The X Factor

Britney Spears is officially locked in to judging the American version of Simon Cowell’s X Factor!! The deal is apparently worth $15 million.

A source claims:
“The contract is signed. There’s been a lot of back and forth over the past few weeks as they negotiated the small details, but she’s on. Continue reading »

Troubled actor Matthew Newton has been arrested and charged with the battery of a Miami hotel employee and resisting arrest, Seven Network reports.

According to a police officer on Nine News, Newton was under the influence of alcohol, as he was with his previous battery earlier this month.

Continue reading »

When The X Factor was launched in Australia back in 2005 to dismal ratings, I knew that TEN should have stuck to it for a little longer. The added success it was finding year on year in the UK was too much to look away from. As the years went by, the British version of the talent contest rose and rose, and when Seven relaunched it in 2010, my hypothesis was confirmed- The X Factor was a building format which, over its two years it has spent on the network, has built itself into a powerhouse format.

But in the case of Taken Out, Ten’s failed dating reality series which saw a panel of women get to know one guy, slowly taking themselves ‘out’ when they heard something they didn’t like about him, whittling the field down to just one female, it seems the opposite effect is going on.

More to the point, the show had one guy (sometimes a girl) stand up to the 30 strong panel of girls (sometimes guys) and talk about themselves. If a girl didn’t like what they heard, they’d buzz out. When we were down to just 3 or 2 girls, the man would then pick one to go on a date with. This happened every episode.

An original Australian production, it has now been developed in over ten countries.

Here in its home country, the format was trailed by TEN as a 7PM filler in 2007. Hosted by James Kerley, it did OK for the first few episodes, with lots of positive feedback coming from the youth who watched it, but slowly lost traction and disappeared forever. I never, ever thought I’d hear from it again- and admit it, neither did you.

But back in 2010, both Ireland and Britain comissioned their own series of the show, retitled Take Me Out. It follows the same format as the Australian version, but have met different fates.

They are both still on the air today, and in the case of the UK, have enjoyed mounting ratings, and in true British television fashion, has even spawned a spin-off fanzine show to discuss each episode.

I just find it so amazing at how a format that we created, and did so poorly, has exploded seemingly behind our backs overseas. Let’s face it, Australian productions at their most successful find little success overseas (Thank God You’re Here- I’m looking at you!). So when I woke up this morning and found out that this little format that could was being commissioned for a US version on FOX, I was stunned completely.

That failed show hosted by that MTV guy is now going prime-time stateside. Granted, it will air over their summer. But the sad thing is, under the name ‘Take Me Out’, the format has pretty much been hijacked by the Brits- and I doubt few will know it was an Australian first (then again, we did kind of hijack MasterChef, reformat it our way to huge acclaim and sell it off to over 20 countries, but still…).

It makes you wonder. If it is doing so well overseas, should it be returned? I don’t suggest it would have done well had Ten comissioned a second season straight away, but maybe now is the time for it again. It’s surely worth a shot.

And if it comes back, on what network would it return? Ten may not be such a good idea. Seven seem to like polarising formats like this, and seem to be able to create hits out of them- so maybe they should get it! But would people remember the show’s 2007 roots?

And should it return as ‘Taken Out’, or has the ‘Take Me Out’ title been adopted into the show’s identity?

Simply astonishing.

The taxi driver allegedly assaulted by troubled actor Matthew Newton almost climbed out the car’s window to escape the enraged star, a court heard today.

North Sydney Local Court this afternoon was told Newton and cabbie Mohsen Khayami, 66, clashed after the actor refused to say where he was going.

The 34-year-old Underbelly star allegedly grabbed the driver’s shirt and then punched him in the head after the pair got out on the roadway.

A witness allegedly saw Newton push the man in the chest before saying “are you going to attack me?”.

Newton was charged with assault following the incident in Crows Nest on December 4.

