The Block

All four houses on the Block have now sold , as newly engaged Josh and Jenna sold their house for $1 million.

The post-auction sale of Josh and Jenna’s double-fronted terrace means the engaged couple now have a $50,000 nest egg to start planning their wedding.

“We always knew we had a million-dollar property. We’re thrilled with this result,” Josh told ninemsn.com.au.

“Jenna got the ring she’s always wanted and now we can have the wedding we’ve always wanted and really give our new venture Bicker Design Co. a good start!”

The results of all four couples are:
Polly and Waz: $15,000 profit plus $100,000 winners’ bonus.
Rod and Tania: $72,000 profit, plus a Toyota Corolla and $5000 holiday
Josh and Jenna: $50,000 profit
Katrina and Amie: no profit

The Block couple Rod & Tania Walsh became the second of the three couples whose house was passed in at auction on Sunday night to sell their house at a negotiated price; and it is safe to say, they are the real winners (for now).

It has been confirmed that Tania & Rod have sold their house for $922,000 which, with a reserve price of $850,000, sees them walk away with $72,000.

This is a lot more than winners Polly & Waz’s $15,000 however due to the fact Polly & Waz sold theirs at auction; they remain the winners overall.

Earlier in the week, Katrina & Amie sold their house for their $860,000 reserve price and made no profit, leaving Josh & Jenna the only couple to not have sold their house yet.

For Katrina & Amie fans, it is rumoured that Nine will compensate the sisters for their time on the show, however this has not been confirmed.

‘Channel 9 looks after their friends’

Just a reminder that this Sunday’s The Block: Unlocked special; set to air at 6.30, has been cancelled.

 

Nine rearranges Wednesday nights.

Prior to its premiere on Monday, Nine were promoting that The Farmer Wants a Wife would continue Wednesdays, yet Wednesdays still featured Top Design in the schedule at 7.30 with RPA at 8.30.

Now, The Farmer Wants a Wife will air at 7.30pm Wednesdays, which will be its regular timeslot from now on. At 8.30 a repeat of The Mentalist (odd choice), followed by RPA at 9.30 then Top Design at 10.30pm. Meanwhile on GEM, the same episode of Top Design airs at 8.30pm, while The Closer and Rizolli & Isles revert back to their usual times of 9.30 and 10.30 respectively.

Nine’s encore Night – GEM Friday night.

Both the Monday night and Wednesday night episodes of The Farmer Wants a Wife will air on GEM this Friday August 26, from 7pm. Then, at 9.30pm is an encore of Underbelly: Razor (presumably in HD) for the benefit of those who did not catch it first time round or want to see it again. The Farmer Wants a wife is also encored on Nine on the weekend – check local guides.

$#*! My Programming Is?

According to a promo tonight on Nine, next Tuesday (August 30) at 8pm is a new episode of $#*! My Dad Says. My question is why? If it didn’t rate before, what makes them think it will rate now?

Other changes…

There was a The Block Unlocked scheduled for 6.30pm, Sunday August 28, now that is out, in favour for two episodes of RBT from 6.30 – 7.30pm. Monday August 29 at 8pm is TBA, while Big Bangs remain at 7.30pm Monday and Tuesday, as well as Thursday at 7.30 and 8.00pm. That’s on top of weeknights at 7pm, and a few episodes on GO!

 The grand finale of The Block and the premiere of Underbelly: Razor have combined to secure the biggest night of ratings on Australian television for 2011. Together, these led the Nine Network to the highest winning shares of 2011, with a clean sweep of all demos across the 5 City Metro.

The Nine Network dominated the night’s viewing, securing the Top 6 shows across the 5 City Metro in all demos.  With Total People, the Nine Network had a dominant winning share of 46.9% of the free-to-air audience (Total People, 5 City Metro). With People 25-54, the Nine Network secured a massive share of 51.9%. With People 18-49, the Nine Network delivered a 52.9% share. With People 16-39, the Nine Network achieved a 54.8% share. The Nine Network’s share of People 25-54 (51.9%) was the highest nightly share of any free-to-air network in Nine’s target demo since the introduction of OzTam in 2001 (excluding sporting events).

The emotion-charged finale of The Block – Winner Announced in which underdog couple Polly and Waz won Australia’s most popular renovation competition becomes the highest rating program of 2011. The Block – Winner Announced secured a massive average Total People audience of 4.380 million, with a peak of 4.875 million (5 City Metro & Regional combined). Across the 5 City Metro, The Block – Winner Announced achieved an average audience of 3.089 million, with a mammoth peak of 3.428 million.

