The Who We Are update: Week 18

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To get the viewers' verdict on what's worst on the box, go to The Bogie Awards, 2009
To learn how Australians find love, go to Who We Are

The ratings race, updated 10am Monday
A week that started so promisingly for Channel Ten, with huge numbers for finales of dancing and losing and reasonable numbers for cooking, ended this way: Seven got 26.7 per cent of the prime time audience, Ten got 25.5, Nine got 25.2, ABC 17.1, SBS 5.5.

The mystery of the week is why Nine has decided to renew Eddie McGuire's faltering comeback vehicle, Hot Seat. Perhaps they have nothing else.

This was Pay TV's account of itself for the week: "Australia's Next Top Model set a subscription TV record for a series premiere when 210,000 viewers (303,000 including the Plus2 broadcast) watched the start of the 2009 series on FOX8 on Tuesday night. This week's episode of Selling Houses Australia on Lifestyle was watched by 107,000 people, The Vicar of Dibley on UKTV had its best audience of the year with 102,000 and Sonny With A Chance premiered on Disney Channel with 98,000 viewers.

"In sport, Live: NRL Knights v Broncos on FOX Sports was seen by 315,000 people, Live: AFL Geelong v Brisbane Lions was watched by 217,000 and the FOX Sports' live coverage of the fourth One Day International against Pakistan, Live: Cricket: ODI Pak v Aus 4th ODI S1, was watched by 112,000 viewers. Finally, as the English football season draws to a close, 72,000 people watched Manchester United edge closer to the Premier League title as they beat Middlesborough 2-0 in Live: Football: EPL M'brough v Man Utd.

"For the fifth week in a row, and for the 10th week in the last 12 weeks, Subscription TV was the number one source of television across all homes. STV channels accounted for 22.3% of all metropolitan viewing between 6am and midnight, was 22.0% of all regional viewing and 58.5% of all viewing in subscription TV homes in week 18, 2009."

What Australia watched, week ending May 2
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 2,094,000 672,000 587,000 382,000 195,000 259,000
2 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - FINALE NIGHT Ten 1,798,000 565,000 469,000 342,000 171,000 252,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,797,000 373,000 614,000 367,000 214,000 228,000
4 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE Seven 1,741,000 557,000 535,000 335,000 130,000 184,000
5 UNDERBELLY: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Nine 1,711,000 471,000 575,000 278,000 184,000 203,000
6 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,601,000 451,000 443,000 302,000 180,000 225,000
7 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,578,000 474,000 505,000 257,000 171,000 172,000
8 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,539,000 476,000 477,000 308,000 176,000 103,000
9 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,539,000 453,000 428,000 308,000 145,000 205,000
10 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,509,000 438,000 412,000 282,000 156,000 221,000
11 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE FINAL WEIGH-IN Ten 1,488,000 461,000 418,000 302,000 148,000 158,000
12 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,472,000 396,000 424,000 251,000 161,000 241,000
13 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA - THE WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 1,452,000 460,000 476,000 242,000 125,000 150,000
14 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - AUDITION 1 Ten 1,428,000 443,000 412,000 258,000 147,000 168,000
15 THE FORCE - BEHIND THE LINE Seven 1,426,000 423,000 427,000 265,000 127,000 184,000
16 NCIS Ten 1,423,000 399,000 389,000 284,000 163,000 190,000
17 60 MINUTES Nine 1,380,000 379,000 423,000 292,000 141,000 145,000
18 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA - FINALE NIGHT Ten 1,355,000 431,000 418,000 250,000 128,000 128,000

19 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,349,000 409,000 363,000 230,000 149,000 198,000
20 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,342,000 429,000 392,000 233,000 135,000 152,000
21 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,312,000 391,000 388,000 218,000 143,000 173,000
22 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,308,000 426,000 326,000 242,000 108,000 205,000
23 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,280,000 453,000 358,000 215,000 111,000 143,000
24 BORDER SECURITY USA Seven 1,257,000 337,000 408,000 250,000 133,000 129,000
25 MIDSOMER MURDERS ABC1 1,233,000 359,000 373,000 191,000 143,000 167,000
26 10 YEARS YOUNGER IN 10 DAYS Seven 1,224,000 330,000 417,000 193,000 126,000 159,000
27 NINE NEWS Nine 1,222,000 334,000 405,000 252,000 123,000 108,000
28 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,217,000 420,000 373,000 189,000 103,000 133,000
29 TWO AND A HALF MEN -EP1 Nine 1,217,000 325,000 438,000 213,000 105,000 136,000
30 RPA Nine 1,216,000 375,000 342,000 225,000 130,000 144,000
31 20 TO 1 Nine 1,209,000 311,000 425,000 221,000 122,000 130,000
32 WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU Nine 1,209,000 359,000 343,000 243,000 108,000 156,000
33 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,193,000 357,000 309,000 223,000 143,000 161,000
34 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,174,000 303,000 371,000 258,000 119,000 123,000
35 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,171,000 330,000 330,000 216,000 151,000 145,000
36 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,160,000 309,000 387,000 250,000 110,000 105,000
37 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,157,000 302,000 403,000 213,000 115,000 125,000
38 BONDI VET Ten 1,140,000 355,000 289,000 225,000 124,000 147,000
39 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 1,130,000 289,000 370,000 211,000 110,000 150,000
40 TWO AND A HALF MEN -EP2 Nine 1,126,000 303,000 416,000 198,000 91,000 117,000
41 GETAWAY Nine 1,121,000 303,000 389,000 207,000 99,000 123,000
42 BONES Seven 1,121,000 318,000 335,000 197,000 109,000 160,000
43 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,112,000 312,000 357,000 150,000 121,000 172,000
44 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,102,000 351,000 309,000 209,000 97,000 137,000
45 BILLY CONNOLLY: JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD Seven 1,095,000 289,000 319,000 232,000 108,000 147,000
46 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,095,000 265,000 411,000 178,000 95,000 146,000
47 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,086,000 372,000 251,000 208,000 121,000 134,000
48 MISSING PIECES Nine 1,082,000 282,000 362,000 190,000 120,000 128,000
49 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,072,000 349,000 286,000 232,000 132,000 73,000
50 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - TOP 50 PART 1 Ten 1,068,000 313,000 296,000 203,000 109,000 146,000
(OzTAM mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,472,000 396,000 424,000 251,000 161,000 241,000
2 BILLY CONNOLLY: JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD Seven 1,095,000 289,000 319,000 232,000 108,000 147,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,086,000 372,000 251,000 208,000 121,000 134,000
4 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,072,000 349,000 286,000 232,000 132,000 73,000
5 NEW TRICKS RPT ABC1 1,024,000 316,000 288,000 177,000 107,000 136,000
6 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Seven 902,000 236,000 278,000 194,000 78,000 115,000
7 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 875,000 209,000 273,000 143,000 90,000 159,000
8 THE BILL ABC1 872,000 279,000 263,000 109,000 94,000 127,000
9 KATH & KIM (R) Seven 853,000 227,000 251,000 186,000 69,000 120,000
13 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 711,000 54,000 310,000 51,000 89,000 206,000
14 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 703,000 Not shown 354,000 85,000 175,000 88,000
15 THE DA VINCI CODE -RPT Nine 606,000 179,000 212,000 99,000 56,000 60,000
21 MYTHBUSTERS SBS 403,000 114,000 122,000 87,000 32,000 47,000
22 IRON CHEF SBS 348,000 91,000 143,000 53,000 28,000 32,000
39 M-THE LADYKILLERS Seven 199,000 56,000 59,000 33,000 26,000 25,000
40 MEAN MACHINE Ten 187,000 Not shown 86,000 30,000 46,000 25,000

