The Who We Are update: How will HHISOW rate?

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To offer your recipe for Australia's National Dish, go to Who We Are. To discuss whether Packed to the Rafters is too self-indulgent (if you know what I mean), go to The Tribal Mind.

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Seven 1,697,000 514,000 523,000 278,000 188,000 195,000
2 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE Seven 1,447,000 383,000 421,000 283,000 162,000 199,000
3 NCIS Ten 1,420,000 348,000 377,000 316,000 186,000 193,000
4 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,387,000 343,000 329,000 312,000 180,000 225,000
5 LAST CHANCE SURGERY Seven 1,331,000 370,000 391,000 262,000 139,000 169,000
6 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,295,000 330,000 293,000 294,000 174,000 203,000
7 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,242,000 325,000 391,000 273,000 106,000 148,000
8 20 TO 1 -TUE Nine 1,207,000 330,000 383,000 247,000 122,000 125,000
11 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,123,000 377,000 347,000 139,000 144,000 116,000
16 SHREK THE THIRD Nine 783,000 205,000 265,000 138,000 83,000 92,000
20 THE SPEARMAN EXPERIMENT Ten 668,000 186,000 176,000 113,000 102,000 92,000
25 ATHENS: THE TRUTH ABOUT DEMOCRACY ABC1 552,000 229,000 130,000 80,000 45,000 68,000
35 VAMPIRE DIARIES Nine 348,000 107,000 108,000 70,000 24,000 39,000
87 JUNKYARD WARS ABC2 99,000 15,000 32,000 13,000 27,000 12,000
96 SURVIVOR: GABON GO! 88,000 12,000 19,000 22,000 19,000 16,000
113 THE WIRE ABC2 65,000 31,000 19,000 6,000 4,000 5,000
220 THE HILLS GO! 15,000 1,000 6,000 4,000 3,000 0Continued here

The ratings race, updated 10 am Tuesday
The first episode of Flash Forward gave Channel Seven an unbeatable lead for the week, but does it have staying power? Certainly the stunning revelation at the end will get me back next week, but I wonder if most viewers are prepared to commit to a show that will require concentrated attention every week until April 29, 2010. Are there ominous indications in the fact that FF was not number one for the night with these demographic segments: Grocery Buyers, people over 55, and people in Melbourne and Brisbane?

Recently The Tribal Mind column examined the mystery of why Australians love sci-fi at the cinema but hate it on television (click here to read that). There's a good chance FF will go the way of Lost and Heroes, both of which started with nearly 2 million viewers but dropped to below 200,000 this year. In a couple of months, will we find Seven moving FF to its new digital station -- as Nine did with Fringe and The Sarah Connor Chronicles? While you are discussing that, you may also care to offer an explanation for the preponderance of Perky in the chart below.

At this point in the week, these are the prime time audience shares: Seven 29.8 per cent, Nine 22.6, ABC1 18.0, Ten 17.6, SBS1 6.4, GO 2.3, ONE 1.9, ABC2 1.4, SBS2 0.3.

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 FLASH FORWARD Seven 1,786,000 516,000 493,000 315,000 215,000 248,000
2 HIGHWAY PATROL Seven 1,571,000 396,000 512,000 297,000 174,000 193,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,539,000 404,000 356,000 338,000 201,000 240,000
4 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,480,000 379,000 463,000 288,000 179,000 171,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,434,000 381,000 356,000 317,000 165,000 215,000
12 MERCY Seven 1,070,000 268,000 317,000 196,000 142,000 147,000
14 THE MENTALIST Nine 988,000 315,000 333,000 167,000 79,000 94,000
15 TOP GEAR SBS ONE 883,000 258,000 248,000 195,000 84,000 98,000
18 GOOD NEWS WEEK Ten 828,000 234,000 268,000 154,000 91,000 82,000
25 THE APPRENTICE AUSTRALIA Nine 692,000 225,000 265,000 89,000 60,000 53,000
26 LITTLE BRITAIN USA MON Ten 680,000 179,000 214,000 129,000 94,000 65,000
27 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 675,000 189,000 233,000 108,000 80,000 64,000
35 NURSE JACKIE MON Ten 396,000 92,000 127,000 77,000 52,000 48,000
66 SOUTH PARK SBS ONE 173,000 40,000 52,000 41,000 18,000 24,000
67 ERKY PERKY-PM ABC1 171,000 66,000 21,000 45,000 16,000 23,000
91 ERKY PERKY Seven 121,000 56,000 21,000 24,000 21,000
92 THE PINKY AND PERKY SHOW-AM ABC1 121,000 38,000 30,000 34,000 4,000 16,000
94 THE PINKY AND PERKY SHOW-PM ABC1 114,000 55,000 7,000 18,000 15,000 20,000
103 VAMPIRE DIARIES GO! 96,000 24,000 29,000 15,000 17,000 11,000

The ratings race, updated 11am Monday
The ABC easily beat Channel Ten last night, which should not happen on an Australian Idol night. Such is the power of the English provincial police that the ABC almost beat Channel Nine. These were the prime time audience shares: Seven 27.0 per cent, Nine 21.2, ABC1 21.1, Ten 18.3, SBS1 4.9, GO 3.2, ONE 2.5, ABC2 1.5, SBS2 0.4.

