The Who We Are Update: Week 27

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To learn what the world would be like if there were no Australia, go to Who We Are.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,251,000 278,000 330,000 291,000 128,000 224,000
2 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,176,000 327,000 332,000 238,000 161,000 117,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,127,000 329,000 264,000 242,000 115,000 178,000
4 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Network 7 948,000 241,000 257,000 229,000 102,000 120,000
5 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Network TEN 892,000 227,000 246,000 175,000 94,000 151,000
6 ABC NEWS-SAT Network ABC1 885,000 246,000 274,000 182,000 78,000 105,000
7 STUART LITTLE 2 -RPT Network 9 836,000 282,000 187,000 158,000 99,000 110,000
8 THE BILL Network ABC1 795,000 224,000 235,000 155,000 79,000 103,000
9 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 775,000 123,000 387,000 50,000 101,000 114,000
12 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT Network ABC1 671,000 195,000 202,000 122,000 79,000 72,000
13 WILD AT HEART Network ABC1 668,000 217,000 141,000 171,000 64,000 75,000
14 THE WEDDING SINGER Network 9 658,000 260,000 172,000 131,000 94,000
17 SEVEN'S R.U: AUS V FRA Network 7 535,000 262,000 37,000 189,000 17,000 29,000
25 WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S FINAL Network 9 422,000 138,000 117,000 57,000 53,000 57,000

Continued here

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,495,000 459,000 416,000 249,000 171,000 199,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,453,000 418,000 365,000 255,000 174,000 241,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,274,000 403,000 304,000 220,000 159,000 187,000
4 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,139,000 349,000 303,000 229,000 132,000 125,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,116,000 347,000 255,000 206,000 141,000 167,000
6 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,089,000 311,000 298,000 228,000 145,000 107,000
7 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,056,000 237,000 376,000 204,000 98,000 141,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,019,000 260,000 296,000 239,000 123,000 101,000
9 SILENT WITNESS Network ABC1 988,000 266,000 300,000 188,000 111,000 124,000
11 BIG BROTHER - FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Network TEN 875,000 220,000 256,000 155,000 124,000 120,000
14 SPOOKS Network ABC1 813,000 225,000 247,000 164,000 75,000 102,000
18 BIG BROTHER Network TEN 742,000 199,000 192,000 143,000 93,000 115,000
19 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 14: ADELAIDE VS GEELONG Network 7 741,000 24,000 430,000 12,000 153,000 122,000
21 RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS RPT Network TEN 567,000 147,000 200,000 86,000 72,000 63,000
22 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 562,000 359,000 204,000
32 WIMBLEDON D11 Network 9 396,000 153,000 105,000 63,000 34,000 40,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,476,000 400,000 418,000 273,000 148,000 237,000
2 HELL'S KITCHEN Nine 1,347,000 379,000 443,000 204,000 136,000 186,000
3 GETAWAY Nine 1,347,000 444,000 371,000 238,000 119,000 175,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,225,000 369,000 355,000 207,000 120,000 174,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,208,000 352,000 385,000 248,000 116,000 108,000
6 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,206,000 353,000 378,000 233,000 93,000 149,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,152,000 315,000 360,000 235,000 123,000 120,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,113,000 329,000 287,000 209,000 120,000 167,000
9 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,107,000 324,000 354,000 186,000 134,000 109,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,095,000 301,000 341,000 229,000 112,000 112,000
11 BONES Seven 1,074,000 312,000 297,000 224,000 110,000 131,000
12 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT Ten 1,009,000 292,000 341,000 151,000 115,000 111,000
13 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 1,008,000 192,000 418,000 153,000 116,000 129,000
14 CATALYST ABC1 984,000 262,000 304,000 205,000 97,000 116,000
15 MY NAME IS EARL Seven 980,000 280,000 316,000 251,000 134,000
16 7.30 REPORT ABC1 974,000 282,000 309,000 187,000 90,000 105,000
17 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 918,000 291,000 278,000 228,000 120,000
18 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 876,000 243,000 243,000 181,000 99,000 111,000
19 BIG BROTHER Ten 860,000 215,000 271,000 153,000 116,000 104,000
20 ALL NEW FUTURAMA Ten 858,000 171,000 319,000 130,000 108,000 129,000
21 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 845,000 219,000 244,000 146,000 103,000 133,000
22 FUTURAMA RPT Ten 825,000 178,000 311,000 133,000 80,000 123,000
23 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 768,000 238,000 267,000 90,000 86,000 87,000
24 THE GIL MAYO MYSTERIES ABC1 768,000 242,000 205,000 155,000 74,000 92,000
29 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW -RPT Nine 560,000 175,000 178,000 76,000 78,000 53,000
31 Q & A ABC1 504,000 186,000 158,000 71,000 43,000 46,000
33 FAMILY GUY Seven 478,000 146,000 163,000 54,000 64,000 51,000
35 AMERICAN DAD Seven 423,000 147,000 136,000 46,000 47,000 47,000
37 INSPECTOR REX RPT SBS 370,000 100,000 112,000 75,000 41,000 42,000
41 SUNRISE Seven 302,000 99,000 56,000 74,000 30,000 43,000
45 BLUE WATER HIGH ABC1 280,000 104,000 81,000 39,000 37,000 19,000
46 WIMBLEDON D10 Nine 278,000 88,000 98,000 44,000 28,000 19,000
49 TODAY Nine 270,000 103,000 73,000 40,000 22,000 31,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE 3 - MATCH Nine 2,144,000 912,000 332,000 705,000 89,000 107,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,587,000 435,000 462,000 306,000 140,000 244,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,425,000 406,000 407,000 246,000 145,000 221,000
4 STATE OF ORIGIN PRE MATCH Nine 1,339,000 555,000 265,000 428,000 91,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,237,000 366,000 351,000 264,000 114,000 141,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,218,000 382,000 325,000 204,000 127,000 180,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,166,000 314,000 376,000 234,000 122,000 119,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,158,000 314,000 370,000 236,000 114,000 123,000
9 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,115,000 300,000 391,000 169,000 141,000 114,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,088,000 283,000 365,000 251,000 108,000 82,000
11 7.30 REPORT ABC1 1,064,000 316,000 305,000 188,000 107,000 149,000
12 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,058,000 284,000 392,000 149,000 113,000 119,000
13 UGLY BETTY Seven 1,003,000 292,000 306,000 165,000 117,000 125,000
16 AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS Seven 906,000 201,000 347,000 136,000 107,000 115,000
20 BIG BROTHER Ten 861,000 238,000 252,000 163,000 92,000 116,000
22 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 836,000 190,000 389,000 138,000 118,000
23 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Ten 815,000 191,000 308,000 113,000 86,000 117,000
24 HOUSE RPT Ten 797,000 186,000 285,000 78,000 106,000 142,000
27 BACK TO YOU Ten 736,000 152,000 286,000 94,000 85,000 118,000
34 FOOD SAFARI RPT SBS 461,000 131,000 129,000 97,000 53,000 50,000
35 AT THE MOVIES ABC1 460,000 147,000 150,000 51,000 56,000 56,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
Channel Seven won last night and would have had a chance of winning the week if not for tonight's biffo, which will keep Nine on top.

