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Tue July 3

[SBS/7:30pm] Desperately Keeping Sheila. Premiere. Follows on from the successful Desperately Seeking Sheila series where lonely bush bachelors were introduced to women from Australia and the UK with mixed results. This program answers the big question: will love last or will life get in the way? The answer is yes…. and no. Although entertaining in its style, the series was developed in response to a very serious problem facing Australia. There are no longer enough women interested in building a life on the land, and this is having a significant effect on rural society. This follow-up program tracks the relationships of the couples that decided to “give it a go” and play for keeps. It illuminates the issues modern women face in the bush. This time round, the ideas are in sharper focus, as the dust has settled, time has passed and our city girls really are in the middle of nowhere, for good.

[Ten/7:30pm] All New Simpsons. “Marge Gamer.”
[Ten/8:30pm] NCIS. “Cover Story.”
[Ten/9:30pm] Numb3rs. “Take Out.” Guest: Kathy Najimy.

[ABC/8:00pm] Carbon Cops : The McSweeney-Glenwright Family. The McSweeney-Glenwright family are challenged to bring their carbon emissions down by 50 percent. Their pride and joy is their large Cape Cod style home which looks great but is totally unsuitable for our Australian climate.
[ABC/8:30pm] The Bill. DSS Phil Hunter (Scott Maslen) and Samantha Nixon (Lisa Maxwell) investigate money from a recent armed robbery deposited in the bank account. Phil knows who stole the money, but has to move quickly before the suspect leaves the country. Meanwhile, PC Yvonne Hemmingway (Michel Austin) comes up with a plan to charge Dr. Andrew Wilder (Grant Masters) with the sexual abuse of a minor, and after a young witness Billy Aldridge (Adam Deacon) is bashed, Yvonne enlists the help of Superintendent Heaton (Daniel Flynn). Deputy Assistant Commissioner Georgia Hobbs (Kazia Pelka) suggests to an unwitting Yvonne that she apply for the sergeant's job with the Youth Offenders Team at another station, so the DAC can get her candidate, Sgt. Nikky Wright (Gillian Taylforth) into Sun Hill. PC Honey Harman plans an after-work jaunt for the team to the 'London Eye' and it turns out to be Yvonne's farewell….

[Nine/7:30pm] Crime and Justice. Hayden and his mates ran from police. It turns out, Hayden was hiding something illegal in his car. The drug squad is raiding rental property, but his is no ordinary take-down. Debbie is a compulsive shoplifter, she claims she only had two choices... to shoplift or become a prostitute.
[Nine/8:30pm] CSI: NY. “The Lying Game.”

[Seven/7:30pm] It Takes Two.
[Seven/9:00pm] All Saints. CROSSROADS. Jack puts his career on the line to save a friend from disaster. Mike finds himself under pressure from all angles. Charlotte finds herself at loggerheads with Zoe, and just when things are looking up, is floored by a shock announcement from Vincent.
[Seven/10:00pm] Crossing Jordan. DEAD AGAIN. A woman that the coroners first thought had been dead for years is found only to have died a few hours earlier and causes Dr Jordan and William Ivers to team up on this peculiar case. Woody and Bug are called to help Lily and Brandau when the psychiatrist they have been seeing suddenly dies in front of them during their session. At first they all believe that it was a heart attack until they find a mysterious stab wound.

[Bio/7:30pm] River Phoenix: Eclipsed by Death
[Bio/9:30pm] Inside the Actor’s Studio: Russell Crowe.
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Nine sews up Sony

Nine has extended its output deal with Sony Pictures Television until 2012.

Sony has Fort Pit, a cop show from a Law and Order veteran, and Guy Ritchie's procedural drama Suspect.


"We thank Sony for their confidence in Nine and look forward to continuing what has already proved to be an outstanding relationship," Nine's Jeff Browne said.

"We're thrilled to extend our output agreement with them," Sony Pictures Television's Jack Ford said.

Source: The Australian.
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First shots fired in Underbelly

More cast members have been announced in Nine's new miniseries, Underbelly, which began filming in Melbourne today.

