Season one of CBS’s NCIS: Sydney comes to an end with episode eight which finds Jd’s son in big trouble. “Blonde Ambition” was directed by Catherine Millar from a script by Morgan O’Neill and will air on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 8pm Et/Pt.
Season one stars Olivia Swann (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) as NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey, Sean Sagar (The Covenant) as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson, and Todd Lasance (Spartacus: War of the Damned) as her 2Ic Afp counterpart, Sergeant Jim “Jd” Dempsey. The cast also includes Tuuli Narkle (Mystery Road: Origin) as Afp liaison officer Constable Evie Cooper, Mavournee Hazel (Shantaram) as Afp forensic scientist Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, and William McInnes (The Newsreader) as Afp forensic pathologist Dr Roy Penrose.
“Blonde Ambition” Plot: When Jd’s (Lasance) son is kidnapped by an international assassin in exchange for a wanted criminal in NCIS custody, the...
Season one stars Olivia Swann (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) as NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey, Sean Sagar (The Covenant) as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson, and Todd Lasance (Spartacus: War of the Damned) as her 2Ic Afp counterpart, Sergeant Jim “Jd” Dempsey. The cast also includes Tuuli Narkle (Mystery Road: Origin) as Afp liaison officer Constable Evie Cooper, Mavournee Hazel (Shantaram) as Afp forensic scientist Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, and William McInnes (The Newsreader) as Afp forensic pathologist Dr Roy Penrose.
“Blonde Ambition” Plot: When Jd’s (Lasance) son is kidnapped by an international assassin in exchange for a wanted criminal in NCIS custody, the...
- 1/17/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
When Foxtel first began to craft with Fremantle Wentworth back in 2011, the hope was it would sit comfortably alongside the service’s premium HBO and BBC dramas.
While based on Reg Watson’s long-running ’80s drama Prisoner, and suitably honouring its legacy, it was not designed to a be remake. The desire was to see a modern reimagining of the characters; one that was ambitious and bold.
“We wanted to make something great for Foxtel and set the bar high. It was all part of our hopes for what we could do in the future,” executive producer and former Foxtel head of drama Penny Win recalls to If.
Originally created by Lara Radulovich and David Hannam, Fremantle Australia CEO Ian Hogg pitched Foxtel director of television Brian Walsh the series over a meal in Cannes.
By December that year, early plotting was underway, with journalist and critics Michael Idato and...
While based on Reg Watson’s long-running ’80s drama Prisoner, and suitably honouring its legacy, it was not designed to a be remake. The desire was to see a modern reimagining of the characters; one that was ambitious and bold.
“We wanted to make something great for Foxtel and set the bar high. It was all part of our hopes for what we could do in the future,” executive producer and former Foxtel head of drama Penny Win recalls to If.
Originally created by Lara Radulovich and David Hannam, Fremantle Australia CEO Ian Hogg pitched Foxtel director of television Brian Walsh the series over a meal in Cannes.
By December that year, early plotting was underway, with journalist and critics Michael Idato and...
- 10/26/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
The Freak is having urges she can’t control, and Lou Kelly warns “A lot of people we know will end up dead.”
After almost a decade on the small screen one of Australia’s most successful dramas is coming to an end.
Fremantle’s Wentworth: The Final Sentence stars Leah Purcell as Rita Connors, Pamela Rabe as Joan Ferguson, Kate Atkinson as Vera Bennett, Katrina Milosevic as Boomer, Robbie Magasiva as Will Jackson, Kate Jenkinson as Allie Novak, Bernard Curry as Jake Stewart, Rarriwuy Hick as Ruby Mitchell, Susie Porter as Marie Winter, Kate Box as Lou Kelly, Jane Hall as Ann Reynolds, Zoe Terakes as Reb Keane and Vivienne Awosoga as Judy Bryant.
Supporting cast includes David de Lautour as Dr Greg Miller and Jacquie Brennan as Linda Miles, with guest cast Marta Dusseldorp as Sheila Bausch.
To premiere Tuesday August 24 at 8.30pm on Fox Showcase.
The post...
After almost a decade on the small screen one of Australia’s most successful dramas is coming to an end.
Fremantle’s Wentworth: The Final Sentence stars Leah Purcell as Rita Connors, Pamela Rabe as Joan Ferguson, Kate Atkinson as Vera Bennett, Katrina Milosevic as Boomer, Robbie Magasiva as Will Jackson, Kate Jenkinson as Allie Novak, Bernard Curry as Jake Stewart, Rarriwuy Hick as Ruby Mitchell, Susie Porter as Marie Winter, Kate Box as Lou Kelly, Jane Hall as Ann Reynolds, Zoe Terakes as Reb Keane and Vivienne Awosoga as Judy Bryant.
Supporting cast includes David de Lautour as Dr Greg Miller and Jacquie Brennan as Linda Miles, with guest cast Marta Dusseldorp as Sheila Bausch.
To premiere Tuesday August 24 at 8.30pm on Fox Showcase.
The post...
- 7/29/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
When the gates of Wentworth Correctional Centre open on the final season, three weeks have passed since the shivving of Allie (Kate Jenkinson). With Allie’s attacker still at large, no one, least of all the H1 family, realise that they have a terrorist and would-be murderer, Judy Bryant (Vivienne Awosoga), in their midst.
Wentworth The Final Sentence, produced by Fremantle Australia, will make its worldwide premiere on Tuesday August 24 at 8.30pm on Foxtel’s Fox Showcase.
The post ‘Wentworth: The Final Sentence’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
Wentworth The Final Sentence, produced by Fremantle Australia, will make its worldwide premiere on Tuesday August 24 at 8.30pm on Foxtel’s Fox Showcase.
The post ‘Wentworth: The Final Sentence’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 7/20/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The second season of Hoodlum Entertainment’s Five Bedrooms will premiere on Paramount+ August 11 as the streaming service launches in Australia.
Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan return, joined by new faces Daniel Lapaine and Josh McKenzie.
The second instalment sees a new home. A DIY renovation. A DIY renovation injury. Two pregnancies. An ex-husband. A workplace bullying complaint. An unexpected tragedy. Love found and love lost.
Five Bedrooms is created by Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett. Andy Walker is the series producer and the scripts are by Lucas, Bartlett, Mithila Gupta and Xavier Coy.
Peter Templeman is the set-up director, working with Fadia Abboud and Shirley Barrett.
Five Bedrooms is supported by Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
The post ‘Five Bedrooms’ (Season 2 Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan return, joined by new faces Daniel Lapaine and Josh McKenzie.
The second instalment sees a new home. A DIY renovation. A DIY renovation injury. Two pregnancies. An ex-husband. A workplace bullying complaint. An unexpected tragedy. Love found and love lost.
Five Bedrooms is created by Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett. Andy Walker is the series producer and the scripts are by Lucas, Bartlett, Mithila Gupta and Xavier Coy.
Peter Templeman is the set-up director, working with Fadia Abboud and Shirley Barrett.
Five Bedrooms is supported by Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
The post ‘Five Bedrooms’ (Season 2 Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 7/14/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
2015 body-swap comedy The Heckler is set to get a remake after Mexican company Avanti Pictures picked up the Spanish language rights.
The original film, director Ben Plazzer’s feature debut, follows a self-obsessed comedian on the fast track to fame who has his body hijacked by the spirit of a jealous heckler. The ensemble cast includes Simon Mallory, Cj Fortuna, Kate Jenkinson, Emily Tahney, Scott Harrison, Dave Lawson, Tony Martin and Jeff Green.
The Heckler premiered in late 2014 at the LA Comedy Festival where it won Best Ensemble, before getting a limited theatrical run via cinema-on-demand platform Tugg (now Demand Film). Pinnacle Films released in locally on DVD/iTunes, and sales agent Odin’s Eye Entertainment sold Chinese streaming rights.
At the time, writer-producer Steve Mitchell was disappointed it didn’t get more interest locally.
