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The Tribal Mind: Week 46

This is not the latest TV report, although it's worth reading anyway. If you want this week's discussions, go to www.smh.com.au/tribalmind.

Updated 10 am Sunday November 16

Thanks to a strong opening performance on Sunday and a strong closing performance on Saturday, Channel Nine won the week with 28.7 per cent of the prime time audience, while Seven got 28.5, Ten got 20.6, ABC got 17.3 and SBS got 5.0. But as you'll see from our chart, below, it's possible to win the week with only two shows in the top ten, one of which is a repeat of repeats. Click here to discuss the new programing plans of Channel Seven and Channel Ten.

Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 AUSTRALIAN IDOL Ten 1,778,000 465,000 546,000 305,000 230,000 233,000
2 BORDER SECURITY WED Seven 1,721,000 469,000 511,000 331,000 159,000 251,000
3 DANCING WITH THE STARS 5 Seven 1,705,000 507,000 520,000 282,000 189,000 206,000
4 POLICE FILES - UNLOCKED Seven 1,634,000 420,000 502,000 297,000 167,000 249,000
5 AUSTRALIAN IDOL LIVE VERDICT Ten 1,572,000 437,000 478,000 283,000 190,000 184,000
6 60 MINUTES Nine 1,497,000 386,000 472,000 277,000 161,000 201,000
7 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,454,000 432,000 494,000 191,000 172,000 165,000
8 20 TO 1 RPT Nine 1,438,000 310,000 506,000 244,000 199,000 178,000
9 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,427,000 362,000 437,000 252,000 168,000 208,000
10 CRIMINAL MINDS WED Seven 1,350,000 362,000 437,000 250,000 137,000 164,000
11 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,329,000 342,000 391,000 240,000 153,000 204,000
12 CRIMINAL MINDS MON Seven 1,303,000 332,000 443,000 245,000 153,000 130,000
13 20 TO 1 Nine 1,297,000 338,000 393,000 258,000 153,000 155,000
14 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,296,000 333,000 391,000 229,000 148,000 195,000
15 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,292,000 358,000 409,000 242,000 118,000 166,000
16 WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU Nine 1,289,000 383,000 368,000 264,000 129,000 144,000
17 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,279,000 342,000 417,000 252,000 131,000 137,000
18 BONES Seven 1,279,000 315,000 387,000 279,000 142,000 157,000
19 ABBAMANIA Nine 1,265,000 408,000 394,000 198,000 140,000 125,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)

What Australia watched on Pay TV
1 DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER FOX8 63,080
2 READ IT AND WEEP Disney Channel 62,447
3 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE QLD V MELB FOX Sports 3 58,249
4 WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT Disney Channel 57,480
5 LIVE: CRICKET: DOMESTIC ONE-DAY CUP FOX Sports 2 57,279
6 FAMILY GUY FOX8 56,224
7 SKY HIGH Disney Channel 55,903
8 CRICKET: WORLD SERIES CLASSICS FOX Sports 2 49,932
9 WWE RAW FOX8 49,204
10 THE SEINFELD STORY TV1 48,100

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 NEW TRICKS ABC 1,243,000 347,000 360,000 229,000 144,000 164,000
2 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC 1,176,000 299,000 383,000 236,000 99,000 159,000
3 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,124,000 261,000 398,000 253,000 112,000 100,000
4 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,015,000 302,000 235,000 196,000 117,000 166,000
5 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 978,000 233,000 308,000 203,000 140,000 95,000
6 THE BILL ABC 961,000 274,000 289,000 177,000 102,000 120,000
7 BEST AND WORST OF RED FACES Seven 893,000 257,000 258,000 164,000 89,000 125,000
8 2006 RUGBY LEAGUE TRI-NATIONS SERIES Nine 853,000 385,000 136,000 318,000 12,000 3,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,279,000 342,000 417,000 252,000 131,000 137,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,148,000 277,000 323,000 217,000 151,000 180,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,098,000 297,000 315,000 260,000 110,000 115,000
4 BLUE MURDER ABC 1,080,000 356,000 281,000 156,000 154,000 132,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,068,000 262,000 295,000 199,000 148,000 163,000

Updated 10 am Friday November 16

To read about and discuss Channel Ten's new programming plans and its new target audience, click here.

After a noisy campaign partly conducted via this column, the fans of Stargate persuaded Channel Seven to bring back Stargate Atlantis. Seven showed scepticism by playing it at 11.30 pm Thursdays, judging the fans to be insomniacs. Result: SGA got 280,000 viewers. Sounds like a small number but it was an essential part of Seven's success last night, because the first half of the show falls within the period known as "prime time". Considering its timeslot, SGA is doing better than Ten's David Tench Tonight (509,000 at 9.30pm) and Jericho (754,000 at 8.30pm).

Seven won Thursday with 30.8 per cent of the prime time audience (and is ahead for the week), while Nine got 29.3, Ten got 19.2, ABC got 15.1 and SBS got 5.7.

What Australia watched, Thursday
1. Seven News Seven 1.36
2. Today Tonight Seven 1.32
3. Home and Away Seven 1.31
4. Bones Seven 1.27
5. A Current Affair Nine 1.26
6. Nine News Nine 1.20
7. My Name Is Earl Seven 1.16
8. Temptation Nine 1.16
9. RPA Nine 1.13
10. Getaway Nine 1.08
11. Jamie's Kitchen Ten 1.07
12. How I Met Your Mother Seven 1.05
13. ABC News ABC 0.97
14. The Amazing Race Seven 0.92
15. Big Questions Nine 0.90
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

ghidella.jpg
Updated 10 am Thursday November 16

Another pillar of Channel Nine's success has fallen. Today's underrated newsreader, Sharyn Ghidella (pictured), who also does the newsreading on the service Nine sells to Qantas, announced yesterday that she was quitting after 14 years and leaving Sydney for a newsreading role in Brisbane at Seven in February.

The ABC must be seriously questioning its decision to smash The Glasshouse at the end of this year. Last night the three jokers pulled in another 100,000 viewers to hit 945,000 in the mainland capitals, entering the top 15 for the first time. The Glassie's less controversial cousin, Spicks and Specks, is also on the up and up, pulling 1.2 million last night. Unfortunately for Channel Ten, S&S appeals to the kind of people who might enjoy Tripping Over, which has settled at 803,000. Perhaps a way for the ABC to gain extra funds would be to receive bribes from the commercial stations to reschedule its most competitive programs.

