Underbelly Files: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here

On Tuesday night Jan 4, Nine replays Person Of Interest from the start. Wednesday night features a replay of the first Underbelly telemovie – tell them Lucifer was here. Last seen on GEM, Southland moves to Nine late Thursday nights.

Speaking of GEM, when Nine airs the 3rd test (cricket) against Indai from the WACA in Perth from January 13, live cricket coverage contniues on GEM when the main channel breaks for the news at 6pm. 

All shows repeats unless otherwise stated.

Sun Jan 1
6.30 David Attenborough’s Madagascar
7.30 60 Minutes – new but will contain some repeat stories
8.30 The Mentalist
9.30 CSI
10.30 CSI: NY
11.30 Flashpoint – new

Mon Jan 2
7.00 The Big Bang Theory – returns to 7pm weeknights
7.30 The Big Bang Theory
8.00 The Big Bang Theory
8.30 The Mentalist
9.30 Harry’s Law – new
10.30 BIG
11.30 Undercovers – new

Tue Jan 3
7.30 The Big Bang Theory
8.00 The Middle – new
8.30 Two and a Half Men
9.00 Mike & Molly – new
9.30 Person of Interest – pilot
10.30 Nothing Trivial
11.30 The Unusuals – new

Wed Jan 4
7.30 RBT
8.30 Movie: Lethal Weapon 4
11.00 True CSI: Cold Blood

Thur Jan 5
7.30 Getaway new
8.30 Unforgettable
9.30 CSI: NY new
10.30 Nothing Trivial new
11.30 Southland – new, series return

Fri Jan 6
7.30 Two and a Half Men x 2
8.30 Movie: A Few Good Men
11.20 Movie: Bad Boys

Sat Jan 7
6.30 Australia’s Funniest Home Videos Summer Series
7.30 Movie: Second Hand Lions
9.45 Movie: Blame – free to air frist
11.45 Movie: Enter the Dragon

Sun Jan 8
6.30 David Attenborough’s Madagascar
7.30 60 Minutes – new but may contain repeat stories
8.30 The Mentalist
9.30 CSI
10.30 CSI: NY
11.30 Manly Surf – new
12.00 Flashpoint – new

Mon Jan 9
7.00 The Big Bang Theory – remains on 7pm weeknights
7.30 The Big Bang Theory
8.00 The Big Bang Theory
8.30 The Mentalist
9.30 Harry’s Law – new
10.30 BIG
11.30 Undercovers – new, series final

Tue Jan 10
7.30 The Big Bang Theory
8.00 The Middle – new
8.30 Two and a Half Men
9.00 Mike & Molly – new
9.30 Person of Interest – pilot
10.30 Nothing Trivial
11.30 The Unusuals – new

Wed Jan 11
7.30 RBT
8.30 Underbelly Files: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here
10.30 True CSI: Cold Blood
11.30 Weeds

Thur Jan 12
7.30 Getaway new
8.30 Unforgettable
9.30 CSI: NY new
10.30 Nothing Trivial new
11.30 Southland – new, series return

Fri Jan 13 (Sydney and Melbourne market)
6.00 News – with LIVE Cricket continuing on GEM during the news
6.30 Cricket: Third Test live from the WACA
8.30 Movie: US Marshals
11.15 Movie: Deer Hunter

Fri Jan 14 (Sydney and Melbourne market)
6.00 News – with LIVE Cricket continuing on GEM during the news
6.30 Cricket: Third Test live from the WACA
8.30 CSI
9.30 Movie: Beautiful Kate
11.35 Movie: Simpatico

Correct at December 22, 2011

Looking at the ratings figures for Sunday night, there is little that stands out above the million mark – in fact, only seven shows made it above a million, with Seven News on 1.3 million the highest.

Long gone, it appears, are the days when Sunday night, as one of the big viewing nights on free to air TV, where shows would easily push the 1.5 million mark or higher. The night now with the highest rating shows seems to be Tuesday with Packed to the Rafters and NCIS drawing the big numbers.

Using 8.30 Sunday Feb 13 as an example, Bones only just past 1 million, ABC1 was second in the timeslot with 883,000 watching Poirot, then Ten’s Hawaii Five-O at 827,000 and Nine’s The Mentalist fourth in the timeslot at just 809,000.

Perhaps the problem with 8.30 is there are too many crime procedurals at the same time which have to share the numbers. Hawaii Five-O debuted two weeks ago, Bones returned last week, and The Mentalist last night. Many may have skipped passed the Mentalist in particular, either assuming it was a repeat or not noticing it was on a new night. The Mentalist was not exactly a stand out episode either – afterall, it was the fourth in the season, and not meant to be a season opener (QLD and WA saw that episode last week).

