The Who We Are update: Week 18

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week of the blog is now a heritage item -- worth studying but no longer current. For the latest discussion of television, go here.
For the results of The Bogie Awards 2008, go to The Tribal Mind.
The ratings race, updated 10am Saturday
At this point in the week, the average audience shares in prime time are: ABC 15.7% Seven 29.9% Nine 26.9% Ten 22.4% SBS 5.2%. Nine is relying on Harry Potter to save its bacon on Saturday night, but Channel Seven has put a big gun against the boy wizard: Basil Fawlty.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 DOC MARTIN ABC 1,429,000 363,000 415,000 331,000 137,000 184,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,358,000 404,000 372,000 278,000 154,000 149,000
3 HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE Nine 1,273,000 405,000 344,000 217,000 141,000 166,000
4 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 1,154,000 343,000 336,000 234,000 131,000 110,000
5 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,050,000 279,000 370,000 213,000 129,000 59,000
6 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Seven 1,025,000 338,000 292,000 183,000 110,000 102,000
7 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC 1,022,000 280,000 304,000 219,000 94,000 125,000
8 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Seven 963,000 269,000 269,000 179,000 99,000 146,000
9 FAWLTY TOWERS Seven 839,000 257,000 247,000 124,000 56,000 156,000
10 ABC NEWS UPDATE ABC 745,000 211,000 208,000 150,000 59,000 117,000
11 BILL ABC 721,000 203,000 235,000 137,000 54,000 92,000
13 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 672,000 323,000 51,000 122,000 176,000
14 GARDENING AUSTRALIA ABC 671,000 157,000 214,000 132,000 87,000 79,000
15 A TOUCH OF FROST (R) Seven 633,000 195,000 172,000 107,000 69,000 91,000
16 KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Seven 595,000 183,000 132,000 134,000 87,000 59,000
20 TOP GEAR (SERIES 1) SBS 467,000 128,000 118,000 130,000 55,000 35,000
26 IPL TWENTY20 CRICKET - LIVE/DELAYED Ten 349,000 117,000 92,000 50,000 41,000 49,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,523,000 428,000 406,000 310,000 157,000 223,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,306,000 384,000 320,000 250,000 154,000 198,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,285,000 408,000 392,000 237,000 147,000 101,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,227,000 397,000 393,000 210,000 133,000 94,000
5 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,213,000 422,000 376,000 249,000 166,000 Not shown
6 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT ABC 1,213,000 383,000 348,000 213,000 142,000 127,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,158,000 371,000 262,000 196,000 120,000 208,000
8 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,133,000 309,000 361,000 208,000 121,000 133,000
9 ANZAC DAY AFL Ten 1,102,000 83,000 606,000 111,000 151,000 151,000
13 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 6: FREMANTLE VS GEELONG Seven 864,000 18,000 441,000 6,000 144,000 254,000
21 ANZAC DAY MARCH 2008-AM ABC 707,000 294,000 129,000 148,000 78,000 58,000
24 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 586,000 305,000 281,000
31 GALLIPOLI DAWN SERVICE (2008)-PM ABC 441,000 150,000 120,000 92,000 31,000 47,000
32 SUNRISE Seven 388,000 126,000 86,000 93,000 34,000 49,000
33 SEVEN NEWS SPECIAL Seven 347,000 128,000 92,000 63,000 38,000 27,000
35 THE MORNING SHOW Seven 341,000 109,000 88,000 69,000 41,000 34,000
38 ANZAC DAY SPECIAL Seven 319,000 114,000 80,000 60,000 35,000 30,000
40 ANZAC DAY FROM THE MCG Ten 291,000 34,000 147,000 47,000 63,000
45 GALLIPOLI (Turkish documentary, not Aus movie) SBS 276,000 92,000 72,000 60,000 33,000 19,000
47 SEVEN MORNING NEWS Seven 269,000 85,000 66,000 58,000 34,000 27,000
48 NINE NEWS SPECIAL Nine 268,000 97,000 70,000 46,000 26,000 29,000
50 TODAY Nine 266,000 89,000 94,000 46,000 15,000 22,000
51 VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL SERVICE (2008)-PM ABC 263,000 101,000 41,000 49,000 30,000 42,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES-THURS Nine 1,566,000 435,000 562,000 221,000 151,000 197,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,343,000 381,000 377,000 245,000 138,000 202,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,276,000 366,000 371,000 211,000 126,000 200,000
4 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,153,000 291,000 400,000 223,000 105,000 135,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,103,000 308,000 285,000 218,000 120,000 172,000
6 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,100,000 263,000 446,000 145,000 116,000 130,000
7 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,089,000 343,000 299,000 218,000 96,000 132,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC 1,041,000 328,000 293,000 182,000 103,000 136,000
9 GETAWAY Nine 1,041,000 310,000 299,000 201,000 95,000 136,000
10 NINE NEWS Nine 1,036,000 300,000 304,000 217,000 101,000 114,000
11 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,019,000 270,000 347,000 196,000 91,000 116,000
12 MEDIUM Ten 961,000 267,000 269,000 170,000 108,000 146,000
13 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 931,000 233,000 291,000 189,000 91,000 126,000
14 GHOST WHISPERER Seven 893,000 320,000 240,000 147,000 80,000 106,000
17 JAMIE AT HOME RPT Ten 860,000 224,000 276,000 140,000 95,000 125,000
18 THAT '70S SHOW Seven 813,000 246,000 221,000 163,000 82,000 100,000
23 GALLIPOLI SUBMARINE ABC 661,000 227,000 155,000 128,000 75,000 75,000
24 LOST Seven 618,000 205,000 187,000 84,000 71,000 71,000
31 FAMILY GUY Seven 462,000 170,000 137,000 63,000 42,000 51,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,765,000 457,000 490,000 363,000 183,000 271,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,625,000 429,000 414,000 363,000 184,000 235,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,489,000 442,000 363,000 311,000 147,000 226,000
4 THE REAL SEACHANGE Seven 1,371,000 382,000 379,000 258,000 145,000 209,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,261,000 381,000 315,000 270,000 114,000 180,000
6 UNDERBELLY Nine 1,237,000 574,000 266,000 175,000 223,000
7 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,230,000 310,000 395,000 217,000 119,000 190,000
8 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,194,000 288,000 445,000 200,000 123,000 138,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,103,000 299,000 348,000 228,000 125,000 103,000
10 BACK TO YOU Ten 1,097,000 299,000 314,000 234,000 129,000 122,000
11 NINE NEWS Nine 1,096,000 306,000 328,000 238,000 122,000 102,000
14 HOUSE RPT Ten 1,001,000 241,000 320,000 196,000 111,000 133,000
20 CANAL ROAD Nine 831,000 258,000 239,000 104,000 110,000 119,000
23 THE IT CROWD ABC 810,000 191,000 319,000 128,000 68,000 104,000
26 MY KID'S A STAR Nine 659,000 225,000 192,000 95,000 67,000 81,000

