NEWS | MYCAREER | DOMAIN | DRIVE | FINANCE | MOBILE | RSVP | STAYZ
  network map | member centre  

Who We Are

Advertisement

The tackiest of 2005

by David Dale.
What was television's most dubious achievement of the year -- the clumsiest attempt to manipulate our emotions and play on our prejudices, the laziest use of formula over imagination, the biggest insult to the viewers' intelligence, the clearest demonstration that TV bosses don't know what Australians want? There are plenty of candidates, and we know you can think of more examples than these:

* Channel Seven kills Let Loose Live after two embarrassing episodes -- but not before the reputations of several once-admired comedians have been shredded.

* Channel Nine kills Our Place after four episodes -- finally closing the coffin on the lifestyle/renovation fad that dominated the early noughties.

* Ten is ordered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to tighten its editing after Big Brother Uncut shows Michael exposing his penis while massaging Gianna.

* Seven runs promos for a Today Tonight report on how "the children of immigrants" are taking the jobs that should go to the children of real Australians.

* Ten kills Aussie Queer Eye after six episodes -- finally closing the coffin on the makeover trend. Nine's cosmetic surgery show, Body Work with Megan Gale, fares only slightly better.

* Nine leaves Joey on air for eight painful episodes, but cuts off its most imaginative sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle, halfway through its run.

* Ten fails to cancel The X Factor, thus turning viewers off talent quests and shooting itself in the foot with Australian Idol.

* Seven's new drama, Headland , proves to be Home and Away stretched to an hour, and loses a third of its audience between the first and second episode. The ritual use of cleavages and sixpacks fails to hold the target under-40 audience.

* Nine, caught unprepared by the success of The Supernanny , casts around for a replacement when the season ends, finds Nanny 911 , and has to cancel it after four disastrous episodes.

* Fast Eddie McGuire manages to make two questions last an hour on the second-last episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire .

* Darryl Somers manages to stretch Dancing With The Stars to two hours by promoting a CD of vocal performances that would not have got him an audition on The X Factor.

Below, we'd like to hear your nominations for the best of the worsts of the year.

But first, just to prove this column is not a nattering nabob of negativity, concerned only with failures and fiascos, here's where the networks triumphed:

Most watched Australian shows of 2005
1. Da Kath and Kim Code (ABC) 2.09 million
2. Dancing With The Stars (7) 1.9m
3. Border Security (7) 1.8m
4. Nine news Sunday (9) 1.7m
5. 20 to 1 (9) 1.6m
6. 60 Minutes (9) 1.6m
7. True Stories (7) 1.6m
8. RPA (9) 1.6m
9. Little Oberon (9) 1.5m
10. Medical Emergency (7) 1.5m
11. Celebrity Circus (9) 1.5m
12. Backyard Blitz (9) 1.5m
13. Big Brother Evictions (10) 1.4m
14. Celebrity Overhaul (9) 1.4m
15. Today Tonight (7) 1.4m
16. Mary Bryant (10) 1.4m
17. Australian Idol Sundays (10) 1.4m
18. Seven news weekdays (7) 1.4m
19. Seven News Sunday (7) 1.4m
20. Home and Away (7) 1.3m
21. McLeod's Daughters (9) 1.3m
22. Nine news weekdays (9) 1.3m
23. Friday night football (9) 1.3m
24. Beyond Tomorrow (7) 1.3m
25. Skating on Thin Ice (9) 1.3m
Source: OZTAM

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). His latest book is Soffritto -- A delicious Ligurian memoir. To join a daily discussion of Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Big Brother was vile. Nothing good about it.
Best of the worst: The Biggest Loser.

  • by Mei on November 28, 2005 at 10:31 PM

How about the shameful treatment of "The West Wing" changed nights, and time slots, and finally cancelled mid-season

  • by Aaron Frost on November 28, 2005 at 10:53 PM

the way in general that interesting and innovative shows are treated by the networks. see arrested development, the wire, scrubs, family guy. If you dont want it or dont know what to do with it, sell it to someone else. bring on a 4th commercial station

  • by adrian on November 28, 2005 at 11:02 PM

I think one of the worst is Dragons Den on 7

  • by John on November 28, 2005 at 11:04 PM

I am disgusted with many shows that they have tossed around this year, not just West Wing. Arrested Development is arguably one of the funniest comedies to come out of the US this year, and we have been subjected to cancellation mid-season, after rediculous time alloctions. They recently revivied it as filler, on Tuesday nights at 11pm/12pm/1am. They have finally decided to show the second season, at 11pm tuesdays in the no-ratings period! Who are you kidding, 7? I've had to resort to other 'methods' of seeing season 2 and into season 3.

  • by John on November 28, 2005 at 11:20 PM

The Up Late Show must rate as one of the most execrable concepts seen on our screens for a few years. And badly executed to boot. The gormless 'Hotdogs' has all the charm of underfed hyena. The single redeeming feature is its 'train wreck' quality.
Disturbingly compelling.

  • by Jeremy on November 28, 2005 at 11:28 PM

Worst show? It's a toss up between "Mark Holden: Live At the George Ballroom" and "Today Tonight" (any episode you care to choose). However, the worst programming decision was certainly Seven's choice to run "Arrested Development" only sporadically and even then at 11pm on weeknights. They've bought the funniest PG-rated sitcom in years and seem intent on ensuring that nobody will ever see it. Genius!

  • by Steve Reynolds on November 28, 2005 at 11:30 PM

Australian Princess was pathetic.
I quite liked the Dragon's Den - it's different and interesting to see new inventions and where investments are attracted.

  • by Rebecca on November 28, 2005 at 11:40 PM

Australian Idol is still the best show on television because people that love music for what it is, not just one certain genre cant get enough of the program.
this series was the best so far because all the artists had particular styles that decisively differed from each other(lee=pop punk, kate=soul, emily=rnb, dan=alternative/blues etc.).
the series was also great because either of those 4 mentioned culd make a great cd that will appeal 2 a different audience....
but this was also a downfall coz not all the singers were generic pop music and not all ppl were interested in every contestant and thus only tuned in for the contestants they particularly liked.

