Comments on: Another week, another 2m.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:12:22 +0000

There’s not really much you can make a show about. Hospitals, police, criminal organisations, family. How about we take a leaf out of the American books and go for something original or something different?

By: Jerome

Jerome — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:05:23 +0000

@lowie, i was thinking that too, about the christmas ep. being the last. I guess this weeks was not the best and they didn’t want to start 2009 with it. it would make more sense to have a 12/10 episode split than a 14/8 split.

i think the main things that PTTR has going for it are:
- the characters: very likeable and relatable making it hard to leave the show once you have started.
- terrific actors: unlike other ausie shows (strip) where you cannot go without cringing at the actors, gibney, caton and mairas are realy good. logie much?
-great quality scripts and camera work
- its something different, not a police show

however i can understand if people tuned in on tues and weren’t impressed, you just don’t understand the characters yet. give it another chance.

By: Neon Kitten

Neon Kitten — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:37:23 +0000

EMQ, Alex, Timmy: I am , as many would already know, the first to criticise on-the-cheap Australian TV drama. That horrible” “video look” (yes, I’m talking to you, All Saints), that afterthought lighting (All Saints again) and the stilted, almost theatrical acting (All… oh, you get it already!)

However, Packed To The Rafters, despite its dreadful title, is quality. Shot on video by a crew that actually knows how to use the medium. Acted by a really, really competent cast that viewers relate to. And (aside from the limp Christmas episode) written beautifully throughout.

No, it’s not at all hard to see why this show’s getting 2 million (alleged!) viewers. It’s got a humanity that all the others lack, and it’s got a real sense of quality in everything from photography to direction to acting to writing.

In other words, like the underrated “Rush”, it’s made by people who know exactly what they’re doing. Rare in this country, that.

By: ali

ali — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:06:00 +0000

Nice to see a successful Aussie drama – though I haven’t seen an episode yet.

Any chance 7 will repeat the series over summer?

By: Nadine

Nadine — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:47:43 +0000

Good to see it rate well. It’s been very good with the guest star list it’s been able to attract so far.

By: timmy

timmy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:30:50 +0000

I don’t think there’s anything particularly great about this show, but perhaps the masses feel like I do: Most Aussie dramas don’t engage me enough to bother with, but this one keeps me interested enough to keep watching, for some reason.

By: EMQ

EMQ — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:10:47 +0000

I agree with Alex, I don’t understand also why this show rates so well; maybe viewers really are stupid or is it because of the lead in? I wonder if shown on a different time slot, it will still get the same numbers.

By: Sillygostly

Sillygostly — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:12:12 +0000

As far as I know, the first DVD volume will only contain the first 12 episodes.

By: Lowie

Lowie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:23:04 +0000

To me it felt like the Christmas episode was supposed to be the last for 2008, returning with the rest of series 1 in early 2009. But I guess 7 wanted it to begin immediately after The Olympics, running straight through to the end of the ratings season.

Tai, Packed to the Rafters does kill both NCIS and 2.5 Men in all demos, 16-39′s, 18-49′s, 25-54′s and the over 55′s.

You are referring to 7′s nightly demos, for which 7 lost the 16-39 demo by .2%. Considering that is Ten’s target demo that isn’t surprising.

By: Neon Kitten

Neon Kitten — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:12:34 +0000

I’m actually curious why last week’s episode – which was effectively a Christmas episode, sentimentality and all – was put to air so early.

It was arguably the weakest of the series story-wise, too.

By: Jerome

Jerome — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:07:36 +0000

@ tai, i don’t get what ur saying Packed did win 16-39

i said they should be proud because 7 struggle with demos and this is a winner. i wasn’t talking about demos for the whole night.
and anyway coming 2nd by 0.3% isnt that bad considering the older-skewing shows that are in the line up.

PS. do people think that underbelly would have done better if it was played out normally. surely it would have started above 2mil but it dropped off a bit. wheras packed has varied in rating but overall has grown since its premier

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:41:01 +0000

I don’t get why this show rates so well – last night was really bad.

Guess Aussies just want a simple family drama….bemuses me.

By: tai

tai — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:04:36 +0000

jerome says:

‘this show is fantastic!

definitely worth 2 mil. 7 should be very proud especially with the demos’

hah, seven’s 15.9% higher than TEN’s and yet they still can’t manage to win in the under 40s demographic

By: bindi

bindi — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:54:08 +0000

they do just say “last episode of the year”. as i understand it the first season is 22 eps and they are holding the rest over till next year, it will give them a massive kick start to 2009 too. then they will have the second season start later in the year. they are also releasing a sound track which will no doubt do bumper numbers over christmas and keep the promotion going.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:19:59 +0000

Yes when this comes to DVD will season one be 13 or 22 eps? Will the remainder go towards a 30 eps season two? Why not just say “End of year final” or “Last ep of the year”?

Given the ratings I guess they don’t need a cliff hanger ep to bring the viewers back.

By: gottaloveit

gottaloveit — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:59:45 +0000

I’m happy for them i guess, i just wish TEN would be getting these kind of ratings for Neighbours.