Joining previously announced actors Vince Colosimo (Alphonse Gangitano), Gyton Grantley (Carl Williams), Kat Stewart (Roberta Williams) and
Callan Mulvey (Mark Moran), are Simon Westaway (Mick Gatto), Martin Sacks (Mario Condello), Gerard Kennedy (Graham Kinninburgh), Kevin Harrington (Lewis Moran), Robert Mammone (Tony Mokbel), George Kapiniaris (George Defteros) and Caroline Gillmer as matriarch Judy Moran.

It's a formidable line-up.

Making a return to the screen from his days in Home and Away is
actor Les Hill (Jason Moran).

Curiously, no longer on the cast list is Madeleine West whose name had been associated in early press on the series.

Press Release:

Underbelly, the most anticipated drama series of recent times, commenced production in Melbourne today for the Nine Network.

The 13-part blockbuster, based on the book Leadbelly by John Silvester and Andrew Rule, is the compelling dramatisation of Melbourne’s infamous gangland killings that started in 1998 with the murder of Alphonse Gangitano. Underbelly will also follow the rise and fall of notorious career criminal Carl Williams, who sought to be king of Melbourne’s underworld and now languishes in prison.

Underbelly is the latest drama from production company Screentime whose recent slate includes The Society Murders and Mary Bryant. “This has to be one of the most exciting and challenging drama projects ever shot in this country,” Des Monaghan, executive producer for Screentime, said.
In keeping with the scope of this fascinating chapter of crime history, Underbelly boasts one of the most exciting ensemble casts ever assembled for Australian television. Rodger Corser (Last Man Standing) and Caroline Craig (Blue Heelers) star as Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen and Detective Constable Jacqui James, who embody the police officers who strove to stem the bloodshed of Melbourne’s internal crime wars.

Portraying real-life characters who have become part of Melbourne folklore are Vince Colosimo (Alphonse Gangitano), Gyton Grantley (Carl Williams), Kat Stewart (Roberta Williams), Simon Westaway (Mick Gatto), Martin Sacks (Mario Condello), Gerard Kennedy (Graham Kinninburgh), Kevin Harrington (Lewis Moran), Callan Mulvey (Mark Moran), Les Hill (Jason Moran), Robert Mammone (Tony Mokbel), George Kapiniaris (George Defteros) and Caroline Gillmer as matriarch Judy Moran.

“From the outset Nine has been 100 per cent committed to bringing Underbelly to the small screen,” said Nine Network Head of Drama, Jo Horsburgh. “And along with Sea Patrol and Canal Road, this landmark production represents the latest chapter in Nine’s proud tradition of creating world-class television.”

“The challenge for the writing team is to capture the essential truth of these extraordinary events in a compelling and coherent manner,” said Screentime’s Head of Drama, Greg Haddrick, who along with Peter Gawler and Felicity Packard will take writing credits.

Haddrick will also co-produce the series in conjunction with industry stalwart Brenda Pam, with Des Monaghan and Jo Horsburgh as executive producers. Underbelly will screen on the Nine Network in 2008.
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Foxtel and Ten divide NBCU pickings

Foxtel will pick up the new Farrelly Brothers sitcom The Rules for Starting Over and the post-Hurricane Katrina cop drama, K-Ville, in a joint deal with Channel Ten.

Under the licensing deal, Foxtel has first air rights for the two programmes before they air on Ten later in 2008.

Foxtel also picks up Gossip Girl by writer Josh Schwartz from the Nine Network after it didn't fit Nine's programming.

TEN, meanwhile, confirms first-air rights to other NBCU programmes, previously revealed including Back to You, Women's Murder Club, Journeyman and Life.

TEN also picks up re-screening rights to The View and Rock Star.

TEN Press Release:

TEN stocks up the war chest as four of the most talked about shows to come out of the new US season from both 20th Century Fox and NBC Universal Television make their debuts on the Network.

After activating TEN's multiple first-look agreement with 20th Century Fox Television,Back to You, Women's Murder Club and Journeyman will premiere on TEN in Australia.

