In its second season, Australia's Underbelly franchise has witnessed massive viewership. More than 2 million people tune in nightly.
Channel Nine Direct Sales Manager, Ian Sheppard, told Gambling911.com's Senior International Correspondent, Jenny Woo.
"Underbelly is based on real events," Sheppard said, and these events have had viewers on the edge of their seats each Monday night. "The name Underbelly is really just a franchise to dramatize real organized crime in Australia so it really is a question of what else they can go to work on. Another great story out of the 1970's and 80's are of the biking gangs in Australia or New Zealand, the Hell's Angels and the Commancheros; they basically ran the drug trade. So there's probably a good episode story there, which could be branded Underbelly. It's really just a question of how many interesting and real stories they can dig up from the past in terms of organized crime in Australia."
Media Man, Greg Tingle, agrees.
"There is enough material for the next few years," he said.
Tingle also told Gambling911.com that another network was in the midst of airing a similar series to that of Underbelly.
That said, a number of networks back in the United States tried and failed to copy HBO's ground breaking series, The Sopranos. Like the Sopranos, Underbelly is based on real events taking place in a sort of underworld society.
When asked if the series is exaggerated, much like the Sopranos could be at times, Sheppard said he wasn't fully certain.
"I think that's a hard one to answer. The only thing I can say to that is that the first two episodes in the current series dealt with the murder of a guy called Donald Mackay, who was an anti drug campaigner in a part of Australia where a lot of Italian families were growing cannabis. He disappeared and they found his truck with empty bullet casings in a puddle of blood but they never found out who actual killed him. They reckon beyond any doubt who it was and Underbelly ran with this particular story where they actually showed the guy shooting him. But I suppose historically the records show that no one was ever charged with his murder."
Last week, the series touched on the Underbelly casino elements.
"There will be more casino themes upcoming," Tingle informed us, though Sheppard would not elaborate on the subject. "It's an area that has quite a bit of history in Australia."
What's really gripped Australians, perhaps more than anything else, is the amount of violence depicted.
" I think that people are both shocked and fascinated to know that all this was happening here in our city, Sydney and Melbourne," Sheppard said. "We've always been shocked when we hear about violence coming out of Los Angeles, Miami or New York. We've always viewed ourselves as being away from all of that. I think it sort of shocked a lot of people here. We weren't naïve to think that nothing happened but I think a lot of people were shocked thinking the worst of the worst." (Credit: Gambling911)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
Crime News Media
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dramatic Underbelly upsets those who were there, by Malcolm Brown - The Age - 16th February 2009
Barbara Mackay did not work in her husband Don's furniture shop. Robert Trimbole did not live in a "grass castle" in the Griffith hinterland, or grow oranges. And he did not tell Don Mackay — at least not in public — that he would kill him.
The people of Griffith, the Riverina town where Mackay was killed in 1977, noted the dramatic licence in the opening episodes of Underbelly 2 on Channel Nine.
Don Mackay's son, Paul Mackay, was not available when The Age called, but he was quoted in Griffith's Area News saying the show was riddled with errors.
"My mother never worked one day in the family business, while in the show she was in there answering phones," he said.
"And I've never heard of the character of the local police officer they showed.
"I realise the producers qualified it by saying it tells the essential truth of the story, but I don't know how telling a lie helps them tell the truth."
The wife of a former councillor, who asked not to be named, said the inaccuracies worried her. Barbara Mackay was a physiotherapist who gave prenatal classes. Trimbole lived in town, but not in a big estate. He might have owned a property in the district but he did not grow oranges.
Some of the events in the program touch on reality. Trimbole is on record as having gone angrily to the Griffith police station in 1974 saying he would "kill" Mackay and his wife and children.
But he did not do it to his face after a public meeting, as depicted in Underbelly.
Mackay, a campaigner against the marijuana trade, was killed by hitman James Frederick Bazley in the car park of the Griffith Hotel Motel in November 1977. (Credit: The Age)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Crime News Media
The people of Griffith, the Riverina town where Mackay was killed in 1977, noted the dramatic licence in the opening episodes of Underbelly 2 on Channel Nine.
Don Mackay's son, Paul Mackay, was not available when The Age called, but he was quoted in Griffith's Area News saying the show was riddled with errors.
"My mother never worked one day in the family business, while in the show she was in there answering phones," he said.
"And I've never heard of the character of the local police officer they showed.
"I realise the producers qualified it by saying it tells the essential truth of the story, but I don't know how telling a lie helps them tell the truth."
