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Mon Apr 2

[Seven/7:30pm] The Rich List. How many known Dinosaur names can you list?
[Seven/8:30pm] Desperate Housewives. "Beautiful Girls." Susan and Ian's relationship goes to the next level. Gabrielle takes a shot at training potential young beauty queens. Lynette decides to check out her mysterious new neighbour. With his mother living in the Hodge house temporarily, another part of Orson's past is revealed.
[Seven/9:30pm] Brothers and Sisters. "Mistakes Were Made Pt 2" Sarah, Tommy and Kevin hit the road in search of William's lost treasure and discover his most shocking secret. Justin returns from the hospital and makes a startling revelation about his enlistment. Guest starring Rob Lowe and Treat Williams.
[Seven/10:30pm] Boston Legal. TRICK OR TREAT. Denise begins a bizarre search for the remains of her fiancé, who has been scattered around the country, and Alan once again must defend Jerry Espenson, who is accused of purgery. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Coho is sued by Lincoln Meyer for defamation of character in the Judge Hooper trial, and a meeting between Denny and Bethany's mother leads to an unexpected reunion.
[Seven/11:30pm] Heroes. CHAPTER NINE 'HOMECOMING'. As H.R.G. tries to protect his daughter by any means, Claire's high school Homecoming celebration turns into a frightening night for many. Nathan and Simone work together to find Isaac's painting for Peter, but this key to the future could lead to tragedy. Hiro travels back in time to right an upsetting wrong. Suresh's dreams draw him back to his father's research. Guest starring NORA ZEHETNER. Rpt.
[Seven/12:30pm] Huff. BLACK SHADOWS. Huff and Russell's friendship is in danger of ending for good. Izzy decides Byrd needs discipline of the physical kind.

[Ten/12:00pm] Charmed. Series Return. "Kill Billie, Vol 1" The Charmed Ones find themselves stuck in the Underworld attempting to restore the reputations that Billie and Christy helped tarnish.
[Ten/7:00pm] The Biggest Loser.
[Ten/8:00pm] Bondi Rescue.
[Ten/8:30pm] Supernatural. Rpt.

[SBS/7:30 pm] Mythbusters - Concrete Glider - In this episode Adam and Jamie test the old engineering challenge that like a lead balloon, you can't make a concrete glider fly. Will this myth plummet like a stone? In the meantime, Kari, Grant and Tori go to amazing lengths to find out just how dangerous it is to stand too close to the edge of a train platform - could you be sucked off the platform by a moving train? And is there any difference between freight and passenger trains? (From the US, in English) (Documentary Series) PG CC WS
[SBS/8:30pm] South Park - Manbearpig - Al Gore visits South Park Elementary, and talks about the terrible Manbearpig, who roams the Earth. Manbearpig is "half man, half bear, half pig." After the boys' basketball game is interrupted by another visit from Gore, who is disguised (poorly) as the Manbearpig, Randy says the former American Vice President is just desperate for attention, because he has no friends. (From The US, in English) (Animated Comedy Series) M (S,A) CC
[SBS/9:00 pm] Pizza World Record - In this episode the Pizza Crew visit many great Amsterdam sights: the sex museum, the marijuana museum, the marijuana college, and the Heineken brewery. Pauly can't believe that dope is legal, and Habib makes himself right at home. Unfortunately, when Habib feeds Pauly and Katrina space cakes; they trip out and lose the hot bag! Is this the end of their world record attempt? (Commissioned by SBS Independent, in English) (Comedy Series) (Part 3) M (D,A,S) CC WS
[SBS/10:00 pm] Wilfred - Dogs Of War - Sarah is aware of the growing tension between Wilfred and Adam and calls a meeting. She demands a ceasefire. Adam apologises to Wilfred and Wilfred graciously accepts it. It seems like they're all friends, but as soon as Sarah's back is turned Wilfred threatens to tear out Adam's throat. A silent but deadly psychological war is waged behind Sarah's back. The potential for explosive violence is at every corner. (Commissioned by SBS Independent, in English) (Comedy Series) MA (L,S) CC WS
[SBS/1:15 am Tue] Queer As Folk - In this episode Lindsay's sister is getting married for the third time and Lindsay and Melanie take Ted and Em as their partners to the wedding so as not to upset anyone. However, when Lindsay is asked to give a speech, she mentions Melanie in a way that shocks her parents, sister and all the guests. (From the US, in English) (Drama Series) (Rpt) MA (L,S,A) CC WS

