Discussion of ABC TV programming for 2020.
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As usual, ABC will launch 2020 with New Yearâs Eve and a concert from Sydney
ABC needs to fix its Tuesday and Thursday nights where it always struggles. Trouble is it is being hampered by funding cuts from the current Federal Government.
ABC has acquired upcoming comedy Starstruck, starring NZ comedian Rose Matafeo.
THREE NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES
The ABC and Screen Australia today announce funding for three original documentary projects, Dark Emu , Gun Ringer , and Miriam Margolyes: Almost Australian .
Dark Emu , will bring Bruce Pascoeâs acclaimed book about the history of First Australians to the screen. Gun Ringer follows the extraordinary life and work of cattle ringers in the outback. And much-loved actor Miriam Margolyes will go on a journey across the country to uncover what it means to be Australian.
Head of Indigenous at Screen Australia, Penny Smallacombe said, â Dark Emu promises to be one of the most important documentary series the Indigenous Department has funded. Itâs a chance to challenge the myth of pre-colonial Indigenous Australians being just hunter gatherers. We have sophisticated systems and knowledge that isnât appreciated by all Australians, and in the hands of Blackfella Films, and director Erica Glynn, this significant story has the power to change that.â
Head of Documentary at Screen Australia, Bernadine Lim said, âWhen we fund through our Commissioned Program, weâre looking for compelling, true Australian stories that will be told exceptionally well, and reach a broad audience. Both Gun Ringer and Almost Australian stood out as distinctive concepts, which will offer insightful perspectives on our sense of identity, and our environment. Iâm really pleased to add these projects to the significant slate of Australian documentaries on the ABC.â
ABCâs Head of Entertainment and Factual, Josie Mason-Campbell said, âWe continue to look for new and innovative ways to tell the stories of our nation and I am delighted to welcome both of these documentaries from production partners Ronde and Southern Pictures, to our award-winning slate. Gun Ringer broadens our understanding of some of the most remote regions of Australia through timely analysis of its economic, cultural and ecological history. Miriam Margolyes , who now calls Australia home, will be digging deep under the skin of our people and places. In the process, she will be venturing far out of her comfort zone, and in her own inimitable way, sheâll take us all with her as she asks the question what does it mean to be Australian?â
ABCâs Head of Indigenous, Kelrick Martin said, âThe significant contribution and unique, rich culture of Indigenous Australia is largely taken for granted in this country. Dark Emu offers a revelatory context for future generations of Australians and ABC Indigenous is proud to work alongside Bruce Pascoe and Blackfella Films to correct these stereotypes.â
THE FUNDED PROJECTS ARE
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Dark Emu : A documentary from Blackfella Films based on the award-winning book of the same name, written by Bruce Pascoe. The series will take audiences on a revelatory and inspiring journey across Australia to present a very different history of our nation and the First Australians. The series is written by Bruce Pascoe ( Black Chook) and Jacob Hickey ( First Contact ). It will be directed by Erica Glynn ( She Who Must Be Loved ), and produced by Darren Dale ( First Australians ) and Belinda Mravicic ( Black Chook ). The series received principal production investment from Screen Australiaâs Indigenous Department in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW with Film Victoria.
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Gun Ringer : A ten by half hour series from Ronde Productions, which follows the men and women of the Australian Outback, who risk life and limb catching feral bulls and buffalo. Every dry-season, against the iconic backdrop of remote regional Australia, they rely on grit, cunning, and self-belief to stay alive and turn a profit. The series will expand on the short form series of the same name released in 2017. The series is created by Executive Producer Ben Davies ( Bondi Rescue ) and Producer Tom Lawrence. Liam Taylor is series producer, and Maria Handas is directing. The series received principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW with Screen Territory.
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Miriam Margolyes : Almost Australian: A three by one hour observational documentary series from Southern Pictures that follows internationally award-winning actor and new Australian Miriam Margolyes as she embarks on an investigation of what it means to be Australian in the 21st century. In her 50 years as an Australian resident she has witnessed Australiaâs transformation. Now, as a new citizen Miriam interrogates who we are and what we stand for as she grapples with her sense of being âalmost Australianâ. Using her wit and wisdom, Miram will take viewers on a timely state-of-the-nation enquiry to uncover if the traditional Aussie values that attracted her as a young migrant still hold true. Liz Allen ( Love Me As I Am ) is directing the series with series producer Ross Wilson ( The Mosque Next Door ) and story producer Allan Clarke ( Cold Justice ). Laurie Critchley ( Hawke: The Larrikin & The Leader and Aline Jacques ( Living Universe ) are on board as executive producers. The series received principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW with Screen Territory.
Run Ginger
ABC will have its 2020 program launch in Sydney on Thursday November 7, according to TV Tonight.
