Channel TEN has finally pulled the plug on its latest game show, Taken Out.
It is to be replaced by The Simpsons effective from tonight.
After tracking its performance in a week of single guys, TEN has been forced to turn out the light on its own show. This week it started with 610,000 but last night was at 533,000 viewers. TEN is mindful that last Friday it dropped to 465,000 viewers. Meanwhile Seven News had 1.44m viewers while Nine News had 1.1m viewers.
For a show whose biggest audience was younger females, the show also didn’t make the top ten 16-39 programmes in Australia last night. By contrast, Neighbours was #7th.
TEN had always sought to revisit the dating / game show genre with Taken Out but the show wasn’t even keeping the Neighbours audience before being moved from 7pm to 6pm.
FremantleMedia, which has also produced the hit dating show Farmer Wants a Wife, also had on-going casting issues with a low turn-out of single men.
A TEN spokesperson said no decision has been made on airing remaining episodes. The network was pleased with the performance of host James Kerley, who arguably managed to keep the show moving with not much to work with.
The show shoots its final episodes next week.
Tonight TEN returns The Simpsons to its trusty 6pm timeslot with the episode “Mr. Plow.” That name again, Mr Plow.
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I’m very disapponted in this move. I felt that the show was a great social experiment in psychology. I completly agree with pam.
@Emma: You’re right, it’s about light entertainment and reality.
Please bring the show back. It’s good fun to watch after a long working day.
It’s also about psychology between men-women. Don’t you guys want to know what’s the other sex thinking about you?
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I loved this show so much
I liked Taken Out.
It wasn’t designed to be a show that makes you think, it was simply designed as light entertainment which it achieved.
Guaranteed that half of the people here who say they hated it didnt even watch it and only saw the ads.
Yes it was all based on first impressions and appearance but no matter what anyone says the first time you meet someone appearance is nearly always the first thing you notice before taking it further. Whilst it might seem like it is horrible for them to say no to someone because they were “too tall”, “not my type” etc, this is reality, thus reality tv.
I am over seeing The Simpsons, it was nice to see something different for a change.
why they moved it from 7 to 6 is beyond me- what show can compete with the news on two channels when everyone over 40 watches it? crazy move by channel 10.
About TIME 10!!!!! That show is B.S.
Taken Out was utterly appalling. Everyone I know who saw it just couldn’t believe how bad it was.
I think it’s number 1 problem was the shocking editing – it was sooooo slooooow. The way they showed the host running around the studio between the guests was ridiculous. Australia needs to look to America for their brilliance at editing game shows and reality tv. I don’t like much American tv – but their editing is snappy and fast paced.
Taken Out was also completely wrong and inappropriate for so early in the evening. I’m far from a prude and have no problem with adult programmes (fine with Ramsay swearing for example), but the very first episode of Taken Out had the single male talking about how he had sex on a dancefloor…. great.
Host was ok – he did a good job with such a s**thouse show. Dating shows will only ever work now on cable tv.
I just liked perving on Kerley. But I can still do that on Channel V
Zambora.. what a hilarious suggestion!!
but im sure the info commercials make them more money.. and would get more ratings..
dating shows can work. .as long as its not about.. you’re not pretty enough for me.. you’re not tall enough.. you’re not hot enough.. i dont like your eyes.. i dont like your t shirt..
i prefer them when they dont see each other and ask questions.. because it shows everyone that looks is only one aspect of a relationship.. whereas looks was EVERYTHING in taken out. In a world of magazines focusing on who is pretty and who is not.. we didnt need reminding of it in a dating tv show.
Great that we got rid of this pathetic, stupid show
James Host BB09 or put him on Neighbours.
I can say first hand – the show was great fun to participate in! No pay – entirely voluntary – for a show that’s only incentive to you as a panel member or contestant is the guy/girl single, it can get quite tedious! The cast and crew are all great! There are many moments that occur during the show that don’t make it to television so in a lot of cases people do come across more shallow than they already are! That’s television and editing for you! The contestant party was great we got to meet each other for who we were rather than what the show was all about. Believe it or not there is a lot of pressure on that set at times and for many it is not easy to get rejected on national television!
Personally I did think the show moved slowly – I didn’t see all episodes that aired but made sure I caught up on them through the net – very, very handy channel 10! But I think the biggest applause should go to both Fremantle Media, Channel 10, the Producers etc. on the show – you tried something new! FINALLY! If only all networks would have the balls to do so! I’m so over Friends re-runs and the Simpsons – I’ve got all that on Foxtel! Not even those new US shows that are getting big ratings over there are doing any good here! I LOVE some of those!