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,530,000 419,000 440,000 352,000 184,000 136,000
2 MIDSOMER MURDERS-SUN ABC1 1,487,000 437,000 478,000 230,000 158,000 184,000
3 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,428,000 407,000 448,000 295,000 140,000 138,000
4 THE FORCE Seven 1,413,000 405,000 442,000 291,000 140,000 135,000
5 SUNDAY NIGHT Seven 1,329,000 371,000 388,000 292,000 148,000 131,000
6 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,195,000 326,000 382,000 225,000 166,000 95,000
7 YELLOWSTONE ABC1 1,098,000 311,000 300,000 228,000 138,000 121,000
10 AUSTRALIAN IDOL Ten 984,000 331,000 266,000 187,000 121,000 79,000
11 60 MINUTES Nine 953,000 288,000 308,000 182,000 107,000 68,000
12 RESCUE SPECIAL OPS Nine 944,000 292,000 306,000 182,000 98,000 66,000
13 20 TO 1 -SUN Nine 933,000 232,000 345,000 183,000 111,000 62,000
15 M-CASINO ROYALE Seven 766,000 203,000 281,000 115,000 87,000 81,000
17 CSI: MIAMI Nine 684,000 186,000 207,000 154,000 75,000 62,000
26 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? SBS ONE 429,000 145,000 161,000 49,000 27,000 47,000
39 WIPEOUT GO! 223,000 43,000 79,000 39,000 46,000 16,000
44 THE BIG BANG THEORY GO! 203,000 54,000 63,000 34,000 31,000 21,000
46 AFL GAME DAY Seven 199,000 140,000 36,000 23,000
55 THE NANNY GO! 177,000 55,000 52,000 34,000 27,000 8,000
61 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 ONE 165,000 46,000 52,000 27,000 20,000 19,000
69 THE FLINTSTONES -RPT GO! 146,000 29,000 62,000 27,000 23,000 5,000
77 HORNBLOWER ABC2 117,000 39,000 36,000 22,000 16,000 5,000
87 THE SANFL-PM ABC1 94,000 94,000
92 RUGBY UNION: SHUTE SHIELD (NSW) 2009-PM ABC1 79,000 79,000
(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

I notice Ch9 has the "holiday family" movie Shrek the Third on Tuesday. I don't mean to be critical, but just a note to the schedulers - it is not school holidays this week in NSW, and all the children I know in the target age group are tucked into bed (and hopefully asleep) by 8.30 p.m. at night (when the movie commences), and certainly not awake still at 10.30 p.m. (when the movie ends). Would have thought a weekend 6.30 pm slot would have been ideal. But I'll be recording it for sure!

by Jill on September 28, 2009 at 09:27 AM

Why did the networks start running promotional watermarks again in Australia?
First The Comedy Channel did it for :30 Seconds and The Jay Leno Show with a subtle but annoying promo in the left bottom corner. Then GO started doing it for The Vampire Diaries in the top left hand corner. Now 7 is doing it by replacing their subtle 7 watermark with a bright Flashforward promotional watermark. I HATE THEM!!!
When they started doing it a few years back, there was so much negative feedback from viewers that they completely dropped the idea of these promo watermarks. They crept in a few times on pay tv and free to air but they always get negative feedback from viewers, so why do they persist? Viewers have also complained about the brightness of the watermarks in the past and they usually tone them down after a few days. I see Nine has ignored viewers again and with it's recent changes and updates had another bright watermark in place last night.
We get bombarded by enough advertising and promos on the commercial networks but I refuse to watch anything with this blatant advertising scrawled across the screen for the whole program. I couldn't handle that rubbish on Go the other night when I was channel surfing and considering watching someting there but was annoyed and changed the channel. I avoided Seven last night completely. I would have watched Casino Royale last night but refuse to have it spoilt by a constant bright advert for another show across teh screen.

by J Bar on September 28, 2009 at 09:58 AM

TM, how did CSI:Miami do last night? I guess it bombed given ABC's great ratings.
As for the Shrek 3 comment, I think it's moot as this instalment was more for the adults than the kids...

Tribal Mind replies: In the chart now, and you're right.

by arthur on September 28, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Idol is in SERIOUS trouble. I think a big problem stems from the fact that it is over half an hour until you hear the first contestant sing - they spend way too much time eliminating and then introducing the new theme etc. The second problem is that word "sing" - i.e. the contestants are not able to. I was over at a friend's place last night, and they preferred the channel 7 reality duo. And we're all in Idol's "target" audience, under (or just over) 30s (since they want the 16-39 demographic). We looked at the last hour or so and dear god, the humanity! Only one singer was good.

by Beckala on September 28, 2009 at 10:59 AM

J Bar, you are absolutely right. Those damn watermarks are so bloody annoying! Especially when the watermark ends up being over someone's face or something. I hate watermarks. Networks, get rid of them please. We all know what channel we're watching and don't need to be constantly reminded like we're a bunch of brain dead morons. Oh, wait a minute, that what networks think of us viewers anyway.
Oh, and TM, what's with the pic of the half naked politican anyway? I get the joke but really, was it necessary? It's enough to put a girl off her lunch! If you want to put half naked , wet men on your blog at least make it someone like Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. Now that would please your lady bloggers!

