One of the great things about the internet is that there is no one definitive source that everyone can get their information, sometimes we need to search for what we are looking for. When something happens, people are now turning to the web as their source for information, like when Michael Jackson died, it was all over the TV but people turned to the internet. And when Richard Wilkins from Today also mentioned on screen that actor Jeff Goldblum had died due to some unchecked tweet on the internet, he was made a laughing stock, but for that 30 minute period when people believe Goldblum was dead, the internet was where they turned.
Much of the information I absorb about the TV shows that I like, is based on what I read and see on the internet from a number of sources. So I will now take you through five websites and blog that I use to keep informed.
MIchael Ausiello is an American writer who delves into the TV world and reports on it. Backed by EW.com, Ausiello is a great source for information about the intricacies of the TV world, like which actor is guest starring on the next episode of …, and this show has been picked up for a full season. One of the main reason I turned to this particular source was the Scorecard which went through each show by network and said whether the show was renewed or cancelled. It was regularly updated to keep the audience informed. This site is a winner for me and as you can see to the right, I have the RSS feed right there.
This is an Australian site now linked to NineMSN that offers TV news and gossip to its audience. It isn’t updated as regularly as The Ausiello Files but you do get these bite sized chunks that are easy to digest. It has been a source of mine for the past few years evolving from the Your TV website to the TV FIX website now operated by NineMSN. It is a good site to turn to see what the reaction is to something that has happened on TV like the latest Next Top Model winner’s announcement fiasco. Unfortunately is doesn’t have an RSS feed which is one of the only drawbacks.
This is another information source that is updated as regularly as the Your TV website but it has some great information as well. However, majority of the information is sourced from other websites and blogs and credited to those authors, which means it can be investigated further on the source website. eztv/it is also a website to download TV shows via bittorrents which is a relevant place to include a TV news section on the website. Again, no RSS feed for the news section of the website but that is understandable as it is not updated regularly enough to warrant one.
Now as the name suggests, this website is about movies and all things movie-related. However, they also look at TV news as well. This site is updated regularly and similar information to the other blogs and websites I have mentioned above, but the difference here is MovieWeb is fully integrated across multiple social media platform like facebook, twitter and YouTube to give a well rounded experience. Now while it doesn’t have an RSS feed, each post is publicised on facebook so it comes up in your facebook news feed and allows the audience to click through on a relevant basis.
The final website I will mention is TV.com which was a US based website up until about a year ago, wen they localised the version for Australia. It is another great source of information for news, but also for individual shows. It have episode list, viewer ratings, comments, videos and some other content that enhancing the experience. They have recently added facebook to their experience and again no RSS feed here either.
No one website contains all the information that I would look at. It just depends on what website I am on as to where I get my information as they are all relevant in one way or another. I hope this has been helpful as to where I find my information but if all else fails, nothing beats a good old google search.
How you doin’
Episodes
Matt LeBlanc is auditioning to play Matt LeBlanc?? In what is possibly the funniest preview of any show from the new season, Matt LeBlanc plays himself as a British couple are lured to Hollywood to produce a remake of their hit British series for the US market. However, they are not prepared for what Hollywood has in store for their precious show. The male lead in the British version is well-educated and cultured and they end up with Matt LeBlanc for the US version, so he ends up as the punch. I think this show will be fantastic, although we will have to wait until January for the US premiere. It seems Joey has finally grown up and moved on. This season, half of the Friends cast will be in three different shows and I think this is potentially the best of the three.
The next HBO addiction
Boardwalk Empire
With Entourage wrapping up its final season next year, HBO seem to have found their next big thing. HBO have always had the ability to bring some really great television to life like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Sex and the City, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the list goes on.
Set in 1920 Atlantic City and starring Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire looks at the seedy underbelly that was brought about by prohibition. This has been billed as one of those shows that is critically acclaimed but no one watches, so here’s hoping they find an audience. The trailer looks good so take a look and enjoy.