[ABC/8:00pm] Australian Story. Jan Ruff-O’Herne first told her shocking story on Australian Story in 2001 - a secret that took her 50 years to come to terms with before finally, she revealed it in a letter to her two daughters. An idyllic childhood in Java was brought to an abrupt end by the Japanese occupation during Word War Two. Aged 21, she was taken from her family and repeatedly abused, beaten and raped - forced to be a sex slave for the Japanese military.
[ABC/8:30pm] Four Corners looks at Hicks’s guilty plea and the reasons behind it. What admissions has he made to US and Australian investigators at Guantánamo? Reporter Debbie Whitmont delves into evidence which, as a result of the guilty plea, will now never be tested in court.
[ABC/9:20pm] Media Watch
[ABC/9:35pm] Difference Of Opinion. What’s causing the fear and friction between muslims and non-muslims in Australia? Can Islam work in our secular society or will there always be conflict? And what attitudes need to change to smooth the path ahead?
[ABC/12:25am Tue] Movie: Quest For Love (UK 1971) After an experiment goes wrong, a young physicist finds himself leading a different life in a parallel world. CAST: Tom Bell, Joan Collins, Denholm Elliot. Rpt.

[Nine/8:35pm] 1 vs 100.
[Nine/10:35pm] Footy Classified. Premiere. Football is set for a shake-up when the games biggest names and agenda-setters lock horns on Footy Classified for a provocative look at the AFL. One of the game's greatest players, Wayne Carey, joins football writer Caroline Wilson, commentator Garry Lyon and Nine’s new AFL editor, Craig Hutchison to tackle the sport's burning issues. Selected markets.

[Showtime/8:30pm] Brotherhood. Premiere. Brotherhood, a Showtime original series, follows the lives of two brothers in the Providence, Rhode Island Irish-American neighborhood known as “The Hill”. The blue-collar neighborhood has roots in old-world ways of street justice and shady dealings. Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke) is a family man and local politician who is out to protect the community and its best interests. His world is turned around when his gangster brother Mike (Jason Isaacs) returns to “The Hill” to regain control of the seedy underworld. Brotherhood's name was changed twice while it was being worked on, the other two names were: Down City and The Hill.

[Movie Extra/7:00pm] Movie: In and Out (US 1997)
[Ovation/7:30pm] Dusty Springfield live at Royal Albert Hall
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4 Words will Revolutionize Television Comedy

"This April, 4 words will revolutionize television comedy," says NBC.

Thank God You're Here.

Yes there's just one week to go before the American network premiere of the Australian hit series, airing in the prime 9pm/8c timeslot following the popular Deal or No Deal. It is a hugely significant vote of confidence by NBC.

With an identical set and format to the Aussie version, the impro cast that has been assembled looks a knockout. They have Jason Alexander, Fran Drescher, Jennifer Coolidge, Wayne Knight and Bryan Cranston.

In the role of judge is Dave Foley from Newsradio and the host is In Living Color's David Alan Grier.


It premieres on April 9 in the US. You can see previews on the official site here.

Chookas to all involved and congrats to the smart cookies at Working Dog. Hope it's a big, fat hit.

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Logie Watch

And so as we edge closer to the * TV Week Logie Awards here is a record of all the info we know so far:

International Guests:
Michael Weatherly, NCIS
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers and Sisters
Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four)

Performers:
Damian Leith, Australian Idol
Kelly Clarkson, American Idol
James Morrison
Avril Lavigne

Backstage Area:
Hamish and Andy

Presenters:
Adam Hills,Spicks and Specks.
Dave Hughes, Rove.
Fifi Box


Red Carpet Hosts:
Jules Lund
Livinia Nixon
Jackie O

Hall of Fame:
Steve Irwin

Rumours:
Hopes for The King's Stephen Curry and Stephen Hall to present the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent as Graham and Bert.

Presentation:
Sunday May 6, Crown Casino, Melbourne.

