The Who We Are update: Week 26

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week of the blog is now a heritage item - worth studying but no longer current. For the latest media analysis, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To discuss why TV is programmed for people over 55, go to The Tribal Mind
To discuss Australia's finest fast foods, go to Who We Are

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday June 29
Nine won Thursday and will win the week, because Seven's success on Friday with Better Homes and Gardens was not enough to counter the huge head start provided for Nine by Schapelle Corby. Nine averaged 28.8 per cent of the prime time audience for the week, while Seven got 27.7, Ten 19.9, ABC 17.5 and SBS 6.0.

In the chart below, we provide the last ever audience figure for Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, and for its rivals Deal or No Deal and Ten's News At Five. The figures explain why the wheel was axed. But somehow we don't think Antiques Roadshow will do much better, even if it is better suited to the hot new demographic target of over-55s.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,351,000 324,000 397,000 304,000 136,000 190,000
2 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,180,000 288,000 402,000 248,000 105,000 138,000
3 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,105,000 307,000 360,000 213,000 121,000 104,000
4 CATS & DOGS -RPT Network 9 1,030,000 273,000 341,000 225,000 113,000 77,000
5 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Network 7 967,000 244,000 282,000 213,000 116,000 112,000
8 THE BILL Network ABC1 737,000 212,000 233,000 138,000 64,000 91,000
9 BRIDE AND PREJUDICE -RPT Network 9 708,000 206,000 248,000 107,000 70,000 76,000
12 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 613,000 334,000 39,000 149,000 91,000
13 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Network 7 597,000 288,000 105,000 204,000
14 SEVEN'S R.U: AUS V FRA Network 7 587,000 309,000 34,000 210,000 18,000 16,000
19 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW -RPT Network 9 465,000 154,000 221,000 91,000
23 SUPER TROUPERS: THIRTY YEARS OF ABBA Network 7 372,000 195,000 73,000 104,000
30 BOWLS: PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Network ABC1 284,000 72,000 89,000 66,000 40,000 17,000
31 ABSOLUTELY MELBOURNE - ALL YOU CAN EAT Network 7 277,000 Not shown 277,000 Not shown Not shown
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,473,000 400,000 377,000 282,000 164,000 250,000
2 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,461,000 436,000 458,000 244,000 135,000 188,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,322,000 365,000 350,000 231,000 157,000 219,000
4 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,137,000 281,000 368,000 243,000 125,000 119,000
5 SILENT WITNESS-EV Network ABC1 1,110,000 347,000 332,000 175,000 131,000 126,000
6 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,082,000 309,000 310,000 220,000 124,000 119,000
7 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,078,000 322,000 345,000 197,000 106,000 108,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,011,000 290,000 270,000 192,000 103,000 155,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 971,000 294,000 294,000 195,000 99,000 89,000
11 SPOOKS Network ABC1 921,000 242,000 289,000 169,000 106,000 114,000
13 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Network TEN 841,000 202,000 270,000 138,000 88,000 142,000
14 BIG BROTHER - FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Network TEN 824,000 217,000 233,000 143,000 123,000 108,000
15 DEAL OR NO DEAL Network 7 794,000 208,000 219,000 176,000 87,000 104,000
18 BIG BROTHER Network TEN 694,000 163,000 202,000 130,000 86,000 112,000
20 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 14: HAWTHORN VS WEST COAST Network 7 646,000 26,000 360,000 15,000 92,000 153,000
21 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 588,000 314,000 273,000
22 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Network 9 572,000 144,000 213,000 101,000 67,000 48,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,489,000 380,000 396,000 298,000 164,000 250,000
2 GETAWAY Nine 1,333,000 379,000 428,000 241,000 134,000 151,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,320,000 357,000 354,000 243,000 140,000 226,000
4 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,178,000 292,000 372,000 239,000 140,000 136,000
5 HELL'S KITCHEN Nine 1,176,000 299,000 425,000 152,000 135,000 165,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,176,000 330,000 322,000 223,000 129,000 173,000
7 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,168,000 328,000 357,000 239,000 96,000 147,000
8 MY NAME IS EARL - THU Seven 1,142,000 290,000 349,000 227,000 102,000 174,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,112,000 285,000 363,000 246,000 125,000 94,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,089,000 299,000 348,000 234,000 111,000 98,000
11 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1,085,000 292,000 319,000 214,000 102,000 158,000
12 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,059,000 230,000 454,000 112,000 120,000 144,000
13 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,057,000 341,000 316,000 170,000 113,000 117,000
14 BONES Seven 1,040,000 251,000 310,000 221,000 112,000 147,000
16 MEDIUM Ten 973,000 288,000 264,000 191,000 105,000 124,000
19 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 880,000 255,000 223,000 181,000 97,000 124,000
20 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 846,000 261,000 307,000 109,000 96,000 73,000
21 ALL NEW FUTURAMA Ten 843,000 244,000 241,000 162,000 100,000 96,000
22 BIG BROTHER Ten 797,000 227,000 220,000 165,000 97,000 87,000
23 THE GIL MAYO MYSTERIES ABC1 795,000 255,000 212,000 160,000 80,000 88,000
29 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Nine 568,000 131,000 195,000 100,000 78,000 64,000
32 Q & A ABC1 484,000 178,000 130,000 87,000 46,000 42,000
33 FAMILY GUY Seven 450,000 134,000 145,000 68,000 58,000 47,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,588,000 412,000 431,000 303,000 179,000 263,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,424,000 402,000 394,000 254,000 154,000 220,000
3 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,343,000 427,000 399,000 246,000 126,000 144,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,304,000 357,000 419,000 277,000 138,000 114,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,252,000 325,000 401,000 256,000 127,000 143,000
6 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,249,000 343,000 394,000 228,000 124,000 160,000
7 SEARCH & RESCUE Nine 1,244,000 344,000 398,000 229,000 128,000 144,000
8 FIRE 000 Nine 1,243,000 373,000 385,000 228,000 124,000 134,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,206,000 331,000 364,000 259,000 134,000 119,000
10 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,182,000 377,000 368,000 222,000 88,000 127,000
11 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,171,000 332,000 312,000 212,000 140,000 174,000
12 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,137,000 281,000 334,000 244,000 125,000 152,000
15 COLD CASE Nine 966,000 273,000 319,000 170,000 109,000 94,000
16 UGLY BETTY Seven 944,000 249,000 272,000 172,000 122,000 129,000
23 BIG BROTHER Ten 817,000 217,000 222,000 152,000 94,000 131,000
25 BACK TO YOU Ten 808,000 199,000 236,000 142,000 110,000 121,000
37 FOOD SAFARI RPT SBS 420,000 131,000 117,000 76,000 52,000 45,000
38 AT THE MOVIES ABC1 397,000 145,000 123,000 58,000 38,000 34,000
39 THE UNIT Seven 383,000 100,000 121,000 69,000 47,000 47,000

