Dancing with the stars

In 2009, TVNZ still managed to turn a profit which, it has to be said, is a fairly praiseworthy achievement in the current environment.  But what about 2010?  What is TVNZ banking on that will return another dividend?

As revenue is directly related to ratings, it has been interesting to watch TVNZ deliberately remove what one would have expected to have been two of the most watched events of 2010.  Firstly, the 2010 Dehli Commonwealth Games, which they had the rights to but decided that the income would not have justified the expense.  Secondly, Tuesday nights Jason Gunn extravaganza Dancing with the Stars.

While the screening of these offers enormous revenue opportunities independently, they also provide TVNZ with lead ins to other shows and the ability to promote other TVNZ content.  So what do they have in store instead?  Are there any major television events that will reach the same audience and achieve a better result?

The only thing that has any potential may be Masterchef New Zealand.  The Australian version did incredibly well in Australia and has proved a worthy show for the pre One News time slot but when would it air here?  If it follows a similar format, where could it fit in the schedule?  Would it find space on TV One?  Would the pre-news time slot deliver enough audience to justify the expense?

In a few days, TVNZ announce their line up for 2010 and I for one am incredibly intrigued to see just what they have lined up to deliver another profit.

TVNZ has decided against commissioning a production of Dancing With The Stars in 2010.

The decision has been made, reluctantly, because the current market conditions do not support such an expensive show.

Despite its huge popularity the cost of mounting the multi-million dollar, BBC-format production has made Dancing With The Stars a very marginal venture for TVNZ – even in strong market conditions.

In a recessionary environment the network can no longer absorb losses made by big-budget productions.

TVNZ is treating the decision as a ‘rest’ for the programme, and will re-evaluate the situation for the following year.

If market conditions have improved significantly, TVNZ will look to re-establish the show in 2011.

Provisional amounts have shown that $433,053.81 was raised for charity this year in TV ONE’s hit show Dancing With The Stars.

Dancing With The Stars winner Tamati Coffey’s chosen charity, Rainbow Youth, will receive a record amount from the series, $259,990.79. UpsideDowns Education Trust, the charity represented by 2009 series runner-up Barbara Kendall, will receive $99,009.02 and semi-finalist Josh Kronfeld’s charity, Koru Care Otago, will receive $37,276.01.

Geraldine Brophy’s charity, Arthritis New Zealand, will receive $24,795.53; Rebecca Hobbs’ New Zealand Spinal Trust $6,664.74; Chris Hobbs’ Ronald McDonald House $3,256.69; John Rowles’ Project Hope Foundation 1,425.81; and Lizzy Igasan’s Go Red For Women (The National Heart Foundation of NZ) $635.22.

The money was collected through the public-vote mechanism in Dancing With The Stars.*

Jeff Latch, TVNZ Head of Television, says “Dancing With The Stars has once again shown its ability to appeal to New Zealanders of all ages, and Kiwis have shown their willingness to support celebrities raising money for their chosen charities, even in challenging times.

“In its fifth year, Dancing With The Stars continues to be a success. We’d like to thank all those involved in the show for their incredible commitment and enthusiasm, everyone who watched the series, and all those who voted.”

Dancing With The Stars has now raised more than $1.75 million for New Zealand charities.

Dancing With The Stars is a BBC Worldwide format.

* After telecommunications and service provider charges are taken out of the cost of voting, all remaining money goes to the contestants’ nominated charities. Neither TVNZ nor BBC Worldwide retains any money from the viewers’ votes. The text and phone votes are tallied up by an independent service aggregator company, not TVNZ or the series producers. The voting system is based on the international format for Dancing With The Stars, and combines 50 per cent of the judges’ vote and 50 per cent of the viewers’ vote to give the final result.

In Brief

• The Samoan Government will sue TVNZ over a ONE News item about gun running and drugs in Samoa.
• There’s plenty more Tony Veitch saga analysis and letters to the editor, if you’re still interested.
• Sunday Star Times interviews Brendan Telfer, now home from hospital, a month after collapsing with a brain haemorrhage.  He’s hopeful he’ll make a full recovery.
• Petition to get Samantha Hayes to dye her hair red again.
• Shane Cortese (Outrageous Fortune) is starring in Cats, the musical, which starts in June in Auckland.
• Sale St bar in Auckland has created a Susan Boyle cocktail.  It costs $16 and contains vodka, wild strawberry and sour rhubarb liqueurs, blossom water, cranberry juice and mixed berries.

