The Who We Are update: Week 12

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To find out which niche the advertisers put you in, go to The Tribal Mind.

To nuance the Buzz Word of the Year, go to Who We Are.

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday
Channel Seven won the week, averaging 28.5 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine got 26.7 per cent (thanks to U2 and Customs), Ten 22.7 (thanks to dancers and NCIS), ABC 16.8 (Thanks to Specks and Gruen) and SBS 5.3 (thanks to Top Gear). With Packed To The Rafters taking a break for a few months, Seven may have trouble holding its lead next week.

This was Pay TV's account of itself for the week: "Rugby League, Rugby Union and cricket drew great audiences on FOX Sports viewers. Live: NRL Dragons v Titans was watched by 282,000 viewers; the first day's play in the final test in South Africa, Live: Cricket: Test RSA v Aus Day 1 S1, was viewed by 277,000 people and 88,000 people watched the NSW Waratahs play the Canterbury Crusaders in Live: Rugby Union: S14 Waratahs v Crus. On Sky Racing, Sky Raceday also proved popular, being seen by 69,000 people.

"In entertainment programming, numerous programs achieved record audiences. TV1's NCIS was watched by 147,000 people, the program's biggest audience ever. On Sunday morning, The Simpsons on FOX8 drew 110,000 people and Disney Channel's Hannah Montana was watched by 93,000. This week, Bargain Hunt on Lifestyle was seen by 80,000, Waking the Dead on UKTV had its largest audience since 2007 with 79,000 viewers and Motorway Cops on Crime and Investigation also had an all-time record audience with 77,000 people. That '70s Show on 111 Hits was watched by 71,000 people (a record for the program on the channel) and Handy Manny was seen by 66,000 people, a record for the program too. "

What Australia watched, week ending March 21
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 UNDERBELLY: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Nine 2,174,000 632,000 728,000 374,000 205,000 236,000
2 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,887,000 536,000 618,000 332,000 182,000 219,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,583,000 388,000 442,000 348,000 175,000 231,000
4 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,558,000 427,000 469,000 282,000 164,000 217,000
5 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,523,000 424,000 480,000 296,000 141,000 182,000
6 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,502,000 421,000 435,000 277,000 157,000 213,000
7 CUSTOMS Nine 1,469,000 360,000 508,000 307,000 147,000 147,000
8 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,459,000 370,000 394,000 313,000 163,000 219,000
9 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,450,000 350,000 476,000 321,000 173,000 130,000
10 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,365,000 342,000 372,000 302,000 149,000 200,000
11 NCIS Ten 1,359,000 412,000 323,000 259,000 170,000 196,000
12 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,333,000 340,000 413,000 253,000 135,000 192,000
13 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,330,000 433,000 297,000 288,000 129,000 184,000
14 60 MINUTES Nine 1,327,000 367,000 398,000 273,000 139,000 149,000
15 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,325,000 365,000 402,000 266,000 138,000 155,000
16 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1,292,000 351,000 395,000 270,000 123,000 154,000

17 TRIPLE ZERO HEROES Seven 1,283,000 328,000 402,000 278,000 111,000 164,000
18 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,274,000 383,000 361,000 214,000 142,000 175,000
19 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,244,000 336,000 370,000 240,000 128,000 170,000
20 CSI Nine 1,214,000 311,000 358,000 244,000 165,000 137,000
21 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1,212,000 345,000 369,000 257,000 104,000 136,000
22 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,205,000 416,000 316,000 215,000 123,000 136,000
23 TWO AND A HALF MEN -MON Nine 1,188,000 265,000 428,000 261,000 122,000 112,000
24 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1,181,000 354,000 279,000 274,000 114,000 160,000
25 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,170,000 314,000 294,000 280,000 151,000 130,000
26 CITY HOMICIDE Seven 1,165,000 302,000 371,000 231,000 115,000 146,000
27 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,165,000 359,000 357,000 167,000 149,000 133,000
28 ADULTS ONLY 20 TO 1 Nine 1,129,000 305,000 322,000 244,000 95,000 164,000
29 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,129,000 307,000 318,000 214,000 150,000 140,000
30 LIE TO ME Ten 1,123,000 305,000 293,000 231,000 139,000 155,000
31 CRIME INVESTIGATION AUSTRALIA Nine 1,120,000 337,000 331,000 169,000 131,000 153,000
32 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,110,000 394,000 290,000 193,000 108,000 123,000
33 NINE NEWS Nine 1,092,000 278,000 357,000 243,000 117,000 97,000
34 ROVE Ten 1,090,000 291,000 391,000 182,000 99,000 126,000
35 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,090,000 292,000 294,000 234,000 127,000 142,000
36 GETAWAY Nine 1,085,000 320,000 312,000 244,000 88,000 120,000
37 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,071,000 246,000 350,000 239,000 103,000 133,000
38 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,054,000 270,000 344,000 233,000 115,000 92,000
39 GHOST WHISPERER Seven 1,054,000 296,000 306,000 217,000 118,000 117,000
40 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,040,000 320,000 321,000 198,000 95,000 106,000
41 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,038,000 321,000 316,000 173,000 115,000 112,000
42 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - ELIMINATION Ten 1,033,000 298,000 276,000 220,000 109,000 129,000
43 THE MENTALIST Nine 1,033,000 313,000 322,000 187,000 109,000 102,000

