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Dicko quits as host of Can of Worms

Ian 'Dicko' Dickson is stepping down as host of his panel show, but will remain involved behind the scenes.

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Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson is stepping down as host of Can of Worms, the divisive panel show he co-created for TEN.

But he will remain involved behind the scenes.

“The inaugural series of Can Of Worms was a thrilling experience. We said we wanted to get Australia talking, and we appear to have done just that. What a hoot to be part of a show that encouraged heated family debates about Racism, Euthanasia, Swearing and Boobs!” he said.

“As my partner in crime Andrew Denton has been keen to point out; I have been exceptionally lucky to join a select number of souls who have been part of creating and then hosting – a successful show on Australian TV.”

The talk show attracted some controversy when businessman John Elliott used the word “Abos” in answering a question on Indigenous Australians, before apologising.

Despite a shaky start the show began to improve across the season.

“I’ve enjoyed sitting in the host`s seat for series one, but the fact is, I’ve got big plans for Can Of Worms and I think those plans are going to be easier to achieve if we get ourselves a better host. So as one of the shows creators I’m giving myself no alternative but to sack me as host of the show.”

Co-Executive Producer, Andrew Denton from Zapruder’s Other Films said: “Hard to believe that someone as handsome and silver-haired as Dicko wants to step aside as host of his own show but we respect his decision. His original idea, to get Australia talking, has clearly taken seed. Dicko will remain a part of the team and we look forward to working with him, in association with Watercooler Media, on the next series.”

TEN’s Chief Programming Officer David Mott said; “There are not many people who knock back the opportunity to host their own show but Dicko has never been predictable and we love him for that.

“We’re thrilled he’ll still have his hand on the steering wheel for Season 2 and look forward to seeing what Zapruder and Watercooler Media have in store for us for round 2.”

TV Tonight understands nobody is yet earmarked as a replacement host, although a short-list is already brewing. The show is not expected to return in the first quarter.

A new host will be announced early in 2012.

29 Responses

  4. The Can of Worms format was bought by HBO and turned into Real Time with Bill Maher who travelled back in time to the year 2003 to disguise the fact it was a bought Australian format by doing it eight years before the original. They further disguised the format by adding jokes and interesting guests into the mix to further distance itself from the popular Aussie hit.

  8. It’s Julian Morrow from The Chaser, not Chris Hanson (eh?) who is assuming hosting duties. Good choice, too. He’s intelligent and funny and can court controversy. Since Meshel Lawrie is replacing Swann on The Circle her seat will be filled by (shock horror) Pauline Hanson. A brave and daring choice guaranteed to polarise viewers. Looks like an exciting year!

  15. The concept of the show was excellent…Just the host was week…..but good on him for moving the ego out of the way and handing it over to somebody else.

    Well done Dicko!

    Andrew Denton – not available (on ABC)
    Shaun Mc – competitor production company
    What about HG Nelson.

  17. I can just imagine them replacing dicko with some idiot and then knowone will watch. One of the reasons i watched was the fact he was a good host so now they will change hosts again and it’s like starting over again.
    I don;t see why he thinks there isnt time to do both? It’s only on once a week.

  19. Oh well, they’ve lost me as an audience member regardless of Dicko leaving.

    As fans it’s our job to set up fansites, but it’s not our job to be pushed around by the facebook moderators. If us fans want to pay tribute to our favourite things, then we’re going to use official pictures and logos- it’s what happens, they’re called Fansites. Otherwise our tribute is not a tribute and an entirely new entity.

    For that bozo to claim they own the words “Can of Worms” is pathetic as it’s an old saying and nobody has ownership over it.

    The show is about getting australia talking, so therefore it’s a show for us, therefore we should be allowed to pay tribute to it. Apparently not.

    And then to delete and block people from posting because the moderator doesn’t like the criticism? Maybe he shouldn’t be a w*nker and proclaim to have ownership over an old expression?

    Get australia talking, just as long as we fall in line with their rules? p*ss off.

  23. I thought Can of Worms was a great show and Dicko did a great job of hosting it.
    I can’t imagine who they’re going to replace Dicko with, but good luck to that person.

  24. I agree Anthony that should have been a spectacular first season but dicko just couldn’t drive it and give it that extra sauve punch required.
    Looking forward ti it’s return…
    May he rest in peace, Stan Zemanek would have been perfect for that show 🙁

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