The Who We Are update: week 24

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week of David Dale's media blog is now history. To join the latest discussion, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To discuss Agnetha's end and the top-selling CDs of all time, go to The Tribal Mind
To discuss whether Australians are too dumb to function in modern life, go to Who We Are

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday
Yesterday this column launched a not-for-proifit competition for the tiny elite of readers who look at this blog at the weekend, predicated on this:

"A stunning performance by Better Homes and Gardens has shattered the complacency of Channel Nine and turned the ratings into a race again. With one night to go in the official week, the prime time audience shares stand at: ABC 17.4%; Seven 28.5%; Nine 28.1%; Ten 20.5%; SBS 5.5%.

I hereby invite readers to predict who will win the week, based on tonight's offerings: Funniest Home Videos and The Cat in the Hat on Nine, and The Vicar of Dibley and Unbreakable (or Just Like Heaven in some cities) on Seven. No prize, only the glory of displaying your understanding of Saturday night psychology. Winners unveiled here tomorrow at 10 am."

OK, now we can reveal how the ratings went. Based on this audience data, which channel do you think won the week? For the answer, go here..

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,291,000 393,000 338,000 261,000 129,000 169,000
2 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,193,000 307,000 458,000 207,000 137,000 84,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,156,000 311,000 361,000 222,000 137,000 125,000
4 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Network 7 958,000 296,000 262,000 192,000 90,000 118,000
5 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Network 7 952,000 291,000 278,000 184,000 94,000 105,000
6 ABC NEWS-SAT Network ABC1 915,000 292,000 249,000 187,000 86,000 101,000
7 BED OF ROSES Network ABC1 854,000 241,000 253,000 186,000 84,000 91,000
8 THE CAT IN THE HAT -RPT Network 9 854,000 275,000 261,000 151,000 80,000 87,000
10 THE BILL Network ABC1 824,000 258,000 207,000 151,000 98,000 110,000
11 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 814,000 134,000 356,000 60,000 102,000 161,000
16 M-JUST LIKE HEAVEN Network 7 517,000 269,000 97,000 151,000
18 TOP GEAR RPT Network SBS 462,000 165,000 87,000 106,000 57,000 47,000
24 M-UNBREAKABLE Network 7 392,000 223,000 169,000
40 BIG LOVE Network SBS 211,000 74,000 71,000 32,000 19,000 15,000

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,430,000 441,000 408,000 248,000 150,000 184,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,428,000 397,000 357,000 304,000 160,000 209,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,304,000 332,000 337,000 266,000 149,000 221,000
4 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,161,000 312,000 332,000 249,000 153,000 116,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,133,000 331,000 313,000 233,000 138,000 117,000
9 SILENT WITNESS Network ABC1 957,000 282,000 288,000 155,000 102,000 131,000
10 BIG BROTHER - FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Network TEN 941,000 255,000 290,000 153,000 102,000 141,000
15 BIG BROTHER Network TEN 798,000 230,000 248,000 135,000 68,000 118,000
16 SPOOKS Network ABC1 786,000 241,000 234,000 130,000 87,000 94,000
17 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 11: KANGAROOS VS GEELONG Network 7 688,000 14,000 422,000 15,000 113,000 123,000
19 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 647,000 397,000 250,000
25 ABOUT A BOY RPT Network TEN 456,000 134,000 143,000 76,000 43,000 59,000
32 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 383,000 268,000 115,000
36 IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT PENIS RPT Network SBS 348,000 111,000 108,000 59,000 31,000 39,000
77 THE GOLDEN GIRLS Network 7 171,000 56,000 49,000 24,000 18,000 24,000
81 THAT '70S SHOW (R) Network 7 163,000 59,000 50,000 20,000 15,000 20,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,433,000 393,000 344,000 315,000 141,000 239,000
2 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,303,000 395,000 306,000 286,000 126,000 191,000
3 GETAWAY Nine 1,285,000 394,000 399,000 224,000 134,000 134,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,252,000 367,000 308,000 236,000 131,000 210,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,228,000 344,000 405,000 233,000 126,000 119,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,207,000 404,000 283,000 226,000 117,000 175,000
7 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,155,000 279,000 364,000 230,000 112,000 169,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,150,000 323,000 361,000 236,000 119,000 112,000
9 BONES Seven 1,140,000 293,000 306,000 258,000 128,000 155,000
10 HELL'S KITCHEN Nine 1,113,000 337,000 353,000 139,000 126,000 158,000
19 BIG BROTHER Ten 777,000 229,000 205,000 149,000 91,000 104,000
23 LOST Seven 603,000 188,000 181,000 97,000 80,000 57,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Thursday
Both Channel Ten and the ABC did brilliantly last night, and both took more viewers from Seven than from Nine, so at this point the prime time audience shares stand at: ABC 17.6% Seven 27.7% Nine 28.4% Ten 21.0% and SBS 5.4%. Nine is likely to win the week -- and, it now seems, the year (excluding the Olympics).

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,548,000 397,000 379,000 311,000 193,000 268,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,473,000 425,000 374,000 282,000 160,000 232,000
3 SEARCH & RESCUE Nine 1,431,000 405,000 457,000 237,000 162,000 169,000
4 HOUSE EP 2 Ten 1,387,000 402,000 465,000 215,000 143,000 162,000
5 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,364,000 389,000 420,000 249,000 128,000 178,000
6 FIRE 000 Nine 1,339,000 391,000 416,000 223,000 152,000 157,000
7 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC 1,273,000 386,000 399,000 208,000 110,000 170,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC 1,256,000 324,000 395,000 251,000 123,000 163,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,227,000 346,000 395,000 238,000 144,000 105,000
10 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,221,000 326,000 361,000 254,000 154,000 126,000
11 HOUSE EP 1 Ten 1,216,000 329,000 410,000 186,000 125,000 166,000
14 COLD CASE Nine 1,109,000 357,000 347,000 192,000 115,000 98,000
15 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,083,000 320,000 333,000 211,000 121,000 98,000
18 UGLY BETTY Seven 955,000 307,000 254,000 177,000 108,000 109,000
19 INSIDE QUEEN MARY 2 Seven 935,000 283,000 267,000 151,000 114,000 121,000
20 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 926,000 265,000 262,000 178,000 108,000 113,000
21 BIG BROTHER Ten 918,000 288,000 253,000 159,000 102,000 116,000
22 MISSING PERSONS UNIT Nine 915,000 304,000 271,000 143,000 110,000 86,000
24 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 896,000 287,000 226,000 142,000 114,000 127,000
25 BACK TO YOU Ten 888,000 245,000 250,000 161,000 106,000 127,000
30 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Nine 593,000 178,000 196,000 93,000 71,000 54,000
31 THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW ABC 553,000 179,000 159,000 94,000 53,000 68,000
49 CANAL ROAD Nine 308,000 68,000 107,000 53,000 47,000 32,000