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,624,000 449,000 506,000 316,000 146,000 207,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,485,000 403,000 396,000 306,000 157,000 221,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,453,000 395,000 408,000 270,000 176,000 204,000
4 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,452,000 430,000 439,000 276,000 139,000 168,000
5 RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES Nine 1,434,000 415,000 511,000 197,000 139,000 172,000
6 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,373,000 343,000 451,000 253,000 135,000 191,000
7 NCIS Ten 1,328,000 344,000 362,000 299,000 146,000 176,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,217,000 320,000 386,000 248,000 157,000 106,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,193,000 333,000 398,000 222,000 123,000 116,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,192,000 311,000 335,000 256,000 134,000 155,000
11 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,180,000 342,000 403,000 167,000 124,000 144,000
12 NCIS RPT Ten 1,172,000 318,000 332,000 232,000 132,000 158,000
13 ABC NEWS ABC 1,125,000 317,000 329,000 223,000 104,000 151,000
14 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,041,000 295,000 335,000 214,000 103,000 94,000
15 LADETTE TO LADY Nine 911,000 290,000 298,000 99,000 103,000 121,000
19 NEIGHBOURS Ten 790,000 172,000 251,000 185,000 90,000 92,000
20 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH Nine 716,000 187,000 241,000 116,000 89,000 83,000
23 MY SHOCKING STORY Seven 608,000 205,000 172,000 95,000 68,000 68,000
24 BALLS OF STEEL Nine 539,000 201,000 174,000 45,000 59,000 60,000
25 STRESS BUSTER ABC 537,000 171,000 137,000 105,000 58,000 65,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BORDER SECURITY (R) Seven 1,765,000 520,000 462,000 336,000 206,000 241,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,580,000 407,000 438,000 303,000 195,000 237,000
3 SCU: SERIOUS CRASH UNIT Seven 1,545,000 422,000 450,000 297,000 183,000 194,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,470,000 353,000 420,000 289,000 175,000 233,000
5 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,452,000 382,000 497,000 249,000 160,000 165,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,382,000 392,000 450,000 275,000 138,000 127,000
7 SEA PATROL II - THE COUP Nine 1,381,000 390,000 427,000 249,000 155,000 160,000
8 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S - LIFE IN COLD BLOOD Nine 1,321,000 368,000 406,000 245,000 135,000 166,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,311,000 358,000 424,000 267,000 140,000 122,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,299,000 374,000 310,000 253,000 168,000 193,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - ELIMINATION Ten 1,225,000 303,000 402,000 229,000 120,000 172,000
14 MORE THAN ENOUGH ROPE ABC 962,000 267,000 275,000 185,000 100,000 135,000
15 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC 958,000 275,000 278,000 201,000 75,000 129,000
16 CSI: NY Nine 942,000 273,000 275,000 168,000 132,000 94,000
18 DIRTY SEXY MONEY Seven 904,000 235,000 347,000 125,000 88,000 110,000
21 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 842,000 236,000 277,000 139,000 87,000 103,000
24 THE TRUTH ABOUT BINGE DRINKING Ten 786,000 162,000 268,000 156,000 88,000 112,000
30 BOSTON LEGAL (R) Seven 498,000 139,000 203,000 60,000 51,000 45,000
36 MYTHBUSTERS RPT SBS 397,000 106,000 141,000 85,000 48,000 17,000
40 FOOTY CLASSIFIED Nine 336,000 208,000 78,000 50,000
49 30 ROCK Seven 279,000 67,000 117,000 28,000 32,000 34,000

The ratings race, updated 11am Monday
The embattled Channel Nine had good news and bad news during the week, but there was enough of the former to suggest that Seven won't have an easy victory this year. Having axed the game show The Power of Ten because it pulled less than 800,000 viewers, Nine found that its replacement David Attenborough's Life In Cold Blood charmed 1.3 million in the mainland capitals on Monday. Smart move.

Nine then felt confident in axing The Moment of Truth, which got only 741,000 on Tuesday, and replacing it this week with the venerable 20 To 1, hosted by Bert Newton, a star of Attenborough's vintage if not his authority. Nostalgia may not be what it was, but it can attract more viewers than public humiliation.

On Wednesday, having refrained from axing My Kid's A Star because it just topped 800,000 in its opening week, Nine found that the second episode was down to 780,000 - suggesting a short future for the talented juniors. But the Wednesday story had a happy ending when the new Aussie melodrama Canal Road managed a respectable 1.1 million at 9.30.

Thanks to a magical performance by Harry Potter on Saturday night (1.18m, just behind Doc Martin with 1.36m), Nine won the week, with prime time average audience shares standing at: ABC 16.7%; Seven 27.4% Nine 28.2% Ten 22.2% SBS 5.5%.

Then on Sunday, 60 Minutes got its top audience of the year, apparently by showing a segment on Gordon Ramsay that cynics might say was just more cross-promotion of Nine shows.

What pay TV subscribers watched last week
1 LIVE: NRL RABBITOHS V SHARKS Fox Sports 2 293,000
2 LIVE: NRL SHARKS V PANTHERS Fox Sports 2 292,000
3 LIVE & ACTIVE: NRL BULLDOGS V DRAGONS Fox Sports 2 280,000
4 LIVE: NRL RAIDERS V WESTS TIGERS Fox Sports 2 261,000
5 LIVE: AFL HAWTHORN V ADELAIDE Fox Sports 1 203,000
6 NRL COWBOYS V WARRIORS Fox Sports 2 192,000
7 FUTURAMA FOX8 183,000
8 LIVE: AFL BRISBANE LIONS V HAWTHORN Fox Sports 1 178,000
9 FAMILY GUY FOX8 174,000
10 LIVE: NRL WARRIORS V BULLDOGS Fox Sports 2 Sun 12:00 174 174 1,018 413

