Hey guys,

Well with the success of last year's thread (which had to be closed due to its popularity and a second part emerged), we have the 2008 thread! I seriously didn't think the first thread would go onto more than one page yet alone 80 odd pages or whatever

For those new to this forum, the thread is for:
- programming news including a comprehensive list of show premiere dates
- TV news on Australian and overseas shows and its stars
- exclusive gossip
- daily and weekly ratings for Australian free-to-air television.

I'd like to now thank Johnson for his contribution to this as he is often the bearer of news hehe! But for the coming year I'm going to also add here spoilers found on TV media websites (tvguide.com, eonline etc) and they'll have a SPOILER warning. This may include shows on Foxtel/Austar and the like, or shows we simply don't get, but I'll post it in its entirety as some may be downloading them from the net there may be other changes but I hope to make this the comprehensive thread for all 2008 TV news, programming and ratings for free-to-air Australian TV (includes digital when available).

I'll post the beginning of my list from the previous thread ASAP and here is where it'll be available to make it clear I may also choose to have links to that week's ratings and spoilers.

External sources:

Matt Roush's twice-weekly column of TV news and spoilers (updated every Monday and Friday US time)
Michael Ausiello's weekly column of TV news and spoilers (updated every Wednesday US time)
Kristin's column of TV news and spoilers (updated every Tuesday US time)
TVAus.com.au
TVTonight.com.au
MediaSpy Forums

2008 PROGRAMMING LIST

For January to August click here

SEPTEMBER

:: 1 ::
Taken Out (7pm, Weeknights, Channel 10)
David Attenborough's Life of Mammals (repeats) (7:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
Torchwood (10:30pm, Mondays, Ten HD)

:: 2 ::
Rush (9:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)
Make Me A Supermodel: Off The Record (10:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 7)
Secret Diary of a Call Girl (10:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 9)

:: 3 ::
The Hollowmen (Season 2) (9pm, Wednesdays, ABC1)
Very Small Business (six part series) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, ABC1)
Criminal Minds (repeats) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 7)
Alan Sugar: The Apprentice (new timeslot) (10:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 7)
Psych (beginning Season 1, episode 6) (10:30pm, Wednesdays, Ten HD)
Balls of Steel (11pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)

:: 4 ::
NFL Opening Kickoff 2008 (one off special) (8am, Thursday, Ten HD)
Ghost Whisperer (double episode blocks) (8:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
The Strip (8:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9)
Battlestar Galactica (8:30pm, Thursdays, Ten HD)
Family Guy (beginning Season 6, episode 9) (10:20pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
American Dad (beginning Season 3, episode 5) (10:50pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)

:: 5 ::
Wire In The Blood (double episodes) (8:30pm, Fridays, ABC1)

:: 6 ::
Great Australian Albums (10pm, Saturdays, SBS)

:: 7 ::
Outback Wildlife Rescue (7pm, Sundays, Channel 7)

:: 8 ::
The View (12pm, Weekdays, Channel 9 - NSW & QLD)
Kitchen Nightmares USA (Season 2) (new timeslot) (8:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
90210 (two hour premiere; one hour thereafter) (8:30pm, Mondays, Channel 10)

:: 9 ::
Underbelly (8:30pm, Tuesdays and Sundays, Channel 9)

:: 10 ::
Bondi Rescue: Bali (7:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)
Kenny's World (8pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)

:: 11 ::
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (7:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 10)
Family Guy (double episode blocks) (10:20pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
American Dad (double episode blocks) (11:20pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)

:: 14 ::
Private Practice (beginning Season 1, episode 6) (9:30om, Sundays, Channel 7)
Crime Investigation Australia (9:30pm, Sundays, Channel 9 - all states but VIC; starts 21/9)

:: 15 ::
Taken Out (new timeslot) (6pm, Weekdays, Channel 10)
Friends (new timeslot) (7pm, Weekdays, Channel 10)

:: 16 ::
Angel (repeats) (beginning Season 1, episode 1) (10:30pm, Tuesdays, Ten HD)

:: 17 ::
Kitchen Nightmares USA (one time timeslot) (10pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)

:: 19 ::
My Name Is Earl (three episode block) (one off timeslot) (10pm, Friday, Channel 7 - WA)

:: 21 ::
Your Money: How To Survive the Crisis of 2008 (one off special) (6:30pm, Sunday, Channel 7)

:: 22 ::
Taken Out (one off timeslot) (6pm, Monday, Channel 10 - VIC, SA & WA)
2008 AFL Brownlow Medal Red Carpet (one off special) (7pm, Monday, Channel 10 - VIC, SA & WA)
City Homicide (one off repeat) (8:30pm, Monday, Channel 7 - VIC, SA & WA)
2008 AFL Brownlow Medal Count (one off special) (8:30pm, Monday, Channel 10 - VIC, SA & WA; 1am, Tuesday, Channel 10 - NSW & QLD)
2008 Primetime Emmy Awards (Highlights) (one off special) (9:30pm, Monday, Channel 10 - NSW & QLD; 12:30am, Tuesday, Channel 10 - VIC, SA & WA)
Boston Legal (repeat) (one off special) (10:30pm, Monday, Channel 7)

:: 24 ::
The Season's Best (one off special) (time unknown, Wednesday, Channel 7 - VIC, SA, WA)
Fringe (8:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)
House (Season 5) (8:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)
Life (beginning Season 1, episode 9) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)

:: 26 ::
30 Rock (Season 2, episode) (one off timeslot) (11:15pm, Friday, Channel 7)

:: 29 ::
Til Death (beginning Season 2, episode 4) (8pm, Monday, Channel 9)
Top Gear (Australia) (7:30pm, Mondays, SBS)
Out of the Question (10:30pm, Mondays, Channel 7)
Boston Legal (11pm, Monday, Channel 7)

:: 30 ::
NCIS (Season 6) (8:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)
Survivor: Micronesia (10:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 9)

:: 31 ::
Who Do You Think You Are? (7:30pm, Sundays, SBS)

OCTOBER

:: 1 ::
Newstopia (Season 3) (10:05pm, Wednesdays, SBS)

:: 2 ::
Life At 3 (two part series) (9:30pm, Thursdays, ABC1)
RPA (new episodes) (9:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9 - VIC, SA, WA & TAS)
Heroes: Countdown to Volume 3 - Villains (one off special) (11:30pm, Thursday, Channel 7)

:: 5 ::
The Mentalist (8:30pm, Sundays, Channel 9)
Californication (Season 2) (10:10pm, Sundays, Channel 10)

:: 6 ::
Supernatural (Season 4) (8:30pm, Mondays, Channel 10; 9:30pm onwards)
Bogan Pride (9pm, Mondays, SBS)
The Best Of Good News Week (one off special) (9:30pm, Monday, Channel 10)

:: 8 ::
Jamie's Ministry of Food (7:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)
Hell's Kitchen (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)

:: 9 ::
Heroes (Season 3) (8:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
The Fibros and the Silvertails (one off special) (9:30pm, Thursday, ABC1)
RPA (new episodes) (9:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9 - NSW, QLD & NT)
Prison Break (Season 4) (10:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (10:30pm, Thursdays, 9HD)
Scrubs (beginning Season 7, episode 1) (11:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)

:: 10 ::
The Loop (beginning Season 2, episode 3) (12am, Weekdays, Channel 7)
As Seen On TV: The K-Tel Story (one off special) (7:30pm, Friday, SBS)

:: 11 ::
Rough Diamond (one off special) (7:30pm, Saturday, ABC1)

:: 12 ::
Kath & Kim (US) (7pm, Sundays, Channel 7)
Galapogas (one off special) (7:30pm, Sunday, ABC1)
The First Australians (seven part series) (8:30pm, Sundays and Tuesdays, SBS)
2008 Deadly Awards (one off special) (9:55pm, Sunday, SBS)

:: 13 ::
M.I. High (5:25pm, Weekdays, ABC1)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Season 9) (8:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
Cold Case (beginning Season 5, episode 16) (9:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
Good News Week (9:30pm, Mondays, Channel 10)
True CSI: Cold Blood (10:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
Nip/Tuck (10:30pm, Mondays, 9HD)
Louis Theroux (11pm, Mondays, Channel 7)

:: 14 ::
The Chopping Block (Season 2) (7:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 9)
Kenny's World (new timeslot) (8pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)
Two and a Half Men (Season 6) (8:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 9)

:: 15 ::
Sleep Clinic (8pm, Wednesdays, ABC2)
Criminal Minds (Season 4) (8:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 7)
Stupid Stupid Man (9pm, Wednesdays, ABC1)
Summer Heights High (eight part series) (repeats) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, ABC1)
CSI: NY (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)

:: 16 ::
The Amazing Race (Season 13 (8:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
Playing in the Shadows (one off special) (9:30pm, Thursday, ABC1)

:: 17 ::
Wipeout (new timeslot) (7:30pm, Fridays, Channel 9)
Download (7:30pm, Fridays, Channel 10)
Hole in the Wall (new timeslot) (8pm, Fridays, Channel 9)

:: 19 ::
Minding Your Money: An Audience With The Prime Minister (one off special) (6:30pm, Sunday, Channel 7)
22nd Annual ARIA Awards (one off special) (7:30pm, Sunday, Channel 10)

:: 21 ::
The Zoo (Season 2) (7:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 7)

:: 22 ::
The Mentalist (additional timeslot) (8:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)
CSI: NY (additional timeslot) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)

:: 23 ::
The Prime Minister Is Missing (telemovie) (one off special) (8:30pm, Thursday, ABC1)

:: 26 ::
Rove (new timeslot) (8:30pm, Sundays, Channel 10)
NCIS (repeats) (9:40pm, Sundays, Channel 10)
Californication (new timeslot) (10:40pm, Sundays, Channel 10)
The Office (US) (beginning Season 3, episode 16) (11:20pm, Sundays, Channel 10)

:: 27 ::
Will & Grace (repeats) (beginning Season 1, episode 1) (7pm, Weeknights, Channel 10)
Swift and Shift Couriers (one off special) (8:30pm, Mondays, SBS)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (repeats) (9:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)

:: 28 ::
Navy Divers (8pm, Tuesdays, ABC1)

:: 29 ::
Crash Scene Investigators (7:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 7)
ABC2 Live Presents Opera Australia’s La Bohème (one off special) (8:30pm, Wednesday, ABC2)

:: 30 ::
The Intervention (one off special) (9:30pm, Thursday, ABC1)

:: 31 ::
Ice Road Truckers (one off special) (7:30pm, Fridays, Channel 10)

NOVEMBER

:: 2 ::
ABC Radio National's 2008 Boyer Lecture (one off special) (10:15pm, Sunday, ABC1; repeated Thursday November 16, 5:35pm, ABC2)

:: 3 ::
ABC News Breakfast (6am, Weekdays, ABC2)
Desperate Housewives (Season 3 repeats) (2pm, Weekdays, Channel 7)
Moonlighting (Season 4 repeats) (3pm, Weekdays, Channel 7)
The Rich List (7:30pm, Mondays, Channel 7)
Cold Case (beginning Season 5, episode 18) (9:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)

