Gary Busey: Red Carpet loony

Forget about who's wearing who. The real action on the Oscars Red Carpet came courtesy of actor Gary Busey.

Busey seemed to have hit the champers (or somethin') early when he strolled down the Red Carpet. The actor who has appeared in the films The Buddy Holly Story, Big Wednesday, Lethal Weapon, Point Break, Valley of the Wolves Iraq and Under Siege began shouting at E! host Ryan Seacrest while he was trying to interview Jennifer Garner and Laura Linney.

"You! I've been lookin' for you for years!" shouted Busey.

Take a look at what unfolded as Busey gatecrashed the interview, forcing the nervous Seacrest to introduce him to Jennifer Garner.

Busey bearhugged Garner and then some. The startled actress said to Seacrest, "Were you going to ask me about getting kissed on the neck on the red carpet by this man?"

It was bound to be more fun than Richard Wilkins saw.

At the end of the chat, a dumbfounded Linney and Garner departed together, while Seacrest murmured, "I have no idea to explain what's happening on this carpet right now." Read more...

SBS breaches classification code

The Australian Media and Communications Authority has found SBS in breach of its own Codes of Practice when it screened the UK documentary, Obscene Machines.

The doco, which aired first in June 2005 and repeated in April 2007, looked at sex dolls and other forms of technology for sexual gratification.

ACMA ruled SBS exceeded the MA15+ classification when it aired the doco at 10pm on 13 April 2007.

In ACMA’s view the nature and frequency of nudity and sexual references had "a cumulative intensity greater than strong. ACMA considered that one segment in particular contained depictions of sexual activity with a level of detail and degree of explicitness that exceeded the MA15+ requirement that sexual activity be implied."

The subject of the ACMA investigation were two segments. The first it described as "approximately 7 minutes and 30 seconds in duration. It features an elderly man’s use of a sex doll. The man explains and demonstrates how he uses a life-sized doll, which he calls Emma, to facilitate his sexual needs and erotic fantasies. He indicates that Emma is based on an 18 year-old woman he married when he was aged 53 years.”

Of the second segment, ACMA described it as "approximately 2 minutes and 24 seconds in duration and features a sex scene in which a naked woman is apparently being penetrated by a mechanical dildo. This segment includes several visuals of sexual activity, which are inter-cut with interviews with the creator of the machine and a sexologist, who provide commentary on the nature of the machine and human sexuality, respectively”.

SBS asserted the documentary had aired in the UK on free-to-air television, and in France, Italy and Holland on pay television, providing a rationale for why the segments in question did not breach the MA 15+ classification code.

ACMA has written to SBS, drawing its attention to the seriousness of broadcasting material that exceeds the MA15+ level. The National Classification Scheme, on which the SBS system of program classification is based, requires that material classified MA15+ is suitable for viewers 15 years or older.

SBS has advised that it would remove the documentary from its schedule and inform its classification department of the ACMA finding.

Source: ACMA
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Returning: 60 Minutes, Footy Show. But where's Nip / Tuck?

With cricket ending on March 4, Nine is returning some of its recognised brands.

60 Minutes returns at 7:30pm Sunday March 9 with Liz Hayes, Peter Overton, Liam Bartlett and Tara Brown.

And The Footy Show resumes for both AFL / NRL fans at 9:30pm Thursday March 13. Paul 'Fatty' Vautin is back with the NRL edition despite some 2007 rumours that speculated over his exit. Both Gary Lyon and James Brayshaw also return on the AFL edition. It's a little surprising one Eddie McGuire isn't back at the helm given he isn't on screen with such a hefty salary. There are rumours of a radio stint in Melbourne.

Footy Classified also returns 10:30pm Monday March 10 in 'AFL states,' but without any line-up announced. 2007 regular Wayne Carey was recently dropped by the network.

Nip / Tuck is placed in doubt as a result in those markets, only two episodes before viewers learn the identity of 'The Carver.' Given Nine's contemptuous treatment of this show (the series started airing here in 2006!), the network really needs to tie up loose ends. Perhaps they could move it to 10:30pm Tuesday, where there is a TBA vacancy in the same week? We will need to wait for later amendments to learn if the show has a new home.

Other TBA timeslots include 6:30pm Sunday, 8:30-11pm Sunday (2.5 hrs? Sounds like a movie), 8:30pm Thursday (RPA ends next week), 7:30pm Friday, 8:30 -11pm Friday (movie?), 7:30-9:30pm Saturday and 9:30-12am Saturday (more movies?).