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 60 MINUTES Nine 1,732,000 469,000 518,000 333,000 175,000 238,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,682,000 424,000 545,000 376,000 166,000 171,000
3 GLADIATORS Seven 1,560,000 423,000 482,000 345,000 163,000 149,000
4 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,520,000 452,000 392,000 306,000 177,000 194,000
5 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1,466,000 424,000 439,000 307,000 127,000 169,000
6 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,347,000 447,000 398,000 219,000 138,000 145,000
7 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1,315,000 369,000 379,000 236,000 145,000 186,000
8 CSI Nine 1,205,000 299,000 328,000 249,000 133,000 196,000
9 ANIMAL EMERGENCY Nine 1,147,000 317,000 304,000 252,000 114,000 161,000
10 RFDS: ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE Nine 1,093,000 310,000 288,000 238,000 118,000 138,000
11 ABC NEWS-SU ABC 1,086,000 357,000 287,000 198,000 115,000 129,000
12 ROVE Ten 1,004,000 271,000 347,000 169,000 93,000 124,000
13 POLICE FILES - UNLOCKED Seven 998,000 328,000 436,000 234,000
14 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 984,000 377,000 361,000 140,000 106,000
15 MY NAME IS EARL Seven 962,000 308,000 334,000 187,000 133,000
16 WITHOUT A TRACE Nine 932,000 233,000 281,000 159,000 118,000 141,000
20 EAST OF EVERYTHING ABC 717,000 233,000 193,000 123,000 53,000 115,000
23 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 5: WESTERN BULLDOGS VS RICHMOND Seven 556,000 73,000 345,000 50,000 87,000
26 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 493,000 287,000 192,000 14,000
28 IPL TWENTY20 CRICKET Ten 467,000 141,000 151,000 56,000 55,000 64,000
31 COMPASS ABC 417,000 119,000 139,000 60,000 43,000 56,000
39 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 5: WEST COAST VS PORT ADELAIDE Seven 296,000 145,000 151,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, week ending April 19
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUNDAY Seven 1,726,000 392,000 538,000 363,000 203,000 231,000
2 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,672,000 416,000 436,000 366,000 202,000 252,000
3 RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES - THURSDAY Nine 1,630,000 484,000 559,000 219,000 167,000 201,000
4 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,590,000 438,000 488,000 309,000 160,000 195,000
5 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,584,000 431,000 477,000 290,000 151,000 236,000
6 60 MINUTES Nine 1,559,000 408,000 501,000 326,000 126,000 199,000
7 SEVEN NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY Seven 1,492,000 404,000 391,000 298,000 158,000 240,000
8 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1,470,000 483,000 464,000 260,000 136,000 126,000
9 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Nine 1,469,000 382,000 441,000 276,000 172,000 198,000
10 RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES - TUESDAY Nine 1,457,000 391,000 566,000 191,000 154,000 155,000
11 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,443,000 428,000 445,000 223,000 147,000 199,000
12 NINE NEWS - SUNDAY Nine 1,430,000 389,000 442,000 321,000 169,000 108,000
13 GLADIATORS Seven 1,427,000 399,000 434,000 259,000 172,000 162,000
14 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,410,000 373,000 389,000 267,000 146,000 235,000
15 DOC MARTIN ABC 1,364,000 376,000 376,000 309,000 136,000 168,000
16 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,356,000 386,000 400,000 255,000 126,000 189,000
17 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S - LIFE IN COLD BLOOD Nine 1,313,000 359,000 375,000 279,000 128,000 171,000
18 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,272,000 356,000 321,000 260,000 139,000 197,000
19 THE REAL SEACHANGE Seven 1,267,000 327,000 354,000 253,000 138,000 195,000
20 SEA PATROL II - THE COUP Nine 1,267,000 345,000 318,000 252,000 156,000 196,000
21 NCIS Ten 1,263,000 325,000 348,000 256,000 142,000 192,000
22 SCU: SERIOUS CRASH UNIT Seven 1,260,000 293,000 413,000 232,000 122,000 201,000
23 UNDERBELLY Nine 1,249,000 531,000 315,000 164,000 240,000
24 THE BIGGEST LOSER Ten 1,248,000 333,000 395,000 226,000 137,000 157,000
25 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,241,000 379,000 412,000 174,000 112,000 164,000
26 SEVEN NEWS - SATURDAY Seven 1,230,000 335,000 315,000 259,000 104,000 218,000
27 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT ABC 1,223,000 375,000 366,000 212,000 123,000 146,000
28 THE BIGGEST LOSER - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1,220,000 394,000 375,000 207,000 132,000 112,000
29 NINE NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY Nine 1,215,000 321,000 379,000 261,000 142,000 112,000
30 THE BIGGEST LOSER - ELIMINATION Ten 1,212,000 313,000 415,000 209,000 147,000 128,000
31 GETAWAY Nine 1,198,000 378,000 347,000 230,000 115,000 128,000
32 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA - RESULTS Ten 1,190,000 353,000 381,000 230,000 118,000 108,000
33 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,185,000 322,000 390,000 162,000 137,000 174,000
34 HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN Nine 1,185,000 352,000 312,000 219,000 121,000 181,000
35 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,173,000 305,000 382,000 253,000 126,000 107,000
36 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,172,000 328,000 302,000 259,000 115,000 168,000
37 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,166,000 324,000 345,000 235,000 130,000 132,000
38 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,144,000 274,000 465,000 170,000 114,000 121,000
39 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 1,132,000 272,000 323,000 236,000 136,000 165,000
40 ANIMAL EMERGENCY Nine 1,127,000 258,000 329,000 257,000 115,000 167,000
41 RFDS: ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE Nine 1,121,000 254,000 343,000 253,000 114,000 156,000
42 ABC NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY ABC 1,112,000 321,000 337,000 215,000 104,000 135,000
43 ABC NEWS - SUNDAY ABC 1,108,000 336,000 294,000 203,000 118,000 156,000
44 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,103,000 329,000 344,000 198,000 115,000 117,000
45 CANAL ROAD Nine 1,089,000 312,000 355,000 160,000 105,000 156,000
(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

Bugger - is it Sunday already? what happened to the weekend?

by owain on April 18, 2008 at 10:15 AM

So, Nine actually won the week, eh? What's that, 3 each?

by Fielding on April 20, 2008 at 10:07 PM

What is sad about Nein winning the week is they will continue to show a few quality shows amongst a whole lot of dross... plus that old Mortein adage - "if you are on a good thing, stick to it" applies as they are promoing another Gordon Ramsay offering - soon it will be almost all Gordie all the time....personally I prefer the Cook & the Chef.

by Cathy on April 21, 2008 at 08:03 AM

Interesting articla in 'Good Weekend' on Saturday about 'Sunrise' "whiz kid" Adam Boland. I didn't realize Kyle Sandilands had an even more ruthless twin brother. Suddenly it all makes sense. It's a race to the bottom, a race to baby viewers by people who are sure they know what people want (and with 200000 registered fans maybe they've got a point). The same way that Kyle & co are certain that Britney Spears & Paris Hilton are what people are interested in. So everyone gets the same plate of garbage. Who are these 200000 people? Are they the same people who vote for Pauline Hanson? That's the population of a small city of people who appear to enjoy the overly yellow set & the cheesy nicknames & the 'viewing may be adictive' tag & Kochie's terrible jokes & every other crap feature of the damn thing. The same type of producers seem to be running 'Today Tonight' & 'ACA'. Full of tricks to get peole to feel warm & fuzzy & amused by nothing. What's next, subliminal messages? .... (Mel is our mummy.. we love you mummy.... Kochie is funny...). Seriously. What other sensible explanation could there be? It does seem more like a cult than a 'family'. Depending on your idea of a family.

by darren on April 21, 2008 at 08:42 AM

Much closer Sunday this week. There was a huge gap between 7 and 9 last week. I guess the cross-promotions and dumbing down of 60 Minutes is doing wonders for ratings. That story on teenage parents was classic ACA or TT fodder. Next... stories on dodgy builders, fat kids and xenophobia.
Interesting then Grey's Anatomy beat CSI and Brothers & Sisters beat Without A Trace. Ratings are not very consistent from week to week.

by J Bar on April 21, 2008 at 10:18 AM

So Nein had a win. Good on them! (not!).

Caught a tiny bit of 60 mins last night. Story on Gordon Ramsey (cross promotion anyone?) did not amuse me. In fact I turned off pretty quick as I can't stand him. 60mins really has lost the plot. No more hard hitting journalism just blatant self promotion, fluff pieces and tabloid garbage. Richard Carleton would roll over in his grave.

