Foxtel and Channel Ten today announced the axing of their daily chatfest, Beauty & The Beast.
Presently hosted by Doug Mulray and featuring everyone from Jeannie Little through to Carlotta, the current series will end this year after a 6 year run, with a view to replacing the show with a brand new chat format.
“The decision to cease production this year was made jointly (between Foxtel and Ten), as we both felt it was time to look at new formats for 2003.” Says Foxtel’s Director of Television, Mr Brian Walsh.
The original ‘Beauty & the Beast’ first appeared on Australian television screens back in 1964 and went on to feature on both the Seven and Ten networks during the 1980’s. Foxtel revived the format in 1996 and last year extended the line-up to accommodate six female panellists.
Some of Australia’s most well-known personalities have appeared on ‘Beauty & the Beast’ over the years including Maggie Tabberer, Hazel Phillips, Pat Lovell, Barbie Rogers, Jeanne Little, Ita Buttrose, Carlotta, Denise Drysdale, Johanna Griggs and Gretel Killeen. ‘Beasts’ have included Eric Baume, John Laws, Clive Robertson, Derryn Hinch, Stan Zemanek, Don Lane and Doug Mulray.
Ten’s general manager – Network programming, Mr David Mott said: “We are proud of Beauty and the Beast – it has broken new ground in Australian television and has been a successful feature in our daytime schedule.
“The best point to take time out and re-evaluate is often when you are on a high, and Ten and Foxtel are excited to channel that energy into a new project.”
