Erika next top host

Erika Heynatz is the girl of the moment it seems. Today there are articles on two separate television projects, one in Oz, the other in the US.

Channel Seven is believed to have bought the rights to remake Make Me A Supermodel. The UK original already aired on subscription TV earlier this year.

Heynatz, who hosted the original Australia's Next Top Model, as well as projects for Seven and TEN, is rumoured as the likely host.

news.com.au says Granada claims producers from ANTM have been approached to jump ship to work on Seven's Supermodel

But a no-compete clauses in the Top Model contracts means the executives cannot join the rival find-a-fashion-star show.

Meanwhile, she flew to the US the day after the It Takes Two finale to film a pilot of a live fashion show for CW.

Source: news.com.au, Sydney Morning Herald Read more...

TEN revolution not quite a resolution

Network TEN boss Grant Blackley has indicated that despite networks being allowed to launch a new free-to-air channel from January 1, TEN is unlikely to take advantage of the climate until later in 2009.

The three commercial free-to-air networks will be given the opportunity to broadcast a new standard-definition channel independent from their main channels.

"We're capable of launching from January 1 (but) I don't think any network has said they will physically launch on January 1," he told The Age.

Blackley said TEN would launch the new channel would require enough unique content and advertising.

"I wouldn't put it past that some months thereafter (January 1) I think there's some valid consideration to launching your primary schedule on your SD, HD and analog platform, and soon thereafter possibly launching your additional channel," he said.

Seven declined to comment on whether it was unrealistic to expect its new channel to begin on, or soon after, January 1.

"We'll announce our launch date closer to the date of our launch," spokesman Simon Francis said.

Source: The Age Read more...

License to kill networks

The value of commercial TV licences has been slashed by nearly $2 billion since 2003-04 as network audiences defect to the internet and pay-TV, according to an analysis by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Annual licence fees are calculated at 9 per cent of a broadcaster's gross revenue.

The devaluation began in 2003-04, with a sharp fall in 2005-06 revenues leaving average licences worth less than a decade ago and approaching the levels of the 1980s.

The average value of a capital city licence in 2005-06 was about $120 million, down from about $230 million in 2003-04.

For a non-capital city licence it was about $50 million, down from about $90 million two years earlier. PBL Media's Nine Network was responsible for the largest licence devaluations, although TEN had also devalued its licences in 2005-06.

"Historically, a commercial television broadcasting licence gave its owner unprecedented access to the Australian public and the right to sell that access to advertisers," the report said.

"Since 2000, however, alternatives to TV, including the internet, subscription television, DVDs and games, have gained in popularity, attracting both new audience and advertisers."

The report also said Nine had been the most profitable network between 1979 and 2006 but the relative positions of the networks were changing, with Seven and TEN now outpacing it in annual revenue growth. Expenditure comparisons also suggested Nine had significantly higher overheads than Seven but that the two networks spent similar amounts on programming.

Source: The Australian Read more...

BB: Saxon evicted

Saxon is the first housemate to be evicted in 2008 Big Brother. He beat two other finalists David and Rory.

The eviction of the 22yo truckdriver follows a change in BB voting that asked the public to 'vote to save' their favourite housemate. The top three were then voted for by housemates.

This year also saw a bizarre "revolving door" eviction that placed all three housemates behind a secret door. Two would be returned to the house, and one to the outside with Jackie O and a small audience waiting for their immediate reaction. It changes the tradition of transporting evicted housemates to the Dreamworld stage.

But in its first employ, Big Brother fumbled the order of returning housemates to the house. BB told the housemates "Please welcome back, David." When the doors opened, there was Rory. It immediately signalled to viewers that Saxon was leaving.

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That 70's finale

After eight years, the last ever episode of That 70's Show will finally screen in Australia.

The episode, aptly set on New Year's Eve, December 31 1979, brings to a close the sitcom which launched the careers of Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace. Both actors left the series after the seventh season, but return for the finale.

It aired in the US 2 years ago. All episodes of the eighth season, with the exception of this finale, are named after Queen tracks, a tradition it followed after seasons with title by The Who and Rolling Stones.

The show also marks a somewhat rare occasion when the British decided to to a remake, but it didn't work and was removed after 10 episodes.

The finale airs 7:30pm Thursday May 29 on Seven.

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2009: Year of the Doctors

Development on the updated Young Doctors is said to be coming along nicely, with executives at FremantleMedia very happy with the early scripts of the medical soap.