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,578,000 474,000 505,000 257,000 171,000 172,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,460,000 434,000 417,000 229,000 173,000 206,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,436,000 397,000 448,000 249,000 135,000 207,000
4 MIDSOMER MURDERS ABC1 1,233,000 359,000 373,000 191,000 143,000 167,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,119,000 314,000 328,000 205,000 136,000 136,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,037,000 246,000 375,000 210,000 122,000 84,000
7 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,013,000 321,000 286,000 183,000 90,000 133,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 990,000 232,000 343,000 202,000 104,000 108,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 971,000 221,000 321,000 228,000 112,000 89,000
10 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - TOP 50 PART 2 Ten 954,000 288,000 305,000 149,000 95,000 117,000
11 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 931,000 230,000 277,000 187,000 103,000 134,000
17 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 747,000 236,000 210,000 123,000 88,000 90,000
18 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 6: NORTH MELBOURNE VS COLLINGWOOD Seven 718,000 9,000 465,000 10,000 113,000 121,000
22 HOT SEAT Nine 588,000 153,000 228,000 81,000 85,000 41,000
23 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 552,000 310,000 243,000
27 LIFE ON MARS FRI Ten 429,000 126,000 130,000 78,000 62,000 33,000
35 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 349,000 212,000 137,000
37 THE SEXUAL LIFE OF US RPT SBS 320,000 103,000 83,000 72,000 34,000 27,000
48 AND BRIGITTE CREATED BARDOT SBS 244,000 69,000 79,000 43,000 22,000 30,000
112 BUFFY: THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Ten 89,000 39,000 20,000 6,000 18,000 6,000
129 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 52,000 37,000 8,000 7,000
130 SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH... ABC2 50,000 13,000 19,000 2,000 10,000 5,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,462,000 439,000 358,000 312,000 168,000 186,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,447,000 399,000 379,000 317,000 165,000 186,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,187,000 338,000 390,000 249,000 124,000 86,000
4 LAW AND ORDER: SVU Ten 1,171,000 330,000 330,000 216,000 151,000 145,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,157,000 327,000 293,000 237,000 154,000 146,000
6 BONDI VET Ten 1,140,000 355,000 289,000 225,000 124,000 147,000
7 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 1,130,000 290,000 370,000 211,000 111,000 149,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,126,000 292,000 399,000 215,000 99,000 121,000
9 GETAWAY Nine 1,120,000 302,000 388,000 206,000 101,000 123,000
10 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,085,000 352,000 308,000 189,000 106,000 130,000
11 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - TOP 50 PART 1 Ten 1,068,000 313,000 296,000 203,000 109,000 146,000
12 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 993,000 317,000 270,000 196,000 97,000 113,000
18 THE FOOTY SHOW Nine 881,000 157,000 380,000 116,000 115,000 114,000
24 HOT SEAT Nine 583,000 181,000 182,000 95,000 74,000 52,000
25 ROCK 'N ROLL NERD: THE TIM MINCHIN STORY-EV ABC1 552,000 152,000 166,000 88,000 49,000 98,000
33 HEROES Seven 361,000 109,000 111,000 65,000 44,000 31,000
38 MAD MEN SBS 311,000 141,000 92,000 33,000 16,000 28,000
120 IPL TWENTY20 CRICKET 2009 ONE 61,000 12,000 24,000 9,000 8,000 7,000
209 HOME SHOPPING (R) Seven 12,000 5,000 2,000 1,000 2,000 2,000
215 PLONSTERS-AM ABC2 8,000 2,000 0 2,000 2,000 1,000
225 VIDEO HITS UP-LATE RPT Ten 5,000 3,000 0 2,000 0 0
228 GOOD MORNING AMERICA Nine 5,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 0 0
235 NETBALL: ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 REPLAY RPT ONE 2,000 1,000 0 0 0 1,000
236 GREEK NEWS SBS 1,000 1,000 0 0 0 0

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
What did you make of Thank God You're Here? Are the new big-budget bells and whistles distracting from the core of the show, which is the simple pleasure of watching great minds in panic?

