Qld: Voting opens for this year's TV Fugly Awards

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2007
Qld: Voting opens for this year's TV Fugly Awards

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, April 26 AAP - Bored by Big Brother and tired of Today Tonight?

Disgruntled viewers can now vote for the worst shows and stars on Australian television
as part of this year's TV Fugly Awards.

Started as a joke by Brisbane's Anthony Dever in 2002 as an alternative to the Logie
Awards, the Fuglies are designed to recognise the least loved programs and personalities
on the box.

In the five years since its conception, the online awards have attracted almost 87,000
votes, and this year have received more than 4,500 submissions to determine the latest
crop of nominees.

And for the first time, bookmakers will be taking bets in some categories on the winners.

Eight programs have been nominated for worst TV show, including Big Brother, Today
Tonight, Celebrity Dog School and David Tench Tonight.

Last year's big winner Darryl Somers has again been nominated for Worst Male TV Personality,
and is up against eight-time Fugly winner Eddie Maguire and Andrew G.

Worst Female TV Personality nominees include Gretel Killeen and The Biggest Loser's AJ Rochester.

Each year, following the closing of votes, Mr Dever flies to Melbourne and announces
the awards out the front of the Crown Casino, where the Logies are held.

To date, not one winner has turned up to accept their award.

Mr Dever said this year's winners would be announced on May 4, and he's expecting a
similar response.

"While there will be no red carpet and no overseas celebrities flown in a day before
to glamourise the event, we will try to get some fake applause sound effects and maybe
ensure 20 ex-Big brother housemates are in attendance to provide the necessary c-list
feel every awards night should have," Mr Dever said.

Viewers have until May 4 to cast their votes at www.fugly.com.au

AAP cf/pjo/ks/bwl

KEYWORD: FUGLIES

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.