Gold Logie Nominees
Simmone Jade MacKinnon, McLeod's Daughters

Rachael Carpani, McLeod's Daughters
John Wood, Blue Heelers
Rove, Rove Live
Kate Ritchie, Home and Away
Natalie Blair, Neighbours
Bert Newton, Bert's Family Feud, 20 to 1
John Howard, All Saints

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE ” Most Popular Actress
Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Neighbours, Network Ten)
Natalie Blair (Neighbours, Network Ten)
Rachael Carpani (McLeod's Daughters, Nine Network)
Simmone Jade Mackinnon (McLeod's Daughters, Nine Network)
Kate Ritchie (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE ” Most Popular Actor
Brendan Cowell (Love My Way, W Channel)
Mark Furze (Home And Away, Channel Seven)
John Howard (All Saints, Channel Seven)
Aaron Jeffery (McLeod's Daughters, Nine Network)
Paul O'Brien (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
Bert's Family Feud (Nine Network)
Deal Or No Deal (Channel Seven)
Rove Live (Network Ten)
Thank God You're Here (Network Ten)
20 To 01 (Nine Network)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE ” Most Popular Presenter
Wil Anderson (The Glass House, ABC TV)
Grant Denyer (It Takes Two, Channel Seven)
Melissa Doyle (Sunrise, Channel Seven)
David Koch (Sunrise, Channel Seven)
Rove McManus (Rove Live, Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM
Before The Game (Network Ten)
The Footy Show AFL (Nine Network)
The Footy Show NRL (Nine Network)
RPM (Network Ten)
Sports Tonight (Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR NEW FEMALE TALENT
Jolene Anderson (All Saints, Channel Seven)
Brooke Hanson (What's Good For You, Nine Network)
Michelle Langstone (McLeod's Daughters, Nine Network)
Amy Mathews (Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Jessica Tovey (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR NEW MALE TALENT
Dustin Clare (McLeod's Daughters, Nine Network)
Ben Lawson (Neighbours, Network Ten)
Bobby Morley (Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Chris Sadrinna (Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Andrew Supanz (All Saints, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM
Australian Idol (Network Ten)
Big Brother (Network Ten)
The Biggest Loser (Network Ten)
Dancing With The Stars (Channel Seven)
It Takes Two (Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR LIFESTYLE PROGRAM
Backyard Blitz (Nine Network)
Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven)
Getaway (Nine Network)
The Great Outdoors (Channel Seven)
What's Good For You (Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR AUSTRALIAN DRAMA
All Saints (Channel Seven)
Blue Heelers (Channel Seven)
Home And Away (Channel Seven)
McLeod's Daughters (Nine Network)
Neighbours (Network Ten)

MOST OUTSTANDING AWARDS

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE ” Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie
Answered By Fire (ABC TV)
Love My Way (W Channel)
RAN: Remote Area Nurse (SBS)
The Silence (ABC TV)
The Society Murders (Network Ten)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE ” Most Outstanding Actor
Matthew Le Nevez (The Society Murders, Network Ten)
Ben Mendelsohn (Love My Way, W Channel)
Richard Roxburgh (The Silence, ABC TV)
David Wenham (Answered By Fire, ABC TV)
Dan Wyllie (Love My Way, W Channel)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE ” Most Outstanding Actress
Daniella Farinacci (The Society Murders, Network Ten)
Claudia Karvan (Love My Way, W Channel)
Asher Keddie (Love My Way, W Channel)
Judith McGrath (All Saints, Channel Seven)
Susie Porter (RAN: Remote Area Nurse, SBS)

MOST OUTSTANDING NEWS COVERAGE
"Escaping The Border" (ABC TV News)
"Escaping The Mine" (Sunrise, Channel Seven)
"Scully Sacking" (Nine Network News)
"Sexual Abuse In Aboriginal Communities" (Lateline, ABC TV)
"Sexual Abuse Of The Elderly" (Lateline, ABC TV)

MOST OUTSTANDING PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT
"Abu Ghraib" (Dateline, SBS)
"Four Days In Dili" (Dateline, SBS)
The Great Escape: Brant Webb And Todd Russell (Nine Network)
"The Mourning After" (Australian Story, ABC TV)
The Terri Irwin Interview (Nine Network)

MOST OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
The Battle Of Long Tan (The History Channel)
The Bridge At Midnight Trembles (SBS)
The Floating Brothel (ABC TV)
Life At 1 (ABC TV)
Who Killed Dr Bogle And Mrs Chandler? (ABC TV)