If you look at the digital channels, there are many more viewers to be found. On GO!, the 8.30pm episode of the Big Bang Theory drew 270,000, The Middle at 9pm 152,000. Escape to the Country on 7WO 240,000, the movie Gone in 60 Seconds on 7mate 249,000. On GEM, the encore of Tell Them Lucifer was Here was watched by 107,000. Not a digital multi-channel, but always rating the same as one, SBS ONE’s Dateline drew 149,000 viewers.

With those channels alone, 1,015,000 viewers can be found. And that is before you add ELEVEN (Smallville was below 100,000), ONE HD (movie – Year of the Dogs), ABC2, ABC3, ABC News 24 and SBS TWO – all these channels combined would represent around 180,000 viewers (estimated using shares).

If you then look at how many were watching each network at 8.30, a different picture emerges. Seven is way out in front, with a combined audience of 1,498,000. Nine second with 1,186,000 (8.30-9.00), then Ten around the 950,000 mark, while ABC combined may have been more like 910,000.

The total network numbers are more like what you used to see shows pull on Sunday nights.

Yes, figures are down for the most watched shows on just about any given night now, but the people are still there. It is just that they are now spread over more channels.

This, in effect, redefines what should be considered successful in the multi channel environment. It used to be 1,000,000 as the bench mark, now, with around 25% of viewers watching digital channels, 750,000 looks like it should be the new 1,000,000.

The Underbelly Files will be encored on GEM.

Next Sunday, Feb 13, the first of the three telemovies Tell Them Lucifer Was Here, will be played on GEM from 8.30pm

Then, the following Sunday, Feb 20, the second Infiltration will air on GEM at 8.30pm.

Although to soon to be confirmed, and assuming no further programming changes, the third Underbelly Files movie will be on GEM Sunday Feb 27.

According to the GEM amendments, each of the movies are in HD.

So – if you missed out on Monday night, or would like to see in HD, then check GEM on Sunday.

Following Tell Them Lucifer Was Here on Sunday 13^th is the movie The King about Graham Kennedy’s life and times.

And on Sunday Feb 20, at 10.30pm, is Wicked Love: The Maria Korp Story.

Last night, the first of three Underbelly telemovies under the banner of the Underbelly Files premiered on Nine.

The first, called Tell Them Lucifer Was here , focussed on the 1998 murder of Victorian Police Officers Gary Silk and Rod Miller.

Unlike the recent series of underbelly, the telemovie was more straight to the point without the extra padding and unnecessary nudity. In fact, the only time breasts were seen in this telemovie was during a strip bar scene, and there were definitely no sex scenes.

Due to legal proceedings, NSW received an edited version of Tell Them Lucifer was Here in which changes were made to edit names of some of the characters.

But if one was watching with subtitles, one would have quickly noticed that the names in the closed captioning service were not matching up with the on screen characters.

The result is, that while the audio and vision had been changed in NSW, the subtitles had not – meaning that the captioning went to air identically in all states, despite the issue in NSW.

The Underbelly: files are three compelling telemovies that tell true-life crime stories, laying bare human behaviour at its best and worst.

The first of the new telemovies, Tell Them Lucifer Was Here, which tells the tragic story of Victoria Police officers Gary Silk and Rod Miller who were gunned down in the line of duty, premieres on Channel Nine on Monday, February 7, at 8.30pm.

The story centres on the investigation of the brutal murders under the direction of Detective Inspector Paul Sheridan and the Lorimer Taskforce. Tracking down the killers proved all but impossible and it was only through outstanding detective work, dogged persistence and sheer faith that the killers were brought to justice.

Tell Them Lucifer Was Here stars Brett Climo as Paul Sheridan and Todd Lasance as Detective Sgt Dean Thomas. They are backed up by a top-line support cast of Jane Allsop, Ditch Davey, Paul O’Brien, Annie Jones and Don Hany. The screenplay was written by longstanding Underbelly writer Peter Gawler and directed by Shawn Seet.

The second of the telemovies, Infiltration, will screen on Monday, February 14, at 8.30pm.

Infiltration recounts the story of Victorian detective Colin McLaren who posed as a shady art dealer and infiltrated the Australian branch of the Calabrian Mafia. It would prove to be the most dangerous, exhausting and confronting 18 months of his life. But it was also the most thrilling time he ever knew and resulted in the biggest win of his career – seeing 11 of Australia’s most villainous Mafiosi sent to prison.

Infiltration stars Sullivan Stapleton as Colin McLaren, with Jess Napier playing his undercover operative, Jude. It also features Tottie Goldsmith, Henry Nixon and Valentino del Toro.

The third telemovie, The Man Who Got Away, tells the amazing story of David McMillan, the only Westerner to escape from Bangkok’s notorious Klong Prem Prison.

