Packed to the Rafters

Seven’s new cooking series Conviction Kitchen will premiere at 9.30pm, Tuesday Feb 22, after Packed to the Rafters. Parenthood will take a break that week.

Follow the life-changing journey of twelve ex-criminals as they learn the skills needed to run a high-end restaurant. Led by renowned chef Ian Curley, will these ex-cons take the second chance they’ve been given, or will they break parole and end up back where they started?

Conviction Kitchen, in the following week, will most likely settle into it’s originally planned timeslot of 8.30pm Mondays from Feb 28.

Also that week, Wednesday’s episode of My Kitchen Rules will be 90 minutes long. In this episode, the final team from group 2 – mother and daughter Kerry and Holly cook for the guests and the judges. Then, back at kitchen headquarters in Sydney, the lowest scoring team group1 will cook off against the lowest scoring team in group 2 in sudden death elimination.

The remaining 11 teams move into the next round of the My Kitchen Rules contest, battling it out from Monday Feb 28.

Subsequent Wednesday programming on Wed Feb 23 is moved back half an hour – so Criminal Minds will be at 9pm, City Homicide 10pm.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS
Season 4, Ep 1, ‘What Lies Beneath’
Tuesday, February 8
8:30pm (PG)

- NEW SEASON PREMIERE

- DINA PANOZZO returns as Rita Karandonis

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS returns tonight, and it’s been three months since Ben and Nathan left on their road trip around Australia. Bearded and tanned, Ben returns without Nathan and smooths over his family’s concern with a plausible excuse. He believes that if he wants to fit back in with his family, he has to be the fun loving guy he was before Melissa died.

At home much has happened. Coby has moved in with Jake and started his apprenticeship with Dave. Ruby has started walking and the house has been baby-proofed. Carbo and Retta’s engagement party is fast approaching but it’s the anticipated arrival of Rita – and what she’ll say about the new relationship – which is causing nervous diarrhoea for Carbo and dry-retching for Retta.

As the family and the Karandonis clan celebrate his return, Ben is upbeat. Even the sight of the cheque for Mel’s life insurance doesn’t seem to faze him – but a visit back to his old room in the Karandonis house proves how much emotion he’s really hiding. Unwilling to worry his family, Ben manages to seamlessly manipulate Rachel into offering her room, happy to stay more permanently with Jake and Coby. But will Ben be able to fool his mother Julie?

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS stars REBECCA GIBNEY as Julie Rafter, ERIK THOMSON as Dave Rafter, MICHAEL CATON as Ted Taylor, JESSICA MARAIS as Rachel Rafter, HUGH SHERIDAN as Ben Rafter, ANGUS McLAREN as Nathan Rafter, GEORGE HOUVARDAS as Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis, JAMES STEWART as Jake Barton, RYAN CORR as Coby Jennings and HANNAH MARSHALL as Retta Schembri.

Rebecca Gibney has announced that Channel Seven has given her the all-clear to begin developing a new drama for the network.

The Packed To The Rafters actress will work alongside her production designer husband Richard Bell on the project.

We’re in talks with them [Channel Seven] and we’ve got a writer on board,” Gibney said. “If and when Rafters does go away, we’ll have something in the pipeline. Even if Rafters doesn’t finish, we’ll do it after season five.”

The 46-year-old said that while she is happy to continue playing Julie Rafter, she wants to broaden her horizons behind the scenes.

“I told them I wanted to do other stuff,” she said. “We then pitched the story. I’m so thrilled.”

Packed To The Rafters producers are promising a happier season of the hit drama this year after hitting a number of emotional lows towards the end of last season.

It was a turbulent end to the third season last year with the death of Mel in a car crash and the subsequent funeral along with Dave’s battle with depression.

However, the show is set to begin a whole lot more positively this month with an engagement party for Carbo and Loretta.

In the opening episode entitled What Lies Beneath, the party takes place three months after the Mel’s funeral.

Ben is still travelling around Australia but is close to returning home while Julie begins to see what’s happening behind his cheerful persona.

Packed To The Rafters returns next Tuesday at 8.30pm on Seven.