MOST OUTSTANDING FACTUAL SERIES
Border Security (Channel Seven)
Dynasties (ABC TV)
Jamie’s Kitchen Australia (Network Ten)
Peking To Paris (ABC TV)
RPA (Nine Network)

MOST OUTSTANDING COMEDY PROGRAM
The Chaser’s War On Everything (ABC TV)
The Glass House (ABC TV)
Spicks & Specks (ABC TV)
Stupid Stupid Man (TV1)
Thank God You’re Here (Network Ten)

MOST OUTSTANDING SPORTS COVERAGE
3 Mobile Ashes Series, Second Test (Nine Network)
The Australian Open 2006 (Channel Seven)
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany “ Italy v Australia (SBS)
2006 Olympic Winter Games (Channel Seven)
2006 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 (Network Ten)

MOST OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Blue Water High (ABC TV)
Camp Orange: Slimey Hollow (Nickelodeon)
H20: Just Add Water (Network Ten)
Mortified (Nine Network)
The Upside Down Show (Nick Jr)

GRAHAM KENNEDY AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEW TALENT
Emily Barclay (The Silence, ABC TV)
Aaron Fa’aoso (RAN: Remote Area Nurse, SBS)
Emma Lung (Stranded, SBS)
Sam Parsonson (Love My Way, W Channel)
Alex Tilman (Answered By Fire, ABC TV)

TALLY:

Seven 5 popular 0 outstanding
Nine 4 popular 1 outstanding
Ten 2 popular 2 outstanding
ABC 0 popular 3 outstanding
SBS 0 popular 3 outstanding
Foxtel 0 popular 2 outstanding

* The TV Week Logie Awards must always be branded the TV Week Logie Awards!
NB: This section will update with further news.
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Help out the Fugly Awards

Every year the Fugly Awards blitzes Aussie TV fans with it's love / hate telly relationship.

Since 2002 the Awards have been dished out to a Who's Who (and a few Who's Not) of industry personalities via internet voting. So far it has racked up over 74.000 votes.

This year the Fuglies are about to launch once more. But first they are looking for some input to help shape the categories.


The Fuglies are seeking input into viewing habits and grievances. What television programming trend has annoyed you the most in the last 12 months? What was the one moment you can remember as the worst on Australian TV in the last 12 months?

Traditionally the Awards are announced on Logie day right outside Crown Casino. And it's gathered a wave of media amused by its cheek, too.

To help shape the Fuglies for 2007 you can participate in its survey here.
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Sanjaya gives Idol a bad hair day

Move over William Hung. Sanjaya is here.

American Idol, fresh from a gossip about whether Ryan Seacrest might be gay or not, now has another reason to be discussed at the watercooler.

Sanjaya is 17 and cute as a button. He's just not much of a singer....

Yet every week he is saved by public votes, and there is now a decided push to help the kid win. His charm, and his weekly-changing hairdos belie his vocal skills (which is sorta the whole point to the show). But although Idol is still America's biggest show, there are many who deride it -gee that sounds familiar.

Now that legion of critics, including Howard Stern, is in a push to make "the worst singer win." This is a clear case of an audience manipulating reality, instead of the reverse. It's part of a push to bring Idol down, and this kid is the mascot. Or fall-guy. Or cause....

Pre-pubescent teenagers swoon at him performing. Fashion critics debate his styling. Some even say he is a camp icon like Liberace or Dame Edna. Sanjaya is becoming the most-talked about guy in the country. But how can you not love a guy who can make his hair do this?










Now have a listen to the poor kid sing.

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Rove from the heart

Ten's Rove McManus has spoken publicly for the first time about losing his wife Belinda Emmett.

Rove told the Herald-Sun how he had considered calling his TV career quits, admitting the time "off the treadmill" made him ponder whether he wanted a return to commercial television.

He spoke candidly about Belle as his inspiration and his plans to release the album of songs she was working on last year. He described her as an inspiration and a fighter.

Tonight Rove returns to TEN in a new night, new timeslot, new studio, new title change (the "Live" is dropped) and new regulars including Hamish and Andy and Dave Hughes. Launched in the non-ratings Easter period, TEN is giving the new format every chance, but has stated they expect Sunday variety to be a gradual shift for viewers.


