I missed the first episode of this three-parter last week (gutted, I was) so coming into the story one-third of the way through I expected to have some difficulty picking up the threads of the narrative. I needn't have worried. For one thing, it soon became clear that the writer and/or director had cleverly divided the series up into establishment; realisation; fallout (that last one is a guess, but looks pretty likely given the trailers) so all I'd missed, presumably, was the back story of how Alice went missing and became Lori, together with the establishment of the two families as (a) middle class, rich, nice house, settled, but unsettled by the fact that at least one of them can't move on after Alice's disappearance; and (b) working class, poor, sink estate, resigned but unsettled by the fact that at least one of them knows that their child belongs to someone else.

And for another thing, the acting was so very good that I was drawn in immediately and felt like I already knew everyone within the first five minutes.

I have ranted previously about the ridiculous amount of advertising Sky One have done in support of their new acquisition Prison Break. But now the station has gone and done something bizarrely impressive in their need to tell the world they now own the rights to the jail saga: projected an advert onto the wall of infamous prison Wormwood Scrubs. I doubt that many of the inmates will be able to sample the delights of Michael Schofield’s antics, but there’s no faulting the ambition behind the scheme. I do wonder how many people saw it and purposefully booked their spot on the sofa in front of Prison Break due to the promotion and how many onlookers just gave a casual shrug and wandered on. Did you see it and what did you think? Fantastic and innovative marketing or pointless showing-off?

It seems reminiscent of when Gail Porter had her nakedness cast over the House of Commons, but with slightly more purpose and less flesh. Maybe they should get star Wentworth Miller to strip off – I’m sure that would create much more interest.

[Image via Digital Spy]

Since Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant announced that the Christmas special for Extras would be the sitcom’s swansong, it seems like every celebrity from George Michael to David Tennant has bagged a role in it. And now with the release of the show’s trailer, we can see which familiar faces are going to pop up in the festive frolics, alongside regulars like Barry to get us chuckling.

As the show will be one of the undoubted heavy-hitters of the Beeb’s Christmas line-up, they are doing all they can to keep the trailer from appearing on sites such as YouTube. Instead, to get your first look at Clive Owen turning his nose up at Maggie Jacob’s (Ashley Jensen) prostitute or a mocked manly hug, follow the link here. Enjoy!

Here at the Scoop we’re big fans of Heroes, but every time I sit down to spend 45 minutes in the company of Hiro, Claire and co. I am plagued by feelings of déjà vu. Faces pass by my screen and I wonder: where have I seen you before? Of course, with some actors I recognise them from previous work, but in the case of Angela Petrelli (ambitious mother to siblings Peter and Nathan) I suspect that her familiarity stems from her uncanny resemblance to Cherie Blair. They share the same age appropriate hairstyle, the same downwards slanting dark eyes and the same (how do I phrase this politely?) broad mouth. Onscreen at least, they are both women of authority, money and power-suits. You could switch Mrs. P for Cherie any day and I’m sure Tony wouldn’t even bat an eyelid.

Noticing that Living has picked up another new US import, I was all eagerness to present it to you Scoopers. That was until I found that it was cancelled in America (by FOX) after just one season. There is much Internet distress at this decision, one that many believe was reached not due to the poor quality of the programme but declining ratings after yo-yo scheduling. But enough on the (perhaps premature) demise of the show and more on what we can expect from its 14 episodes here in the UK. The name is far from cryptic so you would be on to a winner if you suspected some legal eagles.

Justice follows a dream team of lawyers – Ron Trott (Jack Bristow in Alias), Luther Graves (Kareem Said in Oz), Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee in Dawson’s Creek) and Alden Tuller (soon to be seen in Private Practice and Lost) who are the go-to-guys for big, controversial cases at law firm TNT&G. Each episode follows one case from start to finish, with the climax provided by the truth behind it. The show was popular for keeping its focus firmly fixed on the case, rather than any bed-hopping by the characters and was applauded for being less gimmicky than many of a similar ilk. But comparisons with House, CSI, Law and Order and The Practice have failed to save this series from the network’s chop. Another emerging classic lost or deadweight cut loose?

Contemporary television seems to delight in pushing our buttons. With reality shows eating up so much airtime, we are invited to judge the everyday antics of real folk and get drawn into debates on who we like, who we don’t and who we would happily punch in the gob. It’s easy with these newborn celebrities who would often sell their granny for a cover of Heat magazine, but for most of them they’re just enjoying their fifteen minutes of fame - unlike the scripted roles. With free reign to create the most extreme characters, television writers can out-do all reality stars by producing the most annoying, frustrating and downright exasperating creatures. These people might be entirely fictitious but that doesn’t stop them from making your teeth grind and your neck twitch just be simply watching them.

And so here is my list of TV neighbours from hell. I would thank God (if I thought there was one) that I don’t have any of these fictional characters living next door to me. For life in such close proximity to these people would be one of torture and anguish. I would have to move house, as simple as that.

