Who We Are
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The Who We Are update: Week 29
This week's forum is now a heritage item - worth studying but no longer current.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 the about Australia's favourite TV shows of all time (and MasterChef ain't one of them), go to The Tribal Mind.
To find out how to become a republic and absorb New Zealand, go to Who We Are.
The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday
Thursdays and Fridays are always slow nights, so the sudden slump of The 7pm Project (down from 1.28 million on Monday to 656,000 on Friday) should induce only moderate panic at Channel Ten. It's still doing well with the 16-39s (who go out on Fridays). But if 7PP fails to recover this Monday and Tuesday, Ten will hear Yasmin calling, and the axeman will arrive with his friends The Simpsons. (Unless Ten puts Australian Idol on every weeknight at 7 -- could anybody stand that much Sandilands?)
Seven will be delighted with the 1.5 million result for Airways and World's Strictest Parents but nervous about its new Thursday comedies. Double Take and the marginally less embarrassing TV Burp got a million viewers each. That's nowhere near the Yasmintude of The Perfect Couple or True Beauty, but Seven will be sweating on its OzTAM data next Friday.
Nine started the week with an act of sheer stupidity - putting its $200,000 backpacker up against the final of MasterChef -- and continued at this level with a launch followed by an axing of Dance Your Ass Off. This was the final result of a ratings week that started stunningly for Ten: Seven 27.3 per cent of the prime time audience, Ten 25.0, Nine 23.4, ABC 16.5, and SBS 7.8.
And this was Pay TV's account of itself: "In week 30, Disney Channel's contemporary take on the Prince and the Pauper story, The Princess Protection Program, premiered with 157,000 viewers. On Arena, The Debbie Rowe Interview detailed life with the former King of Pop Michael Jackson to 87,000 people. America's Next Top Model on FOX8 was watched by 142,000 people, NCIS on TV1 was seen by 141,000 viewers and Project Runway Australia on Arena continued to grow with a season-to-date best audience of 106,000 viewers.
"Without a Trace on W had its best result of the year watched by 86,000, Dora's Fairytale Adventure on Nick Jr. was watched by a 2009 high of 85,000 people and the movie Get Smart premiered on Movie One with 83,00 people.
"On FOX Sports, Live: NRL Eels v Storm had 306,000 viewers, Live: AFL St Kilda v Adelaide was watched by 257,000 people and, as the second Ashes test drew to a close, 214,000 people watched Live: Cricket: Ashes: Day 5 Session 1. This week, Live: AFL Pre Game Show was seen by 116,000 subscribers, Live: Golf: British Open Final Round Part 1 was watched by 79,000 (both on FOX Sports) and Sky Raceday on Sky Racing was seen by 71,000 people.
"In week 30, STV channels represented 21.5% of all metropolitan viewing between 6am and midnight, 21.1% of all regional viewing and 57.0% of all viewing in subscription TV homes."
What Australia watched, week ending July 25
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 3,726,000 999,000 1,278,000 615,000 383,000 452,000 (and to learn why this is NOT a record, go to The Tribal Mind)
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - FINALE NIGHT Ten 3,293,000 863,000 1,172,000 556,000 323,000 378,000
3 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,857,000 519,000 586,000 344,000 197,000 211,000
4 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,713,000 410,000 465,000 408,000 200,000 230,000
5 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,585,000 472,000 472,000 284,000 148,000 210,000
6 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,562,000 452,000 391,000 330,000 173,000 216,000
7 AIR WAYS Seven 1,549,000 395,000 467,000 312,000 176,000 198,000
8 WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS Seven 1,540,000 432,000 439,000 297,000 175,000 197,000
9 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,491,000 420,000 474,000 227,000 170,000 201,000
10 SURF PATROL Seven 1,485,000 383,000 431,000 314,000 181,000 175,000
11 MERLIN Ten 1,478,000 407,000 462,000 285,000 137,000 186,000
12 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,473,000 439,000 366,000 328,000 123,000 217,000
13 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,470,000 395,000 481,000 289,000 178,000 127,000
14 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,402,000 349,000 484,000 297,000 122,000 149,000
15 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,391,000 385,000 351,000 313,000 163,000 179,000
16 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,386,000 399,000 386,000 281,000 159,000 162,000
17 SEA PATROL -EP1 Nine 1,284,000 367,000 320,000 271,000 145,000 181,000
18 NINE NEWS Nine 1,261,000 352,000 414,000 247,000 130,000 118,000
19 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,257,000 360,000 323,000 261,000 166,000 148,000
20 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,246,000 356,000 395,000 183,000 163,000 150,000
21 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,225,000 350,000 404,000 233,000 120,000 117,000
22 GETAWAY Nine 1,223,000 349,000 380,000 230,000 129,000 136,000
23 SEA PATROL -EP2 Nine 1,205,000 328,000 319,000 259,000 149,000 150,000
24 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Nine 1,200,000 343,000 409,000 215,000 117,000 117,000
25 DANCING WITH THE STARS 9 Seven 1,192,000 359,000 295,000 284,000 104,000 151,000
26 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 1,190,000 307,000 392,000 204,000 129,000 157,000
27 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC1 1,186,000 369,000 317,000 217,000 142,000 141,000
28 RECRUITS Ten 1,180,000 378,000 325,000 211,000 112,000 153,000
29 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,179,000 333,000 379,000 243,000 105,000 119,000
30 NCIS RPT Ten 1,159,000 306,000 296,000 214,000 153,000 189,000
31 RUSH Ten 1,145,000 302,000 386,000 196,000 124,000 138,000
32 GLEE Ten 1,144,000 300,000 405,000 196,000 90,000 152,000
33 20 TO 1 Nine 1,106,000 320,000 347,000 217,000 113,000 109,000
34 DOUBLE TAKE Seven 1,084,000 325,000 311,000 186,000 101,000 161,000
35 THE BIG BANG THEORY Nine 1,080,000 272,000 348,000 233,000 88,000 139,000
36 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,076,000 353,000 376,000 134,000 97,000 116,000
37 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 1,060,000 288,000 312,000 194,000 114,000 152,000
38 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,053,000 270,000 350,000 203,000 119,000 111,000
39 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,048,000 336,000 256,000 229,000 105,000 123,000
40 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,032,000 269,000 305,000 224,000 122,000 112,000
41 NCIS EP 2 RPT Ten 1,027,000 249,000 267,000 188,000 154,000 169,000
42 RPA Nine 1,018,000 269,000 304,000 202,000 115,000 127,000
43 GRAND DESIGNS ABC1 1,016,000 267,000 340,000 166,000 113,000 131,000
44 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,011,000 286,000 288,000 195,000 104,000 138,000
45 THE SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,009,000 265,000 355,000 187,000 106,000 96,000
46 TV BURP Seven 1,008,000 330,000 271,000 148,000 104,000 156,000
What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,473,000 439,000 366,000 328,000 123,000 217,000
2 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,048,000 336,000 256,000 229,000 105,000 123,000
3 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,032,000 269,000 305,000 224,000 122,000 112,000
4 ABC NEWS-SA ABC1 994,000 308,000 291,000 182,000 105,000 109,000
5 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 929,000 220,000 270,000 157,000 96,000 186,000
6 M-THE WILD Seven 920,000 248,000 265,000 206,000 90,000 111,000
7 THE BILL ABC1 868,000 256,000 234,000 143,000 93,000 142,000
9 M-NATIONAL TREASURE Seven 824,000 264,000 234,000 162,000 89,000 75,000
10 EAST OF EVERYTHING ABC1 794,000 263,000 185,000 167,000 74,000 106,000
11 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 778,000 433,000 120,000 103,000 121,000
12 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 744,000 75,000 352,000 59,000 77,000 182,000
18 MYTHBUSTERS SBS ONE 430,000 115,000 125,000 88,000 58,000 45,000
36 THE 7PM PROJECT SAT DAY RPT Ten 203,000 40,000 71,000 53,000 17,000 21,000
37 TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 STAGE 20 SBS ONE 202,000 59,000 69,000 36,000 21,000 17,000
47 AUSTRALIA'S PERFECT COUPLE -ENCORE Nine 164,000 41,000 48,000 49,000 11,000 16,000
50 DANCE YOUR ASS OFF -ENCORE Nine 160,000 42,000 38,000 48,000 14,000 17,000
109 VFL FOOTBALL 2009-PM ABC1 52,000 52,000
128 RUGBY LEAGUE: (QLD) 2009 ABC1 35,000 35,000
129 RUGBY UNION: SHUTE SHIELD (NSW) 2009 ABC1 33,000 33,000
158 THE SANFL-PM ABC1 19,000 19,000
160 SATURDAY LATE NIGHT AFL Ten 18,000 18,000
174 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 14,000 3,000 7,000 4,000
189 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 17: CARLTON VS COLLINGWOOD Seven 10,000 3,000 7,000
207 WAFL LIVE LEAGUE FOOTBALL 2009 ABC1 5,000 5,000
212 SATURDAY LATE NIGHT AFL ONE 4,000 4,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)
What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,491,000 420,000 474,000 227,000 170,000 201,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,447,000 430,000 335,000 320,000 165,000 197,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,271,000 335,000 314,000 299,000 150,000 173,000
4 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,163,000 315,000 357,000 259,000 99,000 132,000
5 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,154,000 327,000 281,000 252,000 146,000 149,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,145,000 320,000 359,000 243,000 117,000 107,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,091,000 325,000 320,000 233,000 102,000 111,000
8 TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION: THE BOX ABC1 952,000 321,000 238,000 161,000 102,000 129,000
12 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 17: CARLTON VS COLLINGWOOD Seven 768,000 12,000 497,000 5,000 133,000 121,000
17 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 665,000 359,000 306,000
18 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 656,000 230,000 180,000 97,000 60,000 89,000
20 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Ten 589,000 185,000 150,000 107,000 60,000 86,000
28 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 386,000 228,000 158,000