He told the Herald-Sun he was re-energised, saying, "Obviously I have had the time that I needed. I have thought about it and I do want to be back and I know it is something that she would want me to do," he said.

Chookas, Rove!

Herald-Sun interview

He also spoke candidly to the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Seven sinks Nine in the swim

The Seven Network blew Nine out of the ratings pool last week as the FINA Swimming failed to make an impact for Channel Eddie.

In Week 13 Seven nabbed it's biggest lead this year over Nine, snatching an impressive 31.1% to Nine's 25.6%.

Ten had 21.9%, the ABC 15.6% and SBS 5.8%.

Nine was counting on the swimming to bounce back from a sluggish start to the year, similar to the start of 2006. But unlike the
second season-launch supplied by the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the swimming failed to fire. The FINA events struggled to reverberate outside Melbourne.

Nine's Sunday Tsunami telemovie was a complete whitewash, attracting little more than half a million viewers (what did they expect airing it from 9 - 11:30pm?). The network even finished Tuesday night in third position behind TEN.

The biggest shows of the week were dependable shows: Dancing with the Stars, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, House.

The ABC will be delighted with just under 1.2m for the debut of The Chaser's War Against Everything.

Meanwhile the news for TEN continues to be bleak. This is a week it should have boomed, but all it got was the exact same figure as Week 12: 21.9%.

Networks now head into a 2 week Easter non-ratings season, which will see many shows rested.

1. Dancing with the Stars Seven 1.86m
2. Grey's Anatomy Seven 1.78
3. Ugly Betty Seven 1.65
4. Australia's Got Talent Seven 1.59
5. All Saints Seven 1.58
6. Desperate Housewives Seven 1,56
7. Nine Sunday News Nine 1.54
8. Seven Sunday News Seven 1.50
9 Seven news Mon-Fri Seven 1.45
10. House Ten 1.45

Seven 31.1%

Nine 25.6%
Ten 21.9%
ABC 15.6%
SBS 5.8%
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Kath and Kim quit ABC for 7

Kath and Kim is leaving the ABC for the Seven Network.

Gina Riley and Jane Turner have sewn up a deal that will pocket the producers $3m for the fourth series -not the highest network bid. But the girls apparently wanted "the biggest audience" for the show.

The characters started life during a sketch on Big Girl's Blouse on the Seven Network, but the Network also dropped the girls series Something Stupid. At the time Riley and Turner were critical of the male-dominated
atmosphere run by network executives (around the same time Seven had aired a failed new sitcom featuring Kingswood Country's Ted Bullpitt!)

Eventually RIley and Turner developed the characters into a full series via ABC Drama, after it was rejected by ABC Comedy. The rest is history.

Screening as an eight episode series, Kath and Kim 4 will enjoy a bigger budget with higher production values and more diverse locations. Hope it doesn't diminish the daggy charm of the show!

Series Four has been in production without a network and includes the return of all major characters, plus guests including Shane Warne and Little Britain's Matt Lucas.

This is not an April Fool's story, with an official Press Release from Seven:

Channel Seven today proudly announced KATH & KIM are coming home. The much-loved characters were first born on Seven in 1994. Since then Australia’s favourite foxy ladies have taken the world by storm. And now the pair will return to the network where it all began.

The fourth series of the hugely successful comedy series will screen on Seven soon. It’s a welcome return home for the show’s creators, Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who began their commercial television careers on Seven on the ground-breaking Fast Forward .

Filming is currently underway in Melbourne for series four - some of the high-profile guest stars will include Little Britain's Matt Lucas and cricket great Shane Warne.

KATH & KIM , which stars Riley, Turner, Glenn Robbins , Magda Szubanski and Peter Rowsthorn, is presently seen in eleven countries around the world and is celebrated as one of the best comedies of its generation.

Kath and Kim said today: "We were enjoying a flute of bubbly in the Belvedere spa with David Leckie when the deal was clinched, amongst other things. It was a win win situation all round.
"Needless to say, David left with a smile on his face, and we are over the moon."

Seven's Director of Programming and Production, Tim Worner said: ”Everyone at Channel Seven is thrilled with this news. Our plan has always been to build hit shows. This move fits with that strategy. We have the ' cardonnay ' on ice, ready to celebrate their return.”
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