The Who We Are update: Week 34

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week of the blog is now a heritage item - worth studying but not current. For the latest discussion, go to to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
For the viewers' verdict on the most f---able people on Australian television, go to The Tribal Mind

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday
Announcing this column's new competition: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to predict, from the vast array of new programs currently being promoted by the networks, which will be the first to get the axe, and how many weeks it will last.

The notion was suggested by alert reader Darren. If you go to Comments, below, you'll see his nomination of Taken Out as this year's answer to Yasmin's Getting Married. But you may have other ideas -- Make Me A Supermodel? Hole In The Wall? Packed to the Rafters? The Strip? Rush? Jamie Durie's new gardening show? Register your prediction via Comments and be in line for a glamorous prize when the axe falls.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,986,000 592,000 578,000 359,000 197,000 259,000
2 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D15 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,687,000 510,000 524,000 272,000 167,000 215,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D15 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,445,000 464,000 513,000 193,000 163,000 113,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D15 FRINGE Network 7 1,368,000 511,000 379,000 219,000 120,000 139,000
5 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,090,000 305,000 311,000 219,000 83,000 172,000
6 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,004,000 256,000 315,000 227,000 106,000 100,000
7 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D15 LATE MORNING Network 7 939,000 294,000 327,000 130,000 89,000 99,000
8 NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VEGAS VACATION -RPT Network 9 917,000 278,000 273,000 149,000 93,000 124,000
9 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D15 AFTERNOON Network 7 880,000 333,000 289,000 125,000 64,000 69,000
10 ABC NEWS-SA Network ABC1 847,000 248,000 234,000 143,000 102,000 120,000
11 THE BILL Network ABC1 725,000 196,000 217,000 124,000 86,000 102,000
16 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Network TEN 497,000 77,000 271,000 65,000 47,000 37,000
21 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Network TEN 447,000 38,000 227,000 17,000 70,000 95,000

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,835,000 620,000 497,000 311,000 187,000 220,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,565,000 527,000 462,000 245,000 156,000 176,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D14 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,550,000 528,000 462,000 208,000 177,000 176,000
4 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,157,000 325,000 339,000 249,000 128,000 116,000
5 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D14 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,102,000 366,000 346,000 142,000 130,000 120,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 1,085,000 285,000 341,000 231,000 124,000 105,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,018,000 282,000 327,000 194,000 110,000 105,000
8 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D14 FRINGE Network 7 976,000 322,000 286,000 181,000 92,000 95,000
9 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 966,000 301,000 254,000 172,000 109,000 130,000
10 AGATHA CHRISTIE: POIROT: CARDS ON THE TABLE RPT Network ABC1 939,000 240,000 301,000 152,000 126,000 120,000
16 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 21: WESTERN BULLDOGS VS ESSENDON Network 7 719,000 493,000 128,000 98,000
21 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 588,000 330,000 258,000
24 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW -RPT Network 9 520,000 138,000 155,000 94,000 72,000 61,000
29 SUNRISE Network 7 392,000 115,000 86,000 112,000 36,000 42,000
41 TODAY Network 9 294,000 95,000 83,000 53,000 27,000 36,000
45 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Network 9 269,000 168,000 101,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,729,000 503,000 499,000 368,000 189,000 171,000
2 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D13 PRIMETIME Seven 1,645,000 508,000 496,000 278,000 167,000 196,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,573,000 434,000 474,000 313,000 168,000 184,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,172,000 271,000 381,000 273,000 144,000 103,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,144,000 340,000 365,000 193,000 110,000 136,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,129,000 259,000 383,000 252,000 132,000 104,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,046,000 277,000 331,000 216,000 129,000 93,000
8 GETAWAY Nine 1,037,000 276,000 365,000 189,000 114,000 93,000
11 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE THURS Ten 962,000 261,000 319,000 163,000 84,000 135,000
13 FRIENDS - DAILY Ten 914,000 266,000 311,000 133,000 87,000 118,000
16 NEIGHBOURS Ten 838,000 274,000 245,000 137,000 84,000 99,000
27 BUILDINGS THAT SHAPED BRITAIN ABC1 473,000 125,000 129,000 85,000 66,000 66,000
28 SUNRISE Seven 467,000 162,000 90,000 118,000 37,000 59,000
46 TODAY Nine 303,000 79,000 98,000 55,000 26,000 46,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D12 PRIMETIME Seven 2,037,000 640,000 617,000 360,000 195,000 225,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,907,000 615,000 515,000 369,000 183,000 226,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,840,000 581,000 507,000 341,000 177,000 234,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,229,000 288,000 396,000 276,000 149,000 119,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,156,000 331,000 329,000 230,000 113,000 153,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,125,000 281,000 357,000 251,000 131,000 105,000
7 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D12 LATE NIGHT Seven 1,117,000 354,000 392,000 164,000 102,000 104,000
8 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: D12 FRINGE Seven 1,081,000 350,000 331,000 198,000 109,000 94,000
9 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,049,000 322,000 319,000 193,000 88,000 127,000
12 COLD CASE -RPT Nine 942,000 223,000 332,000 160,000 110,000 117,000
25 FREEZING ABC1 530,000 187,000 124,000 82,000 52,000 86,000
28 SUNRISE Seven 459,000 189,000 84,000 106,000 30,000 51,000
47 TODAY Nine 276,000 80,000 86,000 44,000 24,000 41,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

And Keating: The Musical does not appear in the top 100 programs for Wednesday, which suggests three things: a) it must have got less than 200,000 viewers; b) many Australians still don't have sets or boxes that enable them to see digital television; c) among those who are digitial-equipped, many either don't like musicals or have not mellowed towards the former prime minister.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D11 PRIMETIME Seven 2,089,000 637,000 655,000 341,000 219,000 237,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,974,000 571,000 560,000 360,000 235,000 248,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,860,000 559,000 543,000 326,000 192,000 240,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,152,000 287,000 386,000 235,000 132,000 111,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,142,000 303,000 371,000 222,000 141,000 105,000
6 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,128,000 365,000 301,000 209,000 119,000 134,000
7 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D11 FRINGE Seven 1,040,000 304,000 304,000 206,000 115,000 111,000
8 NCIS EP 1 RPT Ten 1,009,000 258,000 242,000 177,000 141,000 191,000
9 GRUMPY OLD WOMEN ABC1 1,005,000 297,000 296,000 175,000 115,000 121,000
11 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 930,000 254,000 298,000 166,000 113,000 99,000
18 NEIGHBOURS Ten 786,000 209,000 194,000 187,000 76,000 119,000
19 DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER Nine 780,000 198,000 231,000 165,000 85,000 100,000
26 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 583,000 162,000 193,000 83,000 79,000 68,000
30 SUNRISE Seven 445,000 167,000 87,000 120,000 32,000 39,000
39 TODAY Nine 299,000 81,000 95,000 45,000 28,000 48,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D10 PRIMETIME Seven 2,042,000 583,000 637,000 359,000 225,000 238,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,994,000 612,000 504,000 447,000 184,000 248,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,832,000 550,000 470,000 391,000 174,000 247,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,280,000 337,000 364,000 289,000 157,000 132,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,176,000 298,000 362,000 249,000 150,000 116,000
6 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D10 FRINGE Seven 1,169,000 391,000 326,000 232,000 102,000 119,000
7 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,050,000 318,000 342,000 150,000 108,000 131,000
8 FRIENDS - DAILY Ten 995,000 251,000 334,000 175,000 96,000 138,000
9 FOUR CORNERS ABC1 989,000 308,000 281,000 160,000 106,000 133,000
10 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 973,000 306,000 303,000 167,000 94,000 104,000
16 NEIGHBOURS Ten 905,000 249,000 278,000 182,000 65,000 130,000
18 BURN NOTICE MON Ten 851,000 238,000 292,000 144,000 80,000 96,000
21 ENOUGH ROPE WITH ANDREW DENTON ABC1 733,000 224,000 219,000 114,000 92,000 84,000
30 SUNRISE Seven 435,000 144,000 105,000 101,000 34,000 50,000
32 A KNIGHT'S TALE RPT Ten 383,000 99,000 100,000 63,000 55,000 67,000
36 TODAY Nine 309,000 97,000 96,000 57,000 22,000 37,000
41 BEIJING OLYMPICS: YUM CHA D10 Seven 289,000 113,000 69,000 76,000 30,000

