But on other programs, it’s been less successful, a problem embodied by the notion that sticking two comedians at the big desk along with the regulars is a recipe for success.
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While the premiere episode kicked some goals – Mack Horton discussing the pressures on swimmers in the lead-up to an Olympics was a good choice for the guest interview – there were too many awkward fumbles.
Most of them came from the hosts and the guests, Broden Kelly and Lizzy Hoo, gamely straining to be funny and to laugh supportively at each other’s efforts.
Beyond Mondays, there’s Secret Science (Tuesdays, 9pm and iview), a seven-part series designed to fill the black hole in the science sphere since Catalyst stopped being a regular feature and instead became a haphazard inclusion of uneven quality. Episodes about emotion like joy, anger and fear, presented by Myf Warhurst, and those on brain function presented by Sammy J have been informative while attaining the upbeat tone that the ABC seems to crave for its factual programming. Matt Okine is currently capping off the short season with a two-parter on male fertility.
While this production is better than many in that genre over the years – remember the one about competitive bee-keeping? – the broadcaster continues to operate on the assumption that has afflicted its science and arts coverage for years.
The assumption is that the material isn’t inherently appealing and can’t be produced in a way that will overcome that, so it won’t attract viewers unless it’s hosted by a personality whom they want to watch. That undervalues the area and the audience, but, thankfully, this series is a lot better than some in recent years.
Matt Okine in the male fertility episode of Secret Science, an informative, upbeat show designed to fill the gap left by Catalyst.Credit: ABC
On the subject of arts coverage, the six-part Creative Types with Virginia Trioli, which screened earlier this year, represents an attempt to fill another chasm.
The brief sits comfortably in Trioli’s wheelhouse. Informed and appreciative interviews with creative types such as artists, dancers, actors, directors are her speciality and the show appears to have been granted enough of a budget to achieve reasonable production values.
While Creative Types would benefit from fewer shots of the host striding purposefully towards a destination, the solid opening season has deservedly been green-lighted for a second outing later this year.
Looking ahead, national treasure Maggie Beer will soon front the three-part Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, which tackles the alarming and pressing issue relating to the quality of life, and specifically diet, in aged-care homes. It’s a worthwhile and innovative project which seems perfectly tailored to her skills and priorities.
Maggie Beer has a new show coming up on the ABC.
Shaun Micallef is also due back to do whatever he’s going to do in his comeback from ABC retirement. Details remain scant. But fans of his previous efforts are likely to welcome his return because whatever their chosen task, Micallef and his playmates tackle it like no one else.
Currently, though, there remains another gaping hole relating to the vexed issue of the weeknight 6-7pm vacated by last year’s controversial axing of The Drum. The ABC knew it would be killing off the show and they should’ve had something ready to go in that key spot from the start of this one.
In the absence of that kind of initiative, it’s hard to ignore the quietly pleased, if misplaced, glee from the organisation about the fact that Hard Quiz repeats are rating better than the axed talk show once did.
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It might be cheaper and easier, but it’s hardly a triumph: game show repeats are not what we need from the national broadcaster. We’ll have to stay tuned to see what happens next there.
In the meantime, the mid-year report is a mixed one: kicking some goals, fumbling a bit, promising signs, could do better.
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