The Simpsons

Updated November 9, 2010

The US ratings season 2010/11 started on Monday Sept 20, 2010.

Here is the Throng guide to what shows are starting when in the US and when they might be likely to be seen in Australia.

The list of shows is presented with the date they premiere or return in the US, followed by if or when we are likely to see them in Australia, in alphabetical order.

30 Rock – US Thur Sept 23. New season on Seven, 10.30pm, Thur Oct 21.

90210 – US Mon Sept 13. Will be shown on Eleven in 2011, but we have a lot of catching up to do.

America’s Next Top Model – US Wed Sept 8. FOX8, 7.30pm, Tuesday October 19, 2010

American Dad – US Sunday Oct 3. Expect to see it on 7mate, after we catch up with old episodes not yet shown. American Dad (first run eps, but still S6) on 7mate Wednesday nights 9pm from Sept 29. 

Blue Bloods – Ten in 2011.

Bones – US Thur Sept 23 – Seven currently airing repeats. New Bones on Seven from Sunday, October 18. Last new ep Sun Nov 7. Only showed four of them.

Brothers and Sisters – US Sun Sept 26. Seven in 2011, most likely back to Monday nights after Desperate Housewives.

Castle – US Mon Sept 20. Seven in 2011. They chose not to run the new episodes for now.

Chase – US Mon Sept 20. Part of Nine’s line up still to come in 2010. Yet to see promos though.

Chuck – US Mon Sept 20. Last season still showing on FOX8. New season in 2011 sometime, although FOX8 are notoriously slow to put it on. No chance of a fast track here, but possibly the new season will just carry on once the current ends.

Community – US Wed Sept 22. GO say they plan to fast track. Possibly late Sept or October.

Cougar Town – US Wed Sept 22. Unlikely to be seen on Seven until summer, if at all. Possibly will go to 7TWO.

Criminal Minds – US Wed Sept 22. CONFIRMED for Monday Oct 25 at 8.30pm. Last new ep Mon Nov 15.

CSI - US Thur Sept 23. New season premires on Nine Thursday October 21, 9.30pm.

CSI: Miami - US Sun Oct 3. On Nine from Mon Oct 25, 9.30pm

CSI: NY – US Fri Sept 24. Will be seen on Nine, but not likely to be fast tracked.

Dexter - US Sun Sept 26. New season on Showcase November 2010.

Desperate Housewives – US Sun Sept 26. Seven in 2011. Probably back to Monday nights as always. No surprises there!

Fringe - US Thur Sept 23. On GO Wed Nov 11, 9.30pm.

Glee - US Tue Sept 21. SUPER Fast Tracked to Ten Wed Sept 22, 7.30pm. With the time difference, that is hours after it airs in the US. However – the Comm Games break will see us fall two weeks behind the US. Last new ep Mon Nov 22.

Gossip Girl S5 – US Mon Sept 13. FOX8 Dec 2010. S3 on GO Mon Sept 13, 10.30pm

Grey’s Anatomy - US Thur Sept 23. Seven in 2011. No fast tracking likely.

Hawaii 5-O - US Mon Sept 20. Will be on Ten in 2011. Part of the 2011 line up. Rating very well in US.

Hellcats – US Wed Sept 8. Premiered on GO, Mon Sept 13, 7.30pm.

House - US Mon Sept 20. Fast Tracked to Ten Wed Sept 22, 8.30pm. Two week break for Comm Games sees us fall behind be 2 weeks.

How I Met Your Mother – US Mon Sept 20. New season not till 2011 now. There are still repeats on Seven as well as 7mate.

Human Target - US Fri Oct 1. First season currently on GO, Wednesday nights – and now off GO. Seeing S2 then I would say is unlikely. Returns to GO Wed Oct 20, 8.30pm

Law and Order: SVU - US Wed Sept 22. Possible for Ten after the Commonwealth Games, but more likely not to be seen until 2011. Ten are playing repeats of SVU after the Games.

Law and Order LA – US Tue Sept 28. Will be seen on Seven (!), but not likely to be fast tracked. So maybe not until 2011.