Extremely intelligent and charming, McMillan came from a privileged background but chose a life of crime, which earned him a spot on Interpol’s Top Ten Most Wanted list. His partner in crime was also the love of his life – Clelia Vigano. Together McMillan and Vigano were an unstoppable force – or so they thought.

Toby Schmitz stars as McMillan, with Claire van der Boom in the role of Vigano. An all-star support cast includes Jeremy Sims, Aaron Jeffery, Josh Lawson, Nicholas Eadie, Brendan Cowell and Freya Stafford.

The Man Who Got Away premieres on Monday, February 21, at 8.30pm

The three new telemovies are a collaboration between the Nine Network and production company Screentime, produced by Peter Gawler and Elisa Argenzio with Executive Producers Des Monaghan, Jo Horsburgh and Screentime’s Head of Drama, Greg Haddrick.

UNDERBELLY: FILES

TELL THEM LUCIFER WAS HERE

PREMIERES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, AT 8.30PM ON NINE

INFILTRATION

PREMIERES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, AT 8.30PM ON NINE

THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY

PREMIERES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, AT 8.30PM ON NINE

The first of Nine’s Underbelly telemovies is expected to be cut down when it airs in NSW due to pending legal issues.

Nine is set to screen two different versions of Tell Them Lucifer Was Here, with NSW getting a specially edited version due to the fact that the legal proceedings are still taking place in the state.

The issue is similar to that of the first Underbelly season, which was halted in Victoria because of the legal case.

The Underbelly Files telemovies are tipped to screen in February on Nine.

Source: TV Tonight

One of the new Underbelly telemovies may have to be shelved indefinitely after the threat of legal action in NSW.

Tell Then Lucifer Was Here is the first of the planned telemovies from the Nine Network and focuses on the 1998 murders of Victoria Police officers Rod Miller and Gary Silk.

The murders were found to be committed by Bandali Debs and Jason Roberts who were found guilty in 2003.

However Debs is also under investigation for the death of a Sydney prostitute fifteen years ago and the Victoria Government Solicitor is applying to the Melbourne Magistrates Court to have Debs transferred to a NSW prison for questioning over the death.

Should the legal action go ahead, Nine would not be able to run with Tell Them Lucifer Was Here in NSW due to Debs’ name being identified.

The network now have several choices to make: they could play the telemovie in every state apart from NSW; they could rush the release of it before the legal action begins; or they could shelve the project until the case passes.

Source: The Age

At the end of this week, there will only be 12 weeks left of the ratings year for 2010 – yet Nine still have a list of shows still to come in 2010 that simply will no longer fit in their main channel line up unless they start doing some serious overhauling of the schedule or moving more shows to GO! and the imminent third channel.

I would go as far to say, that a number of these shows simply won’t be seen at all until 2011.

Here is the list, with updated comments.

Shows to come in the remaining 12 weeks of the ratings season on Nine include:

AFP (Australian Federal Police) – Seen in promos, possible late September start.
The Ashes – cricket – Starts November 25, continues through summer.
Australian Masters – Golf – November 11-14
Big – similar to Ten’s Biggest Loser – Will air in 2011.
The Block 2010 – Premieres Wed Sept 22, 7.30pm
The Boss Is Coming to Dinner – Premieres Wed Sept 22, 8.30pm
Cops LAC – premiere September 2, 8.30pm
Nikita – will now be seen on GO late September.
Panic at Rock Island – possibly in October
The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show – possibly in October – a 3 part show.
Random Acts of Kindness – possible in October, maybe in a new timeslot – depends what they do with the Block.
The Real Hustle – Premieres Tuesday Sept 14, 9pm, after Top Gear.
The Secret Millionaire – Currently airing, 9.30pm Mondays. Not a long series though.
Top Gear Australia – launching “with an international event” – Tuesday nights soon.
S***! My Dad Says – comedy – Been promoted, should air soon. Maybe If they got rid of the 7.30pm Two and a Half Mens on Monday and Wednesday they could fit more new shows in.
Survivor: Nicuragua – premieres in US Sept 15. If Nine fast track, possible late September date.
Underbelly Files – 1^st of them possibly airs Sunday Sept 19 or 26, 8.30pm
Hey Hey its Saturday – returns to Saturdays from October 16. Final November 27 will be a big party for Nine, as that Hey Hey will be the last show EVER made at the historic GTV-9 Melbourne Studios.

National IQ Test – I left this off the list, but have heard of people being emailed to attend – so maybe possible for November 2010.

The following shows are all possible to air in 2010, but without any promos, its hard to know when or even if they will end up on Nine in 2010:

Chase
The Enforcers
Harry’s Law
Mike and Molly
Mr Sunshine
Undercovers
The Whole Truth
When I Grow Up

And on GO!