I think this tells us a lot about Australia – we don’t like anything new!!! I think they should air it in non-ratings season.
I kinda liked Taken Out when it first aired but soon after I stopped watching it. Good to see it finally stopped airing. Although James Kerley is a great host, too bad the show’s format isn’t good.
I do not have a problem with Ten replacing Taken Out with Simpsons repeats, but I would rather see repeats of episodes from the first season as well as any episodes that Ten tend to skip.
Those still disappointed with the show’s demise should not feel bad. There are better ways you can meet someone without being humiliated on national television.
woo hoo! not that i’m a fan of so much simpsons, but taken out was seriously a dud… could’ve had potential but it just did not work in the format it was in
Whilst not a brilliant (or even well executed premise), I liked Taken Out as an attempt to do something different with the 7:00PM timeslot. It was a genuine alternative and competition to what was aleady on the air. As previous reports on this blog have indicated in the last week, the more real competitive spirit between the networks, the better the outcome for the viewers.
Ten can fall back on The Simpsons and Friends again for a while and get semi-respectable ratings, but the time will come when these shows lose their lusture. It is best for them to develop and create new concepts now, give them time to nurture so that they have something valid and valuable to show when the repeats begin to dip in ratings value.
So, please Ten, invest in new concepts, and most importantly, allow them the chance to grow over time – even if it means showing them over Summer as an audience builder and then pushing them harder when the ratings period kicks in.
I enjoyed Taken Out!
It was light-hearted and funny to watch.
Something different on TV at 6-7pm
And in a good way!
Kerley was perfect for the job too.
the ten EPG still hasn’t been updated to reflect this change it is still listing taken out, they are usually really good with updating, sometimes i even see changes on the EPG before it has even been reported on this site, surprising that they are no longer on the ball with this. might only be a local issue though, wonder how long it will take them to notice it.
Channel 10 should be rapt.
60 Responses to “Axed: Taken Out”
* Suggestion to all networks, if you yank show off air, ‘cos it sucks or ratings bad or whatever, there is obvious place to run unused eps apart from HD.
Try in the midnight to 2 am slot, instead of infomercials.
Will provide those of us that have trouble sleeping something to laugh at.
Wow, I just thought about the hundreds of people that this show employs, and after 1 days notice, they have no jobs.
I never thought about that before, I guess it is a harsh reality of what damage pulling a show off air can do to peoples financial commitments.
Not a huge fan of the show, but shame the TV industry has suffered another blow to employment.
channel ten are idiots no wonder people download shows havent you worked it out yet , YOU TAKE SIMPSONS FROM 6PM YOU FAIL WITH RATINGS AND RUIN MY LUNCH BREAK
If the show has been axed, why go to the expense of filming the final episodes next week, especially when the show has already been taken off air and replaced…
Kerley should host every show on Ten, he’s the best guy on Australian TV by far, just a shame that his first FTA show kind of sucked. Agree with others who say Ten should buy the rights to Cash Cab from [V], especially as it doesn’t seem that there’ll be a third season any time soon.
The issue with Tens ratings has to do with the lack of exposure they gave the show. It also has to do with the fact they dropped it from 7pm to 6pm with no advertising. I thought it had been axed after only 2 weeks only to see it at 6pm while in the Brisbane Airport waiting for a plane home on the Tuesday night.
I would much prefer to watch this than the majority of the rubbish Ten shows like Dance US or OZ, Idol US or OZ, Supermodel. It’s rubbish. Mind numbing rubbish. At least Taken Out had a lively upbeat fun measure to it.
Hell if Fremantle Media is genuinely short of guys, I’ll bring the boys and we’ll come down for a weekend and film a couple of weeks for them. Guaranteed our North Queensland Brutal Honesty will get some ratings for them! We’re all single too so there’s no issues with that side of things. How many do they need? I can supply somewhere in the order of 15 – 20 with ease!
It needs to be in a time when it can be viewed by the target audience. Is it that the Target audience is not home from work when it’s on?
finally! at last, when I arrive home from work, i don’t need to be bombarded by young sluts on this dismal dating show. bring on repeats of the simpsons (but please channel 10, how about repeating episodes from season 15 onwards, not season 5!)
Thank GOD. Why did they even bother? A stupid format, one of the worst tv program ch 10 had by far.
Yay!! It was a lovely surprise at 6 tonight. Seems 10 really does listen to its viewers…….eventually.
