Logies 2023: Logie winner Nicholas Verso apologises for Bluey upset

It was such a stunning upset, the winner of one of last night’s coveted Logie Awards actually apologised onstage to the audience for the decision.

Not since Guy Sebastian was announced as the first-ever Australian Idol over Shannon Noll has there been such a bombshell decision in our entertainment industry.

During this year’s Logie Awards, local series-turned-global-juggernaut Bluey lost out on the Outstanding Children’s Program gong to littler-known ABC series Crazy Fun Park, leaving even the winners absolutely shocked.

As Crazy Fun Park creator Nicholas Verso told the crowd while accepting the award: “I know everyone comes up and goes, ‘We didn’t think we were going to win’ – but seriously, we were up against Bluey!”

Nicholas Verso accepted the Logie with his team after Crazy Fun Park beat Bluey. Picture: Channel 7

The beloved animated kids’ show about a family of Blue Heelers (Bluey, her sister Bingo, and parents Bandit and Chilli) has amassed millions of fans around the world, and even collected international accolades – including an International Emmy Kids Award, a BAFTA and a Critics’ Choice TV award – plus has been listed in the top 10 of most streamed titles in the US.

Bluey is a massive ratings success.

Bluey previously won the Most Outstanding Children’s Program Logie Award in 2019 and 2022.

The latest 10 episodes – which premiered in April – have proven yet another ratings smash, with the highest total audience achieved by any series to air in Australia, including Married At First Sight.

Safe to say, plenty of viewers took to social media to express their shock at the unexpected snub:

Bluey was robbed #Logies

— Perri Winkle (@PerriW2345) July 30, 2023

Bluey, the most successful tv show in Australia has missed out on a Logie. #logies 😵‍💫 ok then

— Celline Narinli • Սելին Õ†Õ¡Ö€Õ«Õ¶Õ¬Õ« (@cellinenarinli) July 30, 2023

Bluey continues to teach my kids great life lessons …. like how awards nights can be total BS.

My 12yo daughter just had a melt down in front of the #Logies

— 🎙️QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) July 30, 2023

Even the Crazy Fun Park guy is surprised they beat Bluey.#Logies#TVWeekLogieAwards

— Radio Mike (@itsradiomike) July 30, 2023

I don’t watch any kids shows but how did Bluey lose?#Logies
#TVWeekLogies

— Ian Brown (@1anBrown) July 30, 2023

Bluey...

What the hell? #LogieAwards#Logies

— Liam Flanagan (@ljflannas) July 30, 2023

How did Bluey NOT win?! #Logies

— anonymissjane (@anonymissjane) July 30, 2023

I really can’t believe Bluey didn’t win. Hughsey looks shocked #Logies

— Corey (@coreyramsay03) July 30, 2023

BLUEY ROBBED!!! #Logies

— Caitlyn (@CaitlynVernem) July 30, 2023

While obviously lesser-known, the live-action Crazy Fun Park has also enjoyed plenty of success. It tells the story of high school best friends Chester and Mapplethorpe who are struck by tragedy – and the haunted adventure that ensues when a group of ghoulish teens living in an abandoned theme park appear.

We won!!! #crazyfunpark#Logiespic.twitter.com/nB0djSwd44

— Nicholas Verso (@NickVerso) July 30, 2023

Its creator was also praised for his gracious acceptance speech, which included an apology to fans of Bluey.

“I’m so sorry about Bluey!” Verso told the crowd, while holding up the Logie.

The bloke who won best children’s program seems like the loveliest person ever. Good on him! #Logies

— Ryan Jon Dunn (@RyanJon) July 30, 2023

Meanwhile, (much) later on in the ceremony, the most coveted award – the Gold Logie – went to Sonia Kruger, host of multiple Channel 7 shows including Big Brother, Dancing With The Stars and The Voice.

BINGE comedy Colin From Accounts was a big winner on the night, taking home the Outstanding Comedy Program award, while its star, Harriet Dyer, won Most Outstanding Actress.

Home And Away was Most Popular Drama Series, while ABC host Tony Armstrong won Most Popular Presenter.

Australian Survivor won Most Outstanding Reality TV Program, with host Jonathan LaPaglia sending a thankyou message from the set of the show’s next season. “I guess you could say the tribe has spoken,” he quipped, to a few groans from the audience.

Ten’s cult favourite The Cheap Seats won Most Outstanding Entertainment Program, thanking their network “for taking a risk on a show that doesn’t feature an island, a vet or a cruise ship.”

Kitty Flanagan won the Most Popular Actress award for her role in Fisk, with fellow nominee in the category, Julia Zemiro, accepting on her behalf, and Sam Neill won the Most Popular Actor award for his role in the acclaimed series The Twelve.

Catch up on news.com.au’s recap of all the other ceremony highlights, along with the full list of winners here.

Originally published as Logies 2023: Logie winner Nicholas Verso apologises for Bluey upset