Dirt on demand

The Movie Extra Channel is offering subscribers on Foxtel, Optus and Austar platforms a "Red Button Rewind" feature next month which allows viewers to catch up with previous episodes of Dirt.

It will be available to all digital subscribers of the Movie Extra channel.

Movie Extra will offer multiple episodes via a 'mosaic' menu screen, describing the feature as a 'world first.'

Foxtel's Patrick Delany said, “It’s great to see our channel partners using the Foxtel Digital interactive platform in an increasing number of innovative ways.

"We believe that Red Button Rewind will be hugely beneficial to Foxtel subscribers by providing them with ‘catch up’ episodes of Dirt. Dirt is a great series and this is an opportunity to catch up on previous episodes if you have just discovered the show."

Press Release:

MOVIE EXTRA is introducing a brilliantly convenient new way for FOXTEL, OPTUS and AUSTAR Digital subscribers to catch up on missed episodes of popular series, starting with the scandalous new Courtney Cox show, DIRT.

RED BUTTON REWIND is a new MOVIE EXTRA interactive application which will be available to all FOXTEL , OPTUS and AUSTAR Digital subscribers from next month, allowing them to catch up on any missed DIRT episodes via a “mosaic” menu screen - accessed simply by pressing the red button on their remote controls. This is the first time ever that a catch-up application has included multiple episodes, providing Digital subscribers with a comprehensive way to stay tuned into the series.

As a bonus, viewers can also enter a competition via the mosaic screen (or online) to win one of 4 x Palm Treo™ 750 smartphones – the same dirt-digging device used by Courtney’s character, tabloid queen Lucy Spiller!

Peter Jenetsky, General Manager, Marketing & Content Strategy for Movie Network Channels said, “RED BUTTON REWIND is an innovative, world-first method of delivery for catch-up television that will be much appreciated by all of our Digital subscribers on FOXTEL, OPTUS and AUSTAR. We’re excited by this technology and the added value it brings our viewers, all of the summer months when people are often out and might miss their favourite shows.

The popularity of DIRT makes it an ideal series to introduce this new feature, and we anticipate offering RED BUTTON REWIND for more shows on EXTRA in the future.”

FOXTEL’s Executive Director of Content, Product Development and Delivery, Patrick Delany said, “It’s great to see our channel partners using the FOXTEL Digital interactive platform in an increasing number of innovative ways.

“We believe that RED BUTTON REWIND will be hugely beneficial to FOXTEL subscribers by providing them with ‘catch up’ episodes of DIRT. DIRT is a great series and this is an opportunity to catch up on previous episodes if you have just discovered the show. MOVIE ONE’s current interactive product, Redspace, which enables our subscribers to see a host of DVD-like ‘extras’ on premiere movies, has proven to be a tremendous success, and we are confident RED BUTTON REWIND will follow suit.”.

DIRT RED BUTTON REWIND will run for 6 weeks, with the following schedule:
Tune in to encore of DIRT Ep. 8”The Thing Under the Bed” Tuesday 5th February from 9:30pm RED BUTTON REWIND Access to episodes 1, 2, 3, 4

Tune in to encore of DIRT Ep. 9”This is Not Your Father’s Hostage Situation” Tuesday 12th February from 9:30pm RED BUTTON REWIND Access to episodes 5, 6, 7, 8

Tune in to encore of DIRT Ep. 10”The Sexxx Issue” Tuesday 19th February from 9:30pm RED BUTTON REWIND Access to episodes 6, 7, 8, 9

Tune in to encore of DIRT Ep. 11”Pap Smeared” Tuesday 26th February from 9:30pm RED BUTTON REWIND Access to episodes 7, 8, 9, 10

Tune in to encore of DIRT Ep. 12”Caught on Tape” Tuesday 4th March from 9:30pm RED BUTTON REWIND Access to episodes 8, 9, 10, 11

Tune in to encore of DIRT Ep.13”Ita Missa Est” Tuesday 11th March from 9:30pm RED BUTTON REWINDAccess to episodes 9, 10, 11, 12

About DIRT:
Acquired from Disney ABC International Television, DIRT stars Courtney Cox in the lead role of ruthless tabloid magazine editor Lucy Spiller: an emotionally-detached, hard-driving businesswoman who thrives on uncovering the seedy truth behind celebrity in the Hollywood film industry, for reasons even she is yet to fully fathom. Armed with her trusty snapper who gets the money shots, schizophrenic paparazzo Don Konkey (Ian Hart), Lucy single-mindedly plays puppetmaster in the Hollywood fame game.

Her first television project since the hugely successful FRIENDS, DIRT (co-produced with Cox’s husband David Arquette) is worlds away from the much-loved character of Monica, which made her a household name. DIRT made news (and YouTube) last year when an episode aired in the U.S. featured a girl-on-girl kiss between Cox’s character and fellow ex-FRIENDS favourite and real-life bud, Jennifer Aniston.

For Season 2, Courtney Cox defended her decision last week to go ahead with a storyline that involves a character based on the troubled Britney Spears. Read more...