Dancing with the Stars

Tamati Coffey talks to Sunday News about his grandparents, ANZAC day and being gay:

“I’ve been out to my family and friends and everybody that knows me.  It’s never been a secret.  I came out when I was about 15 and I have never, ever hid that.”

Spy says: “Rumours from behind the scenes at Dancing with the Stars… suggest not all was as hunky dory as suggested.  In fact, I could have sliced the air with a knife when I spoke with one precious lovely about an alleged encounter with the spouse of someone on the show.  Rumour has it said spouse plucked up the courage to articulate certain anguishes at the celebratory after-party on Tuesday night, and this did not go down well with the lovely. Allegations in public of hanky panky are no good for the image.  Her response to me: ‘It was all a storm in a tea-cup, really.’”

TV Highlights this week

Stars in their Eyes is back for a second season.  This time the public can vote!  The 45 contestants include a caravan-park resident, a paramedic, a man who calls himself “the Billy Elliot of Rangiora”.  Producers promise a lot more talent in this second season and more modern artists.

Trading Houses mixes reality shows “Wife Swap” and “Changing Rooms” and asks “would you swap your spouse for a better house?”.  Two wives trade husbands and houses for four days while they do up two rooms in the other’s house with a $10,000 budget.  In the first episode well-known record producer Tracy Magan swaps with Manurewa mum Carmel Williams.

Sonny with a Chance starts tomorrow on Disney Channel.  Star Demi Lovato (16) is said to be the next Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana.  She plays an ordinary girl whose home-made internet videos win her TV fame on a kids’ comedy show.  She has her own album out, “Don’t Forget”.

TV Developments

• Coronation Street may be sold to an independent production company to cut costs.
• Flight of the Conchords may be made into a movie.
• Chuck may be cancelled.
• Sonia Grey is returning to work at Wheel of Fortune earlier than expected, only a month after giving birth.
• On May 24, Juice TV will try and beat the world record for the number of people strumming a song.  They’ve chosen “Why Does Love Do This to Me?”.  The record to beat is 1951 Polish guitarists playing “Hey Joe” (Jimi Hendrix).

Blind items

“Which newsreader has been described on a website by an Old Friend as “like Hitler”?”

Interviews

There’s an interview with Ricky Gervais in the Herald on Sunday talking about immortality, his work with Steve Merchant and his latest project, directing for “This Side of the Truth”.  Gervais says: “I do this for the fun, for the creative process, not to see my fat face on the telly.  It’s about bringing something into the world.  All my DNA is in the work that I’ve done.”

Dominic Monaghan talks to Sunday News about playing Wolverine in the new X-Men movie, Lost and his time in New Zealand for Lord of the Rings.

Sacha McNeil (3 News) shares a photo of her as a kid with Sunday.

Gossip

• Spy reports that a male Shortland Street star was reportedly seen kissing a well-known married past Shortland Street actress.
• Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy) is pregnant with her first child.
• One of the Kardashians is having radical plastic surgery – but it’s not Kim.
• Jennifer Aniston is now dating Gerard Butler.
• ONE News correspondent Tim Wilson‘s love life (or lack thereof) is discussed in Spy.  He’s said to be being groomed for the Close Up role, or another current affairs show of his own.

Congratulations Tamati and Samantha for winning Dancing with the Stars 2009!

“I’m stunned, I’m speechless right now, I’m, I don’t know…Hi to everybody at Rainbow Youth, we did this for you guys, it’s been about you the whole time,” said an overwhelmed Tamati on winning the title.

Tamati & Samantha or Barbara & Johnny?  The voting lines are now closed.

While we’re running this live blog, at the bottom of this post you’ll be able to find the live blog being run by GayNZ.com who are at the Langhom Hotel Ballroom with Tamati’s fans and those from Rainbow Youth.

Jason Gunn takes to the floor with a couple of songs.  Dancing in the Moonlightt and Night Fever.  It’s going to be a big night of entertainment so settle back and enjoy the show!

Jason reminds us that if the scores are tied at the end of the night then the winner will be determined by the one with the highest public vote.

