The Vampire Diaries takes a bite in the UK

The Vampire Diaries premieres in the UK on Tuesday February 2nd. Already a big hit in the US, giving The CW some of its best ratings, ITV2 wasted no time in picking up the new show. The first couple of episodes were released on ITunes in November and to date, 10 episodes have been made available for purchase before the first episode airs in the UK.

Watch the trailer that's been shown in the UK, plus a quick piece that ITN did about the show featuring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley.

Review: Skins - Thomas

Skins is back and with a bang. The fourth series opened with a young girl taking drugs in a club and then jumping off a balcony into a crowded dancefloor. Pauline Quirke guest starred as a detective conducting the investigation into the under-aged girl's death. This episode was centred around Thomas; the club being where he worked.

Thomas' suspicion throughout is that Cook had something to do with the drugs the girl took. Tensions were already high between the two from the last series which results in a bathroom confrontation. Another confrontation between the two reveals the actual truth of who gave the dead girl the drugs which will directly lead into the next episode.

Thomas spends most of the episode feeling guilty, whether it be his responsibilities to his family, the death of the young girl or his relationship with Pandora. His internal struggle with his friends, mother and her faith burden him throughout.

It was refreshing to see Thomas outside the lifestyle that the main characters live in. It helped show and understand his struggle and a little more of his family, which wasn't explored as much, in the last series. Thomas' last scene showed that though he has to do certain things, he isn't completly happy or comfortable with it. I know that every episode is centred around a character but with this episode, I felt that the way they played out the storyline of the preacher's daughter seemed rushed but in the confines of the episode, I guess this is what they needed to do to move the character to where he ended up.

Quote of the episode from J.J - "What I like about Reese is, she's a virgin you can believe in."

Broadcast Award winners - X Factor, The Inbetweeners and more

The UK's Broadcast Awards were held in London last night. Winners included The X Factor, The Inbetweeners and Coronation Street. ITV1 took home the Channel of the year award. See a full list after the jump.

Best Entertainment Programme
Sponsored by The Fountain Studios
Winner The X Factor, talkbackTHAMES/Syco Production for ITV1
Highly Commended Britain's Got Talent, talkbackTHAMES for ITV1

Best Popular Factual Programme
Sponsored by The Hospital Club Studios
Winner Inside Nature's Giants, Windfall Films for Channel 4
Highly Commended The Choir: Unsung Town, Twenty Twenty Television for BBC Two

Best Documentary Programme
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
Winner Man on Wire, Wall to Wall in association with Red Box Films for BBC Two
Highly Commended The Fallen, Minnow Films for BBC Two

Best International Programme Sales
Sponsored by Compact Media Group
Winner Top Gear, BBC Worldwide

Best Daytime Programme
Sponsored by NEP Visions & Roll to Record
Winner Land Girls, BBC Productions, Birmingham for BBC One

Best Children's Programme
Sponsored by Parthenon Entertainment
Winner Bookaboo, Happy Films for CITV

Best Multichannel Programme
Winner The Inbetweeners, Bwark Productions for E4 and Channel 4

Best Documentary Series
Sponsored by The Bridgeman Art Library
Winner Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimers, IWC Media for BBC Two

Best Single Drama
Sponsored by Northern Ireland Screen
Winner A Short Stay In Switzerland, BBC Productions for BBC One
Highly Commended The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall, talkbackTHAMES for Channel 4

Best Pre-School Programme
Winner In the Night Garden, Ragdoll Productions for CBeebies

Best Drama Series or Serial
Sponsored by Pinewood
Winner The Street, ITV Studios for BBC One

Best News Programme
Sponsored by Blue Skies Partnership
Winner Sky News - Pakistan, Terror's Frontline, Sky News
Highly Commended Channel 4 News - Sri Lanka, ITN

Best Soap or Continuing Drama
Sponsored by BBC Studios and Post Production
Winner Coronation Street, ITV Studios for ITV1

