After a number of shock resignations from The Project, Australia has been left wondering what exactly is going on at Network 10.
First it was Carrie Bickmore, who announced she would be stepping down after 13 years at the helm of the show, then it was controversial former Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson, and most recently, comedian Peter Helliar also announced his departure, expressing his desire to work on ”other projects”.
And whilst Studio 10 host Sarah Harris is jumping ship to The Project to replace Bickmore, joining Waleed Aly on the panel. Much is still up in the air as to who will replace Wilkinson and Helliar, and why the three panelists left all at once.
WATCH NOW: Carrie Bickmore announces she is leaving The Project. Article continues after video.
Speaking with news.com.au, entertainment commentator Peter Ford alleged that The Project was experiencing a turbulent time, and that Network 10 was rushing to ”refresh” the lineup in a last ditch effort to save the show following ongoing poor ratings.
”This is a last ditch attempt to try and save it, but whether the brand name is already too tarnished, only time will tell,” he said.
”You’ve only got to look at the ratings to realise that for the money they are giving out, the return is not good enough, and it hasn’t been for a long time.
”This is the first major shake up ever; they’ve given the show tweaks in the past, but this is do or die. I think the way the show was going; it was going into a sinkhole and it was not going to recover.”
Ford’s insight also lines up with rumours that the Sunday Project which has ”never taken off” will be scrapped completely, and that Harris hosting the Sunday version of the program is the final effort to improve ratings.
WATCH NOW: Peter Helliar announces he is leaving The Project. Article continues after video.
Speaking on possible replacements, Ford said Chrissie Swan and Georgie Tunny could be tapped on the shoulder to replace Helliar and Wilkinson.
The network has already confirmed that Tunny will continue as Friday night panelist while it remains clear if Swan will continue as purely a Monday panelist or expand her duties.
Speaking on issues within the show, Ford noted that the format was ”too structured”.
”I personally think one of the biggest problems with the show was not the on air talent, but how rigid and scripted it was – there’s very little spontaneity, and when I watch a panel discussion show, I like to think there is room for something unexpected to happen,” he explained.
He also noted that the program attracted an almost unprecedented level of anger amongst viewers.
”I can’t think of a TV show that has been as polarising and has divided opinion as much as The Project, but it’s not mandatory to watch,” he said.
”It’s increasing and increasing, and partly it is because on Twitter, people love to be angry, they want to be outraged and they want to bring someone or something down, so you have to allow that haters are going to hate.”
More to come on this story.
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