The Panel

The Panel is an Australian television show, first aired in 1998, and was very popular in its first few years. The show always ran at 9.30pm on Wednesday night, sometimes it would run late and cut into the 10.30pm news afterwards. It takes the form of a chat show, with a panel of five people, discussing and joking about items in the news, current affairs, and general pop culture.

Related Topics:
Australia - Television show - 1998 - Chat show - Pop culture

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Similar to the British Have I Got News For You, the show is produced by Working Dog Productions, and is broadcast by Network Ten and affiliates; it is also simulcast on the Triple M radio network.

Related Topics:
British - Have I Got News For You - Working Dog Productions - Network Ten - Simulcast - Triple M

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The regular hosts are Glenn Robbins, Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner, Kate Langbroek and Santo Cilauro (usually sitting in this order from left to right at the desk). However, guest panelists are quite common, with other Australian comedians, actors, and international guests (Harry Shearer appears on the show whenever he visits Australia) regularly taking a spot at the desk.

Related Topics:
Glenn Robbins - Rob Sitch - Tom Gleisner - Kate Langbroek - Santo Cilauro - Comedian - Actor - Harry Shearer

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Guests include not only regular music and movie stars, sports heroes and political figures, but many lower profile individuals who have interesting stories to tell, such as Dr Cindy Pan.

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The success of the show has resulted in spin off shows in Ireland (hosted by Dara Ó Briain) and New Zealand (hosted by Cal Wilson).

Related Topics:
Ireland - Dara Ó Briain - New Zealand - Cal Wilson

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The show is currently on hiatus and hasn't aired in 2005 however they will air their traditional Christmas Night Special which have aired Anually Since 2003. The show may, or may not return in 2006, no decision has been made as of 4, October 2005.

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Network Ten are currently in dispute with the Nine Network in the Federal Court of Australia regarding an episode of The Panel and its use of several snippits of Nine shows. Several appeals have been made.

Related Topics:
Network Ten - Nine Network - Federal Court of Australia

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