Analysis: Before the Game returns to Ten in 2012

In case you missed the news today, Before the Game will return to Ten in 2012, ending months of speculation as to whether it would switch to Seven (in which it would lose at least one of its current panellists in Dave Hughes) or just disappear altogether.

But the fact it is remaining on Ten is probably the best news possible for both fans of the show and fans of footy in general. Here's why:

- The show will be able to air for one hour every week, as opposed to before, when it occasionally had to truncate its length due to an earlier football match starting time.

- It shows Ten's support of live TV and means that at least in the "AFL states", there will be an hour of live prime time TV every night of the week, which is surely something to be proud of, regardless of what you think of either BTG or The Project.

- It also gives Ten's Saturday nights some sort of character which will appeal to even non-football fans -presumably the Graham Norton show will follow Before the Game at 7:30pm, giving the night a chatty/comedy type vibe. Who knows, if the double act proves to be successful, it could usher in a new, low-budget Saturday night talk show- hey, people will need something to switch over to at 10:30pm after a match is done and dusted (or 8:30pm in the case of a GWS match).

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Thursday Opinion: Who Said Australian Comedy Was Dead?

... Well, it was probably me, among many others, after a very weak, but not necessarily abnormal year for Australian comedy in 2011. I won't say anything other than "Lilley" and "Elton", as between the two of them, they seemed to encapsulate the simultaneous disappointing and unambitious content that Australian comedies seem to favour.

But after only a couple of months into 2012, there have already been two shows that have had more laughs to be had in only three episodes than in all of 2011.

Of course, the first is Sports Fever on Seven. Sure, you need to have a passing interest in one or two sports to find something to grab onto, but at least in the first half hour of every show, there are plenty of broad sketches, as well as some improvised, shambolic magic. But regardless of whether you find it funny or not, Seven deserve a lot of credit for adding it to the schedule and giving it a realistic time slot- what is the point of giving a sure-to-be cult favourite an 8:30 time slot (Joy of Sets, anyone?) then give critics a headline by shafting it two weeks later? Why not test the waters in a less predatory environment and allow it to build a following?

In saying that, it has pulled less than desirable ratings, even for the late shift, but you'd have to hope that the cost is so low to produce that it is willing to stick it out until at least the AFL/NFL seasons begin.

I also can't heap enough praise on Outland - the ABC's newest comedy about a gay sci-fi club. Hilarious characters with memorable, quotable lines (Adam Richard's Fab is a stand-out, and surely should already be front-runner for a Logie in 2013). The only aspect which will hold it back from being a monster hit, is, well, its lack of mass appeal (manifest in both its sci-fi references and, er, very sexual references)- this is by no means a bad thing, but it does mean it will miss out on the bulk of the mainstream audience.

On a side note, though: it does seem a shame, though, that there are only five more episodes to go. If the ABC were to have forgone the massive publicity campaign for Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight (worth thousands of dollars, surely), they could have afforded a few more episodes of smart, well-written scripted comedy such as this.

And just like Underbelly and Channel Nine were able to single-handedly revive Australian drama in this country (or at least set some sort of standard), all it takes is one show like Outland to strike some sort of chord to relaunch the next generation of intelligent comedies - and with Woodley, This Christmas and Josh Thomas' Please Like Me still to come, there appears no reason to give up on Australian comedy just yet.

Analysis: Who will fill Ten's host vacancies?

So, in 2011 Ten had two reasonably successful shows: The Circle (if only because it managed to chip away at Kerri-Anne's audience enough to spook the execs into trading her in for a younger model) and Can of Worms (only because it was able to weather the initial barrage of criticism for a haphazard format and uncertain tone to complete its run of episodes and therefore warrant another run in 2012).

There's also Ten's new breakfast show... called Breakfast, which, months after being announced, is still missing a female co-host.

So, it's no wonder that many of Australia's media C-list (I mean that respectfully, of course), would be clamouring to grab one of the plum gigs made available by Chrissie Swan (and Denise Drysdale's) departure from the Circle, and Dicko's bizarre exit from Can of Worms.

But, the problem is, even gossip columnists are having trouble coming up with possible candidates for the roles. 

One name being thrown around for the Circle job is Celebrity Apprentice winner Julia Morris. Yet she is apparently so inundated with offers that The Circle could even be at the bottom of the pile. 

And the Herald Sun has even thrown Livinia Nixon's name into the mix, yet any suggestion of a defection from Nine to Ten seems bizarre, especially given her long relationship with the former. 

And apparently talks have broken down between Jane Kennedy, which I feel isn't exactly a terrible outcome- not to say that she isn't a good TV personality, but I just feel that she doesn't possess the same off-the-wall, crazy personality as say, Yumi or Chrissie.

My initial thoughts were that Kate Langbroek would be a great choice for the show, yet her breakfast show on Nova 100 in Melbourne would almost definitely prevent her from making a permanent shift to TV.

There are also the other regulars on The Circle who I believe would be able replacements, such as occasional reporter Aleisha McCormack (although Ten is most likely looking for a bigger name) or even George McEncroe, who have both proven to be both funny and witty throughout the year. 

Another Circle semi-regular, Em Rusciano would be a risky, yet inspired choice.

And since we're going left-field, why not head way, way left-field: how about Natalie Tran of Community Channel fame- if you don't know what I'm talking about... (try this).

Comedians Sean Lynch and Andrew McLelland have both been valuable additions to the Circle team, but are probably better suited to their weekly segments. And, then there's that whole thing of them being, well, male.

So there's not really a shortage of potential co-hosts out there- as long as the some semblance of a personality, they should eventually grow into the role.

But it's a different kettle of fish when it comes to hosting jobs- take Can of Worms. There, Ten need to find someone who is simultaneously quick-witted, straight-talking and also naturally funny (where Dicko was probably let down). He also wasn't a natural host or being thrust in the limelight. 

So, who should fill his shoes? My initial thoughts were Dave Thornton, comedian, and also experienced TV host (which are hard to find these days), having hosted a tonight show on Melbourne Community TV. He is also very funny. The only test would be whether he can take a back-seat for the majority of the show (after all, Can of Worms is about the format primarily, the host should ideally facilitate it).

Gretel Killeen, I'm sure would also do well in the role, and many would have forgotten how well she hosted Big Brother back in the day, before the Logies debacle, her axing, etc. 

And though it's unlikely to happen, wouldn't it be good to see an up-and-comer given a shot, someone like Dan Ilic, who previously was under-utilised on Can of Worms.

But really, there's only one choice that really makes sense to me- what about Meshel Laurie?  A proven TV performer who was thrust into the shadows in the first season of Can of Worms, and deserves a shot at the top gig.

And then there's Ten's Breakfast show, which Kim Watkins has apparently already turned down. Sandra Sully seemed the obvious choice to me at first, but her name hasn't been mentioned, as far as I'm aware. Natarsha Belling and Helen Kapalos are also popular newsreaders, but seem to be more suited to the more serious environs of the newsroom.

Gorgi Coghlan, of the Circle, would be a good choice, but another Circle exit would mean yet another headache.

So, what are your suggestions for these three roles (The Circle, Can of Worms and Breakfast)?