The Who We Are update: Week 31

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week's forum is now a heritage item - worth studying but no longer current.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 discuss the credibility crisis of Australia's magazines, go to The Tribal Mind.
To learn how to abolish State Governments, go to Who We Are.

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday
Channel Ten managed only 14.6 per cent of the prime time audience on Friday night, easily beaten by the ABC on 20.4 per cent, thanks to George Gently, its new detective series. No wonder the shares for the week (and probably for the rest of the year) ended up thus: Seven 28.0 per cent, Nine 26.3, Ten 21.6, ABC 17.5 and SBS 6.6. We can expect Celebrity MasterChef to be rushed to air within weeks.

This was Pay TV's account of itself: "The English Premier League football season kicked off on Saturday night with 76,000 people watching Live: Football: EPL Chelsea v Hull on FOX Sports. In other sport, 316,000 viewers watched Live: NRL Broncos v Sharks, 277,000 watched Live: Cricket: Ashes: Day 3 Session 1 (the biggest audience for the Ashes series so far), 264,000 viewed Live: NRL Raiders v Dragons and 192,000 people saw Live: AFL Bris Lions v Western Bulldogs (all on FOX Sports).

"The Simpsons topped the week in entertainment programming with 150,000 viewers on FOX8, America's Next Top Model (also on FOX8) was seen by 135,000 people and NCIS on TV1 had 109,000 viewers. Daddy Day Care premiered on TV1 with 107,000 viewers, Disney Channel's broadcast of The Parent Trap was watched by 95,000 people and Project Runway Australia on Arena was seen by 93,000.

"In week 33, STV channels represented 21.7% of all metropolitan viewing between 6am and midnight, 20.4% of all regional viewing and 56.4% of all viewing in subscription TV homes."

What Australia watched, week ending August 15
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,909,000 584,000 577,000 323,000 206,000 219,000
2 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,672,000 409,000 486,000 389,000 163,000 225,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,560,000 501,000 508,000 249,000 200,000 102,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,528,000 431,000 398,000 304,000 184,000 211,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,521,000 388,000 553,000 257,000 146,000 177,000
6 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,508,000 487,000 460,000 229,000 135,000 197,000
7 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,492,000 452,000 524,000 207,000 155,000 155,000
8 WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS-UK Seven 1,453,000 411,000 408,000 275,000 194,000 164,000
9 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,448,000 439,000 457,000 263,000 138,000 151,000
10 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,388,000 371,000 379,000 279,000 167,000 192,000
11 GETAWAY Nine 1,372,000 433,000 375,000 276,000 126,000 162,000
12 SURF PATROL Seven 1,354,000 411,000 346,000 247,000 169,000 182,000
13 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,344,000 377,000 412,000 281,000 172,000 101,000

14 20 TO 1 Nine 1,334,000 400,000 371,000 276,000 121,000 166,000
15 AIR WAYS Seven 1,334,000 406,000 329,000 255,000 173,000 171,000
16 CITY HOMICIDE-MON Seven 1,308,000 388,000 423,000 200,000 143,000 155,000
17 60 MINUTES Nine 1,303,000 413,000 383,000 282,000 124,000 101,000
18 DANCING WITH THE STARS 9 Seven 1,301,000 381,000 351,000 294,000 115,000 159,000
19 AUSTRALIAN IDOL - AUDITION 1 Ten 1,300,000 402,000 411,000 229,000 124,000 134,000
20 ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE Seven 1,261,000 353,000 340,000 265,000 133,000 171,000
21 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,258,000 331,000 424,000 247,000 120,000 137,000
22 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED Nine 1,253,000 318,000 420,000 252,000 120,000 142,000
23 GEORGE GENTLY ABC1 1,232,000 417,000 345,000 191,000 124,000 156,000
24 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,221,000 316,000 329,000 298,000 127,000 151,000
25 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,216,000 361,000 326,000 230,000 160,000 139,000
26 NINE NEWS Nine 1,210,000 312,000 412,000 242,000 127,000 117,000
27 RUSH Ten 1,206,000 360,000 418,000 179,000 118,000 131,000
28 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,206,000 436,000 336,000 200,000 113,000 122,000
29 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,205,000 324,000 398,000 241,000 121,000 121,000
30 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,166,000 368,000 346,000 189,000 140,000 123,000
31 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 1,163,000 295,000 417,000 230,000 78,000 144,000
32 RESCUE SPECIAL OPS Nine 1,155,000 383,000 331,000 234,000 118,000 89,000
33 NCIS EP 2 RPT Ten 1,143,000 320,000 361,000 216,000 113,000 132,000
34 CITY HOMICIDE-MON EP. 2 Seven 1,142,000 314,000 405,000 169,000 125,000 128,000
35 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,129,000 283,000 341,000 231,000 148,000 126,000
36 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1,123,000 305,000 359,000 215,000 108,000 136,000
37 RPA Nine 1,108,000 297,000 357,000 209,000 114,000 131,000
38 BONES Seven 1,103,000 317,000 305,000 212,000 115,000 154,000
39 NCIS RPT Ten 1,066,000 318,000 303,000 193,000 115,000 137,000
40 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,041,000 321,000 301,000 187,000 93,000 140,000
41 CRIMINAL MINDS (R) Seven 1,032,000 274,000 304,000 205,000 131,000 117,000
42 THE LIBRARIANS ABC1 1,031,000 310,000 353,000 168,000 106,000 93,000

