Dancing with the dollars?

Questions were asked this morning on Melbourne radio about the fund-raising arrangements between Seven's Dancing with the Stars and charity groups.

Seven has not disclosed what proportion of each 55c phone call goes toward the charity groups represented by dancing celebrities -and therein lies the rub.

It has claimed such information is commercial in confidence.

Questions are now being asked about how much is being forwarded by the country's most popular programme to charities.

Neil Mitchell on Radio 3AW today said Seven had asked one charity not disclose the amount it had received from the show. Mitchell called on Seven to come clean on where the money goes, asking how much from each call goes to Seven or the phone company. He speculated that the figure could be as low as 10%

Many TV programmes such as Australian Idol and Big Brother utilise phone voting but don't promise to forward any of it to charities (heck, they just keep the lot!). But Dancing is effectively trading off the goodwill of the groups as part of its production.

Several calls on 3AW claimed they knew of charities which had received amounts between $6,500 and $15,000 from proceeds, with one representative from the Smith Family saying, "I don't know if thats a lot or a little. From our point of view you don't have to do much (to get it)."

Given the show has up to 2million viewers for about twelve weeks it may also suggest the proportion of viewers who actually vote is small.

There were also claims that the celebrities were not given any figures on their own phone poll votes.

On the programme's website Seven states:

15. The Seven Network will donate a percentage (%) of their share of revenue received from votes registered for each Celebrity, to the charity of each Celebrity's choice.

Mitchell is also a regular contributor on Sunrise.
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Final Con Test

TEN will screen the series finale of The Con Test on Wednesday April 11.

It will be the eighth episode in the game show hosted by Andrew G and Brigitte Duclos.

This week the series attracted 781,000 viewers. Although it is a smaller audience than shows offered by Seven and Nine in the same timeslot, it is a figure that has been consistent across the series, meaning the following is quite loyal, if imperfect.

Earlier reports had the show as being commissioned for eight episodes meaning this isn't the axe.

But now the question will be whether to rejig and return it later in the year in a new timeslot. TEN's Melbourne Programmer Peter Andrews is on record as saying, "The Con Test is going in the right direction, but not yet where we want it. We still have a 16-39 age focus, but have broadened to 18-49."

Hopefully TEN will replace TCT with new episodes of Thank God You're Here.

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8th season a hat trick for McLeod's

Hold onto your hats, the Nine Network has just announced an eighth season of McLeod's Daughters.

The long-running drama shot entirely in South Australia has seen middling figures around 1.1m for some time but rebounded in the last two weeks with strong figures around 1.3m.

With Sea Patrol due later this year and the Melbourne gangland series in development, Nine's drama stable is looking very healthy.

Press Release:

The Nine Network Australia today confirmed it had commissioned the eighth series of much-loved drama McLeod’s Daughters. The new series of the number one Australian drama will screen on Nine in 2008.

McLeod’s Daughters, which was originally commissioned by Nine in 2000, consistently ranks amongst the week’s top performers and well ahead of other Australian drama programs.

Michael Healy, Director of Programming, Nine Network said: “McLeod’s Daughters continues to be an absolute triumph. After seven years on air it’s as strong as ever locally and the overseas success is also something we are proud of. It’s a credit to everyone involved in the making of the program.

“The renewal is excellent news for the Australian television drama industry and the continued support from our viewers is very encouraging.”

McLeod’s Daughters Creator, Posie Graeme-Evans said: “This is sensational news. We are delighted that the concept of McLeod’s Daughters remains so loved and strong with Australian audiences.

“I salute Executive Producer, Karl Zwicky; Producer, Vikki Barr and Script Producer, Alexa Wyatt and all the cast and crew of this wonderful series. We are just so proud.”

The series, which focuses on the hectic lives of a group of women running Drovers Run, a vast cattle property in the Australian bush, stars Simmone Jade Mackinnon, Michala Banas, Doris Younane, Zoe Naylor, Gillian Alexy, Aaron Jeffery, Luke Jacobz, Dustin Clare and Matt Passmore.

