The Who We Are update: Week 10

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

For regular updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To learn why there are four sexes in Australia, go to The Tribal Mind.
To discuss whether Nicole Kidman has jumped the shark again, go to Nut guards
The ratings race, updated 10 am Saturday
Two big doses of cricket gave Nine an unassailable lead this week. After a Wednesday won by Seven, thanks to a Wiggle and an actor formerly known as The Other John Howard (hereinafter known as The Only John Howard), and a Thursday won by Nine, thanks to RPA, and a Friday won by Seven, thanks to Better Homes and Gardens, the average audience shares in prime time stand at: Nine 30.9 per cent, Seven 27.5, Ten 22.5, ABC 14.3 and SBS 4.8.

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,249,000 410,000 307,000 254,000 133,000 144,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,235,000 415,000 266,000 234,000 134,000 185,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,102,000 297,000 337,000 229,000 155,000 85,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,080,000 316,000 339,000 212,000 137,000 76,000
5 DALZIEL AND PASCOE ABC 1,062,000 291,000 322,000 161,000 126,000 163,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,031,000 346,000 204,000 219,000 119,000 144,000
7 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,022,000 310,000 241,000 194,000 119,000 159,000
Continued here plus your chance to nominate the Bogie awards and to see the full week's top 40.

8 ABC NEWS ABC 981,000 286,000 303,000 195,000 90,000 107,000
9 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 942,000 274,000 280,000 179,000 108,000 100,000
10 THE SIMPSONS FRI EP 2 Ten 919,000 220,000 320,000 155,000 109,000 115,000
11 M-THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW Seven 889,000 258,000 258,000 174,000 104,000 95,000
12 THE SIMPSONS FRI EP 1 Ten 858,000 203,000 269,000 145,000 115,000 126,000
13 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 852,000 256,000 257,000 175,000 90,000 74,000
14 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 803,000 240,000 205,000 121,000 115,000 121,000
15 COLLECTORS ABC 800,000 253,000 205,000 142,000 112,000 88,000
16 BURKE'S BACKYARD AUTUMN SPECIAL Nine 779,000 242,000 209,000 168,000 71,000 91,000
17 LOVE ACTUALLY RPT Ten 726,000 171,000 211,000 142,000 91,000 111,000
18 STATELINE ABC 688,000 227,000 185,000 117,000 83,000 76,000
19 NEIGHBOURS Ten 673,000 204,000 178,000 121,000 78,000 93,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 RPA Nine 1,437,000 435,000 430,000 246,000 149,000 176,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,362,000 387,000 347,000 292,000 140,000 195,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,250,000 366,000 331,000 244,000 126,000 183,000
4 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,213,000 379,000 304,000 247,000 122,000 160,000
5 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,117,000 322,000 295,000 211,000 123,000 166,000
6 ABC NEWS ABC 1,060,000 301,000 337,000 192,000 104,000 126,000
7 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 1,053,000 274,000 340,000 187,000 127,000 125,000
8 GETAWAY Nine 1,047,000 287,000 318,000 218,000 92,000 133,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,032,000 246,000 341,000 226,000 128,000 91,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 993,000 250,000 330,000 220,000 110,000 82,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 984,000 286,000 319,000 143,000 102,000 135,000
12 MEDIUM Ten 920,000 276,000 246,000 173,000 102,000 124,000
18 SAVING KIDS WITH DAMIEN LEITH Ten 802,000 245,000 222,000 137,000 83,000 116,000
19 LIFE ON MARS ABC 777,000 218,000 276,000 118,000 85,000 81,000
20 LOST Seven 770,000 212,000 252,000 126,000 104,000 76,000
21 FAMILY GUY Seven 763,000 226,000 256,000 109,000 92,000 80,000
22 OUT OF THE QUESTION Seven 756,000 245,000 208,000 124,000 85,000 94,000
29 AMERICAN DAD Seven 496,000 115,000 175,000 73,000 81,000 51,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,528,000 373,000 480,000 318,000 146,000 211,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,382,000 369,000 354,000 288,000 157,000 214,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,266,000 327,000 351,000 250,000 144,000 194,000
4 UNDERBELLY Nine 1,224,000 559,000 Not shown 312,000 148,000 206,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,221,000 304,000 451,000 257,000 120,000 90,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,203,000 328,000 301,000 255,000 141,000 178,000
7 THE REAL SEACHANGE Seven 1,189,000 288,000 377,000 228,000 111,000 184,000
8 HOUSE Ten 1,125,000 313,000 336,000 206,000 122,000 148,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,098,000 296,000 373,000 240,000 113,000 76,000
10 ABC NEWS ABC 1,090,000 323,000 333,000 228,000 97,000 108,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,055,000 291,000 376,000 153,000 104,000 131,000
12 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,018,000 284,000 371,000 158,000 106,000 99,000
13 THE CHOPPING BLOCK Nine 979,000 284,000 327,000 162,000 102,000 104,000
14 BACK TO YOU Ten 959,000 268,000 273,000 200,000 103,000 114,000
17 CASHMERE MAFIA Nine 903,000 274,000 295,000 139,000 92,000 102,000
18 NUMB3RS Ten 866,000 234,000 244,000 166,000 105,000 117,000
20 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Ten 816,000 234,000 227,000 149,000 92,000 114,000
26 STUPID STUPID MAN ABC 606,000 149,000 227,000 95,000 63,000 72,000
30 THAT MITCHELL AND WEBB LOOK ABC 509,000 140,000 174,000 71,000 64,000 61,000
37 AT THE MOVIES ABC 379,000 112,000 137,000 57,000 34,000 39,000
40 FOOD SAFARI RPT SBS 336,000 112,000 113,000 55,000 33,000 23,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V INDIA - 2ND FINAL SESSION 2 Nine 1,685,000 506,000 569,000 305,000 165,000 140,000
2 NINE NEWS Nine 1,452,000 433,000 525,000 205,000 166,000 123,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,441,000 384,000 378,000 298,000 163,000 218,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,428,000 328,000 390,000 337,000 161,000 211,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,237,000 381,000 501,000 264,000 90,000
6 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,232,000 349,000 393,000 200,000 135,000 155,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,227,000 339,000 286,000 253,000 139,000 210,000
8 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,176,000 305,000 387,000 178,000 140,000 165,000
9 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,116,000 331,000 315,000 190,000 116,000 165,000
10 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,039,000 308,000 302,000 178,000 112,000 138,000
11 WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB Ten 975,000 236,000 300,000 190,000 127,000 123,000
12 ABC NEWS ABC 953,000 250,000 302,000 182,000 97,000 122,000
13 BURN NOTICE Ten 802,000 166,000 243,000 170,000 105,000 118,000
14 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V INDIA - 2ND FINAL SESSION 1 Nine 786,000 226,000 280,000 133,000 87,000 60,000
15 LETHAL WEAPON 4 -RPT Nine 770,000 208,000 237,000 167,000 100,000 59,000
16 NEIGHBOURS Ten 749,000 196,000 218,000 114,000 101,000 121,000
19 BRAT CAMP ABC 656,000 196,000 207,000 106,000 52,000 94,000
22 FRIENDS Ten 537,000 135,000 152,000 85,000 85,000 80,000
23 LIFE BEGINS Seven 533,000 157,000 175,000 76,000 62,000 64,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

