News Archive:
Guy and Shannon who?
Bit of a silly blunder from TEN publicity this week. In its info for the Australian Idol final, it reckons: “For the first time in Australian Idol history, the final comprises of two males.”
How quickly we forget.
In 2003 the very first Idol finale was a battle between Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll. After omitting Neighbours from the 2009 Programming Press Release it is the second proof-reading blunder this week.
Ah well… nobody (including TV Tonight) is perfect!
Press Release:
From over 38,000 people who auditioned for Australian Idol in 2008, two finalists remain. Both …
Looking for the magic touch
TEN’s line up for 2009 includes more factual series than ever, returning favourites and new international content. After a disappointing 2008, especially in the second half, TEN will need the magic touch to win back loyal viewers.
The network made the announcement today as part of a three day tour across the country.
Headlining the announcement is the acquisition of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Cooking show MasterChef Australia will replace Big Brother across a 7pm timeslot mid year.
Another 7pm strip show is yet to be announced.
The new locally produced factual shows include …
Seriously D-Day?
Is today the day that “Seriously” becomes a thing of the past for TEN?
Today Network TEN has its 2009 programme launch, first in Sydney, and later in Melbourne, where it will unleash its shiny new line-up and attempt to put the year behind it.
With the exception of a handful of hits (notably So You Think You Can Dance Australia) it hasn’t been the best of years for TEN.
The second part of the year has been worse than the first, with viewers in a wholesale snubbing of the network since the Olympic …
The race that tops the nation
It was the week a Pay TV spokesperson called broadcaster feuding “juvenile” while another exec wanted better inclusion at the digital switch table, a TEN programmer conceded it had massive timeslot problems, Nine axed production staff, Sonia Kruger was criticised for an on air joke, a former soap star said he didn’t really enjoy soaps, belated guide amendments left viewers confused, an ABC journo pleads guilty to charges in Singapore, drug charges against a Seven personality were dropped, Seven revisits its C7 case against Pay television, the ABC launches its new …
TV Forums report card
Since the advent of online, television fans have had ways of letting networks know what they think. No more writing letters to newspapers, it’s as easy as logging onto a network website anonymously and speaking your mind.
TV Tonight has been looking at how our networks embrace free and open discussion. Here’s how they stacked up.
ABC:
Within the ABC site there are individual show pages, many of which have open forums. Shows including Enough Rope, Compass, Can We Help?, At The Movies, Life at 3, Good Game, Media Watch, Spicks and Specks and …
All-male fight for Idol crown
Australian Idol lost its last female contender tonight as Chrislyn Hamilton was voted off the show.
17yo Hamilton went out in style showing sportsmanship and good humour, singing up a storm with “Get Ready.” She hugged the remaining contestants and kissed the judging panel while singing her swansong, even managing a boogie with Kyle Sandilands. It contrasted with other younger performers who had left the reality series in tears.
Hamilton’s exit leaves Idol for the first time with 4 males competing for the title: Wes, Luke and tonight’s other “bottom two”, Teale and …
Airdate: What Really Happened to Michael Jackson?
Last night’sAustralian Idol “Jackson Tribute” produced 5 songs by Michael, including Teale copying the “Billie Jean” arrangement by American Idol’s 2007 winner David Cook. Nobody seemed interested in acknowledging this…
In the group number, it was surprising we didn’t get the signature tune “Can You Feel It?” given it was the season theme tease.
Meanwhile Jermaine Jackson, who had told media the family was reforming for a tour (since denied by Michael), heaped praise on the singers.
In a Jackson-heavy week, one wonders if he would be quite so gushing of a controversial …
Packered by the Rafters
It was the week the Packer family parted ways with Nine causing David Gyngell to vow to prove James Packer wrong, TEN announced a new channel, Pay TV launched another three, Minister Stephen Conroy signalled support for increased ABC & SBS funding, commercial networks (briefly) found a conscience but upset David Leckie, WIN sat down at the gambling table, Kath & Kim (US) got a greenlight for a full season, Andrew Denton announced the end of Enough Rope, David Tennant set his exit from his iconic role, Rove visited …
ONE HD bumps TEN HD into limbo
TEN’s “science fiction Thursday”, Neighbours catch-up, timeshifted News and documentaries on TEN HD could become a thing of the past with confirmation that there is no contingency plan announced alongside the launch of ONE HD.
TEN HD will continue on air until April when it is overtaken by TEN’s 24hr sports channel ONE HD. The current home of TEN HD, Channel 12, will broadcast the sports content in standard definition.
That leaves Smallville and other fan favourites in television limbo. Other shows including Torchwood, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka, One Tree Hill, Friday Night Lights …
Airdate: Schools Spectacular: The Best of 25 Years
Once again the ABC will screen the annual Schools Spectacular in December.
The event features some 3,000 singers, dancers and musicians, a 1200-voice choir, an 80-piece orchestra, 1500 dancers, rock, jazz and brass bands and soloists from ages 5 to 18. Hosted again by John Foreman it will screen on Sunday December 14 at 7.30pm on ABC1 & ABC HD, with the complete 2½ hour version on Sunday December 21 at 2.30pm. Original compere, Rolf Harris will also return.
To celebrate its 25th year the ABC also has Schools Spectacular: The Best of …
Nice work if you can get it
Interesting to note that this Sunday’s edition of 60 Minutes has only one story by a regular member of the team, Peter Overton.
There are also stories by Michael User and Ben Fordham, one on Mexican drug barons and another on surfers. Both reporters have previously filed for the show, but like Ray Martin, are occasional journos for 60 Minutes. As they say, nice work if you can get it!
Tara Brown of course is to take maternity leave.
60 Minutes continues to win its timeslot on Sunday Nights, despite the tough compeition from …
Gabriella Cilmi: ‘I wasn’t tipsy’
Six-time ARIA winner Gabriella Cilmi has answered the question everybody was asking, and says, nope, she was sober at the big event.
“I was actually jetlagged, I wasn’t tipsy,” the 17yo told news.com.au.
“But I can have one glass of wine.”
The speculation followed her less-than-articulate acceptance speeches (six of them) at Sunday’s ARIAs, which followed a recurring theme of “wow..really cool, like…” and similar gushing phrases. Through the television set is appeared that Cilmi was letting the night get the better of her. But that’s the problem with television. It never really captures …