:: 5 ::
2008 US Presidential Election (coverage) (11am, Wednesday, Channel 9; 12pm, Wednesday, ABC1; 2pm, Wednesday, SBS)

:: 6 ::
Bones (additional timeslot) (9:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)
Heroes (new timeslot) (10:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)

:: 9 ::
CSI: Miami (one off timeslot) (new episode followed by repeat) (8:30pm, Sunday, Channel 9)
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (weekly wrap-up) (11:20pm, Sundays, Channel 10)
The Office (US) (new timeslot) (11:50pm, Sundays, Channel 10)

:: 10 ::
Domestic Blitz (special) (7:30pm, Monday, Channel 9)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (one off timeslot) (9pm, Monday, Channel 9)
Cold Case (one off timeslot) (10pm, Monday, Channel 9)
True CSI: Cold Blood (one off timeslot) (11pm, Monday, Channel 9)

:: 11 ::
All For Kids (11am, Weekdays, Channel 7)

:: 12 ::
Futurama (double episodes) (7:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)

:: 13 ::
Elephant Princess (4pm, Weekdays, Channel 10)
10th Inside Film Awards (one off special) (10:05pm, Thursday, SBS)
Scrubs (new timeslot) (10:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 7)

:: 14 ::
The Informant (telemovie) (8:30pm, Friday, Channel 10)

:: 16 ::
Where Are They Now: Sons & Daughters Reunion (one off special) (7:30pm, Sunday, Channel 7)

:: 17 ::
The Howard Years (four part series) (8:30pm, Mondays, ABC1)
Out Of The Blue (10:30pm, Weeknights, Channel 10)

:: 18 ::
Weeds (beginning Season 1) (11:30pm, Tuesdays, 9HD)

:: 19 ::
Hamish & Andy Re-Gifted (one off special) (7:30pm, Wednesday, Channel 10)
The Big Bang Theory (beginning Season 1, episode 5) (8pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)
The Unit (beginning Season 4) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 7)

:: 20 ::
Oprah Winfrey Presents: Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman "Australia" (one off special) (7:30pm, Thursday, Channel 10)

:: 21 ::
The Thick Of It (9:40pm, Fridays, ABC1)

:: 24 ::
Weddings: Where Are They Now? (one off special) (7:30pm, Monday, Channel 9)
90210 (beginning Season 1, episode 6) (7:30pm, Mondays, Channel 10)
2008 Good News Week Awards (GNW series finale) (8:30pm, Monday, Channel 10)
Top Gear (UK) (Season 11) (7:30pm, Mondays, SBS)

:: 27 ::
Life After People (one off special) (7:30pm, Thursday, Channel 7)
2008 Walkley Awards (one off special) (10:05pm, Thursday, SBS)

:: 29 ::
Camp Rock (telemovie) (7pm, Saturday, Channel 7)

24: Redemption (telemovie) (week of 30th November)

:: 30 ::
20 To 1 (repeats) (6:30pm, Sundays, Channel 9)
America's Next Top Model (Cycle 8*) (6:30pm, Sundays, Channel 10)
Two and a Half Men (repeats) (7:30pm, Sundays, Channel 9)
90210 (new timeslot) (7:30pm, Sundays, Channel 10)
The Big Bang Theory (additional timeslot) (8pm, Sundays, Channel 9)

DECEMBER

:: 1 ::
How I Met Your Mother (repeats) (7pm, Weeknights, Channel 7)
Temptation (7pm, Weeknights, Channel 9)
Will & Grace (repeats) (7:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)
Rules of Engagement (repeats) (8pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (repeats) (8:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
Army Wives (8:30pm, Mondays, Channel 10)
Fringe (beginning Season 1, episode) (9:30pm, Mondays, Channel 9)
Swingtown (9:30pm, Mondays, Channel 10)
Scrubs (new timeslot) (10:30pm, Mondays, Channel 7)
Kath & Kim (US) (11pm, Mondays, Channel 7)

:: 2 ::
Britney Spears: For The Record (one off special) (7:30pm, Tuesday, Channel 10)
NCIS (repeats) (8:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)
Burn Notice (beginning Season 1, episode) (9:30pm, Tuesdays, Channel 10)

:: 3 ::
The Ellen DeGenerous Show (new timeslot) (12pm, Weekdays, Channel 9)
The View (new timeslot) (1pm, Weekdays, Channel 9)
Food Safari (nine part series) (7:30pm, Wednesdays, SBS)
10 To 1 (7:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)
Don't Forget The Lyrics (7:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)
Long Way Down (ten part documentary) (8:30pm, Wednesdays, SBS)
CSI: Miami (repeats) (8:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)
Law & Order: SVU (repeats) (8:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)
ER (beginning Season, episode) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)
Rush (repeats) (9:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 10)
Gossip Girl (beginning Season 1, episode 1) (10:30pm, Wednesdays, Channel 9)

:: 4 ::
Emergency (7:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9)
How To Look Good Naked (Season 2) (7:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 10)
Inspector Rex - Rex In Rome (eight part series) (7:35pm, Thursdays, SBS)
The Waiting Room (8pm, Thursdays, Channel 9)
Cold Case (repeats) (8:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (repeats) (8:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 10)
The Closer (9:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9)
Law & Order (repeats) (9:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 10)
Close To Home (10:30pm, Thursdays, Channel 9)

:: 5 ::
Wall Street Warriors (six part series) (7:30pm, Fridays, SBS)
Australian Geographic (7:30pm, Fridays, Channel 9)
Orange Roughies (10:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays, Channel 10)
Monster House (repeats) (10:45pm, Fridays, Channel 9)

:: 6 ::
Australia's Funniest Home Videos Summer Series (6:30pm, Saturdays, Channel 9)
MacGyver (repeats) (6:30pm, Saturdays, Channel 10)
Wife Swap USA (7:30pm, Saturdays, Channel 9)
McLeod's Daughters (remainder of Season 8 ) (8:30pm, Saturdays, Channel 9)
2008 AFI Awards (one off special) (9:30pm, Saturday, Channel 9)
The Wedge (10pm, Saturdays, Channel 10)

:: 9 ::
Sudden Impact (time unknown, Tuesdays, Channel 9)

kwl, bring on the spoilers !!

^^ I second that LOL XD

OMGOSH Kirk your signature like rocks space !
I'm glad this thread is back this is were I got my tv news from!

Thank you

Thanks Kirk!!

Ooh how slow am I! I just realised that Big Love is now on Sats not Sundays

YAYYYYY can't wait for SYTYCD

^ Neither can I

Hey Johnson if you see this.. whats that tv forum your on? where you get info and whatnot.

I get the info from MediaSpy and tvaus.com.au forums.

Awesome! Thanks! I just joined one of them and couldn't remember the name.

Yeah those ones are good hehe! Also tvtonight.com.au has a lot of info on TV-related news

I got these articles from that site actually

More Nine movies 'dumped' for quota points

The month of December saw the Nine Network repeat a programming move that attracted cynicism a year ago, when it was accused of "dumping" Australian movies over summer.

Many see the move as a convenient ploy simply to buffer its annual local drama quota.

In December Nine screened Aussie movies A Man's Gotta Do (2004), Edge of the World (2005), Door Mansion (2006), One Perfect Day (2004, pictured), and A Divided Heart (2005). Four of the films aired at 9:30pm on Saturdays and another at 10pm Sunday.

For more on this story click here

Tragedy strikes Dragun family again

Only two months after the tragic death of TEN newsreader Charmaine Dragun, the Dragun family has again been thrown into grief with the death of Lewis Bedford, her uncle.

For more on this story click here

Tassie viewers set for more local content

Tasmania's digital TV network TDT must now add more local area content under new guidelines from the Australian Communications and Media Authority, effective January 1 2008.

For more on this story click here

Without a Trace engagement

Without a Trace star Roselyn Sanchez has become engaged to actor Eric Winter (Days of our Lives and Brothers and Sisters).

For more on this story click here

Airdate: Parkinson finale

The final ever Parkinson will screen on the ABC this month.

It airs at 10:10pm Saturday January 19 on the ABC. But despite being a 90 minute send-off with an all-star line-up, it's disappointing the show wasn't given a higher profile timeslot.

For more on this story click here

Heroes tops downloads

Heroes was 2007's most popular downloaded TV program with 2,439,154 downloads, according to BitTorrent search engine and directory website Mininova.

It was followed by Top Gear, Battlestar Galactica, Lost and Prison Break.

For more on this story click here

YAY i'm excited for this year's thread!!!

Top Gear on Tuesday. That means I have to wait an extra day
Thanks for that!

xx

For those wondering about spoilers (and yes that's one of my fave bits too!), because the scripts for US shows are drying up, there isn't much to go on. There are some mid-season shows beginning soon and then there will be spoilers for them, but that's why I haven't posted any yet hang tough, when I get them I'll post them alternatively if anyone finds any that haven't been posted please feel free to post them here too

oooh spoilers. best part of the shows

OMG! Skins is being shown here!!

I love Skins. Probably my favourite new show last year.

hopefully summer heights high will be back....

Rumours are Summer Heights High MIGHT have a second season

Also, I'm gonna give Skins a try. It stars the boy from About A Boy LOL and it's been getting rave reviews (and my SBS is working now LOL).

Airdate: Conviction

Network TEN will air the D i c k Wolf-created drama Conviction from Wednesday January 23. It airs at 8:30pm.

More info on this show here

Some news sure to upset many female (and some male) Temptation fans

Tempted Scott leaves Nine

Following on from news that Temptation model Scott McGregor will host new motoring show Blood Sweat and Gears on Fox8, it appears he has left the Nine camp entirely.

More info on this story here

SAG: Not a Single Nominee Will Attend Globes

Rumer Willis (aka Miss Golden Globes 2008) most likely won't be handing out that many (if any) statues at the awards gala later this month. Screen Actors Guild president Alan Rosenberg has announced that not one nominated SAG performer will attend the ceremony, which is set to be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 8 pm/ET.

"After considerable outreach to Golden Globe actor nominees and their representatives over the past several weeks, there appears to be unanimous agreement that these actors will not cross WGA picket lines to appear on the Golden Globe Awards as acceptors or presenters," Rosenberg said. "We applaud our members for this remarkable show of solidarity for striking Writers Guild of America writers."

The irreverent Globes gala, which honors actors and films that later go on to Oscar glory and gives nods to TV stars often overlooked at the Emmys, is the second awards show this season to be affected by the ongoing WGA strike. The People's Choice Awards set for broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 8 on CBS at 9 pm/ET reportedly will feature taped acceptance speeches from winners.

The Globes may follow a similar path. Hollywood Foreign Press president Jorge Camara said in response to Rosenberg's announcement, "[We] have been placed in an extremely difficult position with the ongoing Writers Guild strike. We are making every effort to work out a solution that will permit the Golden Globes to take place with the creative community present to participate."

Actors aren't totally locked out of making TV appearances during the strike. Rosenberg added that performers are being encouraged to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Both CBS yak fests (produced by Worldwide Pants) have signed waiver deals with the WGA. The SAG head honcho noted that stars should skip The Tonight Show with Jay Leno other shows but didn't mention those programs by name.