The ratings race, updated 10am Monday
Did Australians watch anything other than the Olympics last week? Answer: yes, and the ABC reaped the benefits of offering an alternative to nationalism. Its most popular shows barely suffered a dent in audience -- ABC Sunday news and Spicks and Specks drew 1.1 million, Dr Who drew 1 million and a repeat of Agatha Christie's Poirot drew 994,000 on Friday before the great writer herself met The Doctor himself on Sunday night.

Channel Nine's entries in the top 30 for the week were 60 Minutes , the Sunday news, and the weekday news. Ten's best affort was a repeat of NCIS. Picking up Seven's leftovers, SBS scored with the women's cycling road race (725,000) and Men's Archery (399,000). And it was business as usual for Pay TV, with 224,000 for NRL Titans v Knights (Fox Sports 2), 208,000 for NRL Wariors v. Sharks (Fox Sports 2), 191,000 for Project Runway Australia (Arena) and 165,000 for American Dad! (Fox 8).

Seven estimates that 16.1 million Australians have watched some part of the Olympic coverage. More than two million in the mainland capitals watched the games every night and Seven averaged 43.9 per cent of the prime time audience for the week (Nine 18.5, Ten 16.6, ABC 14.5, SBS 6.6). The most watched night was Wednesday, when a peak of 4 million in the capitals saw Stephanie Rice collect her second gold medal.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D9 PRIMETIME Seven 2,227,000 677,000 716,000 376,000 217,000 240,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 2,187,000 589,000 659,000 451,000 245,000 243,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D9 LATE MORNING Seven 1,553,000 449,000 495,000 314,000 149,000 146,000
4 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,398,000 401,000 401,000 328,000 174,000 94,000
5 60 MINUTES Nine 1,387,000 384,000 400,000 279,000 152,000 172,000
6 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D9 FRINGE Seven 1,383,000 487,000 446,000 288,000 163,000
7 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 1,175,000 329,000 329,000 251,000 135,000 130,000
8 DOCTOR WHO ABC1 1,074,000 388,000 266,000 181,000 119,000 122,000
9 TALK TO THE ANIMALS Nine 1,017,000 271,000 294,000 213,000 148,000 91,000
10 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: D9 AFTERNOON Seven 966,000 404,000 264,000 140,000 158,000
11 ABC NEWS-SUN ABC1 937,000 242,000 272,000 186,000 117,000 120,000
13 CSI -RPT Nine 867,000 186,000 265,000 181,000 111,000 122,000
14 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Ten 827,000 273,000 246,000 120,000 99,000 90,000
15 ROVE Ten 824,000 257,000 300,000 111,000 76,000 80,000
16 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Ten 762,000 224,000 230,000 138,000 80,000 91,000
18 DOCTOR WHO: CONFIDENTIAL CUTDOWN ABC1 692,000 240,000 191,000 88,000 90,000 84,000
20 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 20: CARLTON VS KANGAROOS Seven 609,000 Not shown 366,000 Not shown 126,000 117,000
21 DEXTER Ten 595,000 167,000 227,000 74,000 63,000 64,000
25 PERFECT DAY: THE MILLENIUM ABC1 500,000 167,000 137,000 74,000 50,000 72,000
28 CANAL ROAD Nine 345,000 63,000 115,000 67,000 47,000 52,000
29 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 334,000 175,000 Not shown 158,000 Not shown Not shown

What Australia watched, week ending August 16
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D5 PRIMETIME Network 7 2,131,000 629,000 667,000 401,000 230,000 204,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 2,128,000 640,000 621,000 403,000 203,000 261,000
3 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 PRIMETIME Network 7 2,112,000 664,000 608,000 405,000 207,000 228,000
4 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D2 PRIMETIME Network 7 2,093,000 690,000 565,000 377,000 209,000 253,000
5 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Network 7 2,091,000 574,000 551,000 435,000 225,000 306,000
6 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 PRIMETIME Network 7 2,015,000 585,000 636,000 367,000 191,000 237,000
7 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,973,000 606,000 561,000 351,000 201,000 254,000
8 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,969,000 608,000 603,000 366,000 195,000 197,000
9 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,935,000 623,000 574,000 352,000 170,000 216,000
10 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Network 7 1,925,000 599,000 546,000 315,000 190,000 275,000
11 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 PRIMETIME Network 7 1,912,000 592,000 607,000 331,000 206,000 175,000
12 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D2 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,821,000 505,000 626,000 327,000 165,000 198,000
13 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 FRINGE Network 7 1,708,000 556,000 532,000 333,000 151,000 137,000
14 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 FRINGE Network 7 1,699,000 510,000 573,000 369,000 131,000 116,000
15 60 MINUTES Network 9 1,465,000 383,000 469,000 281,000 153,000 179,000
16 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D5 FRINGE Network 7 1,437,000 448,000 417,000 315,000 125,000 132,000
17 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 FRINGE Network 7 1,336,000 453,000 370,000 238,000 111,000 164,000
18 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 FRINGE Network 7 1,332,000 458,000 391,000 243,000 122,000 118,000
19 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Network 9 1,316,000 390,000 421,000 254,000 150,000 101,000
20 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 LATE MORNING Network 7 1,233,000 318,000 424,000 223,000 112,000 157,000
21 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,199,000 417,000 390,000 155,000 147,000 89,000
22 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D8 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,198,000 386,000 363,000 248,000 90,000 112,000
23 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,189,000 352,000 398,000 192,000 135,000 113,000
24 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 FRINGE Network 7 1,138,000 386,000 333,000 216,000 113,000 90,000
25 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Network 9 1,133,000 286,000 360,000 238,000 141,000 109,000
26 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,133,000 308,000 364,000 264,000 98,000 99,000
27 ABC NEWS-SUN Network ABC1 1,121,000 287,000 356,000 229,000 116,000 133,000
28 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D2 LATE NIGHT Network 7 1,086,000 321,000 384,000 201,000 111,000 69,000
29 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,073,000 282,000 311,000 236,000 140,000 104,000
30 SPICKS AND SPECKS Network ABC1 1,064,000 311,000 310,000 202,000 109,000 132,000
31 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: D5 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,060,000 310,000 319,000 252,000 83,000 96,000
32 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Network 9 1,036,000 264,000 339,000 177,000 123,000 134,000
33 NCIS EP 1 RPT Network TEN 1,031,000 275,000 289,000 193,000 126,000 148,000
34 ABC NEWS Network ABC1 1,024,000 314,000 310,000 151,000 117,000 133,000
35 DOCTOR WHO Network ABC1 1,008,000 323,000 244,000 217,000 98,000 126,000
36 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Network 9 1,006,000 265,000 310,000 212,000 96,000 123,000
37 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 AFTERNOON Network 7 1,003,000 275,000 321,000 211,000 100,000 96,000
38 FOUR CORNERS Network ABC1 997,000 322,000 285,000 186,000 89,000 115,000
39 AGATHA CHRISTIE: POIROT: AFTER THE FUNERAL RPT Network ABC1 994,000 315,000 320,000 143,000 103,000 113,000
40 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE RPT Network TEN 989,000 272,000 335,000 200,000 96,000 85,000
41 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D3 LATE MORNING Network 7 986,000 253,000 320,000 242,000 83,000 87,000
42 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 984,000 265,000 298,000 202,000 123,000 96,000
43 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D7 AFTERNOON Network 7 970,000 313,000 300,000 185,000 92,000 80,000
44 THE MAN WHO LIVES WITH BEARS Network 9 958,000 243,000 296,000 182,000 128,000 110,000
45 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Network 9 957,000 226,000 311,000 185,000 117,000 118,000
46 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D4 LATE NIGHT Network 7 951,000 297,000 320,000 171,000 102,000 60,000
47 AUSTRALIAN STORY Network ABC1 944,000 307,000 266,000 172,000 93,000 107,000
48 SEVEN'S BEIJING OLYMPICS: YUM CHA D2 Network 7 931,000 267,000 287,000 198,000 93,000 86,000
49 BEIJING OLYMPICS: D6 AFTERNOON Network 7 923,000 287,000 296,000 162,000 98,000 79,000
50 NCIS EP 2 RPT Network TEN 920,000 234,000 286,000 155,000 112,000 133,000
(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