In weeks to come, acclaimed actress Abi Tucker will be introduced to the series. Tucker joins McLeod’s Daughters as Grace, the sister of Regan McLeod (Zoe Naylor).

The drama which is shot entirely on location in South Australia, has previously won a full swag of TV Week Logie Awards.

McLeod’s Daughters is distributed overseas by Southern Star International to more than 230 territories, ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The series is a co-production between Millennium Television and Nine Films and Television.

After the Easter break, McLeod’s Daughters returns to Channel Nine at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 April 2007.

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First Review: Pussycat Dolls: Search for the Next Doll.

Here we go again. Another talent assembly line reality show that starts to blur with all the others. Popstars, Idol, X Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Australia's Got Talent, Rock Star, Next Top Model blah blah.

What we need here is a point of difference.

This search for a new singer in pop band Pussycat Dolls is defined by two things. One is the band. The other is the, umm, somewhat slutty tone of the show -which is decreed by the the packaging of the band.

The 18 finalists in this show are all young girls, aged about 18 - 23. Dressed in skimpy cut-off jeans, breast-huggin tops, boas and various midriffs these young ladies are encouraged to pout and purr like table-top dancers. Britney's "Hit Me Baby" film clip has a lot to answer for.

The girls are each reduced to single-moniker names like Anastacia, Asia, Chelsea, Jaime. Are you getting the picture?

The key judge is the show's creator, Robin, who's had a serious amount of collagen and plastic surgery. Assisting her is camp choreographer Mikey. He says he's already a Pussycat himself and I believe him.

When the girls sing and dance in their final audition, the group vocal is so produced, I couldn't help but think they were overlayed. Sort of ironic given the premise of the show. There were at least solo leads.

Throughout the show the girls compete, cat-fight and swear their lives depend on this one moment. Yeah, sorta thing we've heard before really.

Hosting is Mark McGrath, better known as the lead singer from Sugar Ray. Hmm that pop career went well.

It's produced by McG, who I always thought of as a Melbourne sports arena.

Ultimately this ticks all the reality talent boxes, with the skimpily-clad element seemingly more important than vocal skills (Kate D'Arugo wouldn't have got an appointment at this audition). With the pole-tancing Erotic Star launching on Foxtel, there seems to be a bit of this around.

Might interest fans of the band but that's it.

Pussycat Dolls: Search for the Next Doll airs 9:30pm Sunday April 1 on TEN.
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Outed US Mayor on 4 Corners

4 Corners has an interesting story next Monday on Jim West, the American Mayor who had campaigned against gay equality rights, who was then found to have been luring young men into his employ.

But this analysis from the PBS Network will look beyond tabloid headlines at "the tension between a politician's privacy and the public's right to know."

Press Release:

The politician, the chatroom and the media sting... the collision between one man's privacy and the public's right to know.

In May 2005, citizens of Spokane, USA, woke to startling news about their city's mayor, Jim West. The outwardly conservative Republican, who had pushed legislation barring gay teachers from public schools, had whiled away his private hours trawling for young men on an Internet chatroom, the Spokesman-Review newspaper alleged. West reportedly abused his office by offering internships to lure them into more intimate relationships.

The Spokesman-Review's scoop on West's double life hit national headlines and ultimately destroyed his career. "His coming apart, the demise, was "absolutely Shakespearean," said one observer.

But what was West guilty of? This report from PBS Frontline looks past the headlines and finds a story that is deeper and more complex than it first seemed. "A Hidden Life" examines one man's struggle with his sexual identity, a newspaper's controversial sting to expose him and the tension between a politician's privacy and the public's right to know.

"A Hidden Life" - on Four Corners 8.30 pm Monday 26 March, ABC TV (repeated about 11.35 pm Wednesday 28 March; also on ABC2 digital channel at 9.30 pm Wednesday and 8 am Thursday). Read more...