The biggest program this year on Pay TV, Australia's Next Top Model, totalled 203,139 viewers in the mainland capitals over the two showings of its finale last night. One of history's unanswerable questions is whether it would have done better or worse if Jodhi Meares had been able to conquer her nerves and actually turn up to do her hosting duties. But her replacement Charlotte Dawson got the opportunity to show she should be next year's host.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,587,000 508,000 410,000 235,000 221,000 214,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,552,000 469,000 409,000 281,000 165,000 228,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,417,000 426,000 387,000 216,000 170,000 219,000
4 NCIS Ten 1,312,000 343,000 359,000 243,000 168,000 200,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,294,000 354,000 433,000 233,000 138,000 136,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,277,000 401,000 339,000 210,000 140,000 188,000
7 NCIS RPT Ten 1,214,000 350,000 334,000 192,000 145,000 194,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,213,000 328,000 410,000 239,000 140,000 95,000
9 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,207,000 333,000 398,000 217,000 114,000 145,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,201,000 337,000 407,000 251,000 119,000 87,000
11 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,148,000 381,000 366,000 127,000 140,000 135,000
14 WORLD'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,054,000 365,000 352,000 181,000 156,000
19 E.J. WHITTEN LEGENDS GAME Nine 795,000 Not shown 538,000 Not shown 100,000 157,000
21 BAD LADS ARMY Nine 724,000 221,000 222,000 117,000 81,000 83,000
25 MEDICAL MAVERICKS: THE HISTORY OF SELF-EXPERIMENTATION ABC1 650,000 219,000 206,000 78,000 71,000 75,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,714,000 451,000 479,000 353,000 178,000 253,000
2 CITY HOMICIDE Seven 1,611,000 441,000 541,000 282,000 158,000 188,000
3 BORDER SECURITY (R) Seven 1,503,000 425,000 433,000 262,000 160,000 224,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,494,000 403,000 428,000 259,000 170,000 235,000
5 SURF PATROL Seven 1,383,000 410,000 410,000 230,000 140,000 193,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,363,000 429,000 436,000 257,000 132,000 109,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,355,000 354,000 445,000 271,000 147,000 138,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,312,000 368,000 425,000 266,000 159,000 94,000
9 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S LIFE OF MAMMALS Nine 1,302,000 345,000 397,000 255,000 155,000 150,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,268,000 377,000 359,000 219,000 135,000 178,000
11 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1,267,000 363,000 440,000 224,000 125,000 115,000
14 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 957,000 273,000 280,000 200,000 98,000 106,000
17 TOP GEAR SBS 872,000 281,000 261,000 134,000 100,000 95,000
19 BIG BROTHER Ten 860,000 242,000 258,000 167,000 110,000 82,000
23 BIG BROTHER NOMINATION Ten 793,000 225,000 237,000 157,000 88,000 86,000
25 MARK LOVES SHARON Ten 781,000 208,000 215,000 135,000 114,000 109,000
26 BOSTON LEGAL Seven 744,000 250,000 287,000 88,000 68,000 50,000
30 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Nine 639,000 144,000 239,000 93,000 104,000 60,000
31 BIG BROTHER - BIG MOUTH Ten 558,000 161,000 169,000 87,000 77,000 64,000
39 WIMBLEDON D7 Nine 379,000 115,000 140,000 51,000 40,000 34,000
42 SUNRISE Seven 336,000 102,000 65,000 90,000 28,000 51,000
44 BOSTON LEGAL (R) Seven 315,000 115,000 200,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown
51 TODAY Nine 283,000 96,000 79,000 54,000 23,000 32,000
54 30 ROCK Seven 255,000 44,000 91,000 48,000 40,000 33,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

It was the battle of the Australian icons last week, as Dannii Minogue took on Schappelle Corby. And although Dannii scored a technical knockout, Schappelle performed strongly enough to let Channel Nine win the week and conclude the first half of the year with a higher audience share than Channel Seven. Nine has averaged 27.8 per cent for the ratings year so far, a rise of 1 per cent, while Seven averaged 27.7, a fall of 6 per cent. Full details below.

Then on Sunday night, Dannii's sister helped Doctor Who to the biggest audience he's ever achieved in Australia. Many people who don't normally watch television must have been pulled back to the box, because every network did well.

Nine got huge numbers for 60 Minutes and Domestic Blitz, while Seven's Gladiators and Choirs were only down because Perth was watching football at that time. Seven's new Private Practice attracted the same sort of audience that usually tunes to Grey's Anatomy (but lost them once Lipstick Jungle came on). And Ten has to be happy that the Big Brother eviction topped a million.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 60 MINUTES Nine 1,814,000 523,000 521,000 354,000 186,000 229,000
2 NINE NEWS SUN Nine 1,659,000 454,000 491,000 275,000 201,000 239,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,574,000 450,000 428,000 398,000 146,000 151,000
4 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,512,000 395,000 446,000 290,000 183,000 198,000
5 CSI Nine 1,470,000 377,000 460,000 276,000 182,000 174,000
6 PRIVATE PRACTICE Seven 1,262,000 412,000 405,000 215,000 108,000 123,000
7 DOCTOR WHO: VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED ABC1 1,248,000 434,000 344,000 214,000 111,000 145,000
8 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC1 1,185,000 354,000 349,000 243,000 103,000 135,000
9 WITHOUT A TRACE Nine 1,140,000 303,000 371,000 178,000 156,000 132,000
10 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Seven 1,021,000 348,000 384,000 174,000 115,000 Not shown in Perth because of football
11 GLADIATORS Seven 1,020,000 316,000 376,000 207,000 121,000 Not shown in Perth because of football
12 BIG BROTHER LIVE EVICTION Ten 1,003,000 301,000 287,000 178,000 124,000 112,000
13 ROVE Ten 933,000 295,000 287,000 145,000 100,000 106,000
14 LIPSTICK JUNGLE Seven 925,000 275,000 361,000 124,000 80,000 85,000
17 BIG BROTHER SUN Ten 829,000 272,000 188,000 151,000 103,000 115,000
20 SUPERNATURAL Ten 661,000 190,000 183,000 119,000 80,000 88,000
23 THE GIRLS FROM BELARUS ABC1 571,000 176,000 160,000 93,000 56,000 85,000
24 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 531,000 268,000 73,000 168,000 22,000
31 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Ten 347,000 122,000 79,000 59,000 47,000 39,000
33 CITIES OF LIGHT: THE RISE AND FALL OF ISLAMIC SPAIN SBS 333,000 103,000 103,000 75,000 23,000 29,000

The margin between Nine and Seven for the first half of the ratings year is so fine that Nine can't take any risks for the second half, which is why it announced late on Friday it had axed Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune. It was providing a lead-in of only 585,000 viewers for Nine's 6pm news while its rival, Deal or No Deal, hands over 890,000 to Seven's news, and sets Seven up nicely for the night. Wheel will be replaced by Antiques Roadshow, which may be an appropriate label for most of what we'll be seeing this year (go here for details).

