Puberty Blues producers are moving ahead with plans for a second season, despite the ratings numbers for the TEN drama.
Last week the show pulled 673,000 viewers, but as most observers know, it’s because of the poor lead-in from I Will Survive. Puberty Blues actually doubled the figures of its lead-in.
“We have struggled with decent numbers for the lead-in, but we are so happy with our show,” John Edwards told the Sunday Telegraph.
Drama exec Rick Maier recently acknowledged the show would be doing “greater volume” on a network like Seven.
Producers John Edwards and Imogen Banks are in script development on a second season.
“Yes, we are discussing it now. There’s a strong chance, and Imogen and I have been in the plotting room and are well into development ourselves,” Edwards says.
“So for those demanding more, we have high hopes we’ll deliver.
“We’d imagine fairly much continuing on in the late ’70s with pretty much the stories as we left them, maybe a year further on.”
@squareyes – I get that. I really do. stated at the beginning of my rant that appealing to the masses is a necessity in regards to a show having longevity. I just felt that a lot of folk equate a lower ratings result with bad writing, acting or production. A show which is a commercial failure is not also necessarily an artistic failure. Just a pity that being liked means you have more power to churn out something which isn’t necessarily good. I had the lowest expectations of this take on PB, fearing they’d dumb it down and make it more PG but they have done a fantastic and brave production. I hope they can continue to do so.
@kebeba. I agree with what you said.
However, commercial tv is about appealing to the masses.
But, PB was TEN’s second highest rating show last week. They would be crazy not to renew it.
@kerry: as I recall, the producers consulted with the authors to expand the scope of the series beyond the novel. Characters have been ‘beefed’ up, especially the parents. So the TV series could be less an adaptation, and more an expansion of the plot and themes of the book.
It’s true that the fact that PB only appeals to a niche market may mean that not everybody likes it. This does not however automatically mean that it is a bad show. Unfortunately, the financial need to appeal to the masses is a real one. Without ratings, a show can no longer be made. What is annoying is that I’m reading people’s posts that speak of not appealing to the mainstream folk like that’s a bad thing. However, to my way of thinking, the term ‘masses’ by definition means a larger body of people. Considering the number of people in the world who possess a lower IQ, far outnumber those of higher intelligence, appealing to the masses is not necessarily something to be proud of. The ‘masses’ love churned out, shallow pop music. The masses love reality TV about idiots. The masses love anything that does not force them to think. PB is an intelligent, retrospective drama laced with all the ugliness, awkwardness and complexities of teenage life. It even goes further from the novel and the movie and brings us into the adult’s world too. It shows us how we used to be and how much we have changed and how much we have not changed. I personally have enjoyed every second of and would love to see a second series.
It’s a great show, deserves a second season, although it will be interesting how a second season of Puberty Blues will work (if it gets given the green light) but its suffered because its had no substantial lead in.
@Mr J – Distribution revenues wouldn’t be a consideration for a recommission for a second series (might be different for S4 or 5 as sales will have accumulated).
The broadcaster does however receive revenue from international sales (as do all investors at some point as they recoup).
Best drama on TV by far IMO.
I guess Offspring doing similar numbers for S1 gives them confidence something of quality will also grow in further series.
@tvaddict. money from overseas sales goes to the production company, in this case Southern Star, not network ten. It is the network that decides to renew, so overseas sales would not come into the equation.
I love how nearly every program Ten does these days is described “…despite the ratings numbers for the TEN [program]…” Channel TEN could take any popular show and ruin it, the brand and turn people off for years to come.
has anyone considered overseas ratings/sales for some of these Aussie shows might make up the numbers the local audience didn’t quite reach, hence making them financially viable? I’m not saying it as a matter of fact, but a genuine question. The only confirmed show like that i know of is Neighbours.
David, i would really like to see an editorial on that very subject as you could probably answer that question. I would also wonder if overseas sales/ratings matter much for US productions that rate in the millions over there, would it come into play at all as to if they are kept in production?
Alex as per Comments Policy about repeating yourself your point is made. Thanks.
