TV RELOAD

This chat I am joined by ‘Ant Middleton’ the host of ‘Channel Seven’s’ new reality series ‘Million Dollar Island’ which premieres launches this week in Australia. 

The series is extremely ambitious and has the most amount of reality TV contestants ever formed - all competing for the cash prize of a million dollars. $$$$

The show borrows a lot of ideas from some of your favourite Reality Series and rolls them together. Sure there are elements of 'Survivor' and 'Big Brother' which fans will notice but there are also new ways in which these contestants get tested that makes the format new and exciting. 

‘Anthony Middleton’ is a British adventurer, writer, television personality and former ‘UK Special Forces soldier,’ ‘Royal Marines Commando,’ and ‘Royal Engineer’ in the ‘British Army.’ He is best known as the former Chief Instructor on  ‘SAS.’ And it is exciting to talk to him today.

• I will find out why ‘Ant’ said yes to this show and if he is excited to show a softer side.
• ‘Ant’ will talk about why it wasn’t hard for him to control 100 contestants and what the pressure of one million dollars does to a person. 
• We will also unpack ‘Ant’s’ love of Australian TV and if a role ‘Home and Away’  would interest him?

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ‘Million Dollar Island’ which starts on the 12th of June and is on three nights a week. Mon, Tue and Wed. Plus is available for catch up on ‘Seven Plus.’  

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On today’s pod I have executive Producer 'Dan Edwards' and he is the co-founder of the production company 'Rough Diamond' with his father 'John Edwards.'

Today we will be talking about their latest project ‘Year Of’ which is now available on ‘Stan Australia.’

They have produced some amazing content together with shows like ‘Romper Stomper’ and ‘Bump’ and this project is a brain child of ‘Dan’s’ which has been a long time in the making.

If you think his ‘John Edwards’ name sounds family - you would be right as he has had some amazing success over the years with ‘Secret Life Of Us’ and ‘Love My way’ just to name a few.

There is a very similar style that they both share in my eyes. I think dan is a little edgier with his latest work and I think he has completed some really interesting work on this series - especially giving voice to young people.

‘Year Of’ takes place in the same universe as the hit ‘Stan Original Series Bump’ and is set in and around the senior years of high school – exploring the liminal time between childhood and adulthood and the renegotiations with adults that it brings. 

• Coming up, we will find out what influences Dan has recognised from his father ‘John Edwards’ work.
• We will hear how they created this series and how they managed to create authentic voices for young people in the writers room. 
• We will talk about why streaming services has allowed more space for a show like ‘Year Of’ and how the success of Bump helped get this project made.

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ‘Year Of.’ Which starts this week on the steaming service ‘Stan Australia.’ Which you can subscribe to on your smart phones and smart TV’s.

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This chat I am joined by Entertainment Journalist 'Peter Ford' who many of you would know from decades of reporting the entertainment news on Television and Radio.

'Peter Ford' is pretty extraordinary, he has managed to navigate and survive many changes to the landscape of Australian media. He has keen interest in the Royals, covers the 'Oscars' at the 'Oscars' and has a lot of our biggest celebrities on speed dial. There is a lot here I could mention. 

I have followed his career since I was a teenager and over the years we have forged a friendship. 'Peter' is always a phone call away with plenty of support and encouragement and it’s fair to say he is a good friend to me.

'Fordy',' as he is affectionately called is currently on’ Sunrise’ and ‘The Morning Show’ both on 'Channel Seven'' and has also has a contract with 'Channel Nine' across a number of their biggest radio programs. 

• I will ask why 'Peter Ford' has been so private with his personal life considering he has job publicly discussing the private life of many a celebrity. 
• I will find out how 'Peter Ford' prepares news stories and if there is a process to getting his stories accurate. 
• We will also talk about his clash with many a celebrity from the State premier of Victoria to 'Lisa Wilkinson' and recently comedian 'Dan Illic.' 

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of being an Entertainment journalist and get a look into the life of a young 'Peter Ford.'

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This episode I am joined by the delightfully talented 'Kate Box' and 'Madeleine Sami.' Who both feature in leading roles of 'Deadloch.' Which is a fantastic thriller comedy on 'Prime Video' Australia. 

Please head to www.primevideo.com and start your 30 day free trial. 

'Kate Box' is an Australian stage, film and television actress. I know her for her role as 'Lou Kelly' in 'Wentworth' but her acting credits are endless and I feel like her career is only just heating up. 

'Madeleine Sami' is a New Zealand actress, director, comedian and musician. She started her acting career in theatre before moving to television, where she created, wrote, and starred in 'Super City.'

