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**bertowud** · 10-12-2009, 02:21 AM

Has anyone seen an Australian show called Underbelly? I think it may have been a miniseries.

Is it any good? What can you tell me about it?

**JHyde** · (This post was last modified: 10-12-2009 02:44 AM by JHyde.)

(JHyde mounts her proverbial hobby horse.)

It wasn't a mini series, it ran as full length series of about the same length as an HBO series.

I have significant problems with this show, the first of which is that it told the stories of several criminals in organized crime who were at that very point on trial for the same crimes explored in the show. I think this is wrong, and is an attack on any fair judicial process.

Then there's that fact that it really did set up the people involved to be heroes and glamourised it in a way that Channel Nine (the broadcaster who paid for the show) is notorious for doing.

I have no problem with shows or movies about organized crime. I watched the Sopranos and I like Goodfellas. The difference is that the first was fictional and the second was about crimes that had already been prosecuted with time served.

Finally, and most importantly, the show really sucked. It's probably the most successful home grown drama the country's had in nearly 10 years, but I really had to force myself to watch the DVDs (I won them, I didn't pay for them.) I genuinely found the way they went about creating the narrative tedious, and even the great cast couldn't make up for it.

That's the first series. The second series was about the growth of the family the 70s and I haven't seen it, but it does have people in it I want to see. I just think on principle and on content, it's not worth your time bertowud. But ratings and many critics disagree with me.

**Fidget** · 10-12-2009, 07:23 AM

I watched a few bits & pieces of episodes ( my husband watched both series)......too brutal & far too many naked sex scenes for me....

ausfan · (This post was last modified: 10-12-2009 09:50 AM by ausfan.)

The trials were already over before the show aired. They had to can it a few years prior due to a trial.
Not a bad show but the book written by the two Journos gives more background.

**JHyde** · 10-12-2009, 10:04 AM

At least five of the major players involved were at various stages of trial and appeal in the Victorian judicial system. As it was, the state Supreme court banned Channel Nine from showing it in Victoria.

I have as much of a problem with the books. I think there's a line crossed by these "journalists" and ghostwriters who make such a huge profit from organized crime racquets. Those books weren't just factual, nonfiction. I'm not usually one to claim that things like this inspire and provoke criminals, but this is a classic instance that has caused a great deal of trouble within Victoria of copycat efforts. And in this case, I think the criticism is fair.

**bertowud** · 10-12-2009, 11:31 AM

So JHyde, you'd say you feel strongly about this?

I was wondering about it. I had heard it was like the 2nd greatest show ever produced for Australian TV.

**JHyde** · (This post was last modified: 10-12-2009 11:40 AM by JHyde.)

If you want something about Aussie crime, I would recommend Blue Murder, which was as much about police corruption as it was about criminality.

I know I'm worked up. The irony is I don't have a problem with programs about organized crime or even gratuitous violence, to a point. But these books and the first series (at least) really do cross a line when it comes to "inspiring" criminals. It's a fine line, and I'm certainly not an advocate of strict censorship when it comes to criminal acts. But you have no idea how much it was hyped here, and how it spawned a whole new breed of gang rivalry in a way that the media actually ENCOURAGED. And that's just wrong.

I will dismount from my hobby horse now and retire from this thread. I can recommend much better Australian programs, although not necessarily in the same vein.