70s Show replaces Earl

That 70s Show will replace My Name is Earl from Thursday June 21.

The episode "Sally Simpson" from 2004 is a first-run episode on Seven and will guest star How I Met Your Mother's Alyson Hannigan.

Both Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace, who have since gone on to film careers, appear in the episodes.

Earl will wind up a few episodes short of its actual season.

Can't say I particularly find 70s Show that funny myself, but each to his own. Read more...

Airdate: Morning Show

Seven's new Morning Show will premiere 9am Monday June 18.

Hosted by Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, the show will compete head to head with Mornings with Kerri-Anne and 9am with David and Kim.

Seven's expectations for the show are high, given it was instrumental in the decision to not proceed with The Naomi Show, planned as an afternoon programme. Seven explained it preferred to focus on one new daytime format for now.

The Morning Show promises "news and views, new music and regular segments covering health and fitness, astrology, celebrity gossip, cooking, counselling and fashion." It is produced by Adam Boland who has had huge success with Sunrise.

Seven's 10:30am Morning News will move to 11:30am as a result. Read more...

Uh oh Flamingo!

Move over Tinky Wink, you may have competition.

The little guy pictured here is Captain Flamingo, a kids' superhero cartoon.

Widely seen as a Batman parody, this looks just as camp. Little Milo dons a home-made super tights and a terry-toweling cape, helping lil' kids in trouble with his novelty items including silly string, a whoopee cushion and a super spinner with cheese promotional yo-yo.

Lizbeth is "his best pal, anonymous sidekick and not-so-secret admirer", but like Batman there is a non-acceptance of relationships. The Canadian cartoon which currently screens in Australia on Nickelodeon is about to air on ABC TV.

Behind the beak is alter-ego Milo Powell, who turns into Captain Flamingo when anyone calls his name. Milo is equipped with the imagination and faith to become a superhero.

The show has also incorporated a big toilet humour factor with vomiting, urinating and flatulence.

Official site.

Captain Flamingo premieres 7:30am Wednesday July 4 on ABC TV. Read more...

Smarter than a 5th Grader auditions

Network TEN is holding auditions for its new quiz show, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?

The series is to be produced by Roving Enterprises and Rove McManus will host.

The American quiz format, produced by Mark Burnett, pits adults again children of primary school age. The questions in the show are all drawn from school textbooks. It has enjoyed enormous ratings in the US thanks to its lead-in, American Idol.

The production is looking for kids to be regulars on the show, who will change with each season.

Ten's programmer David Mott told News Ltd, "From the minute we saw the show from the US we knew it would be an excellent fit for Ten. It is warm, funny and a perfect format to translate to the Australian market."

Radio jock Howard Stern has accused the show of ripping off a segment from his syndicated radio format.

It's certainly turning into the year of the game show...

Audition info.

Wikipedia listing.

Source: Herald-Sun.
Read more...

45 days without Paris

"The defendant is remanded to county jail to serve the remainder of her 45-day sentence. This order is forthwith."- Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer

Boo hoo.

'Nuff said. Read more...

National Bingo auditions

Seven is casting for a new game show, National Bingo Night.

Based on an American format, this pits single contestants against a studio audience (hmm sounds familiar). All of them play bingo with the 'single' contestant having to decide if the next ball drawn is higher / lower / red / black etc. They also participate in visual stunts.

In addition to the cash there are also prizes up for grabs.

Home viewers can also play along via cards (which would probably be available online or supplied in newspapers in Oz).

The one hour show premiered mid-May on America's ABC.

Wikipedia listing. Read more...