The most watched shows of the week were Seven news Sunday 1.77m; 60 Minutes (9) 1.76m; Australia's Got Talent (7) 1.73m; Schappelle Corby: The Hidden Truth (9) 1.54m for part one and 1.28m for Part 2, when viewers realised they were not going to learn Whodunit.

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. The ABC's hottest hits were Spicks and Specks with 1.35m and the Sunday news with 1.21m. SBS scored with the Top Gear Botswana special (928,000) and The Passionate Apprentices (485,000). Pay TV's top performers included Australia's Next Top Model (Fox 8) with 320,000, the Titans v Dragons rugby league match (Fox Sports 2) 295,000, the Australia vs China soccer qualifier (Fox Sports 3) 217,000, and Selling Houses Australia (Lifestyle) 180,000.

What Australia watched, week ending June 28
Description STN Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Network 7 1,774,000 419,000 566,000 396,000 150,000 244,000
2 60 MINUTES Network 9 1,762,000 553,000 540,000 295,000 195,000 178,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Network 7 1,733,000 460,000 516,000 318,000 203,000 235,000
4 SCHAPELLE CORBY: THE HIDDEN TRUTH Network 9 1,589,000 512,000 430,000 275,000 169,000 202,000
5 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,564,000 407,000 416,000 317,000 172,000 252,000
6 BORDER SECURITY (R) Network 7 1,547,000 416,000 487,000 272,000 161,000 211,000
7 DOMESTIC BLITZ Network 9 1,506,000 462,000 454,000 266,000 160,000 163,000
8 SEA PATROL II - THE COUP Network 9 1,486,000 430,000 467,000 239,000 159,000 191,000
9 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Network 9 1,480,000 446,000 430,000 324,000 175,000 105,000
10 NCIS Network TEN 1,473,000 360,000 454,000 319,000 160,000 179,000
11 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Network 7 1,461,000 436,000 458,000 244,000 135,000 188,000
12 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,415,000 386,000 395,000 257,000 154,000 223,000
13 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S BEAR - A SPY IN THE WOODS Network 9 1,402,000 376,000 402,000 276,000 154,000 195,000
14 SURF PATROL Network 7 1,362,000 363,000 445,000 236,000 149,000 169,000
15 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,351,000 324,000 397,000 304,000 136,000 190,000
16 SPICKS AND SPECKS Network ABC1 1,350,000 429,000 401,000 247,000 127,000 146,000
17 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Network 7 1,344,000 342,000 468,000 232,000 133,000 169,000
18 GETAWAY Network 9 1,338,000 380,000 429,000 242,000 136,000 151,000
19 ALL SAINTS Network 7 1,300,000 357,000 419,000 224,000 138,000 163,000
20 SCHAPELLE CORBY: THE HIDDEN TRUTH - PART 2 Network 9 1,280,000 398,000 340,000 239,000 140,000 164,000
21 GLADIATORS Network 7 1,264,000 277,000 413,000 258,000 153,000 163,000
22 GREY'S ANATOMY Network 7 1,259,000 377,000 436,000 209,000 113,000 124,000
23 SEARCH & RESCUE Network 9 1,245,000 344,000 398,000 229,000 129,000 144,000
24 FIRE 000 Network 9 1,243,000 373,000 385,000 228,000 123,000 134,000
25 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,211,000 314,000 388,000 257,000 141,000 110,000
26 ABC NEWS-SUN Network ABC1 1,207,000 333,000 373,000 241,000 117,000 142,000
27 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,198,000 322,000 367,000 241,000 132,000 136,000
28 HOME AND AWAY Network 7 1,193,000 336,000 326,000 224,000 135,000 173,000
29 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,183,000 337,000 370,000 224,000 109,000 143,000
30 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,180,000 288,000 402,000 248,000 105,000 138,000
31 HELL'S KITCHEN Network 9 1,179,000 299,000 427,000 151,000 137,000 166,000
32 THE GRUEN TRANSFER Network ABC1 1,172,000 375,000 364,000 219,000 87,000 126,000
33 NCIS RPT Network TEN 1,163,000 305,000 354,000 191,000 160,000 153,000
34 MY NAME IS EARL - THU Network 7 1,143,000 290,000 349,000 227,000 102,000 174,000
35 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,140,000 320,000 354,000 237,000 123,000 106,000
36 CRIMINAL MINDS Network 7 1,137,000 281,000 334,000 244,000 125,000 152,000
37 THE SIMPSONS TUES Network TEN 1,118,000 307,000 372,000 207,000 119,000 113,000
38 SILENT WITNESS Network ABC1 1,110,000 347,000 332,000 175,000 131,000 126,000
39 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,105,000 307,000 360,000 213,000 121,000 104,000
40 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Network 7 1,085,000 292,000 319,000 214,000 102,000 158,000
41 CRIMINAL MINDS - MON Network 7 1,078,000 287,000 306,000 228,000 128,000 130,000
42 WILD CHINA Network ABC1 1,065,000 279,000 310,000 224,000 115,000 137,000
(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

Great episode of Doctor Who with guest star Kylie Minogue. Hope it does well on Sunday nights and doesn't suffer from the strong competition on that night.

by J Bar on June 29, 2008 at 09:26 PM

Great to see the Doctor back. Can't wait until next week. Sunday night seems a great time for him. Good family viewing timeslot. TM the combined audience for 7.30 on Sunday night seemed quite large. Is it one of the largest combined audience?

by Louise on June 30, 2008 at 09:45 AM

Dr Who was fantastic, even though I had already seen that ep it was just as good on second viewing. Kylie was terrific. Pity she didnt stay on as the Drs companion for a few eps at least.

Saw PP last night. Didnt think much of it really and dont know if I will bother again.
Just another GA with even more iditioic story lines (if that's possible). Then I stuck around for Lipstick Jungle but shouldnt have bothered. What crap! I dont know why people keep trying to make another Sex & the City. We already had one. Leave it be. It was a great show and no attempt to make another one will work.