Definently. What a great oppurtunity to show The Office!
good to see it go but mr plow… how many f****** times can they show one episode???
That took too long. Why don’t they just give up? It’s not like it’s a quality show.
I know they’ll come out with another one but I just hope this time, it’s axed much faster.
I would have thought you would have at least aired the final episode for this week! Really annoying for those that might have made plans to get together to see the episode their friend was on. Really bad tast after the amount of time they put into it, especially to see a re-run of the simpsons that we can watch anytime.
Thumbs down on the decision coming into effect without notice in particular!
Thumbs UP to James hosting BB09!!!!!!!!
At least post the episodes that have been filmed on the internet so we can see our friends!!!!!
Nathan my mate went on the show about 2 weeks ago, they dont get payed s*^t!!! get ur facts right b4 u criticize other ppl.
go alison.
Stop complaining about it taking over the simpsons and friends- if you want to watch them over and over, get foxtel (where james kerley has been hosting shows for years). Bring back taken out or put something decent on- like the office.
I loved taken out! It was the only show on at the moment that I liked!
I even watched all the episodes that I missed on the net.
Why did they have to take it away? WHY?!
I’ve waited 4 weeks to watch this episode and you axe it tonight, could of at least played out the 1 more episode for the end of the week!
How are people possibly excited about more repeats? Decade old Friends and now decade old Simpsons? How about Channel 10 actually invests in some decent shows from this millenium?
please bring a dating show similar to taken out but with a slightly faster pace.
kerley was good but there was way too much padding and analysing of intermediate results. Ad breaks were really annoying but i guess that’s a necessary evil huh
oh and obviously you have to have time to personalise people with people but surely there’s a more efficient way?
i could really relate seeing as im a young guy 21, im really sad there are not many dating shows around anymore, not even on mtv!!!
thanks for reading
As I had posted previously – we had ben watching the show and enjoying the laughs. At least it provided an alternative, wasn’t a repeat and was meant to be fun television. It is a shame that it didn’t get enough support to keep it on air.
Bring The Office to 7pm!!
James Kerley should host big brother 2009 on ten he would be an excellent host
That is very devastating. Taken out was a great fun and light hearted show that i enjoyed. When i watched the first episode i though it was pretty terrible but i got into it. James Kerley was a magnificent host and i hope he stays on channel 10 to do some other work
goodbye taken out! great show u were!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY BYE BYE TAKEn OUT
BRING BACK BIG BROTHER THREE TIMES A WEEK LIKE THE US DO, YOU MIGHT GET MORE RATINGS…….
UP WITH NEIGHBOURS
HHAHAHAHA AXE TEN NEWS BTW.
THANK YOU CHANNEL 10!!
Now this show can join Yamine’s getting married!!
DOWN with Australian Idol!!
DOWN with the Biggest loser!!!
Strewth when they axe shows these days they don’t mess around do they it is a shame for James from what I have read hear it appears that was a good host 10 should stop making these shows and plow the money into a longer series or maybe even 2 series of the biggest loser which seems to be the only show that can come close competing against HAA and 2.5 men
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
WE DID IT AGAIN!
BOYCOTT OVER!
I am a proud contestant of the show, and sad to see it go.
We did not get paid, was absolutely voluntary, and was awesome fun to work on.
I will still endevour to watch it and encourage all to watch it as it airs during the off season.
Hi David,
Just a quick update. I’ve spoken to the TakenOut people, and while the show’s not going to be on over the next few weeks, it will/should air over summer and we’re also now filming a “flashback”/memento episode next week like a special.
#Contestant 11
This was a terrible show, all the contestants (male and female) seemed so shallow! I’ve been out of the dating world for over 10 years but if that’s what it’s like nowadays, how terrible! But, James Kerley deserves a better vehicle, he was so good on Cash Cab, which was my favourite show on [V]. Actually, it was the only show I watched on [V].
oh,
It had to happen. Too bad a weak format let it down, because James Kerley was a fantastic host, like Steve Jacobs was with Power of 10. Both great hosts, forced to work with poor game show formats. I wouldn’t mind seeing this show return in the future with a reworked format.
As for the rest of the episodes, put them on Ten HD only at 7:00 or release them on the internet on the Taken Out wesbite.
Cheers for the quick reply David.
I just must not have been up to par then. At least it was still good fun!
Why do Ten even bother with dating shows? This, Yasmine’s Getting Married and Love Rules all tanked.
Hank Scorpio was on a Saturday night a few weeks ago.
