Channel 10 has announced it’s axing mid-morning chat show, The Circle.
The show’s final episode will be this Friday – August 3. After next week the time slot will be filled by content mainly from the US. In a statement, Channel 10 said:
Network Ten today announced changes to the morning program line-up on TEN. From Monday, August 6, TEN will add four new programs:
The Circle’s original hosts
- The Talk: A weekday talk show that offers a female perspective on the day’s headlines. Created and hosted by Sara Gilbert, The Talk has become one of the fastest-growing talk shows on daytime television in the United States since its launch in 2010.
- TEN Morning News: Hosted by Ron Wilson, TEN Morning News will cover the latest breaking news and the emerging news stories/issues of the day, adding to TEN’s comprehensive news service from breakfast to bedtime.
- Entertainment Tonight: An institution in the world of entertainment television, Entertainment Tonight has for the past 41 years offered viewers the latest news events, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes first looks and Hollywood’s hottest stories.
- The Insider: Spun out of Entertainment Tonight eight years ago, The Insider takes viewers inside Hollywood, with exclusive interviews and all the news on the hot trends and events in entertainment.
As a result of the introduction of TEN’s new morning line-up, production of The Circle will cease on Friday, August 3.
Regular MM columnist and semi-regular co-host of The Circle, Em Rusciano wrote this for Mamamia, upon hearing the news:
I’m sad. Proper sad. Like lapsing into a Nutella induced coma sad.
Em Rusciano
I’m also angry. Proper angry. Like the wrath of a thousand suns burning in the depths of hell angry.
Today Channel Ten made the decision to axe their morning program The Circle. I happen to work on The Circle once a week – so this piece will absolutely be biased, I make no bones about it – I LOVE The Circle, hard.
Here was a program that allowed articulate, smart women (plus Colin Lane, Steve Vizard and Lawrence Mooney) of all ages/races/religions to openly speak their mind on topics that ranged from “Libya to Labia” (Copyright Mia Freedman.)
A program made and produced in Melbourne by a team so special I don’t even know where to begin. Pam Barnes the Executive Producer is one of the most impressive women who has ever walked the face of this earth; her right hand woman Mim Stacey – equally as rad. Two intelligent, strong, talented and driven women, making a show that provoked debate, informed and at times challenged people.
What the hell? WHAT THE HELL?
To replace The Circle with a US chat show, plus not one but two gossip shows is a little insulting. Is that what you guys want? For those of you who are home at that time of the day due to shift work/parenting duties/school or age, is that what you want? Is it?
There has been a public outcry of sorts since the announcement this morning, a “save The Circle” Facebook page has been set up and plenty of “twitter celebs” have been having their say. The thing is, the public seemed to give up on The Circle around 6 months ago and now it’s gone, a few are lamenting the loss of what they once had.
[Text continues after the gallery.]
The Circle
After perusing some of the supportive tweets and comments I admit I felt like screaming at the thunderous clouds “where were you all when we needed you?” Scarlet O’Hara style.
The show deserved better than what it got. Yes Chrissie left and yes Yumi said something insensitive but that didn’t change the bones of the show. It didn’t change the intent of the show and it didn’t change it’s pioneering format
Gorgi Coglan and Yumi Stynes are two of my most favourite people in the whole world, they really cared about their jobs. They decided what went on the show each day – it wasn’t a case of just show up read the research and leave – both girls were invested in the show. I am sorry for them.
- I am also very sorry for the heart and soul of The Circle; the behind the scenes team, some good people lost their jobs today. A quality program was made because of the quality production and technical staff behind it, it is by far the most supportive and professional environment I have ever been in.
I was tempted to turn this bit of writing into a rant about women on TV, treating the public like morons and challenging us through programming but I’m just too deflated at the present time.
I guess I just wanted you all to know that this matters. This decision matters, it will change people’s lives and re-work the Australian Television landscape.
All I ask is that you lot – the viewers – demand more from all the networks. You deserve better than the generic US television that appears to be suffocating our free-to-air channels. You deserve entertainment, information and damn it you deserve ahh bras!
Em Rusciano appears on Network Ten’s ’The Project’, she also regularly hosted The Circle until today’s sad announcement. You should follow her on Twitter here and take a look at her website here.
Did you ever watch The Circle? Women’s talk shows like this have been notoriously unpopular in Australia – why do you think this is the case?
Comments
234 Comments so far
Eight months on – do I wish there was something intelligent to hear and see in the AM. The Circle still missed every day, so much to appreciate in it. Bring back Chrissie and all the others – no more Worms, thanks. Miss the charming chefs who made it a delight as well.
