inspiring tv

I have never been a fan of reality TV - not any form of it. But recently I find myself wrapped up in two particular shows. What's different about these, is the spirit in which they're done. Even though they both focus on the contestant's skills or talents, and choosing who's best, there's no need to break people down for TV ratings. Like Idols. It also isn't just mindless entertainment, like Big Brother.

My new addictions are Project Runway and Masterchef Australia. Masterchef Australia I find absolutely awe-inspiring as a TV show! The positivity that simply GUSHES out of those presenters and hosts is astounding. They don't criticise for TV's sake, they're not mean to make a point or to live up to some scripted characterization. They really are interested in fostering the best chef potentials they can find. And their habit of giving contestants a leg up in the industry - even those who fall out early in the game, proves that. It really isn't TV we've seen before. And the fact that it's so successful shows you don't always have to have a bully to make good reality TV. And on a purely human level, I think it shows that us as an audience are capable of enjoying a show where people aren't being beaten down. Well done Aussies. Well done us.

Then Project Runway. Wow. How did I miss this for 6 seasons? I'm truly glued to that show. The creations are mind blowing, the talent extraordinary. I would give my left arm to be able to create what these people do. But then I wouldn't be able to do it properly. So I won't.
But it really is an inspiring show, and what these people are able to create in one day... I'm jealous. I'm a bit behind on the broadcast and am watching it on PVR, so no spoilers please, but right now my favourite is Seth Aaron. In the episode I watched last night he created a coat of the "New York sky at night". It's all black leather swirls and sweeps. Beautiful! I would love me a Seth Aaron masterpiece in my coat collection. Love love.

what, me worry?

Those of you old enough to be familiar with the freckles and cross-eyed gaze of Alfred E. Neuman will be thrilled to know that there's a MAD cartoon starting! Underwire reports that a MAD Magazine cartoon starts on Adult Swim this week in the States, bringing to life all those crazy movie spoofs they're so well known for, as well as your favourite MAD characters and artists - Spy vs Spy, Don Martin and Sergio Aragones. I think this is a great addition to the Adult Swim line up, and with Robot Chicken's Kevin Shinick involved, it's bound to be wicked.

Click here to watch their Transformers short.

each day

I have to remind myself to appreciate the astounding and out-of-the-ordinary things I come across on a daily basis.

csi goes trekkie

CBS own the rights to both the Star Trek and CSI franchises, so it was natural (to someone obviously) that the two should cross over at some point. Especially with JJ Abram's massive Trek movie set for launch later this year, AND the sequel of the as-yet-unreleased movie already OK'ed by studio bosses.

Airing next week in the US, CSI fans will be treated to a Star Trek-themed episode of CSI complete with silly costumes. According to SciFiWire.com, in the episode Hodges and Wendy "run into each other at a science fiction convention for one of their favorite classic television shows that is not Star Trek and end up investigating the murder of one of their beloved actors."

There is also reportedly a fantasy-sequences of Hodges imagining himself "the captain of a starship that's not the Enterprise—though it has the Enterprise's sound effects and background score".

This one is definitely JUST for the fans...

Read the full story (and see the bizarre hair and outifts) here.

Update: watch the dream sequence trailer here - it's hilarious! Courtesy of warrenhallett.

an urban dweller

Discovery have a lovely set of promos on their channel - random little two minutes pieces about a person of interest. They never tell you who they're featuring so unless you recognise them or their work, you're in the dark, but intrigued.
The first one I saw was of a night club owner, the next a local artist Gregor Jenkins (him I recognized). Last night's was of Jackie Kwan, a young Asian guy living in Johannesburg practicing that strangest of all sports, Parkour. It's beautiful to watch, and you can't help but be in awe of him. And with that, I also felt a certain sense of pride in Johannesburg, the bustling edgy city that it is.

It's a simple video of a small piece of urban culture tucked away in an enormous city where only those who are looking really hard, will find it.