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,333,000 340,000 413,000 253,000 135,000 192,000
2 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 984,000 261,000 297,000 209,000 119,000 97,000
3 IN SEARCH OF THE BIG BARRA WITH MALCOLM DOUGLAS Seven 913,000 202,000 268,000 210,000 95,000 138,000
4 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Seven 864,000 190,000 294,000 153,000 80,000 147,000
5 HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK Ten 858,000 287,000 243,000 169,000 80,000 79,000
6 NEW TRICKS RPT ABC1 851,000 280,000 236,000 93,000 118,000 123,000
7 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 839,000 237,000 283,000 100,000 117,000 103,000
8 KATH & KIM (R) Seven 832,000 204,000 254,000 166,000 76,000 132,000
9 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 746,000 208,000 183,000 156,000 82,000 117,000
10 M-PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL Seven 724,000 241,000 181,000 114,000 86,000 101,000
11 THE BILL ABC1 698,000 246,000 239,000 96,000 117,000
14 LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE RPT Ten 617,000 186,000 182,000 97,000 66,000 85,000
26 IRON CHEF SBS 292,000 82,000 90,000 44,000 26,000 50,000
28 ROCKWIZ RPT SBS 270,000 73,000 82,000 45,000 24,000 46,000
29 RIPPING YARNS Seven 246,000 66,000 77,000 42,000 36,000 25,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Description Total 1 SEVEN NEWS 2 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS 3 TODAY TONIGHT 4 HOME AND AWAY 5 NINE NEWS 6 A CURRENT AFFAIR 7 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) 8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT 9 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS 10 THE SIMPSONS FRI 11 ABC NEWS 12 REBUS ABC1 14 LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 15 TEN NEWS AT FIVE 16 LAW & ORDER FRI 20 FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 34 SUNRISE 38 TODAY Nine 56 2009 AUSTRALIAN Friday
Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
Seven 1,298,000 331,000 326,000 274,000 144,000 223,000
Seven 1,274,000 383,000 361,000 214,000 142,000 175,000
Seven 1,220,000 331,000 319,000 259,000 122,000 188,000
Seven 1,022,000 294,000 273,000 210,000 110,000 135,000
Nine 1,014,000 256,000 346,000 219,000 104,000 89,000
Nine 980,000 240,000 372,000 202,000 82,000 84,000
Ten 947,000 320,000 223,000 213,000 80,000 111,000
Nine 941,000 207,000 350,000 198,000 77,000 108,000
Ten 911,000 211,000 316,000 155,000 95,000 133,000
Ten 880,000 203,000 342,000 121,000 90,000 124,000
ABC1 850,000 242,000 234,000 175,000 92,000 108,000
828,000 272,000 250,000 101,000 84,000 121,000
Nine 821,000 445,000 Not shown 376,000 Not shown Not shown
Ten 768,000 231,000 193,000 137,000 88,000 120,000
Ten 707,000 161,000 273,000 95,000 81,000 97,000
Nine 670,000 280,000 203,000 186,000
Seven 346,000 106,000 87,000 82,000 24,000 47,000
279,000 85,000 93,000 57,000 17,000 27,000
SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Ten 209,000 75,000 62,000 28,000 23,000 20,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,361,000 358,000 342,000 297,000 145,000 219,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,345,000 366,000 348,000 288,000 137,000 207,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,130,000 336,000 354,000 240,000 111,000 90,000
4 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,129,000 307,000 318,000 214,000 150,000 140,000
5 ADULTS ONLY 20 TO 1 Nine 1,128,000 306,000 320,000 244,000 95,000 163,000
6 GETAWAY Nine 1,084,000 319,000 313,000 244,000 88,000 120,000
7 GHOST WHISPERER Seven 1,054,000 296,000 306,000 217,000 118,000 117,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,042,000 269,000 347,000 207,000 105,000 113,000
9 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,040,000 320,000 321,000 198,000 95,000 106,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,020,000 293,000 250,000 226,000 117,000 133,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 998,000 294,000 267,000 232,000 92,000 113,000
12 ABC NEWS ABC1 958,000 252,000 268,000 213,000 95,000 130,000
13 BONDI VET Ten 952,000 268,000 233,000 223,000 90,000 138,000
14 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 949,000 256,000 300,000 210,000 106,000 77,000
15 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 883,000 201,000 334,000 155,000 93,000 100,000
19 PRIVATE PRACTICE Seven 818,000 262,000 237,000 150,000 88,000 79,000
21 LIFE ON MARS Ten 709,000 190,000 205,000 126,000 87,000 102,000
23 OPERATION VALKYRIE: THE STAUFFENBERG PLOT TO KILL ABC1 674,000 227,000 157,000 128,000 61,000 100,000
25 Q & A ABC1 598,000 233,000 146,000 120,000 49,000 49,000
28 SCRUBS-THU (R) Seven 464,000 148,000 157,000 76,000 44,000 39,000
64 2009 AUSTRALIAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Ten 181,000 53,000 45,000 31,000 25,000 26,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,451,000 371,000 385,000 305,000 177,000 214,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,343,000 323,000 361,000 316,000 154,000 188,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT Seven 1,325,000 365,000 402,000 266,000 138,000 155,000
4 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,244,000 336,000 370,000 240,000 128,000 170,000
5 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1,198,000 340,000 366,000 255,000 104,000 134,000
6 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,198,000 412,000 316,000 211,000 123,000 136,000
7 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,120,000 397,000 292,000 197,000 109,000 125,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,114,000 255,000 394,000 243,000 106,000 116,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,086,000 310,000 345,000 223,000 116,000 91,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,085,000 295,000 283,000 240,000 121,000 145,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,048,000 321,000 272,000 219,000 101,000 136,000
12 THE MENTALIST Nine 1,046,000 318,000 326,000 188,000 109,000 104,000
13 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,043,000 285,000 317,000 209,000 112,000 121,000
14 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,011,000 291,000 319,000 178,000 104,000 119,000
15 HOUSE Ten 982,000 235,000 288,000 210,000 105,000 142,000
16 BEYOND THE DARKLANDS Seven 976,000 253,000 278,000 130,000 101,000 215,000
17 COLD CASE Nine 906,000 239,000 289,000 165,000 129,000 84,000
20 LIFE Ten 813,000 195,000 258,000 142,000 89,000 128,000
22 GUERRILLA GARDENERS Ten 766,000 266,000 196,000 148,000 68,000 88,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
Typical Tuesday, in which Seven regained command of the week, and now holds 28.8 per cent of the prime time audience, to NIne's 27.5, Ten's 24.2, ABC's 14.5 and SBS's 5.3. ABC's share will rise considerably tonight, with the new series of The Gruen Transfer.

Below, right, you see Michelle Ryan, formerly The Bionic Woman, who plays David Tennant's new colleague in the first of this year's Dr Who specials. More determined than Donna? More robust than Rose? More mateworthy than Martha?

