Gammell tipped to succeed Stokes at Seven

Kerry Stokes' right-hand man Peter Gammell, 51 (pictured left), is likely to eventually become chairman of Seven ahead of Stokes' sons Ryan, 31, and Bryant, 30.

"If I wasn't here tomorrow, things would go on," said Stokes (pictured, right). "Who'd be the chair of Seven? Probably Peter (Gammell). We are very close. Peter's like a brother and the boys (Ryan and Bryant) have learnt a lot from Peter and will continue to learn a lot from him."

Gammell is the Managing Director of Australian Capital Equity Pty Limited (ACE), the holding company associated with Stokes. He has served as a Director of Seven Network Limited, been Chairman of the Seven Network Finance Committee and led the creation of the Seven Media Group with equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Gammell's likely succession comes on top of rumours that CEO David Leckie, 52, could retire next year, with Ryan Stokes a possible contender.

Kerry Stokes also acknowledged that Seven's C7 litigation was a mistake.

"It's hard to have 20-20 hindsight. You rely on advice independently and our board took that advice. We made a mistake," he said.

Source: The Australian, Sunday Times. Read more...

SYTYCDA: The top 4

Tonight the final six dancers were trimmed down to just two during the live Verdict edition of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Rhys, Jack, Graeme, Kate, Demi and Vanessa are all hoping to win the title of 'Australia's favourite dancer.' Next week it is the final showdown of the top four.

But who are they? To see who made the cut, read on.

The top 2 boys are Rhys and Jack. The top 2 girls are Kate and Demi.




Both Vanessa and Graeme were cut, denying them one last chance at next week's all-important dance-off.

Both are brilliant performers. Good luck with this springboard opportunity, guys!
Read more...

Hugh Jackman to guest on Rove

Hugh Jackman will guest on Rove in two weeks' time. The star will appear on a special Sydney edition of the show, tot be subtitled the 'Dance After Party.'

It will screen at 9:30pm on April 27 with the winner of SYTYCDA, Hamish and Andy and Rogue Traders.

Movie stars are obviously good for TEN's tonight show. Last night it passed the 1m mark again, no doubt in part to having Keanu Reeves live in the studio.

Meanwhile, last week Rove played down any feud with Kyle Sandilands, following the shock jock's comments on his radio programme.

"Really all it was is I think Kyle is just drumming up a bit of publicity," he said.

"The problem with a rivalry is, both people need to know there's a rivalry. You can't have a one-way rivalry."

Rove also said he never had any problem with Kyle.

"It's just him trying to bait me into doing some kind of publicity stunt type thing for Big Brother and I just haven't bitten."

Next week's guests include kd lang, and Robert Downey Jr.

Kindly link to this site when sourcing or posting in messageboards, thanks!
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It takes two for top end Idol

Australian Idol has its Darwin auditions yesterday without Dicko, Marcia, Kyle, Andrew G, James Mathison -or even a camera crew.

It was left to producers to handpick two contestants from 58 auditionees who will proceed to the Brissy auditions.

One was Constable Sandor Hunt, 30, was one of 58 Australian Idol wannabes who sung their hearts out in Darwin yesterday -- and one of just two, along with Darwin's Christie Jacobs, who made it to the next audition stage in Brisbane.

Hunt said, "I auditioned four years ago before I became a police officer ... but this time I was hugely nervous.''

He impressed judges with his renditions of Bon Jovi's Wanted Dead Or Alive, U2's One, Cold Chisel's Flame Trees, and a blues version of Gene Pitney classic Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. "(The judges) were really pleased with my voice. But they said I've got a bit of work to do on my repertoire.''

Darwin's Christie Jacobs, 24, had plenty of back-up in her audition yesterday -- with her two sisters and cousin also trying out. But she breezed through her songs. It was a case of second time lucky for the indigenous education worker, who made it to the Top 30 in 2004.

"They only opened it up this year for previous finalists (to re-audition). It is exciting."

Source / Photo:NTNews Read more...

2008 Fugly Awards nominations open

The snarkiest of snarky television gongs, The Fugly Awards 2008, have now opened for nominations. Get your thinking caps on and let loose on the worst that television has offered us over the last year.

