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‘Slap My Elbow’
Filming continues on Chris Lilley’s Angry Boys series, the follow up to Summer Heights High (pictured).
The comedy is already one of the most anticipated new shows of 2011, in which he explores ‘what it means to be a 21st century boy by putting the male of the species under the microscope.’
Last week producers filmed a rap dancing trio at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne.
A song and dance number called ‘Slap My Elbow’ was performed to a huge crowd, evidence of the group’s booming popularity within the series….
Tangle adds new cast members
Tangle begins shooting its second season today and announces new cast members in Kick Gurry (Speed Racer, Looking for Alibrandi), Tim Draxl (Red Canyon, Swimming Upstream), Adam Zwar (Wilfred, Underbelly, Rush), Leah Vandenberg (East of Everything, Stupid Stupid Man) and previously announced Don Hany (East West 101, Underbelly).
Justine Clarke, Catherine McClements, Joel Tobeck, Matt Day and Kat Stewart have all been confirmed to return. Due to the plotline nature of the season cliffhanger, so far there is no confirmation on a return by actor Ben Mendelsohn.
Produced by John Edwards and Imogen …
Second season for Tangle
It’s official.
Showtime has commissioned a second season of Tangle, the acclaimed Australian drama about two generations of families in suburban Melbourne.
Minor Spoiler: Justine Clarke, Catherine McClements, Joel Tobeck, Matt Day and Kat Stewart are all returning. Due to the plotline nature of the season cliffhanger, so far there is no confirmation on a return by actor Ben Mendelsohn.
As revealed by TV Tonight, Don Hany (East West 101, Dirt Game, Underbelly) is also joining the cast.
The second season has been written by original writers Fiona Seres (Love My Way, Dangerous, The …
Chris Lilley lands joint ABC, HBO, BBC series
The ABC has confirmed the finer detail on Chris Lilley’s next series, to be titled Angry Boys. And it’s very bloody impressive.
Lilley has landed a co-production with ABC and HBO -not only an Australian first, but with an order for 12 episodes, 4 more than Summer Heights High. It will also air on the BBC.
Shooting in a mock documentary style, the series will explore ‘what it means to be a 21st century boy by putting the male of the species under the microscope.’
It will film in both Australian and overseas, with …
‘Untitled Chris Lilley HBO Project’ casting
An “Untitled Chris Lilley HBO Project” is looking for several US actors to appear in the comedian’s new television series.
A casting call for the HBO series, to be made in conjunction with the ABC, alludes to a mockumentary that “explores what it means to be a 21st-century boy by putting the male of the species under the microscope”.
Casting seeks an African-American female (18-25) to play a model called LaFonda, an African-American male, (50-65) to play a character called Carter, and a male Japanese-American professional skateboarder, aged (16-20) to play Corey.
The …
Top ABC executive quits
The ABC has lost a key creative executive with the resignation of Courtney Gibson, Executive Head of Content Creation.
She will take up the position of Director of Programmes at Southern Star Entertainment after six years with ABC TV.
ABC’s Kim Dalton said, “I am sad to see Courtney leave ABC TV. Courtney has made a significant contribution to Australian content output during her time here. In recognition of that, her role expanded during the six years from Head of Entertainment to the Executive Head of Content Creation in 2007.
“Courtney has that rare …
ABC: “Edgier” drama & 24/7 News
The ABC will press on with plans to develop a 24/7 news and current affairs channel, despite doing so without new funding.
“We’re demonstrating the investment being made in ABC News nationally and internationally means we can deliver a 24/7 news channel, but to do that we need the (digital) spectrum, which is something we are continuing to discuss with the Government,” said Managing Director Mark Scott.
Scott says he is happy with the budget outcome, and hopes the ABC can produce ‘edgier’ dramas.
“It’s my hope that we’ll provide a broader array of …
A gold year for Rebecca
Last night Julie and Dave Rafter, Australia television’s favourite new mum and dad, decided to keep the baby.
At age 44 ‘Julie Rafter’ faces a number of health challenges that were laid out to her by a doctor, some of which could be life-threatening.
The episode capped off an extraordinary first season for the new Seven drama.
Less seriously, actress Rebecca Gibney, also 44, could be facing a challenge of her own, when the TV Week Logie nominations are announced next week.
Packed to the Rafters was one of the success stories of 2008, arguably …
ABC to Stitch up comedy
A new comedy initiative has been jointly announced by ABC TV and Film Victoria designed to stimulate more comedy television.
Announced at the National Screenwriters Conference in South Australia, STITCH is looking for diverse ideas and concepts from comedy writers, directors, producers and performers.
The initiative presents an opportunity for practitioners to put forward innovative and imaginative ideas for new narrative comedy series with the hope that they may join the ranks of hit ABC TV series Summer Heights High, The Hollowmen, Very Small Business and Review with Myles Barlow.
Amanda Duthie, Head …
TV Tonight Awards: Underbelly wins Best Drama
TV Tonight readers have voted Underbelly the Best Australian Drama of 2008.
Channel Nine’s gangland mini-series polled ahead of Seven’s Packed to the Rafters and City Homicide. TEN’s Rush came in fourth place.
Kat Stewart and Gyton Grantley, who played the role of Roberta Williams and Carl Williams, both thanked readers for the win.
“Thank you TV Tonight readers, for voting Underbelly as Best Drama for 2008!” said Kat Stewart.
“Being based on real events that were still unfolding around us, the stakes felt pretty high. You dream of getting a job where cracker scripts …
Snake-oil television to anyone who’ll listen
Everybody’s never been happier. Everybody’s making more Australian content than ever. Everybody’s got some snake oil to sell.
That’s if you believe the network executives.
“We’ve got Australian drama more spot-on than we have for a long time,” Seven’s head of programming Tim Worner told the Daily Telegraph.
“Television drama and comedy are possibly the healthiest we have seen in the last 10 years and looking forward it will just get better.”
Nine’s David Gyngell is just as buoyant.
“We are making more shows than we ever have,” he said. “Financially, we have got ourselves into …
A Very TV Tonight Xmas
Merry Christmas to all readers of TV Tonight.
Thanks for your support this year and I hope the day brings everything you want (even if we don’t get The Panel Xmas Wrap).
I think it was probably The Brady Bunch who first dubbed one of their telemovies A Very Brady Christmas, now it’s such a widely adapted phrase to depict any special that’s bursting its festive seams, and very possibly bordering on camp too.
TV Tonight is still in summer mode with moderate updating of news and information. Voting is continuing on the TV …