83 TORCHWOOD ABC2 131,000 26,000 31,000 28,000 19,000 27,000
What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,610,000 448,000 416,000 349,000 166,000 231,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,453,000 390,000 361,000 349,000 172,000 181,000
3 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,297,000 357,000 343,000 268,000 174,000 156,000
4 GETAWAY Nine 1,229,000 350,000 382,000 232,000 130,000 135,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,191,000 342,000 399,000 225,000 122,000 103,000
6 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 1,190,000 307,000 392,000 204,000 129,000 157,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,146,000 342,000 377,000 219,000 98,000 110,000
8 RUSH Ten 1,145,000 302,000 386,000 196,000 124,000 138,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,118,000 316,000 370,000 213,000 112,000 107,000
10 20 TO 1 Nine 1,103,000 319,000 344,000 218,000 113,000 108,000
11 DOUBLE TAKE Seven 1,084,000 325,000 311,000 186,000 101,000 161,000
12 TV BURP Seven 1,007,000 330,000 270,000 148,000 103,000 156,000
19 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 806,000 169,000 297,000 164,000 65,000 111,000
20 TRUE BEAUTY Seven 804,000 255,000 219,000 104,000 102,000 124,000
32 Q & A ABC1 464,000 163,000 114,000 89,000 45,000 52,000
36 INSPECTOR REX RPT SBS ONE 392,000 117,000 115,000 45,000 56,000 60,000
69 THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW Ten 179,000 42,000 57,000 28,000 20,000 32,000
76 THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW Nine 148,000 39,000 50,000 36,000 7,000 15,000
86 MORNINGS WITH KERRI-ANNE Nine 135,000 53,000 51,000 19,000 7,000 6,000
What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,565,000 439,000 392,000 324,000 186,000 224,000
2 WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS Seven 1,541,000 432,000 439,000 297,000 175,000 198,000
3 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,394,000 402,000 387,000 283,000 160,000 162,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,306,000 371,000 432,000 246,000 144,000 113,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,297,000 330,000 340,000 295,000 160,000 171,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,296,000 379,000 403,000 252,000 141,000 122,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,285,000 384,000 324,000 264,000 173,000 140,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,207,000 320,000 405,000 235,000 140,000 108,000
9 THE CHASER'S WAR ON EVERYTHING ABC1 1,199,000 371,000 322,000 220,000 144,000 142,000
10 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,109,000 356,000 310,000 175,000 104,000 164,000
11 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 1,058,000 288,000 312,000 194,000 114,000 150,000
12 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,053,000 270,000 350,000 203,000 119,000 111,000
13 THE SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,009,000 265,000 355,000 187,000 106,000 96,000
14 COLD CASE Nine 1,006,000 288,000 305,000 168,000 118,000 127,000
15 RPA Nine 1,003,000 265,000 300,000 200,000 113,000 125,000
21 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 874,000 220,000 292,000 173,000 82,000 107,000
24 AUSTRALIA'S PERFECT COUPLE Nine 798,000 207,000 269,000 150,000 80,000 93,000
25 MY NAME IS EARL Seven 737,000 201,000 231,000 122,000 84,000 99,000
89 PRISON BREAK Seven 147,000 40,000 53,000 25,000 14,000 15,000
What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,857,000 519,000 586,000 344,000 197,000 211,000
2 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,580,000 471,000 470,000 283,000 147,000 208,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,564,000 466,000 389,000 326,000 175,000 208,000
4 AIR WAYS Seven 1,549,000 395,000 467,000 312,000 176,000 198,000
5 SURF PATROL Seven 1,485,000 383,000 431,000 314,000 181,000 175,000
6 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,427,000 416,000 369,000 311,000 167,000 163,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,349,000 364,000 391,000 275,000 167,000 152,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,340,000 385,000 486,000 233,000 108,000 128,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,255,000 303,000 455,000 241,000 126,000 131,000
10 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,247,000 356,000 395,000 183,000 163,000 151,000
13 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 1,073,000 283,000 363,000 197,000 98,000 132,000
19 DEAL OR NO DEAL Seven 908,000 281,000 259,000 179,000 97,000 92,000
21 DANCE YOUR ASS OFF Nine 797,000 236,000 271,000 156,000 57,000 77,000
25 HOT SEAT Nine 705,000 173,000 222,000 167,000 91,000 53,000
33 LITTLE BRITAIN Nine 419,000 125,000 148,000 72,000 31,000 43,000
36 THE 7PM PROJECT DAY RPT Ten 363,000 72,000 110,000 81,000 51,000 49,000
46 GAVIN & STACEY - TUE Seven 266,000 117,000 80,000 16,000 28,000 25,000
52 LIBERAL RULE SBS ONE 243,000 104,000 64,000 22,000 24,000 30,000
What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,624,000 474,000 423,000 331,000 175,000 221,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,497,000 449,000 368,000 312,000 164,000 205,000
3 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,399,000 349,000 482,000 297,000 123,000 148,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 1,392,000 417,000 443,000 271,000 139,000 122,000
5 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 1,285,000 347,000 412,000 255,000 120,000 151,000
6 SEA PATROL -EP1 Nine 1,281,000 365,000 319,000 270,000 145,000 181,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,273,000 354,000 408,000 245,000 136,000 130,000
8 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,211,000 370,000 278,000 248,000 171,000 144,000
9 SEA PATROL -EP2 Nine 1,197,000 326,000 318,000 256,000 147,000 150,000
10 RECRUITS Ten 1,176,000 376,000 324,000 211,000 111,000 153,000
11 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,158,000 320,000 370,000 248,000 87,000 133,000
12 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,076,000 353,000 376,000 134,000 97,000 116,000
13 THE BIG BANG THEORY Nine 1,076,000 270,000 348,000 231,000 88,000 140,000
18 BROTHERS & SISTERS Seven 930,000 297,000 341,000 121,000 85,000 87,000
28 THE 2009 ASHES: TEST2 DAY5 S1 SBS ONE 710,000 222,000 249,000 111,000 70,000 58,000
29 SPOOKS ABC1 623,000 163,000 198,000 94,000 68,000 99,000
32 SUPERNATURAL Ten 527,000 143,000 128,000 115,000 60,000 82,000
The ratings race, updated 10 am Monday
It's been reported that Channel Nine paid $200,000 for the tale of the lost backpacker. Having busted its budget, you might imagine Nine would have shown the story at a time when it could attract some viewers -- such as A Current Affair on Monday night. Apparently this strategy did not occur to Nine's schedulers. Instead, they put the boy on 60 MInutes, up against a show that could not fail to attract less than 3 million viewers. See the chart below for what happened.
All kinds of records were broken last night. It may well have been the lowest audience for 60 Minutes this decade. It was certainly the best audience for Channel Ten this decade. Ten attracted 41.3 per cent of the prime time viewers in the mainland capitals (Seven 21.7, Nine 17.6, ABC 11.6, SBS 7.8). What may be worrying for Ten is that its new comedy Glee, shown immediately after MasterChef, started with 2 million viewers but ended with less than a million. It might be a bit too American for Australians in their current nationalist mood.
What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 3,745,000 1,003,000 1,285,000 620,000 385,000 453,000
2 MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - FINALE NIGHT Ten 3,313,000 870,000 1,177,000 559,000 326,000 382,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,712,000 410,000 465,000 408,000 198,000 230,000
4 MERLIN Ten 1,478,000 407,000 462,000 285,000 137,000 186,000
5 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,470,000 395,000 481,000 289,000 177,000 128,000
6 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Nine 1,203,000 343,000 410,000 216,000 120,000 115,000
7 GLEE Ten 1,185,000 311,000 419,000 203,000 95,000 157,000
8 DANCING WITH THE STARS 9 Seven 1,183,000 356,000 292,000 281,000 104,000 150,000
9 60 MINUTES Nine 901,000 293,000 226,000 188,000 78,000 116,000
10 CASTLE Seven 889,000 228,000 271,000 164,000 122,000 103,000
17 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III Nine 628,000 177,000 191,000 124,000 64,000 71,000
18 THE LAST ENEMY ABC1 614,000 199,000 164,000 95,000 77,000 80,000
20 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 485,000 278,000 207,000
21 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 16: RICHMOND VS NORTH MELBOURNE Seven 430,000 47,000 251,000 53,000 79,000
24 THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW Nine 397,000 97,000 158,000 83,000 35,000 23,000
28 THE 2009 ASHES: TEST2 DAY4 S1 SBS ONE 339,000 103,000 110,000 64,000 28,000 33,000
41 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 16: PORT ADELAIDE VS WEST COAST Seven 230,000 100,000 130,000
54 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 16: ST KILDA VS ADELAIDE Seven 168,000 168,000
67 AFL GAME DAY Seven 151,000 74,000 31,000 46,000
90 SUPER LEAGUE Nine 94,000 50,000 44,000
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
AMAZING figures for MCA finale. What a great show...until the final week. Then it turned into a farce, with clearly biased judging and a winner who is inarguably NOT Australia's best amateur chef, which was what the show was meant to be all about. Julie cracked under pressure time and again, she failed 3 of the final week's challenges completely: a "puddle" pie, raw fish and a meal that was meant to be Malaysian but turned out to be Thai. And last night she didn't know that a shallot wasn't an onion. PLUS the judges blatantly helped her out when the sorbet was failing, yet stood back and let Poh's sorbet go to the dogs.
Another small point that shows there is a lot more producer intrusion with MCA - there's absolutely NO WAY there just happened to be "century eggs" in that little pantry for the mid-week elimination test. It's such an obscure item that even some of the judges had never seen it or tasted it, yet it pops up for Poh to use - one of her specialties from her childhood. I think this shows the contestants either elected what they wanted to cook BEFORE they arrived at the studio that day, or they had listed their preferred ingredients at an earlier date. To me the whole final week ruined a great show.
