Alan Tudyk in 'Dollhouse'

‘Firefly’ and ‘Dollhouse’ alum Alan Tudyk is reportedly joining NBC’s reboot of ‘Rockford Files.’

Centred on Jim Rockford, a private investigator who investigates dangerous, quirky and unpredictable cases, the 1970s reboot is written by ‘House’ creator David Shore with Steve Carell as executive producer.

Tudyk will play LAPD sergeant Dennis Becker.

This follows the annoucement of Dermot Mulroney joining the cast as Jim Rockford.

Source: The Ausiello Files

‘Doctor Who’ fans rejoice – the new series will air here within a couple of week’s of its UK broadcast. Here is exactly what ABC has to say:

DOCTOR WHO AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH ON ABC IVIEW

In a first for ABC TV, the new series of Doctor Who will launch on ABC iView – the ABC’s internet broadcasting service – two days prior to its broadcast on ABC1.

Less than two weeks after the first episode airs on the BBC in the UK, Australian viewers will be able to stream it on iView from midnight on Friday 16 April at abc.net.au/iview. The episode will then be shown on ABC1 on Sunday 18 April at 7.30pm.

The new series stars Matt Smith (Party Animals) as the 11th Doctor –introduced to viewers at the end of the recent two-part special ‘The End Of Time’ – and Karen Gillan as his companion Amy Pond. Bafta-winning writer Steven Moffat (Coupling, Jekyll) is replacing Russell T Davies as lead writer and executive producer.

The first three episodes have been confirmed as ‘The Eleventh Hour’ and ‘The Beast Below’ by Steven Moffat, and ‘Victory of the Daleks’ by Mark Gatiss.

Director of Television, Kim Dalton, said: “iView is a fantastic offering, an additional way for Australian audiences to watch ABC TV’s content – generally after, but in this special case before, its television broadcast.

“We hope the lure of Doctor Who – and what a fun and exciting lure it is – will provide incentive for more viewers to discover iView, and experience how convenient and easy-to-use it is.”

Doctor Who was ABC TV’s highest rating program on iView in April to December last year – with 378,000 views during that period. The next highest program was Four Corners, with 260,600 views. In February 2010, ABC iView recorded 411,000 visitors, its highest number of visitors to date.

Seven have been very coy about these two programs, especially since they should be screening in just two weeks time. They have not even released the name of the NRL show. Here is what we know so far.

AFL

Name: The Bounce (confirmed)

Producer: Rick McKenna (confirmed)

Host: Peter Helliar (confirmed)

Time slot: 7:30pm (confirmed)

Day: Unconfirmed. ‘The Daily Telegraph’ is reporting that the show will air at 7:30pm Thursdays, which in some respects is the most logical slot for the show. However, I am hearing from multiple sources that the show could air 7:30 Wednesdays, which makes more sense in terms of schedule flow. On Wednesdays, the show would lead into ‘Criminal Minds’ whereas on Thursdays the show would lead in to the more female skewing ‘Cougar Town’.

Market Variations: This show will air at 7:30pm in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and will be aired late night in Brisbane and Sydney, whatever night it is on. (confirmed)

NRL

Name: Untitled NRL show

Host: Matthew Johns (confirmed)

Timeslot: 7:30pm (c0nfirmed)

Day: Unconfirmed (see above)

Market Variations: This will air at 7:30pm into Sydney and Brisbane and will be screened late night in other states. (confirmed)

Stay tuned for more details.

Alison Brie

Following the early renewal handed out to ‘Parks and Recreation,’ NBC has renewed the remaining comedies of their Thursday comedy block.

Freshman comedy ‘Community’ produced by Universal Media Studios in association with Sony Pictures and veteran Universal Media Studios pair ‘The Office’ and ‘30 Rock’ will all be back in fall 2010.

“We are happy to give these early pickups to these critically acclaimed, incredibly funny comedies,” said Angela Bromstad, NBC entertainment president. “As a result, we look forward to continuing our rewarding partnership with the respective creative teams and talented show-runners for ‘30 Rock,’ ‘The Office’ and ‘Community’ as they all consistently deliver quality shows.”

Despite these pick ups, NBC has up to ten comedies in the works, so if the Thursday block remains NBC must be planning for another comedy block which can only be good news for fans of comedy.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Astrid (Jasika Nicole) and Walter (John Noble).

UPDATE: According to Hitfix, the third season is go!

EW.com is reporting J.J Abrams’ sci-fi drama ‘Fringe’ has been picked up for a third season by Fox.

Since its move to the brutal Thursday timeslot the ratings have taken a hit but the sci-fi drama has performed well against repeats and with timeshifted viewers.

And in a further vote of confidence, when queried about the future of scripted programming on Thursdays, Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment at Fox, told The Hollywood Reporter:

“Yes, absolutely. I’m really looking at the back half of the year when we’ll bring the combo back on again. “Bones” hit highs in January. People haven’t abandoned “Fringe”; it’s just the only scripted four-way race, and frankly we’ve heard from fans it’s not they don’t want to watch it anymore, it just may have moved to their second choice; they’re picking it up on their DVRs or Hulu. When there’s wiggle room in time period, they come back.”

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Roadshow Films will release the Australian comedy ‘I Love You Too’ on May 6.

‘I Love You Too’ follows Jim, a 30-something emotionally stunted man whose inability to declare his love to his girlfriend, Alice, threatens to cost him the best thing he ever had but leads him to befriend a talented dwarf who helps him find the words to get her back.

It’s romantic buddy movie about the meaning of relationships, the importance of friendship, and having the courage to pursue the one you love.

The comedy stars Brendan Cowell (‘Love My Way’), Yvonne Strahovski (‘Chuck’), Peter Dinklage (‘30 Rock’), Megan Gale and Peter Hellier.

It was written by Helliar and directed by Daina Reid (‘Very Small Business’, ‘City Homicide’).

Check out the trailer:

Visit the offical website, iloveyoutoomovie.com

Erica Durance and Tom Welling

The CW has renewed ‘Smallville’ for a tenth and possibly final season.

Recently, The CW renewed ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ ‘90210,’ ‘Supernatural’ and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ but absent from the list was veteran ‘Smallville’.

According to a number of sources, the delay was due to talks with the cast and crew.

Now a deal has been struck and The CW has confirmed that ‘Smallville’ will be returning this fall.

Following its move to Fridays this fall, a timeslot The CW has usually struggled with, the show has performed solidly and developed a loyal following.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Ana Ortiz, America Ferrera, Becki Newton and Ashley Jensen on the set of 'Ugly Betty'.

‘Ugly Betty’ is gearing up for its series finale, which airs on April 14 in the US.

According to Entertainment Weekly, producers have already started recruiting former cast members for guest appearances before the series concludes.

Ashley Jensen — who is currently starring on the CBS comedy ‘Accidentally on Purpose’ — will reprise her role as Betty’s BFF Christina in episode 18, in which Betty heads overseas to cover London Fashion Week for Daniel.