There was no sign of the actor in court today, with his solicitor Chris Murphy telling a magistrate that the actor was currently living in a “peaceful, Midwestern community” in the USA.

Mr Murphy said Newton was taking a “bomb load” of medication every day and had been struggling with the side effects of the drugs at the time of the alleged attack.

“The aim for this young man is to find himself a quiet community he can live in,” he said. “He just needs to have some normalcy.”

Newton was suffering from manic depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress, Mr Murphy told the court. “I’m saying that (the alleged assault) occurred at a time when his mental illness was it its worst,” he said.

But Magistrate Ellen Skinner said she hadn’t been given any evidence that Newton had actually been diagnosed with the conditions or that he was taking the drug cocktail as claimed.

She adjourned an application to have the charges dealt with under the Mental Health Act until tomorrow.

Mr Murphy earlier told reporters outside the court that a campaign had been waged in the media against his famous client.

Newton, the son of showbusiness couple Bert and Patti Newton, admitted to a 2006 assault on former girlfriend and actress Brooke Satchwell.

Newton’s conviction for the crime was later quashed after he successfully pleaded he was mentally ill at the time of the attack.

Source news.com.au

A Sydney court has today heard that X Factor 2010 winner Altiyan Childs used to get ‘wrecked’ before shows, sending him into ‘fit(s), kicking walls and screaming’.

The court case, which is to try Child’s former tour director Nicholas Cocuzzoli for drug possession.

In a raid of his house, shared by Childs, a bag of cannabis was found by police.

Cocuzzoli said “It was a real problem because of the mood swings… he would be wrecked before his shows. We tried to address it two or three times but he would go into a fit, kicking walls and screaming. It got to the point where it wasn’t worth it.”

Earlier in the case, Childs did admit to taking illicit drugs.

The matter continues in court on April 2.

This seems somewhat inappropriate, but for those wondering, Seven will be airing a new season of The X Factor Australia later this year.

Source: Herald Sun

Auditions have started – here are the remaining audition dates.

BRISBANE –
SOUTH BANK SUNCORP PIAZZA
Cnr. Ernest & Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
SATURDAY 3 – SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2012
Registration 09:00 – 15:30

NEWCASTLE -   
HUNTER STADIUM
294 Turton Road, New Lambton, NSW 2305
WEDNESDAY 7 MARCH 2012
Registration 11:00 – 17:00

SYDNEY –    
SYDNEY CONVENTION CENTRE & EXHIBITION CENTRE
Darling Dr, Darling Harbour, NSW 2000
SATURDAY 10 – MONDAY 12 MARCH 2012
Registration 09:00 – 15:30

PERTH -
PERTH CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE
221 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, WA 6000
SUNDAY 18 MARCH 2012
Registration 09:00 – 15:30

ADELAIDE –
ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE
North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
TUESDAY 20 MARCH 2012
Registration 11:00 – 17:00

MELBOURNE –
FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE
448 Epsom Road, Flemington, VIC 3031
SATURDAY 24 – MONDAY 26 MARCH 2012
Registration 09:00 – 15:30

INFORMATION
   
TO QUALIFY FOR AN AUDITION:

You must be 14 years of age or over on May 1st 2012
IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YOU MUST BRING A PARENT / GUARDIAN WITH YOU TO THE AUDITION
You must bring identification to prove your age (drivers licence / birth certificate / passport / Proof of Age Card. Etc. Student cards are not acceptable)
You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
You must be available to attend a second audition if you are successful in the first round.
You can register only once per day
You can audition in one of the following categories:
MALE – 14 or over and under 25
FEMALE – 14 or over and under 25
MALE OR FEMALE – 25 or over
VOCAL GROUPS – 14 or over
You must not have a recording deal, a publishing contract, a management contract or any other agent representation agreement that you are unable to terminate without restrictions / obligations.
See detailed Conditions of Participation in the THE X FACTOR Audition at www.xfactortv.com.au

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

You will be asked to sing a verse and chorus from a song of your choice. You may also be asked to sing a second, third or fourth song – so be prepared!
You will need to sing a cappella for this audition. There will be no backing track used in your auditions.
If you are successful at your first audition you will need to have a song approved to perform later in front of the Television judges. Please bring with you a list of FOUR SONGS in order of preference, be sure to include track name and artist.
Dress to impress, you may only get one chance to perform, so if you can sing and dance, show us why you have the X Factor!
Bring a friend or parent if you need moral support – and you MUST bring a friend or guardian if you are under 18.
Bring your own light refreshments/snacks as it could be a long day.

