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

Who We Are

Advertisement

The ratings race: The viewers are back from hols ...

What Australia watched, Thursday April 12
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,379,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,326,000
3 MISSING PERSONS UNIT Nine 1,256,000
4 MY NAME IS EARL Seven 1,204,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,203,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,182,000
7 GETAWAY Nine 1,180,000
8 LAW AND ORDER: SVU RPT Ten 1,149,000
9 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,136,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,128,000
11 LOST Seven 1,113,000
12 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,088,000
13 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,075,000
14 TEMPTATION Nine 1,012,000
15 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT RPT Ten 951,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,387,000
2 MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS Nine 1,333,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,326,000
4 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,310,000
5 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC 1,303,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,290,000
7 AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS Seven 1,212,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,177,000
9 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,154,000
10 HEROES Seven 1,140,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,140,000
12 TEMPTATION Nine 1,055,000
13 HOUSE RPT Ten 1,034,000
14 PRISON BREAK - ON THE RUN Seven 992,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Wednesday April 11
The viewers are back from hols, or at least, the dancing fans are back from hols. Or possibly the gay farmers went on hols and failed to vote for David.
What Australia watched, Tuesday April 10
1 DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Seven 1,794,000
2 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,609,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,444,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,378,000
5 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE ELIMINATED RETURN Ten 1,299,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,214,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,160,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,148,000
9 NCIS RPT Ten 1,057,000
10 TEMPTATION Nine 988,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Updated 10 am Tuesday April 10
Australians won't watch their own movies, even when Toni Collette does a nude scene. Look at the result for Japanese Story on Monday night. In one of the prime positions of the week, where people are used to tuning to Seven for Desperate Housewives, it barely beat Mythbusters and handed 200,000 viewers to Eddie McGuire.

What Australia watched, Monday
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,533,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,530,000
3 1 VS 100 Nine 1,439,000
4 THE BIGGEST LOSER ELIMINATION Ten 1,319,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,296,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,238,000
7 BONDI RESCUE RPT Ten 1,226,000
8 EXTREME: CELEBRITY SURGERY Seven 1,167,000
9 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,166,000
10 CSI: NY -RPT Nine 1,067,000
11 TEMPTATION Nine 1,037,000
12 ABC NEWS ABC 1,021,000
13 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 973,000
14 WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU -RPT Nine 955,000
15 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 888,000
16 NEIGHBOURS Ten 841,000
17 7.30 REPORT ABC 825,000
18 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC 807,000
19 M-JAPANESE STORY Seven 747,000
20 FOUR CORNERS ABC 745,000
21 COPS Ten 699,000
22 SUPERNATURAL RPT Ten 659,000
23 MONDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 658,000 (Syd 71,000 Mel 260,000 Bris 100,000 Ad 133,000 Perth 94,000)
24 MYTHBUSTERS SBS 644,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Sunday April 8
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,368,000
2 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,227,000
3 NINE NEWS SUN Nine 1,183,000
4 CSI -RPT Nine 1,140,000
5 60 MINUTES Nine 1,125,000
6 THE BIGGEST LOSER WEIGH-IN Ten 1,088,000
7 ROVE Ten 999,000
8 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 958,000
9 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Ten 865,000
10 MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS ABC 860,000
11 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC 837,000
12 ENTERTAINING FRIENDS WITH THE A.W.W. Nine 760,000
13 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SUN Ten 704,000
14 PUSSYCAT DOLLS PRESENT: THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT DOLL Ten 678,000
15 THE GARDEN GURUS - SAVING YOUR BACKYARD Nine 663,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

Channel Ten may live to regret its failure to show a new episode of House last Wednesday. This fortnight is an official "non-ratings period", when viewers are presumed to be on holidays and networks take the excuse to "rest" their most important programs. But by showing a repeat last Wednesday, Ten sent thousands of lovers of black humour and acerbic wit in search of new entertainment.

They didn't turn to Seven for Heroes, even though it was a new episode. Instead they turned to the ABC for The Chaser's War on Everything, which managed the best audience in its history -- 1.236 million in the mainland capitals. That was the ABC's second best performance of the year (after last month's documentary on building the Harbour Bridge, with 1.245m).

If Ten repeats House again this Wednesday, it can't say it wasn't warned. House addicts could so easily become Chaser addicts when official ratings resume next week.

What Australia watched, week ending April 7, 2007
1 ROVE Ten 1,675,000
2 DANCING WITH THE STARS FINAL COUNTDOWN Seven 1,576,000
3 THE BIGGEST LOSER WEIGH-IN Ten 1,560,000
4 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,533,000
5 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,501,000
6 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,479,000
7 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,437,000
8 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,410,000
9 SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SUNDAY Nine 1,377,000
10 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,340,000
11 THE RICH LIST Seven 1,338,000
12 1 VS 100 Nine 1,328,000
13 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - ELIMINATION Ten 1,274,000
14 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,256,000
15 HOUSE RPT Ten 1,236,000
16 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,224,000
17 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC 1,223,000
18 NINE NEWS Nine 1,212,000
19 THE RETURN OF THE 707 Seven 1,210,000
20 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Ten 1,196,000
21 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,147,000
22 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,133,000
23 MY NAME IS EARL Seven 1,131,000
24 HEROES Seven 1,121,000
25 NCIS RPT Ten 1,115,000
26 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 1,114,000
27 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS (R) Seven 1,109,000
28 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,096,000
29 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,089,000
30 AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE: THE SITTAFORD MYSTERY ABC 1,076,000

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.

COMMENTS

2 comments
1 How is 24 doing these days?
2 The Amazing race returns this week (yippee) but I reckon it is about the only show my whole family can sit down and watch together, so why put it on at 9.30? (which is past bedtime for some family members)

  • by Ian on April 08, 2007 at 09:58 PM

Good to see an aussie show (IE the Chasers) actually beating US pap.
It's about time aussies supported good aussie shows!

  • by andy on April 09, 2007 at 08:24 AM

You are right about House. Since they were repeats - I watched the Chasers instead! (Usually I tape it and watch House).
I am sure that explains the extra special ratings the boys are getting (and the fact that it is quite funny!) Shame it is so short though - 25 minutes? Should be at least 50!!!
As for Rove - did anyone really expect him to rate over a million again this week? Channel Eddie put a crappy repeat of an American crime show! When Nine and Seven start screening new CSI and Greys, Rove would be lucky to average about 750K! Which will probably lead to his axing... and egg in Ten's face when he walks away with the Gold Logie in a few weeks time!
And just in case - I did watch Rove last night. Nothing fantastic but there was nothing fantastic at all on TV last night and Rove was easy to watch while doing other stuff...

  • by bettestreep on April 09, 2007 at 09:48 AM

A poor night for Rove, but I guess that was to be expected. I haven't watched the last two shows so I probably shouldn't comment, but I don't think anything has changed. he still only "appeals" to the young people, so I don't know what's Ten trying to do airing it at 8:30pm! It's more of a late night, 9:30pm niche show.
Looks like Seven didn't air a national schedule last night, I wonder how Merlin and The Sixth Sense went.

