Nine thought their back savior for 2007 would be the 'Singing Bee' but Sunday night audiences didn't think so and the network just scraped the new show into the Top 10, at number 10 with only 1.2 million viewers.
It's disappointing the show 'flopped' after such heavy promotion and media hype, this was set to be Nine's saving grace in an otherwise terrible year.
I watched the show and didn't mind the concept but can see the two major problems as the scheduling, 6.30PM Sunday night is not a game-show slot and the host, Joey Fatone does not resonate with Australian audiences.
Australian viewers don't want an American boy band singer as host of any local programming and he did not seem to have the presence to succeed in our volatile market. Further the 'Singing Bee' should not be scheduled on Sunday at 6.30PM.
Nine's embattled programming could receive a much needed boost at 5.30PM on weeknights where the Singing Bee could really work as a lead in to the news but with a different host.
Imagine if Hugh Jackman, even John Farnham as host or Nine's own Richard Wilkins. I believe these men (or a host of other Australians) would be better received than Joey Fatone.
At least the network is experimenting with variety again but audiences were just not interested...
I wonder how long the Singing Bee will buzz...