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,221,000 316,000 329,000 298,000 127,000 151,000
2 AUSTRALIA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS Nine 1,129,000 283,000 341,000 231,000 148,000 126,000
3 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 932,000 208,000 274,000 226,000 135,000 89,000
4 M-MADAGASCAR Seven 904,000 325,000 297,000 113,000 87,000 83,000
5 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC1 844,000 254,000 258,000 161,000 81,000 91,000
6 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Seven 838,000 250,000 201,000 219,000 95,000 73,000
7 SATURDAY NIGHT AFL Ten 789,000 85,000 428,000 97,000 98,000 82,000
8 THE BILL ABC1 765,000 208,000 231,000 125,000 86,000 115,000
9 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SAT Ten 697,000 181,000 289,000 149,000 78,000
10 EAST OF EVERYTHING ABC1 628,000 216,000 162,000 121,000 49,000 80,000
11 GARDENING AUSTRALIA ABC1 588,000 168,000 178,000 114,000 69,000 58,000
15 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFL Ten 509,000 61,000 277,000 34,000 60,000 77,000
19 MYTHBUSTERS SBS ONE 371,000 101,000 97,000 84,000 40,000 50,000
77 RAGE: GUEST PROGRAMMER ABC1 104,000 17,000 34,000 23,000 14,000 16,000
123 RAGE ABC1 43,000 10,000 10,000 13,000 5,000 6,000
128 RUGBY UNION: SHUTE SHIELD (NSW) 2009-PM ABC1 38,000 38,000
130 VFL FOOTBALL 2009-PM ABC1 37,000 37,000
145 RUGBY LEAGUE: (QLD) 2009-PM ABC1 29,000 29,000
156 WAFL LIVE LEAGUE FOOTBALL 2009-PM ABC1 22,000 22,000
158 DALEKS - INVASION EARTH 2150 A.D. -RPT Nine 21,000 21,000
162 THE SANFL-PM ABC1 20,000 20,000
171 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 17,000 4,000 5,000 8,000
189 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 20: HAWTHORN VS ADELAIDE Seven 11,000 9,000 2,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)
What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,464,000 403,000 381,000 290,000 175,000 215,000
2 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Seven 1,373,000 487,000 460,000 229,000 197,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,295,000 329,000 360,000 265,000 153,000 188,000
4 GEORGE GENTLY ABC1 1,232,000 417,000 345,000 191,000 124,000 156,000
5 NINE NEWS Nine 1,185,000 316,000 426,000 216,000 109,000 118,000
6 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,112,000 297,000 369,000 211,000 123,000 112,000
11 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 20: HAWTHORN VS ADELAIDE Seven 792,000 11,000 413,000 8,000 251,000 108,000
16 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 664,000 210,000 206,000 115,000 74,000 59,000
17 NINE'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 648,000 353,000 295,000
25 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Nine 451,000 242,000 Not shown 209,000 Not shown Not shown Not shown
33 M-FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL Seven 335,000 213,000 Not shown 122,000 Not shown Not shown
119 BANANAS IN PYJAMAS-PM ABC1 68,000 25,000 13,000 10,000 7,000 14,000
146 NINE'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LATE Nine 52,000 34,000 9,000 9,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,491,000 450,000 377,000 310,000 167,000 187,000
2 GETAWAY Nine 1,372,000 433,000 375,000 276,000 126,000 162,000
3 20 TO 1 Nine 1,336,000 400,000 371,000 277,000 122,000 167,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,272,000 362,000 316,000 256,000 158,000 179,000
5 RUSH Ten 1,206,000 359,000 418,000 179,000 118,000 132,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,181,000 359,000 330,000 208,000 140,000 143,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,176,000 345,000 381,000 216,000 112,000 122,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,171,000 308,000 398,000 237,000 104,000 124,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,127,000 291,000 384,000 226,000 110,000 115,000
10 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,012,000 320,000 262,000 197,000 98,000 136,000
11 THE AMAZING RACE Seven 949,000 294,000 313,000 142,000 112,000 88,000
15 JON & KATE PLUS 8 - SURVIVING SEXTUPLETS Ten 813,000 203,000 268,000 160,000 72,000 111,000
22 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 697,000 195,000 222,000 146,000 67,000 67,000
27 CONSUMING KIDS: THE COMMERCIALISATION OF CHILDHOOD ABC1 497,000 192,000 119,000 76,000 55,000 56,000
33 SUNRISE Seven 392,000 131,000 97,000 79,000 35,000 50,000
38 TODAY Nine 327,000 108,000 114,000 57,000 22,000 26,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Thursday
What last night revealed: 1. A Current Affair has no holding power. All of the people who made it Nine's most watched program on Tuesday went back to Today Tonight on Wednesday. So its general approach has no residual appeal to Kyle Sandilands fans.
2. The Librarians drives away 500,000 of the people who watch Spicks and Specks.
3. Not even Charlie Sheen can help Australia's Perfect Couple. Nine turned it into a half hour show and put it on after 2.5M, where it immediately drove away 500,000 viewers.

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,548,000 429,000 424,000 288,000 192,000 215,000
2 WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS-UK Seven 1,453,000 411,000 408,000 275,000 194,000 165,000
3 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC1 1,449,000 439,000 459,000 262,000 139,000 151,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,406,000 361,000 419,000 289,000 160,000 177,000
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,309,000 327,000 423,000 278,000 133,000 147,000
6 TWO AND A HALF MEN -WED Nine 1,253,000 318,000 420,000 253,000 120,000 142,000
7 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,238,000 354,000 342,000 240,000 178,000 125,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,189,000 311,000 371,000 259,000 126,000 121,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,142,000 309,000 346,000 251,000 116,000 120,000
10 RPA Nine 1,106,000 297,000 357,000 208,000 114,000 130,000
13 THE LIBRARIANS ABC1 1,028,000 308,000 353,000 168,000 106,000 93,000
14 THE SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,023,000 308,000 334,000 179,000 101,000 102,000
15 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 1,019,000 332,000 320,000 159,000 87,000 121,000
16 UNITED STATES OF TARA ABC1 990,000 302,000 355,000 132,000 97,000 104,000
17 THE GIFT Nine 986,000 299,000 313,000 158,000 105,000 110,000
25 LAW & ORDER: UK Ten 775,000 213,000 264,000 119,000 91,000 88,000
26 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 772,000 212,000 246,000 160,000 67,000 87,000
30 AUSTRALIA'S PERFECT COUPLE Nine 701,000 237,000 239,000 147,000 78,000
33 FAMILY GUY Seven 529,000 152,000 168,000 89,000 69,000 53,000
36 AT THE MOVIES ABC1 502,000 163,000 163,000 69,000 43,000 64,000
39 AMERICAN DAD Seven 452,000 130,000 148,000 76,000 53,000 45,000

The ratings race, updated 10 am Wednesday
The finest science fiction series of the decade, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, starts tonight on GO. If a few people watch it, Nine might just let it run to the end. If not, you could always rent the DVD.

As for last night, we have a mystery: why did A Current Affair suddenly attract more viewers than Today Tonight? It was Nine's most watched show of the day, even topping Nine's star performer 2.5M. Can anyone offer an explanation? ACA's surge was part of the reason the prime time audience shares for the week stand thus: Seven 28.8 per cent, Nine 24.9, Ten 23.4, ABC 15.4, SBS 7.4.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,904,000 582,000 575,000 322,000 205,000 219,000
2 TALKIN' 'BOUT YOUR GENERATION Ten 1,479,000 447,000 520,000 205,000 154,000 153,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,467,000 422,000 377,000 279,000 186,000 203,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,357,000 387,000 435,000 268,000 125,000 142,000
5 SURF PATROL Seven 1,353,000 410,000 345,000 247,000 169,000 182,000
6 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,335,000 348,000 356,000 254,000 181,000 196,000
7 AIR WAYS Seven 1,334,000 406,000 329,000 255,000 173,000 171,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,327,000 352,000 455,000 253,000 119,000 150,000
9 NINE NEWS Nine 1,290,000 320,000 431,000 276,000 138,000 125,000
10 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,270,000 382,000 322,000 237,000 174,000 155,000
11 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,174,000 371,000 349,000 191,000 142,000 123,000
12 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 1,167,000 297,000 419,000 230,000 77,000 144,000
22 TONY ROBINSON'S CRIME AND PUNISHMENT ABC1 791,000 269,000 202,000 130,000 96,000 94,000
23 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 756,000 208,000 245,000 148,000 77,000 79,000
33 KITCHEN NIGHTMARES U.S.A. Nine 457,000 126,000 149,000 70,000 74,000 39,000
75 THE PINKY AND PERKY SHOW-PM ABC1 163,000 43,000 47,000 32,000 11,000 29,000
96 WIRE IN THE BLOOD: USA ABC2 113,000 39,000 27,000 14,000 9,000 26,000
100 ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Seven 102,000 37,000 37,000 9,000 10,000 9,000
What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,670,000 451,000 431,000 355,000 198,000 234,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,628,000 452,000 441,000 329,000 181,000 225,000
3 TWO AND A HALF MEN Nine 1,521,000 388,000 552,000 261,000 142,000 177,000
4 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,345,000 348,000 463,000 263,000 139,000 133,000
5 CITY HOMICIDE-MON Seven 1,321,000 393,000 426,000 201,000 145,000 156,000
6 HOME AND AWAY Seven 1,286,000 376,000 360,000 247,000 167,000 137,000
7 ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE Seven 1,261,000 353,000 340,000 265,000 133,000 170,000
8 NINE NEWS Nine 1,237,000 321,000 436,000 229,000 148,000 103,000
9 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,231,000 316,000 438,000 235,000 136,000 105,000
10 AUSTRALIAN STORY ABC1 1,204,000 436,000 332,000 200,000 113,000 123,000
11 CITY HOMICIDE-MON EP. 2 Seven 1,142,000 314,000 403,000 170,000 125,000 131,000
12 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE Nine 1,125,000 304,000 360,000 216,000 109,000 136,000
18 ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? Ten 914,000 254,000 316,000 136,000 117,000 90,000
26 ASHES TO ASHES ABC1 625,000 168,000 214,000 78,000 75,000 91,000
27 DROP DEAD DIVA Nine 582,000 219,000 227,000 137,000 Not shown Not shown
29 DEXTER Ten 515,000 126,000 162,000 102,000 73,000 53,000
117 NATIONAL PRESS CLUB ADDRESS-PM ABC1 74,000 22,000 25,000 14,000 9,000 4,000