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,608,000 463,000 373,000 335,000 170,000 267,000
2 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,583,000 448,000 430,000 306,000 184,000 215,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,538,000 461,000 377,000 302,000 163,000 234,000
4 NCIS Ten 1,459,000 414,000 397,000 282,000 162,000 204,000
5 20 TO 1 Nine 1,388,000 442,000 384,000 235,000 142,000 186,000
6 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,339,000 382,000 392,000 259,000 138,000 169,000
7 RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES - REVISITS Nine 1,256,000 339,000 432,000 179,000 136,000 170,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC 1,247,000 318,000 400,000 237,000 99,000 192,000
9 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,228,000 383,000 262,000 255,000 134,000 194,000
10 NCIS RPT Ten 1,205,000 336,000 340,000 208,000 145,000 175,000
11 NINE NEWS Nine 1,204,000 347,000 375,000 235,000 140,000 107,000
12 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,192,000 307,000 366,000 230,000 141,000 148,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,133,000 313,000 352,000 216,000 142,000 111,000
14 BIG BROTHER Ten 964,000 286,000 258,000 180,000 112,000 128,000
15 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 958,000 295,000 231,000 187,000 118,000 127,000
19 LADETTE TO LADY Nine 929,000 268,000 349,000 94,000 114,000 105,000
20 NEIGHBOURS Ten 872,000 216,000 243,000 191,000 97,000 124,000
21 STAR PORTRAITS WITH ROLF HARRIS-EV ABC 855,000 249,000 254,000 152,000 97,000 103,000
26 ANIMAL PHARM ABC 590,000 185,000 173,000 118,000 68,000 46,000
27 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Nine 577,000 161,000 185,000 113,000 82,000 37,000
39 SUNRISE Seven 357,000 111,000 65,000 104,000 32,000 44,000
45 FIRST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB ABC 317,000 120,000 101,000 35,000 35,000 26,000
48 TODAY Nine 284,000 99,000 88,000 45,000 23,000 29,000
60 THE MAKING OF SEX AND THE CITY Nine 222,000 63,000 87,000 13,000 38,000 20,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Tuesday
Channel Nine looks like winning the week after triumphing on both Sunday and Monday, despite Monday's most watched shows being Seven's news and Today Tonight. Viewers over 55 (and there are a lot of them) were grabbed by Nine's David Attenborough - Tiger and Sea Patrol, while younger viewers were split between Seven's Desperate Housewives and Ten's Big Brother and Good News Week.

The return of Top Gear brought 786,000 to SBS. Nine's new/old game show Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune has slipped further behind Deal or No Deal (603,000 to 943,000).

Seven announced today that the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice will join the lineup "this month" -- presumably replacing GA on Sunday nights when the season ends. We have illustrated this news with a photo of a redhaired woman who is also relevant to a program mentioned earlier.

What Australia watched, Monday
Description total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,690,000 475,000 404,000 405,000 176,000 229,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,599,000 443,000 426,000 342,000 178,000 211,000
3 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH TIGER-SPY IN THE JUNGLE Nine 1,543,000 431,000 457,000 301,000 165,000 189,000
4 BORDER SECURITY (R) Seven 1,514,000 495,000 367,000 269,000 179,000 204,000
5 SEA PATROL Nine 1,473,000 409,000 412,000 304,000 171,000 177,000
6 SURF PATROL Seven 1,377,000 434,000 351,000 249,000 157,000 187,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,316,000 354,000 389,000 266,000 149,000 159,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,306,000 379,000 298,000 281,000 161,000 187,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,289,000 304,000 424,000 289,000 156,000 116,000
10 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,273,000 425,000 381,000 182,000 129,000 156,000
11 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,249,000 295,000 397,000 279,000 151,000 127,000
14 BIG BROTHER Ten 957,000 248,000 274,000 189,000 102,000 144,000
15 MORE THAN ENOUGH ROPE-LE ABC1 957,000 258,000 300,000 195,000 88,000 116,000
16 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 957,000 298,000 294,000 152,000 101,000 111,000
17 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 943,000 280,000 254,000 193,000 107,000 110,000
20 BOSTON LEGAL Seven 850,000 292,000 300,000 92,000 95,000 71,000
21 HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED Ten 836,000 221,000 270,000 153,000 85,000 107,000
25 TOP GEAR SBS 786,000 207,000 247,000 146,000 101,000 83,000

The Monday update
If further evidence were needed that movies no longer work on television, it came up on Sunday night. There's been huge publicity for Narnia: Prince Caspian, which opens on Thursday, and Channel Seven smartly took advantage of that by showing its predecessor at the child-friendly hour of 7.30pm. Seven may even have expected to win a night which usually gives Nine a strong start for the week.

Look at the Sunday chart below to see if Seven's strategy worked. Nine won the night with 31.8 per cent of the prime time audience, while Seven's lion-led recovery could manage only 27.3 per cent.

Last week, advertisements on the ABC were a big hit. The opening episode of The Gruen Transfer, a skeptical analysis of TV commercials, drew 1.29 million in the mainland capitals, making it second only to Spicks and Specks (1.31m) as the ABC's most popular show. SBS, the national broadcaster which takes commercials seriously, could manage only 487,000 for its top show, a repeat of Top Gear, and 427,000 for the Eurovision song contest final.

And while a defamation jury ruled on Thursday that Seven's Today Tonight had less credibility than the sister of Schappelle Corby, 1.4 million people in the mainland capitals still considered it worth watching every night, with another 1.3 million apparently trusting its rival A Current Affair.

Channel Nine won the week, with 27.7 per cent of the prime time audience, closely followed by Seven on 27.5, while Ten got 20.9, ABC 17.8 and SBS 6.0. For the 40 most watched shows of the week, see below.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 60 MINUTES Nine 1,822,000 521,000 560,000 322,000 200,000 219,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,717,000 498,000 403,000 396,000 179,000 241,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,553,000 450,000 556,000 247,000 195,000 106,000
4 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,514,000 502,000 412,000 265,000 165,000 170,000
5 CSI Nine 1,508,000 428,000 442,000 271,000 194,000 173,000
6 M-THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION ETC Seven 1,242,000 386,000 371,000 220,000 116,000 150,000
7 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC 1,232,000 355,000 373,000 240,000 131,000 133,000
8 GLADIATORS Seven 1,229,000 315,000 377,000 251,000 128,000 157,000
9 WILD CHINA ABC 1,154,000 343,000 334,000 234,000 118,000 124,000
10 WITHOUT A TRACE Nine 1,077,000 292,000 331,000 175,000 151,000 128,000
11 BIG BROTHER LIVE EVICTION Ten 1,012,000 336,000 272,000 196,000 91,000 117,000
14 EMMA ABC 884,000 298,000 294,000 106,000 84,000 102,000
15 ROVE Ten 823,000 259,000 287,000 114,000 81,000 82,000
16 BIG BROTHER SUN Ten 776,000 244,000 220,000 154,000 72,000 87,000
22 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Ten 510,000 164,000 169,000 67,000 50,000 60,000
23 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 502,000 297,000 172,000 33,000
24 GILMORE GIRLS Nine 478,000 105,000 198,000 63,000 61,000 51,000
32 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 10: FREMANTLE VS PORT ADELAIDE Seven 303,000 163,000 140,000
37 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 10: ST KILDA VS MELBOURNE Seven 244,000 14,000 209,000 10,000 11,000
49 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 10: SYDNEY VS RICHMOND Seven 207,000 90,000 56,000 61,000
150 JOAN SUTHERLAND: THE RELUCTANT PRIMA DONNA ABC2 14,000 5,000 0 4,000 2,000 2,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals

