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COVID-19: Rebecca Maddern / Survivor reunion / Aust. Got Talent delay

Another Nine star in self-isolation; 10 star misses out; Seven series postponed.

More television productions are adjusting as a result of precautions around COVID-19.

  • Nine’s Rebecca Maddern is in self-isolation due to co-hosting Today with Richard Wilkins. She was due to film Australian Ninja Warrior yesterday. Shane Crawford has stepped in to co-host with Ben Fordham. Nine is hopeful she will return to production soon, but it isn’t clear if this would be in time for the two Grand Final episodes, originally scheduled for March 28 and 30.
  • Jonathan LaPaglia will miss hosting the Australian Survivor: Reunion to be filmed this Thursday in Sydney. LaPaglia has missed the 14 day cut-off. A 10 spokesperson told TV Tonight, “Endemol Shine Australia is following Government directives as they are issued in preparation for the filming of Australian Survivor: All Stars Finale. The welfare of everyone involved in our shows is our number one priority so the filming will not have a live audience and host Jonathan LaPaglia will stay in the USA rather than travel to Australia. He will still be a part of the Finale via a satellite link from LA. Survivor superfan Osher Günsberg will step in as guest MC at the All Stars Finale.”
  • Australia’s Got Talent has been delayed. The production is facing no audience and no international acts that were due to participate. A Seven spokesperson told TV Tonight, “Production for Australia’s Got Talent has been postponed due to the current restrictions around large gatherings of people and international travel in relation to COVID-19. At this stage no new date can be provided but Seven and Fremantle will continue to work together to develop an alternate schedule when circumstances permit.”
  • Filming of The Voice has been delayed but still has time up its sleeve. The Age reports Guy Sebastian, Kelly Rowland and co-host Renee Bargh are all overseas, which would entail a 14 day isolation. While Blind Auditions and Battle Rounds have been filmed, shooting was due to recommence on March 26. “The filming of The Voice has been temporarily postponed in the wake of the coronavirus and new government protocols,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “The show is still currently on track to begin airing in its originally planned timeframe, which will be announced in the coming months.”
  • Netflix drama Clickbait was suspended in Melbourne yesterday. The miniseries from NBCUniversal International Studios and Tony Ayres Productions includes an Australian and international cast, and may be impacted by the new 14 day self-isolation rule.
  • Big Brother housemates have been told of the Coronavirus pandemic. An Endemol Shine spokesperson told Seven News, “Endemol Shine Australia takes the health and safety of our crew and contestants extremely seriously. We are working in line with current guidelines and production on Big Brother is continuing. Housemates have been brought across the current situation and we are in constant contact with the families to keep all involved up to date.”
  • But in some positive news all of Seven’s participants for SAS: Who Dares Wins were in New Zealand before a mandatory 14 day isolation order by PM Jacinda Ardern. While they will only face the same when they return home, the production is unaffected and set to screen later this year.

13 Responses

  1. So the housemates will now be talking about COVID-19 and all those conversations will probably be outdated by the time it will finally air. This is exactly why what’s happening in the house should air the next day or at the most a couple days later.

    1. Such a strange comment. Every show that involves live audiences or international guests is in trouble. Should they all be axed ? I don’t think so

        1. What bad ratings did it have? The whole tv industry is in turmoil with COVID, hundreds of people are losing their jobs, and this is your helpful take on it?

          1. you obviously didn’t see the numbers from last season.

            channel seven is beating a dead horse here.

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