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,733,000 460,000 516,000 318,000 203,000 235,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,576,000 380,000 436,000 345,000 178,000 238,000
3 NCIS Ten 1,474,000 360,000 455,000 319,000 161,000 180,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,463,000 365,000 429,000 280,000 174,000 216,000
5 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,300,000 357,000 419,000 224,000 138,000 163,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,286,000 350,000 374,000 230,000 153,000 179,000
7 SCHAPELLE CORBY: THE HIDDEN TRUTH Nine 1,279,000 398,000 340,000 239,000 139,000 164,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,219,000 338,000 371,000 235,000 141,000 133,000
9 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,166,000 319,000 376,000 237,000 97,000 137,000
10 NCIS RPT Ten 1,159,000 304,000 354,000 190,000 159,000 153,000
11 NINE NEWS Nine 1,139,000 289,000 340,000 250,000 152,000 109,000
12 THE SIMPSONS TUES Ten 1,119,000 307,000 372,000 207,000 120,000 113,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,116,000 292,000 335,000 247,000 132,000 110,000
14 10 TO ONE Nine 1,070,000 292,000 315,000 215,000 115,000 134,000
17 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 889,000 235,000 252,000 183,000 103,000 116,000
18 DEADLY SURF Nine 866,000 268,000 256,000 150,000 88,000 105,000
21 BIG BROTHER Ten 823,000 196,000 271,000 154,000 96,000 106,000
26 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Nine 594,000 152,000 192,000 91,000 96,000 63,000
28 MEDICAL MAVERICKS: THE HISTORY OF SELF-EXPERIMENTATION ABC1 528,000 153,000 168,000 86,000 64,000 57,000
48 JENNIFER BYRNE PRESENTS ABC1 264,000 88,000 88,000 41,000 23,000 23,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,694,000 462,000 442,000 354,000 174,000 262,000
2 BORDER SECURITY (R) Seven 1,547,000 416,000 487,000 272,000 161,000 211,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,533,000 438,000 444,000 276,000 144,000 230,000
4 SEA PATROL Nine 1,497,000 431,000 469,000 241,000 162,000 193,000
5 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S BEAR - A SPY IN THE WOODS Nine 1,385,000 373,000 395,000 275,000 150,000 192,000
6 SURF PATROL Seven 1,365,000 363,000 445,000 236,000 149,000 172,000
7 NINE NEWS Nine 1,351,000 359,000 449,000 270,000 155,000 117,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,304,000 375,000 345,000 259,000 145,000 180,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,299,000 378,000 419,000 252,000 142,000 107,000
10 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,253,000 374,000 376,000 221,000 121,000 161,000
11 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,249,000 345,000 384,000 245,000 125,000 150,000
12 CRIMINAL MINDS - MON Seven 1,078,000 287,000 306,000 228,000 128,000 129,000
15 ELDERS WITH ANDREW DENTON ABC1 1,024,000 304,000 377,000 141,000 85,000 117,000
16 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 979,000 270,000 264,000 196,000 122,000 128,000
18 TOP GEAR BOTSWANA SPECIAL SBS 928,000 293,000 271,000 163,000 112,000 90,000
19 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 927,000 250,000 306,000 151,000 104,000 116,000
20 BIG BROTHER Ten 898,000 239,000 240,000 184,000 115,000 119,000
22 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 870,000 241,000 261,000 191,000 66,000 110,000
27 BOSTON LEGAL Seven 738,000 251,000 277,000 80,000 72,000 58,000
30 MILLION DOLLAR WHEEL OF FORTUNE Nine 616,000 165,000 208,000 116,000 79,000 49,000
31 BIG BROTHER - BIG MOUTH Ten 581,000 195,000 170,000 83,000 64,000 70,000
59 30 ROCK Seven 256,000 55,000 88,000 46,000 34,000 33,000

The ratings race, updated 10am Monday
Schappelle Corby is a candidate for sainthood. On Sunday, she performed a miracle -- pulled a capital city audience of 1.6 million out of nowhere. As you'll see in the chart below, all the regular Sunday shows attracted their usual numbers, so Schappelle's fans must be people who don't normally watch TV -- possibly because they live in trailers.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,774,000 419,000 566,000 396,000 150,000 244,000
2 60 MINUTES Nine 1,762,000 554,000 543,000 293,000 194,000 177,000
3 SCHAPELLE CORBY: THE HIDDEN TRUTH Nine 1,612,000 517,000 438,000 282,000 174,000 201,000
4 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,506,000 462,000 454,000 266,000 160,000 163,000
5 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,479,000 446,000 431,000 324,000 173,000 105,000
6 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Seven 1,344,000 342,000 468,000 232,000 133,000 169,000
7 GLADIATORS Seven 1,264,000 277,000 413,000 258,000 153,000 163,000
8 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,259,000 377,000 436,000 209,000 113,000 124,000
11 BIG BROTHER LIVE EVICTION Ten 1,053,000 320,000 302,000 190,000 115,000 126,000
15 BIG BROTHER SUN Ten 859,000 242,000 241,000 171,000 93,000 113,000
16 MANSFIELD PARK ABC1 856,000 289,000 264,000 125,000 74,000 103,000
19 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 13: CARLTON VS ESSENDON Seven 641,000 14,000 408,000 5,000 118,000 95,000
22 SUPERNATURAL Ten 579,000 137,000 197,000 80,000 73,000 91,000
23 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 478,000 274,000 Not shown 191,000 Not shown 12,000
24 M-UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN Seven 435,000 197,000 Not shown 91,000 71,000 76,000
27 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Ten 388,000 93,000 134,000 55,000 49,000 57,000
33 GILMORE GIRLS Nine 280,000 Not shown 172,000 Not shown 54,000 55,000
97 I LOVE YOUSE ALL Nine 64,000 42,000 Not shown 22,000 Not shown Not shown
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

The ABC is going gangbusters at the moment, and not just because of youth-appeal shows such as Spicks and Specks and The Gruen Transfer. Last week, for the first time in living memory, the ABC's news beat Channel Nine's news, by averaging 1.21 million viewers to Nine's 1.20m. Its documentary series Wild China (1.26m) and The New Inventors (1.06m) made up for the surprisingly modest performance of the Jane Austen bonnet drama Northanger Abbey (931,000).

The other national broadcaster, SBS, is also doing well, thanks to Top Gear (826,000) and Food Safari (443,000). The most watched shows on Pay TV included Australia's Next Top Model (Fox8) with 311,000; the rugby league match between Storm and Cowboys (FoxSports2) with 269,000 and Selling Houses Australia (Lifestyle) with 204,000.

Channel Seven won the week with 28.2 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine got 26.3, Ten 20.7, the ABC 18.8 and SBS 5.6.

