TV’s hottest scandals, bust ups and moments of 2023

There was no shortage of television drama in 2023. From shocking scandals to moments that had the nation glued to its screens, take a look back at the year that was.

There was certainly no shortage of drama in the world of television in 2023.

TV has been a hotbed of drama, spats, shocks, swaps and spotting triumph this year. However, it could almost be called the year of the Matildas considering the viewers Australia’s women’s soccer team attracted in August during its world cup campaign. Here is the TV year as it happened.

January

• The Bachelors launches the year for Channel 10. Featuring Jed McIntosh, Thomas Malucelli and Felix Von Hofe looking for love, the show takes a wild road down the MAFS road and is a hot mess set on the Gold Coast. No one finds lasting romance. Viewers are left scratching their heads and asking “what was that?”

• Go!! Show producer, manager, theatre producer and concert promoter Dennis Smith dies.

• Prince Harry releases his autobiography Spare and hits the TV talk circuit.

• Ray Meagher, 79, famous for playing Alf Stewart on Home and Away, signs a new five year deal with the Channel 7 soap opera.

• Sarah Abo kicks off her tenure as the co-host of Channel 9’s Today alongside Karl Stefanovic. She quickly gets an idea of the crazy times ahead as Stefanovic finds himself in the headlines after his mate Michael Clarke is filmed shirtless, messy and yelling profanities at the Today host in a Noosa car park.

Felix Von Hofe, Jed McIntosh and Thomas Malucelli are the three Bachelors for Ch 10 in 2022. Picture: Channel 10

February

• Dr Chris Brown defects from Channel 10 to Channel 7, but can’t start at his new network until July.

• Ex-working royals Harry and Meghan are shredded by a genius episode of South Park titled ‘The Worldwide Privacy Tour’ as the Spare headlines ricochet. It is still as funny as it was on first viewing.

• Sam Armytage takes over as host of Channel 7’s Farmer Wants A Wife as long time host Natalie Gruzlewski takes a back seat.

• Jeff Watson, who was a reporter on Towards 2000, Beyond 2000, Holiday and Getaway, dies aged 80.

South Park took aim at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Picture: Comedy Central

March

• MAFS continues to smash its opposition and pull hefty viewing numbers. Bronte Schofield, Harrison Boon, Jesse Burford, Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis are among the chaos magnets in the show’s 10th season.

• Michelle Yeoh wins the Best Actress Oscar for her work in Everything Everywhere All at Once. It is quickly revealed she has won another interesting award during her career. Yeoh was Miss Moomba International in Melbourne in 1984.

• Distinguished TV producer Brian Walsh dies aged 67.

• Pole vaulter Liz Parnov wins Australian Survivor.

• Radio legend and occasional TV host (famously he hosted a curtailed episode of Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos), Doug Mulray dies aged 71.

MAFS Harrison and wife Bronte brought in the viewers this year. Picture: Channel 9

April

• TV legend Kerri-Anne Kennerly joins I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, has a number of campsite concessions granted to her as part of her deal to do the show, is lashed verbally by a foul mouthed reality TV contestant during a food challenge and quits the show.

• After being axed in mid-2022, Neighbours rises from the TV grave and starts filming new episodes for Amazon Freevee and Channel 10 in Vermont South. Former star of The O.C, Mischa Barton, is a random pick for an international guest cast role.

Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton & Jackie Woodburne on Neighbours Picture: Supplied/Channel 10)

• The 1% Club, a quiz show, premiers on Channel 7 hosted by ex-pat Aussie comedian Jim Jefferies. He is a left of field choice by 7 and there is no middle ground for viewers - they either love him or hate him guaranteeing plenty of chatter about the show.

• The grand final of I’m A Celebrity sees the end of Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown as an on-screen hosting team. It is genuinely emotional and the end of an era. Meanwhile, netballer Liz Ellis wins the show.

• The TV and hospitality industry is shocked and saddened after MasterChef host Jock Zonfrillo is found dead in a Carlton hotel room just hours before the new season of MasterChef is due to kick off. Channel 10 delays the launch of the show by a week.

May

• US reality series Stars On Mars films in Coober Pedy. As the title suggests, the show pretends it is set on Mars. ‘Stars’ include Lance Armstrong, Adam Rippon, Ronda Rousey, Porsha Williams, Tallulah Willis and Ariel Winter.

• Alone Australia becomes a huge hit for SBS. It is slow TV, but compelling. The survivalist show set in Tasmania is won by Gina Chick who lasts 67 days in the wilderness.

