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We’ve been promised a distinctively Australian version of Top Gear, so far though it resembles a distinctively franchised version of “regular” Top Gear.
As with the British version of the show, they’ve used the beginning of the first episode to tease us with what’s in the season ahead, which should give you a good idea of what kind of show we’re in for. As always, judge for yourself.
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Everyone seems to have an opinion about the multicultural broadcaster SBS, which is certainly a better position to be in than having nobody care about you either way. So I’m sure we’re all bound to have something to say about this mornings relaunch of its on air image and logo. As for me, I think its pretty great, and well overdue.
The broadcaster refreshed its still very effective former logo based on the Mercator map, with a slightly more modern interpretation to create what is easily one of the best logos on Australian television (as it battles it out with the Lissajous).
SBS hasn’t been everyones favourite public broadcaster of late, especially thanks to the insertion of advertisements midway through shows, previously only allowed before and after programs. That aside though the network is growing a stable of quality alternative programming, including but not limited to South Park, Mythbusters, Big Love, Skins, Top Gear, and later this year Top Gear Australia. And while the network is still rooted in the obligations of its charter, perhaps this new look is all part of play to become Australia’s equivalent of Channel 4.
Branding was beginning to seem like an after thought to SBS in recent times, with no actual idents on air we were starting to get worried, especially considering the mini masterpieces that had once graced our screens. But it looks like sanity has resumed with these beautifully crafted on air images, a graceful modern logo, and a whole new website.. now if only we can get rid of the ads.
The multicultural broadcaster is now also blogging, with an explanation about the new brand from the networks Director of Marketing available here.
More videos from the relaunch after the jump…
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If there is one show that quite deservedly gets a lot of banging on about on this blog, it’s Top Gear, and here I go again.. Tonight at 7:30pm SBS is airing the special North Pole race that I first mentioned back in July when it went to air on BBC Two. While I’m not sure it quite topped the American special in February, from sheer adventure alone, no other episode comes close.
And you’ve still got a few weeks left if you want to apply to host the Australian version of the show, the local production is bound to receive a lot of scrutiny and criticism so lets hope the it’s a little more American Office and a little less Amanda’s.
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I realise I’m probably giving this show a disproportionate amount of attention, especially considering I’m not even sure I like it, but its always had fairly cool promos, and really, at least it looks interesting, something thats been lacking lately on Australia’s prime time schedule… Whacked Out Sports? Really?!
Skins starts from season one tonight on SBS, and a new season starts soon on E4.
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If I can’t do something for the public good, what the hell am I doing?
For more on the life and work of Anita Roddick read the BBC’s obituary, her Wikipedia entry, or her own blog.
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SBS have had some sweet idents in the past, but lately.. nothing. With Big Love and Top Gear both on air at the moment I’m watching SBS more regularly than ever before, but seeing no idents.
The closest thing they seem to have is this Cadbury’s ad that incorporates the SBS logo. I hope they have something planned, because when a channel gets the kind of scrutiny and criticism that SBS gets, a solid on air brand, that reinforces whatever it is the network wants to be, would probably be a good thing.
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If you flick over to SBS right now, you’ll catch Big Love, a show that I’ve already gone on quite a bit about. The opening sequence however, deserves a mention. It’s classic HBO, a little surreal, a little very symbolic, accompnied by what Paul McCartney calls the best song ever written “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys.
Update: Get some insight into the symbolism of the opener with this comment.
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The HBO drama Big Love starts on SBS tonight at 8:30pm, and while its up against Life on Mars and Grey’s Anatomy among other things, it will be interesting to see how it goes. Like the Chaser, it may bring a new audience who would otherwise not be watching television, as opposed to eating away at another networks viewers. As you’ve probably already heard in the promos above, or seen in the print ads that appeared in today’s papers the show stars Bill Paxton as a practicing polygamist living in Salt Lake City.
SBS is really growing on me of late, and I’ve already gotten over the fact they have in-program advertising. The Indonesian News was never going to be a draw card for me on SBS, but programming like Top Gear, the new News, and now potentially Big Love, the Special Broadcasting Service is becoming a bit of a More4, and hopefully a good environment to foster alternative programming that isn’t getting shown elsewhere.
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Tonight on SBS at 9:30pm is a film called Sommersault. Released in 2004, and directed by Cate Shortland, the film stars Abbie Cornish and Sam Worthington.
The story starts in the “unreality” of Canberra, where a 15 year old incredibly naive Heidi makes a pass at her mothers boyfriend, only for her to walk in on it. Heidi flees Canberra for the snow town of Jindabyne, where she meets Joe…
I realise thats probably the worst summary of a movie in history, but I’m really more a TV guy. That said, its a beautiful film, with its soundtrack by Decoder Ring, so if your not doing anything else tonight, give this Australian made, official selection for the Cannes Film Festival movie a chance.
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(The above videos are Jimmy Carr looking behind the scenes of the Emmy award winning Top Gear. It was originally part of a “best of” episode.)
This isn’t the first time I’ve gushed over Top Gear, and probably won’t be the last. But when Jeremy Clarkson asks the world what should become of the show I thought it was probably worth bringing up.
And although Jeremy questions the recent direction of the show, I’m sure he’s well aware his little car magazine is reaching a television nirvana, not just for motoring programs, but for any type of broadcast on the medium.
It puts us on level terms with Eastenders. It means we are, give or take, the most watched show on the BBC. And that’s just in Britain. Factor in the rest of the world, and TG is effing massive.
When a show can give you goosebumps, makes you pace with excitement, giddy with laughter, silent in awe, and turn little more then three journalists into something more akin to the cast of Seinfeld, it seems the Orwellian prediction of televisions future is a little less Big Brother, and a little bit more cocking around with your mates (albeit filmed better than most movies).
So let Jeremy know what you think, but the shows natural evolution has, and will, continue to serve it better than any focus group could.
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