The Sun-Herald

Hi David, any news on how the West Wing is fairing now that it's on the ABC?
It would be interesting to see if those who "didn't" watch it on 9 are "not" watching it on ABC.

Tribal Mind replies: Hannah, please look for ratings week 9 at www.smh.com.au/tribalmind

• by Hannah (Disappointed Stargate Fan) on March 05, 2006 at 02:11 PM

Unfortunately for the ABC, I think that most fans of the West Wing have already watched the season being aired. ABC are starting with season 4, but S4 & S5 have been released on DVD. Fans who don't download are waiting for seasons 6 & 7.

• by Laur on March 06, 2006 at 10:11 AM

One of life's little pleasures is to meander through the TV guide on Saturday morning and work out what the next week's viewing is probably going to be. As each year flashes past, less and less "must see" programs turn up. Anything - anything at all - on commercial TV now gets recorded, ever since more and more ads got imposed on us. Yes, I know that's how they make their money, but we are not all morons happy to sit through 6 or 7 consecutive ads.
Full marks to 'Poirot', Sunday nights on the ABC, and if you want really edgy police drama and haven't yet come across 'Unit One' on SBS, Friday evenings, take a look. Although that will probably mean recording it too for all you younger folk out on Fridays and spending your hard earned dollars in order to be kissed by the alcohol fairy.
Thanks to the SMH, I just discovered that Boston Legal is back on 7 tonight at 10.35pm. I think this show is one of the best things around, but tucking it away near bedtime will do nothing for its ratings (although I'll be recording it out of principle).
It will be very interesting to see if 7 jerk it around in various timeslots and then lament that not enough folk are watching it.
Rant over !

• by John on March 06, 2006 at 11:00 AM

I watched Everybody hates Chris, and found it funny - but not a must see every week. I don't think it was really a sunday night type of show, but still good for a few laughs instead of mindless boredom of whatever else was on. But also probably the most annoying thing i found about EHC was Chris Rocks nasal narration

• by Annabelle on March 06, 2006 at 11:41 AM

Everybody Hates Chris - includes me. Not interested in a Wonder Years type show but with folks from the ghetto. Nothing in common with them and I much prefer Chris Rock as a stand up comedian or actor. Never liked Wonder Years either.
Courting Alex - boring. She's just Dharma in a suit and if she turned down the perkiness factor, maybe she wouldn't be so annoying. I will give My Name Is Earl a go, because I really like Jason Lee.
I'm sick of the stations putting my fave shows on at competing times. I love the Law and Order and CSI franchises, but if they conflict, then Law and Order wins, especially when Goren is on. And I didn't even realise that Ghost Whisperer had changed nights. It's getting confusing to the point where I'm ready to even give up on my fave shows because they get switched around so much.
And of the morning shows, Sunrise is only marginally less annoying that those snapper heads on Channel 9. But I usually only watch Sunrise on the fly for about half an hour before I'm out the door. How to make it better? Put more hard hitting topics for discussion by the heads and cut out that awful viewer's joke segment. I don't know who decides which joke will be aired, but they're taste is questionable to say the least.

• by Killer Bees on March 06, 2006 at 12:20 PM

This is one of the worst tv shows I have ever seen.
To mention that the storylines are banal (eating Dad's 'big' piece of chicken, cleaning dirty new shoes, bus pass being stolen - come on, give me a break!), the acting ranges from OTT to pathetic and the 'white folks have it easy, black folks do it tough' message is sledgehammered home at every opportunity is to name but three of the many problems with this extremely unfunny 'comedy'. Sort of like a Wonder Years without any of the charm.
I would give it 1 out of 10 and hope that it continues to rate poorly, so it can be replaced with repeats of Seinfeld or something.
Oh, and I am 24 - clearly within the target market for this steaming pile of rubbish.