The improvisers did well for Seven, but the dancers and the losers look like winning the week for Ten. Seven pulled the biggest audience last night, but Ten held on gamely, with help from The Simpsons (its sudden improvement possibly being a case of "You don't know what you've got till it's almost gone"). For the week so far, the prime time shares stand at: Ten 27.2 per cent, Seven 26.7, Nine 25.2, ABC 15.4 and SBS 5.3. It would only take a decent bit of AFL to give Ten the week.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE Seven 1,741,000 557,000 535,000 335,000 130,000 184,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,685,000 466,000 469,000 312,000 192,000 245,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,554,000 453,000 421,000 283,000 153,000 244,000
4 CRIMINAL MINDS Seven 1,342,000 429,000 392,000 233,000 135,000 152,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,294,000 382,000 407,000 272,000 120,000 113,000
6 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,282,000 455,000 358,000 215,000 112,000 143,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,282,000 419,000 310,000 240,000 138,000 174,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,274,000 381,000 424,000 196,000 133,000 140,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,249,000 358,000 416,000 248,000 115,000 114,000
10 THE GRUEN TRANSFER ABC1 1,226,000 422,000 375,000 191,000 104,000 134,000
11 RPA Nine 1,220,000 376,000 339,000 229,000 129,000 146,000
12 WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU Nine 1,201,000 355,000 344,000 241,000 107,000 154,000
13 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,150,000 379,000 322,000 227,000 92,000 129,000
14 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,095,000 265,000 411,000 178,000 95,000 146,000
15 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - AUDITION 3 Ten 994,000 270,000 343,000 165,000 106,000 110,000
16 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 988,000 292,000 299,000 154,000 117,000 126,000
17 THE MENTALIST Nine 980,000 309,000 288,000 174,000 101,000 108,000
18 COLD CASE Nine 947,000 253,000 319,000 148,000 110,000 117,000
19 HOUSE Ten 910,000 221,000 287,000 164,000 96,000 142,000
20 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 879,000 261,000 263,000 161,000 84,000 110,000
29 FAMILY GUY Seven 615,000 200,000 215,000 81,000 64,000 55,000
30 HOT SEAT Nine 595,000 159,000 235,000 77,000 67,000 58,000
34 RUSSELL BRAND'S PONDERLAND Seven 443,000 132,000 161,000 67,000 44,000 39,000
45 LOST Seven 279,000 94,000 99,000 56,000 17,000 13,000
48 HOT SEAT -LATE Nine 275,000 70,000 119,000 34,000 28,000 23,000
127 IPL TWENTY20 CRICKET 2009 LIVE ONE 51,000 13,000 15,000 7,000 5,000 11,000
130 CAILLOU-AM ABC2 49,000 16,000 11,000 16,000 0 6,000
189 ABC NEWS BREAKFAST-AM ABC2 21,000 6,000 4,000 10,000 1,000 0
198 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL LIVE ONE 16,000 2,000 3,000 2,000 3,000 6,000
212 THIS IS YOUR DAY WITH BENNY HINN Ten 7,000 4,000 0 0 0 2,000
218 NBC TODAY Seven 5,000 1,000 0 2,000 0 2,000
224 WEATHERWATCH OVERNIGHT SBS 3,000 1,000 1,000 0 2,000 0
232 INDONESIAN NEWS SBS 1,000 0 1,000 0 0 0
233 TURKISH NEWS SBS 1,000 0 0 0 0 0
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,594,000 412,000 423,000 347,000 193,000 218,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,439,000 397,000 361,000 292,000 173,000 216,000
3 NCIS Ten 1,421,000 398,000 389,000 283,000 162,000 189,000
4 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,345,000 407,000 363,000 229,000 149,000 197,000
5 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,318,000 394,000 387,000 219,000 143,000 175,000
6 BONDI RESCUE Ten 1,311,000 427,000 327,000 243,000 109,000 205,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,257,000 362,000 440,000 286,000 59,000 110,000
10 10 YEARS YOUNGER IN 10 DAYS Seven 1,226,000 330,000 417,000 193,000 126,000 160,000
16 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,112,000 313,000 356,000 150,000 121,000 172,000
17 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - AUDITION 2 Ten 1,056,000 317,000 318,000 186,000 87,000 148,000
18 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 1,000,000 266,000 308,000 180,000 126,000 120,000
20 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 862,000 242,000 273,000 154,000 103,000 90,000
22 LIE TO ME Ten 843,000 214,000 278,000 148,000 97,000 105,000
26 UNDERBELLY UNCUT -RPT Nine 733,000 185,000 290,000 101,000 76,000 81,000
27 HOT SEAT Nine 583,000 179,000 185,000 100,000 65,000 54,000
40 HOT SEAT -LATE Nine 278,000 62,000 135,000 47,000 34,000
164 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 RPT ONE 31,000 7,000 9,000 12,000 2,000 2,000
212 ARABIC NEWS SBS 10,000 3,000 4,000 3,000 0 0
213 ITALIAN NEWS SBS 9,000 2,000 4,000 0 0 3,000
218 TURKISH NEWS SBS 8,000 3,000 5,000 0 0 0
224 GERMAN NEWS SBS 6,000 6,000 0 0 0 0
232 WEATHERWATCH & MUSIC SBS 3,000 2,000 0 0 0 0
233 SPANISH NEWS SBS 2,000 1,000 1,000 0 0 1,000
234 JAPANESE NEWS SBS 2,000 2,000 0 0 0 0
235 GREEK NEWS SBS 1,000 0 0 0 0 0

The ratings race, updated 10 am Tuesday
Here's a situation you won't see again this year: At this point in the week, Channel Ten is averaging 31.1 per cent of the prime time audience to Nine's 25.0 and Seven's 23.9.

Ten managed this by saturating Sunday night with So You Think You Can Dance Australia, and by saturating Monday night with The Biggest Loser. Look at how that demolished the Despos and Underbelly. Plus Ten's 5pm News is easily beating both Andrew's Deal or No Deal and Eddie's Hot Seat, and a rumour that The Simpsons was about to disappear boosted that audience by 200,000. There is much to be learned about the state of TV today from close study of this chart:

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 2,097,000 671,000 587,000 384,000 195,000 259,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,821,000 541,000 528,000 304,000 176,000 272,000
3 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - FINALE NIGHT Ten 1,798,000 565,000 469,000 342,000 171,000 252,000
4 UNDERBELLY: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Nine 1,705,000 469,000 571,000 278,000 184,000 203,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,649,000 499,000 474,000 273,000 151,000 252,000
6 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) Ten 1,538,000 453,000 428,000 308,000 145,000 205,000
7 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - AUDITION 1 Ten 1,426,000 442,000 412,000 258,000 147,000 167,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,358,000 366,000 452,000 266,000 130,000 144,000
12 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 1,105,000 294,000 357,000 183,000 130,000 141,000
13 MISSING PIECES Nine 1,080,000 282,000 362,000 190,000 120,000 126,000
17 YOU SAVED MY LIFE Nine 1,004,000 260,000 328,000 186,000 111,000 119,000
18 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,002,000 291,000 298,000 202,000 76,000 135,000
19 THE SIMPSONS Ten 973,000 242,000 355,000 149,000 113,000 114,000
20 TOP GEAR SBS 972,000 301,000 295,000 166,000 87,000 123,000
21 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 963,000 290,000 299,000 165,000 102,000 108,000
24 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 831,000 256,000 268,000 134,000 77,000 96,000
29 HOT SEAT Nine 651,000 163,000 241,000 97,000 82,000 68,000
30 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 635,000 199,000 209,000 102,000 66,000 59,000
31 SPOOKS ABC1 566,000 148,000 194,000 88,000 59,000 77,000
40 SUNRISE Seven 373,000 113,000 97,000 87,000 29,000 47,000
45 TODAY Nine 300,000 81,000 112,000 72,000 10,000 25,000
51 30 ROCK Seven 267,000 83,000 93,000 25,000 30,000 37,000

