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Australia’s Got Talent postponed due to COVID-19

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EXCLUSIVE: The new series on Seven has faced a major disruption due to the Sydney lockdown

Neil Patrick Harris (Credit Mark Veltman)
Neil Patrick Harris (Credit Mark Veltman)

Seven is facing potential programming issues due to the Sydney lockdown.

Sources have told TV Blackbox the planned filming of Australia’s Got Talent has been postponed, with crew released from the shoot today.

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This has been confirmed by Seven insiders but those same sources say contingency plans are in place.

The news came as the first planned record at Rooty Hill RSL was pushed back last week, but now production has been halted altogether.

International hosts Neil Patrick Harris and Alesha Dixon had finished their two-weeks quarantine in order to take part in the show alongside fellow judges Kate Ritchie and Shane Jacobson, and host Rikki-Lee Coulter.

The new season of AGT was expected to launch later this year, but the forced production shutdown could leave a big gap in Seven’s schedule.

While it can be assumed production will resume, contracts with the judges will cause even more nightmares. A delay means keeping Neil Patrick Harris longer in the country, leading to a blowout in accommodation and expenses, or a return home to the US, which would increase flights and quarantine accommodation when he comes back out.

What’s not clear is whether payments will still be made to contractors on the show. Recently the Melissa McCarthy comedy Gold’s Favourite Idiot shut down early, leaving production crew out of work and out of pocket.

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Seven is also facing production issues with the live finale of Big Brother. As TV Blackbox exclusively reported, the live audience has been canned due to COVID-19.

Additionally, an invitation has been extended to all housemates to attend the Sydney finale, but the decision has been left in their hands on whether they decide to take up the offer.

Sources tell TV Blackbox the production is picking up all out of pocket expenses, including any quarantining costs, for all housemates who accepted the invitation to attend the grand finale in person.

Those who declined will still be part of the live event via Zoom.

Seven has been approached for comment.

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Robert McKnight
Robert McKnighthttps://tvblackbox.com.au/robert-mcknight/
"Leading TV commentator" - The Daily Telegraph | "Known for his impeccable sources in the TV industry" - The Daily Mail | "Always first with the correct info" - Beau Ryan | Robert McKnight is a highly regarded Australian Television Producer having worked at SEVEN, NINE and TEN during his 30 years in the industry. Currently Rob can be seen every fortnight on THE MORNING SHOW (7) and heard on NIGHTS WITH JOHN STANLEY (2GB/4BC). He is also a producer on 7 NEWS SPOTLIGHT.
Comments

1 COMMENT

  1. Why is channel 7 flogging this dead horse Australia’s got talent.
    Flying in overseas judges as if we haven’t got any talent in Australia .
    How are the producers going make it exciting to attract viewers, after all it has been cancelled so many times before.

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