2010 TV Preview: Best of US in UK

[Perdita]

Spoiler:

We've been bathing in the glory of our homegrown shows lately, what with the impending return of The Inbetweeners, the prospect of an extended Coach Trip and the launch of new lesbian drama Lip Service. But now it's time to turn our heads to the West and take a look at what's winging our way from across the pond in 2010.

Desperate Housewives and Supernatural have long been firm favourites here at Tube Talk, but we also have three new series to present to you: musical comedy drama Glee, teen bloodsucker Vampire Diaries, plus a remake of the 1980s miniseries V. Read on for more details!

The Vampire Diaries (ITV2, January)

Spoiler:

Perfectly timed to capitalise on the globe's resurgent obsession with all things fang-fuelled, The Vampire Diaries has emerged as one of the breakout hits of the new season in the US. Its Twilight-like premise sees two undead brothers, played by Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, fight over a local girl (Nina Dobrev) who bears a striking resemblance to a girl they both once loved. Prepare to shiver and swoon in equal measure when the show arrives on ITV2 next month.

Glee (E4, January)

Spoiler:

You've probably heard a fair bit about Glee round these parts in recent months. So what's it actually about? Well, the clue is in the title with this one - we challenge you to watch an episode without having a big grin across your chops. The show centres around a group of high school teens who form a glee club (that's a choir to you and me) with their help of teacher Mr Schuester. As for the cast, Jayma Mays (Charlie from Heroes) is amongst the main players, while R&B superstar Eve recently stepped up for a two-episode guest stint.

V (Sci Fi, March)

Spoiler:

This remake of the classic '80s cult series follows what happens after a bunch of alien spacecraft park up in the skies above the major cities of the world. These aliens - or 'Visitors', as they brand themselves - declare that they have only peaceful intentions, and will share their advanced technologies and knowledge in exchange for modest use of the Earth's natural resources. But that all sounds a bit too pleasant, right? Right. The cast includes cult regulars Elizabeth Mitchell, Morena Baccarin and Joel Gretsch.

Desperate Housewives (Channel 4, January)

Spoiler:

Season five may have been Edie's time to shine, but it turns out that life does go on without everyone's favourite bitch. And how will the writers be helping us forget Ms. Britt? A brand new family (complete with their very own mystery), the return of Jesse Metcalfe, and a plane crash, of course! You can also expect an affair, an unplanned pregnancy, and several deaths - one of which is pretty major, and, unless you've been reading spoilers, one you definitely won't see coming...

Supernatural (Living, February)

Spoiler:

The fourth season of Supernatural ended with one of the most ambitious climaxes in television history: the unleashing of Lucifer himself from the fiery pits of Hell. So what's next? Season five is all about the impending apocalypse and the brothers' arguably futile attempt to prevent the end of days. There are also a couple of MAJOR deaths and one HUGE new character. Hint: If the Devil can show up on Supernatural, who else could?

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s57/g...-us-in-uk.html

[Perdita]

NBC has unveiled its midseason schedule, including return dates for show including Chuck and The Office.

The much-anticipated return of Chuck falls Sunday, January 11, with a special two-hour premiere from 9pm. It will then air Mondays at 8pm from January 11. Parenthood will fill the gap left by Heroes beginning March 1.

Tuesday, January 5 sees The Biggest Loser return for its new season, airing in a regular 8pm-10pm slot.

Mercy and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will be paired Wednesdays.

Thursday night continues its comedy quest, with Community and Parks & Recreation making up the 8pm hour, and The Office and 30 Rock teaming at 9pm.

Law & Order and Dateline will air 8pm and 9pm Fridays, while Saturday will continue to house reruns.

The Marriage Ref and The Celebrity Apprentice both premiere Sunday, March 14, and will air from then on at 8pm and 9pm respectively.

The Jay Leno Show keeps its 10pm weeknight slot.

[Dazzle]

I LOVE Supernatural and am absolutely gutted that ITV2 have dropped it as I can't get Living. I'll have to wait months until the DVD is out to see what happens in the final season.

[Perdita]

CBS has unveiled its midseason schedule, including the return date for Rules Of Attraction and the premiere date for Jerry Bruckheimer's Miami Medical.

Rules Of Engagement will make its fourth season premiere Monday, March 1 after a lead-in from How I Met Your Mother. Two And A Half Men and The Big Bang Theory continue to make up the 9pm hour, and CSI: Miami fills the 10pm slot.

Effective Wednesday, March 31, The New Adventures Of Old Christine will be paired with Accidentally On Purpose at 8pm, while Criminal Minds and CSI: New York occupy the 9pm and 10pm hours.

