Welcome to the week of premieres!

That's right - over the coming seven days some of the biggest shows will be returning to your screens, and you'd be a fool to miss them!

Here's a recap:

Monday: Prison Break, Five @ 10pm
Friday: American Idol, ITV2 @ 8.30pm
Sunday (21st): 24, Sky One @ 9pm (with extra showings every 15 minutes on multistart)

Meanwhile, for everyone who's been asking, I can now confirm that the new season of Boston Legal will premiere next month on Living. Full details on that, plus the start date for Kyle XY, on the Premiere List Page.

So on with the show, and this week we meet the guy who puts the Hiro in Heroes..

Every week in the run-up to the much-anticipated Heroes premiere in the UK, Tube Talk will be profiling a different Hero.

This week it's the turn of Hiro Nakamura (no relation to Nip/Tuck's finest), a Japanese office worker who claims to have the ability to manipulate the time-space continuum, much to the disbelief of his co-worker Ando.

Character: Hiro Nakamura
Actor: Masi Oka
Powers: Teleportation through time and space
Occupation: Office worker
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Profile: Japanese nerd Hiro alarms his friend Ando with repeated claims that he can teleport himself anywhere in time and space. One day on the train he sees an advert for New York City and, after some concentration, suddenly finds himself in Times Square.

Masi took some time out of his busy shooting schedule this week to talk to the press about the show - and of course, we were in on the action. To read what he had to say, click here.

... and, if you're already up-to-date with Heroes, head down to this week's star spot to read what Masi had to say about what's to come later this season!

Dave: "Glad to hear that Dexter is coming to FX in the summer, but you wouldn't happen to know if it will see a Region 1 DVD release beforehand would you? And if so when?"
Neil: No rumblings on this yet, but I imagine it will be after the first season starts airing here.

Neil Postlethwaite: "Neil you said last week "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?" To be honest, in one go. Sky's infamous Strapline 'record and entire series with one click' for Sky +, is utterly messed up by their XMAS shenanighans. What with all the new stuff starting, it's easy to loose a series. Esp. as they can't be honest and just tell you so you could diary it. Having about 5 part watched series, and about 10 others start means it can be hard to keep tabs on who/wht/what/where etc!!! For example, What is the promising Standoff back. It's only just started, and has disappeared. Thanks for the info on Bones S3 back in mid-Feb though."
Neil: In the case of Standoff, the series is running to 19 eps and not 22 (why not fewer, I'm unsure) so my guess is that it will be back a few weeks after Bones - maybe early March.

James: "The first season of suburban shootout has finished in the UK - are there any plans for a dvd release?"
Neil: Series one lands on February 5.

Nam: "Hey! Wow, i just read ur interview with Sendhil from Heroes...seems like the 2nd half of season 2 is gonna b v v gd! i was just wondering, when bbc2 will air hereos. as i duno whether to carry on watching it on the net, or to wait until it comes on bbc2. and before u say its on sci-fi ch, prison break is on at the same time!! And by the way, have you ever met Kristen Veitch (eonline)? I think that is a meeting just waiting to happen!!!"
Neil: There is a SciFi+1 channel, you know. My understanding is that Heroes will follow on BBC Two six months after Sci Fi, so around late August / early September time. Maybe they could pair it up with Torchwood? As for Kristin, I can but live in hope...

Richard Cooke: "love tubetalk. got one short question. for some reason my sky + didnt get the final episode of the unit. are bravo going to repeat it? thanks"
Neil: I'll go one better than that - the entire first season replays weekdays at 3pm and 8pm from this Wednesday.