Too bad the Hollywood Foreign Press Association didn't nominate Powers Boothe for his role as vice president Noah Daniels on 24 from last season. Boothe, as veteran TV viewers recall, crossed a picket line during the SAG strike to attend the 1980 Prime Time Emmys; the actor ended up winning a Best Actor statue for his role as cult leader Jim Jones in Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones. — Michael Maloney

http://www.tvtonight.com.au

everyone watch skins tonite!

I watched it and really enjoyed it

Gladiators News!

News from the first taping of the new-look Gladiators fromdj89 at the MediaSpy Forums

SPOILERS!!! I have major spoilers and just plain old TV news courteosy of Watch With Kristin @ E! Online

Melissa in Montreal: All I care about is Lost. Please spill!
You aren't the only one! Everyone and their mother's brother's dog's manicurist has been asking about the new season of Lost, which is only a few short weeks away—hooray! So, in the Spoiler Section below, I'll answer as much as I can without someone siccing the smoke monster on me, coolio?

Wendy in Chicago: Did you hear that Oceanic Airlines is back in the skies?
I know! For those of you who haven't heard, Oceanic Airlines announced that after a long shutdown, it is back in business, and their new destinations just happen to be a guided tour of Lostie homelands (for example, Portland, Oregon, and Seoul, Korea). In addition to wicked cool real-life Oceanic Airlines billboards that are popping up around the world, the company launched flyoceanicair.com, which was shortly thereafter hacked by the folks behind find815.com, who are still a little cranky about the disappearance of their loved ones. As the find815.com folks investigate, we get to play along and share the clues to the mystery. I was out of town for the launch of this, so I'm a little behind, but hopefully I can crib from the summaries at docarzt.com if there's a pop quiz. Don't tell Damon!

Char in Troy, Michigan: I'm so sad Dexter's finale is already over. Any show scoop?
First off, if you have not yet seen Dexter, set your freaking DVR now, por favor. CBS announced it is airing the first season starting Sun., Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. The episodes will be cleaned up and possibly not quite as good, but still totally worth your time! As for the third season, well, the writers' strike is still on, so it's a little too early. But I have a little giddy-good real-life scoop: On Christmas Eve, a couple of very good friends spotted Michael C. Hall (Dexter himself) and his TV sis, Ms. Jennifer Carpenter (Deb!), exiting the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, together. Turns out Ms. Carpenter is a Louisville native, and Mr. Hall went home for the holidays to hang with her fam!

Courtney in Framingham, Massachusetts: I may be one of the few, but I loved Karen Filippelli on The Office. Can you tell me when her new show starts?
Fox has Unhitched scheduled to premiere Mar. 2. And if you're a fan of Office exes, you'll be happy to hear David Denman (aka Roy) has been cast as the lead in a Fox drama pilot that Zach Braff is directing and executive producing! Interesting, no? Production is scheduled to begin pretty soon, and it's an action-packed one-hour drama about a family guy who has a Jerry Maguire kind of moment, quits his job and decides to go work as an EMT, because he wants to make a difference in the world.

Jamie in Augusta, Georgia: Any news on CSI: Miami? I love Calleigh & Co.
Just that our boy Michael Muhney (Neptune, California's late, great Sheriff Lamb) guests on the first ep back, which airs Jan. 14. Michael's wife also just had an adorable little baby, so he's on a roll!

Jeff in Long Beach, California: Please remind your loyal readers that although Heroes is off the air, the story is continuing at nbc.com in the online graphic novel. I mean, who knew that Elle's first assignment was spying on Claire in high school in Texas?
What now? That's crazy! Okay, sign me up. The bad thing's still a-runnin', and I gotta get my Petrelli-Bennet-Nakamura fix somehow! Oh, and P.S.: I have a smidge of scoop on one Hero who isn't likely to return when the show does in that Spoiler Section down yonder.

Jer in McAllen, Texas: Any scoop on Project Runway?
I just ran into Sweet P, and she is rightly named—totally adorable and sweet. She tells me the entire cast is going back to New York in February to shoot the finale and the reunion show. She also tells me she has stayed very tight with Kit, and that their significant others love hanging out together, too. Aw, Project Runway double date. So cute!

Amanda in Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Any chance we'll see the return of the Hump Day Stumper in the new year? I've missed it this fall season.
In case you didn't catch it, we did a little thing on Friday called Frakked-Up Fairy Tales, which is pretty much Stumper Storytime. Did you guys love it or hate it? Want more, or want to burn the image of it from your retinas? Email me at tvdiva@eonline.com, and your wish is my command.

Lou in Brooklyn, New York: Any Brothers & Sisters dish? I miss my show!
Dave Annable was just spotted shopping at the Manhattan J.Crew. If you hurry, maybe you can catch him. And tackle him. Also spotted: A "John Mayer-looking" Penn Badgley recently hit the streets of New York in the company of a blond babe. Think I may have to consider a relocation to the Big Apple...

Jason in Ohio: Did you see you are winning the Who Shot Michael Ausiello? Poll over on TV Guide?
I did. And for the record, I am not the dangerous one. Did I ever tell you Ausiello once mailed me the not so thinly veiled threat of a box of knives? True story! They were cleverly disguised as a wedding gift, but still. My money's on Shonda Rhimes. Or Jon Robin Baitz.

SPOILER SECTION

Lauren in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, England: I'm absolutely dying for any news about Jack and Kate on Lost! Will the "because I love you" be addressed?
Yes. More than once even.

Kelynn in Baltimore, Maryland: I was hoping you might have some news on what's happening with Lost, specifically Jack and Juliet (my new fave Lost relationship!).
Zzzzzz...What?! Oh, sorry, I was just tracking Jack and Juliet's romantic progress in the first four eps of Lost. Must have fallen asleep there for a sec.

Gina in Italy: Can you confirm that the fourth season premiere of Lost is a Hurley episode?
Confirmed. And Hurley's flash-forward includes cameos by two regular characters (one living, one dead) and a flashback character from season two.

Thomas in Ventura, California: What can you tell me about Ben-Henry this season on Lost? Michael Emerson owns that show.
Yes, he often does. And I think it's fair to say that this season Ben reminds me a little of Boss Tweed or Don Corleone in his heyday. He's on the wrong side of the law, but he has rock-solid relationships with grand pooh-bahs, with little people and with everyone in between, and as such, his influence extends to places you'd never imagine.

Emily in Emerald Isle, North Carolina: Any news on Lost? It's been 24 days and counting! I think the whole fandom's going insane from lack of spoilers. What's going on with our two favorite doctors? How about our two favorite convicts?
Honestly, everything I've heard so far is so fantastic and surprising, I'm reluctant to go there, but I'll throw you a few more bones to chew on:

(1) Trust in the words of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Don't panic."

(2) Shows like Lost, Damages, Battlestar Galactica, Mad Men and Dexter are grandmaster chess. The writers are Kasparov, and we are...not. In short, we're getting played (and it feels so good).

(3) Just because we're getting flash-forwards does not mean we learn now how it all turns out. Being at the "beginning of the end" means we're actually smack in the middle of the story. All the happily (n)ever afters for our Losties are not going to be revealed in this here second act of the story, so y'all just simmer down now! There's still plenty at stake.

Lourdes in Paris: Thanks for the great interview with Lauren Stamile. She's adorable. Can we start a petition now for her to stay on the show?
You bet. FYI, I'm told the original plan for Lauren was for about seven episodes, possibly more if the Der-Rose chemistry was "humming." When you see this week's ep, I think you'll know which way producers are heading. (Hint: They dig her.) So, Lourdes, mon petit fromage, I think you'll get your wish, and we'll get much more of Rose when the show returns (whenever that may be).

Daniel in Atlanta: You said something bad happens to Bailey in the next Grey's. She's not getting sick or dying, is she?
Hell, no. She's alive and kickin'. In fact, she'll exhibit some of that superhuman strength that often happens when, say, a mother needs to lift a car off her baby. And yes, that's an intentional comparison. It will be heart wrenching—and the last ep we'll get till the bad thing ends...so, enjoy. (And bring a hanky.)

Samantha in Eugene, Oregon: Any scoop on Heroes? Is Niki coming back?
If you threatened to electrocute me with your lightning powers, I'd say...no. But I'd also tell you that doesn't mean we've seen the last of Ali Larter. I'm hearing that the plan as of the last time the writers met up (prestrike) was for Niki to be dead—but for an alter ego to take over. Not Jessica, not the whipped-cream chick from Varsity Blues, and that leaves...come on, you can guess it! It's someone we've seen before. Of course, all that is subject to change due to the current holding pattern.

Michelle in Mammoth, California: OMG, I cannot wait for this week's Gossip Girl! Is Blair pregnant?
Do you really want to know? Of course you do. Let's just say Ms. Waldorf won't be in the market for any maternity clothes this season. However, tongues will be wagging all over town. And Blair isn't the only Upper East Side It girl whom people think is prego. In fact, S is going to give Dan quite a scare. Elsewhere, Rufus will rebound from Lily's rejection quite nicely with more than one pretty brunette. Dan will finally tell Serena those three important little words, and she'll respond with a blank stare. Blair's queen bee status will be stripped away as her friends and lovers all abandon her, one by one.

Kris in Oak Park, Illinois: Is this Wednesday's Gossip Girl the last episode ever?
Heck, no! The CW picked this show up for a full season, so whenever the writers' strike ends, the GG crew will return to work. This Wednesday's ep is simply the last one they were able to complete before picketing began and production halted. And by the way, if I had to predict the theme of the episodes to come, I'd say it has a lot to do with a certain Waldorf gal seeking revenge.

Marshall in New York: The winter finale for Pushing Daisies was wondrous. Can we have it back now?
Yes, please? We'll have to wait for more Daisies until the strike is over, but I do have a smidgen of scoop to tide you over: I hear the original plan was to bring back Chuck's father, but that likely will be changed, because a few somebodies didn't like the idea. Still, Chuck will have a parent back in her life. We'll see.

Randy in Austin: I'm so confused by the reveal that Aunt Lily (Swoosie Kurtz) is Chuck's mom. Why didn't she tell Chuck?
From what I understand, Lily got preggers right as her Mermaid career was taking off, and she decided to give the baby to her sister because she couldn't bring it on the road—though I'm sure there's much more to that story. The bigger mystery to me: What's under Lily's eye patch?! You know it's gotta be something kooky and divine.

Angi in Chowchilla, California: Moonlight got some love on your TV Throwdown. So, how about showing the Moonlight fans some love by some ever-needed scoop?
I'm all caught up now, and I can tell you the ep airing Friday, Jan. 11, is the best since the one in the desert. It's an adrenaline roller coaster. No Josef or Coraline, sadly, but lots of heavy stuff between Mick and Beth—including Mick contemplating his "mortal feelings" for her. Also, shirtless Mick. For that reason and several others, it's worth tuning in.

Karolina in Red Bank, New Jersey: When is Scrubs coming back?
Jan. 24! And it looks like there are three new eps in the can. The final one will be Zach's baby (he directed it), the homage to The Princess Bride. You know how, every season, Scrubs tries to do one very special ep? Well, this is it for the final season. It's a huge half-hour fairy tale with costumes and locations. Apparently, the janitor's a giant, and J.D.'s the village idiot. I'm told it's amazing. Zach says they put a lot of work into it—with all the special effects and things they've never incorporated before, it's easily the most ambitious episode they've ever done.