Best described as the "anti-Logies", the Fugly Awards are now in their seventh year and despite the best efforts of TV Week and ACP Magazines we love them.

This year's categories include:

Worst TV Show
Worst Male Personality
Worst Female Personality
Most Biased Sporting Commentator
'The Eddie' for Australia's Most Over Exposed TV Personality
Most Spankable Female TV Personality
Spunkiest Male TV Personality
Most Under Acknowledged TV Show
Most Under Acknowledged TV Personality

This year the Fuglies are also asking viewers to submit a video pitching why they are Australia's Best Viewer.

Novelty categories includes TV Network Frenemies for personalities who give the appearance of actually liking each other, Most Sensational Current Affairs Story, Most Sensational Current Affairs Story, Trashiest TV Show You Secretly Love to Watch and Community TV Show You Want on Free-to-Air TV.

Nominations will run until voting begins on April 21. This year the Fuglies have also threatened an actual ceremony (thanks, they say to a sponsor) on Friday May 2nd.

Fugly Awards

Press Release:
Nominations Are Open For The Television Awards We Had To Have

Brisbane, QLD. April 15, 2008. The annual antidote to the Logies is calling on the people of Australia to submit their nominations for the worst shows, personalities and advertisements on Australian television from the last 12 months.

TV Fugly Awards are now in their 7th year and have been enthusiastically supported in receiving more than 100,000 votes.

Voters are mostly made up of people who dislike bad television programing but also by people who love the cheesiness of bad TV for the same reasons the others hate it.

This year TV Week have made changes to their awards' voting process by allowing anyone to vote, not just those that purchase the magazine. Despite this the people behind The Fuglies still feel there is more than enough to make fun of in the television industry by giving Australians a chance to vote in categories that the Logie Awards organisers may have overlooked

"We should be happy. They're finally trying to fix the things we've been whingeing about for the last 6 years. Even some winners of our complimentary categories like most the Most Under Acknowledged are now getting recognition by being in the running for a Gold Logie. Though there are sobs under the cheers as they are trying to take away all the fun in disliking them. Which is why just because some of the facts about the Logies have changed it doesn't mean our opinion of them will ever change." said Anthony Dever the person behind the anti-awards.

While none of the details have yet been figured out. In 2008, The Fuglies are promising for the first time to have an actual ceremony so they can properly announce the winners. This will mean that the awards will forgo their tradition of merely standing on the footpath outside Crown Casino.

Dever justifies this massive change by saying, "We're actually a little sad about no longer being completely half-arsed. This year we look at it like we're reality TV show contestants and are focused on the experience. For our voters and ourselves it's all about our journey. We feel that the awards have had significant growth in the concept over the years and while we've always been about keeping it real, this year it was important to take the next step by abandoning our integrity and everything we initially stood for by having some sort of lame awards ceremony".

It is part of the The Fuglies coming of age and becoming somewhat legitimate. In 2007, a sporting bookmaker offered odds on the results and this year the awards no one was meant to take seriously have their inaugural sponsor.

Nominations can be submitted over the next week at http://www.fugly.com.au

The list of top nominees in each category will then be released on Tuesday April 22nd and voting will then start to choose the winners.

The full list of 2008 TV Fugly Awards categories...

The bad categories...
- Worst TV Show
- Worst Male TV Personality
- Worst Female TV Personality
- Most Biased Sporting Commentator
- 'The Eddie' for Australia's Most Over Exposed TV Personality

The good categories...
- Most Spankable Female TV Personality
- Spunkiest Male TV Personality
- Most Under Acknowledged TV Show
- Most Under Acknowledged TV Personality

Annual novelty categories...
- TV Network Frenemies
- Most Sensational Current Affairs Story
- Worst Advertisement on Television
- Trashiest TV Show You Secretly Love to Watch
- Community TV Show You Want on Free-to-Air TV
- Australia's Best TV Viewer Read more...

Airdate: Australia's Got Talent

No surprises to learn that the second series of Australia's Got Talent will replace It Takes Two later this month.

