Warnie’s Talk Show – The Forgotten Gem of Australian TV

Warnie’s Talk Show – The Forgotten Gem of Australian TV

DYOR Dave

Untitled design - 2022-02-09T113636.280

 

Australian Television has long been a breeding ground for world-leading concepts and formats, from the international success of kids show Bluey, to the abject failure of Ian Thorpe’s Undercover Angels.

Throughout over half a century of Australian programming, there have been many shows that weren’t allowed to reach their full potential, and were prematurely canceled despite there being clear signs of talent and potential.

There is perhaps no more significant forgotten gem than the 2010 variety show “Warnie,” hosted by Australia’s most charismatic personality Shane Keith Warne.

The show debuted on Nine alongside the 2010/11 Ashes series, accompanying it with cricket-related content as well as a wide variety of other topics explored through interviews with James Packer, Chris Martin (of Coldplay fame), Susan Boyle, and Danii Minogue.

One of the more interesting segments features acted-out versions of various 12th Man sketches, with characters such as Richie and his wife, played with frightening faux-human masks.

Sadly, Warnie ended prematurely after 4 episodes, with a 5th canceled as the sentiment for cricket turned sour following an embarrassing home Ashes defeat.

 

Since then, the golden age of talk show TV has well and truly passed by Australian screens, and once revered pioneers now produce corporate-sponsored pseudo-infotainment shows disguised as “news delivered differently.” (*cough* Rove)

Now more than ever, in the era of generic and mind-numbing reality shows, we need a truly genuine personality on TV, someone who is unapologetically himself, and someone whose on-screen banter reflects that of a philosophical discussion between Descartes, Aristotle, Rousseau, and Confucius… if they were discussing Toobs or sloppy Pizzas.

With Warne now possessing over a decade of media experience, and a seemingly endless stream of money from Fox Sports to fund mediocre analysis shows, it seems the climate is perfect for a return of Warnie.

The runaway success of his documentary simply titled “SHANE” further proves the desire of Aussie audiences for the Spin King on our screens, and with the power of the punter and the dribbler, we could restore Aussie TV to its former glory under new king Warnie.

#BringBackWarnie

 

Fancy yourself as a bit of a writer? Got some unqualified opinion and unwavering bias you’d like to share with the world? Send it through to dyor@hellosport.com.au to be featured on the site

 

Check out the Latest Hello Sport Podcast episode #338 – Bitter Divorce