I really expected Ten to commission this, but here we are.
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There is a show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on April 20, featuring comedians such as Anne Edmonds, David Correos, Fern Brady and John Kearns.
Could this be filmed for TV, or is there a separate new program in the works?
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Is this a new commission as an Australian version? Could ABC have rescued the show given Three is all but abandoning any local programming in NZ?
I’m surprised to see ABC get it too - I watched some of the NZ version and it seems like the sort of thing 10 could play 8:30 Monday or Tuesday (when Cheep Seats or HYBPA are off) or something to air with Taskmaster Aus as some “Fun & Games” oriented line up.
Still I’ll probably watch, and yay for no ads.
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If you’re curious, here’s the Kiwi version : https://youtu.be/dIw97yFxrOQ?feature=shared
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The show was reported to have received funding from NZ On Air for its second season.
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Update
During this fast-paced, entertaining and hilarious new comedy panel show, host Guy Montgomery and his loyal assistant Aaron Chen challenge four comedians, comprising of both established names and up-and-coming comics, as they attempt to spell a myriad of words as best they can, all to be crowned that week’s best speller.
Production credit:
A Kevin & Co and ABC co-production. Producers: Bronwynn Bakker, Cam Bakker. Executive Producer: Cam Bakker, Bronwynn Bakker, Greg Sitch, Guy Montgomery. ABC Executive Producer Mark Sutton. ABC Head of Entertainment Rachel Millar.
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The show will be filmed at ABC HQ at Ultimo in Sydney in the last week of June. Tickets are now available at That’s the Ticket website.
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Guy and Aaron. That’s a good combo. I am still shocked 10 didn’t try and get this. As mentioned above, could of been used before HYBPA airs in May or on a Thursday 8:30pm slot too
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I went to a filming last night. It was very funny but I am not sure how much will need to be edited out. They did not know when it would air. I wish I’d asked if it was 30 mins or an hour. The session was about two hours.
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NZ eps were 44 mins without ads, I lost interest after 30….hope they don’t make it too long
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Let’s get spelling!
Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee
premieres this August on ABC
Get ready to laugh-out-loud as Guy Montgomery and his loyal assistant Aaron Chen test the spelling prowess of some of Australia’s favourite faces on Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. The fast-paced eight-episode series will premiere Wednesday 14 August at 8.30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.
Based on the successful New Zealand format and sell out Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, each episode Guy and Aaron will put four famous faces to a hilarious spelling test across five wildly inventive spelling challenges designed to befuddle, bamboozle, and bedazzle them all.
The star-studded names stepping up to the podium include Tony Armstrong, Tom Gleeson, Wil Anderson, Urzila Carlson, Geraldine Hickey, Luke McGregor, Peter Helliar, Tim Minchin, Steph Tisdell, Demi Lardner, Nazeem Hussain, Rhys Nicholson, Concetta Caristo, Zoë Coombs Marr and more.
Each episode will culminate in the final, fast-and-furious spelling round where anyone could emerge victorious and receive the ultimate prize - a one way ticket to the next episode to defend their crown and glory. However, the loser will suffer the indignity of sitting in the dunce’s corner donning the infamous dunce’s hat.
Production Credit : Commissioned by the ABC. A Kevin & Co and ABC co-production. Executive Producers: Cam Bakker, Bronwynn Bakker, Greg Sitch, Guy Montgomery. ABC Executive Producer Mark Sutton. ABC Head of Entertainment Rachel Millar.
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Set seems to have got an upgrade from the NZ version though sticking to a similar design elements from the 70s.
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Why is it … Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont?
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Feel sorry for anyone relegated to just being among the “and more”, after a list of 14 names 
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Play on his name Montgomery - Mont Spelling Bee.
How is it a play on his name? I don’t get it. What am I missing?
His name is already in the title. Why repeat it with an abbreviation?
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The set is too big for comedy and the angles all are side on and look terrible, I wish they’d get someone in who can direct and design a space for comedy.
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Episode 1
Wednesday 14 August 8.30pm
Urzila Carlson, Nazeem Hussein, Danielle Walker, Tom Gleeson
The series premiere kicks off with four guest comedians Urzila Carlson, Nazeem Hussain, Danielle Walker and Tom Gleeson where they take on a spelling challenge on Australian currency and try to make their hometown proud.
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Episode 2
Wednesday 21 August 8.30pm
Geraldine Hickey, Pete Helliar and Urvi Majumdar join our episode one winner to spell obscure hats they’re forced to wear, decipher everyone’s favourite font (wingdings), and guess what Aaron is cooking.
Tonight, Geraldine Hickey, Pete Helliar and Urvi Majumdar join our episode one winner Nazeem Hussein to spell obscure hats they’re forced to wear, decipher everyone’s favourite font (wingdings), and guess what Aaron is cooking.
Based on the successful New Zealand format and sell out Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, each episode Guy Montgomery and his assistant Aaron Chen will put four famous faces to a hilarious spelling test across five wildly inventive spelling challenges designed to befuddle, bamboozle, and bedazzle them all.
The star-studded names stepping up to the podium include Tony Armstrong, Tom Gleeson, Wil Anderson, Urzila Carlson, Geraldine Hickey, Luke McGregor, Peter Helliar, Tim Minchin, Steph Tisdell, Demi Lardner, Nazeem Hussain, Rhys Nicholson, Concetta Caristo, Zoe Coombs Marr and more.
Each episode will culminate in the final, fast-and-furious spelling round where anyone could emerge victorious and receive the ultimate prize - a one-way ticket to the next episode to defend their crown and glory. However, the loser will suffer the indignity of sitting in the dunce’s corner donning the infamous dunce’s hat.