Most Australian TV production will probably be shut down pretty soon as well, I think. Lots of repeats and extended news coverage.
4 Likes
Would be a good time for Nine/Seven/10/ABC/SBS to dig out their library of classic and vintage programs to keep viewers occupied in case of lockdown. Think classic drama, comedy, reality, light entertainment shows and maybe bringing forward some of their new shows which have been filmed already.
That’s what China has done since the outbreak with popular dramas and TV shows repeated across the country with live shows (apart from news) suspended.
2 Likes
Mentions Holey Moley is filming at the moment.
1 Like
Brian Taylor told Triple M’s Hot Breakfast yesterday that filming was suspended due to bad weather, and the crew and “64 reality TV contestants” were trapped in a hotel waiting for the sun to appear. And due to the Federal Government’s new self-isolation rules, he would miss the first three rounds of the AFL season (should it goes ahead).
UPDATE: and now the production has been shut down indefinitely.
Genuine question. Is it cheaper for the show to be produced in America or here in Australia? I know that there is already an American set but taking into account the airfares for all the contestants + Australian hosts + maybe some production crew surely it wouldn’t be that much cheaper being produced in America? They could’ve built an identical set in Sydney/Melbourne and produced the show from here, so production can resume with lifting of restrictions here instead of being shut down indefinitely.
I was looking forward to this show this year so it’s a bit disappointing that the possibility of this show might not proceed as usual still exists.
Someone would have done the sums and worked out it was cheaper this way.
The course is huge- there’s 18 themed holes with many featuring swimming pool sized water hazards and various large mechanical elements like windmills, guillotines, a volcano, rotating platforms and rolling logs that the contestants must negotiate. It wouldn’t be a cheap set to replicate locally.
3 Likes
And no guarantee of success to justify building it for a long run.
2 Likes
It probably is much cheaper to film in the US. The fact they don’t need to train a new crew and build a new set. But it would be good if they did just look at building their own set here. They could use the set for other things as well.
Definitely.
I’m just thinking why (apart from maybe budget problems) they couldn’t build the course here instead of flying them to America. You don’t see Australian Ninja Warrior flying contestants to the Sasuke course in Japan or the America course in Las Vegas to compete when the show first started. The show could’ve resumed productions by now if they were based here but with coronavirus and the protests hammering America, who knows when they will be able to resume productions.
Are other countries producing localised versions as well?
From memory, Wipeout was done this way as well (but I believe there were insurance implications as well, bit like the Its a Knockout remake)
There was a german version booked in to start production on the US set immediately after the Australian version finished. Of course Covid cancelled all that…
Seven’s director of network programming Angus Ross has told Mediaweek that the Aussie version will now be filmed here rather than in California.
Building the sets is a big undertaking, with Ross confirming they are doing the complete 18 holes.
“We think we will also attract other countries who want to come and use the sets we build in Australia.”
1 Like
Airing in early 2021 as well. Not a bad idea and if executed well will be competitive against MAFS and Survivor (provided those two are going ahead as usual).
Good to see local production as well. Could potentially be the next big hit on Seven.
4 Likes
The decision to move the production was confirmed by the show’s commentator Brian Taylor over the weekend when he told his Triple M radio audience he was looking forward to his co-host, comedian Rob Riggles joining him in Australia later this year.
TV Blackbox understands Eureka is now considering filming the local season and the next US series back-to-back on the Australian course. Eureka recently commenced a search for US citizens currently living in Australia and willing to participate in a ‘game-show’ format.
I know they won’t, but I was kind of hoping Seven would’ve used this opportunity to lure a duo like Roy and HG to host this show. They have proven chemistry and would be absolutely hilarious as a pairing on this show.
I think we will be seeing a lot of US and overseas productions being filmed in Australia next year.
2 Likes
Good for the Australian industry too may I say. Sorely needed after the effects of COVID-19 on the media industry this year.
3 Likes
Just saw a casting call for Holey Moley on the main channel in Brisbane.
1 Like