Renewal Wrap

Hot in Cleveland has been renewed for a THIRD SEASON. Hot in Cleveland airs on TV Land in the US. In Australia, it airs on Nine.

The show is headlined by Betty White, who has arguably surpassed her co-stars and fellow sitcom veterans Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.

Showings has also renewed its two freshman shows.

Episodes, starring Matt le Blanc has been renewed for a SECOND SEASON.

It seems that le Blanc has shaken off the "Friends" tag... Mostly. He does, after all, play himself in the show... And "Joey" is often brought up.

Also, the US version of "Shameless" has been renewed for a SECOND SEASON.

It has drawn average reviews, with none raving about it. Nevertheless, Showtime has shown commitment and faith in the show and its star, William H Macy.

Ironically, and in a neat synergy between the two Showtime shows, Shameless is a remake of an arguably superior UK show, and Episodes revolves around a couple remaking their UK show for US TV.

Hamish and Andy announce TV show on Nine

Hamish Blake and Andy Lee have announced that they have joined Channel Nine and will produce a new show to air later in 2011.

This afternoon on the Hamish and Andy show on the Today Network, Blake and Lee made the announcement, ending weeks of speculation.

On the 25th of February, Hamish Blake tweeted "Two big announcements on this arvo's show! Three, if you include the "goooooood afternoon" bit. H", adding further anticipation.

Up until today, it had been unclear as to what type of show they would produce: would it be variety, sketch, chat or more along the lines of their "specials" such as the Caravan of Courage specials.

And certainly today was indeed a "crazy day of announcements" for the pair.

The first announcement was the shaving of Hamish's mullet.

But, the second, was to do with TV. "Channel Nine have agreed to screen our adventures," Andy said.

"We've scammed them- that's the good news."


They have admitted that they don't know what it is yet, though.

Also, responding to "the amount" in the papers- because "if it's in the papers it must be true".

They also said that the $17 million salary was "way off".

It has been said that they will earn $17 million a year for their show, however, it should be factored in that this will cover production costs too.

Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth Episode 3 Review: Here we go again, again.

No laughs for the first sketch with Julia Gillard. None.

That's how this week's BELFPE kicked off. Here we go again, people.

Some more topical crap. And what else would he joke about- Ricky Nixon. I'm afraid in the age of twitter, most of these jokes had already been said.

"Sales are dropping like Warnie's trousers". Another week, another potshot at Elton's critics. And this week, it's the newspapers who are obsessed with ratings.

Ooh, a new character; "Toughy Nightly". Unfortunately, one that wasn't that funny, and was merely meant to highlight Paul McCarthy's Julia (now in its second appearance in the same show).

However, it is quite good. In terms of impression at least.

And for someone who doesn't listen to- or care for- his critics, he has seemingly increased the role of Elaine Front exponentially from week 1.

She almost had more time on screen than the host before the first break. And, unfortunately, her sheen is starting to wear off.

And calling one of the part-Aboriginal actresses a "mongrel" due to her mixed heritage. Hmm, lucky not many people will be watching, Ben.

The two schoolgirls have now appeared in 3 out of 3 episodes. Elton seems sure that they are winners. They ain't.

And I didn't even realise that the cook was called NIGELLA (Sauce). I mean, that- I think- lies at the heart of the problem of the show. It's just all so utterly spelled out for the viewer.

And the confusing thing is for viewers, is that they are not sure whether it's Ben Elton not being funny enough, or treating the viewers like complete morons.

Elton even joked about the "double entendres" during the Nigella sketch. She referred to her husband liking (chicken) "breast". And guess what? It could've simultaneously meant her breasts! All the while, Nigella flaunted her breasts... In case you didn't get it.

And I'm sorry, Girl Flat was just the same as the last two weeks. (That means it was awful). So, really, no point discussing it. Awful.

The Elaine-Brynne interview had potential, but didn't all those jokes surface around the time of the Brownlow over a year and a half ago?

Ah, well. It was bearable.

New characters cropped up: country Australian stereotype, parents who feel like taxi drivers... Next!

Then there was a swipe at the very deserving target of Lisa Mitchell of Australian Idol fame. One that consisted of the three singers asking for "throat" lollies... Repeatedly.

Deary, deary me.

So, after 3 weeks, I have figured out two possible causes of the problem. Has Elton's style of humour really become this obvious, one-dimensional and juvenile? Or does he think that that's all that Australian audiences are capable of understanding?

What do you think it is?

Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight S01E02 Recap

[caption id="attachment_218" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="The gang at AHIGST notch up another win..."][/caption]

It just keeps getting better and better doesn't it?

Tonight we saw Tim Minchin with his "Jesus clock". Possibly the highlight of his interview was when he grabbed a kid's phone and feigned reading a text message "".

He also performed a cover of Crowded House's "Better Be Home Soon".

Gaddsbyism of the night: In response to Megan Gale's Chakra rocks: "That's really lovely Adam, you can throw them into the garden with the rest of 'em" (Gestures towards garden filled with garden-variety rocks).

