First Review: Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

This is Sam, a fifth grader, or if you're truly Australian, a Grade Fiver. It's a small point but one the Roving Enterprise producers didn't opt for in picking up the local rights for Mark Burnett's US game show.

It's about the only thing they could have changed in making this Aussie version of the show. Everything else is terrific.

As a game show host, Rove McManus is so good he may almost have to give up his Tonight show role. He slips into this with consummate ease. Lively, relaxed, funny, confident, genial. He's the Rove we all know and love.

In fairness the format of 5th Grader is really just another variation on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, (as are most of the new game shows we are seeing) they've basically just added kids. But it's an inspired format variation. It immediately underlines the enormous canyon between deadly simple question and stupid contestant who can't see the wood for the trees. And it allows the personalities of the kids to add another dimension to the show.

These five, Sam, Callum, Max, Moya and Darcy are all perky and so relaxed they integrate easily under tutor McManus. I have no doubt some of their comments and reactions will provide terrific, unscripted moments.

The first contestant, Elka, bounded onto the show with a worrying American ra-ra vibe. She even threw in a cartwheel. Maybe she thought she was on the US version? Nevertheless, she managed to insert enough drama as she worked her way up to the $100,000, and if not, Rove was on hand to build the momentum.

The set, lighting and mood music are all top notch, allowing Rove the ability to wander around the set, or off script, in his trademark anti-television manner. The only real criticism, and it's again an idea borrowed from Millionaire, is in drawing out the questions. Two questions in about eight minutes is six minutes too long, with or without kids.

Having "dropout" contestants face the camera and admit "I'm not smarter than a fifth grader" is dreadful fun, and Aussies should flock to this frank, daggy admission like moths to a flame.

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader is the best new game show TEN has launched since The CON Test and Australia's Brainiest Sportsperson / Idol / Loser / Housemate et al.

It's even better than Greed. Now that's saying something. Read more...

Airdate: Singing Bee, Dirty Jobs, The Gift

Channel Nine's much-hyped new game show The Singing Bee will premiere 6:30pm Sunday October 7.

Joey Fatone will be in Australia next week to record the first episodes of the show in which contestants are challenged to remember word-perfect lyrics to songs.

It will be followed by the premiere of Dirty Jobs at 7pm with the return to television of Jo Beth Taylor. She joins Ben Dark looking at occupations involving "ear cleaners, rat catchers and tip scavengers." They got that title right!

Meanwhile The Gift premieres on Thursday October 11 at 9:30pm. This medical series looks at organ donation in Australia.

Finally, Nine will not be screening RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service or 1 vs 100 on Monday October 8 when it airs the movie My Big, Fat Greek Wedding.

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Returning: Cold Case, Missing Persons Unit, RPA: WATN?

Several new programming changes just announced by Nine.

Cold Case will return to the 8:30pm Wednesday timeslot from Wednesday October 10. The "Cargo" episode resumes the unfinished fourth series which paused several weeks ago. There are three more episodes in Series 4. Will Nine will move into Series 5 for November?

Missing Persons Unit will return from 8:30pm Thursdays on October 11. It will be followed by the series premiere of The Gift at 9:30pm.

RPA: Where Are They Now new series returns from 10pm Thursday October 11.

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

Dancing down a storm?

Dancing with the Stars was confidently the #1 show last night, but it is again showing signs that its strongest audiences may well be behind it.

In preliminary ratings figures (based on the scheduled timeslot of 7:30 - 9:30pm) it had 1.71m viewers, the lowest premiere audience across all seven series.

Seven has since adjusted the figures to its actual running time of 7:33 - 9:45pm which bumps the figure to 1.81m, level with Series 6.

Previous premiere figures were: Series 1 (1.92m), 2 (1.89m), 3 (1.98m), 4 (2.19m), 5 (1.83m), 6 (1.813).

The last two series in particular, were markedly down on the glorious highs of Series 3 and 4.

Last night Patti Newton took home the highest score in the contest. It peaked on 2.05m.

Week 39 Ratings.
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Girl power for new ABC drama

A strong team of female actors and writers will spearhead a new 6 part ABC series, Bed of Roses.