The ratings race, updated 6pm Tuesday March 4
Here's what Australia watched on Monday, which was won by Channel Seven, although Nne remains ahead for the week ...
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,636,000 427,000 476,000 338,000 178,000 217,000
2 THE FORCE Seven 1,524,000 373,000 430,000 328,000 159,000 233,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,480,000 362,000 441,000 302,000 153,000 221,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,463,000 353,000 414,000 297,000 167,000 232,000
5 SYTYCDA - RESULTS Ten 1,395,000 395,000 475,000 215,000 156,000 156,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,367,000 377,000 327,000 300,000 167,000 197,000
7 CSI Nine 1,350,000 343,000 422,000 253,000 159,000 174,000
8 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,302,000 375,000 432,000 198,000 125,000 172,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,291,000 318,000 430,000 297,000 147,000 99,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,158,000 309,000 383,000 253,000 124,000 89,000
11 CSI: NY Nine 1,111,000 256,000 336,000 208,000 141,000 171,000
12 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - ELIMINATION Ten 1,100,000 287,000 370,000 193,000 132,000 118,000
13 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 1,075,000 320,000 345,000 171,000 133,000 106,000
14 ABC NEWS ABC 1,041,000 280,000 299,000 234,000 108,000 120,000
15 DIRTY SEXY MONEY Seven 959,000 276,000 363,000 108,000 90,000 121,000
16 A YEAR WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY Nine 954,000 280,000 288,000 179,000 92,000 114,000
17 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 944,000 211,000 351,000 195,000 87,000 100,000
18 FOUR CORNERS ABC 910,000 286,000 209,000 238,000 70,000 107,000
21 SUPERNATURAL Ten 763,000 185,000 214,000 172,000 110,000 82,000
22 NEIGHBOURS Ten 756,000 166,000 260,000 144,000 94,000 92,000
23 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC 738,000 223,000 201,000 158,000 72,000 85,000
27 FRIENDS Ten 594,000 146,000 201,000 99,000 61,000 88,000
28 THE MAFIA ABC 553,000 153,000 198,000 83,000 51,000 68,000
30 MYTHBUSTERS SBS 518,000 123,000 163,000 100,000 74,000 58,000
32 BOSTON LEGAL (R) Seven 477,000 140,000 170,000 70,000 50,000 47,000
39 SOUTH PARK SBS 359,000 106,000 140,000 40,000 27,000 46,000
43 UNDERBELLY-ENCORE Nine 310,000 112,000 70,000 57,000 71,000
47 30 ROCK Seven 251,000 60,000 79,000 57,000 22,000 33,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday March 3
Just when it looked as if the Sri Lankan cricket team had saved Channel Nine from humiliation last week, The Vicar of Dibley waddled to the rescue of Channel Seven. Nine had a disaster with the Oscars, as the million who turned in at 8.30pm on Monday switched rapidly to Desperate Housewives when they saw Richard Wilkins attempting to interview stars on the red carpet.

By Friday, Nine's only national hit show was RPA, with 1.4 million viewers in the mainland capitals (while Underbelly continued to slay them in Sydney). But the Friday night cricket pulled 1.3 million, raising Nine's hopes of winning the week, until Saturday's repeat of The Vicar (who died as an ABC virgin and was reincarnated as a commercial strumpet) pulled 1.2m and left Seven averaging 28.1 per cent of the prime-time audience, while Nine had 27.9 per cent; Ten 21.0; ABC 16.6 (thanks to Doc Martin and Dalziel and Pascoe) , and SBS 6.4 (thanks to Top Gear Series 1 and Mythbusters).

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V INDIA - 1ST FINAL SESSION 2 Nine 1,660,000 431,000 588,000 318,000 181,000 141,000
2 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1,556,000 477,000 520,000 252,000 152,000 155,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,495,000 435,000 530,000 240,000 174,000 117,000
4 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,456,000 399,000 384,000 382,000 138,000 153,000
5 THE ZOO Seven 1,275,000 398,000 308,000 285,000 141,000 143,000
6 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V INDIA - 1ST FINAL SESSION 1 Nine 1,271,000 381,000 413,000 239,000 127,000 112,000
7 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,196,000 352,000 353,000 219,000 125,000 147,000
8 BUSH DOCTORS Seven 1,145,000 341,000 264,000 275,000 127,000 138,000
9 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 1,094,000 342,000 358,000 150,000 120,000 123,000
10 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1,054,000 282,000 355,000 192,000 136,000 89,000
11 SAMANTHA WHO? Seven 997,000 248,000 287,000 211,000 120,000 130,000
12 KATH & KIM (R) Seven 969,000 255,000 267,000 206,000 115,000 126,000
13 TERMINATOR 3 -RPT Nine 848,000 197,000 237,000 186,000 104,000 123,000
14 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC 761,000 230,000 224,000 141,000 75,000 92,000
15 JEKYLL ABC 644,000 170,000 189,000 110,000 86,000 88,000
16 ROBIN HOOD ABC 637,000 227,000 156,000 109,000 69,000 77,000
25 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? SBS 417,000 128,000 119,000 77,000 47,000 46,000We hereby launch this year's Bogie nominations. You can see last year's winners here. Tell us, below, the most annoying programs and people on television over the past 12 months in all categories you care to suggest. Please try to offer different nominations from last year's winners - there's only so much Eddie and Gretel can take.