Gayle in West Hollywood, California: I spotted Donald Faison out and about over Christmas, and I almost cried 'cause I was so excited. Can you give me some scoop on him? Is he single?
He ain't married, but he ain't single either, hon. He's still playing devoted boyfriend to Cacee Cobb (you know, Jessica Simpson's ex-assistant). Sorry, girl. The good news is, you can get your Donald fix on Scrubs when it returns later this month. I recently talked to the big D, who told me a lot of things happen in these upcoming episodes, because they knew the strike was coming and were trying to get as much in as possible. He shared that Turk and Carla will be making some big decisions, and their marriage will go in a new direction. I asked if they were contemplating a swinger lifestyle, and he said, "Swingers would be nice. For Turk. Until he sees somebody banging his wife, and then he'd get -ed off." P.S.: If guys that speak a second language turn you on, Turk's got a surprise in store for you...

Kate in Atlanta, Georgia: Don't forget that Psych is coming back in January! I love me some James Roday and Dulé Hill!
Yay! More Psych! The first ep back airs this Friday, and it's called "There's Something About Mira." The facts are these: (1) Dulé's real-life old friend Kerry Washington guests as a complicated woman from Gus' past. (2) Anything that starts with "Let's try Goldschläger!" will not end well. (3) The first ep is very Gus-centric (yay), but that means almost no .n-Juliet (boo).

Lindsey in Baltimore, Maryland: Psych! Any news about .n and Juliet when new episodes return Jan. 11?!
Sad news, tubers. I asked James Roday about .n and Juliet this morning, and he told me, "I think it's possible that we created some anticipation with that last moment in the first half of the season that we might not be able to deliver on. So, don't get too excited—there's still plenty of sexual tension there, but I'd be lying if I said we take another step in that direction."

Ted in Seattle, Washington: Wasn't last night's premiere of The Wire awesome? I'm so glad it's back and finally feeling the love. What's coming up?
Me, too! I'm hearing next week's ep features the return of Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), the original drug lord from the series' first seasons, who will be having a little business meeting with current kingpin Marlo. And speaking of feeling the love, check out this guy's Wire-crush.

Mackenzie in Kettering, Ohio: Friday Night Lights!
The last few minutes of the next episode will make your heart grow three sizes (that's good, people!). But leading up to that is a lot of college-football bargaining for Smash and some ginormous stupidity on the part of Tim Riggins. Remember how we told you it wasn't over between him and the Meth Ferret? Well, that starts this Friday. Shudder. Also, in the next ep, there is once again no sign of Jason Street. Is it just me, or is writers-room Darwinism not working in his favor? Is the idea of a Streetless FNL crazy talk, or is it the natural course of things?

omg they had the polar special on monday night!

it was great, i've seen it before but on youtube, not hd tv!

i wish sbs would screen the eps quicker, we're only starting season 9 and they've finished season 10 in the uk *sigh*.

Meet the Aussie TiVo box



Australians who take up TiVo will only be able to free-to-air television channels but could have access to a movie download store and about 100 free internet video channels.

Joshua Danovitz, TiVo's international general manager, told the Sydney Morning Herald the Aussie TiVo box (pictured) will allow users to record two shows at once while at the same time watching a previously recorded show stored on the built-in hard disk.

But there is no clear indication regarding the skipping of ads nor an exact price and launch date. Seven is said to be offering a form of 'fast-forwarding' only, and TiVo could have unskippable ads placed throughout the menu interface or during shows.

Other key features will include the ability to search shows by title, people or tags, and then, with one button, program the device so it automatically records the show each time it airs. This is called a "season pass" and means users won't miss a show even if its time slot changes or episodes run overtime.

TiVo recordings could be transferred to a PC using the TiVo to Go feature and "once you've got it on your PC you can transcode it to a mobile device", Danovitz said.

TiVo is considered a direct competitor to Foxtel's iQ service which has an iQHD in development.

Source

TEN to Look Good Naked

Network TEN has picked up the new US lifestyle series How To Look Good Naked hosted by Carson Kressley.

Based on a British series it is designed to help women feel better about their physique without the need for crash diets and plastic surgery.

To read more click here

Lack of Conviction

The jury is out on Conviction.

Network TEN has already had a change of heart about the scheduling of the new legal drama only a week after it announced the timeslot.

The - Wolf series was due to air at 8:30pm Wednesday January 23 but now awaits a new timeslot after TEN after being replaced by a movie, Liar Liar.

To read more click here

Anatomy and Ellen top People's Choice

How many more Award shows can America squeeze into one end of the calendar year?

The People's Choice Awards have just handed out their gongs, literally, to their recipients on location. In a pre-recorded presentation, this proved a novel way to get around the WGA strike and threat of picketing writers.

The big TV winners were the stars of Grey’s Anatomy with three and Ellen DeGeneres with two nods.

Selected winners:
Female TV star: Katherine Heigl
Male TV star: Patrick Dempsey
Talk show host: Ellen DeGeneres
Scene stealer: Chandra Wilson
TV drama: House
TV comedy: Two and a Half Men
New TV drama: Moonlight
New TV comedy: Samantha Who?
Reality show: Dancing With the Stars
Game show: Deal or No Deal
Sci-fi show: Stargate Atlantis
Animated TV show: The Simpsons
Funny male: Robin Williams
Funny female: Ellen DeGeneres

Source

greysfan (with help from Mattster) and APM 82 from tvaus.com.au has made lists of Channel 7 and 10 shows from America and how many episodes are left to be shown of each one.

CHANNEL 7 (Source: greysfan and Mattster)

Continuing Series:
Grey's Anatomy: 11
Desperate Housewives: 10
Brothers and Sisters: 9 or 12
(According to various websites 3 more eps have been written however have not aired yet. While another website is saying their is only 9 eps this season. )
Heroes: 2
Criminal Minds: 13
Ghost Whisperer: S2: 2 S3: 11 and possibly 1 more
Boston Legal: 14
Shark: S1 Eps yet to air here: 14 S2:11
Bones: S2 After Thursday's Ep: 9 S3:13
Ugly Betty: 13
24: Delayed Indefinitely
Prison Break: 0
Lost: 8
My Name Is Earl: 5
How I Met Your Mother: 11
The Unit: 11
Scrubs: 6
Las Vegas: S5: 11
The Amazing Race: S12: 11
30 Rock S1:11 episodes S2: 10

New Series:
Dirty Sexy Money: 10
Private Practice: 9 + Special
Lipstick Jungle: 13 ordered and due to premiere on Feb 3 in the US
Reaper: 10 shown, but possibly 3 more to come
Samantha Who?: 10 shown, but possibly 3 more to come
(Also shows like Samantha Who? and Reaper may have more eps. The episodes have aired in America but as i said some websites say one thing and some say another. Basically not entirely sure on how many eps have been written.)
October Road: S1: 6 S2: 6 and maybe 2 more
Eli Stone: 13 ordered; premieres Jan 31 in the US after Lost
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: 9 episodes
Carpoolers: 12
Cavemen: 12

CHANNEL 10 (Source: APM 82)

Continuing Series:
The Office: Season 3 (9) Season 4 (8*) (the * just there to stop a emoticon appearing LOL)
Everybody Hates Chris: S2 (22) S3 (10)
(Not sure if season 1 was finished in Australia but might as well return with season 2)
The Simpsons: (18)
NCIS: (11)
Numbers: (12)
Law & Order: (5)
(TEN have also remaining eps from last season.)
Law & Order: SVU (14)
Law & Order: CI (10)
Medium: (8*) (the * just there to stop a emoticon appearing LOL)
Supernatural: (1)
House: (1)
(2 more eps air in the US in the end of January and early February)
Life: (4)

New series:
Conviction: (13)
Burn Notice: (12)
Women's Murder Club: (10)
Back To You: (10)
(7 have aired in the US, 3 more will be available soon.)
Rules Of Engagement: seasons 1 & 2 (16)

More gossip from Michael Ausiello from TVGuide.com

Question: What in the dude?! Are you ever coming back? I'm bored. - Nic
Ausiello: I'm back! What'd I miss?! Is the strike over? Was the Gilmore Girls movie greenlit? Did I get any memorable shout-outs in the blogosphere?

Question: Some very mean and nasty people have been saying that Sandra Oh is leaving Grey's Anatomy, whenever it comes back. Since you are the god of TV scoop, I knew you'd be able to deny this for me. - Brittenay
Ausiello: Interesting. Unfortunately, I can't verify that rumor's authenticity. What I can verify is that someone - and a major someone at that - wants to be discharged from Seattle Grace, and STAT. But, as far as I can tell, that someone is not Sandra Oh.

Question: You mentioned that Joshua Jackson's three-episode Grey's Anatomy arc was delayed indefinitely because of the writers' strike. However, there's a new Grey's airing this Thursday. Will he be in that episode? - Meagan
Ausiello: No, hence the "delayed indefinitely" thing. The good news is that I hear Shonda Rhimes has every intention of shoe-horning Pacey into Seattle Grace (and Cristina's bed) the second the strike is over.

Question: Happy New Year! I hope yours was a lot of fun. Do you have any new Lost spoilers? - Shelby
Ausiello: USC trounced Illinois in the Rose Bowl - an ass-whipping I bore witness to live from the 20-yard line (thanks for the tix, Pam!) - and ended the season as the unofficial national champions (sorry, LSU). Yeah, I'd say my New Year's was a lot of fun. Regarding Lost, yeah, I know a thing or two or three about the new season. Anything specific you guys wanna know?

Question: Can you tell us anything about what's going to happen with Jack and Kate on Lost this season? - Heinzy
Ausiello: Yes, but I have to be very careful how I dole out this particular spoiler, because it concerns a pretty jaw-dropping twist - even by Lost standards. Let's see - Jaters will be aflutter when Kate shows romantic interest in future Jack, but it turns out there's another special person in her life already - someone *** *** ** *** *****, *** ****'* **** a ******.

Question: Welcome back! If you're reading this, you must have survived the shooting. Phew! I was almost as worried about you as I was about the Lost Internet buzz. I'm hearing "death" "shocking twist" and "traitor." Does that mean Jack and Juliet won't have any time to make out? Got any Clues? Hints? Poop? - Amy
Ausiello: Unfortunately, I'm hearing there's nothing major going on in the Juliet-Jack universe in the first four episodes — unless you consider "heaps of subtext" to be major. (Hint: You may want to rewind to the Season 3 finale and figure out who initiated that smooch.)

Question: Have you been following the saga of former Oceanic Airlines IT technician Sam Thomas on find815.com? The whole thing makes my head hurt a little. - Charlie
Ausiello: Mine, too. Docartz.com does all the work so we don't have to. In addition to providing pretty detailed explanations of all the individual parts, it supplies answers to the daily brainteasers and offers theories as to how they might fit into the bigger picture.

Question: I just saw a preview that said "check out the two-hour Lost season premiere on Jan. 31, 2008." Does that mean they're sandwiching the first two episodes together? - Conor
Ausiello: Sure doesn't. The first episode will be preceded by an hour-long recap special, hence the "two-hour" premiere.