What Australia watched, week ending May 31
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 60 MINUTES Nine 1,709,000 546,000 484,000 303,000 172,000 203,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUNDAY Seven 1,707,000 448,000 477,000 355,000 178,000 248,000
3 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,657,000 473,000 488,000 286,000 192,000 217,000
4 SEVEN NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY Seven 1,518,000 415,000 373,000 325,000 168,000 238,000
5 NINE NEWS - SUNDAY Nine 1,504,000 446,000 453,000 300,000 189,000 116,000
6 SEA PATROL II Nine 1,497,000 427,000 461,000 252,000 163,000 194,000
7 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,485,000 490,000 389,000 266,000 168,000 173,000
8 SURF PATROL Seven 1,468,000 413,000 422,000 271,000 174,000 188,000
9 20 TO 1 Nine 1,436,000 376,000 417,000 296,000 169,000 177,000
10 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,424,000 424,000 366,000 282,000 150,000 201,000
11 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,415,000 448,000 394,000 257,000 140,000 177,000
12 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,407,000 440,000 372,000 244,000 155,000 196,000
13 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: TIGER, SPY IN THE JUNGLE Nine 1,394,000 407,000 399,000 263,000 159,000 164,000
14 NCIS Ten 1,372,000 370,000 383,000 255,000 162,000 202,000
15 SEVEN NEWS - SATURDAY Seven 1,369,000 314,000 374,000 325,000 132,000 224,000
16 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,330,000 393,000 413,000 219,000 142,000 163,000
17 CSI Nine 1,322,000 364,000 368,000 245,000 179,000 165,000
18 SEARCH & RESCUE Nine 1,319,000 388,000 372,000 228,000 157,000 174,000
19 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC 1,311,000 387,000 422,000 227,000 115,000 160,000
20 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,307,000 400,000 402,000 204,000 144,000 157,000
21 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC 1,287,000 421,000 402,000 205,000 95,000 164,000
22 GLADIATORS Seven 1,264,000 290,000 415,000 260,000 136,000 163,000
23 FIRE 000 Nine 1,261,000 364,000 356,000 227,000 152,000 162,000
24 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,249,000 382,000 308,000 229,000 137,000 193,000
25 NINE NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY Nine 1,247,000 338,000 420,000 254,000 139,000 96,000
26 WILD CHINA ABC 1,222,000 318,000 364,000 258,000 118,000 165,000
27 HOUSE Ten 1,214,000 360,000 355,000 210,000 124,000 166,000
28 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,213,000 323,000 415,000 233,000 136,000 105,000
29 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,209,000 330,000 324,000 269,000 119,000 167,000
30 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,192,000 312,000 385,000 228,000 137,000 130,000
31 GETAWAY Nine 1,188,000 365,000 346,000 203,000 136,000 139,000
32 ABC NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY ABC 1,150,000 323,000 371,000 215,000 99,000 141,000
33 THAT '70S SHOW Seven 1,143,000 280,000 348,000 235,000 122,000 158,000
34 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,140,000 336,000 346,000 205,000 122,000 131,000
35 NATIONAL NINE NEWS - SATURDAY Nine 1,139,000 303,000 354,000 228,000 143,000 111,000
36 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,137,000 349,000 328,000 186,000 105,000 168,000
37 UGLY BETTY Seven 1,136,000 358,000 305,000 195,000 124,000 155,000
38 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS Ten 1,134,000 337,000 356,000 187,000 110,000 144,000
39 CSI: NY Nine 1,125,000 322,000 327,000 169,000 144,000 163,000
40 SILENT WITNESS ABC 1,111,000 334,000 324,000 194,000 118,000 140,000
41 HELL'S KITCHEN Nine 1,108,000 338,000 329,000 151,000 133,000 157,000
42 BONES Seven 1,103,000 268,000 322,000 247,000 120,000 145,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)

The most watched shows on Pay TV were:
1 NRL COWBOYS V PANTHERS Fox Sports 2 324,000
2 RUGBY UNION: S14 FINAL Fox Sports 3 324,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL FOX8 273,000
4 NRL BULLDOGS V SHARKS Fox Sports 2 238,000
5 NRL KNIGHTS V WARRIORS Fox Sports 2 222,000
6 AFL W BULLDOGS V N MELB Fox Sports 1 221,000
7 THE SIMPSONS FOX8 209,000
8 LAFL HAWTHORN V WESTERN BULLDOGS Fox Sports 1 184,000
9 FUTURAMA FOX8 180,000
10 SELLING HOUSES AUSTRALIA Lifestyle 176,000
(OzTAM national survey)

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

For Sex and the City TV show fans, Nine have slotted the making of the new MA rated hit film that opens Thursday, for 11.10 pm Tuesday.

by Toni on June 01, 2008 at 11:25 PM

* Laughs at Big Brother's shocking ratings *
Waits an hour or two.
* Still laughs at Big Brother's shocking ratings *

by arthur on June 02, 2008 at 09:53 AM

BB doesnt make the top ten for an eviction show and intruders show. How cool! I am surprised it gets as many viewers as it does.
Emma was great but I was wondering if that is an old series? Kate Beckinsale looked so very young. I did think it would get more viewers but I suppose Austen mostly appeals to women. So I guess the guys watched CSI last night?

by em on June 02, 2008 at 10:05 AM

Em, that version was from 1996. In fact, that year there were two adaptations of Emma made, the other a theatrical film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and with Toni Collette as Harriet.

by Fielding on June 02, 2008 at 10:45 AM

On the Today Tonight v ACA thing, maybe people are tuning in to see Anna Coren squirm in preference to seeing Tracey Grimshaw gloat. If that's the case, get used to disappointment. Regret.... not.... compute....
I keep expecting at any moment to see her head start spinning before falling off in a shower of sparks ("Mercedes Mercedes Mercedesmercmercmercmerc..." Bang! Fizzzzz......).
A glance at BB08 last night (a sucker for punishment) and no Kyle. Made absolutely no difference, but just wondered, is his "chest infection" (the reason given for his absence), the same as the "migraine" he came down with suddenly last year after throwing a hissy-fit when in the house? Maybe he's allergic to abject failure.

by darren on June 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Quoth em on June 02, 2008 at 10:05 AM: "Emma was great but I was wondering if that is an old series? Kate Beckinsale looked so very young. "
Not as young as Samantha Morton! It was about 10 years old, according to The Guide. I rather enjoyed it, although I did think that Mr Knightley was completely lacking in phwoar factor. Could have been the doody hairstyle though, I'm not sure if even Colin Firth could have looked sexy with that mop. Prunella Scales was delightful as Miss Bates, though.

by tqd on June 02, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Watched Emma last night. (1996 TV version, the best version, anything with Gwyneth just doesn't count. Only decent movie she's ever done is Sliding Doors, only because the fellow who played the gay skinny guy in 4 Weddings etc was in it)
Wondering what version of Pride and Prejudice they'll show. I can hear the regulars praying it's the Colin Firth one, and will hear the squealing from the South Coast if it is.
Pointed out to Mr Skerrick the relationship between the show and the movie "Clueless".
Also pointed out to him that Kate Beckinsale is the daughter of Richard Beckinsale, who used to be Ronnie Barkers cellmate on "Porridge".

by Bereft Skerrick on June 02, 2008 at 11:57 AM

60 Minutes last night was woeful. Regarding that terrible story about the Austrian father who imprisioned his daughter in the cellar for 20+ years, the promos during the week were something similar to 'For the first time, we take you into the house of horrors'. Well 60 Minutes, computer generated images of what the cellar is supposed to look like is far from what you had claimed. Peter Harvey interviewing a local journalist about what she 'thought' was said by the police who spoke with the daughter was extremely amateur reporting.
It appeared as if he grabbed the first person that came along who could speak English and said lets go with have 15 minutes to fill. It was a story that added nothing to what has already been reported on the TV news or in any newspaper.
The story on Facebook was also a waste of space and may as well have been an info-mercial.
But as it topped the ratings last night, guess they will serve up more of the same rubbish next week.
And to the advertisers on the show, I don't know who you are because I watched Wild China during the breaks and for the entire second story.
Here endeth the rant.

by Sacs on June 02, 2008 at 01:26 PM

Wow, any on else surprised that Rove got between by Nine ( CSI and WaT-the oldies like that), Seven (Narnia- the kids), and ABC (women). So even thought CSI was the only alternative for 25-39 males, Rove got beaten and the reason behind this? BB08. I watched the mock up of the NRL footy show ad of BB08 (in last weeks column), much better and more accurate than the real one.
Dr Who- I hated only one thing about this weeks episode- it was a two parter....

by WD on June 02, 2008 at 03:01 PM

by WD on June 02, 2008 at 03:01 PM
With you on that one, I hate Doctor Who's to be continued... watching the Confidential though, I get the feeling that Mr Moffat likes them :) Especially as they create a buzz in the school yards during the interval week... Found it similar to Blink.