The premiere of Underbelly: Razor was the most successful program launch for 2011, recording the highest ratings for the launch of any new show for the year-to-date. It catapulted itself into the record books as the  second highest rating drama episode (behind Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities) since official OzTam figures began.

Underbelly: Razor (Episode One) attracted a peak Total People audience of 4.045 million, with an average of 3.482 million (5 City Metro & Regional combined). Across the 5 City Metro, it achieved a peak audience of 2.867 million viewers and an average of 2.510 million.

Nine Network Managing Director Jeffrey Browne said: “We’re thrilled that Australians embraced the journey of our four couples on The Block throughout their rollercoaster ride over the past two months. The figures across the entire series have been phenomenal and prove that free-to-air television is stronger than ever and clearly the No. 1 medium for entertainment.

“The launch of Underbelly: Razor shows that Australians love nothing more than to see historic tales from their own backyard come to life on the small screen. We know this is a great product and trust that viewers will continue to enjoy the drama unfold over the coming months.”

Here are the top 30 highest rating shows for 2011 so far. Australia’s Got Talent is on top, with Masterchef second.

The Block Winner announced will now be the most watched show of the year with 3,089,000 tuning in.

This list updated to end of week 33:

The Block sister’s Katrina & Amie have had their house sold off privately post-auction after their property failed to sell above reserve on Sunday night’s finale.

Reserved at $860,000; the house only sold for $822,000 as the highest bid in a night where three out of the four competing teams shockingly had their houses passed on.

With Katrina & Amie, Josh & Jenna and Tania & Rod’s profit now waiting on private selling; Katrina & Amie have been the first team to reach a negotiation with buyers.

But it isn’t good news.

Their real estate agent, Glen Coutinho from Hocking Stuart has only been able to sell it at $860,000 which was the sister’s reserve price. This means that the sisters are officially out of the running to recieve any profit and will therefore definitely walk away empty handed.

Other team’s profits to come.

But hey, it’s all about the experience, isn’t it?

 

UPDATE: Katrina & Amie’s house has sold post auction!!! Details at bottom of blog post!!!

Note: Ok, I’m not going to spoil the result right here, that’s down below. But for fans of The Block who have not yet watched the episode; just bewarned; you are in for a bit of a nasty shock. Think… Chez & Brenton times three! That’s all I will say!

This is it! After nine weeks of competition, nine weeks of back breaking labour, nine weeks of bickering, nine weeks of sorrow, nine weeks of stress, nine weeks of sleepless nights, nine weeks of waiting, nine weeks of hammering, nine weeks of drilling, nine weeks of Shelley, nine weeks of Scott and nine weeks of those blasted sisters singing Dynamite by Taio Cruz; the hard work of Josh & Jenna, Polly & Waz, Katrina & Amie and Tania & Rod goes under the hammer where one team will walk out as winner of The Block 2011. Block it in, Ladies and Gentlemen; Block it in!

There is a huge crowd lining the streets for the open inspection when we first enter the episode. Scott welcomes us and tells us that tonight; the houses go under the hammer. He tells us that the teams will win any money they make at auction with the winners receiving $100,000 on top.

This is it; the grand finale!

We have a look at what looks like a shnazzy grand finale! I just cannot wait. We have a look at the contestants getting ready for the open inspection before Scott calling the open inspection open, opens the show!

We get a quick recap of the two day challenge the contestants have just been through to determine the auction order. Of course, after the final challenge which consisted of ex contestants judging the finished houses, we were never told who won! But remember, the contestants were getting pampered for a night at Crown for the results.

They all come in to meet a dressed up Scott and Shelley, looking very glamorous themselves. The black board is behind him, and he congratulates them on finishing the challenge.

He then reveals the judges of the final part of the challenge; the ex contestants. Again, they are Gav & Waz, Phil & Amity, Mark & Duncan, John & Neisha and Chez & Brenton.

With that, Scott tells them that each team gave each house a possible score of 20. So theoretically, each team could get a total score of 100.

Scott then writes up on the blackboard the score of the overall challenge so far. Josh & Jenna are on 145 points, Polly & Waz are on 170, Katrina & Amie are on 95 points and Tania & Rod are on 170; tying with Polly & Waz.

Scott tells them all that he will be nice and NOT turn the board around. However, due to his physique (as Waz would put it), he is able to hide the scores from the contestants as he writes them up.

Josh & Jenna get 87 from the exes, with Polly & Waz getting 73, Katrina & Amie getting 67 and Rod & Tania getting 77.

