The Sideshow hosted by Paul McDermott - 2007

[junglegirl_1976]

Paul McDermott is going to host the new ABC/Ted Robinson show called 'The Sideshow'. The Sunday Telegraph reported it today. Below is the story. It's going to be so great to see him again on something other than a dancing show! If you live in Sydney, check out the paper, there's a great photo attached to the story. Do you think it's his artwork in the background?


McDermott keen on a bit of variety
By television editor Richard Clune

Paul McDermott is returning to his old launching pad at the ABC as host of a new Saturday-night variety show.
McDermott, best remembered for his riotous former news review Good News Week, says he's excitied about the return of "real variety TV".
"Variety is no longer a dirty word," he told The Sunday Telegraph last week.
"On this show, The Sideshow, we showcase comics and singers, but also old-style acts, such as vaudeville performers."
McDermott belives audiences are again ready for a weekend variety series.
"TV, like so many other things, is cyclical, and we haven't had a good variety program for quite some time," he said.
"This is a good family show, with all ages and everyone's welcome."
The last truly successful Saturday-night variety show was Channel 9's long-running Hey Hey It's Saturday, which ended in 1999.
After a short stint with the Foxtel movie series Project Greenlight, McDermott is happy about returning to the ABC.
"I have great ties to Aunty; it's like returning to a broken home in many way," he said.
The Sideshow, which will make its debut in late April, may find itself competing against a new variety series Channel 10 is believed to be working on.
The Sunday Telegraph has learned the network is keen to have Hamish Blake and Andy Lee front a new Saturday-night series.

[hails]

Originally Posted by junglegirl_1976

"Variety is no longer a dirty word," he told The Sunday Telegraph last week.

whatever you say, grandpa paul ;p

[SammySatine]

Hey,

I have an idea, could someone scan this picture mentioned if at all possible?

Thanks.

Amities,

SS

PS. I'm slightly scared- it's a family show- he might scare the kids! *joking*

[Laney]

Originally Posted by junglegirl_1976

The Sunday Telegraph has learned the network is keen to have Hamish Blake and Andy Lee front a new Saturday-night series.

I thought it was decided that these guys were crap as hosts?
Weekend tellie will suck arse. Hamish and andy on saturday followed by rove on sunday. errrrrr.
I'd be happy to see a bit of paul again.

[Mythor]

I thought Hamish and Andy did alright but it's definitely strange to see them presenting another show. Be interesting to see how close it is in format to the last one...
I'm actually looking forward to Rove. Sunday nights might mean some more format changes too.

As for Paul hosting the new show? Meh. Hey Hey It's The Big Gig News Week? I'll give it a shot but I have serious doubts. If it was on commercial TV I'd give it two weeks tops...

[junglegirl_1976]

It's not the same photo from the paper, (it won't scan properly on my computer), but here's a link to the story. It also says the date for the first show is April 21.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment...-10388,00.html

[susanjacobs]

Dancing Show was nothing to compared to this new low. Is he actively trying to become Daryl Somers or is it just a coincidence?

The only saving grace is that it is done by Ted. So I will give it a go, but damn did I shudder when it mention Hey Hey. I saw Paul arguing with a puppet and it scared me.

[Sllej]

Originally Posted by susanjacobs

The only saving grace is that it is done by Ted. So I will give it a go, but damn did I shudder when it mention Hey Hey. I saw Paul arguing with a puppet and it scared me.

Way to give people nightmares. I'm going to have trouble sleeping tonight wth that image in my head.

[rozymisty]

haha i hope it lasts longer than Let Loose Live- lol i interviewed Col when they were up here for Goodbye and I asked wht they were gng to do after the last show and stuff, and I said col you were in LLL and started laughing, and he was like 'yess....' LMAO.

I hate it how Rove is going to be on at 8.30, coz i like to watch grey's anatomy! If it was on at 9.30 like it used to be, it would be good. Glad its not on Tuesday night coz it would clash with All Saints (coz of stupid DWTS).

When does it start?

Im sure that the ABC will keep it even if its not that well rating coz otherwise they have not enough Australian stuff.

[Sllej]

Rove starts this Sunday and I'm not sure they'll get the ratings they want. It's pretty tough competition up against new Grey's Anatomy and new CSI which I've heard from the ratings quite a few people stil watch.

I think I remember reading somewhere that The Sideshow would be starting on Saturday April 28th(?) in the 7:30pm timeslot though that might not be exactly right.

[Abundance]

Paul's promo aired this weekend, I think my memory and ears were playing tricks because I heard Sunday 8.30pm coming soon. Hmmm probably not right. But I'm looking forward to it.

I liked Grey's Anatomy but I switched over to watch Rove, Grey's is getting a bit tired and soapy.

I commend Rove for the great show he put on. Was a bit worried that the old couch from Ch9 days was brought out, never liked that bit thought they were bludgers sitting around on the couch heheh a bit like viewers. As long as they keep that bit interesting it should be ok otherwise it'll drag down the show.

Anyway less schlock on TV is a good thing.

[susanjacobs]

I went looking on the ABC website to see when it starts. According to the article below, it starts Saturday, April 21 at 7:30pm:

THE SIDESHOW with Paul McDermott


26/03/2007
Paul McDermott returns to television, whether or not television wants him to, as the Ring Master of a new one-hour comedy/variety show, THE SIDESHOW, which premieres Saturday April 21 at 7.30pm on ABC TV.

Each week, as he gives his own unique spin on the world, Paul will present a dazzling mix of local and international artists, from the worlds of comedy, music, cabaret, burlesque and good, old-fashioned freak shows.

The big question is, will he sing? Well, what do you think?

Paul will be joined by a troupe of regular stars, including The Umbilical Brothers, Tripod, and comedian Claire Hooper. And some of Australia's finest fingers will make sure singalongs around the piano are never the same again.

Produced by Ted Robinson (The Glass House, Good News Week), THE SIDESHOW will entertain, delight and surprise viewers of all ages. (It'll do other things to the viewers too, but we're not legally responsible for that).

"There's a whole new generation of brilliant performers out there, and it's time for them to have a home on television. And if you're going to put them in a home, there's nowhere better than ABC TV,"says Ted Robinson, GNWTV Executive Producer.

"It's great to have Paul McDermott back centre-stage on ABC TV, fronting a show which dishes up topical comedy and cutting-edge musical satire. Australia needs a prime time performance program that's not hostage to a tiresome, tricksy reality/game format, with no judges and no voting-off, just top shelf acts that will captivate and confound,"says Courtney Gibson, ABC TV Head of Arts, Entertainment and Comedy.

[hails]

just saw the ad for it...it looks worth a watch, at least. kinda like a slightly wrong version of "hey hey", i suppose...singing, dancing and burlesque!

[Abundance]

To those of you who saw the program and those of you who did not, Paul is still wearing those vests.

I want to see Paul go the whole hog and wear a knitted vest and some slippers - no I don't not really I was trying to be funny and now I've this image of grandpah Paul in my head.

[rhianne]

And the big question... Does anyone know if he sings or not? The ABC site was suggesting he might.