February 15. But you tell me - would you prefer an early return for your favourite US shows, albeit with a midseason break, or wait a bit longer and get them all in one?
Kara: "Okay, what on earth is going on with the episode ordering of the fabulous Ellen on Five Life? Is there any order to it at all!? It seems as though they are merely picking episodes at random! Can you shed any light?"
Neil: As I understand it, the 4pm episode is a random repeat, then a new episode (usually on a week or so delay from the US) airs at 5pm - but, because it's been the Christmas break, no new episodes have been airing in the US recently so it's all repeats.
Chris: "Hope you had an enjoyable and restful Christmas and New Year. Now down to business. Have been enjoying Torchwood allowing for the ups and downs of the different episodes but would love to know what was the viewing figures on the last 2 episodes, bearing in mind that the start was up against the last Vicar of Dibley. Thank god for pvrs."
Neil: Ratings for the finale were roughly consistent with the rest of the series, at just over 1 million.
Michelle: "I really enjoyed series 1 of Waterloo Road. Do you know when series 2 is scheduled to air?"
Neil: Series two airs Thursdays at 8pm from Jan 15. I'm already up to ep 5 and can assure you that this series is even better than the first!
JC: "Happy New Ye....ah forget it, it's long over now, thankfully!!! Only it's not, is it? We still have all the remnants of the holiday schedule and half my programmes seem to have disappeared from the schedule. So, can you please, pleeeease tell me when Entourage is back on ITV2 cos I can't find it, even tho the ITV2 website still insists it's on at it's usual time."
Neil: Fret not. New episodes of Entourage air from next Sunday.
Nicki: "Hi Neil, I was just wondering if there are any plans for US Fox show 'Til Death to be picked up over here?"
Neil: Yes, this went to Five - but I hear it was part of a package deal and not a direct purchase.
Tet: "Ok, first off, hello Neil! Right, I come from southern california and now reside here in the UK... I have two questions if that's ok.... First one is, the US shows that have made the jump to the UK, why are they shown 3+ months later than the original US air dates? I know the tv head honchoes may like to wait because they want to see the ratings first before they buy for their channel, but why so long, even when they're looking into buying the rights to show a succesful show that they know will suck the people in? I think America's Next Top Model is even shown here in the UK, after the winner's episode has already aired in the US! Secondly, how has the show Medium been doing? I know it's been successful in America, and I even got my british husband to get into it, but BBC doesn't even have a webpage for it, or any news on its return, if any? I know it was shown at an awkward late time when people probably wouldn't of even noticed it was there! How were the ratings? And why is the UK so hopped up on Soap Opera's :p Ok, that's just a random question for you for fun :) Thanks again!"
Neil: Woah, hello there Tet. The delay isn't because of late pickups - often the shows are bought before they have even aired in the US - but it's more because UK networks prefer not to go on hiatus, instead wanting to air the episodes consecutively (24-style). Yes, Medium had a late timeslot on BBC One but still did admirably and reached more viewers than it would have done in a prime slot on, say for example, Sky One. It's not just the UK that goes for soap operas in primetime - in fact it's a widespread phenomenon virtually everywhere except the US - soaps or telenovellas are huge across Europe, Latin America and Australia.
Cris: "I saw the first episode of Ugly Betty, even though
the idea of the ugly duckling making it into the big bad fashion world concept is not too credible, I must admit I have very much enjoyed the acting and dialogues. Can you tell me how did it do Statewise. Keep up with the great work, Cris"
the idea of the ugly duckling making it into the big bad fashion world concept is not too credible, I must admit I have very much enjoyed the acting and dialogues. Can you tell me how did it do Statewise. Keep up with the great work, Cris"
Neil: It's not really my bag but is resonating with US audiences: season-to-date ratings average over 13 million viewers.
Rick: "Has there been an injustice over at Fox? Have they finally gone ahead with their threat and dumped Justice? But they only showed 12 episodes! Will the 13th be shown? Will it be on DVD? It's a travesty, and frankly I'm appalled at the American public for not taking to this. A minute silence for Ron Trot please."
Neil:
.. and breathe.
Yes, I totally agree.
.. and breathe.
Yes, I totally agree.
As always, select the area to the right of each programme to read the text - but be warned that you may well be spoiled.No more Torchwood means my Spoiler Spot is now barren - but not for much longer!
Heroes - US pace only: Remember the dinosaur that Hiro was seen slaying in a painting? Well, it will be happening - and in the first episode after the hiatus. We'll also be meeting some of Hiro's family as the season progresses... Heroes airs on Sci Fi Channel in the UK from February 19
Heroes - US pace only - bonus teaser: If you haven't checked out the spoileric second half of our interview with Sendhil yet, click here. There he mentions the all-important "list", which apparently has 36 names on it, being killed off one by one by Sylar. Coincidentally I've just finished reading a book called The Righteous Men, which centres around an ancient prophecy about 36 "righteous men", who bring good to the world, only they too are being killed off one by one. Seems familiar? In the book there is also one of the 36 who is "the chosen one", more important and righteous than the other 35. Peter Petrelli, perhaps?...... Heroes airs on Sci Fi Channel in the UK from February 19
Send your requests for shows to be featured in the Spoiler Spot to the usual place.
That's it for this week. In next week's Tube Talk there'll be exclusive gossip, as promised, on Skins PLUS we'll be talking to Maki Osa, aka Hiro from Heroes!!
Additional reporting by Kris Green
