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Fountain Lakes gets commercials?

Kath and Kim with ads? On Channel Nine? Or Seven?

It's a possibility.

Producer Rick McKenna (partner of Gina Riley) has told how the show is no longer under contract with the ABC and flirting with commercial networks.

Seems the current contract has now expired. Despite shooting scenes with Matt Lucas this month K&K; 4 won't start till next month.


McKenna says they won't make a decision on a broadcast deal until mid-year.

Securing the ladies from Fountain Lakes would be a major coup for a commercial network -and surely one Nine badly needs given its dull US acquisitions. It would also help with Nine's local content quotas.

Seven might also be keen to re-acquire a show it effectively gave birth to in the short-lived Something Stupid.

Lord knows the girls are due for a big cheque for all their hard work, which probably won't come from the ABC. It would be nice to spend some money on the show too.

But what compromises, and what pitfalls aside from ad breaks do the girls face if they court the commercial devils? It must be all very awkward in writing the show, not knowing whether to write to ad breaks or not.

More on the story in SMH.
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Dean Geyer: Ramsay Idol?

Hot on the heels of news that Benjamin Hart of Hollyoaks is joining Ramsay St, now there is talk that Idol's Dean Geyer will be asked to join the cast.

Geyer would follow reality participants Dan O'Connor and Blair McDonough in turning actors for Erinisborough. And Idol's Andrew G made a guest appearance as himself last week.

Geyer has a strong South African accent, which with pommy Hart will make for some interesting audio colours. Still the street has long been the subject of people calling for more ethnic representation. Maybe next it will turn its attention to skin tones, which remain predominantly white.

Speculation on Geyer can be found at Sydney Confidential.
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Tue Feb 13

[Ten/7:30pm] The All New Simpsons. "The Mook, The Chef, The Wife & Her Homer" Guests: Metallica. Finally a new episode....well at least till TEN starts sneaking repeats in hoping we don't notice. News flash. We do. This opening ep is ok in itself, with the best lines coming from Homer.
[Ten/8:00pm] The Simpsons. “Three Gays of the Condo.” Rpt.
[Ten/8:30pm] NCIS. "Faking It"
[Ten/9:30pm] The OC. "The Case Of The Franks"

[ABC/8:00pm] Grumpy Old Holidays. Grumpy people and holidays are not a good combination. But grumpy people and camping is a deadly combination… CAST: Arthur Smith, Jenny Eclair, Nigel Slater, Sheila Hancock

[ABC/8:30pm] The Bill. Trainee DC Kezia Walker makes a good impression on DC Suzie Sim when they work together on a rape case; and Adam Okaro must apologise for publicly losing his temper. CAST: Wendy Kweh, Cat Simmons, Cyril Nri

[ABC/9:20pm] Foreign Correspondent. In a world of displaced people struggling for survival the plight of the Rohingyas forced out of Burma, to neighbouring Bangladesh by the brutal military regime, are little known. Peter Lloyd investigates.

[31/8:30pm] Doctors on the Frontline. Aids Generation. Along with Zimbabwe, Kenya is one of the African countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. AIDS spreads fast in an environment where prostitution and poverty are rife. PG

[Nine/7:30pm] 20 to One. New Series. Aussie Parties And Pastimes.
[Nine/8:30pm] CSI. “Ch-ch changes.” Rpt. A woman who was pulled over by police is found murdered two miles up the road from the stop. It's not long before Robbins determines that the woman is, genetically speaking, not a woman.
[Nine/9:30pm] Justice. “Death Spiral.” Episode 7????
[Nine/10:30pm] Third Watch. New Series. “Too Little Too Late”

[Seven/7:30pm] Movie: Shall We Dance? RICHARD GERE stars as John Clark, a man with a wonderful job, charming wife and loving family, who still feels that something is missing as he makes his way through the city each day. Then one night, John impulsively jumps off his subway train and signs up for dance lessons and his whole life begins to change. He enters the colourful world of competitive ballroom dancing, a place filled with grand passions, bitter rivalries and strange couples which reignites the excitement in John's life in ways he never dreamed. Also starring JENNIFER LOPEZ, SUSAN SARANDON, STANLEY TUCCI, BOBBY CANNAVALE, LISA ANN WALTER, OMAR BENSON MILLER, ANITA GILETTE, RICHARD JENKINS and NICK CANNON.

[Seven/9:40pm] All Saints. New Series. “Family Matters.” Vincent and Jack do all they can to save one of their own, Dan puts his life at risk in his efforts to get Erica's brother to All Saints and Cate hand in her resignation. Starring JOHN HOWARD, JUDITH MCGRATH, CHRIS GABARDI, TAMMY MACINTOSH, MARK PRIESTLEY, ALEXANDRA DAVIES, WIL TRAVAL, CHRIS VANCE, JOLENE ANDERSON, ALLISON CRATCHLEY, VIRGINIA GAY and ANDREW SUPANZ.

