David Tench Tonight
| David Tench Tonight | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | DTT Productions |
| Starring | Host David Tench |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| No. of episodes | 2 (as of 24 August 2006 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes per episode (inc. commercials) |
| Original release | |
| Network | File:Network TEN.svg Network Ten |
| Release | 17 August 2006 |
David Tench Tonight is a television talk show created for the Network Ten in Australia. The series features David Tench, an animated fictional character as host. The name "Tench" is a partial anagram created from the name Channel Ten.[1].
Tench has conducted interviews with various celebrities including Pat Rafter, Paris Hilton, Nick Lachey, Nelly Furtado and Ella Hooper[2].
The identity of the performer behind Tench is at present unknown and it is the producers' intention to keep it secret[3], however some sources have outlined whom they believe the actor behind Tench to be[4][5].
Technology
Tench is rendered and animated in real-time using motion capture technology. The guests are therefore able to see him and respond to him in real-time[6].
The character of Tench was conceived by Andrew Denton and technically designed by Australian visual effects company Animal Logic [2][6].
The concept of an animated talk show host is not entirely new. Hand-drawn animation was used to bring Space Ghost to life in the 1994 talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast. An earlier similar gimmick was used in the British talk and music video show The Max Talking Headroom Show, featuring Max Headroom. Max, however, was not computer-generated but was realised by a clever mixture of prosthetic costuming and video effects, and was also able to interact with his guests.
Viral marketing
The Ten Network is utilizing a technique called viral marketing to create publicity for the as yet unestablished show and character. Publicity has included small spot television advertisements with David Tench quotes written for the show, accompanied by the simple tagline, "finally, someone real on television."
A large amount of general interest had been generated with seemingly minimal effort. However, this method of marketing was criticized by some as a cheap stunt to fool people's better judgment. [1].
Revelation and premiere
During the finale of Big Brother 2006 on 31 July 2006, Network Ten revealed Tench is an animated talk show host with an American accent. However, he often lapses into a quasi-Australian accent during his interviews.
The 30-minute premiere episode aired on Thursday, 17 August at 8.30pm (AEST)[7].
Public opinion and media
During the week prior to debut, various Australian breakfast and morning talkback radio programs including The Cage on the Triple M radio network and Kyle and Jackie O on Sydney's 2Day FM discussed David Tench Tonight in relation to recently axed programs such as Channel Ten's heavily promoted Yasmin's Getting Married.
On the morning of the first episode, The West Australian newspaper compared Tench's appearance to Liam Bartlett, who had recently left Perth radio to join 60 Minutes.
ebroadcast.com.au reported that the ratings for the first show averaged 1.162 million viewers to be number 10 on the most-watched list but was behind new shows that premiered the same night including Celebrity Survivor [8].
The City Weekly (A Sydney publication published by FPC Courier) discusses in its 24th August 2006 print edition about how Channel 10 tried to pass off a promotion for David Tench Tonight as a "legitimate" news item during it's 5pm main news bulletin [9].
Segments
- Return Fire - David will read a letter or two from made-up viewers and respond controversially.
- Last Burst of Tench - Tench will finish with a brief, controversial statement.
Episode list and guests
Episode 1 - Air Date: 17 August 2006
Episode 2 - Air Date: 24 August 2006
References
- ^ a b "Andrew Denton's cartoon capers". Sunday Herald Sun. 2006-08-13. Retrieved 2006-08-15.
- ^ "Man behind Tench to stay a secret". Herald Sun. 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2006-08-16.
- ^ Stephen Downie (2006-08-23). "Animated discussion". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2006-08-23.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Money on Mooney". Herald Sun. 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b McWhirter, Erin (2006-08-14). "Virtual Tench makes history". NEWS.com.au. Retrieved 2006-08-15.
- ^ "Ten's animated host a world first". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2006-08-14. Retrieved 2006-08-15.
- ^ "Third Time Lucky for Seven". ebroadcast.com.au. 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- ^ "Inbox page - Idiot's Box". cityweekly.com.au (print edition and online). 2006-08-24. Retrieved 2006-08-24.