• by Gwenda on March 06, 2006 at 12:31 PM

Look I like EHC. My kids like the school boodecause they love Greg. He is a kid every child knows in the chilhood. Keep him

• by jim on March 06, 2006 at 12:58 PM

'Everybody Hates Chris' - is an interesting idea and has funny lines plus some scenes of genuine affection. The scene in ep1 when his father says goodnight has stayed with me.
The 'overacting' some people complain about I saw as deliberate to reflect the perceptions of a child and the memory of childhood. It's from Chris's POV not a documentary.
The real problem with EHC in Australia is that it lacks resonance with a mostly white audience on the other side of the world. For black Americans (or those more familiar with US life) EHC would have more appeal.
It's a good show and doesn't deserve the slagging it's getting. EHC is just out of place to an Aussie audience IMHO.

• by Peter on March 06, 2006 at 01:15 PM

Forget TV (bar Shameless), it's Deadwood - Season 2 on DVD time!

• by Miso_Kool on March 06, 2006 at 01:29 PM

At least its not that american seinfield wannabe half assed try hard who only aims at over 40's. Its good to see an effort being put into younger viewers. And just remember, you were young once.

• by I hate Raymond. on March 06, 2006 at 01:45 PM

I'm loving Poirot at the moment. Not sure why, other than great cast, costumes, plus I never guess whodunnit.

• by mogstar on March 06, 2006 at 02:06 PM

I enjoyed the Chris Rock show, I find his stand up act can be a bit confronting at times, but this stuff puts me in mind of the early Eddie Murphy routine ('Raw') which was just brilliant. I think the show does have some charm, but he is definitely an acquired taste and I can see how some may not find his stuff quite so amusing, particularly as this was clearly written with an American audience in mind. Nevertheless, it craps all over the endless stream of inane cop shows which we are force fed on commercial television.

• by Michelle on March 06, 2006 at 02:12 PM

WELL...bloody tv critics you people always have a lame sense of humour and to criticise chris rock's new show...when did you ever get near 900,000 people watching what you do? NEVER!!! go outside sometime and realise that 'life' begins when you turn off your computer. morons

• by ANDREW on March 06, 2006 at 02:16 PM

Seeing as Nine realise the importance of the 5.30pm timeslot leading viewers into the 6pm news, how come they don't then apply the same principles to the 5pm timeslot? Antiques Roadshow? Are they kidding themselves?
Also - Magda's Funny Bits is AWFUL. Should be replaced pronto.
Seven know how to promote their shows - their previews explain story and point of shows, whereas on Ten in particular, I havn't seen Supernatural or Numbers yet, yet their promo doesn't explain the premise or point, just the story for that episode. Therefore, I don't believe they will attract new viewers yet to sample these shows.

• by Jon on March 06, 2006 at 02:26 PM

I empathise with your parenthesis Hannah.

• by Matt on March 06, 2006 at 02:29 PM

It's not really a case of disliking sit-coms more like a case of an unoriginal idea. I just thought that 'Everybody Hates Chris' would be 'Malcolm in the Middle' or 'The Wonder Years' with black people. Seen it before, so don't really want to see it again. And I guess Aussies would relate a lot less with people from the ghetto than they would with middle class families.

• by J Bar on March 06, 2006 at 02:35 PM

Give me something Australian to watch & I might bother switching the TV on.
American TV shows suck - period.

• by Esmarelda Rant on March 06, 2006 at 02:48 PM

I'm a 32-year old professional. Of the circle of friends I see on a weekly basis -- so let's say maybe twenty people -- I think there are three or four who who actually watch free-to-air television.
Does anyone at the networks actually realise that the people who are their target audience NO LONGER GIVE A SH*T WHAT IS ON TELEVISION?

• by Pacifica on March 06, 2006 at 02:54 PM

I am an australian citizen who cannot abide any longer the american trash we need to endure. i love television, yet i can't watch any more legal, police, medical american drama any longer. ill give u a hint australian networks, to get viewers you need not to mess around with the timeslots. you are wondering were is every one going, you need to understand that they are turning on their dvd players. remember the rating system is a load of rubbish. there is supposedly 1000 of these rating boxes situated in the suburbs dictating what the viewer wants to watch. personally i don't watch what they watch. i want more australian drama, less reality and definitely less games shows. how much more does the average punter have to endure to receive this? bert newton did better work on a weekday morning than he does hosting a tired old genre, and the only reason deal or no deal is successful is because seven haven't played with its timeslot enough or not yet....come on australian networks create something new and different and place aside the drivel that you are producing, at least fox is investing in more quality programming than you are......