GA was quite good last night though a 2 parter so we have to tune in again next week. Probably the best ep this year actually as this year's Grey's has been pretty dismal. I wonder how long this show can last? Storylines are rather boring lately.

by em on April 21, 2008 at 11:16 AM

The ridiculous thing about Ramsay is that last year Nein was showing Hell's Kitchen, which was promptly yanked for low ratings. Now I read that he's their ratings saviour and they're X-promoting the f*** out of him. How the winds change.
Has visitors last night who wanted to watch Gladiators. Won't be watching it again. It induces Masters Almost 7 and Almost 4 to wrestle and attempt to maim their father and anyone within close range.
Did sneak out to make sure that the abhorrent Cosi was booted from TBL. Truly he was beginning to become the Vyle Randypants of TBL.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 21, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Cathy - you say that 9 will continue to show some good quality shows amongst a whole lot of dross - how is that different from the other commercial stations? At least some of nine's shows are watchable this year (unlike last year). Once again the usual suspects lamenting the fact that 9 won the week - but isn't it better that there is some competition between the networks? Are you all channel 7 employees?

by Cornelius on April 21, 2008 at 12:39 PM

Cornelius (could we similarly suggest that you're a Channel Nein mole?):

Dross being shown between 5pm-12am by Nein tonight may include (your opinions may vary) Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadshow, 2 1/2 Men, "Blue Heelers Afloat" aka Sea Patrol, True CSI.

Then tomorrows Midday movie is "Bedazzled" (what was Brendan Fraser thinking!) And let's not forget Ladettes to Ladies tomorrow night as well, plus something mind boggling called "Balls of Steel".

BTW For some reason The Moment Of Truth is still showing in TV Guides both on SMH and on ninemsn guide.

Mind, I'm sure I could similarly go through other the TV guide for other stations and pick out similar dross.

The problem is though that a lot of the dross that Nein has "home grown" this year has tanked e.g. P10, some crud about hairdressers. Home grown successes? Only Underbelly and Canal Road.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 21, 2008 at 01:42 PM

BTW TM I know I posted my other reply to Cornelius on last weeks blog, but my reply wouldn't have made sense here! Unless you transfer both posts over (hint hint)

TM replies: Too laborious. Lets just stay with the new blog from now on. And enough with the Cornelius already.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 21, 2008 at 01:46 PM

Cornelius - I was lamenting the fact that many years ago Nine had several shows worth watching (ER, West Wing, Sopranos, Friends plus more).
At present they only have me for one a week and it is not Underbelly (I had a clash Underbelly early on and will get it from another source).

I would also like to lament Chs Shirl & Seven showing mindless reality shows - I will not dip my toe into Gladiators and am over the Aust Got Talent ad with Dannii's cleavage... but Nein's are pretty bad too -previously it was all Jamie Durie all the tiem now it is Gordon Ramsay. Seven swap from Johanna Griggs to Tom Williams and of course there will be endless Olympic shows from now till the Games and beyond.

Sadly Big Brother is back from this week - draft the Guide for showing a pic of Vyle on the cover....so there is a whole lot of avoiding of Ch Shirl as I personally cannot watch it... and with Vyle on so much the worse...

I spend Sunday evening mainly watching ABC - but the fab Robin Hood finishes up this weekend (I do record Greys & Brothers and Sisters)...
and by the way I work in the public service, not for any of the FTA channels.

by Cathy on April 21, 2008 at 01:46 PM

I cannot speak for the others but I know I am not a Ch 7 employee or even a fan of Celebrity Overload (as I like to think of it). I just have a particular dislike of Nein as it was so dominant for so long it decided it could treat us with contempt. I avoid a lot of dross (to use the term of the moment) but it is what they do with its middle of the road stuff that lost me. It is only about 5 years ago that in the first half of the year we had one show aired in sequential order with only an Easter break. By mid year an American show's season would have been completed and another different but also recent show would replace it. Channel Nein (and yes they were the first) decided to copy the American habit of just showing repeats of the same show to pad out its schedule. Since then the race to the bottom has pulled all and sundry into the pit with them. So whether you a Nein mole, a 'fan' or simply have not been paying attention here or to TV do not pretend Nein is some poor innocent victim of some bitter TMer's bile. Nein earnt every bit of the disrespect it is shown and so did the other networks.

by Cat on April 21, 2008 at 02:06 PM

TM: "enough with the Cornelius already."
Fair enough, just stating my opinion but I'll take it elsewhere :)

Tribal Mind replies: Cornelius, you misunderstand. I was not directing that remark to you -- it was to all the people who had jumped on you. I felt they had exhausted the topic of whether or not they were biased about Channel Nine, and it was time to move to a new topic.

by Cornelius on April 21, 2008 at 03:33 PM

Any figures for the FTA HD channels? Would make a good comparison with the PayTV channels - the successes of niche programming.

Tribal Mind replies: There are no ratings for the HD channels. OzTAM may start measuring them next year.

by canoli on April 21, 2008 at 03:45 PM

Commercial TV, yes well, some one higher up said nein treated the viewers like rubbish,but the problem is they all do.
7,10, 9 I mean how anyone who is able to think can sit there and watch hour after hour of unintelligent rubbish, and for some of the shows large numbers of people do,
is one of the great mysterys of life,ACA,TT,7,9,10 news,I mean when I started school they gave us Dick and Dora to read,even that was better than the crass junk they call news and current affairs.
I always wondered why the Americans voted in such idiots as they have at the moment, watching US TV and news I think I can understand why,all I can say is god help us all.
For those who say I,m one of the Elites,I was 30 yrs on building sites as a worker and I learned to think for myself.

by John Ryan on April 21, 2008 at 09:20 PM

Is anyone going to watch Big Brother? Even if out of curiousity to see just if it is as bad as you think it might be... The hints of the 2 contestants leaked already don't bode well...
Avoiding the Ch9 & Ch7 issue... To Cat & Bereft.... Watched 3rd episode of Doctor Who & thought it was back on form, tugged at the heartstrings... Though the spoiler as Martha back... sorry never really was convinced by her being the underground solider saviour last series, & probably won't be 100% convinced by next episode.

by Kate on April 21, 2008 at 10:09 PM

Quite exciting news. Ch 7 is going to give Boston Legal another chance in prime time. Saw a promo last night that said the new series of Boston Legal is coming soon and 'it's so good that it's coming to prime time'. A cynical person might say that the only reason that Ch 7 is doing it is because all their American series have been cut short this year because of the writer's strike (Dirty Sexy Money finale is next week). Anyway, at least they've listened to all the complaints from fans and it's good that they're giving this underated show another go in prime time. Hope viewers watch it this time and it can stay in prime time.

by J Bar on April 22, 2008 at 07:00 AM

I have been commenting on this forum for years now and I make one remark about channel nine haters and suddenly I'm a nine mole (whatever that is).
Maybe cat can remind me of any pro channel nine or even anti channel seven comments I have made over the years. You see I choose the show I want to watch not the channel it's on.
Whinging about a particulr show or channel is a waste of time because quite frankly nobody cares.

by bobmar28 on April 22, 2008 at 07:26 AM

I would rather sit in a pit of spiders than watch the loathsome BB! So I dont think I will be watching very much of Ten for quite some time. And even if I was a BB fan just the thought of Vile and his blonde no talent, bimbo sidekick would have me reaching for the remote quick smart.
I really wish someone would tell Ten to get over the whole BB thing. Ratings will tell I suppose.
And I think a post I made yesterday disappeared into hyber space. Can't remember what I said now so it probably wasnt very important. They say the memory is the first to go............

by em on April 22, 2008 at 07:59 AM

Oh, there is just no way I'll look at BB now. Not after seeing that woman a hundred times during SYTYCD and Rove on Sunday. Then the mention of the horrid "corey" rumoured to be making an entrance! Plus, Vile and Tacky Ho!! OH THE HUMANITY!!!