- by NK on July 20, 2009 at 10:22 AM
MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA - WINNER ANNOUNCED Ten 3,745,000.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! IS THIS THE HIGHEST EVER RATINGS?????
Tribal Mind replies: No it's not. As I said in the text above, click on The TV shows Australia loved to see how the MasterChef finale compares with other big shows of the 21st and 20th century.
- by tide on July 20, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Wow! 3.7 million. And I wonder how many of them knew that the Daily Terror website announced Poh as the winner at 9pm last night? Looking forward to watchingt Media Watch tonight to see if they cover the error!
- by Bereft Skerrick on July 20, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Unless drastic changes are made for next year's MCA, Channel Ten will be regretting their decision to let producers and Random House choose the winner. What was a great series turned into a farce in the final. I expect people to be so turned off by what we saw on our screens that numbers for next year's series will be well down. I thought MCA was different to other reality shows, but it just goes to show they are all the same. Rigged. Rigged. Rigged.
- by Peter on July 20, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I think the previous highest rating show (not including the Olympics and sporting events) was the 2004 Australian Idol Finale which did 3.35m. However, Ten have been a bit tricky by splitting it into two separate shows so that the Winner Announced looks even bigger but averaged out, it may still have broken that record.
The news doesn't look that good for Glee though. After the highest ratings in history for Masterchef that would have to be one of the worst retentions in history. I actually liked Glee, because I like quirky and satirical shows but had a feeling it wouldn't be a mainstream hit.
It seems Nine couldn't be tricky if they tried. I couldn't believe that those nutbags ran that interview on 60 Minutes last night after spending a motza to obtain it. People had speculated that they might save it for the following week, so I was shocked to hear on the radio this morning that they had run it last night. Years ago, didn't they string out the interview with a mount everest survivor over two weeks to boost ratings. What was the rush this time?
Tribal Mind replies: No need to say "I think ..." You can know for sure by going to this column's regularly updated archive: The TV shows Australia loved.
- by J Bar on July 20, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Glad to see Glee got over a million. Though with a 3.7 lead in maybe it should have done better. How did it decline over the length of the Episode DD? (Baring in mind it started late)
I enjoyed it - funny and I'm a sucker for musicals. But I do wonder how it's going to play out. The US had Idol finale as it's lead in as well.
Amused that hardly any of the publicity focussed on the fact that this is a musical TV series...
Tribal MInd replies: Its peak audience was 2.06m, which means it declined drastically, since its average over the hour was 1.1m.
- by sean on July 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Shouldn't the Final Week of Masterchef be in the top 100 as it averaged about 2.1 million for that week?
- by Kevin on July 20, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Gee.... guess I was one of the few that didn't or never watched Master Chef. Why are you surprised that the ending was rigged? It is after all, TELEVISION. If stations had their way, it would all be rigged so that they got 100% of the viewing audience.
Actually caught Tom Watson's missed putt in The Open on the last hole. Had just watched the TdF and Ashes and was surprised to see The Open on Nein. Bugger. A Tom Watson Victory would have given hope to old codgers like meself. Ah well, there's always....
Dr Who on ABC2 tonight and then back to the Ashes and TdF. Might watch the new eries on Ten at 7, but maybe not.
- by Furlozza on July 20, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Notwithstanding the farce that got Julie into the MC final, I actually thought they did a good job last night without going too overboard on the family reunion stuff. But for next series they really want to stop with the AJ style of presentation by the host, and try and remember the title of the show is MChef not MCook
- by Neil on July 20, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Tribal Mind replied: "No it's not. As I said in the text above, click on The TV shows Australia loved to see how the MasterChef finale compares with other big shows of the 21st and 20th century".
Sorry that I missed that. I have found in the past that this blog has so many circular links that send people round and round in circles that I have largely become oblivious to them. But I've decided to behave like an obedient boy and follow your instructions and I see that the Masterchef finale is the third highest rating show for this millennia but the highest for a non-sporting event. It is also the only non-sports program amongst the top five.
By the way, another thing that I initially missed but have now noticed when having a second look at the top of this page is the photo you put up of what appears to be a severed member on a stick! Perhaps you could put up something a little less visually disturbing???
Tribal Mind replies: How dare you! That's a pluto pup, one of Australia's supreme culinary achievements.
- by tide on July 20, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Expect big figures for SBS this evening, especially from 7:30pm to 10pm when the first session of day five of the Ashes test is shown.
A lot of interest in this first session.
- by Sebastian on July 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Of course the producers and publishers had a say in who won MasterChef. The episode where Donna Hay was a guest kinda brought it all together for me. The winner releases a cookbook that sells it's arse off just like the Aus Idol winner releases a CD that sells IT'S arse off. Getting a sellable product is the whole point (aside from having an entertaining show). I don't think it really detracts from the show itself. Most people learn by age five that television is fake, Santa Claus is not real and the Tooth Fairy is actually Mummy and Daddy (shocking but true) and deal with it.
About Nine stuffing up their BackPacker exclusive, the only explanation I can think of is that they are completely delusional. It smacks of arrogance that they thought they could draw viewers away from the finale of a show that's rated its socks off for three months with yet more cheque-book journalism and hype. Pathetic.
I think Ten can look forward to a pretty strong debut for 'The 7PM Project' tonight as well, as people tune in for more of Julie. She's very likable.
Tribal Mind laments: Darren, I thought you of all people would know the difference between it's and its. And is there a difference betwen something that "sells it's arse off" and something that "rates its socks off"? Do we assume that a book has a spine but no feet?
- by darren on July 20, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Have we witnessed the death of Channel Nine as a television power? After decades of holding an unassailable ratings lead last week they ran third although it was a State of Origin week. Simply unimaginable even a few short years ago.
Treating viewers with contempt, dumping program after program, dispensing with their stable of starts and constant cost-cutting have seen the virtual end of this television giant.
The question is if anyone will really miss them.
- by Sahara on July 20, 2009 at 11:24 AM
TM, one out of three just isn't good enough, I agree. But I did spell arse right. Several times. I do know the difference between it's and its but it doesn't come natural like. Sorry (chin up).
- by darren on July 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM
MCA is now in the past so I won't comment on it anymore except to say, please, please, next year get your judges to stop with the dramatic pauses. They.... absolutely....... drive..... me nuts.
And why do they need a host? The judges do it fine all by themselves.
Recorded Glee for another night but from comments here and elsewhere it sounds like something I'd like. Which means it will probably end up at some ungodly hour.
- by em on July 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM
If a show's got legs, it's got feet and therefore socks. If a book has a back and front then it's gotta have an arse. Categorically. Also I thought I was saying "arse" too much.
And I should have said sock's.
- by darren on July 20, 2009 at 11:50 AM
I'm not 100% convinced about Glee. It might need a few more episodes to hook me, but apparently I have to wait until September.
I could be wrong, but I was reading an article about MCA and I could have sworn I read the words "Celebrity Master Chef". Please tell me I'm wrong and we will not be subjected to that?
Tribal Mind replies: You're not wrong. But viewing won't be compulsory. If you're looking for alternative entertainments in the second half, go to Bingeworthies.
- by Nic on July 20, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Sadly, I think we will quickly return to a seven / nine 1-2 battle. But what needs to be recognised (studied and no doubt copied) is how big a phenomenon MasterChef. Half of the top 20 will go onto jobs from this... Kids helping their parents cook... Matt Preston became a sex symbol for pete's sake so something special happened! Ten can and should celebrate but the resistance of the mass market to consistently watch 10, 2 and SBS still remains, so I see little changing. I hope I am wrong! Glee was very funny but it is not going to be popular.
- by Tim on July 20, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Any comments on The Last Enemy? I recorded it and wonder if it was it was as confusing as one critic said it was.
- by Gary on July 20, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Thanks DD! Realised you had already answered my Glee question after I pressed post.
Guessing then with an average of 1.1 and a start from 2 mil, that Glee must have ended below 1 mil. I hope not.
Glee feels like it's going to be a Scrubs - loved by those that love it, but not a big enough audience to keep it in prime time. The ep had some "pilot fit in as much as you can" type issues, but was still smart and funny.
The single "Don't Stop Beleivin" is sitting in the top 50 on iTunes in Oz (went to #1 in the US) which considering it played around 10.30 last night isn't too bad.
Ah the pain of wanting to wish a show well, but not sure if it will get there...
- by sean on July 20, 2009 at 12:18 PM
TM, can you post the figures for the season finale of 24 in Melbourne and Adelaide last night? (They were shown at 11pm if I remember correctly) Thanks. I would like to know where the ratings were down from last week.
Tribal Mind replies:
87. 24 Seven 105,000 67,000 39,000
- by Johnson on July 20, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Darren love your work. Rambling thoughts follow -
As one who had a single masterchef experience - last night masterchef finale (at chez parents) can I say the only reason it went sooooooo long was the need to rehash and replay the last minute or two after every single commercial break... if it was like that the whole series I am sure I would have been throwing things at the TV.
Also saw Idol promos during venture into Masterchef land - be afraid, be very very afraid.
Like em recorded Glee for another night, but even the ad made me smile.
Am totally unsurprised by Nein showing lost and found backpacker on 60 minutes -arrogance would have assumed people wanted to watch. Shock they did not.
Also am a bit bemused by the new Nein Go channel as there is a very strong ad campaign (although I have forgotten what it was for) at the moment using go and the colour orange - which if I recall rightly is the same thing Nein has done.
Read elsewhere maybe a US version of Packed to the rafters - another opportunity for the US to stuff up an Oz show.
- by Cathy on July 20, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Tribal Mind replied: "How dare you! That's a pluto pup, one of Australia's supreme culinary achievements".
