The Who We Are update: Week 26

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This forum is now a heritage item - worth studying but no longer current. For the latest on Australian attitudes and media trends, go to blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

To learn why MasterChef is bad news for Malcolm Turnbull, go to The Tribal Mind.
To determine what is Australia's National Snack, go to Who We Are.

The ratings race, updated 11 am Monday
Seven will think twice before devoting a night to rugby union again. As of Saturday morning, the three networks were neck and neck in audience share for the week. As of Sunday morning, Seven found itself in the rare position of coming third. Here's how the week worked out: Nine 26.3 per cent of the prime time audience, Ten 25.8 per cent, Seven 25.5, ABC 17.6, SBS 4.8. If NIne had not had the State of Origin on Wednesday, it would have come third -- a bad omen for this week.

Here's Pay TV's account of itself: "Subscription TV won its 21st week of 2009 and in doing so ensured it has had more viewers than any other network across the first half of 2009. Between 6am and midnight in week 26, STV channels accounted for 21.8% of all metropolitan viewing; 21.4% of all regional viewing and 56.9% of all viewing in subscription TV homes. In the year-to-date, this gave STV channels 59.4% of viewing in STV homes, 21.8% of all regional viewing and 23.2% of all metropolitan viewing (well ahead of the closest broadcast network with 21.7% of all viewing).

"Live: NRL Sharks v Broncos on FOX Sports topped the week for subscription TV with 293,000 viewers and 270,000 people watched Live: AFL Fremantle v Geelong, giving the network its second biggest audience for AFL this year. In other sport programs, the Wallabies/France test, Live: Rugby Union: Test Match had 177,000 viewers, Live: AFL: On the Couch had 105,000 viewers and 83,000 people watched Live: Tennis: Wimbledon: Day 4 on Thursday night (all on FOX Sports).

"Australia's Next Top Model on FOX8 was watched by 219,000 people; TV1'S Cash Trivia Challenge had a year-to-date best viewership of 104,000 people and Law & Order on W was watched by 90,000 viewers. The Crime & Investigation premiere of CIA: Murder of Innocence: Sian Kingi was watched by 88,000 people, Drake & Josh on Nickelodeon had a year-to-date biggest audience with 85,000 people, Nostradamus: 2012 premiered on History Channel with 83,000 viewers and Showbiz on Sky News had its best result of the year with 81,000 people."

What Australia watched, week ending 28/6/2009
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE NSW V QLD 2ND - MATCH Nine 2,134,000 825,000 332,000 815,000 69,000 94,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - CHALLENGE Ten 1,934,000 556,000 615,000 317,000 202,000 245,000
3 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,757,000 510,000 579,000 273,000 175,000 220,000
4 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,666,000 461,000 576,000 261,000 168,000 201,000
5 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,664,000 430,000 376,000 410,000 156,000 292,000
6 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,618,000 438,000 445,000 324,000 181,000 230,000
7 NCIS Ten 1,586,000 434,000 451,000 290,000 196,000 214,000
8 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,575,000 485,000 524,000 298,000 184,000 84,000
9 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE Seven 1,483,000 405,000 424,000 287,000 168,000 199,000
10 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,471,000 416,000 429,000 343,000 112,000 171,000
11 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,428,000 393,000 389,000 293,000 151,000 203,000
12 RECRUITS Ten 1,364,000 403,000 415,000 231,000 132,000 184,000
13 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,351,000 402,000 341,000 306,000 120,000 181,000
14 THE ZOO Seven 1,341,000 431,000 352,000 264,000 121,000 172,000
15 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,322,000 369,000 404,000 209,000 156,000 183,000
16 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,322,000 359,000 402,000 256,000 130,000 174,000
17 SEA PATROL Nine 1,314,000 388,000 367,000 251,000 141,000 167,000

18 BONES Seven 1,312,000 405,000 340,000 245,000 147,000 175,000
19 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,308,000 388,000 454,000 213,000 115,000 138,000
20 STATE OF ORIGIN 2 - PRE MATCH Nine 1,305,000 492,000 229,000 535,000 49,000
21 NINE NEWS Nine 1,299,000 321,000 431,000 295,000 124,000 128,000
22 MERLIN Ten 1,293,000 386,000 325,000 234,000 146,000 203,000
23 NCIS RPT Ten 1,278,000 326,000 400,000 227,000 148,000 178,000
24 STATE OF ORIGIN 2 - POST MATCH Nine 1,265,000 435,000 238,000 546,000 45,000
25 60 MINUTES Nine 1,254,000 325,000 363,000 301,000 120,000 144,000
26 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,252,000 375,000 355,000 248,000 133,000 141,000
27 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Nine 1,245,000 345,000 378,000 266,000 131,000 126,000
28 MICHAEL JACKSON THE KING OF POP Nine 1,239,000 398,000 387,000 247,000 105,000 102,000
29 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,232,000 383,000 389,000 223,000 100,000 137,000
30 GETAWAY Nine 1,229,000 306,000 419,000 225,000 120,000 159,000
31 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,208,000 313,000 392,000 274,000 116,000 112,000
32 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,197,000 371,000 382,000 170,000 135,000 140,000
33 TROUBLE IN PARADISE Nine 1,174,000 325,000 364,000 224,000 127,000 134,000
34 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,171,000 363,000 369,000 128,000 162,000 150,000
35 NEW TRICKS ABC1 1,167,000 329,000 348,000 212,000 132,000 146,000
36 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,151,000 331,000 336,000 250,000 107,000 126,000
37 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 1,146,000 320,000 316,000 209,000 153,000 148,000
38 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC1 1,143,000 368,000 377,000 121,000 127,000 150,000
39 ROVE Ten 1,141,000 306,000 401,000 193,000 107,000 135,000
40 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,137,000 337,000 365,000 206,000 131,000 98,000
41 AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE ABC1 1,117,000 381,000 300,000 177,000 131,000 128,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Saturday
This is unlikely to have happened before in the history of Australian television. With only one night to go in the ratings week, the prime time audience shares of the commercial networks stand at: Ten 26.2 per cent, Nine 26.2 per cent, Seven 26.2 per cent.

Tonight will make all the difference. Ten has AFL in the south west and The Italian Job for the biffo cities. Seven has rugby union. Nine has a Michael Jackson special. Go to Comments to register your prediction on who will win this extraordinary week.