TEN News moving back to Perth

The TEN Network is relocating its Perth news bulletin, currently produced in Sydney, back to Western Australia.

The network received widespread media attention for its east coast production following the death of newsreader Charmaine Dragun.

In Sydney Dragun was said to be experiencing feelings of isolation from family and friends, back in Perth.

TEN Perth general manager Simon Martin said that Ms Dragun had known of the plans to move the bulletin back to Perth which had been in the pipeline for 12 months.

“Charmaine was well aware we were working on this, she was a part of our trials, she was very excited about the very good possibility that it was going to happen,” he said. “Our timing was always going to be about the middle of this year.”

The switch is planned for May to coincide with TEN Perth’s 20th anniversary. No word if TEN's Adelaide News, currently produced in Melbourne, is also in line for a relocation.

Source: The West Read more...

First Review: Underbelly

True life crime has always been a point of fascination for television drama producers. Blue Murder, The Society Murders, Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story, Murder in the Outback, My Husband My Killer, the list is endless.

So the idea of dramatising the Leadbelly book by John Silvester and Andrew Rule is an obvious choice. This is contemporary history rich in larger than life characters, blood feuds, passion and revenge. Under the reign of Eddie McGuire, Nine swooped on an opportunity for dynamite storytelling.

In the hands of Screentime’s Greg Haddrick (MDA, The Society Murders, Jessica) and Brenda Pam (Mary Bryant) they have delivered a comprehensive essay, charged with sinister performances and terrifying truths.

In filming this vast story that took place between 1995 and 2004, Nine has shot every scene on location. Many are actual locations where the story unfolded on the streets of Melbourne. From Chinatown to churches, Brunswick to Brighton, the realism is one of the show’s best attributes. With some courtcases still pending, a few names have been changed.

Underbelly opens with a rocking soundtrack and hand-held cameras. It is sporadically narrated by policewoman Jacqui James (Caroline Craig) who witnesses a party brawl between underworld boss Alphonse Gangitano (Vince Colosimo), also known as the ‘Prince of Lygon Street’, and an associate, Greg Workman (Liam Amor) who owes him money. James’ young cop partner Steve Owen (Rodger Corser) faces off against Gangitano.

“You know who you’re talking to?” asks Gangitano.

Backing down, a defiant Owen triggers a personal animosity that will resonate as the war unfolds. After he leaves, Gangitano gives Workman a piece of advice from John F. Kennedy. “Forgive your enemies but never forget their names,” he says.

With this, he blatantly shoots the Workman in the back, an act seen by two party girls.

Gangitano is swiftly shielded by his protective friend, Jason Moran (Les Hill).

The Moran brothers (Martin Sacks, Kevin Harrington), Mick Gatto (Simon Westaway) and the senior safecracker ‘The Munster’ (Gerard Kennedy) converge at their meeting place, a grandstand at the Carlton Football Club oval. There they plot to cover Gangitano’s tracks and silence the eye witnesses who have been placed in protective custody by police.

But the girls are fearful and take Gangitano’s “offer” of an all-expenses “holiday” overseas in lieu of testifying in court. And so begins a cat and mouse war with police of missing evidence and unwilling, and murdered, witnesses that will characterise this story for the next decade.

Colosimo is magnificent as Gangitano. His presence dominates scenes with Mafioso malevolence. Both family man and thug, he is depicted as a man driven by power and pride. He is violent, vulgar with a hint of Catholic guilt.

Les Hill is equally outstanding as Moran, a friend who will be challenged by disloyalty. This is a role that could be seen as a television comeback.

The cast is bolstered by a formidable roll-call including Caroline Gilmer, Robert Mammone, Frankie J. Holden, George Kapiniaris. In a labyrinthine plot that sees the story handed on baton-like many more names will follow (Alex Dimitriadis, Kat Stewart, Damian Walshe-Howling, Marcus Graham, Dan Wyllie, Madeleine West, John Brumpton).

At risk of being overwhelmed by the dark, testosterone-driven drama of the story, Underbelly’s only lighter moments come from female perspectives (wives, spouses and girlfriends) and from Gyton Grantley’s simplistic portrayal of Carl ‘Babyface’ Williams. He begins as a personal driver to Gangitano but will rise through the ranks of the underworld as the 13-part story unfolds.

The streetwise dialogue by writer Peter Gawler is taut, profane and arrogant. Tony Tilse's direction, balancing individual perspectives in a large, Greek (or rather, Italian) tragedy is expert. Images of Gangitano walking across the bonnet of a police car illustrate so much with so little. This is our own Sopranos.

If there are any criticisms to be found with Underbelly, they are few.

One or two shots give away that period Melbourne was actually shot in 2007. And while watching these gangsters thrive on power with ballsy disdain, it was hard not to think of the behaviour of some television executives in recent history.

This aside, Underbelly looks set to be one of the highlights of the 2008 television year.

Don’t miss it.

Underbelly premieres in February on Nine. Read more...

Airdate: Dexter Series 2

Showcase has announced it will screen the second series of the ripping Dexter.