Best Comedy Programme
Sponsored by Clear Cut Pictures
Winner Outnumbered, Hat Trick Productions for BBC One
Highly Commended Psychoville, BBC Productions for BBC Two
Highly Commended The Inbetweeners, Bwark Productions for E4

Best Sports Programme
Sponsored by SIS LIVE
Winner Formula 1 - Monaco Grand Prix, BBC Sport for BBC One

Best Music Programme
Sponsored by PRS for Music
Winner Later...Live With Jools Holland, BBC Productions for BBC Two

Best Post Production House
Sponsored by Avid
Winner Envy
Highly Commended Splice

Best New Programme
Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios
Winner Being Human, Touchpaper Television for BBC Cymru Wales/BBC Three
Highly Commended Inside Nature's Giants , Windfall Films for Channel 4

Best Independent Production Company
Sponsored by The London Studios
Winner Twofour

Channel of the Year
Sponsored by BT Wholesale Media and Broadcast
Winner ITV1
Highly Commended Sky Arts 1 HD

Scrub out Time

It might be a little harsh for me to say but out of the ABC comedies, Scrubs has become that annoying person who was funny the first and maybe second time but now it's the hundreth time of hearing the same joke and it's unfunny, boring and kind of sad.

The latest episode with Turk made me believe I was watching an episode from season 1, he just didn't have his equally immature best friend with him. I wasn't asking for much but a little growth from the now "Chief of Surgery". Things that used to work seems tired and recycled. I was waiting to see how things played out once JD left the canvass but the jokes feel as cold as a cadaver at times.

The way Drew and Denise have been played out the last couple of episodes seems slightly lost at times and having Drew reveal he was married last week seemed to come out of nowhere and I don't feel it's moved them anywhere.

There have been small glimpses of the potential of the medical school students but I feel that with too much time spent on JD in the early parts of the series, it didn't give the others a real chance to develop. The show should have either not come back this season or a clean break should have been made with JD at the end of what was a fitting finale last season.

Fav Scene of the Week 17th - 23rd Jan

This is a bit late then usual due to technical issues. My favourite scene of last week was from How I Met Your Mother. It was pretty hard for me to whittle it down to a scene from the episode called 'Jenkins'. There were so many funny moments to pick from.

I checked out of the premise of how Ted met the mother of his kids a couple of series ago but what has kept me going as been Barney, Robin, Lily and Marshall. Most of the time, they steal the show (especially Barney) and Ted, at times, becomes a side thought.

The scene I eventually chose was Jenkins apologising to Marshall for kissing him but him being more concerned that Lily knows the kiss actually happened and then what happens when she does. I love Lily's reaction as its not the soft and peaceful Lily that we're used to.

House Previews from "Remorse"

International fans are getting use to being blocked from watching clips on YouTube, especially short promos of TV shows. Fox's YouTube channel has clips that can be viewed by international fans.

Watch 3 clips from the next new episode being shown in the US.

Tennant and Doctor Who win at UK NTA, plus other winners

David Tennant, who recently exited from "Doctor Who", won most popular drama performance; his third win for his role as the Doctor. The show won the drama award for the fifth time. The awards are voted by the public and were held on Wednesday evening. Ant & Dec and Stephen Fry picked up two with Fry receiving the Special Recognition award.

The full list of winners:

• Entertainment Programme: Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
  


• Star Travel Documentary: Stephen Fry In America
  


• Newcomer: Craig Gazey - Coronation Street
  


• Comedy Programme: Gavin & Stacey
  


• Serial Drama Performance: Lacey Turner EastEnders
  


• Entertainment Presenter: Ant & Dec
  


• Drama Performance: David Tennant - Doctor Who
  


• Factual Programme: Loose Women
  


• Drama: Doctor Who
  


• Talent Show: The X Factor
  


• Serial Drama: Coronation Street
  


• Special Recognition: Stephen Fry
  

Sons of Anarchy hits the UK

Today, in the UK, FIVE USA will show the first episode of Sons of Anarchy. Created by Kurt Sutter, who wrote, produced and starred in acclaimed US police drama The Shield, Sons of Anarchy is a hard-hitting, gritty drama following the members of an outlaw motorcycle gang. Check out the promo that is being shown.