Also set to return is Betty’s former flame Gio, played by Freddy Rodriguez. The last we saw of Gio was back in the Season 3 opener, following the love birds’ whirlwind tour of Rome. Things turned sour for the couple when Betty decided she just wanted to be friends. Could Gio perhaps be returning to rekindle his love with Betty?

Finally, Christopher Gorham, who played Betty’s former lover Henry — is also believed to be in negations to return. Nothing has been confirmed yet, so it may be a case of the unknown until an actual episode airs.

Another cast mate who we’d love to see return before the series ends is Rebecca Romijn, who played Daniel’s transgender brother Alex, turned sister Alexis. She fled the country with her long lost son DJ, following her escape from prosecution for the attempted murder of surrogate Christina/Wilhelmina’s unborn child.

Check out some more snaps from Ashley Jensen’s return on ‘Ugly Betty’ below.

In case you were wondering, the cast didn’t actually fly to London to film the episode. Instead, several New York locations were redressed to represent the British capital. The episode is currently schedule to air on March 31 in the US.

Ashley Jensen films a scene for her return to 'Ugly Betty', set to air March 31 on ABC.

Ashley Jensen on the set of 'Ugly Betty'.

Source: EW.com

Debra Messing

Emmy Award-winning actress Debra Messing is set to make her return to network television, with starring role in ABC’s upcoming comedy pilot ‘Wright vs. Wrong’.

The single-camera comedy centres on Evelyn Wright (Messing), a driven conservative pundit who tries to maintain her public persona despite facing her own vulnerabilities.

The ‘Will & Grace’ star will serve as an executive producer on the project, which is based at Sony Pictures Television and Tantamount Productions.

‘Wrong’ was written by actress-writer Stephnie Weir (‘Mad TV’), who will also serve as an executive producer along side Tantamount’s Mitch Hurwitz, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum.

Andy Fickman (‘Aliens in America’, ‘She the Man’) is set to direct.

Following her eight-year run on the hit NBC sitcom ‘Will & Grace’, Messing starred in the cable dramedy series ‘The Starter Wife’ on USA Network. The original six-part miniseries was filmed in Australia, with the Gold Coast standing in for Malibu, California.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman is headed to television, to star in HBO’s horseracing drama pilot ‘Luck’, from feature film writer/producer Michael Mann (‘Public Enemies’, ‘Ali’) and David Milch (‘Deadwood’, ‘NYPD Blue’).

Described as a provocative look at the worlds of horseracing, ‘Luck’ follows Hoffman’s character, a tough but intelligent gambler, who’s done everything from bookmaking and money laundering to casino operations.

Following his release from prison, he teams up with Gus Economou (Dennis Farina), his former chauffeur and “brawn”, and Turo Escalante (John Ortiz), a successful trainer with a sordid reputation, to craft a complex plan involving the racetrack.

The pilot was penned by Milch, with Mann set to direct. Both will serve as executive producers alongside Carolyn Strauss and Henry Bronchtein (‘The Sopranos)’.

Production on the pilot is expected to take place over the next few months in Los Angeles.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

'Prisoner'

The 52nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards are still two months away, but already voting has begun for both public and industry voted categories.

A list of nine contenders up for the Logies Hall of Fame were leaked this morning by The Australian, who had an unauthorised peek at this year’s ballot.

The Hall of Fame Gold Logie is awarded for “outstanding and sustained contribution” to television by an individual or televsion program.

This year, Network Ten’s cult favourite ‘Prisoner’, which ran from 1979 to 1986,  has been put forward as a contender for this year’s industry voted award. Should it win, it’d mark only the fourth television program to receive the honour.

ABC’s ‘Four Corners’, Ten’s ‘Neighbours’ and ABC’s ‘Play School’ were all previously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Other names in contention this year are: retired newsreaders Brian Henderson and Ian Ross, the late Brian Naylor, who was killed last year in the Black Saturday bushfires, SBS’s George Negus, sports presenters Ken Sutcliffe and Les Murray, Foxtel presenter Maggie Tabberer and ‘Home and Away’ actor Ray Meagher.

The 52nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards will be televised on May 2 on the Nine Network.

Source: The Australian

Gillian Zinser

Tomboy surfer chick Ivy Sullivan has been promoted to a regular on the soap drama ‘90210’.

Ivy who recently joined the cast to create a love triangle between Liam (Matt Lander) and Naomi (Anna-Lynne McCord) has worked well with the boys and her extended stay will allow the writers to delve deeper into this intriguing storyline.

The recently renewed show returns in March on The CW after a long hiatus.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Despite their woes in the court room, iiNet are still moving ahead with their plans to launch IPTV services next month.

The ISP has already started trialling the internet television service with a group of its own staff.

iiNet are set to compete with a number of other companies due to launch similar services, including FOXTEL, Internode and Telstra.

iiNet chief executive Michael Malone said the service will launch commercially “towards the end of the month,” with a small group of internet savvy users. A more aggressive advertising push will take place next quarter.

The reason for the slow sign up period is because unlike the company’s last service/device — the integrated BoB router and telephone device — IPTV is still quite new in Australia.

“BoB — was fundamentally taking a lot of existing elements that were already pretty well tested in the Australian marketplace, and bringing them together in a single unit,” said Malone. “With IPTV, it’s testing a lot of stuff that’s fresh to the Australian market, [which] hasn’t been done before.”

iiNet doesn’t yet know what impact the service will have on its network.

During the company’s presentation on Thursday, Malone reveal more details on users can expect from the service.

iiNet will be offering the service through a subscription model, which will include the set-top box for connecting to users’ TVs.

The device will have “all the standard features”, like multiple free-to-air tuners, video recording, an electronic programming guide, video-on-demand and selected web applications.

There will also be what Malone describes as “linear channels”, including Discovery and National Geographic, channels previously only available to cable TV subscribers.

Unlike Telstra’s upcoming T-Box — which is based on NetGem’s software and hardware — the iiNet’s device will be custom built.

Pricing for the service and any content deals the company has signed are still under wraps.

Content providers are “all keen to get their content to market,” but are concerned about the digital rights management technology to ensure content isn’t pirated.

Source: apcmag.com

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris has been confirmed for a guest-starring role on 20th Century Fox TV’s musical comedy ‘Glee’.

Harris is no newcomer to the musical genre. The 36-year old appeared on Broadway in 2001 as Tobais Ragg in ‘Sweeny Todd’, as Emcee in ‘Cabaret’ in 2003 and starred in Joss Whedon’s Emmy Award-winning musical web series, ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’ on 2008.

Details of Harris’ role have yet to be released, but the Emmy nominated actor has only confirmed for the one episode.

Early reports linked Harris to director Joss Whedon’s upcoming episode of ‘Glee’, but that has yet to be confirmed.

‘Glee’ returns in April on FOX and Network Ten.

Source: TVGuide.com

Seven and Nine in a bidding war over 'The X Factor'.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Seven and Nine are set begin a bidding war over a new local version of ‘The X Factor’.