  • by daniel vernede on November 29, 2005 at 12:22 AM

I have to say that Headland is one of the tackiest shows I have ever watched. it reminds me of watching the early 80's episodes of neighbours and country practice and they could get away with the bad filming because that was all there was. bring on Greys Anatomy best show of the year. thank god they didnt can that one and dito to the comments on Arrested development bad form channel 7

  • by Sarah on November 29, 2005 at 01:01 AM

The Dragon's Den is an excellent show. It inspires people to be inventive, creative, and also the chance to realise the dream of developing a flegling business. So it draws "inspiration" from The New Inventors (ABC). In some cultures imitation is the best form of flattery.
Excellent show.

  • by Derrick on November 29, 2005 at 01:08 AM

I'm watching the Uplate Gameshow right now. They changed the set! It's... worse. Someone said before that it has trainwreck value, so tell me this: how many trainwrecks last for 3 months? Seriously, don't they need to use that trainline for something else? How can they leave the train there burning for 3 months? Wow... this is the best metaphor ever... right?
Quote from Hotdogs just now "I'm doing this for ships and giggles... oh censored myself quite nicely there."
Right, wreckage aside, I think the tackiest moment of 2005 was by nine on an episode of Desperate Housewives, which they buy from US broadcaster ABC. In this episode, the characters enjoy watching Lost, another ABC drama. Nice self promotion (ten would be proud)... except that Lost is owned by seven. Ouch.
Now, back to the Uplate Gameshow. Nobody is calling him... Hotdogs has been talking ship for 10 minutes because nobody will call. I'm... thinking of calling. Argh, my money!

  • by conditionals on November 29, 2005 at 01:17 AM

Worst: Any reality tv show. People are sick of these. Aust. Idol, Big Brother, Dancing with Stars - drop them please.

  • by a on November 29, 2005 at 01:27 AM

Big Brother, they flog the crap out an an already rubbish television show.
Who. Gives. A. Damn.
Hmmm I see Rove isn't in the most watched list... *sniggers*
It makes me glad we're in the non-rating period.

  • by Susan on November 29, 2005 at 01:41 AM

If those top rated shows were any indication, any attempt at insulting the intelligence of the australian audience would violate war crimes conventions the world over.

  • by Michael on November 29, 2005 at 01:56 AM

Da Kath and Kim Code was a sad example of the depths to which Oz TV comedy has fallen. These "satirical" caricatures of female suburbia were not funny. How anyone could relate to
these portrayals, let alone emphathise with them is a mystery to me. Dumb husbands, disastrous reverse cleavage dress sense and dumbing down of women is a pretty sad way of trying to get a laugh.

  • by pat on November 29, 2005 at 02:29 AM

Glad Kath and Kim is a popular in Australia as it is here in Ireland!

  • by sean lyons on November 29, 2005 at 02:42 AM

The best...
To see that the media-work done on commercial talk-shows brought about the top-ratings by ABC for "Da Kath and Kim Code"
Second-Best...
SBS taking the Cricket and enjoying a roaring success (suck eggs Nine).
And a special mention about the demise of "reality TV". Hopefully it will be dead within another 12 months.
Worsts...
That there actually remains people willing to shell out 55c over and over for reality-TV.
The current trend to over-run.
The current trend to minimise and talk-over he credits. COME ON. These people work hard for their 15 seconds of fame having their name scroll up the screen. That time is NOT time for self-promotion by the networks.

  • by Ian on November 29, 2005 at 03:22 AM

Arrested Development, I have to catch it on Foxtel, along with every over great tv show not to be aired by the networks. Can you guys get your act togther so normal people know what I'm talking about when discussing great shows over the water cooler?

  • by Nick Curulli on November 29, 2005 at 03:34 AM

Unfortunately TV execs treat the average viewer with total contempt. Some of the shows, especially reality, current affairs and home improvement shows are just cringeworthy. Then they decide that the normal every half hour or hour mark starting point for programs should be extended so you miss the beginning of another show on another channel. All I can say is thank God for cable TV and a cable box that can record up to 60 hours of programs. I just set what programs I like and watch them at a later date cutting out all the commercials. I teach these execs a real good lesson about trying to screw with my intelligence, I avoid them, their programs and their advertising.

  • by Danny on November 29, 2005 at 05:59 AM

The tackiest was the (illegal) homosexual 'wedding' on "Seven Sundrise".
The second tackiest was David Koch's attempt to justify promoting and screening and gushing over the event a few days later.

  • by John on November 29, 2005 at 06:12 AM

Long ago I gave up relying on the tv networks to bring me the great episodes from the best shows in a timely and regular schedule. I now have a fast unlimited broadband connection and am continuously downloading all the latest episodes of Lost, Desperate Housewives, Nip Tuck, Malcolm in the Middle, 6 feet under, Sopranos, 24, etc, etc. When I have watched all these, I will download even more. Who needs commercial tv networks that have little regard for viewer continuity when all the best and latest episodes are uploaded within ours of showing on US networks, commercial free and high quality?

  • by RM on November 29, 2005 at 06:44 AM

Why did nine always show one new episode of CSI one week and the next a repeat..and the same with CSI Miami?.

  • by zak on November 29, 2005 at 06:54 AM

Big Brother - hideous, degrading to all involved i.e 'housemates', ten network, sponsors, audience.
When will it end?

  • by Marie on November 29, 2005 at 07:12 AM

Well, well ..... thank you SMH for giving me the opportunity to vent my disgust!

There has been little decent TV all year! What, with Australian Idol, The X Factor, Let Loose Live, Headland, Dancing With the Stars, Celebrity (Who are you?) Overhaul .... well the list goes on.

There were some triumphs though ... the Cricket on SBS .... great coverage. Da Kath & Kim Code ... great entertainment. Australia's triumph over Urugauy. And watching a 550kg Fat Man trying to lose weight on some late night Medical show. That is about the limit of enjoyable TV in 2005!!!!

  • by Andrew on November 29, 2005 at 07:24 AM

One of the things i love the most about free to air tv is its shameless use of 'encore presentations' to get out of actually doing anything.
One of my favourite shows is Inspecter Rex from Germany aired on SBS. In fact SBS is my favourite channel. They ROCK!!!
Reality tv is way old hat, as too are current affairs programs. There have been some good progs like Greys Anatomy and House and the revamped show Beyond Tomorrow, but i would still rather watch Myth Busters of a Monday night on SBS.

