Who We Are
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The Who We Are update: Week 43
This week of the blog is now a heritage item -- worthy studying but no longer current. For the latest discussions on popular culture in Australia, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.
To predict the success of Australia (the movie), go to The Tribal Mind.
What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,191,000 268,000 312,000 295,000 106,000 209,000
2 ABC NEWS-SA ABC1 986,000 262,000 327,000 159,000 94,000 145,000
3 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 966,000 241,000 329,000 199,000 95,000 102,000
4 FUNNIEST HOME VIDEO SHOW Nine 903,000 225,000 262,000 218,000 85,000 112,000
5 M-TOY STORY Seven 874,000 200,000 247,000 197,000 89,000 141,000
6 M-TOY STORY 2 Seven 816,000 215,000 249,000 159,000 80,000 114,000
7 ROUGH DIAMOND ABC1 811,000 197,000 265,000 145,000 86,000 118,000
8 THE BILL ABC1 796,000 190,000 288,000 118,000 91,000 109,000
9 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 745,000 184,000 200,000 123,000 77,000 162,000
10 SLEEPERS Ten 661,000 207,000 185,000 132,000 65,000 72,000
11 ELF -RPT Nine 653,000 208,000 170,000 141,000 54,000 80,000
23 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP Nine 320,000 181,000 12,000 103,000 9,000 14,000
24 MYTHBUSTERS RPT SBS 298,000 91,000 98,000 50,000 27,000 32,000
26 ROCKWIZ SBS 259,000 85,000 89,000 37,000 33,000 14,000
What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,496,000 414,000 469,000 260,000 156,000 197,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,313,000 317,000 362,000 271,000 147,000 216,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,213,000 289,000 347,000 249,000 124,000 204,000
4 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,123,000 289,000 337,000 208,000 131,000 158,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,020,000 280,000 306,000 220,000 101,000 114,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 958,000 235,000 308,000 228,000 105,000 81,000
7 NINE NEWS Nine 926,000 240,000 261,000 242,000 106,000 77,000
8 ABC NEWS ABC1 926,000 281,000 286,000 153,000 97,000 110,000
9 TAGGART ABC1 920,000 270,000 278,000 142,000 96,000 134,000
10 HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE -RPT Nine 892,000 296,000 259,000 134,000 78,000 125,000
16 MURPHY'S LAW-LE ABC1 575,000 142,000 208,000 84,000 68,000 72,000
17 7 SPORT - INTERNATIONAL RULES SERIES - TEST 1: AUS V IRE Seven 571,000 29,000 277,000 16,000 112,000 136,000
18 UNITED 93 Ten 563,000 146,000 182,000 99,000 46,000 89,000
19 DOWNLOAD Ten 526,000 111,000 147,000 114,000 57,000 98,000
22 FRIENDS - DAILY RPT Ten 448,000 108,000 128,000 83,000 40,000 89,000
33 GROWING UP CREEPIE-PM ABC1 297,000 65,000 103,000 63,000 31,000 36,000
The ratings race, updated 10 am Friday
So 1.2 million people in the mainland capitals wanted to know what happened to Harold Holt -- not quite as many as wanted to know what happened to Bogle and Chandler, but a healthy result for the ABC and a strong argument for more locally made documentaries about national mysteries.
What did you make of the doco? And what of Normie Rowe's acting? Will we see him in Hamlet next year instead of singing the two millionth rendition of Shakin All Over?
At this point in the week, Seven is averaging 30.6 per cent of the prime time audience, with Nine on 26.9, Ten on 21.1, ABC on 16.6 and SBS on 4.8.
What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,346,000 364,000 363,000 266,000 137,000 217,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,301,000 376,000 351,000 243,000 133,000 197,000
3 THE PRIME MINISTER IS MISSING ABC1 1,241,000 402,000 330,000 226,000 134,000 149,000
4 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,168,000 330,000 333,000 231,000 129,000 145,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,143,000 338,000 344,000 251,000 118,000 93,000
6 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT Ten 1,118,000 358,000 343,000 179,000 98,000 139,000
7 RPA Nine 1,044,000 288,000 325,000 160,000 122,000 150,000
8 GETAWAY Nine 1,039,000 317,000 290,000 212,000 99,000 121,000
9 LAW AND ORDER: SVU RPT Ten 1,016,000 286,000 362,000 148,000 104,000 116,000
10 THE AMAZING RACE 13 Seven 1,008,000 290,000 395,000 109,000 90,000 124,000
11 ABC NEWS-EV ABC1 979,000 292,000 283,000 183,000 87,000 134,000
12 MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL Seven 978,000 247,000 306,000 194,000 103,000 127,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 976,000 234,000 341,000 246,000 97,000 59,000
14 ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? Ten 891,000 218,000 310,000 149,000 78,000 136,000
15 THE STRIP Nine 843,000 176,000 234,000 232,000 78,000 123,000
16 7.30 REPORT-EV ABC1 816,000 256,000 216,000 139,000 87,000 117,000
17 CATALYST-EV ABC1 803,000 233,000 207,000 145,000 95,000 123,000
18 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 734,000 216,000 223,000 132,000 69,000 94,000
19 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 719,000 229,000 178,000 137,000 79,000 95,000
20 HEROES - THU Seven 696,000 224,000 238,000 93,000 69,000 72,000
23 NINE NEWS Nine 567,000 Not shown 300,000 266,000 Not shown Not shown
30 CHASING BIRDS ABC1 396,000 136,000 109,000 62,000 39,000 50,000
31 PRISON BREAK - THU Seven 389,000 112,000 142,000 60,000 50,000 25,000
43 NINE NEWS Nine 273,000 273,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown Not shown
52 SCRUBS Seven 240,000 73,000 68,000 38,000 31,000 29,000
72 NINE NEWS Nine 169,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown 109,000 60,000
The ratings race, updated 10 am Thursday
Some 300,000 of The Mentalist's fans did not join him in the journey from Sunday to Wednesday, so Nine's strategy failed. It would seem Wednesday viewers are locked into a Spicks and Specks and Criminal Minds mode, and neither the fake telepath played by an Aussie pretending to be American nor the grumpy doctor played by an Englishman pretending to be American can shift them.
What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED EP2 Nine 1,421,000 420,000 426,000 271,000 154,000 149,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,421,000 351,000 404,000 289,000 150,000 228,000
3 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED Nine 1,350,000 354,000 418,000 280,000 137,000 161,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,314,000 339,000 392,000 246,000 120,000 217,000
5 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,275,000 332,000 417,000 216,000 115,000 194,000
6 MEDICAL EMERGENCY Seven 1,265,000 366,000 363,000 224,000 125,000 188,000
7 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,246,000 416,000 389,000 201,000 116,000 125,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,182,000 360,000 335,000 190,000 116,000 181,000
9 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,161,000 310,000 342,000 246,000 124,000 140,000
10 NINE NEWS Nine 1,151,000 333,000 342,000 264,000 103,000 108,000
11 CRASH INVESTIGATION UNIT Seven 1,134,000 349,000 310,000 220,000 100,000 155,000
12 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,115,000 331,000 344,000 194,000 82,000 165,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 994,000 274,000 281,000 248,000 83,000 107,000
14 THE MENTALIST -WED Nine 980,000 274,000 301,000 210,000 120,000 76,000
15 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 915,000 257,000 311,000 129,000 96,000 122,000
16 HOUSE Ten 860,000 267,000 245,000 126,000 86,000 137,000
22 JAMIE'S MINISTRY OF FOOD Ten 766,000 227,000 237,000 115,000 61,000 126,000
25 LIFE Ten 682,000 160,000 250,000 89,000 84,000 98,0000
32 AT THE MOVIES ABC1 428,000 115,000 150,000 70,000 44,000 48,000
35 SUNRISE Seven 367,000 117,000 73,000 96,000 31,000 49,000
38 HOW TO HAVE SEX AFTER MARRIAGE Nine 350,000 95,000 101,000 64,000 42,000 48,000
43 TODAY Nine 315,000 99,000 90,000 72,000 17,000 38,000
73 RAINMAN GOES TO ROCKWIZ SBS 189,000 67,000 60,000 45,000 10,000 7,000
The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
What's the appeal of NCIS? Now that House has sunk Yasminwards, it has become Channel Ten's most watched show. Can anyone explain?
