Mon May 7

[ABC/8:00pm] Australian Story
[ABC/8:30pm] Four Corners. By the time most baby boomer survivors hit their mid-80s the number of elderly people will have increased 400 per cent... an increasingly activist minority of elderly Australians are saying they will commit suicide before they are overtaken by frailty, illness or dependence.
[ABC/9:20pm] Media Watch, Monica Attard.
[ABC/9:35pm] Difference Of Opinion. Final. Are our political leaders capable of steering us through these challenging times? Do they have the vision and courage, the ethics and life experience needed?

[Seven/7:30pm] The Rich List.
[Seven/8:30pm] Desperate Housewives. COME PLAY WIZ ME. Lynette and Tom struggle to overcome challenges as Pizzeria Scavo prepares for its grand opening. Gaby can't seem to get away from her secret admirer. Mike's new lawyer suggests he pleads guilty, but Susan doesn't agree with that. The new neighbour on Wisteria Lane reveals a devious plan. Guest starring CODY KASCH and DIXIE CARTER.
[Seven/9:30pm] Brothers and Sisters. SOMETHING IDA THIS WAY COMES. The family throws a party for Nora's 60th birthday. Surprises - but not the good kind - abound when half the family gets the flu, Nora's mother shows up and the video tribute doesn't come out quite right. Guest starring ROB LOWE and MARION ROSS.
[Seven/10:30pm] Boston Legal. NUTS When Denny is put on Homeland Security's 'no-fly' list, he has Alan file a suit against the government. Shirley and Vanessa defend a teacher who is accused of negligence when one of her students dies in class. Denise becomes nervous when Alan begins to suspect she is sleeping with both Brad and Jeffrey, and Claire continues to help Clarence with his self-esteem issues.
[Seven/11:30pm] Scrubs.

[Nine/8:35pm] 1 vs 100
[Nine/9:35pm] Carl Williams: Day of Reckoning.

[Ten/7:30pm] Big Brother - Live Nominations
[Ten/8:30pm] Supernatural. "Born Under A Bad Sign"

[SBS/7:30pm] Mythbusters - Firearms Folklore - A bullet gets lodged in a gun cylinder, backwards; two bullets fuse midair; a sniper gets hit in the eye by another sniper while firing; and, as Jamie was accused of using hammers unsafely, other tests are carried out with two hammers colliding, to find out if they set off shrapnel-type sparks which could harm their user. (From the US, in English) (Documentary Series) PG CC
[SBS/8:30pm] South Park - A Million Little Fibbers - Towelie gets over his drug addition and writes a moving book about his experiences. Thanks to Oprah's support, the book becomes a best seller and his story inspires millions to turn their lives around. However, when he's caught in a lie by the grand dame of daytime television, Towelie's old habits start to look mighty appealing. (From the USA, in English) (Animated Comedy Series) M (D,A,S) CC
[SBS/9:00pm] South Park. Miss Teacher Bangs A Boy - Cartman is appointed to the post of School Hallway Monitor at South Park Elementary. In his new role, Cartman takes it personally when an infraction is committed in his jurisdiction. When Kyle discovers that a teacher is having sex with a student, he and Cartman have to team up to put a stop to the inappropriate behaviour. (From the US, in English) MA (A,L,S) CC
[SBS/10:00pm] Wilfred – This Dog’s Life - Sarah breaks-up with Adam. This comes as a surprise. Although Adam is upset, he says he understands and tells her to call him should she change her mind. But he's philosophical about it - and vows to throw himself into his work. We catch a glimpse of Adam's life without Wilfred and Sarah. The next day an executor of Sarah's ex-boyfriend's estate turns up and informs them that the house has to be auctioned immediately and "you have to move out". Wilfred calls on Adam's chivalrous nature and manages to get him to do something about it with unexpected and disastrous results. (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Comedy Series) MA (L,V) CC
[SBS/10:30pm] Anatomy for Beginners.
[SBS/1:25am Tue] Queer As Folk - Ted tries out his website and Mike gets an offer to lecture at college. Starring Gale Harold and Hal Sparks. (From the US, in English) (Drama Series) (Rpt) MA (L,S, A) CC WS

[Ovation/10:00pm] Shirley Bassey Concert. Read more...

