Headland

[RitaLittlewood]

You've all probably heard about this spin-off and how it was axed. It has been taken off here in Australia from last Saturday. However, that wasn't the last ever episode. From TV Week 4-10 February 2006:

Just one week after it was announced that Blue Heelers had been axed, the Seven Network confirmed that Headland would also cease production.

Rumours had been circulating for weeks that the show was to end, and when the cast and crew were told that it would move to a new timeslot, many saw the writing ont he wall.

"This Saturday, 6.30pm: Headland. Please watch," said and email circulated by one cast member, who was all too aware that scores of jobs were at risk.

But last week it was announced that the show wouldn't continue filming.

"Yesterday cast and crew were advised that Headland would not go back into production," said a Seven spokesperson.

"They have enough in the can to air episodes throughout the year. They may go back to it, down the track - but at this point in time they have stopped production."

Viewers may remember that 20 years ago, Neightbours was axed by Seven, then picked up by Network Ten. Could something similar happen to Headland? "Who knows in the television industry?" the spokesperson says.

Patsy

[sallywebster]

We were supposed to get this in the uk on E4/C4. Originally it was meant to be a Home and Away spin off but FIVE didnt want it. Its a shame that its unlikely to ever be shown in the uk

[RitaLittlewood]

I'd never heard of it before last week. But was told the last ep was last Saturday. So it was interesting reading that in TV Week. It certainly isn't on next week so who knows when it will be finished here on 7?

Patsy

[sallywebster]

I only knew about it because it was in one of the soap mags and digital spy as well.

[sootycat]

Actually, I was more shocked to read that Blue Heelers had been axed.

It was on Central for quite a while, and I was very sad when they stopped showing it, because it had fast become one of my favourite shows.

[sallywebster]

I never saw that as HTV Wales or Granada never showed it.

[RitaLittlewood]

We had it for a while too. There was a feature on that in last week's mag. Axed after 12 years. It's got repeats here in the afternoons too like The Bill. Australian TV is worse than ours, trust me. Sooty, would you like me to type up the article for you? I keep the mags because they're souvenirs. I suppose I'll have to keep an International Express since they seem to have stopped the UK Mail since I was last here. Grrr!

Patsy

[sallywebster]

They show a lot of our programmes in Oz though dont they?

[RitaLittlewood]

Ours and American. The schedules are littered with them with bugger all of their own. Plus there's too much news. Weekends can have films or sport all on the main channels at the same time. Their TV is what ours used to be like years ago.

Patsy

[eithne]

They have a pretty small industry I suppose, so that is a problem. It is the same in Ireland. TV3 is owned by Granada (or ITV Productions now) and I'd say 60% of their shows are ITV made. They have Corrie, Emmerdale, Dancing on Ice, the X Factor, Celebrity Love Island, Soapstar Superstar etc. During the day there is often repeats of shows such as London Burning. The rest of the shows are either American or news & sport. They make about sixteen hours of Irish TV a week (15 of which are from a morning chat show and one is from an evening chat show!)

[sallywebster]

We get very little Oz programmes over here apart from Neighbours and Home and Away

[RitaLittlewood]

Well at least their main channels are like ITV used to be and show different things in different states with even dedicated news and local programming. One of the letters complaining about Blue Heelers being axed in last week's TV Week said about the lack of decent Aussie programmes.

Patsy

[sootycat]

I would like to read that Blue Heelers article Patsy thanks.

I have heard a rumour that there is going to be a new Satellite channel called Aussie Gold...........have you heard anything ??

[sallywebster]

I heard about Aussie Gold a couple of years ago but nothing came of it.

[RitaLittlewood]

Just for you, Sooty, here's the article and viewers letters:

From TV Week 28 January - February 3 2006 written by Helen Vnuk

Feeling Blue
Cast members and fans are sad to see Blue Heelers' 12-year run come to an end

The news every Blue Heelers fan dreaded hearing has been delivered: the long-running Aussie drama will come to an end in 2006.

Only 11 episodes remain in the series, which premiered on the Seven Network in January 1994. These episodes will go to air sometime in the first half of this year.

"Blue Heelers is an institution and has long been the breeding ground for some of Australia's finest acting, writing and directing talent," says Seven's director of programming and production, Tim Worner.

"We have a great deal of respect for Blue Heelers and its audience. We are committed to giving the program the farewell it deserves."

As disappointing as the news was to Blue Heelers[/i[ fans, it wasn't a surprise. Rumours of the show's axing were circulating last year, and fans campaigned to save it. When the Seven and Ten Networks negotiated a $780 million deal for AFL rights earlier this month, the rumours intensified.

Martin Sacks, who played PJ Hasham for a decade paid tribute to the show.

