V8 battle: Ten responds

David White, Network TEN's Head of Sport has fired back over claims made by V8 boss Tony Cochrane that it is "un-Australian."

White told The Australian Seven and the V8s had been caught out by their own contracts.

"Ten, Seven, the AFL and Foxtel spent many, many months last year negotiating an AFL agreement," said White, "and we are not prepared to start renegotiating that agreement because V8 Supercars and Seven have got a conflicting contract, which they had when they signed the AFL agreement."

"For Tony to suggest that is is our fault is nothing but mischievous and trying to deflect the blame from his own mistakes.

"He accuses us of being un-Australian, but I think it is completely un-Australian and frankly illogical to threaten to deny all Australians the opportunity to watch his category from the Melbourne Grand Prix next year just to cover up mistakes he has made."

Source: The Australian. Read more...

Nine Flies with the Doctor again

Nine will return to the skies with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, this time as a documentary series rather than a drama.

The old Crawford Productions series was a big hit for Nine during the 1980s, sold to many territories around the world.

Now, buoyed by the success of shows like RPA, it will look at the real faces behind the medical service.

Should the show also be known by its shorthhand name, R.F.D.S., it would be ironic given that was also the re-branded name of the Crawford drama in the early '90s.

It will air later this year.

Press Release:

The Nine Network today announced that production has commenced on its new documentary series – Royal Flying Doctor Service.

RFDS is an observational documentary series that follows the daily working lives of the personnel of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the patients they treat.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is the first, largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisation in the world. They bring an extensive, 24-hour emergency service and primary healthcare network to those who live, work and travel throughout regional Australia and the outback.

From a base in the famous, rugged town of Broken Hill, RFDS will follow the calls for help that come in and lead to stories that fan out across the vast Australian outback.

Like the service, the series will have a flavour that’s uniquely Australian – from the extraordinary distances it covers to the characters of the bush who have chosen the world of the Flying Doctors as their profession. Dedicated doctors, nurses, pilots and long-serving support staff of the RFDS are at the core of this series, along with their passion for their work and the patients they treat.

Nine’s director of programming, Michael Healy, said: “The Royal Flying Doctors provide a vital service to thousands of Australians throughout regional areas and the outback. Channel Nine is extremely proud of this new series, which will give viewers an insight into the extensive work they do, often in extremely difficult and dramatic circumstances.”

RFDS is produced by Granada Productions and the series will go to air later this year.

Kindly link to this website when sourcing or posting in messageboards, thanks! Read more...

Matt and the Princes

Princes William and Harry have given their first American interview to Matt Lauer of the NBC Today Show.

His interview will air on Monday June 18 in the US. And Seven has announced a prime time interview with the young royals for Tuesday June 19 - in all likelihood, probably the same interview.

In Lauer's interview, the Princes discuss honouring their mother with the upcoming Diana concert, how they will memorialize her on this anniversary, and the paths their lives have taken since her untimely death.

Programme info:

AN INTERVIEW WITH PRINCES WILLIAM AND HARRY
An exclusive in-depth and revealing interview with PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCE HARRY at Clarence House - their official residence in London. The Princes discuss the memory of their mother Diana, and the concert and memorial service they have organized to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of her death. William and Harry also reflect on their life in a media fishbowl, their personal relationships, Harry's deployment to Iraq with the British Army and how their celebrity status affects them, their friends and girlfriends.

Airs 10pm Tue June 19 on Seven.
Read more...

Ray and the Dalai

John Howard may not be interested in meeting him but Ray Martin will talk to the Dalai Lama.

It will be the only television interview given touring his Australian tour.

The interview will be broadcast during Sunday this weekend.

It's a win / win for Martin, showing he can get the big interviews, and reminding new owners CVC Civic Partners all about that huge salary he is reportedly on.

Sunday airs 9 - 11am on Nine.
Read more...

Grey's sending out an SOS

Fans of Grey's Anatomy are in for three weeks of high drama as a huge story arc begins this Sunday.

A tragedy strikes Seattle and the hospital staff are plundered into action that sees them challenged, compromised and at times unable to cope.

The three-episode arc is being branded as Grey's Anatomy: SOS which follows on from the successful Grey's Anatomy: Code Black triple from last year.

Thankfully, the plot in SOS swings away from the romantic cavorting that often takes the spotlight away from the medicine.

There will still be soapie plot manoeuvres going on, and the signature pop tunes over slow-mo footage will be there, but it's high stakes for favourite characters. If you love your Grey's you will love the next 3 weeks.

Grey's Anatomy: SOS airs from 8:30pm Sunday on Seven. Read more...

Selling off our history.

As the ramifications of the PBL sell-off become apparent there is now talk that Nine may sell its Sydney and Melbourne studios to finance upgrades to multichannel platforms.

If we lose iconic studios, and it looks likely we will, then this will be a sad chapter in TV history. GTV9 has been home to IMT, The Don Lane Show, Hey Hey Its Saturday, New Faces. TCN9 produced Bandstand, The Mike Walsh Show, The Young Doctors.

But any sale of GTV may have to incorporate the possibility that part of the building could be heritage listed.

A sell-off of GTV land is said to be worth $50M. But wouldn't it cost more to set up a new studio? The old building was originally a piano factory in 1908, and later Heinz.

But it's the cavalcade of stars and production that makes GTV a jewel in Melbourne's crown.

It's not called Television City for nothing.
Read more...