Fri / Sat / Sun / 23 / 24 / 25 Mar

FRIDAY 23
[Ten/6:30pm] Neighbours. Ramsay Street mourns the loss of Stingray. Dylan kidnaps Paul. Ringo helps grieving Rachel by agreeing to put their new relationship on hold.
[Ten/7:30pm] Smallville. “Reunion.”
[Ten/1:35am Sat] Fat Actress. Final. Rpt.

[ABC/8:30pm] Murphy’s Law. When a promising young police officer, Parmer, commits suicide, Murphy (James Nesbitt) is sent undercover to find out if he was a victim of racist bullying. Parmer's old squad is led by the charismatic DS Winters and enjoys a reputation as one of the best drugs squads in the country. Murphy soon discovers they work hard, they play hard and they don't always play by the rules. Which is just as well, as neither does he, especially where the gorgeous DC Mel Kovacs is concerned. It seems as if Murphy has finally found his match; if he can overcome the complication that she is supposed to be under investigation. A complication that devastates him when the case turns into a murder inquiry.
[ABC/9:20pm] Spooks. On the Grid, a power struggle between Harry and Juliet emerges with Juliet blackmailing Harry in to supporting her bid for the Security & Intelligence Coordinator's job. Harry refuses to be manipulated and offers his resignation. Adam frees Zaf and forces the kidnappers to reveal where the next bomb is planted. They defuse it but have to root out the mole to find the bomb maker. Harry and Adam arrest their main suspect - Juliet. As they subject her to an interrogation, the Professor spots a Shining Dawn member in Thames House. The mole flees, using Tash as a foil but is captured and offered a deal to reveal the bomb maker. But one final bomb is still ticking and this time Tash is rigged to it. Time is running out.

[Seven/8:30pm] Movie: Ella Enchanted (US 2004) ANNE HATHAWAY stars as Ella who lives in a fanciful and magical world where all children are given a 'gift' from a fairy Godmother at the moment of their birth. Little Ella's birthright is the gift - and curse - of obedience. As a result of this unfortunate circumstance, Ella cannot refuse any command, and is often left at the mercy of unscrupulous personalities. In a bid to regain control of her life, Ella goes on a quest to free herself from this mysterious curse. Ella must outwit a kingdom filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, books and evil plots. And if she's lucky, she may find love alone the way. Also starring HUGH DANCY, CARY ELWES, JOANNA LUMLEY, MINNIE DRIVER, VIVICA A FOX and AIDAN MCARDLE.
[Seven/10:30pm] Eurotrip (US 2004) Dumped by his girlfriend, a high school grad decides to embark on an overseas adventure in Europe with his friends. When Scotty's German online pen pal suggests they meet, he initially freaks out. But then he discovers that she's gorgeous, and heads out with three friends after graduation to meet her. As they travel from London to Paris to Amsterdam and Eastern Europe - they are exposed to every lascivious, larcenous and lecherous indulgence Europe has to offer. Starring SCOTT MECHLOWICZ, JACOB PITTS, MATT DAMON, KRISTIN KREUK, NIAL ISKHAKOV, MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG, TRAVIS WESTER, CATHY MEILS, J ADAMS, CHRISTOPHER BAIRD, NICHOLAS J M CLOUTMAN, BRUCE FULFORD, MOLLY SCHADE, JAKKI DEGG, LENKA VOMOCILOVA, VINNIE JONES, J P MANOUX, PATRICK RAPOLD, LUCY LAWLESS and DIEDRICH BADER.

