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The Phone
The first of Foxtel’s new local brands kicks off next week, a “high-tech reality series” that seeks to stray into Amazing Race territory.
The basic premise: two mobile phones are ringing in two locations in one city, whoever answers them has the chance to win $25,000 through a series of challenges.
It’s a Dutch format made in Australia by Foxtel and one, we are told, is to be hosted in the US by Justin Timberlake for MTV. Actor Justin Melvey (maybe there was a contract clause stipulating it had to be hosted by …
Airdate: The Phone
Foxtel doesn’t often stray into gameshow land, but The Phone will offer $25,000 cash per episode when it premieres in January.
Hosted by actor Justin Melvey, the Dutch concept sees two phones ringing in an Australian city and unsuspecting members of the public are lured into a gameshow format via other clues that help them find the other player. It’s dubbed the show, “one city, two contestants, three hours.”
Episodes were filmed across Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and the Gold Coast. Foxtel says the intens format replicates “the look and feel of the smash …
Foxtel rocks into 2009
Foxtel has joined the procession of new programme announcements, with a raft of Australian-produced and international shows, some of which launch as early as December.
The channels owned & operated by Foxtel include FOX8, FOX Classics, Arena, Comedy, Crime & Investigation, History, Biography and the W Channel.
The titles include 15 local productions, starting with An Aussie Goes Calypso in December and reality competition The Phone in January. Both will air on FOX8.
To be presented by Justin Melvey, The Phone sees two hidden mobile phones ringing somewhere in a city. When a stranger …
Fasten your seatbelts, it’s Pam Ann.
Zany air hostess comedienne ‘Pam Ann’ will feature in a new series for Foxtel, expected to appear on the Arena Channel next year.
Played by Australian Caroline Reid, she’s been a regular on the UK cabaret circuit with her mad-cap mix of camp and glamour. ‘Pam Ann’ has performed at private parties for various celebs including Cher and Elton John.
Meanwhile, Foxtel picked up a number of new shows at MIPCOM including America’s Toughest Jobs, the talent show format, The Ultimate School Musical and a new weekly game show franchise described as …
Local Shear Genius and Contender coming
Amongst the new shows announced for Foxtel in 2009 is a local version of hair-styling reality series Shear Genius. The US version featured Aussie born Tabatha Coffey, whose blunt style won her enough interest for her own series Tabatha’s Salon Takeover. Will Foxtel bring her here for this?
It’s lucky for Foxtel that Nine decided against producing Million Dollar Salon, as it had planned earlier this year.
Andrew Denton’s produced 8 part satirical drama set in the advertising industry is titled 30 Seconds.
There is also the fifth series of FOX8’s Australia’s Next Top …