Megan "Don't mention Andy" Gale also made an appearance. She is always quite good talk-show guest material... however, she believes in rocks having powers and that. Judgement free zone here, though.

[caption id="attachment_220" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="Hey, I wonder what brand of eyeliner Tim Minchin wears..."][/caption]

There were also some nice little pieces involving Dave O'Neill and taxidermists. Over at Channel Nine, an actress saying she is Beyonce is singing about her "Bootylicious booty".

If I had one criticism of the show, it was that the boyzillian was a bit too breakfast radio for Hills' standard. Not that it was low brow, it's just been done before, and before that- think 40 Year Old Virgin.

Rake was also entertaining. Yes I know that's not his name.

Best moment: Adam's stapler story. Simply brilliant. Just 'Tube it.

Well, it's time to break out the scores. If last week was an 8/10, this week was a firm 8.5/10.

Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth Review S01E02: Any Better?

UPDATED: Well, here we are. Are we witnessing television history in the form of Ben Elton's last show? Or, are we witnessing yet another great Australian come-from-behind win, a Stephen Bradbury, even? Yes, that's the type of humour that is still hanging around the show.

[caption id="attachment_185" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="Hey! I'm Ben "Young Ones" Elton. You're actually meant to be laughing NOW. And if you're not, you don't understand COMEDY. But don't tweet about it if you don't understand my humour, U ID"][/caption]

Anyway, the big question was, will Elton actually change his style of humour dramatically in response to his critics (read: everyone on Planet Earth)?

And the answer is: well, not really.

He opened with some "satire"- which he pointed out to us, just after the sketch finished- of Julia Gillard. Yes, the impression was good. But then came the references to "moving forward", etc. It would've been funny if it came maybe, say, around November last year. But what do I know?



Hey, at least it was something we hadn't seen last week. Right?

But what ruined the show for mine, came only in the first segment.

It was Ben Elton responding to critics.

Not by stating he would be changing his act, but by attacking the people who criticised him.

He called tweeters "twats", because apparently, the opinion of plebs doesn't really matter, and if it does, we don't know anything. We also don't know what's funny. And Elton does. So just sit back and LAUGH, DAMMIT!

It became clear that he wasn't going to change his style of humour, but defend it to the very end. I was ready to give him another go, but it was obvious that he didn't want to take any criticism on board. So don't expect any goodwill from anyone. But I will still comment objectively... well, you be the judge.

He also went on another rant against the people who criticised his naughty language, or rather the idea of naughty language. He just came off like an indignant little kid, not wanting to go to the naughty corner.

[caption id="attachment_187" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND"][/caption]

Oh, and just in case you thought that things had changed from last week, they haven't. The schoolgirls are still there. So are the chardonnay-sippers. And this time, the didn't make the audience laugh once. Once.

OK, so to be fair, there were a few things that were different. Elaine Front was brought to the front of the show. And it was still pretty good- yep, so not much had changed. Even the joke about her name being pronounced EEE-laine Front.

Some things also got the chop from Week 1, like the female... Male bodybuilder and the offensive public school teacher. Remember them? Me neither... (Well I do, it's kind of hard to forget, but you know).

They were seemingly shafted to make way for the new Julia Gillard and big miner tax; while they were a step up from some of last week's stuff, they still don't quite cut it.

But, they were slightly better nevertheless. So it makes you wonder why they didn't just go all out and press refresh on the entire show- try all new characters (save for maybe, Elaine Front).

[caption id="attachment_188" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="HE'S A RAPPER RAPPERS SAY WORDS LIKE BIZZLE THAT'S WHY IT SAYS BIZZLE BEHIND HIM. Oh you don't get it, do you?"][/caption]

There was also a female singer who spewed words like "FUCKING" and a male rapper (who was played by a woman) who spewed words like "pussy". Yep, Elton was persisting with smut, that was for sure. I didn't find it funny, but what do I know- I'm just a tweeter.

[caption id="attachment_191" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="In case you missed it last week, let me explain this sketch to you. OK, so that's Amy Winehouse. She likes drugs..."][/caption]

OK, then there's Girl Flat. There was yet another parody of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab". Yep, even the song was the same.



Hey, but this time she said "JIHAD". The characters are still one-dimensional. Like a proper journalist, here's a proper quote and that to prove it. "Beyonce" sings "My bootylicious booty" and my "booty is so bootylicious" to her song "Single Ladies".

There was also Fiona O'Loughlin who was quite good. And the inimitable Tim Minchin. However, and here's some real criticism. They actually bring the show down. Because they are so good that they make the rest of the show seem crap... or crapper.

(I have been informed by commenter "Sophie" that Tim Minchin's song he performed was called "Lullaby".)



But once again, I have to compliment the performers, who, I still believe rise above the dated material. And Ben Elton is still good as a host. If only he didn't keep saying "Live comedy"... if you still need the novelty of it being "Live" to prop up your show, then you may be in a touch of trouble. Yes, the live factor is great, but at the end of the day, it isn't going to save it from being trite.