Source: HrealdSun

Here is the Throng guide to new and returning shows for 2011. Updated Jan 31.

Seven confirms Packed to the Rafters as well as regular Sunday night line up. 60 Minutes confirmed.

Please note that * means we have assumed when the show will start, and it is not yet officially confirmed by the network concerned.

30 Rock – Seven – Thur Feb 3, 11.30pm

60 Minutes – Nine – Sun Feb 13, 7.30pm

6PM With George Negus – Ten – Mon Jan 24, 6.00pm

American Idol – FOX8 – Thur Jan 20, 7.35pm

Ben Elton: Live From Planet Earth – Nine – Tue Feb 8, 9.30pm

Better Homes and Gardens – Seven – Fri Feb 4, 7.30pm

Blue Bloods – Ten – Wed Feb 2, 8.30pm

Bob’s Burgers – ELEVEN – Wed Jan 26, 9.30pm

Bondi Rescue – Ten – Sun Feb 6, 8.00pm

Bones – Seven – Mon Jan 31, 8.30pm. Sundays and Mondays 8.30m from Feb 6.

Border Security – Sun Feb 6, 7.30pm

Brothers and Sisters – Seven – Mon Jan 31, 9.30pm

Burn Notice – Ten – Feb or later*

Castle – Seven – Sun Feb 6, 9.30pm

Chuck – FOX8 – Sun Jan 23, 6.30pm

City Homicide – Seven – Wed Feb 2, 9.30pm

Cougar Town – Seven – Tue Feb 1, 10.30pm

Conviction Kitchen – Seven – Feb*

Criminal Minds – Seven – Wed Feb 2, 8.30pm

CSI – Nine – Thur Feb 3, 8.30pm

Desperate Housewives – Seven – Thur Feb 3, 9.30pm

Fat Family Diet – Seven – Mon Jan 31, 10.30pm

Fringe – GO! – Wed Jan 19, 9.30pm

Getaway – Nine – Thur Jan 27, 8.00pm

Glee – Ten – Mon Jan 31, 7.30pm

Grey’s Anatomy – Seven – Thur Feb 3, 8.30pm

Hawaii Five-O – Ten – Sun Jan 30, 8.30pm

Home and Away – Seven – Mon Jan 24, 7.00pm

House – Ten – Feb – Wed Feb 2, 9.30pm

How I Met Your Mother – Seven – Thur Feb 3, 7.30pm

Keeping Up With the Joneses – Ten – later in year*

Law & Order: SVU – Ten Thur Jan 20, 9.30pm

Lie to Me – Ten – Feb*

Mike and Molly – Nine – Wed Feb 9, 8.00pm

Modern Family New – Ten – Sun Jan 30, 7.30pm

Murphy’s Law – 7TWO – Wed Feb 2, 9.45pm

My Kitchen Rules – Seven – Mon Jan 31, 7.30pm. Continues Tue Feb 1 and Wed Feb 2 at 7.30pm. Airs Mon – Wed – 3 nights a week from then on.

NCIS New – Ten – Feb – Tue Feb 1, 8.30pm

NCIS: LA New – Ten – Sun Jan 30, 9.30pm

Nikita – GO! – Feb*

Packed to the Rafters – Seven – Tue Feb 8, 8.30pm

Parenthood – Seven – Tue Feb 1, 8.30pm (double ep, then Tue Feb 8, 9.30pm)

Private Practice – Seven – Thur Feb 3, 10.30pm

Rescue Special Ops – Nine – later in the year*

RPA: Where Are They Now? – Nine – Wed Feb 9, 9.30pm

$#*! My Dad Says – Nine – Mon Jan 31, 8.00pm

Sunday Night – Seven – Sun Feb 6, 6.30pm

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation – Ten – Tue Feb 8, 7.30pm

The Amazing Race Australia – Seven – Later in the year*

The Big Bang Theory New – Nine - Tue Feb 8 and Wed Feb 9, 7.30pm

The Biggest Loser Families – Ten – Sun Jan 30, 6.30pm Then Wed-Fri 7.30pm.