Question: Congratulations on the big USC win at the Rose Bowl! Could you give us a revised tally of how many new episodes remain of various shows? - Healy
Ausiello: Without further adieu, I present you with a newly updated and augmented (Moonlight! NCIS! Law & Order!) Strike Countdown Chart! Cue the balloon drop!

Question: Please tell me Cashmere Mafia gets better! Please! It was worst written pilot I've ever seen. - Caitlin
Ausiello: If by "better" you mean "worse," than, yes, it gets better. A lot better.

Question: What's the deal with Supernatural? Is it getting the boot from the CW and moving to another network, or is it going bye-bye forever? Please explain what the heck is going on. - Hayley
Ausiello: Note to Supernatural fans: Simmer. Donna. Yes, Supernatural is handing its time slot over to Reaper beginning Feb. 28, but that's only because Supernatural will have run out of fresh episodes by then (on Feb. 21, to be exact). So relax before you give yourselves a frakkin' coronary.

Question: Do you have any news about where Chuck and Blair's relationship is going to go on Gossip Girl? - Grace
Ausiello: Tonight's "season" finale is, in the words of TVGuide.com's Megan Cherkezian (who I loaned my screener to), "soooooo juicy." That's six Os, people! Per MC, there's a breakup, a much-anticipated profession of love, a much-anticipated brawl and an attempted escape.

Question: Is Blair really pregnant on Gossip Girl? - Audrey
Ausiello: I will neither confirm nor deny that Blair is with child. What I can confirm is that by the end of the episode, Blair loses her Queen Bee crown as a result of a humiliating scandal.

Question: I think it was Lauren Graham who shot you. She's been sketchy ever since the end of Gilmore Girls. - Lauren (no relation)
Ausiello: Sorry, but LG has an airtight alibi: She doesn't remember who I am.

Question: I hope we don't have to wait too long to find out who shot you! - Lisa
Ausiello: Good news: The winter premiere of the Ausiello Report - featuring a resolution to the "Who Shot Me!" cliff-hanger - is now playing via this link! Prepare to be shocked senseless. It's an ending I guarantee no one saw coming.

Question: Congrats on USC pounding Illinois. Now how about some Friday Night Lights scoop?! Please tell me that Riggins and Coach Taylor will clear up the misunderstanding they had over Riggins and Julie's "compromising" situation! - Katelyn
Ausiello: Just Riggins' luck, right? He does the right thing and he still catches hell for it. So. Not. Fair. Fortunately, in this week's episode, Coach learns what was really going down with his not-so-innocent offspring on that fateful night. A tense father-daughter kerfuffle follows shortly thereafter.

Question: I really hope Coach Taylor and Riggins make up. Do you have any tips on what we can expect this week? - MaryBeth
Ausiello: I'll say this: There's a scene between Coach and Riggins in this Friday's four-star episode that will have you bawling like a newborn that hasn't pooped in a week. Oh, and a female character leaves town for good.

Question: So, are Landry and Tyra about to get a visit from the stork? Are they the pregnancy you've been talking about the last couple of weeks? - Jaclyn
Ausiello: Nice try, but I'm not playing your little process-of-elimination games anymore. I've narrowed the field too much as it is. Seriously, stop trying. I'm not caving this time.

Question: Can you give us a hint about who's pregnant on Friday Night Lights? My money's on Waverly. - Lauren
Ausiello: It's not Waverly. D'oh!

Question: Did you read Jon Robin Baitz's blog on the Huffington Post? - Brian
Ausiello: Listened to it, actually. I got tired of trying to pronounce all those big fancy words, so I had our copy editor Michelle Heller read/interpret it for me. She assures me that a "fey Tuscan truffle pig" is a delicacy in some countries, but I'm not buying it. I think she just doesn't want to hurt my feelings. BTW, I have to take a moment to thank the Aushole community for the outpouring of love and support they've shown me in the wake of Baitzgate. Your compassionate, insightful and sympathetic e-mails were a ray of sunshine during a very gloomy week. What follows are some of your more memorable messages.

Question: Man, Baitz really gave it to you, didn't he? I hope it gave you a moment of shame. And perhaps this will make you see that your stupid blind items are nothing but petty crap. - Moljessam
Ausiello: Thanks, Moljessam. That means a lot coming from you.

Question: I love, love, love what Baitz wrote about you! It's lovely to see someone of actual entertainment and artistic relevance call you out on what you are: exceedingly arrogant and pathetic. - Ashlyn
Ausiello: You forgot "marginally literate," Ashlyn. And for that, I love you.

Question: Very nasty discussion of you by Mr Baitz. I don't get it. You seem like a lovely fellow. - Brad
Ausiello: Lovely but oh-so-misunderstood.

Question: I just read Baitz's Huffington screed. Wow. Somebody's got a little crush on you. - MADA72
Ausiello: This ol' thing? Nah. You think? Get out. Really? OMG, I'm blushing.

Question: Baitz referred to your "cutesy blindish item," which helped reveal that he'd left Brothers & Sisters. That made me wonder: Do you have any new cutesy blindish items to share with the rest of us Ausholes for the new year? - Don
Ausiello: That's the spirit, Don. Try to guess the newly minted movie starlet whose scathing remarks about her own character in a very popular recent film probably just cost her a nomination for a major award. How's that? Get this: The ballots for the prize were dropped in the mail around the same time the publication containing her rant hit newsstands. And from what I hear, voters figured, if she wasn't going to support what she did, why should they? Got guesses? Post 'em in the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread!

Question: Zoey 101 scoop, please! - Jeremy
Ausiello: Leading lady knocked up for real.

Question: When is Jericho returning? - Patsy
Ausiello: Armageddon resumes Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 10 pm/ET, and here's some fresh intel: We pick up four weeks after the New Bern attack. There's a new leader in town (hint: he looks a lot like Lt. Tony Rodriguez from NYPD Blue) and he offers Jake a position he may not be able to refuse. Elsewhere, a familiar face returns to Jericho with new intel on the outside world, Hawkins takes a surprise meeting that could impact the future of the entire country, and Stanley receives a surprising proposal. As for Constantino… he best sleep with one eye open.

Question: To get an internship with Mr. Ausiello for summer 2008, do applicants need to apply to TV Guide or should they apply to Mr. Ausiello directly? - Shari
Ausiello: Depends. If you're planning to include a cash bribe, apply directly to Mr. Ausiello. Otherwise, go through HR.

Question: I am a diehard Shield fan, and I can't get enough scoop on the upcoming final season. What happens to Mackey? When will it air? Will Ronnie be the last man standing? - Joe
Ausiello: Still no official start date. Originally I was hearing March, but now it looks more like early summer. On the scoop front, brace yourself for a midseason twist that's so big it requires 25 asterisks: ******* is *** *** **** ***** *o **.

Question: Happy New Year. Got any CSI: NY scoop, especially regarding Danny and Lindsay? - Christina
Ausiello: CBS has just scheduled the final pre-strike episode for Feb. 6, and I can confirm that it contains some serious Danny-Lindsay action — but not of the nookie-nookie variety. They work a case together, but it's all kept very professional.

Question: I don't know who's more anxious about the beloved Smurfs coming out on DVD, you or me. Any news on that date? - Sally
Ausiello: This is an easy one: I'm more anxious. Trust me. As far as a date, it's slated to "street" on Feb. 26 — three days after a certain spoiler -'s birthday. Do I have to draw you a map from my Amazon wish list to your shopping cart? 'Cause I will.

Question: Are you still looking for summer interns?! I'm a dedicated Aushole and television enthusiast. Any spots available? - Lauren
Ausiello: Depends. If you're planning to offer a cash bribe, yes. Otherwise… well, let's cross that bridge if we come to it, k?

Question: I agree with you about Lynette's kids being unbearable on Desperate Housewives. I've never figured out how someone who's as 'take no prisoners' as Lynette has such bratty offspring. - Pat
Ausiello: Well, either Marc Cherry is a closeted Aushole, or he's fed up with them as well. In Monday's USA Today, he told reporter Will Keck that he's considering downsizing Lynette's demonic progeny. "I will probably do a storyline about one of the women, probably Lynette, dealing with the death of a child because I think it's one of the saddest things that can happen to a human being." Except in this one instance.

http://www.tvguide.com/ask-ausiello

Wow thanks Kirk!

Wooo yay I love How to look good naked (the british version), can't wait to see the US version.

Nominations for the Directors Guild Awards (it's that time of the season lol): http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/01/direct...s-nominees.html

Airdate: Little Britain Abroad

The ABC will screen the 2 part special Little Britain Abroad next month.

The specials, which aired at Xmas 2006 in the UK, will see Matt Lucas and David Walliams in Spain, Paris, Thailand and America.

Some of the sketches include: Lou and Andy are on their way to Disneylworld in Florida, Bubbles De Vere is off to Spain to visit Ronnie Corbett, Marjorie Dawes visits a Fat Fighters group in the States, Vicki Pollard is held in a Thai jail, and Dafydd is off to a Greek island gay resort.

It premieres at 9pm Wednesday February 6.

http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/01/airdat...ain-abroad.html

I hope so aswell

aHome and Away returns on Monday January 28th, different from previous years as it used to return during the tennis but now it'll be after the tennis

Source: TV Week (I think)

Sarah Connor, Cashmere Mafia airing in Feb

The Nine Network will launch new US shows Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles and Cashmere Mafia in February.

Both have aired only just premiered in the US this year.

Sarah Connor Chronicles picks up a year after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day with John and Sarah Connor (Thomas Dekker and Lena Headey) hiding from the government.

Cashmere Mafia by Darren Star follows four female executives who have been friends since college in New York City. Starring Lucy Liu and Australia's Miranda Otto and Frances O'Connor, it is considered a direct rival to Lipstick Jungle by - and the City author Candace Bushnell.

Meanwhile Seven looks set to air Dirty Sexy Money in February too. Produced by Bryan Singer (House) and Greg Berlanti (Brothers and Sisters) it follows a dysfunctional, wealthy family. It stars Donald Sutherland and Jill Clayburgh.

Stay tuned for airdates and timeslots!

Source: tvtonight

Hugh Jackman's production deal with CBS Paramount has ended.

The studio announced the end of its partnership with SEED Productions as a result of the writers' strike. Viva Laughlin failed last year after terrible reviews and disappointing ratings.

