SBS eyes Ninja game show

As Gladiators kicks off, and Nine begins pre-production on Hole in the Wall, TV Tonight can reveal that SBS has been considering its own over-the-top game show: a local version of Ninja Warrior.

Also an outrageous Japanese format, the show -known as Sasuke in its homeland- consists of a competition in which 100 competitors attempt to complete four obstacle courses of increasing difficulty.

Attracting mostly amateurs, some of the more enthusiastic competitors dress up in costumes, bring props to the starting stage, or show off some of their zany talents.

60-year-old Minoru Kuramochi (above), an octopus bar owner who usually brings an octopus with him every time, is one of the oldest competitors. Others have included a former male ballet dancer who always competes in nothing but a black thong, an insurance salesman who usually dresses like Superman and a former dancer-turned-action star known as the "World's Toughest Transsexual."

Like SBS' Iron Chef the show is known for its grandiose commentary. But so far, SBS is yet to proceed with the idea. What do you think? Read more...

Returning: The IT Crowd

Those oddball characters that lurk in the basement of the Reynholm Industries building are returning to the ABC.

The second series of The IT Crowd, which aired in the UK last August, premieres at 9pm Wednesday April 16.

The sitcom, which has won awards from both the Rose D'Or and the BAFTAs, has also been approved for a third series due later in 2008.

Press Release:

Click on your computers and dust off your keyboards, the geeks from Reynholm Industries are back in the hilarious second series of The IT Crowd. The six new episodes are filled with compromising situations, humiliating scrapes and way out characters. Got a computer problem? They'll fix it, well…sort of.

When we last saw them, Reynholm Industries IT department; Roy (Chris O'Dowd), Moss (Richard Ayoade) and Jen (Katherine Parkinson) were working in the basement, envious of all who worked above them…they still are. But there are changes afoot - Reynholm Industries is entering a new era, with a new boss in the shape of Douglas Reynholm (Matt Berry) - son of Denholm (Chris Morris).

During the series Jen falls in love; Moss invents a bra that could revolutionise women's undergarments forever; Roy contemplates his own mortality; Roy and Moss get a taste of freedom when Jen's dreams come true and she is finally promoted. But will it last?

In the first episode, the dashing Philip (Jamie Michie) from the sixth floor pops in to ask Jen to the theatre, and she accepts eagerly. But to her annoyance, so do Moss and Roy, turning what potentially could have been a romantic date into a work outing. Roy and Moss speculate about Philip's sexuality, and argue that he only asked Jen out 'because she looks a bit like a man'.

When the play turns out to be a gay musical called GAY and as the evening spirals towards disaster, she wonders whether Philip (Jamie Michie) is everything he claims to be… Read more...

Top fury at Top Gear host

British safety groups have reacted with fury to news that UK police will not punish Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson for using his mobile while driving.

Despite the Mirror newspaper publishing a photograph of Clarkson chatting on his phone while doing 70mph he will only receive a letter warning. Police decided they didn't have enough evidence to bring charges.

Campaigner Cathy Keeler fumed: "This sends out all the wrong messages. Using your mobile while driving makes you four times more likely to have an accident. Such actions cause deaths on our roads."

Hugh Bladon of the Association of British Drivers added: "I don't understand how he could get off when there is clear photographic evidence. It appears there could be one rule for celebrities and another for the rest of us."

But Clarkson, 47, was unrepentant. "If you can't drive and talk at the same time, you are a complete spanner. I am taking steps to prevent this happening again. I am fitting my car with very dark tinted windows."

Clarkson could have faced the maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment plus a fine.

Source: Mirror Read more...

'Quincy ME' sues NBC

Years before forensics became popularised through shows like CSI there was Quincy, M.E starring Jack Klugman.

A charismatic actor, Klugman inhabited the role for seven years from 1976 to 1983. But now he is suing NBC Universal on Friday, claiming the studio is lying about the show's profits and owes him money.

His 1976 contract with NBC entitles him and his company, Sweater Productions, to 25 percent of the show's "net profits," according to the suit filed in Superior Court. Klugman, who also played in The Odd Couple, claims his copy of the contract was lost when his agent died, and NBC has refused to provide a copy.

The lawsuit aims to force NBC to divulge the contract and award Klugman attorneys' fees. It also asks the court to clarify the terms of the agreement.

"I recently heard that they made $250 million and it's still on TV in Germany. I don't want their money. I want my money," Klugman told The Associated Press. "I worked my tail off. I got up at four in the morning and stayed at the studio. I did rewrite, I edited."

NBC provided Klugman with an accounting statement showing the series had lost $66 million through 2006, according to the suit. However, Klugman said he believes NBC is lying, and that it made money.

Source: Associated Press Read more...

Airdate: The Hunt for HMAS Sydney

The discovery of the HMAS Sydney two weeks ago was such major news it led news and current affairs programmes. There were emotional outpourings as the memories of 645 lost sailors were remembered.

