Sunday 22 October
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1980
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm Doc Martin
8:30pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
9:30pm Fearless
10:20pm Glitch
11:15pm Fortitude
Monday 23 October
8:00pm Australian Story
8:30pm Four Corners
9:15pm Media Watch
9:35pm Q&A
10:40pm Lateline
Tuesday 24 October
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Catalyst
9:30pm World’s Busiest Cities
Wednesday 25 October
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Gruen
9:05pm Rosehaven Series 2 Premiere
9:35pm The Letdown
10:05pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Thursday 26 October
8:00pm Insert Name Here
8:30pm The Ex-PM Series 2 Premiere
8:55pm John Clarke: Thanks For Your Time Rpt
9:30pm Back Series Premiere
Friday 27 October
8:00pm QI
8:30pm Endeavour
10:00pm Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery
Saturday 28 October
7:30pm Victoria Series Premiere
8:40pm The Last Post
9:35pm Doctor Foster
10:30pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
11:25pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Sunday 29 October
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1981
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm Doc Martin
8:30pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
9:25pm Wallander
10:55pm Richard Flanagan
Monday 30 October
8:00pm Australian Story
8:30pm Four Corners
9:15pm Media Watch
9:35pm Q&A
10:40pm Lateline
Tuesday 31 October
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Catalyst Final
9:30pm Artsville: Horror Movie
Wednesday 1 November
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Gruen
9:05pm Rosehaven
9:35pm The Letdown
10:05pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Thursday 2 November
8:00pm Insert Name Here
8:30pm The Ex-PM
8:55pm Bucket Series Premiere
9:25pm Back
9:55pm Upper Middle Bogan Rpt
Friday 3 November
8:00pm TBA
8:30pm Endeavour
10:05pm Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery
Saturday 4 November
7:30pm Victoria Series Premiere
8:20pm The Last Post
9:20pm Doctor Foster
10:15pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
11:10pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Jennifer Byrne, host of ABC’s The Book Club, will step aside from her long-running role after The Book Club’s Christmas Special which goes to air on 19 December, 2017.
Jennifer says, "What a joy these past 11 years have been. And what a privilege to share my love of books with a wide, loyal audience on the national broadcaster. You don’t get better jobs – or better co-conspirators than Jason and Marieke, who’ve been with me from the start. We’ve had huge fun, tangled with some brilliant minds (and books), and read like threshing machines.
“For me it’s now time for a break, both to explore what might come next and remember what it’s like to read for pleasure alone. I’m proud we’ve run so long and strong. International authors were often astonished – and envious – that a show like ours existed, let alone endured. Thanks to the ABC which backed us, to the publishing industry which embraced us - and deepest thanks to the readers who travelled with us. I’ve loved the journey more than I can say.”
Jennifer and fellow book lovers Marieke Hardy and Jason Steger have been the go-to team for book-lovers for over a decade. Born out of My Favourite Book in 2004, a 90-minute Sunday night special that reached over a million viewers, First Tuesday Book Club established itself in 2006, as a reliable guide to the best in books, reading and smart conversation.
Attracting giants of the Australian and international literary scene to both The Book Club and Jennifer Byrne Presents, guests have included JK Rowling, Helen Garner, Bill Bryson, Paula Hawkins, Jeanette Winterson, Richard Flanagan, Tim Winton, Alan Cumming, Richard E Grant, Junot Diaz, Peter Carey, Michael Palin, Michael Robotham, Di Morrissey, Toni Jordan, Will Self and Jon Ronson, to name a few.
A well-credentialed Jennifer Byrne was the perfect choice to host the new show when it began: not only is she an avid reader, but she had previously worked as Publishing Director at Reed Books. Having trained as a print journalist - she was at one-time Assistant Editor at The Age’s Monthly Review - Jennifer moved on to television, where she became a Logie-winning television reporter for the Sunday program and spent seven years travelling the world for 60 Minutes. She then went on to present ABC TV’s Foreign Correspondent.
David Anderson, ABC Director of Television says, “For 11 years Jennifer Byrne has been entertaining book lovers with her erudite mix of guests; heartily arguing over new releases, disputing the classics, grappling with the best summer reads, and managing to do it all with a healthy dose of laughter, affection and insight.
"We will be sad to see The Book Club go, but understand Jennifer’s decision and thank Jennifer, Marieke and Jason for the hours of reading, thinking, and talking they have shared with our audiences.”
This November the ABC celebrates Ausmusic Month with something for everyone, bringing audiences everything from quintessential Aussie rock to classical music festivals, from progressive jazz to the melodic sounds of indie pop singer-song writers.