by Beckala on April 22, 2008 at 08:24 AM

Kate I have to admit the relationship b/w the Dr and Donna is a refreshing change after the love fest dynamic of the last couple of years - she certainly calls him on things. Martha was not really supposed to be a soldier - she was supposed to give the impression she was while she passed the Dr�s message. Best not to start me on the topic of RTD and his messianic obsessions though. :)
Bobmar28 I simply asked a question I did not make any accusations. TM might disagree about whether nobody cares about particular shows or channels. If the blog was to only discuss the statistical or advertising implications of a day's ratings then channel moles are the only ones who would pay any attention.

by Cat on April 22, 2008 at 08:35 AM

While watching (and enjoying) the Desperate Housewives last night, we were pondering: is it slipping in the ratings back over in the States? Why else such a big dramatic plot twist such as a tornado?
And Mythbusters was hardly good dinner time viewing. As a seasickness sufferer and sympathetic vomiter, I voted with my remote and turned the TV off until the Desperate Housewives. (Well, until the over-run of Crime Scene Investigation, which was muted while I read a book and waited...)

by tqd on April 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM

Hey, we can blame the Poms for ch9's success. Gordon Ramsey, David Attenborough and Harry Potter. With some help from ch10's last minute decision to replace the Flannelled Fool's with a Mouse Movie.
A younger GR was on 'Vintage Top Gear' last Sat and was only bleeped-out once during his interview about driving and talking about his young children. I can understand a correlation between his increase in swearing and his children moving into their teens. Been there, done that.

by Les on April 22, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Good to see new episodes of DH and B&S running again in the US. Luckily for 7 they can run these new episodes just a couple of episodes behind the US. Other shows like DSM and PP will return later though ... I guess its just a matter of time before 7 shows its other shows. Btw when is Nein going to show Pushing Daisies?

by Jenny on April 22, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Surely Good News Week should be put down like the sorry dog that it is ?

Drearily commonplace and often predictable; trite.

by Craig Burden on April 22, 2008 at 12:26 PM

"Michael Palin's New Europe" has been taken off - it will be replaced by Fawlty Towers. Its ratings were poor with only 677,000 last Saturday.

"BB: Big Mouth" will be on Mondays at 9.30pm - replacing "Law & Order" due to poor ratings. So "NCIS" repeats will air Tuesdays at 9.30PM.

"My Kid's A Star" will be cut in half:
In other words, from April 30 it will air as a 30 minute show at 8pm. ALL NEW "Two And A Half Men" will air Wednesdays at 7.30pm instead.

No "Medium" on Thursday, May 8 due to the IPL Cricket. "Bondi Rescue" finishes on May 6.

ALL NEW The Simpsons back at 7.30 Tuesdays from May 6.

by cpandilo on April 22, 2008 at 12:33 PM

Thought the Despos ep last night was good if a little overhyped (even the voice over was guilty of that)..and it almost telegraphed what was going to happen next. And frankly the overrun from Crime Investigation or whatever was on before was frustrating - I know we have spoken of this earlier - show overruns are one of the banes of our lives - Programming is a bit like an invitation to treat or a public transport timetable - we may or may not start when we say we will, but then again we may show 8 or 9 commercials and a news update instead - we think you may be interested.

One thing annoying me last night was the promos for Dirty Sexy Money - the secret would be revealed in an hour, then 30 mins then next (when in fact it was revealed way in to the episode and it was obvious!! no shocks here).

J Bar I too was happy to note Boston Legal is coming to prime time - my guess Mondays at 9.30 replacing Dirty Sexy Money... now if they would schedule new eps of Scrubs that would be something..

TM I would be interested to know with school hols on now (and in ratings weeks) are the general watching numbers on the regular programs down as compared to non school rating weeks?

by Cathy on April 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM

If there are no ratings for the HD channels then what happens when someone with a people meter watches a show such as Desperate Housewives or Law & Order? Do their ratings count towards the overall figure for that program?

Tribal Mind replies: You mean when someone with a people meter AND HD watches a show such as Desperate Housewives or Law and Order on the HD station rather than on the normal station? It's an interesting question. I assume that the 3000 households who are in the people meter panel are not allowed to upgrade their techology without OzTAm approval. Apparently, at this point the people-meter boxes are only configured to register the stations that existed five years ago. But why don't you phone OzTAM and ask?

by cpandilo on April 22, 2008 at 12:39 PM

One more post, The Moment of Truth finishes tonight. Alas, 20 to 01 starts next Tuesday.

Tribal Mind remarks: Yes, I wrote all that in the blog on Sunday, and it remains in the text you can read above. What is your point?

by cpandilo on April 22, 2008 at 12:41 PM

Re: Corey as house intruder on BB
It will be interesting to see if Corey 'Worthit' can even put a sentence or two together...You have to admit though it is an 'intersting' move by Ch10 to generate interest in a waning show. Not sure if there is any truth to the reported $20000 he is supposed to be getting!!!

by cc on April 22, 2008 at 01:21 PM

Desperate Housewives beats Sea Patrol again. The special tornado episode would have helped (some great special effects) but there was also no late-running So You Think You Can Dance, leading into Good News Week.
Dirty Sexy Money made a huge recovery after some really dismal ratings in recent weeks. Nice to see some familiar faces from old TV series: Blair Underwood from LA Law, Sheryl Lee who was Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks and last night, Peter Strauss from Rich Man Poor Man.
Law and Order looks terminal now. Wrong show for that timeslot. Good News Week was left with a hangover after that Binge Drinking special.
Sea Patrol also did better this week with a stronger lead-in and less competition from SYTYCD and GNW. It's a shame they didn't leave SP on Thursdays where it could have had the sort of ratings Gordon Ramsay gets now.

by J Bar on April 22, 2008 at 02:18 PM

Master Almost 7 has an Ood, but he's been packed of to Grandma Skerrick for the week (with the episode on DVD of course!). Ep 3 was scarier than previous, so Master Almost 4 sat and watched with his brothers Ood action figure.
Sadly shows such as BB, where they make a truckload of $$'s, are going to be around for longer than we hope, until the Network Gibbons find other better ways to fleece us of our hard earned.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 22, 2008 at 02:30 PM

To tqd... Yes, the US ratings for Desperate Housewives are lower, but it still wins the time slot there, particularly in its targeted demographic... but around this time of the season, they usually have some dramatic event or oomphed up story arc... although not quite to the scale of a tornado... apparently that was largely written it as a movie had just finished being made on the studio lot next door and they had lots of debris to be cleared away, this inspired the writers and also meant that they had "ready-made" debris :o)

by kate on April 22, 2008 at 03:18 PM

Desperate Housewives still rates very well in the States and has in fact been guaranteed 10 seasons by the network (when Dana Delany joined she signed a contact for 6 seasons).