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,471,000 416,000 429,000 343,000 112,000 171,000
2 MICHAEL JACKSON THE KING OF POP Nine 1,239,000 398,000 387,000 247,000 105,000 102,000
3 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,232,000 383,000 389,000 223,000 100,000 137,000
4 NEW TRICKS ABC1 1,167,000 329,000 348,000 212,000 132,000 146,000
5 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,137,000 337,000 365,000 206,000 131,000 98,000
6 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC1 997,000 342,000 277,000 189,000 79,000 109,000
7 THE BILL ABC1 866,000 229,000 247,000 154,000 98,000 137,000
9 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 733,000 19,000 328,000 74,000 124,000 188,000
15 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 514,000 89,000 218,000 31,000 42,000 135,000
19 SEVEN'S R.U: AUS V FRANCE Seven 402,000 226,000 23,000 123,000 18,000 11,000
22 WIMBLEDON D6 Nine 342,000 104,000 112,000 56,000 44,000 25,000
28 MYTHBUSTERS SBS 300,000 66,000 84,000 77,000 46,000 28,000
88 RUGBY UNION: SHUTE SHIELD (NSW) 2009-PM ABC1 70,000 70,000

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,562,000 436,000 469,000 264,000 176,000 216,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,381,000 389,000 413,000 231,000 163,000 184,000
3 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,380,000 377,000 449,000 230,000 141,000 183,000
4 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,322,000 369,000 404,000 209,000 156,000 183,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,295,000 308,000 402,000 325,000 116,000 144,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,179,000 288,000 360,000 304,000 98,000 129,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,059,000 339,000 292,000 172,000 126,000 130,000
8 SILENT WITNESS ABC1 1,055,000 293,000 313,000 172,000 130,000 147,000
10 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Ten 855,000 256,000 278,000 126,000 82,000 113,000
13 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 13: ESSENDON VS CARLTON Seven 822,000 23,000 505,000 15,000 140,000 139,000
20 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 600,000 357,000 243,000
32 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 368,000 259,000 109,000
42 DATELINE NBC SPECIAL - MICHAEL JACKSON Seven 301,000 91,000 91,000 53,000 30,000 36,000
68 WIMBLEDON D5 Nine 195,000 63,000 47,000 32,000 29,000 24,000
85 JUST SEX AND NOTHING ELSE SBS 153,000 51,000 45,000 21,000 13,000 23,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,526,000 395,000 427,000 339,000 164,000 201,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,524,000 414,000 527,000 249,000 136,000 198,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,371,000 367,000 377,000 319,000 137,000 171,000
4 GETAWAY Nine 1,222,000 308,000 409,000 228,000 120,000 157,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,211,000 308,000 401,000 285,000 119,000 99,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,179,000 291,000 381,000 279,000 121,000 108,000
7 TROUBLE IN PARADISE Nine 1,169,000 321,000 370,000 221,000 126,000 132,000
8 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,151,000 331,000 336,000 250,000 107,000 126,000
25 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE Seven 692,000 405,000 287,000
39 INSPECTOR REX RPT SBS 351,000 107,000 113,000 47,000 37,000 47,000
59 MAD MEN SBS 232,000 87,000 75,000 24,000 24,000 22,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Thursday
Un-cooking-believable! Even after the onslaught of Nine's biffo, Channel Ten is still on top for the week. The prime time audience shares stand at: Ten 27.6 per cent, Nine 25.9, Seven 25.1, ABC 16.8 (thanks to Spicks and Chaser, which showed no drop on its pre sin bin figures) and SBS 4.6. In the next three days, Seven will rise and Ten will sink, but it's still possible for Ten to come in second -- the ultimate humiliation for Nine in a biffo week.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE 2 - MATCH Nine 2,091,000 812,000 321,000 800,000 67,000 90,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,852,000 516,000 675,000 250,000 181,000 230,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,630,000 424,000 436,000 317,000 174,000 279,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,431,000 394,000 369,000 302,000 142,000 223,000
5 STATE OF ORIGIN 2 - POST MATCH Nine 1,386,000 484,000 260,000 583,000 59,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,323,000 355,000 418,000 299,000 131,000 120,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,198,000 329,000 383,000 277,000 110,000 98,000
8 STATE OF ORIGIN 2 - PRE MATCH Nine 1,185,000 432,000 228,000 481,000 45,000
9 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,171,000 363,000 369,000 128,000 162,000 150,000
10 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC1 1,160,000 373,000 383,000 123,000 129,000 152,000
21 THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE Seven 791,000 Not shown 424,000 Not shown 168,000 199,000
41 GHOST WHISPERER Seven 334,000 229,000 Not shown 105,000 Not shown Not shown
44 WIMBLEDON D3 Nine 309,000 86,000 98,000 81,000 29,000 14,000
68 PRISON BREAK Seven 202,000 68,000 59,000 19,000 38,000 18,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
Three days into the week, the prime time audience shares stand at: 1. Ten 28.4 per cent; 2. Seven 25.9 per cent; 3. Nine 23.7; 4. ABC 17.1; 5. SBS 4.9. The State of Origin will turn that around for Nine tonight, but if biffo is all that Nine has going for it, you'd have to predict 2009 ending with the ultimate humiliation in Nine's five year slide -- having to advertise itself as "Still The Three".

The question of the day: Is Melissa Doyle hot or just sweetly pretty?

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,754,000 509,000 578,000 273,000 175,000 219,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,596,000 437,000 527,000 287,000 171,000 175,000
3 NCIS Ten 1,592,000 437,000 454,000 291,000 196,000 215,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,574,000 436,000 425,000 297,000 186,000 230,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,342,000 347,000 375,000 262,000 137,000 221,000
6 THE ZOO Seven 1,341,000 431,000 352,000 264,000 121,000 172,000
7 FIND MY FAMILY Seven 1,322,000 359,000 402,000 256,000 130,000 174,000
8 NCIS RPT Ten 1,287,000 328,000 402,000 228,000 149,000 179,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,251,000 362,000 421,000 232,000 128,000 108,000
10 NINE NEWS Nine 1,245,000 307,000 446,000 239,000 119,000 134,000
11 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,197,000 371,000 382,000 170,000 135,000 140,000
12 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,140,000 381,000 320,000 198,000 102,000 139,000
16 GRAND DESIGNS ABC1 999,000 298,000 300,000 178,000 98,000 126,000
23 10 YEARS YOUNGER IN 10 DAYS Seven 847,000 284,000 256,000 107,000 98,000 103,000
24 HOME MADE Nine 831,000 228,000 273,000 145,000 92,000 94,000
25 HOME MADE -ELIMINATION Nine 812,000 243,000 276,000 126,000 76,000 91,000
35 TRACEY ULLMAN'S STATE OF THE UNION ABC1 421,000 152,000 126,000 68,000 31,000 44,000
68 WIMBLEDON D2 Nine 218,000 65,000 77,000 30,000 26,000 21,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,800,000 499,000 467,000 404,000 203,000 227,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,781,000 495,000 603,000 302,000 190,000 190,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,615,000 468,000 413,000 345,000 174,000 215,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,395,000 337,000 497,000 300,000 131,000 130,000
5 RECRUITS Ten 1,349,000 397,000 409,000 229,000 131,000 183,000
6 SEA PATROL Nine 1,309,000 386,000 365,000 251,000 140,000 167,000
7 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,308,000 388,000 454,000 213,000 115,000 138,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,269,000 308,000 436,000 278,000 132,000 115,000
9 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,225,000 369,000 347,000 243,000 129,000 137,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,168,000 365,000 303,000 227,000 112,000 160,000
11 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 1,138,000 319,000 314,000 208,000 151,000 146,000
17 SCRUBS - MON Seven 1,006,000 285,000 301,000 200,000 104,000 115,000
19 7.30 REPORT ABC1 960,000 309,000 256,000 174,000 102,000 119,000
23 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Seven 805,000 246,000 223,000 177,000 65,000 94,000
24 SPOOKS ABC1 785,000 202,000 263,000 124,000 91,000 106,000
29 SUPERNATURAL Ten 618,000 180,000 164,000 127,000 76,000 72,000
32 TOP GEAR AUSTRALIA SBS 510,000 157,000 138,000 92,000 71,000 51,000
44 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS SBS 312,000 93,000 124,000 36,000 21,000 38,000
58 30 ROCK Seven 248,000 74,000 79,000 30,000 26,000 39,000
What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - CHALLENGE Ten 1,934,000 556,000 615,000 317,000 202,000 244,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,664,000 430,000 376,000 410,000 156,000 292,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,574,000 485,000 526,000 298,000 181,000 84,000
4 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,351,000 402,000 341,000 306,000 120,000 181,000
5 BONES Seven 1,312,000 405,000 340,000 245,000 147,000 175,000
6 MERLIN Ten 1,293,000 386,000 325,000 234,000 146,000 202,000
7 60 MINUTES Nine 1,261,000 325,000 367,000 302,000 120,000 147,000
8 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Nine 1,245,000 345,000 378,000 266,000 131,000 126,000
9 ROVE Ten 1,147,000 307,000 403,000 193,000 109,000 135,000
10 AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE ABC1 1,117,000 381,000 300,000 177,000 131,000 128,000
11 THE FORCE - BEHIND THE LINE Seven 1,080,000 314,000 286,000 212,000 105,000 164,000
12 BORDER SECURITY USA Seven 1,047,000 317,000 296,000 203,000 88,000 143,000
14 CSI Nine 974,000 268,000 286,000 200,000 114,000 105,000
25 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 484,000 296,000 179,000 10,000
45 MOTHER AND SON Seven 269,000 269,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown Not shown
64 AFL GAME DAY Seven 180,000 Not shown 117,000 Not shown 31,000 32,000
74 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 12: FREMANTLE VS GEELONG Seven 158,000 Not shown 158,000

