The Circle (TV program)

The Circle is an Australian morning talk show that aired on Network Ten from 9 February 2010 to 3 August 2012. The show was presented by Gorgi Coghlan, Yumi Stynes, Chrissie Swan and Denise Drysdale and aired in a daytime slot on Network Ten.

The Circle
GenreMorning show
Presented byYumi Stynes (2010–2012)
Gorgi Coghlan (2010–2012)
Chrissie Swan (2010–2011)
Denise Drysdale (2010–2011)
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes582
Production
ProducerPam Barnes
Production locationsMelbourne, Victoria
Running time150 mins per episode (inc. commercials)
Original release
NetworkNetwork Ten
Release9 February 2010 (2010-02-09) –
3 August 2012 (2012-08-03)

Ten cancelled the program on 30 July 2012, with the last episode on 3 August 2012.[1]

Presenters

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Presenter Years
Chrissie Swan 2010–2011
Denise Drysdale 2010–2011
Yumi Stynes 2010–2012
Gorgi Coghlan 2010–2012

Colin Lane replaced Coghlan in early 2011 while she was on maternity leave. In August and September 2011, Swan took maternity leave, with various guest hosts (including Lane) taking her role during that time.

History

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The show was announced on 16 January 2010 as a replacement for the network's previous morning show, 9am with David & Kim and debuted 9 February 2010.[2][3][4] Denise Drysdale and Chrissie Swan were part of the original hosting team. After two years with the program they resigned at the end of 2011 season with Drysdale spending more time with family following the birth of her grandson and Swan announced her decision to move to the Australian Radio Network to join Mix 101.1.[5] Swan and Drysdale returned for the show's 500th episode in 2012 to reminisce. They also appeared in the show's final episode.[6]

The Circle originally followed Ten Morning News (which aired from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on weekdays) and occupied the 10:00 am to 12:00 pm slot. The first guest on the show was singer and Australian Idol first season winner Guy Sebastian.

On 29 April 2011, a primetime edition of the program was broadcast as part of Ten's coverage of the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.[7][8]

In 2012, The Circle aired in the 9:00 am to 11:30 am slot.

Ten cancelled the series due to financial costs. The final episode was broadcast 3 August 2012.[1] From 6 August 2012, Ten's weekday lineup began from 8:30 am with The Talk, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider[9] under the title Mornings on Ten.

Segments

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The Circle included a mix of lifestyle, cooking and interview segments along with advertorials. It was taped in front of a live studio audience in Melbourne. The advertorials were for products from home-shopping companies such as Danoz Direct and Global Shop Direct.

  • Book Club: Cheryl Akle
  • Celebrity and Hollywood Entertainment News: Richard Clune
  • Gardening: Melissa King
  • Cooking: Various chefs
  • Movie reviews: Marc Fennell
  • Roving reporters: Sean Lynch and Aleisha McCormack
  • Sport: Lehmo
  • Fashion: Emily Power
  • Steal Her Style: Kate Hopkins
  • Style Doctor: Anthea O'Connor
  • Music: James Young
  • Ten News updates with Ron Wilson (Mon & Tue) and Natarsha Belling (Wed-Fri)
  • Internet news: Andrew McClelland's 'World Wide Wonderful'
  • Hollywood reporter: Katherine Tulich
  • LA Correspondent: Louise Pennell

The Circle: Summertime

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During the summer non-ratings period from December to January, a pre-recorded highlights show featuring notable segments from the preceding year was broadcast. Advertorials were still shown.

Controversies

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Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith controversy

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Stynes caused controversy on The Circle on 28 February 2012 by commenting on a photo of Victoria Cross and Medal for Gallantry recipient, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, in a swimming pool by saying that "He's going to dive down to the bottom of the pool to see if his brain is there." George Negus added to the controversy by making a comment which was interpreted by some as questioning whether Roberts-Smith was "up to it in the sack".[10][11] Both Stynes and Negus later apologised to Roberts-Smith for their comments. He accepted their apologies.[11][12] The incident was criticised by the Returned Services League, the Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence. Big4, APT, SwisseVitamins, Saria Shoes, Yoplait, Hoselink, Mirvac Hotels, Jamaica Blue, Michael Hill Jewellers, Dulux and Mitsubishi dropped sponsorship or pulled advertising from the show, while fashion label Otto Mode continued their sponsorship.[13][14] Despite the loss of nine sponsors, Channel 10 resisted calls to sack Stynes from the show[15] Telstra sacked Negus as an event host because of his remarks.