by Fiedling on April 22, 2008 at 06:49 PM

Gee, look what happens when I go away for a few days - GJ having an epiphany, moles peeping from holes, the promise of Corey joining Vile and Tacky Ho - life just doesn't get any better than this... but wait, there's more ... Richard Armitage is joining Spooks, yay, another brooding male to drool over .... sigh
GJ - I'm in - just send me details in a plain, brown envelope and I will take it from there....
Does anyone have any advice re the etiquette when visiting friends and on Sunday afternoon you are subjected to the most god-awful, boring TV shows ever shown (slight exaggeration but it was a dry weekend)? I am referring to something called Discover Tasmania with Fast Eddy and some doofus called Tim and Mercurio's Menus with Paul Mercurio. Do you think putting your foot through your host's TV is poor form? Anyhoo, someone should remind Se7en what happened to Nein's "stable" of stars - sent off to the knackery and turned into petfood.
I have been so inspired by the comments re Sydney V Melboring that I'm off to check out M.

by Shoopie on April 22, 2008 at 06:58 PM

What did others think of "THE TRUTH ABOUT BINGE DRINKING"?
It didn't sound sincere to me. Don't know if she was trying to re-establish herself, or make a lot of money similar to the guy who did the McDonald's thing.

by Neil on April 22, 2008 at 07:11 PM

*If squeamish... skip this entry*
Late nomination for most tacky show with absolute no worthiness at all... no it is not BB... just got home and flicked on TV for Nightline news... and instead caught the end of "Balls Of Steel"... in which amongst other things, one man sandpapered another man's bare buttocks to draw blood, then he nailed the same man's hand to a wooden block.... even if carefully stunted & full of warnings of don't try this at home, why do we need to see this type of show on FTA? Not even a show of endurance, like those Japanese game shows... just pure tackiness...

by Kate on April 22, 2008 at 10:36 PM

Shoopie wrote: Richard Armitage is joining Spooks, yay, another brooding male to drool over .... sigh

Thanks Shoopie - made my day.

by Cat on April 23, 2008 at 07:38 AM

On It Takes Two, did anybody notice when they crossed to the green room after the last performance by Julia and David and they were getting a group hug from the rest of the singers and celebrities and Jade Macrae said it was a 'Homo' Sandwich?She then scurried away and was trying to hide her embarrassment. She probably didn't realise how soon the cameras would be on them and how loud she was. I was trying to work out why she said that and then I realised that it must have been a couples nickname that they came up with like 'Brangelina' or 'Bennifer'. For David Hobson and Julia Morris, it must have been HoMo. Hence the HoMo Sandwich.

by J Bar on April 23, 2008 at 07:45 AM

Cathy, I gave up waiting for 7 to show Scrubs, if you can watch videos online, may I suggest:

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/scrubs

Go into videos, they have all the new episodes there, they go up pretty much as soon as they are shown, so usually a new ep comes in around 9ish on a Friday night (new one this Friday, yay!)

cpandilo, for some reason, I thought the BB show Big Mouth was going to be on Tuesdays - I defer to your sources, though, as you seem very well informed!

Next contestant on BB is to be an Aboriginal person - she should go well with the woman who wants to be the next Pauline Hanson. Are they seriously trying for some fisty cuffs this year?

RE: DH and the ratings - in the US they have what are called "Sweeps weeks" - not sure of the reasoning behind if (TM, you may be more aware) but that's when all the shows like GA and DH put in their big disasters or cliff hangers (think back to Meredith drowning, the bomb and now DH's tornado). They occur in Jan/Feb, end of April through May and then Oct/November. Just checked Wikipedia, they are "television programming during the months of November, February, May and (of lesser importance) July, in which eagerly anticipated programs are deliberately scheduled in order to boost television ratings.

Television networks and other programmers make unusual efforts to attract additional viewers during these periods, including broadcasting mostly original programming as opposed to repeats, showing more special broadcasts, and including special content in programming such as guest stars, controversial and unexpected plots or topics, extended episodes, finales, and increased competition in advertising." (source: Wikipedia)

Thus explains why so many dramas at Seattle Grace and on Wisteria Lane this week! And on DSM as well, from my understanding (I don't actually watch it...)

Thus endeth the lesson!

by Beckala on April 23, 2008 at 08:05 AM

Earlier I remarked that "Balls Of Steel" sounded like dross. Yea verily I stand confirmed. I watched way too much of it last night (then caught an interesting doco on Ch7 about the world tallest woman and her "treatment" by Chinese authorities)

"Balls of Steel" truly has reached a new low in viewing, and I was truly surprised this seemed to be a UK offering. After providing comic gems over the years, they're reduced to dog poo on the footpath? (I did like the devil costume though) And lunatic Kiwi's? Oh please please please TM I second the nomination for "most tacky show with absolute no worthiness at all".

by Bereft Skerrick on April 23, 2008 at 10:26 AM

Bondi Rescue has scored record ratings again, now reaching 1.624m viewers. It Takes Two final was down on previous series but the other networks are more competitive on Tuesday nights now.

by J Bar on April 23, 2008 at 01:01 PM

Yes, BB: Big Mouth was originally going to be on Tuesdays but will now be on Mondays due to L&O's poor ratings.
TM, yes that is what I meant and good suggestion! (re: HD ratings).
My post on The Moment of Truth was because I said last week that 20 to 01 was to start yesterday and that Truth finished the previous Tuesday, but Nine decided to show one more episode (which was on last night).

by cpandilo on April 23, 2008 at 02:11 PM

OMG, I never thought that I'd see the day!
LOST is moving to 10.30 Thursdays from May 8. It will be replaced by the new series "Trinny & Sussanah Undress The Nation"

by cpandilo on April 23, 2008 at 02:21 PM

cpandilo posted: OMG, I never thought that I'd see the day!
LOST is moving to 10.30 Thursdays from May 8. It will be replaced by the new series "Trinny & Sussanah Undress The Nation"
OH MY GOD!! New low, channel 7. Methinks I need to come up with a new horrible nickname after that move. Disgraceful!

by Beckala on April 23, 2008 at 07:42 PM

what do you guys think of Australia's Got Talent starting Tuesday 7:30pm?

by John on April 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM

10:30 Thursdays? Does this mean that Family Guy is disappearing/getting shifted as well? Yeah I know it's in repeats.
BTW someone said Boston Legal in Primetime? When is this happening?

by Bereft Skerrick on April 23, 2008 at 08:06 PM

Lost at 10.30pm?
Don't really mind now that I've discovered how easy it is to download. I'll just add it to the list.
But are you kidding with the "Trinny & Sussanah Undress the Nation"?
Surely no-one would watch that trash?

by Sal on April 24, 2008 at 12:07 AM

I wonder if 7 just didn't want to put Lost up against the Footy Show, and Trinny and Susannah will definitely attract a different audience.
RE: Australia's got Talent, not a fan. But I will watch because a girl from work used to be in a singing group that is entered (and apparently humiliated in the process). So, 1 episode. But I doubt I'll stick with it... guess i'll be sticking with whatever Channel teen coughs up to replace the hour long Biggest Loser (and i'm praying it's not an hour of BB)

by Beckala on April 24, 2008 at 08:10 AM

Thanks Ch 7 for burying Lost before it is even dead. Here in lies my problem with Lost - these fools (the producers) think it will last until 2010?? We will be left dangling with half the storyline hanging off one of the island's cliffs.
TM do I need to dress for the Bogies or can I stick to PJs and a cuppa in front of the laptop?