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,887,000 536,000 618,000 332,000 182,000 218,000
2 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,559,000 427,000 469,000 282,000 164,000 218,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,520,000 398,000 430,000 302,000 179,000 212,000
4 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,501,000 421,000 435,000 277,000 157,000 212,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,478,000 363,000 421,000 308,000 170,000 216,000
6 NCIS Ten 1,357,000 411,000 323,000 258,000 170,000 195,000
7 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,337,000 434,000 298,000 289,000 130,000 185,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,202,000 312,000 348,000 259,000 134,000 149,000
9 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,165,000 359,000 357,000 167,000 149,000 134,000
10 LIE TO ME Ten 1,102,000 299,000 289,000 226,000 137,000 151,000
11 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,094,000 296,000 308,000 232,000 111,000 146,000
12 NINE NEWS Nine 1,055,000 247,000 335,000 249,000 115,000 109,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,053,000 236,000 346,000 241,000 132,000 98,000
18 WIPEOUT AUSTRALIA Nine 948,000 230,000 318,000 190,000 111,000 100,000
19 AUSSIE LADETTE TO LADY Nine 891,000 230,000 299,000 158,000 89,000 114,000
30 LEAD BALLOON ABC1 439,000 104,000 106,000 94,000 53,000 82,000
31 DOCTOR WHO RPT ABC1 434,000 124,000 100,000 95,000 31,000 84,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 UNDERBELLY: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Nine 2,174,000 630,000 729,000 375,000 204,000 236,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,667,000 392,000 487,000 389,000 170,000 230,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,445,000 330,000 409,000 341,000 161,000 205,000
4 CUSTOMS Nine 1,436,000 353,000 494,000 302,000 144,000 143,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,200,000 301,000 367,000 286,000 140,000 106,000
6 TWO AND A HALF MEN -MON Nine 1,186,000 266,000 426,000 262,000 119,000 112,000
7 CRIME INVESTIGATION AUSTRALIA Nine 1,147,000 343,000 341,000 172,000 135,000 155,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,139,000 295,000 356,000 262,000 147,000 80,000
9 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,128,000 265,000 321,000 240,000 155,000 147,000
10 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,079,000 277,000 339,000 255,000 99,000 108,000
11 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,038,000 322,000 316,000 173,000 115,000 112,000
12 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - ELIMINATION Ten 1,033,000 298,000 276,000 220,000 109,000 129,000
13 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,016,000 300,000 306,000 196,000 103,000 111,000
14 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 998,000 274,000 255,000 248,000 94,000 127,000
15 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 970,000 284,000 344,000 138,000 108,000 96,000
18 TOP GEAR SBS 921,000 251,000 288,000 163,000 115,000 104,000
19 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA - RESULTS Ten 905,000 249,000 253,000 184,000 94,000 125,000
23 SCRUBS - MON Seven 868,000 282,000 218,000 177,000 74,000 116,000
27 FOUR CORNERS ABC1 591,000 181,000 153,000 121,000 63,000 72,000
28 MEDIA WATCH ABC1 534,000 169,000 137,000 98,000 49,000 81,000
31 BOSTON LEGAL Seven 501,000 148,000 178,000 68,000 67,000 40,000
52 30 ROCK Seven 230,000 80,000 61,000 36,000 25,000 27,000

The ratings race, updated 11 am Monday
If you'd like to see the scene which the ABC had to cut out of Lost in Austen, because it had not purchased copyright for Australia, go here. You may care to compare this performance of a woman not-quite-remembering all the words with Nicole Kidman's attempt to do the same acting job with Somewhere Over The Rainbow in Australia.

To discuss whether alarmed Australians have started cocooning again, go to The Tribal Mind. To get an early clue on what will be the Buzz Word of the Year, go to Who We Are.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,583,000 388,000 442,000 348,000 175,000 231,000
2 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,517,000 425,000 475,000 296,000 140,000 182,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,456,000 350,000 481,000 321,000 174,000 131,000
4 60 MINUTES Nine 1,322,000 366,000 397,000 272,000 139,000 149,000
5 TRIPLE ZERO HEROES Seven 1,295,000 327,000 412,000 277,000 115,000 164,000
6 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA Ten 1,292,000 351,000 395,000 269,000 123,000 154,000
7 CSI Nine 1,220,000 312,000 360,000 246,000 165,000 137,000
8 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE WEIGH-IN Ten 1,184,000 354,000 280,000 275,000 114,000 160,000
9 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,172,000 315,000 296,000 280,000 151,000 130,000
10 CITY HOMICIDE Seven 1,162,000 302,000 369,000 230,000 115,000 146,000
11 ROVE Ten 1,130,000 305,000 404,000 190,000 101,000 131,000
12 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,071,000 246,000 350,000 239,000 103,000 133,000
15 ROGUE NATION ABC1 853,000 341,000 184,000 141,000 79,000 108,000
17 LOST IN AUSTEN ABC1 794,000 299,000 184,000 122,000 75,000 115,000
20 FAWLTY TOWERS Seven 625,000 186,000 174,000 96,000 51,000 119,000
23 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 513,000 312,000 201,000
24 DEXTER Ten 483,000 114,000 166,000 84,000 53,000 66,000
31 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES MARATHON Seven 293,000 100,000 73,000 56,000 21,000 42,000
33 COMPASS ABC1 274,000 94,000 78,000 47,000 28,000 26,000
38 THE REAL NEANDERTHAL MAN SBS 251,000 51,000 69,000 57,000 37,000 38,000
40 DEXTER EP 2 Ten 241,000 58,000 67,000 46,000 26,000 44,000
48 24 Seven 208,000 85,000 50,000 26,000 29,000 18,000
David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). For daily updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

A drive-by comment: The best thing about Lost in Austen is that Amanda Price gets to do what thousands of the women who have read the book (or seen filmic versions) have longed to do. No - not snog Darcy; knee Collins in the balls. One of the finest moments in British television history.

by Cat on March 16, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Part 2 of Lost in Austen was a real gem, funnier than Part 1. Good to see the "2 backed animal" getting a run. How Miss Price got Mr Darcy to do the wet shirt bit was very clever. And the longer the show went on I thought Mr Darcy became Heath Ledger.
Really enjoyed Rogue Nation, part doco part movie, a real history lesson but also well put together. Maybe Bligh should have asked "is it me?" when it came to him & mutinies.