The wife of a former councillor, who asked not to be named, said the inaccuracies worried her. Barbara Mackay was a physiotherapist who gave prenatal classes. Trimbole lived in town, but not in a big estate. He might have owned a property in the district but he did not grow oranges.
Some of the events in the program touch on reality. Trimbole is on record as having gone angrily to the Griffith police station in 1974 saying he would "kill" Mackay and his wife and children.
But he did not do it to his face after a public meeting, as depicted in Underbelly.
Mackay, a campaigner against the marijuana trade, was killed by hitman James Frederick Bazley in the car park of the Griffith Hotel Motel in November 1977. (Credit: The Age)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Crime News Media
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities to Employ Gambling Theme - Gambling911.com - 12th February 2009
Gambling911.com has learned that upcoming episodes of Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities will feature "some casino and gambling themes". The show's second season was the highest rated launch in Australia's history.
George Freeman, played by Peter O'Brien, ran a number of Australian casinos (gambling houses... "with no name" and unadvertised, sort of the opposite of casinos to that of the James Packer's Crown Casino (which is all above board and advertised, mainstream and is legal etc).
As we have come to learn, the world of casinos and bookmaking in Australia is quite fascinating to say the least, and this should play in superbly with the Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities theme.
Media man, Greg Tingle gives us a taste of the old school gambling lifestyle in Australia:
"My grandfather, Eric Fraser Cameron Tingle ran a SP bookmaker operation from Newport Beach plant nursery which also doubled as a barber shop... tripled as a SP hangout. Today Newport Beach TAB is next door. A decade ago I used to regularly have a punt at the TAB with the late, great (and notorious) Big Time Bristow.
"I caught up with Tim at his home at Newport, just around the corner from my old home at Pittwater, 3 weeks before Tim's unfortunate (and natural) death. I pointed to Chris Master's book entitled 'Not for publication' and the chapter entitled, Guilty Buildings'. I recalled to Tim, ‘That's you isn't it Tim?' TB replied, ‘You nailed it in one Greg'. That's the scoop... its never been published or put in the public domain before." (Credit: Gambling911.com)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
"Big" Tim Bristow
Australian Casinos
Casino News
Australian Casino News
George Freeman, played by Peter O'Brien, ran a number of Australian casinos (gambling houses... "with no name" and unadvertised, sort of the opposite of casinos to that of the James Packer's Crown Casino (which is all above board and advertised, mainstream and is legal etc).
As we have come to learn, the world of casinos and bookmaking in Australia is quite fascinating to say the least, and this should play in superbly with the Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities theme.
Media man, Greg Tingle gives us a taste of the old school gambling lifestyle in Australia:
"My grandfather, Eric Fraser Cameron Tingle ran a SP bookmaker operation from Newport Beach plant nursery which also doubled as a barber shop... tripled as a SP hangout. Today Newport Beach TAB is next door. A decade ago I used to regularly have a punt at the TAB with the late, great (and notorious) Big Time Bristow.
"I caught up with Tim at his home at Newport, just around the corner from my old home at Pittwater, 3 weeks before Tim's unfortunate (and natural) death. I pointed to Chris Master's book entitled 'Not for publication' and the chapter entitled, Guilty Buildings'. I recalled to Tim, ‘That's you isn't it Tim?' TB replied, ‘You nailed it in one Greg'. That's the scoop... its never been published or put in the public domain before." (Credit: Gambling911.com)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
"Big" Tim Bristow
Australian Casinos
Casino News
Australian Casino News
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Underbelly 2 rocks the ratings, by Michael Idato - The Sydney Morning Herald - 10th February 2009
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities - the second chapter of the most talked about crime series in Australia's modern history - made an explosive debut on television last night, with 2.5 million viewers tuned in.
Only two days into the ratings year, the win pushes Nine almost 10 percentage points ahead of rival Seven for the week.
Few would disagree it is an impressive start, though Nine still faces a massive challenge if it hopes to regain its lost ratings glory.
The win also gave Nine more than 40 per cent of 25-54-year-old viewers, the demographic which most advertisers prefer. In comparison, Seven's share of the same demographic last night was only 24.1 per cent.
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities dramatises the Sydney drug trade between 1976-1987, and the rise of underworld figures Robert Trimbole (Roy Billing), Terry Clark (Matthew Newton) and George Freeman (Peter O'Brien).