• There is coffee chaos on The Block. Following a complaint from a resident, the show’s McCafe is stopped by the local council from providing free coffee to people living in and around the street in Hampton where the show is being filmed.

• David Koch quits Sunrise after 21 years as host.

Natalie Barr says a tearful goodbye to David Kochie Koch on his last day of Sunrise. Picture: Sunrise/Channel 7

• The Coronation of King Charles III is event TV — historic, interesting and visually spectacular. The ABC comes under fire from viewers and conservative commentators for hosting a panel, as guests are arriving for the Coronation, that discusses the issue of invasion and theft of Indigenous land. Stan Grant, who was on the panel, steps away as host of Q+A after being the target of racist abuse and threats.

June

• Matt Shirvington is named as David Koch’s replacement on Sunrise.

• Channel 7’s Spotlight program interviews Bruce Lehrmann.

• Blow Up, a show featuring balloon sculptures, is a huge flop for Channel 7.

• Wayward ex-footy player Ben Cousins gets his act together and lands a gig as a sports presenter on Channel 7 in Perth.

Ben Cousins made is debut on the sports desk for Channel 7 Monday night Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

• It’s A Knockout host Fiona MacDonald reveals she has motor neurone disease.

MacDonald travels around Australia in June/July raising funds for research into the “hideous disease.” MacDonald hosted the children’s show Wombat. Her sister Jacqui MacDonald was part of Hey Hey It’s Saturday with Daryl Somers.

• Channel 9 steps up to the crease too early with the mini series Warnie, which was inspired by the life of Shane Warne. Some members of Warne’s family are furious the drama is airing. The two part mini series attracts reasonable viewing numbers, but it would have been better if there was more distance between the cricketing great’s passing in March 2022 and the airing of the show. It just felt too soon.

Alex Williams in character as Shane Warne in the Channel 9 mini series Warnie. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

July

• Sonia Kruger wins the Gold Logie, but Sam Pang wins the night for his brilliant performance as the host of the annual TV awards ceremony. Daryl Somers bumbles around as the presenter of the Gold Logie.

• Brent Draper wins MasterChef Australia.

• Phil Burton wins Dancing With The Stars.

Sonia Kruger won the Gold Logie Award (Photo by Sam Tabone/Getty Images)

• Fallen star Vince Colosimo ends up in court after racking up $61,858 worth of fines and penalties for unpaid tolls, speeding offences, minor driving offences, and not voting in council elections between 2013 and 2022. The fines are wiped by the Magistrate and Colosimo is ordered to complete 101 hours of community work over the next year.

• Patricia Karvelas is appointed host of Q+A after Stan Grant opts not to return.

• Footy reporter Tom Browne quits Channel 7.

August

• August is the month of the Matildas. The Australian women’s soccer team breaks records with the massive number of viewers that tune in Channel 7 to watch the team compete in the World Cup.

• Neale Whittaker has a crack at The Block after he believes his speech about why he won’t be regularly seen as a judge on the show in 2023 is edited out of an episode. He quietly deletes the social media post a few days later. Marty Fox stars as the Porsche driving new judge on the show.

• Brilliant talk show host Michael Parkinson dies aged 88.

• Stan Grant departs the ABC.

• Denise Scott reveals she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Scott was diagnosed six months earlier, the day before she started filming her role as Maggie Beare on the reboot of the Mother and Son for the ABC, and was having treatment while the show filmed.

• Season 2 of The Newsreader launches on the ABC to great acclaim from fans. Good news: season 3 has been greenlit.

August belonged to the Matildas after their incredible FIFA Women’s World Cup run Picture Lachie Millard

September

• Drama as The Block quits Daylesford as the location for its 2024 season after delays in the permit approval process and push back from a small group of locals. A couple of weeks later a resort on Phillip Island is revealed as the new home of series 20 of The Block. The permit for the show’s build plans is granted in late November.

• David Koch reveals he is considering launching legal action over scam ads featuring his image on social media. “It is just getting out of control. Traditional media has a responsibility to make sure anything that goes in the paper or on TV or the radio is legitimate otherwise they get fined,” Koch said. “I think digital platforms should have to play by the same rules.

“It is damaging my reputation and brand because people look at these ads and think ‘Kochie is recommending these investments’ and they are getting caught. What they use is me as clickbait to get people to click through to these scams.”

• Channel 10 commissions Gladiators for 2024 with Liz Ellis and Beau Ryan hosting.