This leaves Rod & Tania on a total of 247 in first place, Polly & Waz on a close 243 in second place, Josh & Jenna on 232 in third place and Katrina & Amie settling for a final auction spot on 162. Well, they aren’t in last place just yet. Rod & Tania get to choose where they want to go first before the other contestants choose out of the remaining slots.

Scott gives them plenty of time (30 seconds) to make their decision.

Rod & Tania decide that they will be going fourth. Polly & Waz get to choose and pick to go second; something that shocks everyone, including an excited Josh. The choose it because it is the number of their house and people will still have money to splash around.

Josh & Jenna choose first place and Katrina & Amie go third; so pretty much, the auction order is house order. They could have just decided it that way, in the end.

So the work is now done, and Scott congratulates them for finishing and tells them that their houses are open for inspection from tomorrow. But for now, it’s time for a party. With that, champagne comes out and they all have a merry time.

Meanwhile, the next morning, the crowds start pouring in and soon enough, 20,000 balloon wielding fans are lining up for a glimpse of the most famous block in Australia.

The contestants, like celebrities, are watching their fans pour out in front of their houses for a glimpse. Rod calls himself a ‘block-star’ to the cringe of Tania.

Some inspection goers have been waiting since 6.30am and each team begin to clean the house one more time.

Rod & Tania’s real estate agent comes in with Shane Crawford and announces that once the price of their house goes $25,000 over reserve, Crawford will donate money to breast cancer research; a handy promotional tool for the couple!

After the break, Scott reminds us of the open inspection before announcing a holiday special kudos of Cudo. We then return to the commotion as the contestants line up out on the street as Shelley and Scott declare the houses open for inspection.

We have a look at inspection goers going through Rod & Tania’s house. They particularly like the colours and tiling. They also think their house looks better in real life. We then see Rod & Tania’s life story just in case there are a few casual finale watchers who haven’t caught up with the show. We then have a look at their ‘journey’ (sorry guys) on The Block.

Meanwhile, potential buyers are still going through their house as Tania & Rod start directing them around. They can’t believe how many kids watch the show.

Two kids are even wearing a chump T-shirt.

After the break, we see members of the public enter Katrina & Amie’s house and they all seem to like things the judges didn’t like, like their quirky features.

Amie reminds buyers to have a cheque book handy. Again, for the stragglers out there, we get an extended back story of the sisters before reviewing their time on The Block.

After the break, we get the same scenes from Polly & Waz and for the open inspection, Waz is playing tour guide while Tania signs autographs outside. Buyers seem to like the storage space with one particular kid loving the mans shed. The open space outside is also a hit.

We don’t go to a break before we see how buyers lap up Josh & Jenna’s home. It seems to attract older buyers, but you can’t really tell. They all love how colourful the house is and love the double fronted feature. Jenna and Josh sign autographs for fans before we look at their time on The Block.

After the break, the contestants get into auction mode ahead of reserve price announcements.

Real estate agents are over and give them all a run down of the game thus far; including number of potential buyers and what they may be interested in.

Scott runs through the factors that have been taken into account with the houses as the reserve prices are calculated. Soon enough, the contestants gather in front of Scotty in a big bank looking building with a heap of real estate billboards behind him.

As he begins, two security guards come in and dramatically give Scott an envelope with the reserve prices in them. The contestants are nervous as all hell as Scott opens the envelope.

He then turns the real estate billboards to reveal four blackboards that he will use to write down the reserve prices for each team.

He begins with Polly & Waz and writes an 8 down, suggesting they have gotten $800,000- $899,000 as a reserve price. He also does this with Katrina & Amie’s house and Polly & Waz’s house. Josh & Jenna get a 9 with their name. He then turns the boards around again and writes the rest of the numbers down.

He then reveals the boards one at a time. Josh & Jenna have a reserve price of $950,000, Polly & Waz have $840,000, Katrina & Amie have $860,000 and Rod & Tania get $850,000. There are some shocks and some expectancies.

So basically, any amount they make above that number, they can keep with the person who can earn most above that number winning an extra $100,000.

After the break, it is auction time and the contestants, looking as glamorous as possible, are arriving up a red carpet to the Fitzroy Town Hall where Scott welcomes us to the Auction.

Inside the hall, Shelley is talking as the contestants all mingle with the crowds. It has a real logies feel to it!

This show isn’t without its Window’s 7 product placement but who cares really; I’m just amazed at how good these contestants look. Amie and Polly are looking smoking!

We have a look at what some buyers are thinking, and who they may be bidding for and what price. There are a lot of 1.1 millions and 1.0 millions.