Then, there was some more "gentle satire", labelled for us, once again. It was a "big miner". It seemed more like a serious pundit on A Current Affair- especially since he used words like "UnAustralian" and "Fair go", without any laughs in the background to prove it was actually meant to be funny. The "joke" came in the form of a play on "Fair go"; apparently "big miners" want to "Fair bugger up the country, then go". Don't expect any more laughs if there's only one joke in a sketch.



But Elton might say, look at Minchin, his song isn't peppered with gags. Yes, true. But his song was utterly entrancing, actually controversial, and actually funny.

So, after all that talk of altering the show, it didn't seem all that different at all. Myself and many more people were generous enough to give it another shot, only to be insulted by more of the same stuff that had people turning off in droves last week.

And then his attacking of Twitter came across as merely a bitter man unwilling to face up to his mistakes. The idea of him taking on criticism was at odds with him criticising his critics. And then, what really took the cake at the end of the show, was seemingly a complete backflip, and he began to beg for approval: "Why not give us a friendly tweet?"

Um, no thanks Ben.



So, what did you think? Any better?

Trouble at the Rafters'

In a year that was meant to be a happier year for the Rafters mob after the tragic death of Melissa Rafter (and the earlier exit of Sammy Rafter) in 2010, there is to be at least one Rafters leaving the fold in 2011.

Jessica Marais, who plays Rachel Rafter in Seven's astronomically popular Packed to the Rafters, has signalled her intention to leave the show to try her luck in the US.

And who can really blame her, with Zoe Ventoura and Jessica McNamee leaving to do the same. It also seems to be as good a time as ever for Aussies to audition in the US, just take a look at this incomplete list of the current crop of young Aussies kicking big goals at the moment.

However, the team at Channel Seven must be getting slightly concerned at these exits.

Let's compare Packed to the Rafters with McLeods Daughters for a second.

McLeod's Daughters, like Packed to the Rafters, based itself around a family. It began with Lisa Chappell (who played Claire McLeod) and Bride Carter (as Tess McLeod) as the two "daughters". They shared the same father, but not the same mother.

However, at the end of Season 3, Claire died in a car accident, however , her baby daughter, Charlotte, was left behind with Tess, technically still making the title true.

Then followed a number of exits including Tess herself, as well as a number of "daughters" seemingly appearing out of nowhere. For example, Jodi Fountain, the daughter of Meg Rivers-Dodge, Jack McLeod's Housekeeper, later became Jodi Fountain-McLeod after discovering that her mother had a relationship with Jack. (She even later became Jodi Fountain McLeod-Bosnich).

To cope with the exit of even Jodi, Regan McLeod (Zoe Naylor), Grace McLeod (Abi Tucker) and Jasmine McLeod (played by Anna Torv and Edwina Ritchard), all cousins of Tess McLeod.

However, with these introductions and exits, ratings declined- first a minimal decline after Claire's death, then a sharper drop after Season five, until it petered out in Seasons seven and eight.

Packed to the Rafters, similarly has had very strong ratings in its first three season with ratings rarely dropping blow 1.6 million viewers, and regularly hovering around the 1.8 million mark.

McLeod's ratings for its first three seasons stayed around 1.85 million, 1.84 million and 1.82 million.

Rafters have had to endure the losses of characters including Sammy Rafter and Melissa Rafter- both core characters there from episode 1. And, both Rafters.

Though, what makes Marais' exit all the more significant is that she is one of the three Rafters daughters.

And now just wait for the criticism to start.

And this season, and particularly some of last season, Rafters has suffered some less than positive reviews, or at least, less than what is was used to.

It has copped flak for its one-dimension character Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, played by George Houvardas, for its stereotypical portrait of a Greek man- the only ethnic character in the cast- by a mile.

Some have even expressed disappointment at its over-focus on more depressing storylines, namely, Dave Rafter's bout of depression, as well as Melissa's death.

Ryan Corr, who plays the rough-around-the-edges Coby Jennings, has joined the recurring cast this season, however, his character, while not terrible, has not exactly rejuvenated the show.

Then there's Loretta "Retta" Schembri, Carbo's girlfriend, who- perhaps fittingly - is as one-dimensional as Carbo.

John Howard's inclusion as the fierce Tom Jennings could be a great source of conflict- if he was released from jail.

However, back to Marais' exit. James Stewart, who plays her boyfriend, Jake Barton, has stated he will stay on the show. However, what they will do with his character is anyone's guess.

One would think the ideal situation is for the couple to ride off into the sunset after a 2 million viewer grabbing wedding, but it seems not to be the case.

And producers have stated that Marais' character will not be killed off, so either a nasty break-up is on the cards (unlikely, because why would Rachel leave her family and a similar exit was executed with Sammy Rafter) or Rachel gets a huge promotion- more likely, given that she is the high-flyer in the family.

Rebecca Gibney also may exit the show, what with her developing a show of her own. TV Tonight also states that it will "advance following a fifth series".

This would leave the Rafters' household very empty, and the media to keep thinking up headlines like "Not so Packed as Jess quits Rafters", which could lead viewers to switch off in droves- as we all know that viewers watch TV for the characters.