• New episodes of Neighbours begin airing on Channel 10.

Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis will co-host Gladiators, returning to screens on Channel 10 next year. Picture: Channel 10

David Koch revealed he considered taking legal action over scam ads featuring his image on social media. Picture: Supplied

October

• Channel 10 gets the casting right on the celebrity version of The Amazing Race Australia. Those taking part include Bec Judd, Darren McMullen, Emma Watkins, Grant Denyer, Jackie and Ben Gillies, and Jana Pittman.

• Daryl Somers is replaced as co-host of Dancing With The Stars by Dr Chris Brown. Later in October, Somers launches legal action against Channel 7 claiming the network used footage of John Farnham and Tom Jones singing on Hey Hey It’s Saturday in 1990 a Spotlight special without first obtaining permission from his company. He sues for breach of copyright.

• Melissa Leong departs MasterChef Australia in a huge shock. The show’s new judging line up is Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli. Filming gets underway on the new season in November with Jamie Oliver a guest judge for two weeks.

• Robert Irwin, son of ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, is announced as joining Julia Morris as the new co-host of I’m a Celebrity.

Robert Irwin replaced Dr Chris Brown as co-host of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris. Picture: Channel 10

• Grant Denyer is confirmed as the host of a new version of Deal or No Deal. The show will be seen on Channel 10 in 2024 minus the famous troupe of “Dealette” models that were a fixture on the original version of the program. “It is 2024, it is a different period now,” Denyer said. “It is a much more upscale version of Deal.”

• Comedian and actor Celeste Barber’s hit Netflix series Wellmania is not renewed for a second series and she makes her feelings known via social media about the unexpected decision.

• Great Australian Bake Off presenter and comedian Cal Wilson passes away from cancer aged 53.

Celeste Barber attends a special screening of Netflix's new series WELLMANIA at at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images for Netflix)

November

• A seismic shake up hits the Channel 9 Melbourne newsroom with Peter Hitchener stepping down as chief newsreader after 25 years. ‘Hitch’ will present the weekend bulletin in 2024. Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort will host the weeknight bulletin from January 14.

• Adrian Portelli splashes cash at The Block auctions. His $5m buy of Steph and Gian Ottavio’s home sees the Perth couple walk away with a profit of $1.65m as well as an extra $100,000 for winning the show.

• Home & Away and The X Factor favourite Johnny Ruffo dies aged just 35 after a long and brave battle with brain cancer.

• Netflix starts filming a six part drama in Melbourne inspired by cancer and wellness scammer Belle Gibson. US actor Kaitlyn Dever is cast as Gibson.

Adrian Portelli on the set of The Block 2023. Picture: instagram / @adrian_portelli

• Tom Morris is appointed Chief Football Reporter for Channel 9 in Melbourne.

• Ed Halmagyi leaves Better Homes and Gardens after 20 years.

• Eddie McGuire’s 25 year run as a quiz show host ends as the last episode of Hot Seat airs on Channel 9.

• Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Network 10 gets underway in the Federal Court in late November.

December

• Australian Idol judge Kyle Sandilands achieves his long voiced desire to extend his Sydney KIIS FM breakfast show into Melbourne. KIIS Melbourne’s breakfast show Jase and Lauren, hosted by Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips is axed, ending on December 1, to make way for the Kyle take over in 2024.

• Todd Woodbridge debuts his new gig as a quiz master with the first episode of Tipping Point Australia to air on Christmas Eve.

Todd Woodbridge will host Australia's version of the hit game show Tipping Point. Picture: Nine

• Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright is committed to stand trial in the Northern Territory next year accused of perverting the course of justice after a deadly helicopter crash that killed his co-star, Chris Wilson, in February 202.

• Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling reveals she has colon cancer and immediately undergoes surgery.

• Studio 10 comes to an end. The Channel 10 morning show always got a lot of headlines, but never had many viewers. Based on its audience numbers it was baffling how it lasted as long as it did.

• Australian actors with strong Melbourne links, Sarah Snook and Elizabeth Debicki, land Golden Globe nominations for their roles in Succession (Snook) and The Crown (Debicki).

*Margaret Pomeranz’s review of the TV year on The Weekly is once again worth its weight in gold. Watch it and have a laugh.

• The Bachelors ends the year for Channel 10. It didn’t make a lot of noise, but Melbourne looked good as the backdrop for the show.

Originally published as TV’s hottest scandals, bust ups and moments of 2023