Kerry Armstrong (Louisa) will play the daughter of Julia Blake (Minna) in a story which sees Louisa return home to her country town after her husband falls dead in the arms of another woman. Joining them are actors Caroline Gillmer, Kaarin Fairfax and Jay Laga'aia.

Armstrong and the ABC both had a bit hit with the Seachange series during the late '90s.

The series is written by Jutta Goetze (Halifax FP, Always Greener) and Elizabeth Coleman (Secret Life of Us, Secret Bridesmaid's Business) and produced by Mark Ruse and Stephen Luby (Kath and Kim).

Shooting begins in October.

Press Release:

An all-star cast start filming next month on the new ABC TV six-part drama series Bed of Roses.

Kerry Armstrong (MDA, Oyster Farmer, Lantana) and Julia Blake (Aquamarine, Human Touch, Innocence) team up as mother and daughter in this contemporary series that takes us on a dramatic, bumpy and often very amusing journey of a woman who has to start life anew.

Bed of Roses also features Jay Laga’aia (McLeod’s Daughters, Playschool, All Saints, Star Wars II and III), Caroline Gillmer (MDA, Neighbours, Halifax f.p), Kaarin Fairfax (Fergus McPhail, Kath & Kim, SeaChange) and relative newcomers HaiHai Le (Kick) and Hanna Mangan-Lawrence (Acolytes).

Louisa Atherton (Kerry Armstrong) is 49-years-old and to date has lived a privileged and superficial life. When her wealthy husband Jack drops dead in the arms of another woman, Louisa thinks things can't get worse - until she discovers that he's left her bankrupt. Louisa is forced to go back to her tiny home town, Rainbow’s End, with her tail between her legs. As she re-negotiates her relationships with her prickly mother Minna (Julia Blake) and recalcitrant kids, she learns to understand herself for the first time in her life. Louisa also comes to realise that her small town's history will play a vital role in her future.

ABC TV’s Head of Drama, Miranda Dear said "With credits that include Kath & Kim and The Games, Mark Ruse is no stranger to ABC TV, and together with his producing partner Stephen Luby (Crackerjack) he has assembled a wonderful team to bring this delightful story to life. We couldn't be happier to have the incomparable Kerry Armstrong working with the ABC again."

Ruby Entertainment producers Mark Ruse and Stephen Luby said, “In Louisa Atherton, writers Jutta Goetze and Elizabeth Coleman have created a character full of complexity, charm and gentle humour. We are so pleased to have Kerry Armstrong on board to play Louisa. Kerry will bring to this story a spark and an authenticity that is bound to touch audiences across the age spectrum.”

Directed by Paul Moloney (Crackerjack, SeaChange) and Mandy Smith (Silversun, Saddle Club, SeaChange), Bed of Roses will be shot in HD and filmed over eight weeks in regional Victoria and in Melbourne .

The series is a co-production between ABC TV, Southern Star and Ruby Entertainment and developed with the assistance of Film Victoria . Filming will begin in Melbourne on Monday 8 October. Read more...

Kate quits Home and Away

Gold Logie winner Kate Ritchie has announced her departure from Home and Away.

She is one of only two original characters on the show, who with actor Ray Meager (Alf Stewart) entered the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running continuous roles in an Aussie drama.

She will finish shooting scenes for the Seven drama in December and remain on screen until April 2008. The show celebrates its 20th anniversary early next year.

Ritchie, who won the Gold Logie this year, has also recently appeared in It Takes Two and the ABC telemovie, Stepfather of the Bride.

"I have been blessed with a job that I have loved for the past 20 years and I wouldn't take back one moment of my time on Home and Away but I feel that it is time for change," Ritchie said.

"My decision to leave the show has not been made lightly and despite being sad to say goodbye I am excitedly looking forward to what will be the next chapter of my life."

Seven's director of programming Tim Worner said, "She's a great girl and she deserves it. Seven is very proud of all that Kate has achieved in her time with us. It's been an amazing ride and it's been a great joy to see her grow as a performer and a person over that time"

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

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