What Australia watched, week ending March 1, 2008
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,605,000 452,000 497,000 291,000 131,000 233,000
2 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V INDIA - GAME 10 SESSION 2 Nine 1,543,000 456,000 480,000 289,000 158,000 161,000
3 THE FORCE Seven 1,541,000 383,000 449,000 289,000 177,000 242,000
4 BORDER SECURITY - AUSTRALIA'S FRONT LINE Seven 1,540,000 396,000 425,000 306,000 177,000 237,000
5 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,511,000 372,000 373,000 347,000 162,000 257,000
6 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1,509,000 435,000 490,000 279,000 158,000 147,000
7 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,466,000 501,000 468,000 252,000 139,000 106,000
8 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA - RESULTS Ten 1,463,000 434,000 503,000 246,000 141,000 139,000
9 RPA Nine 1,459,000 415,000 443,000 250,000 181,000 171,000
10 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,434,000 400,000 385,000 292,000 151,000 206,000
11 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,354,000 409,000 433,000 203,000 133,000 177,000
12 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,342,000 372,000 361,000 267,000 142,000 199,000
13 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,340,000 383,000 439,000 211,000 149,000 158,000
14 KITCHEN NIGHTMARES U.S.A. Nine 1,300,000 378,000 375,000 200,000 162,000 185,000
15 THE REAL SEACHANGE Seven 1,296,000 322,000 429,000 228,000 121,000 195,000
16 HOUSE Ten 1,262,000 317,000 463,000 188,000 140,000 154,000
17 THE ZOO Seven 1,260,000 345,000 303,000 264,000 130,000 218,000
18 UNDERBELLY Nine 1,249,000 602,000 Not shown 306,000 167,000 174,000
19 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA - GAME 12 SESSION 2 Nine 1,248,000 332,000 439,000 220,000 141,000 117,000
20 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,241,000 377,000 315,000 257,000 128,000 164,000
21 DOC MARTIN RPT ABC 1,239,000 336,000 413,000 244,000 124,000 121,000
22 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Seven 1,235,000 327,000 358,000 244,000 120,000 187,000
23 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,201,000 353,000 348,000 243,000 124,000 133,000
24 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,198,000 343,000 352,000 233,000 140,000 129,000
25 BUSH DOCTORS Seven 1,153,000 269,000 311,000 251,000 130,000 192,000
26 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,152,000 387,000 337,000 154,000 117,000 157,000
27 NATIONAL NINE NEWS Nine 1,146,000 297,000 354,000 249,000 143,000 102,000
28 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,139,000 322,000 266,000 253,000 111,000 187,000
29 ONE DAY CRICKET - AUSTRALIA V INDIA - GAME 10 SESSION 1 Nine 1,136,000 344,000 328,000 233,000 103,000 128,000
30 GETAWAY Nine 1,115,000 353,000 318,000 246,000 97,000 101,000
31 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,103,000 297,000 323,000 195,000 125,000 163,000
32 DALZIEL AND PASCOE ABC 1,101,000 335,000 326,000 181,000 130,000 130,000
33 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,098,000 293,000 343,000 246,000 124,000 91,000
34 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC 1,097,000 292,000 399,000 198,000 99,000 110,000
35 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1,095,000 255,000 404,000 182,000 132,000 122,000
36 AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE: AT BERTRAM'S HOTEL ABC 1,077,000 294,000 341,000 174,000 133,000 136,000
37 ABC NEWS-EV ABC 1,075,000 316,000 328,000 207,000 106,000 118,000
38 KATH & KIM (R) Seven 1,070,000 214,000 349,000 210,000 118,000 179,000
39 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - ELIMINATION Ten 1,060,000 271,000 393,000 164,000 116,000 116,000
40 BACK TO YOU Ten 1,047,000 294,000 348,000 189,000 109,000 107,000
41 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 1,034,000 303,000 274,000 176,000 143,000 138,000
42 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 1,031,000 293,000 330,000 180,000 101,000 127,000
43 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,020,000 314,000 329,000 178,000 97,000 103,000
44 SAMANTHA WHO? Seven 1,016,000 243,000 311,000 193,000 102,000 167,000
45 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,011,000 271,000 341,000 182,000 107,000 111,000
47 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 987,000 243,000 358,000 168,000 113,000 105,000
48 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 973,000 295,000 301,000 152,000 105,000 119,000
49 20 TO 1 Nine 967,000 244,000 310,000 214,000 112,000 88,000
52 CASHMERE MAFIA Nine 946,000 306,000 298,000 120,000 118,000 105,000
53 THE CHOPPING BLOCK Nine 940,000 289,000 274,000 155,000 131,000 90,000
58 WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB Ten 899,000 221,000 283,000 175,000 117,000 102,000
60 80TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS Nine 862,000 315,000 269,000 132,000 71,000 76,000
64 DIRTY SEXY MONEY Seven 843,000 225,000 317,000 114,000 97,000 90,000
65 TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES Nine 834,000 228,000 269,000 172,000 87,000 78,000
69 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Ten 802,000 220,000 269,000 140,000 84,000 89,000
73 LIFE ON MARS-EV ABC 785,000 242,000 246,000 128,000 66,000 102,000
75 LOST Seven 777,000 209,000 266,000 128,000 81,000 93,000
78 SAVING KIDS WITH DAMIEN LEITH Ten 762,000 216,000 218,000 135,000 98,000 95,000
81 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC 755,000 240,000 225,000 141,000 92,000 57,000
85 FAMILY GUY Seven 726,000 166,000 236,000 137,000 80,000 108,000
88 OUT OF THE QUESTION Seven 711,000 208,000 219,000 110,000 67,000 107,000
89 SUPERNATURAL Ten 707,000 165,000 217,000 131,000 90,000 104,000
91 ABOUT A BOY RPT Ten 669,000 179,000 189,000 100,000 75,000 125,000
99 ROBIN HOOD ABC 619,000 181,000 154,000 134,000 76,000 74,000
100 STUPID STUPID MAN ABC 592,000 145,000 201,000 109,000 72,000 65,000
101 FRIENDS Ten 585,000 160,000 187,000 94,000 69,000 75,000
103 TOP GEAR (SERIES 1) SBS 574,000 169,000 183,000 104,000 81,000 37,000
107 MY FAMILY ABC 562,000 141,000 173,000 98,000 74,000 76,000
110 MYTHBUSTERS SBS 520,000 128,000 179,000 95,000 64,000 54,000
111 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? SBS 517,000 136,000 168,000 103,000 52,000 57,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)
David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). To discuss Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