The Grant Denyer hosted series is back at 7:30pm Tuesday April 29.

All three judges Red Symons, Dannii Minogue and Tom Burlinson return to be bombarded by singers, dancers, jugglers, ventriloquists, drag queens, illusionists, pet tricks and more.

Minogue's appearance on the series last year helped her land a coveted judging role on the UK's X Factor, where she clashed with Sharon Osbourne. This week she joins Olivia Newton-John on her Great Wall of China charity walk.

Press Release:

Australia's biggest ever talent quest is coming back! And the second season of Seven's ratings juggernaut Australia's Got Talent is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever promising a veritable treasure trove of weird, wonderful and wacky acts all set to thrill and - just occasionally - disturb us.

Once again our fearless acts will pitch their talent to our panel of celebrity judges; the very glamorous, talented and occasionally cheeky, Dannii Minogue; the man who manages to combine the rugged persona of the Man From Snowy River with the classiness of Sinatra - Tom Burlinson and yes, he's back - the original, most imitated and scariest judge of all - Red Symons. Our judges will be armed with the ultimate weapon of power, the decisive big red buzzer which will determine just how far each Act can go. Performers who have what it takes to impress our judges will go through to the semi final rounds.

Then contestants must face the toughest judge of all - you - the home viewer. Ultimately it's Australia who will decide who walks away with the big prize. And what a prize! There's a massive $250,000 on the line.

Australia's Got Talent is based on the format created by Simon Cowell and is a joint production between Fremantle Media and Channel Seven. While both series of the US version of the show set ratings records, the UK’s Britain’s Got Talent became a national phenomenon launching the international career of mobile phone salesman turned Opera singer extraordinaire, Paul Potts.

Brad Lyons, Channel Seven's Head of Program Development says "If the success of the first series is anything to go by, viewers seem to agree that this sort of program had been missing from our screens for far too long.

The irresistible mix of quirky and genuinely inspiring talent combined with fun, good natured advice from Tom, Red & Dannii make Australia's Got Talent that most valued of shows - Great family entertainment." Read more...

Brit presenter found dead

British television presenter Mark Speight has been found hanged in London, three months after the cocaine-related death of his children's television actress fiancee.

The grieving BBC host's body was found at a remote area of Paddington station in West London about 10am yesterday.

Authorities said they believed the body could have been there for a few days before being found by rail workers.

Speight disappeared last Monday, just days after appearing at the inquest into the death of Natasha Collins, who he discovered dead in the bath at their home in January.

The 31-year-old actress died from the effects of consuming cocaine and being immersed in hot water at the same time.

Speight, 42, was last seen at Queen's Park tube station in North-West London after telling his fiancee's mother that he cried himself to sleep over Natasha's death, according to The Daily Mail.

Speight had also reportedly told journalists that "nothing matters anymore".

The presenter's divorced parents Jacqueline and Oliver were quoted as saying they were "absolutely devastated" by his death.

Mrs Speight reportedly said from the family home, "We are all extremely upset by this news and need time to grieve.

"It has come as a huge shock and we are trying to take it all in as a family."

Speight resigned as presenter on the BBC children's show SMart in February and was last seen on CCTV boarding a southbound Bakerloo line-Tube train at Queen's Park on April 7.

He had been due to meet his fiancee's mother, Carmen Collins, in Covent Garden later that day but never arrived and his mobile phone remained turned off.

It was unclear whether a suicide note was found with the body.

Nabeel Sheikh, a solicitor who represented Speight since Miss Collins's death, reportedly said he believed the trauma had driven Speight to take his own life.

Speight woke to find Miss Collins dead in the bath with the hot water still running at their £500,000 flat in St John's Wood, North London, on January 3.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder and supplying Class A drugs but last month Scotland Yard said he would face no charges.

The couple met in 1999 when both appeared in the BBC children's programme See It, Saw It.

Stuart Goldsmith, 38, a childhood friend of Speight's was reported as saying it was "scandalous" that police had taken six days to find Speight.

"Mark was in a bad way, that was obvious to everybody," he said.