"It was an entity unto itself," he says, "and proved, with genuine collaboration between actors, writers and crew, that you can make a wonderful piece of television magic that appeals to a large audience.

"It was an extraordinary experience and one I am extremely grateful for."

Meanwhile Lisa McCune, who won four Logies for her role as Maggie Doyle, remembers her time on the show with great affection.

"A lot of friends who I still have now started out on Blue Heelers, and of course I married someone (crew member Tim Disney) who was with me in the early days as well," she told TV WEEK recently. "It was just such a great place to be.

"The ride of Blue Heelers was the ride of my life. I had a ball, and am really proud of my time there."


Blue Heelers Facts

First screened: Tuesday, January 18, 1994, at 7.30pm
Original cast: John Wood, Martin Sacks, Lisa McCune, Julie Nihill, William McInnes, Grant Bowler, Ann Burbook
Logies won: 24
Groundbreaking achievement: Aired a live episode in 2004
Record: When the final episode goes to air - its 510th - it will equal Homicide's record as the longest-running police drama on Australian TV


Goodbye, Heelers

TV WEEK readers were saddened by the news their favourite show had been axed

January 13, 2006, was the end of an era for Australian television drama, with the sad news that the Seven Network had axed Blue Heelers. The show will forever remain in the hearts of Australian viewers for years to come. John Wood must get that Gold Logie now.
Sarah

Since I was five years old, Wednesday nights have always been Blue Heelers night. We would always stop to watch our favourite cops in Mount Thomas. I wish the cast and crew of Blue Heelers the best of luck.
Julia

When Blue Heelers died, a piece of me went with it. It may sound absurd, but it's true and many people don't understand that, and so fans have turned to each other. Through this TV show we have met new friends online through one common interest: Blue Heelers. It's a fantastic show with such a strong and beautiful cast. Nothing will ever fill its place.
Natalie

Blue Heelers became a huge part of my life, and was, in fact, my inspiration for my future - I plan to join the police force when I leave school. I would personally like to congratulate the cast and crew who worked with Blue Heelers over the past 12 years.
Frances

I'm a huge fan of the show, so of course I am outraged. The way it was done was so terrible, so not fitting for such a celebrated, historical and iconic drama. January 13, 2006 - the day the drama died! RIP Blue Heelers.
Mad

I was distraught when I read about Blue Heelers' axing. In bad times, it gave me an hour of happiness, and in other times inspired me to write. Thanks for 12 excellent years.
Rachel

Blue Heelers is my favourite show and it's very sad to see such a longstanding, quality drama axed. We need to support our local dramas otherwise we will end up seeing this happen on a regular basis, and that would be extremely sad for Australian television.
Sara

I will never love a show as much as Blue Heelers. All that we faithful viewers can do is hope that Heelers will be put out on DVD, and all the cast and crew get great jobs and well-deserved Logies. Well done for such an amazing time, Heelers.
Kirsty

It's terribly upsetting to know that Blue Heelers is finishing up. I'm a huge fan of the show and have been an avid viewer since the age of 12. I've been glued to my chair many times while watching the show. I have every episode on tape from when I started watching it. I will miss tuning in every Wednesday night.
Richenda

When I heard that Blue Heelers was being axed, I couldn't believe it. The show demonstrates the hardships that the Australian police are faced with on a regular basis. Please, Seven Network, don't be so tight and put Heelers back on!
Ellen

It is disappointing that, after just 11 episodes this year, Heelers fans will no longer be able to sit every Wednesday night to watch Tom and co solve the continuous crime spree that evolves in Mount Thomas each week. All I can hope is that there is a successful romance before Heelers is gone for good!
Izzy

I can't believe they axed this top Aussie drama. It was full of great storylines and had an awesome cast. I'm sick of seeing American shows on TV all the time. There are only a few good Aussie shows out there - why get rid of one of the best ones?
Kirsty

[sootycat]

Thanks for that Patsy, it sounds as it will be really missed.
They didn't give any reasons for axing it though, did they. Usually falling ratings play a part.
Its a shame though. Good quality TV is not so easy to find these days.

[RitaLittlewood]

I would have thought it would be ratings, Sooty. But because of spending millions on Aussie Rules is just pathetic. There's hardly any Australian programming as it is. It's mainly American. ABC shows more British stuff but the others it's US galore!

Patsy

[SharonHarvey2]

So if this was a spin off, who was in it??

[sallywebster]

It wasnt a spin off in the end because FIVE didnt want it and C4/E4 did so understandably they didnt want to make it as a Home and Away spin off as it might promote a rival channels show.

The guy who played Kane in Home and Away was in it but as a different character.