The Who We Are update: Week 25

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week of David Dale's media blog is now a heritage item - worth reading but no longer current. For the latest discussion, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To discuss why Australians are crawling back into their cocoons, go to The Tribal Mind
To discuss Australia's top takeaways, go to Chiko and the gang

On Saturday morning, the prime time audience shares stand at ABC 18.5% Seven 28.6% Nine 27.0% Ten 20.4% SBS 5.4%. Seven won Friday night with the help of Better Homes and Gardens, but Saturday could have turned it around for Nine. Can The Vicar of Dibley and King Arthur knock off Big Momma's House (and what does it say about Australia's tastes if Big Momma wins?) Register your prediction here and bask in glory when we give the week's results on Sunday afternoon.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,406,000 382,000 411,000 274,000 130,000 209,000
2 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Network 7 1,074,000 308,000 298,000 232,000 96,000 139,000
3 NINE NEWS SAT Network 9 1,009,000 260,000 329,000 233,000 122,000 64,000
4 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,005,000 268,000 268,000 227,000 102,000 140,000
5 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Network 7 956,000 276,000 302,000 196,000 72,000 109,000
6 BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE 2 Network 9 883,000 292,000 223,000 165,000 95,000 109,000
7 THE BILL Network ABC1 840,000 279,000 238,000 142,000 85,000 95,000
9 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 752,000 Not shown 354,000 108,000 165,000 125,000
14 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT Network ABC1 630,000 171,000 215,000 102,000 81,000 61,000
15 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Network TEN 568,000 55,000 243,000 52,000 133,000 84,000
18 TOP GEAR: BEHIND THE SCENES RPT Network SBS 498,000 191,000 121,000 73,000 59,000 55,000
29 M-KING ARTHUR Network 7 279,000 140,000 Not shown 139,000 Not shown Not shown