What Australia watched, week ending June 21
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Network 7 1,878,000 459,000 587,000 405,000 154,000 273,000
2 60 MINUTES Network 9 1,616,000 502,000 491,000 294,000 155,000 174,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Network 7 1,593,000 413,000 498,000 295,000 182,000 205,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,575,000 437,000 406,000 320,000 174,000 239,000
5 NCIS Network TEN 1,572,000 390,000 460,000 322,000 189,000 210,000
6 DOMESTIC BLITZ Network 9 1,544,000 518,000 429,000 295,000 150,000 152,000
7 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,510,000 525,000 395,000 243,000 160,000 188,000
8 SEA PATROL II - THE COUP Network 9 1,489,000 415,000 426,000 277,000 169,000 203,000
9 BORDER SECURITY - AUSTRALIA'S FRONT LINE (R) Network 7 1,456,000 440,000 393,000 244,000 132,000 246,000
10 CSI Network 9 1,449,000 360,000 404,000 283,000 199,000 203,000
11 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Network 7 1,447,000 393,000 426,000 245,000 143,000 240,000
12 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Network 9 1,435,000 468,000 461,000 246,000 171,000 89,000
13 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,414,000 400,000 377,000 265,000 152,000 219,000
14 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,406,000 382,000 411,000 274,000 130,000 209,000
15 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S ELEPHANT - A SPY IN THE HERD Network 9 1,389,000 370,000 390,000 295,000 161,000 172,000
16 ALL SAINTS Network 7 1,380,000 398,000 463,000 237,000 129,000 153,000
17 SEARCH & RESCUE Network 9 1,360,000 386,000 445,000 229,000 138,000 163,000
18 NCIS RPT Network TEN 1,360,000 392,000 422,000 209,000 166,000 171,000
19 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Network 7 1,353,000 409,000 434,000 219,000 128,000 163,000
20 SURF PATROL Network 7 1,325,000 394,000 386,000 222,000 118,000 204,000
21 SPICKS AND SPECKS Network ABC1 1,321,000 423,000 384,000 249,000 112,000 153,000
22 GETAWAY Network 9 1,291,000 397,000 413,000 241,000 110,000 130,000
23 GREY'S ANATOMY Network 7 1,281,000 350,000 442,000 223,000 111,000 154,000
24 ABC NEWS-SUN Network ABC1 1,272,000 337,000 440,000 221,000 106,000 169,000
25 WILD CHINA Network ABC1 1,258,000 324,000 412,000 247,000 116,000 159,000
26 GLADIATORS Network 7 1,254,000 273,000 405,000 248,000 137,000 192,000
27 FIRE 000 Network 9 1,218,000 364,000 398,000 197,000 130,000 130,000
28 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,212,000 363,000 374,000 215,000 116,000 144,000
29 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,211,000 362,000 332,000 211,000 121,000 185,000
30 THE GRUEN TRANSFER Network ABC1 1,204,000 384,000 398,000 199,000 87,000 137,000
31 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,201,000 315,000 393,000 267,000 127,000 98,000
32 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,184,000 345,000 376,000 232,000 132,000 100,000
33 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,172,000 343,000 366,000 251,000 121,000 91,000
34 THE SIMPSONS TUES Network TEN 1,133,000 277,000 387,000 210,000 136,000 123,000
35 10 TO ONE Network 9 1,129,000 355,000 326,000 208,000 114,000 126,000
36 MY NAME IS EARL - THU Network 7 1,110,000 265,000 328,000 247,000 111,000 160,000
37 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS Network TEN 1,107,000 309,000 359,000 190,000 121,000 128,000
38 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Network TEN 1,105,000 320,000 385,000 188,000 107,000 105,000
39 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Network 7 1,104,000 275,000 332,000 241,000 111,000 145,000
40 HELL'S KITCHEN Network 9 1,093,000 321,000 366,000 152,000 124,000 130,000
(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

ABC news is far more informative than the commercial networks, and I notice I have seen more of it this year. Meanwhile last night's choices were woeful, mainly a toss up between BMH2 and King Arthur. I simply turned to a classic DVD, The Sting. I wonder, if commercial networks air older films at prime time, will they get better ratings? For example instead of showing Shrek all the time, why not The Lion King?

by Kym on June 22, 2008 at 03:14 PM

Gosh, last nights TV was the most woeful I remember a Sunday night being in a long time. I really struggled to find something after 6.30pm worth watching.
And I thought that Sundays were supposed to be the bumper day for TV viewing!
Ended up watching 60 Minutes last night for the first time in a long time. Now I remember why I don't watch any more. I don't want to watch Liz Hayes flirt with all and sunder while I'm having my Sunday roast thank you very much.

Tribal MInd wonders: You eat your Sunday roast WHILE WATCHING TV? Sunday roast is a sacred Australian ritual.

by Nic on June 23, 2008 at 07:45 AM

Noticed a letter to the SMH this morning commenting on the convenient timing of Schappppelllle Corby's news-worthy 'breakdown'. It was a wall to wall Corby-fest all weekend and I'm sure the ratings will show it paid off for Channel Nine. Did anyone here have a look? I switched over briefly to see Ron Bashir's mother(??) putting in her two cents worth, fake red fingernails half grown out and holding a fag with two inches of ash balanced on the tip. Klassy. When will Australia's fascination with the redneck element end? The Corby, Carl & Roberta Williams ..... and now, Jeff Fenech. I'm not going to winge again about Gilmore Girls getting bumped (again, without any notice..) but 'I Love Youse All' was top shelf crap. I checked to see if it was still on later in the hour. It was & we were treated to the following dialogue:
Suzie (the blonde pneumatic wife, picking up daughters from school): "I cleaned the whole house today."
Daughter: "Did you use the Easy-off BAM?"
Suzie: "yes, I used the Easy-off BAM."
Followed by a montage of Suzie cleaning the house using Easy-off BAM (the camera seemed to be tapeD to the bottle. The bottle of Easy-off BAM). She had to stop & answer the door for a guy from Ashfield Fruit World (the camera seemed to be taped to the box. The box from Ashfield Fruit World).
Subtle.
If Gilmore Girls is such a worthless low rating show then why choose that time slot to test out a new show (crap or otherwise)? No-one would've known it was on anyway (not being advertised as late as the Saturday paper), and I don't think the Gilmore Girls demographic is the one they're after. Those people prefer complete sentences & poly-syllabic words and WATCHABLE TELEVISION!!!!!

Tribal Mind remarks: According to OzTAM's chart this morning, Gilmore Girls was on on some cities (see above). What was this Fenech thing called?

by darren on June 23, 2008 at 08:06 AM

It was called (no kidding) "I Love Youse All". And no I haven't stuffed up the spelling. I actually read about it in a Saturday's SMH article about Suzie Fenech releasing a single today (yes, a song). It's apparently a Foxtel show but Channel Nine seem to have the rights and are contemplating forcing it down our throats if anyone watched it yesterday. That's my guess.

Tribal Mind says: In the chart now. I don't think there's much risk of its becoming a permanent fixture.

by darren on June 23, 2008 at 09:14 AM

A comment from last week's blog:
Quoth Gary on June 20, 2008 at 01:17 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."

Far more likely that they had to trim for ratings reasons (oh, you know, PG, Family, that sort of rating, not the OzTam sort). If it's on at midday, they might want to remove some "adult content" or whatever, as there's likely to be littlies running around.

by tqd on June 23, 2008 at 09:27 AM

I wasn't at home to see the craptacular that is the Easy Off BAM life of the Fenechs (was suffering through Disney on Ice @ WIN Stadium with Masters 4.01 and 6.986) but feel for the poor 64K who suffered through it.
I can understand GGirls getting pulled for Jack Gibson or perhaps even Jane McGrath (what a tragic loss), but a doco that sounds very "white trash"? I don't think so.
Speaking of the other "trash" suspect the only reason BB's ratings spiked for the eviction show is that (whilst flicking through channels waiting for Mansfield Park) some toilet brush haired dude that apparently was a complete knob got evicted.
And now for this week's oft repeated Fri Night offering by Shirl: My Best Friends Wedding. Who's willing to predict the tripe for next week?

by Bereft Skerrick on June 23, 2008 at 09:28 AM

Darren mate love your rants - your review of the Corby family is spot on - you'd swear they were fictional characters out of some bizarre B grade movie the way they carry on!
I was glued to the show last night more out of a morbid fascination with this very bizarre family - I swear Mercedes Corby is her brother in drag - they have the same overbite and that massive luna park smile.
I find this saga the best in reality television - the characters are real and entertaining - the story line just gets better and better!
The cameo appearance by Ron Bashir's mother was a classic - she was typically gold coast - blonde, weathered and dripping in fake jewellery - loved her and I want ROSELEIGH CORBY voted mother of the year - to have kept her sanity through this ordeal and still manage a fish and chip shop on the side - she puts pauline hanson to shame!

by GJ on June 23, 2008 at 10:08 AM

Hey, Bereft, my prediction for the next romantic comedy for Ten's friday night often repeated movie would be "You've Got Mail". It hasnt been on for at least 3 months!!

Really, anyone who likes the genre would have all these movies on DVD and seen them several thousand times. How about something new Ten?

by em on June 23, 2008 at 10:12 AM

No surprise for Corby as I expected it to rate parallel to 60 Minutes figures. 9 will probably win the week because of that and Tues's part 2.
Great game of Sunday Footy (I mean rugby league).
TM, Sunday roast can usually be eaten safely through mindless entertainment. I'm thinking of Gladiators, which was a bit flat compared to previous weeks. Nice to see the ratings of this pick up a little though.

