The Circle (TV program)

The Circle

The Circle logo
Genre Morning Show
Presented by Yumi Stynes (2010–2012)
Gorgi Coghlan (2010–2012)
Chrissie Swan (2010–2011)
Denise Drysdale (2010–2011)
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 582
Production
Producer(s) Pam Barnes
Location(s) Melbourne, Victoria
Running time 150 mins per episode (inc. commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel Network Ten
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
Audio format Stereo
Original run 9 February 2010 – 3 August 2012
Chronology
Preceded by 9am with David & Kim (2006 – 2009)
Followed by Studio 10 (2013 –)

The Circle is an Australian morning talk show that was aired on Network Ten from 9 February 2010 and 3 August 2012. The show was presented by Gorgi Coghlan, Yumi Stynes, Chrissie Swan and Denise Drysdale and aired in a daytime slot on Network Ten.

Ten cancelled the program on 30 July 2012 and it ended on 3 August 2012.[1]

Presenters

Presenter Years
Chrissie Swan 2010–2011
Denise Drysdale 2010–2011
Yumi Stynes 2010–2012
Gorgi Coghlan 2010-2012

Colin Lane replaced Coghlan in early 2011 while she was on maternity leave. In August and September 2011, Swan took maternity leave, with various guest hosts (including Lane) taking her role during that time.

History

The show was announced on 16 January 2010 as a replacement for the network's previous morning show, 9am with David and Kim and debuted 9 February 2010.[2][3][4] Denise Drysdale and Chrissie Swan were part of the original hosting team. After two years with the program they resigned at the end of 2011 season with Drysdale spending more time with family following the birth of her grandson and Swan announced her decision to move to the Australian Radio Network to join Mix 101.1.[5] Swan and Drysdale returned for the show's 500th episode in 2012 to reminisce. They also appeared in the show's final episode.[6]

The Circle originally followed Ten Morning News (which aired from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on weekdays) and occupied the 10:00 am to 12:00 pm slot. The first guest on the show was singer and Australian Idol first season winner Guy Sebastian.

On 29 April 2011, a primetime edition of the program was broadcast as part of Ten's coverage of the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.[7][8]

In 2012 The Circle aired in the 9.00am to 11:30am slot.

Ten cancelled the series due to financial costs. The final episode was broadcast 3 August 2012.[9] From 6 August 2012, Ten's weekday lineup began from 8:30 am with The Talk, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider[10] under the title Mornings on Ten.

Segments

The Circle included a mix of lifestyle, cooking and interview segments along with advertorials. It was taped in front of a live studio audience in Melbourne. The advertorials were for products from home-shopping companies such as Danoz Direct and Global Shop Direct.

The Circle: Summertime

During the summer non-ratings period from December to January, a pre-recorded highlights show featuring notable segments from the preceding year was broadcast. Advertorials were still shown.

Controversies

Corporal Ben Roberts Smith controversy

Stynes caused controversy on The Circle on 28 February 2012 by commenting on a photo of Victoria Cross and Medal for Gallantry recipient, Corporal Ben Roberts Smith, in a swimming pool by saying that "He's going to dive down to the bottom of the pool to see if his brain is there." George Negus added to the controversy by making a comment which was interpreted by some as questioning whether Roberts-Smith was "up to it in the sack".[11][12] Both Stynes and Negus later apologised to Roberts-Smith for their comments. He accepted their apologies.[13][14] The incident was criticised by the Returned Services League, the Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence. Big4, APT, SwisseVitamins, Saria Shoes, Yoplait, Hoselink, Mirvac Hotels, Jamaica Blue, Michael Hill Jewellers, Dulux and Mitsubishi dropped sponsorship or pulled advertising from the show, while fashion label Otto Mode continued their sponsorship.[15][16] Despite the loss of nine sponsors, Channel 10 resisted calls to sack Stynes from the show[17] Telstra sacked Negus as an event host because of his remarks.