The Farmer Wants a Wife – Nine – Wed Feb 9. 8.30pm

The Force – Seven – Sunday Feb 6, 8.00pm

The Good Wife – Ten – Thur Jan 20, 8.30pm

The Mentalist New – Nine – Feb* Sundays maybe.

The Vampire Diaries – GO! – Mon Jan 31, 9.30pm

Top Gear New – Nine – Tue Feb 8, 8.00pm

Two and a Half Men New – Nine – Mondays Jan 31, 7.30pm

Underbelly – Razor – Nine – later in the year

Underbelly Files – Tell Them Lucifer Was Here – Nine – Mon Feb 7, 8.30pm

Underbelly Files – Infiltration – Nine – Mon Feb 14, 8.30pm

Underbelly Files – The Man Who Got Away – Nine – Mon Feb 21, 8.30pm

V – GO! – Wed Jan 19, 8.30pm

Winners and Losers – Seven – later in the year*

* means the return date and time is assumed, and will not necessarily end up being the actual time once confirmed. Numerous Seven and Nine dates and times to be confirmed Jan 24 or so.

Timeslots and shows will be listed here as confirmed only when made official by the networks.

There will be shows missing from the list, but listing every single show is not the intention! Let us know if there are any you’d like to know about that are not listed.

This post will be updated regularly as information comes to hand.

　

Seven have released programming details for next Sunday (Feb 6) as well as confirmation that Packed to the Rafters returns Tuesday week (Feb 8th).

Sundays from Feb 6:

6.30pm Sunday Night
7.30 Border Security – new
8.00 The Force – new
8.30 Bones – new
9.30 Castle – new.

Bones will also remain on Monday nights at 8.30pm with new episodes – so for now, Bones is on twice a week.

And on Tuesday Feb 8, Packed to the Rafters returns at 8.30pm. Parenthood settles into its regular timeslot of 9.30pm Tuesdays as well.

 

Wondering what is happening with your favourite Australian drama or reality competition show? Here is a list summarising both genres with information as to what has been renewed, what has not been, and some names of new shows to air in 2011. Updated November 22.

The list will no doubt grow and update as the networks release their upfronts for 2011.

Australian Drama.

AFP – Nine was supposed to air in 2010 – Low ratings with cop based dramas all round sees it held off until 2011.

City Homicide – Seven – Rumours of the show being axed have not been confirmed by Seven. A decision will be made on whether there will be a 5th season or not some time in 2011. A 6 part mini series airs early 2011.

Cops LAC - Nine – Officially dropped by Nine. Not renewed.

East West 101 – SBS ONE – 3^rd season to air 2011.

Home and Away – Seven – No confirmation, but almost certainly will return in 2011 for its 24^th year.

Inside Out – Ten new for 2011

Neighbours – Ten / Eleven – Returns on Eleven in 2011. 26^th year.

Offspring – Ten – confirmed for 2^nd season in 2011.

Packed to the Rafters – Seven – Production on 4th season has commenced – so yes – it is back in 2011. Ads at teh end of the final suggest Rafters will return ealry 2011 – so possible February start. Usually Rafters is not on until mid year.

Rescue Special Ops – Nine – renewed for 3^rd season in 2011.

Rush – Ten confirmed for 4th season in 2011.

Sea Patrol - Nine renewed for season 5.

Spirited – W renewed for season 2.

Tangle – Showcase 3^rd season yet to be confirmed

Underbelly – Nine 4^th season to air 2011. Subject of 4^th season TBC though. Telemovies to come as well.

Winners and Losers - Seven new for 2011.

　

Reality Competition shows.

Australia’s Got Talent - 5^th season for 2011. Auditions underway.

Australia’s Next Top Model – FOX8 – 7^th cycle open now for applications

Beauty and the Geek Australia – Seven – Season 2 concludes Thur Nov 25, 8.30pm. If there is a third season, it will be announced during or at the end of the finale.

Come Dine with Me Australia – Lifestyle – 3^rd season in 2011. Looking for contestants now

Don’t Stop Believing – Ten – CANCELLED - Show will not be going ahead.