“We had a fantastic cast with solid TV experience, but no box-office drawcards to interest distributors or broadcasters.
The original film, director Ben Plazzer’s feature debut, follows a self-obsessed comedian on the fast track to fame who has his body hijacked by the spirit of a jealous heckler. The ensemble cast includes Simon Mallory, Cj Fortuna, Kate Jenkinson, Emily Tahney, Scott Harrison, Dave Lawson, Tony Martin and Jeff Green.
The Heckler premiered in late 2014 at the LA Comedy Festival where it won Best Ensemble, before getting a limited theatrical run via cinema-on-demand platform Tugg (now Demand Film). Pinnacle Films released in locally on DVD/iTunes, and sales agent Odin’s Eye Entertainment sold Chinese streaming rights.
At the time, writer-producer Steve Mitchell was disappointed it didn’t get more interest locally.
“We had a fantastic cast with solid TV experience, but no box-office drawcards to interest distributors or broadcasters.
- 3/4/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
After nearly nine years as head of scripted at Fremantle Australia, Jo Porter is moving on to lead Playmaker Media.
Sony Pictures Television (Spt) announced her appointment as managing director today, starting in 2021.
Porter succeeds Playmaker founders David Maher and David Taylor, who announced their departure from company in July to return to independent production.
At Fremantle, Porter executive produced hits such as Foxtel’s Wentworth, which has sold to 171 countries worldwide and Picnic at Hanging Rock, which opened at Berlinale and sold to 160 territories, including Amazon for the US and the BBC for the UK. She also oversaw the production of Mary: Making of a Princess, Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You, Hoges and Wonderland.
Prior to joining Fremantle, Porter worked as a producer at the Seven Network, with credits that included Packed to the Rafters, Always Greener and All Saints.
Of her new role, Porter said: “I have...
Sony Pictures Television (Spt) announced her appointment as managing director today, starting in 2021.
Porter succeeds Playmaker founders David Maher and David Taylor, who announced their departure from company in July to return to independent production.
At Fremantle, Porter executive produced hits such as Foxtel’s Wentworth, which has sold to 171 countries worldwide and Picnic at Hanging Rock, which opened at Berlinale and sold to 160 territories, including Amazon for the US and the BBC for the UK. She also oversaw the production of Mary: Making of a Princess, Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You, Hoges and Wonderland.
Prior to joining Fremantle, Porter worked as a producer at the Seven Network, with credits that included Packed to the Rafters, Always Greener and All Saints.
Of her new role, Porter said: “I have...
- 11/25/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Sigrid Thornton and Kate Jenkinson will star in ‘Amazing Grace.’
The pandemic-induced advertising downturn and temporary suspension of the local content quotas have not impacted the Nine Network’s prime-time commissioning and acquisitions for 2021.
That’s according to Nine’s program director Hamish Turner, who spoke to If today after the network’s virtual Upfront.
The network revealed Kate Jenkinson and Sigrid Thornton will star in Amazing Grace (previously The Midwife), Playmaker Media’s drama set in the unconventional birth centre attached to a major city hospital.
Apart from that and the previously announced fifth season of Easy Tiger’s Doctor Doctor, there are no local dramas on the schedule.
However Turner is delighted with Beyond Lonehand’s Halifax: Retribution, which has been winning its Tuesday night slot since launching a month ago and will assess the data at series’ end before deciding on a renewal.
He flagged there will...
The pandemic-induced advertising downturn and temporary suspension of the local content quotas have not impacted the Nine Network’s prime-time commissioning and acquisitions for 2021.
That’s according to Nine’s program director Hamish Turner, who spoke to If today after the network’s virtual Upfront.
The network revealed Kate Jenkinson and Sigrid Thornton will star in Amazing Grace (previously The Midwife), Playmaker Media’s drama set in the unconventional birth centre attached to a major city hospital.
Apart from that and the previously announced fifth season of Easy Tiger’s Doctor Doctor, there are no local dramas on the schedule.
However Turner is delighted with Beyond Lonehand’s Halifax: Retribution, which has been winning its Tuesday night slot since launching a month ago and will assess the data at series’ end before deciding on a renewal.
He flagged there will...
- 9/16/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The wait is almost over, “A.P. Bio” fans. On Tuesday, Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, revealed the premiere date for Season 3 of the Glenn Howerton-led comedy, which was originally canceled at NBC last May and then picked up by Peacock the following month.
The third season of “A.P. Bio” will launch Sept. 3 on Peacock, according to the streaming service, which rolls out nationwide Wednesday. Other upcoming Peacock original series that received debut dates from the platform today include “Departure,” a Canadian-British drama starring Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer, which will premiere Sept. 17, Australian comedy “Five Bedrooms” (Aug. 13) and the Sky Studios-produced “Hitmen” (Aug. 6).
While you still have to wait a little while for these series to drop, Peacock is launching in full tomorrow with originals “Brave New World,” “The Capture,” “Intelligence,” “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” “Where’s Waldo?,” “Cleopatra In Space” and ”Curious George,” along with an extensive lineup of library content.
The third season of “A.P. Bio” will launch Sept. 3 on Peacock, according to the streaming service, which rolls out nationwide Wednesday. Other upcoming Peacock original series that received debut dates from the platform today include “Departure,” a Canadian-British drama starring Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer, which will premiere Sept. 17, Australian comedy “Five Bedrooms” (Aug. 13) and the Sky Studios-produced “Hitmen” (Aug. 6).
While you still have to wait a little while for these series to drop, Peacock is launching in full tomorrow with originals “Brave New World,” “The Capture,” “Intelligence,” “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” “Where’s Waldo?,” “Cleopatra In Space” and ”Curious George,” along with an extensive lineup of library content.
- 7/14/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
(L-r) Katie Robertson, Doris Younane, Stephen Peacocke, Kat Stewart and Roy Joseph pre-pandemic.
Hoodlum Entertainment will resume filming the second season of Network 10’s Five Bedrooms in Melbourne on Friday, three months after production was forced to shut down.
The producers are adhering to the Covid-Safe Guidelines developed by the Australian Screen Sector Task Force, supplemented with individual safety plans for department heads.
“Scripts are tweaked, hand santizer is stocked and our amazing cast is ready to walk back into scenes they began three months ago,” Michael Lucas, who co-created the show with Christine Bartlett, Tweeted on Sunday. “Trust me it’ll be seamless…”
Filming of episodes 5 and 6 was more than half way through when production paused, with episodes 7 and 8 to follow.
Doris Younane, who plays the lusty Heather, and her husband Billy lived in the Five Bedrooms house during the hiatus.
Younane, who has since moved to an apartment with Billy,...
Hoodlum Entertainment will resume filming the second season of Network 10’s Five Bedrooms in Melbourne on Friday, three months after production was forced to shut down.
The producers are adhering to the Covid-Safe Guidelines developed by the Australian Screen Sector Task Force, supplemented with individual safety plans for department heads.
“Scripts are tweaked, hand santizer is stocked and our amazing cast is ready to walk back into scenes they began three months ago,” Michael Lucas, who co-created the show with Christine Bartlett, Tweeted on Sunday. “Trust me it’ll be seamless…”
Filming of episodes 5 and 6 was more than half way through when production paused, with episodes 7 and 8 to follow.
Doris Younane, who plays the lusty Heather, and her husband Billy lived in the Five Bedrooms house during the hiatus.
Younane, who has since moved to an apartment with Billy,...
- 6/16/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Marta Dusseldorp in ‘Wentworth’ (Photo credit: Sarah Enticknap).
In a world away from A Place to Call Home, Marta Dusseldorp has donned the prison track suit with a guest role in Foxtel’s Wentworth, which resumes shooting this week.
Her character Sheila Bausch, a senior figure in the True Path cult, is on remand, charged with the murder of nine people at the cult’s retreat.
Described as highly intelligent, charismatic and manipulative, Sheila worked as the personal secretary for True Path’s founder Dr Mendel (Brian Vriends).