What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,868,000 569,000 582,000 329,000 175,000 214,000
2 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,827,000 483,000 562,000 374,000 165,000 243,000
3 THE ZOO - TUE Seven 1,716,000 441,000 494,000 371,000 169,000 240,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,406,000 384,000 343,000 307,000 155,000 216,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,305,000 334,000 361,000 257,000 157,000 197,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,242,000 385,000 309,000 246,000 124,000 179,000
7 NCIS Ten 1,239,000 347,000 345,000 251,000 138,000 159,000
8 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,205,000 417,000 347,000 143,000 155,000 143,000
9 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,205,000 320,000 349,000 238,000 144,000 154,000
10 NINE NEWS Nine 1,164,000 277,000 405,000 270,000 118,000 93,000
11 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,105,000 278,000 372,000 199,000 102,000 155,000
12 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,033,000 249,000 344,000 229,000 109,000 102,000
16 20 TO 1 Nine 970,000 319,000 281,000 168,000 96,000 106,000
17 RUSH Ten 969,000 228,000 324,000 179,000 110,000 129,000
21 THE CHOPPING BLOCK Nine 825,000 248,000 234,000 139,000 104,000 100,000
22 KENNY'S WORLD TUES Ten 773,000 166,000 274,000 136,000 91,000 107,000
35 SURVIVOR: MICRONESIA - FANS VS FAVOURITES Nine 427,000 121,000 137,000 73,000 45,000 51,000
52 FIRST AUSTRALIANS SBS 243,000 84,000 90,000 22,000 23,000 24,000
57 NAUGHTY NAUGHTY PETS ABC1 235,000 44,000 69,000 39,000 33,000 50,000
The ratings race, updated 10 am Tuesday
Even if it's the most watched show on SBS, Top Gear Australia is turning into a car crash.
What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 THE FORCE Seven 1,763,000 465,000 558,000 320,000 177,000 243,000
2 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,677,000 428,000 512,000 345,000 154,000 237,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,546,000 404,000 431,000 331,000 158,000 222,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,471,000 381,000 424,000 296,000 153,000 217,000
5 CITY HOMICIDE Seven 1,446,000 409,000 458,000 243,000 161,000 174,000
6 CSI Nine 1,333,000 375,000 373,000 265,000 147,000 174,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,311,000 343,000 373,000 270,000 142,000 182,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -MON Nine 1,297,000 357,000 447,000 237,000 123,000 132,000
9 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,281,000 355,000 368,000 286,000 144,000 128,000
10 NINE NEWS Nine 1,124,000 290,000 333,000 271,000 141,000 89,000
11 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,043,000 301,000 342,000 174,000 83,000 142,000
12 BONES - MON Seven 1,015,000 314,000 290,000 185,000 104,000 122,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 993,000 295,000 328,000 242,000 128,000
14 TIL DEATH Nine 966,000 287,000 313,000 165,000 87,000 115,000
15 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 955,000 354,000 269,000 133,000 99,000 100,000
16 COLD CASE Nine 890,000 257,000 279,000 148,000 106,000 100,000
17 AUSTRALIAN IDOL - THE LIVE VERDICT Ten 888,000 246,000 249,000 167,000 118,000 108,000
18 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 867,000 259,000 241,000 197,000 74,000 96,000
22 FOUR CORNERS ABC1 819,000 258,000 224,000 168,000 78,000 91,000
25 SUPERNATURAL Ten 718,000 224,000 203,000 100,000 79,000 112,000
29 TOP GEAR AUSTRALIA SBS 598,000 187,000 169,000 94,000 78,000 70,000
34 OUT OF THE QUESTION - MON Seven 437,000 143,000 133,000 63,000 45,000 54,000
The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday
In last Tuesday's episode of Packed To The Rafters, the mother (Rebecca Gibney) refused to watch a Channel Seven show, City Homicide. Her opinion was apparently shared by 200,000 mainland capital viewers, who deserted CH on Monday for Nine's new season of CSI.
Not that CH's slippage to 1.4 million worried Seven, which still had nine of the ten most watched programs of the week (topped by Rafters and Find My Family ). Its major disappointment would have been the 1.2 million for the US version of Kath and Kim, which drew 700,000 less than our own hotties last year. On its second Sunday, KKUSA dropped to 729,000, which is an invitation to the axeman. And that was with Kevin Rudd as a lead-in, drawing 1.1 million to a Seven news special.
Nine's top show was Wednesday's Two and A Half Men but The Mentalist did so well on Sunday (1.3m) that Nine has decided to make it the replacement for Fringe (which drew only 679,000 last Wednesday). Last night The Mentalist's audience grew to 1.4 million. Can it do as well up against Criminal Minds on Wednesday?
Channel Ten had a surprise hit with the obscure kidflick Nanny McPhee (1 million on Friday) which we can attribute to the Emma Thompson factor. Ten's other comforts were NCIS (1.3m) and Australian Idol (1.2m) but former heroes House (885,000), Jamie Oliver (700,000), and Californication (523,000) continued to disappoint.
The ABC triumphed with Spicks and Specks, Midsomer Murders and the 7pm news. For SBS, Top Gear Australia (668,000) attracted 300,000 fewer than its British role model - a case of cultural cringe, or presenters who are trying too hard? The First Australians drew 343,000, which was a strong score for SBS and would be spectacular for Pay TV, which did best with Australia's world cup soccer qualifier (293,000 for Fox Sports 2), the Indian cricket test session 3 (264,000 for Fox Sports 2), The Simpsons (191,000 on Fox 8) and Octopussy (167,000 on Fox classics).
Seven averaged 30.1 per cent of the prime time audience, with Nine on 25.3, Ten on 20.5, ABC on 18.8 and SBS on 5.3.
