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ASTRA Conference: What about the audience?
Today is the annual conference of the Pay TV industry at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre where executives and decision-makers from across the sector will gather to talk, listen and brainstorm.
It begins with the Women In Television breakfast at 7:15am headed up by Sandra Levy from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Former Victorian Premier, and ASTRA Chairman, welcomes the delegates at 9:45, ahead of Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries keynote address. Survivor creator Mark Burnett’s Plenary Address at 11:30am via videolink after he was unable to attend.
Afternoon sessions …
Ryan Seacrest v Simon Cowell
Entertainment reality shows have often been about the judges more than the contestants. Tonight’s American Idol is no different.
“What part of the dancing or other performing components didn’t you like?” Ryan Seacrest asks Simon Cowell, following a song by contestant, Mike.
But the always opinionated looked at Seacrest and said, “Do you want me to talk to you or talk to Mike?”
With that a cool, calm and collected host stepped off the stage and leaned over the judging table.
“I’m actually trying to help him out a little bit, buddy,” Seacrest responded in …
Sarah Palin for Mark Burnett series
Sarah Palin as a Reality TV star?
Stranger things have happened. After all a former actor once became President of the US of A.
The kicker here is that the former Vice President contender is working with none other than hotshot producer Mark Burnett on a project which would see her family appear in a ‘docudrama’ series described as “Planet Earth type look at Palin’s home state of Alaska. Burnett is what gives this project weight.
Recently in LA for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Palin is said to have met with executives …
Idol illness bumps girls for guys
24-year-old American Idol contestant Crystal Bowersox was rushed to hospital hours ago due to an undisclosed medical issue that prevented her from appearing on tonight’s show, which has caused the show to flip the heat tonight from female singers to males.
Amongst tonight’s contestants is 23-year-old Lee Dewyze from Illinois whose version of Hinders ‘Lips of an Angel’ impressed all the judges, especially Simon, who proclaims: ‘You may be the one to beat.’
It airs tonight at 7:30pm on FOX8.
Adam Lambert for Dance, Sunrise.
American Idol’s Adam Lambert arrives in Sydney on Thursday and is set to appear on So You Think You Can Dance Australia later that night (yikes, jet lag).
He will also appear on Sunrise next Monday morning.
Sydney fans can also catch him signing copies of his album ‘For Your Entertainment’ at HUM on Oxford, Sydney, on Saturday, March 6th from 12pm.
He will also visit Melbourne on Tuesday with his itinerary yet to be confirmed (NB: I will update this post with the info later, so check back).
Returning: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno returns to television at 12am Wednesday (that’s straight after Tuesday’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon if you prefer) on the Comedy Channel.
Leno returns to the helm the show following his much-publicised run on The Jay Leno Show, which led to the exit of Conan O’Brien.
The new show features a new-look set design and Kevin Eubanks and his band.
The Comedy Channel says “The series return sees heavy-hitting special guests seated on the couch including Jamie Foxx, Sarah Palin, Matthew McConaughey, Chelsea Handler, Morgan Freeman, Olympic …
X Factor on the horizon again
The X Factor could be headed back to Australian television according to a report in today’s Daily Telegraph.
Nine’s director of production and development Andrew Backwell, Seven programmer Tim Worner and Sony Music chief Dennis Handlin have attended a London summit called by the show’s creator Simon Cowell last week.
The talent show previously aired in Australia on TEN, hosted by Daniel McPherson, but after following Australian Idol it didn’t succeed.
In the UK it continues to be a ratings blockbuster, while Simon Cowell is set to leave American Idol to bring the …
Dance Wednesday, Results Thursday.
TEN’s Thursday night-line up will be bumping scripted television back when it introduces the So You Think You Can Dance Australia Results show.
The one hour Thursday show will follow the regular Wednesday night show -both were Sunday / Monday shows last year.
From February 18 its Thursday line up will be:
7:00pm The 7PM Project
7:30pm The Biggest Loser
8:00pm So You Think You Can Dance Australia (Results)
9:00pm Law and Order: SVU
10:00pm Medium
Perhaps the Results show could always work as a half hour show if it doesn’t meet expectations…
This year Dance will also go …
52nd Grammy Awards: Guide
The 52nd Grammy Awards will screen live to Australia on Monday at 12 midday AEDT on Arena and repeated at 8:30pm.
The awards hosted by Tia Carrere and Kurt Elling will be held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
Performers include Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Elton John, Bon Jovi, the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Pink, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Eminem and Lil Wayne.
Presenters include Simon Baker, Kristen Bell, Justin Bieber, Jeff Bridges, Jonas Brothers, Stephen Colbert, Alice Cooper, Sheryl Crow, Kaley Cuoco, …
Producers Guild of America Awards: Winners
Awards, awards, awards….this time it was the Producers’ Guild of America which dished out its prizes in film and television.
The TV winners were:
The Danny Thomas Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television – Comedy:
30 Rock beat Californication, Entourage, The Office and Weeds.
The Norman Felton Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television – Drama:
Mad Men beat Breaking Bad, Dexter, Lost and True Blood.
The Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year Award in Non – Fiction Television:
60 Minutes beat Deadliest Catch, Intervention, Kathy Griffin: My Live on the ‘D’ List …
“Pants on the Ground, Pants on the Ground.”
At 62 years old, General Larry Platt is way too old to compete in American Idol, but that didn’t stop him auditioning.
With his original rap song “Pants on the Ground,” presumably an ode to the fashion styles of Gen Y, he might just be the first YouTube star of the season. He had Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and guest judge Mary J. Blige in stitches.
As Simon Cowell admitted, “I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit.”
William Hung has a lot to answer for……
Simon Cowell to exit American Idol
It’s official. Simon Cowell has confirmed he will leave American Idol at the end of this season.
The announcement follows speculation he would not re-sign a new Idol contract.
In departing the show, he also confirms expectations that he would bring The X Factor to FOX. As Creator of the show, he will make a lot more money than sticking with Idol.
Cowell said that even though he was offered a pile of money to stay, he wanted a “new challenge”.
Idol’s ninth season begins tomorrow, with Ellen DeGeneres set to replace Paula Abdul in …