Read more about this story here

The new website for Channel 9 drama Underbelly is live! http://www.underbellytv.com

Golden Globe Award Winners - TV

Best Supporting Actor, Series/Mini-Series/TV: Jeremy Piven, Entourage.
Best Actress TV series Drama: Glenn Close, Damages.
Best Supporting Actress TV miniseries, telemovie: Samantha Morton, Longford
Best Actor in a TV series Drama: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Best series or motion picture made for television: Longford
Best Actor in a miniseries or motion picture for TV: Jim Broadbent, Longford.
Best Actress in a miniseries or TV movie: Queen Latifah, Life Support.
Best Actor in a TV series musical or comedy: David Duchovny, Californication.
Best TV series musical or comedy: Extras
Best Actress in a TV series musical or comedy: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Best TV series Drama: Mad Men

Source

Spoilers from Ask Matt http://www.tvguide.com/Ask-Matt

Question: When a movie or a TV show is based on a true story, or based on a book as in the case of Dexter, why does Hollywood change the storyline and the plot around? What's the purpose of basing a show on a book or true story if it's going to change things around and not convey the original story? I know you've said before that complaints have reached epic proportions, but I feel mine are legit. Everyone was excited about the plots and storylines on Dexter and what was happening with Doakes, but I wasn't. Why? It wasn't in the book! You've said that you've read the books, so you know what I am talking about. I may not watch Dexter next season! - Marques
Matt Roush: Couldn't disagree more, I'm afraid. What excites me most about the way the Showtime version of Dexter has developed is the very fact that it has chosen to diverge from the books and is now telling its own stories. Dexter is based on a terrifically enjoyable series of novels by Jeff Lindsay, but once the first season wrapped (having hewed fairly closely to the plot of Lindsay's first volume, Darkly Dreaming Dexter), the producers rather boldly decided to go in a lot of provocative new directions in Season 2, with the discovery of Dexter's underwater graveyard, the arrival of Special Agent Lundy to smoke out the "Bay Harbor Butcher," the whole "rehab" subplot that brought the unstable Lila into the picture, and of course Doakes' discovery of Dexter's hobby, which led to the incredibly suspenseful back half of the season. To be upset that Dexter the series isn't parroting the Dexter novels misses the point. The original books aren't gospel, they're just a starting point, having created a fabulous character and fascinating template for the TV writers to spin stories that are perhaps better suited for an open-ended weekly series that has its own needs in creating story arcs. The good news here: The books and the TV series can be enjoyed separately. I recommend both highly but am personally gratified that the Showtime project has found its own voice.

Question: I always intended to watch The Wire but never got around to it, until now: I decided to watch Season 5. Obviously I'm a bit confused, but what else is new. So I watched a few shorts, sort of have an idea of the people/institutions involved and intend to watch Season 4 On Demand to acquaint myself. Question: Must I watch Seasons 1 through 3 in order to fully understand the show, or can I just jump in ($160 for the first three seasons on DVD is a bit steep)? - Ellen
Matt Roush: There's no question you'll get more out of The Wire the more familiar you are with the previous seasons. The cameos from characters from past seasons really resonate if you've been following the show from the start. But the storytelling this season is so robust that it shouldn't be a problem to dive in and savor the brilliance of this expansive urban tragedy. The fictionalized Baltimore Sun newsroom is a new setting with new characters, so use that as your entry point and you should be fine. But if you're like most latecomers to this series, you will become so engrossed that you will find yourself searching out the earlier seasons to appreciate the full power of David Simon's vision. (I'd think they could be rented in video stores or on NetFlix, not that I ever have time to indulge in those things.)

Question: I was really looking forward to a new episode of Medium. I've always liked this show, especially the family dynamics. It's so rare to see a stable family portrayed on television this way, and there's an element of mystery to the storylines, which can be a lot of fun. So it's with great sadness that this goes on my "don't watch" list, along with SVU and CSI. The graphic depiction of the murdered little boy was just too much for me. I do not find murdered children entertaining in any way, shape or form. There are hundreds of ways this story could have been told just as effectively without harming a child, much less showing his dead body. And I'm also sickened by the fact that some little boy actor was made up to look like a corpse and then put in that toy box and made to pretend he was dead. The worst part is that the murder-saturated public won't even register this as inappropriate. I don't "break up" with shows abruptly very often, but this relationship is over. Lost almost did it to me when Walt was kidnapped, but they made it pretty clear that Walt was not being seriously harmed in any way by the Others.... so I forgave them. The actor who played Walt was also older, so I felt a little more comfortable with it. This time I'm done. PS.: Thanks for being my TV therapist. My husband also thanks you, since he usually has to listen to my rants. - Annmarie
Matt Roush: Hmm, there's an idea for a show: Matt Roush, TV Therapist. I'll bite. And I agree, that was disturbing when the detective found the bloody boy in the box. Was it unnecessarily exploitative? Maybe. But it also drove home the horror of this particular crime, which felt appropriate. As you said, we've become so oversaturated with grisly mayhem in our current procedural glut that it's hard to know what it would take to truly shock many of us anymore. (I still can't fathom the popularity of CBS' disgusting Criminal Minds.)

For the record, Medium's return also prompted mail like this from Kelli: "I was relieved to have this well-written drama back on Monday nights (where it belongs). I have always found Medium to be head and shoulders above other crime shows like CSI: NY and Law & Order: SVU. I hope that the lack of new episodes on television right now will work in Medium's favor."

If there is an upside to the strike, it may be the opportunity some shows will have in this topsy-turvy midseason to find and grow an audience. I was more than a little intrigued by Anjelica Huston's guest appearance in the Medium premiere (the first of several this season), and I still enjoy the Dubois family dynamic (even in its current money-strapped situation) enough to keep me tuning in to one of TV's more offbeat and creative crime dramas.

Question: Given the fact that Grey's Anatomy is going to end with another downer/cliffhanger season where most of the characters are in crisis and the key relationship of Mer/Der is again at a painful halt, and given the apathy and anger over the lack of substantial changes that were promised for Season 4 (after the wreckage of last season), do you think the writers' strike will have a big impact on fans wanting to invest again in this show come Season 5? Or from what you are hearing, do you think fans have finally hit their limit with some of the contrived storylines, the bloated cast and the gimmicks that have been used repeatedly in the past couple of seasons to move this once promising show forward? Ratings did slip this year, and the repeats barely hold up against the other networks. I'm feeling the show has hit a wall that it may not bounce back from. Do you agree?— Jamie E.
Matt Roush: Since I tend to hear more from people with complaints than compliments, which is the nature of the Web world, I could be fooled into thinking that Grey's Anatomy is seriously on the decline. Which it isn't. Is it perfect? No. Has it improved from last season? Yes. This is a show about messed-up people who make lots of mistakes, both personally and professionally, many of which aggravate fans, which I understand. And last season unquestionably shifted the balance from romantic tragicomedy to an overload of unpleasant angst. But most of these characters are still incredibly appealing and played by genuine stars, and I still find myself caring what happens to them more often than not, especially in recent weeks. I'm pretty sure that after the long drought that's facing us in the uncertain months ahead, when Grey's Anatomy eventually returns, it will be welcomed back enthusiastically. And you can't blame the show for ending its season where it ended last Thursday. It was only halfway through the run when the strike halted things. A little perspective, please.

Question: I am a huge fan of The Shield and cannot wait for the last season to begin. I was shocked to see, though, that .n Ryan — the creator and showrunner for all six seasons — would not allow himself to edit the final episode because of the strike. How seriously do you think this will affect the finale, and how soon would the strike need to end to allow him to return? - Ben K.
Matt Roush: As bittersweet as it was for the final episode to proceed without the participation of its passionate creator, I'm betting .n Ryan's absence won't have that much effect in what we see on-screen. Besides, we don't even know yet exactly when The Shield is going to return, FX's schedule like so many others being affected by strike disruptions. Once the strike is over, if The Shield has yet to air the finale (which is entirely possible), I imagine .n Ryan will be able to go into the editing room and work his magic. The good news is that the season was able to be completed. Personally, I can't wait, although I know I'm going to have to.

Question: I am a huge fan of PBS' Masterpiece Theatre/Mystery! series. One of my favorites is The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Sharon Small is excellent as Barbara Havers, and her chemistry with Nathaniel Parker as Inspector Lynley is one of the best on TV. Series 5, which aired in the U.S. this year (2007), was definitely the best so far, particularly In the Blink of an Eye. It is a sign of good TV when one keeps thinking about a show, and this episode haunted me for days. I was very much looking forward to Series 6, but I've heard rumors that the show has been cancelled by the BBC. It's bad enough that the writers' strike is ongoing and that reality shows are taking over the airwaves. Now this show is gone for good? Say it ain't so! - Jen
Matt Roush: My WGBH contact tells me that more Lynley episodes are on their way this summer — what actual season that constitutes, I'm not quite sure — but this will be the last batch. British series have a tendency to produce far fewer episodes than their U.S. counterparts. Nothing new in that. And harking back to the earlier discussion of Dexter, here's another example of a series that found a way to grow beyond the source material (Elizabeth George's excellent, though increasingly darker, series of novels) to do its own thing. Judging from my mailbag, this one will be missed.

Question: I'm sure you've read most or all of Jon Robin Baitz's Huffington Post entry about his ousting — not firing — from the creative team that actually gets to map out the story arcs for Brothers & Sisters. Do you think the show will be OK creatively, since he himself admitted that the people still there are really great writers and that he's just not good at playing the day-to-day TV showrunner game? He also seemed to look down on your colleague, Michael Ausiello, for reporting what he heard in a "cutesy, blind item." He intimated TV reporters often report what these studio people want planted in the media with the promise of a free keychain or handshake with a future star. How do you walk the line of reporting what you have heard but not feeling like you are playing into the hands of a source with an ulterior motive? Whether Baitz is partially at fault or not for this show "divorce," it is sad that he will not get to continue to drive the show that was his creation. - Terry
Matt Roush: I have nothing but respect for Jon Robin Baitz — I've seen a number of his plays, and his most recent one staged in New York (the very moving The Paris Letter, starring John Glover and Brothers & Sisters star Ron Rifkin, who is something like Baitz's muse) was among my favorites. But he's the first to admit, in that exhaustive blog-cum-autobiography, that his skills aren't necessarily in sync with the week-to-week running and execution of a TV series, so I think Brothers & Sisters will continue to do fine without his hands-on participation. In fact, the show probably wouldn't have survived the first season (as he also admits) if not for being guided by a gifted showrunner like Greg Berlanti. It is sad, of course, that he has been divorced from his creation and that he leaves with such bitterness and ambivalence. It's also true that left to his devices, his vision for the show would have resulted in a darker but also deeper exploration of family, aging, politics and -, and I wish we could have seen more of his point of view get across (especially regarding the Sally Field character). At the same time, it probably wouldn't have been as conventionally entertaining (which isn't such a bad thing) as the show is now. I hope he does get to contribute the occasional offbeat episode in future seasons, and I'll certainly be curious if any of the future pilots he pitches or writes for ABC make it through the process. As for his slam at my colleague, I would have been more concerned if he had questioned the item's accuracy. Everyone has an agenda in Hollywood, no doubt, but the truth's the truth, even when it comes to industry gossip. You have to have a pretty thick skin to work on both sides of the business (obscene faxes from Roseanne available upon request).