What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 THE MENTALIST Nine 1,448,000 380,000 415,000 312,000 178,000 163,000
2 60 MINUTES Nine 1,357,000 340,000 386,000 323,000 136,000 171,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,329,000 327,000 400,000 271,000 135,000 196,000
4 DANCING WITH THE STARS 8 Seven 1,255,000 372,000 386,000 192,000 117,000 188,000
5 CSI: MIAMI Nine 1,206,000 317,000 354,000 230,000 167,000 139,000
6 SEVEN NEWS SPECIAL Seven 1,117,000 279,000 352,000 266,000 62,000 158,000
7 20 TO 1 Nine 1,114,000 303,000 292,000 244,000 120,000 154,000
8 ARIA MUSIC AWARDS Ten 1,113,000 343,000 344,000 172,000 123,000 130,000
9 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,101,000 278,000 345,000 241,000 141,000 96,000
10 AUSTRALIAN IDOL Ten 1,100,000 335,000 305,000 190,000 144,000 125,000
15 KATH & KIM THE AMERICAN SERIES Seven 729,000 198,000 237,000 153,000 49,000 91,000
19 THE LONG FIRM ABC1 566,000 194,000 153,000 87,000 60,000 72,000
20 CALIFORNICATION Ten 543,000 151,000 167,000 83,000 74,000 68,000
21 THE SIMPSONS SUN Ten 536,000 183,000 122,000 103,000 73,000 56,000
27 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? SBS 320,000 68,000 143,000 45,000 34,000 31,000
28 FIRST AUSTRALIANS SBS 307,000 93,000 131,000 35,000 31,000 17,000
31 ANDREW OLLE MEDIA LECTURE: RAY MARTIN ABC1 261,000 92,000 60,000 35,000 41,000 33,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)
What Australia watched, week ending October 18
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,881,000 559,000 631,000 318,000 174,000 200,000
2 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,831,000 477,000 596,000 361,000 187,000 211,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,626,000 386,000 487,000 390,000 163,000 199,000
4 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,615,000 457,000 458,000 321,000 177,000 202,000
5 THE FORCE - BEHIND THE LINE Seven 1,581,000 407,000 481,000 292,000 174,000 227,000
6 BORDER SECURITY - AUSTRALIA'S FRONT LINE Seven 1,526,000 386,000 457,000 306,000 167,000 209,000
7 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,524,000 488,000 460,000 273,000 127,000 176,000
8 MINDING YOUR MONEY - SEVEN NEWS SPECIAL Seven 1,493,000 367,000 429,000 331,000 152,000 213,000
9 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,453,000 365,000 470,000 254,000 169,000 195,000
10 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED EP2 Nine 1,451,000 398,000 495,000 256,000 141,000 160,000
11 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,411,000 352,000 383,000 305,000 160,000 211,000
12 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED Nine 1,401,000 372,000 485,000 243,000 130,000 171,000
13 CITY HOMICIDE Seven 1,398,000 372,000 470,000 243,000 173,000 140,000
14 MEDICAL EMERGENCY Seven 1,391,000 367,000 391,000 280,000 152,000 200,000
15 60 MINUTES Nine 1,358,000 383,000 388,000 293,000 138,000 155,000
16 NCIS Ten 1,344,000 335,000 377,000 285,000 157,000 189,000
17 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Nine 1,343,000 385,000 432,000 243,000 117,000 166,000
18 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,299,000 316,000 361,000 262,000 152,000 208,000
19 THE MENTALIST Nine 1,261,000 365,000 341,000 257,000 118,000 180,000
20 SEVEN'S V8 SUPERCARS ROUND 10: BATHURST D3 POST RACE Seven 1,254,000 355,000 413,000 253,000 143,000 89,000
21 SEVEN'S V8 SUPERCARS ROUND 10: BATHURST D3 THE RACE Seven 1,250,000 383,000 383,000 248,000 143,000 93,000
22 TWO AND A HALF MEN -MON Nine 1,242,000 362,000 419,000 220,000 96,000 145,000
23 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,237,000 417,000 366,000 210,000 127,000 117,000
24 KATH & KIM THE AMERICAN SERIES Seven 1,228,000 325,000 424,000 212,000 112,000 155,000
25 CRASH INVESTIGATION UNIT Seven 1,226,000 358,000 301,000 260,000 131,000 176,000
26 MIDSOMER MURDERS ABC1 1,215,000 384,000 379,000 162,000 144,000 146,000
27 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,194,000 345,000 336,000 231,000 129,000 154,000
28 AUSTRALIAN IDOL Ten 1,191,000 335,000 358,000 248,000 120,000 130,000
29 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,180,000 367,000 402,000 152,000 144,000 115,000
30 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,171,000 322,000 351,000 237,000 121,000 140,000
31 DANCING WITH THE STARS 8 Seven 1,168,000 357,000 361,000 181,000 105,000 165,000
32 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,137,000 305,000 325,000 223,000 89,000 194,000
33 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,136,000 318,000 362,000 215,000 129,000 112,000
34 NATIONAL NINE NEWS Nine 1,080,000 280,000 334,000 253,000 119,000 94,000
35 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT Ten 1,060,000 298,000 313,000 160,000 109,000 181,000
36 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,054,000 308,000 315,000 198,000 92,000 142,000
37 GETAWAY Nine 1,053,000 356,000 304,000 171,000 93,000 129,000
38 NANNY MCPHEE Ten 1,044,000 295,000 322,000 181,000 105,000 141,000
39 MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL Seven 1,042,000 267,000 285,000 235,000 105,000 150,000
40 CSI: MIAMI Nine 1,039,000 288,000 339,000 176,000 99,000 137,000
41 THE STRIP Nine 1,037,000 290,000 292,000 223,000 102,000 129,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)
And here, for the record, are the most watched series this year (audience figures are the average totals in the mainland capitals)
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1.93 million
2 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1.78m
3 UNDERBELLY Nine 1.71
4 CITY HOMICIDE Seven 1.64
5 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1.60
6 THE FORCE Seven 1.58
7 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,58
8 SEVEN NEWS - SUNDAY Seven 1.57
9 60 MINUTES Nine 1.54
10 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1.52
11 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1.49
12 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1.49
13 SEVEN NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY Seven 1.49
14 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: TIGER-SPY IN THE JUNGLE Nine 1.48
15 THE ONE - AUSTRALIA'S MOST GIFTED PSYCHIC Seven 1.45
16 NINE NEWS - SUNDAY Nine 1.43
17 GORDON RAMSAY: KITCHEN NIGHTMARES Nine 1.44
18 CSI Nine 1.41
19 TWO AND A HALF MEN WEDNESDAY Nine 1.41
20 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1.40
21 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1.38
22 NCIS Ten 1.38
23 SEA PATROL II Nine 1.37
24 SURF PATROL Seven 1.36
25 SCU: SERIOUS CRASH UNIT Seven 1.36
26 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1.36
27 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1.36
28 GLADIATORS Seven 1.35
29 DOC MARTIN ABC1 1.32
30 BATTLE OF THE CHOIRS Seven 1.30
31 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1.29
32 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: LIFE IN COLD BLOOD Nine 1.29
33 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1.29
34 SEVEN NEWS - SATURDAY Seven 1.28
35 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1.28
36 MEDICAL EMERGENCY Seven 1.27
37 CRASH INVESTIGATION UNIT Seven 1.27
38 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1.25
39 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1.24
40 AUSTRALIAN IDOL - SUNDAY Ten 1.24
41 ALL SAINTS Seven 1.24
42 WIPEOUT - TUESDAY Nine 1.24
43 RPA Nine 1.23
44 MIDSOMER MURDERS ABC1 1.23
45 DANCING WITH THE STARS 8 Seven 1.23
46 THE ZOO - SERIES 1 Seven 1.23
47 THE REAL SEACHANGE Seven 1.22
48 NCIS Ten 1,215,853
49 CELEBRITY SINGING BEE Nine 1.21
50 SEARCH & RESCUE Nine 1.21
51 HOLE IN THE WALL - WEDNESDAY Nine 1,205,192
52 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,20
53 NINE NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY Nine 1.19
54 WILD CHINA ABC1 1.19
55 THE OUTDOOR ROOM WITH JAMIE DURIE Seven 1.18
56 FOYLE'S WAR ABC1 1.18
57 GORDON RAMSAY: HELL'S KITCHEN Nine 1.18
58 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1.18
59 MY NAME IS EARL - THURSDAY Seven 1.17
60 GETAWAY Nine 1.16
61 THE BIGGEST LOSER - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1.15
62 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1.14
63 POLICE FILES - UNLOCKED Seven 1,13
64 HOUSE Ten 1,130,388
65 ABC NEWS - MONDAY-FRIDAY ABC1 1.13
66 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 1.12
67 BONES Seven 1.12
68 DOCTOR WHO ABC1 1.12
69 DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: LIFE OF MAMMALS Nine 1.12
70 GORDON RAMSAY: KITCHEN NIGHTMARES USA Nine 1.11
71 ANIMAL EMERGENCY Nine 1.11
72 FIRE 000 Nine 1.11
73 THIS IS YOUR LIFE Nine 1.10
74 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1.09
75 CSI: MIAMI Nine 1.08
76 BUSH DOCTORS Seven 1,074,061
77 WITHOUT A TRACE Nine 1,070,164
78 SILENT WITNESS ABC1 1,069,326
79 BATTLEFRONTS Nine 1,069,056
80 ABC NEWS - SUNDAY ABC1 1,067,568
81 20 TO 1 Nine 1.06
82 DALZIEL AND PASCOE ABC1 1,05
(OzTAM)
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
Here's the latest Sarah Palin parody onSNL, with 2 appearances by the subject herself. Not as good as previous weeks. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/18/sarah-palin-on-snl-with-t_n_135887.html Perhaps all of the funny was sucked out of it by Alec Baldwin.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 20, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Re; 'Kath & Kim', I watched again to see if it was any better. It wasn't, but I can see what people mean about not comparing it to the Aus version. The Americans seem to have missed something fundamental in the translation. Kath uses the right words for things for starters. If they just forget the Aus version & make it witty and funny on their own, maybe it's got a chance. At the moment it's not. Witty or funny.
Went & saw 'Burn After Reading' on the weekend. Besides having to endure ANOTHER 'Australia' trailer, it was well worth the ticket. Seamless, smart, everyone good. Not laugh out loud funny exactly, but wry. Dry. Surprising.