Ironically, the controversy came just five days after the debut of the short-lived Breakfast starring controversial kiwi Paul Henry, who has a history of controversial remarks, most notably the "Sir Anand Satyanand" and "Sheila Dikshit" controversies, which led to his resignation from TVNZ.

Ratings

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The Circle trailed behind its two rivals Mornings on the Nine Network and The Morning Show on the Seven Network, although the Ben Roberts-Smith controversy and its media coverage has caused ratings of the show to lift slightly.[16]

Soundtrack

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Music from The Circle

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Music from The Circle
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released8 April 2011
LanguageEnglish
LabelSony Music Australia

Music from The Circle is a compilation album featuring 38 songs chosen by the hosts of The Circle. The album includes a special song recorded by hosts Denise Drysdale, Chrissie Swan, Yumi Stynes and Gorgi Coghlan titled "Circle Song". The song was written by Stynes and Australian recording artist Clare Bowditch.[17]

Track listing

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Disc 1
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  1. Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror
  2. Prince & The Revolution - Kiss
  3. Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
  4. Toto - Africa
  5. Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is
  6. The Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes
  7. Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic)
  8. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart
  9. Michael Bolton - How Can We Be Lovers?
  10. Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
  11. Mr. Big - To Be With You
  12. Spandau Ballet - True
  13. Olivia Newton-John - Physical
  14. Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
  15. Renée Geyer - Say I Love You
  16. Boney M. - Rivers of Babylon
  17. Mondo Rock - Come Said the Boy
  18. Dragon - April Sun in Cuba
  19. Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun
Disc 2
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  1. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
  2. John Farnham - Two Strong Hearts
  3. Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet
  4. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
  5. Air Supply - All Out of Love
  6. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream
  7. REO Speedwagon - Keep on Loving You
  8. Chris de Burgh - The Lady in Red
  9. Daryl Braithwaite - The Horses
  10. Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing at All
  11. Cyndi Lauper - True Colors
  12. Peter Allen - Tenterfield Saddler
  13. Roy Orbison - She's a Mystery to Me
  14. Sam Brown - Stop!
  15. Carly Simon - You're So Vain
  16. Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man
  17. Aretha Franklin - Respect
  18. Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
  19. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams - Without Us
  20. The Circle Girls - Circle Song

Awards and nominations

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At the 2011 Logie Awards, The Circle won two of its four nominations. The program was awarded Most Popular Light Entertainment Program, while Chrissie Swan won in the Most Popular New Female Talent category. Swan was also nominated for the Gold Logie, and for the Most Popular Presenter category.[18]

At the 2012 Logie Awards, Swan was nominated again for the Most Popular Presenter category.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Knox, David (30 July 2012). "Axed: The Circle". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Ten announces new morning show – The Circle" (PDF) (Press release). Network Ten. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.[dead link]
  3. ^ Knox, David (13 January 2010). "Morning chat yet to come full Circle". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  4. ^ Knox, David (16 January 2010). "Girl talk set for TEN's new Circle". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Chrissie Swan leaves The Circle, admits she had 'Nothing left'". news.com.au. News Limited. 8 February 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  6. ^ Knox, David (3 August 2012). "Tearful finale as The Circle bows out in style". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  7. ^ Knox, David (31 March 2011). "Royal Wedding: TEN offers light-hearted coverage with Fitzy". TV Tonight. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Channel Ten announces royal wedding coverage". The Daily Telegraph. 31 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Ring of death: Ten dumps The Circle". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  10. ^ "VC hero accepts apology after insults". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  11. ^ a b "VC hero accepts apology for insults". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  12. ^ "Negus, Stynes call hero to apogise". Ninemsn. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  13. ^ "Major sponsor walks over war hero comments on The Circle". Herald Sun. 2 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Firm cuts ties with The Circle". Yahoo. 16 November 2010. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Sponsors jump ship over The Circle's TV slur". Adelaide Now. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  16. ^ Knox, David (19 June 2012). "3.1m as Karise is announced as The Voice". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Music From The Circle - Various Artists". JB Hi-Fi. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  18. ^ McWhirter, Erin (1 May 2011). "Karl Stefanovic wins the Gold Logie". TV Week. ninemsn. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2011.