Despite being short-listed as a replacement for talk show host Conan O’Brien, the Aussie comic yesterday laughed off losing the Late Night role to Saturday Night Live regular Jimmy Fallon.

Flattered to have been considered at all, McManus told Confidential he still planned to keep working towards his American TV dream.

“You never know I could end up the (winter Olympian) Stephen Bradbury of tonight shows,” McManus joked. “If someone falls over and hurts themselves I might be in with a chance,” he said.

Speaking last night ahead of the first of two shows at the Enmore, McManus added: “I have always said I would be happy to stay in Australia and do our show, but we’ll keep building relationships in the US just to keep life interesting.”

I understand the need to sensationalize. I understand the need to create publicity and speculation and report on what is in this case the downunderdog. I work in advertising; I get it. However, can’t we do a good job when we do it? Shouldn’t Peta Hellard know which Jimmy is which? Where is the fact checker? Proofer? Any intelligent person who read the original Variety article would be able to make the distinction between speculation actually being considered. That’s not to say that Rove wasn’t being considered. He may very well have been, but I believe it was early on in this controversial casting process.

We arrived 10 minutes late as the streets around the studios are extremely complicated to manoeuvre around. We finally parked the car, and were greeted at a side entrance gate which went through into a large indoor tent which sort of looked like a tent bar at the races. We sat for about 10 minutes before being called up to walk to the back alleyway where we waited for another 5 minutes before then being led through to the studio and our seats.

The Set and Studio
At first you cannot see the main set (see diagram to right), all you can see is a faux outdoor sheltered walkway which I believe is featured in the show occasionally. After a minute or so Kynan Barker the audience warm-up guy comes out to entertain the crowd while the crew get ready for the taping. After some applause coaching and what I guess are the same jokes he says to every audience he gets ready to intro Rove…

Rove
Kynan introduces Rove as he runs out through the door waving and smiling to big applause from the crowd. The crowd seemed quite excited and a maybe even a little star struck when he came out. Finally the faux outdoor walkway is folded away mechanically, which is quite funny as it makes quite a bit of noise to which Rove called it ‘a peice of crap’.

Continue Reading after the jump…

Taping the Show
After taking a few questions and joking around the taping starts, new kids this year… and they don’t tape episodes as such but contestants. So the kids and Rove all wear the same clothing for each taping so episodes can be made from different tapings.

Of course the big downside to the set would be that you are looking at the back of Rove and the contestant’s heads the entire time. There is a large screen you can watch to see is happening though (you are discouraged from looking at it though).

There seems to much more time sitting around listening and watching Rove and Kynan joke around than actual taping, which I prefered anyway. The amount of applause the audience does is quite extrodinary and as such it’s hard to hear Rove, the contestants or even the kids much of the time over the applause.

Kynan coaches the Applause from behind the cameras.

The “Incident”
The problem with on street parking at a taping is the meter ran out and had to be refilled so as I walked down the stairs to be escorted outside, I accidentally tripped on the tiny steps and to regain my balance I had to walk quicker. I embarrassing made quite a racket but luckily Rove was backstage at the time, otherwise I would be even more embarrassed. A security guard whispered to be more careful next time. I think I realised that myself.

Tid bits…
I won’t reveal spoilers because that is unfair to those who want to watch however there will be at least one celebrity appear on the new season of 5th Grader. There was one at this taping, so probably more in other tapings.

Also… Rove is small.

Finally
Overall it was great fun, it started at about 2.30 and finished at around 5.45 and Rove was out with the audience most of the time so you do get plenty of time of Rove’s mucking around which relieves the monotomy of taping.

If you want pure entertainment this isn’t the taping for you, but if you like the show or just Rove in general it’s great fun. Thanks to the rep from Roving Enterprises for getting me in.

[...]some press in Oz are reporting that Rove “failed” to land the hosting gig on Late Night after NBC confirmed it would go to Jimmy Fallon when Conan O’Brien exits (the Herald Sun actually couldn’t decide whether it was Jimmy Fallon or Jimmy Kimmel). For the record I don’t ever recall seeing any quotes from McManus that he was actively pursuing this, but that’s not to say there weren’t manouvers behind the scenes.

This news was effectively out some weeks ago.

Rove may have opportunities in the states but ‘Late Night’ was never one of them. Fallon had this gig basically sealed for at least a year.

Gold Logie Winner Kate Ritchie

Then on Sunday 25th of May the guest line up includes… Sarah Jessica Parker, The Chaser Boys, Julia Morris, and Vanessa Amorisi performing her new single “Perfect”. H/T: TV Tonight

The big problem may be the fact that Rove starts at 9.00pm (or later if BB runs over) and the other networks start programs at 8.30.

[...] with Rove McManus stating that he’ll be found propping up the bar at Ten’s post-Logies drinks once the formalities are over. But, like Ritchie, he must make it through the formalities without over indulging, given his Gold nomination.

The comedian, a three-time Gold Logie winner, says he’s not fussed about the outcome this year, his place on the nominations list enough reward.

“Once you’re in the loop, you don’t want to slip off,” he says. “Winning is not as important as knowing you’re in that top eight.”

While McManus is still undecided as to who he’ll be wearing, he knows who’ll be on his arm, new girlfriend and actress Tasma Walton. “We’re both a little bit nervous actually – it’ll be our first official function together. She’s also excited as she gets to catch up with industry people.”

While McManus laughs off suggestions he should place some money on his long odds, he says he’d be happy to witness friend and fellow comedian, Summer Heights High’s Chris Lilley, collecting the Gold statuette.

“Chris could almost be nominated eight times for every character he’s played. Look I think anyone who been nominated for Gold deserves to be up there. That’s what pissed me off for so many years, when people would make jokes of how many nominations (All Saints’) John Wood would get … I’m thinking well, he’s had more nominations than the people making the jokes have had.”
Jostling with Ritchie, McManus, Lilley (who’s odds have come in strong in the lead-up to tonight’s ceremony) and Howard for a Gold Logie are Sea Patrol’s Lisa McCune, Spicks & Specks’ Adam Hills, Enough Rope’s Andrew Denton (not attending), and Neighbours’ Natalie Blair.

Despite celebrating its 50th year, the ceremony will break from tradition in not having a main host or hosts, instead the awards presented by a slew of actors across the networks.
International actors are also thin on the ground, with only Irish crooners Westlife and US rockers The Last Goodnight performing.

Special Comment: Coming in at 10th for the night, it was a very impressive night, especially since the show did not commence until 9.45pm. Nearly 1.2 mil viewers for that late at night is an impressive feat.