Michael G: "Hi Neil, great column. Anyway I need to vent some anger at The O.C. being cancelled! Season 1 was the best series of any show I've ever seen, Season 2 was awful but they really picked it up with Season 3 and I can't wait to see Season 4. I read a rumour somewhere that The CW is interested in picking up The O.C. Any truth to this? Also, what about One Tree Hill in the UK, do you think that E4 will actually give it a decent timeslot this time round? And this new series on Sky One - Hidden Palms, do you think that it has the "O.C. Season 1" feeling about it?"
Neil: The O.C. season five ain't gonna happen. Why? 'Cos Josh Schwartz says so! I wouldn't hold out any hope on OTH getting a better shot this time. Hidden Palms (soon on Sky One) is ace, from what I've seen of it so far.

Ritch: "I know you don't like having to be reminded that some idiots cancelled the fantastic show Surface. But I was wondering seeing as though we won't be getting another season, do you know if they will be releasing the first season out on Region 2 DVD? I hope so as this was my favourite new show on telly. Many Thanks."
Neil: Oh no, the memories come flooding back. Nim, I miss you! One other way of looking at it, however, is the theory that Surface was axed to make room for Heroes. Still, it hurts. Get yourself a region 1 copy.

More now from Masi Oka, who has some big hints on what we can expect in the second half of Heroes season one.

Click here to read the second part of our interview with the big man - but be warned, you will be spoiled!

Brekkie Boy: "You've mentioned in passing lately (and in no way showing off about it at all, hey!) about getting advance episodes of shows in your position as a journalist, so I just wondered do you get the whole episode or just a teaser. As a humble viewer who has to wait until they actually air on TV there is nothing worse than when you sit down to watch something knowing precisely how the whole thing will unfold! Anyhow, must say top marks for your Christmas Whozapalooza - how refreshing to have a week with next to no mention of Doctor Who! While I'm here, any news on Cape Wrath, C4's new homegrown drama - and have they commissioned anything yet for the autumn considering the resurrection of Saddam Hussein is probably more likely than the return of Goldplated!"
Neil: Not a fan of the spoiler spot, then? 99% of the time previews come in the form of a whole episode, but the lead time on some of them varies (for example, as I mentioned last week, Waterloo Road is now around eight weeks ahead, while IIRC Sinchronicity last year had a lead of just a few days. (No second series for that, by the way). Cape Wrath is coming in the next few weeks while it'll be a few months yet before you hear anything on the autumn schedules.

Neil: "Hi, just wondering if you knew when Criminal Minds Season 1 was being released on DVD and whether LivngTV are going to show the second season sometime?"
Neil: "Some time" is the best I can do for now, alas. Season one is out on February 12, however.

David: "hey neil im a new reader to tubetalk and was wondering if you know the dates for when bonkers! and primeval are due to start airing? oh and cant wait for your next tube talk as looking forward to your skins info"
Neil: Bonkers is coming at the end of the month (more on that next week) and Primeval in around a month's time (more on that in two weeks). Head to the spoiler spot for some teasers on the Skins premiere - but don't miss next week's Tube Talk because it's a Skins special!

Ajayrious: "will skins be strictly e4 bound or will we see it on c4 with the next episode airing on e4 ala lost, sugar rush etc?"
Neil: E4 only. For now.

David: "Hi Neil, loving your work, the best TV info page on the Web! Whilst I am happy to be the owner of a spanking new Sky HD box it arrived too late for the first 6 episodes of Lost. Do you know if there is going to be a 'catch up' prior to the second part of the season? Thank's in advance."
Neil: Every night at 11pm, Monday 5 - Saturday 10 Feb.

Khadijah Hussain: "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can you tell me where the Oprah Winfrey Show has gone from ITV2??? More importantly, PLEASE tell me it will be back soon and WHEN???????????????? Thanks. Loving your work."
Neil: Aha, we've found her UK viewer! If you haven't seen already, Oprah is now back in her rightful place, weekday mornings on ITV2. But c'mon ITV2, where's The Maury Show? You know it makes sense.

Christopher Davis: "How much does the BBC pay you, to
say good things regarding Torchwood? I really feel sorry for you, you sad muppet."
Neil: Well I've stopped now. Their last cheque bounced.

