The battle of the channels begins

A new series of the popular drama 'Lost', returns Wednesdays on TV2 at 8.30pm, starting off with a recap of the first series this week.

At the end of last year we asked ourselves many things. When will Susan and the plumber ever get it together on Desperate Housewives? What's in the damn hatch on Lost? Whatever happened to Jennifer Love-Hewitt? Thankfully, 2006 can provide some answers.

Last week TV3 introduced its new-look Wednesday night line-up. Next week, TV2 hits back with its new season. You may wish to diary the following to avoid week-day viewing conflict. As of February 4, here's the blockbuster viewing we're in for:

Monday

Two of 2005's raciest dramas return to TV2. Needing no introduction, Desperate Housewives is back at 8.30pm, followed by saucy medical drama, Grey's Anatomy at 9.30pm. Reow.

Tuesday

It's shrinks vs MDs at 8.30pm as TV2's new show Criminal Minds - about FBI psychologists - competes with the second series of House, TV3's edgy medical drama starring Golden Globe winner, Hugh Laurie. May the highest IQ win.

Wednesday

If there was such a thing as comedy idol, you'd probably be forced to choose between Charlie Sheen and Chris Rock at 7.30pm, with Everybody Hates Chris on TV3 or Two and a Half Men on TV2. My Name is Earl follows at 8pm, TV3. Then it's time to ponder life and polar bears with a new series of Lost, TV2, 8.30pm (a recap of the first series screens this week). Fans of crime drama already have One's Cold Case or TV3's CSI: New York to choose from at the same time; TV3's other new forensics show, Bones is at 9.30pm against Invasion, TV2's new alien thriller. So you're bound to wet your pants one way or another.

Thursday

Tonight is thinking person's telly as TV3's new local series Doves of War at 8.30pm attempts to confront the fallout from the Bosnian war. That's up against TV2's new Geena Davis-helmed Commander in Chief, about the first female American president. The vote's still out on that one.

Friday

Pick your spook at 8.30pm. Jennifer Love-Hewitt sees dead people on TV2's new drama, Ghost Whisperer, and whaddya know, so does Patricia Arquette in the return of Medium, TV3. Rove is very much alive and kicking the following week on TV3, 9.30pm.