The Who We Are Update: Week 28

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This forum is now a heritage item - worth studying but no longer current.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 nominate the most bingeworthy TV series on DVD, go toThe Tribal Mind.
To discuss whether Australians are too dumb to function in the 21st century, go to Who We Are.

The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday
Julie won MasterChef. Go to The TV shows Australia loved to see if the finale created a ratings record. Then go to The new week's blog to tell us what you make of the result.

Readers who were shocked by the ending of Grey's Anatomy on Thursday night should go here and after that also here for a modicum of solace. You will find interviews by Entertainment Weekly with the show's creator, Shonda Rimes, and answers to who will survive to next season. The finale pulled an extra 200,000 viewers to GA, and helped Channel Seven push Channel Nine to third place in audience share.

Then on Friday, a non-competitive episode of MasterChef helped Ten to counteract any footy advantage enjoyed by Seven and Nine (and if you're someone who prefers kicking to cooking, every bit of biffo for Friday and Saturday, no matter how esoteric, is presented in the charts below).

On Saturday, Harry Potter conjured a nightly win for Nine, but that wasn't enough to save it from humiliation for the week, which ended with these prime time audience shares: Ten 26.4 per cent, Seven 24.8, Nine 24.5, ABC 15.6, SBS 8.7. That's not supposed to happen in a State of Origin week.

This was Pay TV's account of itself: "In the month of July, subscription TV has an abundance of high quality sport bringing viewers to the platform. Live: NRL Titans v Eels on FOX Sports had 259,000 viewers, while Saturday's night's first Tri-Nations match between Australia and New Zealand, Live: Rugby Union: Bledisloe Cup, was watched by 230,000 people and Live: AFL West Coast v St Kilda by 224,000 people. Live: Cricket: Ashes: Day 5 Session 1 had 216,000 viewers, Live: AFL: On the Couch had its biggest audience of the year so far with 143,000 viewers and Live: Golf: British Open Round 1 Part 1 was seen by 93,000 viewers (all on FOX Sports).

"In entertainment programming, FOX8's America's Next Top Model was seen by 115,000 people, Hannah Montana on Disney Channel had its best audience of the year so far with 107,000 viewers, NCIS on TV1 was watched by 103,000 people and the new season of Project Runway Australia on Arena was watched by 97,000 people.

"In week 29, STV channels were the number one source of TV around Australia, accounting for 20.9% of all metropolitan viewing between 6am and midnight, 20.8% of all regional viewing and 55.5% of all viewing in subscription TV homes."

What Australia watched, week ending July 18
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 2,193,000 592,000 764,000 352,000 221,000 264,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - CHALLENGE Ten 1,981,000 568,000 638,000 335,000 204,000 236,000
3 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE 3RD - MATCH Nine 1,907,000 837,000 279,000 659,000 66,000 66,000
4 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,794,000 473,000 582,000 351,000 186,000 202,000
5 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,668,000 349,000 522,000 407,000 142,000 248,000
6 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,639,000 453,000 549,000 361,000 169,000 107,000
7 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,601,000 449,000 434,000 321,000 170,000 227,000
8 SURF PATROL Seven 1,532,000 375,000 475,000 316,000 172,000 193,000
9 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,492,000 416,000 469,000 244,000 162,000 201,000
10 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,488,000 430,000 388,000 307,000 159,000 203,000
11 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,406,000 444,000 342,000 409,000 120,000 91,000
12 RECRUITS Ten 1,383,000 392,000 437,000 212,000 135,000 206,000
13 DANCING WITH THE STARS 9 Seven 1,357,000 372,000 395,000 306,000 134,000 150,000
14 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,356,000 395,000 365,000 302,000 147,000 147,000
15 SEA PATROL Nine 1,346,000 362,000 399,000 232,000 157,000 196,000
16 MERLIN Ten 1,299,000 388,000 349,000 229,000 145,000 188,000
17 NEW TRICKS ABC1 1,239,000 390,000 354,000 197,000 150,000 149,000

18 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Nine 1,228,000 277,000 438,000 283,000 107,000 122,000
19 AIR WAYS Seven 1,216,000 324,000 367,000 239,000 116,000 170,000
20 HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE -RPT Nine 1,205,000 341,000 403,000 219,000 119,000 123,000
21 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,200,000 392,000 374,000 187,000 110,000 137,000
22 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,192,000 336,000 374,000 185,000 169,000 128,000
23 NINE NEWS Nine 1,181,000 309,000 404,000 250,000 122,000 97,000
24 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,179,000 384,000 390,000 165,000 101,000 139,000
25 RUSH Ten 1,177,000 315,000 406,000 176,000 131,000 148,000
26 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,139,000 326,000 344,000 257,000 102,000 111,000
27 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,112,000 313,000 352,000 190,000 120,000 136,000
28 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,105,000 281,000 364,000 134,000 146,000 180,000
29 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,103,000 288,000 372,000 249,000 110,000 84,000
30 THE SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,087,000 213,000 463,000 109,000 127,000 176,000
31 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,082,000 187,000 458,000 159,000 147,000 132,000
32 BONES Seven 1,071,000 284,000 312,000 226,000 113,000 136,000
33 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,068,000 310,000 299,000 217,000 118,000 123,000
34 ROVE Ten 1,050,000 253,000 361,000 220,000 104,000 112,000
35 60 MINUTES Nine 1,029,000 267,000 334,000 234,000 92,000 102,000
36 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 1,010,000 306,000 360,000 142,000 101,000 102,000
37 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 1,007,000 293,000 350,000 114,000 116,000 134,000
38 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL GREAT DEBATE Ten 1,006,000 259,000 297,000 201,000 110,000 141,000
39 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,004,000 269,000 333,000 207,000 88,000 107,000
40 THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS Nine 1,003,000 305,000 303,000 167,000 115,000 113,000

