Every Channel 10 Pilot Week show reviewed

NASSER from Married At First Sight, warring porn stars and a bad boob job ensure that Kyle Sandilands’ new TV show will land with a bang. But does it deserve your vote? Here’s every Channel 10 Pilot Week show reviewed.

NASSER from Married At First Sight, warring porn stars and a bad boob job ensure that Kyle Sandilands’ new TV show will land with a bang.

Criminally obnoxious radio jock Sandilands headlines Channel 10’s Pilot Week, which gives audiences eight exciting new shows and the chance to have their say. Which will work? Which should sink without a trace?

But the pilot program — which is an excellent initiative and a first for an Aussie network — has been beset by accusations of excessive blokiness, with eight men fronting all eight shows.

Trial by Kyle is perhaps the best example of this.

‘PILOT WEEK’ PUTS VIEWERS IN CONTROL AT CH 10

FEMALE CELEBS HIT OUT AT TEN’S PILOT WEEK LINE-UP

Trial by Kyle will go head-to-head with The Footy Show and The Front Bar.

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Sandilands is introduced as being “uniquely qualified to solve people’s problems”. Playing second fiddle to Sandilands is Anna Heinrich (The Bachelor) — an actual criminal lawyer.

One of his first juicy cases features Nasser Sultan (MAFS) taking a Sydney paparazzo to court after he accusing him of colluding to set up pap shots.

Unfortunately, watching the new line-up doesn’t lift the feeling that there’s simply too many blokes involved. With the exception of ensemble comedies Skit Happens and Kinne Tonight, women are few and far between, and only in supporting roles.

Looking beyond the gender controversy, the network has chosen to trial new and existing concepts that fall into the light entertainment category which best works for the network.

Heath Franklin as Matt Preston in sketch comedy show, Skit Happens.

MasterChef fans will enjoy Heath Franklin’s send-up of fancypants judge Matt Preston in Skit Happens, which claims to explain the real reason he always wears a cravat.

In its current line-up, Gogglebox and Have You Been Paying Attention are among Ten’s better performers, while a second season of Hughesy, We Have a Problem and Rove’s Show Me the Movie have each had a second season commissioned.

Kicking off on August 19, audiences are invited to share their feedback for each pilot with the network.

“Audience reaction, social buzz and ratings” will help decide what shows will return to Australian television screens in 2019. We’ve had a first look at the new shows so you’ll know what to expect.

CAN KING KYLE BEAT THE FRONT BAR?

‘POOR FORM’: EM RUSCIANO BLASTS CHANNEL 10

SKIT HAPPENS

Sunday, August 19, 8pm

Sketch comedy is hard to nail. Since the golden era of The Comedy Company, Fast Forward, and Full Frontal, commercial successes have been few and far between.

Heath Franklin leads a cast of up-and-coming comedians, and impersonates Matt Preston to hilarious effect.

Audiences will also enjoy sketches about Married At First Sight production meetings, and Cat Island (six women, 600 bottles of wine).

Verdict: Not bad, and it’s great to see some fresh faces.

DISGRACE!

Sunday, August 19, 8.30pm

Hosted by Sam Dastyari, the former politician who knows a thing or two about disgrace, this one is an unknown as it will be filmed at the 11th hour before going to air.

From the team who brought us The Chaser (that’s a good sign), Dastyari will look at the stories which have caused the most outrage this week.

Verdict: Outrage is currency in media, and Dastyari is a divisive character. Still can’t see it going to series.

Gyton Grantley plays Ned Kelly in Drunk History.

DRUNK HISTORY

Monday, August 20, 8.30pm

Drunk History is a cult hit in the US, and was recreated with less success in the UK.

Historic events are recounted by someone who is completely drunk, with the ridiculous asides and storytelling tangents that only a sloshed person could provide.

The story is re-enacted with well-known actors, such as Gyton Grantley playing Ned Kelly. Stephen Curry and Kiwi Rhys Darby are in the chair, and both would be utterly hilarious without a drop on board. It’s loose, funny and silly.

Verdict: Funny but niche. Would make a good Christmas special.

TABOO

Tuesday, August 21, 8.30pm

By far the best concept in pilot week, this is a show about laughing with people you really shouldn’t be laughing at.

Based on a Belgian format, comedian Harley Breen takes a short trip with four disabled people, then spends a week writing comedy about them.

He performs this comedy with them in the front row, alongside their friends and family.

“It’s great that they’ve used me,” he jokes. “As an able-bodied, straight white male, I’m the perfect guy for the job.”

What an excellent opportunity for a comedian.

Verdict: Easily the pick of the bunch. Clever, thought-provoking and funny. Fingers crossed we see more of Taboo.

Harley Breen’s Taboo is easily the pick of the bunch

KINNE TONIGHT

Wednesday, August 22, 9pm

Remember Kinne’s sketch show on 7mate? This is basically the same, including style and collaborators.

That’s not a criticism; Kinne’s comedy has always been good.

His strength lies in making simple, sometimes silly skits based on his observational humour, such as the different attitudes of couples before and after marriage, or “if we spoke in the supermarket the way we speak in our car”.

Verdict: Plenty of laughs. A full series would be better suited to one of Ten’s digital channels.

TRIAL BY KYLE

Thursday, August 23, 8.30pm

This one is troubling. It’s based on one of the most successful series ever, Judge Judy. It stars Kyle Sandilands, who, contrary to good taste and common sense, is the most notorious broadcaster in Australia. It seems like a no-brainer … this should work.

But Kyle and TV haven’t made good bedmates in the past; he was fired from Australian Idol by Ten a decade ago.

Sandilands won’t hesitate to resort to the lowest common denominator attention.

So if a lowbrow, loudmouth, belligerent bloke is your pick then get on Twitter and let Ten know. With Anna Heinrich, and “expert witnesses” such as Shannon Noll and Darryn Lyons.

Verdict: Trial by Kyle is up against The Footy Show and The Front Bar, and will smash the competition. Very likely to be commissioned for a full series.

Anna Heinrich also stars in Trial By Kyle.

DAVE

Friday, August 24, 8.30pm

Dave O’Neil happily sends himself up in this family comedy.

His comedian mates also appear as themselves, with Hughesy playing up his wealth and Glenn Robbins being cranky about having to “do” characters for fans.

A self-deprecating look at being not-so-famous, with the always excellent Emily Taheny as his wife, Dilruk Jayasinha as the local store owner and Dave Thornton as a fitness-obsessed local parent.

Verdict: Sweet and funny, but it would be a better fit for the ABC.

BRING BACK … SATURDAY NIGHT

Saturday, August 25, 7.30pm

Do we really need another Daryl Somers?

And why does Rove McManus keep auditioning for this part?

This one wasn’t available for review, but the premise is that Rove will reunite famous faces and bands in a generation-bending live show. Think Mondo Rock singing Taylor Swift.

Verdict: The show no one asked for or needs. No thanks.

@brainybites