0/5

Axed: Ben Elton Live from Planet Earth

Updated: Channel Nine has axed Ben Elton Live from Planet Earth conceding "it has not found the audience we had hoped for."

EXCLUSIVE: Channel Nine has axed Ben Elton Life from Planet Earth after just three episodes.

A fourth show will not go to air next week.

The live comedy show started out with just 455,000 viewers but dropped to 384,000 last week. Last night a delayed show airing at the later time of 10:40pm against coverage of the NZ earthquake managed 189,000.

It follows disappointing reviews for the show which was one of the network’s bold moves and part of its re-branding as “The Home of Comedy.”

Elton, whose previous achievements include writing Blackadder and The Young Ones, had stressed the show needed time to develop.

Addressing criticism the show was ‘too smutty’ he recently told TV Tonight, “You get no previews, you get no second shots and I think for a first show we did bloody well and if we were a bit rude then fair enough, ok, I’m sorry.”

Nine Entertainment Co. CEO David Gyngell recently said of the Elton show, “We continue to support local and international comedy, and it’s always better to chance you arm and have a go than to take the safe way out and do nothing.”

The show was produced by FremantleMedia Australia.

UPDATED: A Nine spokesperson said: “Ben and his team have done a fantastic job uncovering new Australian talent and we appreciate all of their hard work and dedication. We are all very proud of the show but unfortunately it has not found the audience we had hoped for. We thank Ben and all the cast and crew for their commitment and wish them all the best.”

Michael Healy, Director of Television said: “Comedy is always risky, and live comedy is the riskiest of all. We are pleased to have taken the chance to support the local industry.”

Ian Hogg, CEO of FremantleMedia Australia, said: “We have immense respect for Ben. Through our development deal, we look forward to some exciting comedy and drama projects in the future.”

112 Responses

  1. Could management have ballsed it up any worse than this? In a nation that’s always been wobbly on its comedy feet, they decide to do a Live comedy show basically written by One Person on a One Week turnaround. And they get an antique to host it (no offence Ben. But a big slab of the current TV audience have barely heard of Blackadder and you were actually in it anyway.And let’s forget for now the smutty “Thin Blue Line.”)

    What a disaster. Now comedy will be a no-go zone again for the networks for who knows how long. And the idea that this was giving work to local talent. Sure. But not local writers. if the industry wilfully goes out of its way to avoid giving writers work it will always be amateur hour.

  2. Did not and would not have watched the show & have never found Ben Elton funny.An accent does not make for humor.However he did write some funny shows/sketches during the 80’s.The axing only proves how channel 9 is not commited to new “local” programming.Another night,some tweeking?No?
    Hamish & Andy on 9 is like Home & Away on SBS.Just not a good match.

    Anyway 9’s new line up come March 1st is…..

    Mon-Fri –
    4.30 News with Karl Stefanovic
    5.30 Best of Live from Planet Earth
    5.31 Hotseat with Eddie McGuire presented by Karl Stefanovic
    6.00 News with Karl Stefanovic
    6.30 ACA with The Stig
    7.00 Two And A Half Men
    7.30 Top Gear (Australia,UK.U.S,Afghanistan & Iceland-alternate days)
    8.30 Two And A Half Men marathon introduced by Hamish & Andy
    10.00 Best & Worst of Red Faces presented by Harry Connick jnr
    10.30 Best of Top Gear introduced by Ben Elton
    11.00 News with Karl Stefanovic (cut out)
    11.30 Celebrity Rehab with Charlie Sheen
    12.00 Quizmania with Shane Warne & Warwick Capper

  3. I have joined forces with the ranks of the Hey Hey It’s Saturday army. We are legion, for we are many. No show that nine airs this year will be successful until HHIS is bought back.

    You cannot defeat us.
    We are invincible.

  4. @ Luke W agree with you entirely, HHIS did prop up their other shows in regards to the feel and overall image of the network which is why they almost became number 1 last year and did in fact lead the other networks in all major demographics. But it looks like it will be different this year, much like Ten they are in disarray and have lost their way and will have Seven laughing all the way to the bank.