[SBS/10:00pm] Sex 'N' Pop - This Is Hardcore - The final part to the series turns its attention to the United States, where pop music and videos are still heavily censored if they contain overtly sexual content, explore taboos or use graphic language. Musicians such as Frank Zappa and Marilyn Manson fought against the censorship and argued for artistic freedom and their right to be offensive. Sex'n'Pop looks at how the shock factor was increased when music turned to punk and from there to even more aggressive rock. (From Germany, in English and German with English subtitles) (FINAL) (Rpt) M CC

[Showtime/10:50pm] Movie: The Opposite of Sex (US 1998)
[Ovation/7:30pm] Inside the Actors Studio. Julianne Moore.

SATURDAY 24
[Seven/6:30pm] The Great Outdoors. Join Tom Williams on the world's best drive, through the beautiful Cote D'Azur to Monte Carlo. Jennifer Hawkins finds out why Melbourne is Australia's Comedy Capital, with help from DAVE HUGHES. Ernie Dingo has a holiday that could change your life for good, volunteering in Thailand. Fashion tips without designer prices for the Autumn Carnival. How to keep the kids entertained all day. Why Bowen, North Queensland, is tops.

[ABC/9:30pm] The West Wing. The effects of a nuclear scare in California continue to shake things up on both sides of the campaign trail. While the Vinick camp falters over its pro-nuclear position, the Santos team is gaining momentum, and overnight, it has become a neck-and-neck race. Caught up in the excitement of it all, Josh and Donna share a moment that has been a long time coming. Meanwhile, the White House is involved in its own drama, as military forces from China and Russia face off over an increasingly tense situation in Kazakhstan. As the end of the campaign trail nears, the candidates feel the burden more than ever. An interesting and unexpected twist gives Vinick an opportunity to damage the Santos campaign.

[31/10:30pm] Chartbusting 80s Josie Parrelli returns in this live studio based 80s music clip show. M

[SBS/9:30pm] Rockwiz. Tonight's episode features Deni Hines and Michael Spiby.
[SBS/10:20pm] VIP Pass: Classic Albums: Motorhead - Ace Of Spades - Motorhead are a rock mainstay, still putting out crushing music after all these years. This documentary focuses on the creation of the album Ace Of Spades, the tour and the bands incredible talent for attracting trouble wherever they go. The program features interviews with all of the members of the band, guitarist 'Fast' Eddie Clarke, drummer Phil 'Philty Animal' Taylor, and the leader of the gang, bassist/vocalist Lemmy. It also has snippets of live and intimate performance. (From the UK, in English) (Documentary) MA (D,L) CC
[SBS/11:20pm] SOS - HEAVY METAL DRUMMER - A Moroccan teenage heavy metal fan feels that his talents as a drummer are under-appreciated. (From the UK, in Arabic and French); GET THE RABBIT BACK - Men, women, gathered in a room, standing, petrified, staring… unable to move, they seem to be frozen by something dreadful! Screened in Cannes 2006. (From Bulgaria); THE ZONE - A collection of black and white photographs tell the story of the racist and anti-Semitic gangs in Paris in the 70's. (From Sweden in Swedish) (Rpt) PG; BOY MEET GIRLS STORIES: Episode 11 - A young mane sees his girlfriend in his mind as if she's on video. (From the Netherlands, in Dutch) PG; GENERATION - Energy is the heart of electricity - seemingly material, and yet untouchable. A poem on the cosmology of electricity. Best Original Soundtrack - Cinemania 2004. (From New Zealand) (Rpt) G; ELEPHANTS NEVER FORGET - Pedro does not recognise the two teenagers travelling with him in a truck on the way to the market. But the brother and sister remember Pedro. Winner of Best fiction at Rio De Janeiro International Short Film Festival - Curta Cinema, 2004. (From Mexico, in Spanish) (Rpt) M (S)

[Arena/11:30pm] Erotic Star. Premiere.

2am Daylight Savings ends.