May I apologise for a second time as I had never previously seen such a hideous monstrosity of a photograph. But since you've implied that it is something we are meant to put in our mouths and having been taught on Masterchef a few weeks ago that it is now the "in" thing to munch into a pig's face I guess I will have to accept your contention that chewing a pluto's pup is a fully acceptable activity.
- by tide on July 20, 2009 at 12:36 PM
'Tribal Mind replies: How dare you! That's a pluto pup, one of Australia's supreme culinary achievements.'
TM, I have only vaguely heard of said pup, here such Agricultural Show and Regatta fare is called a 'Dagwood Dog'.
I liked Glee, and I think it might be OK. I have to wait till September to see the series proper???
Recorded 'The Last Enemy' so I have yet to form an opinion. It does have Robert Carlyle though..ahh, Hamish MacBeth, that was a great show...
Tribal Mind remarks: Also sometimes called battered sav. Any other names?
- by 2paw on July 20, 2009 at 12:40 PM
I think it was obvious that Julie was going to win Masterchef. Even the part when they brought Poh's family in pointed out how different the tone would have been if she had won - she just didn't seem to be an emotional person, it would have been fairly underwhelming if she had won the whole thing. Julie's natural emotion made it a lovely piece of tv. The family coming in at the end was very sweet - I noticed many of the professional chefs and other contestants tearing, and I was as well (but must admit, I'm sick and jetlagged, so I'm easy to make cry at the moment - sad ads, cute puppies on DWTS, i'm a wreck! So i'm not making the best judgements right now!).
My favourite part was when they cut to a shot of Chris looking absolutely bitter and twisted. So glad he didn't win - hate him and his smugness and his awful ugly hats and greasy hair!! But this has been discussed in previous weeks!
I really liked Glee - i'm a musical theatre kid from way back so I was very excited about it. Was also glad to see Journey being the main song - reminds me of Scrubs with JD's obsession with Journey in one episode. I fear, however, that my love affair with Glee will be brief with those ratings.
Will be interesting to see how the 7pm Project goes. Any predictions? I'm guessing they may get 1 mill tonight due to the Julie factor. But I see the numbers dropping quickly. I just don't think it will do well - not that i'm wishing for bad ratings, I would like it to succeed - but I can't see a strong following developing.
- by Beckala on July 20, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Beckala, I think the professional chefs were getting teary either because a) they were traumatised by the fact that such a mediocre cook could be crowned a "masterchef" and hence sully the industry's reputation or b) they were shedding tears of joy that Julie won because any restaurant she opens will be boring home-cooked nonsense and won't be competing with their own establishments.
- by NK on July 20, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Or maybe George had just chopped up a massive batch of onions (or were they shallots) and everyone just had sore eyes...
- by NK on July 20, 2009 at 01:07 PM
I've just re-read my last post and noticed two errors on my part: one is that you did not use an apostrophe in the name of the delicacy but I did and the second is my assumption that you are meant to chew it, so could you please clarify to this uneducated soul what you are meant to do with a pluto pup - chew it, suck it or do something else with it?
Tribal Mind replies: Dip your saveloy in batter, deep fry, dip in sauce, bite off end.
- by tide on July 20, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Tribal Mind replied: "Dip your saveloy in batter, deep fry, dip in sauce, bite off end".
Ouch.
- by tide on July 20, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Ah, furlozza, I did not get caught up in the Masterchef hype either (found out this morning who won while waiting for my coffee, and my workmates had to confirm for me that Julie was the one who kept on crying all the time).
Recorded "The Last Enemy" (with Hamish MacBegbie), but spent my viewing time over with the final of Castle. While I will miss Captain Tightpants et al, it'll be nice to not have to juggle it with whatever the ABC is showing on Sundays for the foreseeable future. I keep on recording things, and rarely find the time to watch them...
- by tqd on July 20, 2009 at 01:41 PM
"As one who had a single masterchef experience - last night masterchef finale (at chez parents) can I say the only reason it went sooooooo long was the need to rehash and replay the last minute or two after every single commercial break... if it was like that the whole series I am sure I would have been throwing things at the TV."
Cathy - IT WAS, and you don't throw things at the TV, you throw croquenbouche.
- by Tim on July 20, 2009 at 01:49 PM
I didn't watch Master Chef. Why? Beckala's comments say it all. Implications that the outcome was rigged - well, derrr, of course it was, this is commercial TV, they have to have a saleable, bogan-friendly winner to sell all those already prepared cookbooks, don't they? Viewers who seem to think they know the contestants and their families personally. Viewers making stupid assumptions about the personalities they assume the contestants have, usually based on their appearance alone. 'Greasy hair' = smug, Asian = unemotional. Same old stuff that gets tossed around with every reality show.
The pommy version is boring as batshit, the Aussie version seems to have been just as bad. We are probably in for another season or 15 of this crap, seeing as it rated it's socks (or jocks) off. Or was its success due to the simple fact that it was the least crappy show in its time slot?
- by meggsie on July 20, 2009 at 02:33 PM
I'm getting good and cranky at food snobs, and I continue to be surprised at people who frown upon the crowning of Julie as the winner on Masterchef. What the heck is wrong with home cooking? Just because nobody does it anymore. Ooh look at me, I eat at Aria. Big deal. Perhaps a little more home cooking would fix the ills of the world.
Have we all become so snobbish? Just because she's a mumsy type doesn't mean her food isn't going to be as good as the a-la-carte high prices dribbles that end up on plates at high class establishments. Call that a dessert Matt Moran? Call it for what it is. Wank on a plate (which apparently David @ Green Point is familiar with).
Do we all have to think there was a conspiracy just because she won, and not the guy who had a beer and pigs head fetish? Or because she beat someone who was not from a white anglo-saxon background, who had had repeated chances to re-enter the competition, who failed to follow the instructions for the dessert challenge?
I earlier commented that I thought that Justine was the clear standout of the lot, but sure I wanted Julie to win, since I'm mumsy as well. But Julie deserved the win. Even if she's mumsy, and even if she's not exotic and multicultural as the food snobs want her to be.
- by Bereft Skerrick on July 20, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Gary : re The Last Enemy, in a nut-shell: throw a number of scenarios into the air, kill off a few people who you have no idea are, kill off a few others that you've met only once, have a few people go missing, the hero (probably) uses the biggest computer in the world, the other hero (definitely) has the same computer but nobody knows about it. Stir, cook in a moderate oven for 80 minutes & wallar (?? spelling) a well made, well rounded suspensful show that at the moment you aint sure who are the goodies & who are the baddies. But I'm sure next week they'll lead us up another couple of dead ends.
Speaking of dead ends who was the idiot on Ch9 that a/ paid all that money & b/ put the interview against MasterChef ???? I think they should do the right thing & say "I'm going outside & maybe some time".
Depending on what happens in the cricket tonight (I feel a win), I may have to record Spooks.
- by PJ453 on July 20, 2009 at 03:01 PM
The thing about Julie is that when she does open her restaurant, depending on the type of restaurant and her choice of menu she likely will still be classified as a cook rather than a chef, which means the title of this competition is quite misleading. I think that out of the top four, the only likely eventual chefs will be Justine and Poh.
- by tide on July 20, 2009 at 03:47 PM
PJ453
Correct spelling is VOILA...... although some folks might think of Wallarawang.
- by Furlozza on July 20, 2009 at 04:00 PM
tide, in some ways you are right. Justine definitely has a better chance of becoming a chef than Julie - she showed herself to be very talented. I wish she had won. I was OS last week so I missed her elimination - was disappointed to hear Justine was gone. But happy to hear Chris was not in the final two - especially when I was catching up on my magazine reading and discovered an iinterview with him stating that Julie was definitely the weakest link and she would be next to leave because she had too many lucky escapes and that she didn't deserve to be in the final week. In some of the shots of him last night, he was certainly not celebrating Julie's win, looked quite negative. May have been some careful editing, but surely you would just have a polite smile when you know you are being filmed!!
But of the two, Julie was the deserving winner. It was clear from the dishes that she was the superior on the day - you could see the difference in the chocolate dish - who knew one bit of chocolate strip had such a big effect?! I was genuinely happy for her. I wonder how quickly channel 10 are going to put together the celeb version? That will be an interesting one to watch - will they be able to create the same "magic formula" with celebs? What people liked I think was that they learnt new things about food from people who were passionate about it. Will it work with people who aren't as knowledgable?
- by Beckala on July 20, 2009 at 05:02 PM
well ive just seen the promo for the worst show EVER to be seen on australian tv.
Dance ur ass off!!!
I cant believe 9 is even considering showing this rubbish, the promos are enough to make you want to vomit !!!
Please Australia dont watch it !!! vote with your remote controlls !!!!!
Tribal Mind remarks: Exactly the point I was making in the column this week. Go to Bingeworthies for more info.
- by Don Collins on July 20, 2009 at 05:06 PM
Re the Nork Network... Kerry Packer controlled it, but he died. Jamie Packer wasn't interested, so he sold it. And a BackPacker couldn't revive any interest in it. (boom tish)
- by David @ Green Point on July 20, 2009 at 10:03 PM
http://www.realityravings.com/2009/07/20/masterchef-australia-this-is-oh-so-true-and-funny/
- by Beckala on July 20, 2009 at 10:33 PM
"Wank on a plate"...ah, Bereft Skerrick, you have a way wif werds an stuff. I totally agree with you. I actually wonder if Julie is the mystery 'key' to the success of the whole show. It was so nice being able to watch a real person and not some over-packaged publicity-freak with fake teeth and boobs and hair and personality. Julie's just an ordinary person with a warm and appealing personality who cooks ordinary food well and makes you think maybe you can too. Having judges who weren't constantly trying to wrestle the limelight to themselves helped also. This distinction between 'Chef' and 'Cook' is kinda ridiculous. Maggie Beare is classified as a 'Cook' but she's a National Treasure. Hopefully Julie can have the same success. There's a genuine affection for her in the public which would not have been the case for Poh or Chris (and not because Poh's Chinese Malaysian but because she's slightly prickly and complicated). Maybe people are in the mood for simplicity and down-to-earthness...ity.