It was far too clever for humorless, myopic channel ten boffins. Hope the fabulous Pam has found something even greater to occupy her talents. Go Pam!
Ros
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Chrissie was The Circle, she made the show…she’s down to earth and so damn funny. I only watched it to hear what comment she was going to make about any topic….
Yumi made a mistake, let those that have never made mistakes cast the first stone!!
Who were the rest of them???? Chrissie needs a decent talk show….I love her and she makes me LAUGH!!
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The Circle irrepairably lost it’s way earlier this year when Chrissie left ( she was the heart of the show ) and Styne in an act of insanity decided to use her show as a platform for her ” pacifist ” beliefs to bogan slag an honourable man, aka Ben Roberts Smith VC and then compounded it with one of the worst public apology attempts ever.
…Screw ‘em.
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Cam, she just responded to Gorgi’s comment that the picture of him in his jocks and tats was the “perfect embodiment of masculinity” by saying he looked stupid. If he’s brave enough to face bullets and pose for Channel 7 and Men’s Health covers, its nor unreasonable for a women’s chat show to play hot-or-not. What would be unacceptable would be to question his virility because of IVF, as reported by the tabloids. 1) Stynes never made any statements about sexuality, only Negus did and 2) Negus’ comments were taken out of context (he had specifically said he was not referring to Roberts-Smith personally when questioning whether buff blokes were up to it in the sack (i.e because they were more interested in their own bodies than their partners). Stynes’ apology was bad because she’d done nothing wrong except give fuel to the tabloids (who themselves made the disgusting link to IVF) to kick-off a witch-hunt based on a false premise (that Stynes had called Roberts-Smith a dud root because he’d used IVF).
The Circle made it’s money from selling vacuum cleaners and diet drinks but the tabloids make their money from getting people angry through lies and exaggeration.
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The Circle was a brilliant show !! my partner and i are very disappointed that the show has been replaced by US talk shows !! HELLO PRODUCERS OF CHANNEL 10 !! WAKE UP !! who cares if “The Talk” was a fast-growing talk show !! there are men and women that would rather watch The Circle than US trash !! we are Australian !! Why compare the Circle with the rest of the world when its clearly unique and Australian !! you’ve lost 4 viewers of channel 10 !! channel 9 is clearly improving more and more !!
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I am not a viewer of channel Ten any more since you dropped the circle a show for everyone. Why dont you drop the breakfast show horrible man who isnt even from Australia..I am 71 years old and have never missed the circle.
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Well channel 10 you have list me! I can’t understand why the hell you would axe such an amazing show? I am very sad…
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I’m disappointed ‘The Circle’ has been axed … but replaced by an American show with little relevance to us ? I liked Yumi .. Yep she did ‘shoot from the hip’ but that’s what makes her fun .. some of you girls are so harsh
Re-run ‘The Project’ I say!
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Chrissie Swan will be Australia’s answer to Oprah – no doubt…..as she builds her branding of herself up she will have her own talk show one day..women are not intimidated by her. Women identify with her “faults”..my prediction ! Yumi alienates people so I can’t see longevity for her in the media industry – her brand seems to be superior to the average mum, you can’t relate to her. Gorgi is great but kind of lost on talk shows I don’t know where she fits in…
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I LOVED The Circle. I especially loved Chrissie and Gorgi. But I loved the way all of the hosts and co-hosts worked together. i am very sad it has been cancelled. Unfortunately due to my daughter starting school and me helping out at school and also working part time, I wasn’t able to watch The Circle very often anymore. I am glad it was there when I was home with small children. so sad that a decent Australian show that covered topics relevant to Australian families was replaced with more mindless US programming. Not happy, channel 10!
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They lost a lot of viewers and many of their sponsors because of the Yumi half wit, so what else
can they do.
More viewers and sponsors will now return to channel 10
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I cannot believe that Channel Ten would axe The Circle for that bunch of American trash…absolute TRASH!!!!
I WILL NOT BE WATCHING CHANNEL TEN IN THE MORNING ANYMORE.
What kind of FOOL made that decision?
BRING BACK THE AUSTRALIAN SHOW with AUSTRALIAN CONTENT THAT WE ALL LOVE AND RELATE TO!!
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I loved the Circle. Can’t believe it has been axed! I loved Yumi especially. The other morning programs are crap. Hope the girls go on to bigger and better things x
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Why do we have to have our air-ways polluted by another American talk show! I loved the Circle,it was informative and related to the Australian audience wether young or old. Please channel 10 bring it back!