The ratings race, updated 11 am Monday
How do we answer the question of whether the removal of Kyle Sandilands helped or hurt Australian Idol on its opening night? As you see in the chart below, the commercial audience divided into thirds. To be precise, the prime time audience shares were: Seven 25.5 per cent, Nine 24.9, Ten 24.5, ABC 12.9, SBS 12.3 (thanks to cricket).

Idol won its timeslot with what Ten calls "all key demographics": people aged 13-17, 16-24, 16-39, 16-54, 18-29, 18-49, 25-54, and 30-49 (you'll gather that Ten could not give a spit about people over 55).

Sandilands was not really absent -- he was visible in the auditions process. So the true test will come in three weeks, when he's missing from the judging panel. What's your prediction - audience up or audience down? And to tell us if Kyle, like Malcolm Turnbull, is a victim of changing times, go to The Tribal Mind.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,666,000 409,000 486,000 389,000 157,000 225,000
2 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,546,000 494,000 503,000 249,000 199,000 100,000
3 DOMESTIC BLITZ Nine 1,339,000 375,000 411,000 280,000 172,000 101,000
4 DANCING WITH THE STARS 9 Seven 1,301,000 380,000 351,000 293,000 118,000 159,000
5 AUSTRALIAN IDOL - AUDITION 1 Ten 1,300,000 402,000 411,000 229,000 124,000 134,000
6 60 MINUTES Nine 1,219,000 383,000 355,000 265,000 121,000 95,000
7 RESCUE SPECIAL OPS Nine 1,140,000 375,000 326,000 230,000 118,000 90,000
8 BONES Seven 1,106,000 320,000 304,000 219,000 109,000 155,000
9 ABC NEWS-SU ABC1 994,000 288,000 297,000 185,000 107,000 116,000
10 STEPHEN FRY IN AMERICA ABC1 979,000 308,000 283,000 168,000 110,000 109,000
11 LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE Ten 976,000 271,000 325,000 172,000 119,000 89,000
13 THE 2009 ASHES: TEST4 DAY3 S1 SBS ONE 804,000 238,000 278,000 122,000 95,000 71,000 15 CSI: MIAMI Nine 737,000 184,000 224,000 135,000 109,000 85,000
19 THE LAST ENEMY ABC1 521,000 159,000 125,000 79,000 66,000 93,000
20 NINE'S SUNDAY FOOTBALL Nine 460,000 297,000 163,000
24 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 19: RICHMOND VS SYDNEY Seven 399,000 89,000 210,000 33,000 67,000
35 SEVEN'S AFL: RND 19: FREMANTLE VS PORT ADELAIDE Seven 253,000 134,000 119,000
56 AFL GAME DAY Seven 168,000 107,000 30,000 31,000
74 THE SUN HERALD CITY TO SURF 2009 Ten 121,000 74,000 21,000 15,000 4,000 7,000
82 ENGLISH CHALLENGE CUP RUGBY LEAGUE Nine 104,000 66,000 39,000
89 SEVEN'S R.U: TRI-NATIONS: S A V AUS (R) Seven 81,000 51,000 30,000 (OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

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

COMMENTS

Australian Idol and Dancing with the Stars could not have gotten any closer, though both were tamed by the return of Domestic Blitz.

Any ratings for GO! for last night David?

by Dino on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM

I held my remote up to block his sneering grubby mug from reaching my eyes every time he appeared on screen. But unfortunately the bad fashion choices and pointless appearances of Shrieky-Lee still remained. No wonder I found out that Channel Go!!1!!1!OMGWTF!1!! had Wipeout!
Wouldn't be watching Idol until the performances start.
I won't be watching

by Bereft Skerrick on August 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Caught the end of 60 Mins last night - only problem is the show ended at 8.20 p.m. By my calculations that is 50 Mins. What did channel nine show between 8.20 and 8.30 you ask? Well, they showed ads (of course) and station promotions. What was most confusing is they showed a 3 minute promotion for their Couples show saying it was debuting this Wednesday. Didn't it debut a few weeks ago? My family was looking at each other wondering if we were in some time warp. And why did the show end 10 minutes early. Did they have to pull a story at the last minute and had nothing to fill in the slot?

by Jill on August 10, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Channel surfed a bit last night. Saw a bit of Idol but changed channels quickly when some fool who thought they could sing came on. Suddenly remembered why I never watch the early eps.
Went over to Nine for 60 mins and was scratching my head why it suddenly ended at 8.20pm. Then Nine proceeded to self promote and throw in a million ads to take it to 8.30 for Rescue Special Ops to start. Then it scrolled across the bottom that they had to drop a story due to a court injunction? Couldn't they have said that at the end of 60 mins instead of bombarding viewers with rubbish for 10 mins? Why don't I ever learn and not watch Nine? I live in hope that something will change but it never does.
I thought I would try Special Ops one more time. It's ok but just another same old, same old type of show we keep getting. Can't anyone come up with anything new?
So Sundays are pretty ordinary again. Not much to interest me. Back to Foxtel, DVD's or the ABC.
Back to Idol for a sec. I predict that unless the talent is exceptional this year, the numbers will probably drop regardless of whether Vyle is there or not. People will tune in to see the new judge out of curosity , so maybe numbers will be steady for awhile but Idol is past it's use by date. Time to go. And while we're at it, DWTS needs to go too. Just not interested.

by em on August 10, 2009 at 11:35 AM

Channel 9 were legally stopped from showing the segment about teenagers committing suicide in Victoria. That is why they showed ads instead. I thought it was odd too but just saw a story about it on the internet.

by Amym on August 10, 2009 at 11:56 AM

Whisper from the 9 Bunker is that consideration is being given to a new style "20-to1" format featuring "Two and a Half Men". 9 Network 'personalities' will each nominate 20 episodes of the much recycled series to be aired in 10 hour blocks. Bert Newton will host the 10 hour marathons, which will air from 2pm till midnight Monday to Friday. By including their own celebrities in the spoil, the network will also be able to claim the programmes qualify for Local Content points. The remaining 14 hours per day will be filled with old Looney Tunes cartoons. 24 hour repeats of "Hey Hey It's Saturday" will air every Saturday, while the network will save costs by turning off the transmitter on Sundays.