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). For daily updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Aaaah, nothing like the smell of a brand new comments page.
'MasterChef' is goin' gangbusters! Julie weeping for a fish last night was touching. Hong Kong week is looking great.
Micallef on 'Rove' the other night was the funniest thing I've seen on 'Rove' for ages. We need a Logie for 'The Funniest Drink of Water' and Shawn Micallef as the only nominee. He funny.
Good to see Deb Knight back on Channel Ten news and Sully back where she belongs sandwiched between phone sex ads and danoz direct 'Snuggie' pimping.

by darren on June 23, 2009 at 08:40 AM

Ten misses out on a Monday win this week. Masterchef still doing well but Recruits doing brilliantly too. Seven doing very well with Scrubs repeats over a million. If only they had made the effort earlier and if only they could give 30 Rock half a chance now.
Nine's factual You Saved My Life in that slot goes down the gurgler. Let that be a lesson to Nine. Stop copying other shows. They all flop. You Saved My Life is a ripoff of Tripe Zero Heroes, Missing Pieces is a ripoff of Find My Family, HomeMade is a ripoff of The Block etc etc etc.
Desperate Housewives came close to beating Sea Patrol this week. Farewell Edie Britt. You will be missed. DH started beating SP last year as the season progressed and people tired of the repetitiveness of Sea Patrol. Brothers and Sisters over a million is great too.

by J Bar on June 23, 2009 at 09:35 AM

Wow Scrubs repeats doing so well. Not so long ago Scrubs was coming last (including SBS) in its timeslot. Now it's 3rd with Top Gear Australia tanking hard.
I'd expect DH to come back down in the ratings in the coming weeks, having jumped the shark with the death of a housewife.
Didn't realise that Australian Story was doing so well. Care to explain what was on it that caused such high ratings (1.2m+)?

by arthur on June 23, 2009 at 02:01 PM

I am really into Masterchef! Last night was great , poor Julie I felt for her. I don't think I could kill a fish without getting upset either. I feel almost embarrssed to be loving a reality show as I usually avoid them on principal. But Masterchef seems different or something. I am not sure why I like it but I do. Maybe I am just really,really pleased to see Ten beat Nine.
In your face , Nine!!!!

by em on June 23, 2009 at 02:07 PM

Do we have to put up with 7 fanboys? I've read J Bar posting the exact same 7 loving rubbish at mediaspy. Why on Earth someone gets excited by how 7 rates is a mystery to me.

Tribal Mind remarks: Yes, this year we're supposed to be 10 fanboys.

by FJ on June 23, 2009 at 02:14 PM

FJ, I'm a fan of television shows, not networks. It just happens that on Monday nights I'm a fan of most of the shows on Seven starting with Scrubs, Despos, Brothers & Sisters and later 30 Rock. I have been equally critical of rubbish that they give us in the past, like How I Met Your Mother and Jonathan Ross.
Newsflash FJ!!! Seven is the most watched network at the moment because it has shows that people are watching. Ten was second last week and Nine was third. Fact!!! If my favourites on Seven on Mondays makes me a Seven fanboy then on Tuesdays I'm a Ten/Seven/Nine fanboy because I watch Talkin Bout My Generation, All Saints and then my tape of Sea Patrol from Monday night. That's why I know what I'm talking about in regards to repetitiveness of SP. On Wednesdays I must be an Seven/ABC fanboy for Thank God You're Here, Chaser, Moving Wallpaper. On Thursdays I'm strictly a Ten fanboy for Rules of Engagaement and Sundays I must be a Ten/Seven fanboy for Merlin, Rove and Castle. If Nine or any other network wanted me to be a fanboy of their network more often, then maybe they should try offering me something that I actually want to watch.
Sometimes my comments are worth sharing on tribal mind and mediaspy. Is there a rule about limiting your comments to only one forum?

by J Bar on June 23, 2009 at 03:46 PM

Is anyone else excited by the prospect of fanboys?

Tribal Mind remarks: Cleopatra used to have brigades of them, to keep her cool on summer days.

by Shoopie on June 23, 2009 at 03:54 PM

Watched Miss Marple on Sunday. Definitely a different take on her, but will watch a bit longer (like Castle... reminds me sorta of Moonlighting in its early days). Am one of the TGA diminishing viewers, although did skip the opening to watch 7.30 Report's coverage of "utegate" until the pollies appeared. Then over to GNW. Not the worst episode, but hard act to follow after last week's "Ross Noble GNW".

Trouble is that after that, it was all gumph (sorry Spooks fans... I was into it, but now.... eh)

Tonight.... TAMG undoubtedly..... and then damn..... Grand Designs or NCIS...... wait, TEN will repeat it within 6 mths so GD it is and then? Bed seems good. Hot Choccie anyone?

by Furlozza on June 23, 2009 at 04:26 PM

I hope we are specific show fanboys, not channel fanboys. Scrubs and 30 Rock have cred and their viewers have actually a lot to complain about to 7. Bagging 9 seems mandatory; except the RL. 7 is really no better with the over-runs; cross promotions; painful "celebrities" etc... As for 10, they butchered Larry Sanders (yes - that's a long grudge), Curb (or was that 9?) and the Office (US). Also the ads for SVU drive me nuts. Surely Elliot and Olivia would be fired by now for continually beating up cons and stealing kids...
Didn't think a blogger could top 2 weeks ago when someone casually slipped in the word "crocenbouche" in a post, but seeing reference to the "Snuggie" is pretty close. May need a Bogie category next year. I am just waiting for the scene where Kath and Kel are wearing them around the house - that material writes itself...

by Tim on June 23, 2009 at 04:41 PM

I've just finished the magnificent 'John Adams' and was mightily impressed. Does anyone know who has the rights to this mini-series?
On the subject of mini-series Channel Nine's HD channel show a mini-series every Monday and Tuesday on 12pm. So far they've shown the critically acclaimed 'The Reagans' and 'The Lion in Winter'. They slipped a little this week with some frumpy Musketeer rip off but it's a timeslot I'm looking out for in the future.

