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Rats are dirty on holdup

THE three-man jury—Nine Network CEO David Leckie, programmer John Stephens and drama head Kris Noble—is yet to deliver its verdict on the future of Water Rats.

Cast and crew finish shooting for the season on Friday but everyone remains in limbo about whether or not they shall return next year.

Industry insiders are reluctant to say when an announcement will be made (one was expected last week) preferring to suggest it's coming.

Despite assurances that someone from Nine's executive row would address the Rats cast and crew, that still has not happened yet.

Continuing to confuse the issue are the strong ratings figures the drama continues to post since being shifted from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Last week's episode, featuring its first wedding as well as the big kiss between Christey (Steve Bisley) and Alex (Dee Smart), scored the drama its best result for a long time.

In Sydney, the Rats attracted 460,768 viewers, even beating former 8.30pm rival, Seven's All Saints (442,063).

Confidential also hears Bisley, who announced last month he was leaving the show regardless of its future, shot his final scenes off Middle Head yesterday.

And caught yesterday was prince rat Aaron Pederson, having a nibble at Harry's Cafe de Wheels.

June 05, 2001
Sydney Confidential, Daily Telegraph



Rats to scamper back on

THE dark cloud hovering over Channel 9's Water Rats lifted yesterday when the network's head of drama Kris Noble finally spoke to the cast and crew.

A Confidential source said Noble made it quite clear it was Nine's intention to go ahead with the series next year, stressing if the show were to be canned the axe would have fallen much sooner.

Production for this year winds up tomorrow.

Once again, the Rats won its 9.30pm timeslot on Tuesday.

June 07, 2001
Daily Telegraph



Water Rats return for 2002

Water Rats held its wrap party at the Cargo Bar on Sydney's Darling Harbour June 10, with staff from Nine and Southern Star turning up in droves to chew over the food and the future. Chris Noble, Nine's head of drama, had again given the show a very late reprieve and announced only a few days before wrap that the network would renew. This was regarded by cast and crew as a reflection of the show's better ratings since Nine moved it to a new 9.30pm Tuesday timeslot. But the move came too late for many, who had already signed on for new jobs elsewhere. Steve Bisley and Dee Smart have also left the series. Word from Southern Star is that Nine has commissioned less episodes for the new season, which is due to start shooting in October.

Harvey Shore