C4's blog

Wednesday, December 22nd at 8:30pm 

A self-made millionaire decides to join his only son who is having difficulty in fitting in at school as a freshman in college. This impulse gesture sets him on a path to much laughter, a little romance, a lesson in things that money can’t buy, and unanimous acclaim as the most popular man on campus. Starring Rodney Dangerfield, Keith Gordon, and Burt Young. (1986)

Tuesday, December 21st at 7:30pm

From the masterminds behind The Office comes a new mockumentary series following the not-so-glamorous lives of local government workers in Pawnee, Indiana, in C4’s brand new series Parks and Recreation, premiering on Tuesday, December 21st at 7:30pm on C4.

Parks and Recreation stars Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live) as a mid-level bureaucrat who tries to beautify her town – and advance her political career – via the hilariously mundane world of local government. 

When series creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur were trying to decide on a location in which to set the series, they struggled to find the perfect state. After eliminating the soaring mountains of Idaho and Montana, because the scenery couldn’t be re-created in Southern California, they turned their attention to the Midwest.

“What we really wanted was a state or a location that didn’t skew the audience in a particular direction,” Michael Schur explains.

“Obama was from Illinois, and Michigan was the car industry, which was struggling. Even Ohio had a big election kerfuffle. Indiana just seemed like a state in America that doesn’t make people think in any particular direction.”

They settled on the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, as the hometown of enthusiastic local-government official Leslie Knope, whose optimism about effecting change within Pawnee’s parks and recreation department stands in direct contrast to the attitudes of her co-workers and supervisor. 

“Cynicism will always be the evil that lurks around the corner for her,” says Poehler, who is also a producer on the show.

Although both Daniels and Schur serve as executive producers on The Office, and both The Office and Parks and Recreation use mockumentary style storytelling, the creators explains that  Parks and Recreation is entirely it’s own entity. 

“We look at mockumentary as a genre,” Schur says. “No one ever even noted the fact that there used to be 27 multi-camera shows on. It’s just a storytelling device.”

In fact, the pair considered several other ideas in other formats and decided the flexibility of the mockumentary would benefit the production.

“It makes production very actor-friendly in that we’re not that fussy about lighting, it’s all hand-held. So most of our day is spent actually performing, and that allows the actors to improvise,” Daniels explains.

Don’t miss Parks and Recreation when the series premieres on Tuesday, December 21st at 7:30pm on C4.

Sunday, December 19th at 8:30pm 

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the shower! The terror returns when a runaway nun with the same initials as Marion Crane seeks refuge in the Bates Motel, only to trigger Norman’s killer instinct. Starring Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, Roberta Maxwell, and Anthony Perkins. (1986)

Coinciding with the launch of FOUR in early 2011, C4 will replace C42 on the Freeview platform.

C4 will go back to its roots, playing a broad, cross-section of music and continuing its policy to play at least 30 percent Kiwi content.

Key C4 music shows like Video Hits, Homegrown and Biggest Records Right Now will remain in the schedule, and a new music show hosted by Drew Neemia and Shannon Ryan will launch on FOUR in the new year, which will re-broadcast on C4 each night in the primetime slot of 7.30pm-9.00pm.

Andrew Szusterman, Network Executive says:  “Bringing C4 back to solely a music brand is a great result for music lovers.  Fans of C42 will still be able to see their favourite alternative music videos as C42 will become a show itself on the channel.”

The final changeover date for the channel will be announced in the coming weeks.

10:30pm Friday, November 19 on C4

Four egocentric friends who run a neighbourhood Irish pub in Philadelphia try to find their way through the adult world of work and relationships. Unfortunately, their warped views and bad judgments often lead them to trouble.

Tonight: ‘The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis’. Mac, Dennis, and Charlie invest in barrels of gasoline… and sell them door to door.

9:30pm Friday, November 19 on C4

Following tonight’s ‘The X Factor Australia’ over on 3, hosted by Natalie Garonzi, The Xtra Factor features exclusive clips of the contestants, their sound checks, and interviews with the latest evicted acts.

8:50pm Friday, November 19 on C4

Daring to push the boundaries of good taste to entertain, a host introduces brand new comedic talent and challenges them to attempt a multitude of daring, and sometimes dangerous tasks in order to find out who has the biggest ‘Balls of Steel’.

Tonight: The Annoying Devil stays at home for the day and spends his time winding up delivery men. Final.

10:25pm Thursday, November 18 on C4

Brand new to C4, GT Academy sees 19 Gran Turismo enthusiasts compete for the chance to become a real racing driver.

9:30pm Thursday, November 18 on C4

Cops takes you to the streets to witness real police in action as they confront the crime gripping American cities and comfort the victims of violence.

8:30pm Thursday, November 18 on C4

Following tonight’s ‘The X Factor Australia’ over on 3, hosted by Natalie Garonzi, The Xtra Factor features exclusive clips of the contestants, their sound checks, and interviews with the latest evicted acts.