Amanda: "I heard you have information regarding the next season of The IT Crowd...do you know when it's airing? I looked on Channel 4's website and didn't see it on their listing from 1/5. Please help!!"
Neil: Relax, it's not here quite yet. My slightly informed guess would be April.

Beckie: "you said last week that Waterloo Road would start on Thursday January the 15th but the 15th isnt a thursday so did you mean the 11th or the 18th or the 25th january? thanks dude =]"
Neil: Yes, that was a bit naughty of me. I mean this Thursday, the 16th. 15th. 18th. Whatever.

Matthew: "As someone who doesn't have sky, i relied on the monday evening repeats of Supernatural on ITV1 to see this great show. Please tell me they will be doing the same again! Thanks"
Neil: 'Fraid it doesn't look like it. But you're happy with ITV Play in its place, aren't you?

Glen Williams: "Just wondering if the US series Jericho about a town trying to survive after a strange mystery nuclear holocaust will be airing in the UK any time soon? Be good to know."
Neil: Fridays at 8pm on the Hallmark Channel. You get a second chance to catch the pilot tonight (Sunday).

Edel: "Hi Neil. When is the second half of the new series of Lost starting on RTÉ2? Also, why do a lot of American shows start on Irish TV weeks before they premiere on British TV? I'm thinking of shows like CSI, Desperate Housewives, Lost and Ugly Betty. Thanks! :-)"
Neil: Honestly, I've no idea when Lost returns in IE but in all likelihood it'll be later next month (don't forget there's always Sky One). The premieres tend to be a bit earlier in Ireland because the networks are less hung up on going on hiatus.

Mark: "HI Neil, I am afraid I am a bit addicted to your column just as i like telly.... Any type, honest. Thanks for the info on Bones and in answer to your question i would prefer them without the break (Hoorah that Sky are showing Stargete that way, Yah Boo to the USA. you can download it from us for a change). Really looking forward to heroes although I am told that the pilot is different to the one i was sent is this true? Also where on earth is Smallville??? It must be cold for Tom Welling stuck in space like that when is E4 bringing it back.......ARRGH"
Neil: Not having seen what version of the Heroes pilot you were sent, I couldn't say for sure. The premiere was originally supposed to be 90 minutes, but then got chopped into two regular-size episodes (both of which you will see on Sci Fi's opening night). As for Smallville, that's the big question right now - and I'll have the answer next week. I know, I'm an ass.

Claire Harris: "ive written to you before with unfortunatly no reply. my question is the series haunted starring matthew fox is it coming back for a second one as the show is being repeated again on itv4. please advise thanks"
Neil: Yep, next month!

Danny: "Any idea when and where Friday Night Lights will be shown? Also, how is it doing in the USA? Thanks!"
Neil: It's not doing brilliantly in the US ratings, but it does have strong critical reception and consequently NBC picked it up for the full season. Airs here on ITV4 from February 9.

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: Andrew will finally get his chance at headmaster when Rimmer loses the job - but will all of his spiel on how to run a school effectively translate? Meanwhile Izzie will have a new crisis to deal with when one of her daughters gets seriously depressed after being "exposed" on the internet. Waterloo Road airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One

Skins - first look: Don't miss next week's Tube Talk for a Skins special, but for now, here's what I can tell you about the premiere: First off I should say that for all the suggestion, the amount of sex or sexual content in the first couple of shows is minimal, so those tuning in for a watered-down, teeny version of The Adult Channel may well be disappointed. The storyline of the first episode focuses on our lead guy, Tony, who is trying to get his best mate Sid - a virgin - laid at a big party. No party is complete without drugs, of course, and Sid is promptly dispatched to see "Mad Twatter" and pick up an ounce of the naughty stuff. But he comes back with three - so will he manage to get rid of that and his virginity all in one night? Skins airs Thursdays at 10pm on E4 from January 25

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

Here endeth this week's edition. Next week it's a Skins special, plus there's a preview of new drama comedy Bonkers and we'll be profiling another Hero!


Additional reporting by Kris Green