Ironically, the controversy came just five days after the debut of Breakfast starring controversial kiwi Paul Henry, who has a history of controversial remarks, most notably the "Sir Anand Satyanand" and "Sheila Dikshit" controversies, which led to his resignation from TVNZ

Ratings

The Circle trails behind its two rivals Mornings on the Nine Network and The Morning Show on the Seven Network, although the Ben Roberts-Smith controversy and its media coverage has caused ratings of the show to lift slightly.[18]

Soundtrack

Music from The Circle

Music from The Circle
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released AUS: 8 April 2011
Language English
Label Sony Music Australia

Music from The Circle is a compilation album featuring 38 songs chosen by the hosts of The Circle. The album includes a special song recorded by hosts Denise Drysdale, Chrissie Swan, Yumi Stynes and Gorgi Coghlan titled "Circle Song". The song was written by Stynes and Australian recording artist Clare Bowditch.[19]

Track listing

Disc 1
  1. Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror
  2. Prince & The Revolution - Kiss
  3. Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
  4. Toto - Africa
  5. Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is
  6. The Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes
  7. Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic)
  8. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart
  9. Michael Bolton - How Can We Be Lovers?
  10. Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
  11. Mr. Big - To Be With You
  12. Spandau Ballet - True
  13. Olivia Newton-John - Physical
  14. Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
  15. Renée Geyer - Say I Love You
  16. Boney M. - Rivers of Babylon
  17. Mondo Rock - Come Said the Boy
  18. Dragon - April Sun In Cuba
  19. Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun
Disc 2
  1. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
  2. John Farnham - Two Strong Hearts
  3. Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet
  4. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
  5. Air Supply - All Out of Love
  6. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream
  7. REO Speedwagon - Keep on Loving You
  8. Chris de Burgh - The Lady in Red
  9. Daryl Braithwaite - The Horses
  10. Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing at All
  11. Cyndi Lauper - True Colors
  12. Peter Allen - Tenterfield Saddler
  13. Roy Orbison - She's a Mystery to Me
  14. Sam Brown - Stop!
  15. Carly Simon - You're So Vain
  16. Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man
  17. Aretha Franklin - Respect
  18. Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
  19. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams - Without Us
  20. The Circle Girls - Circle Song

Awards and nominations

At the 2011 Logie Awards, The Circle won two of its four nominations. The program was awarded Most Popular Light Entertainment Program, while Chrissie Swan won in the Most Popular New Female Talent category. Swan was also nominated for the Gold Logie, and for the Most Popular Presenter category.[20]

At the 2012 Logie Awards, Swan was nominated again for the Most Popular Presenter category.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Knox, David (30 July 2012). "Axed: The Circle". TV tonight. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Ten announces new morning show – The Circle" (PDF) (Press release). Network Ten. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Knox, David (13 January 2010). "Morning chat yet to come full Circle". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  4. ↑ Knox, David (16 January 2010). "Girl talk set for TEN's new Circle". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  5. ↑ "Chrissie Swan leaves The Circle, admits she had 'Nothing left'". News.com.au. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  6. ↑ "Tearful finale as The Circle bows out in style". TV Tonight. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Royal Wedding: TEN offers light-hearted coverage with Fitzy". TV Tonight. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Channel Ten announces royal wedding coverage". Daily Telegraph. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "Ring of death: Ten dumps The Circle". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. ↑ "VC hero accepts apology after insults". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  12. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/vc-hero-accepts-apology-for-insults-20120229-1u3ae.html
  13. ↑ "VC hero accepts apology for insults". Sydney Morning Herald. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Negus, Stynes call hero to apogise". Nine MSN. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Major sponsor walks over war hero comments on The Circle". Herald Sun. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "Firm cuts ties with The Circle". Yahoo. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "Sponsors jump ship over The Circle's TV slur". Adelaide Now. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  18. ↑ "3.1 As Karise Is Announced As The Voice". News.com.au. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  19. ↑ http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/pop-rock/music-from-the-circle/647484
  20. ↑ "Karl Stefanovic wins the Gold Logie". TV Week/NineMSN. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.