Tribal MInd replies: It's just a scene from Casino Royale. Go here for background.

by em on September 28, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Coupla things.....anyone care to guesstimate the ratings for 'FlashForward' tonight? I'm gonna have a look, if I can handle the promos for 'Mercy' which follows straight after. From what I've seen so far, 'Mercy' is a show set in a hospital full of whiny oversexed shrewish nurses. Also, who will tire of 'FlashForward' first, us or Seven? It looks interesting but I wonder if it has anywhere to go except around and around in progressively more confusing circles?
Also, are my calculations correct and Nine has chosen to premiere the return of 'Hey Hey it's the Same Old Crap' on Wednesday night up against 'Celebrity MasterChef' and a big episode of 'Spicks and Specks' (if my suspicions are correct, Nine will pad Hey Hey out for several hours)?
Curiouser and curiouser.
Sorry to go on a bit TM, but in addition, any thoughts on the news that Kraft has just named its new version of Uneatable Vegemite: "iSnack 2.0"? Seriously. May have been chosen by Channel Nine Executives, not sure. And I thought 'Hey Hey it's Saturday' would be the week's funniest thing.

by darren on September 28, 2009 at 11:20 AM

From a distance I honestly thought that was the James Bond scene.
How annoying Ch 7 is indeed with its blatant advertising. The watermark of FlashForward was ridiculous. A few weeks ago Family Guy or American Dad parodied what Ch 7 is doing right now. A stupid person waving their arms in the air for Beauty and the Geek. Soon they're going to have spinners, the uncontrollable laughing man and so on.

by Kym on September 28, 2009 at 12:03 PM

I told youse all Aus Idol will descend into Karaoke night at the local!

by davo on September 28, 2009 at 12:16 PM

Next week is the last "Midsomer Murders". It will be replaced by "Jonathan Creek" on October 11th.

by Gary on September 28, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Darren - according to this week's guide Ch9 are repeating Hey Hey reunion on...guess what... Saturday night!!
Maybe they already realise it is going to tank on Wednesday?

by Jill on September 28, 2009 at 01:05 PM

Yeah Kym, I've seen The Simpsons have a go at those stupid promos that run across the screen but these permanent watermarks are even worse than those annoying pop-up banners that last a few seconds. It's time the networks realised that enough is enough. We will just wait for teh DVDs if they keep ruining the shows and movies.

What does everyone think of Nine's now promos, idents, slogans and banners? I think it has a very '90s look about it. A bit like Kraft's iSnack 2.0 which is such a late '90s idea. Or for that matter, the Sydney Morning Herald going back to using the archaic Time New Roman fonts for their new titles and headlines since last week, not to mention the red underline on everything. Except that's more like 1890s than the 1990s. I feel like we've stepped 'Back to the Future' at the moment.

by Anastasia on September 28, 2009 at 01:06 PM

Spicks and Specks has gone Blankety Blanks this week. Ahhhh the memories of Peter the Phantom Puller and "Dick". Oh for the days of non-political correctness. Gra Gra wouldn't have survived in today's climate. Dare I say he would have been a pariah just as Vyle is.

by Bereft Skerrick on September 28, 2009 at 01:12 PM

Loved the new Aussie series of Who Do You Think You Are with Ron Barassi. It's very interesting when they go back and discover the amazing ancestors like his Swiss Italian great grandfather who came to Australia during the gold rush and his Irish great great grandfather who was transported to Australia with his six children following him manslaughtering his wife. Looking forward to Sigrid Thornton next week. Hate the advertisement watermarks too. Luckily ABC and SBS have avoided the commercialism to that level. So far, anyway.

by wazza on September 28, 2009 at 01:17 PM

Scrubs too had a go at the watermark and the annoying banner ads underneath the programs. When they changed stations, JD very pointedly pointed at the new watermark and said "Now that's new". They then also had the show "Legal Custodians" as a banner ad - the tv show JD imagined would occur if the Janitor and Ted the Lawyer joined forces and adopted a kid. "I'm a lawyer, I'm a Janitor, together we adopted a cute little kids, now we're Legal Custodians!"

i.Snack - yeesh. That's the BEST they could come up with?

by Beckala on September 28, 2009 at 01:48 PM

Re 'Hey Hey it's an Overly-long Title', Jill, the funny thing is, they still think it's the night of screening that's the problem!!! Hahaha. It's like they've trodden in dogshit and can't figure out why shampooing the dog doesn't help.
There must be a lot of nervous little iSnack 2.0's over there at Nine......doesn't have quite the same ring does it?

by darren on September 28, 2009 at 01:49 PM

I fear you may be right about Gra Gra trying to survive in today's telly climate but I disagree about him being considered a pariah, as Vyle is. The difference with Graham was that he was naughty but he was never nasty like Kyle is.
What really troubles me is how conservative Australia seems to be in the 00s where a scene about masturbation on Packed to the Rafters at 8.30pm is considered risque. A show like Number 96 back in 70s in the same 8.30 slot explored stories (sometime graphically) about rape, homosexuality and even incest. While Australia was progressive with telly 35 years ago and pushed boundaries with Number 96 and Blankety Blanks, they seem to be stifled and restricted today so as not to offend anyone.

by Levendis on September 28, 2009 at 02:32 PM

Oh no an australian version of Beauty and the Geek, really that can not be happening. I don't mind the american version but the australian promo looks bad, the geeks don't look really and beauties arn't. Are these the actual contestants?
I'm still mystified by who goes on the River cruises in europe that GO is constantly advertising, certainly not their target audience. And as for who goes to the once in ten year production of some play in europe.....

by ned on September 28, 2009 at 02:46 PM

iSnack? Talk about iDiots! Why coudln't they just call it Cheesymite and be done with it.
Did someone rather tipsy forget to load the VCR at the end of Romy & Michele on 7HD last night? Many minutes of blankety blank.