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,521,000 413,000 427,000 276,000 175,000 231,000
2 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,510,000 525,000 395,000 243,000 160,000 188,000
3 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,247,000 385,000 383,000 271,000 124,000 83,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,219,000 347,000 332,000 199,000 138,000 202,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,154,000 332,000 309,000 203,000 131,000 180,000
6 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,136,000 324,000 326,000 282,000 110,000 95,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,113,000 346,000 343,000 224,000 128,000 73,000
8 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,072,000 323,000 320,000 188,000 120,000 122,000
9 SILENT WITNESS Network ABC1 1,018,000 294,000 320,000 173,000 111,000 119,000
10 BIG BROTHER - FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Network TEN 935,000 273,000 251,000 164,000 129,000 118,000
14 BIG BROTHER Network TEN 845,000 272,000 221,000 155,000 79,000 118,000
15 SPOOKS Network ABC1 832,000 240,000 253,000 143,000 96,000 100,000
19 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 13: ST KILDA VS FREMANTLE Network 7 726,000 21,000 396,000 13,000 130,000 167,000
21 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 616,000 376,000 231,000 10,000
29 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 397,000 292,000 105,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,477,000 382,000 379,000 327,000 159,000 229,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,389,000 344,000 403,000 282,000 149,000 210,000
3 GETAWAY Nine 1,284,000 398,000 408,000 237,000 110,000 131,000
4 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,238,000 372,000 381,000 225,000 117,000 143,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,227,000 350,000 371,000 220,000 120,000 166,000
6 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,194,000 343,000 412,000 221,000 125,000 93,000
7 NINE NEWS Nine 1,135,000 292,000 393,000 243,000 123,000 84,000
8 MY NAME IS EARL - THU Seven 1,110,000 265,000 328,000 247,000 111,000 160,000
9 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,104,000 275,000 332,000 241,000 111,000 145,000
10 HELL'S KITCHEN Nine 1,099,000 324,000 368,000 152,000 124,000 131,000
11 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,094,000 315,000 380,000 187,000 106,000 105,000
12 BONES Seven 1,082,000 289,000 307,000 216,000 115,000 154,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,063,000 322,000 342,000 220,000 104,000 74,000
14 ALL NEW FUTURAMA Ten 1,020,000 262,000 351,000 181,000 129,000 97,000
18 FUTURAMA RPT Ten 911,000 241,000 305,000 142,000 130,000 94,000
20 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 894,000 226,000 351,000 101,000 103,000 113,000
23 THE GIL MAYO MYSTERIES ABC1 851,000 274,000 224,000 152,000 87,000 114,000
24 BIG BROTHER Ten 802,000 218,000 262,000 146,000 89,000 86,000
31 Q & A ABC1 543,000 222,000 121,000 113,000 39,000 48,000
32 FAMILY GUY Seven 525,000 124,000 220,000 75,000 53,000 53,000
36 AMERICAN DAD Seven 404,000 108,000 157,000 55,000 39,000 45,000
37 INSPECTOR REX RPT SBS 397,000 103,000 130,000 78,000 43,000 43,000
41 SUNRISE Seven 347,000 117,000 56,000 98,000 24,000 52,000
46 BLUE WATER HIGH ABC1 315,000 84,000 86,000 77,000 32,000 35,000
49 TODAY Nine 278,000 86,000 88,000 51,000 18,000 34,000
61 SPIRAL SBS 224,000 62,000 75,000 40,000 26,000 21,000
62 STARGATE ATLANTIS Seven 221,000 62,000 79,000 27,000 24,000 29,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,618,000 441,000 430,000 350,000 164,000 233,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,443,000 405,000 387,000 286,000 155,000 209,000
3 SEARCH & RESCUE Nine 1,361,000 386,000 445,000 229,000 137,000 164,000
4 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,321,000 423,000 384,000 249,000 112,000 153,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,304,000 400,000 414,000 220,000 124,000 146,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,253,000 331,000 389,000 281,000 139,000 114,000
7 FIRE 000 Nine 1,215,000 363,000 397,000 197,000 130,000 128,000
8 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,204,000 384,000 398,000 199,000 87,000 137,000
9 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,189,000 362,000 321,000 212,000 123,000 170,000
10 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,171,000 346,000 359,000 227,000 136,000 103,000
11 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,102,000 325,000 316,000 244,000 110,000 107,000
12 7.30 REPORT ABC1 1,090,000 320,000 304,000 218,000 99,000 149,000
13 COLD CASE Nine 1,070,000 313,000 352,000 172,000 117,000 117,000
14 THE NEW INVENTORS ABC1 1,059,000 288,000 295,000 244,000 104,000 128,000
15 UGLY BETTY Seven 1,040,000 321,000 281,000 210,000 108,000 120,000
16 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 987,000 203,000 321,000 203,000 118,000 143,000
24 THE COOK AND THE CHEF ABC1 792,000 251,000 228,000 149,000 100,000 63,000
25 BIG BROTHER Ten 790,000 201,000 180,000 187,000 107,000 115,000
29 THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW ABC1 690,000 213,000 233,000 113,000 62,000 69,000
42 CANAL ROAD Nine 360,000 130,000 95,000 47,000 47,000 41,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
Thanks to Dannii Minogue and her freak show, Channel Seven has a good prospect of winning the week. Prime time audience shares now stand at: ABC 17.6% Seven 29.1% Nine 27.4% Ten 20.7% SBS 5.2%.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,593,000 413,000 498,000 295,000 182,000 205,000
2 NCIS Ten 1,571,000 390,000 460,000 322,000 189,000 210,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,514,000 435,000 360,000 322,000 177,000 220,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,419,000 431,000 341,000 272,000 157,000 217,000
5 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,380,000 398,000 463,000 237,000 129,000 153,000
6 NCIS RPT Ten 1,363,000 393,000 422,000 210,000 167,000 171,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,248,000 353,000 423,000 245,000 126,000 102,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,245,000 372,000 378,000 227,000 112,000 155,000
9 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,215,000 358,000 384,000 243,000 124,000 106,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,208,000 360,000 319,000 227,000 112,000 190,000
11 NATIONAL NINE NEWS Nine 1,181,000 283,000 423,000 251,000 117,000 107,000
12 THE SIMPSONS TUES Ten 1,131,000 277,000 387,000 209,000 135,000 123,000
13 10 TO ONE Nine 1,126,000 353,000 327,000 209,000 115,000 123,000
14 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS Ten 1,107,000 310,000 358,000 190,000 121,000 128,000
15 MEDICAL EMERGENCY Seven 1,040,000 307,000 343,000 173,000 103,000 114,000
16 RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES Nine 1,032,000 310,000 287,000 150,000 128,000 156,000
17 DEADLY SURF Nine 972,000 309,000 288,000 157,000 91,000 127,000
18 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 932,000 253,000 229,000 193,000 123,000 133,000
29 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Nine 594,000 164,000 214,000 95,000 68,000 52,000
39 SUNRISE Seven 354,000 106,000 62,000 106,000 31,000 49,000
52 TODAY Nine 272,000 80,000 83,000 41,000 25,000 43,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,744,000 515,000 433,000 323,000 193,000 281,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,585,000 467,000 417,000 282,000 161,000 257,000
3 SEA PATROL Nine 1,490,000 417,000 422,000 278,000 169,000 203,000
4 BORDER SECURITY (R) Seven 1,435,000 431,000 386,000 241,000 130,000 247,000
5 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S ELEPHANT - A SPY IN THE HERD Nine 1,377,000 367,000 389,000 293,000 158,000 170,000
6 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,370,000 413,000 438,000 222,000 129,000 169,000
7 SURF PATROL Seven 1,308,000 393,000 372,000 222,000 117,000 205,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,287,000 344,000 435,000 279,000 140,000 90,000
14 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,027,000 301,000 288,000 215,000 92,000 131,000
15 ELDERS WITH ANDREW DENTON ABC1 1,006,000 290,000 319,000 152,000 102,000 143,000
16 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 986,000 306,000 306,000 151,000 118,000 105,000
19 BIG BROTHER Ten 901,000 267,000 224,000 166,000 112,000 132,000
24 TOP GEAR SBS 826,000 218,000 291,000 138,000 93,000 86,000
25 MEDIA WATCH ABC1 781,000 248,000 209,000 137,000 65,000 122,000
26 HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED Ten 751,000 233,000 206,000 115,000 92,000 104,000
31 TALKING HEADS ABC1 591,000 186,000 189,000 91,000 66,000 58,000
58 BINDI: THE JUNGLE GIRL ABC1 259,000 66,000 88,000 34,000 16,000 55,000
62 GORDON THE GARDEN GNOME ABC1 248,000 73,000 84,000 43,000 13,000 36,000
68 30 ROCK Seven 237,000 66,000 81,000 32,000 30,000 28,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday
A record audience of 2.08 million for Wednesday's State of Origin match was only one of the reasons why Channel Nine won the week and looks like winning the year. Another reason is that, apart from its news, Channel Seven seems to have run out of puff. With Desperate Housewives and Australia's Got Talent finishing their seasons soon, Seven's schedule is seriously short of hits. The Olympics will provide a boost, but the advertising industry does not include such extraordinary events in its annual assessment of a station's success.

Ten is in far worse shape. Not even the disappearance of co-host Kyle Sandilands could bring the viewers back to Big Brother, which has settled into a rut below 900,000 a night. Nine doesn't even have to try.

The most watched shows last week included Better Homes and Gardens (7) 1.61m; Seven news (7) 1.60m; NCIS (10) 1.57m; Australia's Got Talent (7) 1.56m; Sea Patrol (9) 1.48m; and Domestic Blitz (9) 1.36m (see below for the full Top 40). The cleverest show on broadcast television, 30 Rock, which Seven plays at 11.30 pm on a Monday, got 236,000 -- the kind of number that excites programmers only on pay TV, where Australia's Next Top Model (Fox 8) got 333,000 last week; NRL - Titans v Storm (Fox Sports 2) got 281,000 and Selling Houses Australia (Lifestyle) got 221,000.

The ABC managed 18.3 per cent of the prime time audience, thanks to Spicks and Specks (1.2 million) and The Gruen Transfer (1.1m), while SBS got a healthy 6 per cent, thanks to Top Gear (897,000). Channel Nine got 28.5 per cent, to Seven's 26.7 and Ten's 20.5.

Update 2pm Monday: Seven disputes the pessimistic analysis above, pointing out that it has still in its cupboard: Dancing with the Stars, Packed To The Rafters, The One, Make Me A Supermodel, Jamie Durie's new series, City Homicide, new season for Criminal Minds, Private Practice, Lipstick Jungle. Will they win the year for Seven?