Ghost Whisperer and Medium continue to air at 8pm and 9pm respectively on Fridays, with Jerry Bruckheimer's Miami Medical making its series debut April 2.

DS

[Perdita]

A new decade heralds the return and revival of myriad cult shows that will make for fascinating viewing. Prepare yourselves for an onslaught of vampires, reptilian aliens, smoke monsters, Daleks, 1980s fashion and frequent cries of ‘damn it!’ from a certain Mr Bauer. Here are the highlights of what lies in store over the next twelve months, kicking off with a very supernatural British trio from Bristol…

Being Human

Werewolf George, vampire Mitchell and ghost Annie are back for more creepy and hilarious antics from Sunday 10th January on BBC Three. Eight new episodes await, with the promise of some unexpected tension between the three friends and the introduction of a couple of new married vamps called Ivan and Daisy who want to avenge Mitchell’s murder of their leader Herrick at the end of the first series. A fangtastic couple of months await. Let’s hope that Tully is back too!

Heroes

BBC Two shoving the fourth season of the superpowered show into a late night Saturday slot hardly demonstrates confidence in the ailing series, which seems to reinvent itself every few episodes. Still, with the promise of a main character being killed off (well, until the inevitable resurrection) and the arrival of T-Bag from Prison Break as the murderous carnival leader Samuel, all hope is not lost. Especially as a clash with the always awesome Sylar is on the cards.

Survivors

The BBC’s impressive ‘reimagining’ of the 70s Terry Nation classic is back for a second run in mid-January. We’re promised a quick resolution to the cliffhanger that featured Greg and Abby being shot and kidnapped, respectively. Also, those dodgy scientists that occasionally popped up will take on a more prominent role, as the sinister backstory of the virus is gradually unveiled. Fingers crossed for loads more moral ambiguity from Max Beesley as the seductive criminal Tom.

24

Jack’s back – and perhaps for the last time if the rumours are true. President Allison Taylor, Chloe O’Brien and Agent Renee Walker are the only regulars alongside Bauer to return for Day Eight, with Elisha Cuthbert also set to surface irregularly as Jack’s damsel-in-distress daughter. While the plot may pan out to be the usual terrorist threat, we can look forward to a new CTU and the intriguing additions of BSG’s Katee Sackhoff and, erm, Scooby Doo’s Freddie Prinze Jr to the cast.

Doctor Who

The eagerly awaited Steven Moffat era of Doctor Who properly kicks off in the Spring, with Matt Smith in the title role and Karen Gillan donning an array of short skirts as companion Amy Pond. The return of the Weeping Angels and River Song is extremely exciting, while the Daleks are set to meet Winston Churchill, and Vincent Van Gogh will be hooking up with the time travellers. We’ll also find out whether writing legend Richard Curtis can cut it in the Whoniverse. But whatever you do, don’t blink…

Lost

It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for. Since the announcement, back in May 2007, that Lost will end in 2010, the show has regained its focus and been compelling viewing. Plenty of intriguing plots will hopefully be resolved: Will Kate commit to Sawyer or Jack? What's Claire been up to? Can Charles Widmore crush Ben Linus? What is possessing Locke’s body? Did Juliette survive the explosion? Will the polar bear have his own flashback episode? We can’t wait!

Ashes To Ashes

The year is 1983 and Alex Drake continues her quest to be reunited with Mollie, but will ‘bolly knickers’ succumb to Gene Hunt’s charms beforehand? It’s also time to bid farewell to the franchise that kicked off with Life On Mars and spawned plenty of Royal hymen-twanging Huntisms. As with Lost, we’ve been promised answers that deal with the true nature of Hunt for example. Let’s hope some ambiguity remains, though, along with Ray Carling's tache/perm combo.

True Blood

For those who have yet to *ahem* acquire the second season of True Blood, FXUK will be screening it in February. We won’t spoil any of the forthcoming revelations, but be prepared for the stakes to be raised higher than before as Michelle Forbes’s mysterious character reveals her true colours and hunky vampire Bill finds that he has a bloodthirsty rival for Sookie’s affections. Expect plenty of raunchy action, plus the hilarity of Jason’s bizarre escapades.

V

The 80s mini-series about some seemingly benevolent visitors from outer space receives a highly contemporary reimagining that brings themes such as terrorist threats and social networking into the equation (but sadly ditches any explicit rodent swallowing). But does V rank alongside Battlestar Galactica in the sublime remake corner, or the hellish pit filled with the likes of Knight Rider and Bionic Woman? No comment. Judge for yourself in April on Sci Fi UK.

[Abbie]

Im really looking forward to lost