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,795,000 373,000 614,000 367,000 212,000 228,000
2 NINE NEWS SUN Nine 1,540,000 476,000 479,000 308,000 175,000 103,000
3 THE BIGGEST LOSER (AUS) - THE FINAL WEIGH-IN Ten 1,487,000 461,000 417,000 302,000 148,000 158,000
4 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA - THE WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 1,432,000 452,000 468,000 243,000 123,000 145,000
5 THE FORCE Seven 1,418,000 422,000 425,000 264,000 127,000 181,000
6 60 MINUTES Nine 1,379,000 378,000 422,000 293,000 140,000 145,000
7 SYTYCDA - FINALE NIGHT Ten 1,342,000 430,000 406,000 250,000 130,000 127,000
8 BORDER SECURITY USA Seven 1,257,000 337,000 409,000 250,000 132,000 129,000
9 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,173,000 303,000 370,000 258,000 119,000 123,000
10 BONES Seven 1,126,000 320,000 337,000 199,000 110,000 162,000
11 CSI Nine 1,073,000 276,000 340,000 209,000 137,000 111,000
12 ROVE Ten 1,071,000 293,000 376,000 192,000 81,000 129,000
21 DIRT GAME ABC1 606,000 219,000 153,000 97,000 60,000 77,000
23 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 5: WESTERN BULLDOGS VS CARLTON Seven 514,000 60,000 357,000 6,000 90,000
25 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 492,000 308,000 184,000
41 AFL GAME DAY Seven 221,000 150,000 32,000 40,000
50 ABC2 LIVE PRESENTS KEATING! ABC1 206,000 70,000 72,000 25,000 19,000 20,000 56 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 5: MELBOURNE VS ADELAIDE Seven 185,000 185,000
73 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 ONE 127,000 21,000 60,000 9,000 21,000 14,000
74 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 5: GEELONG VS BRISBANE Seven 124,000 48,000 76,000
98 SUPER LEAGUE Nine 66,000 42,000 24,000
100 VFL FOOTBALL 2009-PM ABC1 63,000 63,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

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

That's not a great figure for SYTYCD. Meanwhile, I'm reeling in the news that Ch 10 has axed the 6pm Simpsons for 90 minutes of news. That's way too long. Even though I was getting annoyed at the Simpsons they were airing (the newer eps), I'd still prefer it over 1 1/2 hrs of sensationalism. My bets are the ratings ain't going to look too crash hot.

Tribal Mind replies: Simpsons story is a myth.

by Kym on April 27, 2009 at 11:03 AM

By the looks of the ratings, people are switching off the TV in droves.
For me it was another weekend of avoiding television like the swine flu.
You know things are bad when you see Nine are showing 'Monster House' on Saturday night and you think it's that candid camera type show of the same name that Nine tried and failed with a while ago and you think "oh well, it's what I expect of Nine, they might as well give it another go"..... (those kids in that movie are the creepiest looking animated children since 'The Polar Express').
I read on the weekend that 'In Treatment' is out on DVD so I'm thinking that might be the way to go next.
Will be watching 'MasterChef' tonight hoping it's not as bad as the advertising makes it seem. I just never learn.

by darren on April 27, 2009 at 11:15 AM

Can't believe Biggest Loser beat the dance finale!! Will be interesting to see how the fatty finale will rate. Will also be interesting to see if the bracelets come into play with the winnings.
Will be giving Master Chef a miss tonight - only because the recorders will be full - Scrubs and Top Gear are being recorded as well as Biggest Loser finale and with all of them overlapping them, there just isn't room for it. I figure they'll recap it tomorrow - if it's anything like the way they recap Biggest Loser - was watching Sunday's show and they were recapping events from as far back as Wednesday!! Master Chef will be interesting to follow in terms of ratings - it's a big risk to take, investing that much tv time in a completely unknown format. Not really understanding how they can stretch it out for 5/6 nights a week - do the contestants end up living together or something?
TM, what do you mean, The Simpsons story is a myth? Have ten come out and denied the report? Because honestly, 60 minutes of 10 news is already intolerable, I only put up with it because I hate Deal and Eddie, so I have it on in the background while i'm doing my afternoon work stuff (I'm a teacher, so minimum another hour to three hours of marking or researching when I get home each day). If they stretch it out to 90 minutes, I'd end up putting a dvd on - probably of The Simpsons, to be honest.

Tribal Mind replies: Yes, Ten have denied it.

by Beckala on April 27, 2009 at 04:36 PM

Ah thank god it's a myth, damn radio news. I'm sure I'll be watching it soon on Media Watch.

by Kym on April 27, 2009 at 05:33 PM

Strangely found "The Hot Seat" on at 11:30pm here on WIN. Is that the same time it was on in Sydney? If so, what was on at 5:30pm? Has it been shafted already?

Tribal Mind asks: What is WIN showing at 5.30?

by Bereft Skerrick on April 27, 2009 at 11:00 PM

Watched 'MasterChef' last night and thought it was actually okay. I expected the guy with the cravat to play the bitchy judge but he was quite normal. Encouraging even. George Columbaris and the other guy were helpful also. Will give it another go. But what's with the Jamie Oliver cockney habit of ending every sentence with "Yeah"? Jason Coleman does it. These three judges do it. Everyone's doing it and it drives me nuts, yeah? So stop it, yeah? Yeah? Yeah.
Was going to watch 'The Bggest Loser' finale because if you just watch the first episode and the last episode it's a pretty good show. Everyone likes a makeover. It's the twelve weeks in between that's unbearable. But I turned it off when Ajay Rochester introduced The Biggest Loser Scales like a cherished cast member. And the audience cheered and clapped. For the Scales. The audience applauded for an appliance.
I couldn't quite bring myself to believe that story about 'The Simpsons' considering Ten showed 11 episodes last week (four on Saturday night alone). Can't really fill two hours on a weekend with extra news. Or can you......?
There's a Black Bogie with Ajay Rochester's name on it.....

