Superfish on the Environment

Ian Thorpe's latest venture with Foxtel will be an environmental documentary, Fish Out of Water.

He will travel around Australia highlighting eco-damage on Tasmania’s Blue Tier Rainforest, Western Australia’s Crystal Caves, Queensland’s Heron Island, the Murray River in country Victoria and Kakadu National Park.

Thorpe currently appears in recycling interstitials on The Weather Channel. His previous venture, a youth magazine-style series, was due to air after the Commonwealth Games but was shelved due to ill-health.

Seven recently re-ran his Undercover Angels in a late-night slot.

Press Release:

Australia’s greatest ever Olympian is back racing – this time against the environmental crisis clock – with his brand new two-hour documentary special FISH OUT OF WATER premiering on Thursday July 5, at 7:30pm EST, only on FOX8.

In his first major television project for FOXTEL, Ian Thorpe will race around the country to observe how Australia is being affected by the very real consequences of climate change.

Filmed entirely on location, the empowering FOX8 special will give viewers a glimpse into some of the most pristine areas this country has to offer while showing what impact our day to day existence has.

Thorpe will show viewers the measures already being taken to rescue our country as well as explain what we can do to combat the ever-increasing environmental crisis.

FISH OUT OF WATER viewers will see first hand the effects of climate change in spectacular regions including Tasmania’s Blue Tier Rainforest, Western Australia’s Crystal Caves, Queensland’s Heron Island, the Murray River in country Victoria and Kakadu National Park.

To gain a greater insight into the nation’s eco-problems, the champion swimmer will scuba-dive bleached reefs, take a boat down over-extracted rivers, helicopter over depleted water sources, and trek through soon-to-be culled old growth forests.

Thorpe says: “Over the past few years I have become concerned with the need to change to more environmentally friendly practices. I now realize we all need to get on the frontline if we want to leave the world in a fit state for future generations.

“Shooting Fish Out Of Water has been an amazing experience. I have been privileged to travel to so many beautiful parts of Australia. It has, however, been incredibly alarming to witness the destruction of our natural environment and resources and learn of the forecasts for future devastation.

“That said, it is encouraging to see the dedication and determination of people at the forefront of the fight against our climate crisis. I hope that with Fish Out Of Water I can be a part of the process to increase awareness and inspire more people to take positive action.”

In the two-hour program, environmental experts, politicians and everyday Australians weigh in on Australia’s role in global warming and climate change.

Thorpe will also tackle our position on sustainable energy options, solar power and domestic water solutions, as well as more contentious issues such as uranium mining, logging and irrigation.
Those interviewed include: Malcolm Turnbull (Federal Minister for Environment and Water Resources), Peter Garrett (Shadow Environment Minister), Ian Lowe (President of the Australian Conservation Foundation), Senator Bob Brown (Leader of the Australian Green Party) and Nikki Williams (CEO of NSW Minerals Council & Director of the Australian Coal Association).

FISH OUT OF WATER is directed by upcoming director, InPictures Production’s Richard Gray and produced by Logie Award winning talent, Chris Berry.

FISH OUT OF WATER is an emotive special that will open your eyes to how climate change is affecting our own backyards as well as empower you with ways to make a change.

Fish Out of Water airs July 5 at 7:30pm est on FOX8. Read more...

Banff TV winners

Australian TV finalists Mortified and Curtin failed to win an award at the Banff World Television Festival in Canada this week. The two entries lost out in the Children's and Made for TV Movie categories.

Amongst the winners were The Vicar of Dibley and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which won for Best Continuing Series, rather ironic given it has been axed in the US.

The Grand Prize went to Spike Lee's Hurricane Katrina documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.

Winning the Reality category was Spanish / Dutch format The Prison Choir in which inmates are seen to bond together to form a musical choir. Prisoners are guided by a music teacher and a psychologist for 2 months.

Given the success of Choir of Hard Knocks for the ABC, this is a format a local broadcaster should option, if it hasn't been tied up in this territory already.

Under choirmaster Jonathan Welch, the ABC's observational series attracted good reviews, strong word of mouth and a finale just under 1.1m -an excellent figure for the ABC. Read more...

TT vs The Chaser: Round 2

Previous: Round 1

The Chaser's take on the TT "ambush" story came from a different angle, suggesting TT reporter James Thomas was looking to do what is commonly known as a 'puff piece, by' following a Chaser stunt. When Thomas turned up the boys instead turned the tables by telling him TT boss was the target of their stunt.

The boys had a lot more footage of the exchange than TT had aired, including Thomas in the back of the 'booze bus' about to divulge a little too much info....

