I Will Survive (TV series)

Last updated

I Will Survive
GenreTalent show
Presented by Hugh Sheridan
Judges Jason Donovan
Stephan Elliott
Opening theme"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
Composer Gloria Gaynor
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes14
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production company FremantleMedia Australia
Original release
Network Network Ten
Release21 August (2012-08-21) 
23 October 2012 (2012-10-23)

I Will Survive is an Australian talent show-themed television series that premiered on Network Ten on 21 August 2012. [1] The premise of the show is to search for a new, unknown talent to perform in the Broadway production of the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . [2] Due to the Broadway theatre production closing in June 2012, the prize has been amended to another performance on Broadway, along with a $250,000 cash prize. [3] The title of the show is derived from the title of a song in the production, "I Will Survive", originally sung by Gloria Gaynor. [4]

Contents

I Will Survive was hosted by actor and singer Hugh Sheridan, [5] and featured judges Jason Donovan, who played Tick in the West End theatre production of the show, and Stephan Elliott, the director of the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . [6] [7]

Format

I Will Survive searches for a "triple threat" performer, proficient in the disciplines of acting, singing, and dancing, to portray a drag queen as based on the hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . The show starts with open auditions, with the most talented performers joining the famous Priscilla bus, retracing the steps of the movie, from Sydney to Alice Springs, performing at outback locations on the way. [2]

Top 12 contestants

NameAgeOccupationPortrayed asStatus
Michael Snell28Dance InstructorWants to be Leading ManWinner
Tom Sharah24Cabaret PerformerThe StarRunner-Up
Nathan Foley 32Former Hi-5 memberReinventing himself3rd Place
Rohan Seinor42Mine WorkerLight hearted/Funny4th Place
Stephen Mahy 29 Performer Win at all costs5th Place
Brendan Hanson39Performing Arts TeacherLoving father6th Place
Matt McFarlane28Former Australian rules football PlayerMusical Theatre Type7th Place
Adrian Espulso23 Mechanic The Underdog8th Place
Davin Griffiths-Jones25Former Child StarThe Bitchy Villain9th Place
Jamie Jewell43 Costume Designer Drama Queen10th Place
Frank Kerr22Weekend Radio AnnouncerNice Guy11th Place
Sean Perez23 Luna Park EntertainerCry Baby12th Place

Challenges

Contestants12345678910
MichaelSAFESAFEBottom 3SAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEBottom 2WINNER
TomSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEBottom 3SAFESAFESAFEOUT
NathanSAFESAFESAFEBottom 3SAFESAFEBottom 3SAFESAFEOUT
RohanSAFEBottom 3SAFESAFESAFEBottom 3SAFEBottom 2OUT
StephenSAFESAFESAFESAFEBottom 3SAFEBottom 3OUT
BrendanSAFESAFESAFEBottom 3SAFESAFEOUT
MattBottom 3SAFESAFESAFEBottom 3OUT
AdrianSAFESAFEBottom 3SAFEOUT
DavinSAFEBottom 3SAFEOUT
JamieSAFESAFEOUT
FrankBottom 3OUT
SeanOUT

Ratings

EpisodeOriginal airdateTimeslotViewers
Episode 121 August 2012Tuesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm506,000 [8]
Episode 222 August 2012Wednesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm427,000 [9]
Episode 328 August 2012Tuesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm364,000 [10]
Episode 429 August 2012Wednesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm360,000 [11]
Episode 54 September 2012Tuesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm391,000 [12]
Episode 65 September 2012Wednesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm338,000 [13]
Episode 711 September 2012Tuesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm336,000 [14]
Episode 812 September 2012Wednesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm281,000 [15]
Episode 918 September 2012Tuesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm358,000 [16]
Episode 1025 September 2012Tuesday 7:30 pm8:30 pm277,000 [17]
Episode 112 October 2012
Episode 129 October 2012
Episode 1316 October 2012
Episode 1423 October 2012

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Donovan</span> Australian actor and singer

Jason Sean Donovan is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap Neighbours, playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records. His debut album Ten Good Reasons was the highest-selling album in the UK in 1989, with sales of over 1.5 million. He has had Four UK No. 1 singles. He has also appeared in several stage musicals, most prominently in the lead role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the early 1990s.