That's massive ratings for The Vicar of Dibley considering it's on a Saturday and it has screened and been repeated on ABC1, as well as the pay TV channel UK TV.

by J Bar on March 02, 2008 at 05:39 PM

Links for accessing Underbelly episode torrents (for Aus viewers fed up with not being about to access invite only Aus torrent sites), have been previously mentioned, but as well as the first 4 eps, eps
5 – 10 (that Nine have yet to air) can also be downloaded for viewers wanting to see them commercial free, suggesting someone from the show's production company or even from Nine, may have leaked them.

http://www.mininova.org/search/?search=underbelly

by Burt on March 03, 2008 at 08:33 AM

Really enjoying the "Men of Means" docos showing on Compass lately. TM, may I ask how it rated both last week and last night please? Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: Don't have last week, but 387,000 last night.

by Samuel on March 03, 2008 at 09:09 AM

For those still watching Lost if you get a chance some time before this week's episode pop into your local ABC shop and read p 34 of Philosophy - The little book of big ideas. It is on David Hume who Desmond is named for. (John Locke is on p28 and Rousseau is on p66). Then after Thursday's episode contemplate whether we are watching a 7 year long philosophy student's in joke.
I watched Who Do You Think You Are last night expecting to turn it over after 5 minutes because it was on someone I had never heard of and ended up watching the whole thing. Fascinating to watch his mother's reluctance to let go of the fantasy she had long held that her uncle was in fact her father. The show has me kind of interested in exploring my own history but I already know my convict roots are tainted by some American ancestry so probably best left alone.

by Cat on March 03, 2008 at 11:15 AM

Cat I'm with you on Who Do you think you are - the Mum was still convinced her father was not her father - maybe some hidden scandal there! I was more amazed when he went to the jewish area that all his rellies appeared and told him they were related! That is something my family do all the time ... v v scary.

Will look into that Lost hint.. I am still liking it

by Cathy on March 03, 2008 at 12:06 PM

Cat - which episode are you referring to? The one with Kate's flash forward? I'm going to have to get this book you speak of now!
I am definitely enjoying Lost this season. Loving the flash forwards and seeing how it comes together - or possibly comes together - and clues as to why certain people get off. Very interesting

by mel on March 03, 2008 at 12:34 PM

Quoth Cat on March 03, 2008 at 11:15 AM: "The show has me kind of interested in exploring my own history but I already know my convict roots are tainted by some American ancestry so probably best left alone."
Ah, the American side of my family is so recent it's very silly to even refer to it as "ancestry". :)
I managed to watch no TV on the weekend. This was a Good Thing because I needed the sleep, although it does mean that I'll probably ditch unwatched last week's ep of Despos, plus the last three weeks' worth of Lost. Just no time to catch up. Can anyone recommend a episode summary site for the Despos so I'm not too confused tonight?

by tqd on March 03, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Yes Cathy I was wondering exactly the same thing.

Mel I am referring to the episode airing this week. I was given the Philosophy book - it is a layman's terms summary of the major philosophers - at Christmas. So naturally I looked up John Locke and had a laugh and same with Rousseau but I could not remember the last name of the philosopher Desmond supposedly alludes to until I saw the ep (downloaded it yesterday as no Miss Marple to watch). I then looked up David Hume and thought yep it is all a giant philosophy in joke.

Sayid is even supposed to be a reference to Edward Said who wrote a book talks about colonisation and how the colonisers of a new land start to call the original habitants "the Other". And Faraday - the guy off the boat- is the name of a famous physicist who specialised amongst other things in electromagnetism.

By the way I really enjoyed the episode but I am looking at it slightly differently now.

Better do some work - I have posted twice in work hours today :)

by Cat on March 03, 2008 at 01:28 PM

Cat, I can't believe how dim witted I've been re Rousseau, Locke etc. Of course, their names are all of philosophers which I should have picked up having studied basic philosophy back at uni. Though that was a century ago and I have forgotten most of it.
I bet there will be a run on that book now at ABC shops. They will suddenly wonder why people are buying it.
And you could be right, Lost could be one long PHS1 lesson. Hmmm. How clever you are , Cat! Have an extra Tim Tam as reward!
BTW I am loving Lost this season pity it will be a short one.

by em on March 03, 2008 at 01:38 PM

Mr Dale,
Could you please tell me how The Einstein Factor went in the ratings last night?
Thanks.

TM replies: 518,000.

by Steve on March 03, 2008 at 01:50 PM

TM,
Discovered this odd show called "Suburban Secrets" last night on Seven, and was wondering how it rated?
Thanks in advance.

Tribal Mind replies: 571,000.

by Ryan on March 03, 2008 at 02:39 PM

Thanks Cat. Now you have me very intrigued! My download of this week's episode just completed and I think I might have to watch it straightaway!

by mel on March 03, 2008 at 03:07 PM

Whilst I am pleased that the ABC has backed off on the watermark a little they still need to take the colour out of it - or at least for their overnight viewing. I taped Stage Door last week and watched the first few minutes last night. It was hard to keep my eyes on Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball and Eve Arden though when a blue box is sitting in the corner of an entirely black and white screen! Ugghh!

by Cat on March 04, 2008 at 08:36 AM

I hope someone is out there reading this piece of fluff ... I was completely hooked by James Nesbitt in Jekyll on Sun night .. fantastic television.
Still hope Jack wins STY etc etc, but not holding out much hope re voting after Sun/Mon night's effort when JD didn't get the boot.
Still find it hard to understand all those people watching vic of dib on commercial TV when it was advert free for years on Auntie.... but the same thing happened with K&K, Mr Bean, Blackadder, Allo Allo.
Saw a promo for Life on Mars last night and Blue Nun was mentioned ... gosh, I can remember buying it ... wish I could say it was for my parents....

by Shoopie on March 04, 2008 at 04:56 PM

Mr. Dale,
Could you please tell me how Media Watch went in the ratings last night? I think the new host is doing a stellar job. Thank you.