Lie to Me – US Brought forward to Mon Oct 4. WAS Wed Nov 10. Possible fast track for Ten after the Commonwealth Games. Lie to Me season 3 brought forward due to Lone Star being axed.

Medium – US Fri Sept 24. Returns to Ten 9.30pm Sunday October 17. And off from Oct 31.

Mike and Molly - US Mon Sept 20. Not until 2011

Modern Family – US Wed Sept 22. New season premieres on Ten 7pm Sunday October 17, 2010

NCIS & NCIS:LA – US Tue Sept 21. New NCIS after the Commonwealth Games, Tue Oct 19. NCIS: LA will still play in repeats though. Last new ep Tue Nov 23.

Nikita – US Thur Sept 9. ON GO 9.30 Thur Oct 28.

Parenthood - US Tue Sept 14. Seven will contuinue into season 2 when season 1 finishes in November. Last new eps for 2010 8.30pm Tue Nov 23.

Private Practice – US Thur Sept 23. Seven in 2011, together with Grey’s Anatomy – as they do every year.

Raising Hope – US Tue Sept 21. Ten Wed Nov 17 8pm. Continues Nov 24 8pm.

Rules of Engagement - US Mon Sept 20. Doesn’t do too well for Ten, so not likely to see any more of it until either summer or on Eleven in 2011.

Smallville – US Fri Sept 24. Eleven in 2011. Also some catching up to do before we get to this new season.

S**t! My Dad Says – US Thur Sept 23. Not until 2011 now.

Stargate Universe – US Tue Sept 28. SciFi channel will fast track new season – premieres Friday October 1, 8.30pm. Free to air will see previous season in 2011 on Eleven.

Supernatural – US Thur Sept 23. Although we have some catching up to do, this show is planned to air on Ten’s new channel Eleven in 2011. Unlikely to be seen sooner.

Survivor Nicaragua – US Wed Sept 15. Returned to Tuesday nights from Sept 28 at 9pm on Nine. Start time has drifted back towards 10pm though.

The Amazing Race S17 - US Sun Sept 26. On Seven 8.30pm Thursday September 30. Moved to 7.30 Thursdays from Thur Oct 7th.

The Apprentice – US Thur Sept 16. FOX8 Wed Oct 20, 8.30pm.

The Big Bang Theory – US Thur Sept 23. New season starts on Nine, 8.30pm Wed Oct 20.

The Cleveland Show – US Sun Sept 26. Possible for Ten over summer, or Eleven in 2011.

The Defenders – US Wed Sept 22. Ten in 2011.

The Event – US Mon Sept 20. Seven Mondays, 8.30pm. Encores 7mate Thursdays 10.30pm. Moves to 10.30 Mondays from Oct 25. Week off Nov 8. Back Nov 15. Due to break in US.

The Good Wife - US Tue Sept 28. New night – S2 Wednesdays on Ten, after Glee, from Wed Oct 20, 2010.

The Mentalist – US Thur Sept 23. Confirmed on Nine from October 25, 8.30pm. No more new episodes after Nov 8, until 2011.

The Middle – US Wed Sept 22. New eps on GO, 8.30pm Sundays from Nov 7.

The Office – US Thur Sept 23. Possible for Ten over summer. More likely on Eleven in 2011.

The Simpsons - US Sunday Sept 26. New season, ep 1 on Ten, 6.30pm, Friday October 15, 2010. New simpsons continues on Ten on Fridays from Nov 19, also Nov 26.

The Vampire Diaries – US Thur Sept 9. Premiered on GO, Mon Sept 13, 8.30pm. Continues on Monday nights but there is a break coming up Nov 22 and 29 due to break in US. Back (I assume) Dec 6.

The Whole Truth – US Wed Sept 22. Nine in 2011.

Two and a Half Men – US Mon Sept 20. Confirmed for Nine for Oct 18. No more new episodes after Nov 8.

Undercover Boss – US Sun Sept 26. Season 2 premieres on Ten Monday Sept 27, 7.30pm. Hours after US airing. But no further eps to be shown for now, due to Australian version airing 8.30pm Mondays, from Oct 18.

