Channel Nine's blog

Seeing Red

Michael Usher has just returned from an extraordinary encounter with Sarah Ferguson – the Duchess of York. It was her first Australian interview in eight years, so Michael was looking forward to their meeting. But as Michael soon discovered, The Duchess has two very different sides. First, Michael met Sarah, the charming, knockabout ex-royal – open and brutally honest about her failings. And then there’s Bad Fergie – (her description- not Michael’s) who makes bad judgements and lands herself in scandal, time after time. We’d agreed none of that was off limits in our interview, but Michael clearly hit a raw nerve and that’s when the trouble began.
Reporter: Michael Usher
Producers: Gareth Harvey, Sandra Cleary, Ali Smith

Anarchy in the UK

We’ve all been shocked by the images coming out of Britain this week, streets ablaze and frenzied mobs cutting loose in an orgy of violence and looting. It’s extraordinary to think it’s the same country that just four months ago charmed the world with the royal wedding and is set to host next year’s Olympics. Liam Bartlett is on the ground in England to make sense of the madness.
Reporter: Liam Bartlett
Producer: Howard Sacre

 Jeff’s Wake-up Call

For two decades now, The Wiggles have been enchanting children worldwide and making millions along the way. But on the eve of a massive tour to mark their 20 year milestone, came a frightening blow. The purple Wiggle and fan favourite, Jeff Fatt collapsed and was diagnosed with a serious heart condition needing emergency surgery. They say the show must go on – the tour certainly did, and when Charles Wooley joined the Wiggles’ travelling circus, he soon realised, this is one show that could go on forever.
Reporter: Charles Wooley
Producer: Sandra Cleary

Tomorrow night after 18 years filled with fun, frivolity, controversy and no-holds-barred rugby league action The Footy Show celebrates 500 episodes.

The man who was there right at the start, Paul “Fatty” Vautin, takes a trip down memory lane with his long-time partner in crime, Parramatta great Peter “Sterlo” Sterling, as they look back on the best and funniest moments from the six-time Logie Award-winning show.

Joining Fatty and Sterlo to celebrate tomorrow night at 9.30pm on Channel Nine will be Mario Fenech, Darryl Brohman, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and Tigers winger Beau Ryan.

Each panellist will select a favourite moment over the years, including the best of Mario Fenech and Robbo, while The Footy Show’s resident funny man, Beau Ryan, does his reveal-all segment when Beau Knows The Footy Show.

The lads will also recap the big stories audiences have tuned in to over the years and former Footy Show regular, Paul “The Chief” Harragon, will look at the best of Beat the Boys, Daredevil Dudes, One-on-One and Chief vs. the Chimp.

Enjoy 18 years of highlights selected by Footy Show viewers, relive the best music parodies and live crosses gone astray, and don’t miss the obligatory bloopers reel.

Meanwhile the tables are turned on Ryan Girdler’s popular segment, Their House, when we catch up with Ryan at his house.

And the show crosses live to Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston and Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer in Brisbane ahead of the big Friday Night Football clash on Nine at 9.30pm.

The Footy Show: Thursday at 9.30pm on Nine (11.15pm VIC, 11.45pm SA/WA)

Cult hits The Big C and Weeds return with new season premieres on GEM from Monday, August 15, at 10.30pm.

Laura Linney returns in her Golden Globe-winning role in The Big C, the heartfelt comedy series about living with cancer. Upon learning about her illness, conservative wife and mother Cathy Jamison (Linney) decided it was her turn to act up by confronting her immature husband, spoiled son and selectively homeless and wildly outspoken brother.

She also decided against treatment until her family learned the truth. But now she’s opting to face cancer head on. With a new clinical trial about to begin and brother Sean living in her recently deceased neighbour Marlene’s house, Cathy’s life is sure to get more complicated.

Then at 10.30pm, Weeds returns for its seventh season. When we left the last series, pot-selling single mum turned Mexican mafia princess turned escape artist Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) turned herself in to the FBI rather than face certain death at the hands of her vengeful husband Esteban and his goon squad. It’s now three years later and Nancy is sprung from the joint and making a fresh start in New York. But can she reunite her far-flung family and keep her hands clean?

