Latest news with #LegoMasters
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Nine unveils management shake-up in TV, Stan
Nine Entertainment head of streaming and broadcasting Amanda Laing has unveiled a new leadership structure that she hopes will better integrate the company's brands, with the heads of the television wing's sport, entertainment and news units to take on responsibility for content on Stan. On Friday, about five months since Laing was appointed as managing director of Nine's newly formed streaming and broadcast division, the former Foxtel executive announced a raft of leadership changes, including new roles in which several veteran TV directors will report to her. Broadly speaking, Laing's plan for the division includes giving the heads of various departments control of television output; its paid-streaming service Stan; and its free catch-up website 9Now, including deciding which content is best suited to each platform, as part of changes that will take effect from July 1. Nine is owner of this masthead. Driving efficiencies and drawing on resources across the company is central to the changes, including a merger of production teams from Stan Sports and the historic Wide World of Sports. Laing will lead a program to further grow the sport offering, with the aim of increasing advertising and subscription revenues as well as gaining additional broadcast rights and partnerships. Michael Healy, who has served as Channel 9's director of television since 2010, will move into an executive director of entertainment role that includes responsibility for the commissioning of all content across TV and streaming. This effectively puts him in charge of decisions for flagship shows such as Married at First Sight, Lego Masters and The Block, as well as for Australian original dramas and other series on Stan. Cailah Scobie, chief content officer at Stan, will take on the expanded role of executive director of entertainment content acquisitions, which will involve negotiating with studios to secure the rights for series, including big-name US-produced shows key to driving subscriptions and viewer numbers, for both streaming and broadcast television. Fiona Dear, Nine's director of news and current affairs, fresh from launching a dedicated long-form current affairs and investigations unit, will take on responsibility for streaming services as the company hopes to better unite the work of journalists across its broadcast and publishing divisions, which include The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review. The plan aims to build on the collaborations between print journalists from the mastheads working with programs such as 60 Minutes that have occurred since Nine's merger with Fairfax Media. No departures or redundancies were announced as part of the changes, which were explained to staff on Friday. Additionally, the company will soon recruit a chief strategy officer and chief marketing officer for the streaming and broadcast divisions, while Nine's state managing directors in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia will now also report to Laing.
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Nine unveils management shake-up in TV, Stan
Nine Entertainment head of streaming and broadcasting Amanda Laing has unveiled a new leadership structure that she hopes will better integrate the company's brands, with the heads of the television wing's sport, entertainment and news units to take on responsibility for content on Stan. On Friday, about five months since Laing was appointed as managing director of Nine's newly formed streaming and broadcast division, the former Foxtel executive announced a raft of leadership changes, including new roles in which several veteran TV directors will report to her. Broadly speaking, Laing's plan for the division includes giving the heads of various departments control of television output; its paid-streaming service Stan; and its free catch-up website 9Now, including deciding which content is best suited to each platform, as part of changes that will take effect from July 1. Nine is owner of this masthead. Driving efficiencies and drawing on resources across the company is central to the changes, including a merger of production teams from Stan Sports and the historic Wide World of Sports. Laing will lead a program to further grow the sport offering, with the aim of increasing advertising and subscription revenues as well as gaining additional broadcast rights and partnerships. Michael Healy, who has served as Channel 9's director of television since 2010, will move into an executive director of entertainment role that includes responsibility for the commissioning of all content across TV and streaming. This effectively puts him in charge of decisions for flagship shows such as Married at First Sight, Lego Masters and The Block, as well as for Australian original dramas and other series on Stan. Cailah Scobie, chief content officer at Stan, will take on the expanded role of executive director of entertainment content acquisitions, which will involve negotiating with studios to secure the rights for series, including big-name US-produced shows key to driving subscriptions and viewer numbers, for both streaming and broadcast television. Fiona Dear, Nine's director of news and current affairs, fresh from launching a dedicated long-form current affairs and investigations unit, will take on responsibility for streaming services as the company hopes to better unite the work of journalists across its broadcast and publishing divisions, which include The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review. The plan aims to build on the collaborations between print journalists from the mastheads working with programs such as 60 Minutes that have occurred since Nine's merger with Fairfax Media. No departures or redundancies were announced as part of the changes, which were explained to staff on Friday. Additionally, the company will soon recruit a chief strategy officer and chief marketing officer for the streaming and broadcast divisions, while Nine's state managing directors in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia will now also report to Laing.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hamish Blake's chilli eating contest ends in tears on Lego Masters Australia
