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Nine renews The Block for 2010
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 …
Gary Mehigan on the MasterChef bench
After his recent fall in a car park, MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan has been all but out of action for some filming of the TEN series.
The slip required surgery on his knee and thigh while the show has had to continue on with its production.
The Daily Telegraph reports that celebrity chef Matt Moran (The Chopping Block, MasterChef Australia) has had to step in as a frequent guest to cover for Mehigan, who is expected to return this weekend thanks to a pair of crutches.
Mehigan’s absence will impact on the show in …
March 09: Sound Relief, Home & Away’s ‘gay kiss’, Freeview parody, ONE HD
March:
‘Norman Gentle’ challenges American Idol
AFL plan to push players to media
Axed: Life on Mars
Feud shadows Naylor funeral
TEN cutting staff hours
Mariska Hargitay hospitalised
SBS moves Sydney & Melbourne sales in-house
ITV axes shows, cuts staff
Monkee Peter Tork has cancer
Coleby quits Home and Away
Seinfeld cast re-group for Curb
Music channels sing for Sound Relief
Scrubs set for prime time
TEN orders new 7pm show from Roving Enterprises
Freeview parody pulled from YouTube
Axed: The All in Call
Community TV rallies for Logie invite
Critics knife US Chopping Block
Battlestar Galactica at the UN
Humphrey gets …
Asian TV Awards: Aussie nominees
Several Aussie productions have been nominated in the 14th Asian TV Awards.
To be held in Singapore in December, the awards draws about 1,400 entries each year from a wide range of broadcasters, including Free to Air and PayTV platforms in Asia.
Australian finalists include City Homicide, All Saints, Scorched, and rather curiously, The Chopping Block for Best Adaptation of An Existing Format. Very peculiar given it was devised by Julian Cress and David Barbour.
Entries appear to be listed under distributors.
Best Natural History Or Wildlife Programme Or Docu-Drama
Death of the Megabeasts – Prospero …
Gordon Ramsay to front US MasterChef
The Australian format adaptation of MasterChef has been picked up by the FOX Network in the US and will be spearheaded by Gordon Ramsay.
Reveille will produce the show, originally based on the UK series, which is said to closely resemble the Australian series. FremantleMedia was given considerable freedom in stripping the series by rights owner Shine, and the results were spectacular.
FOX won’t be stripping the series, however, sticking to around 12 – 15 eps.
Gordon Ramsay, who has appeared in several franchises for FOX, will co-produce and star in the programme. Although …
homeMADE announces judges
Nine’s will have the media launch for its new renovation series homeMADE next week, in which 10 emerging designers will makeover 100 rooms, with $1,000,000 in renovations. One winner will take home a $100,000 cash prize.
In the role of judges are Neale Whitaker, Editor in Chief of Belle, and interior stylist Sibella Court.
David Heimann (pictured), owner and founder of the design empire Orson & Blake, is already announced as host and mentor.
Each team will completely makeover two suburban family homes, in five days.
Each family in homeMADE become clients of the …
Ben Silverman, “hitmaker.”
If you’ve ever thought were tough on television executives in Oz, get a load of what they’re saying about Ben Silverman lately.
Silverman is co-chairman of NBC, after coming across from production company Reveille (which he sold to Shine’s Elisabeth Murdoch). He executive produced The Office, The Biggest Loser, and ABC’s Ugly Betty, but at NBC he’s struggled to deliver.
Kath & Kim was another of his shows, but its future is unclear. Now the one that looks like replacing it, Parks and Recreations, is gathering disappointing reviews.
The Chopping Block was another, cancelled …
homeMADE renovates format
Nine’s upcoming renovation series homeMADE is reported as changing its format from a half-hour strip show to 2 x 60 minute episodes per week. That’s 30 minutes less than originally planned.
And it also leaves the 7pm timeslot wide open at Nine. The question now is will we be stuck with Two and a Half Men or could Nine move Millionaire Hot Seat into the slot?
Make no mistake, the 7pm slot on commercial TV is about to get a makeover itself. After all TEN has Masterchef Australia due in May. Home and …
NBC axes Chopping Block
NBC has axed the American adaptation of The Chopping Block after just three weeks on the air.
The format was developed by Julian Cress and David Barbour in 2 seasons for the Nine Network, but was revamped with changes for the American market.
The show starring renowned chef Marco Pierre White premiered modestly in the US. Critics described it as “a bland dish in a rotten location,” and ” mere garnish for a dish we’ve been offered before.”
The reality series will be replaced with repeats of Law & Order: Criminal Intent from next …
Nine renovates post Easter schedule
Channel Nine will premiere its new renovation series homeMADE after the Easter non-ratings break.
Previously titled Home Run, the series is developed by The Chopping Block’s Julian Cress and David Barbour. Both also created The Block. Interior designers will battle it out as they make over everyday Australian family homes. The homes will be the stage where “the designers will wage war on each other until only one remains and takes out the ultimate prize.”
The series, hosted by Sydney interior designer David Heimann, is expected to be stripped across the 7pm timeslot. …
Chopping Block serves lukewarm US debut
The premiere of NBC’s adaptation of Nine’s The Chopping Block is reported to be NBC’s lowest rated series premiere this season.
The network fared poorly for Wednesday night with The Chopping Block gaining 4.0 million viewers overall (1.5/4 in 18-49) which came in about in line with the now-cancelled Knight Rider which had been airing at 8pm.
It was beaten by Fox’s Lie to Me with 11m viewers,CBS’ sitcom double at around 7.7m viewers and CW’s Next Top Model on 4.4m. ABC trailed with Scrubs’ 3.6m viewers.
More reviews are in…
The Hollywood Reporter …
Critics knife US Chopping Block
Julian Cress and David Barbour’s US adaptation of The Chopping Block hits screens on NBC today, with a number of variations to its format. But by the sound of the first reviews, not enough to win over TV critics.
The show is hosted by British chef Marco Pierre White (pictured) and once again includes a secret food critic.
Variety said:
“The Chopping Block” stirs in ingredients from so many reality shows it’s a wonder this gruel has any flavor at all. Marco Pierre White hosted “Hell’s Kitchen” in the U.K., and we’re told …