Radio Ratings Race

This summer, we have not seen anything that has grabbed the attention of program directors to gamble on a summer ratings success. 2UE moved Tim Webster into his own Afternoon shift after doing the fill-in duties of John Laws for the last few years.

It was only mid last week that 2UE confirmed Sandy Alioisi as co-host on the breakfast show. Alioisi had been filling in on NewsRadio as she gets her breakfast gig off the mark.

So far, so good. Alioisi is very knowledgeable, intelligent, calm and easy listening across a number of news items.

Unfortunately for Carlton, the ‘fun’ element may disappear that he had with good mate Peter FitzSimons but Alioisi looks the goods. In fact she will probably host her own show somewhere down the track.

It will take some time for a synergy to develop and the show will evolve over the coming weeks. The Newspapers reported that ‘Mike and Sandy’ will have a greater emphasis on news which can be noted through the return of the ‘voice’ at 2UE, Ken Sparkes and the various stings he has recorded.

It’s a brave gamble by 2UE partnering Carlton and Aliosi which will hopefully bring ratings success.

Over on the FM band, 2DAYFM experimented with ‘The Summer Fling’ featuring Ryan, Jules and Tamsyn. I don’t expect a permanent gig for this unlikely trio but Ryan Shelton could have an on-air role across the medium in the future.

Cal Wilson has taken five days off for her wedding leaving Akmal Saleh with the similar ill-feeling he had twelve months ago when the Matthew Newton-Brooke Satchwell allegations were reveled. De ja vu Akmal?

This time former ‘Get This’ co-host Ed Kavalee is playing the role of ‘best man’ while Cal Wilson is getting married.

Which leaves Tony Martin scratching his head and wondering why he does not have a show in 2008? Without a doubt he is Australia’s best radio talent who is not on air at the moment, DMG could use him and Ed and Richard Marsland... let’s Get This back on the air.

Summer Experiments

Cat and mouse games are always being played by Seven and Nine with Nine returning its balls right across the network this week and also dropping the word ‘Channel’.

Subtly when you now listen to a promotion for Nine, all it says is... “Coming Up...Cold Case 8.30 Wednesday... On Nine”

While Sunrise and the Today Show seem to rotate summer presenters to the minute and to the genre with Cameron Williams taking the male co-host role on Today and Matthew White taking the Sunrise stool at Seven.

Funny isn’t it that both networks decided to use sport anchors to host sunrise will leaving their leading ladies, Lisa Wilkinson and Melissa Doyle on air over the Christmas break.

When the new year arrived, so did a new summer team with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies from the Morning Show take over Sunrise while Nine have used regular fill-ins Richard Wilkins and Georgie Gardner.

Summer schedueling is a scary time for presenters because someone can take your job...
Seven’s Mel and Kochie need not worry and I note their slap in the face to Nine using both Sharyn Ghidella and Jessica Rowe at times during the summer as fill-in newsreaders on Sunrise.

On Nine a fresh team lead by Georgie and Richard with News provided by Sarah Harris. This formula looks good, new and fresh and get my vote.

Karl Stefanovick works well when he fills in for Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair while Tracy is wasted fronting that show. She should be given her own midday type show or even Sunday.

Whilst National Nine News is being read by Peter Overton these past two weeks and what a good job he is doing. Good suits, ties and shirts, similarly with Cameron Williams.

Mark Ferguson always dresses smartly but remember when a certain Jim Waley took his summer vacation Fergo...

One thing Nine still has over Seven is the wardrobe... seriously, Nine’s presenters always look professional while Seven’s still need some work including Ian Ross’ tie selection.

Some things may evolve out of summer news and current affairs scheduling which assist networks with future projects. Nine has been the winner with summer experiments.

Michael Usher, Brett McLeod, Peter Overton and Sarah Harris are more than capable of having wider on-air news reading roles.

Cameron Williams is versatile and could potentially do other projects having amicably co-hosting the Today Show.

Matthew White is still too fresh faced and young, typecast as a Sports Broadcaster on Seven and didn’t deliver on Sunrise or reading the Weekend News.

Nevertheless the people whom the networks experiment with over summer are in the thoughts of programmers so lets see what evolves in 2008.

Does anyone want to partner Carlton?

Radio 2UE are set to resume regular programming on January 14 but their on-air line-up for 2008 is still not confirmed.

Steve Price has been confirmed for the morning show, vacated by the now retired John Laws with John Stanley to resume hosting Drive.

Stanley is too bland for Drive. He is a good presenter but he was perfect in Afternoons and did a very good show there, likewise Prices suited Drive.

Breakfast is currently hosted by John Stanley and Tim Gilbert over summer. It is not really working as Stanley generally appears tongue-tied and Gilbert does not say much. Obviously there is no synergy but both presenters are talented in their own right at what they do.

2UE have known about Laws decision for 9 months so to still not know their on air line-up show signs of weak management, dare I say a station in disarray?

Ellen Fanning, Ken Sutcliffe and more recently Deborah Thomas were linked with to the co-hosting chair with Carlton on Breakfast but none have signed.

Carlton may have to go breakfast alone which would be a back flip on the stations decision in 2006 to partner Carlton with Peter FitzSimons because he ratings were sliding. The ratings have not improved.

Perhaps 2UE should have launched a new breakfast show and moved Mike Carlton to either Drive or Mornings?

Steve Price has all ready started bickering with Ray Hadley but his comments may be deemed useless if 2UE do not have a strong performing Breakfast show to launch the platform for the day.

Unless 2UE can pull a rabbit out of the hat, 2008 appears to be looking dismal as they start on the back foot with No Laws and No replacement for FitzSimons. In turn this will affect potential advertisers.

Believed 2UE ON-AIR Line-Up 2008

5:30-9 Mike Carlton & ????

9-12 Steve Price

12-3 Tim Webster

3-6 John Stanley

6-8 Sports Today with Greg Alexander & John Gibbs

8-12 Stuart Bocking

12-5:30 Clive Roberston

With Breakfast not being confirmed yet advertisers may look elsewhere will across the schedule the line-up is not all that flattering and will struggle to compete with 2GB and ABC 702.

So, what would I do?

If the decisions that have been made so far in regards to programming be taken into account and it looks like top-rating weekend breakfast hosts George More and Paul B Kidd will not get a weekday slot, then I would change that first because if 2UE don’t use them, don’t be surprised if they jump ship to get a permanent weekday gig somewhere else.

My suggested 2UE ON-AIR Line-Up 2008

5:30-9 Mike Carlton & John Stanley

9-12 Steve Price

12-3 George More & Paul B Kidd

3-6 Steve Liebmann

6-8 Sports Today with Greg Alexander & John Gibbs

8-12 Clive Robertson

12-5:30 Stuart Bocking

Partnering John Stanley with Mike Carlton may if fact work because Carlton would lead the discussion allowing Stanley to fill the co-host Fitzsimons role which he would perform amicably.

Steve Price has all ready been given Mornings so there will be no back-flip there, yet.

Tim Webster in Afternoons is not right. George and Paul have an excellent weekend formula that is desperately needed in Afternoons which to some extent is provided by Stanley.

Afternoons is a slower news time until Drive where news breaks and news is being wrapped up for the day. Afternoons should be lighter, informative yet entertaining. All that 2UE need to do is condense the weekend breakfast formula to afternoons with George and Paul and their show would rate.

Steve Liebmann is professional and polished and is always easy to listen to when he fills in on drive. He may not want the shift permanently but he is smart enough and a very good interviewer which compliments the Drive time audience.

Nights have not been set alight by Stuart Bocking but its a hard gig. Bocking is becoming a better presenter, shift by shift but Nights are not him. He would be better in a Afternoon show or weekend breakfast.

Bocking has that laid back easy listening voice and presentation style which I like but not at nights. So either return him to mid-dawn or present weekend breakfast because Clive Robertson is needed on nights.

Robertson has a brilliant speaking voice, he is quick whited, funny, irreverent and cheeky. He has some similarities to the late Stan Zemanek. The night show is Clive Robertson.

We are only 10 days away from the start of the first ratings period with a number of radio stations launching new breakfast shows or new members to their breakfast shows particularly on the FM band with MIX 106.5, NOVA 969, VEGA 95.3 and TRIPLE M hedging their bets on new teams but their decisions were made in 2007.

2UE go into 2008 without a confirmed breakfast show, they have 9 days to find someone...

Nine's Balls are back!

The First Australia India cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground re-instated the famous Nine's Wide World of Sport logo including the treasured 9 balls.

In a return the logo may also bring about new badges on the cricket commentators jackets, perhaps Richie Benaud can dust off the cream, white, the off white and the bone which were stitched with the old logo.

Cricket, men, balls and Channel 9 is perhaps the networks most treasured asset nostalgically connected to the former later owner of the network, Kerry Packer.

Channel Nine is cricket coverage and the game has kept its tradition with the commentator’s suits and ties, gentlemanly approach but with ever innovative technology unseen anywhere else in the world.

Hot Spot, Snicko, Hawk-Eye... what's next?

Billy 'the 12th Man' Birmingham has for years been parodying the Channel Nine Cricket technology suggesting a 'scrotometer' to measure the players comfort level in their jocks... who knows maybe Billy's tongue-in-cheek (excuse the pun) idea may be a reality before we know it.

Cleverly scripted returns of the Balls for Nine in a year where the network will attempt to hit back and re-discover that golden programming that had the premier Australian network as market leader. With David Gyngell returning to work and the new ratings year almost upon us Nine will launch some excellent new series sure to lure viewers back to the network.

Underbelly is based on the Melbourne Gang Land warfare that has plagued the city for the past decade. This thirteen part series, believed to be male focused will surely grab media attention with a strong cast lead by Robert Mammone and Martin Sacks.