by Bereft Skerrick on September 28, 2009 at 03:17 PM

I cannot believe the new vegemite name! I guess that is what happens when you let people decide (or rather those that could be bothered responding) - think winners of Idol,and even Hey Hey come back!
Re watermarks entirely agree with everyone here. I cannot stand them. Now I have a digital television, I can click a button and it can tell me what station I am on, what program I am watching and even what program is coming up. I can also see what programs are coming up for the next few hours. TV stations who think they are doing a service, it is no longer required - get rid of them - especially Nine super large logos on the bottom of the screen. Even if I wanted to watch the program, this is enough incentive not to watch it.
Also, could not help but notice the huge difference in audience between Sunday Night and 60 Minutes, I think 60 minutes is obviously losing its lustre, no longer the jewel in Nine's news line up!

by Louise on September 28, 2009 at 04:18 PM

If you look at Aus Idol's track record, Australia doesn't have the population to do it every year and Ten should rest it.

by Burt on September 28, 2009 at 07:39 PM

Whoever decided to resurrect HEY HEY should be fired......I predict Wednesday night will be a ratings disaster for Nine!
Hopefully this is the last year of IDOL: the format is tired, this year's supposedly great talent is very ordinary, Marcia, Dicko and the other guy should be put out of their misery.
The ABC must wish they had a year's supply of MIDSOMER MURDERS!

by Evan on September 28, 2009 at 07:53 PM

Levendis: Gra Gra got away with naughty schoolboy humour which was quite risque and very incorrect compared to todays prudish standards (see Rafters, Packed To The). Imagine if he was trying to do the "Cyril" schtick from Blankety Blanks now. The token "gay" characher. Talkback these days would be running wild calling for his sacking.
Standards are heading towards an Americanised standard I fear. Remember the uproar when Justin Timberlake ripped Janet Jackson's outfit to reveal her booby? In the US there was uproar. Here it was a case of "big deal, you see more on Bondi Beach". Sadly we're moving towards the US attitude.

by Bereft Skerrick on September 28, 2009 at 08:01 PM

One and half hours of Two and Half men tonight. Please make it stop!
Merrick Watts on the radio this morning suggested that they probably had heaps of suggestions for something obvious like cheesymite and therefore couuldn't award the prize to hundreds of winners, so had to pick a unique one as a prize winner. They may also get heaps of publicity for a stupid name like iSnack 2.0 and then get heaps more publicity when they're 'forced' to change it due to 'pubic outcry'.
By the way, irene is my real name. i'm not trying to be trendy by adding an i in front of my name.

by irene on September 28, 2009 at 10:17 PM

Bert Newton welcoming us home to the 'original home of television' is so last century. Nine look desperate. Only a few months ago they were begging us to Choose 9 now they're trying a Welcome Home to try and get us back. What is the average age of Nine's personalities in their promos? 99?

by Warrigul on September 28, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Liked Flashforward - good concept and interesting - won't last forever at 8.30 mondays - gave Mercy a go and I can honestly say blah! Not one for me... found no redeeming features. Also had recorded Vampire Diaries - Methinks a bit of Dawsons Creek with fangs... now I didn't mind it, and will see where it goes.
On the topic of the new promo watermarks they are stupid take them away please.

by Cathy on September 29, 2009 at 01:11 AM

I don't know if I'm sold on Flashforward. I'll give it another go next week and see how it goes. It was interesting that there was a Kangaroo hopping down the street. Also tried the first few minutes of Mercy. It didn't grab me at all.

by Nic on September 29, 2009 at 07:44 AM

I liked it Flashforward more than I expected to. Admittedly, I taped it and watched it at 9.30 so was able to flashforward through all the adverts and felt like I was like watching a movie. Watching :30 Seconds and Better Off Ted at 8.30pm on the comedy channel and loving both.
My biggest fear is that it'll turn into another 'Lost'. I was excited by the first series of Lost and then was disappointed that they never answered any of the mysteries but kept adding more mysteries and did not watch again after the second series. Went through the same thing with 'Heroes' but in that case I didn't stay past about 7 episodes.
If this show actually moves along in real time and we see all these things actually happen by the end of the first season and at least some of the mysteries solved then it could keep viewers hooked. I think it will be frustrating if six months is dragged out over a few seasons like Lost did/does. It will also be frustrating if no mysteries are solved but more conspiracies and mysteries are added. There might have been a clue about these flashforwards recurring when the FBI boss said they have to find out what caused it and be prepared for the possibility of it happening again.

by J Bar on September 29, 2009 at 07:53 AM

I hated 'FlashForward'. Why was there a kangaroo in the street? Why did a helicopter crash into a building five minutes after everyone came to? Why did Joseph Fiennes walk through a puddle of water with a downed power pole lying in it? Why did Channel Seven start it at 8:37 and not at 8:30 like they've been advertising for three months? Why did they promote it at the end of that Police Thing by flashing the word "NEXT" on the screen twenty times and then go into a five minute promo for 'World' Strictest Parents - Have They Changed'?
I was really disappointed. They've set up a show which they can't resolve. When there's no way out guess what? There'll be another Flash Forawrd. It's like having a built-in 'It Was Just A Dream Sequence' clause.
I didn't expect the -"So what you're saying is everyone's consciousness Flashed Forward 6 months? Better set up a unit to investigate that"- moment to take them what 2 minutes to get to. Well obviously. And reconstructing your glimpses of the future won't change it will it? Will it? They obviously haven't seen the 'Homer With the Time-Machine Toaster' episode of 'The Simpsons'.
It's like 'Fringe' except prettier to look at and no cow.
Early night next Monday for me.