"The police should have thrown all their resources into trying to find him. It beggars belief that he could have been at a massive train station like Paddington for up to six days without being found."

The BBC released a statement saying: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mark's family and friends. Mark was a hugely talented and very popular presenter for many years."

The Sun reported that hours before Speight's body was discovered, his father made a plea for him to get in touch.

"Mark, wherever you are or whatever you are doing to give yourself time to deal with your own personal grief, we totally understand but we need you to get in touch," Oliver Speight was quoted as saying.

"Please don't give up on us because we are not giving up on you."

Source: Sydney Morning Herald Read more...

Week 16

Saturday:
1 Doc Martin ABC 1,364,000
2 Seven News - Sat Seven 1,230,000
3 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban Nine 1,185,000
4 Australia's Funniest Home Video Show Nine 1,132,000
5 ABC News-Sa ABC 1,067,000
6 National Nine News Saturday Nine 1,061,000
7 Collectors (Shorts) ABC 907,000
8 The Great Outdoors Seven 852,000
9 Ten News At Five Sat TEN 799,000
10 Lewis Seven 780,000
11 ABC News Update ABC 769,000
12 The Bill ABC 767,000
13 Gardening Australia ABC 754,000
14 Saturday Night AFL TEN 702,000
15 Michael Palin's New Europe Seven 677,000
16 Saturday Afternoon AFL TEN 673,000
17 Before The Game TEN 537,000
18 The Garden Gurus Nine 487,000
19 Zoolander Nine 478,000
20 Top Gear SBS 467,000

Nine 29.8
TEN 22.2
Seven 21.8
ABC 20.1
SBS 6.1

Friday:
1 Seven News Seven 1,446,000
2 Better Homes And Gardens Seven 1,443,000
3 Today Tonight Seven 1,361,000
4 Midsomer Murders ABC 1,223,000
5 National Nine News Nine 1,176,000
6 A Current Affair Nine 1,124,000
7 Home And Away Seven 1,115,000
8 ABC News ABC 1,079,000
9 The Biggest Loser Network Ten 1,045,000
10 Two And A Half Men Nine 967,000
11 Collectors ABC 843,000
12 The Simpsons Fri Ep 1 Network Ten 842,000
13 Ten News At Five Network Ten 818,000
14 The Simpsons Fri Ep 2 Network Ten 786,000
15 Deal Or No Deal Seven 773,000
16 Seven's AFL: Rnd 5: St Kilda Vs Essendon Seven 771,000
Nine's Live Friday Night Football Nine 673,000
Friends Network Ten 672,000
Sleepless In Seattle Network Ten 541,000
Seven Late News Seven 455,000
The Clitoris: Forbidden Pleasure Network SBS 389,000
Sunrise Seven 352,000
Today Nine 295,000
Nip/Tuck Nine 215,000
Suburb For Sale Network SBS 210,000
IPL Twenty20 Cricket - Late Network Ten 204,000

Seven 31.9
Nine 26.1
ABC 19.4
TEN 16.6
SBS 6.0

Thursday:
1. Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares Nine 1.628
2. Seven News Seven 1.385
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.325
4. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.274
5. Home and Away Seven 1.252
6. A Current Affair Nine 1.250
7. National Nine News Nine 1.224
8. The Footy Show Nine 1.204
9. Getaway Nine 1.194
10. How I Met Your Mother Seven 1.172
11. Law and Order: SVU Ten 1.047
12. ABC News ABC 1.027
13. Two and a Half Men Nine 0.999
14. Jamie At Home Ten 0.989
15. Ghost Whisperer Seven 0.950
Medium 0.925m
That 70s Show 0.900m
Deal or No Deal 0.837m
Lost 0.689m
Antiques 0.633m