In a continued push for a return of Australian drama, Nine are also launching Canal Road, The Strip and a remake of The Young Doctors. Viewers will also be viewing the final series of McLeod's Daughters and the second series of Sea Patrol which will surely create interest with the Australian viewers.

Nine's Australian drama stocks look promising but their lifestyle and reality documentary series have not been as well received as viewers compared with Seven who boast Border Security, Medical Emergency and RSPCA Animal Rescue to name a few.

Nine have had success with RPA and Missing Persons Unit but not quite the same success with The Gift or The Royal Flying Doctor Service which is going to be re-launched. One hopeful for the network however is The Chopping Block which has the potential and the creative team to be a success.

The network will be challenging Seven in 2008 and could close the widening gap but Seven still have the momentum with their Australian dramas City Homicide and All Saints. Seven will be backing their new drama Packed to the Rafetrs which will fill the void of the 'rested' Kath & Kim.

With Kath & Kim resting in 2008, Seven's ratings dominance could be challeged as the 'jewel in the crown' will not be on our screens. Although, Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives are all returning and a re-make of Gladiators will be broadcast from February.

It will be a interesting year nonetheless and we the viewers are the fortunate ones with competition between the networks only producing more quality television programs for us to choose from.

***Top NEW Shows to watch in 2008***
1. The Chopping Block (9)
2. Gladiators (7)
3. Underbelly (9)
4. City Homicide Series 2 (7)
5. Packed to the Rafters (7)

I predict these five Australian programs to be the ratings success in 2008 at of the new batch of shows.

TV: 2007

The year in review...

10 WORST SHOWS OF 2007

The Lost Tribes (9)
Australia’s Best Backyards (7)
The Singing Bee (9)
Celebrity Dog School (10)
The Conest (10)
1 v 100 (9)
National Bingo Night (7)
The Nation (9)
Surprise Surprise (9)
Commercial Breakdown (9)
The Catch-Up (9)

5 BEST NEW AUSTRALIAN SHOWS IN 2007

City Homicide (7)
Sea Patrol (9)
Newstopia (SBS)
The Farmer Wants A Wife (9)
Summer Heights High (ABC)

10 BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2007

The Singing Bee (9)
Heroes (7)
Neighbours (10)
The Code: Crime and Justice (9)
Big Brother (10)
Australia’s Best Backyards (7)
Prison Break (7)
The Catch-Up (9)
Multi-Millionaire (9)
The Wedge (10)


5 BEST NEW IMPORTED SHOWS 2007

Californication (10)
Gossip Girl (Fox 8)
Ugly Betty (7)
Brothers and Sisters (7)
30 Rock (7)


10 BEST SHOWS OF 2007

Summer Heights High (ABC)
City Homicide (7)
Californication (10)
Brothers and Sisters (7)
Greys Anatomy (7)
Gossip Girl (Fox 8)
Home and Away (7)
The Chaser’s WAR on Everything (ABC)
Kath and Kim (7)
CSI (9)

Developing a "woman's touch" at Channel Nine

Nine continually makes headlines with more dramas than a soap opera.

Mia Freedman, Christine Spiterri and Jessica Rowe have been apart of the revolving door of ‘boned’ women that the weekend papers reported were apart of managements dislike of blonde women reporters (in the case of Spitteri and Rowe) and moreover they would never report on the headline stories of the news bulletins.

The reaction, Sunday nights news had the lead story being reported by Alison Langdon and the second story reported by Karen Tso.

Also making the headlines last week was Stephanie Brantz removal from Nine’s cricket commentary team but is Brantz set for a more important on air-role?

David Gyngell launched Nine’s programming for 2008 which included a new Wide World of Sports series. Previously hosted by Ken Sutcliffe, Max Walker and Ian Maurice.

Nine boast a host of strong male sports presenters still lead by Ken Sutcliffe, Eddie McGuire and Tony Jones.

With Ken Sutcliffe rumoured to be joining the 2UE breakfast show, his time will be limited to commit to more programs other than sports news reading and hosting.

Is it time for a new generation?

As I stated, Nine have a host of male sporting presenters. Looking further a field, Nine have James Brayshaw, Gary Lyon, Cameron Williams and the rising popularity of Matthew Johns, Ben Ikin and Michael Slater on their books.

Nicole Livingstone is currently off-air taking maternity leave but Brantz looks to be the frontrunner for the hosting chair of a new Wide World of Sports.

Nine has re-branded the Network, ‘we love tv’ with a host of shows to become more aggressive aimed at a younger demographic.

Over the summer two men are on trial with Cameron Williams hosting the Today Show and Ryan Phelan auditioning for the Network as the Sports Presenter of the Today Show. To me the former Seven sports anchor and Ten host of Sport's Tonight are the frontrunners to co-host Wide World of Sports with Brantz.

Phelan has been voted a ‘Cleo Bachelor of the Year’ and Stephanie Brantz has also worked previously as a model. Together with their good looks is a genuinely insightful sporting knowledge who are both capable of hosting and presenting Wide World of Sports.

Nine has grabbed the Olympic Games in 2010 and 2012 so strengthening their sporting department would be a network aim.

Partnering Brantz and Phelan I would choose either Matthew Johns or Michael Slater pending on the season (league or cricket) and encourage the involvement of Cameron Williams, James Brayshaw and Nicole Livingstone as reporters.

This group should be Nine’s core group of Sport reporters for the future which would fit Nine’s new demographic and develop a strong on air presence between now and the 2010, 2012 Olympics.

Facebook drops ‘is’ and makes SMH.com.au

Children are starving... people are dying... the Prime Minister is about to ratify Kyoto BUT much more important to all us internet savvy consumers is that social networking giant facebook has dropped the ‘is’ in its status updates.

According to the one of three lead headlines at 8AM this morning on smh.com.au the social networking site was under pressure after more than 60 000 users had joined a group asking for the removal of ‘is’.

Having given into consumer power, facebook has made the change, for the better.

I find it interesting how this story makes the lead stories on SMH. What do we need to do to make NEWSWORTHY news.

The television news and current affairs shows are changing noted with the success of the ‘Sunrise’ formula.

Radio to some extent is looking away from comedy as we embrace the likes of Kyle & Jackie O who do ‘entertainment and gossip’ but there are still ratings for NEWS programming such as Alan Jones on 2GB and Adam Spencer on 2BL.

The radio medium has not been radically changed so much as TV but this will probably change when the likes of Jones retire.

Newspapers adapt to the changing tastes of the consumer with SMH now producing tabloid liftouts focusing on gossip and lifestyle.

The internet, the online news medium has introduces the world to a whole new on demand dimension with news as it breaks, pictures, video streaming and updated text.

So the new on-line consumer is the one particularly interested in all this ‘tabloid’ news. It may shock some but not a lot of internet users who see such a trivial piece of news as one of the lead stories.

Musical Microphones

As the ratings for 2007 have no ceased on radio, the biggest names sign off, hang up their headphones and cool their heals for the next five weeks. Old names, new names and emerging names take the post on the radio merry-go-round for the summer non-ratings period.

It’s an important time nevertheless for both the station and the presenters. New presenters may emerge and be offered shows that they were not previously considered for.

Empty slots create new opportunities for presenters or for those thinking they may have a career in radio, they are proved horribly wrong. For Matt Newton and Akmal Saleh their stint on NOVA 969 summer landed them the new nationally syndicated drive show (which Newton never made).

This summer NOVA are partnering mornings presenter and former B105 anchorman Jamie Row with comedian Rachel

While over at rival 2DAYFM they seem to have emerged as the frontrunner launching ‘Summer Fling’ headed by Jules Lund, Tamsyn Lewis and Ryan Shelton. The three young and buoyant presenters are a show of good faith by Austereo management to try something different.

While VEGA, MIX, WSFM and Triple M play more music with regular deejays filling the void of their breakfast shows.

Over on the AM band, Alan Jones wannabe Jason Morrison heads 2GB’s breakfast show, Chris Smith and Luke Bona through mornings and afternoons with Jim Ball in drive. Former One Nation supremo David Oldfield has taken the midnight to dawn reigns.

Over at rival 2UE the obsession with pseudo-personalities continues with John Stanley partnering Channel 9 and 2UE Sports Reporter Tim Gilbert in breakfast. Tim Webster takes mornings, ever ready Murray Olds through the afternoon with Stuart Bocking (this week only)/ Steve Liebmann in drive.

The big tests are over at 2UE with a possible shake-up of the entire schedule on the cards. Mike Carlton will be back in breakfast next year but with who and where will Stanley and Steve Price be in the schedule?

The summer musical microphones all day every day on your radio station of choice.

2UE Breakfast with Mike and Ken?

Is sixty year old Ken Sutcliffe sent to join Mike Carlton on the 2UE Breakfast Show in 2008?

If you believe the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian then you’d believe Sutcliffe has been offered the job.

I cannot see why the Wide World of Sports, Channel Nine presenter could even consider or want the gig on top of his commitments at Nine and the return of Wide World of Sports in 2008.

Sutcliffe filled in for retiring host Peter Fitzsimons during the Rugby World Cup when Fitz was hosting a tour with wife Lisa Wilkinson. Sutcliffe tried but he didn’t connect with Carlton or the audience.

Having stated that, Fitzsimons and Carlton took sometime to gel which ultimately failed in terms of their ratings.

If we believe the paper talk then Steve Price will move into Mornings, Tim Webster will be the afternoon presenter and John Stanley will return to drive.

The other speculation is moving weekend Breakfast presenters George More and Paul B Kidd into afternoons.

At least 2UE has some stability in 2008, by re-signing Carlton they ensure that not all will be lost with John Laws and Peter Fitzsimons departures.

Despite 2UE’s ratings taking a hammering and The Australian reporting that 2UE is running at a loss, they can rebuild in 2008 and then move Carlton when their new shows are in set in concrete.