My point in a nutsehell is those shows the critics absolutely love eg Puberty Blues, Smash, Episodes etc are not the shows the masses love, they are two different entities, yet people continually wonder why they are shafted when they get such low ratings. There’s nothing to wonder, they are no good, no one watches, they get low ratings and they get shafted, simple as that but of course the “critics” think they know better when its the masses that dictate the ratings.
Similarly the “criticallly acclaimed” John Edwards productions, loved by the “critics” but are despised by the masses, hence have never rated and never will.
My apologies, Alex – I didn’t realise Episodes and Smash were produced byJohn Edwards – and that’s probably the reason they haven’t been 7.30 Monday night top rating hits in your mind.
Or have we missed the point I’m not sure you’re trying to make?
And I think we all figured out Dallas was an Xela*.
* ‘Sallad’, but not quite fruity enough…
This critic much preferred the original Dallas to the remake (check my review if you think all critics fell for it), but I am enjoying Smash and Episodes, both of which are sensibly scheduled later because they are more niche than broadly appealing. That doesn’t mean they aren’t good and I concur with those who note that broad successes aren’t necessarily the most discerning in quality. Clearly we all have individual tastes, especially when it comes to comedy. The market will dictate what has a life and what doesn’t. If you enjoy EB then good luck to you. Just not sure why you can’t seem to allow others the same privilege for the shows they enjoy.
To all the people/critics who think Puberty Blues is good. Are you the same people who think Smash, Episodes etc etc is good? These shows don’t rate for a reason and it’s not because they start late, are yanked off air etc. it’s because they aint that good hence nobody watches them which is the reason they are yanked off air. It’s just not what the masses want, think about it.
The Dallas remake for example is an abomination compared to the original and the ratings prove it. The original Dallas was one of the most popular shows to ever grace this earth with the highest rating episode of any show at the time ever but the remake is laughable, why can’t the critics see that? And yes, I have been watching its replacement, Embarrassing Bodies, hence the higher ratings for it.
I agree with Alex, shows like Rush, Offspring and Puberty Blues are all niche dramas with paper thin plots and annoying characters. The only reason they get renewed year after year is because Ten have nothing better to offer, and for PR and quota purposes.
Try taking a chance and doing something fresh instead of commissioning dreck from the same guy year after year. And by that I mean scripted drama, not “The Shire” or “I Will Survive” type programs
Just had to get involved in this discussion. Yep the shows alex mentioned were a long time ago. The fact is just because you are number 1 does not mean everybody’s like it and it is quality. PTTR is boring, today tonight ACA herald sun are all crap but very popular. Ten should be applauded for offering not the same old same old as 7and 9.
Pleased to hear a second season is coming our way. PB is a top notch drama. It is just unfortunate that it is on a network that is on a downward spiral.
@Alex. Are you a TEN shareholder? That’s the only reason I can think of for being so passionately anti- John Edwards. Otherwise, just leave the 670,000+ viewers who do like PB to enjoy it.
Also, Claudia Karvan, Joel Edgerton, Asher Keddie & Deborah Mailman…. ask your people in the street where they know them from and chances are it’s an Edward’s production.
Also how about “Rush” on TEN
And in support of our host – shows mentioned by Alex were in the good old days of no internet, mobile phones, etc etc etc.= Lots Of People Watching The Box. (Especially # 96!!!)
PS: David, how much to buy a purple line beneath our individual comments, please ?
(Think I’d prefer a blue one, thanks…)
Ask anyone on the street what Secret Life is and they’ll turn around and say what is that. The shows I listed made household names and were popular beyond belief.
@ Miss J I’m not jealous, I’m just passionate and just don’t like the limited resources on drama being wasted on this guy when all he has ever made is low rating flops. The day he actually makes a high rating drama that people like I’ll faint!
Alex: You’ve listed shows there that were nearly axed in their first season (and one that was), conveniently overlooking Secret Life was on par with some of those. So should we axed Puberty Blues after one season, when it is the network’s best performer right now? Even Rick Maier recently acknowledged PB would do better on another network than his. I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree as we’re more or less making the same points over again.
This is great news!! Lets just hope the next season is surrounded by better higher rating shows:)
@ David regarding a drama series on Ten not getting the same numbers as a drama on Seven: Try telling that to the producers of Number 96, Prisoner, Neighbours and E Street. The first 3 in particular were arguably more popular than any drama Seven has ever shown.
