The Australian production of American golfing reality series, Holey Moley, has been a hit with local audiences.
However getting the show on air in the middle of a pandemic was no small feat, a report in the Courier Mail revealed on Saturday.
The Aussie production, airing on Channel Seven, was set to shoot on the custom-made set in Los Angeles when Covid-19 hit.
Hard! The Australian production of American golfing reality series, Holey Moley, struggled to get on air in the middle of a pandemic, a report in the Courier Mail revealed on Saturday. Pictured commentators Rob Riggle (right) and Matt Shirvington
Just two days into shooting in March 2020, the production was shut down – forcing the show to shift back to Australia, the paper reports.
Two warehouse spaces, in Sydney and Brisbane, were acquired by Channel Seven, and the elaborate sets were completely built anew.
‘They piled everything into 36 semi-trailers bound for the city, put cast and crew into hotel quarantine and spent the next six weeks building the set,’ the Courier Mail reports.
Oh dear! The Aussie production, airing on Channel Seven, was set to shoot on the custom-made set in Los Angeles when Covid-19 hit. Just two days into shooting in March 2020, the production was shut down – forcing the show to shift back to Australia, the paper reports
Hard work: Two warehouse spaces, in Sydney and Brisbane, were acquired by Channel Seven, and the elaborate sets were completely built anew
Some cast changes were needed too, with Australian actress Olympia Valance, 28, who was based in LA, being replaced by Sonia Kruger, 55.
Likewise, Matt Shirvington, 42, joined American Rob Riggle, 50, on the commentator’s desk, replacing Brian ‘BT’ Taylor, 58.
Golfing legend Greg Norman serves as the resident golf pro, and has stayed on, but now appears via video link.
Updated: Some cast changes were needed too, with Australian actress Olympia Valance, 28, (left) who was based in LA, being replaced by Sonia Kruger, 55 (right)
To ensure the show is Covid safe, the audience is made up of families standing close together and host Sonia is shot strategically to look closer to the action.
The hard work paid off, with ratings for the reality series a smash hit.
Last Monday night, the launch of Seven’s Holey Moley notably beat Nine’s MAFS’ Grand Reunion finale in the ratings.
Holey Moley saw an impressive 983,000 metro viewers tune in to see how the wacky competitive reality show would play out.
Incoming: Likewise, Matt Shirvington, 42, (pictured) joined American Rob Riggle, 50, on the commentator’s desk, replacing Brian ‘BT’ Taylor, 58
Meanwhile, MAFS only recorded a five-city metro audience of 781,000, which was a decline of more than 80,000 viewers the night prior during the two-part special.
Seven’s Holey Moley series was modeled off the US show by the same name, which became an instant ratings hit for ABC in 2019.
The show brings together ‘the most skilled’ mini golfers from across Australia for a series of challenging one-on-one battles.
Video star: Golfing legend Greg Norman (pictured) serves as the resident golf pro, and has stayed on, but now appears via video link