Last night's two-hour premiere focused on the assassination of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay (Andrew McFarlane). It also introduced robber Ray Chuck (Nathan Page), underworld wife Judi Kane (Kate Ritchie) and hit man Christopher Dale Flannery (Dustin Clare) all of whom will feature prominently in later episodes.
Last night's Underbelly debut compares to 1.93 million viewers who watched the first episode of Packed to the Rafters, Seven's monster drama hit of 2008.
It also out-rated the first series of Underbelly, which dramatised the 1995-2004 gangland war in Melbourne, which was watched by an average of 1.7 million viewers. That figure fell short of an expected 2.5 million-plus because the first series was not aired in Melbourne due to a court injunction. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Crime News Media
Only two days into the ratings year, the win pushes Nine almost 10 percentage points ahead of rival Seven for the week.
Few would disagree it is an impressive start, though Nine still faces a massive challenge if it hopes to regain its lost ratings glory.
The win also gave Nine more than 40 per cent of 25-54-year-old viewers, the demographic which most advertisers prefer. In comparison, Seven's share of the same demographic last night was only 24.1 per cent.
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities dramatises the Sydney drug trade between 1976-1987, and the rise of underworld figures Robert Trimbole (Roy Billing), Terry Clark (Matthew Newton) and George Freeman (Peter O'Brien).
Last night's two-hour premiere focused on the assassination of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay (Andrew McFarlane). It also introduced robber Ray Chuck (Nathan Page), underworld wife Judi Kane (Kate Ritchie) and hit man Christopher Dale Flannery (Dustin Clare) all of whom will feature prominently in later episodes.
Last night's Underbelly debut compares to 1.93 million viewers who watched the first episode of Packed to the Rafters, Seven's monster drama hit of 2008.
It also out-rated the first series of Underbelly, which dramatised the 1995-2004 gangland war in Melbourne, which was watched by an average of 1.7 million viewers. That figure fell short of an expected 2.5 million-plus because the first series was not aired in Melbourne due to a court injunction. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Crime News Media
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Nine's a glutton for Underbelly, by Richard Clune - The Sunday Telegraph - 1st February 2009
A week ahead of Underbelly's second series launch, Insider can confirm that work has already started on a third series of the crime franchise, expected to launch later this year.
The third outing will explore the corruption of the NSW and Victorian police forces throughout the 1980s and the clean up job that started in the early '90s.
Production company Screentime's Des Monaghan confirmed the new series, while Nine CEO David Gyngell alluded to the program's possible 2009 debut.
"Its a no-brainer to go again and have Underbelly 3 on Channel Nine as soon as possible,'' Gyngell said.
Next week (Monday 8.30pm) Underbelly: A Tale Of Two Cities debuts.
If the first series gave Gyton Grantley a platform from which to launch a strong career, Insider believes it to be Nathan Page's turn this year. The largely unknown actor shines in the opening episodes as Melbourne hard man and bank robber Ray Chuck (real name Raymond Patrick Bennett), famed for the 1976 multi-million dollar Great Bookie Robbery.
Page has been trawling the local scene with obligatory appearances in Home & Away, Secret Life Of Us and opposite Kylie Minogue in forgettable flick Sample People but this will certainly prove his breakthrough role. (Credit: The Sunday Telegraph)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
Crime News Media
The third outing will explore the corruption of the NSW and Victorian police forces throughout the 1980s and the clean up job that started in the early '90s.
Production company Screentime's Des Monaghan confirmed the new series, while Nine CEO David Gyngell alluded to the program's possible 2009 debut.
"Its a no-brainer to go again and have Underbelly 3 on Channel Nine as soon as possible,'' Gyngell said.
Next week (Monday 8.30pm) Underbelly: A Tale Of Two Cities debuts.
If the first series gave Gyton Grantley a platform from which to launch a strong career, Insider believes it to be Nathan Page's turn this year. The largely unknown actor shines in the opening episodes as Melbourne hard man and bank robber Ray Chuck (real name Raymond Patrick Bennett), famed for the 1976 multi-million dollar Great Bookie Robbery.
Page has been trawling the local scene with obligatory appearances in Home & Away, Secret Life Of Us and opposite Kylie Minogue in forgettable flick Sample People but this will certainly prove his breakthrough role. (Credit: The Sunday Telegraph)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
Crime News Media
Underbelly 2 start date announced, by Amanda Meade - The Australian - 28th January 2009
The highly anticipated TV drama Underbelly 2: A Tale of Two Cities will premiere on Nine at 8.30pm on Monday February 9.