Tribal MInd replies: MERLIN 652,000. Can't find any reference to The Sixth Sense.

  • by bugzy on April 09, 2007 at 10:17 AM

That wasn't a test for Roves future ratings by any means. It was the sunday before a public holiday, young people wern't around to watch TV at 8:30. Most were out getting blind taking advantage of not having to working today. Nothing rated well for sunday last night cause no one was watching.

  • by tys on April 09, 2007 at 10:23 AM

Am I the only one concerned about the early timeslot for the Search for the next Pussycat doll? Had it on in the background last night while listening to the radio (that's how crappy the tv was) - some of it was bordering on soft-core pornography. I think channel ten fails to realise that the pussycat dolls are basically the modern version of the Moulin Rouge - it started as a burlesque show. Is that really an appropriate program to be putting on a 9:30pm timeslot? I'd be worried if 13/14 year old girls were watching it (as a high school teacher, I see how teens are influenced by people like Paris/Britney etc, and this seems like it could be having a really negative impact on teen girls or boys for that matter).
Also, not surprised for the low Rove ratings, TM himself predicted a slump, due to the fact that ratings are not recorded in caravan parks or hotels. I know a huge amount of people who are away from home over the long weekend, or even just visiting families on Sunday afternoon/evening, which would impact on viewer numbers.

  • by Beckala on April 09, 2007 at 11:18 AM

The Sopranos are back!

Tribal MInd replies: Where?

  • by canoli on April 09, 2007 at 11:20 AM

Any ratings for the footy. Interested to see how NRL and AFL went yesterday

Tribal MInd replies:
20 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 2: ESSENDON V FREMANTLE Seven 562,000 S56,000 M253,000 B38,000 A not shown P215,000

23 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 437,000 265,000 M not shown 160,000 A not shown 12,000

  • by Graham on April 09, 2007 at 11:45 AM

Posted by: Graham at April 9, 2007 11:45 AM
Strange that the AFL is not shown in Adelaide on Seven and that NRL is shown in Perth?
You'd think that Nine would want league to grow in Melbourne but Perth is more of a priority it seems.

  • by Earthquake on April 09, 2007 at 12:30 PM

What were the Pay TV ratings for week 14?

Tribal Mind replies: A peremptory tone of that kind is not the way the get a positive response. However ... As you may know, it is a public holiday today. That means that the people who supply me with information are not available till tomorow. I will provide the data you seek as soon as I possibly can. Just to fill in the time until then, would you like to tell us all why you need to know so urgently?

  • by dj on April 09, 2007 at 12:39 PM

Forgot to ask what are 10 doing with Smallville?

  • by dj on April 09, 2007 at 12:41 PM

Network 10's coverage of the US Masters Golf was a majestic display in mediocrity.
Were they actually televising the golf or just running TV ads and Station promo's ?
Crucial stages of the championship were excluded as well as the broadcast being cut short during the first 3 rounds.
The Producer was way out of his league when it comes to packaging tournament golf.
Nine's coverage over the years has been exemplary and I take no pleasure in complimenting 9.
Gus Seebeck a Ten "spokes person"was left defending the sham with a litany of excuses that actaully confirmed how misguided 10 were in broadcasting such a spectacular sporting event.
The Golf would have been a major opportunity for 10 to impress veiwers outside it's usual younger demographic.
Unfortunately the 10's coverage of The Masters will confirm with viewers 50 plus that 10 can be a real Mickey Mouse operation.
This is a unfair conclusion for 10 as the Network does some interesting and daring work but the Golf telecast was well below par.

  • by Steve on April 09, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Channel 9 promoting the Antiques Roadshow as now one hour from 5 p.m. Anyone know if Bert has been boned?

Tribal Mind replies: It's the silly season, Jake, just the the silly season.

  • by JB on April 09, 2007 at 02:51 PM

Is Brothers and Sisters on tonight? Can't find it in the programming and I forgot to watch it last night.
PS Can't believe that Damien was evicted from Biggest Loser.

Tribal Mind replies: Replaced by a movie tonight. What made you think it was on last night?

  • by Michelle on April 09, 2007 at 03:39 PM

Hey TM, I love you work - but any reason why my theory on the decline of Rove posted at 11 today was boned? I didn't hit preview - just post.

Tribal Mind replies: Can't find it. It wasn't
t boned. Please post it again.

  • by Earthquake on April 09, 2007 at 03:42 PM

Posted by: Beckala at April 9, 2007 11:18 AM

Sorry Bec but i don't agree with your comments about the Pussy Cat Doll show. I think 9.30pm is late enough to show an hour length show. If it was just 30 mins then i wouldn't have a problem with it being shown at 10pm but anyway.
Your concern was from the 'soft core porn' dance scenes in it, but in case you didn't notice, that is how almost ALL of the music videos are today (not just the Pussy Cat Dolls music). Also in terms of the 13 year old girls, sorry but if you walk past any Supre' store you'll see the teeny boppers in droves purchasing such items of clothing already. So obviously there is a high amount of supply and demand for it and i doubt a silly reality program filled with superficial women in their late teens and early 20's on a quest for superstardom is going to make more of impact.
On a another note, wow such a slide down for Rove but can anyone tell me if the show is still 'Live'? I noticed that 'Live' isn't part of the show's name anymore
Thankyou

  • by stephen on April 09, 2007 at 03:51 PM

Glad to see My Family and Other Animals did well (ABC Sunday 8.30pm). I enjoyed it enough to head to my local ABC shop tomorrow and get the DVD.

  • by Fats on April 09, 2007 at 04:06 PM

Dj asked: "what are 10 doing with Smallville?"

Dj, when I rang up to ask them why they'd unceremoniously yanked it off the air, I was told that it was just a summer show (utter garbage, of course, considering they'd just shown over 70 episodes in a row) and it wouldn't be back until the end of the year. Still, programming is a fluid practice and it may be back sooner than we think.

  • by Fielding on April 09, 2007 at 04:08 PM

stephen, obviously my viewing habits are coming into play with my judgements re: Pussycat dolls, I refuse to watch video hits purely for the reason that it is full of rap singers calling women 'hos' etc. So I see your point. Just a couple of the tasks that have been set seem really... tacky, especially when ten are setting up the advertising as some kind of alternate to Idol. Take your points on board though, just was wondering if anyone was as shocked as I was. RE: Your question about Rove - they have taken 'Live' off the title; although it is still live, they have decided to just call it 'Rove' to affirm that it is a different style of show. At least that was Rove's comments on a couple of interviews I heard him give last week.

