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Done! ABC brings Gruen Nation, Hamster Decides forward to next week.

ABC1 has sensibly brought forward its political comedy double to get stuck into the election campaign.

3grplNow where did I hear that bright idea?

ABC1 has sensibly brought forward its political comedy double Gruen Nation and The Hamster Decides to next week, Wednesday August 14 instead of August 21.

There will be 4 eps of Gruen Nation followed thereafter by 8 eps of the traditional Gruen Planet. The Hamster Decides has 5 eps, including one post-election episode.

Next week’s final episode of Wednesday Night Fever will now screen at 9:45pm, 15 minutes later, while Adam Hills The Last Leg (sched. 8:30 Aug 14) is currently out.

In all, this is a sensible move given the Sept 7 date being called.

**Dusts hands**

Now that Australia has a Federal Election date, ABC TV can today finally confirm the new broadcast details for the return of its smash-hit TV franchises, Gruen and Hamster.

Gruen Nation – four extra-length, extra-strength, election-oriented specials – will premiere Wednesday, August 14, at 8:30pm on ABC1. Host Wil Anderson will be joined by regulars Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft, Nation legends Dr John Hewson and Annabel Crabb, and surprise guests too important to mention in this press release. A spokesperson for the Gruen team conceded their disappointment that Kevin Rudd has now scheduled the election on International Vulture Awareness Day, but looked forward to a campaign fought on three word slogans, such as “It’s my round!”, “Spit that out!” and “Darling, I’m pregnant!”

Gruen Nation will then be followed by season three of Gruen Planet – eight episodes of the show that loves spin and marketing like Tony Abbott loves a red tie.

Then prepare yourselves as The Chaser return to our screens to give their version of the 2013 Federal Election campaign trail with their five part series The Hamster Decides – premiering Wednesday, August 14 at 9:15pm on ABC1. The series is described by Chaser member Chris Taylor as “an exciting new iview program, which can also be watched on older content platforms, such as ABC1 television or on LaserDisc”. It promises to concentrate its analysis on the 2013 contest, an election which The Chaser’s previous election shows virtually all but ignored. The Hamster Decides will also be written, performed, directed and produced entirely by Kevin Rudd, as part of his plan to micro-manage every aspect of this election.

Gruen Nation (4×45’) premieres Wednesday, August 14 at 8:30pm on ABC1 (followed by Gruen Planet 8×35’)
The Hamster Decides (5×30’) premieres Wednesday, August 14 at 9:15pm on ABC1
The last episode of Wednesday Night Fever will move to 9:45pm on Wednesday August 14.

13 Responses

  1. Has Howcroft provided some spin justifying how he can appear on a rival network on one of their most watched shows when his own network is an absolute basket case and has a new show premiering in the same timeslot.

    I find it wrong personally.

  2. Glennc, the very funny & enjoyable ‘Would I Lie To You’ is moving to Thursday nights at 9:30pm on ABC1. It’s surrounded by other comedies like Upper Middle Bogan, It’s A Date, & something called ‘Derek.’

  3. David. you’re not seriously taking credit for this are you? Do you really think the ABC weren’t waiting for the election to be called? Do you think it’s a lucky coincidence that both programmes are fully crewed up, ready to jump?
    What is the online equivalent of jumping the shark?

  4. Don’t want to be a d**k about it, and I agree it is a great idea…but, the Gruen Nation twitter flagged this last night as a possibility, so I am not sure it was a David Knox initiative….just saying.

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