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Reassessments: Jamie's got back
There's some media excitement today about the announcement that Jamie Durie will join Channel Seven, twirling on Dancing With The Stars and hosting a show called Australia's Best Backyards. We thought we should replay a report from this column of November 23, 2006, and the reader responses at the time. We still welcome your comments:
Cute factor earns Jamie an inside job
Jamie Durie spoke out yesterday for the first time since Channel Nine axed his show, Backyard Blitz. The normally diplomatic host, suddenly sporting a three-day beard and a forthright attitude, said Nine's explanation for ending the series -- because the home-renovation genre had been exhausted -- was "crap". He said he was "surprised to see it go ... I think Australians will always be very passionate about feathering their own nests, especially when it's in the great outdoors."
Durie was promoting his friend James Houston's project, MOVE for AIDS, a book and photographic exhibition of the world's top professional dancers, to be launched next Thursday. Of Backyard Blitz's demise, Durie said: "I think it's a bad move but, you know, I'm not in control of those things. I think you've only got to talk to any Australian out there. Everyone loves spending their two most favourite treasured days of the week in their backyard."
Although Durie said he had been offered another project with Nine, he's clearly chuffed with his newest gig - a regular spot on the Oprah Winfrey show in Chicago. He said his first appearance, this week, was "an incredible experience. [Oprah] is one of the most magnetic, charismatic women I've ever met and far more impressive in person than on television." Clearly, Oprah was equally impressed with the former Manpower dancer, exclaiming "The cute factor has doubled", as Durie joined the show's interior design expert, Nate Berkus, to discuss home renovations. (For more info on MOVE for AIDS contact the AIDS Trust of Australia, 02 9285 4420.)
Is Nine's assessment of Australian tastes correct, or is Jamie's?
We welcome your comments.
COMMENTS
Jamie is completely right, there is nothing better than getting out in your own patch of hard work, and I would much rather watch home grown inspiration anyday than Eddie's vision....Jamie and the Backyard crew were and are fantastic and will hopefully find a new home where they continue to help us create our own bit of heaven....
- by Robyn on November 23, 2006 at 07:32 AM
Another of Eddie's blunders, but he probably does not have to work in his own backyard anymore, just pays someone, it won't last forever Eddie.
- by ritomate on November 23, 2006 at 07:44 AM
I dont care, it's all such a load of cheap rubbish and he's a profoundly untalented and deluded man.
- by Stuart on November 23, 2006 at 07:54 AM
Must admit I am with Jamie on this one. I'd be canning the "reality" shows that are no more mentally stimulating than the women's mags full of the same stuff week after week. Go Jamie, you'll go far.
- by rubberducky on November 23, 2006 at 08:04 AM
Sorry, sick of seeing backyard makeovers UNLESS they intend ti revisit all the ones they did and see if these people actually managed to maintain these gardens or ripped out their mosquito-attracting water features.
- by David on November 23, 2006 at 08:31 AM
I agree Backyard Blitz is tired.
Same thing every week : Pergola + Pavers + $5K worth of new plants !
Time for something different.
- by Tug on November 23, 2006 at 08:45 AM
Nine is wrong.
It was great to see the BB team create lovely renovations for those who deserved some goodwill such as the children's hospital, families who were struggling due to illness or disabilities, people who had done a lot of good for their communities or charities.
In the current world environment is good to see people doing something nice for others. NIne doesn't think so.
- by Blah! on November 23, 2006 at 08:52 AM
I am really really disappointed at the axing of Backyard Blitz, it was one of my favourite shows. My partner and I always love watching home/garden renovation shows and it seems there are none left - bring them all back please.....
- by Tami on November 23, 2006 at 09:02 AM
BB could have continued to attract big ratings if Ch 9 hadn't stuffed around with it. After they moved it to Friday nights against Better Homes and Gardens, the lifestyle show audience was split. Returning it to Sunday nights didn't repair the damage immediately, but it wasn't given a chance to recover. Ch 9 yanked it off the air again to make way for the less successful 'Overhaul' and repeats of '20 to 1'. No respect.