However, this is not to say that it is a bad show, or even a mediocre one, by any stretch. It still has quite intriguing storylines at times, and especially when it aims to combine many elements together.

Melissa's death was also well executed and very tactful, without being too soppy or over-the-top.

And Channel Seven isn't likely to axe it any time soon, especially with the ratings it is getting. It is now up to producers to keep the show interesting, and viewers watching.

Carrie Returns to 7pm

 

Carrie Bickmore has returned to the 7pm Project in her first TV appearance since her husband, Greg Lange's death in December 2010.

Living your life in the public eye can be very difficult at the best of times, so when it comes to such harrowing situations, efforts to go back in front of the cameras should be truly admired.

Rove similarly returned to the small screen in 2006 after the death of his then wife, Belinda Emmet.

In a short piece which ran before the opening titles of the 7pm Project, Carrie spoke to viewers, stating that

It has been "An extremely tough and exhausting time" however, she has reassured viewers by saying: "I really am doing OK".

Her decision to return after less than 2 months was explained by saying "work's always been a great outlet (and a place) where (she) can come and have a laugh".

And that certainly was the case with the leading story of the night being the Lady Gaga's Grammy appearance in an egg.

She also said she has "really missed" her "other family, Charlie and Hughesy."

TV WRAP wishes Carrie all the best or the future.

Being Erica to end after Season 4

Popular Canadian comedy-drama Being Erica has been confirmed to end after its fourth season.

Creator Jana Sinyor said on LiveJournal:

"Season 4 is the end. It’s important to Aaron and I to be able to finish the story in a way that is satisfying to our audience. This is going to be a big year for Erica, and by the end of it – she will have finished the journey she started…"

While it is unclear if the decision was network-influenced (in terms of ratings), what is certain is that they have decided to allow them one more season, and the creative team agree that it is the perfect length for them.

In other words, it's the old cliché: they want to end on a high. But funnily enough, in Hollywood, not many things do.

So, you always have to admire a show's creator who decides to end a show on their terms, and when they feel the show has run its course.

However, while this isn't always happy news for devoted fans, it can be looked back upon as a finely polished product, rather than a show which was flogged to death or jumped the shark.

Think the Simpsons during the past ten years and how many people lament the passing of the golden years. Then contrast this with Seasons 1 and 2 of the Office (the UK version), arguably one of the best comedies ever made, and only 12 episodes and a special. And the case could certainly be made that extending a show for too long can almost ruin its legacy.

For example, ironically, the US version of the Office hit its straps during seasons 2 and 3, and was still very good during seasons 4 and 5. However, of late, many commentators have been calling for the shows to wrap up, as it is not as good as it used to be.

Now, the overall opinion of the Office as a whole is lowered, due to not only an average run of episodes, but characters acting out of character and implausible plot lines, detracting from its realism that made it so appealing in the early years.

Having a defined end point can also allow writers to construct a more well rounded and balanced arc for characters. If the show was suddenly axed, there may not be sufficient time to design a satisfying ending.

Possibly the best example of this is in recent times when My Name is Earl was axed after its fourth season. The show not only had the rug pulled out from under it unawares, it also had decided to end on a CLIFFHANGER. There was even a "To be continued...", for Pete's sake.

(In case you forgot, Darnell- "Crab Man"- was found to not be the father of Earl Jr.)

So, in most cases, ending when the creator sees fit is the best option, as there is nothing more spirit-sapping in life than seeing a show which you used to love be a shadow of its former self for the sake of money. But, while ending on a high can be a triumph for the creative team, it robs the viewers of a possible 2 or 3 more guaranteed seasons of pure gold.

In this day and age it's just about finding the right balance between a show's integrity and making as much hay as you can while the sun is still shining.



Being Erica airs on ABC2 in Australia.

No Falaughing Matter

Just a word on the latest Eddie McGuire furore.

You might even say the most recent "food-in-mouth" scandal... If you wanted to get punched in the nose.

It all started when Eddie was having a bit of to-and-fro with GWS coach Kevin Sheedy on his Hot Breakfast radio show on Triple M Melbourne.

Now, the context is important and it isn't. It isn't because all you need to know is that Sheedy was being his usual cheeky self, in-part being honest about their hunt for players, and in-part baiting Eddie, knowing full-well that Eddie has been acting even more Mother Hen-like after the Premiership win in 2010. Also knowing that he is just about the only man who can offer Collingwood players more money than Collingwood itself.

Therefore when Sheedy spoke of "picking a team of all players off-contract", and there being "a lot of Collingwood players on this team"... just to add fuel, "Sheeds" also said it's a "Deal or No Deal" situation.

Then Eddie had about a minute to come up with this: "I've just put a team together of your seventeen year olds who'll be sick of living up in the land of the felafel in Western Sydney..."

So the context was Eddie having a go at Sheedy... and Western Sydney.

