Australian television has devised some brilliantly original television, including an elite class of shows which have seen international adaptations.
TV Tonight has consulted with a number of industry voices to collate a list of some of our finest formats.
While international success is but one consideration there is also the entertainment factor and remake potential. Some successes such as The Wiggles or Wilfred (which ran longer in the US than Australia) are heavily tied to their original cast, meaning they are more challenging to adapt in multiple territories. The list is also dominated by unscripted formats.
In no particular order here they are for your consideration….
Thank God You’re Here
(2006 – 2009 / 2023 – 2024)
Working Dog’s improvisation series is insane fun as celebrities bullshit their way through ludicrous scenes, madly paddling like a duck underwater, usually in elaborate costumes and sets. Hosted initially by Shane Bourne, and more recently seamlessly revived with Celia Pacquola, the series never fails to tickle the funny bone and was previously adapted in 24 countries from the US to Russia, China, Armenia, Estonia and Indonesia.
Gruen
(2008 – 2024)
Who ever thought a show about advertising could work on the ABC? Answer: Andrew Denton, and subsequently CJZ who, with Wil Anderson in the driver’s seat, always manages to entertain and inform. The rapport between Russel Howcroft and Todd Sampson, who both love advertising in different measures, has been lightning in a bottle across 16 seasons and its various spin-offs Gruen Sweat, Gruen Nation, and Gruen Planet. A Rose d’Or winner for Entertainment, a US version was once set to be hosted by Morgan Spurlock but it never eventuated.
You Can’t Ask That
(2016 – 2022)
Is Dwarf throwing ok? How do you swear in sign language? Did you think you were failing as a mother? How could you be so reckless to get HIV? Docker Media’s raw, frank interview series with topics often considered taboo or under-represented in media has enlightened audiences and broken down barriers through its daring questions and brave subjects. Remade in countries including Israel, Netherlands and Canada.
Have You Been Paying Attention?
(2013 – 2024)
When it was launched in 2013 Working Dog declined to do interviews and rejected almost all publicity for a 7pm Sunday slot in November, hoping to allow the show to find its feet. The second season was reportedly made for “free” for 10 enabling the team to perfect their mix of set-up / pay off news jokes, driven by Tom Gleisner, Sam Pang & Ed Kavalee. It has since grown into an unbeatable comedy show, the envy of rival networks, with versions in NZ and Cyprus, of all places.
The Block
(2003 – 2004 / 2010 – 2024)
Cavalier Productions’ reality series was brainstormed in a matter of days by creators Julian Cress & David Barbour and greenlit immediately by Nine. A competition renovation show it has delivered mega-ratings from its auction finale and room reveals, given away $34m and completed 98 homes. It has also delivered 3 months of nightly storylines for Nine underpinning primetime advertising. There have been 7 international adaptations including USA, Israel and Finland.
Hard Quiz
(2016 – 2024)
Loveable losers, a grilling, wise-cracking host and a paltry brass mug. Thinkative Television’s quiz show celebrates the underdog and warmly allows contestants to laugh at themselves, often returning fire to host Tom Gleeson. Even Hard Quiz Kids shows it is possible to gently mock children and get away with it. In 2020 a Dutch version of the show launched called Hard Spel.
It’s a Date
(2013 – 2014)
Peter Helliar’s romantic comedy featured two dating scenarios with a cavalcade of stars including Deborah Mailman dating Jimeoin, Magda Szubanski wanting a baby from Lachy Hulme and even Ian Smith meeting Ross Noble via Grindr. Winner of the International Format Awards at MIPCOM in Cannes it was optioned by Sarah Jessica Parker’s Pretty Matches for a few years. The Princess Pictures series did spawn How to Stay Married with Helliar and Lisa McCune.
