As I'm a freelancer, I work from home. This means that lunchtime tends to (deliberately) coincide with Neighbours. Yes, Neighbours is still on the telly. But over the last couple of days, something strange has happened. Lovely Libby Kennedy appears to have morphed into someone else entirely! What? How did that happen? As our Anna said on Twitter yesterday: "why is some random actress playing libby in neighbours..?!" I want to know why!

Dannii Minogue might be busy having backstage clashes with fellow X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, but the Aussie star is to get back to her roots with a special appearance in Home and Away. Minogue starred as naughty tear away Emma Jackson in the soap for a year in 1988, a stint that won her a Silver Logie Award for the 'Most Popular Actress on Australian Television', and now with the show set to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, Dannii is keen to join in the festivities.

A source claims: "Dannii knows it was Home and Away that really got her to where she is today, and she wants to help them with their anniversary celebrations next year. Even though she is very busy with work at the moment, she is planning on setting aside some time to do a couple of episodes of the show. She'll be in Australia anyway, judging on Australia's Got Talent, so it won't be too hard for her to pop along to the set." I’m sure Sharon will be so sad to see her go.

[via Digital Spy]

In Hollywood it is not unheard of for two movies with similar premises to be released within a short space of time. There was Armageddon and Deep Impact, Volcano and Dante’s Peak and A Bug’s Life and Antz. And now bizarrely, we have two programmes competing for our television affection that revolve around the backstage shenanigans at a live, comedy sketch show: More 4’s Studio 60 on the Sunset strip and Five’s 30 Rock.

One is an hour-long, verbally dense effort with a hard shell of meaty issues such as the integrity of news coverage hiding a soft under belly of romance and whimsy. The other is a succinct 30 minute sitcom that throws out killer lines amid the outlandish characters and outrageous set-ups. But though these differences are substantial and worth noting, so are the many similarities that the two American imports share. TV Scoop breaks down how the two are, in fact, TV twins…

Now, I don’t claim to know anything about boxing, as far as I’m concerned it’s all rather nasty and barbaric. But before I inadvertently kick off some sporting controversy, take a look at the two pictures above. One is of famed boxer Joe Calzaghe and the other is one half of the nation’s favourite celebrity-gay-decorating couples, Justin and Colin. But you can’t tell the difference, can you?

It was when watching the end of A Question of Sport at the weekend (not my first choice on how to spend a Saturday evening I grant you), that I was first struck by the uncanny similarities between the two. Obviously they weren’t both on the sports quiz cheese-fest, only Joe, but for a split second I mistook him for his interior designer doppelganger. The same hair, same dark, small eyes and same gormless charm. Like Ant and Dec, no-one ever seems to know which one is which when it comes to Justin and Colin, though a little online research reveals that Joe’s twin is the Colin named half of the camp duo. Colin and Joe – sounds much better don’t you think?

[Images via Getty]

Five followed up the debut of David Duchovny’s Californication with another hot new US import – 30 Rock. Created, written by and starring former Saturday Night Live fave Tina Fey, this was not one of those hour-long comedy-dramas that American TV execs seem so fond of at the mo (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives), but a proper, old-fashioned 30-minute sitcom. And as we all know sitcoms mean colourful characters, silly set-ups and lots of laughs. Right?

Well, kinda. As with all new shows, it was just finding its feet in its pilot outing but excuses aside, 30 Rock had a good vibe about it. I know the use of the word vibe makes me sound a bit hippy, but how else to describe it? Tina Fey clearly knows how to write and perform good comedy, co-star Alec Baldwin is a Hollywood heavyweight and hot after an Emmy win for best comedy, 30 Rock is definitely headed in the right direction.

For many, David Duchovny will always be Fox Mulder from the hugely successful science-fiction series The X-Files, with attempts by the actor to take on new roles having historically met with apathy and disinterest from the wider public. Certainly, Duchovny’s cinematic outings haven’t fared very well and with news of another forthcoming X-Files movie, maybe it is inevitable that his antics as Mulder, investigating paranormal phenomena with buddy Dana Scully, will be the role that defines his acting career.

But don’t tell Duchovny, as he hasn’t yet thrown in the towel when it comes to other parts, and last night saw his latest attempt to reinvent himself debut on Five. Californication (sadly no Red Hot Chili Peppers song for the opening credits) hit these shores amid controversy, with religious and right-wing groups in the US and Australia upset by the saucy content. But was it worth all the fuss and can Duchovny convince with a new character?