Tribal Mind replies: Ladies in pants suits will not be admitted. Ditto men in ball gowns.

by Cat on April 24, 2008 at 08:11 AM

Hi Fellow Bloggers - GJ here - have been off sick so not on line for a while - my last blog was a bit of a rant (had a few too many wines I think) but appreciate the comments from some of our regular bloggers to my wild ideas - having read the comments over the last few days I think there is such an abundance of viewer feedback for us to probably keep going the way we are - the panel idea was just that but I don't think we need it -I suspect we are one big panel and thats good enough - we are a fiesty and a wonderfully opinionated group with lots to say - I think that's the main thing.
Next time I have a few wines I will confine my comments to less than 500 words.
And looking forward to the announcement of our Bogie Winners

by GJ on April 24, 2008 at 08:29 AM

Terminator didn't really "disappear" as its first season is complete. I'm sure the second season (approved to shoot) will be screened in the late hours though, or on NineHD.

by arthur on April 24, 2008 at 08:35 AM

Tribal Mind replies: Ladies in pants suits will not be admitted.
Kate scratches Hillary Clinton off the Bogie Guest list then.... :o)

TM points out: She will be allowed to sit in a special enclosure.

by Kate on April 24, 2008 at 09:21 AM

Noticed that Canal Road seems destined to die a slow death. Watched again last night but it just seemed off to me. Acting rather ordinary and just didnt quite make me want to watch again. Damn shame, I like supporting Oz shows.
Lost to be moved to 10.30? And replaced by Trinny & Susanah? Who'd watch that trash? Two stuck up , pretentious women telling people what they should wear. They can go take a running jump! God, I really , really hate those type of shows.
And I know Lost can be a pain at times with it's storylines that jump around everywhere but I still watch it and enjoy it for the most part. Typical 7 stuffing around viewers again just like with Scrubs, Boston Legal , Stargate etc.
I really dont understand them moving it when there are only a few more eps to show cause of the writers strike. Why not just leave it run it's course at the present time slot? I will never understand the dim wits that make these decisions.
Anyway, looking forward to the results of the Bogies.
Have a nice long weekend my fellow Bloggers. May you all find something decent to watch in TV land.

by em on April 24, 2008 at 09:38 AM

It's a shame that Canal Road dropped off so much but I can understand why. There's something about this show that makes it difficult to like. There are no characters that you can really like or empathise with. They all seem to behave badly and the lines between good and bad are so blurred.
Canal Road seems to have gone down the path of Marshall Law and Last Man Standing. The audience won't empathise with the characters if they all seem to have no morals or ethics, right from the start. Canal Road is full of unethical behaviour, criminal acts from supposed good people, gratuitous meaningless sex. I think it's hard for many viewers to like that. If we got to know the characters first and started to like them, but then they started doing some of these things, we would probably be more accepting.
I know Underbelly is full of bad people and it's hugely popular with audiences but somehow they have been able able to make all these criminals likeable or at least we can empathise with them and their families. Even though they're doing all these bad things, there still seems to be some sort of code of ethics. If you break the law, there's a good chance that you'll get your comeuppance but if you break the code of ethics, then there's a good chance you will die.
My Kid's A Star can't survive to next week with those ratings.

by J Bar on April 24, 2008 at 11:07 AM

Thanks everyone for the explanations of the sweeps! I'd actually forgotten all about that strange system they have over there. (Almost as boggling as their presidential elections!)
Sorry to hear Lost is being shafted, but I haven't watched it in months. I lost the will to keep up with all the plot twists...
And I'm looking forward to some time this weekend to catch up on my brand new Spaced DVDs that turned up in the mail from Amazon.co.uk on Tuesday (my deity, I only ordered them last week). And maybe a potter over to see how Potter's doing on Ch9 on Saturday night...

Tribal Mind wonders: Why not rent Potter from the dvd store?

by tqd on April 24, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Em said: "Typical 7 stuffing around viewers again just like with Scrubs, Boston Legal , Stargate etc."
Too true.
Can we say 7 is the new 9?

by Sal on April 24, 2008 at 11:53 AM

I'll be watching Potter on Nein this weekend. Why don't I rent the DVD? Not a big DVD borrower, not because I live in a small coastal village (I am not the idiot of such BTW) but because I just don't have the time. Laziness I guess.

Anyhow we know there's a regular rotation of movies on TV every 6 or so months (well after its initial showing - they showed last weeks HP edition 8 months ago).

by Bereft Skerrick on April 24, 2008 at 01:13 PM

Lost moving to 10:30 from May 8? I never thought it would happen. Just shows how tight this year's ratings race is, especially with the writers' strike stuffing things up for the networks. All bets are off.
Cat, Lost will end after its 6th season in 2010. It is guaranteed.

by Fielding on April 24, 2008 at 02:07 PM

Tribal Mind wonders: Why not rent Potter from the dvd store?
Why not just read the books? I have seen the first 3 movies but they left so much out, it got a little frustrating but things like Quidditch are better to imagine than see in dodgy CGI ....
Re Trinny & Susannah... I agree with Beckala, perhaps Ch7 is seeking the female audience who do watch the Footy Show
Re Boston Legal... This is my favourite show so but I do wonder if any new viewers will warm to it in prime time ... Having watched most of Season 4, it builds on previous seasons.. if Denny mutters about mad cow, will new viewers understand? Will they immediately know about the relationship between Denny & Alan? Denny & Shirley? Etc.

by Kate on April 24, 2008 at 02:11 PM

tribal mind: we always see the ratings for breakfast / morning tv, and for primetime shows, but do you have any ratings for daytime tv? Like Ready steady cook, the 11 oclock news, the midday movie etc?

TM replies: I'll include them tomorrow.

by Jimi on April 24, 2008 at 02:16 PM

Kate with you on the reading of the Harry Potter books - there is so much more to the story, although I have seen all the movies and will continue to see them at then cinema.

Note that 7 aka the new Nein (leave Lost where it was thank you very much!) is going to show one of my favourite movies - Raiders of the Lost Ark - I am humming the theme in my head now.... I know it is cross promotion for Indy 4 but who cares.... Now if the Princess Bride went into high rotation then the better we would be (loved last week's NCIS and the reference to the Dread Pirate Roberts...)

Kate on Boston Legal - if new veiwers don't get the whimsy that is Boston Legal (and Denny Crane) then it is their loss...

Enjoy the extra day off fellow TMers - if you are Greek Happy Easter, or March with pride... lest we forget

by Cathy on April 24, 2008 at 02:48 PM

MY KIDS A STAR just gets more agonising to watch by the minute - it's like watching someone's home video project - the most appalling aspect is host cameron daddo's deadpan hosting role - he actually is taking this whole thing so seriously which is just SO completely wrong!
This show probably wouldn't be so bad if any of the kids were talented but they are all uninspiring - if it's any consolation the parents are the entertainers but for all the wrong reasons - there's the pouting mum, the botoxed mum, the overbearing mum, the over the top mum and the one 'insufferable' dad.
I must admit to watching the whole hour last night just to work out why any channel - least of all NEIN - would ever have let it go to air. ITS JUST ONE OF THE WORST PROGRAMS EVER PRODUCED but in some crude warped way I hope it stays on for another week - (ouch isnt that just a stupid thing to say) but I just want to see if it can get any worse!
Late entry for the BOGIES - Worst Program of the Year - My kids a Star!