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,406,000 444,000 342,000 409,000 120,000 91,000
2 NEW TRICKS ABC1 1,239,000 390,000 354,000 197,000 150,000 149,000
3 HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE -RPT Nine 1,205,000 341,000 403,000 219,000 119,000 123,000
4 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,139,000 326,000 344,000 257,000 102,000 111,000
5 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,082,000 187,000 458,000 159,000 147,000 132,000
6 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC1 996,000 294,000 296,000 182,000 115,000 110,000
9 THE BILL ABC1 796,000 238,000 227,000 117,000 85,000 129,000
10 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 723,000 Not shown 390,000 65,000 128,000 140,000
14 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 525,000 97,000 249,000 41,000 72,000 66,000
16 SEVEN'S R.U: BLEDISLOE CUP: N Z V AUS Seven 491,000 234,000 32,000 176,000 11,000 38,000
21 THE 2009 ASHES: TEST2 DAY3 S1 SBS ONE 383,000 145,000 73,000 83,000 45,000 37,000
113 VFL FOOTBALL 2009 ABC1 52,000 Not shown 52,000 Not shown
122 RUGBY UNION: SHUTE SHIELD (NSW) 2009-PM ABC1 44,000 44,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown Not shown
147 RUGBY LEAGUE: (QLD) 2009 ABC1 30,000 Not shown Not shown 30,000 Not shown Not shown
161 THE SANFL-PM ABC1 22,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown 22,000 Not shown
164 SATURDAY LATE NIGHT AFL Ten 20,000 20,000 Not shown
Not shown Not shown Not shown
172 WAFL LIVE LEAGUE FOOTBALL 2009 ABC1 14,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown Not shown 14,000
189 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 8,000 Not shown 4,000 Not shown 2,000 2,000
205 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 16: ESSENDON VS WESTERN BULLDOGS Seven 5,000 1,000 Not shown 4,000 Not shown Not shown
210 SIMPLY FOOTY ONE 2,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown 2,000 Not shown
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 1,950,000 535,000 647,000 325,000 193,000 251,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,398,000 381,000 392,000 269,000 149,000 207,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,251,000 369,000 361,000 223,000 133,000 165,000
4 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,200,000 392,000 374,000 187,000 110,000 137,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,109,000 328,000 359,000 223,000 116,000 84,000
6 NEIGHBOURS Ten 998,000 304,000 300,000 190,000 97,000 108,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 981,000 291,000 266,000 207,000 109,000 108,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 979,000 272,000 304,000 225,000 102,000 75,000
9 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 971,000 253,000 264,000 192,000 117,000 146,000
10 TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION: RULES OF THE GAME ABC1 912,000 288,000 254,000 122,000 114,000 135,000
17 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 16: ESSENDON VS WESTERN BULLDOGS Seven 628,000 11,000 396,000 10,000 121,000 90,000
21 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 547,000 288,000 259,000
23 THE 2009 ASHES: TEST2 DAY2 S1 SBS ONE 479,000 154,000 153,000 73,000 52,000 47,000
27 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 412,000 254,000 158,000
87 TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 HIGHLIGHTS SBS ONE 121,000 47,000 23,000 21,000 13,000 17,000
154 POKER: PCA ONE 44,000 12,000 16,000 4,000 7,000 5,000
190 BOXING: KO TV CLASSIC ONE 21,000 2,000 8,000 3,000 7,000 3,000
202 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 16,000 10,000 2,000 4,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 2,360,000 648,000 844,000 363,000 228,000 276,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,607,000 431,000 425,000 341,000 184,000 226,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,460,000 406,000 364,000 319,000 174,000 197,000
4 GREY'S ANATOMY Seven 1,356,000 395,000 365,000 302,000 147,000 147,000
5 RUSH Ten 1,167,000 312,000 403,000 175,000 130,000 147,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,140,000 295,000 360,000 279,000 119,000 87,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,096,000 299,000 355,000 257,000 106,000 78,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 999,000 275,000 261,000 233,000 115,000 115,000
9 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 974,000 252,000 307,000 170,000 117,000 128,000
10 TRUE BEAUTY Seven 970,000 309,000 283,000 162,000 101,000 114,000
27 FRIENDS RPT Ten 509,000 127,000 166,000 105,000 48,000 62,000
28 THE 2009 ASHES: TEST2 DAY1 S1 SBS ONE 495,000 162,000 160,000 75,000 55,000 43,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
At this rate, Sunday's finale of Masterchef could top the magic 3 million mark and Channel Ten could beat both Seven and Nine for the week. Last night's 2.23 million in the mainland capitals was Ten's biggest audience number of any show this year. It even beat the biffo, suggesting Australians would rather cook than kick. Although Nine won last night, the prime time shares for the week stand at: Ten 26.5 per cent, Seven 25.4, Nine 24.7, ABC 15.3, SBS 8.0.

We're looking for two predictions: who will win MasterChef, and how many people in the mainland capitals will watch Sunday's final? Go to Comments to display your futurological skills. Personally, this column is saying Poh and 3 million.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 2,231,000 592,000 793,000 360,000 225,000 262,000
2 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE 3RD - MATCH Nine 1,842,000 795,000 268,000 647,000 67,000 65,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,559,000 447,000 397,000 327,000 166,000 222,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,479,000 440,000 352,000 324,000 157,000 206,000
5 STATE OF ORIGIN RUGBY LEAGUE NSW V QLD 3RD - POST MATCH Nine 1,343,000 812,000 531,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,219,000 295,000 429,000 251,000 136,000 109,000
7 THE SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,142,000 229,000 483,000 119,000 131,000 179,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,120,000 344,000 298,000 215,000 123,000 140,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,108,000 275,000 378,000 258,000 116,000 81,000
10 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,105,000 281,000 364,000 134,000 146,000 180,000
13 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC1 987,000 240,000 322,000 133,000 147,000 145,000
16 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 956,000 287,000 285,000 206,000 93,000 86,000
25 THE COOK AND THE CHEF ABC1 637,000 162,000 206,000 102,000 68,000 99,000
34 HUEY'S COOKING ADVENTURES Ten 416,000 104,000 123,000 81,000 58,000 50,000
44 FOOD INVESTIGATORS SBS ONE 297,000 106,000 84,000 38,000 37,000 33,000
61 READY STEADY COOK Ten 226,000 48,000 74,000 29,000 33,000 41,000
69 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED Nine 196,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown 97,000 99,000
105 THE COOKS RPT Ten 99,000 35,000 31,000 13,000 8,000 12,000
163 THE COOK AND THE CHEF MOMENTS-PM ABC2 45,000 33,000 7,000 4,000 0 1,000
165 ALIVE AND COOKING -RPT Nine 43,000 19,000 24,000

