Agreed. A little bit of humour is fine, but having a joke every few seconds is what hurt the show in the end.
5 Likes
I stopped watching it because they were really dragging out segments with comedy. It was like they were running out of actual content.
Unsure whether the final season was like this though.
3 Likes
Kirsten Drysdale was a standout on this show, as she has been on the other more recent Chaser programs. She managed to deliver the content despite Julian Morrow’s increasingly forced and unfunny jokes.
3 Likes
Nailed it. The show became a complete and utter chore to watch because every segment had cringe comedy hamfisted in.
1 Like
ABC statement on Giant Dwarf discussions
The ABC had preliminary discussions with producer Giant Dwarf to develop a consumer affairs program that offers something new to our audiences, showcasing fresh ideas and diverse Australian talent. We have ended those discussions after Giant Dwarf’s public statements and correspondence and dealings with the ABC made it clear we are not creatively aligned, which is a necessary first step when considering development of a new program.
We were also clear from the outset of those discussions that we are unable to commission a seventh series of The Checkout due to editorial and legal reasons, including current court proceedings between third parties.
The ABC continues to look at ways to build on the consumer affairs content of our News, Factual and Specialist teams across radio, television and online.
Meanwhile, we are working with Giant Dwarf on other unrelated projects. We are also proud that our program slate for next year features some of the great talent featured in The Checkout , including Craig Reucassel on Fight for Planet A: The Climate Challenge and Big Weather, and Kirsten Drysdale and Zoe Norton Lodge on Reputation Rehab.
1 Like
The Chaser star Julian Morrow is suing his former partner, TV heavyweight Nick Murray, claiming Murray reneged on a deal to check out of their company — which means the ABC has refused to commission another series (of The Checkout).
In a statement of claim filed with the (NSW) Supreme Court, Morrow claims that after six series of the show since 2013, the two men agreed to go their own ways in February, with Murray allegedly agreeing to sign over intellectual property rights in The Checkout to Morrow’s company Giant Dwarf Pty Ltd.
That came after Morrow said the ABC had told them, in July 2018, that it would not commission a series of The Checkout in the 2018/19 financial year.
Morrow claims after Murray agreed to split the partnership up, Morrow then negotiated with the ABC for a new series. He claims that Murray then reneged, which led to the ABC cancelling the series due to air in October. He is claiming loss of income and damages.
2 Likes