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,878,000 459,000 587,000 405,000 154,000 273,000
2 60 MINUTES Nine 1,635,000 515,000 497,000 293,000 155,000 174,000
3 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,515,000 504,000 418,000 295,000 149,000 149,000
4 CSI Nine 1,459,000 364,000 409,000 285,000 199,000 203,000
5 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Seven 1,445,000 393,000 426,000 245,000 143,000 239,000
6 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,435,000 470,000 463,000 244,000 170,000 88,000
7 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,281,000 350,000 443,000 223,000 111,000 154,000
8 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC1 1,267,000 335,000 439,000 220,000 106,000 168,000
9 WILD CHINA ABC1 1,260,000 325,000 412,000 247,000 117,000 159,000
10 GLADIATORS Seven 1,254,000 273,000 405,000 248,000 137,000 192,000
11 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 1,026,000 312,000 341,000 157,000 103,000 113,000
12 BIG BROTHER LIVE EVICTION Ten 1,010,000 331,000 246,000 213,000 106,000 114,000
15 NORTHANGER ABBEY ABC1 927,000 321,000 283,000 122,000 78,000 124,000
18 BIG BROTHER SUN Ten 859,000 273,000 184,000 189,000 104,000 108,000
19 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 12: COLLINGWOOD VS CARLTON Seven 853,000 98,000 425,000 61,000 136,000 134,000
28 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 413,000 278,000 122,000 14,000
29 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Ten 406,000 87,000 142,000 61,000 45,000 72,000

What Australia watched, week ending June 14
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE 2ND - MATCH Network 9 2,084,000 880,000 259,000 768,000 69,000 108,000
2 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,610,000 493,000 491,000 258,000 151,000 217,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,603,000 441,000 408,000 312,000 185,000 256,000
4 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Network 7 1,599,000 361,000 396,000 413,000 186,000 244,000
5 NCIS Network TEN 1,575,000 376,000 459,000 341,000 174,000 226,000
6 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Network 7 1,556,000 420,000 457,000 254,000 193,000 231,000
7 BORDER SECURITY - AUSTRALIA'S FRONT LINE (R) Network 7 1,515,000 436,000 416,000 286,000 167,000 209,000
8 SEA PATROL II - THE COUP Network 9 1,491,000 354,000 449,000 321,000 184,000 183,000
9 STATE OF ORIGIN PRE MATCH Network 9 1,423,000 614,000 199,000 522,000 87,000
10 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Network 9 1,407,000 483,000 404,000 244,000 161,000 115,000
11 60 MINUTES Network 9 1,406,000 422,000 394,000 269,000 143,000 178,000
12 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,399,000 388,000 359,000 260,000 160,000 232,000
13 DOMESTIC BLITZ Network 9 1,364,000 440,000 382,000 251,000 127,000 163,000
14 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,353,000 421,000 337,000 271,000 120,000 204,000
15 CSI Network 9 1,342,000 333,000 406,000 258,000 155,000 191,000
16 NCIS RPT Network TEN 1,342,000 341,000 425,000 237,000 151,000 188,000
17 SURF PATROL Network 7 1,336,000 407,000 372,000 239,000 140,000 178,000
18 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S LION - A SPY IN THE DEN Network 9 1,335,000 357,000 403,000 260,000 168,000 147,000
19 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Network 7 1,318,000 436,000 394,000 198,000 129,000 161,000
20 MY NAME IS EARL - THU Network 7 1,311,000 365,000 313,000 279,000 163,000 192,000
21 GETAWAY Network 9 1,299,000 415,000 360,000 230,000 149,000 144,000
22 ALL SAINTS Network 7 1,296,000 434,000 377,000 217,000 130,000 139,000
23 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Network 7 1,268,000 376,000 299,000 278,000 148,000 168,000
24 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,266,000 333,000 412,000 276,000 145,000 100,000
25 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,261,000 352,000 378,000 273,000 147,000 110,000
26 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,260,000 386,000 318,000 235,000 129,000 192,000
27 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,235,000 347,000 410,000 257,000 126,000 95,000
28 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Network TEN 1,233,000 326,000 419,000 219,000 131,000 137,000
29 SPICKS AND SPECKS Network ABC1 1,224,000 351,000 384,000 179,000 133,000 177,000
30 WILD CHINA Network ABC1 1,196,000 300,000 385,000 237,000 120,000 155,000
31 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,191,000 331,000 377,000 230,000 110,000 142,000
32 THE SIMPSONS TUES Network TEN 1,153,000 279,000 396,000 215,000 120,000 143,000
33 10 TO ONE Network 9 1,151,000 360,000 311,000 262,000 117,000 101,000
34 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS Network TEN 1,150,000 277,000 420,000 185,000 133,000 134,000
35 CSI: NY Network 9 1,134,000 278,000 341,000 201,000 169,000 144,000
36 ABC NEWS-SUN Network ABC1 1,122,000 325,000 346,000 213,000 89,000 149,000
37 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,102,000 297,000 382,000 220,000 128,000 76,000
38 BONES Network 7 1,098,000 302,000 255,000 248,000 126,000 167,000
39 DEADLY SURF Network 9 1,083,000 368,000 282,000 233,000 86,000 115,000
40 HELL'S KITCHEN Network 9 1,082,000 305,000 358,000 170,000 116,000 133,000
41 THE GRUEN TRANSFER Network ABC1 1,081,000 303,000 390,000 135,000 104,000 150,000
(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

TM how did City Homicide rate last year? I know that is one thing 7 still has left.
I am amused by the influence of BH&G. I tape it and fastforward through 60-70% of it to the bits I want. Yesterday I went to buy some eucalyptus oil and discovered that there was only one bottle left on the shelf and wondered if there was some gum tree shortage I had not heard of. Last night while waiting for Jane Austen's parody of gothic romances I watched the last 3 weeks of BH & G and discovered that Johanna Griggs had done a treatise on the value of eucalyptus oil. So either everybody has colds that has them sniffing eucalyptus dipped hankies or the cockroaches of Australia are in for a shock (roach deterrent was one of the suggested uses).

Kate I agree (as I said) that confidentials could easily be culled but some might be odd cut to 1/3 length. Oh and I was commenting on the fourth grade celebrities who populate stupid reality shows not the wonder of being a TM headliner ;)

by Cat on June 16, 2008 at 08:29 AM

Caught the last few mins. of Battle of the Choirs last night as I waited for Greys to start. What an awful host Kochie is! He is bland, boring and woeful. I wonder what anyone who actually watched the whole show thought?