- by darren on October 20, 2008 at 08:42 AM
TM
Do you have the ratings for last night's Simpsons, would be interesting to see how much of a bad lead in ten has to overcome at 6.30
Cheer
Tribal Mind replies: Just when I think I have covered all possible questions, you come up with a new one. I don't bother including The Simpsons most days because it never changes. In the chart now. What do you make of it?
- by Jason on October 20, 2008 at 09:28 AM
In answer to the question of whether House is experiencing a slump in ratings in the US, similar to its Australian collapse: House got 12.8 million viewers for its showing last week in the US. That is a pretty good figure in the US but I am not sure if it is up or down from last season. I'll keep looking.
http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/ratings-the-mentalist-draws-14-million/
- by mel on October 20, 2008 at 09:46 AM
How did The Mentalist reach number one last night? I watched it out of curiosity and found it to be embarrassingly bad. Trying way too hard to be quirky. To add to my woes I then watched CSI Miami - good lord, how does David Caruso manage to keep his job? If he was any more wooden he would be stringing up fencing wire in a paddock somewhere. He seems to maintain two poses for the camera - side on with his boofy head looking over his shoulder or looking down at his hands where he no doubt has cheat cards containing all his lines. Speaking of lines - who writes this stuff? Take away the music and fancy shots and there isn't much left. Am having a bad day at work today - working on a computer without speakers!!!
Darren - I think "Australia" sounds like a Mills and Boon novel or one of those sweeping sagas - barf...
- by Shoopie on October 20, 2008 at 10:07 AM
The question of whether House has also slumped in the US has already been answered on this blog - it's down by about 6 million viewers. However, it still scores strongly in key demographics, so the network isn't too bothered yet. Besides, all returning shows are down sharply, including Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy.
- by Fielding on October 20, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Thanks TM
I think it shows that Idol is Lead in proof - whereas other shows have been dragged down due to ten's non-competitiveness at 6pm, Idol can boast a decent tune in and 100% audience increase over its lead in.
This also proves that the Monday Result Show with it's lacklustre ratings is the problem, not the low lead-in from Friends.
- by Jason on October 20, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Re: House.
I found some old ratings. In early Feb 2008 House was getting around the 23m mark. By May 2008 it was around 14m and dropping.
This season has been airing since mid-Sept and it appears that it has consistently been getting around the 12/13m mark. I found this website that was very handy: http://tvbythenumbers.com/
The interesting thing in the US is that they also count online views and DVR, which I believe is basically a 'time shifting' device that allows you to watch the show later, It even notifies the network if you've watched the ads... or so I read! I think they count DVR views if you watch within 24 hours.
- by mel on October 20, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Shoopie, the trailer for 'Australia' (a.k.a. 'The Australia trailer') was the worst one I've seen yet. Nicole Kidman whispering to a little aborigine boy "let me tell you a story that happened in a wonderful land called........OZ" .....as she gazes into the CGI distance, sunset reflecting in her extra-shiny eyes and bouncing off her extra-shiny forehead (like a wall!). Barf is right. Cut to CGI bombers over Darwin, Hugh Jackman with a bare CGI chest covered in CGI mud, lots of sweaty kissy stuff... The harder they try, the better it ain't.
I'll be saving my money for the movie of 'The Road' (based on the Cormac McCarthy book), with Viggo Mortenson & that kid from 'Romulus My Father'. All signs are promising.
Tribal Mind winders: Why are you dragging today's Tribal Mind topic over to The Ratings Race? We do TV here, movies over there.
- by darren on October 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
TM, I don't know anyone over there. I feel lonely over there. I went and put in my two cents worth, after which I thought it'd be okay to come back here and joke around a bit with Shoopie & Bereft Skerrick, Em, Ozinoz, AJ, GJ, J Bar, tqd etc. Can't joke with strangers.
I thought this was where we discuss TV, Movies, Books (occasionally), everything else in the pop culture spectrum, ways to record everything in the pop culture spectrum & who's the best Doctor Who.
Didn't mean to blur the lines.
Tribal Mind replies: You're right, of course, but I thought Them Over There, who seem mostly to be newcomers, should benefit from the full extent of your wisdom.
- by darren on October 20, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Quoth darren: "thought this was where we discuss TV, Movies, Books (occasionally), everything else in the pop culture spectrum, ways to record everything in the pop culture spectrum & who's the best Doctor Who."
Right, here goes: I enjoyed "The Long Firm" last night (although I missed the first Derek Jacobi story), and am now on the look out for the books it is apparently based on. I am actually looking forward to "Australia" (maybe because I haven't seen any trailers for it yet), because it's Baz, and I think he makes some of the most beautiful movies in Australia, a real visual flair. And I recorded (on the PVR) the First Australians.
And Tom Baker.
darren, I can't believe you're looking forward to "The Road". I feel like slashing my wrists every time I think about it. Have you not read the book??? (If you haven't, DO read the book. It's excellent, in a terribly depressing sort of way.)
Tribal Mind replies: There's a link to the Australia trailers in The Other Place. Click here to read that column and see the trailers. It would be great if you would like to make a prediction in That Place as well.
- by tqd on October 20, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Tqd, (humour me, TM), yes, the book is the reason I'm looking forward to the movie. No other book has made my heart want to leap out of my chest. It is excellent. Are you not looking forward to the film in case they ruin it? A possibility. But the Coens did a great job with 'No Country For Old Men' and I'm hoping the Australian director (whose name I think is John Hillcoat) of 'The Road' who also did 'The Proposition' (I think) will do a similar job with this. He's got the material that's for sure.
Maybe when they show it on TV in a few years we can resume this conversation.
- by darren on October 20, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Mr Dale, I have been meaning to wander over to That Place and make some comments (I got as far as reading previous comments) but I do try to minimise my web-based procrastination at work, and that does mean only participating in ONE Tribal Mind blog. And I'm afraid my home internet time is spent on the sites I can't get to at work.
I will try to remember to browse over to the trailers at some time, though. And I will try to think of some prediction. (I hope it does well regardless, the industry needs a hit.)
- by tqd on October 20, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I also enjoyed The Long Firm last night tqd. The Derek Jocobi story made him out to be a bit of a sick puppy & then "the mob" just made it worse for him. A little disappointed that it was a few years old before we saw it on fta tv. TM like darren I ventured The Other Place as well, & they certainly seem a lot more serious...haha
- by PJ453 on October 20, 2008 at 03:51 PM
OK, heading over to That Place but could use someone to hold my hand...
- by Shoopie on October 20, 2008 at 04:11 PM
hey david. im curious to know how free to air tv ratings are doing this yr compared to others. whether ratings are up overall or down??
Tribal Mind replies: Strangely, free to air audiences this year are slightly up on last year.
- by ryan on October 20, 2008 at 04:18 PM
In other news today - apparently Seven has just dumped USKAK. When is Nein going to do a 20 to 1 of failures?
- by Shoopie on October 20, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Mel, that 23m was for the episode after the superbowl, the largest audience of the year. It was getting around the 16m mark in the prime 9pm slot the previous season, but they put it back an hour to get a good lead-in for their new show, fringe.
- by Ben on October 20, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Jason, the new format of Idol's Monday shows means you really don't have to watch the 59 minutes - they announce the bottom three on the website ). Thus, anyone tuning in to hear the final result would probably get tagged in to the ratings of the show that follows, because Idol inevitably finishes late. I have no need to watch the Monday night show - it completely rehashes the previous night, then the worst three perform (not a compelling reason to tune in). We watch Top Gear Oz, then flick on when it finishes, which leaves us right in time to view the results. I suspect many do the same.
- by Beckala on October 20, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Interested to see the Mentalist doing well on sunday night - wonder if it will keep those figures on wednesdays - unlikley given the alternatives on offer - I find it ok - and Simon Baker playing a role a bit more human than he did in The Guardian. Had recorded it and caught it late on last night. Thanks Mrs Skerrick for the Sarah Palin SNL link - like you said not quite as good as the earlier stuff perhaps on best behaviour as she was backstage - although she is enough of a caricature without the need for impressions
- by Cathy on October 20, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Re US K & K... I've read somewhere else on SMH, that it has been shelved by Ch7 and may return for summer silly season. So, pretty much rules out a second season then? Shoopie, I don't mind The Mentalist, yes it tries to be quirky but I don't find it embarrassingly so. I find it better than some of the shows on TV like Hole In The Wall and 2&1/2 men. Finally, TM, am amused by your attempts to control and direct the recalcitrants ... I may leave my prediction "over there" except it means watching the trailer, which should be deemed cruel and unusual punishment.
