TV's fads and follies of 2015

Updated November 29 2015 - 1:15am, first published 12:15am
In <i>The Bachelorette</i>, Channel Ten gambled that Australia craved a happy ending for the story of Sam Frost. Photo: Channel Ten
In <i>The Bachelorette</i>, Channel Ten gambled that Australia craved a happy ending for the story of Sam Frost. Photo: Channel Ten
Heston Blumenthal with <i>Masterchef</i> winner Billie McKay. The show produced the most-watched non-sport finale of the year. Photo: Supplied
Heston Blumenthal with <i>Masterchef</i> winner Billie McKay. The show produced the most-watched non-sport finale of the year. Photo: Supplied
<i>Game of Thrones</i> makes a Foxtel subscription worth considering for drama lovers. Photo: HBO
<i>Game of Thrones</i> makes a Foxtel subscription worth considering for drama lovers. Photo: HBO
Rebecca Gibney, with Peter O'Brien, in <i>Winter</i>. Photo: Channel Seven
Rebecca Gibney, with Peter O'Brien, in <i>Winter</i>. Photo: Channel Seven

The "official" ratings period ends at 2am on Sunday, November 29, letting us look forward to a nine-week silly season in which the networks assume the only viewing experience Australians need is cricket, tennis or carols by candlelight. Let's reflect on the fads and follies of the year, and ponder the lessons for the purveyors of the most "mass" of Australian entertainments.