And BB's ratings are really taking a nosedive now. Good! Was that because Vyle was back?

by em on June 16, 2008 at 02:06 PM

Ah, Cat. Yes the power of BHG :) Just imagine if Tara & Fast Ed had an illicit love-child, eek! I watch BHG but am coming to the conclusion that I might be better off taping & skipping segments such as Fast Ed's and Tara's... Thought it was a little odd giving cockroach tips in winter as aren't cockroaches prevalent in summer like mosquitoes...?? Lucky enough not to have them in the home... so I don't really know for sure

For Doctor Who fans, you may have seen this already, but I hadn't and come across the Comic Relief skit that Catherine and David did together. Link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxB1gB6K-2A

Still waiting by phone for Max Markson to call but perhaps he only phones people in lifejackets... So TM, should I ever appear in a headline again, please insert words, Kate (in lifejacket) Many thanks xx0xx

by Kate on June 16, 2008 at 02:18 PM

"Kate I agree (as I said) that confidentials could easily be culled but some might be odd cut to 1/3 length. Oh and I was commenting on the fourth grade celebrities who populate stupid reality shows not the wonder of being a TM headliner ;)"...........................................posted by Cat on June 16, 2008 at 08:29 AM.

Er, translation please?

by Sebastien on June 16, 2008 at 02:22 PM

Don't forget 7 will be showing the AFL finals series (with 10) and the Grand Final in September, with Sydney and Brisbane in the mix ratings may do very well out of these and tip the scales in their favour come the end of 2008 ratings.

by Ryano on June 16, 2008 at 02:45 PM

On the topic of who will cruise to victory in this year's ratings how many episodes are left of the Ch 9 mainstays like CSI? Normally they would stretch them out for months but the writer's strike will surely make that even more obvious than last year. So what are Ch 9's second half hits in waiting?
Apologies Sebastien. That followed on from the last couple of posts from last week's thread. Thankfully Kate at least understood. Mind you she punished me with a vision of two BH & G presenters I could have lived without.

Tribal Mind replies: Can anyone tell the difference betwen a new CSI and a repeat?

by Cat on June 16, 2008 at 03:53 PM

Maybe a better explanination is that we've just simply turned off free-to-air. All categories are down, most over a million viewers less than 5 to 10 years ago. The ones that have fallen the least are those favoured by the older audiences, who generally don't watch Pay TV, don't use the internet in the same way as the young, and don't text each other every 30 seconds. Consider this, since BB started in 2001, its prime audience (girls 12-16) have all grown up and moved on. Reality shows can only change so much, while DH, Lost, Grey's can only do so much before they run out of ideas. CSI, Law and Order, etc essentially have the same story each week, so if you like one, you'll like the all. Easy then to dip in and out, which means not a lot of peaks, but consistent ratings.

by the watcher on June 16, 2008 at 04:41 PM

Did anyone else watch 60 Minutes on Sunday night? Was it just me or was Peter Overton hamming it up for his sleep deprivation story??! There he was, after going without sleep for a humungous (not) 30 hours, carrying on like a turnip in front of the camera - slurring his speech, acting drunk etc etc. Am I being too cynical or was this all just C-grade acting??

by NK on June 16, 2008 at 07:05 PM

Awesome finish to Desperate Housewives this year. Looking forward to City Homicide. The promos look brilliant.
I expect Battle of the Choirs might do nicely with the oldies but it didn't hold my interest for too long.

by J Bar on June 16, 2008 at 09:48 PM

Can any viewer downloaders offer comment on Billie Piper's Secret Life of a Call Girl show, that Nine are promoting.
Although the first season has only 8 eps, if the IMDB.com website comment I read below is anything to go by, I doubt Nine will have much luck with it.
"I watched 3 eps of SDOAC simply because I rather liked Billie Piper in some of her previous stuff. This however, is simply awful. For something that aroused such a controversy, it's surprisingly dull. There are no actual plots, it's as if ITV thought that if they shoved in enough graphic sex scenes and strong language, the viewers wouldn't notice that lack of story and point to the episodes. The show is supposed to be about showing prostitution isn't necessarily about drugs, violence and such on. This doesn't come through at all. It's just soft core porn really. What really beats me is why this was made to begin with."

Tribal Mind asks: And how much of Billie Piper do you actual see?

by Anne on June 16, 2008 at 11:11 PM

I saw a few bits of Battle of The Choirs on Sunday and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thought it utterly awful.
Kochie is like everyone's father in full-blown mid-life crisis. You're standing at the edges of the room, cringing as you watch him try to dance to Creedance Clearwater Revival, with a half drunk stubbie in one hand and the other hand finger-clicking out of beat. Stone-wash leather bomber jacket. Beige King Gee pleated front chinos. Ankle-height zip-sided leather boots with white socks and half a hairy leg showing when he sits down and crosses his legs. I think everybody's got a similar image etched into their brain's 'damaging childhood memories' section. I get a nervous tic every time I see him trying to host something.

by darren on June 17, 2008 at 05:59 AM

I'm looking forward to Lipstick Jungle as long as Ch 7 doesn't arse it around. Andrew McCarthy. In my teen years he was right up there with Colin Firth. Mmmm.
And that, ladies and gents, is my first ever post from my new laptop :)

by Bereft Skerrick on June 17, 2008 at 06:51 AM

TM could you please give the ratings for Talking Heads (6.30 ABC) with todays numbers? Why? Simply because the talking head was Gabi Hollows who is one of my favourite childhood memories and a national treasure.

by Cat on June 17, 2008 at 08:15 AM

Mr Dale, only just noticed your footnote "Seven disputes the pessimistic analysis above...". What, have you been contacted by a flying monkey? A minion from The Dark Side? It's nice to be noticed. I thought, looking at their list of shows they think'll impress, Jamie Durie's new series 'City Homicide' sounded promising. Jamie visits various channel Seven celebrities, makes over their gardens and by the end of the weekend, the celebrity has mysteriously disappeared, while a six foot by two foot mound artistically planted out with daisies appears in the back yard. Everyone's happy. I'd tune in for that.
Then I notced the comma. Dammit.

by darren on June 17, 2008 at 08:39 AM

Thanks David!