That is, I think, what Eddie does not grasp. Eddie, today, tried to justify his comments by equating it to saying Carlton's the "land of the pizza". If you were to hear that on say, a program such as Postcards, you wouldn't bat an eyelid- so he is right. However, they would be painting Carlton in a positive light by trying to highlight its dominant ethnic identity, that of a large Italian population, with a defining reputation for its iconic Lygon Street.

So this is when context is crucial.

Eddie was using it as a slur against Western Sydney- nothing more, nothing less.

Now you might be like Eddie and declare your unbridled love for all things falafel. You might say that even in the context it was in and whatever intent Eddie had, that it isn't even that damaging in content. However, think of the connotations associated with a fried falafel and then the connotations involved in alluding to pizza or "haggis" (as he also calls his father a "haggis-muncher").

Yes, because the racial associations with these foods play no part at all, do they? These cultures have long been a part of Australian culture, or at least the ancestry of many Australians. The days of teasing someone as a "wog" are now over, so why would calling something a land of pizza be even a slight jibe?

This is why these seemingly innocent jibes against some groups do so much damage. Take Ben Elton's Live From Planet Earth. During a "public school teacher" sketch, a teacher said various made-up Asian-sounding names (one for example, sounded like "ain't-shit") and implied how ridiculously hard they were working.

Now, this seems like a compliment, and on the surface, it is. But, these sort of compliments or observations have a more insidious racism, even it is more hidden.

Either way, the person saying these "jokes" is usually feeling threatened, and uses his or her position chatting to a bunch of friends or thousands of people, to simultaneously make themselves more secure and take another group (usually in a lower position to start with) down a peg or two.

And of course, you always get the perpetrator of an offensive remark defending themselves by saying it was all a joke or some such.

And sometimes it is.

Here's the distinction; the Chaser Make a Wish Sketch was utterly lambasted for uttering the line "they are just going to die anyway". I'm not for one second defending it by saying how funny it was. I am also not saying it was tasteful or nice in any way. But! At no stage did anyone think the Chaser laughed at the fact that these kids were sick; their intention was not to make these kids or their families lose hope. They were trying- poorly- to be so outrageous that it was somehow funny. Needless to say it didn't work, but the point is- their intention was not a nasty one.

As Ricky Gervais said, comedy can either come from a good place or a bad place. And while the Chaser did not have their comedy come from a good place, it certainly wasn't the other.

And no one can deny that protective
Eddie wasn't trying to land a knockout blow with an easy stereotype of both the Lebanese population and the rest of the people of Greater Westen Sydney.

Arnett to be new Office boss? Maybe if Gervais has his way

(minor season 6,7 spoilers)

Ricky Gervais has recently set tongues wagging with an off the cuff remark in one of his blogs. Well, at least it seems to be off the cuff;

"Had a little meeting with NBC about various things and recommended Will Arnett for a regular in The Office. Thoughts? I think he's amazing."

As we all know the search is apparently on for the new host of the Office. But, do producers really expect us to believe that a new (or existing) character isn't being primed to take over as we speak?

But this is precisely what makes Gervais' remarks all the more interesting, as surely he isn't bringing a new name into the ring at the eleventh hour. But if he is, could he influence such a huge decision? Well, he and Stephen Merchant did conceive the show, so I'd say yes, unless of course the writers could strongly convince him otherwise. It was them after all who made it the success it is today. So who really knows who carries more clout these days? (My money would be on the writers.)

But surely NBC has had talks with Arnett already.

So is Gervais hinting that the new boss has already been chosen?

Or is Gervais putting his powerful weight behind one of the final few contenders?

Well, either way, many news sources are running with various stories including;

Zap2it: "'The Office': Could Will Arnett be the new Steve Carell?"

There's no question that Arnett would be a decent fit for the Office, as he's no stranger to big network comedies, with Arrested Development his first main starring role. He has since starred in the scene-stealing Devon Banks role in 30 Rock, also on NBC.

And of course, more recently, Running Wilde, which although cancelled, proved he can headline a show adequately.

Oh, and he's also the husband of NBC's Parks and Recreation's Amy Poehler who plays Leslie Knope; surely a exquisite synergy which wouldn't be lost on NBC bigwigs.

So, it certainly is possible that Will Arnett is the new boss; or at least will join the cast in some shape or form, as the Office are casting another male and female.

EW reported that producers are looking for a "good-looking, but not WB looking" to join Kevin, Oscar and Angela in the accounting department. He "used to work at a golf course, probably went a community college and is just happy to have a real job in this tough market."
Sounds like a great fit for Arnett, possibly even moreso than the top job, as arguably
Arnett is better in smaller doses.

However, credit has to be given to producers for keeping it all under wraps. However, we can almost certainly rule out who will replace Carrell.

Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor): She of course is leaving the show along with Carrell, though understandably isn't receiving as much publicity.

Will Ferrell: He is of course joining the cast for a 4 episode arc, which also got people whipped up into a lather. But any suggestion that he will join for another 22-26 episode season is surely ludicrous, what with his thriving movie career.