Channel Seven won Wednesday with 31.3 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine got 26.7, Ten got 19.3, ABC got a very healthy 17.7 and SBS got 4.6.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
1. Border Security Seven 1.72m
2. Police Files Seven 1.63
3. Seven News Seven 1.45
4. Home and Away Seven 1.41
5. Today Tonight Seven 1.36
6. Criminal Minds Seven 1.35
7. A Current Affair Nine 1.23
8. Spicks and Specks ABC 1.22
9. Nine News Nine 1.29
10. Temptation Nine 1.16
11. McLeod's Daughters Nine 1.15
12. CSI: Miami Nine 1.12
13. ABC News ABC 1.01
14. The Glass House ABC 0.94
15. House Ten 0.92
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Wednesday November 15
The once all-conquering Dancing With The Stars is going out with more of a whimper than a bang -- only 1.7 million viewers in the mainland capitals last night, with just two weeks to go before the grand finale. At this point in the last season, it was pulling more than 2 million. Are we growing sick of celebs, sick of Daryl, or sick of glitter? Nevertheless, Channel Seven won Tuesday with 33.6 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine got 28.7, Ten got 20.1, ABC got 13.2 and SBS got 4.5.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
1. Dancing with the Stars Seven 1.70m
2. All Saints Seven 1.45
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.44
4. Home and Away Seven 1.43
5. Seven News Seven 1.34
6. Nine News Nine 1.30
7. CSI Nine 1.28
8. 20 to 1 Nine 1.25
9. A Current Affair Nine 1.23
10. Temptation Nine 1.15
11. The Simpsons 7:30pm Ten 0.99
12. ABC News ABC 0.96
13. The Closer Nine 0.95
14. Neighbours Ten 0.84
15. Ten News Ten 0.84
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Tuesday, November 14
Eddie McGuire prematurely expostulated a few weeks back that Channel Nine had "won the year" in the TV ratings. Now that fuller figures are available, it turns out he was right. But advertisers trying to decide where to place their money next year and viewers trying to decide where to place their trust next year may consider it a hollow victory, because it's built upon too many Ifs and Buts for comfort.

Nine can only claim it's Still The One ...

IF the fortnight of the Commonwealth Games is included in calculating the average audience for the year. Since there won't be such an event next year, will the advertisers let Nine use this as evidence of a continuing ascendancy? When you exclude the Games, Nine's average audience is down 4 per cent on 2005.

IF you forget that much of Nine's success this year was due to its presentation of AFL games. Next year the AFL will be shared by Ten and Seven.

IF you ignore the embarassing detail that Nine had only one genuine hit show -- CSI, and that looks like being the only successful drama Nine will receive as part of its American production deals in the first half of next year.

IF you think an average audience of 1.4 million for What's Good For You, Dancing on Ice and 20 to 1 is evidence that Nine has the creativity to make Australian shows that will appeal to the kind of mass audience a broadcast network needs.

AND IF you ignore the detail that the group with which Nine did best this year -- the over 55s -- are the segment most likely to die soon or move to the ABC, which, in the minds of advertisers, is the same thing.

We suspect that any celebratory plonk Eddie McGuire opens this week is more likely to be spumante than champagne. Lets look at the fine detail ...

The shows Australia loved this year: 1 Dancing With The Stars (7); 2 Border Security (7); 3 Thank God You're Here (10); 4 Medical Emergency (7); 5 Desperate Housewives (7); 6 CSI (9); 7 House (10); 8 Nine news Sunday (9); 9 Grey's Anatomy (7); 10 Australian Idol (10).

The shows Australia hated this year: 1 Yasmin's Getting Married (10); 2 The Master (7); 3 You May Be Right (7); 4 Overhaul (9); 5 Magda's Funny Bits (9); 6 Girlband (10); 7 Clever (9); 8 The New Adventures of Old Christine (9); 9 Survivor Cook Islands (9); 10 David Tench Tonight (10).

How the networks performed (average audience over the whole day, weeks 7 to 44, compared to last year): ABC down 9.4 per cent; Ten down 0.9 per cent; Nine up 0.1 per cent; SBS up 0.4 per cent; Seven up 4.2 per cent; All free to air television down 0.3 per cent; All pay television up 20.4 per cent.

How the networks performed in prime time: (average audience between 6pm and midnight, weeks 7 to 44, excluding Commonwealth Games period): SBS down 10.9 per cent; ABC down 4.5 per cent; Nine down 4.5 per cent; Seven up 2.1 per cent; Ten up 2.1 per cent; All free to air TV down 1.4 per cent; All Pay TV up 17.8 per cent.

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. For further observations of Australian attitudes and behaviour, go to www.smh.com.au/tribalmind.

Updated 10 am, Tuesday November 14
Channel Nine won Monday with 27.5 per cent of the prime time audience, while Seven got 26.5, Ten got 23.1, ABC got 16.3 and SBS got 6.6.

What Australia watched, Monday
1. Australian Idol Ten 1.55m
2. A Current Affair Nine 1.40
3. Nine News Nine 1.33
4. Seven News Seven 1.32
5. Criminal Minds Seven 1.30
6. Home and Away Seven 1.29
7. What's Good For You Nine 1.28
8. Temptation Nine 1.28
9. Today Tonight Seven 1.26
10. Law and Order: SVU Ten 1.12
11. ABC News ABC 1.05
12. What A Year Nine 0.99
13. Cold Case Nine 0.92
14. The Great Outdoors Seven 0.92
15. Futurama Ten 0.91
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Monday November 13
Apart from the Swedes, Australians are the world's biggest Abba-lovers. From the 70s to the 90s we bought more Abba records per capita than any other English-speaking country. And our fascination continued last night when 1.3 million people in the mainland capitals watched Channel Nine's Abbamania special. That helped Nine win Sunday with 30.2 per cent of the prime time audience, followed by Ten on 25.3, Seven on 23.5, ABC on 17.1 and SBS on 3.9.

Channel Seven did not benefit from its curious decision to make itself look like the ABC for the night, by running a BBC dramatisation about a superstar even older than Abba -- Tutankhamen -- followed by a British detective movie. Seven's lack of energy helped the ABC to draw a healthy million to Stepfather of the Bride, the latest work by Australia's greatest comic writer, Geoffrey Atherden. Now if Atherden could just write a series about Abba, he'd have Australia by the heartstrings ...

What Australia watched, Sunday
1. Australian Idol Ten 1.76m
2. 60 Minutes Nine 1.49
3. 20 to 1 repeat Nine 1.43
4. Seven News Seven 1.42
5. ABBA Mania Nine 1.26
6. Nine News Nine 1.20
7. The Real Seachange Seven 1.14
8. Movie: Van Helsing Ten 1.10
9. A Touch of Frost Seven 1.05
10. Stepfather of the Bride ABC 1.05
11. ABC News ABC 1.02
12. Egypt Seven 0.94
13. Wild Europe ABC 0.86
14. It's Me Or The Dog Ten 0.84
15. Ten News Ten 0.83
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

And here's what Australia watched on Pay TV last week:
1 LIVE: CRICKET: ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY FOX Sports 3 155,530
2 LIVE: RUGBY LEAGUE: TRI NATIONS FOX Sports 2 119,696
3 LIVE: CRICKET: PRIME MINISTERS XI FOX Sports 3 78,432
4 MOVIE: SKY HIGH Disney Channel 74,984
5 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE MEL V PERTH FOX Sports 3 71,557
6 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE ADEL V PERTH FOX Sports 2 67,174
7 FAMILY GUY FOX8 65,039
8 AMERICAN DAD! FOX8 56,906
9 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE QLD V ADEL FOX Sports 3 53,210
10 WWE RAW FOX8 51,032

COMMENTS

During Ray Martin's interview with El-Hilali last night, he said "Here's your chance to talk to 4 million viewers". Unlikely, Ray.
In archived TM (www.smh.com.au/tribalmind), one poster was asking about Torchwood. I believe that ABC are looking to pick this up for next year.

  • by pete on November 13, 2006 at 10:03 AM

I am sure all the ABC (or should I say "Aunty") lovers will crucify me for this, but Stepfather of the Bride was a terrible show. I like Australian movies generally and sat through the whole thing but it was not original. Ever seen Father of the Bride? Just seemed like a project to keep Australian actors employed. I wouldn't class it as a comedy either. More a light drama.