• by flicker on March 06, 2006 at 03:09 PM

Just one thing i want to say - that Jessica Rowe has to be the worst host of any show on earth. Can't bear to watch Today Show - she makes my hackles rise with that insipid thing she does with her mouth and teeth. Urrrrgh.

• by nomoretvplease on March 06, 2006 at 05:20 PM

Everybody Over 40 Hates Chris? What about Everybody in Every Demographic Hates Friday Night Games?

• by Katie on March 06, 2006 at 06:01 PM

I hate sitcoms! Is LOST one?
It often seems like it. I'm sure that they make up the plot and dialogue as they go along.
What I would like to know is what happened to SURFACE, which had quite a good plot, and THRESHOLD, which was a bit silly, but rather intriguing. They both seem to have disappeared without warning.
The only good thing on at the moment in my opinion, is POIROT.

• by Eljay on March 06, 2006 at 06:22 PM

Who cares what channel a show is on? Or even when it's on or how many people watch it? Surely that is what a broadband internet connection is for?
I dont have an ethical problem with not compensating the producers or distributers as long as someone is dumb enough to watch thier commercials for me.

• by iptv on March 06, 2006 at 07:12 PM

everybody hates chris seems like a funny comedy series so f u all u shitheds

• by Reuben Gibbes on March 06, 2006 at 07:22 PM

I download lots of tv shows from the usa, everbody hates chris is one of them, but i dont think its going to work in australia. some people will watch it but it wont be as sucessful as they hope.
I watched clever last night only coz nothing else was on and i liked laughing at it, alot like brianiac, just get over it 7,9 and 10 you missed out on mythbusters dont try and mimic the subject matter its not going to work, the guest you have on clever are dumbarses its pretty obvious to work out what the answer is going to be. At least beyond tomorrow (what are the raitings of that? i really like it) has some sense and get clips of mythbusters, sure its not the same but its as close as they can come, i even rewatch them even know i download all mythbusters episodes.
Top gear is another great show and i think sbs should have it on after mythbusters or on another night (aslong as its not wednesday)
I think most tv stations just dont get what public want to see, they have all these great shows (the sopranos, scrubs, arrested dvelopment, american dad, family guy, curb your enthusiasm, that 70s show) and they put them on during off season or late at night, i think if they advertised them well enough they could have a week of pretty decent raitings if they put them on at a normal time, pretty much anything is better than the crap we currently have, i think that is why ehc rated coz nothing else was on!!

• by chris on March 06, 2006 at 07:50 PM

the problem with everybody hates chris airing in australia, is the inability of the average middle class white australian person to relate to anything in the show. its not their fault either, they where brought up in a different culture. being a black person myself, i totally relate to dad eating the big piece of chicken. Of course living in a middle class family i dont 'have my bus pass stolen' or go to an 'all white school', but i still am able to relate to alot of what chris rock portrays in his show. hence i find it funny and clever, while i find a show like mcleods daughters or all saints utterly boring. but that doesnt mean that those shows sucks, just means i dont have the cultural knowledge to allow me to understand the shows.

interestingly, many ppl in brooklyn, where chris rock grew up, have complained about his portrayal of the area - saying that he is embellishing the whole 'blacks vs whites' thing. so its not just aussies that have differing views on the show.

• by random dude on March 06, 2006 at 09:36 PM

I liked it. If you don't like it too I will knock the caps off your knees!

• by Dinksta on March 06, 2006 at 10:11 PM

Oh, I almost had mistaken this add for one of those world vision scams.
I dont think I will be wasting my time watching yet another monkey jump around my TV screen.
When is a show going to be aired with some good old fashion Klans men? Now that would be interesting.

• by anthony on March 07, 2006 at 03:34 AM

We liked "everybody hates chris". My son is 19 and I'm 40. Just don't call it sitcom. It's not, there is no couch in every shot that is a focal point of all the action. And as to channel 9 tghey're getting worse and worse with Bert's performance a disaster, "clever" beyond watchability, Jessica Rowe should stay reading news as she has no presenter personality to handle morning TV. In all Eddie is going to burry 9 for ever. I can see the day when SBS will take it over. What about the slogan "And now the lastand proud of it!"