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 2,191,000 609,000 731,000 374,000 226,000 252,000
2 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,791,000 471,000 581,000 351,000 186,000 202,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,627,000 425,000 476,000 323,000 183,000 221,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,531,000 408,000 414,000 324,000 173,000 212,000
5 SURF PATROL Seven 1,526,000 374,000 473,000 315,000 172,000 193,000
6 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,495,000 417,000 470,000 244,000 163,000 201,000
7 AIR WAYS Seven 1,216,000 325,000 367,000 239,000 116,000 169,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,206,000 330,000 416,000 234,000 119,000 107,000
9 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,202,000 339,000 377,000 188,000 170,000 129,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,193,000 342,000 396,000 242,000 126,000 87,000
14 HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN -RPT Nine 978,000 322,000 310,000 134,000 107,000 106,000
36 SUNRISE Seven 333,000 85,000 77,000 92,000 29,000 50,000
39 TODAY Nine 280,000 78,000 97,000 58,000 19,000 29,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Ten 2,119,000 541,000 750,000 331,000 228,000 269,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,814,000 562,000 482,000 344,000 170,000 256,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,699,000 524,000 446,000 338,000 157,000 233,000
4 RECRUITS Ten 1,375,000 390,000 434,000 210,000 135,000 205,000
5 SEA PATROL Nine 1,350,000 364,000 399,000 233,000 158,000 196,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,207,000 294,000 446,000 255,000 116,000 97,000
7 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,170,000 381,000 387,000 164,000 100,000 138,000
13 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 1,005,000 228,000 329,000 183,000 128,000 138,000
18 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 983,000 341,000 247,000 189,000 102,000 104,000
26 TOP GEAR SBS ONE 742,000 183,000 232,000 167,000 74,000 86,000
29 HOT SEAT Nine 688,000 166,000 239,000 147,000 80,000 57,000
36 SEVEN NEWS AT 4.30 Seven 410,000 114,000 118,000 89,000 52,000 36,000
55 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS SBS ONE 275,000 94,000 68,000 45,000 26,000 42,000
63 THIS AFTERNOON Nine 233,000 79,000 80,000 37,000 20,000 18,000
77 30 ROCK Seven 169,000 62,000 42,000 23,000 32,000 10,000
109 GOOD GAME ABC2 97,000 39,000 12,000 14,000 8,000 24,000
What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - CHALLENGE Ten 1,978,000 567,000 637,000 335,000 204,000 235,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,668,000 349,000 522,000 407,000 142,000 248,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,640,000 453,000 548,000 361,000 172,000 106,000
4 DANCING WITH THE STARS 9 Seven 1,357,000 372,000 395,000 306,000 134,000 150,000
5 MERLIN Ten 1,299,000 388,000 349,000 229,000 145,000 188,000
6 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Nine 1,224,000 276,000 436,000 282,000 107,000 123,000
7 BONES Seven 1,075,000 285,000 313,000 228,000 114,000 136,000
8 ROVE Ten 1,049,000 253,000 360,000 220,000 104,000 112,000
9 60 MINUTES Nine 1,019,000 265,000 331,000 230,000 92,000 101,000
10 THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS Nine 998,000 303,000 302,000 167,000 114,000 112,000
13 AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE ABC1 876,000 277,000 204,000 137,000 124,000 135,000
14 CASTLE Seven 831,000 209,000 281,000 147,000 91,000 102,000
22 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 540,000 335,000 205,000
23 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 15: MELBOURNE VS PORT ADELAIDE Seven 487,000 42,000 267,000 45,000 134,000
56 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 ONE 187,000 34,000 64,000 40,000 28,000 21,000
62 AFL GAME DAY Seven 168,000 99,000 35,000 34,000
75 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 15: WEST COAST VS ST KILDA Seven 131,000 131,000
90 SUPER LEAGUE Nine 76,000 48,000 29,000
117 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 15: HAWTHORN VS NORTH MELBOURNE Seven 36,000 36,000
139 DURAN DURAN: LIVE FROM WEMBLEY ARENA 2000 ABC2 26,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
159 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL LATE Nine 16,000 8,000 3,000 5,000

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

Great ratings for sunday rugby league, 540k in a non ratings timeslot. Must be the Dragons factor!
But surely these figures are rigged:
139 DURAN DURAN: LIVE FROM WEMBLEY ARENA 2000 ABC2 26,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 (5k in every city)
TM, are you able to get the ratings for Good Game (ABC2 tonight 8.30pm)? No ratings have been made available for that show previously and I'd like to see how it normally goes. I predict about 40k as a wild guess.

Tribal Mind asks: What do you mean the figures for the Duran Duran concert were rigged? Is 26,000 too high or too low? I like to throw in a few surprises from the bottom of the chart occasionally.

by arthur on July 13, 2009 at 09:50 AM

Hey TM,
Do you know how the season finale of 24 rated last night on Seven? It's a shame more people aren't still into this show, it's brilliant.

Tribal Mind replies: It was not shown in Melbourne for some reason, but total in other capitals was 157,000.

by Samuel on July 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM

No more Hughesy on Rove! Yippee!!! Make the bad man go away!
How about those Dragons eh Arthur & Beckala? Red and White Dynamite!
Can't add much else haven't been watching much TV!

Tribal Mind asks: Is this a reference to something happening on Merlin?

by Dragon Fan on July 13, 2009 at 11:11 AM

This might be old news to some but I read that 9's "Trouble in Paradise" is being axed after just 3 shows. This was surely the most bizarre piece of program timing in commercial television history - a 1hr show chronicling the potential horrors of overseas travel, straight after a 1hr show (Getaway) about how great it is to travel abroad. It was like: "Look at all these exotic places ... where you could get raped, bashed and kidnapped. Yay!"

by NK on July 13, 2009 at 11:16 AM

@ DD - Rigged in the sense that every city recorded the same level amount (5000). Come on!
@ Dragon Fan - awesome eh! Actually watched it again as we were so good!
@ NK - well axing or moving Trouble In Paradise would make good sense, given its original timeslot!

Tribal Mind remarks: I think 5000 means OzTAM could find only 2 viewers in its sample for that city.

by arthur on July 13, 2009 at 01:09 PM

Is Dance Your Ass Off a sign that the WHOLE Nine network has jumped the shark? I still cannot work out if the show is for real...
Not even Harry could save them last week and I like the cynical scheduling of another HP on Tuesday to try and get the numbers up early in the week with the State of Origin on Wednesday.
Those numbers seem disappointing for Dancing with the Stars (don't watch so I cannot confirm or deny if there are any ass-es on screen)

by Tim on July 13, 2009 at 01:56 PM

No TM. Understandable how you would think that but i believe he's referring to a fellow poster called Arthur and the rugby league Dragons.
How did the F1 rate with Webber winning and all?

Tribal Mind replies: I've taken a guess at what you might mean and put it in the chart.

by Mike on July 13, 2009 at 02:09 PM

Tim, I think 'Darnce Yer Arse Orf' is a Melanoma Moment for Nine ie: watch us, we're dying we're dying...
Same thing seems to have prompted another go at 'The Farmer Wants a Root' (did anyone watch this year's earlier series?) and 'Australia's Best Couple' (or whatever the hell it's called). I have the feeling there's going to be plenty of repeats of 'Two and a Half Men' in the next few months as everything on Nine dies in it's respective timeslot. Channel Nine seems to have discovered Reality TV just as it goes tits over arse into extinction. If it wasn't so pathetic it'd be funny.

by darren on July 14, 2009 at 08:40 AM

Did anybody get the feeling that even the voice over lady was cringeing when she had to say 'Dance Your Ass Off' on those promos. darren, I don't think she would have felt any more comfortable saying 'Dahnse Your Arse Off'. I can feel a 2.5 Men marathon comindg soon to that timeslot.
What's the story with Nine picking up this third rate series from an American pay tv channel? Same question to Seven and that cringeworthy 'True Beauty' reality show, also from american pay tv.

by J Bar on July 14, 2009 at 09:32 AM

Masterchef was excellent last night - who knew watching pies being made could be so intense. Dirty hat Man or his lady to go this evening - please!

by Shell on July 14, 2009 at 09:53 AM

Instead of Nine hitting us over the head with more "reality" rubbish how about actually showing a show they still have 2 season of? Nine has season 14 and the final season , 15, of ER stashed away in the attics somewhere. Why not show it now when you have nothing else to air worth airing? I really, really want to see the end of a series I have followed for years and can't see why Nine refuses to show it. I caught up on season 13 on Foxtel but they obviously don't have the rights to 14 & 15 as they finished it with the season finale of 13. If Nine don't want to air it how about passing it onto Foxtel who will give it a decent run at least?