The show’s creator Simon Cowell called a summit in London last week, which Nine’s Director of Production and Development Andrew Backwell, Seven’s Head of Programming Tim Worner and Sony Music CEO Dennis Handlin all attended.

Despite producing a failed attempt in 2005 by Network Ten, Cowell hopes to overtake the current global success of the ‘Idol’ format and make the show a worldwide phenomenon.

Cowell told the reps an Australian version would have to be made “my way or the highway”, said one source.

“He said that any other version would have to match his production values and his uncompromising vision, which would cost at least $20 million for 21 hours of television.”

Seven is believed to be making a very aggressive bid for the format, while Nine, who is equally interested, were also quite conscious of the costs involved in producing the format.

“One way or another, expect it to be on air around February next year,” added the source.

‘The X Factor’ has become a massive hit in the UK, turning out one of the biggest names in pop, Leona Lewis.

US network FOX announced plans to bring the format stateside after Cowell leaves ‘American Idol’ next season, joining the other 21 local versions across Europe and the Middle East.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Adam Lambert

‘American Idol’ runner up, Adam Lambert, is set to visit Australia next week as part of a local promotional tour.

Lambert will visit Sydney and Melbourne, with live performances scheduled for Ten’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance Australia’ on March 5, as well as Seven’s ‘Sunrise’.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Australia and meeting my fans Down Under! I know it’s going to be so much fun!” said Lambert.

The trip will coincide with the Australian release of his debut album ‘For Your Entertainment’, which is out next Friday, March 5th.

The Australian version of the album will feature an exclusive bonus track ‘Voodoo’, which is a collaboration with ARIA-nominated singer, Sam Sparro.

Source: Sony Music Entertainment

TV.com

TV.com is set to stream episodes of ‘Home and Away’ and ‘Neighbours’ for free to viewers in the UK.

The entertainment site, which is owned by CBS Interactive — a subsidiary of US broadcaster CBS, have partnered with the soaps’ UK broadcaster Five.

The move will give British audiences access to shows from Five’s catch-up TV service, Demand Five, which houses around 250 hours of content, including the two Australian soaps.

Five’s head of digital media, Jonathan Lewis, said, “Our partnership with TV.com is a further example of Five’s strategy to expand and grow the reach of its content beyond the smallscreen to premium secure digital platforms.”

It’s the first European partnership for TV.com, who are set to compete with the Fox, NBC and ABC backed Hulu.

Just last week, Hulu’s director of international business development Simon Gallagher announced the company’s plans to expand internationally, with both Australia and the UK in their sights.

TV.com which also operates in Australia, are believed to be considering similar distribution arrangements locally. The site could provide a single online destination for viewers to access programs from all free-to-air broadcasters.

Source: Variety, CBS Interactive

Television Sydney goes digital.

Late last year, the community television sector was granted $2.9 million in funding from the Federal Government to commence digital broadcast trials across Australia.

A band of vacant digital broadcasting spectrum, was temporarily allocated to C31 in Melbourne, TVS in Sydney, QCTV in Brisbane and Channel 31 in Adelaide to simulcast their services.

This week Sydney’s TVS commenced its digital trials on channel 44, which was previously allocated to the datacasting service Digital Forty Four.

Sydneysiders will need to rescan their television and set-top boxes to receive the new channel, which officially launches next week.

Perth’s community television station West TV are set to launch as a digital-only channel on March 1.

Melbourne’s C31, Brisbane’s QCTV and Channel 31 in Adelaide have yet to announce dates for their digital trials.

Mildura not ready for digital TV?

On June 30, the north-west Victorian district of Sunraysia — which includes Mildura — will become the first region in Australia to make the switch from analogue to digital TV.

It’s reported that 79 per cent of residents in the Sunraysia district have already adopted digital television, but federal member John Forrest, whose seat of Mallee includes Sunraysia, believes that up to 5000 people could be left without television reception come June 30.

“If you take the footy off my constituents, it’s going to be World War III,” said Forrest.

“We’re running out of time, and I’d like the government to consider deferral of the June 30 date until they can be confident.”

Concerns had also been raised over the digital upgrade to a transmission facility in Ouyen, one of 100 that the government had announced last month.

Some believe the facility would not be ready for the switch-off on June 30, however, Digital Switchover Taskforce executive director Andy Townend is confident that the Ouyen facility, plus another site in Underbool, are both on track to meet the deadline.

”That should deal with the vast majority of blackspot signal deficiencies in the area,” said Townend.

The first country to make the switchover to digital broadcasting was Luxembourg, which took place in 2006. Since then, ten other countries have made the transition including, the Netherlands also in 2006; Finland, Andorra, Sweden and Switzerland in 2007; Belgium (Flanders) and Germany in 2008; and the United States, Denmark and Norway in 2009.

Canada’s analog switch-off is scheduled for August 31, 2011, followed by July 24, 2011 in Japan, and by 2012 in the United Kingdom.

Australia will be one of the last developed countries in the world to make the digital TV transition, with the switchover scheduled to take place over a three year period — beginning in Mildura on June 30 and rolling out across the country through to metropolitan cities in late 2013.

Source: The Age

Kylie and Dannii Minogue

Kylie Minogue will take over Dannii’s judging seat on the ‘The X-Factor’ this season, while her younger sister takes time off to have her baby.

“I’ll be at home in Australia while the early stages of this year’s show are being filmed,” said Dannii.

“I really need to be near my family at such an important time.”

Fellow judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh are all expected to return for the new season and will be joined by a number of guest judges, including big sis Kylie.

“There will be American Idol-style guest judges to fill her vacant seat, one of whom will be Kylie,” one source told the Daily Star newspaper.

Dannii will return to the show later in the season, during the final stages of the contest.

“She will be back for the live shows,” said the source.

Meanwhile, Dannii is currently working on the new season of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’, which began the audition process earlier this month.

This season, Minogue will be joined by former ‘Australian Idol’ judge Kyle Sandilands and singer Brian McFadden, who are replacing Red Symons, who’s defecting to Nine’s ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’, and Tom Burlinson.

The series will return soon on Seven.

The ratings system which all television programs are classified under.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced plans to develop a parental lock standard for digital television.

The parental lock feature would allows controlled access to television programs based on their classification — G, PG, M or MA15+.

There are already some devices on the market that include a built in parental lock system, however, there’s no industry wide standard. The ACMA’s goal is to create an industry wide standard, so that it can be mandated and included as a feature in all devices.

“Mandating the inclusion of parental lock in digital receivers will support parents and guardians in protecting their children from inappropriate or harmful content on television,” said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.

The ACMA are seeking industry and public comment to help determine a technical standard that will make the parental lock a required feature for all digital televisions and set-top box receivers.

“The ACMA’s primary aim is to ensure this standard meets consumer needs for an appropriate and effective protection mechanism for their children. This is best achieved through consultation to assist in the development of a standard that is clear, unambiguous and readily understood by industry,” said Chapman.

A discussion paper outlining the approach the ACMA intends to take in determining the parental lock standard is now available on their website.