Tribal Mind replies: Not by my count so far. But she looks like taking out another award.

by darren on April 28, 2009 at 05:58 AM

But Darren, think of what those poor scales have been put through this past however many weeks. All those lard-asses flopping their fat feet down and straining through the flesh folds to see high how the numbers rise. I give it up for the scales every time.

by Rupert on April 28, 2009 at 07:53 AM

You've got a point Rupert. It does have more personality than the host. Plus it has to look up (shudder).
Biggest Loser Scales for the Gold Logie! (inanimate carbon rod!, inanimate carbon rod!).

by darren on April 28, 2009 at 09:30 AM

I vote the TBL scales for the Gold Logie.
As for the "cleavage" award for the Bogies, it goes to the TBL contestant last night glamourously picking glitter out of her cleavage while dressed like an extra from Underbelly.

by Bereft Skerrick on April 28, 2009 at 09:44 AM

Maybe darren you have hit on something here re "the scales".....I can see it now, they will have their own show, something with "the journey" in the title ??
The Biggest Loser: The Scales Journey - What Eye Saw!!

by PJ453 on April 28, 2009 at 09:52 AM

Bereft - I noticed that too! How classy, digging around in her cleavage with the camera shining on her - oh, the humanity!

by Beckala on April 28, 2009 at 09:53 AM

Latest news is the Biggest Loser Scales have signed with Max Markson and will be appearing in the next issue of 'Ralph' wearing nothing but a fine coating of fat-people toe-jam after which it'll be telling all in an 'ACA' exclusive ("I just felt like everyone was treating me like a doormat...(sob)...") and going on to host 'Who Wants to be a Millionare'.
A star is born?

by darren on April 28, 2009 at 11:13 AM

Wow! The Biggest Loser did really well, but thought Masterchef should've done better. Just curious, was the simpsons episode on monday that scored almost 1 million viewers a repeat?

by kevin on April 28, 2009 at 11:35 AM

I watched the Biggest Loser finale last night. I had to laugh when the hubby said he was getting sea sick watching AJ talk, there is a lot of rocking going on there and it seemed to get worse as the show went on, maybe some celebratory champers in the ad breaks?

by Nic on April 28, 2009 at 11:52 AM

If TBL - The winner announced - episode is the best they could do, then the producers of the show deserve to be shot. Not the cast, not the production crew, but the producers. What a dogs breakfast it was. Children running onto the set, later adult relatives providing great shots of their backs as they did the same, glitter picking etc etc. The mystery of the commando has been lost by having him remove his glasses. On the good side; allowing a natural delivery of the script by Ajay Rochester was a vast improvement. The stoney faced host concept, forced upon her in the earlier episodes, is both tired and outdated. The use of technology during the show was excellent. Sadly the good was overwhelmed by the bad, as quantity took the place of quality. While keeping within the concept of reality tv, the producers could have done a whole lot better. Now, when we come back from the ad break, can we have the producers stand over here against the wall wearing these blindfolds. Their journey ends here.

by TGO on April 28, 2009 at 01:08 PM

Darren, the scales have far more personality than anything Max Markson has ever signed. Think of all those huge numbers the scales have seen versus the room temperature IQs of Mad Max's celebrities. I think a sad memoir, or a country song would be better: "The Things I've Seen". Problem is it's going to be hard to find a rhyming word for navel fluff ...

by Rupert on April 28, 2009 at 03:52 PM

Love watching massive transformations and tuned into TBL for last 1/2 hr. That is a large audience for Deal or no Deal!People seem to be tuning in for the swine news. What I don't believe was when it became news over the weekend, I believe ABC news was the only one that made it first headline.
And yes, Kevin, the Simpsons ep on Monday was a repeat...a big audience surprisingly - not a great ep either. That's some good publicity.
I'm holding out for TGYH, seems like a pretty good lineup with Rhys Darby, Colin Lane, Cal Wilson and Merrick Watts.

by Kym on April 28, 2009 at 04:11 PM

TGO, I have watched many a BL finale - Aus and US - and they are all like that. Kids everywhere, contestants standing where they like. The Winner is announced and it's chaos!!! I have always wondered why no-one knows what to do... Are they all thinking of the after party - champers / beer or perhaps cakes / pies in this case. Onto the results. Some really poor ones - the 1st two may as well enter again next year. Some solid performances - most of the rest actually, look good. Then the standout - Tiff, whose method of talking got on my nerves, but she looked great. Finally, Bob was just scary. Best Cleavage vote - Bob's excess skin appeared to be tied into position on his front so he looked like he had a decent B cup...

by Tim on April 28, 2009 at 04:23 PM

Onto 'MasterChef'. I agree the guy with the cravat offered constructive advice and appeared genuine, even warm. Was really surprised by this, but not so sure about the other two who were more bitchy and smartarse than they needed to be. I am all for humour, but they have to be careful as chefs look like "w@nkers" at the best of times and I think we are over the bitchy judge.

by Tim on April 28, 2009 at 04:31 PM

darren, I'm like you and watched only the first episode and the final episode of the biggiest loser to see the 'miraculous' transformations that took place (which makes me one of those that gave the finale it's much bigger ratings than the normal episodes) . I thought the blonde girl from the mother and daughter team looked really hot but I didn't watch the last five minutes of the show because it was pretty obvious to me as to who was going to win.
I also expected to do with Masterchef what I did with BL and only watch the first and final episode but the first episode on Monday night went against all my expectations and was actually quite interesting. I watched the next one hour episode on Tuesday night and can now say that I am hooked on the show - I never expected or thought that Channel Ten could transfer the travelling city audition process of Idol and SYTYCD onto a cooking show but it actually worked! And the fact that they used bona fide acclaimed experts from the restaurant industry to be judges who were both stern yet compassionate certainly provided an antidote to the Gordon Ramsey mad swearing theatrics that Australia seems to have gotten over.
I finally decided to break my aussie drama boycott and watch the first series of Underbelly which screened last night in Melbourne to see what all the fuss is about and thought that it was actually quite good. I must say that I really enjoyed the boob shots that everyone talks about. One thing that surprised me about the show is the fact that they pixellated the face of one of the characters whenever he came on - like in the news - except that this is a drama acted by actors. Did they pixellate the faces of some of the characters when the show was broadcast in the other states? If they didn't does that mean that that crim is still active on the streets of Melbourne???

