underbelly

[the_fresh]

Channel Nine approves second Underbelly - report


Article from:


May 05, 2008 12:58pm

THE Nine Network is understood to have approved a new series of Underbelly, its smash hit TV show which reveals the graphic details of Melbourne's gangland wars.
Underbelly star Les Hill announced the approval of a new series to a packed Logies TV awards audience in Melbourne last night.

Hill, who played slain gangster Jason Moran, told the crowd that Nine CEO David Gyngell had given the green light for a new batch of Underbelly programs.

Ironically, many of the stars in the Melbourne audience have not even seen an episode of the hottest Australian program in years - the series remains banned in Victoria while court actions related to the gangland battles continue.

The 13-part Underbelly covers the Melbourne gangland wars between 1994 and 2004.

The program's finale is on Sydney TV on Wednesday night and the release of an Underbelly DVD set - being promoted as containing scenes too hot for the television program - is expected to go close to being the biggest selling TV DVD in Australian history.

Pre-sales of the DVD have been estimated as much as 60,000.

Details of what could be involved in a new Underbelly series remain unclear today.

But it is believed a new series could be essentially a prequel, that is dealing with more stories of the gangland wars before the arrest of Carl Williams which marks this week's first series finale.

One aspect of the story being speculated about is whether a new series could feature more detail about the life and crimes of Alphonse Gangitano, who was killed off in the first episode of Underbelly.

His character was played by actor Vince Colosimo and there is speculation the program producers would want to make more of Colosimo's sex symbol popularity in the future.

The stars of the program certainly showed last night how much they are enjoying their moment of fame when they arrived at the Logies in a Hummer with full gangster-look on display.

Their arrival was one of the highlights of the night - both at the event and during the televised broadcast.

 

[Father Jack]

I thought it was a joke. I mean, the war's over, innit?

 

[tribey]

His character was played by actor Vince Colosimo and there is speculation the program producers would want to make more of Colosimo's sex symbol popularity in the future.

When I sex ppl I always imagine I am Neville Bartos or am doing Neville Bartos.

Good move on Nine's part.

 

[Alex99]

When I sex ppl I always imagine I am Neville Bartos or am doing Neville Bartos.

Good move on Nine's part.

One of the best Australian movies ever – love uncle chop chop.

[youtube]G3VnX0hf_yM[/youtube]

Fantastic move by channel 9 to have a second series.

 

[Corrosion]

I thought it was a joke. I mean, the war's over, innit?

Yeah, the war is over, but the second season is rumoured to be a prequel to the first season. It's a great idea as the writers can introduce each respective underworld figure better than they did for most in the current show, and can focus more on the build-up to the war.

 

[kane249]

Yeah, the war is over, but the second season is rumoured to be a prequel to the first season. It's a great idea as the writers can introduce each respective underworld figure better than they did for most in the current show, and can focus more on the build-up to the war.

Also means they can focus more on Vince Colossimo as well and not just give him 1 episode

 

[thegreenmachine]

Channel Nine approves second Underbelly - report


Article from:


May 05, 2008 12:58pm

THE Nine Network is understood to have approved a new series of Underbelly, its smash hit TV show which reveals the graphic details of Melbourne's gangland wars.
Underbelly star Les Hill announced the approval of a new series to a packed Logies TV awards audience in Melbourne last night.

Hill, who played slain gangster Jason Moran, told the crowd that Nine CEO David Gyngell had given the green light for a new batch of Underbelly programs.

Ironically, many of the stars in the Melbourne audience have not even seen an episode of the hottest Australian program in years - the series remains banned in Victoria while court actions related to the gangland battles continue.

The 13-part Underbelly covers the Melbourne gangland wars between 1994 and 2004.

The program's finale is on Sydney TV on Wednesday night and the release of an Underbelly DVD set - being promoted as containing scenes too hot for the television program - is expected to go close to being the biggest selling TV DVD in Australian history.

Pre-sales of the DVD have been estimated as much as 60,000.

Details of what could be involved in a new Underbelly series remain unclear today.

But it is believed a new series could be essentially a prequel, that is dealing with more stories of the gangland wars before the arrest of Carl Williams which marks this week's first series finale.

One aspect of the story being speculated about is whether a new series could feature more detail about the life and crimes of Alphonse Gangitano, who was killed off in the first episode of Underbelly.

His character was played by actor Vince Colosimo and there is speculation the program producers would want to make more of Colosimo's sex symbol popularity in the future.

The stars of the program certainly showed last night how much they are enjoying their moment of fame when they arrived at the Logies in a Hummer with full gangster-look on display.

Their arrival was one of the highlights of the night - both at the event and during the televised broadcast.

Fantastic. The series only highlights what happened up until 2004. Presumably this means they will highlight what has happened past that year (the year Carl Williams was arrested wasn't it?) and someone being killed in 2006 (for those who don't know I won't say)
Last episode of this sensational show this Wednesday. Won't miss it.

 

[TigerCraig]

Fantastic. The series only highlights what happened up until 2004. Presumably this means they will highlight what has happened past that year (the year Carl Williams was arrested wasn't it?) and someone being killed in 2006 (for those who don't know I won't say)
Last episode of this sensational show this Wednesday. Won't miss it.