Several issues that the ACMA are seeking industry and public opinions on are:

• Whether particular classes of equipment should be exempt from the parental lock standard.
• The compliance arrangements that should accompany the parental lock standard.
• The date on which the parental lock standard should commence.
• How the requirement for equipment to have parental lock capability should be expressed in the parental lock standard.

The closing date for comment is Friday, April 2, 2010.

For more information visit acma.gov.au

Source: Australian Communications and Media Authority

David Anders

TV Guide.com has confirmed that David Anders will be joining the cast of  The CW’s ‘The Vampire Diaries’.

The 28-year old, who previously had recurring roles on ‘Alias’ and ‘Heroes’, will play Jonathan Gilbert, Elena and Jeremy’s uncle.

Anders will make his first appearance in The CW’s April 15th episode and will recur throughout the remainder of the season.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ episode 14 “Fool Me Once” airs 8.30pm tonight on GO!

Source: TV Guide.com

Sony's Emmy Award winning XMB (XrossMediaBar) interface.

Things are really heating up in the IPTV arena. Today, Sony unveiled its new lineup of Bravia televisions, most of which include internet connectivity for IPTV.

As part of the unveil, Sony also announced a partnership with Yahoo!7 to deliver content from the Seven Network and other providers directly on Bravia Internet Video capable sets.

18 of Seven’s top television shows will be available, including ‘30 Rock’, ‘Border Security’, ‘City Homicide’, ‘Heroes’, ‘Sunrise’, ‘Seven News’ and some of those already available on PLUS7. More shows are expected to join the lineup over time.

Yahoo!7 will also provide a number of TV widgets including weather, news, and Flickr, with select Bravia models including additional widgets for Facebook and Twitter.

Other content providers, include SBS, Billabong, Wired, Golflink, eHow, Epicurious, Style.com, Blip and YouTube.

Content will be accessed via Sony’s Emmy Award winning XrossMediaBar (XMB) interface, which PlayStation 3 customers will already be familiar with.

Sony said that they’re in talks with other TV networks and content providers to bring to the service later this year.

There will be 15 channels available from launch, with plans for pay-per-view movies and content in the future.

They also promised that more devices (presumably Blu-ray players and set top boxes) will come with the Bravia Internet Video service in the future.

Source: Gizmodo Australia

Will Arnett

While the ‘Arrested Development’ movie is still far from completion, a reunion project at FOX is inching closer to reality.

‘Arrested Development’ creator/executive producer Mitch Hurwitz, co-star Will Arnett and co-executive producer Jim Vallely are awaiting a pilot order on a new comedy series for FOX.

The untitled half-hour comedy was originally based at Sony Pictures Television, who have since pulled out. However, Lionsgate Television (the producers of ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Weeds’) have now stepped to take over the project.

Deals are yet to be finalised, but are looking positive now that the studio issues have been resolved.

The comedy stars Arnett as a rich Beverly Hills jackass who falls in love with a charitable tree-hugging woman who can’t stand his lifestyle or values.

Arnett will serve as a producer on the pilot, which he co-wrote the pilot with Hurwitz and Vallely. Hurwitz and Vallely will serve as executive producers alongside Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Peter Principato and Paul Young.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Media Release

IT’S A RUDDY GOOD NEWS WEEK

PM Kevin Rudd took time out of his busy schedule over the weekend to record a special guest appearance on tonight’s (Monday 22nd February) Good News Week.

With a renowned combination of razor sharp satire and rude words, the team at TEN’S really quite good current affairs show were really quite thrilled to welcome the top mover and sauce bottle shaker of Australian politics.

Chivalrously appearing as GNW panellist Claire Hooper’s political champion, the PM was part of a game called “Political Mastermind.” The PM tested his knowledge of the extraordinary people, history and facial hair that make Australian politics great, against the resident GNW political pundit Mikey Robins.

Taking his place opposite master of proceedings Paul McDermott to thunderous applause from the surprised studio audience, the PM said: “I’m pretty nervous to be here, my country beckons.”

“Don’t stuff it up for your team,” was the immediate response of fellow team-mate Corrine Grant. The PM faced a set of cheeky multiple choice questions, one of which was: Which Australian PM famously said, “Life wasn’t meant to be easy?

a) Malcolm Fraser, in a lecture, 1971
b) Harold Holt, underwater, 1967
c) KevinRudd, to a flight attendant, 2009

Revealing his answers would spoil all the fun, but with conversation touching on John Howard’s green and gold tracky dax, confirmation of gossip about a split in the Australian Labor Party, and conjecture about Prime Ministerial appendages, it’s a show not to be missed.

David Mott, Chief Programming Officer TEN said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Kevin Rudd back to TEN as a guest on Good News Week. This promises to be the most unusual Question Time the Prime Minister has ever faced.”

Other guests on the show were the tall funny bloke Tom Gleeson; comedian and Triple J breakfast host Tom Ballard; Canadian stand-up star Stewart Francis; and to keep all that strange testosterone in check, the improvised explosive device, Corinne Grant.

Hosted by the inimitable acid tongued altar boy Paul McDermott, Good News Week transmits tonight (Monday 22nd February) at 8.30pm on TEN.

Source: Network Ten

Hulu eyeing Australia in international expansion plans.

Popular video streaming site Hulu could be heading down under, according to the company’s director of international business development Simon Gallagher.

Gallagher spoke at the Media 2010 event in Sydney on Friday, at which he revealed that Australia was in the top ten countries the company was eyeing for international expansion.

Originally conceived as way of combatting online piracy, the collaboration between 20th Century Fox, NBC Universal and The Walt Disney Company has seen explosive growth over the past three years, since its launch in 2007.

The free ad-supported service allows viewers to watch TV shows online immediately after they have finished broadcasting across all US states — the latest timezone being Hawaii.

The strategy has worked, according to Gallagher, who cited figures that show a significant decrease in pirated content when the the TV programs were made available on Hulu.

Collaboration between the television networks and the speed and price of broadband are two potential hold ups on Hulu’s plans to come down under.

Getting networks on board to deliver content should be the easy part, considering all free-to-air networks already have deals in place to provided catch-up TV online. Providing this content to the bandwidth capped population may be a little more difficult.

But with a large proportion of internet users wanting to view video online, it seems only a matter of time before we see these bandwidth caps eased — if not lifted. Just last week internet service provider AAPT announced the country’s first truly unlimited residential broadband plan.

Meanwhile, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who’ve raised the bar when it comes to embracing the internet as a medium for content delivery, have expressed interest in bringing their content to Apple’s forthcoming tablet device, the iPad.

The iPad’s mobile Safari browser will not support Adobe Flash, which ABC have built their iView catch-up TV service on. However, Adobe has developed tools to repackage Flash-based content, allowing it to run as a native app on Apple’s multi-touch devices.

A senior executive at Adobe revealed that the ABC had contacted the software giant directly, to discuss a potential partnership deal between the two companies.

