Charlie Pickering: ‘I didn’t think we were going to make it, either.”
TV Tonight was on hand as The 7PM Project hits 500 episodes and asked Charlie Pickering for his thoughts on the show many didn't expect to survive.
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Last night The 7PM Project reached its 500th episode, and marked the occasion with its first viewer-turned-guest host, Louise Benjamin from Brisbane (pictured left).
TV Tonight was on hand as the occasion rolled by, to ask Charlie Pickering for his thoughts on the show many didn’t expect to see reach 50 episodes.
“I’ll be honest I, probably didn’t think we were going to make it either,” he conceded.
“But the whole time we were doing it we knew there was a purpose for it. That it was new, not like anything else on TV. So things like that kept us going when the numbers weren’t that great.
“There were some really harsh criticisms early on but I don’t think a lot of that got to us too much because we liked what we were doing.
“The finer details of the chemistry between Carrie, Dave and I probably took six months to really click. But I think we all knew there was something there.”
Pickering admits the show would have had a much more severe baptism by fire if Twitter had been as popular in 2009 as it is today. Many in the industry are well aware of the Ben Elton-experience earlier this year.
“If Twitter had been as ferocious as it is now we probably would have got a bit more hurt by it. But I think the Ben Elton experience should be a bit of a cold shower for everyone who puts too much stock in an audience’s response on Twitter to a first episode of something,” he says.
“All the people who are so vicious on Twitter or write posts and criticise shows that haven’t found their feet yet are forgetting you’re talking about 50 or 60 Aussies with jobs.
“You might not like a show, and you can say you don’t like a show, but I will always come down on the side of letting a show breathe, giving it a chance to figure itself out, because you’ve got a lot of people working really hard on it. It’s not like people are lazy about making television. They’re all trying to make something good and successful. Sometimes they get it wrong, or sometimes like our show they get the time to figure it out.”
The exact turning point for the show, which probably came early in 2010, is hard to define. But Pickering remembers when an off-camera moment with Dave Hughes helped their on-screen chemistry.
“Carrie and I clicked very quickly and because we were co-anchoring the show we had to figure that out fairly quickly. But from a comedic point of view it was difficult for Dave and I to figure out each other’s roles as a comedian at the desk,” he says.
“Putting two comedians in that space who both had jokes they wanted to make, I think took us quite a while to figure out that chemistry and balance, and when to give each other room and when to give each other shit as well.
“Dave lost his wedding ring somewhere in the building and for 3 or 4 days he was in the doghouse with (wife) Holly and feeling really glum.
“So I took the time to retrace his steps and I found his wedding ring under a sofa in the Green Room.
“It was a genuine moment of bonding between the two of us, and everything felt easier after that.
“I think a lot of things on the show fell into place when Dave and I found out how to give each other space.”
He also acknowledges the contribution of the many guest hosts that have joined the show, particularly George Negus who helped balance the youthful outlook with some learned experience.
“It’s a bit of an in-joke at 7PM about ‘gravitas.’ Early on our nickname for George Negus was ‘gravitas.’ Because we could talk about anything but he would give it gravitas,” he explains.
“If we were 11:30 every night and aimed largely at young people staying up late then I think you could have young people throwing around jokes and opinions. But if you’re in primetime, seeking a broad audience you need a voice of wisdom in the mix.”
Other guest hosts including Steve Price have often ignited negative comments from the audience. But Pickering defends his inclusion as part of the 7PM family.
“I like to think our show is a place where all opinions are welcome. I think what Steve Price does creates debate. He expresses what might not be the most popular or politically-correct view but he will often express a view that gets people talking and challenges what people think,” he says.
“We’ll get a lot of people writing in saying “I can’t believe what Steve Price said, I’m never watching again.” But we’ve got multiple letters from those people. So they’ve written in and complained and said they’re never watching again but then they write in again a month later.
“When someone writes in or on Twitter says ‘How dare you put that person on saying those things’ it makes me think we’re doing something right. Because you should never censor an argument, or take all views out of a discussion.