by darren on September 29, 2009 at 08:40 AM

I just read an article from the creators of Flash Forward, and they stated that they themselves found Lost frustrating. They stated that they knew that the continual mystery and a lack of answers is what lost them viewers. They stated that by episode 7, you do receive some answers (obviously not all, but something to keep you going!). I haven't had a chance to watch it, had guests so I didn't want to "half" watch it, so I cant comment on whether it was any good or not. But i'm looking forward to it! God, the recording equipment was getting a workout last night - Top Gear, Flash Forward, Vampire Diaries, Mercy and Nurse Jackie!

by Beckala on September 29, 2009 at 08:58 AM

Sadly I think you might be right, Bereft Skerrick. It seems like we've gone from being a Britsish colony to becoming an American clone. We're accepting more violence on our screens but being shocked by anything remotely sexual. Is this another legacy of the Howard years? If a country like Australia can find Two And A Half Man as humourous as America does, then we've lost the battle of keeping our own identity. people won't even watch an Australian version of an American hit, such as Australian Idol and The Apprentice Australia.

by Levendis on September 29, 2009 at 09:18 AM

All you folks that watched Flash Forward missed the BEST can segment on GNW ever. And judging by the ratings, that was quite a few of you. Ah well, FF may be repeated whereas GNW probably won't... well, if you exclude the friday rehash (blushing at own stupidity). Top Gear was good (nothing like a bit of a barney) and Nurse Jackie continues to keep me interested. As for the watermarks, subtlety is a word lost on commercial programmers/heads. More power to Aunty and her sibling.

by Furlozza on September 29, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Have Nine killed The Mentalist by constantly changing its timeslot in the past year? Have Ten just done the same to Little Britain USA and Nurse Jackie?

by Bloke from the Sticks on September 29, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Furlozza: do you speak of the throwing magazines in the bin segment, where cyclists copped a hammering.
Why oh why did the Top Gear fellows have to kill that dear old Morris Marina. Apart from the fact that it was one of the crappest cars to hit Oz roads. As crap as the Chrysler Centura.
That "Bond" speedo pic was a pic of Peter Debnam (former NSW Opposition Leader) the last time you ran it as well. No Daniel Craig. But I second the motion for a picture of Colin Firth freshly out of the pond from Pride & Prejudice.

by Bereft Skerrick on September 29, 2009 at 10:24 AM

I was intrigued by FlashForward and will tune in next week, just like I did Lost until it gets all mind-boggling. I was terribly confused with the kangaroo, I thought maybe Australia exploded (since there was no sign of it) and sent its animals across lands. The episode of Homer with Toaster sprung to mind immediately, as did the episode where Homer goes to the future and past to stop guns being made illegal.

by Kym on September 29, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Things are getting tight. Having to PVR an hour to try and get all 30 mins of Nurse Jackie cos Shirl cant get its sh*t together and get programming on time. I see Dexter has already been bumped again in its new home - now out to midnight after being promised an 11.30 slot. You have to wonder what comes first; programming gibbons who perpetually shuffle the schedules or viewers tired of not being able to rely on timings and having programs shifted and shafted. Dismayed at their treatment of Dexter, cos it probably means we wont see the wonderful John Lithgow in the new series just screening in the States.
A pox on all their houses due to late running - there is NO NEED for it and if that is the best they can run their business, then they best give it up. I for one would not want to be an advertiser when you cant guarantee when your expensive product ad will actually screen

by ozinoz on September 29, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I gave flashforward a chance, but an hour is all it took to take me back to The Mentalist ...
Oh and for the love of god, Gary Unmarried isnt funny.

by Matt on September 29, 2009 at 10:37 AM

Haven't seen Flash Forward yet as I went to an advance screening of "Mao's Last Dancer." Good movie, highly recommend especially if you like Ballet.
Anyway, will have a look at FF tonight but I suppose it's bound to end up at some ungodly hour as it won't keep those ratings. As we all know, SF doesn't rate.
Got home in time to catch a bit of Mercy. What a load of garbage that is. Really boring. Just another GA's and we've seen it all before.

by em on September 29, 2009 at 10:37 AM

It surely didn't help Nine to advertise last night's Mentalist as a (R) repeat - then slip in a new, 'fast-tracked' episode. Only a miracle we decided to record Flashforward and watch Simon.

by d@gp on September 29, 2009 at 01:19 PM

I have a theory that the producers of Flashforward are trying to appeal to overseas audiences and guarantee sales and ratings in their biggest markets. So that's why they've included a kangaroo for Aussie audiences, a couple of characters with British accents, played by Alex Kingston (ER) and Jack Davenport (Coupling, This Life) and other multi-cultural characters. Not to mention all the British and Irish etc actors posing as Americans in this show. Did anybody notice the product placement, with the Desperate Housewives advert on the side of the bus?

by J Bar on September 29, 2009 at 01:39 PM

Have to agree re Mercy. Terribly boring. I won't bother next week. Give me Nurse Jackie any day. I did like FF but am getting sick of shows that require persistant viewing, a la Lost and Heros. Lot lost me this year although I did persist with Heros. I like things in discreet episodes like CSI or L&O so it doesn't really matter if you missed the last ep. I notice no one has said anything about The Apprentice - was it so forgettable / uninspired that no one has a view on it. And as for Idol, they need to bring back a Monday night results show which is half hour only, and they need to let voting continue through Monday. What is it with the voting finshing at 3am? I keep forgetting to vote, and without a vested interest in the show I am less intent on watching it.

by LAH on September 29, 2009 at 01:44 PM

I'm usually quite impressed with ten and the timings they supply the Foxtel EPG which are usually on the money by two or three minutes ... last night however they had Good News Week going from 830 to 1056, Little Britain USA to 1110, news to 1130 and then Nurse Jackie at 1130. Of course when i turned over to ten at 11 Nurse Jackie was already nearly over. But saying that series record is great for ten - it picks up where they are shoving dexter next.

