Heroes

The Big Bang Theory, Nine, 7.30pm
Amongst a sea of repeats finally comes a new episode, the first of the hits show’s fifth season. The Skank Reflex Analysis. Penny worries that she’s screwed things up permanently with her friends after her night with Raj, while Sheldon takes command of the paintball team.

Swift & Shift Couriers, SBS ONE, 8.30pm
Welcome to Swift & Shift. It’s wedding mania with Mario and his pregnant fiancee, Melissa, away in Las Vegas tying the knot, and Oliver has quit the depot to marry Fernando the Florist. Back at the depot, panic sets in as Keith’s twelve months deadline to improve the depot is almost up. Meanwhile, Amanda’s Indian depot is saving so much money that they are extending the overseas workers contracts.

Norway Massacre: The Killers Mind. Seven, 10.00pm
On July 22, 2011, 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik carried out two terrorist attacks on the innocent civilians of Norway in an attempt to express his right-wing political views. It resulted in the worst rampage killing in global history. An explosion in a government killed eight people and critically wounded several others. Then, only two hours later, Breivik went on a vicious shooting spree at a summer camp, killing a total of 69 people. With never-before-seen images, this program explores the warning signs, the aftermath, and whether or not anything could have been done to stop him.

Heroes, Seven, Midnight.
Final. Claire and Noah are buried deep beneath the earth, and must face the possibility that Noah will die.

The Buried Secret of M. Knight Shyamalan, ONE, 12.30am
M. Night Shyamalan’s films are known for deliberately defying expectations and keeping audiences guessing. This mockumentary takes a behind the scenes look at the making of The Village.

Heroes fans rejoice! Masi Oka and Greg Gunberg who played Hiro Nakamura and Matt Parkman are to reunite on Hawaii Five-O. Grunberg will play  a ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent based out of Honolulu, and whose team’s primary functions are the survey of items smuggled into the region and all Homeland Security threats.

“He has worked with Five-0 team member Lori Weston on Homeland Security issues before, so he is aware of the task force and their successful and unorthodox ways of handling cases,” executive producer Peter M. L

Where there’s a murder, there’s a dead body. And where there’s a dead body, there’s often a coroner. Cue Oka, who is now a Five-0 series regular as Max.

“Of course, we plan to infuse the character with Greg’s unique personality and humor,” says Lenkov, “as well as put him in a scene with Masi for those die-hard Heroes fans.”

Lenkov says of Grunberg’s character. “His first exposure to working directly with Five-0 is when the team handles the murder investigation of an ICE Agent under command.”

Hawaii Five-O will return in 2012 to Ten, unless they unlikely fast – track.

Connelly to direct Entourage episode

Entourage actor Kevin Connolly will step behind the camera to direct the penultimate episode of the comedy/drama series this year. Connolly, who play Eric Murphy, has directed a previous episode of the series as well as well as a film.

Berry returning to TV?

Reports are suggesting that actress Halle Berry will feature in a new TV project called Higher Learning. Berry’s last regular TV role was back in 1991.

Smallville actress joins pilot

Smallville actress Erica Durance has signed on to feature in a new pilot described as a “sexy, fast-paced drama”. Durance featured on Smallville as Lois lane.

Heroes actress lands Dexter role

Heroes actress Brea Grant has signed on for a role in the sixth season of Dexter. Grant has landed a recurring role in the series alongside new additions Mos Def, Colin Hanks and Billy Brown.

Programming Amendments Update March 28*.

1. No more Heroes for Seven.

Heroes (season 4) that was to air at midnight Thursday nights on Seven will no longer air. Instead, True Beauty is on Seven at midnight Thursdays from this Thursday March 31.

As a result, True Beauty will no longer be seen on Sunday mornings, replaced by Minute to Win It on Sunday April 3 and a movie the following Sunday.

Note the Sunday change is for the Sydney and Brisbane markets only.

2. Amazing Race break on 7mate

Due to a one week break in the US, The Amazing Race will not be seen on 7mat eon Sunday April 10. That night, from 6.30, 7mate will be airing the movie Galaxy Quest. That will also mean that Gene Simmons Family Jewels will take a break for the week as well. Not a bad idea, seeing many states have school holidays then.

3. ICC World Cup 1^st Semi Final

Nine will air the first semi final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand from 11.55pm Tue March 29.

* Everyday, there are a number of programming amendments mostly from the Nine network, but also Seven and Ten. The plan is to list the prime time changes in particular on the one daily post rather than just posting stories based around major changes – which has meant many of the smaller changes get left out. Note that changes to GO programming will be shown on the TV Guide for GO only. For the latest GO programming, click here to go to the TV Guide for GO.

Sutherland doesn’t want fairytale ending for Jack Bauer

Keifer Sutherland has said that he doesn’t want his 24 character Jack Bauer to have a completely happy ending when the series signs off in a one-off feature film. The actor commented: “Do I think he should go off to the countryside and have a perfect life? No! Jack is walking across the street and he gets hit by a car! Wouldn’t that be a great ending?”

Jenkins to return to Cougar Town

Cougar Town executive producer Kevin Biegel has said that former Scrubs actor Ken Jenkins will return to the comedy sometime in the future after filming an episode for the second season. Biegel said of Jenkins (who played Dr Kelso on Scrubs): “He fit in with the cast so well. It felt like a piece of the show was missing that we finally had when he showed up on set.”