“Let someone come on and express their views and then tell them to their face you don’t agree with them. Or let the audience decide they don’t agree with them. But you shouldn’t do that censorship before you even book someone.”
Pickering returned home from a holiday in New York yesterday morning and fought off jet lag to present the 500th show. In September 7PM is planning to mark the anniversary of September 11, but he won’t let on if the show has a “New York” special in the pipeline.
“I don’t think anyone at Channel TEN is brave enough to suggest a week in New York. I don’t think it will be anything quite as extravagant,” he laughs.
“Having just gotten back I’d love to spend another week in New York!
“But the next thing on our agenda is just to say ‘How can we do things better and how can we improve? How can we make interesting TV every night?’ And that’s really all that we’ve got coming up.”
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28 Responses
I, too, wonder about Carrie’s role on the show.
She often appears to be flailing about for a cogent comment, & then resorts
to stereotypical male-bashing… & then expects all “the sisters” to whoop it up.
Dave is just Dave… unlikely he’ll ever change, for good or ill. So be it.
Charlie definitely looks like he’s running in too low a gear…
@Richard W
Umm do you wanna try again maybe? You’re saying the ratings for 7pm doubled because it had Masterchef as a good lead in….. hasn’t MC always aired after 7pm??
I agree with many of the preceding comments re lack of depth/time & the trend towards scripted & largely fluffy topics…. it’s the safe middle ground after all. Unless the 7PM Project is prepared to take regular risks, both as regards inflammatory commentary &/or making complete d*cks of themselves on a *supposedly* live & topical show. it will always be just banal & forgettable fluff. Honestly, can anyone recall the rundown of a show broadcast a week or even a few days ago? Really? 🙂
Not trying to be insulting. Just wish they’d give me a good reason to watch them rather than just remote control laziness.
I think it was better when it started, as it has gone on it has becomore more and more dumbed down.
Agree with the comments on Charlie, he is very underutilised in this role it would seem.
Dave Hughes and Carrie have not improved at all IMO. Dave still struggles to speak basic english, his funnies are rarely ever that and his Abbott love has gotten beyond a joke, why not rename it Hughesy’s I love Abbott Project?
Carrie stills comes across as sexist, naive, and half the time does not appear to have a very in depth knowledge of what she is talking about.
I just have it on in the background these days. Hope it doesn’t go for 500 more without some tweaks here and there
Hmmm. Still 4th in its timeslot & not setting the demos alight. Never really understood all the fuss.
I was one who wished very hard for 7PM to be good. I really did, as I enjoy both Hughes and Pickering in other formats. But I just can’t warm to this show. To me it still doesn’t know what it wants to be, plus I detest some of their guests like Price, Vizard et al. For me, the show has fewer hits than misses.
That said, sincere congratulations to the show on surviving in such a hostile environment, I’m pleased they’ve found a loyal (though undemanding 😉 ) audience.
The show means well and there are many worse shows on TV to be sure.
@KFed – agree about Charlie.
I wish they would cut some stories and do longer interviews and stories more in depth. I hate when they do an interview and only ask 2 questions…whats the point?
Maybe it could go for 1hr – 6:30-7:30 and rename it The Project
I still watch the show, but I’m not entirely sure why.
It’s kind of a default no-brainer for my mind to wander, between the news & the general evening’s entertainment – perhaps that’s the point.
I feel that each of the panel(s) have become stereo-types of themselves, which
makes for warm, fuzzy comfortable viewing. I don’t particularly like
or dislike any of them – I just drift through it with benign indifference until
something that particularly interests me crops up, either on the show or after it.
Without any malice, it just seems like scheduling padding to me. Not worth
getting upset about really…
Yay!! Congratulations 7PM Project; I never knew 7PM could be this much fun!
I think Charlie is actually a very smart guy, but on the show he often seems to censor his actual opinions, and when he is sitting on the same panel as markedly more ignorant people I find it very frustrating. Often we have to rely on Hughesy when people suggest the ridiculous.
