On the eve of the first Ashes Test, king of spin Shane Warne will be back in action hosting Warnie, his own entertainment chat show, from Wednesday, November 24, at 9.10pm on Nine.
Michael Parkinson and Andrew Denton may not be looking over their shoulder just yet, but there’s a new chat show host in town. Shane Warne, the affable, fun-loving, retired spin-bowling sensation, is bringing his own brand of interview style to Australian viewers this summer in five star-filled programs for the Nine Network.
Warne will talk candidly with some of the biggest names in international music, many of whom are his friends. He’ll enjoy relaxed one-on-ones with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, superstar Sting and Dannii Minogue. James Packer will speak exclusively to Warne, while chat show legend Michael Parkinson, Oscar-winning Hollywood star Russell Crowe and the incomparable Richie Benaud are just some of the guests who will join him in the studio in front of a live audience.
Warnie is a chat show for everyone. As well as interviews with some of the world’s biggest stars, viewers are in for a rare treat: specially created puppets will bring to life a selection of the best scenes from Billy Birmingham’s cricket comedy classic, The 12th Man.
The Today show’s Alicia Gorey will appear on Warnie each week to put some of our most famous current and ex-cricketers through “The Spin Cycle”, a rapid-fire Q&A session, as well as providing up-to-date Ashes news reports. The man with one of the most famous moustaches in cricket, legendary fast bowler and former Australian selector Merv Hughes, is Warne’s man on the street. Hughes will get to know the locals as he follows the five-match Ashes series around the country.
Meanwhile over in Old Blighty the fast-bowling, fast-talking Darren Gough will be the show’s UK correspondent.
“I’m a little nervous but absolutely stoked about having my own show on Channel Nine,” Warne said.
“I doubt my old mate Parky will be shuddering in his boots, but I hope I can bring my own style of fun and zest to a show so that the whole family can enjoy.”
Gary Burns, Executive Producer – Event Television for Nine, said: “Shane Warne’s open, approachable and chatty interview style will have viewers feeling like they are a fly on the wall, privy to two friends bantering. It will bring out a side to the stars that has never been seen before on television. It’s conversations between people that the Australian public will want to watch and listen to.”
Glenn Pallister, Senior Executive Producer of Warnie, said: “Having already witnessed Shane face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest stars, I’m incredibly excited about bringing something very unique and different to our screens.
“The Shane Warne you will see on Warnie is one that will impress and engage. It’s also a great compliment to the bloke that nearly every guest we have spoken to would happily swap places and be him for a day. He is a genuine legend.”
In this instance, If I can’t say something nice, I won’t say anything at all.
Warnie on Nine
Wednesday, November 24 @ 9.10pm
Thursday, December 2 @ 8.30pm
Thursday, December 16 @ 8.30pm
Thursday, December 23 @ 8.30pm
Thursday, January 6 @ 8.30pm
Image source: Channel 9.