Latest news with #GeorgieTunny
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Carrie Bickmore reveals how her former Project co-star Waleed Aly REALLY feels about show's axing
Carrie Bickmore has reached out to her former The Project co-star Waleed Aly to offer comfort amid the show's cancellation. The television star, who left the series in 2022, said that Waleed, who joined the team in 2015, was torn up about the axing. 'I spoke to Waleed yesterday and I don't think I've ever heard him that emotional. He was so emotional about it' Carrie said on her Hit Network radio show, Carrie & Tommy, on Tuesday. Carrie also contacted hosts Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton and Georgie Tunny. 'I've made so many friends on that show, and I'm thinking of them all today. Many of them are still there and had to hear the news yesterday that they don't have a job anymore' she said. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I spoke to Waleed yesterday and I don't think I've ever heard him that emotional. He was so emotional about it' Carrie said on her Hit Network radio show, Carrie & Tommy. Aly is pictured 'If you are looking for people to employ in this industry, they are some of the most talented people you will find' she continued. 'Their ability to pivot and cover light and shade and be on top of the news, finding a completely different angle is a certain suite of skill sets not a lot of people have. They're just bloody awesome people.' Carrie added: 'It's never nice to find out your show is no longer, and I think there'll be a lot of people that miss having the company of those people on the screen. 'I feel sad... But we should be proud, 16 years of a live six-night-a-week TV show is phenomenal. I'm thinking of everyone there today.' Carrie's radio co-star Tommy Little, who had likewise been a series regular on The Project, also weighed in on the show's demise. 'I will forever be proud that I was part of that show and proud of everything that show stood for' he said. 'Even the people that didn't like it should feel sad, because it is 150 jobs of people in Australian media, people who have families. Regardless of your view of the show, it's a sad day.' The stars of The Project bid the show farewell on Monday night after it was officially axed after 16 years. Network 10 announced the news earlier on Monday, and hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Steve Price and Sam Taunton shared their thoughts on their sacking in the opening minutes of Monday's show. Waleed told viewers: 'After 16 years and nearly 4500 episodes, The Project will be no more.' He also took a moment to thank the show's loyal viewers over the years. 'A huge shout-out to our viewers as well. This isn't goodbye, we will see you again more over the next few weeks, but I know and everyone who has worked on the show know these are the best viewers in Australia' she said. 'It has been a privilege to serve you.' He additionally confirmed: 'Our last show will be on June 27 and we will have a cracker.' Aly also released a statement, saying: 'The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done. 'In some ways it looks more conventional now than it used to because it led the way. 'It showed you could bring dry stories to life for an audience that might otherwise have ignored them.' Aly also released a statement, saying: 'The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done. In some ways it looks more conventional now than it used to because it led the way' Network 10 was first to announce the news on social media on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support, and announced the show's replacement in a statement. Hosts Aly, Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Taunton will continue his guest appearances on various other Ten shows. The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Carrie Bickmore left her seat as host, has aired nearly 4,500 episodes to date and will wrap in three weeks following speculation it will be replaced with a current affairs program. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed The Project was under review and set to be axed on March 16. Ten announced the news on social media with a statement that said: 'For nearly 16 years, The Project has been Australia's destination for the news when you want a little bit of a giggle. 'Well, we have loved every second but all good things come to an end and so are we on June 27. 'To everyone who has watched, supported, donated money to help families across Australia, worked on the show or just liked a social post. Thank you. 'This show is not possible without all of you. See you tonight (and the next 3 weeks) for The Project.'