For any general enquiries please email: xfactoraust@fremantlemedia.com.au

For Audition forms go to www.xfactortv.com.au

Australian Idol winner and X Factor judge Guy Sebastian has slammed X Factor winner Altiyan Childs for ‘wasting his talent’.

In an interview with News Limited, Sebastian spoke about his own reality television experience and life after winning the first season of Australian Idol in 2003.

It comes after it was reported that the ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ singer has been knocked back in the US due to his status as ‘Idol winner’.

”I will never slam Idol. I will never be regretful about it,” Sebastian says.

”But even with Mike (a US music producer who considered Sebastian), I had to break down walls when he heard: ‘Oh, he’s an Idol winner …’ You see it in their face. They assume certain things.”

”But I will never diss the show that gave me my life. I’m so grateful.”

It was after this interview that Sebastian began to answer to the criticism levelled at Childs.

Childs claimed earlier in the year that former mentor Ronan Keating ”never called, never gave a damn, never offered to help me out in any way.”

”What does he expect Ronan to do? Hold his hand?” Sebastian said.

”Altiyan has been gifted with an opportunity and it’s up to him to stop being stupid and stop blaming others.”

He also criticised the amount of reality television shows based around singing talent there are on at this time.

”When there are too many shows, the level of talent isn’t there,” he said.

”You don’t get a Reece (Mastin, recent X Factor winner) every show. But I’m hoping the pool of talent is large enough.”

The talent shows he speaks of includes, among his own show, The Voice Australia (Nine) and Australia’s Got Talent (Seven), both of which begin mid-year on their respective networks.

The X Factor Australia also returns this year on Seven. Expect an August-September start date.

Source: Herald Sun

 

Here is the Throng list of when shows will premiere or when new epsiodes will return for 2012 on Australian free to air TV. Ratings season for 2012 starts Sunday February 12, 2012.

Return dates are shown where known, otherwise, an indication of when they might return, based on past experience and some predictive programming is indicated.

This post will be updated reguarly as new inforamtion comes to hand.  Updated May 9, 2012.

Here is the list.

2 Broke Girls, Nine
Tuesday nights 9pm

30 Rock, Seven
Late Monday nights around 11.15pm

A Gifted Man, Ten
10.30 Thursdays now

American Dad, 7mate
Sundays 9.00pm

Australian Stroy, ABC1
Mondays 8.00pm

Australia’s Got Talent, Seven
Returned April 16

Beaconsfield, Nine.
Aired April 22

Being Lara Bingle, Ten
Let’s hope it doesn’t actually air? With all the promos for this, can’t be too long to wait. God help the world.

Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms, Ten
Tuesday May 15, 8.30pm

Big Brother, Nine.
August, after the London 2012 Olympics.

Bondi Vet, Ten
Moves to Mondays from May 14

Bones, Seven
Sundays 8.30pm & Wednesdays 9.00pm. Season 7 Finale Wed May 16 9.00pm

Body of Proof, Seven.
Most likely later in the year. Most likely going to be axed in the US.

Burn Notice, ONE
Wednesdays, 8.30pm (continuing)

Castle, Seven.
Sundays 9.30 & Wednesdays 10pm-ish

Celebrity Apprentice, Nine
Wednesdays and Thursdays 8pm. FINALE Wednesday May 16, 8pm

Class of 2012, Ten
With no promotion for this show so far this year, previously to be called Class of 2011 last year, I’d suggest its air date will be later in the year, possibly after Easter.