‘Easy Fever’ is set to sweep the nation once more with the story of The Easybeats, Friday On My Mind. We get exclusive behind the scenes access to the highly anticipated stage adaptation of Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical with Making Muriel; and Double J and ABC Local radio team up to bring us an intimate chat with Bernard Fanning with Songs of Your Streets: Brisbane, in which the musician reveals how Brisbane has shaped his life and music.
ABC Director of Television, David Anderson, says: “The ABC is proud to celebrate Australia’s rich musical history and present audiences with a stellar line up of awe-inspiring content throughout Ausmusic Month. We look forward to showcasing a host of music from a variety of genres, with docos, gigs and exclusives galore, celebrating the depth and variety of Aussie music.”
ABC Head of Music, Chris Scaddan, says: “Ausmusic Month on the ABC is about admiring the past but also about sharing all the brilliant music being made in Australia right now. We’re encouraging every Australian to get involved and appreciate the music being made at home, in all its diversity, from the concert halls to the bedroom studios, from the desert to the inner cities.”
AUSMUSIC T-SHIRT DAY
We’re kicking off the celebrations with Ausmusic T-shirt Day on Friday 3 November. Wear an Aussie musician or band t-shirt on this day and show your pride in Australian music. Take a photo and tag it with #AusmusicTshirtDay to be part of the nationwide celebrations of Australian music. This Ausmusic T-shirt Day, ABC encourages you to get behind Support Act, a charity assisting those working in the music industry who are in crisis. To learn more and help raise funds visit the Support Act website.
TV & ABC IVIEW
Friday On My Mind – 8.40pm on Sundays, 26 November and 3 December on ABC & ABC iview
This landmark two-part mini-series that tells the story of five young newly-arrived immigrants who met in Sydney migrant hostel Villawood in the Sixties and went on to form Australia’s first truly international rock group, The Easybeats, taking our rock’n’roll sound to the world.
Friday On My Mind is more than a classic rags-to-riches tale. It is a story of identity, re-invention and belonging with a powerful contemporary relevance – and one heck of a soundtrack!
Produced by Playmaker Media with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW
Making Muriel – 7.40pm on Sunday 26 November on ABC & ABC iview
Making Muriel will give audiences exclusive behind the scenes access as P.J. Hogan adapts his iconic film Muriel’s Wedding into a stage musical, produced by Sydney Theatre Company and Global Creatures (Strictly Ballroom The Musical, King Kong The Musical). The documentary examines the enduring popularity of Muriel’s Wedding, the origins of the story and its characters. It explores how, 23 years after the film was a surprise box office hit, the uniquely Australian protagonist Muriel Heslop can be reinterpreted for the stage. Featuring never seen before archival elements, Making Muriel will chronicle the full creative process right up until the world premiere of the musical at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Sydney.
Produced by In Films with major production investment from Screen Australia.
Blasko – 9.30pm on Tuesday 14 November on ABC & ABC iview
Sarah Blasko is a pioneer of the Australian indie music scene, and has been a steadily growing music icon since the early 2000s. She has been nominated for countless awards and has gone on to become one of Australia’s most successful female singer song writers, walking the line between commercial success and artistic integrity with dignity. Sarah’s music is filled with a cinematic sense of wonder and melancholy. Her new venture will be her most courageous undertaking yet.
Blasko will follow Sarah as she creates an album of songs from scratch in a live theatre space with long-time collaborators. Together they will create this album in a high concept setting - a theatre space in at an arts centre complete with film projections, mirror ball and lighting - a very different way to write an album! With unique and intimate access, the creative process of one of Australia’s most acclaimed singer songwriters is laid bare. Weaving through an intimate ob-doc style are bio beats that tell the story of Sarah’s life from childhood to adulthood. The drama lies is in the fact that Sarah has never attempted anything like this before.
The Go-Betweens: Right Here – 9.30pm on Tuesday 21 November on ABC & ABC iview
Director Kriv Stenders tells the story of iconic Australian band The Go-Betweens and their intensely passionate and fraught relationships. Fresh from a theatrical release, this film follows a great creative adventure spanning three decades, countless successes and failures, romances, and betrayals, and of course, unforgettable songs.
Produced by Essential Media and Entertainment with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW.
Classic Countdown – 6pm on Sundays continuing throughout November on ABC & ABC iview
One of Australia’s most loved programs ever, Countdown spanned 13 years from 1974-1987 and provided the soundtrack to an entire generation of Australians. Taking a year per episode, Classic Countdown is a walk down memory lane, paying tribute to the iconic artists, the incredible songs and Molly!