Question: Moonlight has now won the People's Choice Award for favorite new drama, with more than 10 million votes. It also has won its Friday time slot on a regular basis. In light of all this, CBS still has made no official announcement about the future of the series. When can we expect to hear whether it will be back? I know this is not a normal season. Does the strike need to end first for major decisions to be made? If I am not mistaken, not very many new shows were officially picked up on any network. — Linda Tonack, Omaha, Nebr.
Matt Roush: As I've noted before, full-season pickups of the new fall shows are largely symbolic at this point, and that may be why CBS has yet to make an official announcement regarding Moonlight. I really can't say. But the show is doing well enough and is generating enough buzz that I can't imagine that it won't be around next season. It may just be a case where CBS doesn't want to commit to making more episodes until it has to, or until it knows when said episodes will air. So much right now is in limbo, but Moonlight's momentum appears strong enough to come out the other side OK.
Question: Why is the CW holding new episodes of Supernatural until Jan. 31, when it will go up against the premiere of Lost? Wouldn't it be a better idea to take advantage of Jan. 24, when both Grey's Anatomy and CSI are in repeats and before the premiere of Lost? That would give the show one new episode before Lost starts to air and would still take new episodes well into February. I don't understand the CW's lack of support for this show. It's only in the hardest time slot on television! Why would a network not take advantage of a time when more people could be introduced to a show that is doing well for them? It does better for them in the ratings then Reaper, Life Is Wild and the entire Monday night lineup. Maybe that's not saying a lot, or maybe the network simply doesn't know how to promote the show. I rarely see the new episode trailers during the week; in fact, it's seems like the only one I don't see. If I didn't always know when new episodes were going to air by checking the Web, I'd probably miss one. It drives me crazy. It's like they want the show to fail. As if to prove my point, the network is even going to pull the show's repeats at the end of February in favor of repeats of another show. Here's a network that's going to have three different shows airing twice a week throughout February and March and can't even make room to air my favorite show once a week. I know not everyone likes this show and I know even more people have never even seen it, but I love it and would love to see it get more new viewers and more support.... especially from its own network. OK, rant over.— Shannon P.
Matt Roush: Look, everything's a mess in this strike season, but in the case of Supernatural, while it may seem unfair to air the four remaining episodes against the return of Lost, the CW is at least acting like it's business as usual in one regard: holding new episodes until the sweeps period. When has the CW (and the WB before it) ever aired new episodes of its franchise shows in January? Think of the long lapses between new episodes of Gilmore Girls between sweeps cycles in seasons past. Supernatural fans are famous for griping that their show never gets a break, and the time period is unquestionably a killer. But it has been allowed to reside alongside one of the network's biggest hits, Smallville, for years, and the network appears content to let this show do its thing against some of TV's biggest hits, never expecting a miracle. Replacing Supernatural for a while with Reaper, when everything's in strike-imposed repeat mode, is a chance to see if Reaper can benefit from exposure on a new night. By then, it really won't matter what's airing in that time period. So while your complaints have merit, they also need to be put in perspective. Supernatural isn't being treated any worse than usual. It's an awful time for all of prime time, and this is just one of the victims.

Question: I agree with Ryan's recent take on October Road in that I can't understand why it's so universally hated. Sure, it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think this show could actually be a lot of fun if you look at it from my perspective: I like October Road for the same reasons that some people find joy in the campiness of shows like the old '60s Batman series or movies like Plan 9 from Outer Space. In other words, I totally enjoy October Road's "cheese factor." This show is so bad, it's good. And although I'm not sure of this, I suspect that the producers are in on the joke. I don't mean to take a jab at the creative team, but I can't imagine how they could possibly make each episode with a straight face, and if they are serious, then this is unintentional comedy gold. I mean, really... those air band scenes are priceless! — Al, Atlanta
Matt Roush: Sorry, but this is not the place to go for endorsement of train-wreck TV. The "so bad it's good" argument almost never flies with me. Maybe during the wacky apex of Melrose Place, but not on something this excruciatingly dull. There's camp, and then there's crap. And if this is pretending to be cheese, then the Dairy Council ought to sue. I also loved the following weird justification for watching the show that came in from Travis T.: "For some reason, I watch October Road each week, and I even enjoy it somewhat (maybe it's because with the strike, nothing else is on), but each week, my wife and I groan at least 10 times because of the horrible writing. It truly has some of the worst dialogue to grace the screen in years, yet we keep watching it.... I don't understand. Don't even know why I wrote this. Guess I just wanted to throw my two cents in on October Road."

This is what's known as damning with faint praise. And if this is what TV is coming to in this Year of the Strike, heaven help us all.

Spoilers from Watch With Kristin http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/deta...55-6a48031e91e5

Spoiler Chat: Prison Dish and Lost Scoop!

Ruth in London: I feel like my man Wentworth Miller has been MIA for months now. Any idea where he is?
Just as I was working up a “Where’s Wento?” graphic with my former future husband in a dashing red and white hat, my buddy Marc Malkin found him! Even better, he’s been spotted in this town...And even better than that, he’s coming to your living room tonight (hubba-hubba). Don’t forget: Prison Break is back on Fox with five new episodes, and I have scoop on the new season down yonder in the Spoiler Section, as well as the Dominic Purcell interview you may have seen here. For the record, I'm officially back in. (Sorry, Sara/h fans...I just can't resist! Wenty’s powers are...too...strong!)

Andy from San Diego: Are we going to be seeing Penny next season on Lost?
First off, 17 days and counting till the premiere—thank you, Jesus! Now, for what it's worth, according to find815.com, Penelope Widmore is still involved in the search for Desmond, and her search has been connected to the crash of flight 815—her phone number shows up in a notebook belonging to Sam Thomas, the man we are following through the Find815 story. By the way, if you're a Sonya Walger fan, check your TiVo: She had a blink and you'll miss her part in last night's Terminator premiere.

Julia in San Diego: Lost! I just read somewhere that Sawyer might not make it through the season. Please save me from a true panic attack and tell me Sawyer isn't going anywhere!
Yes, Sawyer's going to be killed off in episode six, and from what I understand, that will be the show's last-ever mention of the character. Audiences just never warmed up to him, and the writers realized it was best to simply give his off-putting storyline a swift, clear-cut end. (I'm kidding. Seriously now, with all the stressing going on at tvdiva@eonline.com, I worry you guys are all gonna give yourselves aneurysms. I promise you, if Sawyer were to eventually get killed off, which I consider unlikely in the extreme, the show would at least do it, Nate Fisher style—that guy is gonna be around until the end, in one way or another.)

Carla in Camilla, Georgia: Can you tell me what's going on with the writers' strike? I'm clueless, and I just want to know if it will end soon.
Sadly, there's currently no end in sight. The Writers Guild of America and the AMPTP, which represents networks and studios, haven't even been at the negotiating table since early last month. The current season is most likely shot. If you're looking for a prediction on the actual timeline, I'll defer to CBS president and CEO Les Moonves, who said on Thursday he's guardedly optimistic it'll be over in "the next few months." Let's hope so. Besides the lack of good shows, there is the more serious problem of all the affected people who are out of work and feeling the financial effects of the strike. Let's hope it's resolved soon, for their sake.

Matt in Calabasas, California: Do you know when the next Real World/Road Rules Challenge starts? Any scoop?
The Gauntlet III (which is the 15th edition of RW/RR Challenge!) premieres Jan. 23, and T.J. Lavin is hosting once again. It'll be veterans vs. rookies, and guess who's back to battle? Queen Coral! She's accompanied by many others, of course, including Diem, San Diego Brad, San Diego Robin, Crazy Beth, Crazy Katie and Crazy Paula from Key West. And the rookie I'm most excited about? The now-crazy Las Vegas Frank.

Kyle in O'Fallon, Illinois: What happened to Chuck? It was my favorite new show, and I thought NBC had a couple of new episodes they were going to air, but I haven't heard anything since the last new episode they aired. So, any word on when those episodes might air?
Happily, these episodes are scheduled for Jan. 24. Weirdly, however, they are the bread in a Celebrity Apprentice sandwich. The first new Chuck airs at 8 p.m., then Celebrity Apprentice airs at its regular time, and then the last new Chuck episode of the season airs at 10. Sad. I have had to type "last episode" way too often recently. How about we find a new word for it...maybe...spumoni? (Seems more palatable.)

Carol in White Plains, New York: I know y'all are major fans of 30 Rock just like me. I'm so afraid it's not gonna return after the writers' strike. Is it still struggling in the ratings?
Last Thursday's spumoni attracted almost 6 million viewers, which isn't great, but it does show that the series has gained a few more fans this season, and I can't imagine in my wildest dreams (which, like Tracy's, often involve robots and Napoleon) that Ben Silverman would off this show, especially after the show's Emmy win and Tina's Globe win. That would just be silly.

Starscream in Chicago: How awesome was it that Tina Fey won last night?
It was so very awesome. Meanwhile, if you're jonesing for a little 30 Rock action even though they are out of new eps, you can catch Alec Baldwin on the aforementioned Celebrity Apprentice. Little bro Stephen "calls in a favor" with Alec, who comes by to help him on a challenge. It's not much, but at least it's something.

Jen in San Francisco: I just saw that Dexter is now going to be on CBS. Is it even worth watching the network TV version?
Yes, at least according to Julie Benz, aka Rita herself (with an adorable new brunette look, by the way, thanks to her just wrapped gig on The Punisher II: War Zone). While she was at the Nine West booth at the Access Hollywood gift lounge, she told me they have always been ready for the show to air somewhere other than premium cable. She says, "As we were shooting both seasons, we always did TV coverage for the dialogue for syndication purposes, if down the line it was ever going to air on another network. We already have that in the can, and most of the violence on the show is insinuated...I do know they'll take my naked butt out of it." FYI, I believe that in addition to removing some of the swear words and Julie's adorable naked butt, the eps will all be cut at least a few minutes shorter. The Showtime versions run about 52 minutes, and broadcast drama episodes usually run about 43 minutes, so we may lose a few comedic C-stories...

Dru in Santa Fe, New Mexico: Did you guys see the Big Adventures of Little .n and Gus? Since it's a cartoon, it's not those kid actors from the show, who are awesome, but maybe this will blossom into Simpsons success à la The Tracey Ullman Show?
Okay, .n and Gus are equally awesome as adults, as kids and as cartoons. How many characters can you say that about!? Not the Muppets, that's for sure.

Ragna in Reykjavik: Why do you hate Supernatural so much? Did Jared and Jensen snub you at some event?
Okay, let me try to clear this up: I have nothing at all against Supernatural or One Tree Hill—honestly!—and certainly nothing against Jared or Jensen (please), and I truly apologize for the misunderstanding. Just to clarify what happened: The only reason I took One Tree Hill and Supernatural out of the TV Throwdown Poll (which, looking back, was, um, perhaps not the best name) was because, with 28 and 29 percent of the entire vote, respectively, all the other 100-plus shows had only 1 to 2 percent each, and therefore could not be ranked. As I said, the whole point of this poll was to get a sense of which shows you readers want to hear more about. So, I thought it was okay to announce that Supernatural and One Tree Hill had the most votes and then open it up to the other shows so they could be ranked as well. Does that make sense? I really hope so, and I apologize for not being clearer the first time. Bottom line: I got the message loud and clear that you like these shows, and I will do my best to serve you!

SPOILERS

Thomas in Detroit: Prison Break is here—wooo! What can you tell us? Will Michael break out?
Yes, he will. And here's what else is notable and surprising (at least to me!):

Michael starts off in solitary but will be running free very soon.
Not all the escapees will make it out alive. (Gulp.)
Lincoln and Sucre try to off Susan in a very kaboomy way.
Lincoln meets up with L.J. one last time.
Lincoln is shot.