- by Kate on October 20, 2008 at 06:56 PM
The US Kath & Kim become Yasmins bridesmaids. Channel 7 have disowned them. 2 episodes, now on "hiatus".
A much better episode of Top Gear Oz this evening. The "Star" segment wasn't as long this week.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 20, 2008 at 08:41 PM
PJ453, yes The Long Firm was a few years old - I recorded it from Foxtel in 2004! Never got around to watch it though, put it aside for a rainy day.
Both ladies at the dog park this morning who mentioned watching it, had turned it off. Said it was too dark, with no likeable characters, all were nasty/bad.
- by Sal on October 20, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Anyone else addicted to In Treatment on foxtel??
Tribal Mind replies: Me. Who's your favourite patient?
- by Danna on October 21, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Probably Alex, but they're all brilliant. Melissa George is surprisingly great as Laura. Who's your faVe TM?
Tribal Mind replies: I think Alex is the best-written character. But I've long had a crush on Embeth Davidtz.
- by Danna on October 21, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Oh dear, Top Gear!! (Ha, I'm a poet and I didn't even know it!). Sorry to see that people aren't giving it another chance. The challenge last night (to see who could get somewhere quicker - using a GPS system or using a traditional Aboriginal tracker) was really good - I thought it was a really clever idea. I think it is getting better (although I still HATE Charlie...) and it would be a shame if SBS gave up on it.
Not surprised to see Kath and Kim given the old Yasmine treatment. I couldn't put myself through the ads of the second episode, let alone actually committing to watching it!! (I would mute the ad or change the channel, it was just too painful).
Jealous of you Foxtel owners getting Treatment. I'd love to see it, but living in a unit means no Foxtel. Damn Foxtel do themselves out of business - they won't sign up single units, they insist on installing the wiring throughout the complex, therefore noone on strata will ever vote it in. And I'm missing out now - that seems to be the only place you can get some of the best tv - without having to stress that it will last a week then be killed for another episode of 2 1/2 men!
I think i'm going to have to learn about downloading... I have so much more time on my hands now the students have sat my HSC exams!
- by Beckala on October 21, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Re: House ratings in US.
Thanks for that Ben. It does explain a lot. I came across one set of weekly figures for Feb 2007 and it had gotten 26m. So I assume it was also the episode right after superbowl. I was thinking that a drop from 26m to now 12m would be very disappointing ordinarily!
From what I have read in US blogs, most people seem to feel that House is lacking a certain 'oomph this season. I'd have to agree. I am still watching though because I love Hugh Laurie and I have hope that it will improve. I really like his new friend although I'm not sure getting his own spin-off show would draw me in. Now that House and Wilson are friends again perhaps that might signal a turnaround in the 'oomph' factor and thus a return to higher ratings?
- by mel on October 21, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Top Gear ratings poor, proportionally Aus Idols are MUCH worse!
Currently d/loading first 3 series of "The Pretender", whose final series was hideously stuffed around by Ch Nein back in the day. What an excellent show it was, used to love seeing what wacky hijinks Jarod got up to each week.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 21, 2008 at 09:54 AM
I am one of those top gear fans who are giving up on the australian version. A few things annoy me about it. Firstly you can see the cameras in all the cars, in the original they are very careful to hide cameras. Secondly the track they do their laps on looks boring and is filmed boringly, get better editors. Thirdly too much talking to the camera whilst driving by the hosts show us the cars. Fourthly the challenges lack depth (The junkyard bombs had a drag race and paddock bash: The GPS challenge had one guy being led on a horse, really!!!). Fifthly the studio audience needs reorganising, push the good looking people forward and push the ugly people back.
- by ned on October 21, 2008 at 09:59 AM
City Homicide climbs. CSI slips.
- by J Bar on October 21, 2008 at 10:02 AM
I managed to see the US KATH AND KIM on Sunday and it was just as I predicted - woeful - its a brand that shouldnt ever have been copied - I give it another 2 weeks in the US - it was like watching bad pantomime - and Selmar Blair just over does it - such a shame really that the producers just didnt think seriously before selling the format to the US.
I keep seeing that cliched trailer for AUSTRALIA - virtually every frame is stereotypical of a bad period piece - I expect the CHASER BOYS to fly in at any moment to say its all a bad joke!
Is it just me or does NICOLE KIDMAN sound like she's speaking with a south African accent!
Tribal Mind remarks: Re KKUSA - presumably the Australian producers were well paid for the rights. It's not their fault if the Americans messed it up.
- by GJ on October 21, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I don't know what to think about Top Gear Aus. I really want to like it, but I really can't stand Charlie and he really ruins the show for me. They did get a chuckle out of me last night with the lawn bowls (who pays for the damage to the cars?!), and I thought it was slack that the tracker had to walk while Warren was on the horse (hubby pointed out that maybe he didn't want to ride).
And anyone who comes across as awkward interviewing Jack Thompson who is one of the best story tellers you can have the hope to interview, needs another job,
It's time to go ... Charlie
- by Nic on October 21, 2008 at 10:25 AM
TM - I'm glad they were well paid because I think they are two of the funniest women on television but werent Riley and Turner executive producers - surely they must have been slightly disappointed to see the final product - Magda Szubanski obviously had reservations by not selling her character 'Sharon' and she obviously would have been paid. Yes the Americans definitely stuffed up but my position all along has bee that it was such a difficult brand of comedy to sell overseas - the Australian KATH AND KIM was so uniquely Australian - we essentially poking fun at ourselves and Americans don't normally find that brand of humour that funny - good on them for trying and selling the rights for what its worth - I hope Australian audiences flock back to the original series on Sunday night - I certainly will!
- by GJ on October 21, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Still staying with Top Gear.....ok,ok it's not LOL or asthma inducing but it's easy on the brain after the typical busy Monday at work!! My question is why didn't the airbags go off when the cars hit?? Denton was great last night with George Miller & the Frenchman Phillipe Petitte(?) the highwire man, quite inspiring.
- by PJ453 on October 21, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I watched the first ep of the Fringe and despite liking it, I didn't come back to it because I knew that Nein would do exactly what they have done - shove it. I will wait for the DVD release. I am currently watching the Closer, Monk and Psych on DVD - all good shows, all dumped. So, sometimes it's easier just not to tune in, because you know the show will be yanked - kinda like a fait accompli - so you may as well not gets your hopes up. You'd think they'd get it by now and realise that we need stability in programming in order to be bothered in committing to a show. Then they get some ratings.
BTW I like the Mentalist, and so now intead of watching House and taping Crim Minds I will watch the Mentalist and maybe alternate between taping the other two. I like House but it gets a bit boring - same old thing week after week - just a bit too formulaic.
Here endeth the rant ........
- by LAH on October 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM
by GJ: No, GJ, you are not alone. I also thought Nic's attempt at an English accent sounds more Afrikaan than it does English.
Re K & K -I think some blame can be attributed to the OZ producers. They would not doubt have had some final approval and I think that they had some input as well. One of the ads touted the "episode that the Amercians wrote themselves" which suggests that the preceding eps may not have been solely scripted by the Yanks... Also, how the producers on either side of the ocean would have thought it would work is beyond me...
- by kate on October 21, 2008 at 12:21 PM
i just checked up some facts and it seems like the same people who produce Top Gear Australia (Freehand Productions) does Dancing with the Stars and Outback Wildlife Rescue.
No wonder since TGA looks like a segment pulled from totally wild. Anyway, Freehand, please hire some competent editors who can colour grade. One of the reasons I watched the original TG was because the cinematography made me almost want to make love to a big hunk of metal. TGA looks washed out and tepid with uninteresting camera work.
Cars on TG are objects of absolute beauty, cars on TGA are just cars on the M5.
oh and The Pretender, another one of my childhood staple shows, too bad Nein screwed it to bits in the end.
- by LJ on October 21, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Would that be the highest ratings that GNW has had all year? Talk about a slow starter.
