Underbelly

Victoria’s Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland has been accused of packing a sad over the fact he was not featured in the Underbelly series.

The news comes following the revelations the Office of Police Integrity had phone taps which the Victorian Opposition are claiming were obtained by the State Government.

The conversation in question is between then police assistant commissioner Noel Ashby and then police union chief Paul Mullett over why Mr Overland is appearing “tense”.

Ashby is claimed to have said it is because he’s “cracked the sads at the draft script of the Underbelly program because he’s not cast in it.”

The OPI summary of the call says: “The initial script shows VicPol taking their eye off the ball and has been reshaped a bit. Ashby says Overland raised it carefully today, thinking he should be represented by someone.

“Mullett says they wouldn’t be able to find anyone ugly enough to act on his behalf. Mullett says Magda Szubanski will be cast to represent the chief commissioner of police (Christine Nixon).”

Ashby said yesterday that Overland had hoped a character based on him would be included in the crime show.

“They were proposing the show and he wasn’t cast in it and he was a bit shitty, a bit put out,” he said.

Source: News.com.au

American network Starz has acquired the rights to the Underbelly series and are set to develop a US version of the show.

Early talk surrounding the project is suggesting the series could take on a Sopranos-type feel.

The developed series will focus on an American crime family but the exact setting of the show is a point of discussion considering favoured mob haunt New Jersey cannot be touched following The Sopranos and HBO has snapped up Atlantic City for upcoming Scorsese series Boardwalk Empire.

Source: THR

Gervais on Curb

Comedian Ricky Gervais has reportedly signed on to appear in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. The Office creator will play as himself in the episode with further details kept under wraps. The next season of the series is set for next year.

Underbelly lawsuit

The woman who took legal action over the portrayal of her in Underbelly: The Golden Mile is now suing the network and production company for defamation. The ex-NSW policewoman is claiming the character of Wendy (Jessica Tovey) is based on her and that her relationship with club kingpin John Ibrahim was never sexual as it is portrayed in the crime drama series.

Breaking Bad renewed

Breaking Bad has been renewed for a fourth season after its third proved extremely popular. The show was in limbo due to budgeting issues between its American network and studio but the pair have reached an agreeable sum to allow the show to continue for at least one more season.

New MTV Twitter series

MTV are launching a new reality show that will embrace the online medium Twitter in a way never seen before. The network is looking for a TJ or Twitter Jockey in a new series which will pit eighteen hopefuls against one another for popularity in the online community. Sounds enthralling.

Union joins Army Wives spin-off

Flashforward’s Garbrielle Union has landed a new role in the Army Wives spin-off series set for release later this year. Union, who played Demitri’s fiancé Zoey in Flashforward, will take the role of a detective in the spinoff which will begin with an “embedded pilot” in the original series.

SJP fronts new reality series

Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker is featuring in a new reality show in the US which is seeking the next great artist. The show, entitled Work of Art: The Next Great Artist, follows the typical reality format as seen on the likes of MasterChef and Next Top Model but is interested in the pure artistic skills of the contestants.

Housewives musical?

Desperate Housewives actress Dan Delany has pitched an idea for a musical adaptation of the hit series to creator Marc Cherry. Delany, who plays Katherine, said she pitched the idea some time ago but Cherry wasn’t interested until Glee came along.

The Nine network, in conjunction with production company Screentime, have confirmed that final plans are almost complete for the fourth and fifth series of Underbelly. Des Monaghan – the director of Screen time – has states that the producers were researching two new contemporary crime stories as potential plots for future seasons. No further details could be given because the concepts were connected to current court proceedings.

Greg Haddrick, the series writer for Underbelly, said the research team were looking for compelling stories that would resonate well with Australian audiences. He said “We’re looking for stories whose characters tell us something about ourselves, and the society we live in.

Meanwhile, Nine has also confirmed there will be a fifth series of Sea Patrol for 2011. The series will commence filming in Queensland later this year, and is part of a $60 million package of Australian drama the network has commissioned for the next financial year.

The package will also include a new and third series of Rescue: Special Ops whose second series is yet to air on Nine, as well as three already announced Underbelly franchise telemovies.