The Fremantle production re-starts after shutting down on March 23, just before a planned hiatus. The show has the advantage of being shot in its own large building in Melbourne, which has the flexibility of moving scenes set in a small cell to a bigger cell.
Executive producer Jo Porter, who is Fremantle’s director of scripted, said: “We have carefully adjusted our...
In a world away from A Place to Call Home, Marta Dusseldorp has donned the prison track suit with a guest role in Foxtel’s Wentworth, which resumes shooting this week.
Her character Sheila Bausch, a senior figure in the True Path cult, is on remand, charged with the murder of nine people at the cult’s retreat.
Described as highly intelligent, charismatic and manipulative, Sheila worked as the personal secretary for True Path’s founder Dr Mendel (Brian Vriends).
The Fremantle production re-starts after shutting down on March 23, just before a planned hiatus. The show has the advantage of being shot in its own large building in Melbourne, which has the flexibility of moving scenes set in a small cell to a bigger cell.
Executive producer Jo Porter, who is Fremantle’s director of scripted, said: “We have carefully adjusted our...
- 6/15/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘McLeod’s Daughters.’
McLeod’s Daughters, the Nine Network drama co-created by Posie Graeme-Evans and Caroline Stanton, was proclaimed Australia’s most favourite show in the Great Australian Binge.
Fremantle’s Wentworth came second, followed by Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road series and Riley Turner Productions’ Kath & Kim (which is streaming on Netflix).
Fewer than 10 votes separated Fremantle’s Neighbours and Seven Studios’ Home and Away in fifth and sixth place.
Matchbox Pictures/For Pete’s Sake Productions’ The Heights ranked seventh, followed by Southern Star’s Puberty Blues, Rob Sitch’s 1997 classic The Castle – the most popular Aussie movie – and Southern Star’s Offspring.
Ludo Studio’s Bluey was voted the No. 1 children’s show. Michala Banas announced the results on YouTube last night.
The Meaa ran the initiative asking people to vote online for the Australian film or show they’ve loved watching in lockdown as part of the...
McLeod’s Daughters, the Nine Network drama co-created by Posie Graeme-Evans and Caroline Stanton, was proclaimed Australia’s most favourite show in the Great Australian Binge.
Fremantle’s Wentworth came second, followed by Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road series and Riley Turner Productions’ Kath & Kim (which is streaming on Netflix).
Fewer than 10 votes separated Fremantle’s Neighbours and Seven Studios’ Home and Away in fifth and sixth place.
Matchbox Pictures/For Pete’s Sake Productions’ The Heights ranked seventh, followed by Southern Star’s Puberty Blues, Rob Sitch’s 1997 classic The Castle – the most popular Aussie movie – and Southern Star’s Offspring.
Ludo Studio’s Bluey was voted the No. 1 children’s show. Michala Banas announced the results on YouTube last night.
The Meaa ran the initiative asking people to vote online for the Australian film or show they’ve loved watching in lockdown as part of the...
- 5/28/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Fiona Press and Kelton Pell in ‘The Heights’ (Photo credit: Ashleigh Nicolau).
Something remarkable happened to Fiona Press when she played Hazel Murphy in the first and second seasons of the ABC serial The Heights.
For the first time in the actress’ 37-year career after graduating from Nida, Press felt she wasn’t just a “survivor,” despite more than 50 screen credits and dozens of plays.
“Hazel is the role of my life. Until she turned up, I don’t think I realised I had a career,” she tells If. “As a female of my type in the Australian industry, to survive is actually a career. I’m a jobbing actor.”
Matchbox Pictures’ Warren Clarke, the showrunner who co-created The Heights with Que Minh Luu, tells If: “The choice to cast Fiona really came from how grounded her audition was. We knew this character would be a foundation stone for the...
Something remarkable happened to Fiona Press when she played Hazel Murphy in the first and second seasons of the ABC serial The Heights.
For the first time in the actress’ 37-year career after graduating from Nida, Press felt she wasn’t just a “survivor,” despite more than 50 screen credits and dozens of plays.
“Hazel is the role of my life. Until she turned up, I don’t think I realised I had a career,” she tells If. “As a female of my type in the Australian industry, to survive is actually a career. I’m a jobbing actor.”
Matchbox Pictures’ Warren Clarke, the showrunner who co-created The Heights with Que Minh Luu, tells If: “The choice to cast Fiona really came from how grounded her audition was. We knew this character would be a foundation stone for the...
- 3/8/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Five Bedrooms.’
BBC One has acquired both series of Hoodlum Entertainment/Network 10’s Five Bedrooms from NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
It’s the second major deal for the Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett-created relationships dramedy, which launches in the Us on NBCU’s streaming service Peacock in April.
The first series will premiere on BBC’s main channel in a daytime slot soon.
Now shooting, the second season again stars Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan, with Andy Walker as series producer.
The new faces are Daniel Lapaine as Joseph, brother of Peacocke’s Ben, and Josh McKenzie as Xavier, a potential love interest for Joseph’s Harry. Screen Australia and Film Victoria are co-funding with 10.
Directors Fadia Abboud and Shirley Barrett joined set-up director Peter Templeman. Emerging writer Xavier Coy is the new addition to the writing team alongside Lucas,...
BBC One has acquired both series of Hoodlum Entertainment/Network 10’s Five Bedrooms from NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
It’s the second major deal for the Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett-created relationships dramedy, which launches in the Us on NBCU’s streaming service Peacock in April.
The first series will premiere on BBC’s main channel in a daytime slot soon.
Now shooting, the second season again stars Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan, with Andy Walker as series producer.
The new faces are Daniel Lapaine as Joseph, brother of Peacocke’s Ben, and Josh McKenzie as Xavier, a potential love interest for Joseph’s Harry. Screen Australia and Film Victoria are co-funding with 10.
Directors Fadia Abboud and Shirley Barrett joined set-up director Peter Templeman. Emerging writer Xavier Coy is the new addition to the writing team alongside Lucas,...
- 2/26/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: BBC One has secured the keys to Australian drama Five Bedrooms from NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
The British public broadcaster becomes the latest international network to pick up the series, which will launch on NBCU’s streaming service Peacock in the U.S. in April. The show is set to launch on BBC’s main channel in a daytime slot soon.
The eight-part series is produced by Hoodlum Entertainment, the Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield-run company behind ABC Studios International’s crime drama Harrow, with production investment from Screen Australia and developed and produced with the assistance of Film Victoria. international sales are being handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution on behalf of Sky Studios.
Originally commissioned by Australia’s Network Ten, This Life-esque Five Bedrooms is the story of five loosely connected friends at the singles table at a wedding who, after too many champagnes, and wines and whiskeys and beers,...
The British public broadcaster becomes the latest international network to pick up the series, which will launch on NBCU’s streaming service Peacock in the U.S. in April. The show is set to launch on BBC’s main channel in a daytime slot soon.
The eight-part series is produced by Hoodlum Entertainment, the Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield-run company behind ABC Studios International’s crime drama Harrow, with production investment from Screen Australia and developed and produced with the assistance of Film Victoria. international sales are being handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution on behalf of Sky Studios.
Originally commissioned by Australia’s Network Ten, This Life-esque Five Bedrooms is the story of five loosely connected friends at the singles table at a wedding who, after too many champagnes, and wines and whiskeys and beers,...
- 2/26/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett.
After years of creating fictional characters in such series as House Husbands, Offspring, The Wrong Girl and Playing for Keeps, Christine Bartlett allowed herself the freedom to do something unprecedented in Five Bedrooms.
Namely: To flesh out a character modelled on her own life and experiences.
Doris Younane plays her alter ego Heather in Hoodlum Entertainment’s 8-part comedy-drama co-created by Bartlett and her frequent collaborator Michael Lucas, which premieres on 10 at 8.40 pm on May 15.
The set-up director Peter Templeman describes Heather as “funny, complex and raw, and that’s Chris.”