- by David on October 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM
PJ453: I think that the car airbags only go off if it's a hit at a certain speed and angle. We (actually, Mr Skerrick) hit a roo in the Skerrickmobile back at the start of the year. No airbags went off. And Hee! At the Lawn Bowls.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 21, 2008 at 01:08 PM
OK, back from That Other Place but couldn't leave a comment - too bedazzled by the thought of Beckala's Moulin Rouge style wedding :)
- by Shoopie on October 21, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Caught bits of TGA last night. Had to say that Jack Thompson did seem most uncomfortable. Not the best interview in the world. But I rather enjoyed the lawn bowls segment. Silly, but fun. Winced every time the cars crunched into each other. Who pays that repair bill, do you think?
Quoth darren on October 20, 2008 at 02:41 PM: "Tqd, yes, the book is the reason I'm looking forward to the movie. ... Are you not looking forward to the film in case they ruin it?"
Yes, the pedigree is excellent (great actors, great source, great director). But the book was profoundly unsettling. I found the next couple of weeks after I finished it just wondering what the point of living was. And I do like a certain amount of cheerfulness in my movies. So, while I do hope they keep to the source faithfully, it does also mean that I will be quite unable to watch it without yet another few weeks of black dogs. (And I don't tend towards black dogs usually.) I'm all for cathartic moments, but I don't enjoy being depressed.
But you know, books like movies and like TV have different appeal for different people. I tend to wonder what people are smoking when they talk about loving "The Da Vinci Code" (say) or HITW or any of the Matrix trilogy, but I'm glad we all have different tastes. Makes the world go around. :)
also popped back into Good Game for one of the first times this year and did enjoy it immensely (as usual). Just like I don't really like cars (red goes fast, right?) but enjoy Top Gear, I never play computer games, but enjoy Good Game.
- by tqd on October 21, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Shoopie, it was more the "red dress" (the one that Nicole wore at one point - used similar style for the bridesmaids), lots of candles and rose petals rather than 'corsets, fishnets and burlesque' - it was sort of a mix between Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet, if I think about it further... I used the music from R&J, and styled the flowers and rose petals thing that was featured in both.
And on a drunken nights planning, my best friend threatened to sing "Like a Virgin" whilst chasing me down the aisle a la Moulin Rouge - but he didn't have the guts to do it on the day!! :-)
That was also the night he threatened to make the bridal waltz to tv theme songs (Growing Pains, Family Ties, Full House). Hell, it kept us entertained for a night or three!
- by Beckala on October 21, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Wow what's happening to ACA? It used to be popular not so long ago. Now it doesn�t even manage over 1mil.
- by Nick on October 21, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Bereft: What was a kangaroo doing at the lawn bowls ????
Shoopie: I too was bedazzled at Beckala's Moulin Rouge style wedding.....had this vision of instead of walking down the aisle she arrived on a swing.......swish : )
- by PJ453 on October 21, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Sorry PJ453 is was a mixed comment. Hee! at the lawn bowling Astras. Boo! at the Kangaroo which didn't swap insurance particulars.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 21, 2008 at 07:56 PM
tqd, yes, thinking a bit more about 'The Road', it is very bleak and then there's the.....you know.....diet. (I don't want to ruin it for anyone else although it's probably common knowledge what it's about).
I'm hoping that in the movie it'll be understated & implied more than featured (not like say...'28 Days/Months Later' which was awful). The book was so sparely written and atmospheric and Cormac McCarthy is a master at directing the reader, highly skilful with the old pen, McCarthy,and I'm hoping the same will show through in the film. I also heard that his book 'Blood Meridian' is being made into a film. That one is even bloodier. And based on real life (Indian massacres).
To justify having this conversation here, I think it's interesting that shows like 'Law & Order' and 'Dexter' (especially 'Dexter') are admired & looked forward to, partly because of the frisson of excitement of criminal & often gorey storylines (and, yes, the writing) but Movies and books often seem to have a different affect on people.
The black dog is a close friend of mine, follows me around a bit. But to me, haveing some darkness makes real life seem better than ever. Something Channel Seven doesn't seem to understand. They seem to think the yellower and happier everything is made to seem ('Sunrise-ified'), the happier and sunnier life will be. Doesn't work like that. Just makes everything beige.
- by darren on October 22, 2008 at 06:03 AM
I'm wondering if Channel Ten does pay attention to this site - a few weeks ago I suggested they buy Will & Grace from 7 and begin playing that at 7pm - guess what starts this Monday?!
- by Beckala on October 22, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Both Packed to the Rafters and NCIS slipped slightly this week but both are doing extraordinary figures. All Saints continues to do well at 9.30 and Rush is climbing. Shame they're up against each other. All Saints was brilliant this week and Rush is actually developing quite nicely now. Can't believe 20 to 1 beats it (but only just beats it now).
Kenny's World slips again and is now just behind the Chopping Block. Can't imagine The Simpsons is doing very well any more either. All of these are absolutely blitzed by The Zoo and Find My Family.
- by J Bar on October 22, 2008 at 09:01 AM
hello tm
Just wondering have
you written any blogs on bittorent
and the affects of downloading in the
australian and worldwide media?
Tribal Mind replies: Yes, about a year ago when it was first becoming a serious issue for the networks. Can you specify your question?
- by dave on October 22, 2008 at 09:31 AM
NCIS is one of the best shows on TV. If you can look past wherever it is you remember Mark Harmon from, you will find the show is consistently brilliant.
I also still like House but I agree it is missing something this year....just not sure what it is.
- by Irish on October 22, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Another good ep of Packed to the rafters.. Hope the inclusion of someone being pregnant doesnt wreck it..
- by Michelle on October 22, 2008 at 09:53 AM
That's great news about Will & Grace on 10 @ 7. Good veg out material, but it does mean I miss out on serious news from the ABC. Down here in the sticks the 6pm news only ever features hydroponic garden busts and footballers' groin injuries with the occasional tiny bank robbery. Oh for the good old days of bodies in barrels in bank vaults.
- by Rupert on October 22, 2008 at 09:53 AM
What! Replacing Friends with Will & Grace? Tell me it ain't so! Can't handle Debra Messing, she was bearable with Thomas Haden Church in Ned & Stacey (when is Season 2 being released on DVD? Curse you Sony!). In W&G she's just a whiny shrew. As is Will.
They should have kicked the title characters to the kerb and just made it a Jack & Karen show. I suggest that it'll be heavily edited in the 7pm slot.
NCIS: almost always watch it. Don't generally wtch the other procedural dramas (did anyone else know that Law & Order is getting a UK franchise with Martha from Doctor Who playing something or other?) but like the rapport between Gibbs, his 3 lead agents, Ducky & Abby, who totally rocks.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 22, 2008 at 09:58 AM
ncis is the best show out there! its not just another cop show its different in so many ways! awesoe cast, awesome storylines. ncis is ten forums is the biggest. i never miss a show!!, packet to tha rafters is going more unrealistic with the dad going on tour!! i mean what dad goes on tour? esp at that age
- by ryan on October 22, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I'm a big ALL SAINTS fan and have always found it to be one of the better Aussie dramas since it began with GEORGIE GARDNER many years ago - its always fresh and just a pleasure to watch!!
The same CANNOT be said about SUNRISE - I cannot understand the appeal - I watched it the other day to see if the backslapping - the constant references to each other by nicknames - kochie, mel, nat, beretts! - the cross promotion of shows had changed and lo and behold it was worse!
NAT was telling KOCHIE how invaluable his financial advice had been during recent weeks and why not do another special on the global crisis with the PM - Kochie says' that sounds like a good idea - let me talk to the boss and we'll get it going' The messiah strikes again!!
Then KOCHIE talks to MEL about her new series of THE ZOO and Mel twitches her nose and gushingly says 'its not my show, the animals are the stars - but viewers if you want to watch it -switch to Channel Seven this Tuesday at 7.30!"
Are these two CHANNEL SEVEN'S only stars???
I like a lot of what CHANNEL 7 has on offer at the moment but if I have to see MEL or KOCHIE, or NAT or BERRETS fronting one more show I think I'm going to scream!
- by GJ on October 22, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Bereft, totally agree re: Will and Grace needing to be called Jack and Karen. What will be amusing for people who started watching the series late is seeing the first few episodes where Megan Mullally uses her natural voice for the character. She only decided to make it high later in the season.