But production is not expected to begin til later in the year with a likely airdate in early 2009. This contradicts the 2008 programme slate that Nine pitched at the end of 2007.

Nine's head of drama, Jo Horsburgh told TV Tonight, "We’re not anywhere near shooting yet, we’re still developing it."

Responding to the "2008" promise she said, "It might have been because that was the early days of development. We will start shooting this year but whether we end up being ready in time to go to air this year that’s still debatable at this point."

The show is Nine's attempt to update the long-running 1970's series (pictured), combining soap and melodrama with medical storylines. It is a formula that has worked so successfully for Grey's Anatomy.

"They’re young doctors and you do get a glimpse into their personal lives," she said. "It’s not a medical drama as much as say an All Saints or ER. I think Young Doctors always skewed to the personal stories of the young doctors. The homage still goes in that direction. But obviously it’s going to be Young Doctors 2009, so it has to have that kind of contemporary ear."

Mark Fennessy, CEO of FremantleMedia, was similarly upbeat about the show's progress, and confirmed the show was looking towards 2009. The series will be a one hour weekly drama, shot in Sydney. When TV Tonight asked how it would reference the original series, Fennessy said it would still be based at the Royal Albert Memorial.

Some of the original characters would be retained, in name and personality. But they are entirely new scripts (and frankly they'd need to be), reflecting a contemporary world.

Casting is still some way off.

The chief developers of the early scripts are the two whiz-kid writers of the award winning The King Kris Mrksa and Jaime Browne. Collectively they have also written for East West 101, Wilfred, Secret Life of Us, Kick and the upcoming Carla Cametti PD.

"They’re great writers, they’ll bring a lot of fun to the series," said Horsburgh. Read more...

Fire in the Underbelly as Nine takes the week

Buoyed by the Logies and the end of Underbelly, the Nine Network has won Week 19 of ratings with a 28.9% share ahead of Seven's 26.6% and TEN's 22.2%

The ABC had 16.8% and SBS 5.5%.

Nine won Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Nationally it took Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Seven won Monday and TEN took Tuesday and Saturday.

In weekly wins so far this year Seven has six wins, Nine has four and there is one tie.

TEN had one real chance at a win two weeks ago, but despite taking some cities, fell short. Compared to 2007, the year is far from a walkover for Seven, and it's doubly impressive given Underbelly has not screened for Nine in its home city.

Top show for the week was Seven News (Sun) with 1.58m followed by Logie Red Carpet Arrivals on 1.57m, NCIS 1.56m, Border Security (R) 1.54 and Ramsays Kitchen Nightmares 1.52m.

More to follow...

Week 19
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ABC closing up shop?

Update: ABC head of Corporate Communications Sandy Culkoff has responded to The Age article saying any suggestion the ABC is moving to close the shops is "absolutely incorrect".

41 ABC Shops look set to close throughout Australia, and license their products through Dymocks Books.

Senior ABC and Dymocks management have refused to confirm the decision, but ABC sources said yesterday it would go ahead once formally approved by the ABC board on May 20, claims The Age.

The move will extend an arrangement under which 23 Dymocks stores are licensed to sell ABC products in their in-store ABC Centres. Dymocks chief executive Don Grover told said: "We have had a great long-term relationship with the ABC and we are just extending the relationship."

Source: The Age Read more...

'Drover's Run' sale to top $1M

The Nine Network has now decided to sell 'Drover's Run' -the homestead used for eight years on McLeod's Daughters. It ends weeks of speculation following the end of filming in March.

Built in 1856, the 55ha property north of Gawler, which includes a 14-room Georgian-style mansion, separate cottage, woolshed, disused tennis court and secluded glen is believed to have been purchased in 2000 for $380,000.

Now it is expected to top the $1m mark.

It will be officially advertised from Saturday, May 24, through a dedicated website, under Elders Real Estate. Expressions of interest will close on July 11.

"There will be some people who won't care about the McLeod's element and it will be all about the historical significance of the place," said consultant Graeme Hann, " and then others who will go a mile to get the property on the McLeod's basis.

"It will definitely be over $1 million, but how far it's hard to tell."

He said Channel 9 was also offering the land and sheds that provided the backdrop as the Truckstop – at Freeling – as a separate sale. The property needed considerable cosmetic renovations, including painting and reconnecting the bathrooms, but generally the building was stable.