Bartlett tells If: “Michael gave me permission to be totally unfiltered, so I went balls-out like never before. I was blown away watching what Doris did to bring the character to life.”
At the crossroads in her life, Heather is married to Colin (Alan Dukes), whom she says “peaked at high school,” and they have two doltish adult children.
After years of creating fictional characters in such series as House Husbands, Offspring, The Wrong Girl and Playing for Keeps, Christine Bartlett allowed herself the freedom to do something unprecedented in Five Bedrooms.
Namely: To flesh out a character modelled on her own life and experiences.
Doris Younane plays her alter ego Heather in Hoodlum Entertainment’s 8-part comedy-drama co-created by Bartlett and her frequent collaborator Michael Lucas, which premieres on 10 at 8.40 pm on May 15.
The set-up director Peter Templeman describes Heather as “funny, complex and raw, and that’s Chris.”
Bartlett tells If: “Michael gave me permission to be totally unfiltered, so I went balls-out like never before. I was blown away watching what Doris did to bring the character to life.”
At the crossroads in her life, Heather is married to Colin (Alan Dukes), whom she says “peaked at high school,” and they have two doltish adult children.
- 5/9/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Peter Templeman on set with Stephen Peacocke.
Director Peter Templeman rates Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett as Australia’s pre-eminent creators of TV comedy-dramas.
So he jumped at the chance to serve as the set-up director of the duo’s Five Bedrooms, Hoodlum Entertainment’s 8-part series which premieres on 10 at 8.40 pm on May 15.
He could not be happier with the performances of the ensemble cast led by Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan.
“Michael and Chris created totally real characters, each with a rich inner life and a back story,” Templeman tells If. “Working on the show was a great experience. We were spoiled for talent.”
Scripted by Lucas, Bartlett and Mithila Gupta, the plot revolves around five strangers, all misfits, who find themselves at a singles table at a wedding. After an excess of alcohol they decide the solution...
Director Peter Templeman rates Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett as Australia’s pre-eminent creators of TV comedy-dramas.
So he jumped at the chance to serve as the set-up director of the duo’s Five Bedrooms, Hoodlum Entertainment’s 8-part series which premieres on 10 at 8.40 pm on May 15.
He could not be happier with the performances of the ensemble cast led by Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan.
“Michael and Chris created totally real characters, each with a rich inner life and a back story,” Templeman tells If. “Working on the show was a great experience. We were spoiled for talent.”
Scripted by Lucas, Bartlett and Mithila Gupta, the plot revolves around five strangers, all misfits, who find themselves at a singles table at a wedding. After an excess of alcohol they decide the solution...
- 5/9/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Tina Bursill and Rodger Corser.
Dustin Clare, Kate Jenkinson and Robyn Nevin are the new additions to the cast of season 4 of the Nine Network’s Doctor Doctor, which started production in Sydney today.
Clare plays Jarred, the manager of a mining company who is the new beau of Dr Penny (Hayley McElhinney).
Jenkinson is Tara, a new medical intern at the Whyhope clinic who is on probation for reasons yet to be revealed. A wild spirit, she could lead Dr Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser) back to his bad boy past.
Nevin is Diana, the American mother of Hugh’s deceased former partner Harriet. Diana comes to Oz as a mother-in-law from hell because she believes Knight is unfit to look after his infant daughter Eliza.
Among the returning cast are Nicole da Silva (Charlie), Ryan Johnson (Matt), Tina Bursill (Meryl), Matt Castley (Ajax), Chloe Bayliss (Hayley), Belinda Bromilow (Betty...
Dustin Clare, Kate Jenkinson and Robyn Nevin are the new additions to the cast of season 4 of the Nine Network’s Doctor Doctor, which started production in Sydney today.
Clare plays Jarred, the manager of a mining company who is the new beau of Dr Penny (Hayley McElhinney).
Jenkinson is Tara, a new medical intern at the Whyhope clinic who is on probation for reasons yet to be revealed. A wild spirit, she could lead Dr Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser) back to his bad boy past.
Nevin is Diana, the American mother of Hugh’s deceased former partner Harriet. Diana comes to Oz as a mother-in-law from hell because she believes Knight is unfit to look after his infant daughter Eliza.
Among the returning cast are Nicole da Silva (Charlie), Ryan Johnson (Matt), Tina Bursill (Meryl), Matt Castley (Ajax), Chloe Bayliss (Hayley), Belinda Bromilow (Betty...
- 4/29/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Joel Jackson and Geraldine Hakewill.
Director Fiona Banks is tired of watching shows which depict women as victims, back-stabbers or characters who are pitted against each other.
So she was thrilled when she was offered Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, Every Cloud Productions’ spin off of the ABC series which starred Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher.
“The thing that drew me to the show from the word go is the genuine friendships between the women,” says Banks, who served as the set-up director for the first time in her illustrious career.
“These women support and encourage each other. These are good strong relationships. They are not always in agreement with each other and there is lot of humour and strength of character.”
Created by Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox and produced by Beth Frey, the four telemovies are set in 1964 and follow Geraldine Hakewill as Peregrine Fisher, who takes...
Director Fiona Banks is tired of watching shows which depict women as victims, back-stabbers or characters who are pitted against each other.
So she was thrilled when she was offered Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, Every Cloud Productions’ spin off of the ABC series which starred Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher.
“The thing that drew me to the show from the word go is the genuine friendships between the women,” says Banks, who served as the set-up director for the first time in her illustrious career.
“These women support and encourage each other. These are good strong relationships. They are not always in agreement with each other and there is lot of humour and strength of character.”
Created by Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox and produced by Beth Frey, the four telemovies are set in 1964 and follow Geraldine Hakewill as Peregrine Fisher, who takes...
- 2/19/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r) Roy Joseph, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Kat Stewart and Stephen Peacocke.
The Australian obsession with housing prices and affordability is the inspiration behind Five Bedrooms, Hoodlum Entertainment’s drama which started shooting in Melbourne today.
Commissioned by Network 10, the series features an ensemble cast led by Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan.
Created by Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett, the plot follows a group of very different people who find themselves at a singles table at a wedding.
After a few too many champagnes, wines, whiskeys and beers, the solution to all their problems seems to be buying a house together: A really big, five bedroom house.
Lucas tells If: “The idea of pooling together with friends to crack into the real estate market is something Christine and I have talked about for almost a decade now. As prices...
The Australian obsession with housing prices and affordability is the inspiration behind Five Bedrooms, Hoodlum Entertainment’s drama which started shooting in Melbourne today.
Commissioned by Network 10, the series features an ensemble cast led by Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Roy Joseph, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan.
Created by Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett, the plot follows a group of very different people who find themselves at a singles table at a wedding.
After a few too many champagnes, wines, whiskeys and beers, the solution to all their problems seems to be buying a house together: A really big, five bedroom house.
Lucas tells If: “The idea of pooling together with friends to crack into the real estate market is something Christine and I have talked about for almost a decade now. As prices...
- 1/20/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Wentworth season 4.
.
Wentworth season 4 is set to make its Australian premiere on May 10.
The show, adapted from Prisoner, which ran on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986, is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Foxtel and has been sold to more than 90 countries.
The story resumes four months after the events seen in the fiery season three finale..
The women of H block are returning to Wentworth Correctional Centre to find a new dynamic is in play which will have immediate ramifications for Bea as Kaz Proctor has established a power base..
On the outside, Franky is trying hard to be a productive member of society..
As always, no-one should underestimate .the Freak..
Notions of love and obsession will underpin the 12 episode season.
Wentworth season 4 stars Danielle Cormack as Bea Smith, Nicole da Silva as Franky Doyle, Pamela Rabe as Joan Ferguson, Kate Atkinson as Vera Bennett, Celia Ireland as Liz Birdsworth, Shareena Clanton as Doreen Anderson,...
.
Wentworth season 4 is set to make its Australian premiere on May 10.
The show, adapted from Prisoner, which ran on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986, is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Foxtel and has been sold to more than 90 countries.