by tide on April 29, 2009 at 04:38 AM

The 'Biggest Loser' finale is a shambles because it's a show about fat bogans. Get all the bogans in a room with their bogan children and the bogan host and everyone congratulates everyone else on their bogan-ness. Glittered cleavage does not a bogan unmake.
About The Swine Flu, yes only the ABC takes pandemics seriously until it's cool to be a hypocondriac. Nine would've added it to their 'stories we got on air before Seven' promo if they had aired it first and Seven would've had it on their 'Exclusive this and Exclusive that' promo if they had. I think if The Swine Flu is going to be this month's 'Black Saturday', it needs a makeover. Perhaps 'Porky Pox'? No-one wants to go to the doctor and admit to having 'Swine Flu' but maybe 'Bacon Bug' is more acceptable. Less stigma.
Tracey on ACA last night was doing her best to whip up some hysteria. It's kinda comforting to know that when the hospitals are overun and society starts to unravel, Tracey and Matt and Lisa and Karl and Mel and Kochie will be there shoving micrphone in people's faces and causing mass panic.
And another song selection for The Scales: 'I Did it My Weigh'?

by darren on April 29, 2009 at 05:59 AM

More song choices for The Scales :
The Band - The Weight
Hollies - He's not heavy.......
Beatles - Carry that Weight

I think we're onto something here!!

And you wouldn't believe it....my "security code" is 999999, therefore have to go out with a Ch9 complaint. Watched the double episode of Underbelly 2 last night & it really could be a lot tighter....starting to get a number of long & meaningful looks, with nothing happening & the camera work is getting real shoddy, there's more movement on land than when filming on the water. And the accents are awful!!

by PJ453 on April 29, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I had another look at that 10 years younger in 10 days. Wasn't too bad last night. I am wondering what on earth was channel 7 thinking with the outfits that Sonia was wearing? Surely 7's wardrobe budget hasn't been slashed (because of the GFC). One of the dresses was so short I thought they forgot to give her some pants to wear.

by Cath on April 29, 2009 at 10:41 AM

I'm having a break from reality TV. Admitted I was a TBL junkie, but just can't get into Masterchef.

Nothing like a pandemic for causing mass hysteria. Shows such as ACA & TT should be assuring people that we've got a much better level of healthcare than Mexico and the US, but that wouldn't be as scandalous!

by Bereft Skerrick on April 29, 2009 at 10:49 AM

Darren, you kill me!!

Don't the media just love a good epidemic scare. It makes them salivate at the potential for live crosses to hospitals, health experts etc etc. They must be all hoping it really develops into the pandemic they keep talking about. What news , what human interest stories they can whip up.

The media have had a good time lately, haven't they? Global financial crisis, bush fire crisis and now the "Bacon Bug". How exciting for the little dears! Not a dull moment in the news rooms!

I think I will stick to the ABC to get some objectivity in my news viewing. I don't trust the rest of them to tell me the truth about what's happening as the truth just gets in the way of a good story.

by em on April 29, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Masterchef - hmmm, not really liking it and I usually love almost all reality shows. With Idol and Dance you have something to "judge" at home and can wax lyrical about your favourites. However, watching other people taste and judge food is a bit like watching paint dry. I feel no connection at all.

by Suze on April 29, 2009 at 12:28 PM

Quoth darren: "Glittered cleavage does not a bogan unmake."

But what if said bogan was picking the glitter out of her/his cleavage? Does that not un-unmake the bogan?

I think I'm giving myself a headache here.

I managed to know nothing about the swine flu until my MIL (visiting over Easter school hols) wanted to watch the news to catch up. Luckily the late news to hand was SBS, so I've managed to miss the hysteria from the commercial channels. (However, said MIL does watch commercial TV and what's worse - IMHO - lets Mr Bear & Miss Boo watch with her. I was most unimpressed to see them watching Sunday Sunrise one morning. I said it was a cult and stomped off to find some caffeine. I'm not known for my tact on Sunday mornings. Or any morning, actually.)

Mr TQD got to watch The Daily Show last night (his work gets cable, grumble grumble grump) and apparently the hysteria of the American news networks is breathtaking.

Our recorder managed to stop recording (for unknown reasons) just at the start of "30 Rock" on Monday night, so forgive my grumpiness. I miss Ms Lemon et al.

by tqd on April 29, 2009 at 12:54 PM

Wanted to know what other TMers who may have seen it thought of Eleventh Hour. I watched my recordign last night and found it somewhat boring - did not believe in the characters and although I like Rufus Sewell as an actor found him as an American very hard to cope with - probably for me of all the Brits playing Americans he is one of the worst... Unlikely to watch this show again (besides which Supernatural is back next week).
Have not bothered with Masterchef - ads alone were enough to irritate me. Sopeaking of ads to irritate saw about 20 of the new Sarah Murdoch bonds ads on Monday on 7 - Now on my top 10 list of I hate this ad....overkill will do that to you - think in some cases there were 2 (or maybe even more) in the same ad break

by Cathy on April 29, 2009 at 12:59 PM

In all seriousness Em, it's times like these I really wonder what would happen if people were relying on the likes of ACA and TT for factual information ("wot do ya mean this U-bra wont intoxicate me frum Pig Flu??? Tracey said...").
Like it or not they're in a position that does have some responsibilty attached. Tracey was interviewing some guy who'd 'survived' the Hendra virus outbreak in QLD last night and no it wasn't Mr Ed (yes I know it can kill people too). Never miss an opportunity.
Wonder what they'll do with the news that the Pig flu has actually only killed 7 people? Trot (pardon the pun) out some footage of Ebola outbreaks?

by darren on April 29, 2009 at 01:07 PM

LOL I always wondered what "WEATHERWATCH & MUSIC SBS" rated...Now I know, an amazing 3,000 Australians!
Most of whom seem to be in Sydney. Sydney folk sure love to watch a slow moving weather pattern and some relaxing elevator music on a quite Tuesday night.

by Ryano on April 29, 2009 at 01:08 PM

Suze, thank you. You've finally made me realise why i'm finding it difficult to get into Masterchef - I just knew I didn't like it, but I wasn't sure why. It's because I can't be the judge!! That's my favourite part - making comments "there was no unison there" and being excited when the judge agrees with me "See honey, I can be the next Jason and they'll give me my own show!" Everybody I work with seems to be loving it, and I just knew I didn't, but not sure why. Now you've shown me the light!

