🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <31f02c67.2756796@news.mel.aone.net.au> douglas.buckser@acslink.aone.net.au (doug buckser) writes:
>>3. Border Town.
>>4. Funky Squad.

>Yes, I'd forgotten about both of these shows.  Based on their very
>good reviews in the Age, I watched the first two episodes, then
>stopped.  Border Town had admirable social ideals, but the production
>and scripts were not up to scratch. 

I agree somewhat.

> And Funky Squad was simply a self-amusing exercise by the Frontline staff.

True, but it still amused and entertained.

>>If I am not mistaken there have also be new episodes of programs like GP and 
>>Frontline.

>It's my understanding that GP will be cancelled at the end of this
>year and Frontline will not appear until next year.

Yes, but are they not being replaced by other shows ?

>>How many shows have been prduced by the other stations, that require acting ?

>Just off the top of my head, I'll can think of Water Rats and Halifax
>FP. 

Two ! And what sort of funds did they have at their disposal ?

> This doesn't include the myriad of soapies and information
>presentation shows (e.g., houses, money).

I did say "that require acting".

>>
>>As well as major contributions in the production and screening of some great 
>>docos such as The War on Drugs, which is not something any of the commercial 
>>stations would have the balls to show.

>If we look at the high-profile ABC shows, they don't appear to have
>performed well in recent years (e.g., Four Corners) and are simple
>copies of American shows (e.g., Lateline copies Nightline).

Four Corners has been a bit down, but I would not call it a copy of an 
American show. Still there is still the odd brilliant one.

>  I'm
>struggling to think of news that the ABC has broken this year.

Has this go anything to do with their time slot ? I think so. What is more 
important is the type and style of coverage that they produce.

>>I am not sure of how great these shows  commercial successes are, but if we 
>>don't foster the development of local shows we are neither making a prudent 
>>commercial decision or a cultural one.

>If the local shows which are produced are of the quality of After the
>Beep, Border Town, Mercury, et cetera, then I'm not convinced that
>it's either a worthy cultural or commercial exercise.

Firstly, you forget the huge contribution the ABC makes to young children's 
viewing, which is generally not commercially viable. (It is better to throw 
something copraphilous at their parents), like "The Bold and the Beautiful".

>>Perhaps the quality of these shows do not match your standards because they 
>>already do not have enough funds.

>It's my understanding that the ABC receives over $500,000,000 each
>year.  If it needs even more money than this to create some decent
>shows, then I would think that there is a serious management and staff
>problem.

I feel I get my money's worth. Even if I didn't, I would still like Howard to 
keep his dirty paws off.

Cheers
IW

>Doug

>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>"If I was ever through with my life, I'd like to go out in style,
>taking as many deserving individuals as possible with me.
>Maybe I'd join some terrorist organization and volunteer to use
>their 'suicide bomb.'   Of course, I'd want to 'say goodbye' to
>the whole group just before I left the hideout for the target."
>      -- Bob O`Bob

>douglas.buckser@acslink.aone.net.au