Criminal Minds, Seven.
Our guess Wednesdays after AGT from May 23

CSI, Nine
Later

CSI: Miami, Nine
Later

CSI: NY, Nine / GEM
Not currently airing

Dancing With The Stars, Seven
Sundays 6.30pm from April 15

Desperate Housewives, Seven
9.30 Thursdays from Feb 9.

Downton Abbey, Seven
May 20, 8.30pm

Earth Flight, Nine
Finished

Everybody Dance Now, Ten
August or even September after Olympics likely air date

Family Guy, 7mate
Sundays 9.30pm

Four Corners, ABC1
8.30pm Mondays

Glee, Ten
Thursdays 8.00pm

Good Christian Bitches, Seven
Not likely to air due to low ratings in US.

Grey’s Anatomy, Seven.
Thursdays nights 9.00pm

Harry’s Law, Nine
again out of the schedule

Hawaii Five-O, Ten
Usually Mondays 9.30pm but out from Monday May 14

Home & Away, Seven
Confirmed. 7pm weeknights, from Monday January 23

Homeland, Ten
Season two possibly later in year

House, Ten
BACK SOON – date embargoed

How I Met Your Mother. Seven
Currently out

How To Be A Gentleman, Ten.
Axed in US so not likely to air.

Law & Order: SVU, Ten.
Thursdays 9.00pm

London 2012 Olympics, Nine (and possibly GEM and GO! as well)
July 27 – August 13, 2012.

Masterchef Season 4, Ten
7.30pm Sunday May 6, then continues 7.30pm Sundays, Monday-Friday 7pm. Prediction for finale Sunday July 22 so as to end before the London 2012 Olympics.

Media Watch, ABC1
Returns 9.15pm, Monday February 6

Merlin, Ten
Later in the year.

Missing, Seven
Tuesdays 9.30pm from May 1

Modern Family, Ten
6.30 Sundays from May 13, also to appear on another night of the week (embargoed)

My Kitchen Rules, Seven
After the Tennis Late January 2013.

NCIS, Ten
Tuesday nights 8.30pm from February 14. 8.00pm Tue May 1, then another gap with repeat airing Tuesday May 8

NCIS: LA, Ten
Mondays 9.30pm from May 14

Neighbours, ELEVEN
6.30pm weeknights from Monday January 9

New Girl, Ten.
7.00pm Sundays from May 13

Once Upon A Time, Seven
Tuesdays 7.30pm from May 15

Packed to the Rafters, Seven.
Confirmed 8.30pm Tuesday Feb 14, as a double episode. First episode back is brilliant, and up to the usual high standard of the show. Fans will love it. Those who stopped watching Rafters last year, should give it another go.

Parenthood, Seven.
Tue March 6-April 24.

Person of Interest, Nine
Usually 9.30pm Mondays

Please Marry My Boy, Seven
Done. Possible second season in 2013, but not confirmed

Prime Suspect, Nine
Axed in the US, so unlikely to return on Nine even though there are 5 unaired episodes. Maybe one for GEM or GO! at some stage.

Private Practise, Seven
Thursday nights 11.00

Psych, ONE
Out, and disappeared completely. Shame – some shows don’t even get a chance on digital, dumped in favour of repeats, etc

Q&A, ABC1
Returns Monday Feb 6, 9.35pm

Raising Hope, ELEVEN
Mondays 8pm

Revenge, Seven
Confirmed for 8.30pm Mondays from February 13.

Ringer, ELEVEN
Mondays 10.30pm – series done now

Rules of Engagement, ELEVEN
Tuesdays 8.00pm from May 15

Sherlock, Nine
Series done.

Sports Fever, Seven
Concluded or out.