Tribal Mind replies: The pay station Showcase has the rights, and has shown it several times.

by merciless on June 23, 2009 at 05:15 PM

I smell a merchandising opportunity here TM. How about an exclusive range of mongrammed TM Snuggies for all of the fanboys/fangirls. I'm sure the first one will be shipped off to FJ, closely followed by mine which with have a BS insignia (approrpriate since most of my comments are BS!)
Until the departure of BL I was a Ch 7 fangirl on Monday, Ch 10 now on Tuesday with Mr Micallef (who is Teh Awesome) esepcially after making an episode of Rove watchable. BTW Master Nearly 8 is addicted to watching the Kevin Rudd PM serial on the interwebs.
ABC fangirlie on Wednesday, apart from that nothing else is piquing my interest exclusively (except for Crocenbouche Central on Masterchef). I mentioned last week that if it doesn't involve biffo, I avoid Ch Nork. None of the regulars here are network spies, but are most willing to be employed as such on ridiculously high retainers.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 23, 2009 at 05:25 PM

Wasn't J Bar talking up Masterchef and Recruits as much as a Scrubs and Desperate Housewives? Looked more like analysis that fanboyism. Is that a word? Is FJ upset because he is a 9 fanboy?

Tribal Mind corrects: The noun is fanboyeurism.

by matey on June 23, 2009 at 09:47 PM

Fanboys? Thanks for that mental scar.
JBar, you're the latest recipient of an attack by the roving blog-moralist. The roving blog-moralist trawls the internet seeking incidents of moral peril or unequal opinion and scolds said opinionator. Other people get a life.
Em, I too am a sheepish fan of 'MasterChef' (but NOT a fanboy). I share poor Julie's reluctance to kill things with faces. My self-therapy over this show has revealed that I like it because (a) It looks good. Nice set. Photos 'o' food. (b) The judges don't rip people to shreds just to get a cheap ratings bump. They give helpful advice. They actually commend people. (c) It's nice to see people with a skill instead of a talent. To see them get more skillful. (d) Sarah Wilson smiles. (e) At work we've been talking about how it's interesting how different contestants handle the kitchen better ie: Management technique. Yes, Management Technique.
Getting more sheepish by the second....
Hey, nice to see 'Grand Designs' back last night. That good tellie.

by darren on June 24, 2009 at 06:00 AM

J Bar seems to watch channel 9 so he/she will have something to complain about.
As for me, I don't have a favourite channel, just favourite shows like NRL, V8 supercars, Masterchef, Rules of engagement, My generation and NCIS.

by bobmar28 on June 24, 2009 at 06:48 AM

At the risk of being branded a Ten fanboy or partaking in fanboyeurism, how great is it that Masterchef is killing it in the ratings? I much prefer to watch something constructive and which builds people's self esteem rather than something that is destructive and tears people down. I'm glad they aren't going down the road of 'Game on, molls!' bitchfighting of Big Brother. That is soooo 2006. Looks like Channel 9 went down that well-beaten path with homeMADE and paid the price for it with a flop.

by wazza on June 24, 2009 at 07:13 AM

I am definitely not a Fangirl of any network. Pretty much the opposite really. I just like what I like and give praise where I think it's warranted. And get extremely annoyed by any network when they stuff my favorite shows around. I still haven't forgiven Nine for it's treatment of ER. Or Seven for it's treatment of Scrubs, 30 Rock, Boston Legal etc.etc. But if there is something on 7 or 9 that I want to see I watch it despite my grudge.

And thanks, Darren, for also admitting to liking Masterchef. I share your shame! And I agree with your comments. I am also getting the urge to cook from the show, which is something I tend to avoid as much as possible. The only thing domestic about me is that I live in a house!

As for house magnificent, Grand Designs last night was great. The building that emerged from the rubble was quite extraordinary. A great programme.

by em on June 24, 2009 at 07:48 AM

fanboy? I thought it was fanboi. Worth noting that a fanboi often accuses others of being a fanboi.
fanboi : 1. Derogatory. A person with an irrational attachment to a particular item or brand name, and an equally irrational dislike for competing brands or items.
2. A person who has a strong dislike of a paticular item or brand name may incorrectly refer to another who uses that product as a fanboi.

by greenie on June 24, 2009 at 07:49 AM

Great episode of NCIS last night. Can't wait for next season!

Loving Master Chef (does this make me a 10 fanboy?). It is great to watch and I think it is making us all much more keen to try things in the kitchen. We're even planning a Master Chef night where we all have to cook a dish with an ingredient selected by another - presentation is the key to judging. I think it's great that a TV show can get everyone talking and interested about food.

by Nic on June 24, 2009 at 07:50 AM

Did anyone else see the article in the SMH today about what 'The Chaser' is going to be making jokes about on their returned show tonight? Weird.
What, do they have to submit their scripts to journalists for approval now? There's going to be a skit about UteGate and maybe one about The Catholic Church. Ooooh, controversial.
Starting July 1, all people with unsunny senses of humour will be required to have a large yellow H sewn to their jackets and anyone with DVDs of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' or 'Black Books' will be "compelled" to bring them out into the streets for a public DVD burning.
Copies of 'UnderBelly' are okay though because that's just murder and drugs.
The world's gone mad.

by darren on June 24, 2009 at 08:40 AM

Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation just keeps climbing even further to a new high. I think Masterchef might have a new record high for a half hour 7pm-7:30pm episode too.

by J Bar on June 24, 2009 at 08:45 AM

Ch10 is smashing the opposition, top 3 shows. But when you look deeper into the figures one thing has enraged me. Grand Designs with a credible 999,000 could have gone over the magical 1 Million & risen higher in the listing but for one thing.......Adelaide, only 98K watched Kevin & his magnificent show. What do you think you're doing??? 196K of you watch NCIS, 175K watch TBYG & 171K watch Masterchef. I want answers & I want them now!!!! I'll tell you once & once only, get back to where you belong!!
I'm a ABC fanboy......there I've said it, now let's just move on, probably going to AA may be easier than "fanning" out.
With Foreign Correspondent starting at 8, we only watch the first half of Micallif's show (still think it needs a tweak, you certainly don't require many grey or white cells to watch it). FC was on Greece & the rioting there, (I never have understood anarchists, maybe they were looking for the athiest door but went into the wrong room & that's what turned them into strange people). So maybe Greece is a place to stay away from!! Kevin's Grand Designs again showed a couple with all the best intentions slipping into the mire...literally here as their "heritage" building was slipping down the hill!! For all those foodies I must put a plug in for SBS's Food Investigators (7:30 tonight), watched two recorded shows on the weekend & it is really informative. Which reminds me TM I'm still waiting for a photo of the female presenter.