  • by Heather on November 29, 2005 at 07:34 AM

Too much to rant about and so little space!!! Between 10 showing 4 different versions of Law & Order (for 5 hours a week!), and of course the never ending repeats of The Simpsons, 9 showing 3 different versions of CSI, rubbish reality shows across 10, 9 AND 7.....why do I bother???

Can the directors of programming please refrain from showing us the rubbish shows, put the good shows on at a reasonable hour of the night, and desist from canning halfway decent shows midway through, or early in their run!!!

One of the few outstanding appearances of the year has been that of House, M.D. but 10 even threw a couple of repeats of THAT in towards the end of the season!!

  • by Dave on November 29, 2005 at 07:38 AM

While many of the above are truly awful, why not highlight as well the true genius of TV in Oz, John Saffron.

  • by Simon on November 29, 2005 at 07:40 AM

THE BEST -
I may be biased here.... but for me, the best thing I saw on tv all year was watching my brillant partner having "the balls" to risk $468 000 to achieve a goal he has had for 5 years. Well done babe.

  • by Claire on November 29, 2005 at 08:01 AM

..don't like when shows are scheduled?

Get a TiVo! (Yes, they DO work in Australia...).

..don't like what you do or don't get shown?

Vote with your remote and your mouse! Watch what you actually like, buy what you want on Amazon, and (ahem) Torrent the stuff that falls in-between.

You are not powerless. You are not beholden to the networks. You are the media revolution.

  • by Bender on November 29, 2005 at 08:02 AM

Can anyone please explain why we have to watch Charlie Sheen and Matt Le Blanc try to save their careers in 2 of the most unimaginative and uninspired television shows ever recorded in human history. Please just let them fade away into an oblivion filled with sex scandals, broken marriages and weight problems!

  • by Naomi on November 29, 2005 at 08:11 AM

Does anyone else get the feeling that the commercial free-to-air stations are deliberately trying to turn audiences away so that we will all switch to pay tv?

  • by Simon on November 29, 2005 at 08:13 AM

The worst? The pathetic standard of biased journalism that infects our mass media. Everything is the government's fault. The Bali nine are in jail because the government callously alerted the Bali police (not because they were caught with a huge amount of heroin!). A serial criminal who didn't bother with Australian citizenship over 25 years is deported and the govt is cticized for harshness. The PM is insensitive because he declined to cancel a cricket match 'in respect' for a convicted drug trafficker in Singapore.

  • by John on November 29, 2005 at 08:16 AM

network 10 dropping Aerobics Oz Style

  • by richard on November 29, 2005 at 08:17 AM

Queer as folk is the best-you don't have to be gay to watch and enjoy this stylish show full of funny lines and real sexy men. Pity it's been cancelled after 5 series but SBS is brilliant showing it and it is not too late at night-Mondays won't be the same without it

  • by ruth on November 29, 2005 at 08:17 AM

One of the best Aussie programs of 2005 was Last Man Standing which got relegated to a terrible 10.30pm time slot and it got axed after one brilliant season!!! Crazy

  • by Georgie on November 29, 2005 at 08:26 AM

I find it strange that none of the networks have picked up 'The Family Guy'. This show is fantastic and has a cult following... What are you waiting for? Also, SBS got it right on Monday nights with Mythbusters.

  • by Josh on November 29, 2005 at 08:33 AM

But you have to remember that TV (especially the commercial sector) is not targeted at people who read SMH, much less those who write letters to it. What the advertisers want is the $2 shop, with K-Mart as upmarket. ABC does well to emulate Myers, and could be David Jones if they were fed some real money. And SBS shows that "the children of immigrants" have better taste than WACAs (white Anglo Celtic Australians like me).

  • by Don on November 29, 2005 at 08:36 AM

Reality Television must die. Channel Nine needs to stop screwing with time slots and repeats of CSI. Malcolm in the Middle being dropped is pathetic!

  • by Belinda on November 29, 2005 at 08:36 AM

My advice is to switch over to the ABC or SBS on week nights. It's a bit hit and miss but generally it changes every week so you can be pleasantly surprised. Beats watching reruns of American cop dramas. Worst moment this year was the cancellation of the US office after giving it just two nights. I have seen the series and it is a good show in its own right. We should push for another FTA TV license so audiences of 800,000 are not considered so dismal.

  • by Dr DK on November 29, 2005 at 08:40 AM

Barker is gay. Just ask him.

  • by Me on November 29, 2005 at 08:44 AM

The worst - The complete overuse of the words "Celebrity" and "Stars" to label someone who is still looking to round out their 15 minutes of fame after getting only one or two minutes of it 10-25 years ago.

The best - That I moved into a house this year that has Foxtel, and didn't have to watch 7, 9,10.

  • by Scott on November 29, 2005 at 08:46 AM

So who counted how many people watched the Socceroos rally against the Uruguayans on SBS? If 83000 were at the game, how many more were glued to the TV? Must've been close to 1.3m to rank 20th-25th. I guess the conspiracy by media against the world game holds true. RIP Johnny Warren!!

  • by chris on November 29, 2005 at 08:47 AM

The Worst..

The scene on Living with Eddie where we discover barker is a raging homosexual.

The Best..

When Barker finally admits he is a raging homosexual. Its good to see he can admit these things.

  • by The Team! on November 29, 2005 at 08:47 AM

What annoys me is that they screen such crap in prime time then relegate fantastic shows like scrubs and arrested development to 11/11.30 at night.

  • by Campbell Barry on November 29, 2005 at 08:47 AM

The Worst was Queer eye for a straight guy when Barker admits he is gay. Everyone already knew this. I cant believe he went on national TV to admit this.

The Best was seeing Barker finally get his PSP and watch him bond with Frank for several hours. And when I say bond, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!

  • by John Hudson on November 29, 2005 at 08:49 AM

The tackiest in Australian TV? It's hard to say with so much tripe in the tube in this land, but nothing beats Nine's media blitz with Schapelle Corby. They even brought out the worm for that one!

  • by el Carlos on November 29, 2005 at 08:52 AM

I am disgusted with Channel Seven. What happened to SCRUBS! Even Will and Grace being relegated to late nights was ridiculous. If you are going to publish that the show will be on air. SHOW IT!! I love my Foxtel, even if they are old eps, they are funny and reliable!!