  • by Beckala on April 09, 2007 at 05:18 PM

TM re Brothers and Sisters
Meant to say that I forgot to watch it last week! Last night I watched Search for the next Pussy Cat Doll which is utter garbage but I am hooked. :)

  • by Michelle on April 09, 2007 at 06:04 PM

My thoughts behind Rove's ratings slipping are that not only were ratings overall lower last night (Loser was down 33% compared to last week, and hence Rove was down 42%), but the changes to Rove may have not been that beneficial.
The Rove set makes it look a bit too smart for it's good - similar to a tarted up Gloria Jeans cafe.
Rove has a new producer this year that has worked well with talk shows that have demographics for older audiences (mainly Roy & HG).
I love Roy & HG, but Rove's humour doesn't cut it against those two so that's where the unpredictable live nature of his show should come in.
Unfortunately, Rove has cut pretty much all unpredictable segments of the show (What The ???, Tell Us Where To Go, Roving with Rove, Spend Two Minutes At Your House) which had any audience/public participation leaving it to be just a talk show.
When it does try to do anything spontaneous and can fall flat (such as the murder sound effect).
This might be good for the people who like talk shows but Enough Rope would never work on Ten (we saw how Tench ended) and I can see Rove going down the same road due to it's "new direction".
To keep it's core demographic (the 16-39's) Rove needs to take a leaf from the books of David Letterman and The Chaser and have more audience interaction and vox pops.
Those two shows are more surprising and they're pre-recorded. A live show should be more surprising.
PS: I love Enough Rope and Tench but could see that they might not fit into Ten's not so smart, younger demographic.

  • by Earthquake on April 09, 2007 at 06:14 PM

Dear TM,just a question to all, does anyone know where I can Download Brit TV shows have a few bitorrent sites but they either dont like me or I,m doing something wrong,I know this is not a rateings based question but I would like to know.
I have www.tv-links.co.uk thanks,to whoever asked about RL in WA being shown by 9,its on Sunday at 2pm after the Pay game finishes,it may have something to do with the fact that the WARL is entering a team in the Jim Beam Cup next year,and aiming for a hoped for slot in the NRL in 2010,as an NRL fan I,m happy with 9 for putting it on.

Tribal Mind asks: Would you mind breaking your comment into sentences, with full stops between them. Hard to tell where one thought ends and a new one begins.

  • by John Ryan on April 09, 2007 at 06:15 PM

This is a unfair conclusion for 10 as the Network does some interesting and daring work but the Golf telecast was well below par.
Steve, consider yourself lucky that the team covering the golf weren't the pack of morons that do Big Brother.
TM - Do you have any stats for what the horse racing does ? I cant believe that Nine inflicts this on us for 4 -5 hours at a stretch.

Tribal Mind repl.ies: Not everyone is lucky enough to live in Randwick where they can see horseracing just by looking out their window. If you remind me next Sunday morning, when I will see the Saturday ratings, I will tell you how the racing goes.

  • by randwick geoff on April 09, 2007 at 06:37 PM

to Tribal Mind re Pay TV ratings
I don't need to know urgently. I have no idea where you got thart idea from. I was just curious as they are usually out today like the rest.
Lots of Love,
DJ
:-)

  • by dj on April 09, 2007 at 07:01 PM

I apologise for the length of this entry, but it took a lot of detail to get this point across :-)
Was reading an article from the "other" paper, which included a quote from David Mott re: Rove ratings:
To paraphrase: "He expected new episodes of CSI and GA to beat Rove next Sunday when ratings resume _ but said the current GA series ends in 15 weeks and CSI was slowly losing viewers. "
Unless of course, Channel 7 makes the radical decision to continue into the third season of Grey's straight away, bringing it in sync with the US, which is a prediction that could be based in fact, given that most people assumed they'd keep Grey's until the second part of the year. Makes sense, gives them the ammo they need to win the year (something they are DESPERATE to do, I think they are just focusing on this year right now rather than doing the slow build). People are more likely to download a story driven show like Grey's or Lost than CSI which is based on the situation that is repeated over and over again, so by playing it in synch with the US, they manage to keep more viewers (based on my own experience, I was so annoyed with the three week Easter break, I went and found a website that broadcasts Grey's episodes - I'm now 6 or 7 eps ahead, and in a few more days, I'll be completely up to date). If Channel 7 choose to do that, might be the demise of dear old Rove.
I just wonder if they are, as some have suggested, trying to get rid of the show Rove due to lacklustre ratings in the past, but making this big show of supporting him now in the hopes of keeping Roving Enterprises, which has some solid programming like Real Stories, Before the Game and the ARIA Awards at their fingertips, as well as anything that could be developed if Rove was acting as purely as a Producer rather than host... Any thoughts? I may be being overly cynical here, but it just seems a little too good to be true that they are so happy for him to be doing those numbers in prime time, let alone the prime time slot of the week (sunday 8:30pm), yet something like Yasmine was yanked pretty quick smart (for example, and I admit, a very poor and very extreme example).
And on a final note - this Easter, television has just, quite simply, SUCKED!!

  • by Beckala on April 09, 2007 at 10:46 PM

Nice one Ten - the first Champ Car motor race in years they that have NOT shown was won by Will Power, an Australian, in a part-Australian owned team. Would have loved to have seen it. Does anyone know if pay TV has the rights?

  • by Des on April 10, 2007 at 12:30 AM

Beckala, thankyou heaps for the answer to my Rove question. Now just to add a tiny bit more to the Pussy Cat Doll talk.
To me it never seemed to be an 'all female version of Idol' if anything...it seemed to be a rip off of America/Australia's Next Top Model (that is if you have foxtel and have watched it) this is evidence in that the TV network in the US that is doing this show also does ANTM. Also i mean..from the promo's Ten aired, it was easy to get the impression that this wasn't much more than a perve-fest. Anyway try to stick with it and maybe you'll end up hooked like Michelle from above and I are.

  • by stephen on April 10, 2007 at 01:25 AM

To answer your question about footy in adelaide two different games were shown. Both Adelaide teams played yesterday and adelaide got both of those games. One at around 1pm and 5pm.
About Family Feud it is on a 'Holiday' according to channel 9 it doesnt see the point in airing repeats or new episodes in the non-ratings season so it flogs off antiques roadshow instead. Luckily where i am i get it at 4:30pm with Temptation on at 5:30pm because we get A Current Affair at 7pm. Usually i watch Temptation at 5pm then the Deal on 7, however this week i am not watching deal as temptation is on. I believe if nine extended its news to 1 hour like nbn has it in regional areas, put bert at 5pm, temptation at 5:30, and a current affair at 7pm that may break the current losing streak it has at the moment

  • by Graham on April 10, 2007 at 02:05 AM

Re Earthquake at apr 9. I think you will find ch 9 shows NRL in Melbourne when the STORM is playing. If they try to do more they will finish up with figures like 7's AFL with 19,000 in Sydney a week or so back when the Swans were not playing.

  • by bobmar28 on April 10, 2007 at 08:13 AM

Beckala wrote: And on a final note - this Easter, television has just, quite simply, SUCKED!!

So true. I stopped buying DVDs in January because I had so many unwatched ones but the ratings break combined with having dumped 3 shows from my viewing habits means I am now making inroads into my pile. I could quite happily live with another 2 week's rating pause.

John Ryan wrote (without pausing): does anyone know where I can Download Brit TV shows have a few bitorrent sites but they either dont like me or I,m doing something wrong,

John look Usenet up on Wiki or Google. I had to abandon torrents because my ISP was choking it to about 5kps but the small extra cost for usenet was worth it because of the time I save downloading that way. Caveat - I only download 2 shows a week at the moment.