And what gave BB a jump in ratings last night? Was it the return of the show's little person? Anyone actually watch?

by em on June 30, 2008 at 10:23 AM

GJ @9:37 AM (on last week's comments page) Re: Bert bizzaro Newton on Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune: Yeah I saw that too. Thought I'd accidently tuned into Weekend at Bernie's #3. Held my breath every time he bent over to spin the wheel in case an eye fell out or some of that corn-row follicle implant work came unstitched. He looks kind of.... shiny.
About Doctor Who last night, good to see it rate well (oldies still propping up 60 minutes though). But has it always been that camp? Probably has, but I felt sorry for David Tennant having to try & bring something believable & skillful to that script. I know it's always been tongue in cheek but it seemed uncomfortably so to me last night. Previews of next week's episode look better (but they always do don't they?). Okay. Begin to tell me off for this sacriledge...........now.

by darren on June 30, 2008 at 10:34 AM

It’s a pity that Flight of The Conchords doesn’t rate better. It really is a very funny show. I thought it would be silly but after reading reviews of it I thought I would give it a go (last Sunday) and I really like it. I think it's on at a bad time though, and being on after Big Brother and Rove doesn’t really help much either.

Very good to see Doctor Who rate so well. This series is really good, there were a few episodes at the start that didn't really grad me but gets a lot better later on.

by vanessa on June 30, 2008 at 11:00 AM

That was a pathetic, pathetic installment of Doctor Who. Hmmm...I wonder why so many more people than usual tuned in? Now watch the ratings drop as one of the blandest actors to play the Doctor alienates viewers with his desperate attempts to prove he can be wacky and eccentric.

by Fielding on June 30, 2008 at 12:12 PM

where has Psych disappeared to? one episode shown on 21 saturday and channel ten has pulled it already, what tha?

by schmitty on June 30, 2008 at 01:35 PM

Dr Who had all the elements of the POSEIDEN ADVENTURE with a touch of the TITANIC and a sprinkling of ALIENS - and to have kylie minogue and the actor from KEEPING UP APPEARANCES in the lead its was the most surrreal episode I have ever seen - if hycenth bucket or celine dion had appeared I would have switched off thinking it was all just a bad hallucination -well done DR WHO you surpassed all my expectations - my only real disappointment was seeing the alien angels appear floating in the air when throughout the whole episode they had been trailing on foot trying to penetrate steel doors and hatches - a bit like the daleks episode where for much of the first half of the classic episode last season they slid along the floor chasing the doctor only to elevate in the second half and demonstate their flying skills- if they could fly all along why wait till the very end of the episode!
This is a very minor complaint - I actually love the series!!!

by GJ on June 30, 2008 at 02:16 PM

Good to see Doctor Who do so well on Sunday nights. Second in the timeslot.

by J Bar on June 30, 2008 at 03:27 PM

Loved last night's DrWho. Fielding, did you accidentally watch Big Bother instead? I wasn't happy when Tennant replaced Eccelston, but luckily my lack of short to medium term memory means that when I watched Season 1 earlier this year it all seemed new. Masters 4.02 and 7.005 loved the second viewing. Ironically the finale' for S4 was on yesterday in England.
As for Lipstick Jungle ... not so much. But Andrew McCarthy has aged quite well. Yum.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 30, 2008 at 05:55 PM

Do you know the figures for the Melbourne-Brisbane game on Channel 7 at 1pm in Brisbane? And for the Fremantle-Essendon game on Seven in Perth? Both were Foxtel games that went free-to-air on Seven in those two cities.

Tribal Mind replies: 90,000 and 144,000.

by John on June 30, 2008 at 07:03 PM

The 6 part new satire show The Hollowmen from Working Dog about political lobbyists in Canberra (that seems like a rip off of the very little seen George Clooney - Steve Soderbergh conceived 2003 HBO cable TV show K Street that only lasted 1 season) airs 9.30 pm Wednesday July 9 on ABC. It features Nova DJ Merrick Watts in a role, alongside Rob Sitch and Santo Cilauro. It's a sensible move to have taken this to ABC, as the show's premise would be regarded as uncommercial by 10, 9 and 7. Foxtel would've gladly taken it, but it'd reach a vastly smaller audience.

by John on June 30, 2008 at 09:08 PM

GJ, this isn't the first time Clive Swift - from Keeping Up Appearances - has been in Doctor Who. He was in an amazing story from 1985 called Revelation of the Daleks, which also featured Jenny Tomasin (Upstairs Downstairs) and Alexei Sayle.
And the Captain of the Titanic was played by Geoffrey Palmer, from As Time Goes By. He was last seen in Doctor Who way back in 1970, in The Silurians.
Bereft, I've never been able to warm to Tennant. He's just too ordinary, and just overcompensates with all the unconvincing manic acting. And the finale's coming up this Saturday in the UK.

by Fielding on June 30, 2008 at 10:36 PM

Thanks Fielding for the update on Clive Swift - I must admit to not having recognised him in previous episodes but thanks for pointing that out - it's a nice bit of trivia. I actually do like Tennant as the Dr - he has the right mix of eccentricity and campness to keep the character fresh and unpredictable!
And DARREN your apt desrcription of BERT NEWTON is hilarious - he just didn't look normal on WHEEL OF FORTUNE - his face looked very odd - maybe it wasn't him after all - it might have been VILE SANDLILANDS with one of those BERT NEWTON face masks!!! scary!!

by GJ on July 01, 2008 at 08:55 AM

tribal mind,
do you know how the Euro (soccer) final rated for SBS yesterday? The live game was at 4.45am, and the replay was shown at 10pm. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: The only reference to soccer I can find in the top 100 for yesterday is something called "Best of UEFA Euro 2008", which got 104,000 across the mainland capitals.

by Jimi on July 01, 2008 at 09:46 AM

Glad to see City Homicide back last night and with great ratings as well. It reminds me of UK cop shows, a bit of realistic grit and actors that look like real people not the perfectly made up, beautiful people in US shows. If we can make one good show why can't we make others? The ratings tell the tale, if they make it the viewers will come!
And for all those that dislike David Tennant as the good Dr, I actually like him. I think he does a good job, made the Dr a character that the new generation of viewers could like. I did like Eccleston too and was disappointed when he left but Tennant took over the role and made it his own. Yes, it is a bit camp, but then hasnt the Doc always been? It doesnt take itself too seriously, it is meant to be fun. Everyone has their favorite Doctor, mine used to be Tom Baker but I am a Tennant fan now.

by em on July 01, 2008 at 10:05 AM

I'm every week surprised at the success of Monday night documentaries on Nine. Does anyone else think it's strange that it works? Documentaries. On a Monday night. Weird. From memory it was an act of programming desperation that prompted Nine to try it out in the first place with 'Life in Cold Blood' and it seems to have taken. I don't know if it's because people are actually interested or are they just sitting on the couch flicking flicking flicking and stopping when they see pretty colours. 'Life of Mammals' is top quality and I watched every episode when it was on the ABC about what...5 years ago. They were giving dvds of the series away a few months ago with the Sunday paper. Now its a ratings hit?
And TM, I'm guessing that (R) beside Border Security is for repeat? The ratings would be more understandable if it was for 'Restricted' (maybe they're taking the cameras in to the full cavity search room?). Do people not remember how it turned out last time? The bad un-white people get put in jail. Australia is safe again.
GJ: Kyle Sandilands in a Bert Newton mask? What are you trying to do, give me nightmares?. I was thinking maybe Bert Newton's taken to wearing a Bert Newton mask. Maybe a full-body latex facsimile of Bert filled with whatever's left over from all the lifting and nipping and tucking and a tape recording of wink-wink nudge-nudge jokes from the last 40 years. On a loop.