Loving the Scales Soundtrack - Channel 10 should consider releasing the cd with a bonus dvd of our favourite scale moments - remember when scale disappointed Nathan and said he put on weight. You could have the scale's director's commentary "I felt a sense of forboding - he is a serious contender and I was really worried he'd take it out on me. (pause for effect). It's just that nobody realises the pressure i'm under (Ajay wipes away tear). I'd buy it!

by Beckala on April 29, 2009 at 01:09 PM

tqd you can't put the acronym MIL and '30 Rock' in the same comment and not think 'MILF Island' and now it's mothers-in-law and cleavage and glitter and Deborrah all mixed up in the one brain.
And to answer your question, you can take the glitter out of the cleavage but you can't take the bogan out of the 'Biggest Loser' contestant. That would require a 'Boganotomy'. Sadly, still in trial stages with that one (rabbits, obviously).
And to ask one of my own: IMHO?

by darren on April 29, 2009 at 02:01 PM

Speaking of bogans and makeovers, the bloke on the second episode of '10 Years Younger in 10 Days' was a classic. After seeing his primped and pampered partner revealed, he was initially overwhelmed but one of the first things he had to say to her was that he had a big bag of washing waiting for her to do. How romantic! He's a keeper, that one.

by J Bar on April 29, 2009 at 02:14 PM

Wonder what they'll do with the news that the Pig flu has actually only killed 7 people? Trot (pardon the pun) out some footage of Ebola outbreaks?

by darren on April 29, 2009 at 01:07 PM

What I want to see them do is explain how when on average 36000 Americans die of the flu each year they can try terrifying us (and their equivalents in the U.S. try the same) over 7 deaths. "Oh my god swine flu has killed 35993 less people than the normal flu - run for hills (and if you are in America grab your guns on the way)".

by Harry on April 29, 2009 at 02:57 PM

Hi Sir Mind,
I am enjoying the lists of least watched shows. Interesting to know how many people are watching foreign news.

Tribal Mind replies Goodo, I'll do more of the least watched tomorrow.

by TG on April 29, 2009 at 03:16 PM

Thankyou Sir Mind.

Also i watched insight last night. I liked it. it is my mum's favourite show too.

by TG on April 29, 2009 at 03:32 PM

Cathy, I agree with you completely on Eleventh Hour. Finally got round to it, and don't reckon I'll be back. Could not buy Rufus Sewell as an American intellect.
That was the last ep of Eli Stone last night, and I'm disappointed. Really have to ponder why some shows go on and on and others get cut short.

by Kym on April 29, 2009 at 03:46 PM

Quote: "The Department of Health and Ageing has established a new, national hotline for the public to receive health information about the outbreak overseas of Swine Flu. The number is 1802007".
Also the law has been changed to allow for the forceable quarantine of suspected cases. So far 40 people in Sydney have been tested, 51 altogether in Australia,
and the results take days.
So those of you who think it's a joke - I hope you're right.
IMHO too many people here have been watching garbage television (Master Chef, Biggest Loser, etc.), and their brains have turned to mush!
Do you think our Kev chose today to announce the extra troops to Afghanastan, hoping everyone was distracted by the potential pandemic?
Would he do that?

by Sal on April 29, 2009 at 05:09 PM

Since TEN put on ONE HD their Standard Defininition channels have reduced quality.I used to watch 9am with KIM but in standard def & reduced quality the picture is very poor.Kerri Anne looks much better !

Tribal MInd remarks: Sounds like the same kind of problem as daylight saving fading the curtains, or Kevin Rudd using swine flu to sneak troops into Afghanistan.

by doug on April 29, 2009 at 05:58 PM

Bereft, MILLIONAIRE: HOT SEAT is still on at its usual weekday afternoon timeslot. Encores are airing at 11.30 Monday-Wednesday on Nine & its regional affiliates.
Ryano, actually the WEATHERWATCH & MUSIC was updated not too long ago and now is more relevant with a mix of pictures from around the world capitals and forecast temperatures from Australia and overseas with brief cloud circulation animations before it. I think it is much better now. It is also good late at night with Infomercials on the other channels (& old movies on ABC1) while you are doing something else while listening to its stress-free music.
TM, I also love how you do the lists with less-watched programs. It's very fascinating. Thanks.
I'm not sure if others have posted this bit of news already, THE FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS will be returning with Season 2 in June - on SBS.
Quick question, is there an RSS feed for this column? Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: Not that I know of. What would that mean?

by cpandilo on April 29, 2009 at 06:02 PM

Sal, I don't think Swine Flu is a joke, I think the coverage of it is. A guy I work with sat next to a woman on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne yesterday who was wearing a face mask. Tracey's interviewing horse trainers and Kiwi Families from the window of their bedroom. Mad pig photos are springing up on front pages. So what's the real story? I haven't a clue.
The death toll's somewhere between 7 (World Health Organisation yesterday) and 150 (everyone else). That all of those deaths have been in a largely third world country can't be inconsequential. Except for a baby in Texas, visiting from Mexico. Believe me, I'm paying attention.
My point is, all the commercial news (including ACA and TT) use this type of event to rivet people to their TVs in fear and then make them more fearful and feed them unreliable information. I hate to admit it but they have a certain level of power and influence but choose to use it for stupid instead of good. They shape opinion on everything from Pauline Hanson to Dole bludgers and consistently choose to move people in the uncompassionate narrow-minded direction. If this Swine Flu thing becomes a Pandemic will they put aside their pathetic grab for ratings in favour of social responsibility? I don't think so.
Sorry to get all serious....

by darren on April 30, 2009 at 05:59 AM

I have to agree with Doug re channel 10. On our non-digital TV, the channel 10 picture has defitinitely gone haywire over the last few weeks.
Re the pig flu. I have to say that the TV coverage is there to put the fear into all of us and I don't know how informative it is. For me, I'm a little blaise as SARS was supposed to kill us all and then the bird flu (I was actually quarantined being sick on a return flight from Bangkok), maybe this time the sky really is falling??

by Nic on April 30, 2009 at 07:52 AM

Couldn't agree more with the thoughts about how the media are "sexing up" the swine flu.....weapons of mass destruction anybody ??? Sal, yes there may be a pandemic, but let's listen to the WHO re confirmed deaths. I certainly wouldn't want to be the ABC's reporter who has just been sent to report from Mexico City. As an aside the poor USA Agriculture Sectretary had to tell reporters "It's important to convey that consuming pork will not cause this illness". Countries are even wanting to ban the importing of pork from the US. Really sounds like a late April fools story that bit.
Anyway, back to tv......watched Thank God Your Here last night, well the first half, MrsPJ had to watch RPA. It was good to see it back, bigger sets, bigger studio audience, BUT I couldn't get my head round the audience laughter, was it canned ??
darren, I think tqd used IMHO as "in my humble opinion", but I could be way off.