Nine: 33.0
Seven: 24.9
Ten: 22.4
ABC: 15.5
SBS: 4.1

Wednesday:
1. RSPCA Animal Rescue Seven 1.672
2. Seven News Seven 1.534
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.409
4. Home and Away Seven 1.304
5. The Real Seachange Seven 1.267
6. Underbelly Nine 1.247
7. Spicks and Specks ABC 1.168
8. National Nine News Nine 1.163
9. ABC News ABC 1.150
10. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.143
11. A Current Affair Nine 1.086
12. Canal Road Nine 1.084
13. House Ten 1.028
14. Back To You Ten 1.025
15. The New Inventors ABC 1.024
Two and a Half Men 0.919m
Rules of Engagement 0.874m
Numbrs 0.870m
Deal or No Deal 0.807m
My Kid’s A Star 0.780m
World Is Not Enough 0.761m
Antiques Roadshow 0.646m

Seven: 28.5
Nine: 26.7
Ten: 22.3
ABC: 17.4
SBS: 5.1

Tuesday:
1. Bondi Rescue Ten 1.590
2. Seven News Seven 1.516
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.481
4. Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares Nine 1.440
5. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.360
6. It Takes Two Seven 1.355
7. Home and Away Seven 1.317
8. NCIS Ten 1.278
9. ABC News ABC 1.247
10. National Nine News Nine 1.213
11. A Current Affair Nine 1.196
12. All Saints Seven 1.178
13. Two and a Half Men Nine 1.055
14. Ladette to Lady Nine 0.927
15. The 7:30 Report ABC 0.925
Medical Emergency 0.922m
Women’s Murder Club 0.921m
Deal or No Deal 0.903m
Search for HMAS Sydney 0.818m
Moment of Truth 0.741m
Antiques Roadshow 0.641m

Seven: 30.4
Ten: 25.4
Nine: 24.2
ABC: 14.7
SBS: 5.4

Monday:
1. Border Security Seven 1.584
2. Seven News Seven 1.582
3. Today Tonight Seven 1.469
4. Home and Away Seven 1.384
5. Life In Cold Blood Nine 1.301
6. National Nine News Nine 1.288
7. Sea Patrol Nine 1.269
8. SCU: Serious Crash Unit Seven 1.260
9. Desperate Housewives Seven 1.241
10. A Current Affair Nine 1.226
11. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.206
12. So You Think You Can Dance Ten 1.164
13. Good News Week Ten 1.064
14. ABC News ABC 1.058
15. Two and a Half Men Nine 1.045
Enough Rope 0.975m
CSI: NY 0.950m
Deal or No Deal 0.838m
Dirty Sexy Money 0.728m
Antiques 0.685m
Law and Order 0.678m

Seven: 28.5
Nine: 27.5
Ten: 21.7
ABC: 16.3
SBS: 5.9

Sunday:
1. Seven News Seven 1.726
2. 60 Minutes Nine 1.543
3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nine 1.476
4. So You Think You Can Dance Ten 1.476
5. National Nine News Nine 1.429
6. Gladiators Seven 1.427
7. The Biggest Loser Ten 1.208
8. Animal Emergency Nine 1.123
9. RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service Nine 1.120
10. ABC News ABC 1.108
11. Grey’s Anatomy Seven 1.103
12. Without A Trace Nine 1.093
13. Police Files Seven 1.071
14. My Name Is Earl Seven 1.059
15. Rove Ten 1.049
Brothers & Sisters 0.900m
AFL: Carlton-Collingwood 0.682m
NRL 0.520m
Sum of All Fears 0.504m

Nine: 30.2
Seven: 25.6
TEN: 24.3
ABC: 14.0
SBS: 5.9 Read more...

Ellen mulls retirement

It's still a long way off, but Ellen DeGeneres is already contemplating retirement. The host said once her chat show ends, she has no plans to return to acting.

She told Entertainment Weekly, "I'm going to be doing this for a long time, so I can't imagine wanting to do something after.

"The talkshow is pretty much going to be it. When I walk away from this, I'll walk away for good."

However, the 50-year-old said she was unsure exactly how long she would stick with the series, which has been on the air since 2003.

"Ten more years is a long time. I could be hovering in a space suit because we should be flying by then. We were supposed to fly a long time ago, according to The Jetsons.