Ricky Gervais: It may seem obvious to bring his name up, as he has denied it many a time, yet many still bring it up. There's not only the fact that he has another TV show yet to be filmed (yet alone written), another Idiot Abroad on the way, a Flanimals movie, the Ricky Gervais show, he will be the voice of Mole in the Wind and the Willows, as well as voicing characters in the Simpsons and Family Guy. Also the fact that he has made a great guest appearance as David Brent. In short, he has been-there, done-that.

Rainn Wilson: Dwight has already been the boss for an episode, in which he inflicted a typically tyrannical rule over the Office; hard to imagine they would go there again.

John Krasinski: Been there done that again... The sixth season was all about shaking up the Office and installing Jim as co-manager. It didn't work. Everyone grew to dislike a frazzled Jim- something people didn't like, and weren't used to doing. A couple more big movie roles and he's as good as gone too.

B.J. Novak: Already been in a position of authority.

Jenna Fischer: The new female cast member is said to be an assistant to Pam as office administrator, indicating that she will remain in this role.

And then there's the rest of the cast, of course, and it's anyone's guess as to if they go down that road.

And then there's the wild card, Todd Packer, who has an upcoming episode named after him. He is also over-the-top enough to follow in Carrell's footsteps. But whether he would be too abrasive week-in week-out would be the question producers will be asking.

UPDATE: Today, Joel Keller from TV Squad seems absolutely convinced the next boss will be Gabe. His reasoning makes perfect sense.
Have a read (spoilers of course)
http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/02/10/the-office-season-7-episode-15-recap/

Bye Ben!

Well, that's the end of that.

According to TV Tonight, Ben Elton has debuted to a paltry 455,000. In television terms that's a big Sayonara.

In isolation, that's a crap figure, but coming off the back of Top Gear's 939,000- a handy lead-in- it's just awful. For a premiere with quite a bit of promotion, coming off a strong lead-in, even in its late-ish timeslot 600,000 would've been the BARE MINIMUM expected.

And even that would have been a big F.

You'd have to imagine most viewers turned off at the first break, dismissing it as more of the same.

It is still a bit of a shame, as the performers were all great and enthusiastic. The writing just suffered from being trite and obvious.

Certain elements almost broke away from the tedium, such as Genevieve Morris' interviewer character, but by then it was too late.

It is just another sign from viewers that they expect much, much better and are sick of writers and producers insulting their intelligence with fart jokes and the like.

It's hard to imagine with feedback like this (mirrored in stronger terms in the comments on my review), that word of mouth would bring any new viewers to the show next week, but rather erode viewers.

It is now officially uncool to watch this- the next laughing... stock of Australian TV. Planet Earth, please find your seat in between Let Loose Live and Warnie.
NEXT!

Review: Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth

The Bounce, Let Loose Live, The White Room, You May be Right, The Nation, Hamish & Andy, Micallef Tonight, The Matty Johns Show, The Mick Molloy Show, Warnie.

I could go on.

All of these shows have cropped up on our screens over the past decade. And all are infamous for one reason; they were axed because a)Ratings were paltry or b)They were pitiful excuses for comedy.

Sometimes they were a combination of the two - actually, far too often they were.

They are also unique in the way that they were not axed because they petered out towards the end of their run.

No, they are all textbook definitions of "flops", axed after two or three episodes. Sometimes they were allowed to complete their run of 13 episodes of so (in the case of the Nation).

No, commercial networks haven't exactly had the most success in creating a successful comedy, light entertainment or quiz program.

Over the past decade, one could only point to Rove (and its various iterations), Spicks and Specks and Talkin' 'bout Your Generation as genuine success stories.

Not exactly a great hit-rate.

So why on earth would Nine take a risk with yet another live, or as-live comedy?

Well, maybe it was because Nine believed they had a hit on their hands.

Well do they?

There was quite a nice opening riff on the absurd classification system in Australia. Oh-Kay...

The monologue involved some fairly topical gags about Julia and the floods.

Yet jokes about spam and "knob"-size were fairly run-of-the-mill stand up comedy fare.

And calling Tony Abbott a "dickhead" will always be a crowd pleaser.



If one has an issue listening to Elton's English accent commenting on Australian issues, just think- one wouldn't have a problem with a person of Indian descent, or Italian descent commenting, so why should this be any different?

In case you have an issue with a "Pom" hosting an Australian show, it's actually more representative of  Australia than anything else on TV - maybe we can soon graduate to maybe someone of different ethnicity hosting something on commercial TV.

But that's a topic for another day.

Back to the real "comedy" of the show.

[caption id="attachment_107" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="The two Ja'mies- I mean schoolgirls. You see, it's not ripping off Lilley because THERE'S TWO OF THEM."][/caption]

I really enjoyed the schoolgirl and upper-class wine swillers... The first time they were done on Summer Heights High and Kath and Kim.



And fake Hollywood reporters... why do I feel like I've seen this before?

[caption id="attachment_108" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="I think it's got to the point where actual Hollywood reporters are funny than the people mocking them"][/caption]

And then came a "sight gag"... that lasted for far too long.