  • by Dr DK on November 13, 2006 at 10:15 AM

Why has National 9 News Sunday, which used to be one of Sunday's biggest draw cards, just dropped almost of the face of the earth. Is it because they dont have the afternoon footy lead in?
Now that seven has seen that Greys Anatomy is beating CSI in the same time slot in the US what are everyone's guesses for next years sunday night line up?

  • by JAK on November 13, 2006 at 10:24 AM

So far my guess is
6:00 - News
6:30 - Where are they Now?
7:30 - maybe Australia's got Talent??
8:30 - Greys Anatomy
9:30 - Ghost Whisperer

Although, I get the feeling Australia's Got Talent might be a Saturday night variety thing replacement, might explain why Red faces is on all of a sudden. Maybe Daryl will host, or even Larry.

I think they need to rest DWTS till mid year and increase the amount of border security eps they have. That will give them time to revitalise Dancing and give people a break. They need good celebs next time too!

  • by JAK on November 13, 2006 at 10:35 AM

i said it the other week and i will say it again in the hopes one of their stooges browse this

what seven should do to build up their numbers is show the first episode of the new season for their big hits - Lost, Desperate Housewives, Greys, Prison Break etc
with these shows for the past 2 years (for lost and dh's at least) they have shown them before the ratings period starts and so are not counted anyway, if they showed them now they would get big numbers and when they start them early next year people will still watch them again for a refresher, plus it is a week before ratings start so it wont matter if the full audience does not watch the first episode they could do this say on a monday/tuesday night over the next few weeks showing 1 or 2 show each week


do this and you should get a big enough audience to beat nine this year

  • by original dan on November 13, 2006 at 10:35 AM

I only watched a little bit of ABBA-Mania last night, but the little I did see was more than enough. Bec Hewitt looked absolutely terrified, it showed in her body language and her voice in particular. Dreadful host. Surely they could have gotten someone with a bit of talent (or even someone with a real job other than being a tennis wife) to host - who knew you could stuff up reading an auto-cue?

Good on the ABC for committing to Australian drama. I didn't manage to watch it but I did record, so I will watch it soon (so I won't comment on whether it was any good or not).

And JAK - Hopefully common sense will prevail and Seven will put Grey's on Sunday night - just a break from a crime show on a Sunday would be lovely!! All three channels with crime shows is driving me insane, where is the variety?

  • by beckala on November 13, 2006 at 10:38 AM

Step Father of the bride had the WORST casting I've ever seen. The bride's best friend from the country looked 15 years older than her, Nonie Hazlehurst and William McInnes as a couple? She looked like his mother not his wife. Georgie Parker looked like the bride's sister not her aunt and Alex Dimitriades as William McInnes's son? Just...So...Not!

The Scottish git as the bridegroom? Was he there just to secure some BBC funding?

At least the dreadful casting distracted from the largely unlikeable characters. I'm glad Aussie stuff rated well, but Mother and Son it was not.

  • by Matt on November 13, 2006 at 10:39 AM

RE: Jak

I dont think Seven will pit 'Greys' against 'CSI' on Sunday - it was doing too well on Mondays - alot better than 'Desperate Housewives' had been. Maybe the Despos will move to Sunday?

Channel 7 has bought so many new shows, it wont be showing movies on Sundays anymore I dont think - I actually dont know how 7 will fit them all in.

  • by William on November 13, 2006 at 10:40 AM

Does anyone agree wih me that Nine's Abba Mania was cringe worthy and at times pathetic last night....

Apart of some of the credible singers that were in the cast the rest were Mediocre....... what about the cast from Mcleod's Daughters... that was a real laugh...... As was Toni Perron.....

  • by Michelle on November 13, 2006 at 10:52 AM

Why dont shows like 6 feet under, sopranos, scrubs, boston legal, arrested development (and no doubt studio 60 if it doesnt get axed in the US) get strong ratings (and quality timeslots) in Australia?

Because "1.3 million people in the mainland capitals watched Channel Nine's Abbamania special"

Never underestimate the bad taste of the General public

(I love Abba, but this thing was appaling, was Bec Hewitt even alive when abba was around???)

  • by tim on November 13, 2006 at 10:58 AM

I have to agree regarding the casting of Stepfather of the Bride. Absolutely terrible....but then again, I don't think they had much to work with script-wise either - which made character chemistry a non-starter.
I didn't watch Abbamania either, mainly because of the promos for the show, they showed exactly how terrified Bec Hewitt looked! I read in the Sun-Herald TV Guide review that this was going to be an entertainment masterpiece...when you put out publicity like that (especially Ch's 9 and 7) you just know it's going to be overblown, self-indulgent, badly cast crap!
On another point....what is happening with The West Wing? I heard a rumour that Aunty would be showing during non-ratings...Heard anything about this TM?

  • by AJ on November 13, 2006 at 11:21 AM

It's surprising that Abbamania rated as high as it did. I was once an Abba fan but I can't think of anything worse than a show of Abba covers hosted by Richard Wilkins and Bec Cartwright. I quite liked Stepfather of the Bride. I thought it was a good slice of Aussie life and wasn't as depressing as some other Aussie shows have been lately. I do agree about miscasting though. William McInness looked too young to be playing Noni's husband (in real life she's 53 and he's 45, although in the movie she could have been a cradlesnatcher with her second husband). But I especially didn't buy that he could be Alex Dimitriades's father, since he's almost 33. His father would have been 11 at conception. :P

  • by J Bar on November 13, 2006 at 11:21 AM

Quoth Dr DK at November 13, 2006 10:15 AM: "I am sure all the ABC (or should I say "Aunty") lovers will crucify me for this, but Stepfather of the Bride was a terrible show."

As an Aunty lover, I shall not crucify you. Possibly because I was off watching commercial TV (the excerable Von Helsing) because it was one of those days that you just want to end with trashy TV. (The Guide review of Stepfather of the Bride was lukewarm enough to make me seek TV viewing elsewhere.)

And caught a smidge of the ABBA show in passing. Looked like an appalling train wreck, Bec Hewitt's body language and hand wringing had me fascinated, but not in a good way.

  • by tqd on November 13, 2006 at 11:27 AM

After 60 minutes last night i still had the tv on and I was on the net and abbamania started. They were listing all the stars to sings...LOL. I think I saw kerrie anne kennerly's name when I looked up...oh my.

And then that girl from Funniest home videos began to sing.....oh my gosh. I quickly tried to find the remote and switched channels.

There really wasn't anything on tv last night. I wish they'd put Criminal Intent back on.

I can't believe it got 1.3m - I can't believe people actually watched it. Yikes!!

  • by LoveMyMcDreamy on November 13, 2006 at 11:28 AM

As an Abba tragic since about age 2 I decided to avoid Abbamania at all costs. The 5 minutes or so that I was forced to endure only confirmed my long-held theory that the only people who can do justice to Abba songs are Abba themselves. As for Bec Hewitt..... oh dear!

  • by katie on November 13, 2006 at 11:59 AM

pete wrote: "one poster was asking about Torchwood. I believe that ABC are looking to pick this up for next year."


I wouldn't hold my breath in anticipation - it's a truly dreadful program. Another RTD craptacular!

  • by damien on November 13, 2006 at 12:02 PM

The "scottish git" is very much Aussie as a quick check of imdb would show. I think he is an Aussie theatre guy who once played Hamlet.