The Sydney and the German ship, Kormoran, were discovered 10 nautical miles apart off Western Australia's mid-west coast after a two-and-a-half week search by the Finding Sydney Foundation.

The discovery is part of a documentary, The Hunt for HMAS Sydney made by Electric Pictures. It will screen on ABC1 at 8:30pm Tuesday April 15.

Using high-tech equipment, including satellite links and a deep-water camera flown in from Germany, the filmmaking team captured the drama on board the search ship, battling isolation, poor communication, technical breakdowns and inclement weather to film the setbacks and jubilation of those involved.

"From the very beginning we faced the daunting challenge of working out how we could communicate with the ship and get the film materials to shore," Electric Pictures Executive Producer Andrew Ogilvie says.

"The search area is 100 nautical miles off shore, well beyond the limits of the local fishing fleet, and there is no helipad on board."

The film includes the history of the Sydney and German raider Kormoran, interviews with bereaved family members, naval personnel, historians, and those who have made the search happen with their dogged determination to bring closure.

Source: ABC
Read more...

Aussie boys take US leads

More casting news in the US provides good news for Aussie actors. Former Home & Away actor Christopher Egan is to play the lead in an NBC pilot based on the story of King David. And Simon Baker is heading back to CBS.

Pitched as a "contemporary soap", Kings will revolve around David (Egan), a warrior who is chosen to join a royal court after saving the life of the king's son.

Christopher Egan played 'Nick Smith' in Home and Away and has since appeared in Empire (pictured), Everwood, Vanished, and Resident Evil: Extinction. He also has a role in Ryan Murphy's Pretty / Handsome in which a married father of two tells his wife and teenage sons that he is transsexual. That stars Joseph Fiennes, Carrie-Ann Moss, Blythe Danner and Robert Wagner. Murphy created Nip / Tuck.

Meanwhile former Guardian star Simon Baker (previously known as Simon Baker-Denny in E Street!) will take the lead in The Mentalist in a Warner Bros. TV-produced project. He will play a man who uses his keen sense of observation to solve crimes (sounds like Psych!).

And finally, Warner Bros will also produce Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas described as "Harry Potte meets Pan's Labyrinth. It centers on a young girl who finds a magical atlas that reveals a secret world underneath our world. No word on casting yet.

Sources: Hollywood Reporter, Variety
Read more...

Tyra not quitting Top Model

Rumors that Tyra Banks is quitting America's Next Top Model are completely false according to her publicist.

US magazine OK! had quoted a 'show insider' as saying, “Tyra Banks is not getting along with Jay Manuel. She thinks he has become a diva and is ungrateful to her for making him a star. The way she sees it, it’s thanks to her that he now has a makeup line, a show on Style Network and hosts Canada’s version of Top Model.”

A representative for Banks has denied the story telling Usmagazine.com that, "The rumors about Tyra leaving and the fight with Jay are NOT TRUE!"

Now we can all get some sleep.

Source: US Magazine Read more...

Auditions: Hole in the Wall

Last October TV Tonight told you Nine had optioned the wacky Japanese game show Hole in the Wall. Now the show is in rehearsal at GTV9, while sets are being prepared for shooting at Melbourne's dockland studios. And there is a call for contestants, ready to make idiots of themselves when it begins recording in late April.

If you've seen the bizarro clips on YouTube it's a hilarious and simple idea. But so are many Japanese game shows. There's nothing quite the same as watching what passes for entertainment on Japanese television. Translating to western TV will be another challenge altogether.

Still it hasn't stopped FOX preparing their own version either. The YouTube clips have had millions of hits, and they are indeed laugh out loud. But would we watch this for more than one episode on TV? FremantleMedia and Nine obviously hope so.

If you are up for lampooning yourself on national television, here is what Nine is looking for in prospective contestants:

Do you want to be a contestant on a new Channel 9 TV show? Are you up for a laugh, fit and able to swim? Then read on......

HOLE IN THE WALL is a fun cult game show which originated in Japan - have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwUOg3EGC4E

It's sweeping the world and FremantleMedia & Channel 9 are very excited to be creating the Australian version.

The idea is simple: players have to use their skill and brains to make their bodies fit through the Hole in the Wall as it rapidly approaches them. If they don’t get it quite right well…it’s off into a pool of water.

Contestants will be part of a team of three and each team will be battling to beat the other for the honour of being the best.

Shooting in Melbourne between 21 April – 12 May 2008, contestants would only be required for one day.

What we're looking for is people who like to have fun - who are charismatic, who make a strong physical statement and are proud of their look, who may have a job such as a policeman/woman, firefighter, farmer, bogans, surfing dudes, prats, husband and wife teams- general characters....

You have to be prepared to wear a figure revealing all-in-one jump suit and have to be able to swim!! If you're going get in the spirit of the thing and get on tell, we want to hear from you.

(email TV Tonight for full contact details) Read more...

Ballarat hearing in court

The preliminary hearing in the case against former Hey Hey producer Gavan Disney and former BTV6 personality Fred Fargher took place yesterday.