Not the best ever finish for Seven's weeknight news in this 'decade' - their bullitens averaged a touch over 2.3Million viewers in the five capital cities back when the 2000 games were on... but nonetheless a fantastic result some 8 years on and with so much fragmentation.

by Ruby Blue on August 17, 2008 at 02:24 PM

A week of 7 & the Olympics is enough for me .The ads , same ads over & over are insane !! I will listen to the radio for results.

by doug on August 17, 2008 at 09:13 PM

I have literally seen none of the limpbiscuits outside of news broadcasts and by the tone of the comments here I have not missed anything. I am through my pre-recorded stuff and into my dvds now (if a couple of books I am reading do not distract me) so this week will be even more "telly" free.
One comment though - after counting Christie book titles through Dr Who last night I got a vivid reminder of why I am so over the TV programmer�s version of what I should watch. The preview of next week's Silence in the Library episode of Who included Alex Kingston who regardless of her turn as River Song always reminds me of ER. And here is the rub - the same channel that cannot find time for ER in their schedule can find time for Hole in the Wall. For frack's sake!!!!!

by Cat on August 18, 2008 at 09:41 AM

Masters 7 & 4 were disappointed with Doc Who Confidential last night - they were hoping to see how the giant wasps were done. Does anyone know whether the "cutdown" is what ABC decide to show, or is that how BBC package it?

by Bereft Skerrick on August 18, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Well, for those of us who do like the Olympics Channel 7 has done its best to kill any enthusiasm.
I believe last week was Channel 7's advertising programme interspersed with highlights of what we'd missed and occasionally what was coming up.
Every now and again 7 have cut into the advertising and highlight reels to show us some live sport.
I think it should be compulsory for TV stations to identify real, actual and live coverage now with a logo. It would show us how short changed we are for live sprt.
I know it goes against the Aussie, oi, oi, oi grain to say this - but I can't stand the swimming. Swimmings' error is that it could be any pool anywhere in the world. About 10 countries (only) compete. It seems all the swimmers have the same life experience so asking them any questions gets boring answers generally said in "swimmers monotone" (think of Kieran Perkins vocal talents). And channel 7 felt compelled to show absolutely every part of the swimming and seemed to think that we're all disinterested in other sports.
The fact is that I'm keenly interested in all sports even those that Australia is hopeless at. The olympics is the perfect opportunity to educate us on those other sports and other countries and other competitors - archery? baseball? bmx? fencing? judo? handball? Thank goodness for SBS.
And yes, yum cha is detritus. The 7 idiot that dreamt that excrement up should be tortured (or is that how the idea was thought up?). Believe me, as viewers that's what it is. Torture.
Rebecca Wilson has the uncanny ability to kill anything dead and you can lump Sonia Kruger into that category as well.
You know what would be great AND original? Getting some TALENTED people into TV in front of and behind the camera especially programmers.
Finally - Channel 7 had a "news" report yesterday morning about Tamsin Lewis. It was little more than a hatchet job. She tried hard and lost. So why did they go to town on her? Disgraceful.

by David @ Wahroonga on August 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM

Cat: the same network can also find time to apparently show that Doug Mulray naughtiest Home Videos that got yanked off air at the behest of Kerry many years ago. Crap sells.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM

The full Doctor Who Confidentials are only shown in the UK; even the Full Season DVD releases only contain the "Cut-Down" versions; go to Youtube to view full eps.

by Vince N on August 18, 2008 at 12:21 PM

Hey, Cat. I agree wholeheartedly with your comments re Nein. I have been waiting for ages to see new Eps of ER but Nein for some reason known only to them , refuse to air it. And like you said they have the nerve to air dribble like HITW! I give up. I will have to download as I am fed up with the buffoons who run Nein's programming dept.

by em on August 18, 2008 at 12:38 PM

I caught an ad for Yum Cha yesterday. Bile. Dribble. Andrew Daddo is just as bad on evenings on ABC radio. Dammit, whatever happened to James O'Loughlin?
Thanks for your advice Vince N, now that I've figured out my new connection on my 2wire modem (damn Belkin didn't have a driver for it) I can d/l tonight.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 18, 2008 at 12:41 PM

Hey Bereft I know crap sells but I figure that given nein has 100980 minutes of time to program each week it could find 60 minutes worth for ER or equivalent. As I tape most TV I would not even mind if it was 4 am :)

by Cat on August 18, 2008 at 12:49 PM

The BBC cuts down Confidential; ABC would probably have used other filler if they had to do the work themselves!
--
http://sfsa.org.au/, the South Australian Doctor Who Fan Club, Inc.

by Martin Dunne on August 18, 2008 at 01:35 PM

Re David @ August 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM
"I think it should be compulsory for TV stations to identify real, actual and live coverage now with a logo. "
I couldn't agree more - the number of times that I've jumped on the internet to see if it's live or a repeat is staggering. I don't remember this being the case with past Olympics. It seems we are actually being punished for being in a close time zone for once.
The only thing annoying me more (given I'm not watching any of the fluffy shows) is the appalling commentary. The number of times I've heard comments along the lines of "blah blah Australian is just working out a strategy to come from behind" type comments - or "needs to lift now to make a difference" - when the rest of the field is pretty much across the line. Give Australians a chance - we're really not only interested in something if there's an Aussie medal chance. When we're clearly coming 6th, don't pretend we're equal 3rd - it just insults everyone, including the athletes who are trying their best.

by LR on August 18, 2008 at 02:08 PM

Had the Bolympics (tm Master Skerrick aged 4) on the in the background to see the end of the Triathlon. Have kept it on. Dribblers are showing the 2nd qtr of the basketball when the teams are clearly in the sheds possibly enjoying a brewski.