Lets face it, if it wasn’t for Masterchef, this show would have been axed a long time ago. The ratings were so poor until last seasons Masterchef started. The ratings doubled overnight. It pays to have a good lead in show!
Happy 500th to you and this is Ten’s first attempt since 1995 other than Big Brother and the short lived Taken Out to provide something other than American Sitcoms at 7pm so good on them and may the show have another 500 to 1000 more.We used to be 2.5 men viewers in our household till we got so fed up of the repeats that we decided to switch over.The Only Charlie worth watching is Pickering.Sheen doesn’t even measure up anymore.
” but I will always come down on the side of letting a show breathe, giving it a chance to figure itself out”
all i can say is thank god these people are in television. the only industry that would tolerate such attitudes. any other industry whether it be business, engineering, accounting, ect are very cutthroat and pride themselves in expecting to get things 100% right first time every time or else you gone. get the mistakes and ‘breathing’ out of the way in preparation stages.
but even if that cant be done you’d never prance around boasting about how relaxed your attitudes are.
not necessarily saying this is a bad thing, just thought i’d point out how funny the tv industry can be.
I like this show!! i don’t see why it gets so much hate.
Great interview David! Charlie Pickering is a legend
Good on them! and thank god this was not on 7 or 9 or it wouldn’t have made it past 50 eps.
I like the show, but never watch Tuesdays when the most unhappy person on TV appears..Steve Price.Also I wish the show would ask tougher questions, particularly to Tony Abbott..He gets let off very easily without much probing
I watched the Block one day…during tha day…not a bad show….but would never give up 7PM Project for it or anything else…..
My TV goes on at 6.25PM …..to watch my favourite weather person….then George and then 7PM….
Good on TEN…..dont muck it up!….The only thing missing for me…is Ron Wilson and then I would go back to watching TEN news also.
Congrats to all involved! 7PM always delivers in my book, and the fact that they have Kitty on, is a huge bonus for me.
This is what i like about TEN. They will have a go and do something a little different. Seven and Nine play it safe. ACA and Today tonight play to a big,but dumbed down audience. Congratulations 7PM Project.
Loved Louise last night she was great. Looking forward to seeing who else is in the chair this week.
Great interview David. I have watched and enjoyed 7pm Project from the very beginning. I am a big fan of Hughesy, Charlie and Carrie, and also love Jen Byrne and Tracey Curro. Steve Price has grown on me since he has been a guest on the show. Kitty Flannagan is priceless
There’s currently a debate about balance in the media, particularly in the commercial media and whether this programme or station is balanced or not. While we can definitely argue that The Bolt Report is very conservative, with the addition of some shock jocks on some nights on 7PM, it does make it balanced overall.
The producers should be congratulated for making a balanced, but still engaging and entertaining news/chat programme. I am sure that there are plenty of people who only watch 7PM for their news and not much else, because it is easy to watch and informative.
Good on you, Allie, I recall your early comments about the show. Congrats to the team for persisting, and while up and down both quality wise and ratings wise, it offers a clear alternative to both the traditional news shows and often useless current affairs programs. I derided Dave Hughes early on, but he has grown on me, even with his sometimes shambolic introducing of clips, he provides a much needed light touch and larrickin charm. My respect for Carrie only increased with her on air dignity and warmth, and i have always found Charlie the breakthrough talent in this format. Dr Dimples, Kitty, Negus, Jennifer and Tracey always good to watch, but i can do without Steve Price or Steve Vizard – but that is the beauty of the show – it does offer all types and views on its panel and subjects. Nice iv, David. You have also been supportive of the program.
It’s good to see this show succeed. It’s one of the few things on telly not driven by cowboys
I have to admit, I could not get into this show the first few months it was on and I wrote it off as a turkey. I began watching it more regularly after 2.5 Men was pulled and I now really enjoy it. So happy 500th from someone who wrote the show off as rubbish. May the show have umpteen 500 more!