  • by Cat on April 10, 2007 at 09:29 AM

Was last night's episode of Boston Legal a repeat? I'm sure half the characters aren't in the new series.

Seven just started a new series of Boston Legal, and they go back to an old series?

  • by Jake on April 10, 2007 at 09:30 AM

I'm not sure where you're getting 200,000 more viewers from, it only gained 114,000 from last weeks numbers. Hardly a substantial rise when the comptition of DH wasn't there, you'd expect more.

  • by bugzy on April 10, 2007 at 09:51 AM

Canoli wrote: "The Sopranos are back!"
The second part of the sixth and final season has started, (or is about to start), in the US, but I expect it'll still be a while before we see any of it down here.
As far as Japanese Story went, perhaps viewers turned away BECAUSE Toni Collette had a nude scene? That's enough to have me running for the hills...

Tribal Mind replies: You're terrible, Muriel. The US return of The Sopranos is well known. I thought Canoli had some info on its return to Channel Nine. Canoli, if you have such info, please tell us.

  • by Tonksy on April 10, 2007 at 09:57 AM

It was a new episode of Boston Legal last night!

  • by Helena on April 10, 2007 at 10:16 AM

I would have expected that the ratings for Japanese Story would be poor - didn't they only just screen this movie on another network a few months ago?

  • by eMZed on April 10, 2007 at 10:27 AM

Re ROVE - I think Rove is pretty good actually. This is the first time I have watched his show, so I don't know the previous quality, whether there is a decrease or not. I think Rove himself is pretty clever, but I think his guests at times let down the comedy element. Frankly some of the celebs just aren't quick enough, engaging enough for this style of show. Perhaps the edge of awkwardness is due to the sabbatical and its just a matter of getting back into the groove.??

Re Pussycat doll show.....it's a just a bit too trashy for me (and I like a bit of trash - eg. So you think you can dance was wonderfully trashy and entertaining).

TM (or indeed any bloggers in the know) - any idea if Australia's Next Top Model will get an airing on Commercial FTA???

  • by Chelley on April 10, 2007 at 10:29 AM

".. even when Toni Collette does a nude scene. "
Having seen the movie, I don't think anyone has missed out.

Tribal MInd asks: Any theory on why she wore his trousers?

  • by jaso on April 10, 2007 at 11:19 AM

Hey TM, just wanted to know how Boston Legal went in Melbourne compared to Footy Classified last night? Thnx

  • by Reid on April 10, 2007 at 11:49 AM

In melbourne yeah but everywhere else we got a repeat of Boston Legal, whats going on seven?!!!

Also is their any chance of getting the %'s for Sunday and Monday i am interested to see who won, i am guessing nine but i would like to see all the networks %'s

  • by Gary on April 10, 2007 at 12:10 PM

I couldn't figure out the trouser thing either TM. So I went to imdb.com to see what other people thought and it ranged from a switching of who was in charge (i.e. he was more dominant and now she is) to japanese don't like pubic hair!

  • by Emma on April 10, 2007 at 12:20 PM

Just wondering if anyone knows why Nine keeps airing programs significantly later than their start time might end?

It annoys me greatly - and I dont think I would be the Lone Ranger in being annoyerd about it.

It's almost like some twit from Citirail has been put in charge of the schedules.

  • by Jason on April 10, 2007 at 12:39 PM

Helena wrote: It was a new episode of Boston Legal last night!

No - the regular BL fans may already answer this question before me but Jake was right... it was a repeat. Some of the characters aren't in the latest series... Jake - I agree with you, I am not sure what Ch7 will schedule for next week (ratings count then?) ... will they show a new ep or the 2nd part of the Black Widow storyline? Aaron... yahoo... Aaron... please put us BL tragics out of our misery :) Oh Ch7 - some kudos for showing new ep of Scrubs - liked the musical :)

  • by kate on April 10, 2007 at 12:43 PM

Sorry...it must have been different in Melb. We in Melb got a new episode of Boston Legal last night. That's very strange of Channel Seven of putting a repeat everywhere else!!

  • by Helena on April 10, 2007 at 01:04 PM

Kate wrote: Oh Ch7 - some kudos for showing new ep of Scrubs - liked the musical :)


Ditto and thanks as well for the extra episode last week Ch 7 as there is bugger all else to watch.

  • by Cat on April 10, 2007 at 01:20 PM

Well, another great weekend of nightly DVD viewing has passed us by. 2 per night over easter! They can "stick" their ratings.
At least 60 minutes was back with half-decent stories.
Jason at 10:39 pm has a good point. Why can't TV networks keep to a schedule? A show can start at 8:30 (not 8:38) run for 45 minutes and have 15 minutes of ads to finish at 9:30. C'mon, it's not that hard!
To pre-record a lot of shows these days. If you have to, and Ch 9 is a good example, you need to record about 20 mins AFTER the show is supposed to finish. As for the start times, try 8:43 pm for an 8:35 pm show. Atleast you can zip the ads, but unfortunately not the in-show ad captions. Think I'll stick to the downloads.
Smallville - wife likes it and would like it to return, but I don't. How many times can they flog the "Superman" story??

  • by Bluedave on April 10, 2007 at 01:57 PM

Posted by: Jason at April 10, 2007 12:39 PM - It's almost like some twit from Citirail has been put in charge of the schedules.
That is too funny. Ch 9 and Cityrail have about equal standing in my mind so that comparison is awesome!

  • by mel on April 10, 2007 at 02:05 PM

Oh, sorry Helena... my bad ... I am in Sydney so we got a BL repeat... actually not a bad ep to repeat but bah-humg Ch7 giving those in Melbourne a new ep & elsewhere got repeats.... do they think Eastern states are more likely to go away on holiday than Melbournites? Aaron - did you elope with the Easter Bunny or are you sticking to your promise not to post? Pretty please enlighten us or do I have to emigrate down south... kisses :o)

  • by kate on April 10, 2007 at 04:12 PM

Hi
I am from adelaide and i was wondering do you have the numbers for both adelaide matches on sunday. They were the Port game and the Crows game.

Tribal Mind replies: The only thing I can find on Sunday that seems relevant to your question is "Seven's AFL Rnd 2 Western Bulldogs v Adelaide", which got 207,000, a very big figure for Adelaide. Is that what you mean?

  • by Greg on April 10, 2007 at 04:26 PM

Wonder if the director of Crossing Jordan ever directed the Young & the Restless.... just seen the promo for coming up ep & it looks almost identical to last week's ep promo.... basically a sequence of "dramatic effect" freeze frames of a shocked looking open mouth close up of Jordan... shame about this show... they keep trying to up the ante but as a result, the "career-breaking" or "friends-breaking" storylines have got old... shame as I really liked Jill (the actor) on Law & Order....

  • by kate on April 10, 2007 at 04:32 PM

One of the worst offenders for over-running has to be ACA. It always finishes at about 710pm.
TV has been rubbish these last few weeks. Can't see why there needs to be a non-ratings period over Easter, really. I suppose lots of people are on holidays, but still.