Sorry.

And OK, we get it, some female bodybuilders look masculine. If this show is cancelled, don't they know that will be shown on 20 to 1, Great Hits and Misses.

Or Today Tonight in two weeks time.

However, the one saving grace throughout all this was the surprising brevity of it. That will make it easier to chop segments such as the "fat chef".

Oh, and in case you didn't get the joke: THE CHEF WAS MEANT TO BE MATT PRESTON. YOU KNOW, FROM MASTERCHEF? HE'S FAT.

Oh, and in case you missed that visual gag, he was called THE. FAT. CHEF. Yep, that's what we're dealing with.

[caption id="attachment_105" align="alignnone" width="590" caption=""I was really glad I managed to make the Fat Chef fart." Cutting. Edge. Comedy."][/caption]

You know when you've been beaten to a joke- and a one dimensional one at that- by Sam Newman that it's time to push the panic button.

However, before anyone had the chance to turn off, along came one Genevieve Morris, a manificent character actor probably best known for her rendition of Barbara from Bankworld.



Her character, interviewer Elaine Front was an absolute winner and threatened to steal the show from Elton himself.



And while I had hoped the live sitcom would introduce some new characters- some that weren't so over the top and caricaturistic. All the acting was top-shelf though, with Veronica Milsom reprising her role as Lady Gaga from Hungry Beast (maybe it'll lead to a gig on Saturday Night Live in the US?).

And The Mick Molloy Urinating on Set Award goes to the actor who played Amy Winehouse.

"I'll just run a comb through me minge."

Yes, "contemporary" comedy is apparently making as many crude jokes as possible, without the actual humour of actual pioneers in this area such as Judd Apatow and his range of adult comedies.

But once again the criticism isn't that it wasn't unfunny or cringeworthy, it's just that the most obvious joke was used in every case.

Then followed an insensitive "public school teacher". That's about all that you need to know.

[caption id="attachment_104" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="Asian students were called things like "Ain't-shit". Oh, I think I forgot to mention that this sketch was RACIST. Silly me."][/caption]

But by the end Elton had almost won me over with his brand of stand-up- quick, outrageous rapid-fire comedy. It's about time we got a grumpy
old man, of sorts, Let Loose on TV. We have had a cheeky Rove for ten years after all. I could get used to it.

At the end of the day. It's an Australian production employing talented Aussie actors and comedians. It's also live and very slick- usually a hallmark of Nine productions.

The show's not achingly funny, but who expected it to be on the first night? And how many shows are, anyway.

Hopefully they have got all the fart jokes and other easy jokes out of the way in the first show, so that we can see some genuinely new material.

Though not live, The Wedge's main weak point was its inability to come up with new characters. Its initial range of characters was funny, yet they were done to death.

If Planet Earth begins introducing new characters and utilising the full range of its talented cast, it could take off. If it remains exactly the same as this week's show, then don't bother. After all, we've seen all these characters again and again (and now again), we know all the jokes.

And the Australian audience deserves better.

Q and A: still with added Twitter

It's hard to imagine anyone who is still a fan of the Twitter feed on the bottom of Q and A's screen.

I have to admit, when it was announced that people would finally have their "thoughts", now known as "tweets" immortalised as your favourite/least favourite commentator commentated on Q and A, I could not have been more excited.

Yes, it sounded good in theory- people at home shown that their opinion is worthwhile too. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to have a degree in Social Commentary to get a gig on Q and A. But it helps, of course.

It also symbolised ABC moving with the times, recognising that Twitter is now not only an essential part of everyday life, but of any thriving democracy.

However, it soon became apparent that this was an awful idea. Not only because in execution, it failed: repeats on ABCNews24 frequently had tweets obscured by the scrolling news bar (admittedly, I watched the ABC1 broadcast last night so they may have rectified it) and producers tended to put to air inane mumblings about panelists'
appearance, etc. Which not only did a disservice to the myriad tweeters one thousand times more erudite with brilliant insights and remarks, but also Twitter itself. The uninitiated would see those tweets and it would only reinforce the notion of Twitter being a waste of time and space, rather than a
hub of entertaining and educational interplay (most of the time).

Not to deride any tweeter who throws off a casual tweet without a four syllable word with no reference to Bob Hawke and no hashtag-based pun which happens to be screened. God help me, if you need any example of inane, look no further than this
blog. And every tweeter fires off more than a couple of casual tweets. I just believe that producer should choose more substantial tweets, if any, to
make a debate more robust.

In addition, the overuse of various ABC personalities' tweets is not only blatant self-promotion, but unfair on the people who don't have a prime time TV show. Surely it goes
without saying that since average joes can't get on to the panel, they should at least have first dibs on the tweet-space.

However, just say they were to display all the most intelligent and hilarious tweets whizzing around every Monday night- and isn't there a shiteload- would that justify the tweety bar?

Well, probably still no. If one wants to read tweets, they will have their iPhone resting in their lap of a Monday evening. If they don't, they probably don't want the interjections of others being thrust in their face.