Network Ten has released plans for their third digital channel, 11 with the tagline he11o. In my opinion, this is probably the best model and I think will be the most successful of all the new digital channels. Ten have made a conscience effort to create a NEW channel as a opposed a second or third channel that has second hand content from the main channel. This is evidenced by Ten moving its weeknight soap Neighbours from the main Ten to 11, along with The Simpsons. There will also be programmes that may not rate as well on the main channel and are given an opportunity to shine here, targeting the young demographic Ten are trying to attract to 11. Smallville, Supernatural, Dexter, The Cleveland Show, 90210, Melrose Place, Calafornication, Futurama, The Office (US), Stargate Universe, Dollhouse, Next Top Model, along with older shows like Happy Days, Roseanne, The Cosby Show, Family Ties….
Ten has entered a joint venture with US Network CBS to have access to two-thirds of its inventory which is a great opportunity to ensure content it refreshed and doesn’t get stale.
I think this is a very exciting time for viewers and advertisers alike as viewers get more choice and advertisers can begin to really target who they need to on dedicated channels.
Now as for the Nine Network’s Gem, the same could not be said. Gem seems to be a rushed reactionary answer to what Seven have done. They seem to be targeting the main grocery buyer (female skewed) in the older age group of 40 to 65 years old and so far the programming does not reflect the content on display. I know my mum and gran won’t want to watch Secrets of a Call Girl!! Where is the lifestyle programming that would suit the demographic so well?? Surely there is Nine’s back catalogue of Backyard Blitz, The Block, Getaway, even old Hey Hey episodes (as much as I am not a fan of them, but I’m not the demographic they are looking for). It would have been nice to see Nine capitalise on GEM with the programming in the same way Seven have. GO! has been really successful, but I can’t see GEM following in its footsteps.. there is so much more to choose from on other channels that this demographic would like – GEM may be missing the mark.
Another mismatch for the channel is removing Nine HD and replacing it with GEM..Which means that when the cricket or NRL is on, it will be shown on Gem…a women’s channel…I am not seeing the programming matching the channel strategy. Are they struggling with content to fill the slots? You did so well with GO!, it works, you didn’t grab the share of the demographic you had watching Nine, you went for a younger demographic and GO! is successful. I expected more from what could have been a GEM!
So the networks have recently unveiled their third digital channels with Seven network switching on 7mate over the weekend after the AFL Grand Final Dead heat, Nine Network flicked the switch on Gem and Network Ten launching 11 early next year.
Let’s start with 7mate…The Seven Network seem to be clear and concise about who they are targeting and the programming on the channel reflects that perfectly. New episodes of Family Guy, American Dad, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation along with other heaps of other repeated episodes of How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl and other Channel Seven staples like Scrubs and That 70’s Show. They will also play movies like Starsky and Hutch and Anchorman. It is very exciting for the young male demographic they are going after. This is a very strategic, well thought out and planned move from Seven who are finally differentiating from in terms of demographic from Channel Seven and 7Two who are both vying for the slice of the same audience. Check the preview reel above and as a member of the demographic they are targeting, I like what I see.
Stay tuned for my take on Gem and 11.
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s Super Family
No Ordinary Family
No Ordinary Family is billed as Modern Family meets The Incredibles which makes for an interesting combination. Starring The Shield’s Michael Chiklis and Dexter’s Julie Benz and mum and dad of the Powell family, who decide to take a family trip to South America when their plane goes down and they end up in water with some chemicals that causes them to gain, you guessed it, super powers. I really like the idea behind this show and having seen the preview below, I am excited to see more.
Turning 40 in Sunshine…
Mr Sunshine
Friends star Matthew Perry joins former cast mate Courtney Cox by starring in his own show, Mr Sunshine. Perry plays Ben Donovan, manager of the Sunshine centre and in the midst of a mid-life crisis. His girlfriend is the marketing manager for the centre and decide to leave him and start seeing another staff member, not to Ben’s liking. Ben’s boss and owner of the Sunshine centre, is played Allison Janney from West Wing. This show looks promising so let’s see how it goes and hopefully it will make it. It premieres in the US in January and hopefully it wont take long to make its way to Australia.
WIll Arnett doing what he does best
Running Wilde
Running Wilde is the new FOX sitcom starring Arrest Development’s Will Arnett and Felicity’s Keri Russell as an odd couple trying to live together despite the fact they are from completely different worlds. He is living off his family’s fortunes and she is trying to save the world and the environment. I think Will Arnett is a comic genius, but I see this going the same way as Arrested Development and becoming a cult classic. I don’t see it going beyond one maybe two seasons, however I really really really hope I’m wrong, because I think this show has potential.
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