• by mark on March 07, 2006 at 08:17 AM

I am a frustrated West Wing watcher. I was over the moon to see that West Wing was coming onto the ABC, but they have missed their mark by reverting to a season that has already been shown on Australian TV. I fear now that poor ratings will see them drop the show in a few months, forcing fans back to DVDs or downloads. The Studio execs just don't seem to get it.. Fans will stop the illegal downloading and watch it on TV.. IF THEY'D JUST PUT IT ON !

• by Brian West Wing not-watcher on March 07, 2006 at 08:54 AM

I enjoyed EHC and will watch it again. But, like many others I first watched it on DVD (free sample), therefore I tuned out on Sunday night. Thanks to new technology I can now watch the shows I want to watch at the time that suits me - DVD recorder with hard disk. Does wonders with ads too...

• by Belinda on March 07, 2006 at 09:36 AM

So CIC lost 400,000 viewers??

Tribal Mind replies: yes, but against the Oscars. Next week will be the real test.

• by Danna on March 07, 2006 at 10:39 AM

is it just me or does everyone else get a nice warm glowy feeling when Channel 7's "thanks for watching seven" promo hits the screens? !! gotta love my tv thanking me

• by tony on March 07, 2006 at 11:00 AM

Is it just me or does Sandra Sully lack any charisma whatsoever.. I saw most of Australia's Brainiest Radio Star and she was terrible.

• by blog on March 07, 2006 at 12:26 PM

RE Julie.
What else is there to watch besides US sitcoms and dramas? The Bill? How about Midsommer Murders? Clever?
There's one thing that the US does well and that is pop culture.

• by H Tran on March 07, 2006 at 12:49 PM

Why don't they internationally release TV shows on the same date? Or even within a month, or a reasonable time period, this way we don't read about the show before its on, or download them.
And the stations should stop self promotion it makes me physically ill.

• by JimM on March 07, 2006 at 01:06 PM

I just have to say Prison Break is the all time gr8test show. A good original drama, and lets not forget the eye candy!

• by mouse on March 07, 2006 at 01:35 PM

Channel Nine has only one good show. Its on Sunday morning at 7am. The Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi show. My 3 year old loves it. The rest of there line up is completely bogus.

• by Harry Holt on March 07, 2006 at 01:45 PM

Mentioning the O.C. and quality drama in the same sentence? Talk about stretching the imagination. I suppose if you were around ten years ago you would have watched Beverley Hills 90210. To be honest, when they do crap tv,it's really bad but when they want to, they can come up with the best television you will ever see. Trouble is, the crap outweighs the good. As for EHC, It's ok but should be on Mon to Fri at 7.00pm till it runs it's course. It's definitely inferior to Everybody Loves Raymond but i'm Italian so i could relate to it!

• by Rob Brollo on March 07, 2006 at 02:03 PM

Channel 9 what on earth are you thinking? Tracey Grimshaw fronting A Current Affair? It used to be fronted by people with a bit of heart - Ray Martin, Mike Munro. Now it's got Tracey's clinical poker faced presence. I've switched to Today Tonight now since the now glammed up Naomi Robson is easier on the eyes and strikes me more as a sympathetic host.
Bert hosting a game show? Why not get Ron Casey do a running commentary of the Chinese New Year celebrations? Bert's type of humour is totally wasted.
Jessica Rowe? She has the personality of a... uh, newsreader. Her presence on the Today show seems painful to watch as if she's dying to release that contrived smile/ laughter. No competition for Cochie and the gang at Sunrise. Channel 9, why don't you try to score Megan Gale when she retires from modelling to front the Today show or ACA? For sure a lot of blokes will start turning up to work late in the morning.

• by Normo on March 07, 2006 at 02:23 PM

Rove is the worst show EVER. i haven't heard one thing funny dribble out of his balding cranium on the unfortunate occasions i have caught a bit of the show. Apparently he earns $8m a year through his various interests - now that is a joke.