They will be joined by NBCU's off-beat crime drama Life.

TEN's chief programming officer, David Mott, made the announcement today after selecting first-run rights to these series.

NBCU has been a successful long-term partner for TEN, delivering hit series House and the impeccable Law & Order franchise, while 20th Century Fox has been one of the most prolific, and successful studios in recent years, creating hot new programming targeted at viewers aged 18-49.

New 20th Century Fox series premiering on TEN:

Back to You – KELSEY GRAMMER of Frasier fame and PATRICIA HEATON from TEN's hugely successful Everybody Loves Raymond team up as on-air TV news presenters in this riotous half-hour sit com. Back to You is the first guaranteed full season pick-up of the new US season and was a firm favourite with other international program buyers at this year's LA Screenings.

Women's Murder Club – "re-defining women's work", this thrilling new crime series is based on the best-selling James Patterson novels, starring ANGIE HARMON (Law & Order), LAURA HARRIS (Dead Like Me, 24) and PAULA NEWSOME (Little Miss Sunshine).

Journeyman – The highest-testing new series for US broadcaster NBCU in five years, KEVIN MCKIDD (Rome) stars in this one-hour drama as a guy who thought he had it all until he's sent into the past with a purpose – but will he impact on people's lives for better or worse?

New NBCU series premiering on TEN:
Life – from the studio that brought us the damaged but beloved HUGH LAURIE in House comes Life starring DAMIEN LEWIS (Band of Brothers) as complex, offbeat detective Charlie Crews, who’s given a second chance on the force after serving years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Mr Mott said: "Back to You, Women's Murder Club, Journeyman and Life have impeccable pedigrees and are four of the hottest shows to come out of the LA screenings, perfect for TEN's audience.

"Our preferential entitlements in selection and volume in the Fox deal, partnered with our NBCU pick, strengthen TEN's position moving into the business end of 2007 and build an enviable cache for the new year."

Under program sharing agreements announced last year, Foxtel has selected first-run rights to The Rules for Starting Over and K-Ville.

These two programs will appear on TEN from the second half of 2008:
The Rules for Starting Over – the much-anticipated television debut for the Farrelly brothers (creators of There's Something about Mary and Shallow Hall), this half hour comedy stars CRAIG BIERKO (Boston Legal), JOHNNY SNEED (The Guardian) and SHAUN MAJUMDER (24) as a group of newly single friends learning painfully hilarious lessons about starting over in their 30s. Mid-season launch (January) on Fox.

K-Ville – two years after Hurricane Katrina, armed criminals roam the streets of New Orleans, many police have quit, the law enforcement infrastructure has yet to be rebuilt, and it's up to the cops who remain to reclaim their city. Starring COLE HAUSER (The Break-Up) and ANTHONY ANDERSON (The Shield, The Departed) this impressive crime drama airs on Fox at 9pm Mondays with an ideal lead-in from Prison Break.

TEN has access to 100 per cent of the new 20th Century Fox series each year; Foxtel's selections will appear on TEN from the second half of the following calendar year.

Foxtel will have access to the 20th Century Fox shows TEN premieres after TEN broadcasts the season final first-run episode in a particular series.

Foxtel Press Release:

FOXTEL today confirmed a new wave of premium first-run programming, through its landmark output deal with leading Hollywood Studio, 20th Century Fox Television.

Two of the most keenly-anticipated programs to come out of America this season will be seen first on FOXTEL and within days of their US broadcast.

The “day and date” strategy was flagged first by FOXTEL to Australian journalists in May 2006, at the time the 20th Century Fox/FOXTEL/Ten deal was announced.

FOXTEL will be home to the Australian premieres of the hilarious Farrelly Brothers’ (Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber, Me, Myself and Irene) new series THE RULES FOR STARTING OVER and K-VILLE, a heroic police drama set in New Orleans from writer and executive producer Jonathan Lisco (NYPD Blue, The District).