The picture looks somewhat clearer as the daytime schedule will be finalised when a new co-host is found for breakfast. Should Sutcliffe not be given the gig other names mentioned have included Andrew Denton, Tim Webster and Ellen Fanning.

The latter two could work with Carlton and have. Fanning would be my first choice over all the contenders and I don’t think Webster would do a bad job with Carlton.

I think we’ll have some answers before Christmas… so who will be getting a good gift this Christmas?

Is Christmas coming early for Shaun Tait?

Australian speedstar and ICC Emerging Player of the Year Shaun Tait is bowling towards a boxing day test cap against India at the MCG.

Tait’s first Pura Cup outing has sent a sure fire message to selectors taking ten wickets this match claiming 7/29 (16.1) in the second innings against Queensland destroying them for 137.

Mitchell Johnson on the other hand took 2/127 in the first innings but has 2/10 in the second but South Australia only require 30 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

For mind Johnson would be first to leave the Australian attack to make way for the inform Tait but Ashley Noffke continues to apply the pressure taking bags of wickets and scoring loads of runs.

It may in fact come down to the Chappell-Hadlee series where Tait and Noffke will hopefully be tried. For mind the two are bowling better than the incumbents (Stuart Clark and Johnson) but Brett Lee will obviously spearhead the attack on boxing day.

With Stuart MacGill’s injury concerns, the Australian selectors have publicly stated they may consider going with four quicks. Australia still need a spin option and Brad Hogg is more than capable of stepping up and filling MacGill’s shoes should he not be fit.

Hogg provides more to the Australian team in the field and with the bat than MacGill. His wrong’un is also well respected in cricketing circles and should be given his chance.

On November 23, I stated it was Doug Bollinger putting the pressure on the selectors. He is doing his best to keep his name on the selectors lips as is Nathan Bracken taking a few wickets.

I still think Tait and Noffke are ahead of Johnson and Clark at the moment. They are bowling better, getting wickets and looking dangerous… give them a go!

Durie’s Dancing With the Stars?

On the day that John Laws left 2UE, Daryl Summers left Dancing With the Stars. The show that brought the Hey Hey It’s Saturday Host back into prime time on a show that wins its timeslot very convincingly.

With Summers gone, who will host Dancing?

Seven have a few personalities such as Grant Denyer, Tom Williams and Andrew O’Keefe but Jamie Durie would be another contender having all ready waltzed his way through a series.

Dancing’s last season finished last week with its lowest ratings thanks largely to man of the moment David Beckham.

The timing for Summers to move on opens the door for new hosts much like Grettel Killen’s axing from Big Brother with Kyle and Jackie O taking over the controversial reality TV show.

If Jamie Durie’s busy American schedule can accommodate a hosting stint with Dancing With the Stars then he is the one to do it.

Grant Denyer all ready hosts Australia’s Got Talent and It Takes Two and does not do that all too well. Andrew O’Keefe does not quite feel right and Tom Williams has been announced as the host of Gladiators.

Seven may look to Todd McKenny as his relationship with Sonia Kruger is brilliant as the two have just been signed to Mix 106.5 breakfast show.

Or maybe even promote Kruger herself to the top job and put a male in the backroom. That’s where Denyer could be a frontrunner or perhaps Seven have other plans and are set to unveil a new host.

Looking further a field to programs such as City Homicide, All Saints and Home and Away there doesn’t seem to be too many Seven personalities capable of the hosting role.

Jim Waley and Jana Wendt are still unemployed…

Give George and Paul a go

As radio king John Laws brought the curtain down on his 55 year old career yesterday 2UE is left considering its future with no confirmed breakfast, morning or night show for 2008.

Laws has left, Peter Fitzsimons has quit, Stan Zemanek is dead and Mike Carlton’s future is still uncertain. Stuart Bocking has never been confirmed as the official night time host and without Laws he will be praying his latest ratings have been on the increase.

Yesterday Carlton made some remarks which are sure to disgruntle management publicly stating that the current management had no idea how to run a radio station compared with that of John Conde (former 2UE boss).

Andrew Denton was John Laws preferred replacement, but Denton denies he wants the gig. Glenn Wheeler has put up his hand, Tim Webster is chomping at the bit but both are inexperienced and won’t deliver for 2UE.

Whoever succeeds Laws must not be judged in Laws terms but given his or her time to develop their own style and show. 2UE would be wise to consider two co-hosts for the morning show and change the stations style and sound.

Weekend Breakfast presenters George More and Paul B Kidd are two candidates that could deliver for 2UE. More’s easy listening speaking voice and Kidd’s general quirky knowledge compliment the popular weekend magazine program.

Their combined salaries would be less than Carlton’s and their enthusiasm would be a welcome ‘breath of fresh air’.

It is a worry however that 2UE have not confirmed their major programming for 2008. We are now only six weeks away from the new ratings season and the airwaves are changing.

2UE must be hoping Alan Jones gets the Wallabies coaching position because that will give them the window to re-invigorate the brand. The problem is that there are no obvious, proven or capable replacements in the radio world if Carlton walks then 2UE will be banking on inexperienced presenters to lift the stations ratings and ensure that 2UE can still be an alternative AM commercial radio station to 2GB.

we love tv

...but is it enough?

Channel 9 is about to lose its first ratings race in many years but the embattled network is buoyant having regained its balls and David Gyngell as they try to claw back some of Channel 7's dominance.

The year has been disappointing for Nine with a number of flops including The Lost Tribes, 1 v 100, ER, Viva Laughlin, Millionaire and many more.

News and Current Affairs have taken a hit with the National Nine News, A Current Affair and 60 Minutes brands all suffering while Today and Sunday's ratings have not improved despite new co-hosts in Lisa Wilkinson and Ray Martin respectively.

Nine is caught between Seven's new news approach, adopting a more relaxed, lifestyle, entertainment soft news approach where Nine's strength has been its hard commercial news tactics.

Audiences are speaking for themselves favoring the softer news packages and Nine just misses the beat. The Nine product is hard news and unless they have a complete overhaul they will just look like they are caught between two places and awkward as the network looks now.

Nine's election coverage failed to pull ratings as it was promoted more like a cartoon than a serious election coverage. 'Ray and Laurie's Election Extravaganza' should never have been marketed like this.

Getaway is looking tired; Temptation is not delivering at 7pm getting Nine off to a bad start every night. It has been encouraging in these last few weeks to see ratings return for 20 to 1, The Farmer Wants A Wife and Missing Persons Unit.

With a 2008 launch last night which includes four new Australian dramas - Canal Road, Underbelly, The Young Doctors plus a father series of Sea Patrol and McLeod's Daughters final series show encouraging signs of a network developing stock.

Another game show will be launched titled 'The Power of Ten' but lets see if Nine can find another host. I think Eddie McGuire is over exposed in this format and is much cleverer. He is underutilised else where and Nine should be thinking about where best to use Eddie.

Will Nine claw back in 2008 or will it be 7 in 08 while 9 will have to wait until 09?

Nine will hopefully put some runs back on the board but the key lies around their ability to generate interest in their news and current affairs hour followed by a strong 7pm show.

The New Political Landscape

In a few hours Australia will have a new opposition leader, whether it is Malcolm Turnbull or Brendan Nelson.

By the weekend Australia will have a new set of ministers and a Prime Minister ready to be sworn into Government.

The Australian political landscape is changing and for at least the next three years Mr Rudd will become the 26th Prime Minister of Australia with every chance of being re-elected.

You would have to assume that Rudd is there for at least two terms in office unless there is a catastrophe. Two new players in Rudd and either Nelson or Turnbull will be the two figure heads of Labor and Liberal in our nation.

The Liberal Party has been ‘cleaned out’ with John Howard, Peter Costello, Andrew Downer all either retiring or serving out their terms on the back bench. We are yet to hear from Phillip Ruddock but don’t expect the outgoing Attorney-General to remain in politics.

With change in the air, Kevin Rudd grabbed his opportunity in 2006 when the Australian people were starting to seek a new start. Costello missed the boat and should have challenged Howard because today he may be PM.

It has been done now, the Liberals have lost and Labor has won. Rudd will be wearing his L-plates, treading lightly but with such a comprehensive majority in the Lower House and every state and territory being governed by Labor, he almost has free reign over Australian politics.

Nelson or Turnbull will become the face of the Liberals, two contrasting moderately-conservative characters whose best job would be to draw a line under the Howard years and move on. Don’t mope around or defend the failed policies that did not get the Howard Government re-elected but put pressure on the Government and quickly re-unify.

Our Prime-Minister elect and Labor were in a mess only twelve months ago, now they prepare to take their seats in Government and lead the nation.

Politics is just that and within parties it is even worse. Keep your friends close but your enemy’s closer is something that the new Liberal leader must do because there is a former Treasurer sitting on your back bench and here is your warning, never disregard Peter Costello.

Costello is considering his future and says he will retire at the next federal election. I wouldn’t bank on that, Costello could still rise back to the top of the Liberal Party if he grew some courage and challenged his leader unlike his cowardly approach to the Prime Ministership.

Will it be Nelson or Turnbull?

I think Nelson will get the nod as the conservatives will think Turnbull is still too radical for now but don’t expect him to be the opposition leader at the next federal election.

Labor went through Kim Beazley, Simon Crean, Kim Beazley again, Mark Latham, Kim Beazley all before they found Kevin 07 and even he, Mr Rudd was not guaranteed leader amongst an unstable party.

It’s amazing what power and Governance can do for unification, if only there was no-infighting we would probably have a change of Government at every election.

'Hollywood' style politics

A Hollywood style election campaign with media personalities and former rock stars have won Labor an election and installed Kevin Rudd as Australia's 26th Prime Minister.

With the 'Kevin 07' branding has signalled a time for change in the Australian Government and a return to Labor after 11 years.