  • by Cass on November 29, 2005 at 08:56 AM

TV this year has been very poor, I have watched a lot of ABC and SBS just to get away from the obsession with "sensational" news on the commercial channels.
Did get into Greys Anatomy but one week after the season has finished 7 are repeating the whole thing again! Also why did channel 9 put Survivor on Friday night?

  • by Amy on November 29, 2005 at 08:59 AM

What was really disturbing was the celebrity couples week on temptation, where they had Douglas Wood and his ditzy wife competing.
I don't know about you, but I would not call Douglas Wood a celebrity, more like a silly old man who was taken hostage in a country where he should not have been.
And his wife, spare me, she should have been the one taken hostage for being sooooooo boring. God help us if these commercial channels keep scraping the barrel for these so called celebrities. I know, Why not put Douglas Wood on 'This is your life' and Mike Munro can reacquaint him with his hostages. Thats a joke, channel nine, not an invitation.

  • by Patrick on November 29, 2005 at 09:00 AM

Channel 10 stopped screening NYPD Blue halfway through its second last season about a year ago...or maybe longer...I can't even remember anymore. It was on at 11:00pm on Saturday nights. I've been an avid watcher of the show since its inception over 10 years ago.
I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever see the remaining episodes. How hard is it to find a 1 hour timeslot (even if it's in the middle of the night when there's nothing but rubbish anyway) to appease loyal followers of this always excellent drama? All I ask is that the network finish what it started.

  • by Steve E on November 29, 2005 at 09:00 AM

I'm struggling to think of a programme I have genuinely looked forward to watching this year. Just about everything on 7, 9 or 10 is, in my opinion, either complete garbage or a repeat - and don't even get me started on Ray Martin and A Current Affair. Apparently there's a war going on in Iraq - not that you'd know watching Ray and his smug tabloid journalism. Current Affairs, when I studied it, had nothing to do with weight loss, consumers being ripped off by supermarkets or the scandelous issue of the dog that barks too much! Current Affair? Current Offair please!

  • by Andy on November 29, 2005 at 09:01 AM

Worst: the utterly idiotic Nine network mismanagement of the West Wing
Best: ABC purchase of the West Wing
For 2006: ABC to buy 6 Feet Under

  • by Steve from Newtown on November 29, 2005 at 09:01 AM

Its pretty sad if your worst moment of the year was a gay 'wedding'. Its even worse that you think its so terrible for someone on tv to actually defend someone's sexuality. Watch out - you might work with, live with, play sport with real live homos - ooooh scary!!!!
The shows I have enjoyed this year have included SBS World News, Border Security, Kath and Kim, The Great Outdoors, The Einstein Factor and any AFL that Eddie Maguires isnt commentating. The worst are the news and current affairs shows on 9 and 7 and the cavalcade of woeful reality tv.

  • by jono on November 29, 2005 at 09:03 AM

Local TV quality has really slipped. Most local production is pretty ordinary these day other than say MDA. Current affairs, ordinary to very silly. Reality shows, boring. Makeover shows need a reality check. $20k in plants come on. Big Brother - its a peep show. Talent shows, yawn. etc.

  • by Keith on November 29, 2005 at 09:05 AM

Worst show of the year - Big Brother.
Why do people watch it? Disgusting.
Best show of the year would have to be HOuse. And why does channel 7 continue to show scubs & Arrested Development at stupid times? This is the best comedy to come out of the US for a long time. Please 7 show it at a decent hour or sell it to another network. And as for their new show, Headland, I lasted 10 mins then switched it off. What rubbish!
Is that the best that Oz can do?

  • by emily o connor on November 29, 2005 at 09:08 AM

Both Today Tonight and A Current Affair lack any imagination. One night they will run a story on the amount of germs in the average household. The next week they will run a story on how people worry about the amount of germs around the house.
They even run the exact same story on the same night. Is Australia so dull that there is only a limited amout to report on?
On Today Tonight last week Naomi informed her viewers of a rare treat to go inside some of the countries rich and famous houses. The images consisted of a couple of shots from the outside of most of the houses, and only access to the inside of one. Rare treat indeed....

  • by John on November 29, 2005 at 09:08 AM

The worst for me was no Australian broadcaster covering one of the 4 most anticipated games of Rugby Union in 2005. England v The All Blacks 19th Nov 2005. Even though Foxtel "couldn't secure the rights" to any of the England Autumn Series games, they were still able to show Eng v Australia and Eng v Samoa.
Thank god for bittorrent where you can get both Sky Eng and Sky NZs coverage of that game as well as the first 9 episodes of desperate houswives series 2 and Lost and 24 and House series 3 etc etc etc etc.
By the way the other three most anticipated games were
Lions v NZ Game 1
NZ v Sth Africa game 2 of trinations
France v Sth Africa 26th Nov
Another stuff up was no free to air broadcaster picking up Bro Town even when series 2 features the voice of Rove McManus for gods sake

  • by whanau451 on November 29, 2005 at 09:09 AM

I cant believe Seven cut Hamish & Andy! Good to see Ten has signed them up, hopefully theyll have their own show again in no time.

  • by Adam Crawley on November 29, 2005 at 09:10 AM

Worst: any police, medical, law,'reality' drama. No 'Best' because the above pretty much covers everything on TV. What happened to that little thing called imagination?

  • by Em on November 29, 2005 at 09:10 AM

I agree with Georgie, Last Man Standing was the best Aussie show in years. Tuesday nights were the only good night on the commercial networks with LMS, Arrested Development & Scrubs - even if I did have to tape them as they were on ridiculously late. Everyone I introduced to Last Man Standing thought it rocked, even if they did come to it later in the season. Sometimes you need to give shows time to get around by word of mouth - although I agree with all the axings mentioned above :)

  • by Amber on November 29, 2005 at 09:10 AM

All I can say is "THANK GOD FOR THE ABC"

  • by Maureen on November 29, 2005 at 09:10 AM

weekend television is truly horrid. it's fishing, motor racing, golf, snore snore snore...what about the intelligent women out there? how about something that requires a few neurons?