I know I've complained about this before but surely I can't be the only ER fan who would like to see the final series without having to go out and buy it. (though it isn't out on DVD yet, I've checked)

I am really, really pleased Nine is getting the ratings it deserves at the moment. Pity tomorrow nights SOG will no doubt give them a win. But I am banking on Ten to put them where they deserve to be. Third!!

by em on July 14, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Wow SBS got above 10% even without the Ashes.
Still think that Ten will lose the week as their Thursday to Saturday is very weak (bar Masterchef weekday shows).
Know what Good Game got (ABC2 Mon night 8.30pm)?

Tribal MInd replies: In the chart now

by arthur on July 14, 2009 at 10:40 AM

Curses! I posted as my alter ego, Dragon Fan, yesterday (who is still very much female - I wonder why a Biffo fan is automatically judged as male BTW).
Ten may be laughing on Sunday morning, but with the imminent departure of Masterchef from our screens I predict their golden age is about to decline. Their new 7pm show? Certainly won't be Must.See.TV in my household.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 14, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Em you are not the only ER fan awaiting for Nein to show the remainder of the series... I agree that surely instead of the 20th showing of 2.5 men they could schedule in an ER or 2.
Mrs Skerrick if you are wondering why Beckala has not rejoiced on the dragons win (I picked the other team) on the weekend I know she is in sunnier climes - Mr Beckala works with me.
For those of us who discovered the very clever Eureka on Ten HD before it became all sport all the time - Ten is showing it (Midnight or so on friday nights starting on 24 July - Whoo Hoo!). Also speaking of finishing off series apparently 7 has included Las Vegas in the late night schedule from Sunday 26 July - at 10.30 (with a lot of ish thrown in methinks).
Plus 10 has an advanced screening of Glee this sunday after all the Masterchef hooha- have heard all good things about it so will give it a go.
And in the final programming apparently Nein is going to continue Cold Case on Wednesdays - will believe it when I record it.
Still enjoying Spooks - clever ep last night with links to the GFC.

by Cathy on July 14, 2009 at 12:32 PM

Just read that Chris & Juila on Masterchef are an item? Yuck! She must have inhaled too many cooking fumes!
Never a Poh fan but anyone who beats Chris is ok by me. I don't care who ends up winning as long as it isn't dirty hat guy!
BTW isn't there some kind of food regulation that would stop him from wearing a hat in a commercial kitchen? And if so, why is he allowed to cook on Masterchef with a hat on? Or does he just look too hideous for TV without it? Big bald spot? Scabby head? What??

by em on July 14, 2009 at 12:52 PM

The 2nd half of the year is generally good for Ten. Not sure why people think with MasterChef out of the way, Ten's ratings will slide into the abyss. There is always Idol!!
I watched Talkin' bout your generation for the first time tonight and I'm not sure if this has already been said, but this show is just a poor man's version of Good News Week. It lacks the wit and intelligence of Paul and Mikey yet rates 50-60% better. Bizarre.

Tribal Mind wonders: Have you ever watched Spicks and Specks?

by Peter on July 14, 2009 at 08:52 PM

Just when Masterchef is heating up more and more I can't view it! Have so much to see when I get back down under. DWTS is back on with awful slogans? Hmm. What's going through my head at the moment is what happened to Homer, "No TV and no beer make Homer something, something."
Has Ice Age 3 come out or is coming out soon? It seems to be a very popular one to see out in Europe. Along with Harry Potter that is. Gosh, I'm guessing there might be a column devoted to that?

by Kym on July 15, 2009 at 02:07 AM

I thought I was following Chris to work this morning. He was driving a 1982 Toyota Corona Avante at about 30 km/h in a 60 zone and resting a fat stupid arm on the windowsill in seven degree wind. But, no, it was just some old guy in a hat.
Julia and Chris will have big-eared babies.
I'm glued to 'MasterChef' all week whether I like it or not. Rooting in the American Sense for Justine. How about Po last night, unleashing (as Matt said) the A-Po-Calypse?? Eh? Eh? A-Po-Calypse!! Ha ha ha ha. Oh, Po....
Bereft Skerrick a.k.a. Dragon Fan (and perhaps Arthur...you're Arthur as well, right?) er, yeah, about 'The 7 PM Project', I'll be watching for Carrie Bickmore but she's almost out-nobbed by Charlie Pickering (can't standim), James Bugeyes Mathison and Dave Hughesie Hughes. Don't know much about MTV's Rubie Rose but I'm sure she's like cool an stuff. The thing that's confusing is, if you're showing "Sneak Peeks", why not show the funny bits? Oh, wait....

by darren on July 15, 2009 at 05:58 AM

Did you hear Julia cry? Anyway, Julia and Lucas are gone after winning the much hyped celebrity challenge. While they got to the final week they were never going to win (despite me picking her!) because they were out of "match practice" i.e. competing in time limited challenges. If it is such a big thing to beat the celebrity, then next year the winners should be be allowed to compete in the mystery box & elimination challenges but with immunity and also attend the masterclasses.
2. OPINION time - I have had enough of the girls crying when they present their dishes. It is done solely to get sympathy and if it turns out ok then suddenly they are all smiles - Justine last night. Big bad Matt Moran slams Chris yet fawns all over the crying girls. btw, watch Heat in the Kitchen to see that Matt Moran ain't so tough.

Tribal Mind remarks: It's possible that the girls may not be able to control the crying response. I doubt if Julia would have wanted to sob in that way.

by Tim on July 15, 2009 at 08:52 AM

I for one will miss Masterchef - I enjoy watching cooking programs and just picking up ideas. Makes me a saddo I suppose. As for the emotion, I think I would choke up too. To have been locked away in competition for 3 months and to then be dumped like that would be hard to take, not helped by the fact there is 100K riding on the end of it. Male or female, it would just be a big let down. Even just the fact of leaving the people you have lived with for 3 months. As for the 7.00pm replacement, I am swapping chanels already to miss the previews. If I had to sit and listen to Dave Hughes, I think I would volunteer for castration without anesthetic just to get away. The noise that comes out of his gob makes fingernails on blackboards sound like Mozart. No idea who it was that ever told him he was amusing or insightful - they need seeing to.