James Kerley should host an Australian version of Don’t Forget the Lyrics at 7pm. It couldn’t be worse than this show.
Contestant #11 great to hear you had fun, and it was also good TEN had a go at something new in the timeslot. But I can also tell you FremantleMedia were very pressed for single guys, personally telling me they really, really, needed more applicants….
Mr Plow is no more rerun then other episodes and it’s a classic. Nothing funnier then Homer crossing that rickety old bridge only to look over and see a brand new bridge ..d-oh!
Oh and Zambora..never,EVER wish for the return of Tench!!
Alison, your call that true love? We all know the contestant did it for the cash… they all do.
As a taken out CONTESTANT, i can tell you there were no issues with single guys…hell, we’re having a party tonight for all the contestants from the show.
and looking at the rsvp list, there’s more than 50 coming tonight, with the same expected for girls.
The show was good fun to film, and it has it’s moments…stop treating it so seriously and look at it as a bit of lighthearted fun. Yes i love the simpsons, i have every episode on dvd, but this…this was just for fun to laugh at a) the contestants, or b) some of the comments made during the show.
why neighbours and home and away are still being produced kills me. i could go into a coma now and away in 4 years, and still catch up to the current plot in a day or less….actually…wasn’t that an episode recently?
#contestant 11
I hope they use James Kerley for something better in the future. He really did his best to try and liven up the show with not a lot to work with (including contestants who weren’t the best with words and having to run back and forth around the set).
also worth a mention, channel ten should just buy episodes of the cash cab, its fun, new, doesnt cost a lot and will be a hit with its target
Well this went well for some didn’t it?
Can we get Yasmin back on the air? Where is she?
OH MY GOD
lol put it back on tv damn it!!
I HATE YOU
THIS SHOW WAS SO COOL
AND KERLEY WAS FANTASTIC
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY PUT FRIENDS BACK ON
HOW BLOODY BORING
!!!!!!!!!!!
holidays are nearly over and taken out is way better
I’M SHATTERED
WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??? Have you no heart?
Taken Out is the one and only chance these people had at finding true love.. and you’re happy to take that away from them?
How do you sleep at night?
For me, Taken Out, I want to say thank you. You brought a little bit of light into my life at the end of every working day.
You will be sorely missed. I will take a moment to reflect
……………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………..
Thanks for the memories,
Alison
PS. Mr Plow? That is possibly the OLDEST, most RERUN Simpson’s episode in the banals of history.
Thank you Channel 10.
The Simspsons belongs in the 6pm timeslot, never replace it
Glad to see this show is gone, but I feel sorry for James Kerley, he is actually very good, and I watched him on Channel [V]‘s Cash Cab game show.
I have a feeling that he might end up being an Australian Idol host next year if Andrew G and James Matheson dont come back for another season. I remember hearing that G may not be back next year.
HAHAHAH
FINALLY.
SUCK S*** ALL TAKEN OUT FANS
And to think it took them this long- they obviously thought it would improve. ah well, i feel sorry for kerley- good host on a crap show.
Gee whiz, Taken Out got long run.
Makes me pine for Yasmin & Tench to return.
Congrats to Ten on giving the show a chance BUT everyone on this site pointed out problems having just seen one ep.
- format sucked
- girls, girls,girls then too long before guys judge.
- basic premise of show – first impressions count (then asking teens why they did not choose her/him…too short,too dorkey,too smart.
I remember watching Battle of the Sexes as a kid! It was fun. Bring it back
jayfunk
yeah!!! battle of the sexes that was fantastic!!
I agree play the Hank Scorpio episode!!! Definitely Albert Brooks finest 30 minutes and probably his best appearance!!!
Thankyou Lord Jesus Christ for finally getting TEN programmers to fix this up and once again bless the world with everyone’s favourite four finger family.
Finally getting rid of taken out, I hate that show so much. As my children keep asking me when is simpson is coming back. They loved the show so much. Horray simpson is back. Thank you channel 10!!!
bring back battle of the sexes TEN, seems to be the only game show you had that lasted more than a few weeks, trusty old fave
“Tonight TEN returns The Simpsons to its trusty 6pm timeslot with the episode “Mr. Plow.” That name again, Mr Plow.”
I quite enjoyed the little quote there David.
Awesome news!
thank god for that.
DEAR 10 PLEASE PLAY THE HANK SCORPIO EPISODE!!!!
Thank you Ten for finally getting rid of this drivel.
Mercy
It’s irritating just seeing the end of it while waiting for Neighbours!
Welcome back yellow family!
yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!