Daily Archives: February 15, 2014

Drama, FRONT, TV

ABC Family Cancel’s PLL Spin-Off Ravenswood

Image

 

It was supposed to be the next big show for ABC Family.  On paper, it should have been.  A spin-off from the networks biggest show Pretty Little Liars with the added bonus of lead Caleb Rivers (Tyler Blackburn – a PLL favourite) moving from Rosewood to Ravenswood to investigate a mysterious curse that prey’s on the towns teenagers and created by Marlene King…it should have worked but ABC Family announced that after just one season, Ravenswood will not return.

Launched in October last year following the annual PLL Halloween episode, Ravenswood failed to capitalize on the dedicated fanbase and online social presence PLL has a stronghold on.  Most fans seem unable to connect with the show and felt the spin-off had nothing to do with PLL and was in a completely different genre.

The fictional town of Ravenswood featured in the first half of season four of Pretty Little Liars and saw a regular cross-over of main and supporting characters making appearances in the town, but the addition of supernatural elements in the show [Ravenswood]  made Ravenswood seem like a complete 360 on what many were expecting the spin-off to be.

No word on what this means for Tyler Blackburn and a return to the hit teen drama, though I’m assuming fans will be begging PLL creator Marlene King to bring him back to Rosewood and reunite him with his on screen girlfriend Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson)

Ravenswood’s Feb 4th episode also acted as the season closer and series finale.

The cancellation was first reported by TVLINE

While Pretty Little Liars airs Friday nights on FOX8 in Australia, Ravenswood was never picked up by an Australian network.

Channel 7, FRONT, Local TV, Made For Tv, TV

INXS: Never Tear Us Apart. Part 2 Reviewed.

1 Comment
395098-aa26d05e-8fae-11e3-836d-02ea2adb9f0a
Luke Arnold as Michael Hutchence and Andy Ryan, who plays Andrew Farriss in the two-part INXS telemovie. Source: Supplied

There’s a certain scene in this part two of INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, where you will find yourself saying “Michael really was troubled.”  Where part one of this impressive rock biopic was all about the bands early beginnings and rise to fame, this second part is all about INXS’ downfalls, inner demons and ultimately, the heart break caused by the death of Michael Hutchence.

Just like part one, the story works on jumping back and forth between different time lines.  We start off in 1997 right before Michael’s death, him alone in a hotel room reminiscing of good times before being ported back to 1988 where the band are having a meeting with their manager and are demanding to take a years break.

It’s towards the end of this break, where we begin to see the cracks starting to form within the band.  Rolling Stone magazine wants the band for an interview, but only want Michael for the cover.  Their international success has left Australia feeling cold towards the band and the change in the music scene in the early 90’s (where grunge indie bands like Nirvana began to top sell) see’s INXS almost make a reggae album.

Michael’s flurry of celebrity lovers are looked at more closely, though the storyline involving Kylie Minogue (Samantha Jade) is dealt with rather quickly and not given much thought.  Instead, we learn more about Michael’s time with supermodel Helena Christensen (Mallory Jansen) and finally, with Paula Yates (Georgina Haig)

346591-0d697020-8efd-11e3-836d-02ea2adb9f0a
The moment … Paula Yates met Michael Hutchence on the set of her TV show Big Breakfast. Source: Supplied

Again, Luke Arnold continues to play Michael Hutchence with a reckless, flawless and effortless flair.  Whether it’s sitting in on a band meeting dressed in a white suit and dark glasses or struggling to comprehend the custody dispute between Paula Yates and ex husband Bob Geldof (a situation often speculated leading to Michael’s death) or parading around on stage, microphone in hand, enthralling a stadium full of adoring fans, Luke Arnold IS Michael Hutchence.  His embodiment of Michael’s cockiness, recklessness and fearlessness only nails in just how perfect this casting decision is.

The same goes for the rest of the cast.  Damon Herriman as INXS’ manager Chris Murphy (Murphy actually produced the mini series), Hugh Sheridan as Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Ryan who bears an uncanny resemblance to his on screen alter ego of Andrew Farriss, Alex Williams as Kirk Pengilly, Ido Drent as Jon Farriss and newcomer Nick Masters as Tim Farriss all manage to stand out in their own right and own the material.

The only negative I have to offer: Grant Piro as Molly Meldrum and Brendan Barnett as U2 singer Bono offer quite cringe worthy performances but thankfully, their scenes are minimal and will only mildly distract.

There will be some tears (I know I did – unexpectedly) and Arnold’s final scene as INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence is fitting and honest as it is emotional and heart breaking.

INXS: Never Tear Us Apart – Part 2, airs Sunday night, Channel 7 at 8:30pm.