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Friday Flashback: The Weakest Link

It's 20 years since Cornelia Frances sent contestants packing.... but who would be perfect for a revival?

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Today marks 20 years since The Weakest Link debuted on Australian television, with the inimitable Cornelia Frances.

Years before Tom Gleeson found success as a gnarly host, Cornelia Frances took great delight in sending contestants out the door.

In the US The Weakest Link is currently enjoying a revival on NBC, with host Jane Lynch.

So that got me to thinking….

Who would be the perfect host for a revival in Australia?

I vote Gretel Killeen.

Also easy to shoot with social distancing…. just sayin’!

42 Responses

  3. I’d like to see it retooled into The Strongest Link. Where contestant have to work together. Then divide the winnings up with the money distributed equalling to the amount of questions answered correctly.

  6. Turns out I wasn’t crazy in recalling that the show only had a relatively brief run in Australia. I used to enjoy it back in the day alongside the original format version of Millionaire. Cornelia was a gem. May she rest in peace.

    I also distinctly remember their Big Brother season 1 special (a rare case of cross-network promotion?) where everyone voted out Ben in the first round as he already had won the prize money from BB.

    1. I think that was more that, being in the very early part of reality TV history, Ten didn’t think to keep those contestants from the first season under contract for very long after itp ended. Sale of the Century did a special BB tournament for a week too.

    1. Oh yes…so agree…..I was racking my brain and yes, he has that stare and ice in his veins to pull it off…..
      Gretel no….not the right demeanor required………

  11. It just wouldn’t work in 2022.
    Seven would do a Holey Moley on it. Strip it three nights a weeks at 7.30 for 90 minutes and kill it in its first week.

  12. OMG this was one of my favourite shows as a young kid. My step sister and I used to walk around saying “You are the weakest link. Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye”.

    RIP Cornelia. We miss you!

      1. Yer definably a role for some one with a deadly stare. Cornelia had the role down to perfection. Did not realize that the Australian WL only went two seasons. Thought it was longer.

    2. With Sarah tied up in the US and after that to still take up her role as ABC Beijing Bureau Chief, perhaps ex Liberal Deputy Leader Julie Bishop could make a move into TV and take up the role.

  14. Gretel or Red would be perfect, I’d suggest Kyle Sandilands but I don’t think he’s intelligent enough to come across with more authority.

    As for the Chase, someone entertaining who isn’t obnoxious would be great, definitely not Rove McManus, what’s Glenn Ridge doing these days?

  16. I would die if this returned!! So nostalgic.

    Yes or Gretel! Or prue mcsween lol imagine!!

    I love the weakest link and watch all the new episodes of the US verion with Jane as host on Youtube she is hilarious its great.

  17. I used to watch a bit of TWL as a little child and this was a fantastic show. Hope that 7 will revive this show in hte future. I think Gretel would be a good host.
    I also watched UK version of TWL in early 2009 when I was in a London hotel and I still enjoy this show. I feel the host (can’t remember the name) was good and treats contestants with respect.

  20. Gretel would be perfect for this. I’m trying to think of someone else but i really can’t. As long as its not Grant Denyer or Sonia Kruger or Eddie McGuire. They’re just everywhere and we don’t need them on another show. I’d love to see it make a comeback. It kind of just disappeared iirc. I remember watching it back in the day as a kid. Gosh i feel old.
    As for The Chase host, maybe Rove? I know its a bit out there but he’s kind of similar vibe to Andrew.

    1. Yes Gretel has the TV experience, the smarts, the snarly look, and the humour in spades.

      Been too long without her as a host.

      As for The Chase, Larry Emdur.

      1. Probably more room on weakest link for Gretel to really have she say. Second promo for twl is great. I remember contestants used to call her morag and she’d raise the eyebrow. Arrr memories

      2. I went with Other on that Chase Poll as I think either Natarsha Belling would do well. Natarsha showed her humour side with James Mathison on the ill-fated 10’s Wake-Up and was a great fill-in alongside Larry Emdur on the Morning Show back in December and is due for a regular gig again.

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