Adobe’s AIR platform, which utilises Flash and other technologies, has already been demoed by media companies around the world for delivering content on similar tablet devices — most notable Wired Magazine’s tablet app demonstration.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sydney Morning Herald

DRAMA SERIES

• Mad Men, Written by Lisa Albert, Andrew Colville, Kater Gordon, Cathryn Humphris, Andre Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton, Brett Johnson, Erin Levy, Marti Noxon, Frank Pierson, Robin Veith, Dahvi Waller, Matthew Weiner; AMC

COMEDY SERIES

• 30 Rock, Written by Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tom Ceraulo, Vali Chandrasekaran, Tina Fey, Donald Glover, Steve Hely, Matt Hubbard, Dylan Morgan, Paula Pell, Jon Pollack, John Riggi, Tami Sagher, Josh Siegal, Ron Weiner, Tracey Wigfield; NBC

NEW SERIES

• Modern Family, Written by Paul Corrigan, Sameer Gardezi, Joe Lawson, Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Dan O’Shannon, Brad Walsh, Caroline Williams, Bill Wrubel, Danny Zuker; ABC

EPISODIC DRAMA

any length – one airing time

• House - “Broken, Part 1 and Part 2”, Written by Russel Friend & Garrett Lerner & David Foster & David Shore; Fox

EPISODIC COMEDY

any length – one airing time (**TIE**)

• 30 Rock - “Apollo, Apollo”, Written by Robert Carlock; NBC
• Modern Family - “Pilot”, Written by Steven Levitan & Christopher Lloyd; ABC

LONG FORM – ORIGINAL

over one hour – one or two parts, one or two airing times

• Georgia O’Keeffe, Written by Michael Cristofer; Lifetime

LONG FORM – ADAPTATION

over one hour – one or two parts, one or two airing times

• Taking Chance, Teleplay by Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Strobl, USMC (Ret.) and Ross Katz, Based on the short story by Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Strobl, USMC (Ret.); HBO

ANIMATION

any length – one airing time

• The Simpsons - “Wedding for Disaster”, Written by Joel H. Cohen; Fox

COMEDY / VARIETY

(INCLUDING TALK) SERIES (**TIE**)

• Saturday Night Live, Head Writer: Seth Meyers, Writers Doug Abeles, James Anderson, Alex Baze, Jessica Conrad, James Downey, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Rob Klein, John Lutz, Lorne Michaels, John Mulaney, Paula Pell, Simon Rich, Marika Sawyer, Akiva Schaffer, John Solomon, Emily Spivey, Kent Sublette, Jorma Taccone, Bryan Tucker, Additional Sketch by Adam McKay, Andrew Steele; NBC
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Head Writer: Steve Bodow, Writers Rory Albanese, Kevin Bleyer, Rich Blomquist, Tim Carvell, Wyatt Cenac, Hallie Haglund, JR Havlan, David Javerbaum, Elliott Kalan, Josh Lieb, Sam Means, Jo Miller, John Oliver, Daniel Radosh, Jason Ross, Jon Stewart; Comedy Central

COMEDY / VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS

• Film Independent’s 2009 Spirit Awards, Written by Billy Kimball, Neil MacLennan; IFC/AMC

DAYTIME SERIAL

• The Young and the Restless, Written by Amanda L. Beall, Tom Casiello, Lisa Connor, Janice Ferri Esser, Eric Freiwald, Jay Gibson, Scott Hamner, Marla Kanelos, Beth Milstein, Natalie Minardi Slater, Melissa Salmons, Linda Schreiber, James Stanley, Sandra Weintraub, Teresa Zimmerman; CBS

Maggie Q

Maggie Q is rumoured to join the cast of The CW’s new sci-fi project ‘Nikita’ as one of the main characters, most likely Nikita.

If successful she will hold one of the highest-profile series role for an Asian actress. Born as Margaret Quigley, Maggie Q, a Hong Kong action movie star featured in Hollywood blockbusters ‘Mission: Impossible III’ and ‘Live Free or Die Hard.’

Creator, Craig Silverstein claims he wrote the lead as ‘beautiful and exotic’ so if Maggie’s looks and funky name isn’t enough what is?

So another year and The CW already has the buzziest show around Hollywood, shame this doesn’t translate into good ratings.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

The CW picks up CIA-based action pilot 'Nomads'.

In an attempt to diversify their programming line up next season, The CW has picked up the action drama pilot ‘Nomads’, from ‘Numb3rs’ creator Ken Sanzel and producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott.

The drama centers on a group of young backpackers who find a way to make some extra money by doing secret missions for the CIA.

Sanzel will write and direct the pilot presentation, with the Scott brothers serving as executive producers under their production banner Scott Free Productions.

‘Nomads’ is from CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television.

Source: Variety

Poppy Montgomery

Australia’s Poppy Montgomery has landed a role in the upcoming ABC pilot ‘True Blue’.

The drama revolves around six former best friends who rose through the ranks at the San Francisco Police Department. As the group reunite to solve the murder of one of their own, past rivalries and old flames are reignited.

Montgomery will play the hard-working Katherine Miller, the department’s only female police captain, who struggles to balance her demanding career and complicated personal life following a divorce.

Before landing her seven-year gig on CBS’ ‘Without a Trace’, Montgomery rose to fame following her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the made-for-television movie ‘Blonde’.

Source: TV Guide

Media Release

Brian McFadden joins the judging panel on ‘Australia’s Got Talent’

Channel Seven today confirmed singing sensation Brian McFadden will join the judging panel on the new season of Australia’s Got Talent.

Brian will sit alongside fellow judges Dannii Minogue and Kyle Sandilands as they search for Australia’s next big superstar. Grant Denyer will return to host the fourth series.

“I am beyond excited to be joining Channel 7 and Australia’s Got Talent – I have always been a massive fan of the show and am looking forward to sitting alongside my respected friends and peers Dannii and Kyle.”

Beginning his music career with the Irish boyband Westlife – selling more than 50 million albums around the globe – Brian is now an established solo artist, with two albums – Irish Son and Set In Stone. His anticipated third album will be released in April.

Last year, the UK version of ‘Got Talent gave birth to international success story Susan Boyle while at home, winner Mark Vincent established himself as Australia’s youngest opera virtuoso at just 15 years of age with a top-selling album on the ARIA charts.

The competition in Australia’s Got Talent is open to everyone from solo acts and group performances to comedians and dance troupes – and there is no age limit. Auditions around the country have just wrapped, and there has been an incredible amount of talent on display. It promises to be the biggest series yet.

Australia’s Got Talent is coming soon to Channel Seven.

Source: Seven Network

'The Vampire Diaries' returning for a second season.

The CW has announced five series from its 2009/2010 line up will return for 2010/2011. ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘90210′ will all return in fall 2010 as The CW attempts to settle on their 2010/2011 line up ahead of the May upfronts.