On the subject of programs stockpiled and not screened - where is Weeds!! We are about 3 series behind the States. I guess Nein are just waiting for it to run its course there and they can then feel good about themselves for not screening it cos its finished. Maybe the programming gibbons at Nein should be forced to sit and listen to Dave Hughes for 30 mins :)

by OZINOZ on July 15, 2009 at 10:18 AM

TBYG last night - ratings down (but still very respectable) - due to the overlap with Rafters, due to Harry Potter, or due to Kate Langbroek being the worst guest the show has ever possibly ever had and she wouldn't shut the hell up and made everything about her and had a comment on every bloody thing and acted like a drunk aunty at your 21st. Discuss.
darren: I do love me some BugEyes, but can't bring myself to front the TV screen at 7pm next week. Would possibly rather watch H&A or even Tracy Grimshaw..... sorry, I'm still recovering from Langbroekosis.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 15, 2009 at 10:22 AM

I am sure this has been said. But since there is a book deal going to the winner, the publishers will have a say in who wins. Who is most likely to sell books. Personally there is no way I would buy a book with Chris on the front cover. I would if it was Poh. I'm estimating 2.7million for the finale.

by Peter on July 15, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Will Masterchef hit the magic 3 mil mark this Sunday? I predict not quite at 2.8 mil.
The winner is....probably Chris. Though I certainly hope Justine wins I just have a feeling it will be Chris. The judges seem to like him, though I can't for the life of me fathom why.

Hey TM, if Masterchef hits 3 mil will that make it the highest rating show ever? And if not what holds that record? I know you have said in the past I just can't remember and I was curious. Was it some Aust. Idol or Big Brother grand final?

But then I just thought it was probably Princess Di's funeral or some other world shattering event?

by em on July 15, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Catchup for the week to date :
Mon - Spooks, Ros lays back & thinks of England, nice twist with spies chasing financial fraudsters, maybe they should have been used for catching Madoff earlier.
Tues - Grand Designs, so you can build a house with old car tyres, you learn something everyday. All I thought of was the smell of burning rubber.
Also watched recorded 30 Rock, great show & the "give a kidney" song was a classic. Very much liked Norah Jones (or as Mrs PJ calls her "Snorer Jones") with short hair. Had to watch it 3 times to try & name the "stars". Missed heaps.
Having watched only 37 or was it 38 minutes of the whole Masterchef series I feel very inadequate to "display futurological skills", ah but what the heck....2,467,993 & I think it will be a thai between a male & a female, so they can do a "best of 3" mini-series.
Thought for TM : Is it a part of our culture now, where if you're not watching something that "everybody's watching" you can have the feeling that you're being left out ?? I think it's called the "Channel 9 syndrome".

by PJ453 on July 15, 2009 at 10:41 AM

Stupid question probably but in regards to the 7PM project, I thought it was live or recorded the day it airs? If that is the case and it premieres NEXT Monday, how can they already have sneak peaks? Are they showing the rehearsals?????

by Irish on July 15, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Just read on smh webpage the Ch9 show This Afternoon will not be on this afternoon...yep, gone, do not show your face again, so strike up another disaster on the Ch9 programmers & what is replacing it??? Antique Roadshow. Seeing I'm in right demographic for it I'll have to neglect my work & race home to watch....hahahaha. The only antique in our house is me!!
General question - who falls on the floor laughing at the new VB ad?????? I think I'm a bloke "punching above his weight"

by PJ453 on July 15, 2009 at 12:14 PM

@Irish at 11:16.
Yes.

by Yes on July 15, 2009 at 12:41 PM

This Afternoon has been axed. boo hoo hoo

by TG on July 15, 2009 at 01:24 PM

I identify with Julie. Late 30's, not thin, curly hair, IT specialist with kids who's a bit "mumsy". (Yes I did have a life before I found myself marooned on the South Coast). But I want Justine to win. Why? Because I hate Oscar the Hat, and when Poh was eliminated she threw a "I really don't want to be a cook anymore" tanty in the media, and has had way too many chances (even got another chance at the auditions!) Plus, owing a business, I know how much it takes out of time with kids running oneself ragged. Julie'll do well, perhaps the next Margaret Fulton, but I think Justine has the drive, and after last night pulling Malaysian out of her pot, she really deserves to get the gong.
PJ453 - we also "affectionately" call the daughter of Ravi Shankar "Snorer Jones". Calling her that sends my 8-and-a-bit year old into hysterics! He's off seeing HP @ the movies today after being up way past his bedtime watching last nights installment.
Irish: the ad where they're talking about Biffo indiscretions - sadly they happen frequently enough that any discussion is current.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 15, 2009 at 01:40 PM

Irish, Ten are showing rehersals for 7pm project. As it's supposed to be a "current affairs" type program the news they discuss should be "current" so by the time it starts the little snippets we've been given will be outdated. These previews make me think it is another "The Panel" type thing and looks really, really lame.
Don't like the look of it myself and if Ten thinks it will get the ratings of Masterchef I think it will be in for a disappointment. But then I could be wrong. Who knew a cooking reality show would do so well?

by em on July 15, 2009 at 02:01 PM

TM, No I don't suppose Julia would want to cry like that. I understand the emotion after being eliminated, but why cry beforehand. It allows cynics like me to say the contestants are manipulative. Yes - ENOUGH already....
Saying all that the ads for tonight indicate it will be a real waterworks. Bye bye Julie.
Winner - Justine and 2.7 million
I'll sign a petition as well for releasing the stockpile of programs.

by Tim on July 15, 2009 at 02:38 PM

Okay, now that the practice round is over.... Chris - 3.1 million. Hell, even I cried tonight.

by Tim on July 15, 2009 at 09:19 PM

Bereft Skerrick, you ARE Julie aren't you? I second your comments about Justine and I still think she will win. Her elimination last night just made it a little harder. That's all.
Really good episode last night. I still don't know why I'm watching as I have zero interest in food and am still awaiting the day where you can just take a pill and not have to do any washing up.
More crying last night (on 'MasterChef') and re the crying, I think it's touching because it's genuine and not manipulative like on other reality shows where if your mum's got the flu really bad, you cry and tell the judges about it and get yer mug on telly and yer arse in the top twenty.
Speaking of other reality shows: Note from 1991 to the producers of 'Aus Idol 2009' (sigh), - Hi guys, how's it going? Everything's well here. Mariah Carey has a breakout hit on her too-active hands with 'Emotions' but I get the feeling it's a flash in the pan and won't be popular in another month, let alone in another 18 years. I don't think it would be a good idea to have children who weren't even born when it was released singing it on a promo whilst dressed as various old and pathetic pop stars, like Madonna, or, say Michael Jackson. How's Michael Jackson going these days? Everyone over him yet?
Anyway, it might be a good idea to forget about Mariah because by 2009 it's quite likely everyone will think she's bloody annoying and unless you're intent on forcing young talented people to live out the onstage dreams of middle-aged has-beens and radio hosts with faux-hawks and god-complexes, it might be a better idea to, you know, sing real songs.
Yours hopefully, 1991.