by PJ453 on June 24, 2009 at 09:32 AM

Still the Three. Very funny TM and apt slogan for Nine. Obviously their current slogan 'Choose Nine' is not working. Maybe they should change it to 'Choose Nine, please, please, please'.
I see you're running photos of Seven shows alongside the ratings results for two days in a row. Hope nobody accuses you of Seven fanboyeurism.

by Anastasia on June 24, 2009 at 09:37 AM

@ darren
Thought that releasing a 'sneek peak' of the Chasers' content was only for the purposes of boosting awareness of its show and their ratings. People who aren't hardcore followers of the show generally wouldn't know that it's back on tonight.

by arthur on June 24, 2009 at 09:43 AM

Anyone else heard the rumours that Channel Nork, Still The Three, intend on cementing their position there by producing an Australian version of The Apprentice? Because recent US series of such have ended up in the graveyard on Ch Nork, as did the Sugar version of Ch 7. And other Nork reality shows have worked so well recently (see nondescript renovating show and oncoming nondescript Scrag Fight couples show).
Choose Nine. I'm seeing a Wham-esque advertising campaign. Back to the 80's with fluoro slogans and fluoro socks. "Choose Nine" in large fluoro letters on white t-shirts, with Karl Krapanovic and Dickie Wilkins as lead singers - "Turn us on, before we go-go".

by Bereft Skerrick on June 24, 2009 at 10:03 AM

This series of Grand Designs on ABC1 has been shown on Lifestyle much earlier this year so that will affect its ratings which is a shame as it is a great program (even though the poorly fed old guy on the daily SMH TV video "The Guide" doesn't like kevin therefore didn't like the program, please kevin makes this program work). Grand Designs, TimeTeam and Scrapheap Challenge all show how reality TV can work, being entertaining and not be stupifying, and you don't have to vote on anything by sms.

by ned on June 24, 2009 at 10:29 AM

All this fan boy talk, is that being used as a non sex specific, generic term or does it only apply to the male of the species? If, as I suspect, that it is not sex specific, shouldn't we consider using the term of "fan person" so as not to insult the modern day Germaine?

by Zjonn on June 24, 2009 at 10:36 AM

"Is Melissa Doyle hot or just sweetly pretty?" Hmmm, a question for the ages. Objectively, I'd go with sweetly pretty but still I wouldn't be surprised if one day her head starts revolving before flying off in a shower of sparks. Sweetly pretty in a Stepford-wives-kinda-way. The turtle's a babe.
Twill be interesting tonight to see what emerges with Seven bravely deciding to show TGYH (if my impression is correct) up against the Fuzball and 'MasterChef's 90 minute episode. I think TGYH will bleed more than 'MasterChef'. TGYH only rated 6th last week against MC at number 1. That was with no competition from Channel Nine (de-pussing weeping sores, unclogging arteries, cutting off arms and legs and curing chronic tinea are no competition, sorry).
Or maybe it won't be interesting at all.

by darren on June 24, 2009 at 11:26 AM

I'm seeing a Wham-esque advertising campaign. Back to the 80's with fluoro slogans and fluoro socks. "Choose Nine" in large fluoro letters on white t-shirts, with Karl Krapanovic and Dickie Wilkins as lead singers - "Turn us on, before we go-go".
* by Bereft Skerrick on June 24, 2009 at 10:03 AM
-----------------------------------
You had me tapping along there as well as humming the tune!! You sure you aren't a marketing executive? Maybe a guest appearance spot looms for you on the Ch9 version of the Gruen Transfer. If there isn't such a series in the pipeline at 9, it might be worth convincing them to rip-off ideas from networks other than the one that's been kicking their butts to date.
BTW, if you get the chance to finish the lyrics for the promo, can you consider integrating the line: "Don't switch us off, 'cause that's a No-No" somewhere? Ta...
TM asks:
Question of the day: Is Melissa Doyle hot or just sweetly pretty?
-------------------------------------
I guess it depends on how she's taken.
In the right light, makeup, shoes and clothes (or lack there-of) she could be as hot as any woman who isn't afraid of being so... otherwise she seems sweetly pretty.
I'd take her anyday either way... if she'd have me - but she's already taken. Story of my life really...

by Steve C on June 24, 2009 at 01:09 PM

Melissa Doyle is neither... I am about to confirm my reluctance to change, but Grand Designs has lost me because of the timeslot change. Not because of the show and not particularly because of any opposition. It just that GD (for me) was made for the 6pm-7pm timeslot - like Time Team. I just cannot get used it at 8:30pm. IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ME !

by Tim on June 24, 2009 at 01:36 PM

darren, Seven isn't gambling with TGYH tonight, at least not in Sydney. They have swapped Wednesday and Thursday's 7:30pm slot - tonight there will be Ghost Whisperer, TGYH is tomorrow night.
Bereft, your idea is only lacking the Channel Nein dancers, who all love to run past the camera, waving, as they lead the "celebrities" and "talent" onto the screen!
I don't think anybody could call Melissa Doyle hot. Isn't she a bit too wholesome for that title? I'm female, so I'm not exactly the best judge, but sweetly pretty seems to be the most fitting title.
Will be interesting to see how the MC/Biffo battle goes tonight. MC are bringing out the big guns with a 90 minute special, with a challenge around Hong Kong that has to be "seen to be believed"!
And since we are declaring our allegiances - I run to 9 for the Biffo - but only SOO or Dragons games, and the occasional two and a half men ep - only on a Tuesday night though, during the Packed to the Rafters off season - I wanted to like HomeMADE but it just was too crappy. I enjoy many ten programs, but that is probably because they are aiming it at my age group - the under 30s (for a few more months, at least, but come September that will change - does that mean I'll suddenly love SEVEN?!). But I can of course be turned! Ten is for my reality fix - SYTYCD, MasterChef, as well as TBYG (I'm such a Micallef fan, it only took everybody else 10 years to see what we've all been saying on here for a long time!!) and The Simpsons (which is worth it's weight in gold in terms of teachingn post modernism, or just keeping kids quiet for an hour or two!). But I hate crime programs, so I bounce to Seven on a Thursday night for the Greys/Private Practice double. As time goes by, I'm finding myself more and more addicted to SBS and ABC - which has been a nice surprise - ABC2 has some hidden treasures that I've enjoyed - Being Human and...that new British one set in the 90s whose name slips my mind at the moment. SBS - always Top Gear and Big Love - and speaking of, how much longer do we have to wait, for crying out loud! I want to see Season 3 already! I've been bought seasons 1 and 2, and watched it through a few times, come on, let's get moving on season 3!!
Finally - with all of the publicity about UK Top Gear and the "real" Stig being revealed - why is it that all of the articles written don't mention that at the end of the episode, Clarkson basically stated that it was just a joke? They are all stating that a certain someone was revealed as the real Stig, but only one (Tv Tonight) mentioned that at the end, the "real" stig did a test lap, drove very badly and Clarkson said "well, maybe he's not the Stig after all"... Do they really think they would give it up that easily?