The renewal of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ comes as no surprise despite the latter fading quickly. ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘90210,’ Dawn’s babies, were sure bets because of president – Dawn Ostroff’s continual public praise but ‘Supernatural’ was a surprise. There have been a number of reports that the writers and producers wanted this season, the fifth to be its last, so Dawn must’ve done a good job in convincing the writers and producers for another season.

Absent from the list is veterans, ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘Smallville’ and freshman dramas ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Life Unexpected.’ ‘One Tree Hill’ remains on the bubble but ‘Smallville’s’ prospects are in the hands of its star Tom Welling. There have been reports Tom Welling has been auditioning for other projects and if he is successful and wants to start afresh, he might jump ship. However, the chances of him remaining as Clark Kent is relatively strong. With this news, the axe is getting sharper for low-rated drama ‘Melrose Place.’ As for ‘Life Unexpected,’ its still too early to determine the prospects as only five episodes have aired. Its prospects will most likely depend on The CW’s pilot projects.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres’ syndicated daytime talkshow has been renewed for three additional seasons.

‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, which is the No. 2-rated talk show among women 25-54 behind ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’, will continue to air on NBC’s owned-and-operated stations until at least 2014.

“Ellen is one of those unique personalities that comes along once in a generation,” said Ken Werner, president of Warner Bros Domestic TV. “Her program has been embraced by viewers as their generation’s talk franchise, and we couldn’t be happier that the NBC stations will continue to have ‘Ellen’ as the cornerstone of their syndicated lineup for years to come.”

“I’m so excited to sign on for three more years at NBC,” said DeGeneres. “They were the ones that believed in my show from Day 1. So, I’m thrilled to know I’ll be here ’til at least 2014. Things will be a lot different by then. I won’t be dancing over my coffee table anymore. Through the magic of 3D, I’ll be dancing over yours!”

‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ airs 12pm weekdays on Nine.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Media Release

UNDERCOVER BOSS IS COMING TO TEN

Highest rating reality show premiere to call TEN home

10 February 2010 Network Ten is pleased to confirm that it has secured the tape and format rights to the new CBS reality series Undercover Boss.

Undercover Boss, which launched to 38.6 million viewers in the US, making it the highest rating* premiere of a reality show on record, follows high-level chief executives as they slip anonymously into the rank and file of their companies.

Each week a different executive will leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their company.

While working alongside their employees, they will see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organisation and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their company run.

US companies whose chief executives will make the undercover journey include such corporate giants as Waste Management, 7-Eleven and Hooters.

David Mott, chief programming officer said: “We are thrilled to own such a great program. It is, without a doubt, an hour of feel-good television for workers from all walks of life.

“The concept of Undercover Boss is simple and brilliant, and it’s gratifying to see these CEOs learn how tough everyday work and life can be,” Mr Mott said.

Undercover Boss is a perfect addition to TEN’s program schedule and will air later in the year.

Source: Network Ten

Jennifer Finnigan, Patrick Flueger and Rose Rollins

Jennifer Finnigan (‘Close to Home’) is set to star opposite Joanna Garcia (‘Privileged’) in ABC’s untitled Shana Goldberg-Meehan sitcom.

The multicamera comedy, from Warner Bros. Television, revolves around two sisters who are at different stages of their relationships. Finnigan’s character, who is in a happy, long-term relationship but unwed and Garcia’s character, who gets pregnant and winds up marrying her boyfriend.

Meanwhile, Patrick Flueger (‘The 4400′) has landed a role on ABC’s ‘Scoundrels’ opposite Virginia Madsen. The project is based on the New Zealand dramedy ‘Outrageous Fortune’.

Flueger will play twin brothers Logan, the only honest member of the family who is about to graduate from law school, and Cal, the not-so-smart future criminal.

Finally, Rose Rollins (‘The L Word’) joins Warner Bros. Television’s ‘Chase’, which centers on a high-priority fugitive-apprehension team in South Texas.

The project will be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for NBC.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Kes$ha is set to performance on Ten's 'So You Think You Can Dance Australia'.

Ke$ha is set to visit Australia from March 20 – 25 as part of a promotional visit which includes an exclusive TV performance on Ten’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance Australia’.

The worldwide pop sensation currently has two singles and one album in the Top 5 ARIA charts. Her debut single, ‘TiK ToK’, which spent 8 consecutive weeks at #1, has been certified 3 x platinum and spent 5 weeks at #1 on the National Airplay chart. Her current single ‘Blah Blah’ is currently at #4 and is certified gold.

Her debut album ‘Animal’, which was released just 4 weeks ago has already been certified Gold coming in at #4 on the ARIA album chart.

Ke$ha, whose single ‘TiK ToK’ is also currently featured on Seven’s ‘My Kitchen Rules’, will visit Sydney and Melbourne as part of her promotional visit.

Source: Sony Music Entertainment

Daniel Dae Kim

Daniel Dae Kim won’t be leaving the island after all. The ‘Lost’ star has landed a role in CBS’ upcoming ‘Hawaii Five-O’ remake.

Kim will play Detective Chin Ho Kelly, made famous by Kam Fong in the original series.

The leading role of Detective Steve McGarrett has yet be cast, however Australia’s Alex O’Loughlin (‘Moonlight’, ‘Three Rivers’) is still believed to be in talks.

‘Hawaii Five-O’ is being developed by ‘Fringe’ co-creators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Peter Lenkov (‘CSI: NY’) will serve as showrunner.

Production on the pilot will take place at the Hawaii Film Studio in Oahu, the same stages where ‘Lost’ shoots.

‘Lost’ airs 8.30pm Wednesdays on 7TWO.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Asher Keddie and Kat Stewart star as sisters in Ten's upcoming series 'Offspring'.

According to The Australian, Network Ten have commissioned a 13-episode series based on their upcoming telemovie ‘Offspring’.

The family drama, from Souther Star and producers John Edwards (‘Rush’, ‘Love My Way’, ‘The Secret Life of Us’) and Imogen Banks (‘Tangle’), stars Asher Keddie (‘Underbelly’, ‘Love My Way’) as a 30-something obstetrician Nina Proudman.

‘Offspring’ has been described as a “buoyant, romantic comedy set on the streets of Fitzroy.” It follows Keddie’s character Nina in a story of impossible loves and her fabulously messy family, as they navigate the chaos of modern life.

Kat Stewart stars as Nina’s wild sister Billie. Don Hany, John Waters and Deborah Mailman are also set to star.

Production will commence in May.

Source: The Australian

David Goyer

‘FlashForward’ is set to get yet another new showrunner.

David Goyer is stepping down from the top job to focus on feature films and directing.

“As my feature projects have started ramping up again, I felt I was being pulled in too many directions,” said Goyer in a statement. “I’m proud of the show and excited about the relaunch. It’s in great hands.”

Goyer will still remain involved with the show, but will pass his day-to-day showrunning duties on to another yet to be announced producer.

Production is currently taking place on episodes 17 and 18 of the 23-episode season order.

‘FlashForward’ returns March 18 on ABC. Seven have yet to announce a return date.