Soon enough, the contestants are gathered in a line with Scott and strangely enough, Natalie Gruzlewski which can be put down to nothing other than a cross promotion. Really, guys! Big Brother never did this with Australian Idol!

Scott then reveals to the contestants that the viewers have been voting for their favourite houses online. The winners will get to keep a brand new car.

Natalie reveals that Rod & Tania are the winners and they are over the moon to have won a car on top of their $5,000 holiday!

She then reveals that the lucky home winner is Ann-Maree Lineen from Victoria! Good job Ann-Maree!

Shelley then has an announcement to make; Toyota will be putting a car on eBay with all proceedings going to Breast Cancer research.

With that, the auctions get underway!

Scott is waiting with Jenna & Josh who are surprisingly calm, just hoping to make a bit of money. The contestants see how white Josh is going however.

Before the auction starts, Josh proposes to Jenna! We seem to see more footage of the other contestant’s surprise as well as the buyer’s surprise than of the proposal itself. With a Tiffany ring, she says yes!

Safe to say, Jenna and some audience members are in tears! The moment would be perfect had my television not stuttered all the way through it! Stupid digital age.

It is time to go under the hammer. Well, it is quite a long time to be honest; not many people bid to begin with. Some girl is on her phone and on third and final call, her friend or sister gets the auctioneer to wait. Some guy bids $901,000 and that is what it sells for! Oh dear, well, at least they will be getting married.

Are they now the second couple after Chez & Brenton not to break reserve price? The contestants try to cheer the engaged couple up; but it is truly heart breaking to see houses go under the hammer below reserve price when so much work has been spent on it.

After the break, it is time for house two; Polly & Waz. Waz is put under pressure from Scott to propose to Polly, but he has a stiff knee, so passes. Polly reveals that she and Waz won’t be keeping any profit tonight.

Bidders are loud, but are starting at a soft $700,000. On second call, it goes to $750,000 but it is a long way to go. Come on, guys. All of a sudden, they get $765,000 and it goes up yet again. In no time it is up to $800,000. The $820,000 barrier is soon broken and by ad break, we are at $828,000.

After the break, bidding continues and at $835,000; they are $5,000 away, but that is soon broken. We have $845,000 all of a sudden and it doesn’t stop there as it soon jumps right up to $855,000 with Polly & Waz getting a profit of $15,000. This puts them in the lead.

After this, Katrina & Amie jump up for their auction and they are looking very glamorous, but very nervous.

It starts at a relatively high $750,000 and it does go up. The auctioneer is a fast and pretty crazy, but he is getting the job done and soon they are up to $820,000.

They get up to $822,000 and they are out of it. They are visibly upset and it is heartbreaking to see this.

The contestants all help them out and Katrina more than Amie is in need of support. The critics were right; these houses just aren’t selling. 20,000 turn up for open inspection; only 1 person currently has the funds to buy a house. Will Rod & Tania’s sell; how can we know!

Rod & Tania are last and we get into it. There is a $25,000 cheque for Breast Cancer research for when we go $25,000 over reserve; which will hopefully bring the good out in people. The guy sounds like he has a croaky voice, but he quickly gets it up to $830,000. It doesn’t look good, but surely this house won’t go under! How can these people let this house go under!

Finally, it goes up to $832,000 putting the ball back into slow motion, but definitely motion again… but then the unthinkable happens!

$832,000 passed in! Tania & Rod are not too sad about this; as they are seemingly happy for the now winners…

 

… POLLY & WAZ!!!

 

They will win $150,000 for their work on The Block while the other contestants walk away with nothing.

The good folk donating that $25,000 will do so anyway despite the problems but I am stoked! The amateurs win and don’t ya just love an upset victory!

The property market is hard right now, but hopefully they will sell privately. We will be updated on that very soon.

And with that; Scott and the contestants with Shelley stand in front of the town hall to say an emotional final goodbye for 2011; and while it would have been better with happier contestants (Josh and Amie’s faces were definitely not a great send off), who could blame them.

So what a night of drama! And in a sense; what a disappointment! Not the episode itself, of course. Filled with suspense and emotion; this has truly been the best night of The Block I’ve seen. This is of course minus the cheesy product placements and cross promotions.

The episode did seem a bit drawn out however in the first hour, but that was all but forgotten after that massive finale.

I’m also proud for Nine who have managed to keep the show inside its timeslot! I’ll definitely take that into consideration.