It’s just that John Edwards has got a very niche audience whose shows don’t appeal to the masses.
Jealous much, Alex? You obviously have some kind of bitter dislike of John Edwards, but guess what, people like his stuff, and so do the networks or they wouldn’t keep commissioning his shows. I for one would rather watch a show produced by him than any of the bland ‘dramas’ (*cough* soaps) on Channel 7.
Alex: Love My Way one of the most successful dramas Pay TV has ever had. Police Rescue on ABC. Secret Life of Us on TEN. Offspring is a hit on TEN, esp. where it matters: the demos. You’ve just written off two dramas because they were telemovies. Beaconsfield was another hit. Might as well call that a flop too. A drama series on TEN will not get the same numbers as a drama series on Seven because the audience base is lower.
It’s not that bad.We saw Buckets of Sex and Smut thanks to Sex and the City and Chances amongst other things in the last two decades that have been shown and don’t forget but this really only applies to the fifty and over lot of Number 96 things were different there too.
i agree with alex to a degree, wouldn’t say that edwards should be put in his pasture, he is an asset to austrlian tv, i do think that any future show like this are more suited to foxtel where the shows can survive off a niche audience, because they are clearly not resonating with mainstream audiences. mainstream Australia seem to be more attracted to the winner&losers, PTTR, house husbands approach to drama. his telemovies do seem to do well though, beaconfield was JE’s too, was it not? perhaps stick to them.
Howzat and Paper Giants were telemovies not shows, people were obviously interested in the subject at hand.
It’s about time Ten commissioned shows from other producers who will create something that people actually want to watch.
Try telling that to the 2m who watch Howzat? Clearly demonstrates it isn’t the producer, but the network’s footprint. And have you heard of Paper Giants? Yeah a real flop.
This is just another excuse from John Edwards and co. How would he explain all his dramas struggling all the time? If it was any good I guarantee it would rate and have people watching. This is just another one of those shows the critics love but the masses don’t.
The reason Seven’s dramas rate is they never have and hopefully never will have John Edwards producing any of their dramas. Just telling it like it is, come on time to put this “producer” to pasture and give somehow else a go.
Wow, or should I say Wowsers! I think every scene involving sex in this brilliant series is salient and meaningful, even if it makes for uncomfortable viewing. I lived through the 70s (as a very uncool teenager) and remember well the pressure of sexual mores, the chauvinism and lack of any kind of sensitivity from some boys. I’ve actually been watching it with my 15yo son and he finds it amazing that (some) boys and men acted so badly back then.
That is all very nice but the story lines based on the book is way off.They have made up so many bit’s it really is over the top. This should also been on at a later time, have you seen what they get too! I’m 45 very liberal in my views but I lived in this as teenager and this is way over the top about life in the late 70′s.I have watched a few times looking for the book feeling and this really has put me off encouraging my 15 yo to watch to find the parts of when they realise they don’t have be a sheep and copy off other’s. Bring the sex stuff down and it might be something to be proud of!
Jake: Welcome to the 1970s. If your kids are watching M rated programming then it’s a parental issue not a classification issue.
Disgusting that this propgram is being described as a teenage drama…it’s pure filth in its promiscous storylines of sex, sex and more sex. Wouldn’t have my kids watching such rubbish!!
Fantastic news really hope it dose make it to a second season but this time longer than a lousy 8 episodes
I watch a lot of reality but PB beats everything for me at the moment.
Husband and I thoroughly enjoy it, love the quality acting especially the 2 girls, love Ashleigh Cummings from Miss Fisher too.
Thrilled it’s been renewed.
Looking purely at ratings it doesn’t look like it deserves a 2nd season. The leadin excuse is debatable, i think it is purely an issue with the network. But look at Rush, from it’s 2nd episode onwards it was a flop but somehow lasted 4 years. Looks like PB might be in the same boat.
Puberty Blues is one of the better Oz made shows of the past 5 years.
This household really enjoys the parallel plot lines of the teenagers, as well as the adults.
Logie winning material – great news it’ll continue.
This is great news. Hopefully it can attract some more viewers in it’s 2nd season.