Thought 'The 7 PM Project' was alright last night. A few 'first-day-o-school' nerves but if Ten gives it a chance (which they're saying they will), maybe it'll take.
After seeing some of the Jamie Neale thing on that show last night, I've got a theory about why it was buried on 60 Minutes the other night.....Nine handed over the cash.....and then he spoke. He has an unfortunate lisp. And appears to be rather thick. Oh dear. Mind you, if he was on Seven, he'd be the star of a new show where people have to rattle off tongue-twisters. You could have Jamie with his lithsps, a Tourettes sufferer, someone who stutters. No wait, someone who stutters and has climbed Mount Everest. I'll do a google search....
- by darren on July 21, 2009 at 06:00 AM
I'm sure I saw one of the spooks using Dr Who's sonic screwdriver to break into a car last night. I thought ,maybe, it was inside joke until I remembered the Buck Rogers ray gun that caused a motorbike to crash.... bikes have electrically powered steering and brakes? The storylines are becoming increasingly silly.
- by shuey on July 21, 2009 at 07:22 AM
I know I said I was not going to comment on Masterchef again but I just have to.Even Karl Krapanovic on Today this morning had a go.
I am sick of reading, hearing etc people complaining that Julie won. Sure, she is a homely style of cook. What's wrong with that? I have to agree with Bereft. I am also sick of food wankers going on about eating at some restaurant that charges an obscene amount of money for a big white plate with a tiny bit of food on it. So it looks fancy and arty! Big Deal!
I like to go to restaruants that serve a nice, well cooked meal and charge a reasonable price for it. That desert that the girls had to make was a work of art. And is Julie going to make stuff like that in her restaurant? Not likely. And who cares?
But she did the best dish on the day. Sure maybe there were others in the competition that deserved the win more. I liked Justine all along but I was more than happy to see Julie win. So how about people giving it a rest now. Get over it and move on.
And one more thing. I truly hope no one watches Nine's crapola "Dance your ass off". I mean, why would you?Just the few ads I've seen make me want to puke.
- by em on July 21, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Did catch some 7pm Project last night whilst being mumsy and doing some home cooking - ok, the sweet potato mash was prebought at Coles, so shoot me. I did attempt to make it look artistic but after chopping up the scotch fillet (on special of course) for Master 5 and mixing it with the mash it looked like cat food. Something that Andre would serve up.
I guess 7pm Project is a Gen X/Y way of getting a take on the days news. A little rusty, but let's see how it rates. Luckily it had less of Hughes than I thought. Even less would be better. Like none.
- by Bereft Skerrick on July 21, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I won't be able to help myself. I have to have a look at 'Dance Your Ass Off' tonight. Just one little look. It's going to be awful, hee hee hee. And Nine's putting it up against TBYG! Ha ha ha. What are they smoking over there? And last night both ACA and TT had big long drawn-out stories on MasterChef. Weird. And desperate. I've never seen that type of sad attempt at ratings-by-association before. Ha ha ha....ooooh, mercy.....it just gets better and better (aka worse and worse).
And on 'The 7PM Project', Ten finally has a early-evening forum to mount attacks on Seven and Nine's piss-weakness. 'Bout time. The competition's starting to get interesting.
- by darren on July 21, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I also had a look at the 7PM Project and agree with BS. A version of The Panel without the original participants. First show a bit patchy, set it up to record each day as it could easily grow in to a watchable show; it certainly doesn't have anything up against it that is must see.
- by Zjonn on July 21, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Thanks PJ453 re The Last Enemy. Sounds like I thought it would. Will get around to watching it sometime.
- by Gary on July 21, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Oh Darren, Maggie Beare a National Treasure? I always watch her show with the one that looks like a heroin addict. I'm like a Tourette's sufferer, lying in wait for her to say 'verjuice' or 'nut brown butter' which sets off the syndrome.
- by Rupert on July 21, 2009 at 01:41 PM
The show was alright but couldn't they come up with anything more imaginative than 'The 7pm Project' as a title for the show? Even the promo slogan was better: 'Breaking News, Broken Down'.
- by J Bar on July 21, 2009 at 02:04 PM
darren: Dance Your Ass Off? More like Laugh Yer Arse Off!
- by Bereft Skerrick on July 21, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Hey Shuey
The device used last night in Spooks was perhaps a directed energy (DE) weapon that might be used in electronic warfare.
One such weapon might be an electrolaser. It can be suggested with good reason that such a weapon would send a powerful electric current down a conducting ionized track of plasma somewhat like lightning. It could also be suggested that it would function as a giant high energy long-distance version of the Taser or stun gun to overwhelm the electronic system of the target.
The rider of a motorcycle uses the engine power to maintain the lean angle through turning manoeuvres at speed. Together with the braking system, the engine compression is used to stop a motor cycle. Take the engine out of the equation and you have very bad manoeuvrability and virtually no engine compression. A well trained motor cyclist will lay the bike down to avoid or lessen an impact.
- by TGO on July 21, 2009 at 02:47 PM
darren, you won't be alone. I'm hoping to take a peek at 'Dance your Ass off' - I won't be able to resist! I'm going to watch it with a glass of wine, hoping for some reality tv gold! Don't know if i'll get past the first 10 minutes, but i've got to see it myself!
I too noticed the other channels jumping on the Masterchef bandwagon. Channel 7 were doing it all day yesterday - Kylie Gillies on The Morning Show was talking about her performance on DWTS but stated that "Nobody was watching it anyway thanks to Masterchef". Similar conversation on Sunrise. TT did a huge story, even bringing in Rebecca Gibney (who plays Julie Rafter), commenting that "Julie Rafter has competition as Australia's favourite mum, there's a new Julie that Australia loves". I've noticed this happening more and more. Even channel 10 were getting in on it - they are advertising their 'pre-loved' GNW, the advertising campaign aiming at those viewers who were "watching Underbelly". Is this the new way forward? Instead of ignoring or going into denial about the other stations they are keen to comment on each other? Interesting...
I'm in agreement about Julie perhaps being the "secret ingredient". She is genuinely likeable, an every woman - for someone young like me, she reminds me of my mum, for those women in an older age group, she is someone they can relate to directly. My best friends who are gay males just love her, love the fact that it's the mum who was doing so well and had been going for her the entire time. She was just genuinely likeable. I was genuinely thrilled for her. I'm with you em! I'm sick of food snobs, and on a similar stance, sick of tv snobs. With so much crap going on in the world - some good, positive news, a lovely, positive person who has won a prize that will change her life for the better, is nice to see. I feel like there is such negativity in the world at the moment - horrific deaths, terrorism, illness, I flew over Melbourne during my OS trip and seeing how damaged the landscape still is, knowing how many people lost their homes... Some positivity is needed in the world! Why do people find it so cool to be cynical? The need to tear everyone else down to prove their own superiority... Anyway, rant over!
Caught up on the 7pm Project (encore screening today at 3:30pm, watching it as I type this). It is better than I was expecting. Admittedly, my expectations were low. But I'm liking it. I'm more likely to watch that then H&A (when in Thailand, I saw a couple of episodes because there was seriously nothing else to view in English at the time - didn't it just remind me why I don't watch H&A!!) or whatever 9 is offering up (I actually have no idea what they screen at 7pm! Now I come to think about it, no clue! I really don't watch anything on 9). Will be interesting to see how they rate tonight - to see how many stick with it.
- by Beckala on July 21, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Hey TM was wondering if you could please tell me the ratings for Big Bang Theory last night? Love that show, although it's humour is becoming more two and a half men-esque lately. But same producer so what did I expect.
Anyway, haha, I will be watching 'Dance You ass off' too. -looks away guiltily-
Tribal Mind replies: In the chart now
- by Liz on July 21, 2009 at 03:07 PM
A million stopped watching TV, but still - why did 1.4 million watch TWO AND A HALF MEN.
- by Tim on July 21, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Did we all know that the Cook & the Chef is finishing up in September as Maggie wants to leave the show to concentrate on her family and her business. I too will miss the nut brown butter, liking the sour tastes and verjuice plus lashings of evvo (extra virgin olive oil).
Beckala at 7pm I am usually catching up with what I have recorded elsewhere - tonight is Spooks and Glee or I watch the ABC news.
- by Cathy on July 21, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Word has it from the bunker that Nine is seriously considering an innovative cost-cutting measure. All Nine locally-produced programmes will have the on-air talent bussed around to private homes in Sydney where they will perform each programme live in the host's loungeroom. This way, Nine will save considerable costs by not having to pay a floor crew, and given the number of families that actually watch the station, everyone will be able to go home by 10 to 7pm. The last employee leaving the Nine studios will, of course, turn off the light.
- by David @ Green Point on July 21, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Hey TGO,
have you considered a job justifying Peter Garrett's policy announcements? :)
I know I shouldn't take it so seriously but it irritates me anyway. I'm sure that they will come up with a way to reanimate Adam.
- by shuey on July 21, 2009 at 05:43 PM
I must say that Nine is on a miraculous run for ball-dropping in 2009.
Just last week, This Afternoon was canned, an epic six-car pile-up of a show, I couldn't look away...
How could Sixty Minutes be so blinkered to think their interview with Lispy from Fropshire (hilarious!) would not crumble to MCA finale... at $200k? Surely someone should lose a job for that cock up...
As a Nine-hater from the days they screwed
The Sopranos and 6 Feet Under, I'm loving their public, humiliating decrepitude.