  • by jane on November 29, 2005 at 09:13 AM

Sunrise on 7 so annoyingly cheery and fake it makes me gag eating my cereal! Bring back the morning video clips!
Go Gina and Jane (kath and kim) Brilliant!

  • by Chris on November 29, 2005 at 09:13 AM

It's not so much the shows, but the advertisements that I can't stand. Every 5 minutes we are bombarded with someone screaming at us details about something we neither need nor want, with the picture changing every split second. I feel exhausted after watching a Harvey Norman or Mitre 10 advert!

  • by James on November 29, 2005 at 09:13 AM

Australian Princess was positively shameful. While the English show on which it was based ("Ladette to Lady") was amusing, this was just embarrassing. And what's Jackie O's story????

  • by Kate on November 29, 2005 at 09:14 AM

Scrubs and Arrested Development are great shows - where are they?

  • by Cath on November 29, 2005 at 09:14 AM

The worst: Big Brother, I hope it never comes back on TV, the only time I saw it or heard of it was when they were advertising it or something about it was on the news or in the paper - and just that was enough.

I don't have a best because I agree with others who have written in already about repeats of good shows etc.

  • by Karen on November 29, 2005 at 09:15 AM

Craig McLachlan's effort on the footy show. Massive cringe factor there.

  • by sp on November 29, 2005 at 09:15 AM

why don't the networks give any shows time to catch on? They screen one episode and if it doesn't break records, they stop-start and change it over at will. Some shows need a few eps to catch on - remember Seinfeld nearly got canned because it wasn't hugely popular for a while after it started.

Please show arrested development, the apprentice and 30 days at a decent time and NO MORE CSI et al.

  • by lisa on November 29, 2005 at 09:15 AM

People still watch TV? Get with the now man! All the good stuff is available on the interwebs. Let's face facts; free to air TV caters to the lowest common denominator. If you want quality, you have to get it some other way. Oh yeah, thank God for non-ratings period when we do actually get some decent programming. Go watch Arrested Development on Tuesday nights.

  • by Matt Supercool on November 29, 2005 at 09:17 AM

Who is in charge of Aussie Drama for all stations now days? If they are getting paid more than $25K a year then they should be sacked!!!! I could do a much better job and i have no television experience - other than being the person that watches it!
What is the go with putting decent storyline shows on past 10pm? Then tell me also, when a show is advertised to go for say 60mins, why the hell does it go for 90mins (eg Dancing with the bloody stars finals!)
All channels need to get someone who is willing to listen to the viewers and not the money men! Back to basics guys - C'mon!

  • by Nezza on November 29, 2005 at 09:17 AM

It's funny you know. Half the shows discussed here I've never heard of or seen. Do yourselves a favour and get out and smell the roses. There's more to life than than most of the the rubbish served up as entertainment these days... In saying that, the New Inventors is a great show about great people who I would say don't waste their days watching reality, home/body/kid makeover shows.

  • by Wilba on November 29, 2005 at 09:18 AM

Pity about "The Alice". This delightfully quirky blend of romance, drama, intrigue, suspense and just plain fun, has been our family's definitely preferred viewing....lovely characters, scenery, story lines and music.

  • by Michael Miskin on November 29, 2005 at 09:18 AM

The best Aussie show on TV this year would have to be Last Man Standing. But unfortunately it never stood a chance when shown at a 10:30pm time slot.

Rove, what are you doing ? Your show has dropped to the same old boring comedy act. The only good thing is the interviews. Keep it to an hour and cut out the crap !

Bring back "The Panel". It's been too long ! Scrap Rove if you have to !

  • by Grasshopper on November 29, 2005 at 09:19 AM

I can't get Fox where I live... stuck in the pre-digital age I record shows on VHS and fast forward through the ads, it's not that bad really. House best new-comer of 2005, Lost a close second but stretched too thin for compulsive viewing. Breakfast TV the worst Sunrise getting dumber and dumber, Today show amusing just for the nicknames of hosts, Dicky (Wilkins), Stevie (Jacobs) and the Grimster, Grimsy, the Grim Reaper (Tracey)

  • by OJ on November 29, 2005 at 09:21 AM

THE GREATEST TV COUP OF THE YEAR - SBS getting The Ashes from a greedy Nine who thought they'd be a flop.

The best moments for me on the big networks were Desperate Housewives, Malcolm in the Middle (dropped), re-runs on Ten of Sex in the City (dropped after two weeks), and Last Man Standing (sent to the graveyard).
How many times have we waited for twenty minutes past schedule only to have to watch an unscheduled repeat or series recap? I have no respect for them at all and have ended up watching Fox, ABC and SBS all year as a result.

Now, to put the entire population off-side - Australia does not have the interesting human resources to make anything that approaches quality reality TV. A cry from the heart - PLEASE GIVE UP.

  • by Ashley on November 29, 2005 at 09:21 AM

What about SBS's coverage of the football and the Ashes? They have taken sports that nobody wanted and supported them and now that Australia has made the World Cup they will reap the rewards - Well done SBS.

  • by Damian on November 29, 2005 at 09:22 AM

Follow the ABC's lead and give us more BBC treasures!

  • by Magoo on November 29, 2005 at 09:22 AM

Something more recent. The biggest non-event of the year must go to "M24 - The Last Sunrise" shown last night. I have no argument with the work done by the searchers and researchers - it sounds as though a good job was done - however the hype before the programme followed by the way it was presented and the non-conclusive ending left a sour taste in my mouth.

  • by Mark Gordon on November 29, 2005 at 09:24 AM

who is barker and why is he so happy? (presumably not from watching 7,9 and 10)

  • by seaforth monkwater on November 29, 2005 at 09:25 AM

The Mike Munro special on Schapelle Corby was so tacky and such a bid for ratings by Channel 9. Absolute trash. I confess, I LOVE the Biggest Loser - watching fat emotional Americans for an hour is great viewing but Channel 10 seems determined to ruin it by changing the days it is aired. Reminds me of how Channel 7 chopped up LOST and why Channel 9 ruined the final season of Friends.

  • by Gregs Girl on November 29, 2005 at 09:29 AM

Channel 7 destroying any chance the brilliant Last Man Standing had by constantly swapping the time slot and night it was shown and then abandoning it in late night mid-week hell.
Channel 10 screwing around with The Shield. While many people may be a bit over US cop shows, this one is absolutely brilliant and throws formula and morals out the window.
Channel 9 and The West Wing - see same complaints above.
But the best was my discovering The Biggest Loser - I love this show. And, of course, RPA continues to deliver sensitive real-life drama.

