Exhale that bated breath because the final announcement for The Project’s 2023 panel is here.
Next year, not one, but two homegrown stars will be joining Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald and Georgie Tunny on Australia’s iconic news and current affairs show.
Coming in hot to living rooms nationwide are comics Sam Taunton and Michael Hing, the talented 30-somethings bringing wit, banter, and a fresh take on the day’s news to the desk.
Between them, The Project’s six-strong line-up includes a junior golf champion, a New York-trained improv artist, a Walkley Award winner, an NRL nut, a former warzone reporter, and a Guinness World Record holder. If you think you know who’s who, get ready to be surprised.
Sam barrelled onto the stand-up comedy scene in 2017, scooping up newcomer nominations across the country – and he hasn’t slowed down since.
A regular on both The Project and the festival circuit, Sam knows how to pull a crowd and leave audiences wanting more with his cheeky routines.
Sam, who will join Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly at the desk Monday to Thursday, said: “I’m so excited and nervous to join The Project in 2023 (nervous mainly because they’re handing down Carrie’s wardrobe to me and I’m not sure I can pull it off).”
“It’s a fresh cast and we’re all looking forward to creating something new and energetic that I think people will really respond to. I’m also excited to steal Waleed’s opinions and use them as my own at dinner parties.”
Comedian, broadcaster, gamer, actor, and a podcaster with a cult following, Michael Hing will pull up a pew on Friday and Sunday nights.
Michael has countless strings to his bow (and no, that’s not a reference to his Dungeons and Dragons comedy podcast).
From creating viral political satire videos to boasting a loyal listenership on Triple J Drive, his versality is matched only by his quick wit.
Michael said: “Honestly, I’m so thrilled to be joining Lisa, Pete and Carrie at The Project and look forward to getting to work with some of the biggest names in television! Wait, what?”
Read more from Sam Taunton and Michael Hing on 10 Play here.
Executive Producer, The Project, Chris Bendall, said: “Both Sam and Michael have been part of The Project’s extended family for a while and I am rapt we have locked them down for big new roles. Comedy is at the centre of what The Project does and given the news has never been more in need of a laugh, these two will make sure there is no better place to get your news and have fun while you do it.
“After the biggest shakeup in The Project’s history I am confident we now have the perfect line-up to launch into the new year. No matter what kind of day viewers have had, we’ll guarantee it will end with a smile. With our new team, I cannot wait to keep serving up the laughs in 2023.”
Network 10 Executive Producer, Tamara Simoneau, said: “What a dream team! We feel pretty lucky to have Sam and Michael completing our exciting new line-up with Waleed, Sarah, Hamish and Georgie for 2023. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with this crew after a long day?”
“Both experienced and in-demand stand-up comics, Sam and Michael will bring the laughs, but they’ve also got a few surprises up their sleeves. There’s a great chemistry with the new team already and we know Australia is going to love them.”
From experienced journalists to stand-up comedians and intellectual heavyweights, the eclectic panel will tease out the day’s issues with viewpoints just as diverse as the Aussies watching.
Be sure to join the conversation when The Project returns on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 6.30pm.
Media Release – Paramount