What is disappointing however, is the result. After 8 weeks; my entertainment value and respect for this show has gone up every episode. I have loved tuning in to The Block throughout the last few weeks. I have genuinely laughed, stood terrified and at least cried inside with the contestants as they faced the biggest test of their lives.

In a way, I could say this has all gone to waste. With results like that; it makes the anticipated room reveals that kept me excited on my Sunday nights, become insignificant!

But what I will say is thank you for the memories! When a reality season ends and I think to myself ‘aww, but when they return they will have all new contestants and I don’t want new contestants, I want the old one’s to return’; I know it has been a good season.

Thank you to all of my readers who have enjoyed this; especially to Johnson and AndrewB who have been by my side yet again with help, aide, and all round support.

I will also note that Johnson, you asked me to do a post on a radio interview with Polly & Waz. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to sleep until 5.30am the night before and having to be somewhere at 10am; I ultimately decided it was best I just left it. When I checked the website, I couldn’t find the interview. So sorry about that.

So with that note; see you all for The Block 2012

 

Update: Katrina & Amie’s house has sold post-auction for $860,000 in a negotiation. This is at reserve price and the sisters have therefore officially made no money from the series.

Courtney’s Verdict: 9.5/10

 

Courtney’s The Block Season Four Overall Season Verdict: 8.7/10

 

Don’t forget guys, I need your help! If you want to run this blog for a week in September and have the capacity to write even little reviews on some reality programs plus post them on Throng, I’d love to hear from you as I am unable to do so. Contact me via PM on this site, or through c_rose_luvy1980@hotmail.com. Thankyou for all who take on this volunteer work; it would mean a lot to me!

 

With MasterChef, Australia’s Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars and The Amazing Race all wound down; you would be forgiven for thinking that the reality train is slowing down. But in reality, that could not be further from the truth with The Block Finale, Top Design, The Renovators and The Farmer Wants A Wife’s launch all making sure the locomotive motion of Australian reality television won’t be hitting a terminus just yet.

Last week began with The Block and as we headed into the final week of competition; I was happy to find out that it wouldn’t be a drawn out walk to the finish. In fact, it was filled with laughter, sadness, empathy, sympathy, delight, suspense and nostalgia; all of which combined, makes a great week of viewing.

The contestants were scored on their last room reveal; the outdoor/ exterior area in which Tania & Rod took the last honours thanks to their impressive spa bath. As a result, both of these lovebirds will be headed off for a vacation of a lifetime worth $5,000.

With the excitement out of the way (for now), it was time to say goodbye; and what a tearful goodbye that was with each team graciously offering the other teams a friendly goodbye hug. We then caught up with the contestants at home and how they perceived life on The Block after a bit of a breather and it is safe to say that amongst the slight rise to fame these guy’s have experienced over the past couple of months, most things have more or less gone back to usual.

Then, it was all on Donkey Kong yet again as the contestants battled it out in a four part challenge to determine the auction order. After building beach boxes, taking part in a hilarious champ or chump challenge, going up in a hot air balloon race (minus Tania) and having their houses judged by former contestants, all will be revealed on Sunday Night!

A ‘your say’ edition of Unlocked ended the week.

To The Renovators now; and it was a stock standard week in terms of what happened. The problem with this show is that there isn’t enough diversity in its challenges to distinguish each week apart. The only difference this week was that there was only one elimination; that of khaki team member, Tina; leaving Nathan the sole original khaki team member left after winning another stress test elimination.

Still, the shocking and poorly timed drop out of grey team leader Fiona ensured that two contestants left the game this week. August will now take the reigns of grey team leader for The Shop.

Elsewhere, a white room challenge based on various colours saw Nathan and Tina win $10,000 (which will surely help last man standing, Nathan) and a competitive room reveal saw the blue team consisting of Jarrad and Michael, the green team consisting of Jason H, Suzanne, Keenan and Mel and the khaki team of Nathan and Tina will compete in a panic room challenge for a $40,000 pool pack after impressing the judges with their renovation progress.

Back to Tina’s elimination; and the khaki team were put in that predicament after failing to sell their item of refurbished recycled furniture for a high price at a charity auction on Wednesday. The green team sold a lantern for $3,700 and therefore won the auction challenge.

A How To episode yet again finished off the week (for at least 409,000 of you) of The Renovators.

Top Design was the only other reality television show on this week and after making a room out of recycled materials (yes, like the theme was on that night’s The Renovators), Dan was thought to have the least amount of designing prowess and was sent packing.

 

So that was last week, and this is this week!