Go Back to Where You Came From
(2011, 2012, 2015, 2018)
CJZ’s compelling immersive series put ordinary Australians, and later famous faces, into the shoes of asylum seekers onto a leaky boat deprived of wallets, phones and passports only to be rescued at sea in brutal simulation scenarios. They visited refugee camps in Africa, and war-torn countries in the Middle East in a bid to better understand the experience of asylum seekers during Australia’s ‘Stop the Boats’ debate. A winner at the Rose D’Or, Banff World Media Festival and International Emmys it led to adaptations in Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, USA and Belgium.
Muster Dogs
(2022, 2024)
Who doesn’t love puppies? Ambience Entertainment cleverly shoehorned the raising of farm dogs into a TV competition, narrated by Lisa Millar. Sure, the Australian experience with kelpies & border collies may be fairly unique but could be adapted wherever working dogs are found. A spin-off Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now? is on the way.
The Project
(2009 – 2024)
Originally titled as The 7pm Project, Roving Enterprises approach to “news delivered differently” has been a long-running Live TV staple for Network 10, variously juggling headlines, social topics, showbiz and comedy. A NZ version ran from 2017 – 2021.
The Summit
(2023 – 2024)
It may be too early to judge Endemol Shine Australia’s reality competition with hiker contestants carrying loot in their backpacks as they scale NZ mountain peaks. The scenery is spectacular, the twists are cruel and the stakes are high. CBS and ITV have both commissioned local versions.
Love on the Spectrum
(2019, 2021)
Amid an onslaught of dating reality shows Northern Pictures boldly showcased the stories of people on the autism spectrum as they navigate the world of dating and relationships. It was instantly heartwarming and educational and discovered new talent Michael Theo who turned to acting for comedy series, Austin. Love on the Spectrum US has since won Creative Emmy Awards.
Hi-5
(1999 – 2011 / 2017)
Pre-school series created by Helena Harris and Posie Graeme-Evans entertained millions of children through music, dance and performance. It spawned live appearances across Australia and into Asia where the ownership was later based. Adaptations were staged in the USA, Philippines, Indonesia, Britain and Latin America.
Prisoner
(1979 – 1986)
Prison dramas are always a hotbed of heightened characters with nothing to lose, where the stakes are high and a power imbalance gives rise to script conflict. Reg Watson’s soap populated by a memorable cast of character actors was an instant hit, generating a cult following in the US and subsequently the UK. It led to a male counterpart, Punishment, a US adaptation Dangerous Women and the long-running, equally gripping, reboot Wentworth, which itself was remade in Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and Germany.
Review with Myles Barlow
(2008, 2010)
Why just review film and television? Why not life itself? That’s what self-appointed critic Myles Barlow (Phil Lloyd) decided to do for his ABC comedy series. Open heart surgery? 3.5 stars. Bucks Parties, 4 stars. But Killing Kyle Sandilands drew controversy for going too far. A US version with Andy Daly as critic Forrest MacNeil ran for three seasons.
My Kitchen Rules
(2010 – 2014)
An offshoot off the shortlived My Restaurant Rules, Seven Productions cooking contest does bear some similarities to Come Dine With Me in having contestants critique home dining experiences, but has been a money-making machine for Seven. 36 seasons have been produced under format license in 15 countries, as well as screening the Aussie original, making it one of Australia’s most successful television exports.
Stuff the British Stole
(2022, 2024)
Marc Fennell’s podcast-turned-TV series smartly documents the history of museum artifacts which were ‘acquired / ripped’ by colonial Britain as prize showpieces, while they are also the subject of repatriation by their original homelands. Given European history has many dark chapters this one is ripe for further exploration, and a spin-off is in development.
Sex
(1992 -1993)
When sultry Sophie Lee (and later Pamela Stephenson) presented a titillating, info-based Nine series about sex into the lounge rooms of Australia it lit up TV ratings. Pushing boundaries and taboos, with explicit shots of genitalia, simulated sex and discussion of controversial topics -dare anybody go there again? In 1994 it moved to Channel 10 renamed Sex/Life, with Tottie Goldsmith, then Alyssa Jane-Cook as host.
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