Tribal Mind replies: 691,000 -- about 200,000 less than Four Corners. Are people going to bed early rather than see the precious media criticised?

by Elizabeth on March 04, 2008 at 06:28 PM

hey now Mark Holden has left (was pushed off) Oz Idol perhaps he can be nominated for a Bogie for do the most for TV by leaving..... not that I watch Idol but even the ads are enough for him to annoy me!
Shoopie on Jeckyl have recorded but not yet seen it - will comment once I see.
On another note Sydney gets slammed as an impolite expensive and grid locked city that people are flocking to leave -(although voted best by some travellers) and we suddenly become polite in this blog - "Mr Dale" not even the more familiar TM - who said we were not nice!

by Cathy on March 05, 2008 at 07:57 AM

So Mark Holden was booted off Idol. I found him annoying a lot of the time but I hate Kyle much more. So we are stuck with Kyle dominating Ten TV this year , what with BB and Oz Idol.

Ten say they wanted to reinvigorate Idol. So getting rid of Holden does that? Not likely. I think we are running out of decent singers willing to go on the show and that is why the quality was down last year along with the ratings. I really do think that both BB and Idol have had their day.

It will be interesting to see how they rate this year. I dont think Ten will get the sort of ratings they are currently getting for SYTYCD for either show.

BTW saw a very interesting new show on Foxtel the other night, "The Lost Room".
Any bloggers who have access watch it. It was very interesting and quite different.

by em on March 05, 2008 at 10:21 AM

As reported in another paper Sunrise and Today battle is heating up. "In a five-city metro comparison, Today is up 13.7 per cent, while Sunrise is down 2.5 per cent." Maybe people are starting to tire of the Mel and Kochy bandwagon. I see Ch7 are advertising for an audience for ANOTHER Mel and Kochie show. Too much already I say.

by Acme on March 05, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Interesting to see that the cricket hurt It Takes Two and not Ten's lineup. I think Women's Murder Club and Burn Notice actually improved. No doubt Seven will be rejoicing the one day series is now over.
Any Foreign Correspondent figures, TM?

Tribal Mind replies: Cricket has an old audience, so does ITT. The young viewers prefer dancing. FC got 433,000. That's the first time anybody's asked about it. Why the interest?

by Ryan on March 05, 2008 at 01:37 PM

Thanks TM. I asked about Foreign Correspondent because it seemed to get pushed around a bit by the ABC, losing another 10 minutes this year to only be a half hour show. Looks like it too suffered a little from the Cricket.

by Ryan on March 05, 2008 at 03:33 PM

I was glued to the TV last nite, It was a great match as can be seen in the tv ratings. What are the percentages for the week so far?
And does anyone think nine can win another week considering no more sport..?

Tribal Mind replies: Nine is well ahead. I'll give precise figures on Thursday morning after the final episode of House.

by WD on March 05, 2008 at 03:35 PM

These shows have been renewed : America's Next Top Model (for 2 more seasons), Smallville (for an 8th and very likely final season, as a few of it's actors are leaving),
Supernatural (season 4), Everybody Hates Chris (season 4 ; since Ten dumped it from their normal channel, it should end up on 10 HD), Gossip Girl (season 2), One Tree Hill (season 6). The series
Reaper (that Seven have the rights to and will probably dump onto their 7HD channel),
isn't looking like it'll get renewed.

by Drillbit on March 05, 2008 at 09:07 PM

ITT was battered by the cricket but All Saints did well to stay above 1 million with such strong competition. Now that Mark Holden has been dropped from Australian Idol but is still signed with the Ten network, how long before they give him a role on Neighbours?

by J Bar on March 06, 2008 at 07:30 AM

I watched the special features on the Lost season 3 DVD's yesterday and there was quite an interesting little feature about the books in Lost (Of Mice and Men, Catch 22, etc) and how they're subtly woven into grand scheme of things. For example, Henry Dale - the name Ben originally used - was the name of Dorothy's uncle in the Wizard of Oz. There was also another WOOz connection with the red sneaker-clad feet sticking out of the collapsed building in Desmond's flashback. Also - for a more obscure one - in Stephen King's "On Writing" a white bunny with an 8 painted on its back is used as an example of writing as telepathy. If you care enough to google Lost and books, you'll find a million others.

by Lisa on March 06, 2008 at 09:25 AM

Irritations at the moment include that Cosi fellow with the dreadful hair on The Biggest Loser. Yeah I know the show is my guilty pleasure. He has WAY too much on camera time, and has a very good head for radio. The twists and turns on the show this year are on the verge of ridiculous. Is the show about weight loss or stuffing around people who want/need to lose weight, or is it just a 10 week audition for Cosi to get himself a new job in the media?
Please someone tell Shaun Micallef we want his old haircut back.
I'm still here, just snowed under with work, mainly because I'm taking the w/end off to go see Spamalot in Melbourne.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 06, 2008 at 12:43 PM

Hey TM,
Do you have figures for Ten's 6pm hour (Friends and Neighbours)?? Thanks in advance.

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, but who cares? It never changes -- N 706,000; F 558,000.

by Samuel on March 06, 2008 at 01:12 PM

Hey TM, I suspect I may not be the first to ask but how did Mr Micallef's 'pogramme' rate last night? I hope the ratings have improved from last week's return.

Tribal Mind replies: Sadly it was just 187,000. I don't know what is wrong with Australians.

by Sacs on March 06, 2008 at 01:30 PM

Quoth Cat on March 04, 2008 at 08:36 AM: "It was hard to keep my eyes on Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball and Eve Arden though when a blue box is sitting in the corner of an entirely black and white screen! Ugghh!"
Ergh, I was thinking of recording that movie too! Haven't seen it for years, and enjoyed it immensely last time I saw it. I do have to ask though: why don't you just turn the colour down on your TV? I used to do that for the "colourised" versions of classic B&W movies.
Good to hear Mark Holden's left Idol. Couldn't stand watching that prat do that stupid *touchdown* on the ads (I don't watch the show).
Saw an ad for 10HD this week and they were advertising "Eureka" (amongst many other shows) which has to be one of the most fun shows I've seen recently. (Two seasons screened in the States so far, and I've seen the first season downloaded.) Now I *NEED* an HD settop box!