  • by cronk on April 10, 2007 at 04:35 PM

Yep...where the heck is Aaron?? Come back, come back...New episodes of Entourage and Sopranos out in US. Will take my time with The Sopranos - am in no hurry to see that series end!

Tribal Mind asks: FIrst reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious.

  • by Helena on April 10, 2007 at 05:13 PM

Just seen an ad on Channel 9 promoting their new programming coming up - does anyone know when ER is coming back, and have any idea what night it will be on? Got hooked at the end of last season after having abandoned it when Anthony Edwards left!

  • by Beckala on April 10, 2007 at 06:43 PM

to kate at April 10, 2007 4:32 PM, regarding 'Crossing Jordan'.
Please actually watch an episode before judging. This season has been brilliant (I'm up to episode 9). Networks are notorious for completely misrepresenting episodes. I havent seen the 'Crossing Jordan' promos, but from my experience with 7's other shows - 'All Saints' and 'Heroes' (same creator as 'Crossing Jordan' by the way), they are NOTHING to go by.
Thankyou and have a nice day.:)

  • by William on April 10, 2007 at 08:27 PM

I'm disappointed in Ten. They said that tonight's ep of NCIS would be new.And they go and show a repeat.
Did they think that viewers would forget 4 nights of Ten advertising it as a new ep? They could've at least shown a repeat somewhat related to the plot in the commercial.
Might as well go watch Numb3rs.

  • by MissUnderstood on April 10, 2007 at 09:11 PM

Chelly wrote: TM (or indeed any bloggers in the know) - any idea if Australia's Next Top Model will get an airing on Commercial FTA???
Uh i don't think Foxtel would be willing to give it up since apart from anything to do with sport, it's their highest rated program.
However if a FTA network does get it, i'm afraid it'll fall into Nine's grubby paws since Ch9 does own a portion of Foxtel (which they do don't they??)

Tribal Mind replies: Unlikely, since the pay TV people use it as one of their "unique selling points". ANTM is the most watched non-sports program on Pay. And yes, Packer owns a quarter of Foxtel.

  • by stephen on April 10, 2007 at 09:41 PM

"Tribal Mind asks: FIrst reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious."

Maybe the easiest way to see the new episodes of The Sopranos is to move to the US... sorry, I'm being giddy - waay too much chocolate!

  • by Shoopie on April 10, 2007 at 09:45 PM

Yes thankyou great ratings for the footy especially when it was only shown in adelaide

  • by Greg on April 11, 2007 at 12:28 AM

I have to say also have you actually seen any episodes this season of Crossing jordan, i mean last week Apr 3 was the best episode to date this season with Lu dying i didnt see it coming. Their is no way in living hell that crossing jordan compares to Y&R. Sorry but i cant believe you even put it in that relation.

  • by Guy on April 11, 2007 at 12:34 AM

"Tribal Mind asks: First reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious."

Probably not what you are looking for TM but give Usenet a try if you really want a method with less hassle. I got Lost in 70 mins and Dr Who in 80 on the weekend which compared to my ISP choked torrent is such an improvement.
On one of the favourite subjects around here - the internet reducing FTA audience- this is article is about the impact online video is having on TV viewership in the UK. They are not even talking about Peek TV type services or downloading shows. Factor those in and it really starts to add up I suspect.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6168950.stm

  • by Cat on April 11, 2007 at 09:13 AM

Good to see 9 take a real kick in the teeth last night. Apart from the news and ACA, the best was Temptation with under a million. I would love to see the pecentages for last night across the networks. Methinks 7 will be smiling this morning.
Onto the bit torrent thing - once you have azureus or some other client to allow you to connect to everyone else, to donwload a show it's as simple as clicking on a link after typing it's name into a search engine.
I dont know how to paste links but this is a link to the torrent for The Sopranos, season 6 episode 13 (I dont get throttled for torrents, so I downloaded the full episode in just under 50 minutes).
http://www.mininova.org/tor/654201

  • by Mat on April 11, 2007 at 10:15 AM

Huge ratings for All Saints and DWTS. Why do we still have a non-ratings period at Easter? If there's something worth watching, then viewers will watch.

  • by J Bar on April 11, 2007 at 10:26 AM

"Tribal Mind asks: First reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious."

What you need my friend is IRC (mIRC is the nicest program) takes abit of effort to get it running and understnding it in the first place, but it will pay off. If you know where to go (Irchighway #tv-hub, or #tv-central) you will have no problems finding episodes. Let me know if your interested and ill find a walk through to set it up for you.
Irc is where all the groups that actually copy and release, and share these tv shows first started out. This is the program they use to communicate. They use top ftp sites (very very fast, 100's Terra bytes of storage)which spread the files like a tree diagram. From there it gets into the Irc stuff, and way at the bottom of the tree you get to torrents. The higher up the tree you are, the faster you get you download your tv show (speeds) the faster you have access to the tv from the time its originally released.
Irc isn't easy to use, but once you get use to it and learn how to use it it shits all over torrents. You can consistently get full 45min tv shows in less than 30mins. That would be considered very very slow.

  • by Topher on April 11, 2007 at 10:44 AM

Is it just me or is Ten showing completely misleading commercials? MissUnderstood, I know what you're talking about. I watched the beginning of NCIS expecting it to be new but turned it off when I realised it was a repeat.
On the subject of misleading commercials, they portrayed last night's ep of Numb3rs as being "can four agents take down a new breed of terrorism?" and implied it as being about Nazis. The actual ep was about a painting which was stolen. The link to the Nazis was that the Nazis had taken the painting off some Jews during WWII. Seriously... nothing to do with terrorism at all.
Out of interest, what did Numb3rs end up getting?

  • by Candy on April 11, 2007 at 10:58 AM

You could also camp out here waiting for the latest eps. They do have all of the last series of the Sopranos:
http://tv.episodenetwork.com/

  • by Matt on April 11, 2007 at 11:10 AM

"Tribal Mind asks: First reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious."

The only way apart from downloading would be to have a friend in the US record it onto DVD and post it to us!!!We used to do that a lot and then my mate got moved to UK...so we now get Spooks/Dr Who nice and early....but am missing Soprano's!!

  • by stu on April 11, 2007 at 11:49 AM

I've heard in various circles that that the hosts on DWTS appeared to be quite vitriolic towards poor old Farmer Dave when he attempted to quit last night. I didn't watch, so am wondering what the TM readers take is on this.
I thought it would be rather gallant to quit rather than be kept on when you're essentially a crap dancer. I heard that the word "arrogant" was used, and that Dazza pooh poohed Dave's attempt to fall on his sword.
Do the hosts know who's gonski beforehand??

  • by Bereft Skerrick on April 11, 2007 at 01:20 PM

I just read on the channel 9 discussion board that THE CATCH UP has been axed and will be replaced by a new talk show...
anyone able to confirm this? TM?

  • by dave on April 11, 2007 at 01:30 PM

Re "Tribal Mind asks: First reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious."