The story resumes four months after the events seen in the fiery season three finale..
The women of H block are returning to Wentworth Correctional Centre to find a new dynamic is in play which will have immediate ramifications for Bea as Kaz Proctor has established a power base..
On the outside, Franky is trying hard to be a productive member of society..
As always, no-one should underestimate .the Freak..
Notions of love and obsession will underpin the 12 episode season.
Wentworth season 4 stars Danielle Cormack as Bea Smith, Nicole da Silva as Franky Doyle, Pamela Rabe as Joan Ferguson, Kate Atkinson as Vera Bennett, Celia Ireland as Liz Birdsworth, Shareena Clanton as Doreen Anderson,...
- 3/29/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Sigrid Thornton has joined the cast of Wentworth Season 4, which will premiere on Foxtel in 2016.
Thornton is the first actress to have starred in the original Prisoner series to join the cast of Wentworth..
However, rather than reprising her previous character Ros Coulson, she enters the prison as Sonia Stevens - a new character partially inspired by one originally played by Tina Bursill.
Thornton plays a wealthy but self-made dynamo behind a cosmetics empire. .
She comes into the prison on remand, suspected of the murder of a missing woman.
Foxtel head of drama Penny Win said the fourth season continued the series. finely-honed evolution as a world class contemporary drama which proudly forges its own path.
.Having Sigrid Thornton sign on to return behind the walls of Wentworth is a casting dream and a wonderful acknowledgement of the work the writing team has put into the creation of Sonia Stevens...
Thornton is the first actress to have starred in the original Prisoner series to join the cast of Wentworth..
However, rather than reprising her previous character Ros Coulson, she enters the prison as Sonia Stevens - a new character partially inspired by one originally played by Tina Bursill.
Thornton plays a wealthy but self-made dynamo behind a cosmetics empire. .
She comes into the prison on remand, suspected of the murder of a missing woman.
Foxtel head of drama Penny Win said the fourth season continued the series. finely-honed evolution as a world class contemporary drama which proudly forges its own path.
.Having Sigrid Thornton sign on to return behind the walls of Wentworth is a casting dream and a wonderful acknowledgement of the work the writing team has put into the creation of Sonia Stevens...
- 11/5/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The producers of Comedy feature film The Heckler have embraced new Australian on-demand cinema platform tugg.com in a bid get their movie on the big screen..
The new distribution model allows filmmakers to book any cinema, any time as long as there are enough people interested in watching that film at that session. .
The Heckler will now be launched in an initial round of on-demand cinema screenings and the team behind the movies are hoping that positive word-of-mouth fuels more screenings.
Writer/Producer Steve Mitchell said a traditional cinema release required a massive amount of advertising to succeed..
"Films like ours can.t afford that and so we rely solely on word-of-mouth," he said..
"And that takes time to build. By staging one-off event screenings at various locations over a longer period, we.re hoping to build momentum without spending a fortune on marketing..
Anyone can request to .host...
The new distribution model allows filmmakers to book any cinema, any time as long as there are enough people interested in watching that film at that session. .
The Heckler will now be launched in an initial round of on-demand cinema screenings and the team behind the movies are hoping that positive word-of-mouth fuels more screenings.
Writer/Producer Steve Mitchell said a traditional cinema release required a massive amount of advertising to succeed..
"Films like ours can.t afford that and so we rely solely on word-of-mouth," he said..
"And that takes time to build. By staging one-off event screenings at various locations over a longer period, we.re hoping to build momentum without spending a fortune on marketing..
Anyone can request to .host...
- 8/21/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The Ex-pm, a six-part half hour comedy created, written by and starring Shaun Micallef, began filming in Melbourne today. Micallef plays Australia's third longest-serving Prime Minister, Andrew Dugdale. He dined with Presidents and Kings, hosted world summits and changed the lives of millions of his fellow Australians.
But now he's retired, the not-so-elder statesman has far too much time on his hands and no one to waste it on.
The ensemble cast includes Nikki Wendt, Kate Jenkinson, Lucy Honigman, Nicholas Bell, Francis Greenslade, Jackson Tozer, Ming-Zhu Hii and. veteran John Clarke.
Sian Davies (Offspring, Mr & Mrs Murder) directs. Nick Murray (House of Hancock, Stupid Stupid Man), who is producing for Cjz, says: .It.s a rare pleasure with such a great cast and Shaun.s scripts are wonderful..
Micallef says, .I am very much looking forward to stepping in front of the cameras for my new series The Ex-pm. Hopefully...
But now he's retired, the not-so-elder statesman has far too much time on his hands and no one to waste it on.
The ensemble cast includes Nikki Wendt, Kate Jenkinson, Lucy Honigman, Nicholas Bell, Francis Greenslade, Jackson Tozer, Ming-Zhu Hii and. veteran John Clarke.
Sian Davies (Offspring, Mr & Mrs Murder) directs. Nick Murray (House of Hancock, Stupid Stupid Man), who is producing for Cjz, says: .It.s a rare pleasure with such a great cast and Shaun.s scripts are wonderful..
Micallef says, .I am very much looking forward to stepping in front of the cameras for my new series The Ex-pm. Hopefully...
- 6/9/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
The Heckler, an Australian comedy from first-time feature director Ben Plazzer and writer Steve Mitchell, has won the best ensemble award at the La Comedy Festival.
The privately-funded film stars Simon Mallory as Steve, a fame-hungry, self-absorbed stand-up comedian who is on the brink of cracking the big league when he accidentally kills Mike (Cj Fortuna), a heckler and jealous wannabe comic.
Mike.s spirit jumps into Steve.s body and sets out to ruin his reputation by performing disastrous, unfunny stand-up routines. Steve must try to repossess his body before Mike destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame, the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest.
Mallory and Fortuna were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the cast, which includes Kate Jenkinson, Emily Taheny, Tony Martin, Jeff Green, Dave Lawson and Scott Harrison.
Hollywood comedy guru Steve Kaplan, author of The Hidden Tools of Comedy,...
The privately-funded film stars Simon Mallory as Steve, a fame-hungry, self-absorbed stand-up comedian who is on the brink of cracking the big league when he accidentally kills Mike (Cj Fortuna), a heckler and jealous wannabe comic.
Mike.s spirit jumps into Steve.s body and sets out to ruin his reputation by performing disastrous, unfunny stand-up routines. Steve must try to repossess his body before Mike destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame, the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest.
Mallory and Fortuna were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the cast, which includes Kate Jenkinson, Emily Taheny, Tony Martin, Jeff Green, Dave Lawson and Scott Harrison.
Hollywood comedy guru Steve Kaplan, author of The Hidden Tools of Comedy,...
- 12/15/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Former Rgm agents Tracey Silvester and Theresa Huska have launched Independent Management Company with the backing of music and theatre impresario Paul Dainty.
The move marks the biggest shake-up in the talent agency business since Natasha Harrison and Lee-Anne Higgins departed Shanahan Management three years ago and formed United Management with Trish McAskill and Catherine Handley.
More than a dozen Rgm clients have crossed to Independent Management. They include Olivia DeJonge, Sigrid Thornton, Dustin Clare, Rick Donald, Sharni Vinson and Chai Romruen.
Us-born, Perth-raised Devon Terrell, who left Rgm earlier this year, has landed the lead in Codes of Conduct, HBO.s drama pilot from Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave). Terrell, who graduated from Nida last year, is playing a young black man who enters New York high society.
Huska, who had been with Rgm for 10 years, departed in June. She had known Dainty, whom she met via an Rgm client,...
The move marks the biggest shake-up in the talent agency business since Natasha Harrison and Lee-Anne Higgins departed Shanahan Management three years ago and formed United Management with Trish McAskill and Catherine Handley.
More than a dozen Rgm clients have crossed to Independent Management. They include Olivia DeJonge, Sigrid Thornton, Dustin Clare, Rick Donald, Sharni Vinson and Chai Romruen.
