Raking in offshore buzz

MANY executives who attended the recent MIPCOM trade show and fair in Cannes reported a rather "flat", uninspiring time, but that's not to say Aussie products didn't sell well.

Much international buzz is said to have centered on the upcoming ABC drama Rake.

And why wouldn't it? The series, led by co-creator and producer Richard Roxburgh, takes Australian drama to another level.

It's certainly a step in the right direction, unlike the mostly clich aacd, uninspired dross still being delivered by the commercial channels.

Rake, an eight-part inspection of a spiralling life attached to law, also features arguably the finest small-screen cast ever collected.

Aiding Roxburgh are Hugo Weaving, Matt Day, David Field, Sam Neill, Rachel Griffiths, Noah Taylor, Sacha Horler and Lisa McCune among many others.

It makes its debut on November 4 at 8.30pm.

Still with MIPCOM, one international format that sounds, well, interesting, is the reality piece, Auction My Life.

Yep, follow a person or family as they sell up to start a new life. Audiences do the bidding.

I tip Foxtel to take up the series here.