<i>The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert</i> 1994 Australian film by Stephan Elliott

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a 1994 Australian road comedy film written and directed by Stephan Elliott. The plot follows three drag queens, played by Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp, as they journey across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus that they have named "Priscilla", along the way encountering various groups and individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey Donovan (singer)</span> Australian singer-songwriter and actress (born 1988)

Casey Donovan is an Australian singer, songwriter, actress, theatre actress and author, best known for winning the second season of the singing competition show Australian Idol in 2004. She won the competition at the age of just 16, becoming the series' youngest winner. In 2017, Donovan won the third series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. Donovan also hosted the NITV music show Fusion with Casey Donovan.

<i>The X Factor</i> (Australian TV series) Australian TV series

The X Factor is an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent. The first season of the show premiered on Network Ten on 6 February 2005. Ten dropped The X Factor after the first season due to its poor ratings. In 2010, the Seven Network won the rights to the show, and a second season went into production. The X Factor was renewed after the highly successful Australian Idol was no longer broadcast on Network Ten. The X Factor was produced by FremantleMedia Australia, and was broadcast on the Seven Network in Australia and on TV3 in New Zealand. The program was cancelled after its eighth season in 2016.

Jason Stephens is an Australian actor and comedian. He was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne and signed up as a writer on the second season of the ABC comedy The D-Generation (1987), before graduating to the role of writer/performer on the latter years of D-Gen's Triple M radio show (1990–1992). Stephens also performed with Tony Martin, Mick Molloy and John Harrison on the 1991 radio show Bulltwang and was a writer/performer on the D-Gen's subsequent TV venture, The Late Show (1992–1993). Along with Mick Molloy, Stephens hosted the Late Show segment Muckrakers. After The Late Show ended, Stephens became involved in other TV comedy programmes, including a stint as director on the Network Ten comedy Totally Full Frontal (1998). From 2004 - 2014 Stephens worked as the creative director for FremantleMedia Australia, one of Australia's leading independent television production companies.

<i>Priscilla, Queen of the Desert</i> (musical) 2006 musical by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a jukebox musical with book by Australian film director-writer Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, using well-known pop songs as its score. Adapted from Elliott's 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the musical tells the story of two drag queens and a trans woman, who contract to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Springs, a resort town in the remote Australian desert. As they head west from Sydney aboard their lavender bus, Priscilla, the three friends come to the forefront of a comedy of errors, encountering a number of strange characters, as well as incidents of homophobia, while widening comfort zones and finding new horizons.

<i>So You Think You Can Dance Australia</i> Australian reality TV programme

So You Think You Can Dance Australia is an Australian version of the American reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance. The show is hosted by Carrie Bickmore, with judges Paula Abdul, Shannon Holtzapffel, Jason Gilkison and Aaron Cash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kat Stewart</span> Australian actress

Katherine Louise Stewart is an AACTA and Logie Award-winning Australian actress who has made numerous appearances in television series, movies and on-stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugh Sheridan</span> Australian actor and singer

Hugh Sheridan is an Australian actor, singer, and television presenter who is known for his role as Ben Rafter in the television series Packed to the Rafters. Sheridan is a four-time Logie Award winner, in the Logie Award for Most Popular Actor category.

Tony Sheldon is an Australian actor and singer, best known for his work in theatre, especially his role as Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He is also a writer.

<i>Beauty and the Geek Australia</i> Australian reality television series

Beauty and the Geek Australia is an Australian reality television show that follows a group of "Beauties" "Geeks" who must pair up to compete in challenges to survive episodic elimination. The final pair remaining is declared as being "More than a Beauty and a Geek" and wins the grand prize of $100,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Ashley</span> Australian actor

Trevor Ashley is an Australian musical theatre actor, cabaret, and drag artist based in Sydney. He also has appeared on television in The Very Trevor Ashley Show.

<i>The X Factor</i> (Australian TV series) season 2 Season of television series

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a recording contract with record label Sony Music Australia. The second season premiered on the Seven Network on 30 August 2010 and ended on 22 November 2010. The winner was Altiyan Childs and his debut single "Somewhere in the World" was released after the final. Childs was mentored throughout by Ronan Keating, who won as mentor for the first time. The season was presented by Luke Jacobz, while spin-off show The Xtra Factor was hosted by Natalie Garonzi on 7Two. The show was originally to be hosted by actor Matthew Newton, however, he was forced to withdraw as host during production after an altercation with his former girlfriend Rachael Taylor and re-admitting himself to rehab. Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia, Keating and Kyle Sandilands who is the additional fourth judge joined the judging panel as replacements for former judges, Mark Holden, Kate Ceberano and John Reid.