"The audience wouldn't even be seated in chairs, they'd be in some type of swinging harness and we wouldn't be talking. Instead of applauding and cheering, it'll change to hums, like dolphins. So I'll hum in a certain way to say goodbye. That's probably how I'll sign off."

DeGeneres was recently voted the US's favourite television personality, beating last year's winner Oprah Winfrey.

Ellen airs in Australia on Arena and WIN.

Source: Digital Spy Read more...

Airdate: Bed of Roses

The ABC will schedule its newest drama series, Bed of Roses, into a Saturday evening timeslot.

The six-part series, starring Kerry Armstrong, will premiere at 7:30pm Saturday May 10.

Produced by former Kath & Kim producers Luby / Ruse and Southern Star, it is heavily female-skewed with a three-generational story involving mother, grandmother and daughter. Armstrong plays Louisa Atherton, a mother who returns to the family home with her daughter in tow, following the death of her husband.

Louisa's mother is played by respected actress Julia Blake. Other roles are covered by Caroline Gillmer, Kaarin Fairfax, Jay Laga'aia, Geoff Morrell and Dina Panozzo.

The series is written by Elizabeth Coleman (Secret Bridesmaid's Business, Seachange, Secret Life of Us) and Jutta Goete (Halifax FP, Something in the Air, Janus).

Saturday is rarely utilised for first run local drama. SBS' Kick didn't kick any goals there last year, but it's a prime night for ABC and Doc Martin has performed brilliantly in the 7:30pm slot.

Press Release:

When Louisa Atherton's (Kerry Armstrong) wealthy husband Jack drops dead in the arms of another woman, she thinks things can't get any worse - until she discovers that he has left her bankrupt and homeless.

Retreating into denial, Louisa is ill-equipped for the emotional fallout. Rainbow's End is the only place left for her to run to, and so she does, she runs home to her mother, Minna (Julia Blake).

Coming to recognise her estranged relationship with her mother, Louisa learns that her own daughter Holly (Hanna Mangan-Lawrence) needs a strong and supportive mother - the kind Louisa has never been. Jack's death has caused Louisa to look in the mirror, where she sees she has to face some bitter home truths - the failure of her marriage, her unpreparedness for responsibility and the alienation of her daughter.

Her plans for the future and any financial security now rest with the only asset she has left in the world, a tumbledown old shack on the outskirts of Rainbow's End. The shack has acquired a place in local folklore as the one-time home of Mary Kelly, widow of a gold miner, who was murdered in her bed by thieves searching for the legendary gold nugget said to be buried on the property.

Of course the nugget was never found and the ghost of Mary is still said to haunt the place. This is of no concern to Louisa. She will knock down the shack, rebuild, sell, be cashed up and back sipping long macchiatos in the city in no time. But Rainbow's End has other plans for Louisa Atherton…

Bed of Roses is a six-part series also starring Caroline Gillmer, Kaarin Fairfax, Jay Laga'aia, Geoff Morrell and Dina Panozzo.

PRODUCTION DETAILS: A co-production between ABC1, Southern Star/ Ruby Entertainment. Producers:Stephen Luby; Mark Ruse; Executive Producer: Miranda Dear; Director: Paul Moloney.

Kindly link to this site when sourcing or posting in messageboards, thanks!
Read more...

Conchords star flies at Comedy Festival

Flight of the Conchords' Kristin Schaal has tied for the top prize at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2008.

Schall's absurdist comedy tied with British ventriloquist Nina Conti.

Schall, who plays a stalking fan of the Conchords in the HBO comedy, was surprised at her win over 300 acts.

"Out of all of them?" Schaal wondered. "I was actually surprised by how many people really did embrace it. It's absurdist and weird and if some people didn't get it, that's exactly what I wanted to do."

She said she did not expect to please everyone with the show, performed with comedy partner Kurt Braunohler. The oddball material did polarise some audiences, with furious responses on The Age's comedy blog after it was recommended as among the festival's best shows.

Shooting for "something extreme" meant audiences would not be entirely won, she said. "If we were doing comedy that would appeal to everyone, it would bore us."

Flight of the Conchords will screen on TEN later this year.

Source: The Age. Read more...