This photograph is not a teaser from a new lads mag. Nor is it one of those "racy billboards. Look closely and youll see the rod the picture is from a new Australian lifestyle TV show about fishing.
From the left, our friendly fisherwomen are former Postcards host Fiona Argyle, who left an ABC-TV job two years ago after posing for FHM magazine; Annelise Braackensiek, who has the distinction of appearing in both Pizza and Baywatch; and Kate James, a Sports Illustrated model. The name of the show is Hook, Line and Stiletto.
Its not on the air yet. At the moment its only a pilot made by Argyles production company, Takeoff TV. They are trying to sell it and even held a press call in bikinis at a big TV industry market in Cannes recently (pictured above).
Theyre claiming the idea where the three ladies and guests go fishing around Australia, like Rex Hunt but with fewer clothes has garnered great interest from TV networks both here and overseas.
But as of this week there are 17 lifestyle or infotainment shows already on free-to-air TV. Channel Nine has five. The ABC also has five, although some are very short interlude-type programs. Channel Seven has seven with three more resuming again soon. The Lifestyle Channel, on pay TV, specialises in it.
The trend has outstripped and out-rated even reality TV, to the point where
Hook, Line and Stiletto, for example, is fishing with a very non-fishing gimmick.