UPDATE: Dateline Hollywood reports that Goyer, who co-wrote ‘Batman Begins’, and penned the story for ‘The Dark Knight’, is working on the third ‘Batman’ installment with director Chris Nolan’s brother Jonah.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Laura Prepon, Bret Harrison and Michael Kelly

Laura Prepon (‘October Road’, ‘That ’70s Show’) is set to star opposite Danny Wallace (‘The IT Crowd’) in ABC’s ‘Awkward Situations’ pilot.

The comedy centres on Wallace, who stars as himself following his move to the States, only to discover that his everyday behaviour clashes with American values. Pepron will play his wife Meg, who works in a smoothie shop with a former fling, played by Matt Letscher.

Meanwhile, ‘Reaper’ star Bret Harrison has landed the lead in an untitled CBS pilot from Adam Goldberg (‘Aliens in America’, ‘Fanboys’).

The single-camera comedy, which will be directed by Seth Gordon, revolves around twentysomething geniuses (one played by Harrison) who crack computer security systems

Finally, ‘The Sopranos’ alum Michael Kelly has joined CBS’ upcoming ‘Criminal Minds’ spin-off.

Kelly will play a member of an outside FBI profiling team, lead by Cooper (Forest Whitaker).

The backdoor pilot will air later this season as an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Michelle Trachtenberg and Connor Paolo

According to TV Guide, Georgina Sparks is set to ruffle some more feathers on The CW’s ‘Gossip Girl’.

‘Mercy’ full-timer, Michelle Trachtenberg, will be dropping by the Upper-East Side in the show’s upcoming season finale.

Meanwhile, Connor Paolo who plays Eric van der Woodsen on “Gossip Girl’ will be guest starring on the March 3 episode of Trachtenberg’s ‘Mercy’.

Paolo, will play a patient whose emitted to Mercy Hospital after setting off a pipe bomb on a bus. Things worsen for him when the father of a bus passenger pulls a gun on him whilst being treated.

‘Gossip Girl’ airs 10.30pm Thursdays on GO!. ‘Mercy’ returns 9.30pm Wednesday, February 17 on 7TWO.

Source: TV Guide

INTERVIEW: “FRINGE” CO-CREATOR J.J. ABRAMS

By Brian Ford Sullivan

When “Fringe” premiered in September of 2008, co-creator J.J. Abrams said the fun of the show “was taking the kinds of things we loved growing up and combining them and sort of playing with them and making them into something that is hopefully brand new while being in the spirit of things that inspired us.” Fast forward to 2010 and Abrams hasn’t lost his enthusiasm for the show. The prolific writer, director and producer was on hand at the TCA Winter Press Tour last month where he chatted with reporters about what’s in store for the show, his new pilot at NBC and his boundless love of the television medium.

Question: What can you tell me about where the second half of the season is going?

J.J. Abrams: I will say that there are… the story that [we established] at the very beginning of the season is going to play out. There were some adjustments we made along the way… but what I think is fun about where it’s going is on the one hand there’s this inevitable thing that will happen but I think there’s going to be a huge surprise too. I’m really excited about it… The fun of [the conflict with alternate universe] is there’s this growing problem and that there is something brewing sort of between these two places. To me it’s just a fascinating kind of premise. It’s so big! And the key is how do you make it specific and how do you make it personal and I think some of the stuff you’ll be getting to with all three of our characters [will be fantastic].

Question: Any plans for Leonard Nimoy?

J.J. Abrams: I have tons of plans for him. Whether he’ll be part of them is another question but there are plans aplenty… I would love to return to that character, I know there’s a chance that will occur.

Question: Are you satisfied with the ratio of standalone to arc episodes? And will that change going forward?

J.J. Abrams: I think it will be somewhat consistent with where it’s been but I think I always like a great standalone but I’m also a sucker for that like ongoing serialized story. We’re sort of in a place where I’d be thrilled with more serialized stuff but I also know that’s an increasingly difficult way of doing television.

Question: Will the same apply to your NBC pilot “Undercovers?”

J.J. Abrams: This show does have ongoing stories as well but they are much more personal based and character based. But I’m trying to do a show that has a more fun energy and a little more comedic than ["Fringe"]… There won’t be any of [the Rambaldi-type mythology, i.e. "Alias"]. I think that there will be, again, something that will give the story a sense of inevitability and yet, you’re right, it won’t be going into that place of like crazy, mythology heavy stuff.

Question: Why did you decide to direct the pilot?

J.J. Abrams: I just enjoyed the idea of it. I enjoy the script… I enjoyed the chemistry of these two people and it became clear as we were working on it, rather than be sitting on the set every day with someone else directing it, being annoying, I’d rather just take the burden on myself.

Brian Ford Sullivan: I talked to [executive producer] Jeff Pinkner and he said [tonight's episode] is your best one yet and the one coming back [after the hiatus] is even better. [Abrams laughs.] What’s so great about them?

J.J. Abrams: The great thing about Jeff is he knows how to lower expectations. [Laughs.] I would just say that it’s always wonderful to get director’s cuts of episodes that make me smile. And it’s nice when they are on important dates, and it’s nice when they are consecutive so I will just say we’re on a nice internal run right now where things are, you know, when a story’s entertaining and fun and has that weird combination – which is the goal of “Fringe” to be scary as hell and funny in one show, it’s a weird thing to do – when that works, it’s just, you know, you just thank God.

“Fringe” airs its winter finale tonight at 9:00/8:00c. Look for the second season to resume on Thursday, April 1 at 9:00/8:00c.

Source: The Futon Critic

Media Release

KYLE SANDILANDS RETURNS TO TELEVISION

Kyle Sandlilands

Kyle Sandilands will have a new television home in 2010 – joining Channel Seven as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent.

Sandilands will bring his unique, no-nonsense style to the fourth season of Seven’s nationwide talent search.

Currently host of Sydney’s top-rating Kyle and Jackie O breakfast radio program on 2DAYFM and heard around Australia through the Austereo Network, Sandilands made his mark on our TV screens as a judge on four seasons of Australian Idol.

“I am thrilled to be joining Channel Seven – so Australia, you think you’ve got talent – I am going to be the new judge of that,” Sandilands said today.
“Singers, dancers, comedians – if you have an act worth watching or think you have what it takes to be a star – we want you. I have always been a massive fan of the show and can’t wait to get behind the desk of Australia’s only free-for-all talent show.”

Last year, the UK version of ‘Got Talent gave birth to international success story Susan Boyle while at home, winner Mark Vincent established himself as Australia’s youngest opera virtuoso at just 15 years of age with a top-selling album on the ARIA charts.

The competition in Australia’s Got Talent is open to everyone from solo acts and group performances to comedians and dance troupes – and there is no age limit. Now, this season’s recruits will have Sandilands on hand to tell them if they’ve ‘got talent’.

Auditions begin this weekend in Sydney and will travel around the country over the next month on the lookout for Australia’s next big superstar. Full details on the auditions are available at yahoo7.com.au/talent.

Australia’s Got Talent is coming soon to Channel Seven. Further announcements regarding the upcoming season will follow in the coming weeks.