Some touted Chinese runner was probably already getting operated on in real time when Ch 7 showed him breaking down in his heat.

The further the games go on, the longer Channel 7 insult the intelligence of the viewing public.

And oh goody, now we have parochial British commentators doing the sailing, concentrating on the silver medallists instead of the little Aussie battlers who actually won.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 18, 2008 at 02:40 PM

Brace yourselves. Next week. Six nights straight. Australian Idol Auditions - Sunday to Friday. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

by Beckala on August 18, 2008 at 03:35 PM

by David @ Wahroonga on August 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM
For news broadcasts, I think they have to identify if footage is file footage or footage shot for that story - so there is a precedent for what you are requesting. I wasn't sure myself whether the 1500m was live or not (it was, but not identified)

by kate on August 18, 2008 at 07:05 PM

Anyone impressed by and bursting with anticipation to see any of the seemingly endless & confusing array of new post-olympics shows being advertised?
'Taken Out' has the unmistakable stench of 'Yasmin's Getting Married' about it (or was it 'Yasmin's Wedding'? Can't remember. You know the one.) Don't know what it's about exactly but it's my pick for the first to tank.
Although given 'Hole in the Wall' seems to have devolved society drastically, maybe Ten's on a winner with what looks like yet more mindless crap.

Tribal Mind replies: Darren, you've raised a terrific notion. To pass the time during this tedious programming period, we hereby launch a sweepstakes on which of the new shows will be axed first, and how many weeks it will last before the axe falls. The most prescient reader wins a glamorous prize.

by darren on August 19, 2008 at 08:40 AM

So, anyone any idea when Burn Notice will be back? We get all of two (or so) episodes into the new series, and suddenly it's dumped for a Monday night movie. *sigh*
Mr Dale, I would love to try and guess what new shows will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes, however, I have no idea what new shows are coming out. (Apart from 'Taken Out' [what is taken out? the garbage?] which has been pushed ad nauseam during Simpsons/Burn Notice, I haven't seen any promos.) Looking forward to other people's opinions, however.

by tqd on August 19, 2008 at 08:59 AM

I somewhat cautiously predict Hole in the Wall to be unceremoniously dumped before we all go blind (I base this on the comments here about unwarranted "bits" being thrown in viewer's faces). I say cautiously because frankly if TM's idea of a glamourous prize is the Hole in the Wall Boxed Set I will not only withdraw my entry but start legal proceedings to have him and his burnt retina removed from the country - and I do not have Tuscany in mind TM.

Tribal Mind remarks: Damn. I have a crate of HITWBS in my attic.

by Cat on August 19, 2008 at 09:07 AM

My tip is also Taken Out. There's some really annoying ads on Ch Lather Rinse Repeat (mind it does have a Transvision Vamp soundtrack on the ad) but Shirl is extremely notorious for giving shows the heave ho and giving them little chance. Mind, give them a 1900 number and girls writhing around on a bed and it may be a hit.
Taken Out doesn't quite have the humiliation quotient (HuQ) that Hole In The Wall and Wipeout have. Perhaps they should resurrect Dexter.
The new DWTS ads are also very very dreadful. Make the bad TV execs stop!
On the possibly good side, heard Aunty Jack on ABC Illawarra this morning for some environment comedy spot. Bring Back Aunty Jack!

by Bereft Skerrick on August 19, 2008 at 09:35 AM

It's got to be Taken Out - doomed.

by cronker on August 19, 2008 at 10:07 AM

I would love Hole In The Wall to tank, into its own water tank... but in terms of promotion, my predict would be for the Naughtiest Home Video. Ch 9 should not be rewarded for such a cheap tacky ploy. TQD - confused, wasn't Burn Notice on last night? Swear I saw it... or was I in the twilight zone... deedeedeedee

by kate on August 19, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Massive ratings for Neighbours and Friends had close to 1 million thanks to the Olympics and that appalling comedy Til Death.

by J Bar on August 19, 2008 at 11:24 AM

And another thing....
I get the feeling that the BRAND NEW!!!! series 'The Strip' has been created entirely for the possibility of someone uttering the line...(kneeling over a corpse washed up on the beach, surrounded by volley-ball playing bimbos) "hmmm, the killer can't have gotten far, this body's still warm...actually...(licks finger, presses it to said corpse, where it sizzles) it's hot. Damn hot (bowww-wokka-wowww-wowww 70's porn soundtrack fades up. Cut to opening sequence featuring perspiring bosoms & beautiful/handsome assasins posing with glocks).
There's like, twenty new cop shows coming up in the next few weeks, all looking like each other & all looking like every other cop show that's ever screened.
They all look like 'Funky Squad' (D-Gen), but not (intentionally) funny.
Kate, re: 'Naughtiest Home Videos' & (uuuggh) 'Hole in the (spewww) Wall', I think Channel Nine's hoping to rouse Kerry Packer from the grave, whereupon he'll be reinstated as CEO and with a brain-dead zombie making programming choices everything'll start getting better................Wait a minute......

by darren on August 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM

I think the that Idol is trying to shorten the season by doing the audition shows in one week. I have a friend who won't watch the audition shows. The reason being is that by the time it goes to air, they know who is in the top 32 or 40 or whatever and yet some of these people do not get any exposure in the audition/top 100 eps and they don't get voted through because channel 10 have already screened the popular ones they want. They always have to show the dorks who want their 15 minutes turning up in g-strings and chicken outfits, which after five previous seasons is old. I'm off to practise my Marcia Hines phrases now....

by David on August 19, 2008 at 12:01 PM

Yes, BURN NOTICE was certainly on last night. Though it's not on next Monday.

TM, in my post from last Friday I was refering to your comment in one of my posts from the previous Friday (This is in response to your comment from my post last Friday).

I don't know about TAKEN OUT, I personally won't be watching it because I don't go for dating shows and also I'll be watching the TWO AND A HALF MEN repeats (which return next Monday at 7pm on Nine).

I would never allow NAUGHTIEST HOME VIDEOS to (re-)air. What a stupid idea. Especially with the amount of new content they could show. Idiots!

by cpandilo on August 19, 2008 at 12:27 PM

As I am not sure what "new" shows are actually going to be on it's hard to predict. So I will go with HITW only because I fervently wish it to be gone. But seeing as the average viewer these days seems to have the IQ of a gnat it will probably be a "ratings winner" for Nein.