Have to agree with cat, usenet is the go. I use UseNext www.usenext.com. You have to pay, however They have a deal where you can join and get the first 3G free !. That should be enough for a few episodes. Then cancel before they bill your credit card !. They provide an application to handle to downloading. I prefer this to bit torrent as I download older shows & movies (ie Taggart and old sc-fi movies for example).

  • by sygul on April 11, 2007 at 01:35 PM

Do you have the ratings for crossing jordan and neighbours last night please CJ is one of my fav shows and just wondering what it got.

Tribal Mind replies Neighbours 904,000. CJ 892,000.

  • by Guy on April 11, 2007 at 01:44 PM

I use Azureus for downloading. It still takes some time but it nowhere near as tedious as BitTorrent. And the program is great to use and has some awesome features.

As for DWTS - when it came down to Farmer Dave and Kate Cebrano, Farmer Dave jumped up and said that Kate was a great dancer and that he couldn't let her go and him stay blah blah blah. Darryl then chastised him for ruining his "suspense building" - in a mock way but we all know he was serious. "suspense building" is all that Darryl can do! I digress, Darryl then said that it was against the rules and that there was a "format" they had to follow as it was "television". Lo and behold Farmer Dave was evicted and then one of the judges made a comment about how Farmer Dave had obviously assumed that he was staying and Kate was going, to pull a stunt like that. Some more jokes were made. Farmer Dave is gone and now we can be one with the world.

I have a theory on why DWTS ratings were so high. Because there was nothing else on! Tuesdays are pitiful anyway but at least a new ep of NCIS would have been mildly interesting. Instead I had to watch DWTS and became so cynical that I had to go to bed at 9.20pm

  • by mel on April 11, 2007 at 02:22 PM

Has anyone else seen "Craft Corner Deathmatch" on Lifestyle Saturdays 6pm. It is Iron chef meets Martha Stewart. Hilarious

  • by ned on April 11, 2007 at 02:27 PM

TM said: "First reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize."

Taking my cue from Tony Soprano himself - pull a pistol out of a dead fish and shoot Eddie McGuire. Surely the new CH9 boss would have to show the final episodes then.

  • by Tonksy on April 11, 2007 at 02:55 PM

Re: ER, Beckala wrote "Got hooked at the end of last season after having abandoned it when Anthony Edwards left!"
I've heard the same thing from 3 different people recently and feel like I'm missing out. I left when Dr Greene died too, but why oh why does it have to be on Eddie's channel.
Is it really good enough to cope with having to spend an hour on nine when they finally decide to show it again?
Bittorrent isn't an option as I'll be spending the next year downloading Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis because of channel 7 and the nitwits in charge of programming there.

  • by suze on April 11, 2007 at 03:22 PM

Hey TM, do you have any of the Pay tv figures for last week, preferably the top 10-15, thanks.

Tribal MInd replies: Next Tuesday's column will include what we watched on Pay TV over the non-ratings fortnight. Hint: football, footbal, football, models.

  • by Ricardo on April 11, 2007 at 03:26 PM

TM wrote: "BitTorrent is too tedious."
Topher wrote: "What you need my friend is IRC..."

LOL, if TM finds it too tedious to click on a torrent link from a bookmarked website, then he has absolutely NO hope of getting anything off IRC! mIRC would have to be the biggest dog's breakfast this side of a Linux user's idea of user friendliness. If you're trying to scare him off downloads once and for all, then you're succeeding! And Usenet...ugh!

  • by damien on April 11, 2007 at 03:31 PM

Tonsky wrote:Taking my cue from Tony Soprano himself - pull a pistol out of a dead fish and shoot Eddie McGuire. Surely the new CH9 boss would have to show the final episodes then.


You really did nt think that through! Yes Tonsky that may solve TM's problem but then who are we going heckle around here???

TM - have you thought of asking Mark Coultan? It would give him something to do besides write about the postal service. :)

  • by Cat on April 11, 2007 at 03:42 PM

Hi Topher April 11, 10:44am,

I seem to live my life on mIRC. Just wondering which server you're on to download? I had a look at austnet but those channels aren't there. I agree with ya, IRC is great but not easy to use. I was helped out my a mate to get onto it, otherwise I never would have worked it out. Cheers for the info!

Thanks for your work too TM. We all appreciate it. :-)

  • by LilacWine on April 11, 2007 at 04:53 PM

Regarding the Sopranos, just saw on the Perez Hilton site that the return of the new series in the U.S. got really poor ratings. I'm not into the show personally -it seems that it only has limited support nowadays.
Am I the only one addicted to the Biggest Loser? Great viewing - obviously doesn't challenge the brain, but if you watch it all the time you get really attached to some of the contestants. It's going to be great to see the final and see how well they have all done....

  • by JB on April 11, 2007 at 04:55 PM

Here are the latest US ratings, have a look what the US version of Thank God... got.

Monday April 9, 2007

Viewers
Dancing With the Stars 18.7 million
CSI: Miami 15.9 million
King of Queens 13.4 million
Two and a Half Men 13.4 million
24 11.4 million
Deal or No Deal 10.9 million
The Bachelor 9.2 million
Thank God You’re Here (9pm) 9.6 million
The New Adventures of Old Christine 7.7 million
How I Met Your Mother 7.7 million
House R 7.3 million
Thank God You’re Here (10pm) 7.1 million
All of Us R 2.1 million
Everybody Hates Chris R 2.0 million

Adults 18-49
Dancing With the Stars 4.8/13
CSI: Miami 4.6/12
King of Queens 4.6/11
Two and a Half Men 4.5/11
24 4.4/11
Thank God You’re Here (9pm) 3.9/10
Thank God You’re Here (10pm) 3.6/10

  • by John on April 11, 2007 at 05:22 PM

by chance i tuned into the painting programme on ABC last night. similar format to the ralph harris portrait show.
loved it! worth watching. interesting to see the creative process behind the finished paintings. i will definitely tune in next week again.
a little gem.

  • by lily on April 11, 2007 at 05:22 PM

TM - if this comes through twice, apologies... but my earlier post seems to have gone *pfft* in cyberspace... :(

William & Guy - my much earlier post re CJ was not really about the show as a whole but the over-used technique used by Jordan's character, the shock-horror "deer in headlights" look (especially if show segueways to commercial break...& this is where it is similar to Y & R, hence comparison). Contrary to your beliefs, I have watched Crossing Jordan...last 3 episodes actually, I quite like the abrasive blonde ME... but the rest is a little "samey" . By the way , I watched last night & started counting the "deer in headlights" shock horror look but stopped at 10, enough for me to prove my point? T'is a shame as Jill can act, proven in Law & Order... Yes, networks talk up shows in promos but really do any of us believe that a "career-breaking" move on Jordan's part will actually break her career... there is always a last minute reprieve... take next week... *spoiler* alert

we all now that the "dead" but really alive man will be saved at the last minute.... don't we?

Still, fans of CJ enjoy it... similarly as CSI fans enjoy that the good guys get the bad guys within 1 day... I was just expressing my opinion (what this tv-love-fest blog is for) as you were for your favourite show... it is 5.49pm & all is well :) Except Aaron is still playing hard to get... they seek him here... they seek him there... they seek him everywhere... the Aaron Pimpernel !