Unfortunately, the only version I could find online of the vid has been dubbed, but you get the idea:

the doom song

What's not to love!?!



"doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom"

Not Terminated: Good News for Sarah Connor Fans

According to HollywoodReporter.com, Fox recently ordered the final nine episodes of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ second season, giving it a full season order – despite its modest performance in the ratings…

With a less-than-expected ratings average in its Monday night slot, many might be surprised to see the full season pick-up of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. But Fox’s season works a little different to other major US networks – their tide only begins to really rise with the introduction of American Idol to their schedule, so TV execs may be hoping that this second season will benefit from the growth brought on by the hugely popular singing show.

With this order, Terminator is the first 13-episode show from last year’s difficult TV season to receive a definite second season order. Many shows were left floundering after the writer’s strike left them without direction and creative – thus leaving them out of sight and out of mind too long for a TV show’s first year of life. Some have survived, most haven’t; and Sarah Connor is one of the lucky ones.

Other recent pick-ups include Mad Men for a third season, and the quirky courtroom drama, Eli Stone and Sons of Anarchy (premiering on M-Net in November) both for a second season. The popular series about life in the fast lane in Hollywood, Entourage has also been renewed for a sixth season.

Wonders of the Warehouse

Described as part X Files and part Raiders of the Lost Ark, Warehouse 13 is looking to be the ‘funnest’ sci fi coming to our screens this new TV season.

According to HollywoodReporter.com, the Sci Fi network recently ordered a 2-hour pilot of Warehouse 13, the latest project from the creator of Farscape and the executive producers of Battlestar Galactica. Described as part X Files, part Raiders of the Lost Ark and part Moonlighting, Warehouse 13 is an eagerly anticipated dramedy – with sci fi, intrigue, drama, comedy and a little bit of sexual tension all thrown into the mix.

After saving the President’s life, two FBI agents – your typical pairing of a ‘rule-bender’ and a ‘by-the-book ‘– are given a highly classified assignment in the innocuous sounding Warehouse 13. But Warehouse 13 is actually a secret storage facility where the US government has been storing all its paranormal, supernatural and extra terrestrial discoveries and artifacts over the centuries.
Now the duo is touring the country trying to retrieve a number of relics that have gone missing from the Warehouse, while keeping their ears to the ground for any rumblings of new artifacts that may require investigating.

Should the pilot result in a TV series order, it sounds like a recipe for a great character series with a lot of the supernatural built in, as opposed to the other way around. A Fox-Maddie-Indie-Buffy caper if you will!

To Infinity, and Beyond...

After Stargate SG1 was cancelled in 2006 and Stargate Atlantis given its final order for just five seasons, fans of the popular franchise will be thrilled to learn that the story goes on...

Recently, the US-based Sci Fi network gave an order for a full season of Stargate: Universe – the third in the series of the Stargate franchise. The story will be set on the ship originally sent out by the Ancients in a bid to pepper the galaxies with the Stargates – a mission that was never complete. When a band of explorers from Earth come across the unmanned ship, they board it without knowing they cannot use it to return home – for the Destiny has a mission to complete. And it will do so, even with its unwitting crew aboard.

A recent trend on the Sci Fi network, the show will debut as a two-hour movie in 2009 before it begins airing as a regular series not long after – but these episodes are still in development phase.

According to executive producer and writer, Robert C. Cooper, Stargate: Universe "maintains the spirit of Stargate, but opens up a whole new 'universe'." What is different though, is that ‘Universe will not be treated as a spin-off of the previous two Stargates, but will be developed as an entirely new entity. As ‘Atlantis producer, Joseph Mallozzi, stated, ‘Universe aims to "delight veteran fans, but also appeal to newcomers who may not necessarily know the difference between an Alteran and an Asuran". All we can say is thank goodness for that!

For those of us who have missed the previous success of SG1 and Atlantis, it’s nice to know our limited knowledge of Lanteans, Ori and Wraith won’t be a hindrance to enjoying this new series.