by darren on July 16, 2009 at 05:56 AM

Harry Potter blockbuster and TBYG running over had very little effect on Packed to the Rafters. Totally agree that Kate Langbroek "acted like a drunk aunty at your 21st" on this week's Talkin' 'bout Your Generation. It's funny 'cause it's true.
I don't understand why the producers of Australian Idol made this year's contestants dress and act like past idols for the promo, when the judges have constantly told contestants that they need to be themselves and make songs their own.
I haven't been caught up in the MasterChef hype. I've seen a bit of it but can't understand the massive attraction to watching people cook food and watching other people eat it. Next year, MasterLaunderer. Which contestant can use the best handy hints to wash those stains out and present the best ironed outfit.

by J Bar on July 16, 2009 at 07:40 AM

Another one who teared up watching Master Chef last night. I really wanted Justine to win. I can't stand Poh, love Chris' cooking but don't like the man so that leaves Julie to win for me though I don't know if she has it in her. I think I'm going to have to say Chris for the win (as much as it pains me to say it) and 2.3m.

Chaser was good last night. Loved the Rudd song. Brilliant. Noticed at the end that they said that they had 2 episodes left EVER. I think it is about time they moved on.

Speaking of comedy that has moved on, has any one purchased the Doug Anthony All Stars DVD? Is it worth it?

by Nic on July 16, 2009 at 07:45 AM

Sad to see Justine go last night. But looks like she came out of it with a job so good luck to her.
Now that leaves only Poh and Julie to beat ugly hat guy. Not much chance of that. Julie will go tonight and Poh and Chris battle it out for winner. Ugly hat guy will win. Must admit he seems a good cook and knows what he is doing but I still can't stand him.
And Ten, I know your doing well this year but advertising Idol by dressing up your contestants and making them impersonate has been or dead pop stars is just plain stupid. Keep this up and you'll slide back to number 3 . We can't have Nine making a come back now , can we?
Oh wait. Not much chance of that. What with the "Dance your ass off" garbage? What next Nine, Dancing Chefs? No , wait we can do one better. Dancing & singing Chefs. That way it covers all the bases.Wankers.

by em on July 16, 2009 at 08:18 AM

Seriously, I think Chris will win watched by 3.2 million couch potatoes steamed in their jackets.
JBar, 'MasterLaunderer' sounds like a hit although I was thinking the other day, let's combine Australia's two great loves, cooking and funerals and have 'MasterUndertaker'. Winner gets their own funeral home, a subscription to 'Death Becomes You Weekly' and a lick of Michael Jackson's face before it rusts.
And about Langbroek, according to Wikipedia, she was hatched in 1965, Tony Martin in 1964. Does she just scrape in to Gen X while Tony just misses out and gets in Baby Boomers? Or is Kate desperate? Tony seems younger than Kate. But demographics is demographics.

by darren on July 16, 2009 at 08:43 AM

Re Masterchef - Poh will win but I don't think the audience will get up to 3m. It's not like a one-off sporting event where EVERYONE tunes in. The people who will want to watch already are, so the numbers this week are indicative of what it'll be I reckon...plus a bit more for the finale factor. 2.6m max.

by NK on July 16, 2009 at 09:03 AM

TM - looks as though you've been caught by the "cooking" bug. Every known cooking show's figures in today's report. 637k for The Cook & the Chef seems pretty good figures considering it's up against the vanguard "current affairs" shows. And the very informative Food Investigators with 297k seeing it was against the great biffo game. And instead of using the SAME OLD PHOTOS how about using something new, like one of the nice Dr from sbs's Food Investigators???
darren: I never thought I would see a post from you with "crying" & "touching" in the same sentence.
Is Poh a person or a dish????

by PJ453 on July 16, 2009 at 09:03 AM

Anyone else notice, after the end of the Biffo, Krudd swanning around amongst the winners in his Qld scarf? Smells a good publicity opportunity just as much as I guess that Chris' hat smells. Will be watching the Krudd skit on iview.
Wow Masterchef beat Biffo.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 16, 2009 at 09:38 AM

Watched the biffo and recorded Chasers. NSW finally won a game! To combine the biffo and the Chasers: NSW will probably win a State of Origin series ... in due season!

by arthur on July 16, 2009 at 10:02 AM

Poh, PJ453, is a person.....I think. I was gonna get all Benny Hill on you ie: Poh, what a dish, cor blimey, phwoarr, eh, eh, wink wink nudge nudge know wot I mean?....But she's not. I'm afraid her head will break in half if she smiles any harder.
And whaddayamean, about cryin and touchin? I am not an animal. I have feelins. Everyone was cryin on the tellie. I wasn't but it was a curiously gooey moment. Out of all the contestants I think Justine has the props (I am sooo white) to be an actual Chef. She knows how to get organised and delegate and cook (which is a plus). No wonder all those male chefs want her in their kitchens...Know wot I mean, eh, eh? She's likable. Everyone's tired and emotional. Tears flowed. I think 'MasterChef' has put the 'real' back into 'reality TV' (to a point) where most other examples suck it all out and replace it with 'I Can't Believe it's not Reality' (like the butter but with added cheese).
And before I get accused of being a Ten stooge, 'Aus Idol' looks as cruddy as ever and I predict it will decline further this season (well der). It looks so old-fashioned and annoyingly uber-packaged. Not likey.

by darren on July 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM

TM, can you post the figures for the two repeat episodes of Two and a Half Men in Perth and Adelaide please? They were shown in the two cities from 7.30pm and 8.30pm, and I don't think they were included in the audience for the 7pm episode (which was 93,000 for Adelaide and 86,000 in Perth and 956,000 nationally).

Tribal Mind replies: I've posted the only two episodes I could find. But why do you want to know? Are you trying to compare the taste of the western half with the taste of the eastern half?

by Johnson on July 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Just a comment on my total disgust with the media. Again. Re the lost British backpacker. Last night Nine news was all ga-ga over the story even broadcasting live from outside the hospital. I suppose Current Affair and Today Tonight will be falling over themselves trying to get the exclusive. Next the mags. Then could come the sponsorships. Some water compnay? Outdoor equipment? Camping supplies? GPS? It's a gold mine!
Cynical? Who, little ole me??

by em on July 16, 2009 at 02:52 PM

Thanks for the figures for Two and a Half Men in Perth and Adelaide, TM. I want to know how the comedy fared against the opposition last night (and it did rate poorly, thrashed by MasterChef).