I think they are actually looking at going back pre Underbelly - how the Carlton Crew got to where they were, the rise of the Moran's, more of Gangitano etc

 

[Oscarman]

I think they are actually looking at going back pre Underbelly - how the Carlton Crew got to where they were, the rise of the Moran's, more of Gangitano etc

Sounds great. Alphonse needed more time than 1 episode.

 

[thegreenmachine]

I think they are actually looking at going back pre Underbelly - how the Carlton Crew got to where they were, the rise of the Moran's, more of Gangitano etc

Like Oscarman and a few others have said, it's good that it looks like they are going to highlight more of Alphonse Gangitano. Considering 9 spent a huge amount of money on this series and Alphonse is played by a big name actor in Vince Colossimo, you'd naturally think that he needs more time being highlighted, though of course whether it was always certain they would make another series is another thing to take into consideration. Gangitano, nicknamed the "Black Prince of Lygon Street", may have been one of the 1st people murdered in the underworld killings, but he was still a big name and reading a few biographies on various websites, he was considered one of the more charismatic underworld figures.
Hopefully they also highlight more of Mark Moran. Apart from the episode where he was murdered, he was too often in the shadow of Jason in my view.
While probably not as high profile as Jason (whether this was because perhaps the underworld killings were not getting as much attention when he was murdered or he just naturally kept a lower profile than Jason), reading by a few sites Mark was considered almost just as ruthless if crossed.
It should be worthwhile watching whenever it comes out again.

 

[Scruff83]

I dunno whether to be excited by this news or not. On the one hand I'd love to see more as its been a great series and I'll miss it once its over. On the other hand I feel like a second series could be a massive failure. Surely the stories that haven't been told will pale in comparison to the high drama of what we've seen in this series. I dunno, I think maybe nine should just bow out on top with this one.

 

[Dry Rot]

I dunno whether to be excited by this news or not. On the one hand I'd love to see more as its been a great series and I'll miss it once its over. On the other hand I feel like a second series could be a massive failure. Surely the stories that haven't been told will pale in comparison to the high drama of what we've seen in this series. I dunno, I think maybe nine should just bow out on top with this one.

Agreed. And no Roberta Williams in it either.

Will be a dud.

And generally, aren't most prequels duds anyway?

 

[cowboy18]

I think if it digs back to some of the Painters and Dockers times (Les Kane, Putty Nose etc.) and their conflicts it would be compelling viewing.

The rise of the Morans and their ilk is something that didn't really come through in the series.

Might be a chance to showcase some VFA re-enactments (Cook, Harland et al.) to give the show the appropriate period feel.

 

[Killer eagle]

OH FK I MISSED IT!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bombers_Forever]

I must be the only one who thought last night was a bit of a letdown - good episode but not the big one I thought it would be.

 

[Father Jack]

I guess the problem was always going to be that just about everyone knew what was going to happen, so it was a bit hard to build up the suspense as you knew Carl was goin' down.

They certainly did seem to tone down the pointless rooting scenes in the last few episodes though, which was good as I didn't think that it added much to the show. A bit of occasional decorative nudity like in the last show is all that is required I reckon.

 

[kane249]

I guess the problem was always going to be that just about everyone knew what was going to happen, so it was a bit hard to build up the suspense as you knew Carl was goin' down.

They certainly did seem to tone down the pointless rooting scenes in the last few episodes though, which was good as I didn't think that it added much to the show. A bit of occasional decorative nudity like in the last show is all that is required I reckon.

Very decorative in that last show, how hot was that asian chick? Noooooooiiiiiiiice

 

[tribey]

I know the Logies are about as credible as the annual vote for Primary School House Captains, but how is it that the actress playing Roberta Williams goes un-nominated while Sally Fletcher wins her second Gold?

 

[Blue_Skies_Ahead]

Very decorative in that last show, how hot was that asian chick? Noooooooiiiiiiiice

SMOKINNNNNNNN!!!

 

[Blue_Skies_Ahead]

I really enjoyed this series but unfortunatly I think 9 should bury it now…

Whats the point of going to the start when the end has already been done?

There wasn’t enough detail...

Character building…

It basically was about fatboys rise and fall...…

They should have named it Carl Williams : The fatboy goes down….

Would have been more appropriate me thinks!!!

 

[Alex99]

I know the Logies are about as credible as the annual vote for Primary School House Captains, but how is it that the actress playing Roberta Williams goes un-nominated while Sally Fletcher wins her second Gold?

Because the voting process for the Logies was done before Underbelly even premiered. As crap as the Logies are, this show will scoop the pool with them next year.

 

[Caraboo]

Once again foxtel IQ and channel 9 are way out of sync!!!

I'm fuming!!! The IQ cut out with Mario on the balcony with his minder talking about the 20K 'deposit', while those 2 others were wandering through the cemetary (this was just after they had the Hinch radio commentry about Mr Shortbread's passing away).

Can anyone tell me how it unfolded on the show after that please?

 

[Gabbie]

I must be the only one who thought last night was a bit of a letdown - good episode but not the big one I thought it would be.

Not flying solo there. Bit dis-jointed IMO, like a rush job.

 

[WA ROO]

Very decorative in that last show, how hot was that asian chick? Noooooooiiiiiiiice

Anyone get her name from the credits?

 

[kane249]

Anyone get her name from the credits?

I barely saw what her face looked like when she was on screen let alone trying to find out what her name was