Ab Fab to return
British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (pictured) is set to return in early 2012 in a series of three specials. All the regular actors have signed on to reprise their roles.
Crownies axed
The ABC has announced via industry insider website TV Tonight that Thursday night legal drama Crownies is not likely to return next year. There is still hope though for Marta Dusseldorp’s popular lesbian lawyer character Janet King – with producers suggesting the possibility of a spin off series.
Big Brother Returns
Big Brother will be back on our TV screens in the new year. Channel 9 has got the rights to the former Channel 10 show and have poached Dancing with the Stars’ Sonia Kruger to host the revamped reality show. The new version of the show will be similar to the format currently used in France where each contestant in the house has a secret that the other housemates must discover.
Russell Tovey quits Being Human
Openly gay actor Russell Tovey has announced that he is leaving the popular series Being Human throwing the future of the show into doubt. Tovey has played George the Werewolf, whose housemates are a ghost and a vampire, in three seasons of the British version of the show, which has also been remade in the USA.
Walkley Winner
Journalist Monique Schafter has won a prestigious Walkley award for her story Trapped In Your Own Body which aired on the ABC program Hungry Beast. Schaffer’s story focused on Maree Bourke-Calliss who suffers from locked-In syndrome. Bourke-Callis, who can only communicate through blinking, took over one week to answer Schafter’s questions. Despite the win, the ABC have announced the cancellation of Hungry Beast.
Will Smash be a Smash hit?
If Glee isn’t enough for you and you need some more musical theatre in your life, look out for new US series Smash. It focuses on a team putting together a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. Will and Grace’s Debra Messing is joined by Angelica Houston and American Idol runner up Katherine McPhee. The show debuts in the US in February.
Look Out For
Shameless
The US remake of the hit UK show arrives in Australia; it’s got a stellar cast led by acclaimed actor William H. Macy and is helmed by respected producer John Wells (E.R, The West Wing, Third Watch). Unlike other US remakes almost all the characters keep their names – except for the Maguire clan, who have been transformed into the Milkovich family.
On Foxtel’s W from Sunday, December 4.
The One Ronnie
Comedian Ronnie Corbett returns for a one off special, counterpart Ronnie Barker passed away in 2005. Corbett’s just celebrated his 80th birthday but is still firing on all cylinders. Guests include Catherine Tate, David Walliams, Matt Lucas and James Corden.
ABC1, Saturday, December 10.
PopAsia
If the loss of Channel Ten’s Video Hits is getting you down, don’t worry, there is something way cooler to take its place. SBS’s PopAsia will introduce you to a whole new world of music. The videos coming out of South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan are mind blowing – filled with amazing choreography, costumes and haircuts.
SBS1, Sundays, 8:30am.
A Love to Hide
Stay up late on Friday night to catch this film. Set in Paris in 1942 a young Jewish girl is sheltered from the Nazis by a gay couple but their relationship eventually brings the attention of the Gestapo.
SBS1, Saturday, December 10, 1am.
Graeme Watson
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