If Power of Ten is coming soon then it looks like either 6:30pm Sundays or 8:30pm Thursdays.

Kindly link to this website when sourcing or posting in messageboards, thanks!
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80 years without a highlight

As promised, my spoiler-free rundown of the Oscars ceremony. Tonight you will see a fairly smooth, if largely predictable, ceremony.

There were no embarrassing speeches, but no highlights either.

The Daily Show's Jon Stewart brought his usual dry humour to the evening, with a few running gags about pregnant celebs, and a "what might have been" look at a strike affected Awards.

Some of the clips of previous ceremonies had some sentimental moments, but as an 80th celebration it was a little on the routine side.

The musical numbers (assuming they remain in the Nine package) were more Broadway than Hollywood, no doubt because three of them were from Enchanted.

The In Memoriam section as always was sad, finishing with one poignant loss in particular.

One acceptance speech winner, cut short by the music, was invited back after the break to have their moment. Another got lost for words and cued the music themselves!

One category is 'presented' via satellite from US soldiers in Baghdad. The most staggering part of this package was their youthful age. It reeked of America having sent its children to war -perhaps that was the intent?

Harrison Ford looked half-asleep giving his presentation. Jennifer Hudson was lousy. Best were Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen.

And boy were there a lot of television-stars-who-have-done-the-odd-movie as presenters.

Best frock: Helen Mirren.

The best pre-show fun was in watching Richard Wilkins fluff his lines on the red carpet during the live satellite feed, none of which will remain in the edited highlights tonight.

The 80th Annual Academy Awards can be seen at 8:30pm tonight on Nine Read more...

Week 9

Saturday:
1 Doc Martin ABC 1,239,000
2 The Vicar Of Dibley Seven 1,235,000
3 Seven News Seven 1,139,000
4 ABC News ABC 1,097,000
5 Nine News Nine 1,009,000
6 Collectors ABC 926,000
7 Australia's Funniest Home Video Show Nine 913,000
8 Ice Princess Seven 901,000
9 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Seven 799,000
10 ABC News Update ABC 797,000
11 Spiderman Nine 756,000
12 The Bill ABC 747,000
Top Gear (Series 1) SBS 574,000
2008 Nab Cup Adelaide V Hawthorn Ten 374,000
Talk To The Animals Nine 350,000
Friday Night Lights Ten 343,000

Seven: 28.6
Nine: 26.0
ABC: 22.2
TEN: 13.5
SBS: 9.8

Friday:
1 Today Tonight Seven 1,313,000
2 Seven News Seven 1,309,000
3 One Day Cricket - Aus V Sri Lanka - Game 12 Session 2 Nine 1,248,000
4 Better Homes And Gardens Seven 1,198,000
5 Nine News Nine 1,141,000
6 Dalziel And Pascoe ABC1,101,000
7 Home And Away Seven 1,090,000
8 ABC News ABC 880,000
9 Kid Nation Ten 799,000
10 The Biggest Loser (Aus) Ten 797,000

Nine: 29.0
Seven: 26.3
ABC: 18.9
TEN: 17.9
SBS: 7.9


Thursday:
1 RPA Nine 1,459,000
2 Seven News Seven 1,372,000
3 Today Tonight Seven 1,258,000
4 Home And Away Seven 1,202,000
5 Law And Order: SVU TEN 1,201,000
6 Nine News Nine 1,161,000
7 The Biggest Loser (Aus) TEN 1,133,000
8 Getaway Nine 1,114,000
9 A Current Affair Nine 1,105,000
10 ABC News ABC 1,042,000
11 The Amazing Race Seven 1,031,000
12 Medium TEN 937,000
13 Kitchen Nightmares U.S.A. Nine 923,000*
14 Two and a Half Men 893,000
15 TEN News 837,000
Amazing Medical Stories 824,000
7.30 Report ABC 793,000
Life On Mars ABC 784,000
Lost Seven 780,000
Saving Kids With Damien Leith TEN 762,000
Family Guy Seven 723,000
Out Of The Question Seven 710,000

