TV’s night of double acts

Sunday night was very probably a first in Australian television, as two commercial networks broadcast two different shows from the one building as Rove and Dancing with the Stars went head to head last night.

At Global Studios, South Melbourne (formerly 7 studios), the building was bursting at the seams with entertainment, audiences and variety. There was everyone from Hollywood celebrity to radio and sports stars and it all ran like clockwork. Even the foyer had to be divided into two, with one door for Rove and another for Dancing.

The traffic was only aided by the fact that Rove, who had movie star Brendan Fraser appearing, recorded the show at 6pm (thank Idol for that) while Seven’s went out live to air at 7:30pm. If you throw in the live audience for the guest band The Kooks, there were actually three live crowds to co-ordinate!

But all eyes were on Daniel McPherson as the new host of Dancing with the Stars, who gave a seamless performance as the new host. McPherson told TV Tonight he was happy to have the opening night under his belt.

“We’ll see what the critics say tomorrow,” he said. “I try to commit to everything I do. I’m not the world’s best dancer but I reckon by the end of the series I will improve.”

McPherson said he hoped to bring some new ideas to the role.

“I thought that the host could bring more drive and more pace and more energy to the show. I thought the show could benefit from that. And perhaps in certain instances taking the host out of the equation. Letting the judges, letting the dancers really shine without putting myself in between them too much. Sometimes getting out of the way, sometimes getting in the way, and driving it with a bit of energy.”

Co-host Sonia Kruger was proud as punch of her new partner in crime.

“It’s a big role to step into Daryl’s shoes, y’know he’s 28,” she said. “To have that sort of confidence at that age, incredible.

“When I heard he was coming on the show I thought ‘excellent.’ I know I can have fun with Dan.”

Amongst the season’s new celebrities, it was Toni Pearen, who with So You Think You Can Dance’s Henry Byalikov drew a standing ovation from the studio audience.

“I’m really happy,” she said. “It all feels like a bit of a blur. Henry keeps telling me it was great. I know it was great but I feel high on adrenalin. It doesn’t feel real.”

“She’s great,” insisted Henry. “I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be honest. I mean from the first day I could see she’s nervous as hell, but this girl works so much, I’m just so proud of her.”

Pearen, Red Symons and Charli Delaney all bring musical backgrounds to Dancing with the Stars. If Symons ends up dancing to a Skyhooks song (as Daniel McPherson teased), maybe Toni Pearen should drag out ‘Walkaway Lover.’

“I don’t think Henry was even born when I was making music!” she laughed. “You never know. Any of the divas, Madonna Kylie, I’ll do them all.”

By the time the TV night was over, everyone was able to declare themselves something of a winner. 60 Minutes was tops with 1.56m viewers, while Dancing with the Stars took 1.33m, well down on season averages but it had heavy competition on its new night. Australian Idol held at 1.31m.  Nine’s Scorched telemovie was lukewarm with 1.12m, also beaten by Midsome Murders on 1.31m