Nine’s announcements were made at an industry lunch attended by their drama stars and producers in Sydney.

Source: TSR

The 3D revolution is well-and-truly here with Nine announcing they plan to shoot the next season of Underbelly in 3D.

Following the news last week that the network is carrying its State of Origin Rugby League match on May 26 in 3D, Nine boss David Gyngell has said the network will utilise the technology for their hit crime drama.

“It’s an amazing experience – next year we can go out and shoot Underbelly in 3D,” he told The Australian.

However, the 3-dimensional viewing experience comes at a price for the network with word that the May clash between NSW and Queensland will cost upwards of $10 million to broadcast, with a special crew being flown out for the US to shoot the game.

There’s been no word yet as to whether the three planned telemovies based on the Underbelly series will be shot in 3D.

Source: news.com.au

The Nine Network has announced a further major commitment to Australian drama with the production of four new telemovies for 2011.

Screentime, the producers of the Nine Network’s hit drama franchise Underbelly, will produce three separate telemovies based on true crime.  The movies will be self-contained and centre upon three separate and dramatic criminal events. 

The fourth telemovie for 2011 is produced by Goal Post Pictures with the working title Panic At Rock Island. Panic At Rock Island is an action paced disaster thriller set on Sydney Harbour during a three day rock music festival.  Great music, DJ’s, sunshine and gorgeous young people from all over the world. What could possibly go wrong?

Nine CEO David Gyngell said the commitment by Screen Australia to four high quality telemovies next year was a great boost for Australian drama.

“Nine has earned a deserved reputation for its support of diverse local drama , most recently through the runaway success of the record-breaking Underbelly series , but also from the quality and consistency of contemporary  programs like Sea Patrol, Rescue Special Ops, and before them McLeod’s Daughters , Water Rats and many more in a distinguished portfolio.

“We have real momentum at Nine and we intend to build on it. So a fourth series of Underbelly in 2011 together with these four big telemovies is a good way to do just that. Australians love quality local drama, and we have plenty on the plate”    

Mr Gyngell said the new telemovie line-up was designed to deliver something for everyone. 

First in Screentime’s line-up is the story of a not-so-glorious crooked Victorian cop, looking for redemption, who jumps at the chance to go deep undercover into the world of the Calabrian Mafia. For eighteen exhausting months he attempts to survive with only his local knowledge and lingo to keep him from a bullet in the head.

The second telemovie transports viewers to a Saturday night stake-out in the suburbs of Melbourne in the late 90′s where uniformed cops, Gary Silk and Rod Miller, are cold-bloodedly shot dead. But the killers aren’t part of the “normal” criminal world and so the Lorimer Task Force, with outstanding detective work and dogged determination, sets out to track the killers down.

The third tale in this compelling trilogy is about David McMillan, a young man born with a silver spoon his mouth, who truly had the world at his feet. Barrister, politician, film director or actor. Instead he chose a life of crime, and by his early 20’s winds up on Interpol’s Top Ten Most Wanted list. His notorious career results in him facing a firing squad in a Thai prison. But his story doesn’t end there….

Jo Horsburgh Head of Drama at the Nine Network is excited about Nine’s 2011 drama line-up “…These are certainly exciting times for Drama at Nine with such rich material to mine and fabulous stories to bring to our audience.

Underbelly telemovies are in the works with Screen Australia announcing funding will be given to the project.

A set of three telemovies by Screentime will be made for Channel Nine under the Underbelly tag.

It is understood the project will revolve around armed robber Russell ‘Mad Dog’ Cox, murdered Victorian police officers Gary Silk and Rodney Miller, and the infiltration of the Calabrian Mafia by Victorian policeman  Colin McLaren.

There is no word yet as to exactly how the telemovies will link to the Underbelly brand.

Source: TV Tonight

Gangland killer Carl Williams has been bashed to death in his high security prison in Victoria.