<i>The X Factor</i> (Australian TV series) season 3 Australian season of television series

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a management contract and a Sony Music Australia recording contract. The third season premiered on the Seven Network on 29 August 2011 and ended on 22 November 2011. The winner was Reece Mastin and his debut single "Good Night" was released after the final. Mastin was mentored throughout by Guy Sebastian, who won as mentor for the first time. There was only a one percent difference in the votes between Mastin and runner-up Andrew Wishart. The season was presented by Luke Jacobz. Ronan Keating and Sebastian were the only judges from the previous season who returned, while Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Mel B joined the judging panel as replacements for former judges, Natalie Imbruglia and Kyle Sandilands.

<i>The X Factor</i> (Australian TV series) season 4 Season of television series

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a Sony Music Australia recording contract and a new car. The fourth season premiered on the Seven Network on 20 August 2012 and ended on 20 November 2012. The winner was Samantha Jade and her winner's single "What You've Done to Me" was released after the final. Jade was mentored throughout by Guy Sebastian, who won as mentor for the second year in a row. The main live shows was presented by Luke Jacobz, while season three finalist Johnny Ruffo presented the digital live streaming show The X Stream. Mel B, Guy Sebastian, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Ronan Keating returned as judges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Collective (band)</span> Australian boy band

The Collective were an Australian boy band consisting of members Trent Bell, Julian De Vizio, Zach Russell, Jayden Sierra and Will Singe. They were formed during the fourth season of The X Factor Australia in 2012 and were the last contestant eliminated. The Collective subsequently signed with Sony Music Australia and released their debut single "Surrender", which debuted at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. The group's self-titled album, The Collective, was released in December 2012 and debuted at number 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The Collective disbanded in 2015 to pursue solo careers.

<i>The X Factor</i> (Australian TV series) season 5 Season of television series

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a Sony Music Australia recording contract and a management deal. The fifth season premiered on the Seven Network on 29 July 2013 and ended on 28 October 2013. The winner was Dami Im and her winner's single "Alive" was released after the final. Im was mentored throughout by Dannii Minogue, who won as mentor for the first time on the Australian series, and third overall. The show was presented by Luke Jacobz, and Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte returned as judges. Minogue and Redfoo joined the judging panel as replacements for former judges, Mel B and Guy Sebastian.

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a Sony Music Australia recording contract. The seventh season premiered on the Seven Network on 13 September 2015 and concluded on 24 November 2015. Luke Jacobz returned as the host of the show. Dannii Minogue was the only judge from the previous season who returned, while Redfoo, Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte were replaced by former judge Guy Sebastian, as well as new judges James Blunt and Chris Isaak. The winner was Cyrus Villanueva and his winner's single "Stone" was released after the final. He was mentored by Isaak, who won as mentor for the first time.

<i>The X Factor</i> (Australian TV series) season 8 Season of television series

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original British version, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a Sony Music Australia recording contract. The eighth season, branded as X Factor: Next Generation, premiered on Seven Network on 3 October 2016. Jason Dundas replaced Luke Jacobz as host; with the judging panel consisting of Mel B, Guy Sebastian, Iggy Azalea and Adam Lambert. The winner was Isaiah Firebrace and his winner's single "It's Gotta Be You" was released after the final. He was mentored by Lambert, who won as mentor for the first and only time.

Pam Barnes is an Australian television producer and industry veteran who has worked on various Australian television programs for over forty years.

References

  1. "Airdate: I Will Survive | TV Tonight".
  2. 1 2 "TEN talent search for I Will Survive | TV Tonight".
  3. "TEN to amend I Will Survive prize as Priscilla announces Broadway closure | TV Tonight".
  4. "I Will Survive: Channel TEN announces impressive prizes for reality talent show | News". 18 April 2012.
  5. "Hugh Sheridan to host I Will Survive for TEN | TV Tonight".
  6. "Jason Donovan confirmed as I Will Survive judge | TV Tonight".
  7. "Jason Donovan - Priscilla Queen of the Desert". Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  8. "Soft start for I Will Survive | TV Tonight".
  9. "Seven sings strong with X Factor | TV Tonight".
  10. "Throng.com.au". ww17.throng.com.au.
  11. "Throng.com.au". ww17.throng.com.au.
  12. "Seven doubles TEN as X Factor rules | TV Tonight".
  13. "Dallas is a switch-off | TV Tonight".
  14. "X Factor hits season high, I Will Survive beaten by SBS. | TV Tonight".
  15. "I Will Survive, now beaten by SBS and 7TWO. | TV Tonight".
  16. "Throng.com.au". ww17.throng.com.au.
  17. "Throng.com.au". ww17.throng.com.au.