Michael Idato

Michael Idato

Michael Idato is a Senior Writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Hot seats

Could shock jock help stir the pot on Australia's Got Talent reboot?

Michael Idato Two down, two to go. Speculation is mounting about who will take the two remaining judges' seats on Channel Nine's reboot of Australia's Got Talent.

Sacre bleu!

The Logies or the French Riviera? TV's calendar clash

Hamish Blake Gold Logie winner 2012.

Michael Idato Every television executive in Australia knew this day would eventually come: the day they would have to choose between a ticket to TV's night of nights, the TV Week Logie Awards, or a...

TV talent

French confirmed as Australia's Got Talent judge

dawn french

Michael Idato British comedian Dawn French confirmed to join Mel B on Australia's Got Talent.

Musical chairs

Minogue set to replace Mel B on X Factor

dannii minogue

Michael Idato Dannii Minogue will replace Melanie Brown on The X Factor's judging panel, in a deal being finalised by network executives.

Casting news

Lawson to help Ferrell deliver the news in Anchorman sequel

Josh Lawson

Michael Idato Australian actor joins the cast for Will Ferrell's follow-up to his 2004 comedy hit.

Ratings

MasterChef has a victor but Ten doesn't taste glory

MasterChef Professionals winner Rhys Badcock.

Michael Idato When three big reality TV show franchises like The Block, MasterChef and The Biggest Loser collide in the schedule they usually do so with a bang.

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AGT coup

TV rivals clash again as Nine poaches Scary Spice

Mel B

Michael Idato Channel Nine has poached X Factor judge Melanie Brown in a sabre-rattling manoeuvre which will intensify the war between the two old TV rivals.

Networking

Hamish and Andy's Caravan of Courage. 
Channel Nine program. Images supplied by Nine 
publicity.

Michael Idato It will be the second year running the Logie Awards have not had a host.

Testing the waters

Aussies star in US pilot season

Luke Mitchell.

Michael Idato In the past month no less than five former Home and Away actors have booked high-profile gigs in US television pilots.

Networking

Caitlin Stasey.

Michael Idato Neighbours star Caitlin Stasey has been cast in new American pilot Reign.

Cold comfort for a fish out of water

Steven van Zandt stars in <i>Lilyhammer</i>.

Michael Idato Scandi sort-of comedy Lilyhammer is equal parts Mafia soap opera and Northern Exposure.

Cartoon capers

Foxtel gives flight to Angry Birds

angry birds toons

Michael Idato The cable channel FOX8 has signed on as the Australian broadcaster of the television adaptation of the mega-hit game Angry Birds.

No host

Logies avoid sipping from Oscars' poisoned chalice

Hamish and Andy at 2012 Logies.

Michael Idato Gold Logie nominees Hamish Blake and Andy Lee will "open" this year's TV Week Logie Awards next month but organisers are saying the telecast will not have an official host.

Cost cutting

Nine shelves Return to Eden remake

Return To Eden

Michael Idato Pack up your shoulder pads and put away your hair lacquer, it looks like we're not going back to the 80s after all.

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Our experts

2013 Logies Form Guide

Carrie Bickmore

Michael Idato As Logies season kicks off we answer the questions burning in the minds of TV lovers, such as, who will win, why are big stars nominated as new talent, and who are these people?

Comments 3

Logies

ABC leads with dramas as Logie nominations revealed

Hamish

Michael Idato The ABC is poised to confirm its mantle as Australia's leading producer of television drama, with a dominating start to the TV Week Logie Award nominations.

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Love is a battlefield

Still from Parade's End.

Michael Idato An unlikely duo bring a saga of war and romance to life in Parade's End.

ABC dramas lead the pack as Logie nominations revealed

Kelton Pell in Redfern Now

Michael Idato The ABC is poised to confirm its mantle as Australia's leading producer of television drama, with a dominating start to the TV Week Logie Award nominations.

Mob rule meets its match

Michael Idato dinkus

Michael Idato Sharp, thrilling and fast-paced: Red Widow is the The Sopranos on steroids.

Networking: TV news

Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones star in Driving Miss Daisy.

Michael Idato Angela Lansbury sat down with Australia's Bill Collins for a Fox TV special last week.