Tribal Mind replies: But isn't Sunday roast an occasion for the family to get together and have conversation, rather than watch Liz Hayes -- or Gladiators, for that matter?

by arthur on June 23, 2008 at 10:35 AM

Apologies if this has been asked or mentioned before but can anybody tell me how Football Superstar on Fox 8 rated last Thursday at 7:30pm? Foxtel are calling a "ratings smash hit".

Tribal Mind replies: I can't give you an exact figure, but it was not among the week's top ten most watched shows on Pay, so it got less than 200,000 viewers in the mainland capitals. That doesn't look like a ratings smash to me.

by Niall on June 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM

I unfortunately managed to catch quite a bit of I Love Youse All, and oh my god, I was just searching for a knife to gouge out my eyes and puncture my ear drums. Absolutely appalling. Bereft, you hit the nail on the head, it was "White Trash" all right! Not happy.
Predictions for Friday Night's movie: Notting Hill hasn't been on for a while.

by Beckala on June 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM

Re Sunday Roast. We are currently renovating and the dining table is currently holding paint brushes and other such items so in front of the TV it be eaten. We haven't lost the conversation, it has just turned to how bad tele is at the moment. You'd think that being in the middle of our own renos that Domestic Blitz would be on our screens but honestly, after a weekend of "blitzing" our own place, I don't want to see someone get it done for them (even though they may be worthy, call it jealousy)
For the next Friday movie I'm voting Love Actually because it has been at least a month since it has graced our screens.

by Nic on June 23, 2008 at 11:10 AM

Quoth Tribal Mind: "But isn't Sunday roast an occasion for the family to get together and have conversation, rather than watch Liz Hayes -- or Gladiators, for that matter?"
We always had a Saturday roast (Mum always opted for the far easier choice of leftovers/bacon and eggs for Sunday), and, yes, we were at the dining table, no TV in sight, conversation mandatory.
But most dinners with my parents were like that. I still feel somewhat guilty, curling up on the sofa with a bowl of pasta once the kids are in bed... Not too guilty though. :)
Yet to impose such a thing on my kids: we have separate dinners as they're such early-to-bed types! Plus, conversations with the under-fives at dinner do tend to revolve around "don't wipe your fingers on your shirt; drink your milk; a few peas won't kill you; no, you can't have dessert unless you finish all your pasta" etc. A few years to go on the conversational skills, I think. :)
I recorded the Jane Austen (was busy cooking my own - non-roast - dinner) and we just watched DVDs of "Spaced" while burning our tongues on home-made pizza. Absolutely nothing on!
Is it this Saturday that Doctor Who returns to our screens? Please let it be so!

Tribal Mind replies (to the last bit): No it's next Sunday when Dr Who returns, with Minogue Senior. I hope nobody would dream of eating roast during that!

by tqd on June 23, 2008 at 11:26 AM

RE:Nic & Beckala
The movie for ten Froday is My Best Friend's wedding. I think Beckala gets the points as its another Julia Roberts movie.

Lastly, Top gear has finally returned to the UK. This means its only a matter of years before SBS screens it.

by WD on June 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM

To me, it seems all numbers are up for Sunday, even Big Brother. What was on 45 mins... (60 minus ads) to make it so popular? Gordon? TM - how did Wild China rate against it? Wonder if Ch 9 are happy with the figures? 1.6 not bad, but awhile ago something like that would have rated higher. Was it worth the amount they paid to outbid Ch 7?

To the punters guessing the Friday movie: Nope. It is My Best Friend's Wedding ... following the rules of a movie containing Julia, Hugh or Sandra.

Tribal Mind replies (to the last bit): No it's next Sunday when Dr Who returns, with Minogue Senior. I hope nobody would dream of eating roast during that!

Kate replies: No, roasted budgie wouldn't feed a family :)

by kate on June 23, 2008 at 12:38 PM

Does anyone know what season of Gilmore Girls is currently being screened and is it available on DVD? Yesterday was one time too many for it to be bumped and Mrs Wendell was very unhappy.

Tribal MInd replies: Every season of Gilmore Girls is available here on DVD. Mind you, I've just seen the final season and it's seriously disappointing. I reckon we'd all be better off stopping at the end of sesaon six.

by Wendell on June 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM

Re- Liz Hayes flirting with all and sundry. Sunday was a dead loss for me as well. In 3 days I'd watched my quota of DVD's from the local public library. My daughter got to watch Grey's "live" whilst I stayed on the 'net. Desperately channel-hopping after Grey's, my attention was grabbed by a bedroom scene with the young heroine in frilly black undies and a partially naked elderly man bound and gagged on a bed. The revolver in the heroine's hand fired at a mirror in the ceiling. Death by shards. SBS movie, A Very Long Engagement. I was impressed by the camera-work, especially a long single camera shot as it followed the heroine into and around a country produce market. Would've looked impressive in HD. But having come in part-way through and irked by the continuous use of a sepia filter I went to bed with a good book.

Ch 9 going after the "oldies", wasn't David Gyngell hired to do exactly the opposite, go for the 25+ demographic ? Maybe the "youngsters" are using their disposable income to avoid watching FTA and skipping the Sunday roast.

by Les on June 23, 2008 at 02:48 PM

Ten start the censored version of the Dexter serial killer cable TV show on Sunday July 6. My prediction is it'll be far too dark for most of Ten's viewers, so is better suited to being shown on Foxtel uncensored, or watched ad free by download.
Most viewer downloaders have already seen the Private Practice and Lipstick Jungle shows kicking off at 8.30 � 10.30 pm this Sunday on Seven and their short run
(9 eps and 7 eps) will suit Seven for the Olympics.
For viewer downloaders who are interested, the $US 10 mill pilot episode of the X-File-ish JJ Abrams produced Fringe
show (featuring Aus actors Anna Torv and John Noble) is apparently available to download and has met with a mix of positive and negative comments, from those who've seen it so ar. Nine have the rights to Fringe, but unless a lot of younger Aus viewers watch it on Nine in large numbers, it may be more popular in North America than it is for Nine here (looking at Nine's fairly poor track record with sci-fi. They'll give
Fringe a go at an initial 8.30 timeslot, probably move it to 9.30 pm, then to 10.30 pm, as was the case with the Terminator TV series that found a decent audience on the Fox network in North America, but didn't for Nine here).

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

I like singing so I insisted, being a stupid, stupid white man, that we have a look @ Battle of the Choirs.
I think we were treated to about 12 mins of singing in the more than one hour of show. Pretty average sound quality made the choirs at home seem much worse than they probably were.
There was a middle aged man fronting the show who turns out to be the same dipstick that does that awful Sunrise thingy. He made it unbearable. I will never look at it again nor anything that Koch (does he remind anyone else of Colonel Klink??) puts his mug in front of.
Using people like him should have been the rubber stamp warning I needed to pay attention to.
Saw a smidgen of Big Brother (about 5 mins of the end), cause I was waiting for Steve Carrell on Rove (smug hosts not just belonging to 7). The BB bit made me glad I wasn't watching it this year. Sandilands continues to annoy and depress and Ms. O is a nothing - she engenders no response.
Refused, as stated last week, to have anything to do with any shows making reference to a Corby, a Power, or any Melbourne Gangland hangers-on.
In years to come we will look back at the airtime granted to these people (chiefly on TT, ACA, Today & Sunrise) and we'll say that's where it all went wrong.
Very much looking forward to Dr Who this week - that is quality TV.
And as for the channel ten romance movie selections - they may just pull out a Patrick Swayze film @ some point soon!
BTW - we had risotto last night for dinner. Sunday night for roast seems like too much at the end of the week (or is it the start?!).

by David @ Wahroonga on June 23, 2008 at 04:40 PM

Can you tell me what the Sydney-Melbourne AFL game rated in Sydney and Brisbane live on Seven at 1pm? I am compiling a list of all footy ratings, and I can't find the figures. That game was also replayed in Melbourne at 10:30pm Sunday night.