by David @ Green Point on August 10, 2009 at 12:36 PM

Nine are editing the rest of the series of Australia's Perfect Couple so each episode will only be half an hour long. It will screen at 8pm after (surprise,surprise) another repeat episode of Two and a Half Men. Nine's new slogan will now be 'Still the Two and a Half Men'.

by J Bar on August 10, 2009 at 01:02 PM

Hey guys, I'm not a fan of Nine nor 2.5 men but why keep bagging it out? Obviously it's good and it rates to show. People do turn the TV off or switch channels when they really don't want to watch something (ie. 7pm project).

by Clem on August 10, 2009 at 02:56 PM

Clem
because we hope that sometime soon the gormless (ah Mr Gormley, where are you when we need you?) oafs at nein will realise that even dead horses have a half life, and TaHM is waaaaaaaaaaaay past that. Thank G_d it's Monday... teen and Aunty to the rescue.

by Furlozza on August 10, 2009 at 03:27 PM

Dino, ratings for GO! will begin to be reported by OzTAM in two weeks (Sunday 23 August).

by cpandilo on August 10, 2009 at 07:35 PM

I'm watching nothing. NOTHING! Because there's nothing to watch. That's why I'm watching nothing.
Although....back on board with 'The 7PM Project' after they had Scott Dooley from Triple J as a correspondent on Friday night and I think the way they collect talent from all the medias is a greatly refreshing approach. I think they're getting better but it may be too late. James Matheson is pretty funny which is surprising.
Instead of tellie, after 7:30 I'm reading 'Revolutionary Road' and it's great. PJ453, re your comment last week on 'Confederacy of Dunces', I think the protagonist is the model for 'Comic-Book Guy' from 'The Simpsons'. That's the image I had in my head as I read it. It's great. Everything's great. Except tellie. Tellie bad.\

Tribal Mind wonders: Shouldn't that be "... from all the mediums"? And how can you say all telly is bad when Nine's GO is starting The Sarah Connor Chronicles tomorrow night? Having watched the astonishing finale on Fox8 last Friday, I can't wait to start watching again from the beginning.

by darren on August 11, 2009 at 06:00 AM

For enjoyers of quality reality TV (not that slowmo stuff of masterchef) Survivor starts up on GO tonite (tues).
Saw a bit of Secret Millionaire on PayTV last night, brought a tear to my eye, unfortunately cannot see an australian version ever being made, what with the whole ideal of living out of your comfort zone and then giving money away.

by Ned on August 11, 2009 at 07:44 AM

Ashes to Ashes certainly ain't no continuation of Life on Mars. They threw out the drama (except for the opening 10 minutes) & loaded up the comedy. There were a few good lines. What really infurates me is when a group of crooks with sub machine guns can't hit anything except for buildings & piled up rubbish.
You would really think that 60 minutes would have 1 just 1 standby story incase of screening problems. Obviously Ch9 took the easy way out & showed ads & self flagulation instead of actually entertaining the viewers.
Thanks darren, now I'm going to have "Comic-Book Guy" stuck in my mind's eye for Mr Reilly instead of Hardy from "Laurel & Hardy" fame
Ch GO! - They certainly are going to show new material. eg I Dream of Jeannie followed by Bewitched each night.
TM doesn't "mediums" = fortune tellers ???

by PJ453 on August 11, 2009 at 07:59 AM

Has Go! started? Can't find it on my STB. Do I need to turn it off and on to get it? ABC2 and One just appears in their correct spots one day - so why does Go need special treatment.

by Goose on August 11, 2009 at 08:07 AM

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is a really great show with an amazing Season 2 finale that...yep, you guess it, has been canned by Fox. And that can go down in history as yet another amazing show cancelled (along with Firefly and Kyle XY) when others are still inexplicably going. I still think the season finale is good enough to work as a series final though.

?Tribal MInd replies: It does make your head spin with time travel paradoxes.

by genfie on August 11, 2009 at 08:16 AM

TM, what about 'media'? Anyway, point being, 'The 7PM Project' uses comedians and correspondents from several sources and to have a Triple J guy on there (no doubt aquainted with Pickering from his own days on JJJ) is impressive. I like. If it was Seven, it'd be "Let's cross now to Kochie/Fifi/Berretts" etc etc...
And about other sources of entertainment, Fox8 is way out of my narrow band of interest ie: not paying for stuff. I actually went and got a set-top box a few weeks ago (get a set top box they said...it's great they said) but am experiencing a seldom discussed phenomena (phenomenae if two) called the 'Cliff' effect where if you have poor reception or live in an apartment block with cheap body corporate (me), you get nothing. NOTHING! So, back to analogue. Although I'm about to move house and if I don't have a nervous breakdown beforehand, I may be able to enjoy the delights of Digital sometime soon.
PJ453, he's definitely the inspiration for Comic-book guy. If you're interested in another book inspired by 'Confederacy of Dunces' try 'Absurdistan' by Gary Shteyngart. Although not so much 'inspired' as 'ripped-off'......and not very well. How embarrassing.

Tribal Mind asks: So you can't get GO and thus can't see Sarah Connor? Tragedy.

by darren on August 11, 2009 at 08:42 AM

What happened to the 7PM Report on Monday? Don't tell me it did worse than the National Press Club Address?!?!

Tribal Mind replies: It's settled into an audience of around 750,000, so I don't include it every day. I'll put it back in the list whenever that changes.

by Cate on August 11, 2009 at 09:07 AM

Hate to ask you again TM, but how did Good Game (ABC2 last night) go? Wondering if ratings were diluted by the new GO channel, which judging by the other ratings seems to be the case.

Tribal Mind replies: 75,000 viewers (21,000 in Sydney and 26,000 in Perth, strangely). Is that different from usual?

by arthur on August 11, 2009 at 09:34 AM

"?Tribal MInd replies: It does make your head spin with time travel paradoxes."
I guess that depends on whether or not you think there's another John Connor out there or if this is what always happened. Isn't one of the main precepts of the Terminator series that you CAN'T change the future? Therefore he is/was/will be now in the future yesterday. How is that confusing? ;-)

Tribal Mind replies: Derek did not recognise John or his name, so presumably John now has to work at becoming the leader of the humans, then send Cameron back to protect his younger self. Did you assume the Cameron we saw at the end was not a cyborg?

by genfie on August 11, 2009 at 10:35 AM

Last night was actually the first time in ages there were TWO things I wanted to watch and even a 3rd that I could have tolerated. Ashes to Ashes and Dexter at 9:30 and I can handle City Homicide which had a 2nd episode on at 9:30 as well. Please TEN, don't care about ratings for 12 weeks so I can watch the whole series of Dexter. Yes... blah, blah - I can download it or buy the DVD, but am hoping I can get through the series on TV

by Tim on August 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM

Boston Legal's 10.30pm repeat last night pulled a national audience of about 419,000 (according to TV Tonight.com.au). As the Alan Shore characater was a winner right from his entrance in the final season of "The Practice", d'ya think 7 would consider repackaging those eps and sub-title them as "Introducing Alan Shore"? This way they could make a clean segue into season 1 of "Boston Legal" and everybody would be happy. Thoughts from fellow blogites?

by David @ Green Point on August 11, 2009 at 11:15 AM

Re Good Game
The last figure you quoted a month ago (total rating) was I think 98k, so this is significantly less. Probably right about the GO effect.
Re Sarah Connor
GO is showing this as a repeat of the first series. No second series yet. GO is however showing premier eps for Fringe.

by arthur on August 11, 2009 at 12:40 PM

Goose, you will have to do re-scan of your STB to get Go just as a most people with TV's with tuners had to do a re-scan to get nine back. I hope Seven do a better job when they start their second SD channel. I live in an age care complex of 42 units and I have done re-scans on 8 TV's.