Nine 31.8
Seven 24.2
TEN 23.1
ABC 15.5
SBS 5.4

* not broadcast in Melbourne

Wednesday:
1 RSPCA Animal Rescue Seven 1,605,000
2 Seven News Seven 1,440,000
3 Today Tonight Seven 1,350,000
4 The Real Seachange Seven 1,296,000
5 Home And Away Seven 1,276,000
6 House TEN 1,262,000
7 Underbelly Nine 1,250,000*
8 National Nine News Nine 1,148,000
9 ABC News ABC 1,120,000
10 A Current Affair Nine 1,066,000
11 Back To You TEN 1,047,000
12 Spicks And Specks ABC 998,000
13 Lewis Seven 956,000
14 The Biggest Loser (Aus) TEN 949,000
15 The Chopping Block Nine 943,000
16 Cashmere Mafia Nine 930,000
17 Two And A Half Men Nine 891,000
18 Numb3rs TEN 848,000
19 7.30 Report ABC 847,000
20 Ten News At Five TEN 834,000
21 The New Inventors ABC 825,000
22 Rules Of Engagement TEN 802,000
23 Deal Or No Deal Seven 743,000
24 Neighbours TEN 741,000
25 Antiques Roadshow Nine 630,000
26 The Cook And The Chef ABC 620,000
27 Stupid Stupid Man ABC 615,000
Newstopia SBS 211,500

Seven 30.5
Nine 26.3
TEN 22.8
ABC 15.7
SBS 4.7

* not screened in Melbourne

Tuesday:
1 Seven News Seven 1,446,000
2 It Takes Two Seven 1,340,000
3 Today Tonight Seven 1,308,000
4 Home And Away Seven 1,254,000
5 All Saints Seven 1,215,000
6 ABC News ABC 1,158,000
7 A Current Affair Nine 1,119,000
8 Nine News Nine 1,109,000
9 The Biggest Loser (Aus) TEN 1,040,000
10 Bondi Rescue TEN 1,020,000
11 20 To 1 Nine 947,000
12 Women's Murder Club TEN 899,000
13 Two And A Half Men Network 9 870,000
14 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Nine 848,000
15 7.30 Report Network ABC 843,000
16 Ten News At Five TEN 826,000
17 Deal Or No Deal Seven 811,000
18 Brat Camp ABC 777,000
19 Burn Notice TEN 750,000
20 Chopper Rescue ABC 716,000
21 Neighbours TEN 683,000
22 Life Begins Seven 637,000
23 Friends TEN 561,000
24 CSI: Miami Nine 537,000*
25 Foreign Correspondent ABC 528,000
26 Abc News Update ABC 477,000
27 The Bold And The Beautiful TEN 458,000
28 The Allan Border Medal Nine 439,000
29 MASH Seven 430,000
30 Time Team ABC 417,000
31 Sunrise Seven 410,000
32 Judge Judy TEN 395,000
33 One Day Cricket India V Sri Lanka Game 11 Session 2 Nine 393,000
34 Ten Late News With Sports Tonight TEN 381,000
35 Kitchen Nightmares U.S.A. Nine 371,000

* not screened in Melbourne

Seven 33.5
Nine 24.3
TEN 20.9
ABC 15.3
SBS 6.0

Monday:
1 Seven News Seven 1,603,000
2 The Force - Behind The Line Seven 1,541,000
3 Border Security - Australia's Front Line Seven 1,540,000
4 Today Tonight Seven 1,476,000
5 So You Think You Can Dance Australia TEN 1,457,000
6 Home And Away Seven 1,392,000
7 Desperate Housewives Seven 1,340,000
8 A Current Affair Nine 1,227,000
9 ABC News ABC 1,174,000
10 National Nine News Nine 1,115,000
11 The Biggest Loser TEN 1,059,000
12 Good News Week TEN 1,038,000
13 A Year With The Royal Family Nine 968,000
14 80th Annual Academy Awards Nine 934,000
15 Two And A Half Men Nine 858,000
16 Ten News At Five TEN 858,000
17 Dirty Sexy Money Seven 843,000
18 Neighbours TEN 833,000
19 Deal Or No Deal Seven 804,000
20 7.30 Report ABC 763,000
21 Australian Story ABC 760,000
22 Four Corners ABC 745,000
23 Supernatural TEN 698,000
24 Media Watch ABC 667,000
25 Friends TEN 667,000
26 The Mafia ABC 626,000
27 Antiques Roadshow Nine 595,000
28 ABC News Update ABC 549,000
29 Mythbusters SBS 520,000
30 Nightline Nine 487,000
31 The Bold And The Beautiful TEN 484,000
32 M*A*S*H Seven 453,000
33 ABC News Update ABC 424,000
34 Sunrise Seven 422,000
35 Boston Legal Seven 421,000
36 Bargain Hunt Nine 420,000
37 Judge Judy TEN 388,000
38 Huey's Cooking Adventures TEN 370,000
39 South Park SBS 369,000