Carl Williams was at the centre of the story of the first series of Underbelly which aired on Nine two years ago except in Victoria due to pending court matters. The story so far has dominated the news coverage in the 4.30 News on both Seven and Nine, and of course, heads Ten’s 5pm News today (April 19). Nine tonight will air a special called Carl Williams: The Baby Faced Killer at 8.30pm (Monday, April 19), meaning the Mentalist is out for this week (long time to wait between new Mentalist episodes now).

Police say they believe Williams suffered serious head injuries after allegedly being struck about the head in an altercation with another inmate about 12.50pm (AEDT) on Monday (April 19).

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said Williams went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

A man is in custody, police said, and homicide squad detectives are at the prison.

Williams, 39, was serving life imprisonment in Barwon’s maximum security Acacia unit with a non-parole period of 35 years after pleading guilty to ordering the murders of three underworld rivals and the failed conspiracy to murder lawyer Mario Condello.

He was found guilty in 2007 of murdering underworld figures Jason Moran, Lewis Moran and Michael Marshall.

He had also been convicted of killing drug trafficker Mark Mallia and on multiple charges of drugs trafficking.

Williams’ lawyer Rob Stary said he spoke to Williams about 9am (AEST) on Monday about an article in a News Ltd newspaper, which reported that Victoria Police have paid $8000 to allow his daughter to attend a top private school.

Mr Stary said he and Williams talked “about how disturbed we were that material was being leaked to the press”.

“Of course he was (upset),” he told AAP.

“It exposes his daughter to risk. Of course he was concerned about that. He was not concerned about his own wellbeing, he was concerned about her.

“I just hope that justice prevails.”

He said he did not know the circumstances of Williams’ death.

Williams was held in solitary confinement at the Acacia Unit and the only time he came into contact with other prisoners was when he exercised, Mr Stary said.

Inmates were permitted to exercise in the company of another prisoner but under strict supervision, Mr Stary said.

Underworld figure Mick Gatto said he had heard unconfirmed rumours about Williams having died but said that was all he had heard.

“I would rather let dead dogs lie,” he told AAP.

“If you hear any more let me know but I would rather not comment on him.”

He said Williams was “certainly not” a friend.

Williams had one child with his ex-wife Roberta Williams, a convicted drug trafficker.

Williams’ father George was released from prison in June 2009 after serving a sentence for drug trafficking, while his mother Barbara was found dead in 2009 after an apparent overdose.

Williams’ life of crime started with a 1990 conviction for possession of stolen goods, for which he received a $400 fine.

His hatred for the Moran family was ignited in October 1999 when he was shot in the stomach by Jason Moran over a debt.

Williams made it his obsession to seek revenge on the Morans, escalating Melbourne’s bloody gangland war.

Jason Moran was shot dead while sitting in a car at a children’s football clinic in June 2003. His father Lewis was gunned down on Williams’ orders in March 2004 in an inner suburban Melbourne club.

Source: Yahoo News.

8:30pm – Sunday, April 11 on Channel Nine

Teenage bouncer John Ibrahim (Firass Dirani) saves Kings Cross bouncer ‘Hammer’ (Salvatore Coco) from being clobbered by drunks, earning him a chance meeting with Kings Cross Boss George Freeman (Peter O’Brien), whose mentor-like advice prompts John to take life changing matters into his own hands. Detective Sergeant Trevor Haken (Dieter Brummer) transfers to Kings Cross Detectives and eases into police corruption, collecting protection money from local businesses, drinking at all hours of the day and inadvertently causing a rift in his marriage. Meanwhile two young Uniformed Officers, Joe Dooley (Wil Traval) and Debbie Webb (Cheree Cassidy), question facts surrounding a public brawl between Senior Kings Cross Detectives and a mob of drunken youths.

Country girl Kim Hollingsworth (Emma Booth) takes her first steps into prostitution as a result of her abusive boyfriend Trent (Mark Furze) stealing her money. With Politician John Hatton (John Waters) pushing for a Royal Commission, Detective Inspector Dennis Kelly warns Detective Sergeants Jim Egan (Daniel Roberts) and Trevor Haken to clean-up their act, but instead, Jim and Trevor devise a plan to swindle $200,000 from the Federal Police, with the assistance of Drug King Bill Bayeh (Hazem Shammas) and his crew. Surviving a brutal stabbing, John Ibrahim strikes up a deal with a nightclub owner to buy a percentage of the Tunnel Cabaret and finally gets his foot in the door as an entrepreneur.