- by J Bar on November 23, 2006 at 09:21 AM
Ho-hum, so the poor boy has been told to leave get off the cash-cow merry-go-round. I am sure somebody else will pick him up before he loses his 'cute' looks.
yes Kim, it was fairly obvious that the BB boys were only the project managers for thier so called make-overs. The real workers couldn't be caught on camera unless they were signed up celebrities of Eddie's
- by wombatman on November 23, 2006 at 09:26 AM
Nine was right on the money!-- Backyard Blitz was a snorefest.
Tired of these useless copycat shows -- time for something new
- by Ru Bella on November 23, 2006 at 09:39 AM
just want to say i love watching jamie durie... lol
- by loves Jamie on November 23, 2006 at 10:10 AM
So Eddie has boned another one. Poor old Eddie, the corporate lightweight, has a problem with people with real talent.
Maybe Eddie should have stuck to being a second rate quiz master.
- by Mark on November 23, 2006 at 10:13 AM
Jamie(dreary)Durie will go well in America as he has the right type of personality... fake and up himself!
Never did like him.
- by kj on November 23, 2006 at 10:38 AM
Kim, as long as the contractors were paid, what is the problem if they were acknowledged or not (unless there was a promise, and I'm not talking about as asumtion on the contractors part.) The public were smart enough to realise there were contractors and extra workers in the background.
I think Nine was right to axe it, unless they were going back to the origional where everyone had a chance to have their backyard done. I am sick of everyone needing a sob story. Yes, it is nice to help those who need it, but can't the rest of us have a nice suprise in their life every once in a while?
- by Sara on November 23, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Jamie's right another big mistake by Nine. The fact is Nine doesn't have a whole lot working right now and BB was doing just fine.
Their are plenty of worse shows on TV that just keep on going.
Good Luck Jamie
- by kookyidea on November 23, 2006 at 12:09 PM
As a landscape professional i was always very dubious of the workmanship on the show. How can you realistically create a garden or landscape of any quality or longevity in two days. I'm sure there are some very shody and unsafe BB gardens out there.
Glad to see the show go
- by Richard on November 23, 2006 at 12:13 PM
...I agree with Eddie. These fake makeovers have passed their use by dates. They were getting more and more repetitive. Not only that, it is possible alert Aussies are waking up to pathetic sob stories and totally irrelevant shock exposes on the visual media.no wonder the internet and cable TV are picking up so well.
- by atilla dahun on November 23, 2006 at 01:10 PM
thats right eddie, time to get rid of another show making original content to make way for more 20-1 style recycling.
wait for eddie's newest shows,
10 - 1,
25 years of channel nine,
50-1 for when its raining in the cricket
and for the lunch breaks in the cricket 5-1
- by john on November 23, 2006 at 01:28 PM
I agree with Jamie - this is indeed crap! I am sorry to see the show go when there are so many others that should be axed before Blitz. Personally I found it inspiring to watch and saw some really creative ideas (and gorgeous Jamie to boot!) Thumbs down Eddie and all the best to Jamie & Co. I will miss you :(
- by Helen on November 23, 2006 at 02:04 PM
Typical, you let your best and talented go to America.
- by Yankhere on November 23, 2006 at 03:11 PM
From an entertainment POV I always enjoy a good renovation show and particularly love the English versions like Property Ladder here the host gets to point out to the renovator all the dumb things they are doing.
I did enjoy BB for what is was never believing for a minute that ll that work could be done by four people and a dog (is that the one with the dog?) in two days.
But my all time fave is The Block. it was soap opera and renovation and gardens all rolled into one. Bring Back The Block!!!
- by TheWatcher on November 23, 2006 at 04:22 PM
First Kerry Packer, then Steve Irwin, then Peter Brock, then Alan Jones, and now Jamie Drury. All gone, what next - how much are we supposed take? It's enough to make me want to become a mufti.