Tribal MInd replies: SEVEN'S AFL: RND 13: MELBOURNE VS SYDNEY Seven 197,000 S109,000 M43,000 B45,000 ANot shown PNotshown.
But why are you compiling a list of all football ratings? Why would anybody care?

by John on June 23, 2008 at 06:35 PM

"But why are you compiling a list of all football ratings? Why would anybody care?".
Remember this total is only capital cities & not counting clubs/pubs.The totals prove over time that a sport needs to be on FTA instead of Foxtel to maximise the audience & promote the sport.

by doug on June 23, 2008 at 08:22 PM

David @ Wahroonga @ 4:40 PM: You say you like singing so decided to look at Battle of the Choirs? I don't understand the connection.
Re: Rove: I hung around to watch Steve Carrell as well and I think it was pretty good. Rove does a good interview of a type you don't see in all the other grovelling types whenever a celebrity comes to town. What other show would have Steve Carell & Anne Hathaway competing with Rove for the best dry heave imitation? Anne Hathaway was actually quite funny & a good sport. Steve Carrell a bit tired I think.

by darren on June 24, 2008 at 06:00 AM

Sunday at 7.30pm - I watched Battle of the Choirs - I loved it. This is a great show with lots of pop songs sung by choirs. Kochie is great! Can't wait for Sundays now!

by Mu So on June 24, 2008 at 06:41 AM

to kate who says friday night movie is Best friend's wedding - the guessing is about friday week....not this week's movie. Think Nein has rights to you've got mail and Seven to pretty woman so taking them out of the equation then my guess Bridget Jones 2... although like David @ Wahroonga's suggestion on Patrick Swayze movie - especially since his health is an issue.
Saw the Elders again last night - very interesting woman is Dame Elisabeth Murdoch - fascinated that Rupert came from her! Though the show was shorter this week - under 1 hour.

by Cathy on June 24, 2008 at 08:15 AM

darren on June 24, 2008 said - "David @ Wahroonga @ 4:40 PM: You say you like singing so decided to look at Battle of the Choirs? I don't understand the connection."

Darren you did read my post didn't you or are you just subtly re-emphasising my point?? Clearly there is no connection (as I made clear in my post) but I didn't know that beforehand. I am now educated on the matter and have been delivered from evil.
I actually enjoyed the interview on ACA last night with Ms Neals former secretary - you see (even despite the fact that it was a chequebook interview) they can actually get it right if they try. If only they attempted journalism every story!
Four Corners was excellent too.

by David @ Wahroonga on June 24, 2008 at 09:15 AM

"I actually enjoyed the interview on ACA last night with Ms Neals former secretary - you see (even despite the fact that it was a chequebook interview) they can actually get it right if they try. If only they attempted journalism every story!
Four Corners was excellent too.
by David @ Wahroonga on June 24, 2008 at 09:15 AM"

Hey David - agree with you about FOUR CORNERS but I have to disagree with you about last night's ACA interview - yes it was cheque book journalism but I couldn't feel any empathy or respect for the reporter or the woman herself - the reporter was simply after an EXCLUSIVE before TODAY TONIGHT got their hands on it and so he ensured his face and his questioning was as much about the story as her revelations - so we had BEN FORDHAM FROM CHANNEL NINE being typically BEN FORDHAM - we had more close ups of him than we did of her!!
If she felt so bad and so upset about what she had done, why did it take her an offer of a 'paid' interview to reveal she had acted inappropriately
Is this investigative journalism or simply cash for comment??....
...AND how can we be certain that she's telling the truth when there is so much money involved - think JODIE POWER - she was paid thousands to spill the beans on MERCEDES CORBY - who do you believe???
For what its worth I hope the revelations do uncover what really went on at that silly nightclub named after a Lizard. I mean how can anyone even take this story seriously after dubbing it IGUANAGATE!!!
I just think that her admissions would have been much more credible and more believable had she just fronted the media or the police and told them exactly what she had done - without being paid?
Anyone else care to comment on this one?

by GJ on June 24, 2008 at 10:28 AM

David @ Wahroonga, yes I read your post, and yes I understand that you now know better, I just don't understand someone (anyone) thinking, "hmm, I'm a music lover, maybe I'll take a look at this reality show hosted by David Koch featuring amateur choirs and four judges desperate to be noticed because it's sure to be a rewarding experience. Sounds like the show for me, a music lover".
You don't have to taste dog turds to know they're not going to taste like chocolate.
I wasn't subtly re-emphasing your point, just trying to make polite conversation.
I also think the pretty average sound quality is not the reason they sound bad, the bad singing is the reason they sound bad.
I'll shut up now.

by darren on June 24, 2008 at 10:36 AM

I hear a lot about the Gilmore Girls on this blog.
Could someone kindly advise what it is about?

by Sebatsien on June 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM

Good point GJ on June 24, 2008 at 10:28 AM.
I'd gotten too excited about the fact that they weren't just chasing ambulances and dodgy painters...

by David @ Wahroonga on June 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Think that if Cannel Shirl has any Patrick Swayze movies in their repertoire they'll wait for the "inevitable". Remember this is the same channel who earlier this year rushed Heath Ledger movies to screen. So apart from Ghost, Dirty Dancing, Point Break - what could they show. Father Hood?

by Bereft Skerrick on June 24, 2008 at 11:36 AM

My tips
- for the friday movie - Ever After.
- for Gilmore Girls - agree with TM - buy DVD set but quit watching after S6.
- for Sunday Roast - eat it at lunchtime watching Sunday Roast.
- for David Gyngell - send all white-trash genre programs promulgated by Nein over to Ten when BB fades unremarkedly from our screens.
- for watching Choirs - tape and strategically edit out all things Koch & overemoting judges.
- for the year - am watching far more ABC now than I ever have in my whole 45 years.

by AJ on June 24, 2008 at 12:53 PM

Like David@Wahroonga, I am a music lover but I would rather watch paint dry than watch anything hosted by Koch. I simply loathe the guy. And I actually quite like choral singing, but not crap pop songs and bopping along like refugees from "Sister Act"! I have seen the last couple of minutes over the last two weeks whilst waiting for GA to start and that was sufficient for me to realise I hadn't missed a thing!

by em on June 24, 2008 at 01:54 PM

Quoth GJ on June 24, 2008 at 10:28 AM: "If she felt so bad and so upset about what she had done, why did it take her an offer of a 'paid' interview to reveal she had acted inappropriately"
I thought she'd quit, gone to the police and gave them a new stat dec, and then the interview happened. I'm no fan of chequebook journalism, but I think it was more a case of her being chased by the chequebook-waving journos *after* she changed her story, not before. That is, it wasn't the cash that prompted her to review her stat dec.
And considering she's just left her job, I really can't blame her for saying yes to a cheque.
Regarding Battle of the Choirs, Mr TQD did look at me with sympathy when, as an ex-chorister, I was a bit "should I watch it or not?" and pointed out they were hardly going to be doing Handel/Purcell/Britten or any of my other favourite composers, but they'd be doing pop songs. And, boy, was he right.

by tqd on June 24, 2008 at 02:30 PM

the guessing is about friday week....
Oops, D'oh!
O.k., I am going to guess against the Chick Flick triad rules... and going out on a limb... predict an Adam Sandler movie....
Why? Well, quite as a relief, they haven't been on air for some time and probably due for another round of recycling. Also, there is an Adam movie opening in cinemas... And finally, it is the end of financial year so people will like a comedy... And blokes watching the Footy can channel flick between ad breaks and half-time, as the movie has so little plot

by kate on June 24, 2008 at 02:48 PM

Kate the FTA networks have been sneaking Adam Sandler movies on recently - I know they've been on - but they are soooo memorable I can't remember them... think Little Nicky and Happy Gilmore were on recently... however I cannot stoop so low as to watch....Of course Jim Carrey is another staple of programming schedules - Liar Liar must be due another airing (it has been less than 6 months since the last one)

by Cathy on June 24, 2008 at 03:45 PM

I'm actually surprised TT got a lot more viewers in terms of exclusiveness to ACA. I missed them both anyway. Why did Ch 7 have to repeat a BL episode before a new ep of 30 Rock? A very enjoyable episode, I'll never read a cookie jar the same again. I'm still counting down the nights to Dr Who. Can't wait - show of the week too!

by Kym on June 24, 2008 at 03:52 PM

It's been a while since Happy Gilmore has been trotted out, either that or The Waterboy.