by GJ on April 24, 2008 at 03:10 PM

Cathy wrote: loved last week's NCIS and the reference to the Dread Pirate Roberts.
So did I Cathy - I thought it would take a miracle for one of Tony's cultural references to be something I like but apparently not.
Fielding I hope Lost does run to its conclusion but the producers have already had to change the rate of answers in the remaining episodes of the season because of ratings problems and viewer complaints so I am not terribly confident. Many previously high rating shows have been cancelled without notice and had to finished mid storyline. I just hope Lost does not become one - or at least if it does the producers make a wrap up movie.
In light of the TV drought over the next few days I am off to watch some Clooney and Firth on DVD. Have a good weekend folks.

by Cat on April 24, 2008 at 07:11 PM

My Kid's a Star reminds me of the mum in the movie Centre Stage who ignores her daughter's bulimia (when she tells her about it, she says "so you're watching your weight?! You're just doing what you have to do to be a ballerina). The parents have the dream to do it and probably failed when they were younger, now the kids are forced into it before they are old enough to decide whether or not they want to or not. I had a similar childhood experience - my mother was from a poorer family when she was younger and dreamed of being able to do ballet lessons, so I got pushed into it, but was never going to make it - not a size zero. The quote from Centre Stage "Mom, you didn't have the feet to become a ballerina, I just don't have the heart". I wonder how many of those kids on that show are thinking (or will come to think) the same thing...
Still shaking my head at Channel 7 - ye gads!
Hope all will enjoy the long weekend - I get an extra long one thanks to Greek Easter (not Greek, work for a Greek company, so score a bonus public holiday!!)

by Beckala on April 24, 2008 at 09:43 PM

Cat: if new veiwers don't get the whimsy that is Boston Legal (and Denny Crane) then it is their loss...
I know, I know, but I think Ch7 has left the move to prime time a little late.... Remember BL doesn't just have whimsy & flamingos, David E Kelly mixes in tugs of the heartstrings as well. Last week's US episode a classic case in point.
I have seen Princess Bride repeated but it tends to be as a Sunday afternoon movie.

by Kate on April 24, 2008 at 11:25 PM

Trinny & Susannah will rate, it's got the "Ramsey" factor. Unfortunately, most viewers may have missed a few episodes of Lost, and will be feeling quite like the title.
In the US rating scheme, Sweeps Weeks are essential to schedule advertising rates for the next season. A shift of even 1% toward a certain program can guarantee huge money from advertisers. In fact, a good sweeps week can make the studios sign the contract for a further season (see Will & Grace, Supernatural, Ghost Whisperer et al)
As a general comment, and bloggers thoughts are very welcome:
I believe the programmers on Australian TV are seriously out of touch with the viewers. I know this is a given, on this blog. But surely no one at Nein could have seriously believed in shows like Power of Ten or Monster House??

by cronker on April 24, 2008 at 11:46 PM

cronker with you on programmers being out of touch but don't think it is exclusive to Nein - remember Shirl gave us Yasmin and is giving us BB and Seven gives us Out of the Question and Gladiators- there are more offences of course, but they are the ones that come to mind this afternoon.

Maybe they think us viewers have other things to do and would not notice garbage on TV... but what do I know I am only a viewer.

by Cathy on April 25, 2008 at 02:16 PM

I know how much you hate the Biffo TM, but I want to know why oh why if Ch Shirl can show the AFL why Nein can't show the NRL with my beleaguered Dragons vs the Roosters? (No I don't have Cable)
Yeah I know there's different rights to different codes, but since they're both Anzac Day traditional clashes, you'd think it was a good idea. Sigh.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 25, 2008 at 03:24 PM

Well, a big well done to Channel Teen. Watching Elizabethtown tonight, really enjoyed it. Except for the fact, that upon reflection, Channel Ten gave away the ending IN THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE DAMN MOVIE!! It was actually a cute, quirky and unpredictable movie - not a typical rom-com, so if it wasn't for the damn ad, I actually wouldn't have seen the ending coming. Am half tempted to call and complain - but remember ringing Channel Nein one Oscar night after they gave away three winners of the main awards in the ad breaks - and they didn't give a rats. So I'll complain here, power of the people and all that!
Does anyone have any other examples of this? Or is this the first of a horrible new habit?

by Beckala on April 25, 2008 at 10:09 PM

Bekala, I think Ch 10 has the worst promos in Australia. Their promo department is hopeless. They always screen a Neighbours promo after the cliffhanger ending. I can't tell you the amount of times that they spoilt a good cliffhanger by revealing that everything is alright in the next episode. What's the point of having a dramatic cliffhanger if teh viewers is not kept in suspense and why would they bother tuning in next time if they already know how it all works out?

by J Bar on April 26, 2008 at 06:57 PM

By the way, it's not just the Greeks celebrating Easter this weekend, it's all the Orthodox Christians: Russian, Serbian, Macedonian, Romanian, Eastern, Coptic etc... The Greeks just outnumber all the others in Australia. Many of the older Greeks enjoy their Antenna and ERT pay tv channels on Foxtel/Optus/SelecTV.

by J Bar on April 26, 2008 at 07:08 PM

JBar, funnily enough, I found yet another example of Ten's incompetence. They had the big cliffhanger for the Biggest Loser - ooh, would anyone take the money and run. But in the meantime, on the BB website, they had a poll that blatantly gave away the big surprise that one of the contestants had in fact taken the money, asking if the viewers thought it was a good idea or not, a good 20 hours before it actually screened!! Oh dear. Looking forward to hearing if anyone has any other examples from other channels - does it put you off tuning in, or do you tune in regardless. I've had situations where people have ruined movies for me (The Sixth Sense is a prime example - my uni lecturer ruined it for me and about half the lecture hall) - sometimes it puts me off viewing, sometimes not (Untamed Heart and City of Angels are 2 examples where I knew the ending but still enjoyed), sometimes I view but it is ruined (Sixth Sense - do you know how dull it is when you know what the twist is all along? You don't have that "oh my god, I can't believe I got that sucked in" moment that makes the movie for you!!). Does anyone else have this experience, and how did it influence your viewing? Am very intrigued, hoping that we can get this topic happening, even if I have to bring it into next week if possible, TM... Unfortunate timing, only having this issue come up on public holiday Friday, leading into weekend when you will replace the blog address tomorrow...

by Beckala on April 26, 2008 at 09:04 PM

Desperate Housewives, two weeks ago. Gabrielle Solis and her ex husband plot to kill her current and knock him overboard from his own yacht. Lo and behold, Channel 7 give the cliff hanger away by showing her supposedly dead husband sitting in a chair in the preview for the next episode. Astonishingly poor promo reveal.

Tribal Mind remarks: I think that's fair enough as a teaser. In a show like the Despos, you know that sort of thing will happen and you enjoy the mischievousness of the preview.

by cronker on April 26, 2008 at 10:50 PM

Noticed a new ad for BB on the Terror website (yeah I went there). Nothing up our sleeves? I don't think so. So either they're not sure if there's anything up their sleeves, or Vyle and TackyHo think they're Rocky and Bullwinkle.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 27, 2008 at 09:26 AM

Like TM, to be fair.. the DH promo didn't really give the plot away as Gabby's Senator husband was not actually dead, just assumed missing... What irks me at the moment is Ch 7 are usually exactly the same promo for Boston Legal each week, very lazy... TM - thank you for tallying the votes for the Bogies ... although I am afraid that Kyle will take his awards as compliments...

by Kate on April 27, 2008 at 11:13 PM

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