Hann said the property was too small for farming, but could accommodate a boutique grape crop, bed-and-breakfast or tourism.

Source: AdelaideNow Read more...

An unNeighbourly attack

The Australian Family Association is at it again, this time over a storyline in Neighbours in which Nicola West (Imogen Bailey) and nephew Riley Parker (Sweeney Young) have 'a secret intimate relationship.'

The Courier Mail even manages to squeeze both arrested Austrian Josef Fritzl (puh-lease!) and of course, that South Australian 'incestgate' couple, as seen in 60 Minutes, into the story.

It says the AFA has accused producers of using the recent news events to try to attract viewers.

Newsflash: it's a good four months turnaround from storylining to screen in any major Aussie soap. Neither of those stories was news in January.

The article goes on to quote an AFA spokesperson who has clearly given a free publicity kick for Neighbours' stories, and at the same time furthering the agenda of the AFA. Ahh, media spin...it must be a slow news Sunday.

Come to think of it, where was the AFA applauding characters who were caught up in storylines that saw them cling to the ideal of a nuclear family? Where were they when Harold Bishop's Salvation Army morals was dishing out some tough love to wayward adolescents?

The Courier Mail also claims the acting industry is "outraged" at Neighbours' recent casting of models and reality stars (yes Sigrid Thornton and Garry McDonald are probably preparing placards as we speak). It quotes one Brisbane actor's agent.

It highlights Brissy model Erin McNaught's role on the show, but neglects to note she finishes shooting next month. Alan Fletcher ('Karl Kennedy') is also a former president of the Victorian branch of the MEAA. I haven't heard of any protests from 'Dr. Karl.'

And it singles out Wednesday's viewing figures of 785,000 as being "down 15,000 since the end of last year." What's the 'end of last year' mean? It's 2007 finale was actually a lowly 600,000 -that means it's UP by 185,000.

See? You can blur statistics to mean anything you like when you are creative enough. Ratings also topped 937,000 one night last month too, but nobody is writing that their figures are booming. Weekly averages are a better indicator.

Nobody is suggesting the state of the soap is perfect, or reaching its best potential. Last year I criticised the re-launch for its overhype, and I believe time has proven me right on this front.

The show was last at its peak when there were emotional stories ricocheting between Karl, Susan and Izzy. It was classic, fundamental soap that didn't require any set reconstructions. I live in hope that with some of its stronger performers like Jackie Woodburne, Carla Bonner and Ryan Moloney that it will surprise me again.

Disclaimer: David Knox has previously served on the writing team of Neighbours.

Source: Courier Mail Read more...

Axed: Aliens in America

CW sitcom Aliens in America has been axed. The show is about a Wisconsin teenager and the foreign exchange student his mother arranges to host, believing the visitor will help her socially awkward son become more popular. The student turns out to be a Muslim teenager from Pakistan.

Despite rave reviews when it debuted last fall, the comedy went largely ignored by viewers. TVGuide's Michael Ausiello describes is as "a fantastic little show."

It is believed to have been one of a number of shows that Nine may have acquired, yet it was never announced as part of its 2008 slate.

Meanwhile, Ausiello says CW's supernatural television comedy-drama Reaper is "90 percent likely" to be renewed. Seven has previously confirmed this for 2008.

Source: TVGuide Read more...

Axed: Back To You

Deadline Hollywood is reporting that FOX has cancelled Back To You starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton in order to pick up the pilot The Inn.

This is very disappointing news for a show with promise that was disrupted by the writer's strike.

It has been further complicated in Australia by Easter non-ratings and one hour Wednesday editions of Big Brother. It didn't air this week, nor is it planned for next Wednesday. It returns May 21.

The show also re-cast the role of daughter Gracie and wrote out weather girl Montana.

Described as Upstairs/Downstairs set at a hip New York hotel, The Inn's pilot is directed by Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), starring Niecy Nash, Jerry O'Connell, Molly Stanton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jolene Purdy, Brando Eaton.

Maybe it's time for a fan campaign for Back To You to be picked up by another network?

Source: Deadline Hollywood Read more...

Airdate: Abba the Movie

Oh. My. God.

Yes, SBS are bringing us ABBA The Movie as part of its Eurovision weekend! This little pearler was filmed in Australia during their 1977 tour. Part documentary, part "drama" it includes actor Robert Hughes chasing the Swedish band around the country in pursuit of an interview. He's best known as "Mr Kelly" in Hey Dad.