Thu June 7

[Nine/7:30pm] Getaway. 15th Birthday! Australia's favourite travel show celebrates 15 years on air with a special look at the highlights of the program including some of the most amazing scenery, funniest characters and moving moments featuring an exclusive reunion with 14 of the show's past and present reporters.
[Nine/8:30pm] RPA Where Are They Now?
[Nine/11:15pm] Ralph TV. Premiere. See one of Australia's favourite magazines come to life as a weekly TV show full of pranks, stunts, babes, silliness and yes, even some very useful information. Hosted by Craig "Lowie" Lowe with the help of the girls from RALPH magazine. RALPHTV brings all the livewire energy of the best blokes in the country to the small screen.

[Seven/8:00pm] My Name is Earl. BLOW.
[Seven/8:30pm] Lost. LEFT BEHIND. After discovering that one of her own has betrayed her to 'The Others', Kate is left to fend for herself in the jungle with Juliet. Meanwhile, Hurley warns Sawyer to change his selfish ways and make amends with his fellow survivors or he may face a vote of banishment.
[Seven/9:30pm] The Amazing Race
[Seven/10:30pm] Family Guy. HE'S TOO SEXY FOR HIS FAT (R)/ E PETERBUS UNUM (R) As Chris attempts to lose weight, Peter alters his own looks via liposuction and extensive plastic surgery. And in tonight's second episode, after learning that his property is not officially part of the United States, Peter forms his own country. With the voices of SETH MACFARLANE, ALEX BORSTEIN and SETH GREEN.
[Seven/11:30pm] Stargate Atlantis
[Seven/12:30am Fri] 2007 Jack Awards. THE 2007 JACK AWARDS Aussie legend ANGRY ANDERSON is joined by some of Australia's top rock bands. Featuring performances by YOU AM I, HOWLING BELLS and BEASTS OF BOURBON, with hosts JIMMY BARNES & TOM WILLIAMS.

[Ten/7:30pm] Teen Fit Camp.
[Ten/8:30pm] Law & Order: SVU. “Ripped.” Guest; Noah Emmerich. Rpt.
[Ten/8:30pm] Law & Order: CI. “Flipped.”

[ABC/9:30pm] The Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart. From the producers of the award-winning feature film documentary Touching The Void, The Kidnapping Of Elizabeth Smart is the definitive account of a crime that gripped America. In the early hours of 5th June 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted at knife-point from the bedroom of her well-to-do Salt Lake City family home. A massive man-hunt ensued, but she seemed to have disappeared without a trace. However, nine months later, Elizabeth was discovered alive just a few miles from home - the prisoner of a man who believed he was the Messiah. This documentary tells the inside story of a highly unusual case and includes interviews with Elizabeth's father and other family members who never gave up hope for their daughter, refusing to believe that she was dead. It was only due to the pressure that they placed on the police that the investigation was kept alive, and finally led to Elizabeth's discovery, dressed and veiled in white and walking with her captors on the outskirts of Salt Lake City.

[SBS/10:05pm] Movie Show - SBS and FremantleMedia are producing a new multiplatform version of The Movie Show, integrating a 10 minute television program with a broad and interactive online environment for film fans. Presented by reviewers Lisa Hensley (actor and also presenter of The Know on FOXTEL) and Michael Adams (reviews editor of Empire film magazine), the new format version of The Movie Show will allow viewers to upload their own film reviews for broadcast online and possibly also on air. People submitting online critiques will have access to the latest film trailers to edit into their finished reviews, resulting in user-generated content on SBS Television and The Movie Show website. (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Entertainment) G
[SBS/10:15pm] Wilfred - The Dog Whisperer - TV Vet Jack Underwood comes to help Wilfred with his behavioural problems. Wilfred convinces Jack that he is of sane mind and it is Adam who has social problems. Sarah refuses to choose between the two. But if she did have to choose... (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Comedy Series) (Rpt) M CC WS
[SBS/10:45pm] Movie: Noi The Albino - (Noi Albinoi)- In this brilliant film about teen angst and alienation, 17-year-old Nói lives with his grandmother in a remote fjord in the north of Iceland. Nói's father, an avid Elvis fan, receives a letter from the school principal advising of Nói's poor attendance. Though well-intentioned, his father is a constant source of bad advice. Later, Nói meets Íris, a girl who has returned from the city to work at the local petrol station cum café. Together they hatch a (somewhat vague) plan to run off to Hawaii. Directed by Dagur Kári, and stars Tómas Learquis and Thöstur Leó Gunnarssson. (From Iceland, in Icelandic, English subtitles) (Drama) (2003) M (L,A) WS

[31/10:30pm] Studio Q.

[Comedy/7:30pm] Last Comic Standing.
[Fox8/8:30pm] Last Comic Standing. Audition Show. Read more...

Alias at last

The long overdue final fifth series of Alias is coming to Seven.

The season aired from September 2005 - May 2006 in the US.

It will screen here at 10:30pm from Sunday June 17, going up against Nine's Survivor.

Frankly I'm a little surprised Seven didn't opt for for the 9:30pm timeslot and bump What About Brian to 10:30pm. Figures for the drama haven't been great and it has been denied further seasons in the US.

The first ep of the final series is directed by Ken Olin, now a producer on Brothers and Sisters. Read more...

Kylie gives Danni an X?

In the never-ending rumours about Dannii and the X Factor now they reckon Kylie will appear as a vocal coach.

Believe this if you will...

The show relies on the judges mentoring the contestants and an 'insider' has reportedly told the Daily Mirror that, "Dannii knew Kylie would be perfect as a coach for the show. She's a superstar and it's a chance in a lifetime for the contestants to learn from such a pro."

Meanwhile Dannii has already started shooting which means scheduling for Australia's Got Talent series 2 may not be too disrupted after all.

As for Kylie in the UK show, we'll see....
Read more...