And for those in the former group who do follow the #qanda feed on Twitter, if they do not have a problem with the tweets on screen, surely then it has become a competition as to who can jostle their way to the front of the mob. Sure, it could encourage people to think deeper, to come up with wittier lines than the next person- but not while some inane tweets are still screened.

Who knows, if ABC producers showed a bit more discretion in selecting tweets, I may change my mind, yet it still remains a pointless and annoying exercise.

Just a note: This is not a sour grapes piece. I have dabbled in some #qanda tweeting myself and a) Am aware that my tweets are nowhere near as oozing in political knowledge and laced with biting humor as many others so I do not expect to be on screen and b) I do not want to (notice a distinct lack of personal details on this very blog? Oh, you didn't pay much attention? OK).

Also I am aware that 344 other people are currently writing the exact same blog post in the form of a 140 character tweet more expertly - just needed my own personal catharsis.




Image source: ABC

Talk Show Guests: Week of February 6, 2011

Take a look at the guests popping up on Australian and US talk shows this week.

Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight (ABC): Melissa George, Arj Barker, Simon McKeon, Dan Sultan and James Reyne.

The Late Session (SBS ONE, Tuesday 10:05PM): Jenny Kee, Ross Wilson, Benjamin Law, Libbi Gorr and Kamahl.

These are the dates that these US shows will air in AUSTRALIA on Free to Air TV.

Monday 7th

David Letterman (Channel Ten): Martha Stewart Justin Bieber, Robert Plant

Craig Ferguson (Eleven): Matt Lucas

The View (Channel Nine): Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Hasselbeck, Dr. Jerry Gliklich

Ellen DeGeneres (Channel Nine): Amy Adams, Channing Tatum, Bethenny Frankel

Tuesday 8th (US Monday)

David Letterman: Martin Lawrence, Steel Magnolia

Craig Ferguson: Dominic Monaghan, Gabrielle Union, Kurt Metzger

Conan O'Brien (GEM): Jeff Bridges, Nick Swardson, Far East Movement

The View: Nancy Grace

Ellen DeGeneres: Allison Janney

Wednesday 9th (US Tuesday)

David Letterman: Adam Sandler, Chris Colfer, Ty Burrell, Gang of Four

Craig Ferguson: Emily Blunt, Dr. Kara Cooney

Conan O'Brien: Craig Ferguson, Kevin Hart, RED

The View: Ed Helms, Timothy Olyphant

Ellen DeGeneres: Matthew Perry, Ray LaMontagne

Thursday 10th (US Wednesday)

David Letterman: Elton John, Elton John & Leon Russell

Craig Ferguson: Carl Reiner, Cat Cora

Conan O'Brien: 50 Cent, Chris Elliott, Ray LaMontagne

The View: Ty Burrell, Michael Fazio

Ellen DeGeneres: Justin Bieber, James Blunt

Friday 11th (US Thursday)

David Letterman: Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Bryan Ferry

Craig Ferguson: Jennifer Beals

Conan O'Brien: Seth MacFarlane, Brooklyn Decker, Dana Gould

The View: Jennifer Aniston, Michael Oher

Ellen DeGeneres: Rob Lowe, Ben McKenzie

Source: www.interbridge.com

Breaking Bad Season 4 Info (Spoilers)

[caption id="attachment_19" align="alignnone" width="640" caption="One of these men will or may have something happen to them in the forthcoming season of Breaking Bad Source: AMC"][/caption]

UPDATE: Bob Odenkirk has been sniffing out other projects, with Adult Swim ordering a pilot from him. Granted, it will be a small project, but it is still another project nevertheless. Read into it what you will...

There's no better way to kick-off this blog than with pretty much the best show of all time (keepin' it objective). Bryan Cranston, who plays Walter White in the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad recently spoke to EW about some Season 4 happenings.

What he reveals isn't the most earth-shattering of divulgences, however, in Breaking Bad-terms, anything is worth reporting and speculating on.

Interestingly, Cranston states “It is hard to say something without tipping the hat on another and causing a domino effect..." And as all fans of Breaking Bad know, the theme of a "domino effect" is one of the underlying premises in the entire show.

However, he does reveal “...in the first episode of the season, there is a very unexpected turn of events, and one of our characters who has been on the show several times finds a possible demise."

The fact that he uses the word "possible" could be Cranston acting coy, or it could be a set-up for another storyline such as Hank's tussle with "the cousins", which many believed would almost certainly lead to his "demise", however, it was not to be.

But in terms of characters who would fit this criteria, it would certainly rule out the main characters (they have appeared more than "several" times on the show) in Walter, Skyler, Jesse, Walter Jr., Hank, Marie, Gus, etc. Without wanting to look too much further into the matter for fear of making this spoiler too potent, I'm sure you can do the math as to who is left on the proverbial chopping block.

For those of you who want to watch their TV in the conventional way and not know everything that is going to happen, here are some set photos of Season 4 being filmed, thanks to Alibi.com. They don't really reveal much, but it's a long time until July.

However... if you really want to know who it could be... read on.