TV
Blog
“ Tube Talk ”
In this edition of Tube Talk we're getting back to our roots with the return of a much-missed feature and an extended round of your questions!
But first, remember that new E4 drama I told you about? It had similarities with Skins, but would instead be set in a posh performing arts school in London and with a much more beautiful cast. Well, here's the first shot of said cast:
What do you think? Are these guys really more than a match for Tony, Michelle, Cassie and co. in the looks department? Give me your first impressions by adding comments at the end of today's column.
More on what to expect from Nearly Famous next week.
Now, what's this?
It's only the bloody swag spot, rising from the dead more proudly than Sarah Michelle Gellar at the end of Buffy's freshman season.
This time the Swag Spot is home to season six of Smallville on DVD. Even though the most recent season of the show is only halfway through airing on E4, the impatient among you can get hold of the entire season now.
Hopefully you remember how it works. There's a bit of blurb about the DVD followed by a stupidly easy question for you to answer. Click here to enter for free!
Oooooh, I'm getting flashbacks! Without further ado let's tuck into the main course - the Q&As. Knives and forks ready? Excellent...
That's it for this edition. More soon!
Additional reporting by "James Welsh"
Click the link below to add your comments to this entry. If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
But first, remember that new E4 drama I told you about? It had similarities with Skins, but would instead be set in a posh performing arts school in London and with a much more beautiful cast. Well, here's the first shot of said cast:
What do you think? Are these guys really more than a match for Tony, Michelle, Cassie and co. in the looks department? Give me your first impressions by adding comments at the end of today's column.
More on what to expect from Nearly Famous next week.
Now, what's this?
It's only the bloody swag spot, rising from the dead more proudly than Sarah Michelle Gellar at the end of Buffy's freshman season.This time the Swag Spot is home to season six of Smallville on DVD. Even though the most recent season of the show is only halfway through airing on E4, the impatient among you can get hold of the entire season now.
Hopefully you remember how it works. There's a bit of blurb about the DVD followed by a stupidly easy question for you to answer. Click here to enter for free!
Oooooh, I'm getting flashbacks! Without further ado let's tuck into the main course - the Q&As. Knives and forks ready? Excellent...
Han: "so nooooo! i'm not having it! There must be a twist, please tell me there's a twist, it's [potential Prison Break spoiler removed]....please...can you do something...please?xx"
Neil: It's an unsatisfying twist, that's for sure, but probably for the best. As far as I know it's genuine and there's no going back.
Dave: "Any chance of an idea of how the new US shows are doing ratings wise (i.e which shows are worth bothering with)? An idea of the following would be great: Life, Carpoolers and Reaper. Also, how's 30 Rock holding up this season?"
Neil: 30 Rock hit an all-time high for its second season premiere, with 7.33 million viewers and a 9% demo share. This dropped off slightly to 6.6m/8% by episode two, but is still comfortably higher than the season one average of 5.8m/7%. Carpoolers (I originally typed that as Crapoolers, possibly with subconscious accuracy) started well (9.1m, 9%) but has been shedding viewers since, while Life took a 25% tumble after its premiere and is now third place for its timeslot behind CSI: NY and Dirty Sexy Money. As for Reaper, it's actually doing okay, with around 3m viewers for The CW and a 3 to 4% demo share. Hmph.
cjd: "Any news on season 6 air date of Without A Trace on Ch4 or More4? It doesn't appear to be on the PLP, but has begun airing in the US?"
Neil: It will be a while yet unfortunately, as we've only just started season five on Channel 4.
Paul Newman: "Do you happen to know when the new series of I'm A Celebrity is due to start?"
Neil: Same as usual - towards the end of next month (likely the 18th), running into the first week of December.
Simon: "When is The Mint coming back to ITV?!"
Neil: The Mint and shows of its ilk will soon be no more on ITV as the broadcaster aims to phase out all ITV Play programming by the end of the year. Hurrah!
Tim Burns: "What a wonderful job you're doing. I've never asked a question before, as this column normally provides the answers to all I need to know. However,..... I thought some of the best adult tv last year came in the shape of the brilliant Brotherhood on FX. There is a second season in the States, just wondering when, where (if?) we will be seeing season two in the UK? Gracias amigo."
Neil: Staring into my crystal ball, I foresee new episodes of Brotherhood on FX in the new year. Yes, Sunday nights at 10pm. Hmm... how does January 6 sound?
Mike: "Now Brothers & Sisters is over, can we expect to see season two following on E4 in the new year?"
