Sam Dastyari’s Disgrace pilot hit by low ratings
IT was a disappointing hit out for Sam Dastyari’s TV pilot, Disgrace. The one-off episode on Channel 10 was slaughtered by 60 Minutes as the network showcases a week of new programs.
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IT was a disappointing hit out for Sam Dastyari’s TV pilot, Disgrace.
The one-off pilot episode registered 229,000 viewers across capital cities nationally, slaughtered by the competition with 60 Minutes scoring 620,000 viewers in the same 8.30pm timeslot.
Disgrace, fronted by Dastyari with former Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice by his side, is one of several shows Channel 10 is billing as Pilot Week where the network tests new formats before deciding whether or not to commission a full series.
MORE: DASTYARI’S A DISGRACE AND HIS SHOW LACKS DRAMA
Beverley McGarvey, Chief Content Officer, Network Ten said: “We are very happy to have kicked off Pilot Week with some original entertainment and comedy and really appreciate the efforts of all our contributors.
“We’ll be looking at a range of measures over the coming weeks before we make any decisions on which pilots to commission to a full series. We look forward to sharing the rest of the shows with audiences and hearing their feedback.”
Comedy sketch show, Skit Happens, aired earlier and registered a viewership of 350,000 people from a lead-in of 629,000 viewers from Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures.
Here are the other shows Channel 10 will air during Pilot Week.
MORE: PILOT WEEK SLAMMED BY FEMALE STARS
Show: Drunk History
When: Monday, August 20, 9.30pm
Synopsis: Rhys Darby and Stephen Curry pour themselves a drink in the international hit comedy format that takes Australia’s rich, and often surprising history and retells it through the words of our most loved comedians and entertainers.
Review: There’s a reason the US version of this show has recently been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. It is bloody funny.
In the short preview I saw, Stephen Curry was the drunk narrator who told the tale of legendary racehorse, Phar Lap, who was hilariously played by Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald.
If you’re a fan of True Story with Hamish and Andy, you’ll love this show too.
Show: Taboo
When: Tuesday, August 21, 9pm
Synopsis: Taboo has broken audience records in its country of origin, Belgium. The premise is as confronting as it is simple. The very funny Harley Breen spends five days and nights with members of a disadvantaged group in society and uses the experience to perform a stand-up routine about them — with the subjects sitting in the front row.
Review: Harley Breen is one of this country’s best stand-up comedians and on this program he also shows his soft side as he interviews disadvantaged people.
In the sneak peek I saw, Breen was chatting to a woman who lives life in a wheelchair after being involved in two car crashes within two hours (someone crashed into the ambulance, if you can believe that).
The chat was heavy, but Taboo is the definition of light and shade and Breen alleviates the tension later in the episode when he delivers a series of jokes about the interviewees in front of them and their family and friends. Very entertaining stuff.
Show: Kinne Tonight
When: Wednesday, August 22, 9pm
Synopsis: Comedian Troy Kinne ditches the stress of modern life, bringing hardworking Australians a fast-paced half-hour of laughter.
Show: Trial By Kyle
When: Thursday, August 23, 8.30pm
Synopsis: The toughest cases, biggest celebrities and genuine disputes can be settled by only one man, radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands. As Kyle carefully unravels each case, former Bachelor star and criminal lawyer Anna Heinrich is on hand to assist in forensically analysing the evidence.
MORE: KYLE SANDILANDS’ SHOCKING ON-AIR FEUDS
Review: I’m well aware that Kyle Sandilands isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but there’s a reason he’s the highest paid man on FM radio: he knows how to entertain, and in this show he proves he’s just as good on TV as he is on radio.
Trial By Kyle is a blatant Judge Judy rip-off but it’s not quite as serious. For example, in the sneak peek I saw, former Big Brother contestant Skye Wheatley was suing a company that arranged for her to have a free boob job.
Kyle holds court on the show but most of the humour comes from the hilarious characters making a tit of themselves as they argue their cases.
I know it sounds a bit dodgy, but seriously, this show is funny.
Show: Dave
When: Friday, August 24, 8.30pm
Synopsis: Funny-man Dave O’Neil opens the doors to his crazy life in a half-hour narrative comedy. Expect laughter, tears and the appreciation of not being Dave.
Show: Bring Back … Saturday Night
When: Saturday, August 25, 7.30pm
Synopsis: Rove McManus is on a mission to bring back Saturday night entertainment. Young performers will bring back the best of the past and performers of the past are challenged with reinvention. Sketches, guests, music and nothing but feel-good moments — join Rove’s quest to reunite Australia’s greatest acts, bands, and television faces in a generation-bending live TV show.
With Andrew Bucklow