Having grown up in the 80s I love all things Hoff-related. He might be cursed with the moniker ‘big in Germany’ but the star of classics Knight Rider and Baywatch is looking to move into comedy. You heard correctly, no need to stick a candle in your ear or visit your GP, for David Hasselhoff is making a return to TV and this time, not as a lame judge on the even lamer America’s Got Talent. Instead the Hoff will star in ‘dark comedy’ Tales of the Hoff billed as ‘a fictional look at the 55-year-old actor's experiences as an international star trying to beef up his career credentials and a divorced dad trying to navigate the Hollywood dating scene.’ But this is scripted right?

Yes, but the Hoff is looking to produce a realistic comic persona ala Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show is to be executive produced by American Idol host and Emmys flop Ryan Seacrest along with the Hoff himself, and The Drew Carey Show’s Dan O’Keefe is billed to pen the pilot episode. The show is said to have originated from the Hoff’s conversations with his chums and the ensuing belief that his life would make for great TV. Well, that drunken YouTube clip was incredibly popular.

[via E! Online]

If you look up 'enthrall' in the dictionary it says tr.v. en·thralled, en·thrall·ing, en·thralls 1. To hold spellbound; captivate:. It shouldn't. It should have a picture of Stephen Fry and his lovable wonky face. Surely, there isn't a person in the world who doesn't like Fry? As we know, he has the ability to make you fall down laughing, but also, he has the ability to tackle something far more serious and engage you all the same.

On Tuesday, we see Fry gunning for the latter with a compassionate and informed documentary called Stephen Fry: HIV and Me (BBC2, Tuesday, 9pm). Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen Fry in candid and revealing form as those who witnessed the brilliant and unflinching Secret Life of the Manic Depressive can testify. Now he turns his kind (but not completely uncritical) eye to the HIV virus.

Why do you watch Channel 4? The way I look at it, Channel 4 is there for great alternative comedy, quirky drama and in-depth investigative documentaries. Sadly for Channel 4, it's main rival, BBC2, is taking it to the cleaners at present, which has seen viewing figures drop for Channel 4 post Big Brother 8.

So low is Channel 4's share of TV viewing is that the broadcaster has seen figures falling to its lowest level for 15 years. To get a little techie for a moment, the channel attracted a 7.4% share of the audience in the week beginning Monday September 17, compared with an average of 9.8% in the whole of 2006. These are believed to be the lowest weekly audience share recorded by the channel since 1992.

The Doctor and his new companion Donna (played by Catherine Tate *spit*) are set to travel back in time to the Roman Empire for the fourth series of Doctor Who. The BAFTA award-winning drama will transmit on BBC1 in spring 2008 and in one of the most ambitious episodes to date, the Doctor and Donna arrive in Pompeii in AD 79, on the eve of the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Time Lord and his companion are posed with an immediate dilemma – should they warn the residents of Pompeii of the forthcoming catastrophe or leave them to fend for themselves? The Thick Of It actor Peter Capaldi guest stars as Caecillius and is joined by Quadrophenia and Rose And Maloney actor Phil Davis who stars as Lucius. Further guest stars include Howards Way and Born And Bred actress Tracey Childs who plays Metella.

It's only a short story this dearest reader, but read to the end and you'll see one of the most brilliant accidental jokes that has ever been uttered.

Star of Celebrity Love Island (and a grainy home home movie with Blue Peter's John Leslie) Abi Titmuss is trying to go natural with her looks to ditch her 'fake' image. Titmuss told Sky Showbiz: "I've no fake fingernails, no fake tan, no fake hair anymore. It's all me. I feel much better actually. For a woman, natural is sexier and I feel more like myself. I've stopped drinking for six months. I'm much calmer, I've got more spiritual as well. I've grown up in the last few months. I've been doing a lot of reading."

She also revealed that she is due to star in a new ITV2 show, where she appears alongside James Lance as a woman that tries flirting with Jesus. [Mof Gimmers - who need insert no joke]

Dear reader... I'm not sure how to review something like Heroes (BBC2, Wednesday, 9pm) as it is so plot driven that I fear I may simply churn out the event like some autistic sci-fi fiend. I really don't want to do that. However, as I haven't exactly planned what I'm writing yet, we'll just have to see where we end up. I suppose there are lots of other things to pick apart in the show.

Forget all that. Last night, I think it happened. I've previously said that I don't have the willpower to stay with shows like this and that, as much as I liked Heroes, I couldn't see myself getting gripped. Rot. Last night... last night... I was sucked in and started an exercise in seeing how wide my eyes would go and just how close to the edge of my seat I could sit without falling onto the floor in a distinctly non super fashion... and Christopher Eccleston hadn't even happened yet.

Think of a recent BBC comedy. Little Britain? Started on radio. Mitchell and Webb? Started on radio. The Mighty Boosh? Started on radio. Saxondale? Ok, that didn't start on radio, but you get my point. Even The Flight Of The Conchords had a BBC radio show, but, as blogger Dean has astutely pointed out, the Beeb are now having to pay HBO for a series heavily based on that original BBC radio show. Silly, huh?

