The Hundred: “We polled our database on whether they’re going to vote Yes”

As his fifth season gets underway Andy Lee is happy that The Hundred can poll its ordinary Aussies on matters important and matters completely whimsical all at the same time.

“We worked really hard on the show to make sure that The Hundred does represent a cross section of Australia, quite accurately. All the states and territories are covered, the demographics, etc. We’re finding our results are really similar to the ones that happen in the polls for different topics,” he tells TV Tonight.

“We polled our database on whether they’re going to vote Yes in the referendum. The figure came out almost exactly as what’s being represented in the newspapers, which gave us an air of confidence in what we’re doing.

“It’s great to be able to use The Hundred for more frivolous things like ‘Do you sleep in the nude? or ‘Do you look in the toilet before you flush?’ But also some more important things like ‘Do you believe in climate change?’ …. Then back to more frivolous like, ‘Do you know who Jamie Durie is?'”

Jamie Durie is one of the celebrity guests who will face The Hundred as they are asked if they recognise the TV landscaper. It’s TV humiliation at its finest.

“Anyone under 30 years of age probably doesn’t know who Jamie Durie is. I invited him on the show … I tried to get him to balance his expectations before the results came in,” Lee insists.

“People are still oversharing from their couches”

Also featuring this season are Ross Noble, Dave Thornton, Nazeem Hussain, Kate Langbroek, Lloyd Langford, Hamish Blake, Joel Creasey and Tom Gleeson alongside series regulars Mike Goldstein and Sophie Monk.

“We’re all loving it a lot more, which means we’re more relaxed. There’s more chaos, people are still oversharing from their couches. We’ve got some new games and new faces this time around,” he continues.

“We did some themes episodes. I did a Mystery theme. We test our Hundred on whether people are reliable ear witnesses, not eye witnesses. So we cover off crime and also the huge fad of mystery in movies and TV shows.”

The original format has also been sold to Greece, with producers in discussions for a Swiss version at present. But Lee is also hopeful to attract some US attention soon, especially given the need for content when the Writer’s Strike concludes.

“There are a lot of writers on ‘unscripted shows’ like Tonight shows and stuff,” he explains.

“I think it’d be a great show for the United States anyway, because obviously they’re very divided nation at the moment. Our show has found even though there’s topics that divide people, it’s more inclusive in getting other people’s perspectives. That’s one thing I love about our show.”

“I loved making The Cube as well”

Hitting a 5th season on Nine means Lee has also found a successful format, without sidekick Hamish Blake, after the short run of The Cube on 10.

“I loved making The Cube as well. I was disappointed that we couldn’t find noise there. I didn’t think we got as good a run as we probably could have, up against MAFS. for the launch. But I don’t think you can name too many shows that have launched against MAFS and succeeded. I’d much prefer being being off the back of them now, with The Hundred,” he observes.

“But with both shows I just do them because I love them. All the shows I’ve ever done, I’ve done them because of the love of the concept. So it’s an extra bonus if they continue, because that means I get to do more of what I love.”

Lastly, I have to ask, are the Hundred participants paid for their zoom sessions?

“They are paid a nominal fee,” he confirms. “We’re so grateful to people giving up their time to be a part of the show. You wouldn’t want to quit your day job to be a part of The Hundred, but they are paid for their time in a small way. It’s more of a ‘thank you’ because the show obviously can’t exist without them. I still get the biggest laughs and most surprises from all the stories that they’re sharing. So we’re super grateful.”

Even $100 for their time would amount to a $10,000 line in the production budget -not bad if it gets you a timeslot winning show.

“Hamish Blake probably charges more than that,” he jokes.

The Hundred with Andy Lee returns 8:40pm tonight on Nine.