Tamati Coffey & Samantha Hitchcock
Dance: Waltz
Song: What’ll I Do

Judges Scores
Brendan Cole: 9
Alison Leonard: 10
Craig Revel Horwood: 9
Paul Mercurio: 10
Total: 38/40

Barbara Kendall & Jonny Williams
Dance: Rumba
Song: The Way We Were

Judges Scores
Brendan Cole: 9
Alison Leonard: 10
Craig Revel Horwood: 9
Paul Mercurio: 10
Total: 38/40

The first of the eliminated couples takes to the floor.  Lizzy Iguson dances the cha cha and Chris Hobbs, the rumba with their partners.

Someone has taken a camera around TVNZ to get comment from some familiar, and some not so familiar, faces. Afterwards, Jason mocks those who were sitting on the fence and wishing them both luck.  Of course, he’d prefer you made a decision and voted.  Or vote for them both? Ka-chinnnnng!

Tamati Coffey & Samantha Hitchcock
Dance: Paso Doble

Judges Scores
Brendan Cole: 10
Alison Leonard: 10
Craig Revel Horwood: 10
Paul Mercurio: 10
Total: 40/40

Craig hated it.  Only because he couldn’t find anything wrong with it.

Perfect score!

Barbara Kendall & Jonny Williams
Dance: Quickstep
Song: You’re The One That I Want

Judges Scores
Brendan Cole: 10
Alison Leonard: 10
Craig Revel Horwood: 9
Paul Mercurio: 10
Total: 39/40

Josh Kronfeld joins the band to bring us back from the ad break with some harmonica.

Rebecca Hobbs, Geraldine Brophy and Josh Kronfeld, who shows some not to be performed at home lifts, make an encore appearance on Dancing With the Stars.

There’s some nice hip shaking and lip syncing from the cast of Mama Mia.

Last chance for our couples to impress

Tamati Coffey & Samantha Hitchcock
Dance: Freestyle

Judges Scores
Brendan Cole: 8
Alison Leonard: 9
Craig Revel Horwood: 9
Paul Mercurio: 9
Total: 35/40

Barbara Kendall & Jonny Williams
Dance: Freestyle

Judges Scores
Brendan Cole: 10
Alison Leonard: 10
Craig Revel Horwood: 10
Paul Mercurio: 10
Total: 40/40

Those were some incredible lifts.

That makes for an interesting result then.  After the judges scores, Barbara & Jonny have taken the lead with 117 – 113 over Tamati & Samantha.

Ronan Keating sings Time after Time.  Ronan says he’ll back next year with Boyzone for their world tour.

It’s time for the results.  Who will be the grand champion for 2009?  Apparently it’s the closest it has ever been.  It’s Tamati & Samantha!

The team from Gay NZ are live blogging the Dancing with the Stars finale from the Rainbow Youth party in support of Tamati.

They’re inviting you to join in on the fun and note that they’ll be moderating all comments.

To be a part, just join up in the window below.

WD has a photoshoot with the two finalists at the top of the Sky Tower.

Holding back the years

Barbara Kendall tells WD she’s 168cm and weighs 56kg. She talks about diet, exercise and keeping in shape.

“[Dancing is] the most fun exercise I’ve done in years! I have loved doing the show – apart from windsurfing dancing is my favourite exercise.”

Craig Revell-Horwood’s summary: “Strongest series yet” (NI)

Overall highlight: Barbara Kendall
Perfect combination:  Tamati Coffey for personality and technique
Biggest disappointment: Rebecca Hobbs not making it to the final three
Unforgettable moment: John Rowles quitting
Most improved: Josh Kronfeld
Most comical moment: Geraldine Brophy’s paso doble
Biggest talking point: Craig v Brendan
Most scandalous dance move: Josh’s rumba lift

Candy Lane’s summary: “Bring on series six” (NI)

Overall highlight: Both Tamati and Barbara
Favourite pair: Josh and Rachel
Unforgettable moment: Male celebs’ faces when they saw their new costume for the week
Lowlight: Rebecca leaving the show
Most improved: Chris and Josh

Jason Gunn: (NZWW)

“I’ve been able to pick most of the show’s past winners, but I don’t know who I’ll be saying congratulations to this time – and I’m thrilled.”

Tamati: Sam and I are inseparable (NI)

New Idea reveals Samantha moved into Tamati’s North Shore home at the start of the competition.  The pair share lots of common interests – dogs, doing things on the spur of the moment, food and cooking.  Tamati is going to go stay with her in Christchurch after the competition is over.

