Comments on: Can The Block boys score a Home Run?

By: timmy

timmy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:34:57 +0000

They didn’t exactly promise a return of the Block, they said they would bring us “The Block on steroids” – implying a new ramped-up format. This is it.

By: Zambora

Zambora — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:21:40 +0000

Looks like it will be worse than Hothouse.
Julian Cress and David Barbour look more and more like one trick ponies.

This type of programming on Nine at 7pm slot, will hardly bring back viewers.
Something new, something bold, something that is given a chance

Nah, forget it…Nine willrecycle 20-1, 2 and half men, Ramsay etc…till all viewers give up on them

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:19:05 +0000

IIRC The Hothouse was not a big success – although it did produce many reality TV milestones

By: pondie84

pondie84 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:52:51 +0000

Why is this called The Block?

By: knoxoverstreet

knoxoverstreet — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:48:44 +0000

Can’t say it would interest me greatly but may catch some of it especially if it’s on at 7pm. But i would have to agree that Nine are tapping into a vein here and it will likely be a moderate hit.

By: Jerome

Jerome — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:16:58 +0000

The block was sucessful because it was aired in an age where there was some obsession with renovation shows, backyard blitz, ground force, the block, auction squad, hothouse, location location, changing rooms etc. (bit like the way we have an obsession with factuals now)

i think the networks are trying to recreate that age but its not happening; battlefronts, jamies, and the chopping block all struggle for numbers (DB and BH&G being exceptions)

i cannot see this one working either

By: RichoTB

RichoTB — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:42:59 +0000

The Chopping Block has been bombing in the ratings – its not quite the hit Nine are making it out to be. However, I’m all for them axing 2.5 men’s weekly re-re-re-re-re-re-reruns in favour of them trying something new. Given Australia’s irrational obsession with shows like this, Domestic Blitz, Battlefronts, Backyard Blitz, and all the other backyard renovation shows, this will be a hit for sure

By: Earthquake

Earthquake — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:20:04 +0000

I liked The HotHouse and I have noticed that lately I am spending less money on travel and more on doing up the house.

I think it’s a trend that as economic times get worse people will start improving their houses more and start taking less long haul or even medium haul trips around the world.

Nine is touching on a vein there definitely, but whether a stripped show will work I’m not sure. I think there should be an alternative to the shows that Ten and Seven will be showing, a show where you can dip in and out without having to have a commitment to the show.

That’s where Taken Out failed. The same people night after night – it’s a commitment show. If it were different people every night then people wouldn’t have to watch it every night to get the in jokes later in the week “I see you left your light on, that’s a first”.

By: JohnTV

JohnTV — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:57:55 +0000

From what I have heard, this is “The Block” 2009 version.

Now the bit question is which timeslot is this going to run in? 5:30 to lead into the news, 7pm to replace 2 and half men or maybe another timeslot later in the night – it is a big investment so I would expect the network will want it in front of as many people as it can get. Anything earlier than 7 or 7:30pm would be a waste for the sponsors but then the NRL commitments on Friday nights does kind of lock it into a 7pm timeslot.

Given that Jamie’s contract is up at Seven, do you think he will be back to host this or will Nine wheel out the usual suspects – Richard Wilkins, Catrina, Eddie ?. Im going to go with Tim Campbell for host