Seven 29.9
Nine 25.7
TEN 23.1
ABC 14.8
SBS 6.4

Sunday:
1 So You Think You Can Dance Australia Ten 1,508,000
2 Seven News - Sun Seven 1,496,000
3 Nine News Sun Nine 1,463,000
4 One Day Series - Aus V India Nine 1,302,000
5 The Zoo Seven 1,297,000
6 Bush Doctors Seven 1,165,000
7 Grey's Anatomy Seven 1,098,000
8 The Biggest Loser (Aus) - The Weigh-In Ten 1,095,000
9 Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: At Bertram's Hotel ABC 1,081,000
10 Kath & Kim Seven 1,069,000
11 Samantha Who? Seven 1,007,000
12 Brothers & Sisters Seven 994,000
13 ABC News ABC 846,000
14. The Medallion ABC 641,000
15. Robin Hood ABC 619,000

Nine 31.5
Seven 24.2
Ten 24.1
ABC 14.9
SBS 5.3

Kindly link to this site when sourcing or posting in messageboards, thanks!
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Zach dropped from Night Cap panel

Former Big Brother contestant Zach Douglas has been dropped from the panel of 7HD's The Night Cap, and will appear as an entertainment reporter.

Last Tuesday a viewer email question about kissing veered into dangerous territory when Douglas began giving frank advice.

His comments left Matthew White silent, while Jessica Rowe and Monique Wright tried to steer the conversation back to a more mainstream discussion.

This is despite the show being classified M (for coarse language, adult themes and sexual references) and willingly hiring an openly gay male. Indeed in its own promotion for the show the Seven personalities promised The Night Cap would "push the boundaries a bit" (quote: Jessica Rowe), where "nothing's out of bounds" (quote: Monique Wright) and "we're live on air there's gonna be time when things happen" (Matthew White).

To hear what happened read on (warning: may offend):

'Ask Zach' Tue Feb 19.

Douglas was answering a question from 'Lisa of Melbourne': "My boyfriend won't kiss me when we're having sex."

Zach's advice was frank:

"Don't give him head beforehand.. men don't like the idea that they're tasting themselves," he said.

"If they're not going to be kissing during sex, that's exactly what it is. It's not making love.

"I don't know...If he doesn't want to kiss her then there's seriously something wrong.

"It's quite known in gay sex, y'know, like, well that's a gay man's dream.... you get in, you get out, there's no... y'know what I mean?"

By this stage both Jessica Rowe had tried to suggest more romance as an answer to Lisa's problem, and Monique Wright raised questions about the intimacy of kissing.

"I think its intimacy levels yeah...a woman is a lot more affectionate than what a male is," he said.

"Either that or she's got a problem with bad breath."

A spokeswoman for Channel 7 told Confidential yesterday there was "no correlation between the incident" and a decision to replace Douglas on the panel.

"Zach found flying between Melbourne and Sydney twice a week took its toll on him and his (corset) business, so he'll now be our entertainment and gossip reporter," the publicist said.

"We feel it's a better fit rather than him as a full-time panellist."

His position will be recast with "different guests each week" until a suitable permanent replacement is found.

The clip can still be seen on the Night Cap website. in a second clip on the date Feb 19.

Ironically, the Ask Zach segment was followed by a piece on Jane Fonda saying too much live on American television!

Additional source: Confidential Read more...

Rosie O'Donnell plans comeback with Fran Drescher

Rosie O'Donnell has just announced that she is working on a new TV program.

The announcement on her own blog said she was planning to appear in a new sitcom with good pal, Fran Drescher.

Drescher described the show as a "fun, happy, family comedy."

O'Donnell infamously quit The View early last year after a string of on-air arguments with panellist Elisabeth Hasellbeck.

No word on how far along this sitcom is - just talks, pilot, network pickup.

Source: Perez Hilton, Rosie.com Read more...

Buzzers at the ready

Ed Phillips and Livinia Nixon look likely to be recording new eps of Temptation soon, with word the set of their quiz show, was taken out of storage last week.

According to news.com.au, programmers are believed to be eyeing a new start for the show on Channel 9's schedule, slated for not long after Easter.

The show was to be rested for a nightly-version of Millionaire last year, but Nine thankfully changed its mind at the last minute.

Meanwhile Two and a Half Men is a long way behind Home & Away in the 7pm timeslot.

But what of a replacement for Scott McGregor who has been hosting Foxtel's Blood, Sweat and Gears?

Source: news.com.au Read more...