And what is this show "Taken Out" about?
Is it some sort of Perfect Match type tripe? If that is true then that sounds like a real winner to me. Winner of loser show of the year that is.

And speaking of loser shows, Idol starts back this Sun. Interesting to see Dicko on Denton last night. Is the ABC trying to give Ten some free advertising for Idol? Denton must be hard up for "personalitys" to interview. Come on Denton, you can do better than that.

by em on August 19, 2008 at 01:00 PM

Quoth kate on August 19, 2008 at 10:22 AM: "TQD - confused, wasn't Burn Notice on last night? Swear I saw it... or was I in the twilight zone... deedeedeedee"

Hi Kate, yes, it was on, yes I did watch it, and then afterwards there was an ad for a Monday night movie for next week (I forget which, but it probably had Hugh Grant in it) and some blurb about BN not being on.

Sorry for the vagueness, I've got the lurgi and the world is a bit fuzzy at the moment.

Quoth Bereft Skerrick on August 19, 2008 at 09:35 AM: "Mind, give them a 1900 number and girls writhing around on a bed and it may be a hit."

Oh, Mr TQD taped some of the Star Wars movies that were shown late on TV the first weekend of the Olympics to show to Mr Bear (Yoda fighting, space battles, etc; he's deemed large parts of the movies too scary still for Mr Bear). And, of course, because the movies were on so late, the ads are all writhing girls! Not terribly suitable for a five-and-a-half year old!!

Hey, can I claim the glamorous prize for whinging about Burn Notice being canned (or is it?) already? Hmm? Although I don't think it counts as a new show, dagnabbit.

by tqd on August 19, 2008 at 01:00 PM

From what I know, Taken Out means to get rid of someone, Mafia-style. I was hoping that it meant a live murder each week, perhaps of television programmers, followed by the celebrity list from D through to A in ascending order. I'd want to watch it.

by Rupert on August 19, 2008 at 01:17 PM

Make Me A Supermodel - Winner - Why because everyone loves Jen
Hole In The Wall - Winner/Loser - Start off strong like Millionaire then fade each week
Underbelly Two - Winner - Adding Sydney to storyline we keep local interest
Packed to the Rafters - Loser - Some initial interest and show the rest over summer
Taken Out - Loser - It'll last 2 epsiodes
Jamie Durie - Winner - Jamie's shows always work

by Chris C on August 19, 2008 at 01:46 PM

For the ABC fans a new series of Midsomer Murders start August 31 and Wire in the Blood on September 5. There were four episodes of Midsomer shown in the UK in July and there are six Wire in the Blood episodes in this series.
I see in today's Herald that Hollywood is going to do a film version of the classic BBC 1980's thriller Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson in the Bob Peck roll. Hate to think what they will do with this amazing five hour series.

by Gary on August 19, 2008 at 02:34 PM

So there are over 1 million Grumpy Old Women out there. Wonderful. Good to know I am not on my own then. And we're all sick of BOG!
Last night I was watching some of Nein with my son and we were laughing with amazment at all the crap shows they were advertising. Nein has fallen face down in the gutter now and has offically become the worst network on TV. Kerry Packer would indeed be doing somersaults in his grave as to what his old network has become. Even it's new drama "The Strip" looks like a blatant rip off of CSI Miami. Even down to the sunglasses. Isnt there anyone with an original idea left in TV land?

by em on August 20, 2008 at 09:45 AM

Hmm, the "other" paper gives details of the Naughiest Home Videos. Videos that went to air before being abruptly ended by phone call from KP included a man with his head stuck between a woman's breasts, a sheep biting a bull dog's rear and lots of nudity, a child fondling a kangaroo's genitals, and a dog trying to mate with a cat. But wait, there's more... apparently what didn't get to air is even more (words fail me).... a naked man falling out of a shower or a 70-year-old woman using her dentures to retrieve a birthday message from the underpants of a male stripper, naked men are trying to use a boat to cover up their modesty and a guide to making home erotic porn... Oh and if all that doesn't entice you to see riveted on the couch watching every second of tackiness, the show will be "presented by Bert" ... Bert, what price is your dignity these days? Channel 9 - you have no diginity left.

by kate on August 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM

LCD truly isn't a type of TV anymore, it's what is being shown on TV. Lowest Common Denominator.

Forget quality TV for intelligent people. The higher the HuQ (humiliation quotient) the more successful. That's why tripe like Funniest Home Videos is so successful.

It seems like the virus that inflicts The (non)Footy Show has permeated all levels. (An aside - since Fathead Vautin suffered a head injury on TFS, why is he participating on that "Almost Anything Goes-esque train wreck Hole In The Wall?" Does Nein's Workers Compensation insurer know?)

Even ABC are dipping their toe in murky waters by bringing back Double The Fist, whcih is truly dreadful.

As for "The Strip". It's going to crash and burn surely. It's too CSI'ish in a flooded market. Without the Sunglasses of Justice.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 20, 2008 at 10:38 AM

I'm sorry I can't participate in the latest competition, but having watched only Foxtel and DVDs for the last couple of weeks, I've no idea of the jewels the FTA stations are promising.
Ha ha.
I do know that Breaking Bad starts soon on Fox, and that Cranford, starring Dame Judi Dench starts this Thursday night.
Neither will fail and be pulled off.
Not a prediction as such, because Fox actually delivers what it promises. Well mostly.
Except for all the ads on some stations.

by Sal on August 20, 2008 at 11:02 AM

Em,
I was thinking the same thing. Everything old is .....crap..... again.
'The Strip' = 'CSI Miami' (or 'Wiggum PI' from a recent repeated 'Simpsons' episode).
'Taken Out' = 'Yasmin's Getting Married'.
Jamie Duries' back again with some gardening thing.
Nine's bringing back various incarnations of 'The Block' and 'Changing Rooms (or gardens)'.
'Aus Idol' = .....'Aus Idol' with an extra host (yes, that makes three) and Kyle's got a haircut (BIG changes!! and by the way Kyle, try not to say 'fabulous', you'll give the game away).
'Rush' = 'Water Rats / Police Rescue', although I am curious to know why that girl is clearing her throat in the shower. Stay tuned.
'Hole in the (excuse me....baaaarf) Wall' = 'It's a Knockout' but way way lamer(Nine have found a whole new level of lame).
Pathetic.
And while we're on the subject, why is Nine bringing back 'Prehistoric' (as someone mentioned earlier)? As I recall, they showed about 3 episodes in prime time before relegating it to the graveyard shift & then canning it altogether and no-one noticed or cared.
The Brits can't do sci-fi except when it's tongue-in-cheek like 'Doctor Who'. 'Prehistoric' was woeful.
As for 'The Fringe', I imagine it'll get the same treatment, if they show it at all. I remember Nine was heavily promoting some show (catchcry "did you see (static) did you see the lights?) a few years ago all through the summer & then never showed it at all.
Viewers are like elephants Nine. They never forget.