You can see the footage here.

So did TT try to turn around a misfired interview opportunity into a "tell-all" on Chaser's set-ups? Or was that their agenda from the get-go?

Hard to know yet...

In defence of TT, The Chaser boys didn't address any of TT's claims that they do include set-ups as part of their comedy.

But again, if Cardinal George Pell was part of a set-up for tonight's show then I'm a monkey's uncle.

ABC obviously airs a mix of "set-ups" and genuine ambush comedy. On TT they did concede there are occasions when they need to toe the legal line. If it means they're not really walking into convenience stores with a hood over their head then frankly, I'm relieved.

Now then would everyone please get on with some real current affairs and some comedy so we can all get some sleep?

Round 2: The Chaser. Read more...

Can a Talking Stick save BB?

Big Brother may have just made one of his better moves this year -by taking himself out of the game.

In a move that steers the show back toward its "social experiment" roots, Big Brother has 'left the House' and thrown authority back in the hands of the housemates.

They have been left to fend for themselves, appoint their own Leader and draw up their own Constitution. As new rules were quickly debated and proffered, already new conflict and division was becoming apparent. The shirtless, macho men were overruling most of the other women and ruling the roost.

Housemate Laura wasn't taking kindly to new leader Thomas' style.

This move by BB is one of the few this year he has got right. Instead of hoping for romances to form (yawn) we can watch how the housemates deal with power, negotiation and conflict resolution. If you haven't watched the show for ages, this might be a time to revisit. Top marks to whatever chump put this on the table.

In another interesting BB moment, Travis has responded positively to sexuality discussions raised by new Intruder, Zach.

Travis told Zach that if he learned his own son was gay that he would still love him for who he is. His surprising approval of sexual identity flawed Zach who admitted he didn't expect such a supportive reaction from the truck driver.

But Travis in his inimitable "yeah, mate, no worries mate" style was completely honest and didn't see the big deal. His candor was heartwarming stuff and only cements him as a firm favourite to potentially take the winner's title this year.
Read more...

TT vs The Chaser: Round 1

Today Tonight got "stuck into" The Chaser tonight with a story that most of the comedy teams "hit and run" scenes were set-ups.

TT decided to turn the table on the comedians by using their own ambush tactics to confront the crew outside the ABC. The Chaser responded by answering the questions in front of a "Meakin Booze Bus" -a reference to TT's convicted boss. In a surprising move the scene was broadcast by TT (maybe they had to given the ABC was filming with their own cameras).

But what was really going on here? Is it really a surprise that The Chaser combines set-ups with ambush comedy? C'mon.

Last week the comics and a bunch of their friends threw a pool party at an open inspection of a porperty for sale. But you only have to look at how bad the "real esate" actors were on that Chaser scene last week to know that they were all part of the gag. Their hollow protests were pretty thin.

And you only have to look at were some of the cameras are placed in these "ambush" scenes to know that there are others in on the act. Clearly there is a mix between the spontaneous and the planned. I doubt Sophia Loren agreed to her heckled interview scenes last week....

So does that make it any less funny? Not really.

What was really going on here was that one television show was seeking to trade off the goodwill of another. Later int he same episode TT reported on Tood McKenney's reaction to the 'controversy' of Ernie Dingo walking out on Rachel Beck mid-song on It Takes Two. Another instance of trying to sucker in the audience of one show to its own. At least it was the same network.

The Chaser has become one of the most popular shows in the country (a title TT already has too). But a feeble attempt to "blow the lid" on the construction of television comedy is sheer piggybacking.

It's laughable as what passes for current affairs these days.

Round One: The Chaser.

Round Two.
Read more...

Axed: The Catch-Up

Nine has bitten the bullet and axed The Catch-Up.

A final episode will air this Friday.

The statement by Nine follows the resignation of Mia Freedman today.

Nine will replace the show with midday movies such as "Arthur" , "Strange Bedfellows" and "On Golden Pond." Repeats of McLeod's Daughters will also disappear.

Nine is reviewing "re-deployment opportunities" for Catch-Up staff.

In last week’s TV Tonight poll readers voted for the Nine axe to fall:
Just axe the lot and start again 32%
The Catch Up 28%
Ralph TV 10%
Anything With Eddie 9%
The Nation 7%
The Footy Show 6%
Today 3%
Temptation 2%
Getaway 1%
Sunday 1%
*figures rounded


Press Release:

The Nine Network Australia today announced that a decision had been taken to cease production on its weekday talk show, The Catch Up.