by Beckala on June 24, 2009 at 03:06 PM

TM asks: Question of the day: Is Melissa Doyle hot or just sweetly pretty?
Personally I think for a turtle she's pretty hot, but I want to know who the woman is??
More on Grand Designs......heard Kevin being interviewed on radio (ofcourse on the ABC) yesterday going home & he said that there was going to be a Grand Designs Australia series. Hopefully it's not Ch9 as it would probably be called "Not so Grand Designs Australia"

by PJ453 on June 24, 2009 at 03:18 PM

Fanboys, Fanbois, Fangirls, Fanpersons. Fanbloodytastic.

by Bloke from the Sticks on June 24, 2009 at 03:25 PM

Me female, so can't comment on Melissa Doyle's "hotness".
However I have met her at the local dog park, and she is very attractive and very nice too.
(I don't watch morning television so can't comment on her show).
I am a Fanlady of Showcase on Fox. My favourite station. Was.
No watermarks, no ads, and excellent programs. But I screetched in horror last night - ads have arrived!
Certainly in between programs, not during, but I know it's the beginning of the end. It was too good to be true I guess. Sob. Stinking rotten hamburgers - I'd boycott them if I could remember who they were.

by Sal on June 24, 2009 at 04:04 PM

Channel Nork = Still the Turd?

by David @ Green Point on June 24, 2009 at 07:26 PM

TM,where are the regional viewer numbers ?

Tribal Mind replies: Last week's should be up on the OzTAM website by now. We don't deal with them here.

by doug on June 24, 2009 at 08:32 PM

Talking bout Your Generation is just about the biggest show of the week but it hasn't hurt the factuals The Zoo & Find My Family completely, which still don't do too badly. Maybe it's because Melissa Doyle is hot in the eyes of the fangents out there. I'm a fangirl of Hugh Sheridan and his 'hotness' as Ben Rafter is what's making me look forward to the return of Packed to the Rafters next week.

by reenie on June 24, 2009 at 09:55 PM

Grand Designs Australia - 3 stories are
in Sydney; one is in Mudgee, and one on the Gold Coast. Perhaps Kevin is making his way to Aus for it? It cannot be NINE (I hope) - really it cannot be anyone other than the ABC. Promise I will change and watch GDA...;) Oh, and thank you for reminding me of 'game on molls' (or should it be moles - minor...minor...) . It has rounded out the treble of great quotes in this blog in the last 3 weeks.

by Tim on June 24, 2009 at 10:08 PM

Thanks Beckala for clearing that up about TGYH. That's what I get for not reading TV Guides. Stoopid me, I thought Channel Seven were elaborately advertising TGYH on Tuesday night because they were gonna be showing it on Wednesday night in brave competition against the soofooty. What was I thinkin? Stoopid stoopid stoopid. Thank goodness they replaced it with such high kwality fare as 'The Ho Whisperer' (how can she see dead people when she can't even see through her falsies (lashes that is)?
I thought 'The Chaser' was a bit sharper last night. They've found a target instead of just aimlessly wandering from piss-take to piss-take.
I say, Arthur (and I say that fondly but will not use an emoticon), I sorta understand it was a reminder-promo for 'The Chaser' in the SMH tother day but if you squint your eyes it reads like an advance submission for public approval. I think everyone's being super touchy and wonder where it will all end up. As a Nazi state. Naturally.
Bereft Skerrick, thanks for finally coming up with a pun for Karl Krapanovic. I've been trying to nut that one out but failed.
Did come up with 'Catring Smi(g)le' for a certain melanoma victim but then that's a tad mean. She's not awful, just written that way.
I'm not gonna say anything about meeting Mel Doyle at the local dog park.....

by darren on June 25, 2009 at 05:58 AM

Melissa Doyle is not hot but I can tell you who is. Samantha Armitage, imho.

by bobmar28 on June 25, 2009 at 06:40 AM

I agree with you Darren. The Chaser boys certainly seemed sharper and funnier than they have been for the whole series this year. I think it was because they were taking the piss out of those in the news rather than doing sketches where they're trying to shock people rather than be funny.
Tim, I think the prime minister might adapt that 'Game on, molls!' catchphrase for the public servant moles with the cosy relationships with the opposition. With the prime minister's recent Strine attempts at sounding more Aussie, I can imagine him announcing 'Game on, moles!'.

by J Bar on June 25, 2009 at 07:48 AM

I have to say that I think the Chaser boys have had their day. Maybe last night was just a little over cautious. I did like them hunting down the PM and the Noddy sketch.

Master Chef was brilliant last night. Kind of like the Amazing Race with food.

by Nic on June 25, 2009 at 07:49 AM

The Chaser was very funny. Looks like the break helped them to re-invent their old selves to this viewers satisfaction.
The "Small Talk" interview show was lovely.
And picking on a "target their own size" in Rudd was very well conceived.

by David @ Wahroonga on June 25, 2009 at 08:51 AM

Just read the article by Miranda Devine about Masterchef. Seems your right, TM, cooking is not only a new sport but also sexy! Seems Masterchef has just hit the right note with people but it doesnt seem to follow that people will suddenly all flock to cooking shows. Ramsey's shows on Nine don't rate as highly as Masterchef and I don't recall Jamie Oliver doing that well on Ten either.
Must be that we like to see normal people doing their best to shine without any yelling, screaming or name calling going on , like BB. But I just can't see how, by any stretch of the imagination, judge Matt could be considered a sex symbol.
I mean, he seems a nice enough bloke but really, a sex symbol? I suppose it comes down to whatever bakes your cake!

by em on June 25, 2009 at 09:45 AM

Oh dear god, Matt Preston as a sex symbol? Excuse me while I ga-vomit (gag and vomit at the same time). (Scrubs quote, if you were wondering). The sounds that come out of that man's mouth while he is eating is just so... horrifying. On Nova the other morning, they put a sound grab on of when he was trying the yum cha challenge stuff and i'm surprised it didn't measure on the richter scale!
I think the reason MasterChef rated so high is because the football seemed like it was going to be a predictable loss for NSW. It was a hopeless game. Even worse, my set top box froze half way through the Chasers, so I will have to search ABC2 for it now!

by Beckala on June 25, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Fanlady and fangents. ?!? Now I've heard everything.
Liked the bit on Chaser where they said that only in Australia could you have Utegate. What next? Ugg Boot gate? Slab of VB gate? Good one boys.

by Bloke from the Sticks on June 25, 2009 at 10:44 AM

TM, do you have the figures for the Postcards special on Channel Nine Adelaide last night? It was shown at 7.30pm up against MasterChef and Thank God You're Here. Thanks.
Also, I have been watching the Hong Kong challenge of MasterChef all week. As I was born in HK, it is great to see the familiar streets and sights of the city again.