by Cat on June 17, 2008 at 09:03 AM

Quoth NK on June 16, 2008 at 07:05 PM: "...There he was, after going without sleep for a humungous (not) 30 hours, carrying on like a turnip in front of the camera - slurring his speech, acting drunk etc etc. Am I being too cynical or was this all just C-grade acting??"
I think you have some sort of mutant ability there. Back in the days of assignments and exams, I'd go without sleep for 36 hours while furiously typing up essays and reports. (My poor lecturers, having to decipher the garbage I wrote at 4am!) But I was definitely punch-drunk stupid by the time I finally got to bed the following night... And now, in my dotage, I tend to get EXTREMELY irritable and crabby and snarky and and and if my precious eight hours is at all curtailed or interrupted. (Which is most nights, given the presence of small kids in the house. So I'm in a perpetual Grumpy Old Lady state.)
darren on June 17, 2008 at 05:59 AM
darren on June 17, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Stop it! I'm laughing tea of out my nose!! Not a good look at work...
I watched a bit of Battle of The Choirs (back in my youth, I used to sing in a choir or two, so I was keeping half an eye open for familiar faces) and can't say I was gripped. (And look! I'm target audience! Grumpy older ladies with a choir background!) Maybe it's just Kochie, he shits me to tears.
I have a hard disc full of recorded shows to watch (Jane Austen! Top Gear! Despos!). But I did catch up on the Gil Something Mysteries from last Thursday. It was somewhat weird (are the lab assistants trying to out-geek all the CSI/NCIS lab assistants or what), but quite watchably amusing and I'm sure I'll be back this week.

by tqd on June 17, 2008 at 10:54 AM

On who will win the year: I think Seven may well just have enough to give them the year - Nein don't have the news & tabloid affairs strength they used to have and although they have sporting peaks (State of Origin, finals of footy) their regular shows are more miss than hit! Seven with one week to spare is my vote.
Darren your analysis on choirs and Jamie Durie murder shows has indeed made my day - I have for the last few days been buried in paper and analysis trying to write a report on a review of legislation so your insights have lightened what otherwise has been intensive work and gave me a few distracting images.
Now that I have emerged from the depths I can say like tqd I thought Gil Mayo was quirky but entertaining and I will keep watching. Am loving the Janefest on sundays on ABC1 - so much so I watched Jane Austen book club on dvd (I had already seen the movie) a little bit of Jane is a good thing. Not too sure about Billie Piper this week in Mansfield Park - will have to wait and see.
Liked the Despos finale last night - although the fast forward was less of the "what the ..!!!" that Lost had with their version.
Also like the new Denton on Elders - David Attenborough is a most interesting subject.
And is it just me or was there too much pancake on the older men (John Laroquette and William Shatner) on Boston Legal last night? Thought they would need an industrial paint scraper to remove it.
Now a brief rant - caught up with my recording of Supernatural last night - Shirl is overrunning shows again... it started at least 15 minutes late.... luck I assume will run over at add at least 20 minutes to the program ending to ensure I get the lot.

by Cathy on June 17, 2008 at 11:46 AM

Have a lot of catching up to do for the last week - still intend to watch Gil Mayo...I just caught up on Jane Austen yesterday, and must say whilst Persuasion was pretty good, Northanger Abbey was a bit disappointing. Still on Jane Austen, the reviews for Mansfield Park this week don't look too positive, but I'll probably still give it a go. Also, is it just me, or does Billie Piper not suit period dramas? To me, she looks completely out of place.

by Kym on June 17, 2008 at 12:39 PM

Re- the difference between new CSI and a repeat. Grissom's beard or lack of one was always a good indicator but I suspect he now keeps a false one in his top drawer for times when he needs to explain theoretical physicist Leonard Susskind's "string theory". The "standard" version, of course, not the one where the strings can wriggle across into the 5th and 6th dimensions, whatever they are !
Mythbusters Jamie and Adam were observers on last Sunday's CSI episode, "The Theory of Everything", When they get back to San Francisco I hope that they'll debunk all of the shows unbelievable plot lines.
A speeding skateboarder erupts in flames and a woman drowns in a Port-a-loo. Yup, it's CSI-New York giving O,H & S a bad name. Let's not mention the remote controlled model helicopter gunship in the hands of a jealous policeman.
One door closes and another opens. Stockinger (SBS) comes to an end and Gil Mayo (ABC1) premieres. Both quirky, comical and a bit stupid, a refreshing change from the CSI franchise.
60 Minute's Peter Overton would struggle to get past Top Gear's Monday night's guest Ronnie Wood's (Rolling Stones) record for lack of sleep. Ronnie said that during a concert tour he'd get back from the pub after the show and decide there wasn't enought time to sleep before the next show. Later he spent 2 whole days in bed recovering. Sleepy or drunk, the fans didn't care.

by Les on June 17, 2008 at 03:50 PM

Tribal Mind replies: Can anyone tell the difference betwen a new CSI and a repeat?
Yes. Along with Grissom's beard being an indicator, so are the contract negotiations of the cast members of CSI Las Vegas. Early episodes prominently feature Grissom & he is chiefy chiefy of the unit. Then William Petersen wants a huge raise, arguing CSI is the biggest program on the planet. Producers say no so Petersen spits dummy & as a result he refuses to do all the promo stuff, as a result his role is reduced (he conveniently goes on a professional sabbatical) & he is no longer chiefy chiefy. Similarly, Jorja Fox also wanted more money & better scripts so she had a never going to work romance with Grissom & got written out of the show.... By contrast, Marg Helenberger has realised that there are not many jobs in primetime TV shows that are the biggest on the planet, especially for a female over a certain age so she has played nice during contract negotiations. So she has been given a larger & larger role and ended up chiefy chiefy of the lab :)

by Kate on June 17, 2008 at 08:50 PM

You can also tell the difference between a new CSI and a repeat by looking at the opening titles. New eps have the text larger and slightly glowing, old eps have smaller and centred text. Also the CSI logo at the end of the titles is green in older episodes but white and blue in newer ones.

by Alex on June 18, 2008 at 07:20 AM

1. Monday's Top Gear with a Strolling Bone as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car has me wondering who the hell SBS is going to come up with for their "stars"?? Inspector Rex?