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I just saw that The Circle is no longer on tv I think it’s a horible thing to happen what are all us women meant to watch now and put out opinion about things that go on in aus plus it was a great show to watch with plenty of laughs
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As a fourty something woman, I am well educated, well travelled and some may say well heeled. I find the most off putting, irritating thing about morning tv is the info mercials, why do we get double dipped with the advertising? Men’s sports shows wouldn’t fly with that concept. If I can be free of those dratted infomercials, bye bye ‘The Circle’ I am happy to have one channel infomercial free with my morning coffee. Sorry Em I find the flogging of naff the like of Ahh bras, make me want to scream ‘ahhhh’.
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Love the Circle!!!!
Yumi is fantastic!!! some people just need to harden up.
Shame on you channel ten for takng this show off air and replacing it with some more american crap tv.
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I loved The Circle, however I’m going to be honest and say that I did lose interest when Chrissy left and had to make an effort to watch after Yumi’s insensitive statement. I think the ratings suffered when 9′s Mornings started. I watched that instead.
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P.s channel ten has nothing good on anymore. The only thing i watch is offspring. The rest is crap. Get some better shows. Hope they axe the project aswell. Carrie bichmore is such a drag.
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The circle was a rubbish show. I watched it a few times in the begining as my friend told me to. could not stand it. Its got no pizzaz. It just suxed. Yumi was not the right person for the show. I would rather watch a cat getting run over.
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Yumi should have been dropped from the show after her awful comments made about the special forces soldier. This might have saved it. I personally didn’t want to watch it after that.
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I once loved the circle but once Yumi said what she did. I was disappointed and could not watch it anymore. There is so much crap on tv these days. Why do the networks think that we want to watch? Thank God for ABC
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Instead of replacing the show with yet more American trash, why not just do a re run of the previous night’s ‘The Project’? Far more entertaining and a better time slot for a lot of Mums.
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I have the last “The Circle” on as I write this and it defies logic that such a quality program should be allowed to slip away.
Channel 10 should die of embarrassment.
There are other shows that could have been axed before this one (that gave such pleasure to 62,000 people) and who were clearly not considered worthy enough to have a program that catered to their needs.
Generating goodwill amongst the viewing audience used to count for something and I fear that “The Project” will be the next casualty.
If a TV or Radio station wants to keep it’s audience across the day – it simply has to give something back.
The last 3 years in our industry have been worst ever, but don’t forget that this trend has affected everyone else too and there are many nervous, depressed, broke, sad and lonely people out there for whom TV and Radio is their only entertainment.
Channel 10 really COULD re-think this decision – it might actually attract even more viewer loyalty as a result !
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I can’t believe that Channel ten is choosing American drivel over those lovely ladies (and man) When I get a chance to watch tv I enjoyed The Circle – except for the relentless infomercials which were sooo annoying and prompted me to surf the channels.
I am sad that Ten has not at least tried to change the program format before axing such entertaining hosts!
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“Andrew Bolt has a short programme on Channel 10 on Sundays. It is noted that his programme is very popular in country areas, yet unfortunately many country areas are unable to receive Channel 10. As stated previously by Mrs Rinehart, Mrs Rinehart hopes that should Mr Bolt’s time permit, that he would consider longer programmes on Channel 10.””
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Every chance I’ve had I watch the show and when I work I watch the summary show on the weekends.
It is a great Australian show with real prople and real content, made to suit us – real people.
What’s this new line up going to offer us, but US trash. This is Australia not the US.
It is an end of era and ten clearly is losing touch with the viewers and what they want.
Thanks to everyone who works on the circle on and off the set.
Pia & Cooper
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They should have kept the Circle on and moved it to 6am. Sunrise and the Today show are crap.
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Very disappointing Ten! The Circle is the only decent show on morning television. Even with all of the “infomercials” it is a solid, entertaining show. The diversity of the presenters and the topics will be missed. Whats next, The Project? I think the decision makers need the axe….
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You have stuffed up channel ten. It was a good aussie program. Tim just said it will be back in a month. I will sign the petition. Until then I will be tuning into the radio
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Terrible news, the circle is by far the best mid morning show on tv. I can not believe channel 10 has decided to get rid of it.. Big mistake. Ive had a year off on maternity leave and the circle has been my show I get to sit down and have my breakfast while the baby is asleep.
