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Fans angry over Good Game host switch

Good Game's 'Junglist' is to be replaced in a 'refreshing' of ABC2's gaming show. But you don't mess with gaming fans without a fight...

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2ABC2 is changing hosts on Good Game with co-presenter Jeremy ‘Junglist’ Ray (pictured left) to be replaced.

He is to be replaced by Stephanie ‘Hex’ Bendixsen who will also co-host the new junior version of the show with Steven ‘Bajo’ O’Donnell, Good Game: SP for ABC3.

Tactfully avoiding the word ‘axed,’ the ABC indicated the move ties in with a refreshing of the gaming show.

In a statement to TV Tonight, Amanda Duthie, Head of Arts and Entertainment said, “After three years, we felt Good Game needed a refresh to take the program into 2010 and beyond, and the decision was made to change the hosting team.

“Jeremy had travel plans which meant he was not going to be available to tape the final show of the season, the one hour Christmas Special, and we were announcing details of the launch of the Good Game: SP program on our new channel, ABC3. So it made sense to work in with these timings to introduce Stephanie ‘Hex’ Bendixsen as our new host.

“Understandably, Jeremy has many fans who are disappointed to see him leave the program. However, we are absolutely confident that Bajo and Hex will bring a new dimension to the show and, along with the dedicated behind the scenes team of gamers, continue to bring Australian audiences independent reviews and information about video gaming in Australia.”

Angry fans of the show have already started an online petition to keep him on the show.

On his Twitter posts, Junglist says “Cheers for the kinds words and good times….it’s been great and it’s the people that make it great. Much love to you all.”

The show airs tonight at 8:30pm on ABC2.

76 Responses

  1. Last night’s ep was a total fail.

    Just a hint ABC – if you are going to force a new host on us how about you don’t shove her down our throats for 20 minutes? Let her build a slow rapport – not immediately take over the place!

    Most enjoyable when Bajo’s sandwich hit her in the head!

  3. GG:SP is just a marketing gimmick anyway. It was attractive that GG was for more mature gamers, and had a really good target audience. Now, it’s going to be like Totally Wild, or any other show aimed at tweens that fails.

    Now, all the hardcore fans are gone, and here comes the insert of more teenage guys flocking to the show and defending Hex because she’s attractive – not because gaming’s important.

    *sigh* RIP, Junglist and a great show.

  4. Why do they get rid of the host that’s been there for since the very beginning without any warning or goodbyes?

    The previous team worked well because Jung represented the hardcore, Bajo the enthusiast noob. It was comfortable like having two mates talking to you!

    However they did a great job in introducing Hex and had to laugh when they put of the anti-flame wall up. But overall it wasn’t a great episode (Have they ever reviewed so little before?). Hex comes across as a little irritating and stiff (newsreader-ish) and their opinions seemed seemed too similar instead of adding perspective. But i suppose it’s only her first show… but not happy about losing Jung!

  6. Something went on behind the scenes that they’re not going to tell us, I don’t believe for one second that he’s moved to a role behind the camera, they could have been a bit more noble with it and had a proper send off for Jung but no they had to kill him off quick and dirty.

    I should point out that they still need to update their listing in ABC iView. Still lists Junglist and Bajo as the hosts in the picture and description…

    Fail ABC…

  7. Like many, i wont be tuning back in until the new host is removed. What a truly pathetic debacle. They have just killed the show.

    Guess I’ll just watch something on SBS, now, instead.

  13. If I wanted to see a useless blond sh*tty actress, I’d go see a renee zellweger film.

    I watch the show to see ‘gamers’ talk about ‘games’
    Not actresses talk about what ever is written on an auto-queue

    I hope the truth about Junglist comes out sooner rather than later.
    Who knows – maybe ABC2 is hiring producers from ‘CyberShack’ now.

    🙁

  15. I’m sure Rei’s a nice girl, but her delivery is almost as bad as Lux, the girl she replaced. Its always stilted, read from an autocue and with no real sense of humour involved (very dry articles). Hex was really natural in her delivery and I think it would almost be awesome to have all 3 on the show and get rid of Rei to be honest.

  16. As much as I enjoy video games and all that they entail, I can’t stand to watch more than a few minutes of this show on the account of the hosts being irritatingly emphatic. :-/

  17. Why do they get rid of the host that’s been there for since the very beginning without any warning or goodbyes?

    I think the previous eam worked well because Jung represented the hardcore, Bajo the enthusiast noob. It was like having two mates reviewing!

    I thought they did a great job in introducing Hex and had to laugh when they put of the anti-flame wall up but overall it wasn’t a great episode (Have they ever reviewed so little before?). Hex comes across as a little stiff (newsreader-ish) irritating and their opinions seemed to closely mirror each other instead of adding perspective. But i suppose it’s only the first show… but not happy about losing Jung!

  18. Anyone else notice the ‘junglist will remain with a new behind the scenes position’. Sounds like a filler job to fulfill the contract. Hex wasn’t as dull as I expected, and with time will settle in but by no means will she fill the hole left – nobody could.

    But you just gotta love Margrets cameo.

  20. I dont play video games but i always watch this show! Its a great show and the team are excelent because they do serious reviews that I find interesting. I am sad about them dropping him and I will complain because it is the hosting team that make it such an accessable show.

    Keep the guy please!!!!

  21. Amanda Duthie is no longer trusted to oversee comedy, so why is she still trusted to oversee Arts and Entertainment?.Within 12 months this show will be gone,bet your last buck on it.

  25. I won’t be watching Good Game if Hex stays. Jung was by far the better host, and there’s no comparison to Bajo and Jung’s on-screen banter or chemistry.
    Why “fix” something that wasn’t broken anyway? GG was rating pretty darn well before they decided to “refresh” the format.

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