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Anger rising over Underbelly 3

Controversy continues to attach to Nine's Underbelly as bereaved relatives criticise plans to document chapters from their life in the third series.

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ubdPre-production hasn’t even started on Underbelly 3 and it’s already attracting controversy. Such is the nature of this now infamous series. Sensationalism is as much attached to the dramatised version as it was to the original news stories.

Those who lived through some of Melbourne’s most violent murders and gangland fights in the 1980s are criticising plans to revive the stories in the third of Nine’s hit series.

The show’s producers plan to recreate the Walsh St police killings, and the underworld murders carried out by notorious criminal Dennis Allen, who dealt $70,000 worth of drugs a week and murdered those who crossed him, the Sunday Herald Sun notes.

Bereaved relatives of the families of Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre, the young constables killed in the Walsh St shootings, were said to be “distressed” over such plans.

Crime victims’ advocate Steve Medcraft said the plan was “appalling”.

“You have to ask why are we glorifying these people,” he said.

The third series will sandwich in between the first and second series, expected to link the ‘missing years’ of 1987-1995. During that time police corruption was also rife in New South Wales, leading to the Wood Royal Commission from ’94 -’97.

Source: news.com.au

22 Responses

  1. I think some people are missing the point here. There are Families that have lost loved ones to these evil low lives, and having gone through the hurt and pain in a private setting, now must learn of it being avalible to the public, via Australian television, and the internet.
    The two police that were killed where the sons, fathers, brothers ect of loving family that where just doing their job, that’s right, serving the public that is now veiwing their terrible demise. They (police) were called out to investigate a possible car theft, when they got to the scene they were ambushed, blown to peices with a 12 gauge shot gun, and pistol, two innocent police doing their job, randomly killed in retaliation for an incident that had Nothing to do with them.
    If you find it hard to accept that friends, and family, of these two police officers might get upset when they hear this is going to be televised, you really have no empathy.
    Ps: Yes it is entertainment, it does give people something to watch when they have nothing else more important to do, and there is no crime in that, But ethically and morally, the network (channel 9) broadcasting/making the series has an obligation not to offend the friends, and families of the dead, I mean, the show is so out of this realm wrong in all it portraits, it’s hysterically laughable, so if it’s so out of wack wrong (besides maybe “some” of the names they use) i’m sure they can edit the show in a way to avoid re-opening the wounds of loved ones that have burried, and put aside all the hurt they went through.

  4. unless people have lived that sorta lifestyle they should keep quiet, underbelly is watched by a vast majority of people who would like to do what they see in underbelly but yet lack the balls to do what they see.!!
    As someone who has/had “business” connections to a couple of under belly characters this show does nothing other than fuel peoples desires to become “wannabes” or “plastic gangsters”…Please people get over it

  5. Underbelly is the best show I’ve seen in years. (bought on DVD via ebay as its not been on UK telly). Its very well made, has ‘proper’ actors, gripping story-lines and great direction. Well don Australian TV! More please.

  6. Personally I’m a bit sick about hearing about Southern crime all the time. What about the corruption rife in the Queensland Police prior to the Fitzgerald Enquiry. If they must keep making these shows it would be nice to acknowledge that their viewers are from further afield and may have some interest in topics outside of Sydney and Melbourne… just a thought.

  7. “I have one message for those idiots who get angry over a Drama show! Get the f*** over it. Its a TV show, dont like it then simply dont watch it.”

    Its not just a TV show when its sensationalising and disrespecting the real life murder of your son, father, brother etc. and in the process glorifying the vermen who commited these terrible acts. They are upset because they believe it will paint the murders as heroes and not the police officers who were murdered.

    That being said its a good watch every Monday night, but you cant help but see where they are coming from. How would you feel if it was a member of your family?

  8. “Crime victims’ advocate Steve Medcraft said the plan was “appalling”.

    “You have to ask why are we glorifying these people,” he said.”

    Ummm because people want to watch it and it rates through the roof. What do you reckon Steve?

    I have to agree with other comments on this site if you don’t like it then don’t watch it! If it glorifies criminals so much why aren’t there another 2.1 million drugs dealers on the streets after underbelly 2 aired? If someone is going to be a criminal they will they don’t need TV to give them permission.

  12. I predict at least 5 seasons of Underbelly all up, then perhaps a few spinoffs to milk the cash…Underbelly: Bali, Underbelly: Miami and Underbelly: Crime Investigation Australia come to mind

  16. i hate the term “glorifying the killers’ or something similar….i have never once sat there and thought…wow I want to bring in drugs and get a gun and shoot anyone… just enjoy the story..whatever it is…

  17. To be honnest I dont think any amount of controversy could stop Underbelly now, at 2 mill an episode I think that Nine Network couldn’t care less about a few people complainig.

    I think Underbelly is a great show but is very sensationalised and I do often wonder how much of it is true to life.

  18. How silly movies and tv shows are made all the time based on real life murders/crimes. If it upsets you then don’t watch it! Still as they say all publicity is good publicity so Nine would be loving this controversy.

    This could be the best of the lot which is a huge call, but it looks good!

  19. Harry. I agree with you when its just people complaining because they dislike the show or it just annoys them but the article is about families of the victims to be depicted, for them its a little hard to “just get over it” or to avoid it altogether as the way they promote the show it makes it hard to as it pops up everywhere

  22. I have one message for those idiots who get angry over a Drama show! Get the f*** over it. Its a TV show, dont like it then simply dont watch it.

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