Back from the Carpet!

It was a mad scramble on the Logies Red Carpet this afternoon at Crown Casino's Atrium.

Photographers, journos, frocks, fans and Jacki O.

TV Tonight spoke to a who's who of telly stars. Here's a few tidbits for you:

- Rachel Griffiths was lovely, and very selective about who she spoke to. We chatted about both Brothers and Sisters (she says she's told the writers she's cried too many times) and I must admit I gushed over the Six Feet Under finale. Rach loved that (and I resisted reminding her about her first Crown appearance, topless on a horse protesting the opening of the den of iniquity).

- Anthony Callea was very relaxed, very friendly, very cute.

- Jeannie Little was a scream -a terribly thin scream- but a scream nonetheless.

- Bert was suitably distinguished and was happy to talk about his 50 years achievement.

- Kerri Anne-Kennerley was a luv.

- Benjamin Hart is to die for. He will smoulder up the screen on Neighbours.

- Had a great chat with Jan Russ, longtime casting director from Neighbours, standing on a carpet with imprinted winner names (Kylie's name was right beside us). Somebody should award Jan a Hall of Fame. Also spoke with Ryan Moloney, "Toadie."

- Adam Hills was the nicest guy. I congratulated him on his Fugly Award and asked "how do you win Most Underacknowledged and host the Logies all in the same week?"

- Collared Eddie McGuire and promised I wouldn't ask him "the obvious question today." He relaxed then....

- Sandra Sully tried to explain her giggling habit with Brad on TEN's news. I told her she would become a You Tube icon.

- The person who most resembled a deer in a headlight? Ian Thorpe.

- Tracey Grimshaw is considering a return to Melbourne. She also said she now feels like ACA is her own show.

- The entire Today Show cast were wearing black, which was kinda apt. Peter Overton attended but no Jessica.

- Michael Veitch dropped in his "Kelvin" character for me.

- Lisa McCune spoke proudly about Sea Patrol. (I may have accidentally asked her about City Homicide, sorry Lise!).

- Andrew G and Daniel McPherson remembered me from last year, and they are fab. Tom Williams rounded out the spunk brigade.

- Memo to John Howard: please don't run on the carpet, it's not a good look mate. Seriously.

- Missed the entire Love My Way cast. Rats. Missed Rove too.

- Steve Curry (keep watching the show) was delighted with my comments on The King.

- And by the way.... is there a lovely newsreader hiding a bun in the oven? I only got a quick glimpse but hmmm.....

All of these and many more will air as voxpops on JOY 94.9FM tomorrow. Read more...

News Special: Carl Williams

Melbourne underworld figure Carl Williams is the subject of a Nine special Carl Williams: Day of Reckoning to air locally on Monday night.

The prime-time news special is an interesting move by Nine to reinforce its brand as a news leader.

On Monday Williams will be sentenced by the Supreme Court. The special hosted by Peter Hitchener will feature exclusive interviews with Williams' parents and friends, plus the Director Public Prosecution.

There will also be a live cross to Barwon Prison.

Press Release:

The Nine Network will broadcast a one-hour National Nine News special, Carl Williams – Day of Reckoning, on Monday, May 7 at 9.35pm.

Williams, Victoria’s most notorious criminal and killer, will have his day of reckoning on Monday when he is sentenced in the Supreme Court.

Carl Williams – Day of Reckoning, hosted by National Nine News presenter Peter Hitchener, is an exclusive insight into how Williams’ spiral into crime began, the extraordinary deal that put the 36-year-old behind bars, and what life ahead will be like for Victoria’s most ruthless underworld killer behind the razor wire of Victoria’s toughest jail, Barwon Prison.

This special news presentation will feature exclusive interviews with his parents, George and Barbara Williams, and long-time friends, who reveal where his life of crime started in the tough backstreets of Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s west.

The man who held Williams’ fate in his hands, Director of Public Prosecutions Paul Coghlan QC, talks exclusively to National Nine News investigative reporter Darren Lunny about how he cut the deal to put the Melbourne crime boss behind bars, signalling the end to the gangland wars that have claimed more than 30 lives since 1998.