- by GhostofTVpast on July 21, 2009 at 09:09 PM
David @ Green Point, good idea, or they could just screen a test pattern and get better ratings. I was thinking a similar cost-cutting method could be applied to 'Aus Idol' this year - just give it to the girl who pretends to be Madonna on the promo....yeah, she'll do. Skip all the hooha and go straight to the Opera House. Everyone wins.
Well,.....'Dance Your Ass Off',....ahem....er,....I watched the first girl 'dance', the one in the tangerine bodysack...sorry, dress. Thank god the camera man was in front of her when she did that bend. The ass is still very much there. Not curious anymore. No. Much as I think every show Channel Nine picks is a loser, who on god's green earth would ever see this garbage and think "It's a hit, Aussies will go ape over this shit, I'll buy it!!".....who? I think Nine should seriously consider the possibilty that they have Channel Seven moles choosing their content. Made 'Hole in the Wall' look like....well,.... slightly less shit.
And Cathy, that's sad news about Maggie Beare. I love Maggie Beare, verjus and all. Like I've said before, I don't care for food, but Simon and Maggie is a greatly appealing combination.
- by darren on July 22, 2009 at 05:57 AM
No "Dancing Asses" for me last night. But I did watch Grand Designs. Which for some reason I find relaxing. Must be all those shots of the beautiful countryside, cows grazing in the distance etc. Maybe it's also the dream factor. You know, the dream of having the perfect home. Something most of us will never achieve.
So Grand Designs lets us live the dream, for an hour at least. Good TV.
Also watched "Pushing Daisies" last night on Foxtel. I can't believe Nine sold this brilliant show off and bought something like
Ass instead! Morons.
And whats with Seven tonight? "World's Strictest Parents"? That sounds like another winner. Your right, TM. The networks are scraping the barrel now. Time to break out the DVD's.
- by em on July 22, 2009 at 08:14 AM
"Made 'Hole in the Wall' look like....well,.... slightly less shit."
You crack me up!
- by arthur on July 22, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Nine Dances Its Ratings Off. Even worse ratings for Dance Your Ass Off than I predicted. I thought it might attract the same bogan audience for at least one episode as such Nine classics as Hole In The Wall and Wipeout did. But this was truly awful. Nine's share for the night was as bad as what Ten was getting at its third placed worst.
- by J Bar on July 22, 2009 at 09:07 AM
FOR SALE: Remaining episodes of American dancing competition. Features fat-bottom girls and a cast of no talents. Going cheap. Phone ex-PD @ 9999 9999
- by David @ Green Point on July 22, 2009 at 09:35 AM
David, I'm surprised you didn't make a bigger deal of Channel Ten winning its not like that happens every week. Can they do it 2 weeks in a row, surely a first.
Tribal Mind replies: In recent weeks the audience shares have been just like this at this point. Ten will slump tonight.
- by chrisc on July 22, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Quoth em: "So Grand Designs lets us live the dream, for an hour at least."
I actually see it more as a nightmare, as walls spring leaks, tiles fall off, budgets spiral out of control, and the house-to-be continues to sit in what looks like a bomb site as the months pass. Cures me of any wish to ever build/renovate my own home.
- by tqd on July 22, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Considering the number of people tweeting about Dance Your Ratings Off last night surprised to see it under 800K. Surely next week they'll film a white flag waving in the breeze and entitle the show "Surrender TV".
- by Bereft Skerrick on July 22, 2009 at 10:26 AM
You learn something every day.....eg There's a bloody great big wall seperating the Catholics & The Prodestants in Belfast Ireland. Foreign Correspondent last night showed this from both sides, it really quite jaw dropping. No wonder the Irish have left in droves & populated the world, thanks to religion.
With you em on Grand Designs, you do feel relaxed after Kevin & the house builders have done their thing.
Also read about The Cook & The Chef, certainly disappointing to see them go, but nice to leave on their own terms instead of if they were on Ch9.
Certainly no pity from this black duck re Ch9, let's just call it "character building" for the management being on the bottom of the commercial heap.
hahahaha.......The "security code" is 999999 for my post, maybe I should be a little more vindictive???
- by PJ453 on July 22, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I think Seven will win the week. I think it has a more consistent line up and the strong lead in from its news programs. Ten might score with Rush but the cupboard is pretty bare.
- by Michael on July 22, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Maggie Beare was the mother of Arthur and Robert on Mother & son played by the late, great Ruth Cracknell. It is Maggie Beer who is the cook.
- by You say Beare and I say Beer, let's call thw whole thing off on July 22, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Caught 7pm Project this week and appreciated the prize fouls on channel 9. on 60 mins poor ratings against MCA: "Take that, ghost of Kerry Packer!" Don't mind that bogan from Rove on 7pm too much... Maybe what I hate so much about Rove is... Rove. Quite like James Matherson surprisingly... My girl reckons this show is just radio on the TV, which is a bandname I believe.
- by GhostofTVpast on July 22, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Thanks for that, You say Beare and I say Beer, let's call thw whole thing off (ever thought of shortening your name?). I always think ....Beer? Who has Beer as a last name? And then I try to spell it differently and stuff it up and name other National Treasures by mistake. D'oh. But yes, you're right. By the way, Rupert, Simon's not a heroin addict. He's a vegetarian. Same look, different causes.
And while we're in the mood for corrections, GhostofTVpast, that's 'TV on the Radio', actually. Ah, the fleeting smugness of the pedant....
Still watching 'The 7PM Project'...just. They really need to tighten things up. Fast.
You weren't wrong, TM, about 'The Winter of No Content' (boom boom). Geez, it's all come to a screeching halt.....
- by darren on July 23, 2009 at 05:58 AM
I got home in time last night to catch the 7pm Project for the first time last night. I agree with Darren that it needs tightening up. It didn't flow all that well, maybe first week nerves.
Chaser was good last night though I had to close my eyes with the cat "abusing". That was truely horrible. It will be interesting to see what they come up with for their last ever show next week.
- by Nic on July 23, 2009 at 09:18 AM
FYI the band name is actually "TV on the Radio".
The couples thing was horrible.
the parents thing was a little better.
- by TG on July 23, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Not liking the 7pm Project. Reminds me of The Panel and I never liked that either. Probably because I could never stand that Kate Langbroek (or whatever her name is) person. Back to the Project, Hughesy just sounds too try hard to me and Bug Eye Guy is always annoying.
Maybe it will get better. Maybe pigs will fly. Maybe Nine will come up with a hit show.
Am amazed Seven's "Worlds strictest Parents" did so well last night. Guess people wanted to see how bad other peoples kids are. I didn't watch so can't comment but the title was enough for me.
Spent my time watching The Simpsons and then onto The Tudors on Showtime. That Jonathan Rhys Myers is one cute king. I'm sure Henry VIII was never that good looking!
And has anyone seen the new Harry Potter yet? I'm off tomorrow. Hopefully the worst of the school holiday rush is over.
- by em on July 23, 2009 at 09:33 AM
I despair for the last time (well, it won't be the last actually) at the viewing choices of the Aussie public. Why would a 7 or 9 programming boffin try and risk / stick with a quality program such as - insert any of the shows listed in the TMs DVD blog - when repeats continue to rate over 1 million and reality blah almost wins the night. We are not giving them any incentive to change.
7PM Project - Bye Bye
They seem lower numbers for Spicks & Specks / The Chaser
- by Tim on July 23, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Australia's Perfect Couple is Another Perfect Flop for Nine. Which will Nine chop first? Ass or Couple? They don't seem to know their Arse from their Couple's elbows?
- by Bloke from the Sticks on July 23, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Gone already. 9's pulled the plug on Dance Your Donkey, replacing it with more American rubbish - at least 2 and a Half Men rates for them. What's the bet that Donkey Dancing turns up on their new Go! HD channel?
- by David @ Green Point on July 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Nine just chopped their Ass off. How long before someone at Nine gets their Arse chopped for that one? New Adventures of Old Christine from next week. Will Australia's Perfect couple make it to next week?
- by Levendis on July 23, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Goodness, the ratings for the 7pm project are slipping rather quickly !
- by Seb on July 23, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Poor Charlie (7pm Probe). On My Gen he looks like he just wants to take the hosting role over from Micalef... but, alas, hosting a show in the larger pond is best left to the experts. Or ones with talent. Sorry Charlie, but the Grim Reaper is standing behind you...
- by David @ Green Point on July 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM
em I saw Harry Potter last weekend - good but not as good as some of the earlier ones - thought Rupert Grint (Ron) excellent. Still if a Harry fan you will like. On that note I know they are splitting the last book into 2 films - intrigued to work out where they will cut off in the first film - any suggestions?
Missed all offerings on Nein - not surprised to see that they have gone back to their old comfortable habits - if it rates even slightly flog it to death.
Now can Chaser fans enlighten me - as a non fan I caught a fair bit of last night's offering (was minding 4yo niece and they were recording it) - now I did not even smile once - were they off their game? Found the whole climbing the church and Osama in Washington patently stupid - ditto the advertising a brothel. If that is what they are now reduced to then no wonder they are finishing up.
Also for British Life on mmars fans caught an ad at the end of Monday's Spooks for Ashes to Ashes coming soon - Gene Hunt in the 1980s -hoot! And read elsewhere that ABC2 is showing Wire in the Blood USA (Tony Hill in Texas) from Tuesday 11 august at 8.30.
Very happy as Amazing Race is back tonight
- by Cathy on July 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM
The follow up to "Life on Mars", "Ashes to Ashes", starts on ABC1 August 10.
