Maybe we can work this out

Tween TV phenomenon High School Musical is back. Back. Back!

The follow-up to the worldwide smash - airing Friday, September 21 at 6pm on Disney Channel - sees the gang take up residence at Lava Springs, a posh country club where Sharpay rules the roost and gets whatever she wants.

What she wants this time round is Troy - and stops at nothing to get her man. This includes ensuring he gets a job at the club so he can wait on her every need and cater to her every whim. But she doesn't count on the rest of the team - including Troy's eternally vacant girlfriend Gabriella - joining him on the Lava Springs payroll.

There are fewer songs this time round in favour of more "drama"; it's the usual tried-and-tested storylines, such as our hero Troy falling for the lure of Sharpay's lavish gifts at the sacrifice of his friendships (and relationship), only to eventually come to his senses and "do the right thing".

Sharpay's character - now a junior Paris Hilton - is the stand-out, but the sequel also gives more airtime to the secondary cast members and the supporting cast. Ryan and Chad get their own song and scenes, while there is more depth added to the characters of Zeke, Kelsi, Martha and Jason. Surprisingly Taylor (Monique Coleman) is scarcely featured.

Zac Efron also sings using his own voice for the first time, although his main solo number - the anger-filled, Justin Timberlake-channeling 'Bet On It' - actually drew laughs from the audience in the small cinema I was at for the screening.

All in all a worthy follow-up to a surprise smash that already has kids - and some adults, blush blush - baying for the third instalment. Go WildCats!

Ahem. Now for another surprise success story. Lead Balloon, the wonderfully amusing observational comedy from Jack Dee, is returning for an expanded run of eight episodes this autumn.

This time it's migrating from BBC Four to a more high profile slot on BBC Two but as co-star Rasmus Hardiker tells us, the new run still aims to retain the charm of the original.

"It’s just one of those things where if it ain’t broke, don’t try and go nuts with it," he says. "The danger is that once there's been a pretty good first series then they try to make things completely different. Series two will be just more of the same. It’s lovely!"

Click here for more from Rasmus - including gossip on the new series of Saxondale.

That's all for this edition. From today the DS team relocates to Edinburgh for the Edinburgh TV Festival so over the next few days keep your eyes peeled for Tube Talk: Edinburgh TV Diaries with all the bits of juicy gossip I've managed to wrangle from the big cheeses. If you've any specific questions relevant to any channel drop me a line to the usual place and I'll do my best. Also keep tuned to DS at large for full, kick-ass coverage of the festival - you won't be disappointed.

Additional reporting by Nick Levine

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