Allow me to introduce you to Tube Talk In Video - a new, beautifully low budget video show that serves as a moving extension to that with which you are already well acquainted. This week it boasts previews of Life On Mars, 24 and Prison Break, plus a couple more questions answered - but by me, with my voice.
To watch the show, click the play icon in the screen just below.
There, wasn't that fun?
Something that is even more fun is MySpace, where all the cool young hipsters go to compete over how many friends they can get. The recent entrance of Five's commissioners to the site was the final act in convincing me that Tube Talk needed to get involved as well. So now Tube Talk has a MySpace page, and you can see it here. With time it will be updated to include lots of nice things, including pictures and blog updates from various media events that are just too scandalous to feature on these pages. So make us your friend, show us off to your other friends and leave us cute little messages with kisses.
In a world of change it's reassuring to have some constants. To that end the Premiere List page remains, shining outwards in all directions as if it were a lighthouse. Emitting premiere dates for TV shows.
Speaking of TV shows, don't miss Wife Swap, which returns to Channel 4 this Sunday (a new night) with a celebrity special featuring Vanessa Feltz and Paul Daniels. Vanessa actually does herself no favours in this - especially when she does the unthinkable and launches into an attack on the lovely Debbie McGee.
Starting next week is the new reality show Grease Is The Word, from Simon Cowell but not starring Simon Cowell. I saw the first episode earlier this week and it's actually pretty funny. Expect lots of David Gest making comments about his anus.
Don't forget that voting is still open for the coveted audience award at the BAFTAs over at obsessedwith.tv. You can now also view a clip of an inebriated version of yours truly managing to string together a few words in support of Life On Mars.
Right, time to move on to the queries - but another new initiative means you'll now have to click on the next page link below to get to them. I decided that after two years, it was about time you started working for it...
Jonnie: "Big thumbs up for Tube Talk as always. I was just wondering when Skins will be out on DVD. I just love it! Keep up the good work :D"
Neil: The first series is out on September 3, just after it finishes its repeat run on Channel 4. For all those asking about series 2, details are sketchy at the moment but as things stand, the expected premiere date is next January (2008) on E4. All of the gang will be back - but there's an obvious question mark over one particular character...
Sean: "Really enjoyed the 1st series of Sleeper Cell and Brotherhood on FX UK. I know the second series of Sleeper Cell has aired in the US, do you know when FX plan to show it in the UK? Also could you ETA when the second series of Brotherhood may arrive on our shores?"
Neil: As the PLP testifies, Sleeper Cell is back on May 15. Brotherhood follows in the autumn.
Darren K.: "I discovered this site late last year, and it's a godsend for us Brits!! I hear good things about FOX's Drive, and would like to know who's picking it up, and how close to US schedule it will be!"
Neil: The show was postponed a bit in the US because of a "tight production schedule" - the first season will actually be split in two - but I've heard that Fox ordered a complete reshoot because the pilot was so bad. But it still looks intriguing, so I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it. No UK pickup yet.
Kelly: "I'm going crazy here, I've managed to resist looking at vids on youtube but I really need to know now! Do you know when One Tree Hill Season 4 is going to be aired on E4? The ending was so good to season 3 and I've been able to resist for so long, but please, please tell me it's coming back soon!! Thanx"
Neil: It's been brought forward - and once again it's a low-key return in an odd slot. Catch season four Sundays at 5pm beginning next Sunday, April 8.
Han: "Hey hey there, if you are there that is...don't seem to have seen a new TT in a while, have you been mobbed for your gay slur?! Ok so it doesn't look like we're going to see any new Girmores in my life time so can you suggest a site to download season 6? A legal one please, I'm a good girl I am! Cheers deary xx"
Neil: Ahh, a classic Tube Talk entry here - the Gilmore Girls query. As regular as clockwork, as certain as the sunrise, not a day goes by where I am spared from enquiries about the Girls. Or more specifically, their whereabouts. I'm afraid I have no update as far as a UK broadcaster is concerned - and as it stands, there is currently no legal way to watch it online in this country. Your best bet would be to import the American DVD sets.