Us-born, Perth-raised Devon Terrell, who left Rgm earlier this year, has landed the lead in Codes of Conduct, HBO.s drama pilot from Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave). Terrell, who graduated from Nida last year, is playing a young black man who enters New York high society.
Huska, who had been with Rgm for 10 years, departed in June. She had known Dainty, whom she met via an Rgm client,...
- 10/29/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The body-switch genre gets a novel twist in The Heckler, an Australian comedy from first-time feature director Ben Plazzer and writer Steve Mitchell.
Now in post, the privately-funded film stars Simon Mallory as Steve, a fame-hungry, self-absorbed stand-up comedian. Steve is on the brink of cracking the big league when he accidentally kills Mike (Cj Fortuna), a heckler and jealous wannabe comic.
Mike.s spirit somehow jumps into Steve.s body and sets out to ruin his reputation by performing disastrous, unfunny stand-up routines. Thus Steve must try to repossess his body before Mike destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame, the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest.
Kate Jenkinson plays Steve.s girlfriend, Emily Taheny is his ex and Dave Lawson is a rival comedian.
Odin.s Eye Entertainment.s Michael Favelle has boarded the project and is pitching it to local and international distributors. .Australian comedy...
Now in post, the privately-funded film stars Simon Mallory as Steve, a fame-hungry, self-absorbed stand-up comedian. Steve is on the brink of cracking the big league when he accidentally kills Mike (Cj Fortuna), a heckler and jealous wannabe comic.
Mike.s spirit somehow jumps into Steve.s body and sets out to ruin his reputation by performing disastrous, unfunny stand-up routines. Thus Steve must try to repossess his body before Mike destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame, the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest.
Kate Jenkinson plays Steve.s girlfriend, Emily Taheny is his ex and Dave Lawson is a rival comedian.
Odin.s Eye Entertainment.s Michael Favelle has boarded the project and is pitching it to local and international distributors. .Australian comedy...
- 9/2/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
James Stewart, Kate Jenkinson, Lincoln Younes and Olivia DeJonge will play a family that.s forced to enter a witness protection program in Hiding, an eight-part drama for the ABC.
Created and written by Matt Ford, the Playmaker Media series starts shooting in Sydney on Monday and will later location on the Gold Coast.
Hiding was developed through Screen Australia.s Scribe showrunner development initiative and is backed by Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and Screen Queensland.
Playmaker Media.s David Taylor told If the Scribe program has been so successful, helping to spawn House Husbands (Drew Proffitt), The Code (Shelly Birse) and Love Child (Sarah Lambert), the company will continue to run Scribe sessions, with another to be held later this year.
While the premise of a family forced to move to a strange city is similar to the Us series The Riches, Taylor said Ford got the idea from...
Created and written by Matt Ford, the Playmaker Media series starts shooting in Sydney on Monday and will later location on the Gold Coast.
Hiding was developed through Screen Australia.s Scribe showrunner development initiative and is backed by Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and Screen Queensland.
Playmaker Media.s David Taylor told If the Scribe program has been so successful, helping to spawn House Husbands (Drew Proffitt), The Code (Shelly Birse) and Love Child (Sarah Lambert), the company will continue to run Scribe sessions, with another to be held later this year.
While the premise of a family forced to move to a strange city is similar to the Us series The Riches, Taylor said Ford got the idea from...
- 8/7/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Network: ABC
Episodes: 17 (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 2, 2013 -- February 19, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Rebel Wilson, Liza Lapira, Lauren Ash, Kevin Bishop, and Kate Jenkinson.
TV show description:
This comedy series follows junior attorney Kimmie Boubier (Rebel Wilson) and her two best friends and roommates; Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) and Marika (Lauren Ash). For the past 13 years, they've lived a sheltered life.
Instead of going out on the weekends in New York, they've had a standing date every Friday night to hang out with each other. So while everyone around them is getting married and moving on, all they have is each other and their "Super Fun Night" tradition.
That all starts to change when Kimmie gets a big promotion at her...
Episodes: 17 (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 2, 2013 -- February 19, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Rebel Wilson, Liza Lapira, Lauren Ash, Kevin Bishop, and Kate Jenkinson.
TV show description:
This comedy series follows junior attorney Kimmie Boubier (Rebel Wilson) and her two best friends and roommates; Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) and Marika (Lauren Ash). For the past 13 years, they've lived a sheltered life.
Instead of going out on the weekends in New York, they've had a standing date every Friday night to hang out with each other. So while everyone around them is getting married and moving on, all they have is each other and their "Super Fun Night" tradition.
That all starts to change when Kimmie gets a big promotion at her...
- 5/10/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
The broadcast Upfronts are coming next week, that time of year when TV fans find out, for certain, which broadcast shows are canceled. A good time to reflect on your own viewing habits.
My confession: I’ll be sad when Rebel Wilson’s Super Fun Night is inevitably no more and the ABC press site removes the pity “None available. Check back soon” message from where photos, videos, and press releases promoting upcoming episodes should be. Not devastated, but mildly disappointed.
Like most people, I wasn’t a fan of the pilot. But due to a DVR glitch that rendered...
My confession: I’ll be sad when Rebel Wilson’s Super Fun Night is inevitably no more and the ABC press site removes the pity “None available. Check back soon” message from where photos, videos, and press releases promoting upcoming episodes should be. Not devastated, but mildly disappointed.
Like most people, I wasn’t a fan of the pilot. But due to a DVR glitch that rendered...
- 5/6/2014
- by Mandi Bierly
- EW.com - PopWatch
Never has there been a sitcom as confusing as "Super Fun Night." Ok, that's probably an exaggeration, but what a frustrating show this was in its first (and likely only) season, which wrapped on Wednesday (Feb. 19).
When the Rebel Wilson-created sitcom premiered on ABC this fall, it seemed like such a wasted opportunity. Fresh off "Bridesmaids" and "Pitch Perfect," Wilson's star was white-hot, so a sitcom built around her brand of comedy felt like a sure-fire hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
First, there was the issue of Wilson insisting on making her character, lawyer Kimmie Boubier, an American, forcing the actress to rely on a shaky accent. Why couldn't Kimmie just be Australian? Who knows.
Then there was the plot of the show. Originally about Kimmie and two best friends Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) and Marika (Lauren Ash) embarking on a new fun night out each week in the hopes...
When the Rebel Wilson-created sitcom premiered on ABC this fall, it seemed like such a wasted opportunity. Fresh off "Bridesmaids" and "Pitch Perfect," Wilson's star was white-hot, so a sitcom built around her brand of comedy felt like a sure-fire hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
First, there was the issue of Wilson insisting on making her character, lawyer Kimmie Boubier, an American, forcing the actress to rely on a shaky accent. Why couldn't Kimmie just be Australian? Who knows.
Then there was the plot of the show. Originally about Kimmie and two best friends Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) and Marika (Lauren Ash) embarking on a new fun night out each week in the hopes...
- 2/20/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Fred Armisen is about to have a super fun night.
The "Saturday Night Live" alum and "Portlandia" star is heading to Rebel Wilson's comedy "Super Fun Night," EW reports. Armisen will guest star in an upcoming episode as Brian Headfoot, the exasperated head of Hr at the law firm where Wilson's Kimmie works.
In the episode, Brian is called in to broker a truce between feuding Kimmie (Wilson) and Kendall (Kate Jenkinson).
The episode is set to air early 2014 on ABC.
The "Saturday Night Live" alum and "Portlandia" star is heading to Rebel Wilson's comedy "Super Fun Night," EW reports. Armisen will guest star in an upcoming episode as Brian Headfoot, the exasperated head of Hr at the law firm where Wilson's Kimmie works.
In the episode, Brian is called in to broker a truce between feuding Kimmie (Wilson) and Kendall (Kate Jenkinson).
The episode is set to air early 2014 on ABC.
- 11/16/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
This Super Fun Night casting is, frankly, super fun.