Neil: Well, I don't know about the new year but Channel 4 definitely has the rights to season two as their acquisition of the show (many, many moons ago now) was a "multi-season deal". Given how it fared it could go E4-only, especially as the station is likely to lose ER to its digimate More4.
Steven: "Hi just a quick question, How well is a new show called Cane doing in the ratings? Also has any UK network picked it up yet?"
Neil: A familar story: Impressive premiere (11m) but then the ratings drop off quite rapidly. It's getting caned, one could say. Ho ho ho...
Diane: "Any news on if/when either BBC 2 or Trouble are going to show series 2 of How I Met Your Mother? Also, do you know of which of America's new shows (Reaper, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies) etc. are being picked up over here? Thanks!"
Neil: Mother season two has been picked up by the Beeb but has yet to be scheduled. No-one seems to know anything about when it's likely to be, either. As for which US shows have been picked up, click here for a full list. Private Practice has not got a UK home as of yet.
wamdue: "Any idea when S4 of NCIS will be on five? They have two slots rerunning S1-3 endless but no S4. And you dont think your going OTT with the Image Verification do you?"
Neil: If you had as many spam emails about erectile dysfunction as I do on a daily basis I think you'd understand. New NCIS lands on Five at 9pm on December 7.
Dez: "Hi. I just finished watching the first series of Dirt on Five US, and I thought it was pretty good. Can you tell me if a second series has been made or is being made and if so, when it will be aired over here? Thanks. As always, loving your work!!"
Neil: Dirt has been given a second season, although it is likely to be another year before we see it.
Gavin Duff, Scotland: "Just finished watching Season 1 of Dexter on FX. Is there any plans for a 2nd season and if so when? And do you think it will be still on FX?"
Neil: The second season is currently airing in the US. FX has the for-life rights to Dexter, meaning they'll get every season first!
Shane Owen: "Where is Zone Romantica?? I thought it was already on air as of September 3rd? Will Diva TV air any US Soaps?"
Neil: Zone Romantica is channel 149 on Sky. Diva TV has The Bold and the Beautiful in its lineup which, when coupled with Zone Romantica's offerings, gives most US soaps a UK home. Much progress from a few months ago, I'm sure you'll agree. By the way I hear that Diva is also interested in going after Days of Our Lives and is "thinking about" Sunset Beach. Update: As of this morning (Friday) Diva is now available on Virgin channel 192.
James: "Can you tell me when The Class will air and any other shows that were bought last year and have not been shown?"
Neil: The Class finally premieres on E4 this Saturday at 6pm although you will have to sack off The X Factor and Strictly to see it. The Nine (Five) and Six Degrees ("ITV1") have yet to be scheduled.
Beck: "I'm a big fan of your column and have a question for you...any idea if we Freeview viewers will be getting new channels anytime soon? Maybe some version of UKTV Gold? Merci!"
Neil: New general entertainment channel Dave - formerly UKTV G2 - launched on Monday, although you may need to do a rescan to receive it. The lineup includes Dragons' Den (from the BBC), The Apprentice (from the BBC) and a whole load of comedies (also from the BBC).
John T: "Any more Lost scoop? I heard Kristen Bell was asked to be in Lost but chose Heroes instead because she "didn't want to relocate to Hawaii" or something. Is there any more news on casting or plot because I really cannot wait until February for something substantial!!"
Neil: Kristen was obsessed with Heroes season one, she revealed this week. Her character debuts in next week's episode (Oct 22) in the US. As for Lost, check back next week for a special edition of Tube Talk covering everything we know of season four so far.
Jason: "Hi Neil will there be a second series of Jekyll because the first series ended on such a cliffhanger with the american woman turning into the next Hyde"
Neil: Apparently the BBC and the production company are "in discussions" about a second series (as recently as Wednesday) and the hope is that there will be one. I imagine the key factor will be the willingness and availability of James Nesbitt, who is signing up for a million other shows at the moment. Personally though, I hope there isn't. Jekyll was a fantastically-done series and by and large, things were wrapped up nicely in the finale (the "cliffhanger" of which you speak seemed to be more of a thought-provoking twist). My worry is that a second series would spoil that somewhat. What do you think? Click to add comments at the end of the column.
Paul Baker: "Do you know when the Battlestar Galactica TV/DVD movie Razor will be broadcast in the UK? I've read that Sky One do not have the broadcast rights and it will be shown on Virgin 1 instead. Any truth in this?"
Neil: Filthy lies! Razor will air on Sky One before the year is out.
That's it for this edition. More soon!