- by Arthur on November 23, 2006 at 06:24 PM
I am so sick of backyeard Blitz - YES - it was time to GO!! Lets face it - There can't be too many gardens left in this country that havent been 'done' by Jamie and crew.
What I love now is show that tells me inteligent stuff about my garden - what to do, what to grow - GARDENING AUSTRALIA is wonderful! But I really miss BURKES BACKYARD!! BRING BACK THE DON!
- by Jess Purrier on November 24, 2006 at 09:06 AM
BB did a lot for raising the profile of the outdoors - enthusing people with ideas and ways of how to apply different things to their own backyards. I thought axing the show was a HUGE mistake. Compared to the crap that's on now, I'll be sticking to my computer on Sunday nights, and won't even bother turning on the TV.
For goodness sake - it's only an hour show - there's only so much you can do. People expect some kind of "miracle step-by-step" how to do it - crikey!
For the critics out there who think Jamie and his team could have done better - get up off your behinds,prove it and do it yourself!
- by Outdoors Convert on November 24, 2006 at 09:28 AM
Tired television concept hosted by fluff bites the dust.
As an occasional piece of TV Backyard Blitz was fine but week-in and week-out proves eminently resistable. What sort of premise was it - just remind me - something about "the owner has gone off on holiday and we've got 61 hours to turn this backyard into Kew Gardens and when the owner returns Jamie will hold the tissues while the owner weeps".
The real show is Gardening Australia on the ABC.
- by david @ wahroonga on January 19, 2007 at 07:45 AM
Jamie and his elk are responsible for the spread of minature trimmed headges. Sydney is full of boring gardens. Noone is growing flowers..thanks for nothing Jamie!
- by Jane Marden on January 19, 2007 at 12:13 PM
'Gardening Australia' is a real gardening show - it teaches you what you need to know. Backyard Blitz was for Jamie et al to show off and receive accolades from apparently greatful 'battlers'. Yeah, a 'battler' who owns a four bedroom house in a nice suburb gets a free garden. Such crud.
Tribal Mind asks: Thanks for the comment, Dean. Can I ask how you happened upon this report on Saturday February 17, 2007, when it was originally published three months ago? I am always fascinated by the afterlife given to stories by the internet, and I wonder what part of virtual heaven now contains that tiny slice of history.
- by Dean on February 17, 2007 at 12:42 PM
BB was better than the rubbish we are seeing now. Rich List, that other 1 against 100 thing with Eddie himself. Have to say I only watched one show and lost interest. Seen one get rich quick show, seen 'em' all. Only one good thing about them, my kids don't watch as much tele now. Thanks Eddie
- by Ky on February 28, 2007 at 06:41 AM
Backyard Blitz never revisited the gardens they did for a reason - my husband works landscape maintenance and has had the joy of cleaning up these supposed instant fix gardens. Jamie Durie is the most untalented landscape designer in Australia with really only his previous "exotic dancing" career to propel him forward. I'm glad the US have him now - they deserve him!
- by Lucy on May 15, 2007 at 03:44 PM
TV is a business where ratings matter in dollar terms. It has nothing to do with whether the public like the show or not. I personally would have loved a makeover by BB as I've had someone steal the last few years of my life and money rendering it impossible to spend anything in or enjoy my garden at all. The show was Australian and absolutely enjoyable to watch. Let's not confuse the two issues though because in the end, without the ratings they don't survive. Wherever Jamie goes he will do well and he's a joy to watch. The decision to axe the show was made no doubt for good reason but it's very disappointing.
- by Danielle on September 09, 2007 at 04:30 PM
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Backyard Blits was a con. They would turn up and pretend to do all the work while the real contractors got little or no recognition. Westmead Childrens Hospital is a classic. Contractors, small companies and their employees worked for nearly a year building the pirate ship etc. BB rocked up, did the show, claimed all the credit and did not even acknowledge the 'little guys'.
And to add insult to injury, its BB's name on the wall of fame, Aspect Engineering and other contractors are not even mentioned. SHAME BB!!!