Tribal Mind asks: Would you mind sending this comment again after this episode has been shown by the ABC, so the majority of readers can join a discussion curetnly confined to the techno time travellers?

by Kate on June 02, 2008 at 09:20 PM

I'm a bit late, but just looking at the ratings I'm surprised Narnia did well. I'm not a major fan of the film (it's alright) - the green screen was not used to its advantage - so it looked fake! Anyways, I enjoyed Emma, thought it was a very good adaptation. To my understanding, Sunday 29/6 is the day that new Dr Who eps are screened again - is this right? If so, I'm counting down the days.

by Kym on June 03, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Was interested to read on another news site that many of BB's viewers were more than pleased that Vyle was off sick on Sun nights show and that Mike Goldman replaced him for the night. The story went on to say that BB fans were now calling on Ten to replace Vyle with Mike permanently.
We can only hope this awful, arrogant, imbecile will eventually get the boot off our screens forever. If I never had to see his bloated face on TV again, it would be too soon.
BTW, glad to hear that Supernatural comes back to TV this Sunday. Miss the eye candy!

by em on June 03, 2008 at 01:15 PM

So from no where nine will win the week and so have won the last 3 out of 4 weeks....

Tribal Mind replies: The geriatric viewers stay home when it gets cold, while the under 40s keep going out.

by WD on June 03, 2008 at 01:38 PM

Re watching Dr Who before it is on in Australia: Feel like being a school kid & said, "But Sir, WD started it..."
One does suspect that the regular readers who watch Doctor Who mostly do watch it in techno time, thinking of Cat, Bereft to name two.
The entry though could still be discussed by non techno time travellers... a general discussion on 2 part-ers in general. For example, the finale for Desparate Housewives was actually aired in the US as a 2 hour special, likewise for Grey's Anatomy. Here in Australia, they are stretched over two weeks so the networks can eek them out more. So general discussion point, hate unnecessary (from our point of view, not the networks) " to be continueds" ....
It doesn't help that by nature, my personality is an impatient one....
By the way, WD - are you going to be joining me on the Naughty Square for starting the conversation? :o) See you there.

Tribal Mind remarks: The season finale of House tomorrow night is a two hour special.

by Kate on June 03, 2008 at 02:24 PM

Could we see the actual rankings for Monday night please? I'm curious to see how my favourite Boston Legal is going.

Tribal Mind replies: Done. Sometimes I have to work in the morning and have no time for the fun of loading the ratings.

by Yuri on June 03, 2008 at 02:58 PM

em thanks for the advice on Supernatural coming back on Sundays.... Whoo Hoo!
By the way a barrister friend told me today that The Amazing Race is scheduled for Thursdays from next week replacing Lost... The only season we have not seen yet is season 12 - which was shown in the US fairly recently... Happy to see that one back.
Also on the splitting of double episodes although 7 will for despos they are not for Lost.
Given Without a Trace on sunday methinks Nein split a double episode.
On the Jane Austen fest on the ABC I agree with the comment on Emma by tqd about Mr Knightley the hairdo was dreadful - although I generally do not like Gwyneth the one saving grace her movie version of Emma had was Jeremy Northam as Mr Knightley - good phwoar factor!

Tribal Mind wonders: And if anyone would be an expert in TV scheduling, it's a barrister?

by Cathy on June 03, 2008 at 04:17 PM

Kate posted
The finale for Desparate Housewives was actually aired in the US as a 2 hour special, likewise for Grey's Anatomy. Here in Australia, they are stretched over two weeks so the networks can eek them out more.
To which Tribal Mind replied
"The season finale of House tomorrow night is a two hour special."
Which was actually aired over two weeks in the USA

by Sahara on June 03, 2008 at 04:39 PM

"Tribal Mind replies: The geriatric viewers stay home when it gets cold, while the under 40s keep going out." Please note , Oztam the ratings business does not have geriatrics in its 3000 sample nor Regional viewers.

Tribal Mind replies: Geriatic is my shorthand for viewers over 55, who are an important part of OzTAM's sample (particularly to Nine). OzTAM does study regional viewers, but they are a separate sample from the 3000 in mainland capitals who form the currency in programming.

by doug on June 03, 2008 at 07:56 PM

Sahara: "The season finale of House tomorrow night is a two hour special."
Which was actually aired over two weeks in the USA....
Typical of networks, the only thing consistent about them is their inconsistency....
Tribal Mind wonders: And if anyone would be an expert in TV scheduling, it's a barrister?
Yes.... they need to know who will be suing whom next !

by Kate on June 03, 2008 at 07:58 PM

Re watching Dr Who before it is on in Australia and Doctor Who in two parts. I am presently poised between parts 4 and 5 of the new season. There are 3 Two-parters this season.. I don't mind them really, I am too busy, still, feeling strange because there aren't 4 or 6 parts with clliffhanger endings!!!

by 2paw on June 03, 2008 at 08:57 PM

Staying up again to watch Mistresses (even though I've already watched the series online), only to find it buried at 11.40pm. Gee thanks channel 7. Thank God for techno time travel that lets us watch shows when we want.

by Tracy on June 03, 2008 at 10:24 PM

TM to answer your wondering the barrister who told me is an avid TV watcher who reads TV guides and loves The Amazing Race..

by Cathy on June 04, 2008 at 08:28 AM

Calls from nutbags to blackban All Saints after a controversial incest storyline, obviously went unheeded. Ratings actually went up this week. Seems like creating controversy and outrage actually works in favour of the TV program. Do these action groups ever learn?

by J Bar on June 04, 2008 at 08:51 AM

just wondering are the Olympics included or excluded from official ratings?

Tribal Mind replies: Excluded, just like the Commonweath Games were excluded from Nine's figures. Since the purpose of ratings is to determine what stations can charge for advertising next year, The Olympics are irrelevant.

by James on June 04, 2008 at 09:10 AM

Rich List has been "shelved" from its Saturday night timeslot after only two episodes.

by cronker on June 04, 2008 at 10:25 AM

Channel Teen - you are seriously kidding me. "About A Boy" AGAIN this Friday night???

by cronker on June 04, 2008 at 10:29 AM

For viewer downloaders who are SYTYCD show fans and want to see it now and not in a few months time, the US version's 4th season started a couple weeks ago. Ten's policy is to wait till a season finishes and show it in double episode blocks, but they should slot season 4 on Tuesdays against Seven's DWTS when that starts (presumably as soon as the Olympics ends), thus forcing Seven to move it, as SYTYCD would probably hit it hard.

by Toni on June 04, 2008 at 11:12 AM

Have read all sorts of wild claims today that VILE SANDILANDS is off sick at the moment - each story has a different take, chest infection, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, heart attack!
I suspect it might be a case of 'sour grapes' - he's getting a walloping in the ratings with BIG BROTHER and most fans (they being the families and extended families of housemates) prefer MIKE GOLDMAN to VILE.
The cure for 'sour grapes' - nil by mouth and absolutely no television or appeances on television until further notice!
Doctors (and viewers) orders!!!!

by GJ on June 04, 2008 at 12:02 PM

As far as "geriatrics" as you so nicely put it go Seven has increased it's 50+ this year while Nine's under 50's,or non "geriatrics" have skyrocketed. Seven is only hanging on through it's dominance in the 50+ demo. Nine is winning at the moment overall and dominating Seven in the under 50's.

by Josh on June 04, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Just wondering if anyone is watching the Footy Show AFL version on 9HD on Thursday night? Nine aren't doing much on HD that is different from SD.