Undercovers – US Wed Sept 22. Another one part of Nine’s 2010 shows but not known if it will air in 2010 or not. Like many of these Nine acquisitions, whether they are rushed to air or not will depend on how they perform in the US. THIS HAS BEEN AXED – so if Nine keep the rights, expect it on GO or GEM.

V – US Jan 2011. GO plan to fast track – so possibly on air soon after the US date.

Note: I have not yet included new shows where the Australian network the show is likely to air on is not yet known. These I will add as I find out, and hopefully keep up to date.

Some of these titles include: Lone Star, Running Wild, The Cape, Detroit 1-8-7, Better With You, The Defenders, Outsourced (possibly one for Seven), School Pride, Outlaw, and No Ordinary Family.

If you there is something left out that you know about, or have questions about any of the content, please let us know.

Fast tracking score sheet (0-7 days after US air date):

Australian ratings for 2010 ends November 27. Pretty well everything new, fast tracked or semi fast tracked after that date on the main channels will either go into repeats or disappear until 2011. Therefore, all networks revert to having 0 fast track points after that date with the exception of Survivor and Amazing Race, possibly the Event will continue on Seven due to low ratings.

Ten – 0. Comm Games sees Ten lose their fast track points.
GO! – 2. Hellcats and The Vampire Diaries
Seven - 2. The Event and The Amazing Race S17

Semi-fast tracked (between 7 and 30 days after US air date):

Nine 5 – Survivor Nicaragua, CSI, CSI: Miami, Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory. Note Mentalist now outside what I would consider fast tracked. Also Fringe on GO outside of what I consider fast tracked.
Ten 4 – The Good Wife, Glee, House, NCIS – all starting or back in the week after the Comm Games, from Sunday Oct 17. Note – I won’t count new Simpsons, as it looks like the new ep on Friday Oct 15 is a one off, and not regular programming.
Seven 1 – 30 Rock. Criminal Minds misses out as it is more than 30 days after US air date. Bones now gone into repeats from Nov 14 – so no more points there.

Here I’ll define Fast Tracking as airing within 7 days of US date. I’ll have a second category for semi-fast tracked if shows air between 7 days and 1 month of the US air date. Anything beyond a month I would consider not to be fast tracked. The networks may see it differently, but to me, the less than seven days rules is most appropriate as it means we see an episode of a show before the US sees the next one. Whereas, after 7 days, we end up episodes behind, which means it is easy to see spoilers across the internet.

Updated as at Nov 9.

Banksy leaves his mark on The Simpsons

Prolific British graffiti artist Banksy has left his mark on the famous title sequence of The Simpsons by directing a special intro to the popular cartoon. Banksy left his tags all over the streets of Springfield during the sequence as well as featuring an extended sweatshop sequence which points to the fact that Fox outsourced a bulk of their animation to a company in South Korea.

Lady GaGa Sopranos clip surfaces

A clip of a 15-year-old Lady GaGa appearing in the background of a scene in The Sopranos has hit the internet. The singer appears in a scene with Tony Soprano’s son AJ by a swimming pool, with her sitting in the background eating pizza with other extras.

Drescher lands chat show

Fran Drescher has signed a deal to feature in her own daytime chat show, with an initial testing period of three weeks. The former Nanny actress will launch the show on America’s Fox network and should it get picked up, that voice may be pouring from our screens in the future.

Doctor Who to shoot in the US

The next season of Doctor Who will feature a pair of episodes that will be shot in the Utah desert. The BBC show will head to the States to shoot the first two episodes of the new season, taking the full cast with them.

Actress leaving Neighbours

Neighbours is set to lose the services of Jane Hall with the actress announcing she is leaving the soap after four years. Hall, who plays Rebecca Napier, will leave the show along with Matt Werkmeister (Zeke Kinski) and Erin Mullally (Declan Napier).

Radcliffe lands Simpsons role

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe will make an appearance on The Simpsons this season where he will spoof the Twilight saga among other things on the Treehouse of Horror episode.

Trejo to guest on Modern Family

Actor Danny Trejo has signed on for a guest spot on Modern Family. Trejo will play a janitor on the sitcom who lands a job at Luke and Manny’s school.