I am very disappointed. My husband even watched it when he was home and would be laughing at Colin.. Channel 10 you have no idea what you have done.. NOT HAPPY!!!!
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A couple of days ago, and about 5 mins ago my posts on this site have disappeared……….I was writing about TV and radio……..’wonder if they’ll “pop up “?…………..lol.
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I love this show and the women. A bit of light in a serious world.
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I will really miss gorgi. She seems like such a wonderful put together person as a younger female I found myself really looking up to her. Yumi seems fun but I related to her less. Not a huge ‘ding dong’ fan I’ve attended social functions with her and she can be quite rude to wait staff etc. that is a pet peeve of mine as I believe all people deserve respect no matter what their role in society. I was happy when she left! I agree the show suffered because of all the infomercials. In the last 6 months its felt like at least half the time is ads plus ad in commercials and the girls got barely any air time!! If the ratings dropped its because people like me don’t need proactive, already have a steam mop and scull kitchen of pots and pans!
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Thanks for pointing those issues out Bonobo, Yumi was the victim of a witch hunt.
Australian TV, Radio and Film is really in the doldrums and I fear that the Americanisation of our media will creep ahead and all we’ll hear from the public is a pathetic whimper.
We desperately need shows like The Circle and for me it was a perfect mix of female voices.
Whoever expected great ratings from this morning show watched by a floating audience of mums, students, shift workers, the elderly, the bed-ridden, the patients in hospitals etc was truly unaware of how daytime TV factors in the lives of most viewers.
Nevertheless it’s a much needed program in our TV landscape and the Circle ticked all those boxes – except of course those long-winded “infomercials”…they tested our patience and provided a loo-break, that’s about it really. A necessary evil I’m afraid.
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Don’t believe everything you read in the tabloids. Yumi never made distasteful comments. Negus did. She just asked Negus to confirm it- “Are you, George Negus, intimating he is a dud root?”. The tabloids (and men in general, particularly in the ADF) find it easier to hate and insult Yumi than Negus. I think blokes subconsciously find it easier to attack a woman because they know she can’t come round and punch their faces in, whereas a man can). The worst Stynes said was that he looked dim- Channel7 did show him standing in his jocks and muscles and tatoos staring vacantly into the distance. His own mother could make such a joke and it wouldn’t be mean or distasteful.
Sad that even her defenders, including Mia Freedman, accept the tabloid version of events and say “I don’t condone what she said, but the response was disproportional, she made a mistake, move on.” She didn’t make a mistake. Her mistake was being an articulate, strong, attractive, Eurasian woman.
Now there is no morning show for women at home that does not feature a male host with a fawning female co-host.
At any rate, the ratings did not change much before or after Dud-root Gate. Ten just didn’t invest in new hosts, promotion or a decent lead-in show.
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Hi Yumi.
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Yumi has her fans.
Anything in there you disagree with, Two Dogs, or do you just like playing the man rather than the ball (like the tabloids)?
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No, Stynes made the comment ” He’s down there looking for his brain ” re Corporal Roberts Smith VC in the footage of him in the swimming pool.
She was attempting to ridicule him and failed…badly.
How many sponsers left the show because of her again ?
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Cam, if he’s brave enough to bare his chest to bullets, Channel 7 and Men’s Health cover shoots, he’s brave enough to have a woman’s show like The Circle call him “the perfect embodiment of masculinity” (Gorgi) and a himbo. (Stynes) Hardly outrageous or inappropriate. His own mother call say that (and probably did). What would be out of line would be to say he was a dud root because he used IVF (which is the story the tabloids tried to falsely pin on Stynes to incite hate and hurt).
The sponsors were replaced, the show continued for another 6 months and the ratings actually improved over that period (though Swann’s departure and the failure to invest in a replacement had caused an initial dive). Not to mention having Breakfast for a lead-in.
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Of all the infomercial riddled morning tv shows, The Circle was my favourite. A good mix of news, current affairs, parenting, and celebrity with a good pinch of humour. Unfortunately I can be counted among the few that seemed to give up on The Circle 6 months ago when baby number two arrived and my two year old required all of my tv watching attention. Such a shame.
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I have to say I couldn’t support the show as much as I liked- I am a casual teacher and a full time student. But I love it! And I am about to turn it on! And I know some of the camera crew and people who work on this show, who will now be out of work. Seriously, I am sick of American rubbish, I don’t want to be watching more American stuff, and I canNOT stand the hosts on the other morning shows (Larry aside).
I am angry and annoyed because, yes, people will be out of work and… I am annoyed!
Anyway. have a good show today Em.