Tribal Mind remarks: Oops, I forgot to put Rogue Nation into the ratings. Fixed now.

by PJ453 on March 16, 2009 at 10:19 AM

Great line up for Aunty last night, and great wrap up for Lost in Austen. I'm a tad disappointed with the new Poirot eps. Don't know why they like to divert from the book and cull characters and make their own stories. At least he's better than Marple.

by Kym on March 16, 2009 at 10:43 AM

I think 'Lost in Austen' is the best thing shown on TV so far this year (which isn't saying much I suppose).
Some favourite lines:
Elizabeth Bennett: That's my dress. Won't fit me anymore though, I'm macrobiotic.
(and):
Mr Wickham: Lady Catherine is the cloaca through whom all society must eventually pass.
Well done.
Have to find something else to do next week as I hate Poirot.

by darren on March 16, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Thank you TM for the missing Lost In Austen clip!
Very happy to see it - felt deprived before, now I'll watch the two parts I've recorded. Have heard good reports from friends.
Agree with others, no more Sundays, Poirot (& Marple) suck.
Unfortunately next Friday ABC has two shows already seen on Fox (Rebus & Vincent, both good), so no ABC on Friday or Sunday viewing for us.
Talk about old habits, we've been ABC viewers on Friday & Sunday nights for decades!
Also used to include Saturday nights too, until we got an overload of The Bill about 5 years ago.

by Sal on March 16, 2009 at 12:28 PM

I note there's a slight bump in CSI due to the "last ever Grissom eps", which put it ahead of City Homicide. I'm going to speculate that this is a temporary aberration and normal programming will in a few weeks.

by Ozpuck on March 16, 2009 at 12:36 PM

Dammit! In all of my Coldplay concert/Sound Relief concert excitement (2 Coldplay performances in three days - I was beside myself! And now without much of a voice, which in my job - school teacher - makes work a little challenging!), I forgot to set my recorder for Lost in Austen! Looks like I'll have to track it down, all of the comments make it sound fantastic (and make me want to kick myself further!).
Sunday Night continues to fall - lost almost another 100,000. Not good. That said, I don't really see how it can do well, when the top story they were advertising during Sunday Sunrise was the blatant rip off of the Farmer Wants a Wife - ooh, we've got a town with no women and a town with no men, let's throw them together with a couple of kegs of beer and a few casks for the ladies and watch those sparks fly! Nice to see them continuing to be the beacon of current affairs television - really setting the bar high.
Biggest Loser a little higher than last week - wonder if that is because of the new "team" element or whether it's just a freakish coincidence.
HANGING OUT for new Scrubs tonight! I did some advertising, free of charge for channel 7, I used an episode of Scrubs to teach post modernism and intertextuality to my year 11 extension class - we looked at the Wizard of Oz episode, I think it picked up a few new fans! Fingers crossed for big ratings so they don't screw it over again - but i'm realistic about the Top Gear effect. I'll be recording - Monday is the one night I have to give the tv to Mr Beckala. Admittedly, an easy task, because I just set up the recorders for almost every other channel! (9 doesn't get a look in until Underbelly, we record Top Gear on our Hard Disc Recorder, Scrubs on Channel 7 on our PVR, SYTYCD on Channel 10 on our laptop. Then the quick changeover for the Despos and Underbelly. Such a busy night, then nothing for the rest of the week!

by Beckala on March 16, 2009 at 01:41 PM

Oh and the conclusion to Lost in Austen did provoke a discussion with my one true... about whether being with your "true love" would be worth giving up toothbrush and toothpaste, showers and other essentials like proper toilets and heating and refrigeration let alone extras like books written post the Georgian period, CDs or movies. Sadly I am with Piranha- even as lovely a looking 'true love' as (Heath) Darcy would not make it a hard choice.

by Cat on March 16, 2009 at 02:03 PM

Wow - surprisingly high figures for the Deperate Housewives marathon. More than tuned into 24. But then... shame. The Bauer chase is really on a high this season.

by David @ Green Point on March 16, 2009 at 02:42 PM

Desperate Housewives marathon? I didn't even know there was one. FTA is so crummy these days that I've just about stopped looking at their guides!
Looking forward however to the Battlestar Galactica marathon and final episode ever, this coming Saturday! Quel excitement!

Tribal Mind asks: What station?

by Sal on March 16, 2009 at 04:04 PM

Re Battlestar Galactica marathon. Sorry TM, it's the SciFi channel on Fox.
Just found out that Spooks season 7 will be available on DVD at the end of this month. We only saw season 5 last year on 2, didn't we? Shame ABC.
One season behind is tolerable, but two?

Tribal MInd replies: Sci-fi is one of those nuisance channels that makes you pay extra on the extra you already have to pay to get Pay TV (with ads). So I'll have to miss it, along with 99% of the population.

by Sal on March 16, 2009 at 05:19 PM

wow ten did heaps good last night!! and rove did excellent 404,000 people watched rove at 9.30 in melbourne!!!

Tribal MInd wonders: Why are you so excited? Three exclamation marks!!! Are you a shareholder in Ten?
This blog aims to be equally unfair to all channels.

by ryan on March 16, 2009 at 05:39 PM

Sal, SPOOKS returns to ABC1 on Monday, April 6 at 9.35pm with the sixth season.

by cpandilo on March 16, 2009 at 07:57 PM

Lost in Austen really came together in the last two episodes. The writing was excellent, it was very 'Austen-esque'.
I read on the TV Tonight blog this morning that Spooks Season 6 (10 episodes) begins on the ABC on Monday, April 6th at 9-35ish: that's after Media Watch, replacing The Cut. I shan't be holding my breath to see Spooks: Code 9 (kind of Young Spooks) It didn't get very good reviews.

by 2paw on March 16, 2009 at 08:16 PM

Re Spooks - TV Tonight reports that Spooks Series 6 will finally get a run on ABC1 @ 9.35 Monday pm sometime in April. And we have season 7 available on DVD in a month??? Aunty's dropping the ball. And for some unknown reason, our local Blockbuster don't bother about stocking Spooks at all...

by David @ Green Point on March 16, 2009 at 08:26 PM

Just wondering, anyone read Lisa Pryor's article in the SMH on Saturday (after first turning to the rear page of News Review for TM's interesting and nuanced atricle about coccooning) about binge viewing? It was a relief to know it's not just me. My name is Darren and I am a binge viewer. Mad Men, The Sopranos, 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm being my recent poison. Will be interesting to see if Seven's sudden affection (aka desperation) for 'Scrubs' will be well-recieved or weather people will ignore it and wait for the DVD. Personally I'm happy to wait. Same with 30 Rock and an increasing number of shows. Is this the new way to watch?
Binge viewers of the world unite.

Tribal Mind replies: Readers should click here to read Pryor (and here to read Dale).
I am a retrospective binger like her, currently working my way through all seven seasons of The West Wing on DVD. Amazing how it foreshadows Obama.

by darren on March 17, 2009 at 05:59 AM

My name is Peter & I'm a binge viewer. My "gateway" drug was The Sopranos, I then surrepiciously went onto The West Wing thinking that would do me, politics, how bad could that be?.....how wrong. Only this last weekend I finished series 2 of Dexter. All my "friends" tell me I should move onto The Wire, but I'm trying to stay with fta.....just 1 day at a time.
And by the way I have a confession to make, I read Annabelle before I read David.