Tribal Mind asks: Is that a good thing?

by Johnson on July 16, 2009 at 06:27 PM

Thanks to Ch10 for bringing back Angel after Letterman on Friday. Howabout bring Buffy back, say on Tuesday nights after 'Cooks' has finished its eps?

by merciless on July 16, 2009 at 08:56 PM

Er, about my earlier prediction of Chris winning 'MasterChef', can I change that to......maybe I shouldn't jinx it.
Em, re Jamie Neal (aka The British Backpacker), on the radio this morning, there was a theory put forward that, although he's signed with a Publicist, we won't hear anything about it all on TV until Monday because 'Today Tonight' and 'A Current Affair' won't want to waste their !!Cash Bonanza!! up against anything with "Master" or "Chef" in the title.
In the same vein, does Seven normally show 'The Ho Whisperer' on Thursday nights or was that also just them crawling around between our legs and whimpering and piddling on the floor?
Oh, and dangnabit, in all the MasterChefly excitement, I forget to mercilessly ridicule 'Airways' the other day. Oh well, there'll be plenty of time for that later....

by darren on July 17, 2009 at 05:56 AM

So much for my prediction that Chris would win Masterchef. Not that I'm sorry to see Ugly Hat Guy go. I just never imagined that Julie would get to the final. Thought she blew it last night but then when Donna Hay really liked Julie's book idea the light went on in my head. Aha!
This is all about a publishing deal. And who's cook book would sell best. And that book would have to be Julie's. Nice mum and housewifely type with good , normal, nurishing meals. A book that can be embraced by a publishing co. and promoted. A best seller!
So Julie will now win of course. I mean, Poh's book of weird, arty food would probably sell a few copies. To weird, arty types. (how many of them do you know?)
But nowhere near the amount of books Julie could flog. So that's what it all comes down to. Selling cook books.
God, I love television.

Tribal MInd wonders: Why this notion that Poh's food is weird and arty? It's modernised Malaysian food.

by em on July 17, 2009 at 07:53 AM

Um - I need to revise my MasterChef winner also ... that was a surprise!
I watched True Beauty last night - I have to say I enjoyed it. I love watching shallow people on TV - so very very funny.

by Nic on July 17, 2009 at 07:55 AM

At least MasterChef is full of surprises. I need to be spared Poh's smile so it is truly .....
Post MasterChef doesn't look good for 10 if over 1 million turn off for Rush. Last night would have been it's biggest audience I would have thought. Not looking good then for 9's carbon copy - the one with Les Hill in it.

by Tim on July 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM

True Beauty. Ugh. Some seriously ugly people on that show. And that's just some of the hosts! Ugh Cheryl Tiegs, what hath happened to thou? Wiki lists you as born 1947, so you're 62, and the plastic surgery and polyfilla makeup - just UGH.
As for Masterchef. Master 8 was giving me updates over the phone. Just waiting for the calls of racism if Poh loses.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM

Glad that Chris is out. There are loads of cooking with beer cookbooks out there. I think that Julie will win. While I think Poh is great, Julie has clearly performed better under pressure and the final episode will be pressure. Also she did not get eliminated and brought back!
Numbers - well I think it will be 2.8 million.

Tribal Mind cries out: Doesn't anybody care about George and Izzie?

by Louise on July 17, 2009 at 10:33 AM

TM, maybe Poh's food is modernised Malaysian but to me it looks weird and arty. Yes, it looked attractive but you wouldn't get me eating it. Except the desert, that looked interesting, but that smelly egg porridgey thingy? And the black noodles? I'm usually willing to try new things and I particuarly like a lot of Asian style food, but not the dishes she made last night. I was just trying to make the point that Poh's style would not be as mainstream as Julie's , something that Donna Hay even said, so a cook book would probably only have a niche market.
For that matter, I wouldn't eat most of what Chris cooks either. I can't imagine eating pigs feet or cow cheeks or most of his heavy, meaty dishes. My personal taste, that's all.

by em on July 17, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Toni Collette has been nominted for an Emmy for "The United States of Tara" which starts on ABC1 on July 29.

by Gary on July 17, 2009 at 12:36 PM

TM: I care about Izzie.
DIE IZZIE DIE!
Snerk.

by Bereft Skerrick on July 17, 2009 at 12:54 PM

Wow as I predicted earlier on this week, Ten is in a position to lose the week. I reckon Seven can take it out given they have jumped Nine already...

Tribal Mind asks: Seven has the AFL tonight, Ten has it tomorrow night. Anybody know if one night's game is more worth watching than the other?

by arthur on July 17, 2009 at 03:23 PM

Nobody will be watching the Biffo this weekend. The Dragons aren't playing!
I think Masterchef's last Masterclass tonight with the return of evicted cheftestants will help push Ch 10 to the win this week. And the sound of crickets thereafter.

Tribal MInd suggests: Click here for the alternative to the sound of crickets..

by Bereft Skerrick on July 17, 2009 at 04:27 PM

As reported by Cathy, I have just returned from sunnier climates (Thailand) so i've been using this blog to see what i've missed. OH MY GOD, HOW MUCH DID I MISS?!?! Cannot BELIEVE MasterChef is down to Poh and Julie!! I was certain that Justine had it in the bag. Not a fan of Poh, especially the previously mentioned temper tantrum she had "Oh, I'm going to become an artist now because it didn't go how I wanted it to:. She wasn't saying that when they asked her back, now, was she? And Chris - I didn't like him, but I hated Poh a lot more. So i'm cheering for Julie all the way!
So disappointed that I missed what looked like an amazing Dragons victory!!
I've recorded Greys so I"ll catch up with it over the weekend. I also recorded the finale of TGYH which I thought looked great with the HSM sendup.
To report - Thai tv. Sucks. One good channel was star tv, but they had the same shows on about 6 times a day - Friends, Simpsons, 2 1/2 men, Brothers and Sisters. If you watched it at 7pm at night, it would be replayed at 10am the next day. Then they repeated the really long Desperate Housewives ad every ad break. I still can't get the damn song out of my head! And man, are they all still obsessed with the Wacko Jacko - almost every store I went into that was playing music was playing a Michael Jackson song or had the Michael Jackson concert showing on dvd. Needless to say, wasn't tempted to buy any Jacko material.
Somebody mentioned no more Dave Hughes on Rove - what the? Can anybody shed some light on that? Is that because he'll be doing the 7pm show?
Finally - I am seriously looking forward to Dance your Ass off - it is car crash television waiting to happen. Admittedly, I'll need to consume a fair amount of wine prior. But i'm hoping it will be some new reality tv gold!! Sometimes you need television so bad that it's good!