by darren on August 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM

I noticed that you were quoted again on the Dr Who news page TM along with a link so if you need to keep traffic up strew a few bright shiny objects around along with mentions of a some obscure characters and you might trap the occasional Whovian who can't then find their way out :)
As a former viewer of the U.S. Today show I was amused by the following clip of the host and the weatherman attempting rhthymic gymnastics but it also made me wonder if either male host of the Aussie breakfast shows would be capable of taking the p out of themselves this comfortably.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/19/matt-lauer-and-al-rokers_n_119807.html

by Cat on August 20, 2008 at 01:45 PM

Grand designs - what a great program about a potentially boring topic. I know its been around a while on Pay and FTA television, but its finally in a timeslot that allows me to watch it (gave up Foxtel years ago). Its refreshing to see a real person with expert knowledge and passion presenting a program instead of the usual clothes horses!

by Neil on August 20, 2008 at 03:38 PM

Darren wrote: The Brits can't do sci-fi except when it's tongue-in-cheek like 'Doctor Who'. 'Prehistoric' was woeful.
I do hope you are wrong Darren as my DVD pick for tonight is Children of Men. Like Sal I have not been watching LCD - love that Bereft! - and after about 4 dvds in 5 nights along with a couple of books I am kind of hoping the Olympics will run for another couple of weeks.
Oh and apparently 7 have a way to go to match the Americans level of denial. NBC are continuing to proclaim that America is leading the medal table as they have a greater number of medals overall than China.

by Cat on August 21, 2008 at 08:47 AM

Cat - I know, it's not like me to make blanket statements based on no evidence (no, I NEVER do THAT, hee hee), but to clarify, I was thinking of sci-fi featuring monsters, aliens, giant wasps, daleks etc.
Children of Men is great. But didn't from memory have any beasties.

by darren on August 21, 2008 at 09:33 AM

Mr Dale, some of us also recorded Keating! The Musical to watch at another time (due to certain members of the household being out and hence unable to watch it). I caught up with one of those Jane Austen adaptations from yonks ago (was a bit surprised to see it on the HDD recorder last night when I was flicking through trying to find something to delete to make some more space!) and I have to say that the adaptation of "Northanger Abbey" was lovely. All those heaving bosoms, frocks, and dashingly handsome young men.
I also did catch a bit of Grand Designs on Tuesday night, and was most charmed as well. Next week looks like even more fun, because of the whole car-wreck aspect of it. :)
Cat, I hope you like "Children of Men", I thought both the book and the movie were excellent, in their own separate ways. And, yes, I too am enjoying the lack of quality (or at least compulsive) televisual viewing. More time for books, DVDs, and catching up with online projects.
Quoth Cat on August 21, 2008 at 08:47 AM: "NBC are continuing to proclaim that America is leading the medal table as they have a greater number of medals overall than China."
Ah, lies, damned lies, and statistics. :) We know all about those, from reading the spin the channels put on their ratings.

by tqd on August 21, 2008 at 10:37 AM

TM can you please do a column or something official about the Channel 7 Olympics coverage and the tsunami of anger and disgust about it? There's a million forum posts all over the net with viewers venting their anger, but I fear that without something in the media about it they won't take heed. I am betting Seven's ratings will crumble with a viewer backlash post Olympics.

Tribal Mind replies: I love the notion that a column I might write would be "something official". The complaints about Seven's coverage have been well publicised in the print media, and in spite of this, more than two million keep watching every night. So Seven always responds by saying "the ratings are better than for Athens and Atlanta".
I haven't seen enough of the coverage to be able to comment. Can you briefly outline the problem?

by NK on August 21, 2008 at 10:43 AM

I said in a previous post that BURN NOTICE isn't on next week - it's actually on Monday at 8.30 followed by THE BREAK-UP at 9.30pm on Ten.
RUSH premieres Tuesday, September 2 at 9.30 on Ten. THE STRIP premieres Thursday, September 4 at 8.30 on Nine.
SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL premieres Tuesday, September 2 at 10.30 on Nine.

Tribal Mind asks: Can any reader tell us if much is revealed of Billie Piper in SDOACG? Or is it all talk?

by cpandilo on August 21, 2008 at 10:59 AM

Re Keating - some of us who would have been interested were too dumb to even realise it was on!
Anyone know if it is scheduled for a repeat? (I guess not if it didn't rate). I may have to check out this iview thing.....
Shark

by Shark on August 21, 2008 at 11:31 AM

I also watched Grand Designs. I love the touch of the "Lifestyles of the Greedy and Stupid" aspect of it. Look at the clever people using big words because they're building a big white ugly piece of crap, but they're an architect (pronounced Betty from Hey Dad style) so it's OK.
Yeah 7 look at the ratings. Because of your totalitarianism (the only Olympic sport I've seen on SBS is, surprise surprise, Soccer) and your "you WILL watch what we want you to watch when we want you to watch it" attitude means me no likey, and will be less likely to watch your programs in future.
Now wouldn't it have been a wonderful idea to use their HD channel to show other sports? Heh, that would be logic.
Ratings are high because the time difference is low.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 21, 2008 at 12:14 PM

Cat, I agree with Darren & tqd about the movie Children of Men.
We watched it on Foxtel some time ago & thought it was an excellent movie. We also wondered why we'd not heard of it before! I hope you enjoy it too.
Re K****** the Musical.
I recorded it for a friend with no ABC2 access. I think the very idea of a musical about a politician is wierd, esp that particular self-opiniated creep.
We will not be watching it.

by Sal on August 21, 2008 at 12:16 PM

TM, how did the new episode of Til Death go on Tuesday night? I can't imagine very well, I watched it for a break from the Olympics and didn't laugh once! I can imagine I would have had the same reaction to Monster House, also on Tuesday. Did it too perform pathetically?

Tribal Mind replies: 760,000 on Tuesday and 883,000 last night, which is pretty good in this special season.

by Ryan on August 21, 2008 at 01:19 PM

Standing in a DVD store the other day I saw the complete series of "Canal Road" available for purchase, which I found odd considering it hasn't even finished its run on TV. Something tells me it will be off to the discount bin in the not-too-distant future.
The (I'm guessing) small crowd who watched it last night obviously haven't taken advantage of the DVD offer. How many of them were there, TM?

Tribal Mind replies: 306,000, which would make it a huge hit if it was on Foxtel.

by Elizabeth on August 21, 2008 at 01:22 PM

It's impossible to outline the problem of 7's Olympics coverage briefly because it's such a massive problem with so many elements of concern. But in a semi-nutshell: The presenters are one-dimensional, commentators are boring, lifeless and lacking expertise (eg: Tom Williams, Gladiators host, doing the kayaking...and he was one of the better ones!), insane amount of ads, no indication of what is being shown live as opposed to replay, no details about what time specific events will be televised, unbalanced focus on some sports, rude and/or inept post-race interviews of runners and swimmers, blatant plugging of network "celebrities" (Kruger, Daddo etc), ad nauseum advertisements for Ch.7 shows, interrupted telecasting to show boring slo-mo replays of mundane "highlights" (if i have to see a bloke squirt himself with a water bottle one more time in super slo-mo I am going to explode), Johanna Griggs losing the plot in her presentation and failing to pronounce vowels properly, failure to show events that don't feature Australians...I really could go on and on. And on. The only redeeming qualities so far have been Phil Liggett's cycling commentary and presenter Matthew White. In my opinion the rest is utterly disgraceful. I'm sure other readers of this blog could add other problems they've identified with the coverage to date...

by NK on August 21, 2008 at 02:37 PM

Tribal Mind asks: Can any reader tell us if much is revealed of Billie Piper in SDOACG? Or is it all talk?

