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Durie designs TV return

Jamie Durie is developing a new 'event-style' show for the Seven Network, but remains tight-lipped on the finer details.

Jamie Durie is developing a new television show with Channel Seven, but is remaining tight-lipped on the format.

Attending Sunday night’s Logie Awards, he was buzzing with enthusiasm when he told TV Tonight. Durie said the format was his creation.

“It’s an exciting, new one which I think is very relevant to today’s audience. It’s event-style. It’s feelgood TV. It’s nothing I’ve ever done before, but it’s a perfect fit,” he said.

The former Backyard Blitz host has been in the US hosting the US version of The Outdoor Room which is about to enter its third season for the cable network HGTV (Home and Garden TV). Owned by the Scripps Network the channel has 98 million households.

Outdoor Room US has been great. America seems to be loving it. It’s primetime over there, running four or five times a week.

“It’s the biggest lifestyle network in the world, I couldn’t be in a better place.”

He has also been hosting HGTV Showdown (pictured) a competition show which sees designers and builders teamed up to devise a plan for a lucky homeowner. Could his new show be a similar battle?

Meanwhile Durie’s former hit series The Block is on the way back to Channel Nine.

“Can you believe it?,” he said. “I spoke to (creators) Julian Cress and David Barbour the other day and they were like, ‘We’re bringing back The Block!‘ and I said, ‘But I’m at Channel Seven…’

Durie agreed it will be interesting to see how the show tackles its famous domestic stoushes since Reality TV has shifted to embracing its contestants in recent years.

“I think to a certain extent we’ve tested the human spirit quite a lot over the last decade, and now’s the time for feelgood TV and maybe give back a little,” said Durie.

“So it will be interesting to see what happens.

“I don’t watch a whole lot of telly because I’m usually making it, but I will definitely check it out.”

Since appearing on Oprah, Durie’s star has continued to rise in the US.

“I owe everything to Oprah. She really did take me under her wing and introduce me to America, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.”

Durie’s most recent contributions to Seven have been stories filed for Sunday Night.

6 Responses

  1. “I know, I have an idea for a home renno show….it’s just like Backyard Blitz, but with a twist. This time, we’ll makeover the *front* yards. We can even call it ‘Frontyard Makeover Blitz on the Block'”

    Buzz with enthusiasm all you like, Durie, you’re still a glorified male dancer.

  2. Might join The Bounce and White Room after a few weeks, yawn. Should have never left channel 9, he could be hosting the Block again.

  3. “I think to a certain extent we’ve tested the human spirit quite a lot over the last decade, and now’s the time for feelgood TV and maybe give back a little,” said Durie.

    Secret Millionaire, Domestic Blitz, Random Acts…been there done that.

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