[SBS/7:30pm] Right Time For A Baby? – The number of women giving birth in their forties has doubled in ten years. But as women leave it later to have children their chances drop dramatically and at least one in five will not have any at all. BBC presenter Kate Silverton is 35 and had an ovary removed several years ago. She is among thousands of women in the UK facing one of the biggest dilemmas of their lives which is if or when to have children. In this documentary, Kate investigates if the struggle to establish career and financial security and to find the right partner before starting a family has become too difficult. As part of Kate Silverton’s documentary, she spent a month at Sheffield city’s maternity hospital and assisted conception unit. She met women who have given birth, are about to give birth or are desperate to conceive. This documentary also looks at how falling birth rates occurring all over Europe will have a dramatic effect politically, socially and economically. (From the UK, in English) (Documentary) PG CC WS

[SBS/8:30pm] Cutting Edge: Living Old – For the first time in American history, those over 85 are now the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. Medical advances have enabled an unprecedented number of Americans to live longer, healthier lives. But for millions of elderly, living longer can also mean a debilitating physical decline that often requires an immense amount of care. And just as more care is needed, fewer caregivers are available to provide it. This documentary, produced by Frontline, investigates this national crisis and explores the new realities of aging in America. Vast numbers of the elderly are living lives that neither they nor their families ever prepared for or imagined. Through the perspectives of the elderly, their families and the doctors and nurses who care for them, this documentary explores the modern realities of aging in both urban and rural America. (From the US, in English) M CC WS

[SBS/10:00pm] Murder On A Sunday Morning – Winner of the 2001 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, this film, directed by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (The Staircase), is a compelling account of a reopened murder case, featuring a potentially innocent suspect and shocking tales of police corruption. Brenton Butler is the suspect, a 15 year old African-American accused of murdering Mary Ann Stephens in Jacksonville, Florida. Condemned by everyone involved with the case, his only lifeline is his lawyer, Patrick McGuiness, who reopens the case and uncovers some shocking revelations, and a distinct lack of concrete evidence against Butler. This disturbing documentary takes a frank look at the U.S. justice system at work and exposes the racial bias and abuse of power that resulted in Brenton’s arrest. (From France, in English) M (V,A) (Rpt) CC WS

[Fox8/8:30pm] Dangerous
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Ratings Week 7

Thursday
1. RPA Nine 1.551
2. Lost Seven 1.312
3. Seven News Seven 1.308
4. Today Tonight Seven 1.300
5. Missing Persons Unit Nine 1.295
6. My Name Is Earl Seven 1.137
7. A Current Affair Nine 1.100
8. National Nine News Nine 1.090
9. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.047
10. Getaway Nine 1.021
11. Home and Away Seven 0.999
12. Law and Order: SVU Ten 0.989
13. Saving Babies Ten 0.980
14. Law and Order: CI Ten 0.968
15. Amazing Medical Stories Nine 0.931

Nine: 32.4
Seven: 26.6
Ten: 22.8
ABC: 14.4
SBS: 3.8

Wednesday
1. Border Security Seven 1.453
2. Today Tonight Seven 1.385
3. Heroes Seven 1.323
4. SCU: Serious Crash Unit Seven 1.304
5. Seven News Seven 1.278
6. House Ten 1.237
7. McLeod’s Daughters Nine 1.148
8. A Current Affair Nine 1.086
9. Home and Away Seven 1.086
10. Prison Break Seven 1.076
11. National Nine News Nine 1.073
12. Cold Case Nine 1.036
13. Without A Trace Nine 1.032
14. Spicks and Specks ABC 0.995
15. ABC News ABC 0.958

Seven: 31.5
Nine: 26.6
Ten: 20.9
ABC: 15.9
SBS: 5.1

Tuesday
1. Today Tonight Seven 1.504
2. Seven News Seven 1.433
3. Movie: Shall We Dance Seven 1.225
4. A Current Affair Nine 1.190
5. Home and Away Seven 1.187
6. National Nine News Nine 1.161
7. NCIS Ten 1.133
8. The Simpsons – 7:30pm Ten 1.110
9. All Saints Seven 1.081
10. The Simpsons – 8:00pm Ten 1.068
11. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nine 1.050
12. Grumpy Old Holidays ABC 0.996
13. The Biggest Loser Ten 0.993
14. ABC News ABC 0.991
15. 20 to 1 Nine 0.981

Seven: 32.1
Nine: 25.4
Ten: 21.9
ABC: 15.5
SBS: 5.2

Monday
1. Today Tonight Seven 2.024
2. Seven News Seven 1.584
3. Desperate Housewives Seven 1.567
4. 1 vs 100 Nine 1.344
5. National Nine News Nine 1.296
6. Home and Away Seven 1.251
7. The Biggest Loser – Elimination Ten 1.204
8. Brothers & Sisters Seven 1.192
9. The Rich List Seven 1.167
10. Bondi Rescue Ten 1.138
11. Motorway Patrol Nine 1.132
12. A Current Affair Nine 1.112
13. The Code Nine 1.069
14. ABC News ABC 0.975
15. Temptation Nine 0.924

Seven: 31.9
Nine: 26.9
Ten: 21.0
ABC: 12.7
SBS: 7.5

Sunday
1. National Nine News Nine 1.885
2. One Day Cricket – 2nd Final Primetime Nine 1.710
3. Seven News Seven 1.486
4. One Day Cricket – 2nd Final Afternoon Nine 1.393
5. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.258
6. Where Are They Now Seven 1.187
7. Movie: Princess Diaries 2 Seven 1.148
8. Foyle’s War ABC 1.042
9. So You Think You Can Dance Ten 1.008
10. Planet Earth ABC 1.003

Nine: 35.3
Seven: 24.3
Ten: 19.7
ABC: 15.9
SBS: 4.9
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