Suburgatory, GO!
Sundays 8.30pm

Supernatural, ELEVEN
Mondays 8.30pm

Survivor: One World, Nine
Tuesday May 15, 10.00pm – double episode

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation
Series done. Not renewed for 2013 – so in limbo.

The Amazing Race Australia, Seven
Mid-Late May

The Amazing Race Season 20 US, Seven
Wednesdays 11.00pm, final May 23

The Big Bang Theory, Nine
Tuesdays 8pm at the moment

The Biggest Loser (Singles), Ten
Confirmed: Monday Jan 23, 7pm, then airs Monday – Thursdays, 7pm. FINALE MAY 8.

The Block 2012, Nine.
Returned April 16. 7pm weeknights and 6.30 Sundays

The Cleveland Show, ELEVEN
Wednesdays 9.30pm

The Farmer Wants a Wife, Nine
Most likely after Olympics

The Good Wife, Ten
Wednesday 9.30pm

The Great Barrier Reef, Nine
Series Done

The Mentalist, Nine
Back to Sundays 8.30pm from April 29.

The Middle, GO!
New episodes on GO! Sunday nights 7.00pm from Sunday February 13.

The Living Room, Ten
Fridays 8pm from May 11

The Office, ELEVEN
Tuesday January 10, 8.30pm

The Simpsons, ELEVEN
Wednesdays 7.30pm

The Straits, ABC1
Series done

The Voice, Nine
April 15 premiere. Now Mondays only from May 7

The X Factor, Seven
August 2012

Tricky Business, Nine
May 14, 9.30pm-ish after The Voice

Two and a Half Men, Nine
Out. Low ratings means it may just air on GO!

Underbelly, Nine
After Olympics

Unforgettable, Nine
Sundays 9.30pm from April 29

Up All Night, Seven
Our guess is mid year, if at all.

Whitney, Seven
Our guess is nid year, if at all.

Winners & Losers, Seven
Mid year, Tuesday nights 8.30pm, in between seasons of Rafters.

Young Talent Time, Ten
Done. Unlikely to be renewed

This list will be updated as needed. Note not all shows are listed. This list free to air commercial networks only. Information correct at time of publishing. Feel free to comment or email directly andrewb@throng.com.au if any information is missing, inaccurate or to contribute. Note some information may be subject to embargoes from time to time. No embargoes are breached in the above information. Any comment that breaches embargoes cannot be published.

 

As we all get ready for a brand new year; it is time to crown 2011’s Reality Television Star of the Year!

We’ve had the likes of Deni Hines, Emmanuel Kelly and Polly Porter grace this list- but to finish it off I’ve got one hell of a finale!

Who is it, find out here!

… 

…

…

2011’s Reality Television Star of the Year is… REECE MASTIN (THE X FACTOR)

 

 

Intro: Impressing the nation in one of the first audition episodes of the season; it was still a tough road to the finals for British teenager but SA raised Reece Mastin. Having narrowly scrapped through the initial boot camp stage, his personality and hairstyle came under fire during the final boot camp stages and in the house visit stage. He was accepted by Guy to enter the final 12 as part of the three-strong group of boys.

Having faced the bottom two showdown just once in the competition, he was a favourite to win. In the live final, he faced fellow boy-teammate Johnny Ruffo and over-25 Andrew Wishart. In the end, Reece came out too strong for them both, and ended up winning one of Australia’s most watched television competitions of the year.

Why He Made The List: The initial reason for his inclusion in this list is because of the rise of The X Factor in this country. No, it wasn’t as big in the past, but out of all three seasons, Reece Mastin has won the show at exactly the right time. With rising ratings and a more vocal fan base, Mastin’s winner’s single, Good Night, has been a guaranteed hit- continuing to dominate the singles charts. No doubt that if managed well, Mastin should manage a few more successful albums that could end up propelling him into celebrity and fame hood.