Regardless of who you vote for, both political parties have introduced 'celebrities' to politics to run against seasoned, experienced and educated politicians.

To me, it reflects poorly on Australian society when the likes of Maxine McKew, Malcolm Turnball, Peter Garrett or Mike Bailey are considered candidates, let alone voted into their particular electorate.

Are we that uneducated that we have to have a 'name' or a celebrity that ensures we vote for a particular candidate.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the 'Governator' of California in what can only be described as a joke and here we are starting to vote in similar people to run our country.

It is laughable because they have no experience, knowledge or understanding of politics making a mockery of their party and the party process for candidates who may never become politicians in their own right.

Get real Labor, Liberal and Australia and start choosing people to represent your parties who are not only educated but are qualified to represent their electorate.

Bring in Bollinger for Boxing Day

Bollinger...who? Doug Bollinger a relatively unknown cricketer. More specifically he is a left arm fast bowler from New South Wales who is proving to be a real handful to batsmen.

Bollinger is currently playing Tasmania and has so far picked up 12 wickets for the match and may possibly grab another 4 before the match has been completed.

His pace, bounce, line and length is a talking point as the Australian selectors watch on for the next month before the Boxing Day Test against India.

If Ashley Noffke is fit he will also pressure the bowling attack as will Shaun Tait.

Overall the Australian team had a convincing series win against the Sri Lankans. The bowlers completed their job grabbing all 40 wickets but did they do their job well?

Brett Lee was outstanding. He really bowled with aggression, grunt and speed but it was thoughtful bowling. Lee has definitely matured as a bowler and is developing plans, learning how to get batsmen out, which he executed almost perfectly.

Stuart Clark was disappointing especially on the final morning of the Tasmanian test. His lengths at times were reminiscent of his Ashes 2006/2007 form but he was a long way from the top of his game.

Clark's lack of pace will let him down if he cannot consistently bowl accurately as this showed during the series.

Mitchell Johnson shows some promise but he is not the answer in the Test XI. Johnson offers pace and the left armers action but he is far too inconsistent to be damaging.

Johnson needs more time to develop and the selectors should reconsider their pace attack.

MacGill bowled poorly and he and all of Australia know it. Maybe Stuart is past his better days and will have to bowl well in the Pura Cup to see off Brad Hogg who is in career best form.

The selectors will probably back their test winning XI but I think they should consider their bowling options. Imagine a sold out Boxing Day test with Brett Lee and Shaun Tait opening the bowling... that would sting the Indians, excite the crowd and be a very impressive statement to world cricket.

Fast from one end, fast from the other... Australia is menacing!

My Test XI for Boxing Day

1 Matthew Hayden
2 Phil Jaques
3 Ricky Ponting
4 Michael Hussey
5 Michael Clarke
6 Andrew Symonds
7 Adam Gilchrist
8 Brad Hogg
9 Brett Lee
10 Shaun Tait
11 Doug Bollinger
12th Man: Ashley Noffke

They won't change three bowling positions, they should but they won't but the next month of state cricket will be very very interesting

New Sporting Heroes

Cricket and Rugby have for many years been the playground for Australian sporting heroes. Following the retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan the sporting fan is starting to look at new athletes to idolize.

Surely these traditional Australian sports will develop and nurture new heroes but similarly Rugby League has just lost its hero, Andrew Johns and disgraced and discredited AFL player Ben Cousins will not be idolized like he once was.

As the changing of the guard occurs, a plethora of stars will fill those shoes but the rise of other Australian athletes in less popular sports over this year must be noted.

Mick Fanning has just become the World Champion surfer, one extraordinary feat that has been acknowledged by many Australians.

Casey Stoner become the motor bike Moto GP World Champion increasing the popularity of the sport.

Cadel Evans amazing feat in the Tour de France this year, the only Australian to finish on the winners podium will be even more determined in 2008 to go one better, raising the profile of cycling.

Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill and John Aloisi have become household names after the success of the Socceroos in the 2007 world cup, thought unimaginable by the rugby purists prior to their success.

As we enter an era of change, golf, tennis and now even swimming struggle to produce the big stars that command sporting attention and a few new sports are enjoying new exposure thanks to their athletes success.

Get This... You're Fired!

Tony Martin is Australia's best radio talent. He is the funniest, quirkiest most intelligent man on our wireless and the fact that Triple M are axing his show is a disgrace.

Programmer Guy Dobson has said that despite Martin's high ratings, the traditional Triple M listener leaves the station and then may not return when Martin's show finishes.

Get This has been screwed around with three timeslot changes in its two years plus the shows format grew from one to two hours and the team asked for no more money.

The Shebang has failed in the Sydney breakfast slot while Wil and Lehmo are struggling to find an audience.

Is it just me or does a light bulb automatically turn itself on when you hear that?

Two underperforming revenue raising most important shifts of the day and the highest rating best radio show on radio cannot get a gig?

Something is drastically wrong with MMM management who have decided to part company with Get This, 'to concentrate on breakfast and drive'.

Ed Kavalee and Richard Marsland are perfect side-kicks to Martin who bring a total degree of professionalism to radio in an all-round well crafted, presented and produced show.

I certainly hope that DMG has the money and foresight to pick up the show and run with Get This or Australia's best radio show will be destroyed by corporate fools.

When a celebrity is clutching at straws

How do you know when your career is heading down the drain?

Perhaps it is when you accept a second offer at becoming a reality television contestant. When your career appears to be headed for the sunset and no one buys your records, remembers your sporting achievements or cannot recognise you from those b-grade movies you starred in, become a reality television contestant.

Still, if no work comes off this then why not have a shot at another reality television series that screens in the dead of the night with audiences that didn't even know why your on television in the first place and who you really are?

Vanilla Ice for example, an American rapper who spun the tune 'ice ice baby' has appeared in a myriad of reality tv shows and so has Australian Imogen Bailey. Not exactly household names, but hoping to be.

Is there something worse than being a repeat reality tv contestant?

Maybe being a repeat reality tv judge or host like Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. Not only has he starred in Australian Idol but remember his failed venture to 7 working on My Restaurant Rules and Celebrity Survivor. Add into this a weekly trip to the US to judge an American Band Idol-like show.

Surely Kyle Sandilands has learnt this... now he will be fronting Idol and Big Brother

Changing of the Guard

2UE is about to farewell 'golden tonsils' John Laws next month and Fairfax is about to buy the talk station. So what is happening to the contracts of Mike Carlton, Peter Fitsimons and Steve Price and what will 2UE's on air line-up be in 2008?

Following the retirment and death of Stan Zemanek, overnight presenter Stuart Bocking was elevated to presenter of the night time show but this has never been confirmed as a full time gig. This makes you wonder what 2Ue has install for 2008.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported recently that there were a lack of new talent wanting to fill the shoes of John Laws and pointed to the likes of Jason Morrisson (2GB) and Paul Murray (Triple M) becoming the next generation of AM presenters.

Andrew Denton would appear an obvious choice but he has declined the offer to enter radio land again... but never say never Andrew.

So who will fill the 9-12AM shift Monday-Friday on 2UE and networked around a host of other stations?

Faifax may be looking to cut costs and move Steve Price into the slot, broadcasting Price nationally and possibly into Melbourne, where he presented drive before coming to Sydney. This could help AW by moving Neil Mitchell into drive and axing Derryn Hinch.

So what would Mike Carlton do passing Price in the hallway each morning?

Retire. Carlton has done his dash, he has been there he has done that, it's time to hand the batton on to someone else and move into the documentaries and his book writing chapter of his media career.

I think Carlton is very clever, but he is undervalued by 2UE in breakfast and should consider his options.

But my overall darkhorses are George More and Paul B. Kidd. They offer a different start to your weekend on 2UE and make good entertaining radio. As a team, they will also not come under the same pressure that Laws has and provide something totally different to whoever sits in the retiring man's chair.

So my pick for 2UE would be this (if I could have it my way!)

6-9 Andrew Denton
9-12 George More and Paul B Kidd
12-3 John Stanley
3-6 Steve Price
6-8 Sports Today
8-12 Clive Robertson
12-5 Stuart Bocking

The last throw of the dice

A disastrous year for Channel Nine and incoming chief David Gyngell faces an uphill battle rebuilding the network and finding its glory. Christmas could come early for Gyngell who tomorrow night launches Multi-Millionaire hosted by Eddie McGuire in a desperate attempt to win back viewers.

The five-million dollar prize money plus the $10 000 on offer for viewers is the sweetener that will hopefully return viewers to the embattled network. Should Multi-Millionaire work then Gyngell will be at least starting his tenure on the front foot.

Viva Laughlin also debuts after Millionaire with Australian entertainer Hugh Jackman starring. Will Millionaire and Laughlin dethrone Seven’s Monday night power house of Border Security, The Force and City Homicide?

I suggest not, this is the last throw of the dice for Nine as this same week the network launches the doomed to fail new series, The Farmer Wants A Wife. Not a chance that this one will rate or pull any more viewers than McLeod’s season finale last week.

Nine not 'singing' with the Bee

Nine thought their back savior for 2007 would be the 'Singing Bee' but Sunday night audiences didn't think so and the network just scraped the new show into the Top 10, at number 10 with only 1.2 million viewers.

It's disappointing the show 'flopped' after such heavy promotion and media hype, this was set to be Nine's saving grace in an otherwise terrible year.

I watched the show and didn't mind the concept but can see the two major problems as the scheduling, 6.30PM Sunday night is not a game-show slot and the host, Joey Fatone does not resonate with Australian audiences.

Australian viewers don't want an American boy band singer as host of any local programming and he did not seem to have the presence to succeed in our volatile market. Further the 'Singing Bee' should not be scheduled on Sunday at 6.30PM.

Nine's embattled programming could receive a much needed boost at 5.30PM on weeknights where the Singing Bee could really work as a lead in to the news but with a different host.