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Project's Georgie Tunny issues heartbreaking statement after shock cancellation - as fellow celebs rush to her support
The Project's Georgie Tunny has taken to social media to post a tribute to her TV 'family' in the wake of the show's cancellation. Sharing a photo of herself alongside co-hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton on Tuesday, the 34-year-old journalist included a caption expressing her heartbreak. 'Goodbyes are hard, but with this team and this show… this one is going to hit differently,' she began. 'I dreamed of working on a show like The Project when I was growing up. 'That dream became a reality, but it was never a show it was a family. From the start. What a ride. X.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The post attracted a stream of high-profile well wishers, included her Project co-star Sam Taunton who messaged, 'Tunny you're a star! You're gonna be the new face of the nation.' Abbie Chatfield also responded, messaging, 'You're so fab! 'You were amazing on the Project and will be incredible in whatever you do next.' 'Nothing but love,' wrote Rover McManus, producer of The Project posted on Georgie's story. It comes after The Project was officially axed this week and will air its final episode on June 27. Network 10 announced the news on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support before announcing the show's replacement. Hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Sam Taunton will continue his guest appearances on other Ten shows. Meanwhile, one of the shows former stars, Peter Helliar has revealed the emotional toll the shock axing has had on himself and his former co-workers. Appearing on Nova's Jase and Lauren on Tuesday, the veteran presenter, who co-hosted the panel show from 2014 - 2022, admitted he was devastated over the cancellation. 'Really sad. What an amazing legacy that show has, 16 years. Very few shows get to the second season. This was like the little engine that could,' he said. 'In its first year, it was going to get axed every second week. And 16 years later to see that the people have become household names who have gone through that show!' Helliar, who quit the show in 2022, the same year Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little and Lisa Wilkinson also left, said he believes the axing will leave a huge gap in Australian television. 'I don't think audiences realise what they'll miss out on now. The amount of comedians, musicians and filmmakers who have said to me over the years 'The Project was the reason we sold tickets.' That's missing now,' he said. He added that several of his former Project colleagues told him they had a 'really hard day' upon hearing the news. The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Bickmore left her seat as host at the end of 2022, has aired 'nearly 4,500 episodes' to date and will wrap up in three weeks. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed The Project was under review and set to be axed on March 16. The Project first aired in July 2009 and exceeded more than a million metro viewers at the height of its success - It boasted a rotating panel with stars like Aly, Harris, Tunny, Hamish Macdonald, Rove McManus, Taunton and Susie Youssef. It won several accolades including 11 Logie Awards - two of which were viewer-voted Gold Logies won by Aly and Bickmore. However, audiences began to dwindle in recent years - Just last week, The Project attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally.
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Waleed Aly's ‘emotional' reaction to Channel 10 axing The Project revealed
Carrie Bickmore has described her former The Project co-host Waleed Aly's 'emotional' response to Channel 10's decsion to axe the long running show. Channel 10 officially announced on Monday that the news and current affairs show is coming to an end after 16 years on air. Hosts including Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly later addressed the news during an awkward segment on the show that night. Speaking about the cancellation on her radio show, The Hit Network's Carrie & Tommy, on Tuesday, Bickmore revealed that she'd been in contact with Aly following the news going public. She shared that she had never seen him 'so emotional' in all the time they've known each other. 'I spoke to Waleed yesterday and I don't think I've ever heard him that emotional,' Bickmore said. 'He was so emotional about it. To Sarah, Sam, and Georgie, all the four hosts that have been on that desk. It's live. It was happening every night on air. It's never nice to find out your show is no longer, and I think there'll be a lot of people that miss having the company of those people on the screen.' Bickmore went on to share her own feelings about Channel 10's decision to axe the show, confessing that she feels 'sad' about its fate. 'I feel sad,' she continued. 'I don't want people to feel alone – and that's the power of TV and free-to-air TV. It's a thing that's dying. But we should be proud, 16 years of a live six-night-a-week TV show is phenomenal. I'm thinking of everyone there today. 'I've made so many friends on that show, and I'm thinking of them all today. Many of them are still there and had to hear the news yesterday that they don't have a job anymore. If you are looking for people to employ in this industry, they are some of the most talented people you will find. Their ability to pivot and cover light and shade and be on top of the news, finding a completely different angle is a certain suite of skill sets not a lot of people have,' she added. 'They're just bloody awesome people.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Project hosts ignore 'cancellation' rumours as they awkwardly fail to address reports they are getting axed
