H.G. Nelson to host It’s A Knockout revival
The rumours are true as TEN confirms a summer revival of It's a Knockout, hosted by H.G. Nelson, Brad McEwan and Charli Robinson.
- Published by David Knox
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Sporting guru H.G. Nelson will host a long-awaited revival of iconic family game-show, It’s a Knockout.
Confirmed to screen on TEN across summer, Brad McEwan will be the show’s anchor joined by Charli Robinson.
As revealed by TV Tonight, it will be filmed in Kuala Lumpur.
Similar to it’s original series which ran from 1985 to 1987, there will be four teams of 15 members in a state vs state smackdown.
The eight episodes mark the first commission for Spring, the recently established division of FremantleMedia Australia.
H. G. Nelson said: “It’s a Knockout is The People’s Olympics. This hour of fun features contestants with no real athletic abilities having a crack at events that should be starters on London’s gold medal agenda.
“Knockout fills the yawning hole in TEN’s sports schedule now that it has moved on from its top rating AFL coverage. Personally it is a dream come true to be packing down with Brad and Charli trackside calling the fund raising mayhem.”
David Mott, TEN’s chief programming officer said: “Summer is a time for light, fun, family viewing and It’s A Knockout is the perfect show to offer all that and more. Our line up of HG, Brad and Charli is sure to bring the right mix of social commentary, humour and dare I say sporting acumen…to this contemporary take on TV’s ultimate arena showdown.”
Spring boss Tony Skinner added: “Spring is delighted to be producing one of Australia’s most remembered and loved game shows. HG, Brad and Charli will undoubtedly give It’s A Knockout a whole new level of entertainment. This summer will be a whole lot brighter thanks to the foresight of TEN and ingenuity of the production team at Spring.”
The Spring production will use a base at Kuala Lumpur similar to the way Nine kept costs down on Wipeout Australia by filming in Argentina. Despite the amusing ‘off-shore processing’ analogies that might be levelled at the show, TEN’s move to shoot an original series for summer is a bold move.
In a wonderfully nostalgic nod, Spring has also commissioned Rick Turk the original composer of the memorable theme song to create a contemporary version for the 2011 series.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5p5ddiJI44[/youtube]
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- Tagged with AFL, It's a Knockout, Olympics, Wipeout Australia
51 Responses
Brad will be better served on this compared to a desk, and is a good choice. Thank god they didn’t give the gig to that awful Tim guy with the bleached blonde hair. Remember him? Forgotten his last name.
I don’t understand, will they fly in Aussies to make up the audience?
Bec: No. All expats in KL welcome?
I could actually see the fourth “state” being a hybrid SA/WA team: alternating every episode (SA, then WA), to add a bit of variety.
It seems like a lot of people are excited to have this back. I hope it lives up to your expectations. I just don’t get it. I remember this show as a shambolic loud mess. Oh well each to their own.
Is this the greatest decision in the history of television? IMHO, Yes.
I can’t wait for It’s A Knockout to come back.
State v state, 4 teams, but there’s 6 states. So who’s missing out?
I was born after this show, so i’ve never seen it. But i’ve seen those crazy Japanese shows which i guess it’s what it’s like, and this actually sounds perfect for Summer.
If you’ve watched enough of Ten News in Sydney, you’d know that Brad McKewen is a funny guy, so this might be a good outlet for him to further display his talents. Should be a fun show for summer – I’ve got memories of the 1980s version.
Amazing – a non-sucky casting decision!
Actually think this will do really well.
And I think summer is a good fit.
It’s pretty stupid (but fun) TV – and in Feb there is just too much competition to get a show up and successful.
Much smarter to launch in the dead zone of summer when this will possibly be the only thing people actually talk about wanting to watch!
I can’t wait. I like the hosts too.
Anyone else feel like they gave Brad the gig because they wanted to keep him after boning sports tonight? It doesn’t do much for his credibility but since its a fun summer show i think he can get away with it.
Actually think Brad and Charlie are great inclusions….Brad needs an opportunity like this rather than behind the news desk. I would imagine there will be no crowd as who in KL would be rooting for Victoria or QLD. And who are the four states…given Ten are in 5 state markets unlike in the mid 80’s with the first Its A Knockout screened, when Ten Perth did not exist.
I’m wondering what brand-funded opportunities will be seen in this. Adidas or Nike products; energy drinks (Coca-Cola Amatil); airlines etc.?
The supposedly belt-tightening TEN Network isn’t doing this for the good of summer viewers – no way – there are dollar reasons involved – even if only to reduce production costs to give them free content for the non-ratings season.
The production entity (Spring) is a branch of Fremantle designed to generate revenue raising opportunities.
It’s a Knockout..,..That’s The Name of the Game!!!
oh TEN – the Australian leader at making excellent ratings decisions
I wonder how often this will be repeated on ONE
H. G. Nelson is possibly the only person who could save this. However, he is putting his reputation into someone else’s hands.
Cool- nice to see Charli again, and HG is a legend.
HG Nelson is a great choice and Charlie in ref clothes. Yum!!!
Can not wait till this starts.
Love it’s a knockout then and it is looking that i will love it now.
Can’t wait to hear Rick Turk new theme song as well.
I don’t care what anyone says, I’m excited, can’t wait to see it!
I thought spring was created to do new innovative formats? Strange there first commission is a remake from the eighties.
This show has got H-U-G-E H-I-T written all over it.
Awesome. Pumped for this one. I worry about the atmosphere though…. Will there be a crowd??? Maybe the summer series is just to test the waters and if successful, ten may be willing to invest in a Aussie set???
That is a Brilliant decision!! H.G. is hilarious and will work his usual magic with these kinds of events. I’ll definitely be watching it now!!
I can not wait. Loved this series as a kid…
Very nice to see Ten give something a good shot over summer!! They should also continue with some of the fasttracked shows. In particular Glee which usually wraps at Xmas anyway, Merlin and Terra Nova along with rpts of Modern Family, NCIS and law and order franchise tens summer could be far less boring.