Tribal Mind replies: Being next to Annabelle is good enough for me, sigh.

by PJ453 on March 17, 2009 at 08:02 AM

Re Binge viewing, I'm about to begin on 'The Wire' (70 or so episodes ahead).
The Networks can go to hell. Seven promoting 'Scrubs' is just hilarious. People develop a soft spot for these shows irregardless (in spite of) of the Networks and then they turn around and pretend like they value it? Give me a break. I'll wait for the DVD and read a book in the meantime. I think (speaking from my own feelings) the Networks have broken a thread that used to tie viewers to them, that is, a desire to see what happens next, a relationship with certain series, an addiction to Television that has been replaced by an addiction to entertainment free from ads and Network stuffing-around. I like TV but I've had it with the Networks. DVDs fill the gap and it's over between us. It's not me it's you, TV (except Auntie).
TM, I've thought of getting 'The West Wing' too, but thought it might have dated. Does it seem that way or still spot-on and nuanced up the proverbial?

by darren on March 17, 2009 at 08:46 AM

i am calling scrubs a failure in the new timeslot.

by TG on March 17, 2009 at 09:14 AM

by Cat on March 16, 2009 at 02:03 PM

I must admit I was thinking the same thing Cat, although my thoughts ran along the lines of dental work, childbirth, surgery, etc. Sorry, but I don't think that version of Mr Darcy would be worth the pain of a tooth extraction without anaesthetic.

Great news about Spooks - apparently Richard Armitage has joined the cast - not sure whether season 6 or 7 - sigh. Hope he wears black leather.

by Shoopie on March 17, 2009 at 09:21 AM

Quite right TM "be still my beating heart". Who would have thought that somebody could make politics enjoyable to read. I wonder if she has a blog?

by PJ453 on March 17, 2009 at 09:42 AM

How long will 7 persist with Scrubs in prime-time? With last nights figures, it looks doomed.

by David @ Green Point on March 17, 2009 at 10:15 AM

TM, how do the Scrubs ratings compare to HIMYM? I tried checking last weeks, but it wasn't listed.
I too am a binge viewer - I watch a hell of a lot more tv on dvd than movies - I've always got a series on the go (alternating The Simpsons, Scrubs, Friends, Will & Grace, Family Guy) for weekend relaxing viewing or during holidays - not religious viewing, but to have on in the background while I'm reading or doing other stuff (work, surfing the net and blogging). I have also discovered several series through dvd and watch those either while I'm exercising on my balcony (Mr Beckala set me up with a set of wireless headphones which work a treat!) - Big Love, 30 Rock, Gilmore Girls, Weeds, I also got the first few series of Grey's Anatomy, even though i've seen some of it already, it helped me to catch up with the eps I missed when I wasn't a devoted fan. I'm hoping my mother-in-law will start lending me her West Wing.

Tribal Mind replies: I'm not sure I understand your question. Scrubs was not on last Monday, so I could hardly give a figure for how it rated. I gave a figure for last week's HIMYM in the previous week's blog. Can you clarify what you are looking for?

by Beckala on March 17, 2009 at 10:20 AM

I am a serial binger looking forward to that great festival of serial bingeing better known as Easter. So many boxed sets and just 4 days to watch them.

by judy on March 17, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Does anyone know if ABC (2/3) will be repeating "Lost in Austen" part 2 at any stage? My partner got lost in "SYTYCD" and forgot to program the VCR....

Tribal Mind replies: It's available at ABC shops on DVD.

by TC on March 17, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Sigh. Can those programming gibbons @ Ch 7 get it right? They've missed about 3 episodes of Scrubs by moving it from the nether regions of Thursday PM to Monday Prime Time. Or did they already broadcast them and not tell anyone?
I used to be a binge viewer of How I Met Your Mother (Barney is LEGEND-ARY) but I think I've developed a case of "Expect It To Get Axed"-itis, as I do with most shows.
Case in point Dexter (Which Pappy Skerrick already has all 3 seasons of - should just borrow them) I missed last weeks installment, and we're so far behind screening the only versions on certain d/l sites are in French or German!

Tribal Mind wonders: Just for once, I'm trying to be fair to the gibbons. Are they supposed to read the mind of every individual viewer and tell every one of the 2 million that they've missed something and that their repeat will be on at a certain hour? How is this communication supposed to be delivered to those who don't look at the guides and don't have any of the various recording mechanisms? At a certain moment, individual responsibility has to kick in.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 17, 2009 at 12:46 PM

And I've yet to see The Sopranos and The West Wing and such. For some reason I'm afraid of becoming a binger too, so I'm refraining...currently. I'm currently devouring anime. It's absolutely nuts. Meanwhile, (speaking of nuts) what was with Sandra Sully's hair again last night? Her hair screamed Rick Astley's song.

by Kym on March 17, 2009 at 02:22 PM

Sorry TM - I was wondering whether the 7:30pm-8:30pm timeslot was affected by Scrubs - did Scrubs do better or worse than HIMYM's usual ratings? I must have missed the HIMYM in the ratings report last week (I was looking up about 7 different things at once while I was doing it - writing exams is a tedious business, so I was looking for some light relief), so if I go back and have another look, I can probably do the comparison.

by Beckala on March 17, 2009 at 03:49 PM

I only binge when it is absolutely necessary - West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Dead like me and Mad Men have been watched in marathon sessions. Mainly because they are sporadic or non existant on FTA. I saw season 1 of Dexter that way too
Beckala you can access my West Wing through Mr Beckala if you like - just let him know and I will pass them on - the first couple of seasons are out on loan to another work colleague but am sure we can get them back for you.
Enjoyed Lost in Austen.
Loved Boston Legal the sweeps episode last night - the whole One day at a time theme was brilliant. Very sad that there are only a few of these gems left.

by Cathy on March 17, 2009 at 03:50 PM

Look, I'm trying to do the right thing by tuning in to Scrubs to prove that people watch it but seriously. Starting a decent timeslot AT THE END OF THE SERIES. What's the point for all those people so far unaware of the Scrubs brilliance? Anyone watching last night's episode who hasn't been a regular viewer (i.e. by buying the DVDs 'cause Lord knows it's been impossible to be a regular viewer the way it's been shown so far) would have been confused as anything. I can just imagine them turning to their Scrubs-devoted flatmate and saying, "so this absent JD guy, is he like, important?".