• by tommi on March 07, 2006 at 02:38 PM

Whats with ch9 not showing the latest series of Survivor. I mean waiting till after the commonwealth games, thats insane. The commonwealth games doesnt sound that great to me. Its no worldcup,olympics or ashes.
Besides that Im sure avid fans are allready dl'ing the current episodes right now. Ch9 proposes that we all sit back wait for the games to finish then drudgingly sit and wait for doubles of each episode to be screened till we catchup...yawn.
Wheres the sense in all this?

• by Seiken on March 07, 2006 at 04:20 PM

the only show that isnt and i can say safeli is probabli the best show of the year is prison break, absoluteli awesome show. not onli dos it hav gr8 plotlines, but it also has da hot guyz. absoluteli luv lost, and hav watched it sinc last year, but hav 2 agree with everione dat it is draggin majorly.

• by tess on March 07, 2006 at 06:13 PM

I would be interested in knowing how does 9's Antique Roadshow rate at 5pm against Wheel of Fortune and Tens News.
Does any one actually watch Today Tonight, 1.3 million viewers. Come on!!!
But then again 630 is a dead timeslot in that most people are eating or cooking dinner orwalking in the door so I think that most of that 1.3million arent actually watching the tv screen, but the TV is simply just on.
The real ratings test should be, what advertisement did you remember during a given show, not how many people watched the show!! in my home and in every home of my mates as soon as the ads come on we all flick the channel and go get a feed or a beer!!
so in that case advertisers are paying for NOTHING!!!

Tribal Mind replies: Ten news at five 840,000; Wheel of Fortune 514,000; Antiques Roadshow 352,000;

• by Daniel on March 07, 2006 at 08:07 PM

how does the 430 news on 7 and 9 rate against ten's the bold and the beautiful at 430pm?

there is toooo much news on during the day!! im over it.

• by scott on March 07, 2006 at 08:42 PM

I saw a comment in an article suggesting that 7 should hold off on releasing "My name is Earl". Well, I am an Australian who has been living in Scotland for 5 years now and can say that My name is Earl is probably the funniest Amercican export since Cheers. It is purposely tacky and really takes the mickey out of Americans. It even has some subtle humour which we rarely see in Amercian TV. It is now standard Friday night viewing for my family. I say get it out there and watch the ratings soar!

• by Andrew Smyth on March 07, 2006 at 11:23 PM

Daryl is not 'the conquerer' as your headline states, he is simply the 'pain in the arse' you have to put up with if you want to watch DWTS. What a boorish, self-centred waste of time - literally. If he would shut up once in a while the show would easily fit into its programme schedule and finish on time. Sonya Kruger is the true star, geniune witt as opposed to Sommers' tired bufoonery.

• by willow tree on March 08, 2006 at 11:12 AM

I apologise in advance for singling out one specific person who has written to this blog, but I can't keep it in anymore.
Tess, all that texting your 'guyz' has affected the way you spell. A few corrections for you - everyone, absolutely, great and finally (I'm appalled that you couldn't spell this one correctly) THAT!
When there are people out there that can only communicate in text speak are you surprised that the highest rated evening news program is Channel 7 and not SBS, or that Today Tonight (featuring a miriad of Aussie Battlers) is continuously in the top ten rated shows.
Also, can we stop the America bashing now. They have the money and the actors to make quality tv. I do not watch any Australian made drama or comedy. The only home-grown programs I watch are the real news shows on SBS/ABC and Media Watch. I used to watch We Could Be Heroes when that was on and I'll sometimes watch Kath & Kim. Otherwise, in my opinion, Aussie TV is crap.
So long as the US is making The Sopranos, Earl, 24 and the UK is making Life on Mars, Top Gear, tv will be a better place.

• by Smookster on March 08, 2006 at 12:30 PM

For the second week in a row, CIC has been repeated after 11pm on Ch7. Any idea on how the rerun is rating, and is this something they'll continue to do throughtout the season?
At least it means they're not showing that dogawful "Less Than Perfect".