Imagine if Hugh Jackman, even John Farnham as host or Nine's own Richard Wilkins. I believe these men (or a host of other Australians) would be better received than Joey Fatone.

At least the network is experimenting with variety again but audiences were just not interested...

I wonder how long the Singing Bee will buzz...

Woeful Wallabies

Australian rugby is headed for the doldrums with the Wallabies pathetic performance at the 2007 World Cup losing to the struggling England and bowing out in the quarter finals.

As the nation still absorbs the shock, the curtain falls on the careers of George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and coach John Connolly. A bitter sweet taste is left in every Australian rugby fan paying tribute to Gregan and Larkham but now worried about what the future holds for rugby union in Australia.

The code has suffered in 2007 with decreasing spectator interest, failed Leaguies turned Union players and now the two biggest names calling it a day.

John O'Neill and the Australian Rugby Union will on the surface act calm and say Australian rugby is in a good state but underneath the calmness, the game is suffering.

In John Connolly's short reign as Australian coach, he has experimented with combinations, claimed he could fix the Australian scrum but after the world cup he has taken Australian rugby back even further with no prospects or forwards making the Wallabies a world force. So what has Connolly achieved?

Was his tenure as coach a complete failure or can we see signs of Wallaby improvement?

Apart from Berrick Barnes coming of age at the world cup, the Wallabies need a complete overhaul and despite the comments of former coach Eddie Jones being slammed by the Australian media, when he referred to Connolly's biggest mistake, "making Stirling Mortlock captain", I believe there is some truth in that.

Mortlock is a fine player but to give him the pressure of captaincy and goal kicking when he excells in neither is unwarranted pressure.

The persistance of the ideal forward pack being bigger has failed as Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning and Guy Shepperdson are useless international frontrowers. Wycliff Palu does is not potent enough in the Number 8 position in an overall forward pack that is too slow and not aggressive enough.

Playing Lote Tuqiri on the wing for Australia must surely change now as he is a waste of space and money. Surely the likes of Lachie Turner and Digby Ioane would serve Australia better than Tuqiri.

It will take some time to redevelop the Wallabies, but whoever takes over the coaching role must have the support of the selectors to look towards the next world cup NOW. Short term loss must be viewed in terms of long term gain.

Chris Latham and Nathan Sharpe may not line-up in 2011 and with this in mind, the Wallabies should look to some sort of mix like this:

15. Cameron Shepperd
14. Lachie Turner
13. Drew Mitchell
12. Stirling Mortlock
11. Digby Ioane
10. Matt Giteau
9. Luke Burgess
8. David Lyons
7. George Smith
6. Mitchell Chapman
5. Al Kanar
4. Mark Chisolm
3. Rodney Blake
2. Adam Freir
1. Benn Robinson

BENCH
16. Greg Holmes
17. Totafu Polota-Nau
18. Dan Vickerman
19. David Haigh
20. Berrick Barnes
21. Brett Sheehan
22. Ben Batger

Has Nine given up?

Last week’s television ratings have seen Nine slip further and further behind 7 with only three shows in the top 20 which were, the NRL grand final, NRL grand final entertainment and National Nine News Sunday.

Between Monday and Friday, Nine offer nothing and across all key prime-time audiences, each one of their shows were beaten. Nine has no programming to challenge 7 and the shows that have been commissioned to air must raise eyebrows.

Commercial Breakdown, 1 v 100, Surprise Surprise Gotcha, Just For Laughs are all disgraceful excuses for television. It is embarrassing that we are producing these types of programs as television when this Channel produced The Block, Changing Rooms, Money, Our House, Burkes Backyard which all rated well and had money spent on good production.

Admittedly the Australian television market is not huge and we will never produce as good programming as the American media juggernauts but what is being produced now is a joke. Who wants to see Jackie O in prime time or Dermott Brerton running through a bunch of video clips of paid commercials?

Incoming CEO David Gyngell has been quoted that Nine is, “in a bad way” which is underestimated. His reign and enthusiasm is much needed but it will take Nine a few years if they are to rival Channel 7’s dominance.

Scheduelling needs to be addressed ASAP. It’s a tragedy that ‘Royal Flying Doctor Service’ failed but why was it scheduedled after the poorly rating 1 v100 in a 9.30pm Monday night line-up. Who is making these decisions?

Nine seem to have given up the challenged, much like 10 showing only all repeats on Tuesday nights and they must look to the new year.

The damage can be further done if the network shows no fightback this year because they will struggle to bring viewers back in 2008. Will the Singing Bee save the network?

I expect it to rate well tonight, probably around the 1.5-1.8 million mark and win the slot but it will drop massively next week and the format will not be used in 2008. Why is Joey Fatone, an American pop singer the host? Imagine if Nine had the foresight to hire Hugh Jackman!

The Gift is still to debut, The Farmer Wants a Wife is set to hit our screens soon but was has happened to the promotion at the beginning of 2007 showing a new series ‘…Mania’, much like Invasion never screening or Rome not being given a chance to develop an audience.

Please Mr Gyngell, you are needed now!

Melbourne versus New Zealand

That’s what the team might as well read for the Australian Kangaroos match against New Zealand in the rugby league International next week. What is the value of a Kangaroo jersey?

With a number of injuries, the selectors and the coach have looked to the future Kangaroos and bolstered their side with a number of rookies and unproven debutants. I am baffled with the selection of Greg Bird as five-eighth when he does not even play there for his own club.

Controversy and nepotism is always in the mind of the coach and the selectors as Bird has only been selected because Ricky Stuart is the coach. With a lack of quality halves in the game, the Clive Churchill medal winner should have been paired with his Melbourne halves partner Cooper Cronk instead of being left on the wing.

Israel Folau has had an almighty introduction to rugby union but does he really deserve an Australian jersey? Questionable in my mind leaving Jamie Lyon, Steven Bell and Matt Cooper without jerseys in favor for the teenager.

Melbourne have been rewarded with most players being selected in the Australian team. No doubt their players have all had excellent seasons and do deserve their opportunity but the balance of the team does not reflect the best, available players in the country.

International Rugby League is a waste of time and this spring’s one off test will do nothing to the development of the International game while the players should be kicking their heels on the beaches, enjoying a beer and the off season.

Cricket: A global game?

Twenty20 cricket is growing on me. Admittedly I was not a fan, nor was I impressed with the concept of a world cup whilst the format is still in its infancy but I must say I have been pleasantly surprised by the action and excitement of the game.

Tactics, captaincy and bowling has had to change with the big hitting, sixes becoming the order of the day creating an exciting spectacle. Ideally manufactured for television audiences, Twenty20 cricket has big bucks and a global audience at its wake.

It’s like a carnival with music when a batsmen hits a six and between overs, introducing a new batsmen or bowler, it’s like watching WWE wrestling. Add cheerleaders into the mix and cricket looks less like a five day marathon and more like the hundred metre dash.

There lies cricket’s new excitement. Speed!

Cricket has been accused of being too slow and not exciting, especially for complete foreigners of the game but twenty20 is finding new audiences and new fans, dare I say it could potentially challenge baseball in a premier league-esque format?

Creating leagues with India, South Africa and New Zealand are pushing corporations and cricket into new markets with the possibility of players extending their careers and playing for other enterprises in other nations.

The concept is mind-blowing as the possibility is that Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting or Muttiah Muralitharan could represent a New York based team. Glenn McGrath believes twenty20 will make cricket a ‘global sport’ and in the future, nations like the USA and Russia may become competitive.

What ever the case, this concept has surprisingly grown on me and the pace at which it is growing feels just right. Bring on the global tournaments!

Make Steve Price Captain

No player is more deserving of the captaincy of the Australian Kangaroos than Steve Price. The captain of the Warriors has been a perfect ambassador for the game and would be a just reward for the years of service he has given rugby league.

With Darren Lockeyer and Danny Buderus notable absentees for the test series at the end of the year, the Australian selectors will look for leadership amongst a new looking team. Unfortunately Price is not guaranteed his position amongst the other props vying for a spot.

Price is a natural leader and should be selected and named captain regardless of his poor relationship with coach Ricky Stuart. Baring injuries that could be attained in the finals series, my Australian team looks as follows:

Justin Hodges (Broncos)
Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
Jamie Lyon (Manly)
Greg Inglis (Storm)
Scott Prince (Titans)
Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Steve Price (Warriors) ©
Cameron Smith (Storm)
Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
Anthony Watmough (Eagles)
Dallas Johnson (Storm)

Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
Luke Bailey (Titans)
Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
Kurt Gidley (Knights)

Time to qualify

Parramatta, North Queensland, Manly and Melbourne are the last four teams standing and come September 30, one of these teams will be the 2007 NRL Premiers. The Eels and the Cowboys could definitely spoil Storm and Sea Eagles plans of the grand final.

Parramatta, like the Cowboys had very convincing wins over the Bulldogs and the Warriors respectively. For Parramatta, I was most impressed by Brett Finch and Tim Smith whose form has been on and off but it all came good when it was needed.

The Eels travel south to the AFL capital and the Telstra Dome to face premiership favorites, the Melbourne Storm next weekend. The Eels will have to lift another 20% if they are any chance of defeating the red hot storm.

Melbourne are poised to be at Homebush on September 30 and I see them knocking off the Eels next weekend. For mind Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith hold the key for the Storm in what should be a classic qualifying final.

Manly face a difficult challenge against an enthusiastic and young Cowboy forward pack plus the likes of Thurston, Bowen, Aaron Payne and Ashley Graham. This game will be frenetic, fast paced and could go either way.

Despite the fact that Manly have been the better side all year I think the Cowboys will spoil the party.

When all is said and done, this is it. No more talk, three more games, four teams down to two and then there will be one:

Cowboys V Storm: Telstra Stadium, September 30…

Australian rugby unveils next generation

Berrick Barnes was not the only Australian putting his mark on Rugby last night with Channel Ten commentator Rupert McCall providing the voice that in my op-inion has been missing from Australian rugby broadcasting for some time.