  • by kate on April 11, 2007 at 05:52 PM

DWTS was awful last night. Besides the farmer Dave eviction saga, there was so much cross promotion. I mean within the 1st 5 minutes Daryl made a joke/refferece to The Rick List. Then after that a while later Sonia/Sonya (whatever)made a refference to Kath and Kim and THEN Grant Denyer just happened to be sitting in the crowd and felt the need to remind us all about Australia's Got (no) Talent. Seven must be scared of Nine reclaiming it's crown if it has to keep their ratings up this way.
Oh and i understand now why the Today show finishes behind Sunrise. Karl filled in for a sick Tracey on ACA and he nearly put me to sleep despite reading from a script!

  • by stephen on April 11, 2007 at 08:58 PM

Posted by: JB at April 11, 2007 4:55 PM

Hey JB, no you're not the only one hooked on TBL. Yes it's not hard on the brain and a little bit drawn out but it's easy to want to follow the journey with the contestants also fun with all the twist and with the beautiful scenes we got to see last week in NZ. I think it's a great show and am so glad it keeps winning it's timeslot (and no i don't work for CH 10)

TM just quickly would you know if TBL's numbers fell a bit after 7.30 when DWST started or did almost 1.3 million stick with it through the whole 90 minutes (which was a bit too long)

  • by stephen on April 11, 2007 at 09:05 PM

Nice one Ten - the first Champ Car motor race in years they that have NOT shown was won by Will Power, an Australian, in a part-Australian owned team. Would have loved to have seen it. Does anyone know if pay TV has the rights?
* Posted by: Des at April 10, 2007 12:30 AM
I don�t think Foxtel will show the Champ Cars given they have NASCAR rights, but Channel Seven will show the Champ Car race from the Gold Coast in October, only because it also include a full round of V8 Supercars.
And to those people who asked where Aaron was: here is the excerpt from his post at tvaus.com.au on March 31:
"I also have an announcement. I have been doing uni for 3 and a half years. I graduate in a couple of months. I am leaving in about 10 days to do my final prac and then have accepted a 2 year contract in the country.
Next week will be final update with guides and useful scheduling information. It is too hard to keep this kind of commitment (I do other tv stuff too) whilst trying to do a career as well. I will pop in now and then and if there is something major, I will post but for intent and purpose, I am basically gone from the end of next week.
I must concentrate on my career now. It is teaching by the way."
And from his �final� regular post on early morning of April 6:
"Well, a big thanks to all who contribute to this site. I really like. I especially love the people that are passionate about telly but allow people to air their views.
In the end, you don't really need programming news. If you find out that Jericho is returning 1 or 2 weeks before TV Week readers find out, what is the real difference. It is still going to be on. Advanced programming info is so sketchy as it is always subject to change - just like Two and Half Men was scheduled to return Tuesday nights but then was pulled.
Thanks to people that send me programming questions and positive feedback."

  • by johnson on April 11, 2007 at 09:12 PM

Johnson wrote: And to those people who asked where Aaron was: here is the excerpt from his post at tvaus.com.au on March 31

Oh don't know whether to be happy or sad... happy to know that Aaron wasn't peeved at us so no posts ... but sad as it seems we have lost a good source of info... johnson - can you post a goodbye & good luck message?

  • by name needed on April 11, 2007 at 10:14 PM

RE kate at April 11, 2007 5:52 PM: "we all now that the "dead" but really alive man will be saved at the last minute.... don't we?"
***SPOILER-ISH***
Do we now? I've seen this episode and you clearly underestimate the writers. You know what they say about assuming...

  • by William on April 11, 2007 at 10:41 PM

Re the Aaron saga ... I've forgotten what the original "drama" was about , why he became scarce ; the one nick that sticks in my mind is Daniel and his constant badgering of TM about The Bill ...

Tribal Mind replies: Some readers accused Aaron of being a stooge for Channel Seven.

  • by jane doe on April 12, 2007 at 01:37 AM

Watched Spicks & Specks last night and wondered what other bloggers thought of Darren Hayes? Maybe it was just me but by the end of the show I was ready to smack his pretty face!!

  • by Shoopie on April 12, 2007 at 08:28 AM

Johnson tells us Aaron is off to teach in the country for two years!! I truly wish him well for doing what many will not (daughter of country teachers here). But seriously folks if our stirring bothered Aaron so much how the flipping heck is he going to handle a school full of modern day kids? Good luck Aaron and if you ever feel the need for some light relief drop by again - they have broadband in the country too (well parts of it!).

  • by Cat on April 12, 2007 at 09:08 AM

Did anyone see “Solitary” on FOX8 last night. It is psychological and physical torture for entertainment. For anyone who didn’t see it – 9 “contestants” put in solitary with no distractions – last one to “give up” gets $50,000. Last night was the first episode and over a period of 2 days they were sleep deprived, frozen and starved.

One poor girl was in tears for the entire 2 days. I think that this is a really terrible thing to do to people – even if it is “voluntary”. On other reality shows the worst that can happen is that you do something on camera that gets you a nickname for life. I think this program could give the contestants long term psychological problems.

What do you think?

  • by Dave on April 12, 2007 at 09:10 AM

Japanese Story wasn't watched because it's a dreadful film. Visually beautiful no doubt, but pretty dull really. And that Gotaro Tsunashima is as stiff as a board, typecast as the insular Japanese businessman.
I'll watch an Australian film if it's worth watching...

  • by born74 on April 12, 2007 at 09:10 AM

Re "Tribal Mind asks: First reader who tells us an easy way to see the new eps of The Sopranos will win a gorgeous prize. BitTorrent is too tedious."

I've tried for months to figure out how to download TV shows (barely out of my Luddite phase) and, thanks to whoever suggested mininova.org, last night I managed to figure it out. I now have the brand new episode of The Sopranos and the beginning of a revolution in my viewing habits.

I may not be as tech savvy as the rest of you, but I do know where to put apostrophes.

  • by Sugarsister on April 12, 2007 at 09:23 AM

A very powerful episode of McLeod's Daughters last night. Some really good acting involved in Jodi's last episode especially in the scenes with her friend Kate. I think this was the biggest and best episode of the year for McLeods daughters but Ch 9 held it over for two weeks and then wasted it, in a non-ratings week. What the hell are their programmers thinking? Are they sabotaging their own programs now?

  • by J Bar on April 12, 2007 at 09:40 AM

Chelly wrote: TM (or indeed any bloggers in the know) - any idea if Australia's Next Top Model will get an airing on Commercial FTA???
Uh i don't think Foxtel would be willing to give it up since apart from anything to do with sport, it's their highest rated program.
However if a FTA network does get it, i'm afraid it'll fall into Nine's grubby paws since Ch9 does own a portion of Foxtel (which they do don't they??)
Posted by: stephen at April 10, 2007 9:41 PM

Tribal Mind replies: Unlikely, since the pay TV people use it as one of their "unique selling points". ANTM is the most watched non-sports program on Pay. And yes, Packer owns a quarter of Foxtel.


Thanks TM and Stephen - I kinda expected that was the case but was hoping I was wrong.