• by Bereft Skerrick on March 08, 2006 at 01:25 PM

Hear Hear Smookster.
I have to agree with you on the text-speak that annoys the hell out of me. It is lazy.
I also agree with you on the subject of Australian drama, with some notable exceptions - RAN on SBS being one. I cringe whenever I see the Aussie stereotype portrayed by Blue Heeler/Neighbours type shows.
American shows can be trashy, but they also have made some damn fine shows such as West Wing/ Sports Night/ Buffy/ Veronica Mars.
Anyway each to their own. :)

• by Shane on March 08, 2006 at 01:59 PM

I must be one of the few people who doesn't watch DWTS. Daryl Somers is a washed up hasbeen, who should never have been resurrected!
Obviously, only a small percentage still watch the Bill on Tuesday night.
Yes, Channel 9's hopes of a trimphant Commonwealth Games ratings performance aren't looking too great, in the wake of Thorpie's departure(maybe now the female swimmers might get some more recognition), but one plus is Mark Nicholas doing the anchorman job(he's a class act). The rest of the year looks like a graveyard for Nine. I can't see Magda's Funny Bits, Clever, or Backyard Blitz lasting much longer. Does Eddie have anymore rabbits to pull out of his hat?
One complaint about Ten: why aren't they showing the latest series of AMERICAN IDOL? I don't think the ratings for it last year were any worse than the local version. Oh well, I guess I can always download it, like the rest of you. HA HA

• by Evan on March 08, 2006 at 02:23 PM

The ABC, 7 and 10 have the best programs at the moment. Spicks & Specks, Little Britain, Glass House, Commander in Chief, Amazing Race, House & NCIS are stand outs. I also can;t wait for Top Gear to return. It's a genuinely funny and informative show - even for people who aren't car lovers.
Does anyone even care about the Commonwealth Games? I think 9 is going to lose more of an audience (esp with Thorpe gone) during this time, and 7 & 10 could take advantage of that.
Also, does anyone think that last night's Rove was an improvement? They changed the formula, and introduced unpredictability which was a refreshing change. I say "have Rove Live at a viewers' house every week". Just not mine!

• by PeteC on March 08, 2006 at 04:12 PM

shane and smookster, seriously get over yourselves, what are you people like 40 or something?????????? think you're so intelligent? well i've got news for you. The people who do watch SBS aren't the only brainiacs on teh whole planet, plus the people who watch channel 7 probably lead more successful lives or occupations than yourselves, so get off your high horses. we live in the 21st century

• by chantelle on March 08, 2006 at 04:21 PM

I've been reading the posts on this blog and have to say that I LOVE Antiques Roadshow and am even going to the show at Enmore Theatre this Friday called 'Have you had it long Madam?'

• by Sarah on March 08, 2006 at 05:18 PM

The pretenious prigs who are always saying that Aus tele is the pits as they download the latest episode from the U.S must lead very dull lives if your greatest claim to being "out there" at the cutting edge of technolgy is to sit if front of a computer downloading a televison program.Get a life

• by john on March 08, 2006 at 09:04 PM

Carrie! I used to use the switching channels method of avoiding knucklehead but found that I sometimes missed the judeges comments. Then I tried recording it and fast-forwarding throught dimwitts bits but the same thing happened as I record on high speed and my reflexes aren't what they were. Then it dawned on me...the mute button! It works a treat, its actually quite funny watching him flap his arms and his gums without sound, he looks like the idiot he is. The best thing however would be your idea of letting Sonya do it all from the dance floor. Cheers.

• by willowtree on March 09, 2006 at 09:47 AM

Err, John?
I don't think anyone is actually sitting at their computer while it's downloading. I think they're downloading while they're doing something else - playing with the kids, cooking dinner, watering the lawn (oops, that may be in one of those grey legal areas too..)
I think the people with the truly sad lives are people like you, who rely on free-to-air TV to force feed you with what they want you to see, rarely at the time you want to see it at. By the way - you've probably used a VCR at some time in your life. Downloading is the same. It's on-demand entertainment, that frees you to have a life, while still allowing you to extract a bit of enjoyment from good entertainment - bit at a time of your choosing.
It's attitudes like yours which means we keep getting inflicted with