Next week, from Sunday April 11, ratings season returns to TV. The week is packed with both new shows and returns of favourites as the commercial networks battle it out for ratings supremacy.

The weeks sees the premiere of the third series of Underbelly on Nine, The Pacific on Seven, Hey Hey Its Saturday on Wednesday on Nine and Australia’s Got Talent on Seven. Also in the mix will be The Zoo on Seven focussing on Pathi Harn on Monday the 12^th, new Sea Partol on Nine as well as other regular shows getting back to new episodes after two weeks of repeats or not being on at all.

Over at Ten, they have their big week during the following week with Sunday April 18 seeing the finale of the Biggest Loser and Talkn’ ‘Bout Your Generation, the premiere of season 2 of Masterchef at 7.30pm Monday April 19 and the Finale of So You Think You Can Dance at 8.30pm Wednesday April 21.

Focussing on next week for now – not only do viewers have to contend with so many big name new shows coming onto free to air at once but there are all those programming fine tuning and two hour premieres that go with it as the networks – primarily Nine and Seven at this stage – jostle and tweak with their programming in order to top the ratings for the week.

Underbelly is a two hour premiere on Sunday, April 11. Following Underbelly, at 10.30 V is now been programmed as a replay of the previous week’s episode. New episodes of V return at 9.30 Sunday April 18.

On Tuesday, Australia’s Got Talent will run for 100 minutes, from 7.30 – 9.10. In direct competition, Nine will show a 75 minute Top Gear special which with ads, will also finish around 9.10. That pushes Survivor back to a 9.10 start.

On Wednesday night, April 14, Hey Hey it is Saturday is scheduled to run for two hours from 7.30 to 9.30. If last year is anything to go by, the show could run as much as one hour late – which would be no surprise if it did, as Seven have their premiere of the Pacific airing from 8.30 – 10.40pm on that night. Nine, at this stage have programmed a new episode Big Bang Theory to follow Hey Hey at 9.30 and a repeat of Big Bang at 10.00. Given the likelihood of a Hey Hey overrun, if you are a Big Bang fan, be prepared for the show not to air at all – or at least the programmed new episode to end up starting at 10 or later. Then again, you can catch Big Bang on GO Sundays at 7.30, Thursdays at 8.30 and on Nine Mondays at 8pm – yes – it is almost as regular as Two and a Half Men now!

Possibly lost amongst the hype of all these other shows, is the return of Flashforward on Thursday night at 9.30 on Seven. It too will be a two hour offering. Sea Patrol on Nine at 8.30 Thursday is only one hour.

If you are one of these people who like to give everything a go on TV before deciding what to watch regularly, then your PVR will really get a work out next week – with hours of new programming on offer.

If you don’t have a PVR, it may be tough to decide what to give a go, but keep in mind – both Seven and Nine usually run encores of shows they premiere for the first week or two in an attempt to boost the number of viewers shows are exposed to and thus boost future ratings. Encores usually do not show in TV guides as they hope you will watch them first time round – but already – Nine have scheduled an encore of Underbelly on Tuesday night at 10.10 after Survivor. This may change at the last minute.

If you miss anything, be sure to keep a look out at the electronic guides for Seven, 7TWO, Nine and Go for repeat screenings.

The following week see Ten join in with Masterchef premiering Monday April 19 at 7.30pm. Masterchef will also run for extended time – with both Monday and Tuesdays episodes running for 90 minutes. In 2009, the week that Masterchef started, Biggest Loser and Dance ended was one of only two weeks for the whole year that Ten won in overall ratings. The finale of So You Think You Can Dance on Wednesday will be against Hey Hey’s second episode and The Pacific from 8.30.

If Masterchef, Underbelly, Hey Hey and the Pacific live up to their expectations, it will be a great three way battle for that week (April 18-24) between Ten, Nine and Seven.