Tribal Mind asks: Can you explain to readers what a "rescan" involves?

by Gary on August 11, 2009 at 01:37 PM

I was curious about Go!, so watched a bit of Entertainment Tonight at 7pm and the TMZ program after it. I can't believe they've creted an 'entertainment' news program featuring the people from the TMZ website sitting around the office discussing the day's scandals and celebrities that the paprazzi are stalking. Why do 'Go!' announcers pronounce TMZ, as Tee Em Zee when in Australia we would say Tee Em Zed? More of the cultural takeover over Australia by America. The promos for all the other programs are so overhyped and over the top. Worse than anything I've ever seen on Foxtel. Seeing as 'Go!' is supposed to be a youth oriented channel, does this mean that the only way you can appeal to youth is by screaming at them and smashing their senses with sound, light, colour and speed? Phew! It was exhausting sitting through those promos.

by J Bar on August 11, 2009 at 02:52 PM

Hey J Bar - it's a curse of the "MTV Generation" - fast, flashy & furious.

by David @ Green Point on August 11, 2009 at 02:56 PM

I see Nein have resurected The Mentallist in direct competition with Dexter & Ashes to Ashes. As cute as Robin Tunney is a repeat of this can not compete with Dexter. Ashes to Ashes has had some mixed reviews - drama out and comedy in - not sute that is what I am looking for. Think they should have left sleeping dogs lay.
On the subject of re-scanning the stb. I did mine on the weekend, in preparation for GO! I now have multiple Chanel 2's, no ABC2 and having seen the program guide for GO, wish I could get those minutes of my life back and not bothered. NO WEEDS!! that was all I was hanging out for. Oh well, will have to content myself with the abundance of little yellow flowered ones invading my garden. No idea just what went wrong there...

by ozinoz on August 11, 2009 at 03:03 PM

For people who haven't seen the series finale of Sarah Connor Chronicles... SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
"Tribal Mind replies: Did you assume the Cameron we saw at the end was not a cyborg?"
I think that's a given as she was playing with a dog that wasn't growling at her. So, you could argue that now John's role as the leader of the resistance has begun and it could be a natural place to end the series, particularly as his mother is back in the past with cancer and this was after all her show. Sorta.

by genfie on August 11, 2009 at 03:04 PM

Rescan means putting all the channels back in. If you still have the instruction book then look for set up and installing channels. Usually if you go to the menu button on the remote and look for set up. There should be somewhere something like auto scan or installing channels. Unfortunately every set is different. Of the TV sets the NEC were the only ones that didn't lose nine and had Go. The Panasonic came up with a message when turned on saying it had found new channels and if you wanted them installed just hit the ok button on the remote. All other brands needed a bit of searching to find scan for channels. it usually takes about three minutes to complete.

by Gary on August 11, 2009 at 03:20 PM

David @ Green Point, you're using logic, something that the gibbons who programme don't quite grasp the concept of. I like your idea.
J Bar: if people want to watch intelligent people sitting around yakking about news, TV, celebrities and current events, they should pay the regular contributors to TM to do so!

by Bereft Skerrick on August 11, 2009 at 03:38 PM

But why does Go need a re-scan to find, when ABC2 or One didn't need this?

by Goose on August 11, 2009 at 04:45 PM

David @ Green Point, I'm just happy to have Boston Legal back on telly because even in repeats it's brilliant. If only Seven were smart enough to give 30 Rock another run in a 10.30 slot because they could have another big late night hit.
Ned, channel nine have already produced an Aussie version of Secret Millionaire but have been sitting on it for a while. I just saw te sales promo reels for the second half of the year for all the networks and that's one of the shows they're planning to screen.

Tribal Mind asks: Tell us about all the others.

by J Bar on August 11, 2009 at 07:44 PM

"Alan Shore's Early Roots" is probably a better working title. (It came to me after a glass or two of wine earlier this evening).

by David @ Green Point on August 11, 2009 at 08:14 PM

David @ Green Point: genius.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 11, 2009 at 08:56 PM

J Bar - I too am happy to have Boston Legal back on air - even though I have series 1-2-3-4 & 5 on DVD. What I DON'T have is the Alan Shore Early Roots compilation... and we ALL want roots....
(Disclaimer - I am NOT Kyle from '2-Day: 2-Distant'.)

by David @ Green Point on August 11, 2009 at 09:51 PM

Waaaaaaaaaaay past that? Furlozza, you might want to check mondays ratings for two and a half men.

by bobmar28 on August 12, 2009 at 05:45 AM

As requested, some of Nine’s shows on their sales promo reel. ‘When I Grow Up’ hosted by Jules Lund that shows him interviewing young kids and laughing at their responses. Looks like a show Andrew Daddo did on Seven in the late 1990s called ‘Kidspeak’ based on the Bill Cosby show ‘Kids say the Darndest Things’. There’s the Australian version of ‘The Apprentice’ with Mark Bouris from Wizard home loans. There’s a few reality shows like ‘Money for Jam’ hosted by Paul Clitheroe, Shelley Craft and Shane Crawford and the Aussie version of British shows like ‘The Real Hustle’ hosted by Gyton Grantley and the Aussie 'Secret Millionaire'. A factual called 'Rapid Response' is either from Australia or NZ.
There’s heaps of American stuff too, such as the American version of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ but mostly things I haven’t heard of, although one has already started 'Drop Dead Diva' and then there's Kelsey Grammer comedy 'Hank', Patricia Heaton comedy 'The Middle', 'Human Target' with Mark Valley from Boston Legal, 'The Forgotten' and 'Past Life'. They also mentioned returning shows like The Singing Bee, Aussie Ladette to Lady, Without A Trace and say they will fastrack their American shows like The Mentalist, CSI franchises and Cold Case.

by J Bar on August 12, 2009 at 08:21 AM

Thanks J Bar...I can't believe they'd keep trying with Jules "the hairstyle" Lund. And with a cutesy kids-talking-funny show. Hand me the sick bag x 2.

by NK on August 12, 2009 at 09:36 AM

I admit that I go into a pre-coma state while watching television and sometimes see Channel 9 programs by accident. However, last night my very smart Panasonic flatscreen had no Channel 9 services at all, presumably because of the GO start-up. If they're stupid enough to delete their own offerings while attempting to give us more dross, I'm not scanning them back in. I won't miss anything and I feel I've taken a small stand against their incredible arrogance. Anyone want to join me? By the way ozinoz, Weeds DVDs can be picked up for about $20 a season from JB HiFi. Much better way of watching it.

by Rupert on August 12, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Re ACA last night - the surge in ratings was obviously caused by the Fuzzy Face Aunties in the continuing trash tale of Kyle's Crap. What absolute garbage and just another reason this household will continue to bypass Tracey's Tacky Trysts. (The Aunties did it 'cause they wanted some tickets to the Ponk concert. They can't spell, either...)

by David @ Green Point on August 12, 2009 at 10:29 AM

darren, there's also an "Absurdistan" written by Australian journalist Eric Campbell. I must admit, I am tempted by "The Confederacy of Dunces" in the bookshop, but I'm not sure why... Still enjoying my Swedish murder mystery. A refreshing lack of Ikea products helps.