2. I am still waiting for your list of the Ch 9 hits for the second half of the year TM?

3. Sat down to watch 30 Rock last night while I ate my meal (hey I am not 15 any more so no-one can tell me I can't watch TV while I eat). As a result of the scene where Jack invites Tina Fey to eat a steak in front of him my eating habits have changed forever.

by Cat on June 18, 2008 at 08:19 AM

Quoth Kym on June 17, 2008 at 12:39 PM: "Also, is it just me, or does Billie Piper not suit period dramas? To me, she looks completely out of place."
Yup, I'm with you there. I liked her very much as Rose The Chavette (am I spelling that right? All these newfangled words), thought she did a great job in The Canterbury Tales modern-day reworking, but have been rather cold towards her in the bonnet grippers.
Mr Dale, should you get the chance, can you tell me how many people watched Medical Mavericks on ABC1 last night? Fascinating stuff, about self-experimenting doctors mucking about with ether/chloroform/etc. And an enthusiastic presenter with an endearing speech impediment, where does the BBC find them?

Tribal Mind replies: It was number 28, with 638,000.

by tqd on June 18, 2008 at 09:09 AM

Anyone know when Private Practice gets a run on Ch.7? I'm so gonna be sucked in...

by arthur on June 18, 2008 at 09:10 AM

TM, lovely photo of Ms. Minogue to tie in with your 'Danii & her freak show' point (speaking of points).
And speaking of freak shows, Medical Emergency at number 15: was that 'The Girls With Too Much Skin' episode? Missed it unfortunately. Interesting that on Teusday nights channel Nine treats serious illnesses as objects of ridicule (Half Ton Dad, Half Man Half Tree), while on Sunday nights it's time to get out the tissues & reward the self-sacrificing daughters & husbands who care for them with plasma screens & feature walls (Domestic Blitz). I think the irony would be lost on them.

by darren on June 18, 2008 at 09:19 AM

TM, Danni Minogue IS a freak show! My what that girl has done to herself is scary. Why can't women ever age gracefully anymore? And just saw a pic of Joan Rivers with her 75 year old plastic face. She was kicked off some UK talk show for calling our Russ foul names or something.
Yuck! Why oh why do these plastic faced freaks think they look good like that? If that is the only way they can get gigs on TV well, then retire. It's revolting and degrading. That's my rant for the day.
And Billie Piper is great in Dr Who and is suited for contemporary stuff but I agree with my fellow bloggers here, period pieces just dont suit her.
And Darren, you just crack me up this week! Thanks for the giggles and you are so spot on in your comments.

by em on June 18, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Re last night's Amazing Medical Stories - I hadn't really intended to watch it but decided to watch the first few minutes after Gordon Ramsay just to have a closer look at the promoted photos of the alien babies - which was the most unearthly photos of a human being I have ever seen - the baby had bright red eyes without any pupils and it's skin was made of shiny melting liquid wax - if this wasn't shown on a medical program I would have dismissed it as a product of a hollywood alien special effects modelling studio. The latter half of the show focused more on a detective hunt to find genetic links between the few sufferers in Britain - and beware - if you have any distant relatives from Norfolk England you may well hold the recessive gene for this condition! I also watched Balls Of Steel afterwards and the amount of explicit sexual intercourse on that show far exceeds anything ever shown on Big Brother uncut!

by tide on June 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM

TM, I think you may be falling off your computer chair with laughter as your (not so ) loyal bloggers disagree with your assessment of the year. I think you give the Australian public too much credit. Even though Private Practice is a show which has no plot and no storyline of worth (I stopped watching after 1 episode) I think the public will watch it. Nine need to pick up some new shows asap.
Just seen screeners for True Blood and Fringe. Fringe is a X-files-Alias show (from JJ Abrams - Lost/Alias guy). True Blood is about vampires etc didnt seem that deap..

by WD on June 18, 2008 at 11:50 AM

by arthur on June 18, 2008 at 09:10 AM

Don't know exact date but my guess is on the following Sunday after Grey's Anatomy finishes up. There are 2 more episodes of GA left? By the way, you might think you'll be sucked in, each to their own, but you may feel more of a sucker after watching it. Even US fans agree with me and it did not resume shooting after the writers' strike finished. So there are only 8 episodes or thereabouts.

by kate on June 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM

Tribal Mind asks: And how much of Billie Piper do you actual see?
It's towards the end of the series but all of her. Well at least someone who looks a lot like her as I wouldn't be surprised if it was a body double.
However, I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for anyone to admit it.

by Sahara on June 18, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Channel 9 have scheduled "Schappelle Corby-The Hidden Story" on Sunday. Interesting. Are they thumbing their noses at Ch7? Or are they risking similar trouble? Or will it just be same old, same old material but will rate due to the recent publicity of the litagation

by kate on June 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM

I'd be interested to know how Big Cat Diary on ABC1 rated on Tuesday, please?

by Toto on June 18, 2008 at 12:59 PM

As there are those who seem to have the inside line on what is happening and when, does anybody have the info on when Californication or Weeds is heading back? The news about Dexter in a few weeks was good, just hope 10 don't screw with it like they ended doing with The Shield. now if we can just get Deadwood to FTA all will be good with the world :) Cheers

by ozinoz on June 18, 2008 at 01:32 PM

Re Kate and Schappelle Corby - it will have to be the same as they have been delivering all along, especially in the light of the court case, it could hardly be any different. Another 4 hours of "seen and heard it all before" I have marked it in my tv guide as one to avoid, just in case we happen to be channel surfing :)

by ozinoz on June 18, 2008 at 02:59 PM

ozinoz - you asked when Weeds might be heading back - we are up to date with Weeds - US is just starting new season now - my best guestimate is we will see over summer - not before unless Nein gets very innovative and fast tracks it - but as they usually show it in the almost wee hours my thoughts are no....
Still waiting for Nein to show ER.
And on one of the quality shows they do have -Damages - read William Hurt is joing the cast for season 2 - Big Chill reunion!

by Cathy on June 18, 2008 at 04:31 PM

Cathy, we're not up to date with Weeds. It's the 4th season that's starting in the US, and we've yet to see the 3rd.

by Fielding on June 18, 2008 at 08:27 PM

by kate on June 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM

Well even if it's a bomb I don't mind killing time for 8 episodes of private practice :=). Found out during commercials for ugly betty that pp is coming out the sunday after next 8.30pm.

by arthur on June 19, 2008 at 07:52 AM

Cathy - re my Weeds enquiry. Unless you are somewhere that has seen a whole season of Weeds we here in SA haven't, we are now more than a season behind. The last episode seen here was Season 2 Ep 12 - 'Pittsburg"where the deal went very sour and Silas was kidnapped. There is an entire 15 episode season we have not seen and they have just screened Season 4 Ep 1 this week in the States. Have a look at : http://www.sho.com/site/weeds/episodes.do Just wish I had access to downloading, but that is another issue :) Cheers

by ozinoz on June 19, 2008 at 08:31 AM

ozinoz, you should try www.fanpop.com and try streaming programs. They're pretty good. Do a search for Weeds, I think they do have some episodes on there.

by Beckala on June 19, 2008 at 09:48 AM

Isnt it great to see BB's ratings slipping further every day? Surely Ten wont bring it back next year. But I have heard a little rumour on the net that they will do one more series, an "All Stars" show, i.e. memorable housemates from the past will be invited back . One last hurrah for Ten?