On that note, someone explain to me how the hell Rob Schneider has a career. He's almost as bad/banal/untalented as Will Ferrell.

Other things not trotted out recently. Housesitter. Parenthood. LA Story. Every so often Shirl goes on a Steve Martin binge.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 24, 2008 at 04:04 PM

kate on June 24, 2008 at 02:48 PM : Good call re the Adam Sandler movie. The millionth re-run of Happy Gilmore anyone?

by Nic on June 24, 2008 at 04:33 PM

Sebatsien on June 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM asked if anyone could advise about Gilmore Girls. Wikipedia says:

"The show follows single mother Lorelai Victoria Gilmore (Graham) and her daughter Lorelai "Rory" Leigh Gilmore (Bledel) in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, a close-knit small town with many quirky characters, located roughly thirty minutes from Hartford. The series explores family, friendship, generational divides, and social class.

Gilmore Girls features intricate, extremely fast-paced dialogue, with frequent popular-culture references and allusions to politics and high culture. It also features social commentary, which is manifest most clearly in Lorelai's difficult relationship with her wealthy upper class parents."

I think it's one of the best written shows, kind of West Wing style, the dialogue and repartee are wondrous to behold. I love the characters that people the town. They make the show real. Here in The Apple Isle we are still only up to to episode 7 of the last season. Thank goodness for DVDs!!!

by 2paw on June 24, 2008 at 04:38 PM

I'll stick my hand up as someone who actually enjoyed the final season of Gilmore Girls. Despite the odd dud episode, I felt it was a lot closer to Gilmore gold than the overly-dour sixth season. I think the final season show-runner did an admirable job of digging the show out of the hole the Palladinos dropped it in with the season six finale (that whole Christopher thing) and ultimately delivered a satisfying resolution to the series.
Those interested should be able to find all 7 seasons for a decent price at their local discount department store.
So, TM, now that you've worked your way through Gilmore Girls, have you turned your focus to a new series?

Tribal Mind replies: Rome and 30 Rock, but there's not enough backlog. Probably have to go for Boston Legal from te beginning.

by Craig on June 24, 2008 at 07:42 PM

David @ Wahroonga said;
"I will never look at it again nor anything that Koch (does he remind anyone else of Colonel Klink??) puts his mug in front of."

Funniest thing I've read in ages. Laughed so hard the inevitable female who has had three children thing happened......

by Suze on June 25, 2008 at 06:39 AM

"hear a lot about the Gilmore Girls on this blog.
Could someone kindly advise what it is about?
by Sebatsien on June 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM"

Girls called Gilmore.

by Rupert on June 25, 2008 at 09:13 AM

To add to 2paw's definition (all of with which I whole-heartedly agree), Hartford is also a town where everyone speaks with sparkling wit in never-ending well-written sentences and sometimes you wonder if they even know what a full stop is do they now what a full-stop is I don't think they do although this is in America so they'd probably call it a period wouldn't they and it's a town where you're unlikely very unlikely indeed to see a sign at a fruit shop or store as they would call it advertising banana's for sale because its a town that very definitely would know where to and where not to insert apostrophes isn't it and if they did commit such an ill-informed travesty against punctuation they'd have to call a cosy town meeting one snowy morning and discuss it and vote on it and say a few quirky things and it'd all be sorted and everyone'd go home happy yes very exceedingly happy indeed and then they'd all sit down to perfectly prepared thanksgiving turkey dinners and go to bed well fed and satisfied and say something quirky as they turn off the lights.
And that's just the opening scene.

by darren on June 25, 2008 at 09:19 AM

Tribal Mind replies: "Rome and 30 Rock, but there's not enough backlog. Probably have to go for Boston Legal from the beginning."

I might join you TM. The two other series that I will be watching from the beginning will be LOST and Bones (Bones for the first time).

by WD on June 25, 2008 at 09:19 AM

Quoth darren on June 25, 2008 at 09:19 AM: "...And that's just the opening scene."
Dagnabbit, I'm cheesed off now that I've missed this series! (My excuse: it clashed with Iron Chef, and I know where my priorities lie. Wacky Japanese chefs win over wacky American families any day.)
I can feel a trip to the video shop coming on...
If I was going to rewatch an entire series from the beginning: The West Wing. (Because I've only seen [most of] the eps screened on ABC, and I'd love to see the whole thing.) And I'll be sitting down with friends to watch Twin Peaks from the beginning (another great series I didn't see all of; my apologies for finishing a clause with a preposition).
And a belated thank you to Mr Dale for the information that Doctor Who kicks off this Sunday. And I've seen the ads now, can't wait!
Caught Medical Mavericks on ABC last night. Wacky self-experimenting doctors are probably right up there with wacky Japanese chefs in my pantheon of godlike humans. Really impressed with this series, it's such a great take on medical history. (And recorded the First Tuesday special to watch at a more reasonable hour.)

by tqd on June 25, 2008 at 11:06 AM

Forgot to mention the other day: Boston Legal GOLD. I love the show, but you've got to be kidding me Ch 7/Prime promot department!

Speaking of William Shatner (a segueway The Chaser would be proud of) I believe that he used to be the "Chairman Kaga" of the US version of Iron Chef.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 25, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Drillbit, Ten are going to show the uncensored version of Dexter. I won't be watching because I have Foxtel and have seen the first two series as it was screened back to back from last December. Be surprised. As dark as it is, it manages to have very black humour and the Michael C Hall from Six Feet Under couldn't be more different in this role and he does it brilliantly. Watch it but I think ads will be annoying. Sign up to Foxtel and watch the reruns or get it on DVD or download.

by Dexter Fan on June 25, 2008 at 12:48 PM

tqd about watching the whole of west wing from the beginning - I heartily agree you should - I am one of those fans who managed to watch the lot before ABC picked up the ball Nein dropped (by getting the last few seasons overseas. I agree with darren and 2paw about Gilmore Girls - I have seen first 6 seasons and I am getting a copy of the last (although TM did suggest that it had jumped the shark I want to see the end)
And TM you must watch Boston Legal from the get go - v funny! I also think shows such as Buffy are those you can watch again - just for the sheer joy and silliness of some of the lines/ set ups.
Another one I would recommend is Supernatural (particularly as it rarely takes itself seriously)

by Cathy on June 25, 2008 at 12:52 PM

Loved Dexter when it screened on Fox and I highly recommend it to anyone out there who hasnt seen it. Somehow I dont think Ten will treat it well. All those ads will be annoying and I just can't see it rating well enough for them to keep it at a reasonable time. It is rather gruesome but there is something about Michael C Hall's portrayl of Dexter and the way he goes about his "job" that makes it "must see" TV each week. I really gets you in.
If you like the show, buy the DVD's. Or download. Ten will never do it justice. And I also think season 2 was better than season 1.
And can't wait for Dr Who this Sunday. It's about time, ABC!

by em on June 25, 2008 at 03:01 PM

Grand Designs ends July 10. New series about British buildings replacing it.
TM, have you got Rome 2? Personally think it's better than series 1.