Community – Possible for October.
Dark Blue – Already airing, Wednesday nights 9.30pm
Fringe – season 3 fast tracked – Will be on late September. Possibly Sept 21.
Glory Daze – not sure.
The Hard Times of RJ Berger – not sure
Hellcats – Stars Monday Sept 13, 7.30pm.
The Middle – Seeing they have taken this show off again, it is hard to say.
Pretty Little Liars – Definite for late September or October.
Southland – no news
The Vampire Diaries Season 2 – fast tracked
V – season 2 fast tracked – October or later.
Wife Swap – new episodes – possible for October, or even the third channel.
Wipe out – new episodes – already airing.
Human Target – currently airing Wednesday nights. 

Nine are busy promoting to the media what to expect to see on their network for the rest of the year – listing shows for both Nine and GO! – who recently on Facebook have been telling everyone that all their recent programming changes have been to make way for “hot new shows”.

Shows to come in the remaining four months of the ratings season on Nine include:

AFP (Australian Federal Police) – locally produced drama
The Ashes – cricket
Australian Masters – Golf
Big – similar to Ten’s Biggest Loser
The Block 2010 – renovation reality competition show, last seen in 2004
The Boss Is Coming to Dinner – the title says it all!
Cops LAC – locally produced drama based on a local police station
Chase
The Enforcers
Harry’s Law
Mike and Molly
Mr Sunshine
Nikita
Panic at Rock Island
The Policially Incorrect Parenting Show
Random Acts of Kindness
The Real Hustle – catching out con artists
The Secret Millionaire
Top Gear Australia – launching “with an international event”
S***! My Dad Says – comedy
Survivor: Nicuragua
Underbelly Files – telemovies
Undercovers
The Whole Truth
When I Grow Up

And on GO!

Community – season 2 fast tracked
Dark Blue
Fringe – season 3 fast tracked
Glory Daze
The Hard Times of RJ Berger
Hellcats
The Middle – season 2 fast tracked
Pretty Little Liars
Southland
The Vampire Diaries Season 2 – fast tracked
V – season 2 fast tracked
Wife Swap – new episodes
Wipe out – new episodes

Notably absent from previous Nine 2010 show promotions include Human Target – which has been promoted on Nine, Money for Jam, What’s Good For You, Flashpoint (why don’t they just put that one on GO!?) and The National IQ Test.

Nine seem to list all of the shows they have available whether they end up on air or not, while Seven keeps things more secretive and Ten tells it as is in the sense where if they say it will be on, it will be.

Meanwhile, RPA returns to Nine 9.30 Wednesdays from August 4 and Hot Property 8pm Wednesday July 28.

Source: TV Tonight.

In a boost for Australian drama, the Nine Network announced production has commenced on the first of three new telemovies today.

The telemovies, known as the Underbelly Files, will focus on three compelling, true-life stories that lay bare human behaviour at its best and worst.

Production began today on the first telemovie, Tell Them Lucifer Was Here. Starring Brett Climo, Greg Stone, Paul O’Brien, Todd Lasance, Jane Allsop and Annie Jones, the two-hour telemovie tells the tragic story of the 1998 murders of Victoria Police officers Rod Miller and Gary Silk.

It centres on the enormous efforts of the Lorimer Task Force in tracking down the killers. The two policemen were brutally gunned down in the course of duty by petty criminals Bandali Debs and his young accomplice, Jason Roberts.

“This tragic story – the biggest criminal investigation in Victoria’s history – made headlines in newspapers across the country for more than two years and captured the imagination of the nation,” Jo Horsburgh, Nine Network Head of Drama, said.

The three telemovies are another collaboration between the Nine Network and production company Screentime, which has made a reputation for its world-class dramatisation of criminal events.

“Nine is thrilled to once again be working with Screentime,” Horsburgh said. “The landmark Underbelly series has set new benchmarks for local television production.”

Screentime’s Executive Director, Des Monaghan, said: “The telemovie format allows us to expand the Underbelly franchise to include some fascinating stories best told over two hours.”

Underbelly Files will be produced by Peter Gawler and Elisa Argenzio. Des Monaghan, Jo Horsburgh and Screentime’s Head of Drama, Greg Haddrick, will be the executive producers.

Tell Them Lucifer Was Here is written by longstanding Underbelly writer Peter Gawler and directed by Shawn Seet.

Infiltration, slated as the second telemovie, will chronicle the story of Victorian cop Colin McClaren, who infiltrated the local Calabrian mafia and risked his life daily. Infiltration was written by Graeme Koetsveld and will be directed by Grant Brown.

The third film, The Man Who Got Away, recounts the incredible tale of British-Australian drug smuggler David McMillan, the only man ever to escape from Bangkok’s Klong Prem prison. Cherie Nowlan will direct, with Kris Mrksa taking the writing credit.