It will air from 8:30pm Thursday February 21.

The drama starring Michael C. Hall last week attracted criticism in Adelaide for a unique marketing campaign on Foxtel.

The second series ended in the US late last year.

Dexter will also move to network television in the US as a result of the writers strike.

Kindly link to this website when sourcing on messageboards, thanks. No spoilers please! Read more...

Aussie unionist addresses striking writers

Paul Howes, the national secretary of the Australian Workers' Union, has addressed a writer's strike picket line outside Rupert Murdoch's studio in Los Angeles.

Howes is in California as part of a delegation of Australian officials and politicians meeting with US counterparts as part of the American Australian Leadership Dialogue. But he took time out to visit the picket line.

Significantly, Howes was not speaking on behalf of the Australian Writers' Guild, even though the AWG has expressed its solidarity with the WGA.

"When I return home to Australia I will be working with our other unions to ensure we can take action and solidarity actions in support of you guys," Howes told the writers.

Howes also took aim at Australian-born media mogul Murdoch with a sweeping gesture. "On behalf of the Australian population as a whole, we are sorry about Rupert Murdoch," Howes told the screenwriters.

"That he would not be sitting down at the negotiating table with your union and solving this dispute. I'm disappointed and ashamed that such an important Australian overseas has taken this action."

Paul Weiss, vice president of the WGA, said "It gives us strength and encouragement that we're not just walking in a little circle on the sidewalk in front of Fox, but people in Australia and all over the world are watching you.

"A visit from someone who represents a very powerful union in Australia helps us."

Must have been a slow day on the picket lines. It's one thing to support the writer's cause, but I'm still trying to work out the point in having Howes speak, apparently on our behalf.

Source: The Australian
Photo: stock image Read more...

Psst, TEN! Here's a show worth making.

Last summer TEN screened the US version of So You Think You Can Dance to reasonable ratings. The second season proved more popular for the network. The local version is about to air as one of TEN's biggest hopes for 2008.

So TEN could easily do the same thing with Don't Forget The Lyrics. Last night over 1m people sat down to watch an American game show, a notion rarely heard of these days. After all who wants to see Americans win American money?

Admittedly the competition on the other FTA commercials was tennis or cricket. But the show has enjoyed a loyal following amongst those who revel in its mix of Singing Bee meets Millionaire.

Don't Forget the Lyrics is actually a better format than Singing Bee, primarily because there are 'lifeline' options and higher stakes. Singing Bee consciously aims for a feelgood karaoke game show. Lyrics puts the contestant in a 'make or break' firing line.

An Aussie version of this would fit well in TEN's format, and the network only has one locally produced primetime quiz/game show.

With the ongoing writer's strike TEN has just greenlit a revival of Good News Week. They should add this idea to their 2008 slate too. Read more...

Good News as McDermott show returns

Network TEN is reviving Good News Week with Paul McDermott.

No doubt this is a response to the lack of commitment from the Working Dog camp who have been evasive on a return for Thank God You're Here. TEN has also been missing The Panel for some time.

The production company who devised Good News Week recently saw The Sideshow wind up at the ABC and before that, The Glasshouse.

Meanwhile panel shows like Spicks and Specks go from strength to strength.

Original host Paul McDermott will again front the weekly satire, set to air as early as February. The show originally found success on the ABC before shifting to TEN. It ended in 2000.

Paul McDermott, "The return of Good News Week on TEN. Seriously? It’s going to be like a party at Corey Delaney’s place."

But what of the original team including Mikey Robbins and Julie McCrossin? McDermott says there's a new crop of comedians and performers to come.

At this rate it won't be long before Daryl Somers really is back with Hey Hey.

UPDATE: Feb 11 only at 9pm, thereafter at 8:30pm.

Press Release:

Paul McDermott, the acid-tongued cherub of satire, will reprise his role as host of one of Australian TV’s most successful current affairs comedy shows, Good News Week, when it returns to TEN in February 2008.

Having blazed a trail for shows such as "Spicks & Specks" (an ABC TV production) and "The Glass House" (a GNW production), alleged TV legend Ted Robinson and his production company will bring Good News Week back to our screens.

Each week, Paul & two Captains will lead teams of comedians, media personalities, politicians and "special” guests as they decipher, dissect, deconstruct & completely misrepresent the news of the week.

“A show like Good News Week (GNW) has never been more relevant. It was the show that arguably kicked off many successful variations of the same in recent years, and there is a notable void of this type of current affairs style comedy leading into 2008.

The writers' strike in the US has highlighted the importance of formats that are home grown, durable and flexible, and rarely do you see a show like GNW where years later you watch and can say that still works. Not to mention the chance to work with Paul and the team at GNW again was just too tempting to pass up." David Mott, Chief Programming Officer, Network Ten.

Paul McDermott said: "The return of Good News Week on TEN. Seriously? It’s going to be like a party at Corey Delaney’s place."

Ted Robinson said: "There’s no place I’d rather be. We’re still the one."

'Team Captains' for the season will be announced in the coming days. Read more...