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Um Channel Ten? You kind of suck. What you have done is to undervalue Australian Women’s Voices.
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I am going to sadly miss the circle very much!! It is the best show around and I can honestly say that I have seen Every Single Show yes I did miss Chrissie and denise dearly but the show is still awesome who couldn’t love Yumi Gorgi Meshel Colin Aleisha michalla George mc and Em. I feel like I know Chrissie yumi gorgi Denise very well. The show was very well though about Pam Barnes deserves a logie, being in the circle audience and meeting gorgi yumi Denise Chrissie is number 1 on my bucket list!! Love you all xxxxxxxx Im going to cry on Friday.
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Oh I wish someone would just axe that hideous Sonia Kruger woman.
I think she is a very unlikeable character.
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Well said Em!!! No one could have said it better!!!
I have been privileged to be a part of The Circle from the beginning of this year as one of their regular parenting presenters. This team is amazing! I have worked in TV for the past five years and have never come across a more dedicated, hardworking, funny, kind and welcoming cast and crew! Pam Barnes and Mim Stacey are true champions in my book and the cast and segment producers have just been brilliant to work with. Just an hour after my last segment on Monday’s show, I too received the devastating news that Ten management had pulled the pin on the show.
Ridiculous decision!! I am gutted! We need real, honest and funny presenters , and I always enjoyed having different co hosts! All were warm and engaging and that reflected in why viewers adore the show.
Channel Ten has made a woeful decision but a HUGE congratulations needs to go to the amazing and large team that made such a quality program come to life each day. It truly was a joy to work with this group!
Sharon Witt
Parenting Expert
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But not a ratings expert I see.
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Sorry, I loved the show’s content and some of the hosts, especially Chrissie, but I always ended up on a foxtel channel because I can’t stand the infomercials that are on every five minutes. Maybe if that format was fixed then more viewers would stick around. I believe it’s a false economy to sell advertising that way.
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Yep, me too. Can’t deal with the infomercials. Too much for me.
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I agree – good content, but too long waiting for the damn infomercials to end.
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I don’t get it. If infomercials are such “huge” money spinners for free to air teevee stations (as we’re led to believe) then why are they replacing The Circle and their infomercials with cheap US fluff? Sorry for The Circle gals and guys!
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I never gave up on the circle. Yes denise and chrissie left but I still enjoyed the show. I loved the rotation of guests hosts such as the delightful Em Rusciano, George McEnroe, Meshel Laurie, Fiona O, Colin, Lawrence, Glen….the list goes on and on and on. It felt like I was visiting with friends while I looked after my baby boy and did the house work. The circle family kept me company. It was nice! I certainly can not get that kind of interaction with American talk shows. I don’t even know what is on other channels. I guess I will be turning to morning radio from now on.
Thanks to everyone involved in the circle. You did a fantastic job and you have been badly treated. Channel 10 should be ashamed especially when they continue to air such shows as The Shire and some of the other rubbish that will be on our screens soon. I will right to the network Em, because I too am angry
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I loved the Circle – I am so sad. Working part-time let me get my morning fix on Mondays and Fridays. I have no interest in watching US chat show rubbish. Smart, interesting women (plus the hilarious Colin Lane), with opinions! Such a shame….
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I am so sad to see The Circle go. And like you Em, angry. Why should a show so choc-full of female talent be sacrificed for one man’s million-dollar contract? Inadvertent or not, Paul Henry you have a lot to answer for.
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i was never a big fan of the show, but sad to hear about people losing their jobs and more american crap on tv… why not replace it with” the conversation then” at least its a super entertaining show…
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oh, my, gosh. I cant beleive people are still hating on Yumi about a comment she once made!
Yes it was offensive and inconsiderate, but, she has apologised.
Move on people. Move. On.
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Sadly, we don’t get channel ten here so it doesn’t really affect me. However, I would definitely prefer Australian made talk shows over American ones.
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I have always been a huge fan of Yumi Stynes – ever since she won the competition to become a presenter on Channel V. I love, love, love The Circle. It has been refreshing to see so many different shades of women (and occasionally men) on telly.
I feel that I don’t need to like all of them, to be interested in hearing their outlook, views, opinions.
A real shame to lose what little personality there was left on australian tv.
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Not happy, Jan. Do we really need more American crap in our lives?!?! More Kardashians (however you spell the thing!), more overpaid actors acting up, more insults to our intelligence! NO. I will NOT be watching that crap.
To The Circle girls and guys, move on to bigger and better things
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