The date has been closely guarded by Nine because once the rival networks know the timeslot they can program competitively against it.
So feverish has the speculation been the media has taken to guessing the date.
A Nine source revealed to The Australian the series would begin the day after the start of official ratings - Sunday 8 February - and stay in the Monday timeslot.
Under CEO David Gyngell Nine has grown in confidence, improving its audience share last year and undermining Seven’s grip on the top spot.
With Underbelly 2, the cricket and a host of news shows, the network may be able to regain even more ground this year.
Series two is a prequel and the story moves to regional New South Wales, as well as Sydney and Melbourne, and features crime boss Robert Trimbole, to be played by Roy Billing.
Matthew Newton plays Terry “Mr. Asia” Clark, Andrew McFarlane plays anti-drugs campaigner Donald McKay and Peter O’Brien portrays George Freeman.
“Nine is thrilled to be bringing Underbelly- A Tale of Two Cities to the small screen in 2009,” said Nine Drama Exec Jo Horsburgh last year.
“I think the audience will love it.” (Credit: The Australian)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Crime News Media
The date has been closely guarded by Nine because once the rival networks know the timeslot they can program competitively against it.
So feverish has the speculation been the media has taken to guessing the date.
A Nine source revealed to The Australian the series would begin the day after the start of official ratings - Sunday 8 February - and stay in the Monday timeslot.
Under CEO David Gyngell Nine has grown in confidence, improving its audience share last year and undermining Seven’s grip on the top spot.
With Underbelly 2, the cricket and a host of news shows, the network may be able to regain even more ground this year.
Series two is a prequel and the story moves to regional New South Wales, as well as Sydney and Melbourne, and features crime boss Robert Trimbole, to be played by Roy Billing.
Matthew Newton plays Terry “Mr. Asia” Clark, Andrew McFarlane plays anti-drugs campaigner Donald McKay and Peter O’Brien portrays George Freeman.
“Nine is thrilled to be bringing Underbelly- A Tale of Two Cities to the small screen in 2009,” said Nine Drama Exec Jo Horsburgh last year.
“I think the audience will love it.” (Credit: The Australian)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Crime News Media
Gangland murder witness to plead guilty to driving charges - 4th February 2009
A man who claimed to be unfit to answer driving charges because of injuries he sustained in a gangland shooting has failed in his bid to avoid prosecution.
Herbert Wrout will now plead guilty to a series of driving charges, his lawyer Chris Triscott told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Wrout, 66, was sitting alongside his friend Lewis Moran when two balaclava-clad men burst into the Brunswick club on March 31, 2004.
Moran was shot dead in the ambush but Wrout survived with wounds to his chest and arms.
Wrout lost his spleen and suffered extensive injuries in the incident.
At a hearing last October, Wrout claimed he was unfit to answer charges of unlicensed driving, driving while disqualified and refusing a preliminary breath test. But Mr Triscott told the court that his client would now plead guilty to the charges.
He asked for the hearing to be adjourned to allow more time for reports to be obtained.
Magistrate Simon Garnett ordered Wrout to face court again on March 12.
Evangelos Goussis was found guilty last May of shooting crime patriarch Moran and of causing Wrout - who was shot by a second gunman - serious injury.
Goussis is serving a minimum of 15 years for killing gangland figure Lewis Caine in May 2004.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Bert Wrout
Crime News Media
Herbert Wrout will now plead guilty to a series of driving charges, his lawyer Chris Triscott told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Wrout, 66, was sitting alongside his friend Lewis Moran when two balaclava-clad men burst into the Brunswick club on March 31, 2004.
Moran was shot dead in the ambush but Wrout survived with wounds to his chest and arms.
Wrout lost his spleen and suffered extensive injuries in the incident.
At a hearing last October, Wrout claimed he was unfit to answer charges of unlicensed driving, driving while disqualified and refusing a preliminary breath test. But Mr Triscott told the court that his client would now plead guilty to the charges.
He asked for the hearing to be adjourned to allow more time for reports to be obtained.
Magistrate Simon Garnett ordered Wrout to face court again on March 12.
Evangelos Goussis was found guilty last May of shooting crime patriarch Moran and of causing Wrout - who was shot by a second gunman - serious injury.
Goussis is serving a minimum of 15 years for killing gangland figure Lewis Caine in May 2004.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Bert Wrout
Crime News Media
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