  • by Chelley on April 12, 2007 at 10:22 AM

Watched McLeod's Daughters last night, just because I'm not into air crash shows and the Con-test - well, their advertising campaign was enough to send me running to the hills, with that woman... Anyway, to cut a long story short, that was the most predictable 'twist' i've ever seen. It was blatantly obvious *spoiler if you taped it and are watching later* that it was a witness protection program thing. I just don't understand how this show keeps viewers. Hopefully Channel 7 will put that 'Last Chance Learners" show on in that timeslot - at least it will be something vaguely amusing. My husband will probably love it.

And I will admit, I too am enjoying TBL. Certainly preferring that as the 7pm option to the horror that is Big Brother, which is only a few short weeks away (actually, less than two weeks, I think). Does anyone know when The Biggest Loser finale will be, in that case? They tend to get that completed before going to Big Brother.

  • by Beckala on April 12, 2007 at 11:03 AM

Can anyone please tell me if, on medium last night, the blind woman was Molly Ringwald. I promise to share winnings!!

  • by Missfreelove69 on April 12, 2007 at 11:13 AM

Spoiler alert...

Hi William,
re CJ - Yes perhaps I do underestimate the writers... but after 3 consecutive episodes, I am also underwhelmed by the writing...still... they will not murder him with a scalpel while he is on the morgue table...will they? that's not to say he will happily & healthily live to 100 years old... think this is one series where we will disagree ... you can happily watch it satisfied... I will read a book :) when future eps are aired

  • by kate on April 12, 2007 at 11:16 AM

Posted by: JB at April 11, 2007 4:55 PM

Posted by: stephen at April 11, 2007 9:05 PM

I too confess to being a TBL fan. I just wish TBL and other reality shows didn't treat viewers as if we had amnesia and can't remember the last 30 seconds aired before the ad break. I also wish they didn't spend 30 seconds showing us what was coming up next before each ad break. (Okay this could be an exaggeration). I am finding this "coming up" and "repeating" footage really annoying - almost to the point of making me not watch the show! Why can't the producers just realise realise viewers have brains and can remember the lead ins from the beginning of the show and what happens on the screen between ads!.

My vent for the day.

(And thanks for the great site TM and posters).

  • by ghatti on April 12, 2007 at 01:01 PM

That Aaron bloke was clearly a stooge for Ch 7. Probably gone working for Prime in the bush. The fact that he spat the dummy and took his bat and ball and went home - don't you love the metaphors - suggests he has that 'preciousness' of those in TV. Fear not bloggers....another stooge will appear.

On another note, what is wrong with the TV viewers of this country. How can that horrible horrible DWTS actually rate so well? Someone earlier said they watched it cos nothing else was on! Switch the telly off then..take the dog for a walk..play with the kids..read a book! Don't be lazy. Why do motorway patrol, border security et all rate so well. I mean, border security puts on re-hashed repeats and people still watch it! get a life people! Watch what you enjoy, turn off what you don't, and don't reward these pathetic TV networks with your loyalty when they are taking you for granted and showing repeat after repeat, and reality garbage after reality garbage.

  • by Wardy on April 12, 2007 at 01:30 PM

Was i hearing things or Could the words "Oh F***" be heard clearly across the broadcast at 4:33 on the 4:30 News on seven this afternoon. Did anyone else hear this?

  • by Tyso on April 12, 2007 at 04:47 PM

Pay tv ratings please.

Tribal Mind replies: Next Tuesday.

  • by sam on April 13, 2007 at 07:57 AM

What's happening? My "witty" post re Darren Hayes on Spicks & Specks of yesterday morning 12 April has disappeared into the ether and now, on Black Friday, nothing seems to be happening. Am I in the Twilight Zone??

TM, have you been .... suspenseful music ..... BONED???

  • by Shoopie on April 13, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Darren Hayes was dressed in a similiar fashion to creepy science teachers I had in the 1980's. I'm wondering who was the bigger prima donna. Him or the chick who sat in the same seat last week.

But YAY for their 4th place in the ratings!

  • by Bereft Skerrick on April 13, 2007 at 10:39 AM

Posted by: Wardy at April 12, 2007 1:30 PM - On another note, what is wrong with the TV viewers of this country. How can that horrible horrible DWTS actually rate so well? Someone earlier said they watched it cos nothing else was on! Switch the telly off then..take the dog for a walk..play with the kids..read a book! Don't be lazy.
I believe I am the "lazy" person that you are referring to. As a commuter with a long train trip each way, I had already read for 2 hours that day. So that rules that option out. I don't have kids. It was too dark to walk my dog. In addition, I had also stuffed around on the internet for as long as I possibly could, prepared my budget and washed my hair. I had no more of my downloaded shows to watch as I'd watched them on the weekend. This unfortantely left me with very few options - watching DWTS or going to bed. 7.30pm seemed a little too early to go to bed.
I imagine others who watched it because nothing else was on had similarily run out of other options and cannot simply be labelled as "lazy" as you suggest. But point taken, next time I'll be sure to ask you what I can do to avoid watching DWTS. (by the way I don't have a people meter so it does not matter whether I watch or not...)

  • by mel on April 13, 2007 at 11:02 AM

"Could the words "Oh F***" be heard clearly across the broadcast at 4:33 on the 4:30 News on seven this afternoon. Did anyone else hear this?"

Anyone got it on tape? Lol.

  • by arthur on April 13, 2007 at 11:06 AM

I agree with 'ghatti', TBL has gone too far with this repetitive bulldust, and the rating for the show the past couple of days might be an indication that everyone is sick of them stringing the show so far it looks like 'Lost'.

btw- nice to see 'Spicks and Specks' and 'The Chaser' get some good numbers again, hopefully not too many will switch back to House when they finally put on some new episodes.

  • by Ricardo on April 13, 2007 at 12:01 PM

Missfreelove69, that was indeed Molly Ringwald.

  • by Fielding on April 13, 2007 at 12:01 PM

Can you post who won the nights and the percentages. Thanks :-)

Tribal Mind replies: Not relevant because we're not in ratings period and it's not counted towards the year. I will resume such reports next Monday.

  • by JM on April 13, 2007 at 12:02 PM

Watched Spicks & Specks last night and wondered what other bloggers thought of Darren Hayes? Maybe it was just me but by the end of the show I was ready to smack his pretty face!!

Posted by: Shoopie at April 12, 2007 8:28 AM

I know I'm late, but I agree about Darren Hayes on S&S...I just thought he was a little big for his boots...the constant name-dropping, big-noting himself. I know he's done really well, and congrats, but people know this..don't really need to be reminded in that manner..

  • by Lisa on April 13, 2007 at 12:04 PM

Quoth Sugarsister at April 12, 2007 9:23 AM: "I may not be as tech savvy as the rest of you, but I do know where to put apostrophes."

And it's a dying art, so kudos to you! :)
(Argh, now I'm not sure if there should be an apostrophe in "kudos" now. Or if that's even a word!)
Nothing to post TV-wise, I haven't watched anything except The Chaser and The Movie Show this week. Been catching up on much-needed sleep.