The Big C – Season 2: Monday, August 15, at 10.30pm

Weeds – Season 7: Monday, August 15, at 11.00pm

On a new episode of Top Gear at 8.30pm Tuesday on Channel Nine, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May film their own opening titles for a new detective television series.

Jeremy also checks out the sensational Lotus T125 while music legend Sir Bob Geldof is the Star in the Reasonable Price Car.

Never the sort to turn down a challenge, the boys go head-to-head with the World Demolition Champions to see if they can knock down a row of derelict houses faster than the experts. Jeremy, Richard and James are let loose in an army disposal yard, a big kids wonderland, to choose their vehicle of destruction. Can they beat the world champs at their own game?

Lotus has released an F1-style car that mere mortals can own and drive, the Lotus T125. Decked out with F1 trimmings, it can be delivered to any racetrack in the world for a day of Grand Prix fun. Accompanying the Lotus, and included in the price tag, is the essential posse for any discerning F1 driver: a personal trainer, a chef, a team truck and a team of mechanics, as well as your own private driving instructor in the shape of former F1 Ferrari driver, Jean Alesi.

Jeremy takes the “terrifying” Lotus T125 for a drive on the Top Gear track and learns that to stay alive he must drive faster than his mind thinks possible.

When the boys look back on the cars from the 1960s and 70s television shows, Jeremy drives the updated version of the classic Jensen Interceptor and is transported back in time to 1972 as the star of a new detective television show … The Interceptors.

Top Gear UK: Tuesday, August 16, at 8.30pm

Aussie favourite, Michael Caton, presents a brand new series of Hot Property.

Aussies love their real estate and the dramas associated with buying and selling by auction. In Hot Property’s latest outing we meet the nervous vendors and buyers and watch the market dictate the real price of real estate. Packed with up-to-date market info, Hot Property is a must-watch for any home buyer.

Each week, Hot Property, hosted by Michael Caton, follows the fortunes of buyers, sellers and renovators around the country who are negotiating the challenges of the real estate game. Will their real estate dreams come true?

This week, on Hot Property… When it comes to property development Duarte and Veronica are a perfectly matched couple. He’s a builder and she’s an interior designer, and when you add Duarte’s architect brother into the mix you have a winning team.

The couple purchased their Drummoyne, NSW home with the plan of doing it up and selling it for a profit back in 2006. Since then they have spared no expense lovingly renovating the house.  But, now it’s time to move on to their next project – building a duplex. They’ve already extended themselves by buying the land, so the Drummoyne house has to sell.

Also, this week… Andrew is a real estate agent who’s entrusted his colleague to sell his house. He bought the old weatherboard in Bundoora VIC a number of years ago. He subdivided the block and built a townhouse in the front. Andrew and his wife Laura moved into the townhouse, renting the weatherboard out, but now they want to upsize and move nearer to Laura’s work, so the weatherboard has to go.

Question is – will Andrew be able to let go of the reins and keep his sensible agents head when the pressure of auction day hits?

Hot Property: Thursday, August 11, at 8.00pm on Channel Nine

This Monday on Millionaire Hot Seat the four couples from The Block will put their minds to the test as they attempt to win $1 million for a charity of their choice.

Host Eddie McGuire will ask the tough questions as Australia’s favourite renovators vie to win the top prize.

We’ve watched them work a power tool but do they have the brainpower to reach the $1 million dollar question and win the big bucks for their chosen charity?

Animal lovers Josh and Jenna will be playing for the RSPCA while Rod and Tania endeavour to win some cash for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Polly and Waz will play for HeartKids and sisters Katrina and Amie hope to win enough to help Crohn’s and Colitis Australia find a cure for the disease that Katrina has lived with for 16 years.

We’ve watched them renovate entire houses, now watch them take on a whole different kind of challenge. Plus, with The Block host Scott Cam on set there’s sure to be a few twists and surprises.

In over 500 episodes of Hot Seat no one has managed to take home the million-dollar cheque. Can one of The Block couples make Hot Seat history?

Millionaire Hot Seat – The Block Special

Monday, August 15, at 5.30pm on Channel Nine

It is Top Design’s biggest week ever. Our budding designers have to transform caravans for a very important group of clients – their loved ones.

Top Design has been turned upside down by three new invaders. They’re all stirring the pot but one is letting loose.