Got to Dance – FOX8 – new for 2011

Junior Masterchef - Ten – 2nd season for 2011

Masterchef Australia – Ten – 3^rd season in 2011

Must Be the Music – FOX8 – new for 2011

My Kitchen Rules – Seven – 2^nd season in 2011.

The Amazing Race Australia – Seven in 2011.

The Biggest Loser – TEN – back in 2011 with a family based series.

The Block – Nine – Technically 4th season planned for 2011.

The Farmer Wants A Wife – Nine. Applications open for 2011 season.

The Renovators – Ten – New and to air 3^rd quarter 2011, been described as “The Block on steroids”.

The X Factor – Seven – possible second season for 2011, but nothing confirmed.

　

Note: Documentaries and Factuals (and there are a lot of them – shows like Bondi Rescue, Recruits, Border Security, RBT, The Force, Find My Family, etc) are not part of this list. If there is a current (as in airing in 2010 or 2011) Australian drama or reality competition show I have left off the list, please let me know.

8:30pm – Tuesday, November 16 on Seven

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, with Christmas and Ruby’s first birthday fast approaching, Dave searches for the words to put himself and his family back on track.

Dave is struggling with his own demons. Julie gently convinces him to give therapy another try. Finally able to find the words his therapist’s been pushing for, it seems that Dave might finally be starting to address some of his issues. And then when the whole family gathers for Ruby’s first birthday and she takes a first tentative step, it seems all could be coming right in the Rafter world.

Julie discovers that Coby’s apprenticeship papers have arrived. In the spirit of moving on, the Rafters feel that life is too short to hold grudges. Dave speaks to Coby, who promises never to let them down again and Dave renews his offer of an apprenticeship to a grateful nephew.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS stars REBECCA GIBNEY as Julie Rafter, ERIK THOMSON as Dave Rafter, MICHAEL CATON as Ted Taylor, JESSICA MARAIS as Rachel Rafter, HUGH SHERIDAN as Ben Rafter, ANGUS McLAREN as Nathan Rafter, GEORGE HOUVARDAS as Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis, ZOE VENTOURA as Melissa Bannon and JAMES STEWART as Jake Barton, with RYAN CORR as Coby Jennings and HANNAH MARSHALL as Retta Schembri.

Producers of Seven’s Packed to the Rafters have promised a return to better time son the family drama following an intense few weeks.

With tonight’s episode the last of the 2010 season, producers have said that next year’s run will return the smiles to the faces of fans.

We are very aware that one of the reasons audiences respond to Rafters is that it unashamedly takes a more positive spin on life, despite the hurdles that the characters face,” producer Jo Porter said.

“We have plans to introduce one or two new characters and, in particular, open up Julie’s life away from the home as she gets a bit more ‘me’ time with a new girlfriend. That should prove a lot of fun.”

Porter noted that the series from the outset was never afraid to confront issues that affect our everyday lives.

“From the very first episode of Rafters we have seen that they are a real family who has faced some tough issues (drug abuse, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy, a sudden death),” she said.

“It is not that we haven’t gone to dark places before – however it is now season three and audiences have much more invested in the Rafter family, so consequently I think people feel for them and their trials even more.”

Source: News.com.au

Fans of Packed to the Rafters have been warned by a top psychologist that they could experience genuine grief following the emotional episodes of the drama series.

The warning comes following the screening of Mel’s (Zoe Ventoura) funeral last night, which is estimated to have been watched by more than two million viewers.

“The death of a favourite character could cause a genuine sadness, which requires grieving,” psychologist Jan Hall said.

“Viewers who are attached to the storyline could identify as if the characters are real people.”

Hall also offered advice to those who may be emotionally involved in the show.

“Tell yourself it’s only a TV show, exercise to release the ‘happy drugs’ in your body, or watch a soppy DVD that makes you have a good cry,” she said.

“Viewers could also write a farewell letter to the character and thank them for the great times they had with them.”

Actor Hugh Sheridan, who plays Mel’s husband Ben, said the funeral scenes were difficult to film.

“This is the worst thing that could have happened to Ben. I was pretty low. I found it extremely exhausting.

“(Friends) were wondering why I was moping around and not being my usual chirpy self when I got home from work.”

Source: Herald Sun