Additional reporting by "James Welsh"
Click the link below to add your comments to this entry. If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
More: TV
Your Views
9 Comments
Your Responses
M, Canterbury, on November 8th, 2007
I'd rather see more of Skins, frankly.
I'd rather see more of Skins, frankly.
C, UK, on October 23rd, 2007
I actually go to the (real) drama college where 'Nearly Famous' was filmed and I'd like to point out that in reality we do not dress like we won a shopping spree in a costume shop bargin bin. But as long as you can get past the pain in your eyes caused by glare from all the neon and shiny get-up, it should be good!
I actually go to the (real) drama college where 'Nearly Famous' was filmed and I'd like to point out that in reality we do not dress like we won a shopping spree in a costume shop bargin bin. But as long as you can get past the pain in your eyes caused by glare from all the neon and shiny get-up, it should be good!
Ian, Mersham, on October 20th, 2007
As long as a second series is penned - or at least overseen - by the writer Steven Moffatt I have faith that it could be fantastic. If someone else does it I'm not so sure!
As long as a second series is penned - or at least overseen - by the writer Steven Moffatt I have faith that it could be fantastic. If someone else does it I'm not so sure!
Seaneeboy, Leeds, on October 19th, 2007
So ready to accept you may have been wrong abour reaper yet? ;) Apart from that, are ITV1 really likely to carry on with showing 6 degrees? It was pretty awful and I can't imagine it doing at all well... If they do I'd imagine it'll be "burned" - late at night on a digital channel...
So ready to accept you may have been wrong abour reaper yet? ;) Apart from that, are ITV1 really likely to carry on with showing 6 degrees? It was pretty awful and I can't imagine it doing at all well... If they do I'd imagine it'll be "burned" - late at night on a digital channel...
James, London, on October 19th, 2007
One wonders if Private Practice lacks a UK home because the backdoor pilot - semi-naked and wet Chris Lowell aside - was awful. It's no Grey's Anatomy but it is slowly getting better... just watched ep 4 and it's beginning to get into something resembling a stride.
One wonders if Private Practice lacks a UK home because the backdoor pilot - semi-naked and wet Chris Lowell aside - was awful. It's no Grey's Anatomy but it is slowly getting better... just watched ep 4 and it's beginning to get into something resembling a stride.
Chris, UK, on October 19th, 2007
Battlestar Galactica:Razor will be broadcast on Sky One on December 5th. It will also be released on DVD on Boxing Day.
Battlestar Galactica:Razor will be broadcast on Sky One on December 5th. It will also be released on DVD on Boxing Day.
Ste, Northampton, on October 19th, 2007
I agree (for once) with Neil about Jekyll - series one was fantastic and I think a second would spoil it. Although there is scope for the characters (including the kids) so I'd watch if there was a second run! We'll wait and see...
I agree (for once) with Neil about Jekyll - series one was fantastic and I think a second would spoil it. Although there is scope for the characters (including the kids) so I'd watch if there was a second run! We'll wait and see...
Rick, London, on October 19th, 2007
The girls look as though they've covered themselves in superglue and jumped into the 'to be sorted' pile at Oxfam... in about 1985. One boy looks like from Maurice The I.T. Crowd, while the other like J from Five gone emobiker.
The girls look as though they've covered themselves in superglue and jumped into the 'to be sorted' pile at Oxfam... in about 1985. One boy looks like from Maurice The I.T. Crowd, while the other like J from Five gone emobiker.
Tube Talk
The Best TV Couples: Friday FiverTube Talk celebrates Valentine's Day by reminiscing about the best TV couples.
TV Interviews
'Celebrity Apprentice' Donald Trump Q&ADonald Trump teases the new season of Celebrity Apprentice.
Reality Bites
Does Simon Cowell have new SuBo?: VideoWatch a clip of Jonathan Antoine, who is tipped for success on BGT.
TV Ratings
'Celebrity Juice' breaks ITV2 recordThe Keith Lemon panel game earns ITV2 its highest ever audience.
I love Nearly Famous with a passion that is unprecedented in the history of TV obsessions. I think its basically Skins but with a better cast better acting better music (music that is more of what 15-20 year olds listen to as oppose to what the producers saw on The Hits last month which was the shit that was on skins) and better clothes And finally and most importantly tho i can see that the writing isnt the most awe-inspiring peice of work ive seen it is actually very real and relevant. The language used is actually the way we speak these days as oppose to some kind of urban dictionary spin off that just sounds so fake and pathetic. In short this is funny exciting thrilling and just basically manically better than that Skins SHITE!