  • by Karen on November 29, 2005 at 09:29 AM

The worst would have to be tacky reality shows, like those dodgy renovation shows, Big Brother (all the losers of Australia seem to end up as housemates), glorified karaoke competitions, any shows featuring so-called celebrities, and now there's Dragon's Den, which features five rich people and cash-strapped inventors. When will it all end?

  • by Matt Kwan on November 29, 2005 at 09:30 AM

the treatment of scrubs and arrested development is appaling, but it should be noted the AD is not a ratings success in the US either, only its first year emmy saved it and enabled a second season.
And at least you can buy the DVD of AD about six months after the season ends, scrubs is in season five on TV, and only the first two seasons are out on DVD.
And as someone noted above, TV is not programmed for the readers of the SMH, the shows mentioned above have largely failed in prime time (west wing, 6 feet under, sopranos etc), these stations are running a business and have to cater for what the majority of the population wants (although clearely they have failed at that this year)

  • by tim on November 29, 2005 at 09:31 AM

Biggest Loser is a great show, hopefully it encourages people to loose weight in a sensible way. Although its a bit over the top when people start bawling and blabbing on about how proud they are of themselves for loosing weight. Meanwhile there are poor kids crying out for food to eat.
Big brother is the worst and should finish - its like Mcdonald's - we all hate it and its no good for us and yet we find ourselves watching it. Perhaps this year the other channels can run something worth watching in the time slot to compete with it.
Inspector Rex and Iron Chef rock !

  • by Maria on November 29, 2005 at 09:32 AM

I think 'your most watched shows of 2005' list says it all really, apart from Kath and Kim, the rest of the shows are utter utter rubbish. Fear-mongering news programs make up most of the list - shows that tell us little more than how much fat a bag of chips contains. We should be embarrassed that the shows listed make the top one hundred let alone the top 25! It?s about time networks made more of an effort to import quality TV ? it may come as a shock to some, but Kath & Kim are not the greatest comedians on earth. Why can?t we see Ricky Gervais? new show ?Extras?? Why can?t we see more ?Family Guy? on TV? When are we likely to see ?Entourage? over here? ? For those that don?t realise ? there is a whole world out there full of programs 100 times better than the dribble we?re being served up!

  • by Tim Barrett on November 29, 2005 at 09:33 AM

Big Brother is a disgrace to the Australian psyche. That and the Simpsons should be removed from national television. Vote with your remote. PEOPLE POWER! These networks are CLUELESS.

  • by Mel on November 29, 2005 at 09:34 AM

The best TV moment of the year? How about the idea that whilst the top show was airing, approximately 16 million Australians were doing something other than watching the idiot box? (This assumes a total of 2 million watching shows other than Kath & Kim at the same time)

  • by ali on November 29, 2005 at 09:35 AM

The worst thing is the lies and distortions told by those shows that are on during the early evening - naming no names, the ones that chase criminals and tell hard-luck stories. They hire actors to play 'real' people and really pander to the myth of the Aussie battler. I thank goodness for Media Watch, that weekly reality check that reminds us not to believe much at all of what we see on the commercial channels.

  • by Alexei on November 29, 2005 at 09:35 AM

Anyone who thinks that TV is for the entertainment of viewers is well off the track. TV is merely a vehicle to advertise any old tripe that retailers have to push on to a public inured over some 4 decades to accept TV advertising.
To maximise profits and keep down costs, TV execs merely buy programs with sufficient quality to push advertising time. That's why there will NEVER be anything really worthwhile on commercial TV.
Anyone who sits in front of the box, night after night and expects to be entertained will be there until hell freezes over. You are being exploited by a bunch of cynical money grabbing twerps.
What they peddle as entertainment is merely faecal matter that no-one else in the Western World would tolerate. Australian TV is the dumping ground for anything that wouldn't rate anywhere else. The viewing public deserve a lot better, but sadly I don't think that will ever happen.

  • by Pete on November 29, 2005 at 09:36 AM

The best for the year was, as always from the ABC. I can't go past "We Can Be Heros", "Spicks & Specks", "The Glass House" and last, but not least "Kath & Kim" (or should that be "Prue & Trude"). And from the UK, a special mention should also go to "Little Britain" for being an outstanding comedy.

  • by Meredith on November 29, 2005 at 09:37 AM

Let's hark back to the start of the season, and the season premiere of the footy show. The result was one of those classic moments in history, when Craig McLaughan, would be stand up comedian, was booed off the show. One has to ask if any of the producers had actually seen him even tell a joke beforehand.

  • by Stressed on November 29, 2005 at 09:38 AM

I'll go for embarassing and nominate Rock Star - INXS. Terrible format (that mansion!) and all of that only to have their new material sound just like their old material. We miss you Michael.

  • by David on November 29, 2005 at 09:40 AM

Maquarie Fields riots. How do you fuel a riot? Answer: TV cameras. Like fuel to a fire.

Aus tv is at its lowest. Networks are so out of touch, they're worst than record companies. Lowest common denominator programming of used formulas and American imports. Do people realise that dancing with the Stars is from the US. Shhhh...! Australia the 51st state in the union. Viva ABC and SBS!

  • by Mathew on November 29, 2005 at 09:41 AM

I love The Biggest Loser, although I hate myself for it. But Ten has really exceled itself in managing to change the time slot from Monday night, to Sunday night, to Friday night. It just shows they really care about their loyal viewers.

  • by Jude on November 29, 2005 at 09:42 AM

Worst crime of 2005 was Channel 9's decision to only play the first of Tarantino's two-part final episode for season five of CSI, instead electing to play the second installment in 2006, presumably to get another bound of advertising revenue by repeating part 1.

Luckily for fans, the final two-hours were played in the US in May, so there are enough imported copies floating around to mean that we don't need to wait. In the age of the internet, the 3-month cliff-hanger is a no longer a smart move.