The decision to put Reece at the top of the list came when I walked around a local shopping centre in Queensland. Now, I’m an Adelaide local, so I expect to see Reece Mastin memorabilia scattered over my local shopping centre- but seeing them scattered through the Centro and the local mall here in the Tropical North made it clear that Mastin was a bonefide hit. No one actually knows how long his 15 minutes of fame will last, but don’t expect him to disappear anytime soon.

Legacy: Since leaving The X Factor, it has been a whirlwind journey for Reece. His winners single has been going strong at the top of the charts for 5 weeks now and has been certified platinum with another song of his, a cover of She Will Be Loved heading upwards on the chart as well. Reece is now currently undertaking his first headlining tour, which will end in February next year. Work has already begun on his second album which will contain themes including girls and him going out with his mates for a ‘good night’.

 

Reece Mastin is 2011’s Reality Television Star of the Year- and a bit of trivia- did you know his single, Good Night, was co-written by Hayley Warner. That’s right, the same Hayley Warner who came runner up on season seven of Australian Idol!

I trust you will agree that he is a formidable first place- I certainly think he’s deserving of that title.

 

Next year, this list will kick off again with a fresh batch of 2012 contestants! Will we see as big of a talent pool next year as we did this year? Cannot wait to see how it all unravels. But wait, missing some people? If your favourite didn’t make the top 20 this year, check back in a few minutes when I will be posting a list of 2011 Reality Television Notables- those who didn’t make the list, but kinda deserved to. Also coming up today is the 2011 Reality Television personality of the year- it could be a host, a judge or a mentor! Hey, It could also be a trainer!

 

But if you don’t care to read on, I wish all my readers a very happy new year!

 

Intro: Emmanuel Kelly, an orphan of Iraqi decent who has felt the harsh arm of the war, has been living with the loving and caring Moira Kelly since she adopted him from his orphanage. Since then, they have appeared on news programs and chat shows- but never did anyone think that one of the Kelly boys would ever appear on a reality television show. But in late August, Emmanuel Kelly took to the X Factor audition stage, and blew everybody away with his song. The song in question was Imagine by John Lennon. So much so that he was accepted into the next round. Here, he joined the boys, to be mentored by Guy Sebastian. It was a tough crowd, but it was almost guaranteed that this shining beacon of hope would be accepted into the house visits. Unfortunately, he forgot his lyrics and Guy sent him packing amidst overwhelmingly good competition.

Why He Made The List: The fact that a contestant who didn’t even make it into the finals was able to make this list at number three should be a testament to the effect Emmanuel Kelly had on Australia. Since his audition, Australia couldn’t keep talking about it. The performance literally drew people to tears. What probably shocked me the most was that I have seen Emmanuel on shows like The 7PM Project before and being completely taken aback by his story. But I never knew that he could SING and one day that I would see him on the X Factor stage. News reports would not stop being produced about him when he was shockingly eliminated by Sebastian. Sebastian did once say that he wanted to be tougher this year, but that move possibly made him the biggest villain of them all- if only for a short while. No doubt that Emmanuel will be showing his face again.

Legacy: I guess Kelly’s biggest legacy will be his story. Having been found in a shoebox with no identification to now stepping onto the stage of a hit talent show, his turn-around story will stick with people for years to come. His name, Emmanuel Kelly, will be instantly recognizable however I could predict that in a few years now, it would be hard to imagine that it was this third season of The X Factor that sprung him into the spotlight. Since exiting the show, he has been given the opportunity to sing on stage with the likes of Kate Cebrano, and has recently been picked up by a US casting agency after Yoko Ono tweeted about his John Lennon performance. He will now be trying out for a place on The Glee Project, a role that could ultimately land him a gig on Glee. He could be seen on screens by mid next year.

 

Absolutely exceptional. Chances are, if you don’t know Emmanuel Kelly, you are reading this blog from the US or UK in which case you just don’t know about Emmanuel Kelly…YET!! Trust me; he is coming your way! Tomorrow is the number two position and people may be wondering what this person did to make it to two- but it has more to do with how MUCH this person did!