Seven takes "Thank God You're Here"; Ten up shit creek

[Buzz Killington]

Thank God You're Here is switching from Network TEN to Channel Seven.

It will return in 2009 with Shane Bourne as host and Tom Gleisner as judge.

The hit improvisation show has previously enjoyed three seasons on TEN.

The shift from networks, which follows Seven's acquisition of Kath & Kim from the ABC, is a major coup for Seven and a huge blow to the TEN Network. It was sorely missed as part of TEN's Sunday line-up.

"Having taken a year off it felt right to try some new things with the show," said Tom Gleisner, "including a different home. Moving will give us the opportunity to expose Thank God You're Here to a whole new audience, while also allowing Shane to continue using his City Homicide parking space."

Seven CEO David Leckie said, "We see this as being the first of many shows in a long term relationship with Working Dog. They are the best in the business at what they do and that's why they'll fit in just perfectly at Seven."

TV Tonight hears March is a potential starting date...

Press Release:
The sensational comedy series Thank God You're Here is poised to join Australian TV's best prime time line-up on Channel Seven.

Thank God You're Here, an award-winning creation from Working Dog Productions, will join Channel Seven's 2009 schedule for its fourth season of unscripted mayhem.

Shane Bourne will remain the show's host in addition to his role on the hit Channel Seven police drama City Homicide.

Judge and co-creator Tom Gleisner:

"Having taken a year off it felt right to try some new things with the show – including a different home. Moving will give us the opportunity to expose Thank God You're Here to a whole new audience, while also allowing Shane to continue using his City Homicide parking space."

Thank God You're Here is a huge hit locally and overseas.

Channel Seven chief executive David Leckie is ecstatic to add another Aussie hit to the network's stable:

"I have wanted to work with the Working Dog team for years and I'm happy that we waited long enough for it to be for the right show - Thank God You're Here is a fabulous show and it will be even more fabulous on Seven.

"We see this as being the first of many shows in a long term relationship with Working Dog. They are the best in the business at what they do and that's why they'll fit in just perfectly at Seven."

http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/12/thank-god-youre-here-switches-to-seven.html