Justine Clarke’s Ta Da! – 5.50pm from Monday to Friday from 6 November on ABC KIDS
Join Justine Clarke and her stage manager puppet friend, Dash the Dog, and special guests, as they work together amidst the backstage drama and excitement to get everything ready in time for their show, Ta Da!
Produced for ABC by Fredbird CDK with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2017 – 7.30pm on Monday 27 November on ABC ME
Australia’s own Isabella Clarke, 13, is set to shine bright as she takes the stage to perform ‘Speak Up’, her modern pop anthem, at this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Tbilisi Sports Palace, Georgia. Hosted by Grace Koh, Pip Rasmussen and Tim Matthews.
In Tune – on ABC ME throughout November
In Tune returns to ABC ME with a new series, matching aspiring young musicians with their musical heroes. Series two features Jimmy Barnes, Samantha Jade and Sheppard. Series one will be available on ABC iview and the ABC ME app.
ABC IVIEW
Throughout the month, audiences can also head to ABC iview for a curated collection of all-Australian content celebrating our homegrown music heroes with live concerts, performances and archival material, including Underscore, Rage 30: The Story of Rage, 20,000 Days On Earth, Sounds Like Teen Spirit: triple j At 40, The Cambodian Space Project, Crowded House: Live At Sydney Opera House, Gallipoli Symphony: A Creative Journey, The Divorce, Matilda And Me and Classic Countdown Extras.
Visit www.abc.net.au/ourfocus/ausmusicmonth for more info on ABC’s Ausmusic Month activity and head to iview.abc.net.au/collection/ausmusic-month to view Ausmusic Month iview content.
The Go-Betweens: Right Here is a documentary about the people who created the seminal rock band The Go-Betweens. It is a heartfelt story of discovery, uncovering the intensely passionate, creative, and fraught relationships that formed one of the most loved and influential bands in Australian rock history. It is also the universal story of a great creative adventure that spanned three decades, through countless successes, failures, romances, break-ups, betrayals, triumphs, and tragedies. The Go-Betweens: Right Here is a compelling investigation into the exhilarating, unpredictable, and precarious lives of musicians, that reveals the true price paid by them to pursue their art.
The Go-Betweens: Right Here exposes all the highs, the lows, the joy, the pain, the sorrow, and the beauty of being in a cult band and of trying to survive the harsh and brutal realities of an exploitative music industry.
This film tells the story of The Go-Betweens from the inside out, from the people who lived it, and from those whose lives were transformed by it.
Sunday 5 November
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1982
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm Doc Martin
8:30pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
9:30pm Wallander
11:00pm The Divorce
Monday 6 November
8:00pm Australian Story
8:30pm Four Corners
9:15pm Media Watch
9:35pm Q&A
10:40pm Lateline
Tuesday 7 November
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Keeping Australia Safe Series Premiere
9:30pm Artsville: Horror Movie
Wednesday 8 November
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Gruen
9:05pm Rosehaven
9:35pm The Letdown
10:05pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Thursday 9 November
8:00pm Insert Name Here
8:30pm The Ex-PM
8:55pm Bucket
9:25pm Back
9:50pm Upper Middle Bogan Rpt
Friday 10 November
7:30pm DCI Banks: A Little Bit Of Heart (Part 1)
8:20pm Endeavour
9:50pm Planet America
Saturday 11 November
7:30pm Victoria
8:20pm The Last Post
9:20pm Doctor Foster
10:15pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
11:10pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Sunday 12 November
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1982
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm Doc Martin
8:30pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries Telemovie: Family Portrait
10:10pm Wallander
11:40pm 20,000 Days On Earth
Monday 13 November
8:00pm Australian Story
8:30pm Four Corners
9:15pm Media Watch
9:35pm Q&A
10:40pm Lateline
Tuesday 14 November
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Keeping Australia Safe
9:30pm Blasko AusMusic Month Premiere
Wednesday 15 November
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Gruen Final
9:05pm Rosehaven
9:35pm The Letdown
10:05pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Thursday 16 November
8:00pm Insert Name Here
8:30pm The Ex-PM
9:00pm Bucket
9:25pm Back
9:55pm Upper Middle Bogan Rpt
Friday 17 November
7:30pm DCI Banks: A Little Bit Of Heart (Part 2)
8:20pm Endeavour
9:50pm Planet America
Saturday 18 November
7:30pm Victoria
8:20pm The Last Post Final
9:20pm Doctor Foster
10:15pm The Doctor Blake Mysteries
11:10pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Are you a food-loving family who would enjoy a culinary adventure of a lifetime?