Source: Seven Network

iiNet wins. Case dismissed. AFACT to pay.

The film and television industry giants have lost their case against internet service provider iiNet. The landmark decision was handed down in the Federal Court today.

“I find that iiNet simply can’t be seen as approving infringement,” said Justice Cowdroy.

The 200 page judgement did confirm that iiNet users had infringed copyright by downloading films via BitTorrent, however the number of infringements was far less than alleged by The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft.

AFACT, who represented Village Roadshow, Warner Bros., Sony, Walt Disney, Paramount, 20th Century Fox and the Seven Network, has been ordered to cover iiNet’s legal costs.

A significant finding by the court was that the provisioning of internet access is not the means to infringement.

“Copyright infringement occured as result of use of BitTorrent, not the Internet,” said Justice Cowdroy. “iiNet has no control over BitTorrent system and not responsible for BitTorrent system.”

The landmark case had attracted interest across Australia and overseas, with it being the first trial of its kind in the world to proceed to hearing and judgment.

The outcome of the iiNet case has potential to influence similar cases around the world.

AFACT have yet to decide whether they will appeal to the High Court of Australia.

Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence in last year's telemovie 'My Fake Fiance'.

Following their stints on in celebrity reality series ‘Dancing with the Stars’, Melissa Joan Hart (‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’) and Joey Lawrence (‘Blossom’) will return to their sitcom roots in ABC Family’s aptly unimaginatively titled ‘Melissa and Joey’.

Hart will play a politician whose niece and nephew are left in her care when her sister is thrown in jail. Unable to juggle both work and parenthood, she hires a manny (Lawrence) to help care for them.

The half-hour sitcom was developed with the actors in mind, after their ABC Family original movie, ‘My Fake Fiance’, shattered ratings records for the cable channel early last year.

‘Melissa and Joey’ will premiere later this year on ABC Family.

Source: TV Guide

Emma Booth in Nine's upcoming series 'Underbelly: The Golden Mile'.

Screentime, the producers of ‘Underbelly’, will adapt Tim Winton’s highly acclaimed award-winning novel ‘Cloudstreet’ into a six-hour miniseries for Foxtel’s Showcase.

The novel chronicles the lives of two working class Australian families living together, over a period of twenty years — from 1943 – 1963.

Joining the cast of the upcoming miniseries is Essie Davis (‘Australia’, ‘The Matrix Revolutions’) as Dolly Pickles, Stephen Curry (‘:30 Seconds’, ‘The King’) as Sam Pickles and Emma Booth (‘Underbelly: The Golden Mile’) as their daughter Rose.

Geoff Morrell (‘Bed of Roses’, ‘Sea Patrol’) will play Lester Lamb and Kerry Fox (‘Bright Star’) as his wife Oriel Lamb.

Todd Lasance (‘Home and Away’) joins the cast as Quick and recent NIDA graduate Hugo Johnstone-Burt rounds out the cast in the crucial role of Fish.

Tim Winton and Ellen Fontana co-wrote the six-part series, which will be directed by Matthew Saville (‘Tangle’, ‘East of Everything’, ‘The King’).

Brenda Pam (‘Underbelly’) will produce, along side executive producers Greg Haddrick (‘Underbelly’), Kim Vecera (‘Tangle’) and Des Monaghan (‘Underbelly’).

Production on the miniseries will commence in Western Australia on Monday. ‘Cloudstreet’ is expected to air in 2011 on Showcase.

Source: The Australian

Media Release

ALL WILL BE REVEALED: FINAL SEASON OF LOST PREMIERES ON 7TWO

What is the ultimate fate of the LOST castaways? What is their destiny? These are the questions the survivors of Oceanic Air Flight 815 face as LOST begins its sixth and final season on 7TWO . . .

7TWO today announced it will premiere the sixth and final season of LOST on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 beginning with the one-hour special Lost: Final Chapter at 8.30pm followed by a two-hour premiere of season 6 at 9.30pm.

A 2008 recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award and awarded the 2005 Emmy and 2006 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series, the final season of LOST starring Matthew Fox is set to deliver more of its signature action-packed mystery and adventure.

The global phenomenon that is LOST centres on Oceanic Air flight 815 and its crash landing on a Pacific island, leaving 48 passengers alive and stranded. The survivors included a diverse group of people from different walks of life – a doctor, an escaped fugitive, a con man, an Iraqi interrogator, a married Korean couple and a man formerly confined to a wheelchair who is now inexplicably healed. As the castaways attempted to get home, flashbacks (and forwards) illuminated their troubled lives before and after the crash, when the island they find themselves stranded on begins to slowly reveal its mysterious nature. Faith, reason, destiny and free will all clashed as the island offered opportunities for both corruption and redemption… but as to its true purpose? That’s the greatest mystery of all.

Taking viewers through the story so far, Lost: Final Chapter (8.30pm on 7TWO) will retrace the steps of the survivors from the moment they board flight 815. The crash, their bid for survival and numerous attempts to get off the island will be relived along with special character re-caps of the survivors’ lives before and after the crash.
With only 18 original hours left until the final episode airs, the countdown begins with LOST season 6 premiere at 9.30pm on 7TWO.

The island’s violent shifts through time were ended by Locke when he travelled off-island in an attempt to persuade the Oceanic 6 to return. Back on the island, the survivors’ stay in late ‘70s Dharmaville was over when their covers were blown and they were accused of aiding “The Others,” and Sayid was gravely wounded. In addition, Ben killed Jacob at Locke’s request. But since Locke’s body was found to still be inside the coffin, exactly who – or what – is John Locke? And if Juliet was successful in detonating the hydrogen bomb, was she able to reset time, allowing flight 815 to land safely in Los Angeles, or was the island destroyed along with all of its inhabitants?

**The LOST season 6 premiere will also screen on Channel Seven at 11.30pm on February 10**

Source: Seven Network

FTA ad revenue drops across the board

Metropolitan ad revenue of free-to-air networks dropped 5% in the six months to December last year, compared with the corresponding period in 2008, with all metro and regional areas dropping revenue.

Total ad revenue for FTA, including regional areas, was down 4.4%, hitting $1.9bn. Of the metro areas, Sydney was worst hit, reporting an ad revenue slide of 7.2% at $525.5m, while Melbourne posted a drop of 4.6% at $399.4m. Brisbane was similarly hit at -4.5% and$ 246.5m. Adelaide and Perth were not hit as hard, percentage wise, with the former dropping 1% and the WA capital down 2% at $148.7m.

Seven had the lion’s share of ad revenue across all capital cities at 38.1%, over Nine with 31.91% and Ten with 30.08%.

Regional areas were down -2.2% overall, with Victoria showing the second greatest decline at -4.3% and $63.5m. New South Wales was down 0.2% at $194m. Queensland posted -3.5% and $108m. Western Australia was down the most at -6.7% and $22m. South Australia was down -2.4%, and Northern Territory/Tasmania slid 3%.

Source: B&T