Five celebrated its tenth birthday this week with a swanky party at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square. There was Beverley Knight, a casino, lady dancers in white neglige and plenty of complementary booze.Plus... lots of 'Five Is Ten' - or, as was their wont, 'fiveisten' - branded merchandise everywhere you looked. Naturally I nicked some lovely 'fiveisten'-labelled lip balm from the gents, and now I'm passing it on to one of you lucky readers!
To be in with a chance of winning the balm just send me a message with your own confession of thievery. Best answer gets the prize!
Sam_M: "Hi do you know of any plans for a gay channel coming to sky? and whatever happend to Pride TV which was meant to launch last year!!"
Neil: Lack of funding put paid to it, just like Faze TV before it. However it's not all bad news: 'The Queer Channel' is prepping for a launch some time this year. DS media correspondent Jo Oatts put out an in-depth feature on the whole gay TV channel mess last year; click here to be informed.
Anne: "Hi Neil, any idea when Standoff will be back and also how long is Jericho going to be off our screens. I don't even know if I like it that much but can't seem to stop watching it!"
Neil: Standoff returns for its final few eps in the US on June 8, so expect it to follow on Sky One soon afterwards. As for Jericho, the "second season" - as it's officially being branded, although really it's just the second half of the first - begins on Hallmark on May 11. A special recap episode, Return To Jericho, airs the week before.
Richard: "Hi Neil, love tube talk not had any luck getting a question selected yet so here we go for third time lucky. I see the ever excellent Rescue Me has been dumped to a late night Sunday slot from its peak Thursday time, does this mean ratings aren't good? Are Sky still likely to pick up the next season though? Also out of curiosity how does the show perform in America, Is it considered one of the big shows?"
Neil: Arguably it's a better slot now, with Lost and 24 as its lead-in. But it's only getting around 100,000 viewers unfortunately - it deserves much more, because it is a quality show. Despite this Sky will still pick up the next series, which is due to premiere in June in the US.
Tom: "Any news on whether or not there will be a 2nd series of Love Soup ? The BBC can't leave us hanging like that ... can they ??"
Neil: No they can't, as you may have already seen.
Time to work for your Tube Talk once again. Click below to go to the next page. C'mon, it'll be fun....
Laura: "Just wondering, what has happened to Waterloo Road being on BBC one? Surely it isnt the end of the series, but there hasnt been a new episode in weeks! What's going on and when will it be back on?"
Neil: A mixture of football and reality fare forced a "half-term break". More over in Soap Scoop.
Cris: "Delighted to hear you've not been kidnapped / fired or simply chose to display your many talents on the road!! You've asked us about Heroes & after initial doubts, my flat mate & I got totally hookep up. If not by the fact, that at the end of every episodes everything gets even more tangled & it's less clear. Just gripping! But I must have to admit that all those bloody commercial breaks on Sci-Fi are doing our headings!! Man, how many can they do x episode!!! My favourite character? Matt Parkman"
Neil: Excellent - do spread the word, Cris! And this isn't the first complaint I've had about the ad breaks during Heroes. But you're relatively lucky - it's nowhere near as bad as the ad breaks you get trying to watch it on NBC from the US...
As always, select the area to the right of each programme to read the text - but be warned that you may well be spoiled.Life On Mars:As you'll have seen in Tube Talk In Video, Gene becomes a murder suspect in this week's episode. The evidence for his guilt seems pretty conclusive, and he even gets arrested and suspended from the force. As you'd expect though, it isn't as clear cut as it first appears and things do find a nice resolve. By the way, watch out for Gene's replacement as Acting DCI - he may hold more than just the key to Gene's office... Life On Mars airs Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One
Peep Show: Just a couple weeks left now until Peep Show makes its triumphant return - and Mark's wedding to Sophie is still on, and drawing ever closer. The premiere is a Meet The Parents-style adventure that sees Jez getting special time with Sophie's mother, Mark ripping the head off a live chicken and both boys becoming implicated in a spot of arson. Things get more outrageous as the series progresses - one scene in particular involving dog faeces and Jez's mouth may have some of you reaching for the sick bucket... Peep Show returns to Channel 4 on Friday, April 13 at 10.30pm
Send your requests for shows to be featured in the Spoiler Spot to the usual place.
That's all for this week - but join me next Friday for more on Doctor Who, hints on how Life On Mars ends and another Tube Talk In Video.
And don't forget to keep your queries coming!
Additional input from Kris Green and Joanne Oatts