Tribal Mind replies: 103,000. Is that good?

by Johnson on June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Matt Preston's just poured into those white chinos......
Ahem....of course the down-side to the ascent of cooking is that we will now have nothing but. I'm sure I saw a promo last night for something with cooking kiddies (the kiddies are doing the cooking not being cooked) on Channel Nine, although it's getting difficult these days to distinguish between Channel Nine promos and nightmares. Maybe I dreamt it.
What I didn't dream was their promo last night for 'Rescue....something something Squad Patrol....thing' starring Libby Tanner and several other 'UnderBelly' rejects. Isn't Libby Tanner already starring in a police drama? Or something with doctors? Or paramedics? 'Patrol Squad' or 'Doctor Patrol' or 'Emergency Doctor Squad'......I've lost track. But full points to Nine for coming up with a new idea....

by darren on June 25, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Libby Tanner in All Saints was a nurse who also doubled up as an ambo. Does that really happen in real life? She was also a firie (firewoman? fireperson?) in Fireflies. So that's probably where you're remembering her from as a rescue/police person. With All Saints this year expanding to include MRU, the Medical Response Unit, seems like this show is just a rip-off of that or is it actually a rip-off the 90s series Police Rescue. Not a very imaginative title 'Rescue Special Ops'.

by J Bar on June 25, 2009 at 01:06 PM

Yeah Rescue Special Ops is not very imaginative when you consider we have had shows before like Police Rescue, Special Squad, Chopper Squad, Medivac and the name used in factuals like Bondi Rescue, RSPCA Animal Rescue, Search & Rescue and Outback Wildlife Rescue.

by wazza on June 25, 2009 at 03:24 PM

Nic: "Master Chef was brilliant last night. Kind of like the Amazing Race with food."
Yes! I saw a bit of MasterChef, recorded before something I actually wanted to watch, and thought that it looked like that travel pretend-reality competition rubbish that people seemed to like so much a while ago. Couldn't for the life of me remember the name of it though.
Yes, it was Amazing Race. Thanks Nic!
.......................................................
Loved The Chaser last night! I wondered how they'd handle their banishment. Would have switched off if they'd apologised sincerely, but they were great. Poor Kevvie, he really is a killjoy. Even John Howard was better at coping with The Chaser boys!

by Sal on June 25, 2009 at 04:01 PM

since I was watching the Biffo last night (BWAH to the Blues losing - only because of the shockingly bad team selections - serves the selectors right) I watched The Chaser (loved their The Stig Drives Your Car skit) on iview (the ABC video thingy). I then proceeded to watch the premiere episode of Torchwood I missed last week, and went to bed at 1am.
Just not seeing CravatGuy as a gourmands' sex symbol.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 25, 2009 at 06:14 PM

TM, thanks for the figures of Postcards in Adelaide last night. The audience of 103,000 is OK for the timeslot, but it meant the program came third behind MasterChef and TGYH.

by Johnson on June 25, 2009 at 07:41 PM

Watched Beautiful People on ABC2 ton ight following someone's recommendation on here. It really was hilarious and want to see more. Have to try and find the first ep somewhere.

by J Bar on June 25, 2009 at 10:19 PM

I'm taking seriously Ruth Ritchie's advice from her column a few weeks ago: any show with 'Patrol' in the title (and I expand the concept to include variants such as Squad, Rescue, Police, Emergency etc) is well worth avoiding.
But picture this: Libby Tanner and Georgie Parker star in a new series called 'Hero Police Nurse Patrol Emergency Vets' where they are ex-chefs and long lost sisters (separated at birth but re-united by a private detective played by Mel Doyle in a guest role) who fight crime in the Vet clinic and attend cute-doggie-threatening emergencies wearing snugly fitting overalls and moonlight as Police-women by night tracking down underworld crime figures on the mean streets of Melbourne (occasionally visiting Sydney to follow up on 30 year old leads) and generally sexing up the screen until one day one of them is hit by a car and finds herself in 1970's New York.....
Classic. And original.

by darren on June 26, 2009 at 05:59 AM

Thought I was watching world championship wrestling on the NRL Footy Show last light. Fatty, all but demanding that Gus Gould return to coaching. By the way has Fatty been botoxed? Not much movement on the forehead last night.

by Neil on June 26, 2009 at 06:45 AM

Also saw Chaser on iView which turned out to be pretty good. Especially the sketch about people acting negatively behind pollies, that cracked me up! Then again iView allows you to skip 'not-as-funny' moments so maybe my opinion is biased.
@ Neil - Makes sense for once! Most coaches would do better than Craig Bellamy in coaching the Blues.
TM, how did Private Practice go? Saw Grey's ratings decline which should result in a decrease of PP's usual ~840k.

Tribal Mind replies: Private Practice got 809,000.

by arthur on June 26, 2009 at 08:43 AM

Beautiful People is available on ABC iview. They have shows for about two weeks after screening for catch up. So JBar you have a few more days to watch the first episode.
Re Masterchef, did not want to watch, but watched an early episode and found the critics and chefs gave quite constructive comments, the fellow contestants really seemed to care about each other. Maybe more cooking and less recapping, but I really like Masterchef.

by Louise on June 26, 2009 at 09:22 AM

My God, trouble in paradise was BAD!

by TG on June 26, 2009 at 09:23 AM

Having TGYH on Thurs instead of Wed made our night really entertaining...except ofcourse with the usual going over time meant we missed the first few crutial minutes of Madmen (luckily able to compare notes with a workmate this morning) then finishing with Beautiful People (J Bar try ABC's iview....maybe they will have it) certainly the funniest 30 minutes on tv at the moment. eg Mother: "he came out of the womb wearing a top hat & tap shoes" Blind Sister in Law: " It's no wonder you needed stitches!" Love it.
darren....like your work, but if I may, could I put forward an "added" feature. Could they on weekends be volunteers on a busy beach then save people from a rip wearing their "snugly fitting overalls" which when becoming wet turn into "very snugly fitting one piece cossies" possibly in red?

by PJ453 on June 26, 2009 at 09:30 AM

So sad to hear the news about Michael Jackson today. He was a real talent in his peak and I have fond memories of his music at certain times in my life. As I think we all do.
Now to be cynical, I suppose all the Networks will rush to pay "tribute" to him by hastily putting together programms. Expect to see Molly Meldrum's memorys of MJ on Seven, Richard Wilkins doing a special on Nine and perhaps Rage on ABC doing a MJ film clip marathon.
His death will no doubt overshadow the sad news that Farrah Fawcet has also died. I used to watch Charlies Angels back in the day and remember loving it. She wasn't much of an actor but I remember envying that hair. I think many young women ran into their hairdressers wanting a Farrah hair do.
So RIP to both. Ahh, the memorys!

by em on June 26, 2009 at 09:34 AM

Thanks for tip Lousie and PJ435. I'll check out iView for a download of Beautiful People. My work seems to have blocked access to that part of the site, so I couldn't check to see if it's available.
You're quite right em. Nine rushes a Michael Jackson special to air tomorrow night.

by J Bar on June 26, 2009 at 11:53 AM

3 icons from the 60's, 70's and 80's gone in the same week (I'm referring to Ed McMahon as well).
Then there's the fake rumour going around about Jeff Goldblum falling off a cliff in NZ. Many people have "fallen" prey to that story, including Tom Cruise and Bill Cosby.
A ponderance - why doesn't any ever start a rumour about Vyle Randypants falling off a cliff? Guess you'd have to be famous and relatively popular and successful I guess.
You thought that there was hysteria when Ledger died. The tabloids are going to be dining off this one for weeks. Begging for the first "dead body" photo. Invasive hunting off his offspring. A comment from Kevin Rudd coming shortly I'm sure. A Rage retrospective I can understand, because they'd be playing the music, not the man.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 26, 2009 at 12:19 PM