FOXTEL Executive Director of Television and Marketing, Brian Walsh, said: “20th Century Fox has delivered a vibrant slate and I am thrilled that FOXTEL will bring Australian audiences some of the most anticipated and marketable shows to come out of this year’s LA screenings. And instead of keeping our viewers waiting, we’ll air the series within days of their screening in the States.

“FOXTEL’s acquisitions signify a major shift for subscription television as we join the commercial networks in screening major first-run series from the Hollywood studios.”

In addition to the 20th Century Fox deal, FOXTEL has secured exclusive Australian rights to one of the year’s hottest series, GOSSIP GIRL, from Warner Bros.

The buzz-worthy drama, set on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, focuses on the lives of a group of privileged prep school teens who learn all the important news of their lives from the secretive, all-knowing GOSSIP GIRL.

From Josh Schwartz, the executive producer of smash hit The OC, GOSSIP GIRL features a sexy up and coming cast whose appealing characters will draw viewers into their complex world.

“Gossip Girl is truly living up to its name, definitely the most-talked about series for the new season. It is young, fresh and sexy and a perfect fit for FOXTEL.

“Beyond being a terrific series, Gossip Girl is a very strong brand with huge marketing and promotional potential,” Walsh said.

FOXTEL will also air the subscription television premieres of BACK TO YOU, starring Kelsey Grammar, JOURNEYMAN and WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB, which will screen immediately following Network Ten’s first season run.

2008 Show Watch
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Presenters to Try Before U Die

Nine's new travel show, Things to Try Before You Die will air in the week of July 15, most likely in the 7:30pm Monday timeslot.

The show is presented by Livinia Nixon, Jules Lund and Gary Sweet.

The title is unashamedly close to other formats known as Try Before You Die and 99 Things to Do Before You Die.

A preview is available on Nine's site.

Press Release:

Things to Try Before You Die will provide viewers with a visual 'tick off' of their most popular life dreams and wishes.

Things To Try Before You Die - series one x 8 episodes will span the globe filming in the dream destinations of USA, the UK, France, The Far East, Africa, Egypt, New Zealand and of course our own backyard Australia.

Coming to Channel Nine week of July 15.
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70s Show stays

Seven has made an amendment to its programming which will allow That 70s Show to stay on air.

It had previously announced next week's episode as the finale.

New episodes of the sitcom will continue.
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Sea Patrol premieres online

Sea Patrol is now available for a free download before its TV premiere.

The episode can be downloaded via Nine's "catch-up" download service.

After this week new eps will be available for around $2 each.

After you've seen the ep, you can post your thoughts on the show here, along with any comments on the usability of Nine's service.

First Review: Sea Patrol.
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Sondheim in Australia

Legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim will this week record a special for Foxtel in which he will discuss his enormously successful Broadway career with Aussie actor Jonathan Biggins.

An Audience with Stephen Sondheim will air on July 16 on the Bio Channel.

The ABC is also a co-producer, suggesting it may later have a broadcast on free to air television (but that's all to be confirmed!).

Press Release:

FOXTEL will present the Australian television premiere of An Audience with Stephen Sondheim on Monday, July 16, at 8.30pm EST, on the Bio. channel.

Music theatre composer and legend Stephen Sondheim’s first visit to Australia in over 30 years coincides with Kookaburra The National Musical Theatre Company’s production of Company, one of his most popular stage hits.

An Audience With Stephen Sondheim will be recorded at Sydney’s Theatre Royal this week (July 6) to premiere on Bio. on Monday, July 16. Australian actor Jonathan Biggins will sit down on stage with Sondheim, to discuss the great composer’s life and his extraordinary career in music theatre.

Regarded as the finest stage musical writer of his generation, Sondheim’s most famous scores include (as composer/lyricist) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, A Little Night Music, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins, Passions, Bounce, as well as the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy.

Sondheim is one of the few people to have won an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize.

An Audience With Stephen Sondheim will include outstanding presentations of Sondheim’s work with live performances by the cast of Company as well as Geraldine Turner, and Peter Coleman-Wright.

