My Night At Monster House…
UPDATE: Cast names added to the bottom of this post!
Friday Jan 11th 2008 I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the first episode of a brand new show for 2008 from the Nine Network titled Monster House. The show is produced by Southern Star Endemol and the in studio parts are filmed at GTV9 Channel Nine Melbourne.
To sum up this show simply it would be Thank God You’re Here meets Surprise Surprise Gotcha. The show is based around one family called The Webb’s. They have converted an old warehouse into a Big Brother style house and home business where camera’s can hide behind one way glass.
The family then invites a person over of whom performs an everyday service task you or I would call for. For example a you may request a gardener to come to your business who maintains the business gardens etc… This person then has no idea that it is a scripted scenario with hidden cameras and they believe that it is a normal business or house hold family, and they are there to perform their everyday task.
Photo - Herald Sun - Page 95, January 13 2008.
The ‘guest’ is then made to feel as awkward as possible in order to get reactions out of them, without giving too much away, how would you feel if a granny was to strip infront of you? Each show has three scenarios for that particular episode, with that person who was set up then present in the audience so that the host Bernard Curry can chat to them after viewing what had happened.
The rundown of the show basically works like this…
The set is a mock up of The Webb family living room where Bernard Curry (host) enters with the family already sitting at the lounge. Bernard introduces everyone and a few well scripted jokes are told. The show is explained and then we get to see the first scenario, in this first episode it will involve a financial advisor. This is then played out and then Bernard talks to the person who has been pranked, who is sitting in the audience. After some more chatter with The Webb family it is then time for the second scenario and so forth. At the end of the show an award is given to the person out of the three for who they think had the best facial expression in their scenario. So think of the face someone would pull when they see a suit case full of $20 notes adding up to $100,000. This person is given what is called the Monster House Mouse trophy, which is quite simply a gold trophy of a mouse. Then the show looks at what is coming up next week, and done.
The show has been given a 7:30pm timeslot, the day is not known, and will start in February 2008. The show is good for a few chuckles if you are into that type of thing, but it’s not a show that I anyway can see lasting. It will last its entire season but wont be a ratings juggernaut, although I could be wrong this is just my opinion.
The cast of the show include, Rebel Wilson who you will know from The Wedge who plays the role of Penny, Celia Ireland, Travis Cotton, Jody Kennedy, Julie Herbert and Glenn Butcher.
Bernard Curry is the brother of actors Stephen and Andrew Curry, and this is his first dive into the world of hosting a television show.
Also each audience member got a show bag full of vouchers and M&M’s, nothing exciting but worth a mention.
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Michael | Jan 12, 2008 | Reply
Do you have any idea when Nine Will launch it’s new logo. Yesturday for the 11am news it was a different tune and there was know Nine Logo in front of the traditional National Nine News Logo. Any hints at all.
DaNnY bOy | Jan 12, 2008 | Reply
Yep, Monday 14th at Midnight, so Sunday night/Monday morning you will start to see the new Nine logo, also yes what you saw was most likely the new music for National Nine News (which sounds like the old theme and the newer theme played at the same time), and also the new National Nine News logo, which is basically the same minus the blue Nine and with an added blue underline.
Sue Stroman | Jan 13, 2008 | Reply
I saw this show on Saturday night and Rebel Wilson was absolutely fantastic - it feels like a great show for the 7:30 slot!
Richard Rosalion | Jan 13, 2008 | Reply
I went to the second screening - this looks like it’ll be a great show! I’m really looking forward to it.
Thought you might be interested - I’ve started a wikipedia article for it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_House_%28Australian_TV_Series%29
It’s been hard finding sources (the only one I’ve found so far was the Herald Sun article you scanned on this page), but please contribute if you find anything else.
Anniekate | Jan 20, 2008 | Reply
The plural of camera is cameras. There is no apostrophe required. The camera does not own anything and there are no missing letters. Therefore, no apostrophe. Just stick an ’s’ on the end. It is disturbing that journalists (plural of journalist - no apostrophe necessary)seem to be the worst offenders in the misuse of a very simple puntuation rule.
Anniekate | Jan 20, 2008 | Reply
Oops, punCtuation!
DaNnY bOy | Jan 20, 2008 | Reply
No one is perfect, plus I’m not a journalist… I’m someone with a keen interest in television who is sharing thought’s… So if I make mistakes I’m sorry but this is only a hobby for me and there for you don’t have to read it if it is so bad.
rufus | Jan 21, 2008 | Reply
Don’t worry DaNnY bOy - you’re doing a great job.
I have to agree with you that it is hardly ‘must see TV’. A lot of it depends on the set up, and the night I went along (the first taping last Monday night) it was really inconsistent.
The ‘live’ studio bits were very flat, and the prerecorded ‘candid camera’ style stuff was more down than up.
Saturday 7.30 pm may drag a family type audience in, but is certainly not deserving of anything more.
bob | Jan 27, 2008 | Reply
I will not watch ANY show that has that shit actress in it, the fat one from the wedge, she is so SHIT! she only has one personality and its not funny at all!
Tell that fat ugly actress to just FUCK OFF!!
Melissa | Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
Rebel is a funny and very talented person. –acting in pizza, the wedge, monster house and apparently making up something for sbs– cant wait!!!
bob– making a nasty comment is un called for, your mother should have told you “If you can’t say anything NICE, then don’t say ANYTHING at all”.
Good website Danny Boy, i was looking up Ten’s Dance tickets, but sad to hear its in Sydney– wish it was in Melb..
Thanks.