They both are fantastic in ‘Deadloch.’ The latest comedy from ‘the Kate’s.’ (Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan) Who you may know as the creators of ‘The Katering Show!’

However, this latest series 'Deadloch' is set in ‘Tasmania,' in a town preparing for its Winter Festival when a local man turns up dead. Two detectives very different in style played by ‘Kate’ and ‘Madeleine’ are forced to work together and I can tell you this story is a bloody riot. 

• I will ask how hard it was to get the comedy right and if 'Madeleine’s' performance could be distracting at times for ‘Kate Box.’
• We will unpack LGBTI content and if we have come a long way in queer storytelling. 
• We will also talk about the amazing supporting roles and if having a fun set makes a good series.

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ‘Deadloch’ which I can tell you keeps getting better with each episode - so check it out on ‘Prime Video’ Australia. 

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This chat I am joined by the 'Allison Langdon' from 'Channel Nine,' who has proven to be one the Networks most popular personalities. 

'Ali' made a big splash when she joined 'Karl Stevenovic' a couple of years ago on 'The Today Show' and then graduated to host of  'A.C.A' “A Current Affair” but today we will be talking about her role on the returning reality series 'Parental Guidance.' As season two premieres on Monday, June 5, at 7.30pm on 'Channel 9' and '9Now.' 

In this fresh and thought-provoking reality series, parents with twelve remarkably distinctive methods and approaches to parenting take centre stage.

This diverse range of parents do bring unique perspectives, differing greatly from one another. So watching them critically examine, compare and reassess their own parenting styles with fresh eyes is very engaging television.

• I will ask how hard it is to get families to agree to being on the show and how important it is to get different parenting technics.
• 'Ali' will talk about her own parenting techniques and if this show can at times make her self conscious. 
• We will also discuss how the show has evolved and take a sneak peak at one of the twists added to series 2.

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of 'Parental Guidance’ which I can tell you is really enjoyable for people with and without kids.

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On today’s pod I have someone truely fabulous. It is 'Trevor Ashley.'  An entertainer Australia adores and now we will be to see 'Trevor' represent our country on 'Queen of the Universe' Series 2. Which series starts today on 'Paramount +!' (June the 3rd!)

'Trevor Ashley' is a seasoned theatre queen who's been part of the Australian drag community for over 20 years. 

Despite 'Trevor's' many career successes (including winning the Aussie equivalent of the 'Tony Award'), this is Trevor's first televised singing competition — and as you will hear today this diva from Down Under is ready to deliver!

'Queen of the Universe' features the world’s fiercest drag queens as they debut a musical performance in front of a live audience and the “Pop Diva Panel.” 

This season, global superstar 'Mel B' joins the returning judges including platinum-selling recording artist, three-time 'Emmy'-winning producer and judge of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' 'Michelle Visage,' multi-'Emmy' and 'GRAMMY®' nominee 'Vanessa Williams,' and American drag superstar 'Trixie Mattel.' 

• Coming up, we will find out if 'Trevor' had been asked to be on 'RuPauls Down Under' and why 'Queen of the Universe' appealed to him more!
• We will hear more about his chance meeting with 'Melanie B' from the 'Spice Girls' and why she was already a fan before seeing him take on this competition?
• I will talk about where the world is heading with Drag and how Australia has evolved over time

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ‘Queen of the Universe.’ Which starts this week on the steaming service 'Paramount +.' Which you can subscribe to on your smart phones and smart TV’s!

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This episode of the podcast I am joined by 'Amy' and 'Alice' both eliminated from 'MasterChef Australia' this week. Both different girls and fascinating to hear their different stories back to back. 

Amy's been a big fan of 'MasterChef 'for years. Watching the show with her mum, she's been inspired by the journeys of some of our favourite home cooks over the years.

We did see 'Amy' eliminated on Sunday night but as you will hear from our chat - she is still laughing and it was fun to hear about her time on the show. 

Next up we have 'Alice':

Alice’s parents emigrated from 'Shanghai,' however 'Alice' was born and raised in Sydney where she felt enriched by her dual heritage. Earning her bachelor's degree in 'history and economics' from 'Harvard University,' 'Alice' went on to earn a 'Master of Arts' in 'East Asian Studies' from 'Stanford.'

You will hear how food helped 'Alice' bring her head and her heart together and I hope you stick around after the first chat as Alice has some amazing things to say about the importance of food.

• I will ask the girls about their highs and lows of the competition and how they ended up on 'MasterChef Australia.'
• 'Amy' will talk about her passion for fusion food and if there was other 'Japanese' / 'Mexican' ideas for her elimination cook.
• 'Alice' will explain what went down in her final cook and offers a theory that might not have been her fault.