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, R means repeat. It's fascinating that Border Security episodes get the same huge audience second time around as they got originally. If you look at the age data in this week's Tribal Mind column (go here) you may form a theory on why.

by darren on July 01, 2008 at 10:34 AM

Have to say that while I enjoyed Doctor Who, there was some eye-rolling happening on the sofa at some of the dramas. (I snorted out loud when there were explosions and everyone being thrown about and then we see The Doctor striding manfully forwards through the earth shattering kabooms... And as soon as Kylie snogged The Doctor, Mr TQD remarked that she'd be killed off soon...)
Quoth darren on June 30, 2008 at 10:34 AM: "He (Bert Newton) looks kind of.... shiny."
I was thinking the exact same thing about Simon Cowell on Top Gear last night. And then he bagged out Jeremy Clarkson for not being botoxed. What a weird world we live in. Knew I should have just ffwd'ed through the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car bit as soon as they said his name. Insufferable tosser.

by tqd on July 01, 2008 at 11:19 AM

So what is our bet this week on what movie Shirl will schedule for friday week at 9.30 pm - a second Drew Barrymore? Another Hugh Grant? or perhaps a Cameron Diaz --- Charlie's Angels - you get both Cameron and Drew.
I will make a guess a bit later on - interested to see what others think.
TM I take given the numbers last night 7 won Monday... numbers for City Homicide were good - thought the show was just as entertaining. And loved Boston Legal -especially the Coast Guard scenes. Nice to note some Americans (writers of BL) do recognise the lack of world view and some faults in the education of Americans - have found this when travelling often there is no concept of where places are in the world... best question I was ever asked by and American was "Do Australians have Christmas - and what time of year is it?" Scary!
The age data is a worry - I watch a few shows where I would bring down the average age (Doc Martin) and some others where I would bring it up (House)..
GJ and Darren: stop with the imagery - you are both giving me nightmares - I do not want to think about either Bert or Vyle...

by Cathy on July 01, 2008 at 11:52 AM

Hey TM just wondering is the Boston Legal figure for Melbourne and Sydney at 9.30 and then Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide at 10.30??
Also how did Boston Legal Gold hold up in Melbourne and Sydney at 10.30??
I would think that the retention would have been reasonably good.
Thanks heaps.

Tribal Mind replies: I don't know what version was shown at what time of night in what city, is the simple answer to your question, but I will put into the chart the other reference to BL from the OzTAM chart.

by steph on July 01, 2008 at 12:02 PM

Darren - your theory of Bert Newton wearing a Bert Newton mask is giving me nightmares and Bert Newton and latex in the same breath - now thats scary!
Speaking of scary did anyone see ACA's ace reporter BEN (but I am the story) FORDHAM at it again last night with his latest BELINDA NEAL scoop. WHAT SCOOP??
It was the poor employees from the LIZARD LOUNGE rabbiting on about how BELINDA NEAL spat in their face and said DONT YOU KNOW WHO I AM??
Didn't we know all of this anyway - I suspect these poor buggers were paid, probably a pittance for their interviews but then again thats how you get an 'exclusive' these days. I hope they got something because if anyone deserves some compensation from this sorry drawn out saga it's the employees of the Lizard Lounge!
Naturally MR FORDHAM from ACA was in every shot last night - not that he was the story mind you!.... but there he was prompting their replies and asking all the right leading questions AND making sure his mug was in every shot along with the ACA logo, the Channel Nine logo and the "Exclusive" logo.
One really has to question the very credbility of any current affairs story on Channel Nine these days when you see more head shots of 'the reporter' and so much less of the person they're interviewing.
Shades of FRONTLINE everytime I watch it!

by GJ on July 01, 2008 at 01:03 PM

You are reading the outpourings of a disappointed Dr Who fan.... whatever that show on Sunday night was, it wasn't Dr Who...sniff, sniff. Obviously written by a panicked work experience kid with a deadline looming, he/she cobbled together bits of Titanic, Poseidon Adventure and Aliens - all that was missing was a singsong of Christmas carols led by Kylie around a Christmas tree and John-Boy wishing us all a Merry Christmas and goodnight. Pure schmaltz. And does Dr W have to have it off or attempt to with every gorgeous female in sight? Just get on with the show - I want to watch science fiction not Love Story. As for the increased ratings, I guess people tuned in to see Kylie strut her stuff in her short maid's outfit and her long "have your wicked way with me" boots.

As for Border Security - as the shows are all the same and the same things happen every week, I don't think people notice the difference.... it's very hard to differentiate between two bowls of blanc mange when they are both made with the exact same ingredients by the same person ... either that or pre-senile dementia.

Oh, darren, you are beginning to scare me ... are you reading my mind?

by Shoopie on July 01, 2008 at 01:46 PM

hi,
how did tens spin-off from the wedge go last night "mark loves sharon". My guess: crash and burn. will be canned in a week or two. Anyone know how many epps were made? most of the material from the teasers and traillers appeared to come from last nights epp.
L
ps: any predictions on the SoO ratings for weds night? my one-eyed guess is 2.3.