Would you like to take part together in a unique and unforgettable social experiment in your own home?
ABC and Warner Bros are casting for an ambitious television event and are looking for a modern, diverse Australian family. Travel back through time to understand our social history in an entertaining and insightful new way.
We’ll take your family and your home back in time. Giving you the chance to shop, cook and eat your way through Australian history. Experiencing the changes in what Australian families ate from the 1950s to the present day.
If you would enjoy the chance to show your children just how much family life and mealtimes have changed, we would love to hear from you. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience your family will never forget.
Making Muriel gives audiences exclusive behind the scenes access as P.J. Hogan adapts his iconic film, Muriel’s Wedding, into a stage musical for Sydney Theatre Company, 23 years after the film was a surprise box office hit.
This documentary explores the work of a new generation of Australian Muslim artists who are asserting their own agency and fighting anti-Islamic bigotry with satire, imagination, and irreverence.
Ripponlea (Victoria) was a place where Australia learned to make television.
Known as The Dream Factory, the iconic ABC studios were a unique creative hub where actors, comedians, set designers, costume makers and make-up artists collaborated and honed their craft under the one roof.
Presented by Ben Knight, The Dream Factory is a collection of untold behind-the-scenes stories and a tribute to the programs that Australian audiences have grown up with. It reveals how ACDC’s Jailbreak music video concept didn’t quite go to plan, how Deborra-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman’s relationship blossomed after they met on the set of Corelli and how simple sound effects are created, including that famously controversial slap in the awardwinning, critically-acclaimed ABC drama series The Slap.
The Dream Factory features well-known and much-loved stars including Deborra-lee Furness, John Waters, Sigrid Thornton, Simon Westaway, Red Symons, Myf Warhurst, Charlie Pickering and Shaun Micallef, whose program Mad As Hell was the last ever show to be recorded in the renowned Studio 31.
ABC simulcasts Paul Kelly Live at Sydney Opera House as part of Ausmusic Month Celebrations
Sunday 19 November at 8:30pm AEDT
This Ausmusic Month, ABC will present one of Australia’s most loved songwriters, Paul Kelly, as he makes his long-awaited return to rock’n’roll, performing live from the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. Join Myf Warhurst as she presents this landmark concert airing across ABC TV, ABC iview and Double J on November 19 at 8:30pm AEDT.
David Anderson, Director Television says, “The ABC is excited to give audiences around Australia a front row ticket to Paul Kelly Live at the Opera House with our upcoming broadcast which is sure to be a highlight of Ausmusic Month. His lyrical genius has long united generations of fans and provided a soundtrack to Australian life and we couldn’t be more proud to present such an iconic Australian entertainer.”
The 10-time ARIA winner and ARIA Hall of Fame inductee returns to the stage in electric form for his biggest headline show yet, performing a career-spanning set with a full band. From St Kilda to Kings Cross to the Sydney Opera House and back, Kelly has recorded over 21 albums as well as several film soundtracks, with his most recent album Life is Fine taking him to the top of the ARIA charts earlier this year. He continues to capture the imagination of audiences both locally and further afield, with many of his songs now lodged deep in the Australian psyche.
ABC is giving one lucky Paul Kelly fan the chance to win a double pass to the concert. To enter, visit the ABC website (http://www.abc.net.au/paulkellylive) and tell us in 25 words or less why you want to see Paul Kelly Live at Sydney Opera House.
Sunday 19 November
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1984
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm Doc Martin Final
8:30pm TBA
10:30pm When The Beatles Drove Us Wild
11:30pm Fortitude
Monday 20 November
8:00pm Australian Story Final
8:30pm Four Corners Final
9:15pm Media Watch
9:35pm Q&A
10:40pm Lateline
Tuesday 21 November
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Keeping Australia Safe
9:30pm The Go-Betweens: Right Here AusMusic Month Premiere
Wednesday 22 November
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Rosehaven
9:00pm The Letdown
9:30pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
10:10pm Walliams And Friend: Jack Whitehall
Thursday 23 November
8:00pm TBA
8:30pm The Ex-PM
9:00pm Bucket Final
9:25pm Back
9:50pm Upper Middle Bogan Rpt
Friday 24 November
7:30pm DCI Banks: Undertow (Part 1)
8:20pm Endeavour
9:50pm Planet America
Saturday 25 November
7:30pm Victoria
8:20pm Father Brown Rpt
9:05pm Jamaica Inn Rpt
10:10pm Carlotta
11:40pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
(Though not officially listed, assume Queensland will get State Election coverage on main channel).