Gruen Transfer was ok but Will Anderson can be so annoying. Interesting enough concept for a show but dont know how long I will watch for. Still I guess it fills in the half hour after S&S.

by em on June 19, 2008 at 10:19 AM

TM, how did Air Crash Investigations rate last night? I only ask because I happened to have dinner at a friend's place & was obliged to sit through it (I decided it might be seen as rude to lunge across the room for the remote & switch Catherine Tate). It wasn't the most awful thing I've ever seen, although the real-life tuckshop-armed air-hostesses & pot-bellied balding captains seem to have chosen Victoria's Secret / Calvin Klein models as their body doubles in the re-enactments. And you kinda know what's going to happen from the beginning (spoiler alert: the plane crashes). I thought it'd be up there in the chart near Fire 000 and Search & Rescue & other similar offerings.
As for Belinda Neal, I think in the parliamentary transcripts she actually says "Am I bovvered, do I look bovvered?" when confronted about the "your child will be a demon" statement.
She actually reminds me of that bully girl in the Simpsons, the one who's locked in a cage growling while Lisa announces the discovery of nerd-sweat as the cause of bully rage. Maybe the Iguanas' staff should've just turned up the air-con.

Tribal Mind replies: Number 23 on the chart, with 800,000.

by darren on June 19, 2008 at 11:22 AM

I am actually enjoying the Gruen Transfer. I find The Pitch the most enjoyable part of the show. It really shows what great ads you could have if organisations wanted to take some risks with their advertising.
Not being a fan of BB I am pleased to see their ratings continue to fall. Being beaten by The Cook and The Chef! I enjoy TC&TC but I think this should sound the death knell for BB.

by Louise on June 19, 2008 at 12:32 PM

Apologies to all re Weeds - you are all right - we have not yet seen season 3 - but sydney met has seen up to end of season 2... blame it on over enthusiasm on my part and I will now go back to my corner

by Cathy on June 19, 2008 at 01:24 PM

Regarding Big Brother, apparently Ch10 signed up Jackie 0 and Kyle to three year contracts so I don't think that this is the last year... All depends on the voting money I guess. They have saved money on the weekly prizes and the end prize.
by ozinoz on June 19, 2008 at 08:31 AM
If you can't access Weeds via downloads, recommend buying the DVDs. Found it is getting better with each season...

by Kate on June 19, 2008 at 01:24 PM

With Ten screening Futurama on Thursdays, it's partly a lie to say they're new eps, as a new series hasn't actually been commissioned. What it is, is 22 minute segments (padded with ads) of the 2 new 88 minute movies that went direct to DVD, giving Ten enough to show 8 of them. If viewer downloaders would prefer seeing it ad free, then download the two 88 minute Futurama DVD movies out on DVD - Bender's Big Score and The Beast with a Billion Backs, Bender's Game. 3rd and 4th is direct to DVD movies are also planned.

by John on June 19, 2008 at 02:40 PM

Gosh TEN must really be desperate for on air talent if they signed up VILE and TACKY for 3 years - thats just embarrassing.
Speaking of embarrassing - will be interested to see how JODIE POWERS fares in Sunday night's tell all on SCHAPELLE CORBY on Sunday night. Will we see ANNA COREN making a special cameo. I suspect this will be a real ratings winner for NINE - in fact I'm tipping it might rate around the 1.8 mark - not sure if it will top 2 million but if it rains sunday night and people are forced to stay indoors to watch tele - who knows it might go as high! - anyone else care to predict what it might rate!

by GJ on June 19, 2008 at 03:54 PM

Surely a contract on commercial TV would have a performance clause i.e. if ratings progress we'll give you this and that - if ratings drop we reserve the right to terminate the contract.
I'd almost be willing to bet that Sandilands has an anchor effect on Idol's ratings this year.
BTW, while still on the subject of tosspots - I'd like to see the end of TV that features rubbish like Powers, Corby, Melbourne Gangland associates et al.
Gruen Transfer last night was good. While watching, and unprompted from me, the wife expressed her distaste for Wil. I just hope he rests up on the mugging and the "look at me making a joke" moments. Painful.

by David @ Wahroonga on June 19, 2008 at 07:10 PM

by David @ Wahroonga on June 19, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Yes, you'd think a performance clause would be standard but then Eddie Everywhere-Then Nowhere did not have any clauses relating to performance, ratings or otherwise. To be fair to Kyle, which leaves me feeling slightly unclean, it is not just the Australian BB that is suffering lower ratings this year. The UK version is also down from previous years, and as far as I know it has had the same female presenter since it started.

by Kate on June 19, 2008 at 09:57 PM

Is Gruen becoming a hit despite its presenter? One could also say this about It Takes Two, Dancing With The Stars, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Sure Gruen is more cerebral, but content aside, does it really matter who hosts if people want to watch?

by Bereft Skerrick on June 20, 2008 at 06:20 AM

I called channel nine to complain about their afternoon news reader who appears to be anorexic. I have three impressionable daughters.
I was bluntly told that "it is better to be skinny than fat".
My response to that was to ask her does she know how many deaths there are from anorexia each year and I went on to say that I thought that kind of attitude was absolutely disgusting.

Tribal Mind asks: Can you detail this for us: When you called, what section were you put through to? Who made the remark about skinny and fat?

by bobmar28 on June 20, 2008 at 06:46 AM

What do bloggers feel about all this current fuss about swearing on TV? Has this all been brought about by the foul mouthed chef?

I couldnt care less about swearing on TV. I mean I dont think shows with swearing should be on at 7.30 but swearing is part of everyday life. And what school kid has not heard every bad word there is in the school yard? Is this all a case of the Nanny state taking control again?

