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Nine renews The Block for 2010

Channel Nine is bringing back one of the most successful TV shows of the last ten years, to be hosted by Scott Cam.

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Channel Nine is bringing back its hit reality series The Block, to be hosted by Scott Cam.

The mix of renovation and soapie-style couples was a TV phenomenon for Nine when it hit screens in 2003. With its glamorous casting and surprise makeovers it averaged some 2.4m viewers every week and became the talk of a captivated TV audience. Its auction finale topped 3m viewers and it remains one of the hit series of the last decade.

Nine’s Director of Programming, Michael Healy, said, “The Block is a unique format that has always captured our ongoing obsession with real estate.

“Right now everybody’s talking about real estate again and I’m very excited that we’re bringing back a show which has been such a phenomenal success.”

A second series in 2004 was also successful, but a promised third series for 2005 did not eventuate. The format by Julian Cress and David Barbour was remade in other countries including the UK, Russia, Israel, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and The Netherlands. However the US version The Complex: Malibu in 2004 was a flop.

Nine also returns the reality series after its botched attempt with homeMADE by Cress and Barbour during the economic downturn. Both also created The Chopping Block.

For 2010 Scott Cam replaces former host Jamie Durie, who is now signed to Seven. Four couples will have eight weeks to design and decorate an apartment. All four apartments will go to public auction and each couple will keep the profit made from the sale. The couple who top the auction also win $100,000.

Scott Cam said, “As a builder I know this is one of the toughest competitions that’s ever been devised but having watched the first two series I know it can also be one of the most rewarding.

“I can’t wait to meet the four couples who are willing to take on the challenge this time. Usually I’m the one on the tools so for me, this is going to be fun.”

Casting for The Block 2010 has commenced. Interested couples can contact [email protected] for more information.

49 Responses

  1. This was a fantastic show in the first season. The second was rather lackluster. The previous attempt at resurrecting the format in homeMADE was disastrous. I just hope they can go back to what made the first season so special. But given the choice of host, I think this one might be a hard pill to swallow.

  2. @ kfed – Re old shows being redone there was talk a couple of years back about a new version of The Young Doctors ..sadly though it didn’t eventuate.

    As for this show not my cuppa tea but I’m sure the old fans will lap it up.

  3. I never watched the first season, it didn’t appeal and the contestants weren’t appealing either but with a keen eyed casting director they could make this successful but no doubt the contestants will consist of a bitchy bimbo and her he-man thug boyfriend, a guy who’s clearly got serious aggression issues and his passive down trodden wife, token gay or asian contestants (if gay then hugely effiminate) and another of one of the first two options.

  5. I’ll give it a go, not sure how Cam will go as host – he’s generally good as a presenter, but not sure how he’ll go as a host. But IIRC the host isn’t the central part of the format anyway, so it shouldn’t matter.

  10. I think it’s a good move to bring the show back now and I am looking forward to it. I’m in 2 minds about Scott Cam as the host but I’m not sure who would be my alternative to him. I do know that I would like those people who don’t want him actually include a suggestion as who they would prefer as host as it makes for a better balanced comment.

  11. I enjoyed this show back when it was on. IIRC, the series was not renewed for a third season because while the ratings were fantastic, the costs did not justify another season. What makes Nine think that it will go back to 2 million+ ratings, especially since renovation shows of late have lost their shine? (homeMADE, Domestic Blitz) Or are they going to serve us a cheapo version of the show?

  13. I feel the same as most people. It’s good that the show is coming back, but I think people have had enough of Scott Cam. Domestic Blitz, Random Acts of Kindness and Whizz Kids. Get someone else.

  15. Good to see it coming back, not sure about the host though.

    Those were some seriously high rating that the show used to get, it really shows how free to air has diminished the last few years.

  17. The Block is good if they get the right people (host and contestants) and the right location.. remember the couple from season 2? the barbie dolls, that woman was psycho!

  19. One of the smartest things they’ve done in ages. Now, I wonder what old hit they can bring back next … The Flying Doctors? (That was meant to be a joke, but since thinking of it I’d actually far prefer it to LAC)

  22. Hmm not sure about this one. I watched some of season 1, and all of season 2. The things I hated mosted about the show was the constant recaps and coming up next bits, and the unbeliveable product placement and almost scripted comments from the contestants about the brands/shops etc.
    Scott Cam as host – No Thanks!

  23. I really like the first season I’m interested to see if this will work. I watched Monster House last night and it felt a bit tired. I getting a bit bored with amazing transformations. Hopefully nine wont follow it’s usual path of casting exclusively white good looking boring people.

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