MTV picks up new comedy show

MTV has picked up a new comedy pilot based on an Argentine show called Patito Feo which centres on and “ugly duckling” who moves to a new school and struggles to fit in. The show will be developed by Ugly Betty and The Office writer Teri Weinberg.

 

Spartacus lead to be recast

The Starz network behind the Spartacus: Blood & Sand series is looking to recast the lead role of Spartacus left vacant by departed actor Andy Whitfield who is sidelined by a return of his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A new actor will most likely fill in the role for the second season of the series which is behind schedule.

Lost actor to guest on HIMYM

Former Lost actor Jorge Garcia will make a guest appearance on the new season of How I Met Your Mother, playing an old college friend of Ted (Josh Radnor) and Marshall (Jason Segel).

Ruffalo developing drama series

Actor Mark Ruffalo is developing a new drama series in the US which will see him star and produce alongside fellow actor Anthony Edwards. The drama will be based around two partners running a crisis management firm.

Conchords make Simpsons appearance

Flight of the Conchords made their appearance on The Simpsons last night in the US, voicing characters for the cartoon. Bret and Jemaine played camp counsellors at a music camp where Lisa .and a few of the Glee kids visit.

Some interesting programming coming out of Ten after the Commonwealth Games, as we look at highlights for Ten for week 42 (October 10-16), 2010.

The last day of Commonwealth Games coverage is Thursday October 14, which wraps up with the closing Ceremony at 12.30am.

 

But in between the competition and the Closing Ceremony is Keeping up with the Joneses at 9pm - a premiere series and Law and Order SVU (repeat) at 10pm.

Keeping up with the Joneses:

In the breathtaking surrounds of the Northern Territory, welcome to Coolibah Station and the extraordinary world of the Joneses .

For this family, wrangling crocs, mustering cattle, fighting bush fires, and riding rodeo are the norm. Over 1000km drive away from Darwin, the Joneses are a world away from creature comforts. Their everyday life is lived on horseback, their days are ruled by the sunlight and while the men are men, the women of Coolibah form the strength of the station.

Head of the family, Milton Jones, is a Northern Territory man with mustering in his blood. With the help of a seasonal workforce, plus his 42 choppers, and dozen or so horses, his business musters cattle across the territory.

In this special one-hour premier episode the Joneses are all involved in the busiest muster of the season. Milton leads his team of chopper pilots in the air, while his wife Cristina rounds up the strays on horseback.

When the wet season hits, Coolibah becomes an island cut off by a river full of deadly crocodiles. Milton sets a trap to catch a rogue croc menacing the crossing. He then heads out on a nail biting expedition to collect eggs….crocodile eggs. This is one of the most dangerous jobs in Australia. And Milton loves it.

Back at Coolibah, Cristina has her own problems to sort out. The new workforce will arrive as soon as the river level decreases. But the cook has done a runner. So who’s going to feed the thirty carnivores who are about to turn up for the start of the new mustering season?

Little Milton is a chip off the old man’s block. Dad’s giving him a driving lesson, and he’s still only three. Tomorrow is Milton’s 4th birthday and you will not believe the living, breathing present he is about to receive.

Meanwhile, rookie teen Jeff has joined the clan, fresh from his Gold Coast home. Milton doesn’t think he’ll last a week on the station – Can Jeff prove he has what it takes to stay at Coolibah?

Keeping up with the Joneses – Thursday October 14, 9pm.

On Friday October 15, there will be TWO new episodes of The Simpsons from 6pm.

First it is the finale of season 21, called Judge Me Tender which sees Moe land a job judging American Idol in LA. As a result, Moe’s Tavern is closed, leaving Homer spending more time at home with Marge until she feels smothered and suggests he should find some outside activities.

At 6.30, is the premiere of season 22 of the Simpsons. The first epsiode of the new season, seen in the US Sept 26, is called Elementary School Musical. Guests stars include Gleeks Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Amber Riley.

Accoring to Cory Monteith, “The episode’s called Elementary School Musical — a bit of a take-off on something you might be familiar with. Basically, Lisa goes to band camp and meets the other campers. I play the role of Flynn, who likes to sing and dance.”