Viewed as a bold move earlier this year, The Catch Up was one of a number of initiatives that demonstrates the Network’s commitment to Australian programming.

“We thank the team at The Catch Up for their enthusiasm, dedication and belief in the product. Libbi Gorr, Lisa Oldfield, Mary Moody and Zoe Sheridan have shown true leadership and we wish them all the very best for their future,” said Jeff Browne, Executive Director, Nine Network Australia.

“Executive Producer, Tara Smithson, and her production team have been passionate in their pursuit to deliver an interesting and thought provoking daily chat show. We thank them for their hard work,” Browne added.

The Network is reviewing The Catch Up’s staff structure and the redeployment opportunities.

The final broadcast will occur on Friday 15th June, 2007.

The show will be replaced by midday movies.

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

Mia Freedman quits Nine

Mia Freedman, who was appointed by Eddie McGuire to develop programmes for female viewers, has quit PBL Media.

As Creative Services Director for Nine, Freedman is the woman behind creating The Catch-Up.

Prior to television, Freedman was Editor-in-Chief of ACP magazines Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Dolly. She is widely viewed as a successful publishing gun.

In departing the entire PBL brand, Freedman will leave a vacancy to be absorbed by Michael Healy, Head of Programming.

The Catch-Up has been underperforming and attracting its share of criticism while speculation exists that new PBL bosses will be looking for cost-cuts.

Press Release:

PBL Media today announced that Mia Freedman will leave the business this week after twelve months in the position of Creative Services Director for the Nine Network Australia and Editorial Consultant for ACP Magazines.

Ms Freedman said: "I've enjoyed having the chance to work in television and I've learnt an enormous amount this past year. I am grateful to PBL Media for giving me this opportunity and I wish both Nine Network and ACP Magazines every success in the future."

Jeffrey Browne, Executive Director, Nine Network Australia said: "Mia's stint at Nine has been a creative and productive one for the Network. We thank her and wish her well for the future."

Mia’s role will now be absorbed by Nine’s Head of Programming, Michael Healy.

Pat Ingram, Group Publisher, ACP Magazines said: "Mia has had a number of roles during her many years with ACP Magazines, most notably as Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Dolly. Mia has contributed in many areas of the business, we have had a wonderful working relationship over that time and I thank her for that and for her commitment to the company." Read more...

Wed June 13

[Nine/7:30pm] Wide World Of Sports: E.J. Whitten Legends Game
[Nine/9:35pm] Wide World Of Sports: State Of Origin New South Wales v Queensland

[ABC/8:30pm] Spicks And Specks. Joining Adam Hills this week are Max Merritt, Casey Bennettos, Andy Lee and Julia Morris.
[ABC/9:00pm] The Chaser's War On Everything
[ABC/9:30pm] The Robinsons.
[ABC/10:00pm] At The Movies. Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton take us into the world of cinema.OCEANS 13 + interviews with Matt Damon, George Clooney. A CRUDE AWAKENING. BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA. BLADES OF GLORY + interview with Jon Heder and Will Arnett.

[Seven/8:30pm] Heroes. CHAPTER TWENTY 'FIVE YEARS GONE' Thrown five years into the future, Hiro and Ando discover that people with extraordinary abilities are not only widely known about but are being hunted and even killed as 'terrorists'. The pair get swept up in what could be the 'Heroes' final battle. Can they still get back to the present and save the world?
[Seven/9:30pm] Prison Break. PANAMA. With the brothers preparing to sail away to freedom, Sara's forced to sacrifice herself to ensure their safety T-Bag leaves a trail of death south of he border. C-Note finally receives the offer he's been hoping for.
[Seven/10:30pm] 24. 4:00 A.M. - 5:00 A.M. It's down to the wire! Can Jack pull it all together and save the country yet again from destruction? Guest starring RICK SCHRODER.

[SBS/7:30pm] Vasili's Garden
[SBS/8:00pm] Bluelist Australia. A new four-part series by Lonely Planet reveals Australian’s favourite travel experiences. The program presented by actor Samuel Johnson, features some of Australia’s most unique and thrilling travel experiences, road-tested by prominent Australian personalities, and introduces the best travel videos submitted by contributors to the Australian Bluelist website. Features Tastiest Food Safaris & Top Urban Adventures. (An SBS Production, in English) (Documentary Series) (Part 2) G CC

[Ten/8:30pm] House. Rpt.
[Ten/9:30pm] Medium. Rpt.

[Fox8/7:35pm] Confidential
[Movie Greats/8:30pm] Movie: Short Circuit (US 1986) Read more...