    Also agree re: Comedy Inc. as undoubtedly being the best sketch show this century but I think it’s too late to bring it back now and Ch 9 did not give it enough of a chance to find an audience in prime time.

  5. Maybe nine could convince chuck Lorre to create something for aussie tv god knows nine make him alot money constantly showing his sitcoms who knows he could be up for the challenge

  6. It was inevitable. Reminds me of what happened with Seven’s effort a while back, Let Loose Live, which was far worse than LFPE. I did like aspects of LFPE but some parts were too long, too light on the script (as in thin material being stretched out too far), some characters are never going to appeal to an general Aussie audience (like that ‘muscle woman’ from ep1). I liked the fact they were live and up to date so they could relate to current issues (such as the girl flat sketch where they mention Lady Gaga wripping off Madonna’s old song). I have only two kind requests to Channel Nine in terms of what they should do in relation to Aussie comedy. 1: Keep HHIS going. There is a loyal audience who will never go away (myself included) and it has the effect of propping up other 9 shows and the network overall. 2: Bring back Comedy Inc. Was the best sketch comedy of my generation (being too young or not born to appreciate the likes of Comedy Company, Fast Forward, D Generation etc), which then gives the likes of McCarthy and Morris to continue their fantastic characters.

  7. Until Hey Hey is brought back every show will continue to fail on Nine. Don’t believe me? Just wait and see. All I can say is Hey Hey supporters have a lot of leway when it comes to the ratings system. Until they are listened to Channel Nine is dead! Ben Elton is the first casualty and many others are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. Coincidence or deliberate ploy to get Channel Nine to listen to the people? You decide.

  8. This show was yet another reason why Channel 9 is stuck in it’s 80s hey day… same dated, boring humor that wasn’t really all that funny back when we first heard it.

    Hamish & Andy are going to die in this environment.

  9. Was gonna comment on Kev’s post and then realised not worth the effort – took a wrong turn at high-horse.com.au before arriving at a TV website for those into TV shows, of which most are viewed on the couch.

  10. The people crying out for Hey Hey really are pathetic. It was a poor show back in the day and when it came back it really was embarrassing. I don’t understand why Australians are calling for ‘has been’ non funny people, in Mr Somers to rehash the same bad jokes. And those wanting new episodes of Survivor…wow some of you need to get out there and have a life instead of watching people live out a pretend life. At least Ben Elton’s show was new, was giving young Aussie comedians an outlet. Couch potatoes unfortunately rule the ratings game, and as they have no taste in life, how could they possibly have an idea what entertainment is? A big bag of chips and simple jokes that you dont have to think about….Two and Half Men is coming back fattys, your wish shall be granted.

  11. Never given a chance to grow as a show! Nine said they would give Ben Elton time for the show to grow.
    When people criticise a show and then it gets axed because of reviews and ratings you are costing people’s livelihoods. Actors, Writers, Cameramen, Lighting Guys and other Backstage staff are looking for a job now!

  12. If hey hey is to come back. Please take note. Don’t just rely on what you were putting to air 12 years ago. There was a reason it was axed all those years ago. Improvements needed to be made and were not. It need to be faster paced. New segments. Create a new set that has some mood. Not every light on 100%.ale a show for the times Personally…. I say bring back don’t forget your toothbrush!!!!

  13. Wow to axe it after being pushed back and hour and blame low viewers is a bastard act it was bad first week but ben actually made me laugh last night. Would have liked it to have another week under normal circumstances. Then axe it if need be. Sounds like management used last nights delay as an excuse.

  14. I’m proud of the Australian viewing public for rejecting this dross.
    A bit amazed though – I would have thought that all the 2.5men fans would have been exactly the demographic Ben Elton was aimed at!

    ps- to the four die hard ‘Hey Hey’ fans clogging up almost every TV Tonight thread – give it a rest! Putting a smiley face at the end of your comment doesn’t make it any less pointless.

Leave a Reply