Outrageous Fortune returned to New Zealand TV last night for its fourth season - bringing the lives of our favourite Westies back to our small screens for another year. What is is store for us this season? Cheryl battles the forces of Wolf to defend her kids and her castle, Pascalle returns, and apparently we can expect some very risque sex scenes.

Some months ago, it was announced that the show would be made for US audiences when the rights for an American version of the show were sold to the ABC network, to be developed by the writer of popular shows Veronica Mars and Dawson’s Creek.

This follows a similar situation in Australia where their iconic show Kath & Kim was sold to a US network for production - and will star Hollywood scarlet Selma Blair. Who will take on the roles of the beloved West family stateside? Time will only tell. Outrageous Fortune has been immensely successful in New Zealand and is also showing in Australia and Britain in its current form. It’s also spawning international acting opportunities for some of the stars, it particular Grant Bowler who plays Wolf, who has been seen recently on several episodes of top rating show Lost.

Flight of the Conchords, another NZ TV show making headlines overseas has had some similar international success this week, with actress Jennifer Aniston expressing her interest in guest starring on the show’s second season. Rumor has it that Stephen Speilberg has also requested a copy of the first season from the lead Kiwi stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie.

Watch out world, Kiwis are storming small screens left, right, and centre this year!

Image from Flickr.

Can we have a round of (canned) applause for TV 3? They took out the major awards in the 2007 Qantas Television Awards on the weekend.

Outrageous success for Outrageous Fortune
Robyn Malcolm (remember her in a sensible nurse’s uniform on Shortland Street?) won Best TV Drama Actress for her role in hilarious New Zealand comedy Outrageous Fortune (yes, you read that right). And just to prove Outrageous Fortune really is getting the laughs, that show also grabbed the number one spots for Best Drama, Best Actor (Antony Starr) and Best Script.

Best news and current affairs
For newsy things on the box, 3 News was the winner on the night. Duncan Garner, 3 News political reporter, received a nod for TV Journalist of the Year and Best News Reporting. 60 Minutes was winner of Best Current Affairs Series (and perhaps Most Sensational too?). Mark Sainsbury won the coveted Best Presenter award for his role on Close Up, in which judges said he displayed a “direct and engaging on air manner.” They did, however, also notice that it’s always Movember for Mark, and suggested that his monstrous mo’ “could do with a shave.”

Top comedy, entertainment and sport TV programmes
Comedy show Pulp Sport took out the top Comedy award and that slightly disturbing series, Dancing with the Stars, topped the Entertainment category. The long-suffering consumer justice campaigners at Fair Go won Information Programme of the year, while Let’s Get Inventin’ earned the Children’s television prize and coverage of the America’s Cup in Valencia was awarded best in Sport.

If you’re having trouble planning your next fix of small screen goodness, visit our New Zealand TV Guide category.