- by Gary on July 23, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Here y'go 'em' - hope this helps! "WARNING: If you hate spoilers, do not read this review. If you want to see the new HARRY POTTER film without knowing what happens, do not read this review. If you do not want the entire plot, from beginning to end, totally revealed before you even buy your ticket, do not read this review. In fact, don�t even glance at this review or ask your friend to read it for you and tell you about it. Much as we hate to risk ruining your enjoyment of the fantasy film blockbuster, due to the intricate - indeed, one might say, labyrinthine - plotting (or is that plodding?) of its scenario, there is no way to discuss HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE without delving into a detailed discussion of the various plot developments, twists, and revelations. We will address these points beneath a microscope, examining them with minute attention and teasing out all their subtle implications. So, having been fully warned, you may now proceed - but only at your own risk.
Here, then, is our full-blown, no-holds-barred, spoilerific examination of every significant plot point made in the new POTTER film:
Voldemort hid a piece of his soul in a locket, and Severus Snape kills Dumbledore.
That�s it, ladies and gentlemen - this marks the end of our full-blown, no-holds-barred, spoilerific examination of every significant plot point in the new POTTER film. Thank you and good night!"
By Steve Biodrowski - Cinefantastique.com.
Tribal Mind asks: Thanks for that. But can you tell me how Dumbledore knew the locket would be in the cave in the cliff, and why Dumbledore didn't defend himself.
- by David @ Green Point on July 23, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I'm beginning to think the "Winter of No Content" only applies to the non-government channels. ABC has 'Ashes to Ashes', 'United States of Tara', 'Wire in the Blood USA'; SBS has 'The Circuit' and 'East West 101'. Maybe Channel Nine could come fourth, after the ABC?
(Although I'm not convinced by 'Wire in the Blood' in America. Not convinced at all.)
em & Cathy: I saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Saturday night, and enjoyed it. Yes, I am a Potter fan. It was a bit rushed at times (there seemed to be more in the book...), but it covered all the salient points, the actors are growing into their characters (Michael Gambon has now successfully made Dumbledore his own; and agreed that Rupert Grint was very good), and they cut out some of the interminably teenage angsty trauma (Ron, I'm looking at you).
- by tqd on July 23, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Thanks for the info re new Harry fellow bloggers!
As a fan I knew about Dumbledore and all the shock/horror/tears have been shed!
As to 2 movies from last book, I haven't a clue how they will split it but probably at some point with high tension so they can keep people in suspense and make them desperate to see the final film. I read the last book when it came out and I can barely remember it now. I shall have to have a read again when the last film comes out.
- by em on July 23, 2009 at 02:29 PM
"Tribal Mind asks: Thanks for that. But can you tell me how Dumbledore knew the locket would be in the cave in the cliff, and why Dumbledore didn't defend himself?" No idea - I have every intention of leaving the Potter franchise well and truly alone... especially after hearing "not enough Hocus Pocus, too much Hanky Panky"!
- by David @ Green Point on July 23, 2009 at 02:41 PM
A current affair bidding war for the rights to the story of the missing British backpacker and he turns out to have a speech impediment and nobody sees the show anyway because it gets blitzed by a reality show finale. A current affairs shows seem to be imitating storylines from comedy Frontline more and more these days.
- by Levendis on July 23, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Yeah, fatty-boom-bah rubbish "Dance-your-ass-off" flopped, excellent!
- by davo on July 24, 2009 at 02:01 AM
Thanks, tqd, for the reminder about 'United States of Tara'. I keep forgetting. Will be watching, warming otherwise contentless hands.
Hey, congratulations to Seven for 'Double Take'. They've finally perfected The Totally Humourless Sketch Comedy. Been trying for a few years now, what with 'Sunrise' and 'Today Tonight', but with DT I think they've hit the nail on the head.
'Amazing Race' was alright as usual. It's always alright. Takes a while to get a favourite. I'm rootin' for Cletus and Brandine meself ("Get yo ass up that he-ill, Brandine, and grab yosef a hunk a that they-er cheeeese"....- "I caint, Cletus, I caint. I'm a gonna jes skootch down this here he-ill on mah heiny na-ow ya hear? We gots to make it to the Ayer Port in time for that Big Metal Bird..."). Gotta love a HillBilly. And if there's ever a Road Block that says "After unloading the wood and unhitching the donkey, you must change the tyres of the wagon using only your augmented breasts", most teams would sail through with flying colours. The Swiss Alps weren't the only peaks, know what I'm sayin'?
Oh, and 'The 7PM Project'........oxygen masks are falling from the ceiling. Pull up! Pull up! Don't have ANY seriousness. None. Just be funny. NO seriousness. Doesn't work. And get correspondents (and hosts) who can speak in complete sentences.
I'll save the 'Dancing With The Exploited Sight-Challenged Adventurer' promos for later.
- by darren on July 24, 2009 at 05:57 AM
I caught the end of something called "TV Burp" last night on 7. If that ain't scraping the bottom of the barrel I don't know what is. Terrible, terrible.
Darren - agree with you with Amazing Race - love the hillbillies. Hillarious! There always seem to be a pair of "inflated" girls on the race, it's like they have a formula for teams every season - the good looking girls, the older couple, the couple who are testing to see whether they should stay together ... and the hillbillies!
- by Nic on July 24, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Nine have axed fatty dance after one show. How surprising. Did they really think they were on a winner?
And what have they replaced it with? Two and a half Men. Seems that is Nine's answer to everything. Really these people have absolutely no idea. Are they all brain dead?
What a bunch of total wankers.
- by em on July 24, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Final show of the wonderful series of Beautiful People last night on ABC2, must have only been 6 shows in the series, or is time just flying?. If there is a god please let there be a second series. It's ditto for Being Human tonight.
darren: You've made "Cletus" up haven't you??? Although I have heard of a little known clan of Arkensas Cletus's, but I think they spell it differently, & it sounds more Roman than American.
- by PJ453 on July 24, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Some truly cringe-worthy moments in Double Take last night: Rudd-cover was irksome, ATM thief grammar-Nazi was awful but there's a glimmer of hope: the council worker police shootout was clever and the pram thugs bit rang true. I did laugh.... It's better than the Wedge, at least... eeep!
- by GhostofTVpast on July 24, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Cletus and Brandine, PJ453, were made up by Matt Groening and every so often feature on an amusing little show called 'The Simpsons'. The real-life hillbillies on 'The Amazing Race' are called Jennifer and Steve or Britney and Kevin or Karl and Lisa or something pretty ordinary actually. I forget but I thought what's a little creative lee-way betwixt friends?
I call all hillbillies Cletus and Brandine. They's funny.
Alos funny are the father and son team who are both gay and the son co-starred with Jack Black in 'School of Rock'. Yes, that's not a typo. They're both gay. Where do they find 'em?
There's also a mother and son team in which the son is deaf (or 'hearing challenged'). The mother is just old. Seven is looking for a deaf dancer for the next season of DWTS as we speak (or..write).
- by darren on July 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM
July 21, 2009 at 05:43 shuey said:
..."have you considered a job justifying Peter Garrett's policy announcements? :) ....
It would never work, my statement was based on fact. Politicians statements should all start with "Once upon a time".
Good to see DYAO danced it right out the door. What a crock of ....
- by TGO on July 24, 2009 at 10:52 AM
I actually saw Double Take last night (unusual for me as I usually watch things the next day to avoid the commercials), failed to even crack a smile nor did anyone else in the house. Sketch shows are often used for comedy, I have no idea what this sketch show was trying to accomplish but it definitely was not comedic. I think they used all the budget's money on staging and forgot about the actual content.
As to the 7PM Project, with Micallef as host it would have a much better chance, Pickering may just be out of his depth, I will persevere with it for a while as there should be a place for this type of show, it might grow into something better, they do seem to be experimenting with different things.
- by Zjonn on July 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I have to say part of the attraction of the Amazing Race is that whole -where on earth do they find these people - last night's cheese challenge was hilarious - I had a fit of the giggles as they were trying to negotiate the steep slope with a 50 pound cheese ball - rolling cheeses were a classic.
Also very happy Eureka is back (midnight for us late night owls). A quirky and clever show.
And Darren Cletus and Brandine are great names for the hillbillies. not amazed that they have never left the good ole US of A and were a bit scared about the prospect..
On the race there are, as you noted, those who have had their natural assets extremely enhanced - I spend the first few moments of the race trying to identify those who are not plastic people. Plus who are likely to be the most annoying.
- by Cathy on July 24, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Twenty years ago, a little show called Fast Forward spent it's entire first year, apart from a few moments, just not being funny. The difference these days is that networks are far more brutal with the axe.
I did watch Double Take, and yes there were certianly flat moments, but I $%^&ed myself at the Mother's Group sketch, mainly because I live in the Inner West which is mainly populated by these pram nazis.
Maybe it will improve, but will 7 give it time? It has to compete aganist Rush, which we watched afterward on IQ.
- by glory days on July 24, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Ah Darren, vegetarian, heroin addict ... who can keep track of these things? You say potato, I say smack. Because I trust your judgement I'm going to have my first go at a reality TV show. Loving Cletus and Brandine.
- by Rupert on July 24, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I watched Rush last night for the first time - Mr Beckala is always a big supporter of Australian drama, and as he has been sick, I gave in. Dear god, what on earth is Catherine McClements trying to achieve? The character is just ridiculous - every time she was on screen or opened her mouth I just cringed. Obviously they are going the 'hard ass female who kicks ass better than the men" but it just looked ridiculous and try hard. It was an over the top caricature who really didn't belong with the rest of the characters - her presence felt really different and separate to the other storylines. It's a shame, because of her, I am really reluctant to watch the show again. But I think Callan Mulvey and Jolene Anderson did a really good job, the drug storyline was interesting. But McClements made me want to literally throw something at the screen, and I actually said "Oh for god's sake shut up woman" at one point. The thing is though, i've seen her in other productions and thought she was pretty good. So I don't know if it is the writing or her interpretation of the character, but she was instantly unlikeable and annoying.
Recorded the channel 7 comedy duo, so can't comment on it as yet. But i'm not expecting much, based on the comments i've read here!