Marcus in Alabama: Will we get a full season of Prison Break?
We get only five more eps, which is a total of 13 (unless the strike ends like, oh, now-ish). But the good news is the 13th episode was planned to be the "winter finale" (aka the midseason break), so unlike other series, it will feel as though it is a real ending to the season. It will be very satisfying spumoni.

Yessie in New Jersey: One thing that's always bothered me: Why do Michael and Lincoln have different last names?
I get this question all the time, so I asked Dominic himself to clear it up. He says: "Lincoln took his dad's surname, and Michael took his mom's surname. When they were divorced, she reclaimed her maiden name, and he decided to go with her name." Easy-peasy, right? (My guess is the real reason it happened that way was so the prison folk wouldn't be on to Michael's association with Linc in the first season.)

Tom in Cleveland: I'm an old Lost fan—and by old Lost fan, I mean I'm nearing 40 years old. I have a theory that I'm hoping you might validate. If it's true, then I want to coin a new "shipper" term, too. And that's this: We'll discover that Kate's with...a freighter! My bets are on Jeremy Davies. If so, then we have our Skaters, our Jaters and our "Keighters"!
Yeah, because it's not like there are enough people who already have a vested interest in Kate's love life! Jeez, what kind of trouble are you trying to stir up? Anyway, as far as I know, none of the boaties are getting in any of the Lostie's pantaloons, but they might be getting in their heads in a very interesting way.

Jackie in Athens, Illinois: Did you hear that Lauren and Whitney were fired from Teen Vogue recently? Is it true?
Well, fired is a harsh word. I heard it was an amicable parting, but the rumor is that Teen Vogue was not interested in being a part of the show anymore. What? Lisa Love wasn't happy with the way she was portrayed?! Actually, I hear there are several changes in store for Lauren and the ladies of The Hills. Sources say Ms. Conrad is moving out of the tiny apartment she shares with Audrina, as she's recently purchased a Spanish-style home in Hollywood. (Also, like her last place, not actually in the hills, but who's counting?)

Jessica in Bloomington, Indiana: I absolutely love Women's Murder Club! Any word about what's next?
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Bupkes. The wine-counterfeit episode was the last prestrike episode. The good news is, Lindsay is safe (for now) from the Kiss Me Not Killer. The bad news is, no more show (for now).

Sam in Chihuahua, Mexico: Thank you so much for answering a Jacket question. We don't get as much attention as Skate and Jate, it's really sad. So, it's hopeless to ship Jacket for season four, right?
Patience, grasshopper, until at least episode six, which is a Juliet ep. I hear you Jacketeers will like that one.

Laurie in Adair County, Kentucky: Can you tell me if Jessi is still alive on Kyle XY?! I need to know!
Let me just say that if you're a fan of the girl, tonight's premiere should satisfy you.

Kate in Plymouth, Michigan: What's coming up on Cashmere Mafia?
A gossip girl's got it out for Caitlin. Well, kinda. I'm hearing our lesbian-in-training will be outed on a sleazy Website. By the way, word is Caitlin will soon realize she's really more bisexual in nature.

Carmen in Wichita, Kansas: Will we ever see Mia's ex, Jack Cutting (Tom Everett Scott), on Cashmere Mafia again?
Sure will. She tries to make that cutie jealous in just a couple of weeks.

Nicole in New York: Okay, Friday's episode of Moonlight made me cry. I have to know what happens next. Any scoop?
Good news for you Coraline fans: She's at the center of this Friday's ep, she's so not doing her "I'm human!" thing anymore, and we delve into the history of her infamous "fleur-de-lis" and her past life in 18th century France.

Jen in Los Angeles: Hey, so, my pet Friday Night Lights theory is that Lyla's mom is the one getting pregnant. Am I close?
You are so far off...Although one of the parties involved doesn't get much more screen time than Lyla's mom.

April in Bethesda, Maryland: Can you tell us anything more on the Bones cliffhanger? Does the person who's suffering physically have anything to do with the cliffhanger, or is that a different part of the episode altogether?
Yep, you've got it. The cliffhanger and the suffering are one and the same, and I'm pretty sure either way, the cliffhanger will leave all of us fans suffering until new eps of Bones come back, somewhere, somehow...Sigh.

Marcia in Austin, Texas: Not that you'll answer, because you are pure evil, but any scoop on Supernatural?
For now I can tell you the show returns Jan. 31 with an episode I personally inspired: Sam and Dean confront a terrible and wicked witch who just happens to know a few secrets from Ruby's past while they're at it.
XOXO, Beelzebub

Marc in Naples, Florida: So excited that Medium is back. Any dish?
Meredith's mom and Alex P. Keaton's dad are guesting! Next Monday, Kate Burton and Michael Gross play parents with a missing daughter and a possible job for Joe. Allison, obviously, is so on that case. Also, we learn about another missing person: Cynthia Keener's (Anjelica Huston) daughter, MIA for 10 years now. Muy interesante, no?

Sara in Superior, Wisconsin: I loved the pilot for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Does it stay good?
Yes, indeed, thanks in no small part to Garret Dillahunt (Deadwood, John from Cincinnati), who joins the show next Monday. I caught up with him somewhere between the Spanx corner and the FragFX videogame booth at Access Hollywood's gift lounge over the weekend, and he told me, "Owain Yeoman and I are both Cromartie, which is all the same robot underneath—he just needs a new flesh suit. I show up in episode three, and I'll be following them around for a while. When we got to where we stopped because of the strike...I actually haven't even met them yet, but I do interact with a lot of people who get in my way, and the FBI guy Richard T. Jones is on my tail." It's gonna be a little awesome.

oh man, i cant wait to see Cashmere Mafia!

Ha - sorry i don't believe her for one second that she does not hate Supernatural! Sure us fans are over enthusiastic but thats for good reason! we get hardly any promo, and what not so we do our best to try and get it, any way possible.

She will do her best by doing nothing very little!

She doesn't have to like the show! but just a little more attention would be NICE!

Channel Ten and Foxtel have won the Australian TV rights to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held at New Delhi, India, in early October. Ten and Foxtel will share the rights with Ten having exclusive live coverage of opening and closing ceremonies. The events will also be shown on high definition.

Network TEN is reviving Good News Week with Paul McDermott.

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

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

Read more about this story here

The Biggest Loser Australia starts on Feb 3 and there's a sneaky surprise too that the trainers don't know about

Is it that they're getting the boot and Bob & Jillian are coming back??

Thank-you that helps a lot!

My first ratings post for the year

Ratings for Saturday, January 19
Audience share:
Seven 35.3%
Nine 24.2%
ABC 21.2%
Ten 12.6%
SBS 6.7%

National Top programs:
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TENNIS: 2008 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - DAY 6 NIGHT SESSION Seven 1,441,000 379,000 525,000 237,000 152,000 147,000
2 NATIONAL NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 1,408,000 489,000 445,000 225,000 153,000 97,000
3 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,234,000 355,000 325,000 240,000 132,000 182,000
4 CRICKET: THIRD TEST - AUSTRALIA V INDIA Nine 1,095,000 351,000 344,000 181,000 109,000 110,000
5 PARKINSON FINALE ABC 940,000 315,000 273,000 145,000 103,000 103,000
6 DOC MARTIN RPT ABC 907,000 257,000 234,000 172,000 109,000 134,000
7 HEARTBEAT Seven 873,000 221,000 241,000 183,000 (note 1) 96,000 133,000
8 TENNIS: 2008 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - DAY 6 NIGHT SESSION - LATE Seven 854,000 241,000 331,000 102,000 98,000 82,000
9 ABC NEWS SATURDAY ABC 838,000
10 THE CRICKET SHOW Nine 771,000
11 THE BILL ABC 725,000 247,000 159,000 142,000 75,000 102,000
12 ABC NEWS UPDATE ABC 686,000
13 ABC NEWS UPDATE ABC 679,000
14 COLLECTORS (Shorts) ABC 652,000
15 SURVIVOR: CHINA Nine 603,000 121,000 203,000 127,000 54,000 99,000
16 FRIENDS Ten 572,000 137,000 174,000 136,000 69,000 55,000
17 TENNIS: 2008 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - DAY 6 Seven 532,000 124,000 210,000 85,000 55,000 59,000
18 MOVIE: LEPRECHAUN 4: SPACE PLATOON Seven 526,000 (note 2)
19 TEN NEWS AT FIVE SATURDAY Ten 517,000
20 WAKING THE DEAD RPT Nine 496,000
21 THE SIMPSONS RPT SATURDAY Ten 480,000
22 MOVIE: WIMBLEDON RPT Ten 448,000 124,000 125,000 85,000 55,000 59,000
23 SPORTS TONIGHT SATURDAY Ten 418,000
24 BEST OF GARDENING AUSTRALIA ABC 407,000
25 MYTHBUSTERS SBS 392,000 137,000 94,000 79,000 48,000 33,000
26 IRON CHEF SBS 369,000 125,000 114,000 63,000 41,000 27,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)
Note 1: Heartbeat not shown in Brisbane due to tennis. This is the figure for Brisbane during the hour Heartbeat was scheduled.
Note 2: early figure for Lleyton Hewitt v Marcos Baghdatis tennis match up to 2am local time. The rest will be included in Sunday's ratings.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald website, tvtonight.com.au

Hehe awesome Johnson

Spicks and Specks returns Feb 6 at its usual time of 8:30pm Wednesday nights on ABC.

Gangland matriarch Judy Moran has told the Herald Sun that Nine's drama series Underbelly is a rot.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...40-2862,00.html

More airdates:
The Biggest Loser 3 starts on Channel Ten on Sunday February 3.
The Kylie Show will be shown on Channel Seven at 7.30pm, Tuesday February 5.

Programming update
Channel Ten has announced the general schedule for the first part of 2008 ratings season, led by So You Think You Can Dance Australia and The Biggest Loser.
A DVD previewing the programming will come free with News Limited papers next Sunday.
Ten has confirmed House will return on Wednesday, February 13.

SUN
6:00 The Simpsons
6:30 The Biggest Loser - Weign-in
7:30 So You Think You Can Dance - Performance
9:00 Rove / Movie (alternates)

MON
6:00 Friends
6:30 Neighbours
7:00 The Biggest Loser - Elimination
7:30 So You Think You Can Dance - Verdict
8:30 Good News Week
9:30 Supernatural

TUE
6:00 Friends
6:30 Neighbours
7:00 The Biggest Loser - The Warehouse
8:00 Bondi Rescue
8:30 Women's Murder Club
9:30 Burn Notice

WED
7:00 The Biggest Loser - Temptation
7:30 Rules of Engagement
8:00 Back to You
8:30 House
9:30 Numb3rs

THU
6:00 Friends
6:30 Neighbours
7:00 The Biggest Loser - The Walk
8:00 Saving Kids
8:30 Law & Order: SVU
9:30 Medium

FRI
6:00 Friends
6:30 Neighbours
7:00 The Biggest Loser - Major Challenge
7:30 Kid Nation
8:30 Movie

SAT
6:00 The Simpsons
6:30 Before the Game / TBA
8:30 Movies / AFL

Source: tvtonight.com.au, Channel Ten press release

And this is Ten's schedule for the last week of summer non-ratings season, thanks to Aaron at tvaus.com.au:

Sunday 3rd February
6:30 The Biggest Loser (