"What's the difference between your job and your wife?" runs the old joke. My colleague Mof believes there's no difference between sex before or after marriage. It's the same with knobs on. He's clearly either never been married, or been very lucky. Chloe and Bobby wouldn't agree with him. At least, not at the start of last night's program they wouldn't. Not when they were each scoring the other 1 out of 10 for sex. They didn't do much better on appearance, scoring 3.5 and 5 respectively. I felt this was a little unfair - Chloe had gained weight during an unhappy period when they were arguing a lot, but had succeeded in losing it again.

It was her confidence that was the issue, which is what the sexperts decided to tackle. Bobby's problems were more deep-seated and traditionally masculine. He was finding it difficult to show any emotion. But was there any to show? Click through to find out, and also for a link to information about that elusive Kivin Technique.

Not until 19th November will we find out who has won what, but for now, there's some celebrating to do! Why? Well, British television has just been paid tribute by the International Emmy Awards nominations. UK drama, comedy and documentary have received eight nominations... which is more than any other country. Victoria Wood is up for best actress for Housewife, 49 and Jimmy McGovern's brilliant drama The Street is up for two awards: best drama series and best actor for the ever popular Jim Broadbent.

The other nominees are Stephen Fry's acclaimed The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive as well as Little Britain, Simon Schama's Power of Art, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and More4's Death of a President. There's a notable absence of US shows, so I think I'm correct in assuming that they have their own awards. Anyway, read over for the full list of nominations.

Thursday nights seem to be the night for broadcasters to air their high-profile US products. Already established in the scheduling are the Black Donnellys (ITV2, 9pm), Entourage (ITV2, 10.30pm), Men in Trees (Living, 9pm), Grey’s Anatomy (Living, 10pm), Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (More4, 10pm) and Scrubs (E4, 9pm.) And that’s with House on hiatus and My Name is Earl having shifted to Fridays – phew.

Now Five are looking to get themselves a piece of the Thursday night American action, with two new exciting offerings. First up is Californication at 10pm starring David Duchovny as Hank Moody, a middle-aged sex demon novelist who should be working but has a chronic case of writer’s block. This show has been causing outrage everywhere due to its liberal doses of nudity, but with the laconic Duchovny in the starring role, it has fast been gaining fans. Making up the numbers are Natascha McElhone (The Truman Show, Solaris) as Hank’s ex and the ever-dependable Evan Handler (Harry from Sex and the City, Studio 60.)

"Next door is only... a footstep... awaaaaay..." and now, next door is going to be viewed in eye dazzling detail too! What? Well, Australian soap Neighbours is to get a major revamp and begin filming in high definition in the run-up to its transfer to Channel Five next year. That means you'll be able to count the hairs on Harold Bishop's head should you wish.

UK viewers of the 22-year-old soap, which currently airs twice daily on BBC1, will begin to see a number of changes from later this month as the show attempts to refresh itself. New Neighbours graphics, which will see the replacement of the show's signature logo, as well as revamped theme music (gasp!) will launch in the UK next Tuesday, October 16. Not only that, but everything else is getting overhauled.

It’s a sad day for lovers of BBC newsroom ‘totty’ as Natasha Kaplinsky has announced that she is leaving, with the Six O’Clock news host off to rivals Five for the money, sorry challenge. Five are planning a major overhaul of their news programming and Natasha couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be part of it: "After five incredibly rewarding years at the BBC, I found the chance to work with the team at Five too exciting to pass up" explains Kaplinsky.

The 35-year-old newsreader has been with the Corporation since 2002, when she left Sky News. Her new job spec. at Five will see her take over the 5.30pm and 7pm news slots, once the territory of new BBC acquisition Kirsty Young. Five are thrilled to have gotten their mitts on Natasha with their senior programme controller, Chris Shaw, practically foaming at the mouth at news of her imminent arrival: “Natasha has proved she has real authority and with her BBC1 shows, she also demonstrated her warmth and star quality." Star quality? We are talking about news reporting here, aren’t we? Sounded like he was judging her on The X-Factor.

[via The Mirror]

The recent passing of TV legend, Ronnie Hazlehurst, got me thinking about TV theme tunes. If you don't know who Ronnie is, let me tell you. Sir Hazlehurst composed the theme tunes for many well known British sitcoms of the 1970s and 1980s, including Are You Being Served?, Last of the Summer Wine, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, To the Manor Born and Yes Minister. The man was one of TV's giants.