Rebelicious | Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
People need to rejoice, for Rebel Wilson is here to save Australian television. Like Graham Kennedy before her, this young woman has the potential to change the way we are entertained. From the moment I noticed her on Pizza I knew she has the gift of talent, and the gift of beauty. I’d love to wake up to her voice on breakfast radio, and I think one day it will be a reality. I can’t wait for this show!!
DB | Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
Agree with Bob (although agree no need for the langugage). Rebel Wilson was quiet funny in Pizza, however she was terrible in the soreful The Wedge. This show has ‘axed after 3 episodes’ written all over it. Any promos that have ‘wacky’ music, ‘wacky’ dancing and the host refering to the family as being ‘wacky’ is not a good sign. In fact, tip this to be the most unfunny show for 2008.
kwv | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Does anyone know how can I get on Monster House, as I think I could tell the tables around on The Monster House ‘Family’?
Mike Hunt | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Is she the one from pizza who served at the butt of the same joke over and over, ‘She’s not my girlfriend, I’m just rootin’ her.”? Gimme a break!!!!
Kevin | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
She is the same one that was on Thank God You’re Here and was absolutely shocking. I’m absolutely amazed she’s a comedy actress let alone an actress.
Mark33 | Feb 5, 2008 | Reply
This show sounds and looks incredibly lame - exactly the sort of home-grown garbage Nine is good at!
Richie | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
WORST SHOW EVER!!! Watching it now, like a car crash I can’t take my eyes off it, except during the ad break to type this!
Do yourself a favour and tune out!
James Denver | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
Well I watched most of the show tonight and it will be the last time I watch it. What rubbish! On the other hand I guess it’s good to see out of work actors given a token job (I’d start looking for the next one if I was them).
Cringe worthy sketches that were highly unbelievable (I wonder how many scenes they threw away because the “victims” didn’t fall for it or recognised the very familiar actors faces - even if they didn’t know their names!)
If this is the best Nine have got given all the money spent on promotion they should be thankful they still have the cricket!
They could have shown reruns of Candid Camera. They would have been funnier and cheaper.
PS. Re: Rebel, Sorry but your destined to be typecast. You are great in Pizza and should make the most of that role. Just an honest opinion…
Miss Anne Thropist | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
This show was utter shit. More TV for retards.
I want my 15 minutes back | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
This show has max 3 episodes at the current timeslot before being retired to the infomercial zone. Too bad for it as I will probably choose ab blasters over this lot of old tripe.
PS it set new lows for canned laughter too.
Mr A Nuss | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
After 15 minutes of the show last night I was eating my own flesh.
They should change the name from Monster House to Shit House.
Tragic/Patheic/So unfunny/ Hate it.
Give it 2 weeks.
I want my 15 minutes back | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
I didn’t think Australian screen writers were on strike until I saw this travesty. Looks like a work for the dole program for unemployed actors. I think channel 31 passed this pile up…can’t believe this is their ratings period attempt…it smacks of summer filler only I want summer crud back over this smelly junk. I will monitor it’s progress on the net as I earmark this for quickest euthanasia in Australian TV history.
Miss Em | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
WOW…. some of you obviously don’t have a sense of humor, I LOVED IT, awesome, sooooooooo funny. And yes it was hot in there with a host like that, he’s gorgeous.
Very un-Australian some of the remarks; TALL-POPPY SYNDROME…..
its as easy as switching the channel - No need to be NASTY PASTYS
Congrats to Bernard, Rebel & all the actors/comedians, cant wait for next weeks show
I want my 15 minutes back | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
Well Miss Em, for switching channels…I did people like me searched for Monster House on the internet after suffering it to see:
a) if everyone else felt mentally
b) if there was a single fan
c) if it would be cancelled already after one airing
Fascinating to see there is a fan…we should bottle you for study. You’d better start adjusting your circadian rhythms now in preparation for it’s resceduling.
As for unAustralian…maybe so, as this show surely is a battler for laughs. I’m surprised this show wasn’t introduced ‘from the creators of Hey Dad…’.
linda | Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
My god how does 9 make such crapola. I’m afraid I can only take so much, thank god Kath & Kim saves the day for silly viewing otherwise most of the sitcom’s that are shown are simply shite. Come on lets all read a good book instead or go for a walk or do the garderning. Anything is better than being stuck watching the shit that comes our way. Foxtel may have the answers but I wouldn’t bet on it.
My eyes are bleeding | Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
It’so lame when during the big reveal they say ’see that screen, you are on Monster House’ and the ’surprised’ person goes ‘wow how embarassing…what the f*** is monster house?.’ Don’t they realise that candid camera was around for years before ’smile you’re on candid camera’ meant something. Jamie Kennedy was better than this show, but even then, 50% of people were like ‘I’ve been whatted? xed whats that’
The lengthy explanation of the sow to the ’surprised’ person kills any chance the ‘big’ reveal had.
Gina G | Feb 20, 2008 | Reply
Sure this show may not be totally awesome…but Rebel Wilson is totally awesome and it’s a shame you didn’t get to see more of her in this show…I heard 9 executives pulled her from the show because they thought it might not go too well and she’s doin something else for 9 later this year.
I want my 15 minutes back | Feb 21, 2008 | Reply
Ha ha ha this show has been formally axed by Channel 9 after 2 episodes! Eeek Miss Em, however will you fill your Tuesday nights now?
Miss Em | Feb 21, 2008 | Reply
Contrary to popular belief - I loved it!!!!
Look forward to seeing it later in the year.
Salute