Sunday 26 November
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1985
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm Making Muriel
8:40pm Friday On My Mind Premiere
10:15pm Blood + Thunder: The Sound Of Alberts
11:15pm Crowded House Live At Sydney Opera House
Monday 27 November
8:00pm Back Roads Series Return
8:30pm Foreign Correspondent New Series
9:15pm Media Watch
9:30pm Q&A
10:35pm Lateline
Tuesday 28 November
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Keeping Australia Safe
9:30pm Artsville: You See Monsters Premiere
Wednesday 29 November
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Rosehaven
9:00pm The Letdown
9:30pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
10:10pm Walliams And Friend: Harry Enfield
Thursday 30 November
8:00pm TBA
8:30pm The Ex-PM Final[/color]
8:55pm The Dream Factory
9:25pm Back
9:50pm Upper Middle Bogan Rpt
Friday 1 December
7:30pm DCI Banks
8:20pm Endeavour
9:50pm Planet America
Saturday 2 December
7:30pm Victoria
8:20pm Father Brown Rpt
9:05pm Jamaica Inn Rpt
10:05pm Friday On My Mind Rpt
11:40pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
Ten years ago in Sydney’s outer west, acclaimed filmmaker Aviva Ziegler spent a year filming at Plumpton High where an idealistic headmaster, Glenn Sargeant, battled to help a handful of pregnant 15 and 16-year-olds continue their education. The Plumpton High Young Mothers Programme was the only one of its kind in Australia, possibly even the world. Glenn believed that education could provide opportunities for even the poorest and most marginalised of students; if he could encourage their hopes and aspirations he could open doors to a world far beyond the one they knew or expected.
For all the immediate drama of their impending motherhood the year Aviva spent observing the teenagers in Glenn’s programme was the easy bit. The series left the girls and their babies on the threshold of their lives together – with the real story yet to unfold. Plumpton High Babies 10 Years On shines a powerful spotlight on the lives of three of those three young women. It is only on returning to the complex realities of the girls’ lives today that we see how much they and their children have at stake.
Simone, the girl Glenn held the most hope for, is doing it tough. Mark, the boyfriend for whom she dropped out of school, is bipolar and struggles to get work. At 27, Simone is already pinning her hopes for the future on the next generation. But can her young son live up to this? Meanwhile, Jacinta – despite teenage tragedy – has never given up her rose-coloured dreams. She is planning to get married – if only she can afford the wedding. In stark contrast, 27-year-old Baby has finally made it to university but the demanding struggles of single motherhood and full-time study are weighing her down.
As they struggle with family, relationships, work and self-esteem, we see whether they have managed to get a foothold on a new life or whether they have been overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control. Did his programme help any of them in the challenges they currently face? Did it break the welfare cycle? What difference, if any, did it make? While searching for answers to these questions, this film digs into and confronts our mainstream values and perceptions of success. Above all, it challenges our preconceptions – constantly surprising us with realities that are far more complex than the stereotypes would have us believe.
Sunday 3 December
6:00pm Classic Countdown: 1986
7:00pm ABC News
7:40pm War On Waste: What’s Changing
8:40pm Friday On My Mind Final
10:10pm Blood + Thunder: The Sound Of Alberts Final
11:10pm The Code
Monday 4 December
8:00pm Back Roads: Dunalley
8:30pm Foreign Correspondent
9:15pm Media Watch
9:30pm Q&A
10:35pm Lateline
Tuesday 5 December
8:00pm Screen Time
8:30pm Keeping Australia Safe
9:30pm Artsville: My Mother’s Lost Children Premiere
Wednesday 6 December
8:00pm Hard Quiz
8:30pm Rosehaven
9:00pm The Letdown Final
9:30pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
10:10pm Walliams And Friend: Sheridan Smith
Thursday 7 December
8:00pm TBA
8:30pm Call The Midwife
9:30pm Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites Christmas Specials
10:00pm Upper Middle Bogan Rpt
Friday 8 December
7:30pm DCI Banks
8:20pm Endeavour
9:50pm Planet America
Saturday 9 December
7:30pm Victoria
8:20pm Father Brown Rpt
9:05pm Jamaica Inn Rpt Final
10:05pm Friday On My Mind Rpt Final
11:40pm Adam Hills: The Last Leg
It’s not often Media Watch and Q&A continues into summer non-ratings. In the past both shows would have finished their seasons in early to mid November.