Golden Globes TV Winners

I managed to get 5 of my predictions right, though I completely forgot to add Best TV movie or miniseries. See below for the full list of TV winners.

• Best TV drama series - "Mad Men," AMC
  


• Best TV comedy or musical series - "Glee," Fox
  


• Best actor in a TV drama - Michael C. Hall, "Dexter," Showtime
  


• Best actress in a TV drama - Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife," CBS
  


• Best actress in a TV comedy - Toni Collette, "The United States of Tara," Showtime
  


• Best actor in a TV comedy - Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock," NBC
  


• Best actor in a supporting role - John Lithgow, "Dexter," Showtime
  


• Best actress in a supporting role - Chloe Sevigny, "Big Love," HBO
  


• Best TV movie or miniseries - "Grey Gardens," HBO
  


• Best actor in a miniseries or TV movie - Kevin Bacon, "Taking Chance," HBO
  


• Best actress in a miniseries or made-for-TV movie - Drew Barrymore, "Grey Gardens," HBO
  

My Golden Globes Predictions

With the Golden Globes only moments away, I thought I might make an attempt to predict the winners. My choices aren't necessarily want I would like to win and in the case of the mini series, I've taken a guess as I haven't watched any of them. We'll soon see how many I get right in a few hours.

• Best Television Series - Drama: House
  


• Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama: Glenn Close – Damages
  


• Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama: Michael C. Hall – Dexter
  


• Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical: 30 Rock
  


• Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical: Toni Collette – United States Of Tara
  


• Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical: Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
  


• Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Anna Paquin – The Courageous Heart Of Irena
  


• Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Kevin Bacon – Taking Chance
  


• Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Jane Lynch – Glee
  


• Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: John Lithgow – Dexter
  

Fav Scene of the Week 10th - 16th Jan

Hidden underneath the drama on NBC's latenight, the network gave a double helping of 30 Rock on Thursday. There were too many scenes for me to pick from but I chose Liz finally revealing her secret friend for Jenna.

Liz is always having to take care of Tracy and Jenna, sometimes you forget that Liz and Jenna used to live together before 'The Girlie Show'. It's funny the lengths that Liz goes to make sure the show goes on.

Letterman weighs in on NBC/Leno/Conan

The NBC Leno/Conan situation has definitely been the kind of drama that some shows dream of writing.

Having taken scripted content off 10pm for Leno, the network will now be looking for things to fill the spot now Leno is being moved to 11:35pm. David Letterman offers his own idea of a drama that can fill the now vacated timeslot.

Better Off Ted: Unedited jokes

Just in case you haven't seen it yet, watch the unedited jokes that will be bleeped from the first of a double episode - Ep8 The Impertence of Communicationizing

Fav Scene of the Week 3rd - 9th Jan 2010

Not all of the shows have made their return in the new year but I decided to pick something anyway. This video isn't a scene but three clips that stood out for me. They are from Better Off Ted, the first from two episodes that were shown this week. It wasn't just the scenes as a whole but Veronica's lines and Portia De Rossi's delivery and expressions during it.

Is ABC's Wednesday Night Complete?

Ugly Betty had it first airing at 10pm on Wednesday but is it a good fit with ABC's comedy block.

It's now been established that ABC has hit the right note with new comedies Modern Family and Cougar Town. With these breakout shows and The Middle, Wednesday has become a success for the network. There have been obvious hiccups, with the now cancelled Hank and Eastwick. Repeats of Modern Family have since taken Hank's spot but this week a new episode of The Middle was aired.

Eastwick's lost has been Ugly Betty gain. As soon as news broke of Eastwick's cancellation, talk was being made about Ugly Betty receiving that slot. The show had been struggling on Friday and fans thought a move could save the show from possible cancellation.