That said, Stepfather was fairly awful - aboslutely cliched - the worst of Aussie "drama".

  • by shama on November 13, 2006 at 12:11 PM

Predictions for -

*House repeats: 1.2m sounds reasonable

*So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD)?: 1.3m. Based upon a 1.7m for Idol and the return of CSI. I've seen some YouTube clips and it looks good. Downside is the winner has already been announced.

  • by canoli on November 13, 2006 at 12:17 PM

Thanks for the info on 'Torchwood' pete. Hope the ABC buy it. It would work well in the Dr Who timeslot on saturday nights.
Meanwhile, TV Week shows double episodes of West Wing starting from next Monday 8.30pm, followed by Black Books at 10pm, replacing 4 Corners and Enough Rope over summer.

  • by J Bar on November 13, 2006 at 12:22 PM

Yes, very surprised that Abbamania got 1.3m. It looked like a trainwreck from the first moment, with Bec Hewitt looking mightily uncomfortable and suffering from a woeful fake orange tan.

Honestly, what utter rubbish will Ch9 serve up next? They're probably just sore that Daryl Somers took the Red Faces specials away from them and are getting revenge.

  • by pete on November 13, 2006 at 12:36 PM

TM: Any figures for last nights 2nd viewing of Tripping Over. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: Not in top 50, so less than 200,000.

  • by mark on November 13, 2006 at 12:42 PM

Like Dr DK, I watched 'Stepfather of the Bride' last night on the ABC, purely because it was billed as a comedy (from the writer of Mother & Son) and the well known Aussie cast. To put it mildly, it was very ordinary. I too couldn't believe Alex.D was cast as William Mc's son. Give me a break! An ABC DVD ad in yesterday's Sunday Life magazine describes SOTB as 'hilarious'. 'Disappointing' and 'forgettable' would be more apt descriptions. If you missed it, then no loss. My wife gave up on it after 15 minutes and I hung around hoping it would improve but it didn't. I only stuck with it so that I didn't accidently catch any of Abbamania.

Hey SiT, how is NYPD Blue rating on Saturday night for TEN?

  • by Sacs on November 13, 2006 at 01:04 PM

any figures for einstin factor gf??

  • by ajm on November 13, 2006 at 01:18 PM

TM: Any figures for last nights 2nd viewing of Tripping Over. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: Not in top 50, so less than 200,000.

Does this mean 10 might relent and FINALLY reschedule Season 3 of the 4400 in the late Sunday night timeslot?????

  • by Wixy Gosford on November 13, 2006 at 01:32 PM

Bec Hewitt. Why?

  • by MattC on November 13, 2006 at 01:37 PM

Re: William

I still think they will move it to Sundays, because Desperate Housewives was starting to struggle against Cold Case and i think it would do so even more against CSI. I dont think 7 will risk damging its viewers even more especially when they know Greys can beat CSI.

The viewers will easily follow Greys wherever it goes because Crime shows are pretty much a dime a dozen on TV at the moment. I think the main reason people watch them for eg CSI on Sunday night is that there is nothing else on that is worthwhile. Nobody watched CSI on Wednesday nights in 2006 at all until House ended.

  • by JAK on November 13, 2006 at 02:09 PM

Didn't see Abbamania. So to anyone who saw last night package, would you who if "that girl from Funniest home videos" did the Dancing Queen gig or was that duty fall on the lap of the one with the "woeful fake orange tan"? Thanks

  • by Frankie on November 13, 2006 at 02:22 PM

Channel Nine will get their not so creative team together today to see how far they can milk the 1.3 million for Abbamania. Next will be Chisel Mania and maybe Beatles Mania (I think this has been used before.) How perfectic and cheep is it when 7 is showing repeats of red faces. Darryl must have hid the tapes in his brief case when he was kicked out of Nine studios.

  • by Craigs on November 13, 2006 at 02:38 PM

I am so sorry everyone. We watched Abbamania right to the end. It was terrible but we couldn't stop watching.. ha ha!

  • by Michelle on November 13, 2006 at 02:42 PM

J Bar if the ABC picks up Torchwood it will not be showing it at 7.30pm on Saturdays - more like 10pm. It is shown at 10pm on Sundays in England because it has the occasional F word and sex scenes and so far same sex kissing from both genders. Definitely not for the 11 years old like my niece who watch and love Dr Who. I would not go so far to say it is craptacular, as Damien has, but it is definitely a work in progress with some pretty spectacular mysognist writing from RTD (not to mention anti-heterosexual stuff in the episode shown last week).
Also thanks for the update on the return of TWW. Something decent on Monday's for those like myself too cheap to buy the box sets from o/s.

  • by Cat on November 13, 2006 at 02:48 PM

Re: "As an Abba tragic since about age 2 I decided to avoid Abbamania at all costs. The 5 minutes or so that I was forced to endure only confirmed my long-held theory that the only people who can do justice to Abba songs are Abba themselves. As for Bec Hewitt..... oh dear!"

I agree totally. The sad fact is that it was inevitable in a show like this to compare the quite talented and melodic voices of ABBA with the voices of the various "Talent" who sang the groups songs ... and this comparison only highlighted the complete lack of talent these persons actually have. It is really a sad state of affairs if this is the best we have to offer?

Bec herself sounded like a mouse - such a mismatched pair of presenters! She really would be better suited to a childrens show (and I mean that with all honesty and no disrespect) - I just cannot take her seriously at all in an "adult" TV concept.

  • by George on November 13, 2006 at 02:52 PM

I missed the Abba special - and now reading thru' all the comments, part of me wishes I had seen it because it sounds so dreadful and cringe-worthy and good for a laugh, yet, another part of me, is strangely relieved not to have witnessed it.

The drivel the stations serve up at times amazes me. But what amazes me more, is that 1.3m people watched it (surely they didn't stay for the duration????)

  • by Goose on November 13, 2006 at 03:12 PM

Yes folks you might all have hated Abbamania, but guess what? With it coming 4th on the night we will have more of the same in the future. Perhaps an ELO-thon, or a Queen-medly, or Sheena Easton Ecstasy. Those clever people at Nine have all those stars on salary who can sing!

  • by Ned on November 13, 2006 at 03:21 PM

Hey TM, just wondering if C9 hads dumped The Apprentice or was it just a "one off" when they didn't show it last night? Its bad enought that they bury it in a late night spot but to add inconsistent programming as well would just rub salt into the wound.

  • by Dirty D on November 13, 2006 at 03:23 PM

I was just wondering if anyone out there knows what has happened to The Apprentice which was showing on Sunday nights about 11.30. It was not on last night.
Thanks in advance...

  • by Jane B on November 13, 2006 at 03:36 PM

Would somebody please outline the appeal of Aus Idol??? What is so good about it for God's sake? Personally I think it is one of the biggest abominations ever to disgrace television screens across the country.

  • by PRDEL on November 13, 2006 at 04:01 PM

It is disheartening to see that "tripe" like Abbamania rated well. What incentive is then for networks to actually put the effort in and produce something worth watching, towards the end of the ratings period... And we still have officially some 3 weeks (?) to go before the actual non-rating crap... apart from lack of competition on other networks... one of the reasons i hope abbamania did well was timing... it was the weekend for escapism (from the news of the week as well as the passing of Belinda) with singers of questionable ability, i.e. Kylie in Concert, Idol Final 3 (only to be fair,Dean has questionable ability, the other 2 Idol singers can sing) What is next for Ch 9 ? A Beatlemania show? A Dylania show? A Rollingstonia show? You know they will... once something rates, they eek out every last once of the genre...

