Romance leaves farmers in its dust

Sam and Jodie. Source: Supplied

Holly Byrnes, The Herald Sun, reports

The drought continues for four of the six bachelors who thought they'd found love on Channel 9 dating series The Farmer Wants A Wife.

The season final ended with five couplings, including one romance host Natalie Gruzlewski speculated would end in a wedding invitation.

But after the credits rolled and the TV circus left town, three of the new romances have since been scuttled.

West Australian farmer Tom cuddled up with Perth girl Fiona during the finale, but is now "just friends" with his chosen one and Shauna, the woman he overlooked.

Production sources said the tyranny of distance had also claimed the budding relationship between Bruny Island farmer Todd and the free-spirited Jenna he chose over surfer chick Leah.

"They dated for a while, but the distance proved too much," a TV insider said.

Potato farmer Matt, from Waubra in Victoria, had the help of his mother to choose his potential wife, Jasmine, but the attraction between the footy-loving pair has since cooled (with reports he is also still in touch with his second choice, Brittney).

Irish expat farmer Paul's search for love continues, after both his choices, Vanessa and Genevieve, walked out on him during the farm stays.

However, it's been a happier ending for farmer Nikko of Richmond, Queensland, and Sam of Kununurra, Western Australia, who are reportedly still dating their TV "wives", Jade and Jodie respectively.

Sam and Jodie are perhaps the season's best chance at a lasting romance, the Sydney-based travel agent said to be considering a more permanent move west for her TV suitor.

Mustering cattle in Kimberley in his day job, 32-year-old Sam admitted he had an instant attraction to his 27-year-old pole-dancing pick.

Staking her claim on the rough diamond bloke from the bush, Jodie told Gruzlewski: "I feel like I belong to him and he belongs to me."

LOVE BITES

Farmer Nikko from Richmond, Queensland chose Brisbane yoga teacher Jade: still dating.

Farmer Todd from Bruny Island, Tasmania chose Perth spirit Jenna: distance proved too much, just friends.

Farmer Paul from Gnaraloo Farm, Western Australia: still single after both ladies he chose walked out.

Farmer Tom from Beeac, Victoria chose Perth city girl Fiona: recently broke up.

Farmer Matt from Waubra, Victoria chose Melbourne city girl Jasmine: just friends.

Farmer Sam from Kunanurra, Western Australia chose Sydney travel agent Jodie: still dating.

Nikko and Jade.

Biggest ratings battle to date starts Sunday night

Nine will be in big trouble if Big Brother doesn't work, says media analyst, Steve Allen. Picture: Channel Nine Source: news.com.au

Colin Vickery, The Daily Telegraph, reports

TV audiences will be spoilt for prime time viewing choices in a $100 million TV war that begins Sunday night.

That is when Channel 10 will unleash Sarah Murdoch-hosted talent show Everybody Dance Now.

Dance is the start of a mammoth roll-out by Ten that includes I Will Survive, Puberty Blues, Don’t Tell the Bride and Can of Worms with new host Chrissie Swan.

Nine is firing back with a swag of new shows including Underbelly: Badness, Big Brother, Howzat!, House Husbands, The Farmer Wants a Wife, Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management and Dallas.

Seven has The X Factor, US drama GCB, and Beauty & The Geek ready to roll.

This is the fiercest ratings battle yet and viewers will be spoiled for choice.

Media analyst Steve Allen says Ten is taking a big chance by coming out of the gates first.

Ten is relying on local shows to boost its ratings fortunes after a being swamped by Seven and Nine in the first half of the year.

“This is a huge roll of the dice (for Ten) and it is Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,” Allen says.

One of the big questions is whether three talent shows – Dance, Survive and X Factor – can all flourish at the same time.

Ten is putting Dance up against the Olympics. It poached Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan for Survive.

Allen doubts they can all be hits.

“You can’t double or triple a genre,” Allen says. “The overall audience goes up but the averages fall.”

Big Brother is Nine’s most crucial show. The reality show, hosted by Sonia Kruger, is set to run for three months.

A strong ratings performance by Big Brother will boost all of Nine’s other shows.