Oh god, I can no longer stomach it - was visiting a friend earlier and she was glued to the tv watching a story about Farrah's death - it was called something gag inducing like The Life and Death of an Angel. Yes, I know it's sad when someone dies relatively young but puhlease people, get a grip. Ditto Michael Jackson - as far as I'm concerned the person who created Thriller etc "died" years ago. Watched a documentary on auntie last night made by a man who survived the genocide in Rwanda - it made everything else seem trivial.

by Shoopie on June 26, 2009 at 12:45 PM

@ Em:
Channel 9 already at it.
90 minute Jacko special tomorrow night. Special edition Nine News on at the moment.
Extended Today show this morning
etc. etc.

by cronker on June 26, 2009 at 03:26 PM

Ed McMahon as well? A name many younger readers wouldn't recognise, but fans of Johnny Carson would... if they had stayed up late enough for Nein to broadcast it. (And you young'uns reckon that stations just started this "let's move x to boost y and push z to whenever" recently... Hah)
Wasn't really into Farah, more a brunette man meself *grin* at that stage. Knew guys who did have THAT poster in their bedroom, when I had Salvadore Dali posters.
Jacko: what can one say that won't be said ad infinitum per deim. If you don't know who he is... you'll be able to learn all plus more in the forthcoming weeks. Bet there are a few State and Federal Pollies who wish his death had occurred a week earlier. Looks like I'd better sleep tomorrow to watch Rage. Or watch it tonight......?

by Furlozza on June 26, 2009 at 04:49 PM

I posted earlier re Farrah and Jacko but I seem to have been censored - now I know how the Chaser boys feel.
I will try to recapture the essence of what I said earlier but as you know, it's never as good the second time around.
I was visiting a friend earlier today and she was totally engrossed in a show about FF called the gag-inducing name of "The Death of an Angel" or something. Gee, I must have missed something - has anyone's life been saved by FF or her hair? Well, perhaps a relationship may have been saved by a new haircut - who knows. Ditto Michael Jackson - accidentally exposed myself to Peter Overton interviewing Dick W re the great tradegy that is Jacko's death . Hey, Channel Nein, Dick's opinion on anything is not NEWS. Anyhoo, the way things are going I fully expect a politician to offer Jacko a state funeral.
Did anyone see the doco on auntie last night about Rwanda? It was made by a young man who survived. If only the same people who are so distraught over the deaths of 2 celebrities cared half as much about the horrific deaths of thousands of people.
Rant over.
Hey, TM, I saw you on Can We Help!

by Shoopie on June 26, 2009 at 06:46 PM

Very interesting week. IMO Seven will fall to third this week (their schedule tonight is quite poor), with Ten second and Nine first (thanks only to The Origin and cashing in Michael's death with their special tonight).

by Dino on June 27, 2009 at 09:50 AM

Yes Shoopie, I saw TM on 'Can We Help?'too! It was a tad exciting I thought!!
The Lost and Found part of the show usually makes me cry.

by 2paw on June 27, 2009 at 10:34 AM

TM, can you post the ratings for Extra, which was shown for the final time on Channel Nine in Brisbane yesterday afternoon to make way for another current affairs show THISafternoon (I hate the spelling anyway) which starts next week. Did Extra beat Deal or No Deal? Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: 244,000, so it beat DOND's 140,000.

by Johnson on June 27, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Hey TM - do you have any numbers for the movies 'The Stepford Wives' (a truly awful film) and 'Catch & Release', these were the alternatives to biffo in the respective territories - also any ratings for 'Til Death?
Cheers

Tribal Mind replies: SW Sydney 189,000, Brisbane 135,000; C&R 215,000 Melbourne, 58,000 Adelaide, 97,000 Perth; TD 216,000 Melbourne, 68,000 Adelaide, 79,000 Perth. Now what's your prediction for this week's winer.

by Jason on June 27, 2009 at 02:23 PM

Agree with Dino, the Jacko special looks like it might get Nine over the line, it also depends on how good the AFL games and Rugby international are, a close Aus v France game might tip Seven over the line, can't see Ten winning with the games they have (+ the italian job in Sydney).
1. Nine
2. Seven
3. Ten

by Ric on June 27, 2009 at 03:51 PM

Thanks TM - I think Nine will get over the line with the MJ special

by Jason on June 27, 2009 at 07:29 PM

Dead heat of all three by Friday. Saturday programming has never been this important before.

Tribal Mind asks: And so ...? What is your prediction?

by J Bar on June 27, 2009 at 07:32 PM

Hey TM do you have any Adelaide ratings for the AFL game Adelaide vs Sydney broadcast in Adelaide from 5:30pm Saturday on Channel 10? The Adelaide figures you have for Saturday afternoon AFL I'm assuming are for Collingwood vs Fremantle broadcast in Adelaide at 1:30pm Saturday as they seem very low. Cheers.

Tribal MInd replies: I've scrutinised the Saturday chart for Adelaide only, and it contains these references to games that involve kicking balls:
3 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 124,000
24 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 42,000
41 SIMPLY FOOTY Ten 19,000
43 SEVEN'S R.U: AUS V FRANCE Seven 18,000
57 THE SANFL-PM ABC1 13,000
112 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 2,000
I hope one of those is what you are looking for.

by Dave on June 28, 2009 at 10:40 AM

TM, I didn't get to see your question before the ratings came out but I had a feeling that Nine would just get over the line with that swifty reprogramming, although by all accounts hastily compiled, Michael Jackson special. It was a clever move and it boosted Funniest Home Videos too. I knew they would already do well with later the Tennis from Wimbledon because Lleyton Hewitt was playing but the movie they had originally scheduled seemed like a bit of a miss so could have lost it for them. The problem with Rugby and AFL for Seven and Ten is that they are not consistently succesful in all states across Australia and while sport is popular, the target audience often watches those games out at the pubs and clubs on Saturday nights.

by J Bar on June 28, 2009 at 02:24 PM

I must agree with Shoopie and honestly do not give a damn about some over adulated has-been killing himself with drugs. I have considerably more sympathy for people in countries where church and local customs combine, often aided by the self righteous hypocrites who run these organisations in the West, to inflict death and duress on their adherents, simply for a few dollars as many dollars add up to a lot of money. But then again, I am of that demographic which none of the networks could give a stuff about, so my opinion doesn't really matter.

by Zjonn on June 28, 2009 at 02:27 PM

I can see the Channel Nork gibbons now, rubbing their hands together with glee. Methinks Ch Nork have have won with the figures, but I think the moral-not-trading-on-death-to-win-ratings victory goes to Ch Shirl. If they can find one more way to strengthen their lineup this week I think they may well win this coming week! And *gasp I can't believe that I'm saying this, consider what they did to Torchwood etc* they deserve it. Ch 7 is getting too cocky, Ch Nork have run out of, erm, norks.

by Bereft Skerrick on June 28, 2009 at 03:47 PM

Can't remember the last time that Seven ran third.
Enjoy your time at the top while it lasts Nein! (For one week)

by arthur on June 29, 2009 at 08:31 AM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

The Who We Are update: Week 26

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