Tribal Miind observes: So what is it that you require of a commercial TV network? They are supposed to nurture a TV series that appeals only to a tiny minority? Surely that is the job of the ABC? And even then ...?

by genfie on March 17, 2009 at 04:12 PM

TM: I'm up there with the best of them when it comes to checking the TV guide to see what was on and when. My comment was really fishing for an answer to see if the missing Season 8 episodes had actually been shown, if any other blogger had seen them on TV.
We discussed the missing Scrubs episodes in this blog a couple of weeks ago when Ch7 was meant to be showing some episodes from Season 8 but instead showed repeats from Season 3. Even my digital TV Electronic Programme Guide said it was some Season 8 episodes.
I guess that since I live in the sticks that Prime may have shown the wrong episodes, but I'm sure I remember others who get the Sydney transmission commenting as I did.
As genfie commented though - sure, Scrubs has never had a large audience, it's not a case of nurturing, it's not giving what many in this blog consider a decent 23 minutes of entertainment any chance at all. Of course we all know why - it's the last season, and Scrubs has been treated dreadfully during its existence. Last night was episode 9 of 18 expected this season. 9 more and they're rid of it.
In news just to hand, tonights Doctor Who episode was the "last episode for now". There's some strange special on for the next two weeks. Has Aunty axed The Doctor?

Tribal Mind remarks: The "some strange special" is Lost Cities Of The Ancients, which the ABC thinks is vital and urgent enough to interrupt the doctor. Even the ABC can't tolerate the low ratings the Tennant repeats were bringing to Tuesday nights. I imagine the next time we see him will be in the first of the four specials he's making this year.
By the way, his new fellow-traveller would seem to be Michelle Ryan, formerly The Bionic Woman and Mr Hyde's nurse. She's the one on the right in the pic at the top of this page.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 17, 2009 at 08:25 PM

TM wrote: By the way, his new fellow-traveller would seem to be Michelle Ryan, formerly The Bionic Woman and Mr Hyde's nurse. She's the one on the right in the pic at the top of this page.
Only for the next special. There is a different companion for each special and interestingly the next companion after Michelle Ryan was on our screens Sunday night. Lindsay Duncan was Lady Catherine de Burgh in Lost in Austen. From Austen to Who. Now that is a transition.
Shoopie my viewing companion argued that with as many servants as Darcy had/has endless hot baths etc could be had at the click of your fingers. He also claimed that other problems could be dealt with the same way. I pointed out that even in modern times with central heating and electricity they cannot keep those country homes warm and you can only spend so much time in bed.
My need to binge has transferred from DVD to FTA. I tape everything I watch on my HDD and I have developed a habit of waiting till I have 4 or 5 episodes of a show and watching them together.
Sal what time is the final 2 hour episode of BSG showing on SciFi. I was going to download on Sunday but my folks (who have Foxtel) might get an unexpected visit.

by Cat on March 18, 2009 at 07:23 AM

From what I recall, HIMYM was getting solid 1.1m ratings week after week. Scrubs fell sharply on that, but as word of mouth spreads that it's back to prime time people will come back in droves. Pity Scrubs has only another 9 eps as Bereft said.
(As an aside, I deliberately started to watch Scrubs again and will continue to do so for the rest of Season 8. Never watched a full HIMYM ep ever and don't intend on doing so.)
Neither will be shafted or moved to an inferior timeslot I reckon.

by arthur on March 18, 2009 at 08:29 AM

I don't binge watch much, but we have been enjoying Flight of the Conchords on DVD over the past week or so. I used to get downloaded copies of Buffy & Angel (waaay back when) so that was watched in smallish binge sessions (several episodes a time). And when we do get around to watching Heroes (since it was screened in a late timeslot, we just recorded the whole lot, and take our own time about watching them) we get caught up and watch several episodes at once.
I'd love to have the spare time to sit down and watch all of The West Wing, Mad Men, Gilmore Girls, Buffy (again), Dexter, Deadwood, etc, but I just never seem to have the time to indulge.
And those of you who aren't keen on watching Poiret this Sunday, may I recommend curling up with Christie's "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd"? Sure, it's got Poiret in it, but it's quite brilliant and terribly readable.

Tribal Mind asks: What do you mean, Poiret?

by tqd on March 18, 2009 at 09:24 AM

David,
We know ABC have Gruen & The Chaser, Channel 7 have Thank God You're Here coming, are there any other big gun shows from any of the networks left for 2009? Please don't say Masterchef!

by Chris on March 18, 2009 at 09:44 AM

Seven definitely stuffed up Scrubs with the move to prime time. The last new episode screened at 10.30pm Thursdays was 'My Cookie Pants'. They advertised two new episodes in the guides for the following week 'My New Role' and 'My Lawyer's In Love' and with the move then advertised the first one in the guides for Monday 8pm. The episode that they actually screened though was 'My Absence', so we missed the two where Perry took over as chief and Ted met his girlfriend.

by J Bar on March 18, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Re Tqd and "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" - I love reading Ms Christie's works (her earlier ones especially), and Roger Ackroyd is one of my favourite reads. I never would've guessed the outcome. I've just found out that Jemima Rooper will also be in this season's Poirot in about a fortnight.
I saw that Packed to Rafters' season final is next week, will Ch 7 still win Tuesday after that? Probably.

by Kym on March 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM

J Bar, you beat me to it. I can't believe they are that stupid. I found it really weird when I was viewing it, as these two things seemed to have happened rather quickly. Does anyone know of any contact email addresses for Channel 7 to make complaints about this? I'm seriously peeved - they have seriously stuffed it up, missing two episodes, for crying out loud! I know it for certain, I was taping every Thursday night just in case. Stupid stupid stupid!

by Beckala on March 18, 2009 at 01:38 PM

To Beckala, the best way to get hold of channel 7 (or any of the channels for that matter ) is by email. Address it to god@heavenlytv.net.au, you should have about as much luck getting a response from that email address as any other means of communication. I agree, they stuffed up the sequencing of Scrubs but SEVEN makes a habit of screening shows out of sequence, as does TEN, as does NINE, that plus the changing of schedules without notice.
They make it clear by their actions that they don't really care what the public thinks as they are accountable to no-one. Its one of the main reasons why I, as so many others, either get the series, hire it or download it and watch my favorites at my leisure. (You know what else I hate, these browser dictionaries which only know American English and flag every second word as being misspelled, it has gotten so I am doubting the English which comes naturally as all spelling and grammar conventions appear to have been forgotten long ago by all the media).