We re-scanned last night so we could fix our problems with 9 Digital (no sound), and I discovered that all these new channels are available to me! I thought they were going to be HD channels only, but no, there's ABC3, One, and GO!

I do have to say that GO! was truly appalling. The Bachelor/The Bachelorette/E!/TMZ. *shudder* But we kept it when we looked ahead and realised they were screening some sci-fi later in the week.

I think I need a list of who's doing what on which format, because I'm feeling awfully confused. (Maybe an after-effect of TMZ...)

by tqd on August 12, 2009 at 11:10 AM

TM, short of suggesting Mass Stupidity, perhaps the attraction on ACA last night was their Excloosive Interview with two blurry-faced individulas claiming to be the Aunties of The Architect of Kyle Sandiland's Demise (the 14 year-old, not Kyle himself). Stunningly, after Grimmers' probing and well-thought-out analysis ("I....I.....I....well, I....just can't....just can't imagine why any parent.....ANY parent would....why ANY parent would subject their....I just can't....I.....I..."), it turns out they're all bogans.
'Today Tonight' predictably had some rival Kyle Story in which they dressed him and Jackie O in a horsie suit (Kyle at the back end playing 'Horse's Arse' as you would expect) and whipped them until they were dead and then whipped some more. And some more. Sigh....
J Bar, looks like Nine have finally learnt their lesson and are serving up a refreshing and imaginative blend of entertaining and informative shows in months to come. Those Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton Comedies will do well at 1:30 and 2:00 am every second Friday. And that Jules Lund vehicle should be ever so amusing because Jules Lund is witty and intelligent and adept at.......actually he's a spiky-haired lout. Why not get Kyle to ask kiddies questions and laugh at their answers? Now that's a show.....Sigh....
I'm off to find a suitable brick wall to beat my head against until it bleeds......
Oh, and Gina Riley was good on 7PM last night. Are their ratings a little higher today? Definitely on the improve.

by darren on August 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM

In regards to your question TM, i believe the main reason would be because Tracy Grimshaw was interviewing the family of the girl who was strapped to the lie detector on the Kyle and Jackie O Show. Obviously it paid off for them in the ratings.

by Mike on August 12, 2009 at 11:46 AM

ACA had a surge of viewers last night because it ran an 'exclusive' Tracy Grimshaw special interview with the aunty and cousin of the Kyle and Jackie O' lie detector girl.

by Nick W on August 12, 2009 at 11:48 AM

I had another look at the 7PM PROJECT last night! My verdict: Ordinary, although Gina Riley's appearance sparked things up a bit! And what happened to James Matheson? I thought he was part of that panel.
And "Vile"/"Jackie Ho" are apparently back on 2DAYFM next Monday.

by Evan on August 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM

I foolishly got all excited at the prospect of another TV channel. I got the boy to tune in for Go and then...........Bewitched was on. Bewitched! So that is what the new channel is for is it? Dumping 40 year old programs to fill in the air space. Grrrrrr!
And a look at the line up for last night was not much better. The Bachelorette, Survivor etc etc. And I was hoping for some decent programs that don't rate well. Like maybe, Season 14 & 15 of ER!
Or Weeds. Or something!
Of course, I should have known better. This is still Channel Nine we're talking about. I suppose it could be worse. They could be showing 2 & 1/2 Men on Go as well.
Maybe it will improve. Maybe pigs do fly.

Tribal MNInd observes: At least they are letting the other 70 per cent of Australians see Sarah Connor.

by em on August 12, 2009 at 01:00 PM

Anyone planning to watch Law & Order UK tonight, be warned - it's absolutely awful.
Great cast, with the exception of Battlestar Galactica's Jamie Bamber who tries to put on a Pommie accent, and fails dismally.
But it's just WRONG.
The Poms do fabulous drama; Law & Order and SVU & CI are great, but put them together and yuk.
I had the first 2 episodes on DVD and wiped the disk after the first one.
Didn't go much on Wire In The Blood set in Texas, last night on ABC2 either. Very dark, and I don't just mean the story. Also Tony is looking more and more like a fruitcake.
However, I'm looking forward to George Gently on 2 on Friday night, though they've only made 6 episodes plus a pilot, and am happy to see a new series (season 7 from 2008) of Waking The Dead on the UK channel.

by Sal on August 12, 2009 at 01:28 PM

Yes, TM, at least there's Sarah Connor. And as I haven't seen all of them I will get a chance to see them again.
Sal, I was planning to see L&O UK but now you have me wondering. Will probably record it for later viewing. And I am looking forward to George Gently on Fri too.
I also enjoyed Crime&Punishment on ABC last night. Tony Robinson's shows are always entertaining and educational. Always a good combination.

by em on August 12, 2009 at 02:06 PM

Dear Sal, I am sad to say that Jamie Bamber IS a Pom!!! Well half Irish, half American, but he was brought up in the UK, so his accent is his own. I am interested to seeing 'Martha' in another role. I am looking forward to George Gently too. I have read some of the books and even eaten the Clarnico Mints the bookly George eats!!

by 2paw on August 12, 2009 at 04:53 PM

Didn't watch 'Law and Order UK' because I thought from the promos that it was a sketch comedy. Hand-held camera doesn't work in the UK, it looks like. And who can take Martha from 'Dr Who' seriously? I can see her bending over a corpse and saying "Daleks!".......
Tqd, Gary Shteyngart may well have lifted the title 'Absurdistan' from someone else's book, just as he seems to have lifted his protagonist from 'Confederacy of Dunces'...Allegedly. Same character, different story. CoD is well worth a read. Very funny.
Those Penguin Classics are great. I just finished reading 'Dracula' and not only do I now know why a stage-coach is called a 'stage-coach', but also that Francis Ford Coppola's filmic version was a crock. Mina Harker was intelligent and strong and ever-so resourceful, not the pathetic wet rag as portrayed by Winona Ryder. But then....Winona, Keanu, Gary Oldman in a giant Bat suit.....sounds like a hit doesn't it?
Can anyone recommend a GOOD Vampire flick? Not 'Twilight'. Something scary not dumb. 'Shadow of the Vampire' is pretty good (scary even though a comedy) but seems to me they're all about as scary as Zombies. I laugh at Zombies.
Going to start next on Nick Cave's 'The Ass Saw the Angel', hoping it's referring to the biblical donkey thing and not some digestive tract epiphany. Don't even want to imagine what it 'saw' with.....

