Seven bares it all in 2018
HOLLY BYRNES THE TV ratings fight can be a bare-knuckle brawl, but Channel 7 is set to go The Real Full Monty – a new special in which stars will bare all for charity.
The prostate cancer fundraiser will see cameras follow eight male celebrities as they prepare for the big reveal next year.
While casting continues, a comedian, a politician, a footy player, a singer, a daytime TV star and an actor were teased in a sizzle reel shown to media and buyers at the network’s programming launch for 2018 yesterday.
The cheeky project ups the sex appeal to Seven’s slate next year, which also includes a Lycra-clad Delta Goodrem in the Olivia Newton-John telemovie (main picture), Hopelessly Devoted To You.
Goodrem will help attract a younger viewer to Seven, which has long appealed to the older audience – best served next year with the revival of the long-running ABC drama series, The Doctor Blake Mysteries (in telemovie form) and the return of former Enough Rope host, Andrew Denton to network television.
Pitched by Seven as “Australia’s shortest (some would say greatest) interviewer”, Denton will attempt to reclaim his title as our Michael Parkinson in Interview With Andrew Denton. The veteran TV pre- senter said he decided against reviving his previous chat show on the ABC, where Enough Rope aired 15 years ago, believing “it’s their job to bring through new talent.”
Just months after undergoing open heart bypasspass surgery, Denton joked his name was a “byword for physical fitness” and he had expected to host Seven’s new adrenalincharged reality series, Australian Spartan (to be filmed in Queensland).
Instead, he is settling for a more sedate role interviewing a different star each week.
Seven will also be hoping to translate Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes’ literary efforts into ratings, after confirming it will air a rockumentary adaptation of his book Working Class Boy.
Returning for new seasons will be My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, as well as the Rebecca Gibney-led drama Wanted and Jessica Mauboy’s The Secret Daughter.