EW has learned exclusively that Saturday Night Live alum Fred Armisen has signed up to guest star in an upcoming episode of Rebel Wilson sitcom Super Fun Night. The Portlandia star will reportedly play a character named Brian Headfoot, the exasperated head of Hr at the law firm where Wilson’s Kimmie works. In the episode, his character is called in to broker a truce between feuding Kimmie and Kendall (Kate Jenkinson).
The episode is set to air early 2014 on ABC.
Armisen is not the first SNL alum to guest on the Wednesday night comedy.
EW has learned exclusively that Saturday Night Live alum Fred Armisen has signed up to guest star in an upcoming episode of Rebel Wilson sitcom Super Fun Night. The Portlandia star will reportedly play a character named Brian Headfoot, the exasperated head of Hr at the law firm where Wilson’s Kimmie works. In the episode, his character is called in to broker a truce between feuding Kimmie and Kendall (Kate Jenkinson).
The episode is set to air early 2014 on ABC.
Armisen is not the first SNL alum to guest on the Wednesday night comedy.
- 11/15/2013
- by Sandra Gonzalez
- EW - Inside TV
Back in the Game, Season 1, Episode 2, “Stay In or Bail Out”
Directed by Eric Appel
Written by Warren Lieberstein
Airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm Est on ABC
Following its awkward pilot last week, Back in the Game continues to struggle with establishing the format of the show. Although “Stay In or Bail Out” successfully moves the characters forward, it fails to show the audience how the show will operate each week. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just means the audience can’t fully decide whether the show is worth investing time in yet.
Back in the Game has a very interesting premise, and with two polar opposites working together, the show should provide some laughs, but at the moment this is something it’s failing to do. Although the show appears to be about kids playing baseball, Back in the Game actually focuses on a strong female...
Directed by Eric Appel
Written by Warren Lieberstein
Airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm Est on ABC
Following its awkward pilot last week, Back in the Game continues to struggle with establishing the format of the show. Although “Stay In or Bail Out” successfully moves the characters forward, it fails to show the audience how the show will operate each week. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just means the audience can’t fully decide whether the show is worth investing time in yet.
Back in the Game has a very interesting premise, and with two polar opposites working together, the show should provide some laughs, but at the moment this is something it’s failing to do. Although the show appears to be about kids playing baseball, Back in the Game actually focuses on a strong female...
- 10/3/2013
- by Catstello
- SoundOnSight
Will you join Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) and her merry band of misfits for a Super Fun Night every Wednesday (at 9:30/8:30c)?
Super Fun Night follows Kimmie (Wilson) and her two best friends Marika (Lauren Ash, Scare Tactics) and Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23) as they try to turn their weekly girls’ night in into a raucous girls’ night out. Most of the comedy comes from the gals’ overwhelming awkwardness and inability to fit in.
Photos | Fall TV Spoiler Spectacular: Scoop on Modern Family and 44 Other Returning Faves
Australian comedienne Wilson...
Super Fun Night follows Kimmie (Wilson) and her two best friends Marika (Lauren Ash, Scare Tactics) and Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23) as they try to turn their weekly girls’ night in into a raucous girls’ night out. Most of the comedy comes from the gals’ overwhelming awkwardness and inability to fit in.
Photos | Fall TV Spoiler Spectacular: Scoop on Modern Family and 44 Other Returning Faves
Australian comedienne Wilson...
- 10/3/2013
- by Misha Solomon
- TVLine.com
Did you love Pitch Perfect? Did you leave Bridesmaids wondering who that Australian chick was? Then you will love Super Fun Night — which is to say, if you weren’t in the Rebel Wilson fan club before, the ABC comedy won’t change your mind.
As Kimmie Boubier, Wilson is the same charmingly goofy funnywoman she’s been in her past roles. This time, she’s a junior attorney in New York who, after a big promotion, is inspired to trade her Friday nights in with best friends Marika (Lauren Ash) and Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) for exciting new adventures — or at least a piano-bar outing.
As Kimmie Boubier, Wilson is the same charmingly goofy funnywoman she’s been in her past roles. This time, she’s a junior attorney in New York who, after a big promotion, is inspired to trade her Friday nights in with best friends Marika (Lauren Ash) and Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) for exciting new adventures — or at least a piano-bar outing.
- 10/3/2013
- by Katie Atkinson
- EW.com - PopWatch
Now that you’ve gotten a chance to see ABC’s ‘Super Fun Night,’ give us your review!
We loved Rebel Wilson in Bridesmaids, we loved her in Pitch Perfect and we loved her as the host of the 2013 MTV Movie Awards. As far as her new ABC sitcom Super Fun Night is concerned, however, we only like her — at least based on the Oct. 2 series premiere – but we’re leaving room to upgrade that to love as the weeks go on.
On paper, Super Fun Night should be a golden half hour of TV, capitalizing on Rebel’s supreme awkwardness, which she’s gotten down to a science at this point. Her goofy lawyer character Kimmie has always been a homebody — along with her two friends, Marika (Lauren Ash) and Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) — but when her new promotion forces her out of the house, she and her friends vow...
We loved Rebel Wilson in Bridesmaids, we loved her in Pitch Perfect and we loved her as the host of the 2013 MTV Movie Awards. As far as her new ABC sitcom Super Fun Night is concerned, however, we only like her — at least based on the Oct. 2 series premiere – but we’re leaving room to upgrade that to love as the weeks go on.
On paper, Super Fun Night should be a golden half hour of TV, capitalizing on Rebel’s supreme awkwardness, which she’s gotten down to a science at this point. Her goofy lawyer character Kimmie has always been a homebody — along with her two friends, Marika (Lauren Ash) and Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) — but when her new promotion forces her out of the house, she and her friends vow...
- 10/3/2013
- by Andy Swift
- HollywoodLife
Rebel Wilson is a hilarious actress. The star of a new comedy, "Super Fun Night," was incredible in "Pitch Perfect" and beautifully insane at the MTV Movie Awards. A sitcom should be a slam dunk after that, right?
Unfortunately, episodic comedy is harder than you'd think. "Super Fun Night" is thus not quite what we might want.
But ...
Here's the thing: This is a good show. It's funny, it's weird and it makes heroes out of the kinds of women usually shoved to the side in popular entertainment. Basically, "Super Fun Night" is everything that an intelligent -- but socially insecure -- person who also enjoyed "Bridesmaids" would like.
It's just that Rebel Wilson is so very funny that we expect a glorious cavalcade of laughs in every second. When "Super Fun Night" delivers such hilarity only every few minutes, it feels like a letdown.
But how many comedies can really do better?...
Unfortunately, episodic comedy is harder than you'd think. "Super Fun Night" is thus not quite what we might want.
But ...
Here's the thing: This is a good show. It's funny, it's weird and it makes heroes out of the kinds of women usually shoved to the side in popular entertainment. Basically, "Super Fun Night" is everything that an intelligent -- but socially insecure -- person who also enjoyed "Bridesmaids" would like.
It's just that Rebel Wilson is so very funny that we expect a glorious cavalcade of laughs in every second. When "Super Fun Night" delivers such hilarity only every few minutes, it feels like a letdown.
But how many comedies can really do better?...
- 10/2/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Super Fun Night may come across as a rather shameless effort to capitalize on Rebel Wilson‘s popularity, and there’s a pretty good reason for that. After a string of Australian comedies, Wilson rocketed to her unique place in the collective consciousness with her roles in Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect (and to a lesser extent, the under-appreciated Bachelorette). It’s only by a curious twist, and possibly the advice of marketing gurus, that this isn’t called “The Rebel Wilson Show,” and that’s probably the first place to look when you want to know why this show doesn’t have the strengths it needs to get anywhere.
The show revolves around Kimmie Boubier (Wilson) and her two best friends, and their 13-year tradition of hanging together on Friday nights for their “Super Fun Nights.” Somewhat… socially-challenged… let’s say, the crew find themselves moving into later portions of...