Mr Dale, no ratings mentioned for Newstopia? Is it all just too depressing how no one's watching it?

by tqd on March 06, 2008 at 02:03 PM

Re TM & Newstopia, 10pm on a Wednesday night simply isn't a friendly timeslot! Especially in the middle of the week and work beckons on Thursday.

SBS should put it in a more friendly timeslot like 8.30pm! From the positive comments about Newstopia, 8.30pm would be great and I would watch it then.

by arthur on March 06, 2008 at 02:46 PM

It looks as if Shaun has discovered Californian Poppy.

by Shoope on March 06, 2008 at 04:35 PM

tqd on Eureka - so obviously worth a look see tonight - was recording it (I do have HD so can see Veronica Mars) and also recording Friday Night Lights (series) - scheduled for ten hd after the umpteenth repeat of Love Actually.
TMers v v quiet this week - do we not have much to say?!

by Cathy on March 06, 2008 at 05:06 PM

Anyone else noticed how the channels have gotten into the habit of shortening the names of their reality/game shows.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire = Millionaire
The Biggest Loser = Loser
Australian Idol = Idol
So You Think You Can Dance = Dance
For some reason it really annoys me.

Tribal Mind replies: For those of us who spend much of their day typing stories about TV shows, it's a blessing.

by Adam on March 06, 2008 at 07:27 PM

Was watching Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares tonight and I'm by no means a prude but I was a little surprised to see Ch.9 let it through the editing process with the "C-word" still intact in one of his trademark rants. Not only that, but they then cut to an ad and replayed it when the show returned. I thought there would be some line in the sand with censors when it came to crass language...is this not the case??

Tribal Mind replies: After 8.30 there are few limits. The word appeared in The Sopranos on Nine, on the rare occasions when they showed the series.

by NK on March 06, 2008 at 09:39 PM

Allow me to channel Denzel Washington from a movie scene.... Can some one please explain this to me as if I am a five year old... why for goodness sake is Channel 9 airing Burke's Backyard special at 7.30 on Friday night.... It is like opening up an Italian restaurant right next door to an Italian restaurant which is already doing really well. You might steal some customers from the established one but not as many customers as if you set up business somewhere else or next to a different genre of restaurant... Or am I totally failing programming 101 and the idea is always to compete like programs with like programs ?

Tribal Mind replies:It's about the kind of people who stay home to watch TV on Friday nights. They tend to be older and more domestic. If you put Burke or Better Homes on any other night, they'd be swamped by shows watched by young people.
Which Denzel Washington movie were you channeling?

by Kate on March 06, 2008 at 10:26 PM

Heard this morning that the streaker Andrew Symonds shoulder-charged was paid $7500 for an 'exclusive' with ACA. At least he was able to pay the reported $1500 fine.

Re TM What is wrong with Australians? Simple they just watch, buy, consume etc the tried and tested same ol' stuff that is dished up to 'em...

by cc on March 07, 2008 at 07:59 AM

NK ... I was a little surprised to see the streaker at the cricket earlier this weeks "bits" when Nein replayed the Symonds tackle. I thought that surely that they would have fuzzied that out but I definitely saw, um, tackle.

by Nic on March 07, 2008 at 08:15 AM

Some readers were discussing Hugh Grant films last week and Love Actually is getting what's probably it's 50th repeat by Ten tonight, despite the film only being 5 years old.
It looks like Nine have bought the rights to the acclaimed 13 episode Mad Men cable TV series (that's getting a 2nd season) set in the 1960's advertising world. They'd surely know the MM series is too sophisticated for their normal viewing audience, so it'll probably get slotted onto Nine's 9HD channel, hopefully along side seasons 4 and 5 of The Wire cable TV series, that Nine have yet to screen.

by Barry on March 07, 2008 at 08:15 AM

Hey TM, regarding your comment, I don't know what is wrong with those Austalians with people meters. Can't they pick up the SBS signal??
Hopefully they can, so I suggest SBS moves Newstopia to the earlier time of 9.00pm on Wednesday nights, which is the old timeslot of the ABCs The Chaser's War on Everything, and they ain't there anymore.
Also, SBS should take advantage of the fact that Shirl is out of new episodes of House.
Shirley...., I mean... surely Newstopia & TCWOE have a similar demographic?? Look at the figures the ABC was getting.
People are constantly bagging Aussie comedy (well, deservedly so with abysmal dribble like The Wedge, Monster House, among others) so come on viewers, Shaun deserves better.
No, I don't work for SBS. I just appreciate sharp, quality humour on TV.

by Sacs on March 07, 2008 at 08:19 AM

tqd wrote: "I do have to ask though: why don't you just turn the colour down on your TV? I used to do that for the "colourised" versions of classic B&W movies."
Because I never thought of it but thanks for the idea - I will use it for the next one. The ABC seems to be working its way through the RKO catalogue for its overnight movies which is fine by me as they will eventually get to Fred and Ginger. Tragic I know but I am a big Fred and Ginger fan and as for some unknown reason only 2 have been released on DVD here (all out o/s) I have to keep an eye out for late night screenings.
Cathy - Other than my early week rush of blood I have been quiet because tv is a bit too predictable lately. Mind you still loving LOM - loved "Tony Bair and Gordon Brown" in last night's episode.

by Cat on March 07, 2008 at 08:20 AM

TM, Kate was channelling Denzel from the movie "Phillidelphia". One of my fav movies and very much my fav Denzel and Tom Hanks film.
Lost was excellent last night. Just when I was getting sick of it last night's ep just hooked me right in again. Poor Desmond , all that time travel was exhausting!! I suppose there arent too many eps left for this season now. Will we see any more this year now that the writers strike is over?
Also I am still loving "Life on Mars". The Brits really do know how to make great TV.

by em on March 07, 2008 at 08:20 AM

Re: Nk - Ramsey's Kitchen
I too was surprised by the C-word!
And now that Nine are moving the show to Tues and Thurs at 8:30 - don't you think that many younger people will now be watching this show?
Some tough competition for ITT - not to sure on how that lie detector show will do - I predit the first one will rate well but after that it will slide and get "boned" - what does everyone else think?

by James on March 07, 2008 at 08:29 AM

Is Kate channeling Philadelphia? If I'm right do I get a Tim Tam?

by Bereft Skerrick on March 07, 2008 at 09:01 AM

Tis a shame about Micallef not rating that well but 10pm is an awful timeslot. It seems that unlike the Yanks we just don't stay up to watch things late at night.