All I know is she flashes her tits because she later expressed regret after some critic said something to the effect of "name one top quality actress who showed the world her tits".
Elizabeth -- was Canal Road next to the Hole in the Wall Boxed Set?
Must finish my work so I feel less guilty about my DVD indulgence which I am reassured to learn should live up to my expectations (I figured P.D. James, Clive Owen and Alfonso Cuaron would not be a bad mix).

Tribal Mind remarks: Answer to the critic's challenge: Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, for starters. Piper should be honoured to be in such company. Any further examples readers can suggest?

by Cat on August 21, 2008 at 02:57 PM

I always wonder with these minimalist designs: how does one live in it? Where is the comfy chair/sofa, with the jar of pens and the dictionary for the crossword in easy reach, the comfy cushions to sprawl on, with good books and remote controls to hand, and a pizza box on the coffee table?
Well, maybe that's just my idea of household bliss. But honestly people, COLOUR is pretty and easy to live with. White isn't (unless you are a freak who never spills your coffee). "
Did anyone else notice the woman waxing lyrical about white being the only colour for her, while wearing nothing but black?
Maybe I'm just being jealous, I haven't seen a surface in my house for about six months. I don't find I really miss them either, although it would be nice to walk through the house just once without stepping on a toy.
Quoth Bereft Skerrick on August 21, 2008 at 12:14 PM: Look at the clever people using big words because they're building a big white ugly piece of crap, but they're an architect (pronounced Betty from Hey Dad style) so it's OK."

by tqd on August 21, 2008 at 03:11 PM

A question: the SMH report about the girls winning Bronze in the Water Polo was at 8:48pm, but I seem to recall that the game finished on 7 around 9pm. This would lead me to assume that even that Bronze Medal match was on delay! Am I correct?
If it's the case, then it's a classic example of the disdain that the network is treating the viewing public with.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 21, 2008 at 08:16 PM

TM: I seem to recall a scene in 'The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover' where Helen Mirren disrobed. Although it was sort of overshadowed by the gratuitous violence / guttony / sex.
NK@2:37: No, I think that's about it. Nicely summed up.
And speaking of LCD television.......I watched ACA last night (I am an animal nerd & was sucked in by the 'baby' humpback story, ok). Needless to say I wasn't surprised at the crapulence but I need to vent now, so.....
They featured several photos 'sent in by viewers' of a mother whale & her baby frolicking of shore "in happier times" which everyone was sure were 'Colin' (who calls a baby whale 'Colin'?) and his mummy. Except they were a different colour and....a different species. They were waving the characteristically squarish flippers of the Southern Right Whale, not the freakishly long & thin ones featured seconds later on a close-up of the hapless 'Colin'. Hey, it's only Journalism, right? Never let facts a five-year old could get right get in the way of a heart-strings-tugging story eh?
Then we decended into 'interviews' with various outraged locals, including a Paediatrician (!?!) who took the day off and came down to help with his expertise (???!!) and who had found a formula for whale milk on the internet. It's all so SIMPLE!!!! Bananas & chocolate milk!!!
Then there was the guy who'd rigged up a whale boob (Hump' lump) from an old inner-tube & some sticky tape & a hose, and who berated the NPWS guy with "Don't turn your back on me. I am Australian" (??!??).
My God. Has the world gone mad?
Cut back to Grimmers.. "well, you think they'd at least TRY...".
Well done.
I'm not even going to bother with the "crazy chinese drivers story' except to say I really don't think the reason Chinese drive so badly is "because 30 years ago, China introduced the 'One Child' policy. If you never had to share with brothers & sisters, why would you want to share the road?" (?????!!??).
Crapulent indeed.
Aaaah... that feels better.
By the way if you want a larf, check out the environment blog in this paper about 'Colin'. Comments like "God bless Colin and all who sail with him" and "for the sientists i think we cut there pay if they do nuffink" and "your all idiots its only a fish".
Hilarious.

by darren on August 22, 2008 at 06:06 AM

tqd, I often have the same thought after watching Backyard Blitz. How do people live with their new gardens? I know Jamie Durie loves his water features, but does he realise they attract tons of mosquitos? Do the people realise that they need to take care of their new water features, or they'll go all gross and icky?

That used to be my favourite bit of watching Changing Rooms - the expression of horror you used to get before the fake smile and "I love it", when you know in their mind they're frantically figuring out the cost of getting rid of their aubergine feature wall!

by Beckala on August 22, 2008 at 06:50 AM

Bereft & tqd, I also watched Grand Design as well and could hardly believe that any thinking woman would choose an all white kitchen esp with 2 kids and 2 dogs! And what about the design - she would need a packed lunch to get from end of the bench to the other. More money than sense.

PS What's a surface?

by Shoopie on August 22, 2008 at 07:10 AM

I love the stoush between 9 and 7 over the line up of medallists for 60 Minutes. Like watching a couple of kids squabbling over the last chocolate. Instead of Hole in the Wall they should dress the programmers up in blue lycra, grease Stephanie Rice up in baby oil and have them wrestler her onto their side of a line. Of course there should be deep pits of flaming coal on either side of the programmers to keep things interesting.
Children of Men was excellent and thankfully I had time to lighten the mood with The Awful Truth. Tonight I just have to decide between a double bill of Ten Canoes and 39 Steps or Dr Strangelove and Paris When it Sizzles.
Can I just defend those of us who have light 'surfaces'. I have not watched Grand Designs yet (it is waiting on the HDD) but I would dearly love all white walls because it is too dark in my home and white walls make a huge difference. I also have a cream lounge that is still cream many years after it was bought because I live with adults and the only kids who visit seem capable of following a couple of simple rules. Besides blue crayons show up just as clearly on coloured walls as white.
Oh and TM I cannot remember the actresses who got their kit off - for some reason you remember them better - but I could name a few guys who got theirs off. To mention one I would love to meet the guy who body-doubled for George Clooney in Solaris!!!!