My main point - I'm getting there - is that radio has provided TV with many of its comedy hits, and this documentary intends to highlight and celebrate that fact. It's part of BBC Four's 'Radio Week', but to be honest, most other programmes are repeats, or examples of shows which started on radio (Little Britain, Absolute Power, The League of Gentlemen and Dead Ringers are all being shown after the doc). So this is the one to watch. It charts the history of radio comedies which made the transfer; from Hancock's Half Hour, through the fabulous Hitchhiker's Guide, on to Mitchell and Webb, who take us behind the scenes of the new series of their sketch show. Barry Cryer, Marcus Brigstocke and Jon Culshaw all get their two-penneth in.

Set The Video - Gagging For It: TV's Hunger For Radio Comedy, Monday 1 October, 10pm

I feel so out-of-the-loop with Entourage. The clips make me laugh, the trailers encourage suitable interest but… I have yet to regularly watch it. I’m almost too scared to have a go now, as I’m so far behind and just feel I should buy the DVD box-sets and start from scratch. However for those of you who do love Vince and the boys, and like to reserve some special time for you all to hang out – good news, as season three of Entourage hits our screens tomorrow night.

Vince’s star continues to soar with the premiere of Aquaman getting everyone excited. Drama and Turtle can’t decide on dates for the event, while Vince is determined to escort his mother to the showbiz knees-up. Ari is more concerned about his new office and struggles with his finances. Online reviews confirm that season three builds on the show’s past successes and with Jeremy Piven having recently scooped the Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy, Entourage shows no signs of slowing down. Now if only ITV would stop hiding it away on ITV2 – are they not allowed to show anything of quality on ITV1?

Apologies to all TV Scoopers for the delay in getting this to you (pesky illness), but never fear, for round 12 of University Challenge has not gone unnoticed. Oh no – in fact, Monday night’s half hour of competing clever-clogs saw a very impressive team flex their grey matter and impress host Jeremy Paxman. Yes, he of the irritated frown and steady scolding was genuinely awed by either the students from the University of Manchester or the University of Newcastle. But which one was it? Read on to find out.

In the introduction for Manchester, we learned that the Northwestern institution hosted creative writing classes by famed writer Martin Amis, while Newcastle was attended by Rowan Atkinson and Kate Adie. I wonder if they mention the same lists of alumni every year a particular university is featured on the show. But back to the competition and that notable display.

It appears that Kiefer Sutherland will do anything to drum up a bit of interest in the next season of 24 – even going so far as to get himself arrested. Of course, I jest – it’s going to take a lot more than that to get folks interested in 24 again, but the show’s star has been in trouble with the law. Again. On his way home after a FOX network party, the famed hell-raiser was pulled over by the police for making an illegal U-turn. This led officials to test his alcohol levels, which were found to be twice the legal limit.

Sutherland was promptly arrested for misdemeanor DUI, a crime he was also charged with back in 2004. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 16th and if found guilty could serve at least five days behind bars as part of California’s two strikes system. Not to worry though Jack – this should be nothing compared to the long months spent in a Chinese prison.

[via IMDb]

We’ve grown accustomed to having to wait a while for our US imports here in Britain, but now with Prison Break airing on Sky One only a week after its American transmission, things could be gradually changing. Another happy example is that of Channel 4’s hit comedy/ drama Ugly Betty. The second season is set to debut to US audience’s tomorrow night, while we’ll get to enjoy Betty Suarez’s funny frolics at Mode magazine just eight days later on Friday 5th October.

And with this much anticipated return to our TV screens, how will the suspenseful cliff-hangers from season one be resolved? Will Alexis and Daniel survive their car crash? Did Santos die from his gun-shot wound and has Henry left Betty forever? Just check out this new trailer airing on Channel 4 to get your appetite truly whetted. I can’t wait!

It’s an odd system they’ve got going over at the Emmy awards, with possible nominees enlisted by organisers to announce the contenders. The Closer actress Kyra Sedgwick was thrilled to be nominated for the best actress in a drama category this year, but as the announcer found the circumstance of reading out her own name rather distressing. "It was odd announcing the nominees and I didn't know if I was nominated, which was a little stressful and kind of wrong. What if I hadn't been nominated? Maybe I would've cried or maybe thrown up, something really lovely like that."

Thankfully Mrs. Kevin Bacon didn’t feel the need to vomit or blub, but her comments are a sly dig at the event’s organisers for putting her in that awkward situation. Should the Emmy nominations be announced by potential nominees and if not, who else should step in? Hollywood has-beens that provide a familiar face but pose no threat of being nominated or the suits behind the shindig? How would the industry have reacted if Kyra had lost it ‘big-style’ if her name had not been featured and was it a modest under-appreciation of her chances that saw her accept the gig or was it a star seeking more self-publicity? As always, leave a comment and let us know what you think.

[via Contact Music]