🚀 go-pugleaf

G'day Ian,

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

>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.

>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.  This doesn't include the myriad of soapies and information
presentation shows (e.g., houses, money).
>
>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).  I'm
struggling to think of news that the ABC has broken this year.

>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.

>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.

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