  • by Kate on November 13, 2006 at 04:12 PM

RE:pete at November 13, 2006 10:03 AM
""Here's your chance to talk to 4 million viewers". Unlikely, Ray."

Do you really think that the people living in the mainland capitals are the only people that watch TV, and for that matter, 60 Minutes around Australia?

  • by Jay on November 13, 2006 at 04:17 PM

Lol, Bec Hewitt = hopeless, behaves like a 6 year old, sounds like a cartoon character.
What will be the next nine pairing of a young woman and a seedy old man?
Munro + Gale, Wilkins + Hewitt.

It's sad to see such a terrible show, full of hacks, gasping for any extra air-time they can get, actually rate.

  • by jed on November 13, 2006 at 04:21 PM

Abbamania was a variable thing - it's always a bit dangerous to try to capitalise on the popularity of an institution like ABBA, and some of the singers were absolutely dire (Does Your Mother Know was absolutely murdered).

I'm just wondering what's going on with Nine on Sunday. They're caning the opposition, yet their news has hit a rut - I can't really see why, given the popularity of 20 to 1 and 60 Minutes and the fact that both Seven and Nine present roughly the same standard of commercial news.

  • by Michael Sky on November 13, 2006 at 04:40 PM

I didn't think the Footy Show in Germany could be beaten as the worst tv show this year - but it was thrashed by the train wreck of a show calle "Abbamania".

Only reason i tuned in was because I am a HUGE Abba fan and was at their Myer Music Bowl concert in the 77. What I saw was a travesty and a huge insult to Abba and their fans. I think Agnetha has come out of hiding long enough to call her lawyers.

Thank goodness Muriel's Wedding was on afterwards to show us all how Abba tunes should be treated.

Isn't it about time Jamie Packer "boned" Eddie Everwhere and his mate Cos Cardone for producing such crap.

  • by bettestreep on November 13, 2006 at 04:46 PM

Those slagging off 'Stepfather of the Bride' be warned. It might not have been the greatest piece of Australian telly, but whinge too much and the ABC will stop funding local stuff. Then we're left with the garbage the commercial stations continue to pump out.

Abba... oh please. Little wonder Packer has sold the station. Clearly it's devoid of any originality whatsoever. Next week we're back to CSI on four nights a week!

At least the ABC tried. If they continue to fund, the decent writers, actors and the like will quit their jobs waiting on tables, taxi driving, etc, and come back to the industry, it'll be great again. Then we all win!

Congratulations ABC on a job well done. Keep up the good work!

To all the other boofheads, just shut up!

  • by Devina LeGuier on November 13, 2006 at 05:51 PM

I gotta say, I am gobsmacked at how 60 Minutes continues to rate as it does. It's no different to the tabloid crap dished out every week night by 'Today Tonight' and ACA.

Then again, I guess with an audience of westies what do you expect?

  • by Hammish on November 13, 2006 at 06:01 PM

I just wanted to say how much I loved 'Stepfather of the Bride'.

It may not have been the most groundbreaking, ambitious epic ever screened, but it was so good to be able to see soe aussie drama on tv. Great actors, interesting characters, beautifully filmed, with a great soundtrack.

Thankyou, ABC, for trying so hard with so little at your disposal!!!

Abbamania? Puulease!

  • by andy on November 13, 2006 at 07:10 PM

I have heard that Berts Family Feud will not be returning next year?
Is that true?
How did the OC go last week?
Thanks

Tribal Mind replies: That's probably right, but Nine is not saying. See last week's blog for OC info.

  • by dave on November 13, 2006 at 08:55 PM

I heard on 3AW this afternoon that Ten has scheduled repeats of Melbourne International Comedy Festival specials to replace Rove Live this week and next week, after Rove McManus announced there would not be new episodes of his show for the rest of the year (I thank there are 3 shows left) due to the death of his wife Belinda Emmett.

  • by johnson on November 13, 2006 at 09:02 PM

Why is everyone wanting the highest rated shows up against eachother on a Sunday night???
Besides aren't channel 7 bringing back 'It Takes Two' up against Big Brother next year?
Also to someone above saying that 60 minutes is no better than TT and ACA...how could you even think that? I don't see Naomi 'foundation junkie' Robsin presenting an interview with Russel Crowe or that Shak al hilali (whoever you spell it)

  • by steve on November 13, 2006 at 09:47 PM

TM: all AFL Finals were shown on Ten, so Nine didnt have any ratings from week 22 onwards... but seriously, they deserve a huge rap over the knuckles for coming up with the most uninspired TV all year. Shame on the grannies for still watching that crap!
Also, while I offer condolences to Rove on his recent tragedy, I certainly wont start watching his show next year because of it, and for people to blame his lack of wit over the last few years on what he has gone through, well I put it to you he hasnt been funny ever; not when he was on channel 31 and not when he was on channel 9 either.
Regardless, no-one should suffer like he is now.

  • by Mat on November 13, 2006 at 10:48 PM

ABBA mania = Channel 9 Karaoke!

  • by yumnik on November 14, 2006 at 01:01 AM

Channel 9- Still the One? Over the last year or so Channel 9 has not been friendly to its audiences, with its chopping and changing of its programs (The Sopranos comes straight to mind). Nine have given itself a reputation of falling way behind the other networks in drama (local&international), comedy (locally- well no one is doing anything really humorous but thats another topic) and major sporting events (The Ashes in England last year not showing it and the Tri Series Rugby League not being live). This network paved the way for these types of programs making it the One. It seems there is more talk about what goes on behind the scenes of this network (with the boning of staff) than the programs itself.
On Sunday night it topped it off with the ABBA show, 30 years since ABBA was formed or came to Australia. This would have been ok if someone one from the ABBA hosted the show, talked about it or even was in audience and just waved to the camera on cue. But no 9 has its own people working on it (I was expecting Humphrey B Bear to do a number). Was this event an inexpensive end of year Christmas party for all Channel Nine staffers to go to? Is this best that Nine has to offer?
Well no it seems recently 9 has led the way in reliving the good old television events, these shows are cheaper to make. The stars who front these shows seem to be still on the Nine payroll and still need to finish there contract out with the network or are on a roster that puts them on more than one show with the network. You know those programs 20 to 1 countdown (with Bert doing double duties), What year is it (Mike Munro presenter and sometime newsman), Is it good for you?(old show packaged from that Inventing show they had on last year) The Big Questions (big questions indeed). Nine is not the only network that gets it wrong or disrespects its audience but its showing great consistency recently to being Still the One in this field.
I know one must not rest on its laurels but what is the future for the network? 60 seconds with 60 minutes where current and previous 60 minutes reporters (except Jana) talk about the finest moments of reporting in one minute in shown in commercial breaks stretched out over a year then repackaged into 1 hour special presentation or maybe the intricate look at the many sets of the today show, where we delve into all the background lounges, chairs and tables that were once on this popular show? It could be hosted by Steve Liebman no hes on Ten or by Ian Ross no hes on Seven well what about Liz Hayes well no shes doing the 60 minutes special presentation program.