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, but disagree. Ending with Cleopatra too melodramatic.

by Gary on June 25, 2008 at 03:14 PM

Channel 10 ( AKA - the raw sewrage network) and the Friday night movie - havent played love actually for at least 4 weeks ... time for them to play again ......

by Randwick Geoff on June 25, 2008 at 04:34 PM

I predict that the following week's Friday night movie will be Two Weeks Notice.

by arthur on June 26, 2008 at 08:05 AM

And what is Shirl showing friday week - Riding in cars with boys - I am sure that one was on only about 3 months ago! It is definitely on high rotation..... They must have something else.. why oh why can they not take a leaf out of ABC2 who are soon to do an Audrey Hepburn festival....

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

ACA's attempt to woo viewers with their paid interview with Belinda Neil's former staffer just didnt work. ACA didn't increase its viewing audience and thank god. If the networks start realising that cheque book journalism doesn't automatically translate to higher ratings they might start resorting to the old fashioned way of getting an interview - the so called - " un-paid way".

Denton is a good example of someone who can get the interview and the story without paying thousands of dollars!

ACA had that grubby defence lawyer who worked for Schapelle Corby on last night and I guarantee he was paid too.

Maybe it's what we've come to expect from current affairs on the commercial networks but it seems the only way they can get a story these days is to pay for it!

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

Ten is hopelesss .Their shares are now 1/3 the value of a year ago.With a TV monoply , well 3 main transmitters for 20 million they have hardly any competition so should be financially sound. But they alienate most of their potential audience.Most of us are subject to real competition in business due to Government competition rules & imports.Its not a level playing field in TV .I would be pushing Government to allow direct transmission from overseas from the USA networks to similcast to us .The BBC/ITV could do the same.Ten inparticular does not deserve a licence .

by doug on June 26, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Noticed a brief teaser promo for 'The Hollowmen' on ABC last night. Maybe everyone else knows about it but I hadn't a clue so looked at the ABC website and it's a six part political comedy / drama (by good old Working Dog) starring Rob Sitch & Santo Cilauro & Merrick Watts (among others) about a think tank set up by the PM to get himself re-elected. I may be seriously jumping the gun, but couldn't help getting my hopes up that it might be a return to form for Working Dog. A return to the good old days when they did D-generation & Frontline (before they met Kate Langbroek & Fifi Box & whoever it is that keeps convincing them that another 'The Panel Christmas Special' is a good idea). If their only competition is going to be 'Mark Loves Sharon' I think it'll be a hit.
Pity Back to You has been cancelled. I keep liking it better each week. The network boss Ginger Koe (Co? Ko? Kho?) is one of the best characters on tv at the moment. The replacement daughter is growing on me too.
My pick for next Friday on Ten: Mean Girls! Mean Girls! Mean Girls! There's a line in the 53rd minute that I can't remember (something something bitch... something something..).

by darren on June 26, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Watched the Gruen Transfer again last night, and enjoyed it.
I don't know why some people dislike Wil Anderson, I think he does a pretty good job.
What blew me away was the public service announcement made by Emma Thompson, on the subject of sexual slavery.
It can be seen on You Tube, or probably on the ABC site.
Wow. Took my breath away.

by Sal on June 26, 2008 at 11:37 AM

Darren, like you I too have hopes for the Hollowmen - if they can get it anywhere near Frontline that is enough for me...and in case my earlier post was not clear - I noted in Yahoo TV guide for next week Shirl's friday movie is Riding in Cars with Boys

by Cathy on June 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM

Sorry for the doubling up on posts but just read Pamela Anderson is to enter the BB house in July - colour them desperate to increase ratings!!!!

My guess is now Shirl will find some Pammy movie to show

by Cathy on June 26, 2008 at 12:52 PM

by Cathy on June 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM: Shirl's friday movie is Riding in Cars with Boys

So they are staying with the Chick Flick theme. I stand corrected with my Adam Sandler guess, it seems that Saturday is the humour slapstick movie night...

Can't believe Ch 7 is moving Boston Legal, the next few episodes are just gems!

Also, think this week's ratings win will come down to Saturday again... As Ch 7 will most likely win Friday night...

by kate on June 26, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Cathy, sorry, I thought Riding in Cars With Boys was another cynical guess. You could have just pretended you were a predictive genius.

by darren on June 26, 2008 at 01:10 PM

BB's ratings seem to have steadied on the 800k mark. I read today that Pamela Anderson is going into the house (for a day?, week? who knows?, who cares?) will that bring up ratings? Teenage boys will surely tune in, but would anyone else?
Desperation by Ten surely.

Gruen Transfer was great last night and the ad with Emma Thompson very emotionally charged. Excellent ep and Will was slightly less annoying this week.
Good stuff!

ABC seems to be the only station worth watching. The Hollowmen sounds promising and with my favorite Doctor back the ABC is my top choice these days.

by em on June 26, 2008 at 01:13 PM

Dear David, could you please advise numbers for The Unit? It was on Channel 7 last night at 10.30pm. Thank you.

Tribal Mind replies: In the chart now, but you won't be happy with the number.

by Chrissy on June 26, 2008 at 01:47 PM

I suspect the HOLLOWMEN will be a return to the good ole days for working dog because its on the ABC - remember that all of Working Dogs early successes were on the ABC notably FRONTLINE.

Working Dog could have chosen a commercial network to debut this series but they opted for the ABC which I think was a very shrewd marketing move - the series will be allowed to gain a good audience on the ABC - had it been left to one of the commercial networks who knows where it would have ended up!

I note all the support for the GILMORE GIRLS - I've never been able to get into it simply because its timeslots have been so varied I could never catch it when it was actually on!!

by GJ on June 26, 2008 at 01:55 PM

Darren I can only claim predictive genius when warranted.
TM have been meaning to raise this - your clock appears to be out by 1 hour so whn we post at say 1 pm you credit us with 12 pm - is deliberate or are you in some Timelord zone us mere mortals cannot reach? Curiousity has got to me on this one.

Tribal Mind replies: Probably something to do with daylight saving. I have no control over time - yet.

by Cathy on June 26, 2008 at 03:37 PM

Ch 10 hasn't had Sandra Bullock in that rehab movie for a while, so that must be coming up on rotation soon (although I'm guessing Love Actually will probably get a look in again first)

by Rob1966 on June 26, 2008 at 04:19 PM

Gilmore Girls - please tell me that I'm not the only one who thinks that Lorelei is the most annoying smart mouthed twat on tv?? I'd rather stick knitting needles in my ear than listen to her ironic (!) prattle and oh-so-humorous banter.
The whole Shapelle saga was very drawn out - could have used a sharp edit and made it into a two hour Sunday night feature. No suprise that ACA and TT both jumped onto the follow up "revelations".
I'm thinking Clueless or Four Weddings is about due for another run on Ten. Or a Home Alone marathon. Oh, and haven't seen Sound of Music for a while...
Pity to note that Amrita Cheema has gone the way of most SBS talent - out the door. Good luck to her - she was a very personable newsreader.
/Rant off/

by cronker on June 26, 2008 at 11:18 PM

I'm still somewhat appalled and amazed that Channel Nine runs 2 and a 1/2men in the 7pm timeslot. It is highly inappropriate for that hour just as Gordon Ramsay is @ 8.30.
Channel Nine seem to be wanting the conservatives within government (and don't believe that just cause there was a change at a federal level that anything really changed) to crack down, cause they're making some weird programming decisions.Re: Watched the Gruen Transfer again last night, and enjoyed it.
I don't know why some people dislike Wil Anderson, I think he does a pretty good job. by Sal on June 26, 2008 at 11:37 AM
That's cause, for the first few shows, and his previous track record, he was an annoying prat.
I agree with you - he was absolutely fine on Wed night (I laughed plenty of times with what he said AND I wasn't wincing cause he wasn't doing his mug looks!). If he continued in that style then the show is in safe hands but if he reverts to the all-nodding, all-winking, all-clever-dick that he had been then the show is doomed!
The Emma Thompson ad was brilliantly acted. Breathtakingly good but like one of the panel said I too was immediately left with a "now what?!?" Thus, not a great ad.
RE: Funniest thing I've read in ages. Laughed so hard the inevitable female who has had three children thing happened......
by Suze on June 25, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Hope the clean up went well Suze...