Tribal Mind replies: You were right about MLS. I've put it in the chart now.

by leonard on July 01, 2008 at 01:55 PM

Fielding, Geoffrey Palmer was also in The Mutants, two years after his appearance in Doctor Who and the Silurians...

by The Brain of Morbius on July 01, 2008 at 03:54 PM

by Shoopie on July 01, 2008 at 01:46 PM, "obviously written by a panicked work experience kid" ...
Nope, it was written by Russell T Davies and one of the reasons why Doctor Who fans are divided into 2 camps, those who love RTD scripts and those who hate RTD scripts, very few fans fall into the middle category of indifference. I personally very much dislike RTD scripts. They are always veru indulgent, fall of gaping plot holes (even after a huge allowance made for suspension of disbelief) They all follow a slight formula as well. E.g. Include references to past Doctor Who episodes to keep the geek fans happy (tick box) ... Have some one kiss the Doctor or at least swoon at him a little (one day try to ensure it is Captain Jack Harkness) (Tick box)... Likewise include gay reference (Tick box) , etc, etc. Still, as RTD is Executive Producer, until end of the year, he can get way with these sloppy scripts. I am disappointed that he is the writer for the finales this year (it is in 3 parts, hence word finales)

by Kate on July 01, 2008 at 04:49 PM

Sorry to all on this blog....I just don't get the Dr Who attraction - never have (a severe defect I know) - so I won't enter into the debate on who's the best doctor.
On the Lipstick Jungle front - disappointing - predictably so, same with PP. It looks like the only creativity appears likely on ABC - or is that just me proving my demographic again! I must admit I'm a bit all over the place - love The Gruen Transfer, Top Gear, Greys, B&S, DH, SoO, Grand Designs, NCIS.....okay, perhaps that explains to all you Dr Who fans why I just don't get it - am far to eclectic in my FTA tastes!
Just a quick one TM, how does Antiques Roadshow on 9 rate? Am just wondering if this - as the lead in show to the 5.30 gameshow timeslot (NSW-Sydney) may be the reason for the demise of the M$Wheel?

Tribal Mind replies: Re Antiques - I put it in the chart, above. It is already rating better than Wheel and better than it did at 5pm.

by AJ on July 01, 2008 at 05:08 PM

with respect to DR Who last Sunday, you need to keep in mind that it was the "Christmas Special", which in every UK TV show is deliberatly camp and off centre - a bit of a UK tradition.
That said, I enjoyed Dr Who last week, and am looking froward to more (although a friend has offered the entire series downloaded ....)

by Rob1966 on July 01, 2008 at 05:17 PM

My thoughts on Dr Who the other night - excellent, this series looks rather promising, especially with Catherine Tate (I don't particulary like the companion being the love interest etc.) I also reckon FOTC should rate better, it's starting to grow on me more and I'm finding more to laugh at - love Murray! Another show that should rate better is 30 Rock, it has improved greatly since the first few episodes. Alec Baldwin was in top form last night.

by Kym on July 01, 2008 at 05:22 PM

I (really, really) like Dr Who, but didn't especially enjoy Sunday's ep.
It was predictable, slow, badly timed, inconsistent and hampered by an aged looking Kylie (you may have noticed the camera didn't linger on her without overexposure).
Tennant wasn't the problem - the script was. I think the writer was blinded by his obvious affection for Ms Minogue and let that ruin his editing judgement.
Wanted to watch Mark loves Sharon last night - so I did. Made it to the first ad break and then switched it off. It could've been so much more. Instead, it was so much less. Very pointless. The ads and "deception" ads are the quality material. The show is just a letdown.
Being positive for a moment - Seachange's first epsiode was shown on ABC1 during the afternoon today - what a really great show that was!

by David @ Wahroonga on July 01, 2008 at 07:53 PM

Mark Loves Sharon - an instant flop - so predictable from Channel 10.

by Randwick Geoff on July 01, 2008 at 07:55 PM

Cathy on July 01 @11:52, Re: Next Friday's predictable movie on Ten. The Sweetest Thing. Cameron Diaz, Christina 'hatchetfaced' Applegate, Selma Blair. Finding humour in the antics of drunk pretty girls fits in perfectly with Ten's demographic & it's been at least a month since last time.
I know the theory is that movies don't rate on tv anymore thanks to dvd sales etc., but I often wonder why someone like 'young hip' channel Ten doesn't circumvent Oztam's evidence entirely & get viewers to vote online for a Friday night movie they'd actually sit down & watch. Or get out some oldies & have a classic movie night like ABC2 have been doing with Audrey Hepburn & past Cannes winners. What about a series of Alfred Hitchcock classics? Yeah yeah I know they're all on dvd but isn't there something communal in watching the same thing as everyone else (and not having to go out to the video shop)? I think people would watch if it was a decent fillem. TM, you probably have stats to the contrary.

by darren on July 02, 2008 at 08:07 AM

I was channel surfing last night and got an awful fright! That's right , Darren and fellow bloggers, I tuned into Nine and saw Bert's face on that crap 20 to 1 show. I swear Nine have built a Bert Robot and stuck him on our screens. He is as stiff as a board, shiny plastic head that doesnt move except in little jerky movements. Please someone tell Bert to retire now! Enough is enough already! I never want to live through the horror of the nightmare that is Robot Bert again! Yuck!!!

by em on July 02, 2008 at 08:47 AM

To Darren who said a Hitchcock festival on a friday night for Shirl - I am so there! There are a heap of Hitchcock films that deserve an outing - my favourites include Notorious, the classic North by Northwest, Rear Window... in fact just a series of "Bill Collinsesque" classic films would be great - Throw in a couple of Errol Flynn, Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and I will watch - if they want to keep the "comedy" theme then the 30s and early 40s had some classic screwball comedies that still stand the test of time. By the way a bit of trivia on Errol Flynn playing Robin Hood (for me one of the definitive versions) - the studios originally wanted James Cagney in the role... scary scary stuff.

by Cathy on July 02, 2008 at 09:03 AM

Watched a really top episode of THE BILL last night on ABC2 - I haven't been a big fan of this show with all the weird directions the show has taken over the years BUT last night's show was classic BILL material - more police drama and less soap.
Em - I dont watch 20 to 1, or is it now 10 to 1, there may even be a 2 to 1 NINE is using for its commercial breaks but in any case haven't watched it since they brought BERT on - but I could just imagine how he looked - stuffed and puffy looking with a nasty shine - it really is a disturbing look only mirrored by the likes of JOAN RIVERS and that human catwannabee JOCELYN WILDERSTEIN!! Is there a museum for these people!!
Look all jokes aside I think BERT in his hey day was hysterical and he is genuinely funny at times - (just watching him pushing the wheel the other night without moving his neck head or hair was a laugh in itself) - but there is a time when you realise its time to hand the baton across - give someone else he go - he doesn't need the money and there are so few jobs in tv - surely his massive salary at NINE would pay 3 or 4 upcoming stand up comics or a couple of NIDA graduates!!

by GJ on July 02, 2008 at 09:12 AM

Young people do not know what they are missing out on. I reckon there should be some communal TV watching time too, mainly old films. I showed my friends It Happened One Night and now they realise the paltry rom-coms being made these days. One of them idolises Clark Gable now. I was fooled into watching World's Got Talent - I thought it was going to be like World Idol, where winners would perform. It just turned out to be odd/good performances in one hour. I see it rated below All Saints too. I've also read a rumour that fellow Scot Robert Carlyle could be the next Doctor. Verdict?

by Kym on July 02, 2008 at 09:37 AM

Latest TV gossip!!
BONDI RESCUE will replace BIG BROTHER in the 7pm timeslot when the season ends in 3 weeks - that can only be good news for TEN
TEN is bringing back the AMERICAN version of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on July 16
And the ABC is bringing THE COMMNADER back to our screens on July 25.

by GJ on July 02, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Hey David, can you tell us the ratings for the 'EJ Whitten Legends match' on 9 shown in Melb/Perth/Adelaide last night.
It was classic entertainment, with Hamish and Andy the stars!

by Ryano on July 02, 2008 at 11:10 AM

Yes to an old movies night!! I saw Bill Collins on something the other day and said to my fiance that I really miss the Golden Years of Hollywood on Saturday nights.

