Throng

8:30pm - Tuesday, August 31 on TV 3

Aaron (Wesley Dowdell) goes all out when he learns Munter's (Tammy Davis) shameful secret in this week's unmissable Outrageous Fortune, screening on Tuesday, August 31st at 8:30pm on 3.

Outrageous Fortune's sixth season has more then ever seen the evolution of Aaron Spiller. From a wannabe Nazi to a sensitive, generous character, over the last couple of season's Aaron has become an integral part of the Outrageous Fortune family.

"When Aaron first arrived into the Wests' lives he was this arsehole Nazi boy who tried to kill Falani," remembers Dowdell about his character's early days. "Every season has seen Aaron grow that little bit more and edge his way into the West family."

8:30pm - Tuesday, August 10 on TV 3

The man behind Outrageous Fortune and Stolen: The Baby Kahu Story is stepping in front of the camera when he guest stars in the week's Outrageous Fortune, screening Tuesday, August 10th at 8:30pm on 3.

Tim Balme is the currently Head of Development at South Pacific Pictures, he has also worked as a storyliner and script writer on five seasons of Outrageous Fortune, and now he is joining his Outrageous Fortune cast when he appears in an explosive guest role.

"He's made a lot of money through dodgy dealings and - like so often is the case - partied most of his ill gotten gains up his nose," Balme explains about his Outrageous Fortune character Quentin Bates.

Panic at Rock Island, a new Australian telemovie that began production in Sydney today includes two faces familiar to kiwi viewers: Grant Bowler (Outrageous Fortune, Lost, True Blood, Ugly Betty) and Anna Hutchison (Shortland Street, Go Girls, Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities).

Set on a spectacular island in Sydney Harbour, Panic At Rock Island tells the story of a hot summer’s day when a lineup of top acts play for music fans from around the world. It’s all idyllic until unimaginable disaster strikes when a deadly virus is discovered on the island. Its symptoms are shocking and it brings swift and painful death.

Panic at Rock Island will air in Australia later in the year.  No New Zealand air date is known at present.

After a three-year hiatus, Outrageous Fortune star Robyn Malcolm returns to the stage to celebrate this thing we called life in Silo Theatre’s production of Samuel Beckett’s classic HAPPY DAYS, opening at the Herald Theatre on August 20.

Amidst blazing light and scorched grass, Winnie is half-buried in a mound. Still she greets each day with a smile, rummaging around in her handbag, applying makeup, brushing her teeth and nattering away to her husband.

She’s always got a loaded revolver stashed away should it all get too much. Hers might not be the ideal life, but should a happy day come her way she’ll seize it with both hands. Buried slowly beneath the mire of an indifferent universe, Winnie offers the bravest response possible. She persists.

Lawless to reprise role

Kiwi actress Lucy Lawless will reprise her role in the upcoming sequel series to Spartacus: Blood and Sand. The American swords and sandals series, which films in New Zealand, will shoot a six-part second series with Aussie actor Dustin Clare (Underbelly, Satisfaction) in the lead role.

Outrageous adaptation struggles

The American adaptation of treasured Kiwi drama series Outrageous Fortune is slipping in the ratings during its first season run in the US. Scoundrels, which follows a family similar to the Wests, is struggling in its summer slot and was down a further 13% this week.

It may be the case when you're watching a reality TV show that you can watch and surf the internet at the same time.  When it comes to drama though, it appears to be a different story.

TradeMe is blaming a 16% dip in traffic to Outrageous Fortune's incredible ratings on Tuesday night.  Of course, it may have all gone to Facebook and Twitter as everyone discussed the episode as it happened but some are suggesting it was simply the pull from old media.

Last night's season premiere of Outrageous Fortune not only delivered TV3 the biggest audience of the night, but their biggest audience ever.*

The show drew an average audience of 711,570 viewers, with a 17.7 rating in the 5+ and a 38.2% share.  Previously, TV3's record was held by CSI, with a 16.3 rating on the 30th of May, 2004.

It was only the 23rd time that TV3 have won a day with the single most watched show.

*Ratings data was only available from 1995.