The alleged offences took place against one victim between January 1980 and December 1983.

Both Fargher and Disney worked for Ballarat's BTV6 during the 1970s and 1980s. Fargher was the host of variety show Six Tonight.

Disney, 58, is charged with eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape. Fargher, 68, is charged with one count of indecent assault between March and December, 1981. Disney, who has vowed to fight the charges, did not appear in the Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday.

Both matters were adjourned to June 19.

Source: Courier Read more...

First Review: Sea Patrol II

"We're gonna need a bigger boat" decided Nine, so they went and got it for Sea Patrol II: The Coup.

The bigger, better, faster Hammersley will be a great boon to this second series, principally because it allows more than three actors to appear in the bridge of the navy boat.

Having almost all the lead actors in the same screen space instantly allows for more stories and conflict than the predecessor ship allowed. Captain James T. Kirk never knew how lucky he was in Star Trek!

The new Hammersley is one of the subtle changes to Nine's action drama. Another is the inclusion of Alan Dale in an ongoing subplot involving aid workers in the South Pacific.

Last season we had an ongoing romantic thread with Sibylla Budd (on-going plots actually help gain mini-series funding), this time the producers have wisely opted for a more contemporary, plot-driven device.

That said, there are still some clunky problems with the first episode of the new series. Characters still state the bleedingly obvious -a victim of adhering to Navy speak. The show is so closely seconded to the Australian Navy that heaven forbid if dramatic license overtakes realism (curiously City Homicide has no such problems given its cops are 'State Police' rather than 'Victorian Police').

The first episode encounters the early beginnings of a civil coup on a nearby island, illegal fisherman and a dog lost at sea. The latter gives rise to the line "we've got a $50m boat and we're looking for a lost dog?" I couldn't help but agree. Once more the show shies away from being hard-hitting and takes a middle ground of action, jeopardy with touches of romance and light relief. Doubtless the recipe is devised to win over the biggest possible audience. After all The Hallmark Channel is one of the show's key partners....

Lisa McCune is once again excellent as both tough and vulnerable, Ian Stenlake is once again doing nothing other than barking orders, and Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (pictured) is offered little in the first ep. He's one of the show's best actors, hopefully he will get more across the series.

Alan Dale (my god, out of a suit for once!) was actually pretty disappointing with what amounted to a cameo in the first ep. Again, no doubt his best is yet to come, too.

I'm assured that some of the eps that surface later are great stuff, which is something of a risk in today's climate. McElroy All Media appears to have taken a "steady as she goes" approach to change rather than taking hold of the wheel and firmly jumping the shark with a tougher, grittier tone.

Sea Patrol continues to benefit from heroic plots, wide open spaces, terrific vistas and stirring music. No doubt if you enjoyed the first sea cruise, you'll be happy to set sail once more.

Sea Patrol II: The Coup premieres Monday 8:30pm on Nine. Read more...

Bye bye Mint....

And there's just one more show remaining for Nine's The Mint.

The demise of the show tonight sees an end (fingers crossed) to the last late-night game show on Australian television.

It first found success in Big Brother Up Late, which led to TEN's Up Late Game Show with Hot Dogs. Nine then weighed in with Quizmania and Seven's Midnight Zoo. When The Mint shuts its doors, so too does the genre.

And if you've ever wondered how on earth Nine got around never explaining answers to those inane cryptic puzzles, here is an official explanation:

Question Methodology:
We refer you to clause #50 of the Terms and Conditions, we are under no obligation to release this information. However, we can assure you that the puzzles are based on a strict approved rule set. This means all of our cryptic puzzles have one answer only. We never deviate from this rule set in deriving the answer.

TV Tonight has one last puzzle for frustrated followers of The Mint.

Add the following:
1. Network NINE +
2. 4 x over-energetic presenters +
3. 42,000 or more pissed-off viewers +
4. 83 annoying cryptic puzzles +
5. 2 programmers without better ideas = ????

(Answer: Axed)

The Mint ends tonight from 12am (Sunday) on Nine. Read more...

...and hello Mansion!

Local comics Charlie Pickering and Michael Chamberlin move into the Comedy Channel's The Mansion next week. These two guys are set to be smart, irreverent, topical and, most impressively, very up to date.

For their weekly satirical show, they will be frantically writing comedy material as late as 24 hours before airing (a practice also employed by Newstopia).

These sharp young comics will take aim at lots of pop culture and newsmakers including Kevin Rudd, Barack Obama, Harold from Neighbours and Lindsay Lohan.

As they explained, their brand new show will be chucking up gags and sketches on "everything from the world of politics, sport, showbiz, finance and foxy boxing ....particularly foxy boxing."

"It's a topical comedy show based on the news of the week," they said. "The kind of place if Time Magazine had a Playboy Mansion. The kind of place where George Bush would come to shoot the breeze and get a cheeky lapdance."

The Mansion premieres Thursdays at 8:30pm from April 3rd on the Comedy Channel Read more...