The Block is obviously standing front and centre this week with its special 2 hour auction finale. What could well be the biggest event of the ratings year thus far, Josh & Jenna, Polly & Waz, Katrina & Amie and Tania & Rod will go head to head for the final time as their four renovated, spectacular houses go under the hammer.

Nine will then launch into The Farmer Wants a Wife on Monday with six new farmers and a twist. This show also continues on Wednesday which I am being told will be the shows ultimate slot.

Top Design has five contestants standing and another will be going in the show’s seventh episode.

The Renovators is also expected to shake things up by forcing some contestants to top up the khaki team! This could get really, really interesting. Also this week, one or two more renovators are set to face the chop.

Also remember that other semi-realty programs like Dinner Date and Four Weddings continue this week but as usual are not blogged due to their contents.

I hope you have a good week, and enjoy all that is on offer.

 

Don’t forget guys, I need your help! If you want to run this blog for a week in September and have the capacity to write even little reviews on some reality programs plus post them on Throng, I’d love to hear from you as I am unable to do so. Contact me via PM on this site, or through c_rose_luvy1980@hotmail.com. Thankyou for all who take on this volunteer work; it would mean a lot to me!

The Block finale how it all went down. First hour reveals the auction order results, based on the challenges of the last two days, then goes through the inspections of each of the houses.

Starts: As you can see, a huge crowd has turned out here in Cameron Street Richmond (VIC) to see these houses.

This is it folks, the Grand Finale.

The dreaded black board makes its final appearence when the order is decided.

The auction order can make all the difference.

The last challenge on the Block saw our couples hot air baloongin, dancing, and being quizzed. The final result was subject to what the secret judges thought of the houses – ex-contestants.

At Crown Metropole for final results. All couples dressed up for the occasion.

Cam congratualtes couples for final challenge.

Judges introduced – ex contestants – Gavin & Waz from series 1. Phil & Amity from 1st series as well. Mark and Duncan from 2010. John & Neisha, winners from 2010. Chez and Brenton also from 2010.

Each team gave the houses a possible score out of 20.

At end of balloon race, scores were:

Josh & Jenna 145

Polly & Waz 170

Katrina & Amie 95

Rod & Tania 170

Winning team, and first dibs on auction order is …

Rod & Tania.

They chose auction order.

They chose to go in 4th.

Polly & Waz came second in challenge. They chose second for auction.

Josh & Jenna chose number 1.

Amie and Katrina will be third.

Points after challenges: Josh & Jenna 232, Polly & Waz 243, Katrina & Amie 162, Rod & Tania 247.

and the auction order ended up in the same order as the house numbers.

Couples and ex-contestants enjoy some drinks.

Inspection day – people waited for hours. Turn out in tens of thousands (was reported in the news at the time a few weeks ago).

Josh & Jenna overwhelmed by the crowd. Katrina & Amie – like being a rock star. Rod and Tania – not a rock show, a block star.

Shane Crawford (AFL star, Hawthorn) visits Rod & Tania. When auction reaches $25,000 over, a donation will be made to breast cancer Australia.

Looks like Nine will fast track Two and a Half Men – the first episode without Charlie Sheen premieres in US September 19. Nine will hopefully air a few days later.

Scott declares the Block open for inspection, and the crowds go through the houses. Rod & Tania’s first. Good first impressions. Details about Rod & Tania, and their journey on The Block are shown. Shag carpet draws some attention.

Katrina and Amie’s insepction next. Some of the design touches that did not impress judges are hits with the huge crowd. Known as the mums, details of their block journey are shown, including the reaosn they chose house number 3.

Polly & Waz’s is next. Everyone loved the storage. Great wall of Waz huge feature. Polly & Waz started competition with zero renovation experience. Their story shown. They came out, though, as one of the crowd favourites. An experienced builder helped them throughout the renovation.

Josh and Jenna – the youngest couple ever to compete on the Block. They designed their house to live in, not as a show room. Jjosh & Jenna are favourites to win so far. They won 4 rooms in total, double what any of the others had. Arguements part of the nature of their relationship. Jenna says they are stubborn, and argue all the time.

Inspection over. All couples excited knowing they have possible buyers.

Buying advocates look at properties for their clients. Properties have registered buyers. Katrina & Amie, Rod & Tania both have 6 registered buyers.

Time to reveal the reserve. Each of the houses were independently valued at beginning of show. Josh and Jenna have most land, others have factors that differentiate as well.

At Victoria Town Hall. Security guards arrive with reserve results. Scott uses black board to reveal. Number by number. Josh & Jenna only couple to be in $900,000′s, rest start with 8. Cam turns balck boards, as has been the trait through results reveals through out the series.