The show revolves around Kimmie Boubier (Wilson) and her two best friends, and their 13-year tradition of hanging together on Friday nights for their “Super Fun Nights.” Somewhat… socially-challenged… let’s say, the crew find themselves moving into later portions of...
- 10/2/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Chicago – It seems logical that Rebel Wilson, the scene-stealer from “Pitch Perfect” and “Bridesmaids,” would get her own sitcom. Logical, yes. A good idea, maybe not. Wilson’s “Super Fun Night,” premiering this evening on ABC at 8:30pm Cst after “Modern Family,” is not yet super and not too much fun to start.
It’s “Mediocre Diversion Night.” Certainly better than “The Crazy Ones” or “Dads” in the race for worst new sitcom but lacks the cast chemistry and smart writing that elevates the best sitcoms.
Television Rating: 2.0/5.0
I know a lot of colleagues who absolutely hated the premiere of “Super Fun Night.” I’m more indifferent to it but I get why people would be turned off completely more than I could see anyone falling in love with Wilson’s outrageous act, one that really won’t fit well with “Modern Family.” It’s a bit too abrasive...
It’s “Mediocre Diversion Night.” Certainly better than “The Crazy Ones” or “Dads” in the race for worst new sitcom but lacks the cast chemistry and smart writing that elevates the best sitcoms.
Television Rating: 2.0/5.0
I know a lot of colleagues who absolutely hated the premiere of “Super Fun Night.” I’m more indifferent to it but I get why people would be turned off completely more than I could see anyone falling in love with Wilson’s outrageous act, one that really won’t fit well with “Modern Family.” It’s a bit too abrasive...
- 10/2/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
A pair of new comedies for the fall -- ABC's "Super Fun Night" and CBS' "The Millers" -- are doing some recasting.
"Super Fun Night," created by and starring Rebel Wilson, has added Kate Jenkinson to its cast. Deadline reports she'll replace Kelen Coleman, who will remain in the pilot but be written out afterward.
Jenkinson and Wilson worked together on a pair of comedy series in their native Australia.
"The Millers," meanwhile, has added Nelson Franklin ("New Girl," "Traffic Light") to its cast. He'll play lead character Nathan Miller's (Will Arnett) brother-in-law; Michael Rapaport played the role in the original pilot.
More TV news and notes:
- HBO has picked up the comedy series "Togetherness" for eight episodes. It's about a couple (Mark Duplass, Melanie Lynskey), her sister (Amanda Peet) and his friend (Steve Zissis) all living together. Duplass and brother Jay Duplass created the show. [Deadline]
- NBC-owned stations,...
"Super Fun Night," created by and starring Rebel Wilson, has added Kate Jenkinson to its cast. Deadline reports she'll replace Kelen Coleman, who will remain in the pilot but be written out afterward.
Jenkinson and Wilson worked together on a pair of comedy series in their native Australia.
"The Millers," meanwhile, has added Nelson Franklin ("New Girl," "Traffic Light") to its cast. He'll play lead character Nathan Miller's (Will Arnett) brother-in-law; Michael Rapaport played the role in the original pilot.
More TV news and notes:
- HBO has picked up the comedy series "Togetherness" for eight episodes. It's about a couple (Mark Duplass, Melanie Lynskey), her sister (Amanda Peet) and his friend (Steve Zissis) all living together. Duplass and brother Jay Duplass created the show. [Deadline]
- NBC-owned stations,...
- 7/17/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Jayma Mays now has a husband on CBS’ The Millers, and he looks like New Girl alum Nelson Franklin.
Related | Fall TV Preview: TVLine’s Snapshot Guide to All the New Shows
Just as Glee‘s Mays replaced Mary Elizabeth Ellis in the role of Will Arnett’s TV sister, Franklin is taking over for Michael Rapaport.
Margo Martindale and Beau Bridges play quarreling parents to Arnett and Mays.
Related | Fall TV First Impression: ABC’s Super Fun Night
Meanwhile over on ABC’s Super Fun Night — and also per our sister site Deadline – Kate Jenkinson will reunite with sitcom lead Rebel Wilson,...
Related | Fall TV Preview: TVLine’s Snapshot Guide to All the New Shows
Just as Glee‘s Mays replaced Mary Elizabeth Ellis in the role of Will Arnett’s TV sister, Franklin is taking over for Michael Rapaport.
Margo Martindale and Beau Bridges play quarreling parents to Arnett and Mays.
Related | Fall TV First Impression: ABC’s Super Fun Night
Meanwhile over on ABC’s Super Fun Night — and also per our sister site Deadline – Kate Jenkinson will reunite with sitcom lead Rebel Wilson,...
- 7/17/2013
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Rebel Wilson will be joined by fellow Australian Kate Jenkinson on WB TV, ABC, and Conoco’s Super Fun Night, reuniting the actresses who previously starred together on Aussie sketch comedy series The Wedge and Bogan Pride. Jenkinson (Offspring, Killing Time, House Husbands) is joining the show as Kendall, a neurotic Type A lawyer idolized by Wilson’s Kimmie. The role is a version of the Felicity character played by Pitch Perfect‘s Anna Camp in the initial multi-camera CBS pilot, and later by Kelen Coleman in ABC’s retooled single-camera version. Jenkinson’s Kendall will join the show in its second episode; Coleman’s Felicity character will not be returning to the series after the pilot. Wilson created, stars, and co-executive produces the half-hour comedy about three nerdy twentysomething women on a quest to have fun every Friday night. Conan O’Brien is exec producing Super Fun Night...
- 7/17/2013
- by JEN YAMATO
- Deadline TV
Australians in Film President Andrew Warne has announced the fifteen finalists for the 2013 Heath Ledger Scholarship. The Scholarship is named after Oscar-winning Australian actor Heath Ledger, who tragically passed away in January 2008, and has the full support of the Ledger family and friends. Of the final fifteen, an esteemed panel will choose one winner and two runners-up, who will be announced in Los Angeles on June 12. The overall winner will received Usd$10,000 in cash, a return ticket to Los Angeles, a one-year Scholarship to Stella Adler Acting School in La, a trip around California for two a Showcast & Breakdown Services VIP casting package and $5000 worth of visa and immigration services. The runners up will round-trip ticket to Los Angeles plus a Showcast VIP casting package. The 2013 finalists are: Hannah Barlow, Elizabeth Blackmore (Home & Away), Laura Brent, David Coussins, Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues), Georgia Flood (Wentworth & House Husbands), Geraldine Hakewill, Andrew Hazzard (Home & Away), Will Howarth,...
- 5/14/2013
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Channel Seven has picked up Fremantle Media’s drama Killing Time. The 10-part series starring David Wenham previously ran on Foxtel’s TV1.The announcement:
Channel Seven will soon air the award-winning crime drama Killing Time, starring David Wenham.
Killing Time is the true story of the rise and fall of notorious Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Andrew Fraser. His clients ranged from accused cop killers to the rich and famous including international businessman Alan Bond.
At the top of his game, Fraser commanded a huge salary and lived the dream. But when his cocaine addiction spiralled into a thousand dollar-a-day habit, his judgment became unsound and he crossed the line into the criminal milieu. He was disbarred, discredited, broken financially and his marriage was destroyed.
Caged amongst serial killers and psychopaths, Fraser is forced to reflect on where it all went so wrong, and try to salvage his shattered reputation.
Channel Seven will soon air the award-winning crime drama Killing Time, starring David Wenham.
Killing Time is the true story of the rise and fall of notorious Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Andrew Fraser. His clients ranged from accused cop killers to the rich and famous including international businessman Alan Bond.
At the top of his game, Fraser commanded a huge salary and lived the dream. But when his cocaine addiction spiralled into a thousand dollar-a-day habit, his judgment became unsound and he crossed the line into the criminal milieu. He was disbarred, discredited, broken financially and his marriage was destroyed.
Caged amongst serial killers and psychopaths, Fraser is forced to reflect on where it all went so wrong, and try to salvage his shattered reputation.
- 9/11/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
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