“It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys!” Karl, Top Design

“Don’t be a twit all your life, have half an hour off!”  Karl, Top Design.

“I don’t hate young people as much as I thought I did!”  Karl, Top Design.

Top Design: See how Aussies from all walks of life transform everyday living spaces with an elimination every episode.

With $100,000 and the title of Top Design at stake, this series celebrates the most daring and dazzling ideas.

Top Design: Wednesday, August 10, at 8pm on Channel Nine

6.30pm, Sunday, August 21, Channel Nine kicks off the most anticipated night on Australian television in 2011.

The Block 2011 Grand Final and Underbelly: Razor, the series premiere.

Sunday, August 21

6.30pm: The Block Grand Final 2011 Auction

Nine weeks ago, we started with eight couples who were then eliminated to four.

We have followed every move of Rod and Tania, Katrina and Amie, Josh and Jenna and Polly and Waz over eight gruelling weeks of amazing transformations.

Room deliveries, challenges and renovations have tried and tested our couples as they worked towards this final result: The Block 2011 Auction.

In a BLOCKbuster two-hour episode from 6.30pm, watch as our four properties go under the hammer at an exclusive auction and the winner announced.

Who will take home the biggest profit and the $100 000 prize money?

8.30pm Underbelly: Razor Movie-length series premiere

It is 1927 and feared vice queens Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh are battling for control of the underworld in a crime war that will scar Australia.

Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh are the undisputed crime queens of Sydney.

Welcome to Underbelly: Razor starring Danielle Cormack as Kate Leigh and Chelsie Preston Crayford as Tilly Devine.

Sunday, August 7 at 7.30pm on Nine

The Big Squeeze

Well we dodged a bullet this week. The Reserve Bank decided to keep interest rates on hold yet again, and with good reason. Record numbers of Australians are struggling to keep up with their mortgage repayments. Home ownership has never been tougher or more thankless. A generation ago, buying a house was the done thing – the one investment that was considered as good as money in the bank. If you didn’t own the roof over your head, you’d failed in some way. Not anymore. Nowadays, renting might just put you ahead of the game.

Reporter: Allison Langdon

Producers: Jo Townsend, Steve Burling

Making Strides

“You’ll never walk again.” How would you feel hearing those words? And how would you go living with them for the rest of your life? Well, Peter Overton just met two determined young Australians who refuse to accept the doctor’s verdict. Josh Clift and Amanda Boxtel believed there had to be a way to get their legs working again, so they travelled halfway around the world in search of a miracle, to a place that’s right at the cutting edge of spinal research. And with doctors recently announcing they’ve just helped a paraplegic to stand up and move, it seems that miracle isn’t so very far away.

Reporter: Peter Overton

Producer: Nick Greenaway

Channel Fever

It was the swim of three lifetimes. Last week, Melbourne girl Chloe McCardel waded into the chill waters of Southern England, determined to become just the fourth person to make a triple crossing of the English Channel. How she found the courage to dive into that rough and unpredictable ocean just amazes us. But every year, hundreds try it, all determined to conquer swimming’s Mt Everest. Maybe if they saw what happened to Chloe, they’d think twice before taking the plunge.

Reporter: Charles Wooley

Producer: Jo Townsend

The simmering tension of trans-Tasman rivalry reaches boiling point when Wide World of Sports presents the pinnacle of Australia-New Zealand sporting conflict: the Bledisloe Cup live from Eden Park in Auckland from 5.30pm this Saturday.

The Wallabies and the All Blacks, who have both beaten South Africa’s Springboks in the 2011 Castrol Edge Tri Nations series, are looking to go higher on the ladder with a win this weekend and cement their edge against each other ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in September.

The Nine Network will broadcast the Bledisloe Cup match live on Saturday from 5.30pm.

After this Test, Nine will present the Castrol Edge Tri Nations match between the Springboks and Wallabies at Mr Price Kings Park Stadium in Durban, live on August 14 at 1.00am, before the final Bledisloe Cup battle at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on August 27, live from 7.30pm.

Wide World of Sports’ Ken Sutcliffe will host Nine’s live Bledisloe Cup broadcast. Joining him on the expert panel are two rugby legends, former Wallaby captains George Gregan and Andrew Slack, while Nine’s Tim Sheridan will report from Eden Park.