Thinking about modern telly, it seems that the great theme tune has all but vanished. This might have something to do with the squashing of credits at the end of shows (see Charlie Brooker's diatribe on the last Screen Wipe), but the fact still stands... what happened to the TV theme? With an absence of themes to sing-along to, I started thinking of some of my faves. The theme from psychedelic kids show, The Banana Splits, is one that is burnt into my brain. "La la laaa, la la l'laaaa, la la laaaa, la l'laaa laaaa..." and that's only for starters.

Adapted by Ronald Harwood from his stage play of the same name, The Dresser is the simple story of a famous Shakespearean actor and the man who dresses him for his parts. On one level. But the finely-crafted writing, based on Harwood's real-life experiences dressing Sir Donald Wolfit, and the beautifully nuanced performances by Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay in the main roles, tell an altogether more complex story of symbiosis and need.

The subject is not mainstream; there are no special effects. Just two actors at the height of their dramatic powers bringing to life an engrossing story of devotion and degeneration.

Jane Scott has resigned her position as marketing director at Five "to take some planned time out", the channel announced. Crikey. Now we know who was charged with being chief turd polisher down there! Five said that Scott handed in her resignation "several weeks ago" but agreed to stay in the job while succession plans - which are still to be announced - were formulated for the channel's marketing services, creative services, and insight and research teams.

Scott led the marketing for Five's digital channels, including Five US's controversial "Who Said Nothing Good Ever Came out of America?" campaign. Five chief executive Jane Lighting said: "Jane has done a great job at Five. In particular, we were very fortunate to have her skills and experience through the successful launch of our digital channels. We are very sorry to see her leave."

Here at TVScoop, we are more than interested in what the nation watches... I mean, we're part of that number as well. One trend that is seemingly creeping up unnoticed, and growing in popularity, is shows that can only be described as 'family viewing'.

Show's like Outnumbered have caused quite a stir amongst the public even though the broadcasters will have you believe that the biggest growth area is homegrown alternative comedy. Outnumbered features TV's greatest current character. Karen, played by Ramona Marquez, is a whirling dervish that has to be seen to be believed. Even though this show is achingly un-hip, it's dragging quite a few bums on seats and has various internet chatrooms buzzing with excitement... and it doesn't stop with sitcoms about middle class families.

How do you have have sex after marriage? Well, in my book, it's pretty much the same as pre-marriage, except you know each other loads more, and as a result, know which buttons to press (sorry about the use of 'button'). It all seems a bit obvious to me. Sex is sex is sex isn't it? Well, for all those who completely forgot as soon as they said 'I do', How to Have Sex After Marriage (Five, Wednesday, 9pm) is here to save your bacon.

Basically, this series explores the problems facing married couples. I'm not sure if they'll be using diagrams, but then again, this being the world of TV, I wouldn't put it past them. By 'them' I mean the ever present team of (s)experts that feature in shows like this. They'll be getting a couple with a flagging sex life and introducing all manner of things to put the oomph back into their sex life.

Thinking about Home and Away takes me back. Back to when I wore white ankle socks over grey tights to school and played ‘elastics’ (does anyone else remember this game?) It was the early 1990s and together with other Aussie import Neighbours, my television viewing between 5.10 and 6pm was all sewn up. Home and Away produced many young, tear away female characters from Angel to Emma Jackson (as played by X Factor judge Dannii Minogue) but there was always one good girl, namely Sally Fletcher. Now sadly, actress Kate Ritchie has announced plans to leave the soap after twenty years and is venturing forth onto pastures new.

Kate, who joined the soap back in 1988 and has picked up some awards during her long-running stint, will continue working on the show until the end of the year with her final scenes set to shoot in December. In a statement by the Seven Network, Richie said: "I have been blessed with a job that I have loved for the past 20 years and I wouldn't take back one moment of my time on Home and Away but I feel that it is time for change. My decision to leave the show has not been made lightly and despite being sad to say goodbye I am excitedly looking forward to what will be the next chapter of my life."

Within the scope of five's modest ambitions, Paul Merton in China was certainly a success. And with good reason; it may have been a rather unorthodox travel show - with as much emphasis on the 'Paul Merton' bit of the title as the 'China' bit - but it was informative, sought out some genuine eccentrics, and it was always fun to witness Merton's look of horror as he was told what was in his evening meal.

It's not surprising then that five have signed Merton up for two more travel series, one in India and the other in Germany. Do you think they're possibly trying to ratchet up the humour with that second one? He has an itinerary for both trips, but has already thought of a few people to visit himself, and you imagine that they're the ones that will turn out to be the most interesting. Oh, and five’s senior programme controller Chris Shaw calls the progamme "a totally new style of topical adventure show", not travelogue. Just so you know. [via Chortle]