Update: Tuesday, June 29
Channel 7 has today announced the disappointing news that Australia’s Got Talent will not go ahead as planned due to the COVID outbreak in Sydney.
With the new restrictions in place, filming with a live television audience would’ve been impossible, so they decided to postpone the show until they could do it properly.
A spokesperson for Channel 7 told Mumbrella: “Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney, we have decided to postpone production of the new season of AGT to a date to be determined.
“A studio audience is a vitally important part of this much-loved show, so we have made the responsible but tough call to not go ahead for now.
“A big thank you to our judges – Neil Patrick Harris, Kate Ritchie, Alesha Dixon and Shane Jacobson – and our host Ricki-Lee, and we hope to see you again soon.”
Original:
Legen-wait for it-dary! Channel 7 has announced the new judging panel for Australia’s Got Talent, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Neil Patrick Harris, Kate Richie, Alesha Dixon and Shane Jacobson will make up the main panel, with Ricki-Lee Coulter hosting. There will also be a tonne of celeb guest judges, but we don’t have the scoop on them just yet.
Let’s run through the cast’s credentials real quick.
Obviously, Neil Patrick Harris’ career is massive. He’s an Emmy and Tony winner known best for his work on How I Met Your Mother and Doogie Howser, M.D., but his résumé also includes stage work and hosting gigs–he’s hosted the Oscars, the Emmys and the Tonys!
This season of Australia’s Got Talent is bound to be one of the best, with Channel 7 promising a “world-first twist” that’ll see our Aussie contestants taking on Got Talent champions from all over the world.
In a statement to Channel 7, Harris said basically said that he’s an absolute Got Talent stan.
“To say I’m a fan of the AGT franchise is an understatement – I’ve been watching since the very first season!” he said.
“I’m a performer who has taken many stages throughout the, well,
many stages of my career – be it acting, singing, dancing, hosting, juggling, magic-ing, even breathing fire! – and I have developed enormous respect for anyone with the courage to pursue their talents and passions at any level, let alone televised on a national stage,” he explained.
“Australia has phenomenal talent across so many disciplines, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Australia’s Got Talent in 2021 to see firsthand what the country’s awesome contestants have to offer.”
Next up, we have Australia’s Sweetheart Kate Ritchie, who’s returning to the show for the first time since 2013.
We fell in love with Ritchie as we watched her grow up on Home and Away. She joined the cast when she was just 10 years old in 1998, and exited the show 20 years later at 30!
These days, we know her best as Nova’s drive host on the Kate, Tim and Marty show, but she’s excited to get back into the judge’s seat.
“People have spent more time at home than usual this past year,” she said. “Some developed brand new skills and others fine-tuned their already spectacular talents!
“I am not only flattered to be sharing the AGT panel with this season’s line-up but super excited to see the incredible talent Australia has to offer… from what I believe to be the best seat in the house!”
If you’re a long-time fan of the Got Talent franchises, Alesha Dixon will be no stranger to you. Aside from being a multi-platinum selling recording artist, Dixon served as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent for nine years (she was hand-picked by creator Simon Cowell!) and went on to judge on America’s Got Talent: The Champions as well.
“I’m super excited to be joining the panel at AGT,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what talent Australia has to give and I’m really looking forward to working with my fellow judges.”
Finally, we have Shane Jacobson returning to his seat on the panel.
“I am thrilled to be back as a judge for AGT,” he said, “and I’m beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside the other wonderful judges who are joining the family.”
We’re so excited!
Australia’s Got Talent will premiere on Channel Seven and 7plus later this year.