Hitchener will also cross live to National Nine News reporter Brett McLeod at Barwon Prison as Williams starts his long sentence.

Channel Nine was granted unprecedented access to Victoria’s highest security facility for the special. Victorian Corrections Commissioner Kelvin Anderson takes viewers inside Barwon Prison and reveals to Hitchener how Williams will serve out his time behind bars.

The program will also look at the women in Williams’ life and include candid interviews with two of Australia’s most notorious crime figures, Mark “Chopper” Reid and Billy “The Texan” Longley, who claim Williams wouldn’t have been hard enough to survive in their day. Read more...

On the Red Carpet

Once again TV Tonight will be there on the Logies Red Carpet to gawk, adore, harass, avoid and drool at our small screen heroes (and a few who aren't!).

Along with JOY 94.9FM Drive Host Damian Nicholas (himself host of Nine's The Scene), I'll be recording some Vox Pops.

These will again air between 5-6.30pm on Monday at JOY 94.9 (Melbourne). You can hear them online via www.joy.org.au

But if you can't wait for my take on it all I will post some comments here tonight. Who was luvly, who wasn't? It's always a scramble on the Red Carpet. The festivities get underway from 4:30pm this afternoon.

The telecast is delayed by 40 mins and under embargo until it has aired through the Nine Network.
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Neighbours moving out

Reports today that the BBC have officially withdrawn from negotiations to continue screening Neighbours in the UK and that bidding will now turn to ITV and Five.

A BBC insider said, "We made a very generous offer and we were very disappointed when they went off in search of more cash. It shows how greedy they are. There is no hope of us keeping the programme in the face of such fierce competition from the commercial channels."

It follows previous reports of a bidding war and word that Fremantle raised the price from £25,000 to £100,000 per episode - snubbing the BBC's offer of £70,000.

If Five takes the soap it would air back to back with Home and Away.

The only possible bright hope is a belated denial by the BBC to Digital Spy claiming, "negotiations are still under way." This comment follows the Daily Mirror breaking a report that the BBC had withdrawn.

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Nine bones Jessica Rowe

In a breathtaking about face, Channel Nine has axed Jessica Rowe.

While Rowe is on maternity leave from the Today Show, Nine has issued a brief statement saying simply, she "would not be returning to the Network and that Nine and Jessica had reached an agreement that would allow Jessica to take up other opportunities for her career."

This stunning turn of events completely flies in the face of denials and votes of confidence Eddie McGuire and Nine made during the much-publicised debacle about Eddie wanting to "bone" (axe) Jessica. It is a phrase he has repeatedly denied, but has now become urban myth.

Under extreme media pressure, and privately becoming pregnant, many in the industry were praising Rowe's professionalism for turning up to work day after day, putting on a smile and getting on with the job.

Nine was believed to have wanted Rowe to remain with the network on other projects but an agreement could not be reached. Rowe and Nine was always a troubled mix, beginning with the presenter at the centre of a legal stoush with former network Ten.

Only recently network execs had hinted that Rowe's return from maternity was of concern to them, publicly stating she could "take as long as she needs." Nine's director of news and current affairs Gary Linnell even said she could be "fly in the ointment'' if ratings dip on her return. How's that for a vote of confidence?

The struggling breakfast programme was charting calmer waters under Rowe's replacement Sarah Murdoch and Kellie Connolly.

But Rowe's termination is a dreadful outcome for Nine. Doubtless there were several occasions where she was out of her depth, and that laugh seemed to grate with morning viewers. But Rowe was hired to brighten the show up, and steer it closer to the territory of Sunrise's "breakfast radio on telly." Confusingly, her very strengths became a liability, and it is not Rowe who is to blame here. I believe there will be a big sympathy push for her, and contempt for Nine management as fronted by McGuire.

For instance, the Today Show carries other dead wood, seemingly blameless for low ratings. Why is Alan Jones still afforded an editorial? What year are we living in? There are also other hosts who need a re-think.

Nine ought to have salvaged a better outcome than this. Lord knows they have had enough time to negotiate one. To sack a star on the day of the Logies.... well, on this occasion Eddie will deserve all the jokes he gets.

Source.
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