Tribal Mind replies: HDs are not in the ratings chart yet, but it's unlikely any of their programs would be betting more than 100,000 viewers. Earlier in the week I included the first known sighting of an ABC2 show in the ratings chart, and it wasn't pretty..

by Gary on June 04, 2008 at 01:14 PM

TM I will be in the naughty square although my opening remark could have been about the Dr Who that aired in Aus (there would have been a two parter somewhere near by). I am guessing you bold statement TM is to do with the lack of new shows, how the shows that nine has are increasing viewers and that all that Seven has left is dancing with the stars...
Any another reason? Whats the current tally of weeks won?

by WD on June 04, 2008 at 01:22 PM

Tribal Mind replies: The geriatric viewers stay home when it gets cold, while the under 40s keep going out.
Ye gods, it's official, I'm a geriatric, I've just read it here and I got the 9's to prove it. No wonder my fingers keeping hovering over the WIN button on the remote...
Cat, re your post last week, I know who you mean on Time Team - I have even seen him wearing a very nice pair of matching stripey mittens but the hair!!!
Can't wait for Persuasion on Sunday as this is my favourite Jane Austen story - I read the book when I was a soppy teenager....sigh. Let's see if Rupert can out smoulder Colin - anyone would be better than whomever was playing Mr Knightley - sorry, phwoarless....

by Shoopie on June 04, 2008 at 01:36 PM

"The Olympics are irrelevant"
Well yes, I agree, they are totally irrelevant to me.
I'll not watch one second of the games, the opening or closing ceremonies. Nil. Nothing. Nada.
Couldn't care less about sports and/or sporting competitions.
And I do not measure a country by the success of its Jocks.
But what do I matter? I'm only a geriatric. (The non-watching-nine type of geriatric though.)

by Sal on June 04, 2008 at 01:44 PM

"Geriatic is my shorthand for viewers over 55 ".Thanks for the clarification!You really know how to make friends !

Tribal Mind replies: That"s how the TV networks see it. Nine has only just realised that it desperately needs those viewers.

by doug on June 04, 2008 at 04:34 PM

Rupert - are we taling Rupert Everett? There's no way he can outsmoulder Colin. I'm almost inclined to see that new ABBA movie to see Colin!

by Bereft Skerrick on June 04, 2008 at 06:43 PM

by cronker on June 04, 2008 at 10:29 AM

Oh, yes .. the odds of it being repeated again before the year are on par with another interest rate hike... Friday night seems to be deemed "chick flick" night...

To Toni - Won't say too much re time techno SYTYCD, else the naughty square will be my permanent place of residence... but the debut episodes of SYTYCD US season thus far have been 2 hours long each :) So Channel 10 would be just screening them as they were screened in US

by Kate on June 04, 2008 at 09:29 PM

Can Rupert Penry-Jones out smoulder Colin? Possibly...He's probably most famous for Spooks, but I first saw him in Casanova - starring the current Doctor. There was a lot of phwoar going on there! Mark Strong's hairstyle was utterly ridiculous in Emma, my thoughts were, "He's almost bald!" Although, he was meant to be in his late 30s. On another note, I thought The Gruen Transfer was more enjoyable this week, they seemed a lot more comfortable. Got to go to Baghdad now - I believe I got the balls for it.

by Kym on June 04, 2008 at 10:12 PM

by Bereft Skerrick on June 04, 2008 at 06:43 PM

No, Bereft, Rupert Penry-Jones from Spooks - that is his name, isn't it? Now that I'm a geriatric I keep forgetting things....

Speaking of Colin, I was dragged kicking and screaming to see "Then She Found Me" last week - yes, Colin was his usual smouldering self but the love scenes with Helen Hunt .... no, no, no!! Zero on-screen chemistry, in fact the whole movie had zero chemistry.

by Shoopie on June 04, 2008 at 11:20 PM

I can just see Nine's new slogan now.." We "heart" Oldies". Various air-brushed stars on a sandbar holding up knitted lovehearts. They should replace all programming after 8.30 pm with a soothing montage of waterfalls & swimming fish to help the old dears get to sleep. Although the current offerings have the same effect....... hence the popularity of Nine to over 55's!!! Mystery solved. Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune is the glass of warm milk. The news is the lullaby. Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares is the Valium. Keep watching and you fall into an irreversible coma. Thousands of biddys slumped over in their Jason recliners, remote controls slipping out of limp liver-spotted fists, televisions locked on Nine, ratings going through the roof.

by darren on June 05, 2008 at 05:57 AM

Am working on setting up my new desktop & laptop at home, perhaps one of the first things I should "obtain" is Casanova?
Darren: WIN HD already provides those waterfalls and upbeat jazz sceneries, perhaps that's where the geriatrics are going?
I believe that once Chainnel Nein got rid of Ray Martin that was the death knell. Ray is the Geriatric Messiah.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 05, 2008 at 08:49 AM

RE;Channel Teen - you are seriously kidding me. "About A Boy" AGAIN this Friday night???
by cronker on June 04, 2008 at 10:29 AM

I've often thought that the TV stations should be ENFORCED to not just put an R for repeat in the guide but also the number of times they've repeated a show in the last 10 years ie About a Boy (R 28).
Certain shows or movies seem to be down to about 4 month turnarounds.
And channel 9 is currently doing it with episodes of Two and a Half Men.
Watched Gruen Transfer last night - it's alright. But I could live without Wil Anderson.
I sincerely hope that the awful Sandilands kills BB ratings and has a carry over effect to Aus Idol.
Channel 10 needs to be soundly and roundly punished for putting this tosser anywhere near the public.

by David @ Wahroonga on June 05, 2008 at 08:56 AM

I am just 50 and now I find out I am slipping into geriatricville! But I rarely watch Nein so I must have something wrong with my medications! I dont feel old but wait....I have a bad habit lately of saying things like "when I was young" and "kids in my day". Now I know why my son shakes his head at me so much. Thanks for the clarification , TM!
Back to TV. Funny that the ratings for last nights 2nd ep of House was higher than the first. How did that work? Viewers must have switched over from ABC after S&S and GT. But they must have been a bit lost with the 2 part thing. You really needed to see both. Very strange.

by em on June 05, 2008 at 09:32 AM

Now that the stupid Indian cricket is finished on Ten
(that was a big ratings flop for them), I've noticed these shows are back on Ten HD.
Friday Night Lights : 11.30 pm Fridays and 10.30 pm Mondays.
Jericho (presumably the last 7 episodes) : 9.30 pm Thursdays.
Everybody Hates Chris : 5 pm Sundays, after One Tree Hill.

by Steve on June 05, 2008 at 10:11 AM

TM, I see what you mean about ABC2's 14,000 viewers on Sunday night for Joan Sutherland. It would be interesting to see how many watch it next Sunday on ABC1.
I noticed the ABC were even showing a demonstration on how to get ABC2. I found the demo a bit difficult to understand and I've been watching digital for about 4 years. I doubt its main audience weren't rushing out to buy set top boxes.

by Gary on June 05, 2008 at 10:39 AM

Mr Dale, while 14,000 is a rather desperately low rating (for the first ABC2 program to appear in the ratings chart), may I take some comfort that something did actually appear in the charts? Also, it is nice to see it's one from Aunty, not one of the commercial channels. (Colour me advertising-hating.)
Quoth Shoopie on June 04, 2008 at 01:36 PM: "Can't wait for Persuasion on Sunday as this is my favourite Jane Austen story - I read the book when I was a soppy teenager....sigh.
Oh, it's probably my favourite Austen too! And Mr TQD got all interested when we realised that Anthony "Giles from Buffy" Head is in it too.
Only half-watched The Gruen Transfer last night (had things to type elsewhere online). I do have to say that the people they get to sell-the-unsellable seem to be complete boofy blokes who are completely unable to sell anything to me. I think they might be happier over at The Footy Show, really. (Now, "Beef of the Sea", that had me in stitches, I thought that was awesome.)

by tqd on June 05, 2008 at 11:19 AM

Some speculation in today's press that those involved in the TODAY TONIGHT/MERCEDES CORBY drama maybe looking for new employment. ANNA COREN will probably survive given that she is the face (and the enforced voice) of TODAY TONIGHT. Question marks remain over reporter BRYAN SEYMOUR - the whole episode has been another stain on TODAY TONIGHT'S rather dubious record in current affairs reporting!