People think I am quite strange being in my early 30s and loving the old movies but I do. Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Gregory Peck. Now THEY are men!

by Nic on July 02, 2008 at 12:33 PM

TM, can you post the ratings for last night's E.J. Whitten Legends Game? Thanks. (It was shown in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on Nine from 7.30pm to 9.45pm and was the 3rd most watched AFL game in Melbourne this year behind the Hall of Fame tribute match and the Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood)

by Johnson on July 02, 2008 at 12:50 PM

Quoth Cathy on July 02, 2008 at 09:03 AM: "the classic North by Northwest.."

North by Northwest was actually shown just the other day - one weekend afternoon. Mr Bear & I stumbled across it, and he was quite fascinated.

I'd definitely be in for a some sort of Bill Collinsesque festival on TV. I'm hanging out for the Audrey Hepburn festival on ABC2!

And Cagney as Robin Hood?? That is so completely wrong. Errol is great in that movie, and it's about time whoever had it, reshowed it! (I remember Bill Collins used to screen it, so maybe it is in Channel Teen's vaults somewhere...)

Medical Mavericks continues to fascinate me. Even if the idea of eating poo was a bit much to cope with while I was cooking/eating dinner.

by tqd on July 02, 2008 at 01:22 PM

Do you know what the EJ Whitten Legends Match rated last night in Melbourne (and Adelaide and Perth)?

Tribal Mind replies: Alright, alright. Why do so many people care about some old biffo game? I've put it in the chart. I'd be grateful to hear why it matters.

by Peter on July 02, 2008 at 02:58 PM

Thanks for the EJ whitten rating. It was of interest because its the only football (well, Aussie Rules) match Nine broadcasts for the whole year since they lost the rights for the real stuff. Also, they chose to actually show the game live into Melbourne (something which Seven does maybe 1% of the time) and it actually rated far higher than any game on Seven this year.

by Peter on July 02, 2008 at 03:52 PM

ï¿½Do you know what the EJ Whitten Legends Match rated last night in Melbourne (and Adelaide and Perth)?
Tribal Mind replies: Alright, alright. Why do so many people care about some old biffo game? I've put it in the chart. I'd be grateful to hear why it matters.ï¿½

Well Tribal Mind, if Im not mistaken this blog is aimed at finding out who Australians really are?
I dont know how much time you have spent outside of Sydney but Australian Rules in places like Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne is a massive part of community life and transfers across social and economic barriers like nothing else. Be it at the office, the school yard, on the public transports system, in the halls of parliament and offcourse the weekend itself Aussie rules is always in the forefront of peoples minds.
The Australian Football League is the second most attended professional league per capita on the planet, second only to the NFL. A 2007 Sweeney report had interest in the game at 57% of all people and that was 5% above cricket!
In short, so many of us care about how various games of Australian rules rated because so many of us care about the game itself.
So thanks for providing the ratings figures every week.

by Ryano on July 02, 2008 at 04:19 PM

Dear Ryano don't bet on it son,AFL to me is just a mindless waste of space,as for the Sweeny report that has all the credibly of AFL houses invention of the 150th yr.
I know lots of people who manage to get by with out mentioning Aussie Rules at all.

by john Ryan on July 02, 2008 at 06:46 PM

After GJ's observations of ACA's Ben Fordham's 'reporting' techniques (on July 01 @1.03 PM) I decided to risk retinal (that's retinal) health and have a look at his latest Belinda Neal episode last night. If his objective was to paint Belinda Neal in a sypathetic light and himself as a complete nob, mission accomplished. I still think she's a probably a bully and she & Della Bosca have made complete arses of themselves but stalking her and chasing her down a deserted stairway and harrassing her until she's practically in tears and calling the police is not just bad 'journalism', it's distressing to the viewer to watch. Then they turn around and make out as if they can't understand what she's complaining about. It's time to back off. I for one would forgive her for just one more soccer-rage type incident against Ben Fordham. A skillfully placed kick or two would be doing all of us a favour.

by darren on July 03, 2008 at 05:59 AM

Re Ben Fordham, They interviewed him on the Today show this morning. I didn't really know who this guy was but I can tell you that he came across as a complete tosser. They showed part of the Belinda Neal story and it definitely looked like harassment. The way I saw it, he was justifying himself "putting the foot in the door" saying that she did it to the employees at Iguana so why shouldn't he do it to her. He defintely didn't come across as a very genuine person at all.

by Nic on July 03, 2008 at 07:46 AM

Darren, I totally agree with you. I didnt watch ACA last night, but I did happen to tune in to Today this morning before work and they were showing a bit of last nights harrassment of Belinda Neal. Look, she and Della Bosca deserve what they get, but I am sick and tired of this type of journalism. This is just plain harrassment and there is just no need for this sort of rubbish. They were deliberately provocative, just trying to get her to show that legendary temper of hers. But I wouldnt have blamed her if she had kicked him where it hurts. In fact, a lot of viewers would have cheered.
This Fordham guy and ACA for that matter are just the lowest forms of life. Pure gutter journalism. I can't believe that Nine has sunk so low as to condone this type of behaviour. What ever happend to journalistic integrity? Old Kerry Packer would be spinning in his grave at this sorry excuse for a current affairs show. Disgraceful.

by em on July 03, 2008 at 07:51 AM

Pleasantly surprised that Ugly Betty cleared the 1m mark despite the biffo. I watched only the first half of UB before switching to that, but was rather satisfied by the engaging plot twists.
The biffo on the other hand was disappointing (blues supporter here).

by arthur on July 03, 2008 at 09:30 AM

tqd & nic,
Agree totally re a Bill Collins moviefest! I still have some old tapes of midday movies & "Golden Years of Hollywood" night movies (actually, I think Errol Flynn's Robin Hood is one of them!). I know old Bill used to wax lyrically in the extreme occassionally, but I also enjoyed the movie insights, trivia, interviews that he used to run at "Intermission". Now we have to wait until some huge multinational conglomerate dares to re-release these fabulous old movies to DVD, with a patched-up "Special Features" disc not worth a brass razoo!
On another track, TM - could you please provide the figures for Air Crash Investigations? I'm doing a bit of research here at work on tips for bad corporate flyers (those who fly, not "high-flyers").