An Audience with Stephen Sondheim is a co-production between FOXTEL, the ABC and Kookaburra – The National Musical Theatre.

AN AUDIENCE WITH STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Australian Television Premiere
on Monday July 16 at 8.30pm EST on Bio.
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Ratings Week 27

Friday:
1 Seven News Seven 1,461,000
2 Today Tonight Seven 1,316,000
3 Better Homes And Gardens Seven 1,297,000
4 A Current Affair Nine 1,170,000
5 Temptation Nine 1,159,000
6 Nine News Nine 1,157,000


Thursday:
1. Sea Patrol Nine 1.971
2. Seven News Seven 1.462
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.368
4. Getaway Nine 1.358
5. How I Met Your Mother Seven 1.334
6. A Current Affair Nine 1.253
7. National Nine News Nine 1.253
8. That 70s Show Seven 1.232
9. The Footy Show Nine 1.207
10. Temptation Nine 1.182
11. Home and Away Seven 1.160
12. ABC News ABC 1.095
13. Law and Order: Criminal Intent Ten 1.043
14. Lost Seven 1.025
15. Ten News Ten 0.929

Nine: 35.0
Seven: 26.8
Ten: 19.2
ABC: 13.8
SBS: 5.3


Wednesday:

1. State of Origin III – Match Nine 1.766
2. Seven News Seven 1.531
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.391
4. National Nine News Nine 1.243
5. Spicks and Specks ABC 1.234
6. Home and Away Seven 1.228
7. A Current Affair Nine 1.225
8. House Ten 1.203
9. Police Files – Unlocked Seven 1.183
10. Temptation Nine 1.169
11. ABC News ABC 1.109
12. Last Chance Learners Seven 1.033
13. The 7:30 Report ABC 1.030
14. The New Inventors ABC 1.028
15. The Chaser’s War on Repeats ABC 0.996

Nine: 34.2
Seven: 23.4
Ten: 21.3
ABC: 16.7
SBS: 4.4

Tuesday:
1. It Takes Two Seven 1.712
2. Seven News Seven 1.589
3. All Saints Seven 1.541
4. Today Tonight Seven 1.417
5. NCIS Ten 1.312
6. A Current Affair Nine 1.295
7. Home and Away Seven 1.276
8. National Nine News Nine 1.276
9. The Simpsons – 8:00pm Ten 1.241
10. The Simpsons – 7:30pm Ten 1.235
11. Temptation Nine 1.193
12. ABC News ABC 1.182
13. Crossing Jordan Seven 1.013
14. Big Brother Ten 1.001
15. Crime and Justice Nine 0.991

The Nation 548,000

Seven: 34.8
Ten: 23.8
Nine: 21.2
ABC: 14.6
SBS: 5.6

Monday:
1 Border Security Seven 1,775
2 Seven News Seven 1,725
3 Today Tonight Seven 1,573
4 Desperate Housewives Seven 1,406
5 Home And Away Seven 1,364
6 National Nine News Nine 1,359
7 Concert For Diana Nine 1,328
8 A Current Affair Nine 1,316
9 Temptation Nine 1,220
10 ABC News ABC 1,162

Seven 31.4
Nine 27.9
Ten 18.3
ABC 15.4
SBS 7.0

Sunday:
1. Seven News Seven 1.624
2. 60 Minutes Nine 1.600
3. Grey’s Anatomy Seven 1.569
4. National Nine News Nine 1.543
5. Ugly Betty Seven 1.271
6. Backyard Blitz Nine 1.228
7. Where Are They Now Seven 1.174*
8. CSI: Miami Nine 1.174
9. ABC News ABC 1.138
10. Diana’s Last Day Nine 1.120
11. Big Brother – Live Eviction Ten 1.064
12. Big Brother – 6:30pm Ten 0.974
13. Rove Ten 0.947
14. Ten News Ten 0.941
15. What About Brian Seven 0.914

* Where Are They Now not broadcast in Adelaide

Nine: 29.2
Seven: 28.6
Ten: 19.9
ABC: 16.5
SBS: 5.7
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