Firstly Barnes looked all class in only his second test for the Wallabies perhaps dare I say, looking like the ready made replacement for the retiring legend, Stephen Larkham. Barnes injected himself with an inexperienced experience and nervous calmness.

Looking right at home, the new Number 10 provided some missing playmaking that Australian rugby has lacked in recent time and joined forces with Matt Giteau to be dominating across the park.

The first half was the best rugby the Wallabies have played since the 2003 Rugby World Cup with Number’s 1-15 all contributing, looking like a real cup contender. The Wallabies second half was however a different story with the Aussies struggling to inject that attack that was scintillating in the first half and defense that was questionable.

Lote Tuqiri must go as he failed to inject himself at all in attack, knocking the ball on at least three times and missing simple tackles on his wing. Tuqiri must fine form in the next games against Fiji and Canada or his place will be in jeopardy for the finals series.

Australia still have to formulate an eighty-minute game of football but they will be proud of their effort beating Wales at Millennium Stadium and taking one step closer towards the quarter finals.

The Wallabies look like possible contenders for the William Webb Ellis along with their southern hemisphere SANZA counterparts: South Africa and New Zealand. Unfortunately no northern hemisphere team look like cup contenders with England and France well off the pace and Ireland, Scotland and Wales looking like making their exit in the quarters.

Barnes was not the only shining light of Australian rugby last night but unknown commentator Rupert McCall provided the ‘balls’ that Australian rugby has missed with Gordon Bray and Greg Clark’s play-by-play style. McCall was more of the ‘Ray Warren’ excitement style but not too over the top. McCall presents ‘Sport’s Today’ on 4BC talk radio Brisbane weeknights but could have a career as the new voice of Australian rugby.

As Australia heads towards the quarters, South Africa and New Zealand are starting to put together their play and look like the favorites to hold the William Webb Ellis in 2007.

Lackluster television

Is the cupboard completely bare? Is there anything left that Channel 9 could possibly show us or are they conceding defeat and deliberately losing nights.

Let’s look at last nights schedule:

730 – i-caught
830 – 1 v100
930 – CSI

Firstly I watched i-caught and didn’t mind it. Ok it was just a collection of clips from YouTube but I like ‘the battle of Kruger national park’, nevertheless waste of time prime time television, it should been on FOX 8 with Cheaters and World’s wildest waste of time police chases.

1 v 100: Is it just me or does no one care about game shows? Has there not been a MASS OVERKILL of them. 1 v 100 is nothing different from any of the other game shows that have been launched. It will not challenge City Homicide or Desperate Housewives.

CSI: Ok, Nine is infatuated and has NOTHING else to show. ER had been rating poorly, so they pull it for CSI repeats again. I mean how many times can you repeat the one episode? I don’t know but surely every CSI episode would have been shown 3 or 4 times?

So what are the television producers doing over at 9 and why do they allow such poor excuses for television to air? They have been a fantastic television station and I just wonder what’s being made and who is making these decisions?

The one shining light is Temptation and they’re pulling it for Millionaire. Is Millionaire going to do any better or even beat Home and Away?

Of course it’s not if anything it will do worse because (despite the fact I like him) Eddie McGuire is host and we will see him 5 times a week. He tried 5.30 Millionaire and that failed why would it work in the 7pm timeslot?

I find it bizarre that 9 are continually back pedaling, undoing mistakes and re-scheduling cancelled series... Here comes Burke’s Backyard, what’s next Hey Hey It’s Saturday??

Storm Warning

Melbourne Storm will consider anything bar winning the Telstra Premiership in 2007 as a failure. The red hot Storm deserve the title and are playing better football than any other team in the finals race.

Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater are key to the Storm attack that has looked electric. Dallas Johnson, Ryan Hoffman and Brett White have amicably led the forward pack in both attack and hard hitting defence.

With the grand final now only three weekends away who will the Storm be facing? Manly, New Zealand or North Queensland, provided they knock off the winner of Parramatta and Canterbury.

This week: Parramatta v. Canterbury.
Judging by both games last weekend it could go either way. A Bulldogs outfit with Sonny Bill Williams looks menacing giving the Dogs more go forward and brutal defence. The likes of Ben Roberts and his outside men need to do more against a backline led by Jarryd Hayne, Kri Inu and Timana Tahu.

On paper it should probably be the Dogs and I think they will come into their own come this weekend. Either way it will be a cracker of a game.

North Queensland v. New Zealand
New Zealand need to find something if they are any hope of knocking off the boys from Townsville. Wade McKinnon will have to be scintillating but needs support from under performing halves Michael Witt and Grant Rovelli. The likes of Lauiki need to feed off Steve Price and Ruben Wiki if the Warriors are to be any hope.

The Cowboys look too strong especially if Matty Bowen and Jonathan Thurston are given an inch. Their forward pack although is seriously depleted with Carl Webb looking to be on the outer. This could be their weakness and something New Zealand should target: up the middle.

In summary I am picking Canterbury and North Queensland which will take us to:
- Melbourne v Bulldogs
- Manly v North Queensland

Let’s see what happens after this week before I get too far ahead of myself... but here is my early prediction: Melbourne v Manly grand final...

City Homicide

Channel Seven take a bow. The much anticipated debut of the newest Australian cop drama City Homicide made a sterling debut earlier tonight.

Australian drama had been a dying art but like the rains of this winter in Sydney so has the drought’s back been broken for television drama. Australia boasts a plethora of talent and our actors have done us proud.

Aaron Pedersen provides the strongest character in the six person strong cast with charisma and humor, he plays a very convincing cop. Until our first introduction of Pedersen’s character, Duncan Freeman the drama was a bit slow starting and developing characters.

Shane Bourne’s portrayal as Senior Sgt Stanley Wolfe leader of the Homicide squad is refreshing to the role of the ‘boss’ and with Noni Hazelhurst as a female in the commanding position adds gives depth to some obvious female-male power storylines in future episodes.

Daniel McPherson plays a brash, young, arrogant know-all cop and suits his role as Detective Simon Joyner like a glove. I am yet to be convinced by Damien Richardson who plays Detective Matt Ryan but balances the three lead males.

Nadine Gardner’s character, Jennifer Mapplethorpe needs some more development in this ‘blokey’ world but the female oppression angles is all ready being investigated.

Clever camera work, editing techniques and clever scripting has given City Homicide a fantastic launch pad. Suspense was built throughout the episode in a traditional storyline of a ‘who done it?’

Overall I am impressed with City Homicide, celebrating the return of Australian cop drama. Together with Sea Patrol, the revival of All Saints and McLeod’s Daughter’s, Seven and Nine must be commended on their investment into one of our greatest assets, Australian drama.

When you read tonight’s ratings, City Homicide will be the most popular show of the night attracting at least two million viewers. Let’s hope we have many seasons of this newest Aussie drama.

"knows what it wants"

Channel 7 Chief Executive Officer David Leckie was quoted in Melbourne's Herald Sun on Wednesday saying that Channel 7 was the only network that, "knows what it wants". His comments come after Channel 9 cancelled Temptation and today being the day that 9's head of news Garry Linnell resigns.

Clearly the embattled Nine network are under further pressure with Linnell's resignation amongst a raft of personnel changes and programming changes this year. Until the last few years, Nine was "still the one" and the late Kerry Packer would turn in his grave seeing what has happened to his proudest achievement.

Sensibly James Packer pulled the family from the Network who seems to be losing ground at an alarming rate. I believe Nine still deliver the best commercial television news and their overall package is more professional in appearance than that of Seven.

Leckie's comments are validated with 7 now assured of victory in the ratings war making it 7in07. A strong programming schedule with quality US dramas including Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy. Add the success of their Australian productions: Border Security, Dancing With the Stars and Medical Emergency plus the new Australian successes: Bondi Rescue, The Rich List, RSPCA Animal Rescue, Kath & Kim and Australia's Got Talent.

7 went out aggressively this year and poached one of Nine's biggest personalities Jamie Durie. His defection spelled the end of Nine who was the television stations poster boy.

With 7 launching the newly created The Morning Show beating rivals KAK and 9AM, Seven are now building their daytime audience. City Homicide debuts on Monday night and should hopefully be a success.

Seven and Nine must be credited with their re-investment back into Australian drama. Sea Patrol has been the ratings winner of Thursday prime time (despite having no competition), City Homicide should follow suit on Monday night.

Seven have won 23 of the 25 ratings week and are going to be Number 1 in 2007. Leckie has taken the network to the top at 9's expense to which the network's answer is imitation.

Nine's gambles have not paid off with Things to do Before You Die, What A Year and even Whats Good For You bombing. Nine are not re-inventing the wheel, making stale programming or clip shows like 20 to 1 or tacky game shows like The Singing Bee.

Seven looks like it knows where it is heading with an ever expanding cupboard of quality programming. For Nine, who knows what will screen next week and they have all but exhausted their cupboard. There are only so many times we can watch the same episodes of CSI

Nine does do news well with 60 Minutes still proving to be popular but they are trying to emulate 7's success with poor imitations.

Commercial news for Nine previously had a degree of edge and professionalism over Ten and Seven. The network still has the look, the 'package' but they are trying to adopt it to Seven's 'info-tainment' formula with tabloid journalism dominating our screens.

Unfortunately this type of news is proving to be more and more popular with viewers but it just does not fit the Nine formula. Seven certainly know what viewers want represented in their ratings.

Seven deserve their success because their shows are professionally created, directed and produced. As for Nine, I am sure the alarm bells are ringing because Nine has no idea what it wants, or do they? Show us...