In the trailer for this cult film you can also see a much younger Tom Oliver, "Lou" from Neighbours.

Movie: Abba The Movie - ABBA hit the European music scene in 1974 when they won the European Song Contest in Brighton with the song ‘Waterloo'. Their greatest fan base seemed to be Australia, so in 1977 they toured the major cities, and they became a phenomenon. Ashley Wallace, a midnight-to-dawn country music disc jockey is ordered by his radio station to do a two-hour special on ABBA during their visit to Australia. As Ashley doesn't have an interview lined up, and the group's bodyguard is not very understanding, Ashley has to travel to most major cities in Australia to try to get an interview with them. Directed by Lasse Hallström. (From Australia, in English) (Docu-drama) (1977) G CC WS

Airs 9:30pm Saturday May 24 on SBS.

Featured songs:

* "Tiger"
* "S.O.S."
* "Money Money Money"
* "He Is Your Brother"
* "Waterloo"
* "Mamma Mia"
* "Rock Me"
* I've Been Waiting for You"
* "Why Did It Have To Be Me?"
* "When I Kissed The Teacher"
* "The Name of The Game"
* "Get On The Carousel" (unavailable anywhere else)
* "I'm A Marionette"
* "Fernando"
* "Dancing Queen"
* "So Long"
* "Eagle"
* "Thank You For The Music"

Kindly link to this site when sourcing or posting in messageboards, thanks!
David Knox is an occasional blogger for SBS. Read more...

BBC filming kids for Outback 8

At first news of Outback 8 was sounding like Kid Nation or My Kid's a Star all over again, but in fact a BBC series filming kids as jackaroos is claiming to be observational, not reality.

Still I'm guessing it will manage to make news across the coming months nonetheless.

One of our networks is reportedly involved with the programme shooting in Queensland (just haven't worked out which one!).

The format?

"We've taken four Australian children, four British children, aged between 12 and 14, and we've brought them to Longreach to learn basically how to be jackeroos," spokesperson Geoff Cooper said.

It is currently being filmed on a working sheep and cattle property in central western Queensland.

Cooper says it is hoped the program will help to inform young people about rural life.

Hope they got some friendly Shetland ponies....

Source: abc.net.au
Photo: Stock image Read more...

Flash forward programming for Lost

More news on the shifting season/s of Lost.

The final instalment of the fourth season is due to air as 2 hours in the US on Thursday May 29 (roughly midday AEST Friday May 30). By skipping the week of May 22 in the US, production has thwarted Seven's clear run to the end of the season. It means there will be a week off on May 22 in Oz, replaced by one hour of Family Guy.

And that's without knowing if Seven will cut the 2 hours across 2 weeks.

"The finale this year will not be as tricky as last year," co-creator Damon Lindelof said. "Hopefully, this year it's a little bit more of a straightforward action-adventure narrative. But the ending of the episode will hopefully engage and intrigue people looking forward to the next season of the show."

Lindelof declined to say whether the flash forwards will continue, but did leave open the possibility of the show's main story line on the island catching up with the flash forwards that have taken place on the mainland this season.

"It's very exciting that the audience is going to be wondering when is the present going to be (next season)," he said. "We've moved backward in time, now we've moved forward in time. The present of the show has always been on the island -- that may not necessarily be the case in the future."

And finally producers have added an extra hour to the fifth and sixth series, to make up for the strike disruption.

"We were supposed to do 16-16-16," Lindelof said. "But we ended up doing 14 this season, so we owe two."

Source: Hollywood Reporter Read more...

Fine Cotton. The mini series.

Former Steve Irwin manager John Stainton is planning to produce a miniseries on the infamous Fine Cotton affair, centering on a 1984 conspiracy to replace the underperforming racehorse with a lookalike

When the replacement horse was struck down with injury, the conspirators came unstuck after another "ring-in'' - Bold Personality - covered in hair dye and paint, was immediately outted by stewards and racing regulars.

Sydney bookmakers Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were banned from the race track for 14 years, with ring leader John Gillespie and another man jailed over the affair.

Underbelly producer Bob Campbell was planning to make a telemovie but the project had stalled over legal problems.

"The true story behind the scandal is absolutely incredible," Stainton told Confidential.

"Even though many aspects of the ring-in have been revealed in the public arena over the years through various books and news articles, the actual true story behind the scenes has never been fully revealed - until now."

Source: news.com.au Read more...