by Zjonn on March 18, 2009 at 06:45 PM

Zjonn: love that email address, although you might get as much luck with apathy@ theydon'tgiveaflying.org

by Bereft Skerrick on March 19, 2009 at 08:22 AM

I don't think Ch 7 has an email address, else it'd be overflowing. I believe their contact details are here though: http://www.sevencorporate.com.au/default.aspx?page=contactdetails.
Loved The Gruen Transfer last night. Spicks and Specks was also very good, one of the best eps of this season so far. Can't wait for the line up next week after they're joined by Choose Your Own Adventure.

by Kym on March 19, 2009 at 08:54 AM

Channel Se7en replies to concerned SOB's...sorry, viewers:
Yes! We can be contacted at all the aforementioned email adresses!! Also at sevenrootsu@yahoo and pissingintothewind.com.au!!! All emails will be personally answered by our super administative staff, namely The Cash Cow (you may have seen her on the television set as part of our 'Sunrise' family!!!) and Grant Denyer (replaced on Wednesdays and Fridays by our new recruit Mr Bubbles the roller-skating chimp)!!!!!
Although we read all queries, commendations and comments, we do request that correspondents limit their vocabulary to the following ten (10) big words (you can use as many little ones as you like, excluding 'but', because that's a naughty word) : Mel, Kochie, Good, Funny, Happy, Yellow, Excellent, Radical, Gnarly and Dude. Your co-operation with this request is much appreciated!!!! :-) !!!
P.S: Thankyou for tuning in to watch our Radical new show 'Scrubs'!! It's Gnarly!!!! We are aware that some SOB's, sorry, viewers are concerned that we missed a few episodes!!!! We are working hard to rectify this oversight and can now confirm the missing shows will be screened on April the 23rd at 1:18 am and on November the 12th at 2:33 pm. Maybe. Keep tuned!!!!
Insincerely,
Se7en Management.

by darren on March 19, 2009 at 11:22 AM

When we were discussing Natasha Richardson this morning, Mr Skerrick mentioned how ironic things are. In "Love Actually" Liam Neeson's character is mouring the death of his wife (not a good time to reschedule it now Ch Shirl) and the mother of his (step)son, and now real life is emulating fiction. A tragic loss from what seemed to be such an innocuous injury.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 19, 2009 at 12:18 PM

Tribal Mind asks: What do you mean, Poiret?

Sorry, typo/braino. It's been a busy week. I should have said "Poirot". I was just thinking that the people here who weren't interested in watching Agatha Christie might want to try something different, and actually read one of her books. "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" is acknowledged as her best, I believe. (And it's a ripsnorter of a read, I just haven't read enough of her stuff recently to be able to judge whether it's her best of not.)

Zjonn, you can add words to the browser dictionary. (Assuming you to are using Firefox 3.) Right click on the offending red underlined word, and then choose "Add to Dictionary". I love it.

I remember wanting to complain to Channel Nine, and they had no way of easily contacting them online. So my complaint kind of fell into the "argh, too hard, not enough time" basket. I believe it was to stymie complaints - if they took us seriously, they'd make it easier to contact them. Anyway, I haven't watched Channel Nine in any serious fashion since then. I made my complaint with my remote.

by tqd on March 19, 2009 at 01:17 PM

I see The Mentalist has bitten the dust, for next week at least, in the Southern States. It is time for another 120 minutes of excretable noise from the "experts" of football (which ever your code). Be interesting to see now that 10 has a dedicated sports chanel whether their AFL coverage is carved off onto that or will they fklood all of their chanels. Even though I played when younger, I think now I would rather have a BCS wax than watch, let alone listen to those pontificating maroons.

by ozinoz on March 19, 2009 at 01:30 PM

does anyone know what's happened to Dirty Sexy Money?

by bidster on March 19, 2009 at 02:35 PM

Bereft, that was my exact thought - poor Liam Neeson, now it's come true... Just unbelievable - she was fine, laughing, then an hour later everything changed. So sad.
According to www.yourtv.com.au - Channel 7 is screening 'my lawyer's in love' on Monday, which is one of the skipped episodes. Unfortunately, it is the 2nd skipped episode - the first one they missed was My New Role - so they've stuffed it even more with that solution! Dear god, the inmates are in charge of the asylum once again...

by Beckala on March 19, 2009 at 04:50 PM

I watched Scrubs tonight, even though they were very old repeats (3-7 & 3-8).
Now I have to ask: can seven sink any lower? Another one of our soldiers has been killed in Afghanistan, so how do they handle it? Yes, a scroll along the bottom of the screen, telling us a soldier has blown himself up. Now it's Scrubs, so while you're reading this, the characters in the show are wisecracking as usual. Ha ha ha.
How gross is that?
Seven, you cretins, either break into the program or leave it to the next newsbreak.
Lunatics running the asylum?
No, they'd do a better job.

by Sal on March 19, 2009 at 11:35 PM

Re bidster " does anyone know what's happened to Dirty Sexy Money?" - that was the end (unfortunately) It was a casualty of the US writers strike last year and never recovered. From what I understand, we even saw 3 more eps than the Yanks, right to teh very end. (I do quite like Donald Sutherland in those sort of roles and then of cource there was Natalie Zea :) )

by ozinoz on March 20, 2009 at 08:06 AM

Haha the Footy Show's ratings are nearly as low as Private Practice! I wonder how many will continue watching the Footy Show in weeks to come...

by arthur on March 20, 2009 at 08:28 AM

Thought we were really in 1973 while watching Life on Mars last night. At one ad break Ch10 put on 2 ancient ads, Gaytime ice cream (my most favourtist ice cream EVER) followed by Colgate Flourigarde (?) with Mrs Marsh & her bloody piece of inky chalk. I'm still having councelling over that woman. Just shows how poorly Ch10 are doing in the advertising revenue stakes.

by PJ453 on March 20, 2009 at 08:50 AM

PJ453: followed by Colgate Flourigarde (?) with Mrs Marsh & her bloody piece of inky chalk. I'm still having councelling over that woman.
The woman behind "Mrs Marsh" is as unlike Mrs Marsh as you could imagine. Bawdy, blunt, funny and very hard headed. Back when I was dealing with her she was a kids talent coach. I would laugh my head off every time I saw the ad because I knew exactly how the real woman would have sold toothpaste. Chalk would not have been required.