Tribal MInd replies: I know what you mean. I had recorded Nurse Jackie last night, but when I tried to look at her today, there was nothing tere. Similar problem with Seven's timing on Flash Forward -- anyone who tried to record it would have missed the crucial last 2 minutes.

by emurray on September 29, 2009 at 02:32 PM

I didn't mind THE APPRENTICE, but the ratings prove that an American concept doesn't always translate well to Aussie TV, and Mark Boras is no Trump!
Watch for Nine to bury it in the 11.30PM graveyard slot LOL

by Evan on September 29, 2009 at 02:54 PM

I recorded FF and added an extra 30 minutes, so I hope I got those last 2 minutes!
I watched Mercy and quite enjoyed it, oh the shame.
Like J Bar, I'm also watching :30 Seconds and Better Off Ted at 8.30pm on the Comedy channel and enjoying them.
Have Nurse Jackie on disk - first 4 eps anyway & love it too.
Recorded The Border (on W), Vampire Diaries (on Gone!), Ashes to Ashes (on 2) and Skins (on SBS).
When will I find time to watch them all?
There's heaps on tonight too.
BTW I am a Grocery Buyer aged over 55, so there!

by Sal on September 29, 2009 at 03:27 PM

Hi TM,
Could you show the ratings for the following programs shown on Monday night?
Bizarre E.R. on Nine and Momma's Boys, Style By Jury and Danube Interlude on Ch 7.
I enjoyed all the programs above, even the last one, where the delusional hosts of this travel documentary toured through Hungary under the belief that the country is still a dirt poor communist state!

Tribal Mind replies:
36 MOMMA'S BOYS Seven 388,000 100,000 154,000 73,000 61,000
44 BIZARRE ER Nine 303,000 65,000 140,000 53,000 23,000 22,000
52 STYLE BY JURY Seven 234,000 42,000 107,000 50,000 36,000
100 DANUBE INTERLUDE Seven 102,000 9,000 59,000 18,000 16,000

by realityfan on September 29, 2009 at 04:18 PM

Hey TM, do you know how One Week at a Time rated on One last night? It was a really good AFL season wrap up, possibly even better than Seven's one. (And yes, I am a lone AFL supporter here in Sydney).

Tribal MInd replies: Nevertheless, it got only 86,000 viewers.

by Samuel on September 29, 2009 at 09:57 PM

'Hey Hey it's Who Cares' is still on tonight I see. Up against the premiere of 'Celebrity MasterChef', 'Spicks and Specks Does Blankety Blanks', 'City Homicide', 'CSI L.A' and 'United States of Tara' (the Guide shows it going from 7:30 to 10:00 with the space after 10:00 to be advised so maybe just take it right up to 'Today'?). So, is this the Grandest Delusion Nine have ever had? Any predictions for the ratings? I'm hoping for 200000 (if everyone who signed the petition watches), but won't be surprised if they get 1200000 (God have mercy). But to be sensible, I'll start the bidding at 800000. Just enough to keep Nine in the State of Delusion to which they've become accustomed. Any bids for 810000???

by darren on September 30, 2009 at 06:00 AM

Difficult to predict. Spicks and Specks is repeated on Thurs @ 8pm, HHiWhateverday is repeating on Saturday, but Celebrity Masterchef isn't being repeated. I'd say CM will be 1.8m, HHi? about 1.4m (Melburnians will be very loyal) and S&S about 0.8m.

by Bereft Skerrick on September 30, 2009 at 07:03 AM

Liked FF but don't know if it will keep me. I got fed up with Lost but in the end went back to it and loved this last season. But will FF keep it interesting or quickly lose the plot?

Wanted to see Nurse Jackie but Ten totally stuffed up the times. Will have to try again next week. I know I have said it before but why , oh why, can't networks ever get times right? I can't understand why it is so damn hard for them. Someone give them a clock!

Tonight there is quite a bit happening on with Masterchef, Hey , Hey It's not Saturday. City Homicide, S&S etc etc. Why everything on the same night. Will be interesting to see how it all pans out ratings wise. And why is Nine showing Hey, Hey on a Wed anyway? Wouldn't it have been better to have put it on a , say, Saturday? I shall probably channel surf around just out of curosity. But Nine should have let Hey, Hey stay in retirement. What are they thinking?

by em on September 30, 2009 at 07:26 AM

I think for Hey Hey is Crap-Day you have to take into account the bogan element who are actually excited about the program. I'm going to say around the million mark.