The Project made headlines this week as reports emerged the Channel Ten show is set to get the axe in favour of a new current affairs show. However, hosts Georgie Tunny, Max Rushden and Susie Youssef refused to address the 'cancellation' rumours on Friday evening. As the show closed out, Georgie, 34, told viewers they would be back on Sunday, but made no mention of claims the network will pull the plug on the show. 'That is it for tonight. Please thank Max Rushden, Susie, and we will see you Sunday,' she said, despite expectations she would announce the show's cancellation. Confused viewers took to X—formerly known as Twitter—to ask: 'Wait... is it still on?!' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I heard the project is dead?' remarked another. Reports emerged on Thursday saying The Project is set to get the axe following years of sliding ratings. Industry insiders revealed to TV Blackbox a brand new current affairs show is in development to replace the show, with a major format overhaul already in the works. Unlike its predecessor, the new program will reportedly air only four nights a week from Monday to Thursday, scrapping the low-performing Friday night edition. The Sunday edition of The Project, which has aired since 2017, is also expected to be axed, leaving a noticeable gap in Ten's early evening lineup. Sources have revealed the replacement program is being quietly prepared for a launch as early as July or August. It will be a significant shift in tone and volume, with the new show to run 30 minutes per episode, down from The Project's six-hour-per-week live broadcast format. The dramatic cut to Ten's primetime output has left some questioning how the network plans to fill the additional airtime. There is also questions about whether the savings from winding down the show's production—currently managed by Roving Enterprises—will be reinvested elsewhere. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Ten has poached several high-profile journalists from Channel Seven. Veteran reporter Denham Hitchcock, 7News Sydney's Bill Hogan, and award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace are set to become Ten stars. The trio are believed to have signed on to front a new current affairs program backed by Ten's head of news Martin White. Amelia and Denham left Seven's Sydney newsroom within hours of quitting and began work at Ten on Monday, while Bill is expected to start in a few weeks. The departures fuel speculation Ten is preparing to launch a prime-time news show to take on Nine's 60 Minutes, Seven's Spotlight, and ABC's Four Corners. Industry sources say the new program will focus on long-form investigative stories and is currently assembling a 'crack team' of reporters and producers. A Ten spokesperson confirmed the shake-up to Daily Mail Australia, saying: 'Following the continued growth and success of our news brand 10News we are investing in an investigative unit that will work on long-form stories.'
Courier-Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
The Project hosts awkwardly fail to address ‘cancellation'
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. It was one of the biggest entertainment stories in Australia on Thursday - The Project is reportedly being axed. While no official word has been given from Channel 10, viewers expected the hosts of Friday's episode to make a formal announcement following widespread reports the show would be ending after years on the air. Despite reported news of the cancellation spreading, when the show aired on Friday evening there was zero mention of it. 'That is it for tonight,' said host Georgie Tunny at the end of the show. 'Please thank Max Rushden, Susie, and we will see you Sunday.' The hosts of Friday's episode of The Project refused to address reports the show is ending. Picture: Channel 10. 'I heard the project is dead?' remarked on viewer on the show's official Twitter page. 'Wait … is it still on?!' questioned another. The confusion comes as viewers delivered their damning verdict on The Project reportedly being replaced by a new show. Social media was littered with thousands of comments from Aussie viewers who appeared glad to see the back of the once well-received panel show. 'That is the best news I have heard in a while' remarked one viewer, with another commenting: 'Thanks God. No one on there was even remotely funny.' 'I wasn't going to have a beer tonight but after hearing this I will have a few,' joked another. Despite the wave of support for its reported axing, some fans of the show did share their upset at it disappearing from screens. Everything seemed to be business as usual on Friday's show. Picture: Channel 10 'I'll be sorry to see it go,' wrote one on Facebook, with another agreeing, adding: 'It's become an institution, what a shame!' Reports first emerged on Thursday that a yet-to-be-revealed new show will usher in a new format that will transform The Project's current timeslot. The insider claimed that development of the show has been underway for quite some time and that it could be launched as soon as next month. It will mark a huge shift for the timeslot, with the new show thought to be set to run four times a week for thirty minutes, a big change from The Project's six hour-long shows a week. It's currently unclear what Channel 10 will air during the other half an hour. has reached out to Channel 10 for comment. Once an iconic mainstay of current affairs television Down Under, the show has struggled in recent years to keep hold of its audience as viewing habits have shifted from live free-to-air TV to streaming. Ratings for the beloved panel show, which made its debut in 2009, have halved in recent years and sparked numerous rumours about its demise which Channel 10 have previously denied. Ten's new recuits The rumours around The Project's impending demise came just days after it was reported that three Channel 7 reports have jumped ship to 10. Veteran investigative reporter and Spotlight producer Denham Hitchcock started at the Paramount-owned network on Monday telling his social media following, 'Well here we go. I've switched channels.' Former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace and Senior 7News Sydney reporter Bill Hogan, are also on their way over to Channel 10, according to The Australian. Brace was reportedly offered a $50,000 pay rise to move over from the troubled Channel 7 and is said to be working on a new, long-form investigative offering established by 10's head of broadcast news Martin White. Her two former Seven colleaugues, Hitchcock and Hogan, are also believed to have been recuited for the same show which is set to rival Nine's 60 Minutes and the ABC's Four Corners. Originally published as The Project hosts awkwardly fail to address 'cancellation'