On a more positive note, good to see some quality ABC shows sliding up the rankings as the weeks go past. Three ABC shows in the top ten last night with the ABC NEWS appearing to rank number one in the 7pm timeslot - this is a no frills/informative bulletin with a high quality newsreader and sensible no nonsense reporting - well done ABC! -without a doubt you are the quiet achiever this year!!!!

by GJ on June 05, 2008 at 12:34 PM

Shoopie: was the chemistry between Colin and Helen Hunt worse than the chemistry between Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in "Notting Hill" (which I'm sure we'll be able to observe when Channel Shirl trots it back out again for the umpteenth time soon

Hmmm. Anthony Head. I believe I've seen pictures of him dressed as Frank-n-Furter.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 05, 2008 at 01:01 PM

TM, do you have the ratings for Canal Road. This show has improved significantly, why on earth did Nine dump it after 2 airings at 9:30?
thnx

by Rich on June 05, 2008 at 03:02 PM

TM, may I ask how Canal Road rated last night? I watched the pilot and thought it was OK, but last night's episode was a vast improvement in my opinion. It's a pity Nine didn't give it much time to draw an audience. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: I normally look through the top 100 in the ratings chart and quote the ones that are of interest. I didn't even notice Canal Rd. In the chart now, under Ms Tate.

by Elizabeth on June 05, 2008 at 03:22 PM

On the umpteenth repeats by Ch Shirl note next week is America's Sweethearts (John Cusack is the reason to watch this one!) - I agree with the suggestion by David @Wahroonga to include the number of times a movie has been repeated after the R - although with one modification - the number of times it is repeated in a 12 month period... classic old movies would have figures upwards of 100 plus otherwise.

Shoopie I too saw Then she found me - was intrigued that Bette Midler looked younger than Helen Hunt.... and also agree on the zero chemistry on her part with Colin Firth - but he could have chemistry with a block of wood!

Speaking of wood - what did people think of the classic David and Margaret debate about "Sex and the City" on At the Movies last night - hilarious review from David where he described Chris Noth's acting style as wooden!

On the Anthony (Giles from Buffy) head - he was also in Jonathan Creek for a season or two... and everytime I see him I am reminded of the Buffy episode where they all lost their memory and Spike thought he was related to Giles because they both had English accents

by Cathy on June 05, 2008 at 04:20 PM

Does channel 10 still have the rights to the cbs series 48 hours mystery?

Tribal Mind replies: It's wonderful that you have such high expectations of this column. So do I, so I await a definitive answer, from a reader, to your (to me) inexplicable question.

by hurley on June 05, 2008 at 04:47 PM

I am unable to comment on Notting Hill as I haven't seen it - so over Hugh Grant - he seems to play the same part all the time ... the only change is the name of the character. Yes, you should buy Casanova just for David Tennant's roguish charm - Rupert plays a very uptight character I seem to remember.
Cathy, I don't think I will rush off to see SATC after David's review! It was classic as you say. Wish I'd watched the night they reviewed Then She Found Me...
Thanks Darren , I see it gets worse ... I have a Jason recliner and it's a rocker as well ...noooooo. Off to give myself a good going over with a microscope checking for liver spots.

by Shoopie on June 05, 2008 at 05:18 PM

In response to Hurley's question about 48 Hours Mystery, I'd say they still do have the rights, because it would come under the CBS deal they currently have, that gives them the CBS Early Show, CBS News and the Late Show.

by Samuel on June 05, 2008 at 10:05 PM

Re: Cathy on June 05, 2008 at 04:20 PM Anthony Stewart Head: I always think that too, and I loved the 'Ripper' episode!! He was great as the Headmaster in Doctor Who (new) series 2.

by 2paw on June 05, 2008 at 10:23 PM

Kate I have been sitting silently in the library counting my shadows waiting for pretty boy to calm down for fear of being sent to the naughty corner with you and WD. But no more - I shall sing my river song, close my helmet and join you in said corner – the only thing wrong with that episode was the wait!

Shoopie the bloke with the cockatoo feather in his hat is not far behind.

READ NO FURTHER and scroll on if you have not watched last night’s LOST finale. I was amused by the show because of two theories I have had. The first was last year about who was in the coffin. Because it was such a small coffin people were suggesting Ben or Walt or a new character but I predicted Locke partly on the basis that I figured if he left the island he would be legless. I was very amused when it was him. No theory is too bizarre for Lost.

I was a lot more amused when I went to the philosophy book I mentioned here a few months back to look up Jeremy Bentham. Bentham was an English philosopher who is probably most famous for arranging to have himself stuffed and mounted on his death. He sits in a chair in a glass case in the foyer of a university building in London. His philosophical theory is called utilitarianism and argues that any action is justified if it contributes to the greater happiness. The book then went on to say that although the theory is not popular “it still has legs today”. Yep I stand by my theory that Lost is one big philosophy student in-joke.

Oh and Ben’s “so” was such a lovely touch of evil.

by Cat on June 06, 2008 at 08:05 AM

GJ: "...Today Tonight's rather dubious record in current affairs reporting..". You're master of the understatement.
By the way, did anyone 'get a piece of Britney' (shudder, thanks channel Seven for that subtle promo) on How I met Your Mother last night? Wasn't expecting much so wasn't dissapointed. Pretty ordinary really. Although if you are impressed by someone reciting two sentences without swallowing their tongue or walking a few metres without bumping into a wall, then sure, it was an impressive performance. Much more enjoyable was the lovely Sarah Chalke (from Scrubs). Dermatologists like that just make you want to rush out and get psoriasis. And the Doogie Howser moment at the end was clever. Sort of.

by darren on June 06, 2008 at 08:49 AM

I know this a 'television' website/blog forum but saw SEX AND THE CITY last night and LOVED IT. It's everything you expect/not expect and more. Was a big fan of the show so happy to say the 4 year wait was worth it and the trailer gives nothing away.
My rating 4.5 STARS!!

by GJ on June 06, 2008 at 08:50 AM

I agree with you Rich. Canal road actually improved immensely and is not too bad now. It makes me angry that Ch 9 gave it the boot after two episodes but gives low-rating overseas shows like Cashmere Mafia a fair go with a full series in prime time. Why doesn't an Aussie series get a bit more of a fair go? Cultural cringe again?

by J Bar on June 06, 2008 at 09:51 AM

Quoth Bereft Skerrick on June 05, 2008 at 01:01 PM: "Hmmm. Anthony Head. I believe I've seen pictures of him dressed as Frank-n-Furter."
Ah, he's a very talented man. :)
I had no plans to see the SATC movie (I've never actually seen a full episode of any of the TV series), but I found the spirited discussion from Margaret & David excellent TV viewing. (Oh, they both were mildly positive about "Then She Found Me" the previous week.) Personally, I'm saving my movie time/money for Prince Caspian. Call me a sad Narnia fan, I would have seen it even if the reviews panned it. I spent most of the time when they showed us snippets of the movie saying "oh, *that* never happened in the book!". Hopefully I've got that all out of my system now before I get into a theatre and annoy my fellow theatre goers.
Oh, Mr Dale, thanks for the First Tuesday numbers! Doesn't look as if Australia has suddenly turned into a land of bibliophiles, unfortunately. (One can continue to hope, however.) I completely forgot about the episode, so shall be recording the repeat this Sunday. (Hurrah for Auntie's repeats!)
Missed most of Britney on HIMYM last night, but the bits I saw: can't act to save herself, but it was amusing because she did seem to be having fun and she got the jokes out pretty right. (And this is the first time I've really watched it since the early episodes to see Allyson Halligan, and I happily sniggered all the way through the second episode. Doogie Howser has been buried forever. I might be back for more next week!)