by David @ Wahroonga on June 27, 2008 at 09:16 AM

"I'm still somewhat appalled and amazed that Channel Nine runs 2 and a 1/2men in the 7pm timeslot. It is highly inappropriate for that hour just as Gordon Ramsay is @ 8.30."
Quite simply because it rates very well. It's done it's job of beating H&A many nights of the week. Same for Gordon Ramsay except nein overexposed it and should've spread it out.

by arthur on June 27, 2008 at 10:38 AM

At the risk of making one (or seven) too many comments this week (a quiet patch at work & too much coffee), one more thing: does anyone here think the ABC might win Sunday night with Doctor Who? Stranger things have happened (who would've thought people'd watch elephant / tiger /reptile documentarys on Monday nights?). And after all it'll only be up against BB08, Rove, '60' Minutes, Battle of the Choirs, Grey's Anatomy & whatever's on SBS. You'd like to think they could play the Doctor Who theme song over a test pattern for an hour or two & win against that.
Speaking of desperation (e.g: Pammy and her substantial assets entering the BB house as has been mentioned), I noticed Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune has wheeled out a celebrity week this week (after... what, a month of being on air?). I imagine channel Nine 'celebrities' all over the country hiding under their beds to avoid the 'invitation' to appear. And Tim Campbell's had a shave. Oh dear.
And Cronker @11:18 pm, no you're not the only one who thinks Lorelei Gilmore is the most annoying smart mouthed twat on tv. But she's a well written annoying smart mouthed twat. Like Jessica Rabbit. Not bad, just drawn that way.

by darren on June 27, 2008 at 11:22 AM

Watch the Gruen Transfer last nite on the web as I missed the ABC1 and ABC2 broadcast. I found to my surprise there is an extra segement (which is cut due to time requirements) available on the web each week. I found it interesting that Wil A doesn't mention this at the end of each show. It would get more people to the website etc. This week the extra segment dissected the eclipse gum ad.

by WD on June 27, 2008 at 12:20 PM

For those interested last night's episode of SVU was the last one in the most recent series. Shirl next week is showing an ep at 9.30 that I think they held back from earlier.
Also read today that Chris Noth is leaving L&O Criminal Intent and is to be replaced by Jeff Goldblum.

by Cathy on June 27, 2008 at 12:32 PM

I shall add my voice to the: yes, Wil wasn't half the annoying prat this week that he usually is. Made it a better show, I felt.
Realised that I'm only watching How I Met Your Mother for Barney. The other characters are fairly ordinary (cute, in the case of Willow, but ordinary), the laugh track is annoying, the slides into schmaltz are icky, but Barney cracks me up every time.
Loved Earl. We kept on forgetting about the timeslot change, so last night was the first time in ages that we remembered and managed to catch all of it.
Missed Gil Mayo, because I was off reading "The Secret Garden" to a small boy, and meanwhile was recording That Mitchell And Webb look (having completely forgotten to realise it was on Wednesday night).

by tqd on June 27, 2008 at 02:38 PM

I see Million $$ wheel has broken an axle and wobbled off into the sunset. There is a saying about sows ears....
Have just started seeing the ads for Dexter - strangely looking forward to this one; just hope 10 gives it a chance, unlike The Shield. Might start recording it so if it disappears into the night or to HD then I will just delete it without having wasted my time getting involved in to.

by ozinoz on June 27, 2008 at 03:59 PM

Somewhere Baby John Burgess is laughing his toupee' off.
My Sunday PM will be busy. Watching the FTA of Doctor Who, then Lipstick Jungle. Welcome relief after holding a joint birthday party for 24 anklebiters tomorrow!

by Bereft Skerrick on June 27, 2008 at 06:15 PM

Wheel had quite problems including a set that looked too clinical, a prize with so many rules that made it look impossible to obtain and a host that struggled to fill the gaps in conversation. Tim Campbell is a nice enough bloke but he's just not experienced enough as a TV host. He can act, sing and dance but as a host he seems to lack that ability to waffle on and keep it entertaining. Andrew O'Keefe on the other hand can waffle on forever about nothing in particular and somehow manages to keep it interesting. I think his National Bingo show failed for the same reason and I'm not sure he's well suited to host The Singing Bee either.

by J Bar on June 28, 2008 at 07:52 PM

What did Australia watch, Friday?

Tribal Mind replies: I'd love to know myself, but no rankings were sent out yesterday. A glitch in OzTAM's system, presumably.

by bobmar28 on June 29, 2008 at 07:12 AM

Next 2 turkeys for channel 10 (AKA - the raw sewerage network) Ice road truckers and Mark loves Sharon ? the latter hasnt even started and looks pretty awful .......time to change your format 10 .... it's long overdue .....l

by Randwick Geoff on June 29, 2008 at 10:25 AM

I'm not sure that "Mark Loves Sharon" is going to fail. Sure, "The Wedge" was a steaming pile of doody, but it's train wreck reality. Stuff that is aimed at Shirl's demographic. However considering the dropping numbers of the lead in, and steaming doodiness of shows on that evening, it may be doomed to fail.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 29, 2008 at 10:36 AM

Wed Night State of Origin in Perth at 7 30,why for one night 9 cant can A Currant Bun and Two and a Quarter Men I don,t know.
At least let us watch it near live

by John Ryan on June 29, 2008 at 11:16 AM

Any idea what did Nine's delayed Friday night football rated? The 9:30 game in Brisbane nd Sydney?

Tribal Mind replies: Something called "Nine's Friday night Football" got 279,000 in Sydney and 124,000 in Brisbane and was not shown in other capitals.

by Peter on June 29, 2008 at 11:18 AM

"Pamela Anderson to appear on BB"??? We saw her as 'guest star' in a Las Vegas magic show several months ago - she was worse than woeful. All T&A gags that fell flat - pardon the pun. Should mean the final nail in the BB coffin (not that I watch it anyway, I'm one of the 55+ dinosaurs FTATV turned their backs on.) Speaking of which, Mr D - did ABC2's Sat night 8.30 screening of the classic "King Kong" show up anywhere in the ratings? I love your work!

by David @ Green Point on June 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM

I was just beginning to like the reinvented revamped re-incarnated WHEEL OF FORTUNE and now its been axed - I will admit to only seeing the celebrity version last week but did anyone see the show the other night - BERT NEWTON was on and he looked even more bizarre than normal - he appeared to have had another face lift -I'm not sure what's going on but he just looked very strange.
Good to see DR WHO rating well last night!

by GJ on June 30, 2008 at 09:37 AM

is it true that viewers of pay tv watch free 2 air channels most of the time in prime time?

by john battishall on July 08, 2008 at 09:18 PM

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