Couples on the edge… stressed… packing it…

Reserve prices are:

Josh & Jenna $950,000 – could have been lower, they say.

Amie & Katrina $860,000 – ok – yeah I guess…

Rod & Tania $850,000 – exactly what I tipped it to be – Rod

Polly & Waz $840,000 – fair bit highrer than I thought – Polly

Josh & Jenna thought Katrina & Amie’s would have been more like $900,000.  

A tough fight for first place, down to the wire. $100,000 between highest and lowest.

Nine unvail their latest network promo, promoting all their key titles current and coming. Most scenes used in the promo are from The Big Bnag Theory and Underbelly: Razor. Looking forward to Underbelly: Razor, but there are waaaayyy too many promos for it on Nine at the moment.

Back to the Block. Auction time.

Couples arrive on red carpet for the final event – historic Fitzroy Town Hall – where all houses go under the hammer for the auction. Contestants nervous.

Cross promotion for Farmer Wants a Wife.

Scott Cam announces winner of viewers competition – Rod & Tania – who get to keep their Toyota Corolla.

Toyota donating one car to ebay to raise money for important cuase (national melanoma foundation)

Auctions.

Josh & Jenna first. Jenna does not think they will win.

The Proposal. Josh asks Jenna to marry him. Tears all round. Jenna not sure what finger to put ring on! Josh – you haven’t said yes yet! Jenna – yes! Freaking out!!

Ok – back to the auction.

Reserve $950,000. No opening bids… 750. 900 vendor bid. rise of 20. no bids. passing in if no bidding. at 900 – can I take 910. 1st call, 2nd call, 3rd final .. phoning a friend, happy to wait. 901,000. At 901… calling it… 1st call, 2nd call… 3rd anf final… are you all out, done, silent, at 901,000. We will be passing the property in, thank you for attending this auction.

Josh & Jenna passed in. No sale tonight.

Next. Polly & Waz.

Reserve $840,000. The most affordable property on the Block. Looking for 750, 650. need to start somewhere. at 700, at 700, at 10, 20. 730.. at 730. at 40 at 740, 750 welcome… looking for 760. slwoly 10 at a time says Scott. First time, second, thrid and final at 760. All done? Terrific 765. 775. At 775. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 775… 785. At 790. At 795. 791? 800! At 800 we bid. Looking for 805? 810 now. 810 I bid… 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final. 811 – thank you its a bid.

811. 3rd and final. 820. cheers. 827,000 now. 827 1st, 2nd, 3rd anf final. silent. all done, said, silent… no further bidding? 828 now.

835. 5 off reserve. 835 – another one anywhere. 835 with Frank. 837.5 – 840. Shall we sell at 840? We are selling at 840. 1st time, 2nd time, 3rd and final. at 840… now 842, 845. 1st time, 2nd, 3rd, all done? At 846. Thank you Rebecca. 850. At 850. 10k above now.

850… 851… 851. Make is 60? 853. another 1? 853.5. 855 now. 1st, 2nd, 3rd… going, going, sold!!! 855,000, 15,000 profit for Polly & Waz. They are in front at this stage – if other two do not make reserve or have less profit, then Polly & Waz will be winners.

Polly & Waz, $15,000 profit.

Next up.

Katrina & Amie. Reserve $860,000. Going for executive market. House is hot, girls are hot. 750 start. At 750… at 750,000, once, twice, 760. At 760. Very excitable auctioneer. 785 now. 790 now. at 790. 795. welcome. at 795. at 800 now. at 805. 810. 810 well done. at 820. at 821. at 821… not far off reserve.

822. 25? 25? at 822 here. 822 still thinking… still short of reserve. Pass in if no other bids. Property pass in.

No sale tonight.

Katrina & Amie disappointed.

Now between Polly & Waz with $15,000 profit and Rod & Tania who go up next. One of these two will win $100,000.

Katrina – come in with nothing, go home with nothing. Lots of hugs all round.

Final auction. Winner decided here and now.

Rod & Tania. Reserve $850,000. As soon as $25,00 reached, doantion will be made. 750 start. If they reach 25,000 they win the block. At 760. At 770. 80? At 780. 90 here. 800 if you like. 800 now. happy for 10. 810 now. at 820. at 820. At 830. another 5 sir if you like. another 5? 830? At 830, once, twice, at 830,000?

It is outstanding value. 831 for you. 831,000… another one anywhere? 832. 832. 1st call 832. 2nd call. At 832… done at 832… lat opportunity. final call. At 832. All silent? FInished.

