Network 10 has commissioned pilots for six new shows as part of its new “Pilot Showcase” which will screen on its streaming platform 10 Play.
The network has previously dabbled with pilot experiments in the form of Pilot Week back in 2018 with programs including “Trial By Kyle” starring radio star Kyle Sandilands, “Drunk History”, “Kinne Tonight” and “Bring Back Saturday Night” with Rove McManus.
Some shows, including “Trial By Kyle”, were then commissioned to series.
Pilot Week ran again in 2019.
In 2021, the initiative has been rebranded as “Pilot Showcase” and will take place on July 4.
It is not yet clear how many of the piloted programs could potentially get a series run if deemed successful by the audience and the network.
One program in the running is “Abbie Chats” starring Abbie Chatfield.
Chatfield first rose to prominence via Channel 10’s “The Bachelor” in 2019. She has since gone on to sign a podcast deal with Nova Podcasts for “It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield”. The podcast has subsequently moved to SCA’s Listnr, with Chatfield also now hosting the national nights program across SCA’s Hit Network. She’s appeared on Channel 10 programs including “Would I Lie Yo You?” and “Hughesy, We Have a Problem” as well as previously hosting the Nine Network’s “Love Island After Party”.
In addition, she was recently announced as a new panel member on “The Masked Singer Australia”.
“Abbie Chats” is being sold as the rising star’s “mission to explore, understand and reveal worlds not commonly seen or heard from on television”.
“Abbie dives into two opposite ends of a subject, bringing her signature unapologetic brand of curiosity, passion and authenticity along, and asking all the questions the audience would never dare to,” Network 10 said.
The Pilot Showcase will also give Courtney Act her next TV gig.
Act also rose to mainstream prominence on Channel 10 back in 2003 on “Australian Idol”. Act has since gone on to record music, appear on various programs including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and host the telecast of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Act also has a podcast “Brenda, Call Me” with Nova Podcasts.
As part of the Pilot Showcase, Act will host “Courtney’s Closet”, dubbed “a celebrity interview show with a twist”.
“Each episode will see Courtney transform her guest into a drag persona befitting of their personal journey, while teasing out their life story in an intimate interview, culminating in a stunning reveal,” the show’s blurb said.
Another podcaster getting a run at television in the Pilot Showcase is comedian Nikki Osborne, who recently launched a podcast with Podspot.
“The Bush Blonde vs The World” will be a sketch comedy show which will see Osborne take on her “Bush Barbie” persona.
“With ludicrous moments of sheer insanity from the rich comedic traditions of Russell Coight and Borat, this program promises to be a wild, over-the-top send up of Australian culture at its funniest,” the show promised.
Another comedy program part of the slate is “Time To Die”, which will be hosted by comedians Gen Fricker and Ben Russell.
It’s described as a “devious and down-right evil challenge that dares two comedians to write the worst possible stand-up set for each other to perform in front of an unwitting live audience”.
“The Love Experiment”, meanwhile, will explore whether 36 questions can make you fall in love with a total stranger.
It’s billed as a simple dating experiment that puts this idea to the test by matching strangers to share the most intimate conversations of their lives.
Finally, “Dinner Guest” will feature academic Susan Carland, Channel 10 and NITV journalist Narelda Jacobs and “MasterChef Australia” judge Melissa Leong as they sit down to have a “no-holds barred discussion about the biggest topics of today”.
“Presented around a dinner table, this unconventional panel interview show highlights the value of sharing lived experiences and applying compassion in the face of diverse perspectives and voices.”