from the land down under ....

July 2008 

‘Ganja Queen’ Documentary Airing on HBO

An Australian Documentary titled ‘Ganja Queen’ has began airing on US Cable Station HBO.  The Documentary has caused much controversy with its revelations in Australia in recent weeks.  The doco is the story of Schapelle Corby, who many will have heard of as the Australian girl sentenced to 20 years jail in Bali for the smuggling of marijuana in her boogie bag a few years back.  Check here for the overview and local screening times.

‘The Night Cap’, Channel 7’s first HD-only show, has been axed. Apparently the network couldn’t raise enough advertising dollars to keep the show going.

Australian Gladiators

The premiere of Channel 7’s ‘Gladiators’ rated the highest audience of any new series. It is reported that the show peaked at 2.18 million people, which are huge numbers for Australian television. However it is yet to be seen if the show can maintain the huge interest in the coming months.

New Aussie Police Drama’s

A new police drama is to start filming in Melbourne. The show is titled ‘Rush’ and will star Samuel Johnson (from ‘The Secret Life of Us’). The show will scheduled to start filming mid May.

While Channel 9 are about to start filming a new cop show called ‘The Strip’. It will be filmed on the Gold Coast, and will star Simone Mc Aullay (‘Blue Heelers’), Aaron Jeffries (‘McLeod’s Daughters’) and Bobby Morley (‘Home and Away’).

Aussies Take on US Television

A bunch of Aussies have landed plum roles in American television shows. David Lyons has landed a role on ‘ER’. He was seen in the first season of ‘Sea Patrol’ in Australia, and was nominated for a Logie for Best New Talent.

Dichen Lachman has landed a lead role in a new pilot called ‘Dollhouse’, Josh Lawson will play the lead in a new comedy called ‘Spaced’. John Noble, formerly on ‘Home and Away’ in Australia, will star in ‘Fringe’, along with Joshua Jackson, of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ fame, and Chris Egan will be seen in ‘Kings’.

Chasers Team Off The Hook

Police have dropped all criminal charges against ‘The Chaser’s War On Everything’.

11 people were arrested last year during the APEC summit when they disguised themselves as a Canadian motorcade and managed to get past security to within metres of the hotel where American President George W Bush was staying. They could have faced up to 6 months jail if convicted.

However Julian Morrow, a star of the show, has said that it wouldn’t stop him from playing pranks and crossing the line again.

Reality TV Ratings Score Big

19-year old Sam Rouen has won the 2008 season of ‘The Biggest Loser’. Sam lost a staggering 71.7kg to win the show, which was 46.38% of his total body weight. He narrowly beat mother of three Alison Braun, who lost 55.2kg (45.36%). Kirsten Binnie, an ex-Australian water polo player, came third, losing 54.9kg (43.30%).

The show was a ratings success for Channel 10, continually appearing in the Top 20 shows of the week. The finale was watched by an average of 1.88 millions viewers, peaking at 2.35 million.

Another ratings success for Channel 10 was ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. The finale was watched by 1.87 million views, as contestant Jack won the title.

Sursok Up For Emmy Award

Aussie actress Tammin Sursok has been nominated for a daytime Emmy. She is nominated for the Best Younger Actress in a Drama Series award for her role playing Colleen on ‘The Young and The Restless’.

2008 Logie Awards

Channel 9’s coverage of the 50^th Annual Logie Awards attracted 1.5 million viewers, peaking at 2.06 million. The Red Carpet coverage averaged 1.57 million viewers. Unsurprisingly, hot favourite Kate Ritchie (‘Home and Away’) won the Gold Logie this year. The final episodes that she was in aired in the past month. The winners for 2008 were:

Most Popular Reality Program –

‘Dancing With The Stars’ (Channel 7)

Most Popular Lifestyle Program –

‘Better Homes And Gardens’ (Channel 7)

Most Popular Factual Program –

‘Bondi Rescue’ (Channel 10)

Silver Logie – Most Popular Actor –

Chris Lilley (‘Summer Heights High’

– Channel 2)

Silver Logie – Most Popular Actress –

Kate Ritchie (‘Home and Away’ – Channel 7)

Most Popular New Male Talent –

Lewis (‘Home and Away’ – Channel 7)

Most Popular New Female Talent –

 Bindi Irwin (‘Bindi: The Jungle Girl’ – Channel 2)

Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie –

‘Curtin’ (Channel 2)

Most Popular Light Entertainment/Comedy Program –

‘Kath and Kim’ (Channel 7)

Most Popular Drama –

‘Home and Away’ (Channel 7)

Most Popular Sports Program –

‘The Footy Show – AFL’ (Channel 9)

Silver Logie – Most Popular TV Presenter –

Rove McManus (‘Rove/Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader?’ – Channel 10)

Most Outstanding Children’s Program –

‘Lockie Leonard’ (Channel 9)

Most Outstanding News Coverage –

‘Garuda Plane Crash’ (Channel 7 News)

Graham Kennedy Award For Most Outstanding New Talent –

Tammy Clarkson (‘The Circuit’ – SBS)

Most Outstanding Comedy Program –

‘Summer Heights High’  (Channel 2)

Most Outstanding Sports Coverage –

 ‘Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000’ (Channel 7)

Most Outstanding Factual Series –

‘Choir Of Hard Knocks’ (Channel 2)

Most Outstanding Documentary Series –

‘Constructing Australia : The Bridge’ (Channel 2)

Most Outstanding Public Affairs Report –

‘Some Meaning In This Life: Belinda Emmett’ (Australian Story – Channel 2)

Most Outstanding Actor –

Stephen Curry (‘The King’ – TV1)

Most Outstanding Actress –

Alison Whyte (‘Satisfaction’ – Showcase)

TV Week Gold Logie – Most Popular Personality –

Kate Ritchie