Kate wins her Dance

Well I didn't watch it but it will have rated its sox off, so here's a post to acknowledge the finale of Dancing with the Stars.

Congrats to Kate Ceberano and her partner John-Paul Green, who won against Fifi Box. Ceberano's Freestyle performance to West Side Story’s Maria/America won her a perfect 40 points, totalling 113 points in all.

“It’s hard to express the way I feel. I feel reborn as a dancer", said Kate. "It has been amazing to express myself with movement – I have matured as an artist and have a whole new life. I want to thank my partner, John Paul, with all my heart; the judges, for observing and allowing us to continue; and my family, for allowing me to go on this journey.”

Variety telly is stronger than ever.

It would be very surprising if Seven didn't return the show in the second half of the year. And it deserves some recognition at the Logies but that may not necessarily happen.

Maybe that's the ultimate twist? Read more...

Second Opinion for Jeff

The ABC is giving Jeff McMullen's Difference of Opinion a second shot.

The forum-style series ends its first season next week, and the figures for the show have been somewhat underwhelming -certainly far from what Denton used to get on a Monday.

But the ABC has shown some confidence in the idea and approved a second series, but moving it to a Thursday 9:30pm timeslot.

The series will also relocate from Sydney to Melbourne.

Press Release:

ABC TV today announced the commissioning of a second season of Difference of Opinion hosted by Jeff McMullen.

The first series of Difference of Opinion will finish on Monday, May 7 with a program on ‘Leadership and How Australian Politicians Rate’.

The new season of Difference of Opinion will start on Thursday night at 9.30pm, from July 19.

Director of ABC Television, Mr Kim Dalton, said he was very proud of the audience response to the program.

“It is a significant television forum for all Australians to hear expert opinions on the big issues that affect us all.”

The second season of Difference of Opinion will be recorded in Sydney until August, and then it will move to Melbourne.

Difference of Opinion host, Jeff McMullen, said he was thrilled to be given the opportunity to build on the success of the show.

“Politicians on both sides are watching and taking note of the debate.

“The program has developed a loyal national audience of 400,000 – 500,000 and as we enter the run up to a Federal Election campaign more people will want to discuss issues, topics and policies based on facts presented by experts in their fields without the political spin.”

Mr McMullen said the program will continue to use solid research and the best available talent for the expert panel so that the issues and topics to be discussed in the second season will be up to the mark set in the first series.

“The program has a dedicated following in Victoria and it will give more Victorians the opportunity to be in the studio audience and present their views to the nation.

“We have had a number of Melbourne residents fly to Sydney to take part in the first series of Difference of Opinion and we are looking forward to hearing more of their thoughts on a vast range of subjects integral to the future of our nation." Read more...

Hot tip: BB Double eviction?

You heard it here first, get set for a possible double eviction on Big Brother, Sunday Week May 13.

In TEN's upcoming schedule there is a 90 minute edition of BB planned from 7:30 - 9pm. Normally with extended Sunday editions we have seen two housemates evicted.

And after the low figures for Rove this week, the network wouldn't be pushing him back into a later timeslot (and possibly even lower figures) without good reason.

In other BB news, there is the a BB Special on Wednesday May 16 at 7:30pm - the third in a row. No further details as yet.

Big Brother Watch.

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$NBN tick, tick, tick

Don't be surprised if the battle for NBN turns another corner anytime from today.

At 5pm yesterday it closed all offers for the Newcastle-based network, as competition between PBL and WIN hotted up.

WIN made a bid to proprietors SP Telemedia on Friday.

NBN carries a significant market from Newcastle to the Gold Coast.

UPDATE: NBN Board has unanimously approved PBL's offer of $250M. It is now seeking advice on whether this needs shareholder approval.

Meanwhile WIN may swoop on Nine in Adelaide, currently owned by Southern Cross Broadcasting.

And finally PBL may make a higher bid on Perth's Nine network too.
Read more...