by tqd on June 06, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Jbar, totally agree.
The last episode of Canal Road was good, Brooke Satchwell was fantastic - we finally see her play a decent role. The only flaw would be Jason's storyline, it was kind of sleazy and his acting was terrible. Hopefully he doesnt return.

by Rich on June 06, 2008 at 04:04 PM

Must agree with all above about HIMYM - why the big fuss about Britney? A dog could have played that part. Sarah Chalke was gorgeous as always, the 2 minute date at the end of that episode was adorable, she played a really sweet and real character, rather than the one dimensional girls on that show (the guest stars I mean, not the two female leads). Thought the Doogie ending was very clever, reminded me of a Family Guy episode when Meg does the Doogie thing "I''m trapped in a hotel for three months with my family... and I couldn't be happier". The last part is then deleted, replaced with "and I'm going to kill them all", then the shot switches to Stewie who is typing. Love that Neil Patrick Harris can laugh at the Doogie phenomenon so long after!!

by Beckala on June 06, 2008 at 04:15 PM

Barney is a better wingman than Moose! HIMYM is the expection that proves my theory in TV world. The theory is this that for a show to succeed it must have a short name. Lost, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, CSI. Anything longer than 20 letters is stretching it also it should contain less than 5 syllables. Acronyms give u bonus points as the name becomes even short and hip, especially if that word can be spoken. TOS (the original series - star trek). A show can be good but wont get the recognition it deserves due to its name length - 8 simple rules to date my daughter, HIMYM.
Its interesting that this might give us insight on the tv watching public's mind and intelligence (or lack of as they can only remember 4 syllables?).

Tribal Mind observes: But HIMYM does far better than Lost, sadly.

by WD on June 06, 2008 at 04:19 PM

Oh dear, it looks as if Boring Bogan is fast sinking into it's own cesspit .... tsk tsk. Does anyone think Channel Animal House will be stupid enough to run another series next year? Oh, what am I saying... Vyle will attempt to rise from the murky depths like a big, fat bubble of fetid gas.
I notice The State Within passed without registering a blimp on the ratings radar - well, I enjoyed it although the final episode was a slight disappointment - just seemed to be lacking oomph or something.
Me too, tqd, re Prince Caspian. Also looking forward to Get Smart - saw the trailer and it looks like great fun.
Cat- who's a pretty boy?

by Shoopie on June 06, 2008 at 05:26 PM

by Cat on June 06, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Time out on naughty square for you too :) Thankfully the wait is almost over. Mr Moffat will be pleased, the Doctor Forums have been going ballistic with this 2 parter. Actually, that leads me to my question - how many regular bloggers here also contribute to show-specific blogs? I don't normally read them as many contain tweenies saying, "oh how gorge! He is so gorrrrge! " but I have crossed to the dark side this week and read them

by Kate on June 06, 2008 at 05:44 PM

All new FUTURAMA returns Thursday, June 19 at 7.30pm on TEN, followed by a FUTURAMA repeat at 8pm.
DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS is out due to poor ratings.
TM, Great to see an ABC2 figure for the first time.
As I posted last Friday night, THE AMAZING RACE returns next Thursday night at 9.30pm on Seven.
TEMPTATION was due to return in May as I previously posted in April (i think), but because of TWO AND A HALF MEN's strong ratings while in repeat, it will continue indefinitely and so TEMPTATION will cease production of new episodes this weekend. However, TEMPTATION is still due to return to Nine later this year. FRASIER comes to mind as a series which found popularity in a similar situation!
re: Gary. I have watched THE FOOTY SHOW AFL on 9HD at 9.30 Thursday in Sydney. Quite strange considering the NRL version is filmed in HD yet the AFL version is filmed in SD. Don't you think?
TM, can you include the figures for THE GOLDEN GIRLS and THAT '70S SHOW from this afternoon (2.30 to 3.30pm on Seven) in your ratings release tomorrow?

Tribal Mind replies: That request is so bizarre I will accede to your request without even asking why.

by cpandilo on June 06, 2008 at 06:47 PM

BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS premieres Sunday, June 15 at 7.30pm on Seven.
Nine has recently bought the rights and so will start showing "WWE Afterburn" (a wrestling program) from Sunday, June 15 at 1.30pm in Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth and 3pm in Sydney & Brisbane.
Because of this, GILMORE GIRLS will be on at 2pm in Sydney & Brisbane and so as a result EVERWOOD is out of the schedulein Sydney & Brisbane.
Both GILMORE GIRLS and EVERWOOD should remain in Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth.
DEXTER - coming to Ten in July.

by cpandilo on June 06, 2008 at 07:32 PM

As SBS have apparently made almost 50 mill from showing ads over the last 12 months and could've afforded the cost, do any readers know why they're only showing 8
UEFA 2008 soccer matches live (with Foxtel presumably showing the rest).

by John on June 06, 2008 at 08:37 PM

Robin Williams must have enjoyed playing a deranged nutcase in the excellent and very underrated One Hour Photo film he made a few
years ago, as he's playing another one in next Thursday's
SVU episode, that's season 9's 3rd last new episode, before Ten revert to probably showing repeats. SATC actor Cynthia Nixon did a great job in season 9's first ep also, in her guest stint as a multiple personality nutcase.

by Craig on June 06, 2008 at 08:49 PM

Cpandilo, you always have the BEST information!! Thanks so much!
To answer Kate's question, I have on occasions gone to the dark side with show specific blogs - Lost, GA - but end up giving up because of the tweenies you mentioned - if I heard "OMG McDreamy is sooooooooooo hot/gorgeous/ is a machine (which is a new piece of slang I learnt yesterday from my students, I always wondered what was meant by that, but is another word for hot, apparently) one more time i would scream. Tried doing it to find out information, but was overwhelmed by the "OMG" factor. Although Scrubs does have a pretty good one, but I think that's because it has a bit more of an intellectual audience (you need to be intelligent to pick up on a lot of the comedy - there are so many obscure references at times!!)
Speaking of Scrubs, still waiting for it to return to Channel 7 for season 7...

by Beckala on June 07, 2008 at 08:10 AM

Speaking as an elitist geriatric, I predict (read pray) that Seven wins the week. My reasons are simple: Funniest Home Videos is a piece of crap - sorry but the truth cannot be denied and The Cat In The Hat - what the hell is that? Humph - kids' stuff. Whereas The Vicar of Dibley and Unbreakable appeals much more to all the cold-effected, liver-spotted geriatrics who have difficulty manoeuvring their walkers in the mosh pits of their local.

Kate, I must confess I have a dirty little secret - I have crossed to the dark side and I just love it....there is a blog in that other paper that does a daily recap of BB - the comments are hilarious - and, no I have never watched an episode of BB. I found it a few months ago when SYTYCD and BL were airing. Good for a laugh.