When the Glenn Robbins show gets the arse, I reckon Newstopia should be moved to 830 Thursdays.

Re: Kate Kate on March 06, 2008 at 10:26 PM, TM I think she was saying that there's no reason putting on a one-off special for Burke when the NRL is back on next week.

Here's a cunning idea - how about putting Burke's Backyard on 5 - 6 slot vs MASH/Deal Or No Deal. I reckon that would actually win that slot (or at least come second V Ten News) and build a bigger audience to the News.

Slightly political but - I do hope that the Rudd govt pulls their finger out and gives the money to the ABC for drama on ABC1 & 2, and for the kids channel on ABC3.

TM or any readers, do you know if the fta networks bringing out a Freeview box would effect the current way that digital tv is broadcasted? Would all the current tv channel numbers be changed?

Oh and one last thing on Micallef - he seems quite stifled this year with his wardrobe and hair. I hope it's not SBS trying to make him seem more professional. But it was good to see Herring back!

by Earthquake on March 07, 2008 at 09:44 AM

by NK on March 06, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I am becoming addicted to Gordon Ramsey and his kitchen nightmares ... I just wonder how long Michel from last night lasted before he went back to his own menu!
Re Burke's Backyard - I use to love watching it on a Friday night after a week at work - it was relaxing, interesting etc, usually followed by a murder mystery on Auntie. In those days BH&G was on Tuesday nights I think and a much better show than it is today. Now it is too loud, the segments too short, camaraderie too fake, male presenters too blokey.... For pete's sake, just present us with some interesting and informative guff and skip the music, jokes, best of friends crap ... I'm not interested in all that useless packaging, it is visual pollution and my brain is already overflowing.

by Shoopie spelt correctly on March 07, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Tribal Mind replies:It's about the kind of people who stay home to watch TV on Friday nights. They tend to be older and more domestic. If you put Burke or Better Homes on any other night, they'd be swamped by shows watched by young people.
Which Denzel Washington movie were you channeling?
Agree to a point but I see the same domestic demographic... Think Ch 9 would be better putting Burke on Saturday night against Doc Martin... Then the domestic souls will watch both Better Homes & Burkes without being forced to choose....
Channelling Denzel from Philadelphia ... it was his trial tactic ... to get witnesses to cut the b/s

by kate on March 07, 2008 at 10:31 AM

TM, just had a though re: Micallef's ratings.
Do you think it could be due to either the focus on international news or could it be that it is hard to make fun of left-wing governments?
Rudd is not the same type of figure that can be caricaturised like Howard or even Keating or Hawke.
Maybe The Chaser were right in delaying their show this year, it will be quite tough to get material.

by Earthquake on March 07, 2008 at 11:04 AM

RE: Cathy
Yes Eureka was good last nite, I forgot how good it was. It will air its third season soon on SCIFI in the US. I like was ten is doing with HD. I hope it steals more people away from the other channels.
Everyone watch Friday Night Lights, It is a brilliant show. The acting is superb and the storylines are believable, well except for one in the second season. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton both deserve alot of the praise as the likeable couple at the center of the show. First episode is very moving.

Tribal Mind asks:,/b> But isn't it about American football? As if we didn't get enough of our own.

by WD on March 07, 2008 at 11:40 AM

TM- Methinks Friday night lights involves the drama not so much of the endless game that is American Football so therefore should be watchable for us anti footy people (and this from a person who runs her employer footy tipping comp!) Have not caught up yet with LOM but I am sure it is as always v v clever. Did record Eureka - likely to see over the weekend. Out tonight at movies so will miss the Hugh Grant marathon week 40 (or what ever they are up to).

Have seen few trailers at movies for Mama Mia with Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan - am sure to see the movie despite my hating Abba songs - will need a "good" song on mp3 just to get any Abba tunes out of my head - think somehow I am in a minority on the Abba thing as all my friends like them....

by Cathy on March 07, 2008 at 01:02 PM

Let's face it anything that is often critically acclaimed on the ABC and especially SBS usually does not rate...apart from Top Gear & Mythbusters just to name a couple. This includes whether or not 'they' can pick up the signal or not. It's just the way it is with boring Aussie viewing habits!!!

by cc on March 07, 2008 at 01:22 PM

TM,
Do you have any figures for American Dad and Amazing Medical Stories in the 10:30pm slot last night? AMS normally does huge numbers. Thanks.

by Ryan on March 07, 2008 at 01:46 PM

Has anyone tried the new Tim Tams with the crunchy bits?

And who mentioned Love Actually?

by Shoopie on March 07, 2008 at 02:16 PM

Seems Shirl is breaking the Grant-a-thon next Fri night - they're showing King Kong. Which I believe has Jack Black in it, Which means School Of Rock will be repeated within the month.

Heading to Melbourne and Spamalot now, have set the DVR for Dr Who tonight and Classic Top Gear tomorrow with grannies dropping donuts in a convertible.

Material from Rudd? One only has to repeat the phrase "working familes" ad nauseam.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 07, 2008 at 03:07 PM

The restaurant in last night's Ramsey went on to try to sue the programme for portraying it in such a poor light, and the case was thrown out of court.

by cronker on March 07, 2008 at 03:11 PM

Bereft Skerrick said:
Material from Rudd? One only has to repeat the phrase "working familes" ad nauseam.
You totally forgot "5 point plan" and "we need to hold an enquiry"

by Algenon on March 07, 2008 at 06:29 PM

I'm wondering what Seven's doing with the odd timeslot for Lost at 9.30; wedged amongst programs that have rarely rated for the channel in the past.
Sure, I love Family Guy, but even I can see that not working with any of the channel's major dramas.
I just hope this odd programming strategy doesn't spell the end of it being on regular 7 (ie. being relegated to the HD channel), otherwise I'll never get to see what happens!!!
Either put it back straight after Amazing Race, or maybe they can move it to Tuesdays - I usually have no interest in any of the shows on that night, and use the time to catch up on other shows I have taped.