Producer Al Jean says “Back home, Marge feels sorry for Lisa, so she sends her to arts camp. Lisa and the Glee kids sing a reworded version of “Good Vibrations.”

And, that makes a perfect lead in to…

A special encore presentation of the first two episodes of Glee season 2. Ep 1 is called Auditions, followed by Ep 2 Britney / Britanny, guests starring Britney Spears.

The Glee encore airs from 7pm and is a perfect way to get back into the show after it being off during the Commonwealth Games, or just to relive, re-watch, enjoy again, etc.

At 9pm, Friday October 15 is an NCIS repeat, followed by Go Girls at 10pm.

From then on, Ten should return to normal programming.

Week 43 (October 17-23) should see the return of Junior Masterchef, Neighbours, The 7pm Project, Undercover Boss, possibly NEW NCIS on Tuesday, Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation, Glee, House, Bondi Vet, Recruits, Rush and Burn Notice.

8.00pm Wednesday, September 15 on Ten

As Mother’s Day approaches, Moe narrates an episode in which he writes a letter to Homer, Apu and Reverend Lovejoy, who are vacationing with their children, and threatens to run away with one of their wives. While the trio tries to determine whose wife Moe is referring to, Homer, Lovejoy and Apu flashback to the intimate moments they initially ignored between Moe and Marge, Man- jula and Helen Lovejoy. But when the boys return from their trip, they’re in for the surprise of their lives.

7.30pm Wednesday, September 15 on Ten

A bomb squad mistakenly blows up Homer’s unattended gym bag, releas- ing radiation into the city and authori- ties react by suspending civil liberties. Wiggum and his men install surveil- lance cameras around Springfield and round up suspected terrorists, including groundskeeper Willie, but when moni- toring the nonstop flow of video imagery proves to be too much, Wiggum enlists concerned citizens to help keep the city safe.

Meanwhile, Lisa becomes fed up with being blonde, so she dyes her hair a dark color.

Trying to keep track of when to see new Simpsons?

Next Wednesday, September 15, there will be in fact two new Simpsons episodes in a row. Episode 20 of season 21 To Surveil With Love and episode 21 Moe Letter Blues.

The following week, Glee moves into the 7.30pm Wednesday timeslot – meaning the Simpsons are out – with just two episodes remaining.

One of these remaining episodes – episode 22 The Bob Next Door – will be played on Saturday September 25, at 6.30pm, with The Simpsons Movie following at 7pm. This is in fact one day before the next new season – The Simpsons 22^nd season – starts in the US.

Then there is just the matter of the final new episode – Judge Me Tender. Maybe the following Saturday might be an option?

As for the season starting in the US Sept 26 – we won’t see that here until 2011 on Ten’s new channel Eleven.

 

7.30pm Wednesday, September 8 on Ten

The Simpsons decide to embrace a cheaper, alternate source of energy by erecting a wind turbine in their backyard. But when Homer realises some of the power is being directed to the local elec- tric company, he decides to remove his home from the grid and becomes completely dependent upon an unreliable source of power. Meanwhile, a storm erupts, trapping a magnificent 150-foot long blue whale ashore, and Lisa and Homer attempt to help the poor creature.

On Sunday September 12, at 6.30pm, Ten will play a double episode of Modern Family from 6.30pm. The first episode is a repeat, the 3^rd of the 1^st season, while the 7pm episode will be a new one, called Hawaii, leading into the premiere of Junior Masterchef at 7.30pm.

Rules of Engagement – despite only having two episodes to go in the season – is nowhere to be seen, while Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation is on Tuesday nights from September 7.

On Monday September 13, at 7.30pm, is the special White House: Through the Lens - Go inside the White House with President Obama and his family – this special captures every facet of presidential life from the mundane to the memorable.

Want more new Simpsons? Two new episodes are scheduled for Wednesday September 15 from 7.30pm. This makes up for the one that was missing on September 1 to make way for Undercover Boss.

Also that night, will be the season finale of Lie to Me at 8.30pm – episode 22, called Black and White. This was originally planned to air September 8 but seems to have been pushed back a week. Episode 21 – called Darkness will still be seen on September 1, with a repeat to air September 8.