Heroes actor to feature in new comic book series

Former Heroes actor Milo Ventimiglia has signed to feature in and executive produce a new drama project called Rest. The series is based on a Top Cow comic book that features a New Yorker who becomes addicted to a drug that eliminates his need for sleep.

Story laid out for Arrested Development movie

Arrested Development actor David Cross has said a story has been laid out by the producers of the comedy series for the upcoming movie. Cross, who played Tobias, said he believes the story to be a “perfect continuation for the Bluths” although he can’t reveal any more details.

I have to say, I am enjoying the Event on Seven – moreso than FlashForward, almost as much as the first season of Heroes, and, to me, better than Lost so far. But that’s just my opinion!

What do all these shows have in common? Apart from all being seen on the Seven network?

Well, they start off with high ratings and expectations, but the viewers quickly die off as the episodes go on. Granted, for Heroes and Lost, this took some time to happen – but for Flashforward last year, and now the Event this year, the downturn in ratings has been fast to set it.

TWO HOURS AGO….

Seven sends through an amendment, indicating that The Event will move to 9.30 Mondays from Monday October 25. To make way for the new time, Covert Affairs will have a two hour season finale at 9.30pm Monday Oct 18. The season finale of Covert Affairs was originally slated for 9.30 Monday Oct 25.

SIX MONTHS AGO…

Flashforward, after returning from a three month hiatus in both the US and here, returns to a timeslot of 9.30pm Thursday. It then moves to 10.30, before quickly ending up at 11.30pm. Same happened with the last season of Heroes, although that ended up finishing exclusively on 7TWO. Will that happen to the Event? The timeslot moves have already begun…

THREE WEEKS AGO…

The Event premiered in the US on Monday September 20 to over a 11 million people. A week later, 8 million tune in. On its third week, 7 million. 4^th week – the Monday just gone – 6.5 million. Seven are no doubt watching these figures as well as their own in making their decision with The Event. Ep 3 in Australia scored less than a million.

ONE WEEK FROM NOW….

Well, actually closer to two weeks, depending when you read this post… The move to shift the Event to 9.30pm on Oct 25 could be to avoid being slaughtered by new Mentalist on Nine which can attract as many as 1.5 million for new episodes. At the same time, Undercover Boss Australia is on Ten which should also easily pull a million.

Seven are yet to announce what they are planning for 8.30pm from Monday October 25. To be honest, I could not even make a guess on what might end up there. Maybe another new US show semi-fast tracked? Some more specials? We’ll find out soon enough.

Some programming info from TV Tonight.

More gay characters on TV says research

Research is suggesting that the number of gay or bisexual characters appearing on Primetime television is on the up, with comedy shows like Modern Family paving the way. The figure breaks down to around 23 gay characters out of every 600 roles.

Tina Fey to be honoured with comedy award

30 Rock and Saturday Night Live star Tina Fey will be honoured at the ceremony for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour by fellow performers Betty White, Jimmy Fallon and Jon Hamm of Mad Men and among others from Saturday Night Live. Fey is only the third woman to win the award, following Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin.

Heroes actor to guest on The Office

Ex-Heroes actor Jack Coleman will make a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of The Office where he will play a government official. Coleman will also appear in an episode of The Mentalist in the show’s next season.

Ramsay responds to suicide of contestant

Gordon Ramsay has responded to the news that an ex-contestant on his show Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares took his own life recently by saying: “I was fortunate to spend time with Joe during the first season of Kitchen Nightmares. Joe was a brilliant chef, and our thoughts go out to his family, friends and staff.”

Boardwalk Empire renewed for second season

After airing only one episode of new gangster series Boardwalk Empire, HBO has renewed it for a second season. The pilot episode was the most watched HBO premiere since 2004’s Deadwood.

Spartacus future uncertain

The future of gladiator series Spartacus: Blood & Sand is uncertain following actor Andy Whitfield’s cancer flare-up recently, which has ruled him out of the second season. The series was expected to begin production this month with an air date of January next year.

Paltrow to appear on Glee

Glee has signed Gwyneth Paltrow to appear in the second season of the show in a role which will see the actress showcasing her singing and dancing skills. Paltrow will play a substitute teacher who takes over temporarily from Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison).

Heroes actress to play infamous killer

Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere has been signed to portray a controversial convicted killer in an upcoming TV movie. The actress will play Amanda “Foxy Knoxy” Knox who was convicted of killing her roommate in Italy after she failed to participate in a sexual activity taking place with others.

US Skins cast

This publicity photo has been released of the cast for the upcoming US adaptation of teen series Skins, which will be based on the UK original. The cast is based almost directly off the UK’s first season characters with just a couple of alterations.

Scrubs actor heading to Cougar Town

Former Scrubs actor Ken Jenkins will feature on an episode of Cougar Town in the comedy’s second season playing the father of Courtney Cox’s Jules. Jenkins starred as Dr. Bob Kelso in the medical comedy series.

Treadstone spy drama in the works

CSI creator Anthony Zuicker is in the process of developing a new spy drama series which will be based around the mysterious black-ops arm of the CIA made popular in the Bourne novels and movies, Treadstone.

Heroes tele-movie in doubt

Former Heroes actress Ali Larter has said that a Heroes tele-movie is unlikely to go ahead, saying that the feeling among the cast is that everyone has gone their own ways. Meanwhile, series creator Tim Kring has said that discussions are still taking place for pulling the cast back together for the reunion film.