Press release from ABC TV
ABC TV today announced that The Chasers very own multi-talented singing comic Andrew Hansen will be at the helm of the new ABC TV series Strictly Speaking.
Andrew will host this new 13 x half-hour prime-time television talent show with a twist. With the title of ‘Australia’s Best Public Speaker’ up for grabs, Strictly Speaking is a competition that puts speaking at the centre of the
stage.
The series will begin shooting in Sydney in September and will air on ABC TV in early 2010.
Andrew Hansen is a public speaker extraordinaire, infamous for his satirical songs and character pieces in the ABC TV show The Chaser’s War On Everything.
Andrew made an early start on public speaking. “As the performing monkey of my family, I’ve been wheeled out at every wedding since infancy,” he said.
“By some cosmic error I was made school captain. Very soon the staff realised what a mistake had been made, as I exploited my weekly speeches to air controversial opinions and make woeful jokes.
“Later I went to uni and dabbled in the debating scene there. I escaped quickly as it was a bit daunting and pretentious! For me, the best speeches are hugely entertaining and funny and moving – they’re the kinds of speeches you’ll see on Strictly Speaking.”
Amanda Duthie, ABC TV Head of Arts and Entertainment, said, “There is absolutely room for meaningful rhetoric and speech writing in the era of the sound-byte and that is what this show celebrates.”
Southern Star Entertainment Executive Producer Virginia Hodgson said, “Andrew Hansen and Strictly Speaking are a perfect match. An outstanding comedy performer and public speaker, Andrew will bring a unique spin to the series with his trademark rapier wit and way with words”
Strictly Speaking is a co-production between ABC TV and Southern Star Entertainment. A recent call for entries amassed 1500 applications from all states and territories, with 320 auditions being held for the final 27 contestant spots.