Passed in – no sale tonight – so three out of four of the Block’s properties passed in. No doubt we will hear more of this in coming days.

Polly and Waz WIN THE BLOCK and walk away with $115,000 – profit of $15,000 plus $100,000 for winning.

Back to Rod & Tania, the $25,000 donation to breast cancer will happen anyway, regardless of outcome.

The Block returns in 2012.

Now for Underbelly: Razor…

The Block Grand Finale, Nine, 6.30pm.

It’s here. The wait is over. Nine’s biggest night of the year – well that’s what they say! Likely to be the year’s most watched show, The Block Finale features the four houses going to auction with one of the couples walking away with, not only the profit from the sale of their house, but an extra $100,000 as well. Not to mention ALOT of publicity and exposure. Most ex-Block couples from past series have gone onto set up their own businesses, bolstered mostly by exposure from being part of The Block.

Throng will be live blogging The Block Finale tonight from 6.30pm eastern.

Underbelly: Razor, Nine, 8.30pm.

The only way you would not be aware that this, the fourth series of the Underbelly franchise, premieres tonight on Nine, would be if you never watch any of Nine’s channels at all and turn a blind eye to the press campaign surrounding the premiere. Also likely to be a ratings hit, Underbelly: Razor is set in 1920′s Sydney and tells the true story of glamorous crime queens Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh, and their deadly battle to control Sydney’s underworld in that time.

NOW – for those not watching channel Nine tonight… 

The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest. ABC1, 8.30pm

A stunning feature documentary retracing British explorer George Mallory’s final attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1924 and become the first person to conquer the world’s highest peak.

Lost Worlds: The Pharoah’s Lost City. SBS ONE 7.30pm

Archaeologists in the central Egyptian desert have made an extraordinary find: an ancient cemetery where 1000 people from the Pharaoh’s lost capital of Amarna are buried. This program looks at why this great city only survived for one generation before mysteriously vanishing from history. 

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. 7mate 8.30pm

As the Flying Dutchman, now under the control of British Navy, roams the seven seas destroying pirate ships without mercy, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swan and Captain Barbarossa embark on a desperate quest. Airs in HD.

 

 

Nine programing for the week August 28 – September 3.

Sunday August 28.

Nine are set to capitalise one more time with the success of The Block with one final episode of The Block Unlocked set air at 6.30pm Sunday August 28. While there are no details of the show yet, it will no doubt capture the couple’s views and reactions to the auction results and ultimate winner of the series.

Don’t forget, Throng will be live blogging the Block Finale, this Sunday (August 21) from 6.30pm eastern.

At 7pm that night is a repeat of RBT, followed by 60 Minutes at 7.30 and Underbelly: Razor at 8.30pm. The premiere of Camelot then airs at 9.30pm with a double episode. Read more about this one here.

Interestingly, a repeat of Flashpoint – a series that has done very well in Canada follows at 11.30pm.

Monday August 29.

Big Bang repeats air at 7pm weeknights, but there is also an episode at 7.30pm Monday night, with a TBA at 8pm.

At 8.30 is Rescue (Special Ops), followed by CSI: Miami (repeat) at 9.30pm.

Tuesday August 30.

No doubt this will change? Another Big Bang repeat at 7.30pm, and another TBAat 8pm.

At 8.30pm, is the premiere of season two of Top Gear Australia: Top Gear is back – bigger, brighter and faster than ever. Shane, Steve and Ewen add some spice to rally driving by introducing a dangerous twist: blindfolding the driver. Ewen declares his long-held dirty secret: he loves Volvos. Plus, Ewen and Shane head out to review the new Toyota iconic FJ Cruiser, and two six-time world champion surfer Layne Beachley in an attempt to break a world record. Also special guest Andy Lee.

That is followed by the season finale of Megacities at 9.30pm.

Wednesday August 30.

Here’s where some confusion sets in. According to Nine promos, The Farmer Wants a Wife continues on Wednesday nights, yet the series does not appear in advanced guides, nor is it in the EPG for next Wednesday August 23. Top Design is still salted for 7.30pm both Wednesdays. Look out for programming amendments on this one.

RPA and RPA: Where Are They Now? Both, at this stage, remain scheduled for 8.30 and 9.30pm respectively on the next two Wednesday nights.

Thursday August 31.

TBA from 7.30-8.30. Hamish & Andy at 8.30, with the Footy Show from 9.30pm.

Programming  subject to change – and there will be!! Check local giodes and look out for amendments!!