Watch Executive producer Brad Wright speak about the “state of the universe”

Fringe Benefits

He’s had audiences around the world “Lost” for years, and now JJ Abrams is back - for “Fringe” benefits…

The creator of hit TV series Alias and Lost is back with a brand new project. Described as a cross between the The X Files, The Twilight Zone and Dark Angel, Abrams threatens to keep audiences glued to their screens yet again – and who can say for how long this time.

His latest creation, Fringe, stars Dawson’s Creek’s Joshua Jackson as the son of a research scientist played by John Noble. Father and son have been estranged since Noble’s character, Dr Bishop, was sent to prison on manslaughter charges after a lab accident 17 years ago.

They’re brought together again by an FBI agent on a mysterious case following “the Pattern” – a series of bizarre experiments happening around the world. She needs to discover their source, and only Dr Bishop can help her – his specialty just happens to be “fringe” science (the study of what most believe to be impossible in the natural world).

Fringe was recently given a full-season order, making its first season 22 episodes long.

Can Abrams weave his hypnotic spell once again?

Eddy and Patsy Take on LA!

Eddy and Patsy are taking on Los Angeles! But in a trend that seems to be sweeping US studios, it’s not the Eddie and Patsy we know and love – they’re now American…

Absolutely Fabulous - the hit five-season British comedy series starring Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders that made Chanel, Dior and Lagerfeld household names, had the world calling each other “sweetie darling” and got the Pet Shop Boys back on to the billboard charts - is crossing the Atlantic.

According to Variety.com, Fox is developing a redo of AbFab that will “retain the basic template of the original, revolving around the friendship of two boozy, over-40 best friends who are desperate to stay hip and youthful”.

While Saunders is joining the project as executive producer, we doubt an American duo of fading fashionistas is going to be nearly as funny as the alcohol-soaked, ex-model, beehived Patsy, and the guru-chasing, kaftan-wearing Edina. Isn’t LA full of those sorts anyway?

The US seem to be looking to their UK counterparts more and more for inspiration – or downright plagiarism - and are even reaching as far as Australia for ideas. The upcoming Fall TV schedules in the US include no fewer than three direct copies of shows from other territories: Britain’s The Eleventh Hour and Life on Mars, and Australia’s Kath & Kim are all making their debut – albeit Americanized.

In the past, remakes of this nature have fallen on both sides of the ratings fence, with Ricky Gervais’ The Office becoming an Award ceremony-hit, while Brit favourites Men Behaving Badly and Fawlty Towers (as “Payne” starring John Laroquette) barely made it out the stable.

It could be another case of “lost in translation” but only time – and ratings – will tell.

go chat moments and people

After three years of working on go chat (weekdays on GO, channel 10, at 17:00), I've met some very interesting people from international DJs to local music and sporting heroes. I've been searching for a photo blog to upload all my pics from the show, and have finally created one in facebook. You can see my album here.

rss feeds

Are you a TV fan? Then keep an eye on the RSS feeds at the bottom of this page (until I can figure out how to move them) which bring you the latest info from the M-Net website. You'll get news on new shows starting, old faves ending, and movies to look out for. Simple!

american idol 6

I've never been an Idols - or even reality - fan. But this season of American Idol has really got me hooked - we rush home to watch our double episodes, because it's two hours of sheer entertainment. And it's so incredibly well done - impeccably well edited and scripted. And Ryan is a hoot!
These americans are crazeeeeee! In particular, you have to meet Ian. He auditioned on So You Think You Can Dance before, and it was equally hideous - and hilarious.



Here's his dance audition.

If you haven't seen it yet, make a date with Simon, Tuesdays and Wednesday on M-Net Series - it's well worth it.

david brent rules!