“If Big Brother doesn’t get up, Nine will have a lot of problems,” Allen says.

Seven and Nine are in a neck-and-neck battle for 2012 ratings supremacy.

Seven scored first blood with My Kitchen Rules but Nine hit back with The Block and The Voice.

Seven is taking a punt on Kath & Kim repeats and programs that have already screened on Foxtel – Smash and Killing Time.

Channel 10:

Everybody Dance Now
Dance talent show hosted by Sarah Murdoch. Kelly Rowland and Jason Derulo are in charge of 88 dance acts chasing the $250,000 first prize.
Starts: August 12

I Will Survive
Talent show looks for singer/dancer/actor to be in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert stage show. Hosted by Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan.
Starts: August 22

Puberty Blues
TV reboot of classic Aussie novel by Gabrielle Cary and Kathy Lette. Cast includes Claudia Karvan.
Starts: August 15

Don’t Tell the Bride
Reality show where grooms plan weddings. Hosted by Kate Ritchie.
Starts: August 21

Can of Worms
Chrissie Swan replaces Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson for show that asks curly moral questions.
Starts: August 20

Channel 9:

Underbelly Badness
Latest in crime franchise stars Jonathan LaPaglia as Sydney underworld figure Anthony “Badness” Perish.
Starts: August 13

The Farmer Wants a Wife – Love Bites
Six farmers go on 200 speed dates in the latest edition of Nine’s romance series.
Starts: August 15

Big Brother
Family-friendly version of famed reality show on a new network. Hosted by Sonia Kruger.
Starts: August 13

Howzat!
Lachy Hulme stars as media mogul Kerry Packer in this two-part drama about World Series Cricket.
Starts: August 19

Anger Management
Charlie Sheen returns to sitcoms after getting fired from Two and a Half Men.
Starts: August 14

House Husbands
Aussie drama about men who raise kids. Gary Sweet, Rhys Muldoon, Gyton Grantley and Firass Dirani play title roles.
Starts: August/September

Dallas
Original Dallas cast including Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy return for soap opera about wealthy Dallas oil and cattle-ranching family.
Starts: August/September

Channel 7:

The X Factor
Same judges – Ronan Keating, Guy Sebastian, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Mel B – new talent including Bella Ferraro and boyband What About Tonight.
Starts: August 20

GCB
US drama from Sex and the City creator Darren Starr. Kristin Chenoweth and Leslie Bibb play southern belles.
Starts: August/September

Kath & Kim: The Souvenir Editions
Repackaged episodes of Kath & Kim with new introductions by Gina Riley and Jane Turner.
Starts: August/September

Smash
Broadway drama starring Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston. Think of it as a grown-up Glee.
Starts: August/September

Killing Time
David Wenham stars in acclaimed mini-series about disgraced lawyer Andrew Fraser.
Starts: August/September

Paul Hoges' old farm on reality dating show

Paul Hogan's former mansion in Byron Bay is the scene for "introductions" in A Farmer Wants A Wife. Source: AFP

The Herald Sun reports

Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan's lavish and secluded former home is being used as the "introductions" venue for the eighth instalment of The Farmer Wants A Wife.

No doubt a few "shrimps on the barbie" will be had when the bachelors meet the wannabe farm girls.

Filming of Nine's reality dating show started last Wednesday at Hoges' former Spanish-style mansion, Cedar Springs, at Byron Bay, in northern NSW.

It's the first time after seven straight seasons the Hunter Valley will not be the backdrop for the start of the series.

Executive producer Caroline Spencer said the new location would help the show to feel more contemporary.

Two Victorian farmers were among seven in the running to compete in this year's series - Farmer Matt from Waubra, 33km from Ballarat, and Farmer Tom, from Beeac near Colac.

Farmer Wants A Wife is considered one of the more successful reality dating shows because it has continually pulled strong ratings.

It has resulted in five weddings, three de facto relationships and five children since its debut.

Hogan built Cedar Springs, on 46ha, in the 1990s after Crocodile Dundee's runaway success.

No doubt Cedar Springs' current owners, Sydney socialites Duncan and Sally Mount, hope someone falls in love with the house. It is on the market for about $8 million.