- by Beckala on October 22, 2008 at 01:41 PM
NCIS: It's not something I'd choose to watch (I seem to have the unusual attitude where if there's nothing I really want to watch I will turn the TV off), but Mr TQD often gravitates towards it, and I do like the goth chick. And Illya Kuryakin. But unless either of them are on screen, I've got my nose in a book.
And where *do* I remember Mark Harmond from? I just can't remember any more.
darren, I'm all for some bleakness and darkness in this world, but "The Road" pushed me over the edge. It's the only Cormac McCarthy I've read (although I've got "All the Pretty Horses" and "No Country for Old Men" on a toppling pile of books to-be-read somewhere), and, yes, it was magnificent, worthy of all its accolades. Even if lacking in inverted commas. (Punctuation, dammit! It's not that hard!!)
Mr Dale, you may be pleased to know that I have now watched the trailers for "Australia". A comment Over There may actually be forthcoming sometime later this week...
- by tqd on October 22, 2008 at 01:46 PM
What's wrong with House? Simply put, improbable, over the top stories. The re-invention of the main character to one thoroughly disagreeable moron with more faults than Hitler, Hannibal Hector and J. W. Howard all rolled into one, in other words an unbelievably bad character who has no redeeming qualities or features.
The supporting characters, new and old, are being further faded into irrelevance with each subsequent show, other than those minor problems, I can't really see much wrong with it!
I think its earlier success may have gone to the lead actor's head and his whims are being catered for by the show's producers and in the process, they are destroying what used to be an entertaining show.
What's wrong with GNW? Nothing that a later time slot wouldn't fix, much like when McDermott's Sideshow was moved to an adult time slot it improved out of sight to become (in my book at least) a must see show, all TEN needs do is switch it with Supernatural and their Monday night 9:30 to 10:30 time slot would win the night as the only competition, Bones, repeats of CSI and the more mundane Enough Rope wouldn't stand a chance once people caught on.
I still think that The Mentalist is a very poor copy of Psych, (TEN HD, tonight at 10:30) lacking in any humour. I would be surprised for it to do much, if anything to dent CM's audience and I would expect that its audience share will drop from that which it had managed to get on Sunday nights where it had very little competition from the other channels
Tribal Mind wonders: Hannibal Hector??
- by Zjonn on October 22, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Bereft, I don't think that Ch 10 will have to edit Will & Grace too much, Ch9 don't bother editing 2 and 1/2 men and it airs in the 7pm slot and then some. I also know that I would personally prefer to watch Will & Grace.
- by kate on October 22, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Hannibal Hector is a new character on 'Sesame Street'. Gets pushed around on a furniture removalist trolley wearing a muzzle and giving people wicked dutch rubs when they least expect it. Likes "Cookies (a sometimes food) served with fava beans and a nice Ribena....sip sip sip sipsipsipsipsip").
Didn't watch 'House' last night but is instigating a lipstick lesbian storyline considered 'jumping the shark'? If it was simply a dream sequence or something, have Channel Ten 'jumped the shark' on 'House''s behalf by showing it in the promos? ("please watch...look...we've got lesbians. Lesbians!")
Does anyone know if Ten are going to show 'Will & Grace' in chronological order like they did with 'Friends' the first time round? Or are they going to just start in the middle of some random storyline like they did with 'Friends' the second time round? Works okay with 'The Simpsons' but not everything.
- by darren on October 23, 2008 at 05:58 AM
What's the appeal of NCIS? Probably Cote de Pablo.
- by bobmar28 on October 23, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Re:bobmar28: Nope .... Michael Weatherly :)
I love NCIS, I only got into it in later episodes but it is very well scripted and the characters work well together.
- by Nic on October 23, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Mark Harmon - I remember him on St Elsewhere, Reasonable Doubt (with Marlee Matlin and the fabulous Jim Beaver - now on Supernatural), Chicago Hope and Moonlighting. He brings a lot of yum to NCIS. Plus NCIS is easy to watch with characters that are very likeable and it doesn't take itself too seriously. That is rare with many detective shows. Mind you, I also love Criminal Minds which takes itself way too seriously. In fact, they and Supernatural are the only shows I ever watch on commercial channels and I don't have pay tv.
- by Suze on October 23, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Although I thought Will & Grace was funny the first time around, I doubt it will do any better than Friends does for Ch 10. They need a completely new concept for the 7pm slot, current affairs, game show, variety show. Something. Anything. A new comedy might work in that slot like 'Rules of Engagement' but an old comedy that screens endlessly on Foxtel won't work for them any more.
GJ, I think you meant Georgie PARKER was in All Saints not Georgie GARDNER, who is a newsreader on Ch 9 and previously Ch 7.
- by J Bar on October 23, 2008 at 07:51 AM
TM I've been wondering which demographic actually watches 2 1/2 men. I tried watching it when I spotted in constantly high in the ratings, thinking I was missing a very good show and found myself in a state of stunned disbelief. I thought it was spectacularly awful. I'm a 43 y/o female and I can't imagine any of my demographic liking it. Then again, most of my friends can't believe I watch Supernatural.
Tribal Mind replies: Males 16-39.
- by Suze on October 23, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Silly move by Ch 9 for The Mentalist from Sunday to Wednesday. Why do they keep moving all their shows all over the schedule so viewers can't find them? Good way to wreck a new show that had just built a strong following on Sunday. And next week they have to take it off again anyway because there are no new episodes available so they have to resort to double episodes of CSI:NY. If they had half a brain, they would have teamed up CSI and CSI:NY to take on Criminal Minds on Wednesdays.
- by J Bar on October 23, 2008 at 08:24 AM
What about this mornings ratings -THE TODAY SHOW is now only 50,000 viewers behind SUNRISE - how will the SUNRISE family react - will we see KOCHIE dragging the PM back donning a COW outfit outside Martin Place - will MEL bring one of her giraffes from the ZOO into the STUDIO to read the news - will NAT convince BARACK OBAMA and JOHN MCCAIN to have one final debate in the SUNRISE studio or will BERRET'S convince TIGGER WOODS to fly in and shoot 18 holes at his place - these people can move mountains because they are the SUNRISE FAMILY - stay tuned!!
JB noted: GJ, I think you meant Georgie PARKER was in All Saints not Georgie GARDNER, who is a newsreader on Ch 9 and previously Ch 7.
Yes JB thanks for pointing that out - it might have something to do with the slight crush I have on Ms Gardner - she just oozes a bit of class in the mornings and I have been prone to delay catching my morning train just to get a little bit more of the 'Georgies' in the morning! - and that's not meant to imply what you might think - I just like her presentation style.
- by GJ on October 23, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Zjonn, you can call Enough Rope many things, but mundane isn't one of them. It's one of my must view shows every week.
- by Beckala on October 23, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Having watched the original Rainman doco a couple of weeks ago on abc, I heard the "Music Rainman" on the Adam Spencer 702 morning radio show which again raised my interest about asburgers (sp?) disease & the different talents they have. So we watched the Rainman Goes to Rockwiz last night & was fasinated how they even got him into the pub for the audition. Now will have to watch Sat night's Rockwiz to see how he actually went
- by PJ453 on October 23, 2008 at 10:17 AM
GJ,
How will the Sunrise family react?
By continuing to be the most obnoxious bunch of people ever to appear on one show together! I'm not overly fond of the Today team (LW in particular annoys me), but I can't stomach what C7 is doing in their gratuitous publicity driven schtick they call morning television.
Still, one good thing - my television is Denyer-free at present and looks like remaining so for a few months yet until the inevitable triumphant 'comeback'!
- by Neil on October 23, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I'm a 30 year old female and although I don't watch it religiously, I find Two and a Half Men quite funny. Can't wait for Will and Grace to Return.
And Bereft, The Pretender was one of my favourite shows of the 90s. I wanted to be like Ms Parker!
- by Carly on October 23, 2008 at 10:30 AM
@ JBar - the only problem with stripping Rules of Engagement is that after 2 seasons they have only produced 30 or so episodes so they would run out in about 6 weeks, Will & Grace is alright, but it only reminds me of how Debra Messing used to be in a much better show (Ned & Stacey)
- by Jason on October 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Another classic episode of Newstopia last night. Loving the fake Bunnings commercials. How'd it go TM?