by PJ453 on April 30, 2009 at 07:55 AM

I watched 'Thank God You're Here' last night and it's good to see there's no change except they now get a plug on 'Today Tonight' disguised as a story about how people need comedy at the moment as an escape form the Woes of the World. They had a Psychiatrist who said it was important so it must be.
'MasterChef' had people chopping onions!
PJ453, thnx 4 that. I kinda workd it out 4 myself. At first I thought IMHO? WTF? But then AHA! LOL. ADMCBWCYD (acronyms drive me crazy but what can you do)?

by darren on April 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM

Was great to see TGYH back on our screens last night. Really enjoyed it. Then it was off to ABC for Spicks & Specks and Gruen. I enjoyed a night of laughter and light entertainment. Kept my mind off pandemics and more Aussie troops off to get slaughtered in a useless war we can't possibly win.
On another subject, just can't like Masterchef. Just find the whole concept rather boring. Just like most cooking shows really. I wonder if it will keep rating for Ten or will the novelty wear off fast?

by em on April 30, 2009 at 08:48 AM

The sad thing about the flu story is just what I said about the 36000 deaths each year from the flu in the US and at least hundreds here - the media coverage does not help. Even the ABC is talking in terms like emergency and crisis without giving that context. "SARS", whatever that actually was (it is the subject of medical debate), only killed 800 world wide. Again a tiny portion of the number who die each year from normal communicable diseases. If however the definition of a pandemic is an influenza that spreads world wide and kills some people we have one every year. So IF this is a pandemic the media should not just scream pandemic but give it some context - that includes reminding people that it is ordinary flu season and as usual we should be washing our hands regularly, taking care with what surfaces we touch and covering our faces with tissues when we sneeze and then binning the tissue. Not a terrifying picture but one that might actually help reduce deaths from the ordinary flu while they are trying to beat up a story about swine flu.
I could list about 15 problems with the accuracy of the reports most of the media are carrying (for example lack of data about infection and mortality rates) but the bottom line is that terrifying people does not help. I am actually quite pleased with Nicola Roxon not falling entirely into the media and opposition trap of letting the hype outweigh the medicine.

by Harry on April 30, 2009 at 09:01 AM

TGYH was good last night. Good to finally see Colin Lane on. Were there a lot more lights than usual?
I did catch ACA yesterday, it went from one useless article about the logies to the weirdest interview I've seen so far; where the camera is metres away from a NZ family, and a poor boom box operator was directly underneath their window.

by Kym on April 30, 2009 at 09:19 AM

Having purchased a big HD TV I did enjoy the wednesday night of HD on TEN with the new simpsons, House and then Life (which has finished unfortunately). Personally I do not see the attraction of nearly all locally produced shows, I channel surf and saw a bit of masterchef but it was just the same local stuff with fairly poor production values, supper slow pace, and host who I'm supposed to know but who I don't and as such they don't seem to do their hosting job very well. The same goes for TGYH with its list of signed "celebs", it just arn't very interesting. Thankfully I have payTV and a PVR

by Ned on April 30, 2009 at 12:27 PM

I enjoyed TGYH last night, especially Colin Lane. As usual though, C7 had it running late and I missed the intro to Spicks and Specks. Bloody annoying when the channels do this!

by Neil on April 30, 2009 at 01:12 PM

Thank God You're Here only dropped a little behind the debut episode of series 3 in 2007 which had 1,785,000. It slowly built on that debut and reached 2,050,000. It could do that again. The heavily promoted Simpsons new opening credits and now in wide screen might have taken a few viewers away. Too bad Ten doesn't have a HD channel any more, so we can't judge whether Simpsosns in HD is any better than SD. My Name is Earl is in the wrong slot; Seven should just save it for their Monday night comedy hour and bring back Beyond the Darklands. No matter how many times they try, Family Guy will just not be a widely popular show in Australia and they shouldn't bother to try it out again in prime time.

by J Bar on April 30, 2009 at 03:02 PM

TM, my benefit of having an RSS feed would be that i could easily keep myself updated of what you post in Who We Are using Yahoo Go on my mobile. So i would save time and so have the time to see all your Who We Are columns as usually i just have time for the ratings race and your Tribal Mind column on Saturdays.

by cpandilo on May 01, 2009 at 09:18 AM

On May 22nd the ABC replaces Midsomer Murders with a new series of Silent Witness

by Gary on May 01, 2009 at 01:30 PM

HD ON TEN has ceased . Only sport in psuedo HD , 1440 instead of 1080 lines on ONE.Do not buy the expensive HD tv as HD is not on our Freeview TV AS PROMISED,only Foxtel.Seven puts 1950s movies in B&W on its so called HD channel , a joke.

by doug on May 01, 2009 at 04:02 PM

Freeview is a big dissapointment. Apart from One HD it is more hype than actual new channels or programming.

by bobmar28 on May 02, 2009 at 07:09 AM

Here in tassie I get TEN HD at 1080 which I still call HD relative to the 576 which I get for one of the other freeview channels, but we don't get the ONE HD channel. Why wouldn't freeview channels telecast HD content if they have it?? Again thank god for my payTV and PVR

by ned on May 02, 2009 at 04:28 PM

Ten better hope Brisbane V Essendon is a good, close game of football.
Ten also have the South Australian "showdown" Port Adelaide Power V Adelaide Crows so that will easily win the night for Ten in the city of Churches, although Foxtel also shows the game live so it could hurt...Brisbane AFL audiences can be fickle. It could get 150-160,000 over the 3 hours or as little as 70-80,000 for Ten. Melbourne will carry for Ten obviously with Bombers being a top 2 Melbourne side in terms of followers.
Its Tom Hanks V Aussie rules for the silver medal for the week...We'll see :)

by Ryano on May 02, 2009 at 04:32 PM

TM Do you have the audience figures for The Ladykillers and Mean Machine?

Tribal Mind replies: IN the chart now. What do they tell you?

by Jason on May 03, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you ABC 2. I have been waiting for a decent print of Bringing Up Baby for ages! Thanks also for the Cary festival. Can we have Fred next?

by Cat on May 04, 2009 at 09:07 AM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

The Who We Are update: Week 18

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