Geri & Ross: We’re still in love! (NZWW)

Geraldine will celebrate 25 years of marriage to her husband Ross Joblin this week.  The couple have two teenage girls.  They got engaged after only a week of knowing each other, moved in two weeks later and were married within six months.

“The toughest times were when we had little babies to feed and no money.  But that’s what marriage is all about – you just have to roll with the punches.  I still feel the same way I felt a quarter of a century ago.  The 25 years feels like it could’ve been five minutes.  I guess the annivesary is a reminder for us to live every minute of every day to the full because it all goes by so fast.”

As expected, today’s Sunday papers are full of articles, opinion pieces, photos and letters about the Tony Veitch saga.  If you want to read about it, go buy a paper -  I’m over it.

There’s plenty of DWTS coverage before the big finale this Tuesday:

• Dancing with the Stars Interviews
• Who’s dancing what?
• Should Barbara Kendall be in Dancing with the Stars as she was once a professional dance teacher?
• Samantha Hitchcock de-registered as a dancer

Rugby World Cup broadcast:

• Martin Snedden, CEO of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd responds to concerns about Sky getting the rights
• Sky TV responds to Rugby World Cup complaints

A robbery and arson attack at Jam TV over Easter resulted in the loss of some footage of Marcus Lush‘s upcoming series South: A Thank You Note.  Data recovery experts hope to get it back from the fire-damaged hard drives.

Code host Tawera Nikau has been let go as he wouldn’t take a pay cut, says About Town.  He’s now over at Sky Sport and is replaced by Ruben Wiki.  Wairangi Koopu has also left the show, now he’s relocated to Melbourne.

Sunday News has an article (complete with pictures, naturally) of Girl Racers – a new reality Kiwi TV show on Sky which takes beautiful girls and turns them into motorsport contestants.

Interviews:

• View talks to Mario Gaoa about the final season of bro’Town
• Greer Robson (Wheel of Fortune) talks about motherhood
• Graham Belle (Police Ten 7) interview
• MTV’s Amber Peebles tells Escape what she eats in a typical day
• Harry McNaughton (Shortland Street)

Blind items:

• “Which bosom pal TV stars are actually back-stabbing rivals?”
• “Which normally down-to-earth TV personality is holding out to flog his health crisis story to the highest bidder?”

Gossip:

• The Herald on Sunday looks as possible TV stars who may be in the running for Auckland’s Super City mayor job
  
• Spy asks if Claire Chitham and Mikey Havoc were milking romance by posing for the Woman’s Weekly claiming they were more in love than ever only weeks before officially announcing their split?
• Spy provides a list classifying Paul Henry’s appeal and says the best place to stalk Paul Henry is Gannet Rock cafe, Herne Bay after his show ends.
• Charlotte Dawson is taking legal action against her former gardener who initially said he never knew her but later said she propositioned him.
• Gordon Ramsey’s gastro-pub food has been criticised after admitting his food is shipped in and warmed up on site. 
  
• Matthew Perry admits he had no idea who Zac Efron was until they worked in a movie together (17 Again).
• Courtney Cox is said to be “crushed” as Jennifer Aniston refused to appear in Courtney’s new sitcom Cougar Town.
• Heidi Klum (Project Runway) is reportedly pregnant with her fourth child.
• Kym Marsh (Coronation Street) may be heading to the US.
• Stephanie Jacobsen (Charlotte, Home and Away) is joining the cast of Melrose Place as Lauren – a med student moonlighting as a hooker.
• Dean Cain (Lois and Clark) says he’s terrified of heights.
• Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) says she’s so scared of graveyards.
• Dominic Bowden is in Go Girls this week.

Other coverage:

• Overnight world singing sensation Susan Boyle (Britain’s Got Talent)
• Herald on Sunday’s reader letter of the week on TV and crime
• Flight of the Conchords are getting rave reviews on their US tour.
• An ad showing a young boy with a gun and no adult supervision breaches advertising standards and have been canned.

Competitions:

Win bro’Town prizes

Today’s Sunday papers reveal Tamati Coffey’s dance partner Samantha Hitchcock has been de-registered by the NZ Dance and Dance Sport Council, stripped of her 2008 title and cannot compete for six months as punishment for breaching rules by helping other young dancers.

Hitchcock says:

“This whole situation is a perfect example of the way New Zealand is staying back in the dark ages.  New Zealand will continue to be a small pokey country in dancing if the current people controlling the sport continue to hold this attitude.”