SUNDAY 25
[ABC/8:30pm] Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Jerry (James D'Arcy) and Joanna (Emilia Fox) Burton arrive in sleepy Lymstock for Jerry to recuperate after a serious motorcycling accident. Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) also visits Lymstock to attend the funeral of Colonel Appleton - a victim of a poison pen-letter. When more and more villagers start receiving the cruel hate-mail, Miss Marple decides to stay to find out who could be behind such malicious messages. Jerry and Joanna are initiated into village life and they are of the conclusion that Lymstock is full of sniping gossip and when Mrs Symmington (Imogen Stubbs), the solicitor's (Harry Enfield) wife is found dead, they realise this gossip has a most sinister edge. Jerry and Miss Marple believe murder is involved and begin to investigate. Their hunch proves correct when the Symmington's maid, Agnes (Ellen Capron) is also found dead. Did Agnes see the culprit? Someone is seen creeping round the Women's Institute where the fatal typewriter is stored, a book with pages ripped out is found in Emily Barton's (Thelma Barlow) drawing room. The colourful villagers not above suspicion include the Reverend Caleb Dane Calthrop (Ken Russell) and his wife Maud (Frances de la Tour), the nervous medico Dr Owen Griffith (Sean Pertwee) and his obnoxious sister Aimee (Jessica Stevenson) and the beautiful but temperamental Megan Hunter (Talulah Riley). Police Inspector Graves (Keith Allen) thinks he has found the perpetrator but Miss Marple knows otherwise and using a most meticulous, but dangerous plan she reveals who the real letter-writer and killer is.

[Seven/6:30pm] Australia’s Got Talent. Semi Final 2
[Seven/7:40pm] Ugly Betty. TRUST, LUST, AND MUST. Daniel falls in instant lust with a mysterious beauty he sees in the Mode lobby and asks for Betty's help in finding out the lady's identity. Meanwhile, Betty and Hilda scramble to raise cash when they get some unexpected news, and Wilhelmina must deal with an unexpected house guest - her daughter. Special guest stars SALMA HAYEK and DEBI MAZAR.
[Seven/8:30pm] Grey's Anatomy.Cristina scrubs in on the rare 'humpty dumpty' procedure, much to the envy of her fellow doctors. Alex questions his future medical specialty. George and Addison work with a pregnant woman with an unusual dilemma. Derek receives a surprise visit from his sister. Guest starring EMBETH DAVIDTZ.
[Seven/9:40pm] What About Brian? WHAT ABOUT SECOND CHANCES...
It's taken a lot of soul searching and a near-death experience, but Brian is finally free of his feelings for Marjorie. Returning home, he hopes to make things right with Adam and the rest of the group before Adam and Marjorie's wedding.

[SBS/8:30pm] Science: The Moon - How the Moon was formed is still unconfirmed. The latest thinking suggests it was created after a collision between the Earth and a Mars-sized planet early in the Earth's history. This documentary explores the lunar landscape, its countless craters and the scars from millions of years' worth of impacts. (From the UK, in English) (Documentary) G CC WS [SBS/9:30pm] Hooray For Bollywood: Don't Say A Word - (KUCH NAA KAHO)- Namrata, a single mother begins working for Rakesh as a fashion designer and lives with her now seven-year-old son Adi. When Raj, Rakesh's nephew, returns to India from the US Rakesh decides its time for Raj to find a wife. He enlists Namrata’s help to find him the perfect partner. However when Namrata has exhausted all options and is fed up wit Raj's antics, Raj realises that it is the matchmaker herself that he has fallen in love with. Directed by Rohan Sippy and stars former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, Satish Shah and Abhishek Bachchan. (From India, in Hindi and English with English subtitles) (Romantic/Comedy) (2003) G WS

[Nine/3:30pm] Joan of Arcadia. “Do the Math”
[Nine/4:30pm] Gilmore Girls. “Emily Says Hello.”
[Nine/6:30pm] With Friends Like These. Cameron Daddo
[Nine/7:00pm] FINA World Swimming Championships
[Nine/9:00pm] Tsunami: The Aftermath.

[Ten/6:30pm] Thank God You're Here
[Ten/7:30pm] The Biggest Loser Read more...