Tribal Mind replies: Feel free to name such guys -- many of our readers will be interested. Why do you assume Clooney had a body double?

by Cat on August 22, 2008 at 09:46 AM

It was pretty clear there was a delay in the waterpolo even without the internet. The commentators said that a time-out lasted for one minute, and yet Seven managed to squeeze in a full ad break during time outs. Didn't time it with a watch, but there is no way those ad breaks run for less than 60 seconds.

by Rohan on August 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM

Was Canal Road next to the Hole in the Wall Boxed Set?
by Cat on August 21, 2008 at 02:57 PM
It was indeed, Cat, up there on the shelf next to the Yasmin's Getting Married collectors edition. A TM-worthy prize pack if ever I saw one!

by Elizabeth on August 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM

Ten will be showing the movie AMERICAN DREAMZ next Friday at 8.30pm - finally something new instead of their endless cycle of movie repeats - any bets that this movie will be repeated by Ten in a couple of months and join the cycle?
BONDI RESCUE: BALI and KENNY'S WORLD on from 7.30 Wednesdays from Sept 10 on Ten.
Also, OUTDOOR ROOM & DANCING WITH THE STARS on from Sunday August 31 at 6.30 & 7.30 followed by CRIMINAL MINDS at 9.30 (which means that either this timeslot or 8.30 Wednesdays will be repeats as Seven only have around six episodes of CM left).
I also recorded KEATING! from ABC2. I'll watch it in the next couple of weeks.
Bereft Skerrick, a better idea would be to keep 7HD as a simulcast of normal Seven and instead use 7 Digital 1 (Channel 71) for extra coverage - that should solve the issue of Seven having to cover most sports and it would be a good incentive to get more people to switch to digital television.
Does anyone know why SD digital set-top boxes are sold? Why not just have HD set-top boxes (exclusively) and save consumers the confusion and time of switching to digital television. This would also help in educating television viewers in switching to digital - makes it much easier and the manufacturers don't have to spend as much money on education/promotions on digital tv and branding (such as the blue HDTV tick).

by cpandilo on August 22, 2008 at 01:31 PM

American Dreamz it may be, but it still has the required Friday Eve staple of Hugh Grant. BTW you're using even more logic than I do re the HD channels. The men in the white trucks with the straight jackets are on their way.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 22, 2008 at 04:54 PM

How many times have they 9 repeated Antiques Roadshow ? Todays episode has been on at least 3 times this year!! I have not seen an episode later than 2005.

by doug on August 22, 2008 at 05:49 PM

"Tribal Mind replies: Feel free to name such guys -- many of our readers will be interested."

Richard Gere, Colin Farrell, Mark Wahlberg (although then known as Marky Mark), Liam Neeson, and not sure if I can add James Purefoy (as he has said that the one featured in Rome is not his, sadly)

by Kate on August 22, 2008 at 06:48 PM

To get HD 1080i on a screen you need component/hdmi connection , most old tvs only have the composite connections & that only does 576 .So if you get the wrong box for the wrong set you get no picture on the hd channels.Its a mess as noone knows whats happening to HD. In 2009 they will have 2 SD channels each so they can be seen on old Tvs but the bandwidth may not be available for 2 x SD , 1X HD , epg & technical signals per tv station .So HD may go anyway & SD rule.Ratings company does not count HD viewers as well so an SD box may be all that is needed from 2009 on the old sets via a SD Set top box.

by DOUG on August 22, 2008 at 09:43 PM

Also on list, Harvey Keitel, Ewan McGregor, Viggo Mortenson... Probably more, but I will stop there as it is beginning to seem that all I do is see movies in which male appendages make an appearance :) Not so :)

by Kate on August 23, 2008 at 01:22 AM

Hearty congratulations must go to Nein for the gut-wrenching report on ACA last night re the tragic death of Colette (sp?). No doubt about it, TV journalism as reached a new level! For me the icing on the cake was the background music - was it just me or did it sound like a choir of angels? I was moved in so many ways ...

by Shoopie on August 23, 2008 at 11:03 AM

DOUG, re HD mess. I could be wrong here but I think that the Networks have enough wireless spectrum for one 'Blue Ray' style HD program (1080p) but there are few sets with this capability. The Networks have split their one 1080p into one 1080i and a SD 576i which is what we get now. The bit left over is used for a program guide, vits and closed captions. Who knows what will happen when they get their 3rd channel in the multiplex, one 1080i + two 576's ? Come 2012 or whenever I believe that HD will rule and those people who still use analog sets will have to get used to looking through a letterbox.
If that situation isn't confusing enough for viewers, my local JB had a side-by-side demo of composite versus RGB with no mention of HDMI.

by Les on August 23, 2008 at 12:08 PM

Hi TM
Any figures for Fridays episode of So You Think You Can Dance?

Tribal Mind repleis: 880,000. Is that surprising?

by rt on August 23, 2008 at 01:34 PM

Darren said:
"TM: I seem to recall a scene in 'The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover' where Helen Mirren disrobed. Although it was sort of overshadowed by the gratuitous violence / guttony / sex."
It was on last night on Fox!
Yes, Helen was there, on full view, top to toe.
As was her male co-star, whose name I cannot recall.
The only thing that worried me about this unusual movie was the kid who kept on singing in a horrible screeeetch.
I guess I enjoyed it - because I saw the end this time, and got to bed some time after 3am.

by Sal on August 23, 2008 at 04:27 PM

"Hi TM
Any figures for Fridays episode of So You Think You Can Dance?
Tribal Mind repleis: 880,000. Is that surprising?"

Thanks TM. A bit surprising. Was curious how the show has been rating the past few Fridays and whether it has held it's audience. Compared to last Friday which rated 854,000 - a slight improvement.

by rt on August 23, 2008 at 07:04 PM

I actually bypassed the whole set box dilemma. I bought a digital television recently which has all the HD technology built in. Easy decision as old TV blew up... literally.
(replying to Les on August 23, 2008 at 12:08 PM)

by Kate on August 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM

I use a SD set top box to record onto my HDD recorder which doesn't have a digital tuner. For rather technical reasons it gives a clearer picture than if I record off my HD set top box. Something to do with too much information trying to record. The SD HDD recorders are half the price of HD HDD ones also and I am more than happy with the SD picture when I play it back.

by Gary on August 24, 2008 at 10:42 AM

TO LES, I think HD tv will be used less as it has no ratings nor interest by the tv reviewers like in the SMH .They never suggest watching a program because its picture quality is above the average nor do anything to promote the HD channels.I think the reviewers still get an SD DVD copy of a show to preview with no ads.Unless there is ratings & ad revenue HD is dead as the 20 hours p/w legal requirement has ceased.

by doug on August 24, 2008 at 02:14 PM

TM, do you have the ratings for the Friday night AFL game replayed in Sydney and Brisbane on Saturday morning on Channel 7? Cheers

Tribal Mind replies: If it was Western Bulldogs vs Essendon, then 39,000 in Sydney and 32,000 in Brisbane. Is that a good audience?

by Dave on August 24, 2008 at 03:06 PM

Tribal Mind replies: If it was Western Bulldogs vs Essendon, then 39,000 in Sydney and 32,000 in Brisbane. Is that a good audience?

Thanks for the figures. It would appear those Saturday morning figures are better than those for the live AFL game (Richmond v Fremantle) on Saturday afternoon in Sydney and Brisbane.

Tribal Mind asks: So Seven should continue to show them on Saturday mornings?

by Dave on August 25, 2008 at 04:24 AM

TM lets just say I know Clooney's body well (not personally unfortunately). And if we were only talking about getting their shirts off (ala Billie Piper at the beginning of the convo) the past master is of course Colin Firth but I think you have seen more than enough of his name lately so it is just as well I putting this on an old blog :)
As usual I managed to avoid my computer at the weekend but I missed out on the interesting discussion of HD vs SD. Given the U.S. is only starting a trial of digital broadcasting in limited markets this year prior to the switch I would be interested to see what their take up rate was against ours.

by Cat on August 25, 2008 at 09:02 AM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

The Who We Are update: Week 34

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