  • by mantee on November 14, 2006 at 03:30 AM

To Jay:

The point is, the figures are only recorded for the mainland capitals by Oztam so any suggestion by Ray that 60 minutes is watched by 4 million people a week which is one fifth of our population is complete speculation. I didn't see the question "Do you watch 60 minutes?" on the last census.

  • by JAK on November 14, 2006 at 07:55 AM

I have this horrible feeling, given the latest high ranking shows, that retrospective TV is now the TV drawcard. Rehashed old shows with 'celebrities' telling me how great it was? No thanks. I think I'll have to get a life instead.

  • by Glenda on November 14, 2006 at 08:21 AM

If 'Bert's Family Feud' is heading for the scrap heap, I wonder if Ch 9 will go back to their plans to produce a panel program for the afternoon timeslot, similar to 'The View' in America. Before Bert defected to Ch 9, I remember that they were considering Liz Hayes to head up the program. I think this could work well for the 5pm to 6pm timeslot against the news and gameshows.

  • by J Bar on November 14, 2006 at 08:25 AM

Re 60 minutes/channel 9, hamish said "I guess with an audience of westies what do you expect?" I happen to be one of those and yes, in this house we do like 60 mins, and thoroughly enjoyed Abba mania. This might be a stab in the dark but aren't most of those people complaining about 'Abba mania' from the inner city north shore area? What a bunch of snobs.

  • by bobmar28 on November 14, 2006 at 09:21 AM

Just heard that Channel Eddie ha "boned" Backyard Blitz!

Well I guess they need to cut costs so they can afford to pay Eddie and his mates their huge bonuses. The way they stuffed Blitz around all year - putting it on Friday nights was tv suicide.

I guess we'll get more sports shows, more Mania special events (groan!), More Dancing on titanic ice and more health and beauty shows on Nine next year. James Packer is clearly turning in his grave!

And BTW - could someone pls tell me why Jules Lund is so popular??? He has about as much talent as a cardboard box!!!

  • by bettestreep on November 14, 2006 at 09:25 AM

"IF you forget that much of Nine's success this year was due to its presentation of AFL games (including 3.15 million for the Grand Final). Next year the AFL will be shared by Ten and Seven."

Yes that's all well and good, but the AFL Finals series has been on Ten for the past 5 years, not Nine......

Tribal Mind replies: Nine and Ten have shared AFL rights for the past five years.

  • by Mark on November 14, 2006 at 09:27 AM

"Tribal Mind replies: Nine and Ten have shared AFL rights for the past five years."

no kidding, but the original article had, and you have now edited it after I pointed out your kindergarten error, that "IF you forget that much of Nine's success this year was due to its presentation of AFL games (including 3.15 million for the Grand Final).
That statement was WRONG! They never presented the Grand Final, nor the Final Series.

Tribal Mind replies: You are quite right, and I have now fixed the text, thanks to your correction. Fortunately the error did not go into the newspaper version of the column, but I had forgotten to remove it from the website version.

  • by Mark on November 14, 2006 at 09:36 AM

More upheavel at nine. Backyard Blitz has been axed and The Footy Show is being revamped (again). It is likely that Paul Vautin will be dropped as host. Cost-cutting could see more collaborations with Melbourne Footy Show.

  • by J Bar on November 14, 2006 at 09:38 AM

Backyard Blitz has been boned for 2007.

And, no, I don't have a coastal-centric bias when I mentioned Ray Martin's 4 million viewer comment. I would be very surprised if it rated 3 times as well as listed even when country viewers are taken into account.

  • by pete on November 14, 2006 at 09:45 AM

For those who hated Abbamania and the Footy Show in Germany, hold your hats!

Ch9 next Tuesday at 930pm:
Ashes To Ashes
from the Queensland performing arts centre, a variety show with David Campbell, the Young Divas, the Ch9 commentary team, the Barmy Army and Sherbet.

A celebration of the Ashes tour of Australia.

...can't wait...

  • by pete on November 14, 2006 at 10:48 AM

re: over55 comment

Aren't most people living longer anyway? and won't most people over the age of 55 have more disposable income? But I do agree with the fact that most over-55's will tune over to the abc. That's probably what's brought on the onslaught of nostalgia shows that I personally can't relate to.

  • by rachel on November 14, 2006 at 10:54 AM

Forget the Footy Show. I've just returned from a trip to New Zealand and saw a great show called "A Game of Two Halves". Combine Spicks and Specks, charades and Mastermind with a sports theme and you've got it. It's hilarious. TV executives here could do worse than import it to Oz. Don't know who you could get to host it and who the competitors would be, but if it could be done it would be brilliant. If it does happen, please don't slow it down. It's fast pace is part of the brilliance of it. :-)

  • by Bethesda on November 14, 2006 at 11:02 AM

Good day to you all my fellow tribal minders and to you to TM,
Didn't watch any TV Sunday night - it looked like it was going to be dire.
Cannot understand at all how those of you who watched ABBAmania stayed watching if you thought it was so awful. And from the ads I saw it was never, ever going to be good.
Why do we remain glued to the TV even to the detriment of our minds and brains. Talk, converse, sing songs at home, go for a walk, greet the neighbours, make love, invent your own TV shows.
Why is the TV the room warmer even when it hurts us?
Mythbusters has become excruitiating as well. I'd always taken pleasure in this but not anymore.
Glad to hear of the boning of Backyard Blitz.
My world would be a better place without renovation shows, football panels, dancing and skating personalities.
Who the heck is Bec Hewitt? What has she done? How is she worthy?
TV doesn't work with fake, false people who have nothing to offer but their own desire to shine in TV's glow.
Channel Ten you need to listen up as well. Stop the Simpson's. Stop Aus idol. Stop House repeats. Find something new.
Sorry about today's rant.

  • by David @ Wahroonga on November 14, 2006 at 11:33 AM

9 get better ratings from Rugby League, not AFL.
9's AFL ratings for Friday Night Football dropped for the third year in a row.
You don't get paid by Demetriou for these comments by chance?

Tribal Mind replies: If we knew who Demetriou was, we could ask him or her for money, but sadly, no.

  • by FJ on November 14, 2006 at 12:02 PM

Lucky we have people like you mark to point out "Kindergarten" errors. Maybe, as you get a little better at it, you can start correcting errors at a first grade level. Wouldn't that be good?

  • by Dr DK on November 14, 2006 at 12:28 PM

"Cannot understand at all how those of you who watched ABBAmania stayed watching if you thought it was so awful. "

It was so awful it was funny. Simple.

  • by PopGoesCanberra on November 14, 2006 at 01:09 PM

The only reason that Survivor: Cook Islands is according to you "Hated" is because Channel 9 are killing it by showing it at 10:30pm on a Wednesday. In previous seasons it has been shown at 7:30pm on a Tuesday (and Fridays). It is the kind of show that can be watched by the whole family why waste it so late at night.

I have been downloading it and it is a really good season this year!! Far better that the shit that Channel 7 showed with "has beens".

  • by JM on November 14, 2006 at 01:20 PM

For those wondering, ABC is bringing back West Wing from next monday at 8.30pm,

  • by tim on November 14, 2006 at 01:34 PM

Hurrah for The West Wing coming back! I hope it rates well, considering the complete lack of opposition for it on a Monday night now.

