Lynne Postlethwaite, Wee Mary McGregor could be a mean old drunk, Chenille was pretty mean to Mai Ling. I think she can play mean and she is a sensational actress. I’ll reserve judgement but she isn’t someone I pictured in the role.
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Magda said in a press release (per Mediaweek) she was delighted to be the new host.
I’ve pretended to be nice my whole career – now I finally get to play myself. No, I will not be making the contestants look stupid. They’re perfectly capable of doing that themselves. Weakest Link is right up my alley. I love to watch people squirm, and not in a sexy way. I look forward to hosting some of Australia’s best and brightest… just not on this show.
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tvtonight confirming her as host too.
I hope to be proven wrong, but i cant see this working either. She’s very witty. I like that. But cant see her “nastiness”/.
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Knowing how Nine went to the lengths to get Alan Sugar and Jo Frost onboard for their shows, I wouldn’t actually be surprised if Nine ever considered luring Anne Robinson over to host our version.
Magda is an interesting choice. Hopefully she won’t have to put on too much and just be naturally mean and nasty, preferably with a Sharon Strzlecki accent 
Funnily enough I’ve just realised Magda, Anne Robinson and Cornelia Frances were all born in Liverpool UK, which is a funny coincidence.
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So going by that tweet, it seems likely that we’ll see the same On-Air Presentation (graphics, theme music, probably a similar set) as the recently revived US version?
As for the confirmation of Magda as host: While I don’t mind her, she probably wouldn’t have been my first pick. Oh well, at least it’s not Eddie!
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I was hoping they’d keep the whiteboards instead of the electronic screens to show the contestant votes. Always enjoyed the dramatic flipping of the board in the original.
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Things that we would expect for a reboot of The Weakest Link:
- clean graphics.
- refreshed music theme.
- a new intro voiceover guy. Marcus Irvine has done VO of TWL on Seven.
- I think this game show will more likely to be filmed at Global Television Studios in Melbourne.
- I am leaning towards an 8:30pm timeslot for the show.
With Magda Szubanski announced as host of TWL, this could be a hit or miss in ratings.
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Not sold on Magda. Love her, but just dont think she is a good fit. Hope I’m proved wrong!
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It’s time to play Weakest Link with Magda Szubanski
Weakest Link is returning to Australian screens on Nine and 9Now – a brand new series with a new host, comedian and actress Magda Szubanski.
As well as Magda, there will be other modern twists in the revamp of the massively successful global quiz program known for its fast pace and quick wit.
On taking the helm of Weakest Link , Magda said: “I’ve pretended to be nice my whole career – now I finally get to play myself. No, I will not be making the contestants look stupid. They’re perfectly capable of doing that themselves. Weakest Link is right up my alley. I love to watch people squirm, and not in a sexy way. I look forward to hosting some of Australia’s best and brightest . . . just not on this show.”
Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift , said: “ Weakest Link is one of the world’s most popular and enduring quiz formats. It’s not just about what you know, but also knowing who’s your biggest threat and when to bank your winnings. All of that combined with the much-loved Magda Szubanski being anything but loveable in the role of Australia’s strictest quizmaster. We are very proud to have the new Weakest Link here on Nine.”
The BBC Studios format will be produced by its local production arm. BBC Studio’s ANZ Director of Production Kylie Washington , said: “We are delighted to reintroduce Australians to this fast, fun and addictive show which is a pop cultural phenomenon. In Magda Szubanski we have found the perfect host who will preside over the contestants with her acerbic wit as they do battle to avoid being voted Weakest Link .”
In each episode, eight contestants enter the studio as total strangers and must work together to bank the maximum amount of prizemoney available in each round. Contestants take turns to answer general knowledge questions and build chains of correct answers. Consecutive correct answers greatly increase the value of the chain, while incorrect answers break the chain and force the contestants to start over on the lowest rung, with the smallest amount money.
At the end of each round, contestants vote to eliminate the one they consider to be the weakest link in the chain. The one who receives the highest number of votes then leaves the game as the host delivers the killer phrase, “You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.”
Weakest Link has been produced in 46 territories around the world. More than 1500 episodes have gone to air in the UK alone. The program was recently revived in America, hosted by actress Jane Lynch (Glee) to huge success. This new series is being produced for Nine by BBC Studios and marks a return to Australian screens for the popular quiz that was last shown in Australia in 2002
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She wouldn’t have been my choice but I will happily give it a go because who doesn’t love Magda.
Judging by the few social media comments I’ve seen the US revamp has a slightly more comedic tone rather than bitchy/nasty, so this might be how they’re steering it here too.
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I’d prefer if the classic logo was used, however I’m just happy to have a reboot of an old favourite.
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Should’ve been Gina Riley as host or someone left field like Courtney Act 
Channel 9 doesn’t do “left field”.
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When will some people get over their obsession with Act, he’s not funny enough for a drag queen, let alone a TV host.
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With eight contestants starting the game on the Australian revival of Weakest Link, I suspect the format will be something like this:
- eight straight correct answers required to reach the target
- seven rounds of gameplay, with the final round worth double the money
- a top prize target of $12,500 each round, making for a potential maximum top prize of $100,000
- the money tree could be something like as follows: $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 and *$12,500
In the original version, the maximum top prize you could bank in a single round was $10,000 and the final round was worth triple the money.
And I know I’m also jumping the gun on this but I’d also love to see this: Weakest Link: MAFS special !
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No doubt this will happen in the 2021 revival
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Probably one of the reasons why Seven’s version of The Weakest Link didn’t last overly long was because too many special editions ran during the relatively short run.
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From the top of my head, these were the specials that ran on the Seven iteration:
- All Saints
- Blue Heelers
- Housemates’ Revenge
- A sports special that aired two days before the 2001 Grand Final
- The Mole (as part of an assignment on that show)
- A lifestyle special featuring Tom Williams, who was voted off in the first round, that aired just before it was abruptly removed from Seven’s schedule.
As it happened, the final episode of the Seven iteration aired in the same week as the Mole finale.
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I thought Aristos Papandroulakis (“Surprise Chef”) got voted off in the first round of that one.
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