DWTS's big twist this weekend is such a beat up - the ad campaign is claiming the celebrities "have to dance alone". The way they were all carrying on, you would assume that they had to do a solo performance. But I saw the morning show on Monday (school holidays, sick, so i'm seeing a lot of daytime tv, as I haven't really been well enough to concentrate on much) that the HUGE twist is that the celebrities will have to dance alone... for FIFTEEN SECONDS. Dear god, how will they survive? And oddly enough, the blind competitor who should be freaking out the most (that has to be very daunting when you can't see anything), is quite calm, while the others are playing up to the drama like they had been asked to enter a burning building or perform brain surgery rather than perform a mere 15 seconds without a partner. Methinks they are getting a bit desperate to get huge viewers in the first post Masterchef episode, to show that the show is succeeding in the timeslot. I don't think they will succeed somehow. DWTS is not the ratings killer it once was - doesn't help that most of the "celebrities" are hasbeens or F-grade with the exception of Jessica from PTTR.
- by Beckala on July 24, 2009 at 12:26 PM
PJ453, the final of "Beautiful People"?? And "Being Human"??!?! Oh no, they're my favourite shows on at the moment!
Caught some of "True Beauty" following some channel surfing (what is it with men not just hitting the "off" switch when the show you're watching finishes?), and I wanted to kill them all within the first five minutes.
- by tqd on July 24, 2009 at 01:25 PM
I love how Nine has been promoting "Australia's Perfect Couple" as its "hit new series". How can something be a hit before it airs? And more pertinently, how can it still be called a hit when it came 24th in the night's ratings? Then again, maybe 24th IS classed as a hit at the Nine Network nowadays
- by NK on July 24, 2009 at 02:08 PM
Beckala, Re DWTS, thank you for your outrage. Together maybe we can get ACA interested. They're trying everything short of sprinkling the floor with mousetraps to get Gerard to fall over. They make me so angry with their faked concern ("How will Gerard cope? Will Gerard be able to do it?") as if they're merely trying to add a bit of variety and the blind guy's just unfortunate to have a harder time than the others. The whole f%&king season has revolved aroung making a spectacle of the guy and thinly justifying it as "inspirational". Try "exploitative".
The fact that he's the only one unfazed just highlights their cluelessness and cynicism and neanderthalish ignorance of the fact that he's just a normal person who happens to not be able to see anymore, not a performing monkey.
I find the whole business unseemly and cruel.
And Seven and Nine both had the hide to cane 'The Chaser' for the 'Realistic Make-a-Wish' thing (which, by the way 'Double Take' weakly attempted to rip off last night in a skit with a doctor and nurse and a patient who "was only going to die anyway"). At least the sick kiddies on The Chaser were make-believe. Idiots idiots idiots.
I'm going home to have a lie down now.
Rupert, The Amazing Race is only worth watching for the fools. Fools with breasts. Like 'BayWatch' with airplanes.
- by darren on July 24, 2009 at 02:15 PM
darren, i'm actually surprised ACA haven't tried doing a story about this 'controversy' already! It is just appalling, every week they go on and on about how they will treat him as an equal, yet put him on a pedestal with Daniel McPherson using his solemn voice peppered with phrases like "inspirational", yet two minutes later tear him to absolute shreds about stuff he has no way of controlling. It is pure exploitation - look at how inclusive we are, aren't we a warm and cuddly show with our love of the blind guy, but blind guy, remember that you are a crap dancer and will always get low marks, so general public if you want to keep seeing the inspiration you better keep voting for him!
I think the only reason they keep making him walk down the big staircase is because they are hoping he will do a Fifi Box and fall down the damn thing, giving them some much needed publicity. How many times did they air the bit where he dropped his partner and she hit her head?! I was overseas when it happened, yet i've seen the footage 6 or 7 times and that was just last weekend! Same way that 7 are milking the deaf guy on the Amazing Race - he is the only contestant shown on the ad, with the same tear jerking "I want to show the world that deaf people can do things", which is great and a positive thing, but they are again exploiting!
tqd, I did the same - caught some of True Beauty last night. Dear god, that is seriously the worst thing ever. Who knew there were people who were that dumb and arrogant?! They should all be kept in the house together, but shut in for all eternity for the good of humanity!
Oh and darren, awesome call on Cletus and Brandine. Those rednecks are gold reality tv material. What was even more hilarious is that the orange guy (too many to remember all of their names so far_ is talking about how he is going to win, and by some kind of fluke 'Cletus' manages to figure out a genius way to carry the cheese! Overtaking many contestants! Gold, pure gold! I can't see them lasting long, I think her lack of fitness might be their downfall. But I will celebrate them loud and proud while they are racing!
- by Beckala on July 24, 2009 at 06:25 PM
I too am also happy Ch10 are showing Eureka after Letterman on Thursday nights (instead of Numb3rs as advertised). Still waiting for them to put Buffy back on but Eureka is a nice treat.
Every time I ask for a program change on this blog I seem to get it or something close. TM is the best place to air your grievances. Asking nicely helps I find.
- by merciless on July 25, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Why do women always have to have a go at other women? I don't think there's a problem with Catherine McClements's character in Rush being a bit of a hard arse. I like to see powerful women on television and I have known some cops exactly like her. I don't understand why women always do this to each other. It doesn't always have to lead to a scrag fight.
- by Penelope on July 25, 2009 at 01:41 PM
10's 7pm show MUST be expecting the axe to fall after HALVING its audience in five days. Don't care what TM says about Thurs & Fri being "slow days" and 16-39 cretins still watching. It's woeful trash and should be put out of its misery now (thus beating the previous record for a Stillborn M-F programme, held by 9's "This Afternoon".)
Tribal Mind replies: We all complain on this forum about how the networks don't give shows enough time to find an audience, and move shows around without warning. We can hardly demand that Ten takes it off so soon.
- by David @ Green Point on July 25, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Excuse me, Tribal Mind, but I'm with Green Point David on this one. I don't complain that shows aren't given enough time to find an audience -- I may have complained that some shows should never have been floated in the vain hope that they will find an audience -- and 7PM falls into that category.
10 minutes was enough for me to wonder where the station executives were, when the programme was touted or piloted. Surely the ghost of Kerry Packer could have prompted a 10 executive to just pick up the phone and pull it off the air.
For all the kudos given to 30 Rock, I watched about 3 episodes the other night on DVD -- during that time I hadn't smiled once, but am willing to admit my sense of humour ain't what it used to be. It's slickly-produced, well-cast, but has the old American reliance on smart putdowns.
- by Professor Rosseforp on July 26, 2009 at 10:56 AM
No Penelope, let's have a scrag fight. Let's put Ros from Spooks against Catherine of Rush & see who's the most "powerful".....roll up, roll up.....& in the blue corner........
I vote Ros.
- by PJ453 on July 26, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I love a good scrag fight too. Bring it on!
- by J Bar on July 26, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Scrag fight...! Did I hear someone say, "Game on moles?"
- by Tim on July 26, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Gwen Cooper from Torchwood would totally pwn Catherine and Ros.
- by Bereft Skerrick on July 26, 2009 at 08:05 PM
Hey Hey Its Saturday is coming back. Two reunion specials will be made, with rumours that it will then be made into a new series.
BE AFRAID. BE VERY VERY AFRAID!
- by Beckala on July 26, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Following news of the revival of "Hey Hey It's Saturday", I have it on good authority that Nine will, if the HHIS specials are successful, approach Jimmy Hannan to host a revival of "Say When", the relatives of Terry Dear to host a "20-1 Concentration" special, Tommy Hanlon Jr's daughter to head "It Could Be You 50 Years Later" and Dame Edna Everage to front "Queen For a Day" in a newish format. "It worked back then, so why not again?" is understood to be the Networks new positioning statement...
- by David @ Green Point on July 26, 2009 at 08:17 PM
'The 7PM Project' deserves a bit of support. Friday (I know I'm 3 days late on this) night's episode was better and more cohesive than the rest of the week's episodes put together. It's a good idea that needs some time to settle in. Give it a chance I say.
Conversely, stomp the return of 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' into the ground before it even enters rehearsals. For the love of God.
- by darren on July 27, 2009 at 05:54 AM
Quoth darren: "The fact that he's the only one unfazed..."
I caught the end of DWTS last night (waiting for Bones to start, while recording whatever it was on ABC) and had fun making up thoughts for Gerard since you couldn't see his eyes behind his glasses, he looked so calm (or bored...) and he could have been thinking anything. In my world, he was definitely bringing hellfire and damnation down upon that show.
I may have to watch The Amazing Race for Brandine and Cletus now. I blame you all.
And, OMG Pwnies! Ros would kick whiny Gwen's arse, and I'd be cheering her on.
- by tqd on July 27, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Tim, it's the molls of teh female variety that we'd want to see in a scrag fight not moles of the ground dwelling variety. So 'Game on, molls!'.
- by Bloke from the Sticks on July 28, 2009 at 10:11 AM
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No sense discussing Masterchef, that's in the past, I watched the cycling on SBS2. Just as much tension, a lot more skill, fantastic scenery shown off to great effect, if you like travelogues, you will like the cycling. On the subject of what you may like, SBS has been promoting new series of The Circuit and East West 101. When these shows finally come to air I would strongly suggest that you give them a go.
Based on the previous two series, both are extremely well written, well acted and no expense appeared to have been spared in production. These were made as well as any of the best ABC drama productions which they used to be known for when they used to produce quality local drama (before the accountants started deciding how little to spend on productions to acceptable minimum standards) and anything being shown or produced by any of the other Networks at the moment. Both are different to anything on offer elsewhere so as TM suggests, the cupboard is pretty bare on the other networks for the rest of the year, so keep an eye out for these two series, they are likely to be very good!