Tribal Mind replies: I have put Air Crashes into the chart.

by AJ on July 03, 2008 at 11:03 AM

I agree with the comments on the old movies some of my favourites are the classics, Gone with the wind,Casablanca,Sabrina. The great screwball comedies with Grant & Hepburn. As I have foxtel I am lucky enough to enjoy these great movies with Bill Collins on Saturday night and the TCM channel. Some others I used to love were the Andy Hardy movies with Mickey Rooney and the Ma and Pa Kettle movies and of course Lassie.
As a teenager in the 80's I would love to have a John Hughes series of movies eg Pretty in Pink ,16 Candles,Somekind of Wonderful etc.

by Shelly on July 03, 2008 at 12:48 PM

TM,
I was wondering how the biffo rated at 10:30 EST on FOX sports 2. This is actually shown before nein show it in WA, and its also had all the dribble edited out of it.
I am in WA and this is how I watched it.
L

Tribal Mind replies: I do not get Foxtel ratings until the end of the week. If you remind me on Sunday, I will try to find that figure for you.

by leonard on July 03, 2008 at 02:06 PM

The Age has on it's website (and presumably in it's print version also) an interesting 5 page article on the fairly poorly publicised (at this point) Frontline-ish new Working Dog show The Hollowmen that debuts 9.30 pm Wednesday on ABC, where they discuss what motivated them to create the show. Despite it's Canberra setting, the show was mostly Melbourne filmed as they weren't allowed to film inside or outside Parliament House in Canberra, which is a shame.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/weasel-words/2008/07/02/1214950817977.html

by Anne on July 03, 2008 at 04:20 PM

Good to see Law & Order (both varieties) doing pretty good last night. Although strange to see both Luis & Gordon from Sesame Street in cameos amongst maggot riddled corpses.
Re: old (and/or better) movies, I was thinking more down along the lines of Psycho, The Birds, East of Eden, The Third Man, A Steetcar Named Desire, Donnie Darko, The Virgin Suicides, Fight Club, American Psycho, etc. Nothing featuring men with artificially curled hair (sorry, not E. Flynn as Robin Hood).
I think its time for a bit of darkness on tv if only for contrast's sake (Dexter should help). It occurs to me that maybe this is part of what makes Nine & Seven in particular so bland. Everything's sanitized and happified to the point of blehhhh.

by darren on July 04, 2008 at 10:12 AM

Jeepers, the Today show beat Sunrise in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Is it just me or do others here think that Sunrise is on a slow albeit downward curve?
It appears waaaaay to corny for my liking, especially as the two hosts have a tendency to guffaw at any inane line that is anything but humorous.

by Sebastien on July 04, 2008 at 10:24 AM

Shirl's movie next friday is Intolerable Cruelty - still think they need to think about classic films - and loved all the memories my fellow bloggers brought up in naming them - had forgotten the Ma and Pa Kettle series..
On bloggers - Cat where are you ? no posts from you this week v unusual

by Cathy on July 04, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Sadly TV has gotten to the stage where the most exciting thing weekly is guessing what's on Shril next Friday night.
I suggested the Retro Friday theme a couple of weeks ago. Breakfast Club. Pretty in Pink. Sigh.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 04, 2008 at 03:35 PM

Does any reader who's a Gordon Ramsay fan, know what season of Hell's Kitchen Nine finished showing on Thursday, as I assume
they've shown seasons 1 and 2 back to back. Season 4 finishes up in North America next week.
The 4th season of SYTYCD Ten are starting this month (presumably in double episodes as with seasons 1 - 3) is 11 episodes in, in the US.

by Steve on July 04, 2008 at 04:42 PM

AJ on July 03, 2008 at 11:03 AM wrote : " Now we have to wait until some huge multinational conglomerate dares to re-release these fabulous old movies to DVD, with a patched-up "Special Features" disc not worth a brass razoo! "
The answer is seedpeer.com , click on verified torrents , ( top of page ) , and look for all the "golden oldies" movies by SirIuS sHaRe ...absolute classics , all genuine and excellent quality .

by jane doe on July 04, 2008 at 09:58 PM

so pleased to read comments re old movies, ladies and gentlemen. yes! there is good stuff out there. Being driven to go to older movies or shows, this shows your discernment. All three stations' programming of new shows like 'Million' or 'Greatest Latest Model' shows nothing more than a cold disrespect for viewers, and a misguided grab at advertising dollars. Don't they think that we buy stuff ?

by gigdiary on July 05, 2008 at 01:34 AM

I've been watching Moving Wallpaper and Echo Beach on ABC2 and have noticed they scren adverts for a lot of old movies on that channel. Saw an ad this week for Roman Holiday featuring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. So ABC2 is another good place to catch old movies.

by J Bar on July 05, 2008 at 07:30 PM

Cathy I was lurking and not posting for about 10 days and then this week I was off snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef with William McInnes (ok William McInnes and about 90 other people). I have just been catching up with email, internet and Usenet preparatory to downloading the season final of Dr Who. I came across an interview with Freema Agyeman (Martha) who when asked who should replace David Tennant as the Doctor (whenever he leaves) suggested Russel T Davies. I would love that idea for one reason only - the thought of Fielding running screaming around the planet throwing things in response.
I gather I did not miss much on TV. As school holidays started today are we to be subjected to endless repeats?
I would also love to see some of the great Hollywood classics rerun in prime time - preferably by the ABC (sans ads so I can tape the ones I am missing) and Friday night when you run out of Silent Witness and Spooks seems like a nice time Aunty. I do not have (nor want) Foxtel so TCM is not an option and I cannot find many of my favourites on DVD.

by Cat on July 05, 2008 at 10:07 PM

TM,
I know it's a few days back now, but do you know Renters rated on Tuesday night? It found its way onto the end of my All Saints recording and it's probably the best of the NZ ob-docs that find their way onto Australian TV.
Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: So it's from NZ? That means its name must actually be "ranters". It got 615,000 -- a fabulous score if it had been on Pay TV.

by Samuel on July 06, 2008 at 04:37 PM

Tribal Mind replies: So it's from NZ? That means its name must actually be "ranters". It got 615,000 -- a fabulous score if it had been on Pay TV."
And not a bad figure considering it was on at 10:45pm either.

by Samuel on July 07, 2008 at 04:30 PM

The Sun-Herald

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The Who We Are Update: Week 27

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