We recently finished watching my DVD set of The Office. It took Robin all of 2 episodes to get into it. And it really is like that - compelling in a cringable squeamish kinda way. But even we couldn't handle too much David Brent in one weekend. Robin made an interesting observation - that the Christmas Specials finish it off too neatly. That they tie up too many of the loose ends and emotions. On reflection though, we've decided you HAVE to watch it with the Specials. It was those that made the series for me. Otherwise it was just a series of embarrassments at the hands of one of the strangest characters in TV history. Including Basil Fawlty. Make some time and watch The Office - with the Specials. You'll appreciate the script in a way no Amercian sitcom can surprise you. David Brent is just too much. Gareth makes me laugh. I like Tim and Dawn.

the cast and crew

Following on from the post about our New media movie, here are some pics of the "Oscars" event that we attended to win all our awards. Naturally we all went in our overalls. This is us at the after-drinks held in the old Big Brother garden. Yes - where Ferdie...
We were nominated for 9 awards, took 2. Hollywood here we come!

mahnamahna!

A friend is getting very bored at work and directed me to this gem today: MAHNAMAHNA!
Crank it up, and sing along! Mahnamahna!

can you survive the wait?

Survivor SA is almost upon us (3 September), and the hype just gets bigger and bigger. I think it's going to be pretty damn awesome - one of the best productions to come out of M-Net. If you're a fan, then watch out this Sunday: the contestants are being announced!


If you want to see clips of each of the contestants, click here.

so you think you're a true lost fan?

McFarlane - producer of some of the coolest toys around, including all the Corpse Bride, Nightmare Before Christmas and Alien vs Predator toys - has just announced the imminent release of a Lost set. Here you see Charlie inscribing the word on his hands - F.A.T.E. Now you can "own a piece of the show's mythology."
McFarlane also does one of my special guys - the 10 inch Were-Rabbit from Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. He sits next to my TV. He's huge and heavy and way cool! [yes - i love toys :o)]

I have to admit I never really got the whole toys (ok, "action figures") thing. And I still don't really got the uber-fanatics who buy the entire series and keep them in the boxes never breaking the seal. I prefer to play with my things! But. And here's the BUT. After getting the Wallace toys, I'm hooked! I have 3 Wallace, and 1 Nightmare Before Christmas and I want MOOOORE! I have Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas on my shopping list. Tim Burton + McFarlane = happiness!

da woogsta went to survivor

Robin spent the first two weeks of shooting in Panama helping to set up and get things on the road. This is him in a tin can in the air. He gets back Friday! Wheee!



Here's the entry he wrote for the official Survivor blog:

Greg's making this trip look like a holiday, but the question is what's the coolest position on this island?

Logger
The business: Yes, you're at the heart of all footage, and you get the insight into styles of each and every cameraperson and director - a great place to start if you want a holistic look at the production of film and TV.

The drag: Long hours in front of a small screen detailing the minutiae of other people's work. And you don't get a tan.

Cameraperson [very pc of him :o)]
The business: There isn't a part of the world you haven't seen intimately through the finest detail of a high powered lens. You get to realise the vision others only imagine. And chicks dig you.

The rub: Other people tell you what to do all the time, then they cut and edit your work. Think of birthing a child, and then someone takes it. And the tech is heavy.

Director
The business: There isn't a person on the set who doesn't want to talk to you, and you get to tell each and every one of them what you want them to do. And they have to do it. You're god.

The twist: If anything goes wrong, with any person, doing anything, at any time, on any shoot – its your fault. You suck.

Creative Director
The business: You have absolute access to any part of the production, at any time, and even if they're halfway through a shoot, you can tell them its all sh*t and should be redone this way or that. You also get to pass your aesthetic opinion on what looks and 'feeeeels' better based on what you think looks and 'feeeeels' better.

The itch: A job where you pass opinions as fact; you're never responsible for things going wrong, only for looking right; no standard hours… You kidding me: this is without a doubt the ultimate position!

New Media Journalist
The business: While other people work, you watch them, sometimes report. That's a job.

The mixed blessing: The Swedish make-up/wardrobe girl never gets to undress our intrepid Greg!