by Beckala on July 17, 2009 at 05:00 PM

'MasterChef' was really enjoyable last night. Less recaps. More fun. Julie's a bit of a card aint she? As are George and Gary. In the spirit of feel-good reality tellie, I'm looking forward to seeing Kyle Sandilands mixing it with the plebs and letting the Idol kiddies poke fun at him and muck aroung and laugh at each other. Really looking forward to that.....
Interesting to see an article in the SMH this morning with Nine and Seven both refusing to confirm they've got Cookin' Shows in the Works. Yes, that's why on ACA last night they ran a story on the Chefs on a Navy Boat and the graphic behind Grimmers while she introduced it said MASTERCHEF. Just a coincidence.
Nine's boffin in the article said that it's not cooking people are liking about MasterChef but the feel-good, encouraging, non-judgemental flavour of the show. People have moved past mean-spirited and nasty picky reality shows......Which is why 'Darnce Yer Arse Orf'.... Of corse!! Fat chicks dancing and talking about their wobbly bits not chafin in their bike pants so much now they've "danced their asses off" ("It's goooone, baby, mmmm-hmm, I am one hot mama, baby, you want some 'o' this?")....Sets the bar higher don't it?

by darren on July 18, 2009 at 06:12 AM

TM - Has there ever been a week where Ch9 hasn't won with a SoO biffo match in it?? Off the top of my head I certainly can't think of one. It's certainly a sports nuts paradise at the moment with cricket / cycling / biffo / golf, but it all looks the same when you just nod off & wake up in the early hours of the morning wondering where the hell you are.
Being Human on ABC2 is certainly turning out to more of a drama than a comedy, but great stuff all the same......& here's another try, what about a photo of the ghost??? endeavouring to show darren what he's missing out on!!

by PJ453 on July 18, 2009 at 02:48 PM

How the mighty have fallen. Nine was number one for years, or was it decades?When Seven started beating Nine, there seemed to be a strong shift in the landscape. Nine took over Seven's old strategy and started imitating more of Seven's shows to try and beat them like Dancing on Ice, Missing Pieces etc. Since this seemed to be exactly what Seven's second place strategy was for years, this just kept Nine in second spot. Now that they've been beaten by both Seven and Ten a few times, they seem to have adopted Ten's old losing strategy of buying lots of cheap American imports like Dance Your Ass Off and producing stinker reality shows etc. Is this strategy going to keep them in third place for years, or will it be decades?
And there new digital channel is called Go! Hilarious. That's what all their viewers are already doing. Going to Seven and Ten.

by levendis on July 18, 2009 at 09:26 PM

TM, do you have the figures for BEFORE THE GAME on ONE last night at 6.30 in Sydney and Brisbane? Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: Oh come on. You are trying to drive me nuts. I gave every tiny bit of football I could find, and now you want the pre-game discussions as well. The figures are 4000 Sydney, 2,000 Brisbane. And you didn't ask, but it was 3,000 for Perth. Now please tell me what possible use that information would be. Are you going to send me back into the chart for "After the game" for every match? If not, why not?

by cpandilo on July 19, 2009 at 02:15 PM

I DO apologise... I missed the EXCITING finale to MasterChief... but I was having a quiet wank at the time...

Tribal Mind asks: Why could you not combine the two? If there's one lesson MasterChef has taught us, it's the importance of multitasking in the modern world.

by David @ Green Point on July 19, 2009 at 11:43 PM

It's great that Julie won. She's struggled all the way through and trembled with nerves and all that. She's the everywoman, and her cookbook will walk off the shelves. I'm actually looking forward to seeing her give a few interviews because she's quite funny and er, normal.
Wasn't Chris happy when the winner was announced? Face like a half-done omelette.
Why on earth did Channel Nine show the Jamie Neale story last night on '60 Minutes'? I only heard this morning on the radio that it was on. Huge mistake, you'd think.

by darren on July 20, 2009 at 05:55 AM

Great Julie won. I was so pleased to see the scowling Chris in the background who was no doubt grinding his teeth in envy.
Julie will do great. I live on the central coast and look forward to the day when I can go to her restaurant. I hope she does well and takes full advantage of the great opportunity. Nice to see a coast girl do well!
And great to see Nine in 3rd place where they belong. What idiot thought putting the British backpacker on 60 mins last night was a good idea? I don't know what the ratings were but I get bet no one watched it. What a waste of money.
And speaking of waste of money, Nine has sunk to a new low with "Dance your ass off" and "Australia's Favorite Couple" or some such nonsense. Get used to 3rd Nine, your gonna stay there.

by em on July 20, 2009 at 07:19 AM

levendis appears to be delighted at the demise of ch 9.
On the other hand if 9 had picked up another 0.4% ch7 would have been beaten into 3rd place for the week. Who would've predicted that at the start of the ratings year?

by bobmar28 on July 20, 2009 at 07:26 AM

Well done, Julie, a very strong final menu, and you will have a top-selling cookkbook.
Yes, I'm still watching Master Chef. Poetic justice that Julie beat Po, since Po had already been eliminated -- yet somehow ended up as a finalist thanks to a mysterious Lazarus factor. Darren, Chris had every right to look aggrieved. He knew he could outcook Julie, but had fallen victim to the Australian Idol syndrome of booting off the favourite before the big final -- anyone remember Ben McKenzie?
I hate to bring up the matter of ethnic background, but if Julie was facing 4 Asian judges, after cooking a Malaysian dish, would she have won, or Po? Po was staring down 4 Caucasians who had an admitted ignorance of aspects of Asian cuisine.
I think there is a cultural and sexual bias that needs to be addressed in future series -- which I hope I will not have to watch.

by Professor Rosseforp on July 20, 2009 at 08:09 AM

David @ Green Point......for two hours??

by darren on July 20, 2009 at 08:30 AM

Well Julie won Masterchef as expected - she was the raging favourite. Didn't even watch it, just had my parents report in when the results were announced.
"Has there ever been a week where Ch9 hasn't won with a SoO biffo match in it???"
I'm fairly sure Seven won after SOO1 this year.
Oh yeah, and well done Ten for winning against my expectations :=).

by arthur on July 20, 2009 at 08:31 AM

Glad that Julie won. She won, I think, because she did not cook a dish that she has enjoyed since childhood, but used techniques that she learnt on the show. She also followed the instructions in the dessert challenge, and time and time again, the judges have said, as a pastry chef, you need to follow instructions to the letter.
By the way, loved the Friday night episode where they turned the tables on the judges. Lots of fun and really great to see both the judges and the contestants playing up.

by Louise on July 20, 2009 at 09:29 AM

"....Just waiting for the calls of racism if Poh loses".
Bereft - it only took til the 4th post today - well predicted.
I didn't watch Masterchef from the beginning of the series, but really got into it over the last few weeks. I don't think anyone could have predicted such massive ratings for the finale - but then everyone (yes everyone) I know was watching it, so there you go. Glad Julie won.
Now, a few days to recover, then...The Amazing Race !! Love that show.

by Jill on July 20, 2009 at 09:49 AM

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