Robert N EmersonAnd the big news: Good News Week to return to Ten
January 17th 2008 02:14
One of the few upsides to the American writers' strike is that it has forced the Australian Networks to consider more Australian programming. Rather than develop a new concept, Network Ten have decided to revive a programme that disappeared from our screens almost 8 years ago - Good News Week. While I'm hoping that the channels with attempt to create some new and exciting Australian shows, I am certainly happy for Ten to soothe the GNW withdrawal I still feel to this day.
It's not surprising that Ten have decided to resurrect this mishmash of news, current affairs, comedy, and performance - it really did serve as a template for many of Australia's most entertaining shows of recent times. Although the ABC has had a lot of success with Spicks and Specks and The Chaser's War on Everything, there is certainly a gap in the market for this kind of programme, particularly with the axing of The Glasshouse and the absence of The Panel.
Paul McDermott is slated to return as host; The Sideshow is not returning for another season, so the angry man with the heavenly voice is in need of a new (big) gig. There's no word yet on whether Mikey Robbins and Julie McCrossin will return as the team captains, or if younger comedians will find a place in the show. As long as they don't pick Claire Hooper, a rather inexplicable favourite of GNW productions, I don't mind.
Many have argued that the move of GNW to Ten from the ABC was what actually destroyed it, as much of the substance was replaced by filler. Hopefully this latest incarnation of the programme will be ruthless in its scathing satire of Australia's current affairs, and bring lots of entertainment from performers, new and old, to the forefront. At least it's not reality television...
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to identify the show in question.
UPDATE: Good News Week will return to the air on Monday 11th of February at 8.30pm.
The original GNW team*
It's not surprising that Ten have decided to resurrect this mishmash of news, current affairs, comedy, and performance - it really did serve as a template for many of Australia's most entertaining shows of recent times. Although the ABC has had a lot of success with Spicks and Specks and The Chaser's War on Everything, there is certainly a gap in the market for this kind of programme, particularly with the axing of The Glasshouse and the absence of The Panel.
Paul McDermott is slated to return as host; The Sideshow is not returning for another season, so the angry man with the heavenly voice is in need of a new (big) gig. There's no word yet on whether Mikey Robbins and Julie McCrossin will return as the team captains, or if younger comedians will find a place in the show. As long as they don't pick Claire Hooper, a rather inexplicable favourite of GNW productions, I don't mind.
Many have argued that the move of GNW to Ten from the ABC was what actually destroyed it, as much of the substance was replaced by filler. Hopefully this latest incarnation of the programme will be ruthless in its scathing satire of Australia's current affairs, and bring lots of entertainment from performers, new and old, to the forefront. At least it's not reality television...
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to identify the show in question.
UPDATE: Good News Week will return to the air on Monday 11th of February at 8.30pm.
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Comment by Harry
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Comment by Anonymous
Sorry to post this here, but I have no choice. First of all I'm not "unregistered", I am signed up with Orble. Secondly, I'm not a "troll", nor a "stalker", nor a "loon", nor an "upshot".
What I did was to object to Lilla's blog on global warming/cooling simply because it was riddled with errors. She says she has "re-posted" but in actual fact it's a completely different piece. And again, it has errors all through it. I object to people blogging this sort of material when they clearly haven't a clue what they are talking about.
I contacted Lilla after her latest offering and said I would only contribute (and correct her errors) if she agreed not to edit or remove my posts - which she has been doing because they embarrass her. She will not agree to this - for obvious reasons.
Lilla plainly knows little or nothing about climate change. All I was attempting to do was to put right all the wrongs. Her blog comes up on the first page in Google under a search for "Global Cooling", so this nonsense is going worldwide! As you know, she even made out that she had spotted "flaws" in NASA's webpage on solar cycles! You may also note that despite my harassment she never stated what those flaws were!
As I said, I have made attempts to 'help' her, but clearly she would rather not let her readers know the truth, and I cannot add anything to her blog as she has got a software block.
Steve.
Comment by Nina
Thank you for your comment, although I'm not quite sure why you chose my site to post on. I would rather not get involved in this situation, I would simply suggest you try a different approach in future so as not to come across as so hostile.
Nina
Comment by Anonymous
I chose your site because a) you responded to Lilla's post on the subject and b) I cannot reply on Lilla's blog (as she removes them). My approach wasn't hostile - even when all the name-calling started. I did harass her, but that was because she fabricated a line she couldn't obviously back up. It was so obvious, but that's for her conscience. Thanks anyway.
Steve
Comment by Vixter
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Good to hear about GNW.
Am missing quality and I repeat QUALITY australian programming - it's just too cheap and easy to get the imported crap than to bother nurturing the humour in oz.
Makes me sad on the inside...But this returning, will surely make happy on the outside!
Comment by Nina
Anyway, GNW will certainly help!
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Comment by Steve
Do you tend to get all our TV - like 'Have I got News For You' and such like?
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Comment by Nina
Steve, we get a few of your more popular shows - Doctor Who, Torchwood, Midsomer Murders, The Office and Extras just to name a few. They tend to play them on the government funded ABC, rather than the commercial stations. However, on subscription television there is a dedicated UKTV channel, which shows a great mix of British programs we might not otherwise see.
Anonymous, I too am looking forward to its return - hopefully it won't disappoint!
Comment by Nina
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Comment by RandomVisitor
Good News Week is actually a rip off of Have I Got News For You, as much as the Aussie's would like to think it's original. Though ours has Paul McDermott to host it, which makes it a hundred times better than HIGNFY!
Comment by Anonymous
All i know is that i will need a good supply of tissues as i will be drooling once again over paul who was and still is my number 1 honey lol
from a DAAS fan
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I just hope Paul sings at some stage <3
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Comment by Nina
- Its not clear yet whether Paul will sing anything but the theme song. I hope he does, as he has such an amazing voice. However, the show seems to be packed pretty solid, so we'll have to wait and see if they will fit it in.
- I suspect that much of the audience that tuned in were DAAS fans at some stage. I'm not sure whether this new incarnation will attract many new viewers, or whether most tuning in were devotees of it previously.
- Despite being a rather shameless promotion by Ten, the segment with Jensen Ackles was quite entertaining. He seemed willing to go along with whatever happened, which is a great trait to have when appearing on a show such as GNW. Plus it provided a great opportunity for Craig to walk off in protest...
- My guess of Claire Hooper as the other team captain was correct. She seems to be quite polarising, as the differing comments clearly show. I certainly wasn't enamoured of her début performance, but I'm willing to give her a chance and see if she improves over the coming weeks. Julie McCrossin was never particularly funny, but she made up for it by being very knowledgeable about news and current affairs.
Thanks again for your comments, everyone
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I just googled Good News Week and this post came up as the second hit. Yay.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
P.S. I miss Julie McCrossin, nothing against Claire Hooper.
Comment by Anonymous
but what a shame there's the missing link- julie mccrossin.
her energy, unrehearsed humour and the amazing dynamic
she brought to the show just can't be replaced.