  • by Matt Sheumack on November 29, 2005 at 09:42 AM

Someone has to say this:- Channel 7 are the most arrogant pack of bastards ever. They change shows at whim, cancel excellent shows (Last Man Standing etc) for no reason, extend time endings so you miss the beginning of the next show on a competitors channel, hype crap shows (Headland, Dancing with The Stars etc) ad nauseum, put advertisements in at inappropriate sections, advertise much too often & too close together.
Thank God for ABC,SBS & cable.
In our home we have voted to NOT BUY any products advertised on Channel 7 until they drop their arrogant attitude and keep shows to 1 hour not 70 mins, stop cancelling good shows, stop putting really good shows on at stupid midnight sessions and in general clean up their act.
Long live TiVo, torrents and cable.

  • by Sheridan on November 29, 2005 at 09:44 AM

I think conditionals ("I think the tackiest moment of 2005 was by nine on an episode of Desperate Housewives") will find Despo Housewives is actually on Channel 7, which also shows Lost!

Nice try though!

  • by Seymour on November 29, 2005 at 09:44 AM

You already nailed it with the Today Tonight promo about the "children of immigrants". That was a new low, and hopefully we won't see its like again. Sadly, I fear it may become more prominent.

  • by rocky on November 29, 2005 at 09:47 AM

I gave up seriously watching Aussie TV years ago with the introduction of broadband. I just download what i want..6 months before it arrives in Australia, zap it over to my xbox and watch it on the big screen.

Free to air or "pov" tv hit its lowest point when they signed Marcia Hines' spoilt brat of a D Grade celebrity daughter to Skating on thin ice. where is a sniper when you need one!!!

  • by ferret on November 29, 2005 at 09:48 AM

I for one LOVE reality shows! Big Brother, Aust Idol, Aussy Princess, Biggest loser, i LOVE EM ALL!

Can the nice people who keep saying "Axe reality shows, no one likes em", stop talking because us 'no ones' LOVE REALITY SHOWS & i'm glad the stations listen to us & keep on pumping them out.

  • by mike on November 29, 2005 at 09:53 AM

Biggest Loser , Rove : Best !
Worst is Big brother, Australian idol and that other music competition show - what was that called again ?

  • by Kell on November 29, 2005 at 09:53 AM

Australian TV is an embarrassment (most of it anyway). Simple solution - read a book (plenty of great authors out there), play some sports with the kids, get some fresh air.

  • by EA on November 29, 2005 at 09:54 AM

How about Desperate Housewives? It was excellent! However apart from that the commercial free to air stations do not listen, as we have had enough of talent quests, doctor shows, Big Brother, and other reality shows.

  • by Tim on November 29, 2005 at 09:55 AM

The best show currently on TV by far is Rockwiz on SBS, followed closely behind by Spicks and Specks on ABC.

  • by Doppler Dog on November 29, 2005 at 09:55 AM

Worst? It has to be Australian Princess. Why would an egalitarian society like Australia aspire to the anachronistic tradition of birth related hierachy?

Add to this the awfully patronising butler (the guy's a butler- who the hell is he to judge?) and the puerile patter from the contestants who "just want to be little princesses" and it was the lowlight of all reality programming. As I loathe most reality TV, this means it has sunk pretty low.

  • by Julie on November 29, 2005 at 09:56 AM

By far the best Australian TV show in years, Last Man Stnading, was axed by Channel 7 after one season. If it had been given a chance to build a bigger audience and not moved around to a variety of timeslots, forcing viewers to ask "what time is it on this week?" maybe it would be back again for another entertaining season. This was Aussie TV at its very best and now it's gone forever. Thanks Channel 7.

  • by Rachael on November 29, 2005 at 09:56 AM

Best - SBS coverage of Ashes and World Cup Football, and ABC's (UK version) of The Office specials

Worst - 9's treatment of West Wing. Multiple awards that actually mean something, critical acclaim, intelligent drama, the list goes on.

Only way to change commercial TV is to hit advertising revenues - boycott advertisers who run commercials during multiple repeats etc - but make sure you let the advertisers know it.

  • by dave on November 29, 2005 at 10:00 AM

Worst? Seven's treatment of Lost viewers not to mention Desperate Houswife fans! I mean, come on! I couldn't be bothered with TV anymore - period! I just buy the shows on DVD (as I'll be doing with Veronica Mars - that's right, can't be bothered wasting my time fitting my life into Ten's programming schedule - I'd rather slip a disc into the DVD when I'm in the mood than be shackled down on a Monday night).

  • by Agadoo on November 29, 2005 at 10:01 AM

It was good to see Channel 10 take a risk with House and Numbers which I enjoyed immensely. But alas, their image was ruined by the absolutely absurd season of Big Brother and another boring and pointless Idol series. But my hat really goes off to SBS and ABC with Mythbusters and Little Britain putting meaning into my life. In fact, Commercial TV didn't sell me anything, yet I've been convinced to buy the DVDs of both the other shows. With the advent of shows like Brainiac, I've come to the conclusion that Commercial TV is for the braindead in our community.

  • by Jeremy on November 29, 2005 at 10:01 AM

The best Australian show this year was Last Man Standing. Friends and I looked forward to it every week. It was a sharp, witty, intelligent home grown show which channel 7 gave up on after the first episode, relegating it to a ridiculously late time slot and scrapping it after the first series. Come on.... shouldn't we be encouraging and supporting Australian drama?

  • by Abbi on November 29, 2005 at 10:01 AM

conditional - your carefully worded rant against nine's silly goof with Desperate Houswives showing Lost was wonderful - pity you forgot that Desperate Housewives is actually on seven as well!

  • by tv tragic on November 29, 2005 at 10:03 AM

The best? Easily 24 and Alias on 7. These shows are riveting and really make you think to follow the plot lines.
The worst - anything with the word "celebrity" or "star" in the title. Outback Jack and the dizzy blonde as celebrities on that circus show???? Puhleeassee..........

  • by Jen on November 29, 2005 at 10:06 AM

Sorry folks, you seem to have missed the worst moment, what's that show called where 'celebs' lose weight?? It was 'memorable' for a number of reasons..

(a) Anthony Sumbati being included as a celeb. Wow, when I was a kid you had to have talent & charisma to be on TV. These days you just have to cry and ask your dad to say he's proud of you. Sheesh..

