Returning: Surf Patrol

Seven is returning its observational series set on Aussie beaches, Surf Patrol.

The production is shot with the cooperation of Surf Life Saving Australia.

It will return in initially in the Sydney market on Monday October 29th at 8pm. Other markets will follow.

The series replaces The Force which has been doing good business for the network.

A shark invasion has lifesavers on high alert tonight on SURF PATROL. A group of people go missing at a treacherous surfing spot. And a moving tribute to a lifesaving hero.

Lifesavers in northern NSW are on high alert after an influx of sharks close to shore. Beaches are closed, and sea and air missions mounted to locate the marine predators. But has the warning come too late?

In Victoria, lifesavers are on the lookout for three people who’ve gone missing at a notorious surfing beach.

And on the Gold Coast, the patrol team pauses to pay tribute to a fellow lifesaver that died in a tragic accident. Read more...

Monday night's a big gamble

Nine has a lot riding on this Monday night.

It is hoping to turn around its run of bad luck (or is that just bad programming?) that has seen it languish in lowly figures and a string of flop Monday shows. What a Year, ER, Weeds, Commercial Breakdown, and RFDS are now dropped, paused, shelved, rested or axed -depending on your preferred terminology. And Eddie McGuire's 1 vs 100 has made way for Eddie McGuire's Who Wants to be a Mullionaire, now with a whopping $5M on offer.

Nine's bold move to air the show entirely live and from 7pm is clever (although figures will show if 90 minutes is taking things too far). The network must be hoping it can give away a big chunk of the cash and reap the publicity.

Viva Laughlin's premiere immediately afterwards is already being tarnished by disappointing reviews in the US. American critics have not warmed to its musical / drama hybrid. Several reiterated my review's point (or had I reiterated theirs?) that the direction was not committed enough. That said, claims it is "the worst show ever" are way off the mark.

Nine will follow the premiere with a movie, shelving episodes of the cult Weeds and Girls of the Playboy Mansion.

But Monday isn't all about Nine. The ABC has a terrific Helen Mirren interview on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton. And SBS is launching a new series of both Pizza and Shameless.

Meanwhile there are a couple of interesting guests on Seven.

Former Neighbours actor Shane O'Connor makes a return to screen in City Homicide years after his much-publicised falling out with producers. O'Connor eventually won a nasty legal battle claiming wrongful dismissal.

And on Criminal Minds former Dawson's Creek star James van der Beek turns killer in the first of a two part storyline.

That just leaves TEN with its youthful line-up of Idol, Supernatural and the racy Californication.

May the best network win!
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Private Practice greenlights full series

The spin-off from Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, has been greenlighted to a full series by ABC.

It is currently the most successful new show of the Fall season.

In the US new series are never guaranteed a full run, until they have performed well in their first outings. Practice has held around 12m viewers, with wins in the 18-49 demographic. It will air in Australia on Seven next year.

Meanwhile sitcom Big Bang Theory for CBS has also won a full season. Nine has this for 2008.

Other approvals so far are Gossip Girl (Foxtel) and The Unit, which although not new, was only ordered for 13 eps and has been holding up well with 11m viewers. The following allows it to have a full series.

But the news is not so encouraging for Bionic Woman, which while tentatively viewed as a hit just lost 2m viewers this week, down to 8.5m after a strong opening of around 14m.

Sources: Variety,
NY Times
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'Tart-tongued' Dicko unleashed on America

Prior to his American debut, Dicko's first appearance on The Next Great American Band has him called 'tart-tongued' by one journo.

"'Band' follows a recipe similar to its benefactor: a pair of well-known judges and an unfamiliar-to-America wild card who plays the role of the, well, in this case, his name is revealing: Dicko," says MTV.

"The latter is Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, a tart-tongued former Australian 'Idol' judge who will take his place alongside former Prince protégé Sheila E. and Goo Goo Dolls singer Johnny Rzeznik."

The role will see our Dicko criss-cross the globe on a weekly basis, leaving Australia after Idol eps to record Band for FOX and returning back again for Idol.

Source: MTV
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