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ABC Upfront Information will be posted when available:
With Hamish now the regular host of Q&A he will most likely do no more or very little hosting of The Project. 
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I think he will remain host of The Sunday Project,but probably wonât be a regular fill in on weeknights.
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NewsComAu reports:
Channel 10 has confirmed Macdonald will continue to appear on The Project and The Sunday Project.
âNetwork 10 warmly congratulates Hamish Macdonald on his new role as the host of Q&A,â Channel 10 said in a statement.
âHamish is one of Australiaâs most respected broadcast journalists and news presenters and is most deserving of this prestigious position.
âAs well as hosting Q&A, Hamish will continue as a valued member of The Project family.â
His 2014 contract reportedly allowed him to accept limited outside work with other organisations.
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I had a feeling that Utopia may have ended, and it appears it has as itâs not mentioned.
They donât produce a season every year. It has been: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019.
They wait to see if they have enough material to go for another season. It may come back in 2021.
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He is such a good presenter though so its good to see him get something more permanent.
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Doesnât this happen though with this show? It airs like every second year?
Also announced at todayâs program slate were these two documentaries:
Adelaide Festival (working title)
What does it take to stage Australiaâs premiere arts festival with all its history, pedigree and ambition during its 60th year?
Follow co-artistic directors Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy in this high-stakes relationship drama as they traverse the globe to curate the Adelaide Festival 2020. Set between the pressure cooker of the production office, the international arts circuit, and backstage at the festival itself, this observational documentary reveals the bickering and respect, accessibility and poise, intellectual brilliance and pure gut reaction that together creates an intangible magic.
Production Credits
An SLA Films production for the ABC.
Financed with the assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation. Developed and produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Director: Richard Jasek Producer: Bonnie McBride
Executive Producers: Anna Vincent and Kalita Corrigan (ABC).
(Note: Nine News Adelaide is a major partner in Adelaide Festival)
Backburning Midnight Oil
They were five against the world. Midnight Oil pledged to each other and to their audience that they would never compromise their beliefs, to be the most outspoken, dangerous rock band in the country.
From 1974 - 2004 they took the hardest line - putting themselves in difficult situations to remain true to their beliefs, redefining what popular music could be in Australia, and culminating in some of the most incredible spectacles in Australian music.
Following a long hiatus the band are reunited and playing to sold out crowds proving their politically charged songs are as relevant in Australia today as they were 40 years ago.
Production Credits
A Beyond Entertainment and Blink TV production.
Principal production funding from Screen Australia. Financed with assistance from Screen NSW. Produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Director and Writer: Paul Clarke
Producers: Martin Fabinyi and Carolina Sorensen Executive Producers: Miranda Culley Commissioning Editor: Jo Chichester (ABC).
Upcoming 10-part series Outback Ringer, which follows the men and women of the Australian Outback, who risk life and limb catching feral bulls and buffalo, has been acquired by European satellite broadcaster Viasat World, and will be shown across Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and CIS under alternate title, Aussie Bull Catchers. UK-based DCD Rights handled the distribution.
ABC has commissioned a six-part dramedy series Yes Chef, about a notorious celebrity chef who is forced to flee to his home town after his latest outburst goes viral. Summary from Screen Australia website:
YES, CHEF!
6 x 30 mins
Closer Productions Pty Ltd
Genre Drama, Comedy
Writers Julie De Fina, Matthew Bate, Matthew Vesely, Jodie Molloy
Producers Rebecca Summerton, Matthew Bate, Erik Thomson
Executive Producer Julie De Fina
Broadcaster ABC
International Sales ABC Commercial
Synopsis When his latet outburst goes viral, volatile celebrity chef Easton West flees back to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills and tries to reinvent himself through an unlikely partnership with his 18 year-old pastry wunderkind niece.
This project is financed with support from the South Australian Film Corporation.
It is one of five projects to share in $3.5 million of funding from Screen Australia. The other four projects are feature films Blueback, and Nude Tuesday; online series Amazing Grace series 2 and Sonia & Cherry.
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Will Erik Tomson star in it?
ABCâs outgoing head of comedy Rick Kalowski has revealed more details about Yes, Chef!.
At first glance, the premise â a notorious celebrity chef is forced to flee to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills after his latest outburst goes viral and forms an unlikely business partnership with his 18-year-old pastry prodigy niece â may seem to be the kind of show that could play on the commercial broadcasters.
But as Kalowski explains, the niece is non-Anglo, as are about half the other lead characters, and the narrative deals with the clash between the old guard represented by the chef and the new typified by his niece. He likens the set-up to a comedic version of Netflixâs The Chefâs Table, with a touch of All About Eve into the mix. Casting is due to be announced in April.