  • by tqd on November 14, 2006 at 01:35 PM

An observation, which i would like to put forward. Is this the worst year of television ever. I mean really Big Bogan, dancing with the no-ones, that ice thing, idol, the numerous retro shows, etc. I mean it has been a disaster. All channels should hang their collective heads in shame. Even 7 should be kicked in th teeth, i mean if it wasnt for two or three imported dramas they have been down the gurgler like the 9 network. Plus dear old Aunty - where are all those top quality British shows, have the poms hit the wall as well in TV dramas. I mean having to purchase West boring Wing to prop up the Monday night timeslot.
Yes folks it been one very poor year in FTA land. I would bet 9 never makes a 20 to 1 of the best shows of 2006 after about 4, they would be hard press finding any.

  • by Garry S on November 14, 2006 at 01:46 PM

bettestreep wrote: James Packer is clearly turning in his grave!
That might explain his face.

  • by Cat on November 14, 2006 at 02:05 PM

RE: mantee

Too true! Why has 9 moved one of their best dramas - The Sopranos, in its final season to the obsurd timeslot of Monday at midnight?

They did the same with 6 feet under.

Why get us interested and then chop and change the timeslots?

Maybe 9 is responding to those interested in watching shows like Abbamania.

  • by Brendan on November 14, 2006 at 03:44 PM

Ronnie Johns is not on this week. Has it been axed?? please confirm

Tribal Mind replies: No idea, but I'll ask the Channel Ten people tomorrow at their launch of 2007 shows.

  • by MP on November 14, 2006 at 04:21 PM

Please quit the over-50 bashing!
OK, I watch the ABC a lot, but say "nein" to nine. They get me for a whole ONE HOUR per week (ER).
I agree with Garry S that 2006 must be the worst year ever for TV.
My response has been to get Foxtel; to buy boxed sets (Sopranos, Six Feet Under); and to learn how to download.
FTA for comatose moments only.

  • by Sal on November 14, 2006 at 04:27 PM

beetlestreep - it wasnt james packer but KERRY packer that died earlier this year....

  • by ajm on November 14, 2006 at 04:42 PM

Tribal Mind replies: If we knew who Demetriou was, we could ask him or her for money, but sadly, no.
GOT HIM ...YES!
Such on that one FJ.

  • by Peter on November 14, 2006 at 05:12 PM

"Cannot understand at all how those of you who watched ABBAmania stayed watching if you thought it was so awful. "

Because I believe I can't criticise something unseen and unheard. It is like a kid saying they don't like something new. How do they know? Also, ever hopeful that a show might start off badly but it could improved... in Abbamania's case, it didn't improve...

  • by kate on November 14, 2006 at 05:21 PM

I read here Bert's show is to be scraped. Great news! Hopefully ol' moonface will now retire...

Hang on... and Backyard Blitz too. Fantastic! I never liked that slimey drawf who presented it.

  • by Leon Mee on November 14, 2006 at 05:25 PM

Oh, forgot to add to my comment earlier.... any one smile a wry smile at Ch 10's marketing of the repeats of House? "New Appointment Time" Are they hoping to disguise the fact that the eps are repeats and hoping that some people will be suckered by the word "new" ?

  • by kate on November 14, 2006 at 05:25 PM

Message to little Johnny Howard -
When Packer and his private equity buddies come knocking seeking approval for the sale of channel 9, please authorise it.
Then, hopefully, the private equity chaps will get rid of that peanut Mcguire.
Abba... you d*$khead!

  • by Ross Peterson on November 14, 2006 at 05:29 PM

Just wondering how the biggest loser rated?? Thanks in Advance

The Tribal Mind replies: 665,000. And Andrew Denton got 791,000. Anyone care to suggest why Denton did so badly? Normally he gets around 900,000.

  • by Smithy on November 14, 2006 at 08:01 PM

To Jbar

The View is a fantastic show but an aussie imitation would be horrible.

I would love to see Beauty and the Beast come back to television (only if Stan Zemanik is host...oh and feeling better of course)

  • by steve on November 14, 2006 at 08:36 PM

is it true berts family fued isnt coming back next year?
how did the oc go in its ratings?

Tribal Mind replies: 1. I don't know. 2. Since I am currently watching The OC (9.10pm Tuesday) I am unable to tell you its ratings. That information will not go into the OzTAM computer for another four hours and 50 minutes. Watch this space tomorrow (Wed) about 10 am.

  • by david on November 14, 2006 at 08:46 PM

Peter replies: Such on that one FJ.

Pete, get an education. Illiterate gumby.

  • by FJ on November 14, 2006 at 10:19 PM

TM Writes: And Andrew Denton got 791,000. Anyone care to suggest why Denton did so badly? Normally he gets around 900,000.

Because the guest was boring as hell.

  • by beckala on November 15, 2006 at 08:03 AM

Peter replies: Such on that one FJ.

Pete, get an education. Illiterate gumby.

Children settle!!! Or no television for you till February.

  • by Cat on November 15, 2006 at 08:31 AM

"steve at November 14, 2006 08:36 PM"

No, hosted by Clive Robertson.

  • by Anon1960 on November 15, 2006 at 09:29 AM

Re Andrew Denton doing badly...I listen to his spot on JJJ on Monday mornings when he talks about that night's guest. He was talking about this Robert Hughes, but I had no idea who he was. Supposed to be a famous Australian? Art critic in the NY times...so what!?!? Anyway, it could be I am too young, but regardless, he couldn't be too big a name. So I watched the biggest loser.

  • by Dr DK on November 15, 2006 at 10:26 AM

The perrenial question I'm afraid.
How did the Wedge do this week? I constantly live in hope it's ratings will dip so low that it will start to embarrass Channel Ten as much as it embarrasses the rest of us.

Tribal Mind replies: 648,000 last night. With only two weeks of the ratings season to go, there would be no point in Ten cancelling something now. And before anybody asks, the Melbourne Comedy Festival got 745,000.

  • by dead parrot on November 15, 2006 at 10:49 AM

Anon1960... Clive Robertson, Stan Zimanek and Doug Mulray have all hosted beauty and the beast.

  • by Dr DK on November 15, 2006 at 10:50 AM

Hey TM,
How did the OC go last night?

Tribal Mind replies: 781,000.

  • by Rob on November 15, 2006 at 10:55 AM

Celbrity fatigue is the reason why the ratings are down for 'Dancing with the Stars'. There have just been too many celebrity shows on this year, dancing, singing, on an island, on ice. It's also a case of it being the same every week. They should have brought back some of the past contestants as a special treat and that would've boosted ratings eg. Tom, Bec, Grant, ada or Chris Bath. To revive the show, Ch 7 should delay the next series until later in the year and come up with some new sets and ideas. They should show 'Border Security' on Tuesday nights, in the first few months of the year.

  • by J Bar on November 15, 2006 at 10:56 AM

Didn't they try a "The View" knock-off with FC TV (Family Circle)? It's not on now, so it may not be a good idea

  • by drb123 on November 15, 2006 at 11:10 AM

"Cannot understand at all how those of you who watched ABBAmania stayed watching if you thought it was so awful. "
Because I believe I can't criticise something unseen and unheard. It is like a kid saying they don't like something new. How do they know? Also, ever hopeful that a show might start off badly but it could improved... in Abbamania's case, it didn't improve...
Posted by: kate at November 14, 2006 05:21 PM
Dear Kate,
Surely the ads were representative of the overall quality of Abbamania?
I don't wish to sound rude but I probably will.
Your response is the one that must make the networks rub their hands in glee.
If you truly believe that, then they can throw anything on and there will always be people watching because to switch off may mean missing a gold moment.
Wake up Kate before your TV kills itself.