Two Steps Backwards

I can't believe the lack of creativity that Channel 9 has come up with in 2008. The station has most definately lost irrepairable ground and head staright for the dldrums unless some creativity can be salvaged at the netword in 2008 and their new batch of US dramas prove to be a success.

Channel 7 have their own dramas such as why did next to no one watch the Grey's Anatomy's finale and why are is Shark receiving no audience, Las Vegas screening at 8.30 on a Thursday and Seven running 'worl'd worst' 'most shocking' and 'life begins' in primetime slots? Hello these (minus Grey's) shows should not be shown this side of midnight, yet alone during a ratings period.

As for Nine well they are showing nothing! No creativity and reverting now back to the 'hot seat' five nights a week in place of Temptation.

I don't know about you but are we not just a little over game shows? Millionaire won't bost 7pm ratings on Nine.

Every decision that seems to becoming out of Willoughby is negative and back pedalling or reverting decisions made in haste over the last two years. Backyard Blitz is back and even talk of bringing back good ol' Don Burke.

Meanwhile over at 7, they are just re-branding former Channel 9 personalities and giving them shows similar to what they were previously doing.

I am looking forward however to City Homicide next Monday. Aussie Cop drama - thumbs up!

Anything could be better than Sea Patrol...

What about Nine's daytime line-up, they really have screwed things over and their output war with WIN TV will see their day budget slashed further as KAK will no longer reach regional viewers.

SO what should Nine screen during the day... here is an idea:

6AM Today
9AM KAK
11AM Fresh Cooking
1130 The Price Is Right
1200 NEWS
1300 Days of Our Lives
1400 Water Rats
1500 *Kids Programming
1630 Friends
1700 News Chat Show... 'Five Live'
1730 Airline/Airport

might not work but hey i am sure it would get some better ratings than what they have now...

I am still waiting for someone to take a step forward

An e-life in an e-world

It got me thinking today for no real reason in particular but it starting consuming my thoughts as I drove wanting and wondering why I had an urgent desire to use the internet. It had only been about half an hour since I had been away from my computer but for some reason I needed it.

Almost like security or a blanket the internet and my mobile phone are an accessory much like a pair of socks and a pair of jocks. It is seriously ridiculous how I and the rest of the world are so reliant on mobile phones, emails, myspace, facebook… I mean does the world change every hour at such a rapid pace that I need to be re-informed so quickly?

What could have so drastically changed over the last half hour that will have such a significant change, outcome or bearing on my life? It scares me how I and many others are becoming all too consumed by technology and constant interaction in this e-world.

An article in today’s Sydney Morning Herald claimed that facebook is costing businesses over $5 billion per year wasted productivity because of this social network. It can also become eerie and creepy when people, ‘friends’ inform you that they know what you have been doing in your life because they read it on your facebook.

Is there any such thing as a personal space in this e-world? Do any of us lead private lives or have our private diaries, thoughts, emotions, scrapbooks, pictures and video’s been uploaded and opened to all so we can experience an ‘e-life’?

Technology is consuming our lives at a scary rate and I have realised this moreover in the last few months. Posting videos on YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and the like gives the entire e-world complete access to your e-life.

It is becoming so easy to discover things about yourself behind the confines of a computer screen and the public forum of the internet.

What did people do 200 years ago? Send letters, carrier pigeons and transport was by horse and cart plus across water via boat. Now it’s instantaneous from the revolutions of AOL Instant Messenger – ICQ – MSN – myspace – facebook and beyond… what is the next part of my e-world to show everyone my e-life…

It’s scary but I am far to consumed by this eworld and wonder if I will stop or if it will stop me.

Garbage on our screens

I am looking very hard to find a television schedule from 1997 because what we are screening on Commercial and Pay television at the moment is garbage. There appears to be no thought, no development or desire to create programmes that will last and be popular, develop, build and maintain audiences.

Thank God You're Here is an acceptation and maybe Border Security but enough of this pseudo infotainment-lifestyle-reality programmes that involve Jamie Durie, backyards, living in confined or remote places and pointless contests that overall are dumbing society. These clip shows like 20 to 1 and What A Year, where is the imagination and who thought up these series?

Not to pick only on 9 but they have had some really bad concepts for television like The Code: Crime and Justice, Mothers In War and wait for it.... here comes The Farmer Wants a Wife... ARE YOU KIDDING?

Why are television stations paying money for people to develop television shows like this? A twelve year old can tell you that NO ONE will watch this and the programme will fail.

I cannot believe that Australia's Best Backyards debuted with such success last night winning the vital 6.30PM Sunday Night slot. Yes it had Jamie Durie but it had no substance, no originality and falls into the same category of shows mentioned above that is all to repetitious.

Last Chance Learners, Celebrity Dog School... I could go on and on... but not to totally bag all the shows coming out of the Networks. There is some merit in Dancing With the Stars and Australian Idol but they to will soon start to become tired.

For a competitive television market and that we have in Australia, I am amused by the amount of bad television that we produce. What do consumers want?!

Drama was starting to become a lost art but All Saints delivers sound figures and McLeods Daughter's holds its own on Wednesday evenings. Sea Patrol has had a stunning debut for 9 and I hope the myriad of new Aussie Dramas replicate this success.

There is no better television in my opinion than a good well-made drama and Aussies do a good job at it. Don't let this industry die, there are thousands of fantastic Aussie actors scratching at the bit for a gig on Australian televsion.

Enough of the info-tainment reality repetitious lifestyle crap... bring on the drama!

Has Seven's horse bolted too early

In a tv market dominated by ratings and revenue, Channel Seven headed by David Leckie have had a stella year-to-date. In Sydney a dominant Sunrise, News and Today Tonight have usurped Channel Nine's long dominance as news and current affairs leader.

With Leckie and Peter Meakin, Seven have all but brought about a new leader in news and current affairs. David Koch and Melissa Doyle, Seven's own born stars still blow Nine's Today Show away every weekday morning. As well Ian Ross and Anna Corren win the competitive 6-7pm news hour in Sydney each week night.

Nine has now answers to-date. The week Peter Harvey read the news, ratings in Sydney increased, could he be the unlikely hero for Nine?

With The Catch-Up failing to impress, The Lost Tribes, The Nation and a bad crop of failed American dramas in 2007, Nine has really felt the effects and will become Number 2 for the first time.

But has the horse bolted on Channel Seven?

Over zealous programming perhaps in their first half year scheduele with Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy and The Life of Brian trying to challenge Nine's dominant Sunday Night line-up. Overall it failed to make too many in-roads into 60 Minutes or CSI.

Now Seven's cupboard is looking somewhat bare forcing the network to screen movies on Wednesday evenings when they could have held back the likes of Betty or Grey's. I think Seven went too hard too early and the effects have been felt with poorer than expected ratings for Hereos, Lost and Prison Break.

If Seven had saved some of these shows then their second half dominance would steamroll Nine who have just launched the impressive Sea Patrol.

Seven still have another series of Dancing to air, plus Shark and the debut of Kath and Kim on commercial television. Border Security, RSPCA rescue and Medical Emergerncy are delivering strong 7.30 series but the 8.30 scheduelling is questionable.

Nine could have counteracted this with holding one of their big shows like CSI or CSI (do they have anything else) back and made a real go of part 2, 2007 but there is much more needed to be done at Nine than a few imorts.

Since the Packer's sold Nine, who is in charge and what is happening? Will there be a total overhaul or will Bert Newton and Ray Martin be presenting Today and the news?

Maybe Humphrey B Bear could save the ratings but this second half of the year looks very very interesting

Un(in)credible Affair

Carrissa hopes to start school in Victoria after leaving her home and her parents in Brisbane. A troubled teenager leaves home in Brisbane, and runs to Victoria to be with boyfriend. The girl, 14 here mature aged boyfriend 15 and they met on the interent...

Are you kidding? These two kids claim they want to get married and this makes news. Its a funny story but does warrant 'A Current Affair'...

Take the David Sherma example last week and his bust by Ben Fordham, that was a good example of these current affairs shows but tonights story well well well

THE REPORT CARD

After 11 Rounds of the NRL season, I am rating the teams on their performance, giving them an overall score out of 10… Let’s start with the wooden spoon contenders.

DRAGONS

Horrible run of injuries has impacted a team that have promised so much yet never reached the mark. With only 3/10 wins the team are looking like one of the strongest contenders for the wooden spoon.
THE BAD: The number of injuries: Gasnier, Young, B. Morris, Ryles, Simms, Hornby
THE GOOD: Josh Morris – two are better than one
PREDICTION: Nathan Brown will shoulder the blame and be sacked by the end of the season, Ian Millward to probably get the nod. Should finish in the bottom three.
PERFORMNACE: 1/10

ROOSTERS

Change of guard from the Fittler-Ricketson-Ricky Stuart era. Starting to find form with an excellent win over the Sharks last season, despite also having 3/10. If this new found form continues they could scrape into the 8 although they don’t have a halfback but Craig Wing, Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichello are refinding form – this could be dangerous.
THE BAD: terrible start to the season, Chris Anderson has not had the best influence on the team and looks like he may have lost that coaching credibility.
THE GOOD: Minichello and Wing are back. Sam Perrett and Shaun Kenny-Down have proved to be excellent three-quarters.
PREDICTION: Could make the 8 if Minichello and Wing stay in form otherwise they’ll be fighting off the spoon.
PERFORMANCE: 2/10

BULLDOGS

Another club who have enormous potnential and names but are just not firing. Sitting 14th on the ladder is not acceptable to the club who need to have a good look at their roster. The loss of Asotasi, Myles and O’Meley leaving is taking its toll on a forward pack that haven been feared in the past.
THE BAD: Sonny Bill-Williams, not the player her was two years ago, hope he refinds his form
THE GOOD: Luke Patten – every club has brilliant full backs and Patten is ‘The General’.
PREDICTION: Won’t make the 8 this year which will also cause personnel changes, for a start they need a first grade hooker.
PERFORMANCE: 3/10