Tribal Mind replies: You could try renting True Blood season one on DVD. Not just plausible vampires, but frequent nudity.

by darren on August 13, 2009 at 06:00 AM

Darren, as TM said, get hold of "True Blood". An excellent series and the Vamps aren't silly. A well acted and interesting story as well as nudity, sex, blood and gore. Just what you want in a Vampire story! I have been meaning to buy the first book in the series to see how it stacks up against the TV show. Anyone here read the books?

by em on August 13, 2009 at 07:31 AM

Good vampire flicks? Hard to pick for others, as "one man's meat is another man's rissole"... however, personal favourites include Hammer's trilogy from the 70's: "Vampire Lovers", "Lust for a Vampire" and "Twins of Evil" (aka "Twins of Dracula"). Lots of full frontal female nudity in these tittilating full-blooded romps. Lugosi's original Dracula (1931) should be included but is a tad klunky. His 1943 "Return of the Vampire" wasn't bad, but he (and Universl's production machinery) were at their best in 1948's "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" (which I enjoyed again earlier this week). Also fun were Frank Langella's film capture of his stage success as the Count, and the 1972 TV movie "The Night Stalker" which had a modern day vampire stalking the ladies of Las Vegas & was the first of the Karl Kolchak mysteries. Hammer's 1958 "Horror of Dracula" with Chris Lee as the Count was fun, but terribly proper and dull these days. "The Fearless Vampire Killers (or Pardon Me But Your Teeth Are in My Neck)" was a tad confusing, but passable as a comedic tilt at the genre. Avoid - at all costs - "Mother Riley Meets the Vampire" (1953) - nearly as bad as an Ed Wood flick.

by David @ Green Point on August 13, 2009 at 08:32 AM

TM, I've seen 'True Blood' and yes, there's the nudity, but still, it left me with a bit of an empty feeling. I think my expectations were too high for Allan Ball to do another 'Six Feet Under'. Was disappointed. And Anna Paquin just got on my nerves. Not sure what to make of it.....Confused. Plus at the end of the season it appeared to be veering into dangerous territory with giant pigs and vibrating women and shape-shifters and stuff. Tara's one of the more interesting character but she's stuck in the 'Token Sassy Black Chick' role.
Oh, I just remembered seeing 'Let The Right One In' in the DVD shop t'other day. Blurb said "The best Vampire file Ever!", so, naturally feeling a bit cautious but I seem to recall D & M giving it a favourable review when it came out. Will give it a go. Anyone seen it?
Off now to read about Victoria Beckham taking acting lessons to appear more 'human' for 'American Idol' (no joke)....

by darren on August 13, 2009 at 08:39 AM

darren, I read "And the Ass Saw the Angel" some years ago. Can't say I enjoyed it, but I may never really forget it. I see he has a new book out in the shops, but the cover is seriously offputting. I'd have to cover it in plain brown paper before I could read it!

And speaking of Nina Harker - you know the truly appalling movie of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"? In the original graphic novels, Nina was the leader of it all.

If they're not defanging our strong literary heroines, they're relegating them to the background. (Die, Hollywood, die.)

Yeah, I think I watched some TV last night. Nothing of great import or interest.

by tqd on August 13, 2009 at 08:53 AM

I've read all the books that True Blood are based on. They're quite a bit lighter than the tv series, but still really good. Although interestingly Tara is pretty much a non-character in the book, and yet is my favourite character in the series.
If you're into the paranormal-type stuff, one of my favourite is the Dresden Files bookes by Jim Butcher. The writing reminds me of Buffy in book form.

by Lisa on August 13, 2009 at 10:33 AM

With the thread of shows winning or losing audiences, did viewers stick around for Law & Order UK after the season finale of SCU or was this a shark jump too far?

The Tribal Mind replies: SCU got 887,000, so maybe yes, maybe no.

by Yuri on August 13, 2009 at 10:50 AM

darren, I think that if you wish to be in the vampier genre then your "it left me with a bit of an empty feeling" really should of read "it left me drained", I'll even accept "pale".

by PJ453 on August 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM

"The finest science fiction series of the decade, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"? Oh TM - get some BSG in ya.

by Wendell on August 13, 2009 at 11:48 AM

Notice nobody is classing "Interview The The Vampire" as a GOOD vampire flick. The Anne Rice series was excellent at the start, but casting a short brown haired nutcase as a tall elegant blond vampire wasn't right. I had read the novel before I saw the movie and went and saw it when it was released in 1995 by myself. Laughed myself silly.

by Bereft Skerrick on August 13, 2009 at 12:21 PM

I don't think The Librarians are killing Tara or Toni, as you put it TM. Two episodes were enough for me and gave Tara a miss this week, but I did watch The Librarians .

by J Bar on August 13, 2009 at 02:11 PM

I like what Ch9 are doing with Go! It gives me hope that any shows that don't make it on the main channel get an airing here. If 'Pushing Daisies' doesn't make it you can be pretty sure they'll put it on Go! I like how there's a proper alternative channel 9 with alternative content much like how SBS showed the Ashes and Tour de France on their One and Two channels. I wonder what 7 will do with theirs...

by merciless on August 13, 2009 at 02:17 PM

I've read the first Charlaine Harris book ("Dead Until Dark", which introduces Sookie Stackhouse and which "True Blood" is based on). Can't say I liked it enough to bother with any of the rest.
My favourite vampire novels are those by Charlie Huston. Violent, bloody, and noir. The relationship between our vampire "hero" and his (human) girlfriend is anything but romantic (take that, Bella and Edward! Buffy and Angel!), and it's all vampire clan warfare in Manhattan.
I haven't see "Let The Right One In", but I'm seriously tempted by the book in the bookshops. And I probably wouldn't mind seeing the movie, if I ever watched another movie...
Lisa, we may disagree on Sookie Stackhouse, but I do agree with you on the Dresden Files. Excellent fun!

by tqd on August 13, 2009 at 02:43 PM

tqd - I think the Dresden Files actually made it to TV on the sci-fi channel, but I've never seen it. I like it not only 'cause of the writing, but for a change the protagonist is a witty, smart guy, as opposed to a simpering girl who thinks having someone climb in your window and watch you while you sleep is romantic instead of creepy and grounds for a restraining order.
Other good ones in the paranormal genre (I'm ashamed to say I read them so much) are the women of the underworld series by kelley armstrong, Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and the first 8 or so books of the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton.
No simpering girls to be found, not too heavy-handed on the supernatural.

by Lisa on August 13, 2009 at 09:05 PM

That should have read "Best Vampire FILM ever, not file. What the hell is a Vampire File? File! Curse these stubby fnigers...
Speaking of something similar, tqd, yes I have seen the truly appalling movie 'League of Extaordinary Gentlemen' and it really wasn't was it? Extraordinary that is. Should've been called 'League of Pretty Ordinary Gits'.....Didn't pick up at the time on the girl being Mina Harker / Nina Barker / Gine Parker...whatever. In the book ('Dracula'), she's really the brains of the outfit, aside from Van Helsing (who, curse Francis Ford Coppola, I couldn't help but picture as Anthony Perkins the old crazy), but they still get her to cook their dinner and make cups of tea. Even when she's a'swooning under the burden of The Sucked. Book good (except for all the Blessed Be Our God and Saviour Christian Thankfulness stuff)...Movie a Travesty.
Thanks all for those suggestions. Who needs 'Can We Help' when you've got 'Tribal Mind'?
David @ Green Point, you're Bill Collins in real life aren't you? Aren't you?

by darren on August 14, 2009 at 05:56 AM

Last night watched the show on the ABC about "how advertising/media/marketing brain washes your child even as young as 2"or something to that effect. Ok, it was an American show & yes if you're going to make a show that depicts advertisers as The Devil you'll find NOTHING positive about advertising/marketers or the media. But having said that, it was frightening. Glad Mrs PJ & I are through that period of bringing up children, but we're about to enter the new phase, being granparents. The show almost made me think the only toy/technology I'll provide is the "plastics & pots draw"!!!
TM - Could be a point of discussion??

by PJ453 on August 14, 2009 at 08:43 AM

Darren - just a guy who likes his vampires. Highlight of recent trip to Europe was a 3-day detour to Romania & Transylvania (over the Carpathians, joy oh bliss!!) and visiting Vlad the Impaler's old haunts. My wife really had no idea what she was in for when we said "We Do".

by David @ Green Point on August 14, 2009 at 10:49 AM

"The Wire" has now appeared on ABC2's schedules - it commences on Tuesday, 1 September at 9.30am with a 2 hour episode and there is an "encore screening" (which sounds a bit commercial tv to me) on Friday, 5 September at 10.00am.