This meant Lost had to move to Tuesdays; I guess the network didn't want to change a winning team. With Lost airing its final season, it could be seen as ABC testing what could possibly be the line-up come September. It's a safe bet that Modern Family and Cougar Town will be renewed. The Middle has a good chance and this week's ratings will help their case, achieving 8.2 million, with a little help from an appearance from Brooke Shields.

The 8pm slot is still up for grabs and Better Off Ted fans would like the show to be moved there. Unfortunately with low ratings and the network burning off double episodes to finish its order in January, its unlikely to return for a third season. Scrubs will get the 8pm slot on January 27th and February 3rd, to finish off its current season. Ratings for them has also been disappointing. The show has been less impressive and should have ended last season.

Ugly Betty's Wednesday debut only managed 5.1m, less then the average of the cancelled Eastwick. Some of the episodes have been better than last season and Justin's growth has been interesting and touching to watch. Part of the problem is that once people stop watching, it's hard to get them back. When people are raving about other shows, then you end up checking those out instead; too many people have given up on this show. If ratings don't improve for the next few episodes, then I think I'll be proved right in my prediction of this show being cancelled.

Lost Catchup in 8 minutes

If you've missed any of Lost, check this 8 minute catchup

Better Off Ted: Don't Fight It, Watch It

Better Off Ted is smart, witty, packed with one liners and is also a show that not a lot of people are watching. While more viewers are flocking to Modern Family and Cougar Town on a Wednesday, Better Off Ted has being struggling on a Tuesday.

It's no secret that I like this show; I even changed my Twitter image to a Better Off Ted photo. I share the opinion of others that this show would be much better on a Wednesday with The Middle, Modern Family and Cougar Town.

Before the fall season started, I thought Modern Family and Cougar Town would struggle, but when I saw how good they were doing, it gave me hope for Better Off Ted. Unfortunately not enough viewers haven't been knocking on the door.

People might be raving about Sue, on Glee, but there is another female with great one liners; Veronica, played by Portia de Rossi. You can't forget Phil and Lem, two scientist who in the last episode were upset that a human replaced the clean-up robot. With lines like "I feel like my heart has been kicked in the testicles", this show provides laughter in every episode.

This month, ABC will be burning off episodes by showing two a week. I personally don't think the show was given a proper chance. Half of the first season was shown from June to August, bringing a ratings dip to its figures from March to May. The recent episode shown after a bowl game, gave the show some of it's best ratings but this doesn't seem to be enough.

Ken Tucker, EW.com, has started a save Better Off Ted Campaign and he regularly posts about the show the day after it airs.

Will Monday Be A Good Fit For Fringe?

On Monday January 11th, Fox will be airing a never seen before episode from season one. The episode is against NBC's Heroes, which is also struggling with ratings. Though this is a one off, could this move save the show?

When I first heard about the Time Warner/Fox problems, my first thought went to Fringe and how the possible blackout could effect this show, more than how it would effect others. With a debut of around 9 million viewers in September 2008 and 9.3 million for its season finale in May 2009, you would think there was nothing to worry about. A lot can change in a year. Now shown on a different evening, the second season debut managed 7.8 million in September 2009.

The first new episode after the world series only attracted 4.95m, a series-low. The show climbed back up with 5.9 million with the following episode. Unfortunately for fans, these continuing numbers are worrying.

A sigh or relief was breathed when Time Warner and Fox issued a statement of agreement, that wouldn't stop broadcasting Fox in 13 million homes. I hope that Monday's episode will give the show a ratings boost, then this would show that there are more people that want to watch but the show needs to move from a congested Thursday night. This move could also show the network why they have to renew it, other than the fact that this show is good. Sometimes a little movement helps a long way.

TV in January

The holidays are over and you've missed your last opportunity to pack in a TV marathon. The TV schedule will resume normal service as well as the working week.

This month will see the last 3 episodes of Dollhouse, Scrubs and Better Off Ted will start to be burned off with double episodes. New shows, Human Target Life Unexpected, The Deep End and Spartacus get their debut. Some of your favourites might not even be back yet.

The TVaddict.com have complied a TV calendar for January to help remind us (especially me) when shows are returning this month.