PANTHERS
Shown promise and are slowly adapting to new coach Matthew Elliot but they’re hot and cold. Need Gower, Pridiss and Rhys Wesser to fire.
THE BAD: there inconsistency and Joel Clinton
THE GOOD: Peter Walace but he might be off the Broncs
PREDICTION: If they find some consistency and Clinton starts firing they could scrape into the eight
PERFORMANCE: 3/10

BRONCOS
Horrible start to the season but the smashing of Newcastle will be the turning point for the 2006 premiers. A classy side who have a wizard of a coach and the second best player in the world – Darren Lockyer.
THE BAD – the start to the season and Wayne Bennett but also good because he takes attention off his players.
THE GOOD – Darren Lockyer
PREDICTION – see you in the semi’s.
PERFORMANCE: 2/10

TITANS
5/11 not to bad a start and they’re sitting 11th on the ladder so not to far off the mark in their first season. Scott Prince has been fantastic and really stepped up as a brilliant play maker.
THE BAD – Michael Henderson’s injury – head up kid
THE GOOD – Scott Prince and Luke Bailey – priceless ability and work rate plus Anthony Laffranchi – put him in the origin team.
PREDICTION – Will hover, may make it, may not - their fitness is a key to success and Cartwright’s enthusiasm. If they keep Prince, Rogers and Bailey injury free they will be in the 8, without Prince or Bailey, they won’t.
PERFORMANCE: 4/10

RABBITOHS
Super start to the season but they’re struggling and will do without David Kidwell and David Peachey. Huge inroads have been made but we need a little less ‘Hollywood’ and a little mor action.
THE BAD – they are playing like the old days at the moment
THE GOOD – Jason Taylor
PREDICTION – Without an established half, no Kidwell or Peachey, they won’t make the 8, I just hope they don’t bite the spoon.
PERFORMANCE: 4/10

EELS

Growing from strength to strength with Michael Hagan. Look like making the Top 8 and could take things to the final weeks of the finals.
THE BAD – Losing Wade McKinnon to the Warriors.
THE GOOD – Nathan Hindmarsh is a work horse
PREDICTION – semi finals
PERFORMANCE: 5/10

WARRIORS
Another up and down team, they need some consistency but I think they’ll be there come finals time.
THE BAD – Manu Vatevi v Parramatta
THE GOOD – Steven Price the best 33 year old in the game
PREDICTION – They’ll make the 8.
PERFORMANCE: 4/10

KNIGHTS
Can they keep playing without Joey? Brian Smith’s credibility is also on the line…
THE BAD – Joey’s career ending injury.
THE GOOD – Kurt Gidley
PREDICTION – Crash and burn, wont make the finals and Brian Smith wont be the coach in 2008.
PERFORMANCE: 4/10

RAIDERS
Stunning win over the Dragons, if they can maintain this form they will make the finals as a surprise. Canberra can become a real graveyard for traveling teams…
THE BAD – Todd Carney’s off field dilemmas.
THE GOOD – Their young backs led by William Zilman and Captain Alan Tongue.
PREDICTION – they don’t get the credit of the major metro teams but watch out these guys look good. They will make the 8.
PERFORMANCE: 6/10

SHARKS
Found their click. Ricky Sturat is bringing the best out of all their players with Kimmorley looking good again.
THE BAD – Loss to the Roosters, psychological blow over Stuart.
THE GOOD – Greg Bird, now an NRL enforcer
PREDICTION – Semi finals is on the cards
PERFORMANCE: 6/10

COWBOYS
7 wins from 11 starts not bad with the World’s greatest player: Jonathan Thurston. Together with Matt Bowen, they are the best combination in Rugby league.
THE BAD – Luke O’Donnell’s injury
THE GOOD – Jonathan Thurston
PREDICTION – They will be in the semis again but their forward pack are not as mobile this year. Still Steve Southern and Jacob lillyman have to shoulder some of the loss of O’Donnell.
PERFORMANCE: 7/10

WEST TIGERS
Their back and their unearthing some great new talent, like Chris Lawrence.
THE BAD – Benji Marshall’s shoulder… AGAIN
THE GOOD – Robbie Farah, one of the best dummy halves in the game.
PREDICTION – Another top 8 finisher but wont win the comp will make the top 6.
PERFROMANCE: 7/10

MELBOURNE
With 9/11 the Storm are looking like this will be their year. They have learnt from the disappointment from 2006, looking hungrier and more determined to win the premiership this year. Cooper Cronk is climbing the ranks in the half back world
THE BAD – Is there anything bad about this team?
THE GOOD – Israel Falou, where can they fit him?
PREDICTION – 2007 premiership winners
PERFORMANCE: 8/10

MANLY
Sitting top of the table, Des Hasler must be proud of his Sea Eagles. Looking fantastic, but will it last?
THE BAD – trying to fit 17 players into their weekly selections
THE GOOD – Michael Monoghan but why are they letting him go?
PREDICTION – Final 4 but wont be in the grand final. Its hard to maintain this form.
PERFORMANCE: 9/10


FINAL 8 PREDICTION:
MANLY
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
WEST TIGERS
SHARKS
RAIDERS
TITANS
EELS

FINAL 4 PREDICTION
MANLY
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
EELS

GRAND FINAL PREDICTION
MELBOURNE
EELS

PREMIERSHIP PREDICTIONMELBOURNE

Thank God... The Return of the Playmaker

Rugby League has been boring for a while. Losing Andrew Johns, we had to wonder are there any creative players left?

With the game (league) becoming so physical, it is now reliant on strong forwards hitting the ball up with the creative element taking a back seat. Probably due to the lack of dominant creative and effective players, we now breathe a collective sigh of relief...

Thank God for Jonathan Thurston. Our faith has been restored that life will go on post Andrew Johns.

Going through the early 1990's there was a plethora of halves including Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Ricky Stuart and Brad Fittler. In the latter part of the decade and the early naughties the likes of Trent Barrett emerged with Andrew Johns on the mantle.

Darren Lockyer has been groomed into a dangerous half but now we have another superstar in Thurston. The Bulldogs must regret there decision to allow him to leave every day.

Thurston has restored faith in the playmaker and shows finesse that has not been seen since Johns dominance. He is an all round attacking and defensive footballer. A complete player.

His kicking game, ability to kick goals and put players through holes, there is no else like him in the game. New South Wales are just hoping a play-maker with similar ability will be discovered trying Jarrod Mullen in Origin one.

Sitting a little far a way but not to far from Thurston's heels are Scott Prince and Cooper Cronk. Unfortunately two more Queenslander's who fail to fill the New South Wales halves dilemma.

Prince asserts his presence on the game and a contest between himself and Thurston is a pleasure to watch. Cronk, still in his infancy will be the next big time player.

But are there others coming through? The Dragons would like to see Matthew Head play a season to gain his confidence as he can have a devastating effect on the game.

Jarrod Mullen has shown promise but his Origin debut has proven he is not quite up to the mark. Ben Roberts shows promise and is the New Zealand half, but again needs some experience under his belt.

At least the signs are more positive and there is a return of the playmaker. Perhaps we can get more excited about the game and see The Number 7 dominate football again.

Television Stations Focus on Different Nights but Fail Others

Nine have finally decided they'd attack Tuesdays and give Seven some competition. After conceeding to Dancing With the Stars, nothing has worked for the embattled network who is yet to win a ratings week this year.

It would have made sense to attack Tuesdays when Dancing went wrapped up its recent season and It Takes Two returned. Clearly there is not as much interest with It Takes Two down almost half a million viewers than Dancing in that slot.

It should be more but Nine have not offered any competition, rather screen repeats of 20 to 1, CSI and the failed Justice, I Shouldn't Be Alive, Amazing Medical Stories, Extreme Makeover and anything else that won't rate. Finally Nine have moved new episodes of CSI: NY to Tuesdays at 8.30PM, plus the return of the re-branded Crime and Justice plus a new series, Neighbours At War.

Hopefully these will become alternatives to the horrible It Takes Two which should be the last series.

While Nine sharpen it's Tuesday line-up, Seven look to claw back Thursday's by moven Heroes to 8.30 and Lost back to 9.30. The proof will be in the ratings results tomorrow but the expense will be on Wednesdays with Seven more or less conceeding the night but screening a one hour version of Police Files Unlocked.

Seven are hedging there bets with House on ten, Chaser on ABC as the leaders for Wednesday nights.

It's negative tactics, but so are networks showing repeats or specials when there are events on other channels that they know will lose them the night. Seven screening a movie during State of Origin and Nine showing repeats all this week because Origin will win them the week.

Get serious television executives and get competitive. Nine show repeats because they don't have the rating-winning programs but Seven are just as average.

Lets see some quality and variety...

Lots of pressure on Lisa

Lisa Wilkison becomes the latest victim to accept the challenge of the unpopular eviction ‘hot seat’, as the new co-host of the Channel Nine Today Show. Wilkinson, previously the host of Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise, will now front the embattled Nine breakfast program five mornings per week.

The former magazine editor becomes the fifth presenter since Tracy Grimshaw left the program at the end of 2005. Jessica Rowe was finally ‘boned’ on Saturday and since has had the glamorous Sarah Murdoch (who would be my pick) and Kellie Connolly in the presenting role.

Is it the embattled co-woman presenter or can some of the blame be passed on to the male equivalent Karl Stefanovick? He must be surely as nervous as Wilkinson, having witnessed the ‘revolving door’ of the women’s seat that he sits next to.

Stefanovick comes across confidently and has grown into the role but he must be slightly concerned about no stable on-air partner.

If Wilkinson is not the answer to the Today Show’s problems, then what will Nine do?

The pressure is mounting on the Network and the troubled breakfast program. It will be interesting to see how Karl and Lisa progress from May 28.