I dont really care for censorship. We should all be our own censors. After all we have total control, it is called the off switch on our TVs. I choose not to watch Ramsey, not because of the swearing , but I just dont like the guy. Nor his methods. So I dont watch. Quite simple really.

by em on June 20, 2008 at 08:00 AM

Quoth Bereft Skerrick on June 20, 2008 at 06:20 AM: "Sure Gruen is more cerebral, but content aside, does it really matter who hosts if people want to watch?"

I enjoy The Gruen Transfer, but I'd enjoy it a lot more with a different host. I'm mainly there to see the two usual ad people on the panel get snarky at each other.

bobmar28, give us more details!!

em on June 20, 2008 at 08:00 AM: I saw some of Hell's Kitchen last night for the first time, and I'm sure Gordon Ramsay didn't swear once in the bits I was watching. Maybe as soon as I surf away, he lets loose a stream of foul words...

by tqd on June 20, 2008 at 09:22 AM

To me hearing someone swearing is generally meh, except for when the c-bomb is used. That word should really be confined to after 9.30pm, like those dodgy 1902 ads are.

by arthur on June 20, 2008 at 09:25 AM

Em @8:00 AM, This current fuss over swearing on TV is just the current fuss. In a few weeks it'll be about something else.
I don't really care if people swear either. I've been listening to all kinds from kindergarten on and it's had f#*%-all effect on me.
I think all this recent moral outrage is more to do with people parading their own inflated opinion of themselves in public ("I'm deeply offended by Gordon Ramsey, therefore I am better than you & you must be a grade-A moron / I will protect you little one / Won't someone think of the children?" etc...).
I'm more concerned about small children copying his blonde boufant hairstyle than I am about the detrimental effect of his language. Legislate against that if you must legislate.

by darren on June 20, 2008 at 09:41 AM

Unfortunately it looks like Boston Legal is moving back to 10.30pm in a few weeks.
The next two weeks (23rd June and 30th June) we will have new episodes at 9.30pm and repeats at 10.30pm. Then new episodes will screen at 10.30pm from 7th July.
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/06/bumped-boston-legal.html.

Tribal Mind replies: That would be no problem if it meant 30 Rock was moving to 9.30, but Seven would never do that.

by J Bar on June 20, 2008 at 09:55 AM

I really want Q and A to work on the ABC on Thursday nights but the more episodes I see the more I dislike it. Last night just misfired with hopeless questions from the audience and some mind numbing and jaw droppingly bad responses from the panel. Julia Zemeiro was just so out of her depth when it came to answering any question put before her - she just looked dumb and the mix of panellists last night just didn't work.

I think there needs to be a theme for each show and one issue that carries the show rather than whatever the audience decides because it just looses direction.

I notice the TODAY SHOW is edging a little closer to SUNRISE in the mornings -could KOCHIE and MEL be on the nose - let's hope so!!

by GJ on June 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM

On Tuesday Nine had "Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her" as its midday movie. I recorded it onto my DVD HD recorder and decided to keep it. The film ran 120 minutes so I removed the ads and I finished up with a film running 91 minutes. Checking Amazon for the DVD I found its length as 109 minutes. So it seems 18 minutes were cut out so 29 minutes of commercials could be put in.

by Gary on June 20, 2008 at 01:17 PM

*football whinge mode*
I hate Channel Nein. Tonight they're showing a game with two predominantly Sydney teams (my beloved Dragons vs a bunch of chocolate soldiers) at 9:30pm. The 7:30pm game is Brisbane vs Wests Tigers. No offence to Tigers fans but I'm sure had it been the reverse, then Nein in Brisbane would be showing the game involving Brisbane first. But it would involve the gibbons at Nein having logic.
Master 6.978 is suitably unimpressed that mummy won't let him stay up.
In other news, I also hate Ch 7 if they truly are moving BL back to 10:30pm.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 20, 2008 at 01:54 PM

Anyone catch Ramsay on the Today show this morning? He let slip at least one word that should not be aired before 8:30 (maybe 9:30pm now with the senate investigation). Carl is very annoying, he tried to play it up more and more for the next ten minutes. I would have thought the best way is to ignore the incident when it happen (AFL Grand Finals etc)

by WD on June 20, 2008 at 02:00 PM

"I choose not to watch Ramsey, not because of the swearing , but I just dont like the guy. Nor his methods. So I dont watch. Quite simple really."
My sentiments exactly! I don't understand his current popularity (& why it seemed to jump all of a sudden this year) but I'm not going to get all hot & bothered about it.
I think a lot of people do forget where that off switch is....

Tribal Mind suggests: Go herefor an attempted explanation of why this year is different.

by Shark on June 20, 2008 at 02:26 PM

by Gary on June 20, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Probably the DVD has additional minutes added to the 109 for the copyright warning and any previews (if it has any)
Although it seems a big ratio for midday, this practice comes as no surprise to those of us who watch in techno time. Channel 9 is not alone in the practice. Grey's Anatomy is usually 41mins long minus ads and credits... Blame the change to the ruling which previously had limited minutes per hour and now it limits per day. Evil change.

by kate on June 20, 2008 at 02:51 PM

I called channel nine wednesday 4.25 pm while the afternoon news was still on to complain about the news reader who appears anorexic (check for yourself), I don't want my daughters to think the way to get ahead is by starving yourself half to death.
It was the receptionist I spoke to. at the end of our 'discussion' she said she would pass on my comments, yeah right.
My comments might be noticed now.

by bobmar28 on June 21, 2008 at 07:20 AM

A poor programming decision to show a poorly attended (and lucky) Dragons win at 9:30 last night could be the undoing of Nein this week. Problems on the main train line meant fans who may have gone to the game would have stayed home to watch. By 9:30-11:30 though it's straying into taping and watching the next day, or watching the replay on Foxtel.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 21, 2008 at 07:55 AM

Does that make Ch 7 and Ch 9 even for the umber of wins this year?

Tribal Mind replies: They are neck and neck on prime time average share over the whole ratings period.

by J Bar on June 22, 2008 at 04:05 PM

Hey TM, How did Psych rate for Sydney on Saturday night?

Tribal Mind replies: 57,151 viewers in Sydney. So, not a hit.

by Jake on June 22, 2008 at 08:11 PM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

The Who We Are update: Week 25

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