(b) Anthony Sumbati admitting he is so fat he can't even wipe his backside.....urrrgh just what we need around dinner time

(c) Kate Fischer losing a mammoth 4kg.....YOU GO GIRL!!! (that was sarcasm just so you know)

All you TV watchers out there how much more reason do you need to get off the couch and go for a walk, or worse still talk to somebody???

  • by Cam Fay on November 29, 2005 at 10:06 AM

Those of you who have TiVo - did you buy from overseas and how does it work without an Australian electronic TV guide?

  • by David Higgins on November 29, 2005 at 10:08 AM

Australian Idol was a joke, not just this year but in all the years. There has been no talent comprable to the world class singers we see from the other countries or some of our own home grown fruits (hi Delta/Thirsty Merc) who didn't go throw idol.

Good work to the people being seduced by the media's "bigger than life" perception of talentless individual under franchised contracts.

I'm very Kath & Kim made got what it deserved, first and the best.

  • by frank on November 29, 2005 at 10:15 AM

naomi robson signing off from today-tonight with a sincere cock of the head: "and do take care".
Today Tonight (6:30-7pm) once ran a segment criticizing tv stations for running over time-slots and not sticking to program times - and the segment finished at 7:05pm.
Did they actually run the piece on "real Australian kids" having their futures robbed by migrant children???

  • by Flabba Gastud on November 29, 2005 at 10:22 AM

The 'GOOD'- Carnivale, what a brilliant combination of storytelling and art direction, thank you ABC for providing a fresh show and making sunday night viewing 'must see tv'.
The 'BAD'- as mentioned the slapstick treatment of supposed current affairs issues, please stop insulting us. Australian idol and big brother, two of the biggest blights on the Australian Tv scene. Rove- Can someone explain how this guy continues to make some of the most purile drivel ever made week in, week-out and yet a comic genius like Shaun Micallef is axed after a few measley episodes?
Please give us a ray of hope in these dark times and air the following- Carnivale season 2, Family Guy, The extras, Little Britain, The league of Gentlemen.

  • by John on November 29, 2005 at 10:24 AM

Best....That 70's Show

Worst .. Desperate Programmers.... commercial channels constant shuffling and axing of top quality programs to make way for Celebrity (insert name here) or Australia's Worst (insert name here)

  • by Mike Frazer on November 29, 2005 at 10:24 AM

ea is kidding. Rove is boring and unfunny, if you have fox, you already heard the jokes and skits he pinches months earlier on remarkably familiar looking American shows. If people use funny voices and expressions, they have no wit!

  • by adam on November 29, 2005 at 10:24 AM

Commercial TV has been abysmal for the last few years. Shows like The Shield , The West Wing, Scrubs, The Sopranos and Malcolm in the Middle have been relegated to late night time slots or cancelled. The best way to affect real change on station program schedules is by hitting the commercial channels where it hurts - boycotting the sponsors or advertisers that promote their dross during the so called 'top rating'prime time television shows e.g Big Brother,Australian Idiot and 'Today Tonight/ACA. P.S Law and Order and CSI franchise has gone too far , whats next CSI Baghdad, Law & Order Afghanistan? Gimme a break please !!!

  • by 'over commercial TV' on November 29, 2005 at 10:28 AM

Easily the worst was the embarressing and painful American version of 'The Office'. How could they get it so wrong?
But let's face it, with broadband, who needs to wait for the moronic television networks to get it together? Now we just watch every thing six months before it shown in Australia, and without adverts.

  • by jem on November 29, 2005 at 10:29 AM

I would agree with the comments posted re: Last Man Standing. Probably more 'real' than most 'reality' tv shows. The best show to grace our screens since the last great Australian show, "Good Guys / Bad Guys"... another one that was shunted to late night before being axed.

  • by bj on November 29, 2005 at 10:32 AM

Daryl Somers inflicting his singing on the innocent viewing public.

  • by Anne Brook on November 29, 2005 at 10:33 AM

Someone has to say this:- Channel 7 are the most arrogant pack of mongrels ever. They change shows at whim, cancel excellent shows (Last Man Standing etc) for no reason, extend time endings so you miss the beginning of the next show on a competitors channel, hype crap shows (Headland, Dancing with The Stars etc) ad nauseum, put advertisements in at inappropriate sections, advertise much too often & too close together.
Thank God for ABC,SBS & cable.
In our home we have voted to NOT BUY any products advertised on Channel 7 until they drop their arrogant attitude and keep shows to 1 hour not 70 mins, stop cancelling good shows, stop putting really good shows on at stupid midnight sessions and in general clean up their act.
Long live TiVo, torrents and cable.

  • by Sheridan on November 29, 2005 at 10:37 AM

All Mcguiver fans have adored Stargate.

Stargate was something with a history, a reputation that is wavy (Can go from Low to Good between episodes). And theres always something new and creative in the military and alien tactics.

It's just so awsome watching human special military tactics whooping alien superior technology.

The worst are Idol, Big Brother, LOST, Desperate housewives...
I just get headaches of their inconsistancies and inhumane philosophy on the description of humans as a whole.

  • by Jimmy Ng on November 29, 2005 at 10:40 AM

Whoops, Seymour is right. I guess that makes my entry the tackiest comment for this article. That's worth something... right?

So my second choice: Super Simpsons Tuesdays on ten. Three episodes in the space of three hours. Whilst this in itself was only mildly tacky (in a universe where it is harder for things to get tacky due to a high tack immunity of the people living there), it obviously means that at some point we will get a Super Raymond Thursday. Ouch.

  • by conditionals on November 29, 2005 at 10:42 AM

My favourite has been The Biggest Loser.
The saddest part? That it has been changed to 3 different timeslots in the last 4 weeks, and that Ten totally amped it up last week as the 'finale' where we would find out who the Biggest Loser was!!
Actually, funnily enough, last week was the second last episode, and the finale is this week. Now why would Ten do that? Hang on, wasn't last week the last week of the ratings period? Could they be that transparent? Surely not...

  • by Clover on November 29, 2005 at 10:43 AM

The worst, this year: Australian Princess. Unlike other 'reality'shows, there was no payoff - even the exploitative rubbish of the Biggest Loser saw 8 people get healthier. The winner of Aus.Princess got to go to a ball in London. Big Woop. And the biggest bunch of nobodies were the judges. True people of class and