I won't be one of them as Wednesday is ABC night and I'll be PVRing Master Chef.

by Nic on September 30, 2009 at 07:58 AM

Why did Seven not screen All Saints on 7HD last night and instead showed Starship Troopers at 9.30pm? That sux. Why are they disrespecting All Saints like that with only a few weeks to go and making us miss out on the HD transmission?
Are Seven showing alternative programming on 7HD because they're worried about the impact of the combined Nine/Go beating their share with two separate programs because they only have one program screening?

by J Bar on September 30, 2009 at 07:58 AM

HHISR Prediction: 666,666

by TG on September 30, 2009 at 07:59 AM

I loved the Aussie Apprentice! Can't believe it rated so far behind seven, I'll be watching next week - even if it's just to see Mark Bouris again!!!

by Sue on September 30, 2009 at 08:27 AM

I was a big fan of Hey Hey but would rather keep my good memories of the show rather than have them spoilt by a halfarsed reunion special.

by Mr 40 plus on September 30, 2009 at 08:32 AM

Bereft: Yes, that was the segment of which I spoke... er typed. Magda was briilliaaaaaaant, Paul wasn't bad either in repeating the Hugh Jackman episode, and the bloke with a similar hairdo as me ('cept mine is greyer) topped it all with his outburst. Oh that I could watch it again on friday, but that's another story. Oh and the mime segment wasn't bad either. Glad it was them and not me LOL.
Watched NCIS last night as part of the 1.4 mill, hoping that Ziva would return... but was also wishing I could record in some shape or form the Bethany Hughes show on Athens and democracy.
No HHIS for me tonight... shall rely on Aunty to keep me in.... stitches. BTW, anyone notice the very VERY subtle cross-promotion on ABC on Monday night? Media Watch in a very round about way both criticised and plugged the new ABC show on at 9.00 tonight. Seems a company called Zapruder's Other Films is involved along with a chap called Andrew Denton? I suppose all will be revealed.

Tribal Mind replies: The Bethany show was not her best work.

by Furlozza on September 30, 2009 at 10:18 AM

I caught up with FlashForward last night, and enjoyed it. Was quite gripped, actually. I'll be back next week.
But as with all time travel stories, you can't think too long and hard about the details. That way lies madness. (Or, Homer with a toaster.)
Oh, did anyone notice that their "next week on..." for FF was actually 9 minutes into "Mercy", and was advertised as such? Good way to keep the audience watching. (We ffwded to see the ad, thinking it might be an extended bit. We were wrong. The commercial channels won't be able to trick us that way again!)
I might actually fall under the spell of reality tv (it'll be a first) and record Masterchef. Just to see what all the fuss is about, y'know. I certainly shan't be watching Hey Hey, it's day is past. (I was a fan when I was a kid and it was Hey Hey It's Saturday Morning, but not since then.) I just can't believe it's going up against Masterchef and Spicks & Specks. Do they want it to fail?

by tqd on September 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Hey Hey to fail hard (I'm guessing 810k) if The Mentallist and The Apprentice Australia's ratings are anything to go by.

by arthur on September 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM

hi TM, are you able to find out how The Hills rated on Monday night at 730pm on GO?
thanks

Tribal MInd replies: In the chart now, and it makes The Wire look like a smash hit.

by dave on September 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Shrek seems to have been wasted in an 8.30 slot on a Tuesday. Hardly put a dent in Packed to the Rafters or NCIS. If they showed it at 6.30 on a Saturday it would have been a smash.
Hey Hey wouldn't have done better last night and won't do better tonight.

by Bloke from the Sticks on September 30, 2009 at 12:19 PM

The issue with Nursde Jackie the other night was that I think the EPG (electronic program guide) got some sort of bug. I had series linked Jackie from the first ep so saw it pop into my schedule for monday at 10.35.
Having watched FF live (as the events happened), without blacking out myself, we watched GNW and lmao at Magda.
When that finished, I deleted it from the IQ onlt to find that Ten was still saying that GNW was showing until 10.56!!! But Little Britian USA was definitely on.
So I'd say that the programs were at the correct times they were originally scheduled, but the EPG went haywire.
So i set to record the rest of the supposed GNW, and the next three programs.
Jackie ended up being spread over "recordings" GNW, litlle Britain and Late News, if that makes sense..............
And it was funny. Genuinely funny and thank God there is no laugh track in it.
Give it a better timeslot Ten.
As for FF, the helicopter did not hit the building after everone was conscious again. The helicopter had already hit, but there was a delay between it hitting the buliding and dropping, but that involves a physics lesson.

by Glory Days on September 30, 2009 at 12:20 PM

No more saggy, baggy politicians in budgie smugglers please. Can you please get a photo of Mark Bouris in his sluggos? What a spunk! I could watch him all night just reading the names out of the phone book. Sadly, The Apprentice Australia is about as exciting as that.
There were no cashed up bogans on The Spearman Experiment this week and it sank to dangerous depths. Did The 7pm Project sink even lower?

by Goddess of Love on September 30, 2009 at 12:42 PM

Just saw the new Channel 9 promo - gee, they got Darryl in there fast! His facial expressions just creep me right out! I still felt like slapping him every Logies night when he would do the false "Oh my god I'm so surprised" mouth wide open, hands clutched to face looking like he had been left "Home Alone"... You couldn't pay me to watch HHIS. I found their use of the quotes from teh Castle in their advertising disturbing - do you not get that they are paying the crap out of the dad BECAUSE he watches Hey Hey? It's NOT A COMPLIMENT!!
Can't wait for Tara tonight, the mysteries are really heating up! I find it so disappointing that the ratings aren't good. I'm doing my best to get the word around to friends who are starting to watch too.