Plus we will ALSO get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ’MasterChef Australia’ which is currently on 'Network 10' and you can catch up on 'Ten Play' if you have fallen behind.. 

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On today’s pod I am excited to be chatting to ‘Molly,’ ‘Ziara’ and ‘Sophie’ the three ladies fronting 'Abbie Chatfield’s' new controversial reality series ‘F Boy Island’ which launches Monday on ‘Binge Australia.’

This is latest dating format set to rock and shock Australia. The aim of the game is to work out who are the “nice guys” looking for love, and who are the self-proclaimed “F-Boys.”

So what does f-boy mean? Well, commonly this is a man who doesn't respect women but relies on them heavily. He's distant, doesn't care about the girls feeling and he avoids commit at all cost. He's self-absorbed, does stupid things, and fucks your emotions. Fair to say he is only there for one thing.

• Coming up, we will find out how the girls explained to their parents what an F-Boy is and if parents should feel responsible for their sons if there sons have f-boy tendencies?
• We will find out how hands on Abbie Chatfield was behind the scenes and what advice she gave the girls when it comes to dealing with F bOYS.
• I will talk about the feminist backlash when the series was announced and the girls will explain why the show doesn’t glorify bad behaviour amongst men.  

Plus we will get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ‘F Boy Island.’ Which starts this week on the steaming service Binge. Which you can subscribe to on your smart phone OR smart TV’.

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This chat I am joined by 'Sam Molineaux' who over the last few weeks has been seen on 'Channel Nine’s' ambitious new reality series ‘The Summit!’

'The Summit' is the latest reality series from 'Endemol Shine Australis.' The premise is a group of contestants racing to the top of a mountain, undertaking various tasks along the way and avoiding being eliminated by a mountain keeper who is making their life a LIVING HELL. 

Each contestant has a backpack with a portion of the grand prize of $1,000,000 which will be split by who ever makes it to the top of the summit. 

'Sam' is a strength and conditioning coach from Sydney and was not one to shy away from the challenge of the Summit. We saw him exit the competition on Tuesday and while he had the fitness to make it to the top it is fair to say his social game let him down.

• I will ask ‘Sam’ about his biggest mistakes and if his friendship with fellow contestant 'Jans' survived him stealing $10,000 off the prize money.
• 'Sam' will reveal the accuracy of the final edit and how much of the show was set up to create heightened drama.
• We will even find out how he was chosen for 'The Summit' and the real reason why he has said no to countless offers to appear on dating shows. 

Plus we will ALSO get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ’The Summit’ which is currently on 'Channel Nine' and you can catch up on 'Nine Now' if you have fallen behind.. 

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This chat I am joined by actors ‘Mirranda Otto’ and ‘Hazem Shammas.' We unpack their latest roles in 'Disney +' first Australian scripted drama series called ‘The Clearing' which starts today on 'Disney +.'

“The Clearing” is an eight-part psychological thriller based on the best-selling crime novel ‘In The Clearing’, which is inspired by the darkness of real-life-cults in Australia and around the world.

Filmed across Victoria, “The Clearing” is an emotional and psychological thriller that follows the nightmares of a cult and a woman who’s forced to face the demons from her past in order to stop the kidnapping and coercion of innocent children in the future.  

The limited series stars Australia actress ‘Miranda Otto.’

(‘Miranda’ is the daughter of actors ‘Barry’ and ‘Lindsay Otto’ and the paternal half-sister of Australian Film maker ‘Gracie Otto.’ Who is one of the directors of ‘The Clearing.’ ‘Miranda’ is one of Australia’s most successful actresses to work internationally and it is fantastic to see her back in Australia - telling this story for ‘Disney +.’)

Actor ‘Hazem Shammas’ joins her in the series.

(‘Hazem’ is a Palestinian Australian actor. He won the 2018 ‘Logie Award’ for Most Outstanding Supporting actor for 'Safe Harbour' and has gone on to star in ‘The Twelve’ for ‘Foxtel’ and ‘After the Verdict’ for ‘Channel Nine.’) 

It is exciting to talk to them both in this interview about their characters and how this show came together.

• I will ask ‘Miranda Otto’ why this series didn’t use the names of the real life cult called ‘The Family’ considering it is so close to that particular crime in Melbourne.
• ‘Hazem Shammas’ will talk about his joy working with ‘Miranda Otto' and we will unpack a fantastic piece of improvisation that occurred in one scene which really displayed their roles of good and evil.
• We will discuss the power of manipulation with ‘Miranda Otto’ and find our why ‘Hazem Shammas’ thinks true crime is so popular at the moment, 

Plus we will ALSO get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ’The Clearing’ which as I mentioned starts today on ‘Disney +. ‘

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.