Logies snub community TV

The comedy writers of The Bazura Project don’t think there is anything funny about being ruled out of contention in the upcoming TV Week Logie Awards. Actors Shannon Marinko and Lee Zacharia have lobbied unsuccessfully to have their cult hit considered for the award of Most Outstanding Comedy Program.

The program achieved ratings success by community TV standards, with its wacky skits about the world of cinema recently winning the Antenna Award for best arts program on community television.

According to the rules governing nomination, any “comedy program or series televised on any free-to-air or subscription TV network in the year 2008” may be considered.

Marinko emailed Logies project manager Cate Carpenter but was told that, “Given your audience numbers, it is unlikely that Channel 31 programs would be considered… acceptance of the Networks candidates are based on ratings, popularity, likelihood of receiving a nomination and TV Week’s expert opinion… TV Week’s decision is to not accept submissions from community TV.”

Laurie Patton, Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) spokesperson and chief executive of TVS Television, was disappointed the program was not considered. “At a time when there are continuing calls for increased local content on Australian television we believe that this decision is unfair and unreasonable.”

TVS does not receive the same ratings figures as their mainstream counterparts, currently managing around 4 million viewers per month. “However, that figure would doubtless increase significantly if viewers could see what’s on community television in TV Week,” says Patton. Community channels are known for providing talented up-and-coming stars with a platform to gain a foothold in the industry.

Writer/director and star of the show, Marinko, maintains a healthy cynicism and is surprised at the overwhelming community support since appearing on ABC’s Media Watch program.

“Community TV is generally regarded as the red-headed stepchild of the TV industry, if indeed it’s actually regarded at all. There’s so many people, Australia-wide, plugging away for no money, with no equipment, often with no idea [particularly our own show] – just doing it because they love it. I’d certainly prefer the future of Australian TV to be coming from passionate people like that,” he said.

“We should probably just shut up and keep purchasing revolutionary cyclonic vacuum cleaners off the telly.”

– By Joseph Hull