Based on the ups and downs of a gay science fiction fan club, Outland takes us down the rainbow path, and deep into the nerd cave where we discover 5 people for whom coming out in a sexuality sense is nothing compared to opening the closet on their geek-dom.

Andrew couldn't resist the opportunity to get all over Outland with The Playlist's favourite geek, Oscar Hillerstrom (thescifishow.com) and The Sunday Telegraph's Richard Clune

So what makes a first ep compelling enough to make viewers hungry for more?

Andrew Mercado asks two of Australia's leading creators of quality TV, producer Kim Vecera and writer Debra Oswald what ingredients are essential to make a more-ish first ep.

Is it just an academic diversion for couch potatoes? Andrew asks Monash University's Dr Tony Moore and Associate Professor Mark Gibson to discuss.

To find out the real story behind its demise Andrew talks with show creator David Sale and actress Lorrae Desmond.

Given the choice of investing in a local production that may or may not find a local audience vs the cheaper and less risky option of purchasing the broadcast rights to a tried and tested US drama, Australian networks tend to veer towards option two. 

So far no surprises, so what's the problem? 

Andrew catches up with local screen veterans Tina Bursill and Andrew McFarlane to find out why it's so important to protect home grown stories and save spaces for Aussie faces.

Based on the best selling young adult books by author Gabrielle Lord, the series will take its cues from the 12 part book series, rolling out one hour long epsiode per month over the next year.

To find out more about this very intriguing premise, Andrew caught up with Lord together with cast lead, Harrison Gilbertson.

When Ten axed music clip show Video Hits last year after 24 years, it became the latest casualty of viewer fragmentation. Apparently not in keeping with the increasingly sophisticated ways youth audiences are engaging with music, the show was binned, leaving just one lonely stalwart serving up a menu of music clips, ABC's Rage.

So where does that leave music loving audiences (and musicians)? Andrew asks Singer Melissa Tkautz and former Channel V'ster Nathan Harvey.

We laughed, we cried, we tuned in, we tuned out ... Andrew de-briefs with News Limited's Di Butler and The Sydney Morning Herald's Scott Ellis about the best and worst of 2011.  

Andrew caught up with two of this year's busiest TV producers - John Edwards and Imogen Banks, to find out more about the team behind local hits such as Tangle and Offspring.

In this episode, Andrew reminisces with actors Deborah Gray and Graeme Blundell about TV programs they'd like to see re-made today. 

So which promos did we like this year, and which ones got our goat? Andrew talks with The Gruen Transfer's Jane Caro and voice over artist and actor, Troy Planet

Given a career that has ranged from Miss America Pageant contestant through to to sci-fi legend and chanteuse,  it was no surprise to discover that Ms Badler had a lot to talk about.

So what a pleasure to have an excuse to re-visit her interview and find out more about her early days as a pre V soap starlet.

Brit hit Shameless is a recent example of a series that's gone under the knife for the sake of a US audience. With SBS currently screening the original version alongside W's broadcast of the remake, Australian audiences can enjoy comparing them and and make up their own minds over which to watch.

Andrew asks TV producer Kim Vecera and ABC 702 broadcaster Richard Glover which Frank Gallagher they love best.

Andrew Mercado is joined by WSFM's Amanda and Jonesy to check out a show guaranteed to keep you laughing over summer.

It was this phenomenon that prompted media writer Michael Bodey to write Broadcast Wars and examine the years between 2003 and 2011 - an era of significant drama in the history of Australia's commercial TV networks.

Andrew caught up with Michael to find out more about this pivotal period in Australia's Broadcast Wars.