by Serg on March 07, 2008 at 08:39 PM

TM & others: Can some one explain this to me as if I am a four-year old ?
(yes, on a good thing stick to it :)
Why is Ch10 showing The Interpreter on after SYTYCD ... I realize La Kidman has increased press lately due to bump... but seriously (press button) seriously it was only aired last year and it didn't rate well then and it won't rate well after SYTYCD ... Sean Penn is an excellent actor, Nicole is not & the plot is very so-so.... There are better films if you need to repeat...
Re Kitchen nightmares - Actually for the first time, the episode didn't gel with me... I don't know why exactly, I think something was wrong with the timing? The chef seemed to come around far too easily in the end (much editing?) and the timing for the dishes.... I know that the "week" is probably not a week, like the "day" in Queer Eye was actually 4-5 days... but it did seem skewed... I also think that the chef must have agreed to things contractually i.e. you must allow Gordon to prepare new menus so to resist them so much... It just didn't add up

by Kate on March 08, 2008 at 12:54 AM

Earthquake said: "Slightly political but - I do hope that the Rudd govt pulls their finger out and gives the money to the ABC for drama on ABC1 & 2, and for the kids channel on ABC3."
Huh, not likely.
Mind you, now he's already stiffed the carers and the elderly, there's still the defenceless kiddies to steal from.
He could close down the children's hospital for example, it'd save a fortune.
Only "working families" are safe, it seems. For how long though? It costs money to swan about the place, meeting & greeting & being a big shot.

by Sal on March 08, 2008 at 10:07 AM

I am back from the hell hole that is my horrid week at work!! I too was puzzled by the movie choice of Channel 10 for Sunday. COmpletely different audience for SYTYCD - why don't you just send the viewers written invitations to turn to Channel 7s Grey's/Brothers and Sisters combo. I've been recording them because the movie choices have been pretty good (when you work as an English teacher teaching three different Shakespearian texts, you want some mindless crap on a Sunday night!!), but this week I will be turning to 7.

Gave Out of the Question another go - it's so boring! Ended up sitting there with my laptop working until Family Guy came on. I think it should be Lost, Family Guy, American Dad, then the boring quiz show. No wonder Family Guy is losing viewers (or not gaining any, not sure which is the more accurate way of describing)

by Beckala on March 08, 2008 at 10:19 AM

TM,
May I ask how My Family rated last night? It appears to be following in The Glass House's footsteps of being a great comedy show hidden on a Friday night on the ABC. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: 567,000.

by Elizabeth on March 08, 2008 at 02:54 PM

TM,
I really enjoyed the British Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares that aired in Melbourne on Thursday this week. Do you know how it went in the ratings?
Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: It got 444,000, which made it the most watched show that night in Melbourne. Can you explain how that happened? Why didn't Nine show the USA Kitchen Nightmares that aired in other states?

by Steve on March 08, 2008 at 03:06 PM

Re Kitchen Nightmares, because of the whole Underbelly debacle, Nine started showing KN USA two nights a week, thus moving through the season faster than the rest of the country. To fill the gap, for two weeks, they showed UK eps on Thursdays.
As of this week, the entire country gets USA eps on Tuesday and UK eps on Thursday.

Tribal Mind repliesThanks. But what explains Melbourne's sudden passion for it on Thursday?

by Steve on March 08, 2008 at 08:32 PM

Tribal Mind asks: What explains Melbourne's sudden passion for Gordon Ramsay on Thursday?
Don't know if this is your answer, but on Wednesday or Thursday, there was a newspaper article about one of Ramsays posh restaurants closing down & how Gordon tried to buy another restaurant but that the chef wouldn't sell it to him. Maybe the additional publicity... ?
Sal - without wanting to change this from a TV blog to a political blog, find it interesting that during the election, people were saying that Labor would (if elected) spend, spend, spend & that now they are (generally) looking to cut, cut,cut... people are criticizing... Who'd be a politician... I wish that the ABC had the same funding structure of the BBC, via a television licence which in the UK is about GBP 116.00 p.a. Multiply that by the number of households and be a nice earner.

by Kate on March 09, 2008 at 02:02 AM

Tribal Mind asks: But isn't it about American football? As if we didn't get enough of our own.
In the first few episodes you do see about a game a week. As the season (football and the show) progresses, the stories about what makes the backup quaterback tick. Will this shy, caring boy, who is now thrust into the "most popular" category over nite due to chance, change and become the stereotype? Its interesting to say the least, and the drama is exciting yet believable. It was just bad luck and planning that the show had low ratings in the US and so they tried for the first half of the season to make it more "THE OC" and less enduring. Some people also complained that as it was shot with a documentary/indie feel, slightly shakey camera angle, the close ups on the face etc, it was too hard to watch. I disagree, it gave it realism.

by WD on March 09, 2008 at 11:00 AM

One has to wonder how much longer Channel 7 will continue with their Thursday line-up? Lost is getting the lowest numbers ever and I really believe it is one of the better seasons so far.
Does anyone know when Easter ratings break starts? Next week?
Re: Ruddisms. You forgot "When it comes to" and "Core business".... That man just picks a phrase and presses repeat until that's all you notice in his speeches 'How many times did he say core business'???
Too funny

by mel on March 09, 2008 at 11:33 AM

Johnnie had "core promises"and "non-core promises"
Back to TV ratings. Looking at Friday's figures, looks as if the Burke's Backyard experiment didn't work... Seems the domestics preferred the "shiny shiny happy" folksy folks @ BHG

by Kate on March 09, 2008 at 01:34 PM

TM,
Do you have any figures for Saturday? In particular, I'm interested in Top Gear and Inspector Lynley.
Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: TG 500,000. IL 664,000.

by Ryan on March 10, 2008 at 10:32 AM

Geez, I just noticed. Burkes Backyard was creamed on Friday night. Maybe Nine was right to drop it when they did...

Cat, there is an 11 DVD "Astaire and Rogers Ultimate Collection" available in the USA (got mine from Amazon), 10 movies, 1 extras DVD (documentarie etc), CD and souvenir pack of photos, clippings etc for $88 US. Considering outr exchange rate, it's a great deal

by Fats on March 11, 2008 at 12:15 PM

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