The final straw 1
Listening to Channel Seven's Grand Final broadcast gave us a good reason to turn off the sound completely. We could not hear Dennis Cometti for crowd noise. Was his microphone switched on, we wondered, or had the techs done a soundcheck on his mic against the yelling crowd? Then there was the usual boring commentary by Bruce McAvaney, who constantly tells you what we have just seen, and stats that you don't really want to know, during an exciting match. Bouquets to Channel Nine for using the spider camera occasionally to show attacking formations in the NRL Grand Final.
John Hart, Bright
Western Bulldogs won the Grand Final, but Seven cops a blast for its broadcast. Credit: Joe Armao
The final straw 2
Having watched my beloved Western Bulldogs on Foxtel all season apart from the games I went to, I watched the Grand Final on Seven on Saturday. I was shocked at the amount of advertising and the repetition! (Those kids who look like famous players are funny the first time, but not the sixth or seventh.) And no analysis at quarter and three-quarter time, just ads. I'd rather pay for Foxtel and see more football. Well done to the Dogs and I do wish Dennis Cometti, our best and wittiest caller, a long and enjoyable retirement.
Eddie Wilgar, Yarraville
Enuff is enuff
I am fast losing patience with the ABC, after being a loyal listener and watcher for more years than I care to recollect. Is it since the new CEO has taken office, or was it happening when Mark Scott was in the chair? This is the question to which I would like an answer. The constant repeats of programs, the constant repetition, the constant self-promotion are fast becoming more than I can tolerate, hence I switch off seething, which is doing my blood pressure no good at all. The latest ploy, which has been happening for a while now, is the cross-promotion – using part of a program (for instance, Australian Story) as a news item. Shame, ABC, shame! Well, that's it for me, I've had enuff!
Marjorie Humm, Croydon North
Mark Rylance in
Getting Tudor point
Wolf Hall (SBS 1) is historical drama at its very best. Mark Rylance is outstanding as the elusive and much maligned Thomas Cromwell. Ever an enigma, he is, at once, the loving family man, Cardinal Wolsey's trusted friend, a ruthless bureaucrat and the implacable enemy of Anne Boleyn. A fine supporting cast ensures the success of this wonderful recreation of Tudor power politics, and shouldn't be missed by anyone wanting to be both educated and entertained.
Helen Scheller, Benalla
Classical Clarke bad
Dumbing down classical music sounds like a contradiction in terms. But the ABC's choice of John Clarke as presenter on Classic FM's Saturday morning program shows that there can be exceptions. For pity's sake ABC, enough is enough.
Ken Barnes, Glen Iris
Classical Clarke good
For those of us who adore Clarke and Dawe, there was a real treat on Saturday morning on ABC Classic FM. We've heard John Clarke's expertise on sport; who knew that he is equally knowledgeable about music? ABC Classic FM, give John Clarke a regular gig on Saturday mornings – please.
Sue Donovan, Abbotsford
Tamara Oudyn and Ian Henderson of
Ties that blind
ABC 24 is 80 per cent of my viewing. I like the presenters very much and the entertainment is very acceptable, fitting and appropriate for the most discerning viewer. Each station, including the commercial stations, should go to the trouble of having a "necktie inspector" on their staff. The number of presenters appearing with crooked ties is quite amazing. Ian Henderson presents the best example of those "looking good", but reporters, news carriers and politicians let the team down with crooked ties.
Graham Wilce, Ormond
Lizard or actor?
I notice that the second series of The Code (ABC TV) has had mixed reviews from correspondents. Personally, I have been enjoying it very much, particularly Ashley Zukerman's performance, but I have to say I have been gobsmacked by Sigrid Thornton and the reptilian menace she displays.
Peter Hepburn, Claremont, Tasmania
Naked ambition
SBS's Insight in a recent episode made a very strong point in expressing the harm done by the nakedness taboo, that some women are undergoing unnecessary cosmetic surgery to their genitalia in the mistaken belief by them and their partners that they are abnormal. We should encourage more nakedness so that these misconceptions are lessened.
Geoffrey Blakemore, Berwick
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