by Beckala on September 30, 2009 at 01:36 PM

Ratings prediction for HH: 750,000!
And screening it on the most competitive night of the week(or one of them) was a dumb programming idea, or perhaps Nine did it deliberately because they want to have the satisfaction of again sacking Daryl Somers LOL
I agree with some of the earlier comments about Nine's new promo: it smacks of something from 20-30 years ago, not 2009! The likes of Bert & Kerri-Anne have no relevance to those under the age of 30.

by Evan on September 30, 2009 at 01:52 PM

Oh no! An extraneous apostrophe in my last post! I am hanging my head in shame.
Who on earth is Bethany Hughes? Mr TQD commented that she looked like Nigella Lawson, and I had to agree. Not a bad program, but it didn't quite grab my attention away from other things as she puttered about in the background.
And, yes, Furlozza, I saw the Media Watch bit. Was cacking myself at the whole story, although I think it's a shame they stole that new show's thunder. (What is it called?)

by tqd on September 30, 2009 at 02:22 PM

i just cant wait for the Hey Hey Reunion tonight, catching up with all the old gang! It really is a brilliant idea of ch9, but they should have dont it years ago.

by myrtle on September 30, 2009 at 02:23 PM

FlashForward is a very interesting and entertaining show, certainly takes you somewhere outside reality and makes you think about alternatives. Same as Lost really... uh oh,.. i guess most Aussie viewers wont bother....

by Davo on September 30, 2009 at 02:27 PM

Re HHIS, apparently some betting company is taking bets on the audience, and wait for it - they have punters betting on high audience! Might be worthwhile having a bet on a low number, odds would be good.

by Louise on September 30, 2009 at 04:31 PM

7:17pm tonight - finally a highlight for 7pm Project. For me at least (possibly). The sound went strange on Southern Cross Ten. I'm not sure whether it was my TV or the broadcast. But watching the panelists with slow motion sound was totally awesome.
And also the appearance of Dr Andrew, previously home renovation reality show contestant, more recently Ch Nein celebrity (was he in the promo?) and now on 7pm as an "expert". Does this mean all of his shows have been axed?

by Bereft Skerrick on September 30, 2009 at 06:22 PM

Hey Hey its whatever.....it's 1999 (or 1989) all over again! Same old same old but I guess it was always like that.
Question is - Would I watch it regularly? If it was on at 6.30pm on a Saturday night and I have nothing better to watch? Yes I sure would.
Funnily enough my 13 year old is laughing his head off and thinks its great. Guess he hasn't heard all the jokes before.....

Tribal Mind asks: Why aren't you watching Celeb Masterchef?

by Jess Purrier on September 30, 2009 at 08:22 PM

So what's the difference between the guy having a tug in the bathroom on Rafters the other week and Darryl having the longest wank in the history of masturbation???

by d@gp on September 30, 2009 at 09:09 PM

I watched Celeb Masterchef (Josh Thomas wuz robbed!) and yes, I timeshifted HHiSOW. Yes, I own my own Plucka Duck stuffed toy. I wanted to the Masters Skerrick the kind of family friendly show that Mr Skerrick and I grew up with.
Sure it was a walk down memory lane, sure I've heard the jokes before, but I didn't care. My kids thought it was hilarious (and I've locked up the Vegemite - that kid has done more good PR for Kraft this evening than iSnack2.0 did in a week!)
If the comments on Twitter are anything to go by tonight, dare I say that the ratings will be very high, especially after 8:30pm? Nearing 2 mill?

by Bereft Skerrick on September 30, 2009 at 09:44 PM

Bereft Skerrick, the slow play button on my DVD player remote has saved many a crap movie from an early return. Nothing funnier than 'Godfather 3' where everyone seems to be stoned. Big improvement.
Saw bits of The Show That Dare Not Speak Its Name last night and when I heard they were doing a live cross to a John Farnham concert decided life is pretty much over. Whatever happened to Innovation, Creativity, Newness? Who cares just rehash the same old shit and serve it up. Channel Nine's 'Welcome Home' promo is like a slap in the face every time I see it. Like "Welcome Home, yer chops are defrosting in the sink and can yer get me a shanty, me gout's killin me.....Shut up youse kids or I'll come in there and......Welcome Home.....oooh I got an itch"....
'MasterChef' was same good.
'Hungry Beast' was interesting.
Anyone else liking 'River Cottage Spring', or 'Cottage Spring River' or whatever it's called?
Any tips for battling despair???

by darren on October 01, 2009 at 05:59 AM

what a absolute triumph Hey Hey turned out to be. it was great from start to finish. the musical acts superb especially the accoustic quartet and the spectacular cross to JP. The vegimite kid was hilarious as was russell gilbert. the montage with the late maurie fields and his son sharing jokes was wonderfully put together. daryl handled 3 hours of live television in the way that made him a TV Icon for over 25 years. they couldnt have done a better job!

by Jason on October 01, 2009 at 06:36 AM

I will admit that I did FF through the musical acts on HHISOW, that was one of the benefits of timeshifting (no Farnham shall be played in my house).
Which means I missed Barnesy and Son, Eskimo Pie (whatever), but I was interested to see if the blond with the big, erm, voice was singing live. The verdict is in, it had to be a mime. Too much running around for her to not sound puffed. and the phrasing was too perfect.

Tribal Mind replies: What does it say about Australians that Hey Hey averaged 2.1 million viewers last night -- contrary to all predictions on this forum.

by Bereft Skerrick on October 01, 2009 at 07:46 AM

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