by Harry on March 20, 2009 at 10:12 AM

re PJ453 - I am yet to see last nights LOM so I cant say for certain, but I think if 10 actually screened a couple of 70's commercials, I would look at that as an advertising positive - it had you watching as opposed to a toilet / coffee stop :) Maybe there are some smarter gibbons at 10 :)

by ozinoz on March 20, 2009 at 10:35 AM

arthur: despite my undying love of the Biffo, I refuse to watch Thursday's edition of The (Distinct Lack Of) Footy Show. I think they made a fatal error removing Paul Harragon from the panel because he was the only one who was watchable, and didn't have an ego that can be seen from space. More people in NSW watched Q&A with politicians than TFS in NSW.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 20, 2009 at 10:37 AM

Bereft, thanks for pointing the Q&A comparison out, now that's simply woeful figures in Sydney.
I like the biffo too and watch some games (live and on Ch 9). But when given a choice between the agreed (Lack Of) Footy Show and Private Practice, I would always go for the latter.

by arthur on March 20, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Bereft, I watched the Footy Show last night to give it a try (was at Coldplay concert swooning at the lovely Chris Martin, so last night was my first opportunity to view). Like you, I will not be returning. Paul Harragon was the best - he is the only one that really spoke about the game with any passion or knowledge. The new format is clunky - why do they have two desks facing each other? It just looks wrong on screen. Why does Matthew Johns need another character? Why does Fatty Vautin get paid so much money? Plus, I'm voting with my remote - so sick of the game being brought in to disrepute - the Roosters are a joke for allowing that guy to play after such a high range drink driving offence, because, according to them "the fine is enough". You want the players being role models, giving kid clinics, doing hospital visits, want it to be a family game, then you damn well police something like drink driving.
Now, off to the joys of playground duty! Have a lovely weekend, TMers!!

by Beckala on March 20, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Beckala: I remember that the "ornament to the game" coach of said Roosters was once found passed out in front of Glebe Police Station. I went searching for articles about the incident and found a quote from Phil Gould - "He's gone where we tell all our kids to go when they've got a problem: to their nearest friendly police station. He showed good sense to get help." As opposed to "what a fool act for the Australian Captain to do". Another hood ornament of the game was treated with kid gloves when his drug addiction came to light. The dopes on The Footy Show are in a position to overcome the horrors befalling the game, but carry on with boofheadedry which is appealing to lesser and lesser numbers of viewers. Here endeth the rant.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 20, 2009 at 10:38 PM

The 203,000 in Friday Night Football (#20 nationally) is the Melbourne audience who watched the live Broncos-Storm game. Nine will be disappointed with that figure, even though there was no AFL in Melbourne last night (although an AFL-commissioned documentary called The Essence of the Game aired in the city) and there was little promotion.

by Johnson on March 21, 2009 at 09:08 AM

Nine must be pretty disappointed with the football ratings - even a Simpsons repeat beat them! And not a great repeat - it was the one with Kim Cattrel as a journalist who went to school with Marge - Marge centred eps are always pretty dull in comparison.
And funny that Biggest Loser beat 2 and a half men. Pretty bad night for Nine all up - I remember the days when they used to own it, and everbody would be heading home, cranking up the bbq and eating during Burke's Backyard, ready for the football at 8:30pm. We watched The Holiday last night. I wonder if this is other viewers voting with their remotes against the scandal ridden code. Will be interesting to see how that pans out through the season.
Bereft, complete agreement once again! I've heard stories that would make your head spin - have a friend who has contacts from high up in the roosters, and the crap covered up is insane!

Tribal Mind remarks: Never mind all that. Go here to tell us if you fit your niche.

by Beckala on March 21, 2009 at 09:50 AM

TM, do you have the ratings for The Essence of the Game broadcast in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on Friday night at 8:30pm on Channel 7. It would be interesting to see how the live NRL game between Brisbane and Melbourne on Channel 9 rated against The Essence of the Game in Melbourne.

Tribal Mind replies: Reader Johnson tells us: The Essence of the Game is listed simply as "Sport Special" in the OzTAM list. According to TV Tonight, it was sandwiched between an umpteenth repeat of M*A*S*H (30th) and Sunrise (34th). The program was watched by 387,000 people, consisting of 246,000 in Melbourne, 58,000 in Adelaide and 84,000 in Perth. It came third in Melbourne behind Medium and Rebus, but ahead of NRL.

by Dave on March 21, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Why would 9 be disappointed with 203,000 watching in Melbourne, AFL would kill to get 203,000 watching a club game on TV in Sydney.
As for the scandal ridden code,and cover ups come of the grass mate,you think the AFL and RU dont have the same thing happening some Loins player in Brisbane glassed a bloke in a pub, did you hear about that,AFL and RU do just as much covering up as any code.
The difference is the AFL pays papers for favorable coverage,RU is the old boys network,and Rugby League is regarded as the outcast code, and the SMH who just wish it would go away cause it spoils there purist view of which Rugby should covered, and besides that it out rates RU and AFL on Pay and FTA in Sydney and Brisbane.
I have a friend well tell your friend to go public,but they never do cause most of it is 3rd or 4th hand and cant be backed up,it gets tiresome all the innuendo and rumors,three blokes made fools of themselves,the NRL acted, one has a court case to answer,so we will see,but the others were just fools, go to the Cross or any entertainment precinct or pub or nightclub and watch the drunks and fights,binge drinking is a society problem because the parents dont care as long as the kids are out of there hair.
You can see it on open display during schoolies week or most Friday and Sat nights.

by john Ryan on March 21, 2009 at 02:32 PM

Mrs Skerrick and Beckala I am even more contrary than you both when it comes to footy - I run a tipping comp for work but will never watch a game - nor of course any footy show..

by Cathy on March 21, 2009 at 07:23 PM

To all those rugby league critics I would like to point out that NRL came in at # 14 despite being shown in only Sydney and Brisbane, easily winning its timeslot and the night in those cities.
It is frustrating for all the decent players, fans etc to see the code damaged by a few drunken idiots but there is no shortage of them in all football codes and society in general.
John Ryan the AFL also gets a lot of favorable coverage for free, I have seen and heard some of it this past week.
203,000 in Melbourne is a good result for the outcast code.
Let's see what AFL gets in Sydney in a couple of weeks time.

by bobmar28 on March 22, 2009 at 06:25 AM

Thanks Ch Shirl for not only moving Dexter to late Sunday PM, but for also shifting a further hour later tonight (11:40pm) AND making it a double episode. This does not auger well for seeing Season 3 methinks.

by Bereft Skerrick on March 22, 2009 at 07:21 PM

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