I notice Ten's showing of About A Boy was a stroke of programming genius....

by Shoopie on June 07, 2008 at 11:23 AM

BOO at Channel Shirl getting lazy, why can't their programming gibbons dig up some 80's classics? Breakfast Club. Pretty in Pink. Sixteen Candles. Plug it as a Retro Movie on a Friday Night. I'll be there front row with popcorn (despite the fact I own a heap of the movies on DVD already!)
It's gotta be something more imaginative that the tripe they're dishing out.
Yay for my Dragons - 4 in a row!

by Bereft Skerrick on June 07, 2008 at 11:54 AM

Loved the Lost finale. Answered some questions but of course left us wanting more. Was surprised to see it was Locke in the coffin. He will probably be brought back to life when they all return to the island. At least that's my theory.
Pity 7 didnt leave it at an earlier timeslot. Now I wonder if we will even see the next season for a very long time here. I suppose we will all be forced to download if we want to keep watching.
I do sometimes go onto blogs of shows but as others mentioned here do get sick of all the tweens on them who only watch shows for the eye candy value and not the storylines. Meanwhile, we "geriatrics" watch for the storys (of couse we do!).
Am nearly through all the new Torchwood eps for the season thanks to my son's downloading skills (that I dont have). I am simply loving it. Great to see Spike from Buffy pop up in it as well. Nice to know he is still getting gigs post Buffy. I always was a Spike fan! Much more interesting character than Angel. I always liked the bad boys!
For any X Files fans out there, the new movie opens at the end of July in the US so should follow soon here. Billy Connolly is also in it which I hope isnt a classic case of miscasting. Saw IJ4 last week and hated it. Bad script and hate Cate's acting in it. HF did his best but really, time to give up the action hero Harrison!
Next movie on my list is SATC. Then Narnia. Good times for us movie buffs with lots coming up.
And finally, (I know this post is long!) my prediction for the week is that 7 will win the week with better offerings tonight than 9.

by em on June 07, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Nice one about 'about a boy' Shoopie ..... In fact Channel 10 (a.k.a. The raw sewrage network) is literally a sewer of bad television on Friday night - Big Brother - Big Flop... Friday Night Live - Friday Night Flop .....About a Boy - About a flop .....
Advertisers beware ..... change your advertising strategy with Channel 10 on Friday nights .... there is no Return on Investment for you ......

by Randwick Geoff on June 07, 2008 at 12:56 PM

we'll be watching the footy on 10 (but not for the Swanz.....) but i figure this won't make an impact? Do 10 EVER win the week??????
as for 9 and 7, meh!

by beanz on June 07, 2008 at 03:43 PM

My prediction is that nein will win, due to the fact that FHV certainly is a heap of crap, but that's what wins the ratings, yes?
Then Cat In the Hat for the kiddies being looked after by the oldies.

by Sal The Geriatric on June 07, 2008 at 04:31 PM

I think that Channel 7 will just scrape through...

by [tm] smile on June 07, 2008 at 05:02 PM

Will throw my hat in the ring and go with Seven winning by 0.2% for the week.
Why oh Why did Seven waste the Rich List on a Saturday night? I read it is returning on another night after the Olympics but still...
Do we get anything for winning? Or blog pride? I'll be happy with that!

by Daniel in Dubai on June 07, 2008 at 05:18 PM

by Shoopie on June 07, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Yes, I read that same blog about the australian SYTYCD. I sometimes feel sorry for the guy who has to watch each ep (well mostly each episode of BL, BB as well for his blog) Such a Masochist ! Love his mother's comments :)
The English BB has just debuted and it seems that they, like the Australian version this year, went for the extra freak circus selection but still with enough 20 somethings "hotties" . Like the Australian version, it debuted to the lowest ratings it has ever had. Could be the death knell of the franchise? Still, as we've seen ratings are not everything, if the revenue from those who do watch & vote is high enough...
Pathetically now waiting for hours to clock down so I can press the d/l button for the next Doctor Who. Heaven help me if there is ever a 3 parter...

by Kate on June 07, 2008 at 05:19 PM

9 probably. I saw unbreakable at the movies and walked out mid way. BOOOORRRRING. Plus kiddies love home videos/Dr Suess

by Acme on June 07, 2008 at 08:10 PM

Escaped to my new computer to avoid watching The Cat In The Hat. I thought the recent "Bewitched" was the worst movie ever made from a pre-existing concept. Nuh-uh. Dreadful. Crappy double entendre. Hideous overacting.
If it's anything to do with that movie, Channel 7 should win by miles.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 07, 2008 at 08:13 PM

TEN is crazy going for the youth audience , the geriatrics [over 50's] are going to the ABC & NINE so why neglect them in your schedule.Put on Michael Palin instead of repeated repeated movies, nothing to gain lowering your standards chasing the young fickle viewers who are on the internet/phone anyway most of the day/night

by doug on June 07, 2008 at 09:30 PM

by Acme on June 07, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Really? I think Unbreakable is one of Bruce's better films. And Samuel L J makes for an interesting villian. Think 7 will scrape through, their news make be the decider... Though the security code is telling me something different, it is 999999.

by Kate on June 07, 2008 at 11:48 PM

Kate wrote: Pathetically now waiting for hours to clock down so I can press the d/l button for the next Doctor Who. Heaven help me if there is ever a 3 parter...
The season final is a three parter. Now I must rush off and download the second half.
Shoopie I would tell you who pretty boy is but I cannot run that fast.
I hate it when they show Cat in the Hat - my niece gets all sorts of appalling ideas about her Aunt Cat.

by Cat on June 08, 2008 at 09:30 AM

Love the hard work you put in every day T.M. Do you have the figures for the Adelaide-Richmond Saturday afternoon game on Channel 10 in Adelaide? It was Foxtel everywhere else, but on Seven in Adelaide. Same situation for the Port-Carlton match later this evening (for tomorrow's results). I am trying to compile as much footy data as I can.

Tribal Mind replies: Can't get the figure today. Can you please remind me on Tuesday?

by Troy on June 08, 2008 at 10:26 AM

David your TV network viewer stats might provide a possible answer to the percent of Gumps amongst us (?Who we are?). The math goes as follows: add 90% of ABC and SBS viewers to 10% of Ten viewers (would have been less if Simpsons wasn?t on Ten) and 15% of Nine & Seven viewers (would have been less if they did not broadcast sport) and voila...you?ve got your prose and document literacy assessment.

by Dan on June 08, 2008 at 11:18 AM

by Cat on June 08, 2008 at 09:30 AM

I knew as soon as I said those words, "3 parter" that someone would tell me one was on its way, argh!

Well, my psychic abilities guessed that 7 news would be the top rated show on Saturday but Cat In The Hat rated better than I thought... Think there is a mistake in the chart, Just Like Heaven aired Friday, didn't it? Not Saturday.

by Kate on June 08, 2008 at 12:01 PM

I've discovered a brilliant new comedy on ABC2 called 'Moving Wallpaper' which totally takes the piss out of the making of soap operas. They're trying to make a cold British beach in Cornwall look like Home & Away. Hilarious. It is followed by an actual soap opera called 'Echo Beach' that stars Jason Donovan. It's not very good but it's quite hilarious in conjunction with 'Moving Wallpaper' because the two shows are tied together. If you like '30 Rock', then I'm sure you will love 'Moving Wallpaper'. Check them out on Friday nights at 8.30pm ABC2 (or tape them like I do).

by J Bar on June 08, 2008 at 06:12 PM

Welcome back 30 Rock. What a brilliant episode to return with. Why do the nutbag programmers continue to banish this show to 11.30pm? I can't believe that they think Revenge TV is a program worth running at 10.30pm, when they have shows like 30 Rock and Scrubs that viewers actually want to watch. Can you tell us how Revenge TV and 30 Rock did last night please TM?

Tribal Mind replies: I already have, on the new week's blog. J Bar, you of all people should know that the blog moves each Monday.

by J Bar on June 10, 2008 at 07:52 AM

Oh dear - BIG BROTHER has just become soooo EMBARRASING TO WATCH - while I was really prepared to give this year's season the benefit of my viewing time I just can't watch it anymore - it's just lost whatever little amount of appeal it had and I'm over it. And to think it's on air for another 7 or so weeks!
Loved BOSTON LEGAL last night - its typically stupid at times but that's why I like it.
And how odd was it to see EDDIE MCQUIRE hosting A CURRENT AFFAIR last night - could he be warming the seat if TRACE doesnt improve the ratings. I think I would be a tad nervous if the guy warming my seat was EDDIE EVERYWHERE - can you believe he's on a reported $5.2 million a year - Who wants to be a millionaire? - obviously YOU DO Eddie AND you don't deserve it!!

by GJ on June 10, 2008 at 09:41 AM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

The Who We Are update: week 24

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