Weatherley is passable, but "Probie" is nice to look at and a nerd to boot.
Tribal Mind replies: Only 139,000, sadly. Perhaps everyone is waiting for the DVD.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 23, 2008 at 11:03 AM
GJ, Re: 'Sunrise', when the ratings start to slip isn't it time for them to hit the road?
A live cross from the Stock Exchange ("Kochie teaches Australia how to count"). Or maybe they could sit in on the Parliamentary Inquiry into what The Reserve bank & The Treasury knew about the Deposit Guarantee (Mel grilling Glen Stevens about where he buys his ties)? You never know, a nose-wrinkle and a Kochie's Joke of the Day broadcast live from the public gallery might make all the difference.
Or they could go to the U.S. and cover the Election LIVE! Get J McCain & Obama to do the Macarana a la Kerri Anne Kennerly & Peter Costello. Get Joe Biden & Sarah Stupid to sing a song together or walkk the Kokoda Trail (although probably not enough time for that, just fake a military ceremony. Any military ceremony. Viewers really like military ceremonies). Klassy.
Or they could just start giving out money like they usually do.
- by darren on October 23, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Ah, we have Hannibal Hector and Tigger Woods gracing the blog this morning. That does make me feel all chirpy.
Recorded Newstopia last night, apart from that had a social evening with friends over for dinner and some good old fashioned chin-wagging. (Which was in part about downloading TV shows: apparently True Blood isn't bad, but I didn't much like the first book in the original series ["Dead Until Dark"], all vampire romance, so I won't be bothering with that; "The Dresden Files" sounds like they've changed it too much from the *excellent* book series for me to be happy with it; and everyone but me seems to be downloading Heroes.)
- by tqd on October 23, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Mark Harmon - Didn't he do a series or 2 on ER ?? His character had a "gambling" problem.....or am I just confusing the medical shows ??
- by PJ453 on October 23, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Mark Harmon - yum.
Go to http://epguides.com/NCIS/ and click on his name in the cast for a full list of his roles.
He was Dr Bobby Caldwell in St Elsewhere, for 70 episodes, from 1983-86.
He was Dr Jack McNeil in Chicago Hope, for 95 episodes, from 1996-2000.
As Gibbs in NCIS, he's done 135 episodes since 2003.
Lots of other roles too - he's had a great career.
I like all the cast of NCIS, though the wierd forensic chick is a bit of a cliche these days.
It's a good reliable show, that's why we like it. Also we know when it's on!
- by Sal on October 23, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Jason, with 6 weeks worth of Rules of Engagement episodes available, that would have taken them to the end of the year and at least we would have had a chance to see the rest of the episodes. I'm sure with their output deals Ch 10 has with America, they must own the rights to some other new comedies that haven't been broadcast yet and could fill this slot. I'm sure a lot of people who have invested big bucks for their HD telly, don't want to waste it watching these shows like Friends and Will & Grace that began more than ten years ago and aren't in widescreen or high definition. It's a turn-off for me, when there's other shows available in HD.
- by J Bar on October 23, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Sorry TM, but I like alliterations! Lecter doesn't start with a 'H' so I obviously couldn't use it even if it would have made it more obvious what I meant to say.
Notice I was right with my prediction regarding the Mentalist's ratings for last night!
- by Zjonn on October 23, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Is it wrong or just poor taste for Seven to be dubbing 'The Prime Minister's Address to the Nation' for the 'Aussie Kath & Kim Back By Popular Demand' promo?
Seven has taken the GFC more seriously than anyone and frightened people more than anyone with dire predictions and illogical advice from all corners on 'Today Tonight' & 'Sunrise' & 'Kochie Kochie Kochie' and now they turn around and use the sacred utterances of that darling of the morning television crowd K Rudd for a cheap promo? Doesn't make sense. Although Channel Seven not making sense makes sense.
Do Channel Seven OWN the PM? I think 'Sunrise' created him to a point, at least. They probably have copyrights on K Rudd & Joe Hockey. You get that impression at times.
- by darren on October 24, 2008 at 05:58 AM
Darren asked: Is it wrong or just poor taste for Seven to be dubbing 'The Prime Minister's Address to the Nation' for the 'Aussie Kath & Kim Back By Popular Demand' promo?
I reckon it is very poor taste Darren but anything to get a bit of cross promotion -SEVEN are experts at it - I guess we can be thankful it's not MEL AND KOCKIE promoting KATH AND KIM - I'm just waiting for their cameos in the next season - I can just see it KATH AND KIM in the kitchen watching MEL AND KOCHIE -on sunrise on the tele in the morning with KOCHIE going "Look at moi!, Look at moi!!
It's bound to happen!!
Tribal Mind wonders: Should that be spelt "Look at moiye"? Otherwise it looks as if she's using a French word.
- by GJ on October 24, 2008 at 08:59 AM
darren: you raise a very valid point, one I was thinking about earlier. The whole Kevin Rudd "phenomenon" was carefully cultured over a number of years on Sunrise with the regular Kevvie vs Joe forums. It gave him a recognisable public face, and is a very strong factor in developing his Q factor i.e. how views rate "personalities". I would suggest that Joe Hockey would have also fielded a similar approval rating - not so much now that the tag team were cut down because of Kokoda a reasonable amount of time ago, but Kevvie was able to translate it into the PMship.
I suggest that Kochie is the real Puppet master behind Kevvie, as part of Kochies plans for World Domination. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama is one of his pawns as well.
And I have a confession to make: I watched the opposition this morning. Today. Nana & Aunty Skerrick were within spitting distance of Steven Jacobs this morning. Sadly they didn't have any of my weapons of choice.
- by Bereft Skerrick on October 24, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Some low figures all around. ACA particularly poor. Those ACA Sydney & Perth figures are laughable!
- by arthur on October 24, 2008 at 09:04 AM
TM Do you have figures for the rest of ABC1's Thursday? (ie: 7.30 Report, Catalyst, Review with Myles Barlow).
Tribal Mind replies: Having spent 35 minutes composing the chart around the pics, I'm not going to mess it up by putting those in. So I'll tell you here: 816,000; 803,000; 49,000.
- by Jason on October 24, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Huge figures for The PM is Missing & rightly so, not only good entertainment (well done Normie!) but very informative. It must of been ironic for Normie playing the man that sent him to Vietnam!! Then all the abc viewers were like the Bird Watchers & flew away!! Yours truely included & watched RPA as Mrs PJ HAS to watch anything medical!! All I do is sit there & say "that's our glass, that's our balustrade, that's our awning" as the company I work for did lots of work there on the new buildings.....thankyou tax payers of NSW.
Tribal Mind continues his crusade against esoterica: What new buildings?
- by PJ453 on October 24, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Thanks TM - and holy crap are you saying this Myles Barlow got 49,000 viewers therefore shedding 96% of it's lead in!
I thought they would have gotten a boost!
Tribal Mind replies: Yes, that is what I am saying. And 31,000 of those were in Melbourne. What is this show? Who is Myles Barlow?
- by Jason on October 24, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Re Who is Myles Barlow: I don't know, some weirdo - I didn't watch it either (although I did watch the Holt doco) ABC seems to flog the hell out of this Review show whenever I am tuned to their station (which is mostly 10.30 for Lateline) Maybe it's on ABC2 - it gets confusing sometimes!
Tribal Mind replies: Must be something to do with Melbourne.
- by Jason on October 24, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Tribal Mind wonders: Should that be spelt "Look at moiye"? Otherwise it looks as if she's using a French word.
by GJ on October 24, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Your absolutely right TM - I submitted that post very early this morning after a lateish night on the turps and didn't think about the correct spelling - your guidance is greatly appreciated.
I know I should be making this comment over at 'that other place' but because it involves OPRAH I will confine my comments to this place.
Apparently OPRAH has declined an invitation to fly to Australia to record her show and interview NICOLE KIDMAN AND HUGH JACKMAN re AUSTRALIA - something to do with a tight schedule - could she have seen the movie and thought 'stinker' - not worth the trip.
Excellent, concise analysis of the week - thanks TM.
Ten would certainly be fretting about the figures for House, one if its best performers in recent years. Is this slump in viewers of House happening in the American market also?