  • by David @ Wahroonga on November 15, 2006 at 11:34 AM

With Tuesday nights being such a wasteland I hit the torrents and discovered the true gem that is Firefly from Joss Whedon the creator of Buffy.
The production values are awesome, great writing and performances. It has a Wild West/scifi bent. Kind of Deadwood meets Babylon 5 feel to it.
The torrent I grabbed even had a complete wiki guide for each ep included and the quality was awesome.
Highly recommended for those with bandwidth to blow!

  • by Matt on November 15, 2006 at 11:50 AM

Ch9 are going to be trialling a cricket version of the Footy Show with James Brayshaw in the chair.
Leila McKinnon will be sitting in for Tracey Grimshaw on ACA over the summer.
TM - what is your prediction for the You Think You Can Dance show? Hit or miss?

Tribal Mind replies: 800,000.

  • by cronk on November 15, 2006 at 11:58 AM

Hey TM,
did The OC's ratings improve last night from last week?

Tribal Mind replies: You can always go to the TM archive - www.smh.com.au/tribalmind -- for earlier week's figures.

  • by matt reilly on November 15, 2006 at 12:13 PM

Hi TM,
I was wondering if ten have announced the 2007 line up yet.If yes do u know where i can see it?

Tribal Mind replies: They are announcing the lineup at 4pm today. I will be attending that event, and will write it as a story for the Stay in Touch column, which will be published in The Sydney Morning Herald, online and in print, tomorrow

  • by matt jones on November 15, 2006 at 12:40 PM

The decline of Dancing with the stars mirrors the decline of all the networks. Channel 9 will trumpet winning the year, but it's a case of only having one hit show (CSI) and the rest of their shrinking audience is over 55 and just watching the channel they watched when they were younger. Forget Pay TV's claims of jumps in audience - they base is so low that the highest audience on an individual program on Foxtel is less than 200,000. No the problem is people are turning off the set in increasing droves full-stop. Maybe that isn't such a bad thing.

  • by the watcher on November 15, 2006 at 01:00 PM

hello TM,
im doing an assignment on tv ratings and i was wondering if you have a ball park figure of what The X Factors ratings were or any one else who knows?

  • by marcus samuels on November 15, 2006 at 01:07 PM

It will be interesting to see the Ch10 lineup tomorrow, TM.

In the meantime, for those interested, here is the Summer Lineup.

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 2
Premieres November 19 at 8.30pm
Then Sundays at 7.30pm from December 3
Laguana Beach - Season 1
Weeknights at 6.30pm from Dec 18 - Jan 5
Wild At Heat - Season 1
Sundays at 6.30pm from Dec 3
Cops
Thursdays at 9.30pm and Saturdays at 10.30pm from Dec 7
American Idol - Season 5
Saturdays at 6.30pm from Dec 2
Australian Princess - Season 2
Wednesdays at 7.30pm from Dec 6
The OC - Season 4
Tuesdays at 8.30pm
Charmed - Season 8
Tuesdays at 9.30pm from Dec 5
Numbers - Season 2
Wednesdays at 9.30pm from Dec 6
Veronica Mars - Season 2
Fridays after movie
Smallville - Season 5
Mondays and Fridays at 7.30pm as of Dec 4
The Biggest Loser USA - Season 3
Mondays at 9.30pm
Jamie's Great Escape / Oliver's Twist (repeats)
Thursdays at 7.30pm from Dec 7
Medium (repeats)
Wendesdays at 8.30pm from Dec 6
The Simpsons (repeats)
Weeknights at 7pm
Law And Order SVU (repeats)
Monday 8.30pm
Law And Order Criminal Intent (repeats)
Thursdays at 8.30pm from Dec 7

  • by cronk on November 15, 2006 at 01:08 PM

An Australian Version of "The View" was piloted by Channel 9 last year, I believ it was called "The Watercooler" or something to that effect, the only host I can recall is Liz Hayes (I think Ita Butrose may have also been involved). It did not make it past pilot stage.
"Leila McKinnon will be sitting in for Tracey Grimshaw on ACA over the summer."
I thought Nine had annonced Karl Stefanovic was going to be doing this???

  • by Checkonit! on November 15, 2006 at 01:25 PM

Matt wrote re Firefly: "It has a Wild West/scifi bent."


Yes, and that's precisely why I couldn't get into it (despite the presence of the lovely Morena Baccarin). Wild West and Sci-fi simply don't mix in my book.

  • by damien on November 15, 2006 at 01:38 PM

The showing repeats of House during the summer is great... although of course I'd love Ten to air the new episodes. The only thing new about the "new appointment" time is the promo pics on Ten are the promo pics of season 3 from the US

  • by Jasmine on November 15, 2006 at 01:42 PM

TM, why must you punish us by putting a photo of Eddie Everywhere on the site.
He is a like these reality tv shows....they're everywhere!! I don't watch DWTS or any reality show for that matter, but I think it's just too too much. What's worse than a reality tv show is a celebrity reality show. Anyone passes for a celebrity these days. 5 seconds on tv and you're a celebrity.
Although I do have to admit that I watched DWTS when Tom Williams was on....on acocunt of one of my girlfriends who said you so have to watch it. I think I missed the first episode. He was hot and really good at dancing!:D

  • by LoveMyMcDreamy on November 15, 2006 at 02:06 PM

If it is true that Bert is getting the flick next year it is about time. Bert Newton was a wonderful talent but now it is just embarrasing to watch him on TV. He looks so plastic and false like a strange, wierd robot.
Please Bert do yourself a favor and retire gracefully. Surely you dont need the money anymore.
By the way, I think Bert's son Matthew is a true talent, a very funny guy. He was one of the best on TGYH this year. Maybe TEN should give him his own talk show or some sort of comedy show instead of the Wedge which is God awful.

  • by em on November 15, 2006 at 02:08 PM

1.7 million for DWTS is hardly a whimper..isnt that what idols pulling this year and people are hailing it a success..I do think seven should consider one season of dancing next year rather than two however as I think viwer fatigue may be setting in!!

  • by Craig on November 15, 2006 at 02:10 PM

Matt, I agree. Firefly is a brilliant series - it's such a shame that it didn't get immediate ratings and was canned. Firefly was the best quality TV show I have seen in a long time.
Have you also seen Serenity (the movie)? It's set several months or so after the end of the series and is an excellent movie. Highly recommended if you loved Firefly.

  • by Kylie on November 15, 2006 at 02:40 PM

Quoth Dr DK at November 15, 2006 10:26 AM: "Re Andrew Denton doing badly...I listen to his spot on JJJ on Monday mornings when he talks about that night's guest. He was talking about this Robert Hughes, but I had no idea who he was. Supposed to be a famous Australian?"
Now I feel old! Although I can see why he wasn't a good choice of guest (if one is chasing ratings). I loved his series on American Art that the ABC screen many years ago, but found the one of Australian Art just embarrassing. (Not the art, but the condescension of Hughes towards Australia, as if we're still the backwater he left many years ago.)
I think people who do know Robert Hughes probably wouldn't turn on, and people who don't know Robert Hughes wouldn't turn on, as Dr DK didn't. (Grammar? I don't need no steenking grammar.)
Quoth cronk at November 15,