Tribal Mind wonders:Are you sure that's "am"? How can they get away with all that swearing in the early morning?

by Wendell on August 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM

Lisa, I tried the first Anita Blake book (recommended by so many friends!) and, again, I just didn't like it. I think I'm destined to be superlatively fussy about my vampire fiction - I did like Dracula when I read it (many years ago now!), and Charlie Huston's books, but that seems to be the limit on blood sucking fiends in fiction form for me. It's all the sex. They're undead, people. It's too bloody close to necrophilia to be at all appealing.
Speaking of vampires, I got caught up watching Moonlight on GO! last night. So paint by numbers that Mr TQD and I were taking bets on plot points - I preferred my "she knows him because he's in a famous photo from 50 years ago" to his "she knows him because he rescued her as a little girl", but, whaddya know, he was spot on the money. Obviously should he ever decide to change careers, Hollywood's cookie cutter industry beckons.
Still, it's the first time I've watched any incarnation of Channel Nine for a ridiculously long time.
Oh, saw an ad for "Burn Notice". Returns next Thursday, 9:30, Channel Ten. Squeee! Big dumb fun for Chez TQD!
PS, no mention of "Nosferatu" from anyone? The first vampire movie? (I am talking the original 1920s silent German movie, not the 1970s remake.) A superlatively creepy vampire, no one's bested him yet in my mind.
Oh, if Mr TQD contributed to this blog, I'm sure he'd want to put in a plug for "Love at First Bite" with George Hamilton. The world's only tanned vampire. (OMG. IMDB lists a sequel! "Love at Second Bite", with George in it as well! I can smell the turkey already.)

by tqd on August 14, 2009 at 01:05 PM

Correct TM, PM not AM.

by Wendell on August 14, 2009 at 02:14 PM

The end of an era for Australian drama today with the final day of filming for All Saints. Still makes no sense to me that Seven are axing this show when it still has such healthy ratings and new shows like TV Burp & Double Take fail to deliver much more than half those ratings. Will there ever be another weekly Australian drama series that can run to 12 seasons?

by J Bar on August 14, 2009 at 02:31 PM

Re David @Green Point. I know what you mean. I was lucky enough to be touring Roumania in 1995 just after their opening to the West before all of the commercialism hit. We were due to visit Bran Castle but the train were were on from Sibiu to Brasov was late. Not to worry, we just pulled up in our bus, the local organiser went and chatted to the night watchmen (and I think a few bits of paper might have changed hands :) ) and we were given a quick tour in the dark, just 10 of us. An amazing experience and I still get a shiver down my spine, no matter how much you tell yourself the whole Stoker tome was just a story :) The Carpathians on both the Roumanian and Ukranian sides are very stunning, moody and so utterly believable for the tale.

by ozinoz on August 14, 2009 at 04:18 PM

TM, what were the ratings for TV Burp, Double Take and True Beauty last night? I liked the first and last but not DT.
I wouldn't normally watch a show about multible-birth babies but had heard a lot of hype about JON & KATE PLUS 8 from the US before I even knew channel ten was going to show it, and so decided to tune in for the first episode last night. It turned out to be very funny and enjoyable. Kate is a control freak and John is a hen-pecked slave and their babies are almost like cartoon characters.
On Sunday nights and Monday afternoons on the free GO! channel there is a sitcom called Aliens in America. It's about a muslim Pakistani exchange student placed into an unwilling host family in a small town in Wisconsin, who had been hoping for a blonde European student instead. I watched the first episode last Sunday and liked it a lot, and was kind of surprised channel nine did not put it on their main channel.

Tribal Mind replies: TVB: 751,000; DT: 724,000; TB: 610,000.

by tide on August 14, 2009 at 04:30 PM

I can't believe people are tuning in for the Librarians after having seen the first series. Plot, direction, acting and humour are still sadly lacking in this poorly-conceived and badly-executed show.
Your figures show that it is on a par with repeats of the Simpsons.
RPA is proving more interesting on Channel 9, and that may be keeping some viewers from turning over to the Librarians. However, maybe they had a work experience person there last week -- here's a hint, Channel 9, when the surgeon is telling you whether someone will live or die, don't cross to a Joyce Mayne advert before he finishes the sentence.
Channel 7 has upped the comedy stakes again this year, with City Homicide returning. The plots are as wafer-thin and ludicrous as last year's, the acting is still as wooden as a pirate's leg, and the dialogue was not from Noel Coward's scriptbook -- but the camp element provides lots of laughs -- although perhaps not all intentional. This series treads a thin line between farce and travesty, but its success shows that Funky Squad must have been ahead of its time.

by Professor Rosseforp on August 14, 2009 at 08:37 PM

I enjoyed "George Gently" last night, thanks for the heads-up everyone here, because I seemed to miss all the promotions for it.

And Channel Seven showed "Four Weddings and a Funeral"? I think ABC deserved to do well with that sort of pathetic competition.

by tqd on August 15, 2009 at 11:35 AM

You're right TM. According to the Channel Ten sales Promo reel, celebrity will start in Septemeber. They don't seem to have much else in the way of Aussie shows though, mostly new American stuff like Nurse Jackie, Three Rivers, NCIS:LA and fasttracked oldies like House and NCIS.

by J Bar on August 15, 2009 at 05:31 PM

Firstly, to em & others who have been expressing disappointment in ch 9 not showing Weeds, actually they are doing you a small favour, the show really has "jumped the shark" and the most recent seasons have been so below par of their predecessors. Enjoying True Blood but do think that the TV series really labours some story lines that the book series doesn't and that it shouldn't... Bereft, totally agree with you on interview with a vampire, my friend & I were almost evicted from the cinema as we could not contain our laughter, we really thought it was a sendup parody rather than a "horror" flick. The show Being Human is not a bad vamp show either and of course, I have a soft spot for the Buffy series, especially the early years...

by kate on August 16, 2009 at 12:35 AM

TM, do you have any Perth ratings for West Coast vs North Melbourne in the AFL, broadcast on Channel 10 from 5pm Saturday? Cheers

Tribal Mind replies: I presume that is something called "Saturday afternoon AFL", which got 77,000 in Perth.

by Dave on August 16, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Tribal Mind replies: I presume that is something called "Saturday afternoon AFL", which got 77,000 in Perth.
I was assuming that figure was for Richmond vs Collingwood broadcast in Perth from midday. The game I was interested in started at 5pm.

Tribal Mind replies: I obtained the chart for Perth alone, and went through it from 1 to 220. There is no reference to the specific game you mentioned, only the more general listing I gave you.

by Dave on August 16, 2009 at 06:29 PM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

The Who We Are update: Week 31

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