A last minute food challenge ended in tears for Lego Masters host Hamish Blake during Monday's episode of the quirky game show. The 43-year-old funnyman persuaded Team China 's Dai and Jiayuan to a chilli eating contest. However, after just a few bites of the large spicy vegetable Hamish was left short of breath. He was barely able to choke out his comments while he watched Dai and Jiayun built their 'Chilli Girl' Lego model. Meanwhile, the Team China contestants were able to eat the chilli, without any adverse reaction at all, as Hamish drank milk to soothe his palette. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'm not very good with spicy. At Nando's I always have Lemon and Herb,' Hamish choked, in reference to the famous peri-peri chicken brand. 'I have personally learned that you should not do a chilli eating contest against a woman from the Sichuan Province of China,' he confessed. It comes after Hamish cut a casual figure when he stepped out to attend the 2025 Logie Award nominations in Sydney on Monday. The fan favourite host embraced quiet luxury in an A.P.C. 'Edward' jersey sweater that retails for a whopping $650. The TV veteran completed his low-key winter look with khaki slacks and crisp white trainers, and a cheeky grin. And Hamish had a lot to smile about. The beloved comedian has once again been nominated for the coveted Gold Logie, after taking home the gong in 2012 for Hamish and Andy's Gap Year and in 2022 for Lego Masters. Lynne McGranger, 72, who played Irene Roberts on the soap opera Home and Away for over 33 years, also earned a Gold Logie nomination. Also nominated for the number one gong is A Current Affair's Ally Langdon, 46, who won Best News or Public Affairs Presenter last year. Former ABC News Breakfast presenter Lisa Millar, 56, is also in the running for the top prize for her work on Backroads and Muster Dogs. MasterChef Australia's Poh Ling Yeow, 51, also scored a nomination, after speculation that she may be stepping back from the beloved cooking show. Julia Morris, 57, is set to battle it out for the Gold Logie too after hosting Network 10's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in South Africa alongside conservationist Robert Irwin. Completing the list of nominations is Dancing With The Stars' Sonia Kruger, 59, who is up for the number one gong again, after nabbing a Gold Logie back in 2023. Ray Martin, 80, who has made a name for himself on programs such as 60 Minutes, A Current Affair and Four Corners, also came out on tops in the Logie nominations on Monday. The five-time Gold Logie winner is set to join Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton with an award named in his honour, crowning Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter at the Aussie awards. The 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards nominees were announced on Monday in the Yallamundi Rooms at the Sydney Opera House, highlighting the very best of TV talent in Australia. Voting will open for all awards from 9am on Monday June 16 and remain open until 7pm on Friday August 1. The ceremony will be available to watch on Seven and 7Plus.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Six women are up for the Gold Logie
There have been some far-fetched Gold Logie pitches over the years - but this is an entirely new one. The 2025 field for the coveted prize has been revealed, and it's dominated by women, up against only one man, Hamish Blake. The Lego Masters host says he doesn't want to win, as victory would be a PR disaster. "It would not be a great look if I won, so figure out your favourite lady and get right behind her," he said. Could this finally be the year for Ten's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris? Or will Seven's Sonia Kruger add to her Logies haul? These hosts are vying for television glory against the ABC's Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, MasterChef Australia's Poh Ling Yeow, and A Current Affair host Ally Langdon. At the announcement of the nominees at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, presenter Tara Rushton momentarily forgot to name the final nominee Sonia Kruger, who was waiting in the wings to be called to the stage. "I am never going to live this down. I'm surrounded by my idols," said Rushton, apologising. A new award named for five-time Gold Logie winner Ray Martin will be presented in 2025 - The Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Reporter. The nominees are Nine's Ally Langdon, Tara Brown, and Peter Overton, the ABC's David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, and Seven's Michael Usher. The ABC has received dozens of nominations, including for comedian Guy Montgomery for most popular new talent. Two-time Logie winner, the children's cartoon Bluey is up for another award for best children's program. Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar, which tells the story of conwoman Belle Gibson, received a massive eight nominations. Voting for the popular awards opened on Monday, with the ballot for the Gold Logie remaining open during the awards presentation itself. The Logies will be held at The Star Sydney and broadcast live on Seven on Sunday August 3. NOMINEES FOR THE TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE * Ally Langdon, A Current Affair, The Olympic Games Paris 2024, 9Network * Hamish Blake, LEGO Masters Australia, 9Network * Julia Morris, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Network 10 * Lisa Millar, Back Roads, ABC News Breakfast, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now, Muster Dogs: Collies & Kelpies, ABC * Lynne McGranger, Home and Away, Seven Network * Poh Ling Yeow, MasterChef Australia, Network 10 * Sonia Kruger, The Voice, Dancing With The Stars, Logies Red Carpet Show, Seven Network There have been some far-fetched Gold Logie pitches over the years - but this is an entirely new one. The 2025 field for the coveted prize has been revealed, and it's dominated by women, up against only one man, Hamish Blake. The Lego Masters host says he doesn't want to win, as victory would be a PR disaster. "It would not be a great look if I won, so figure out your favourite lady and get right behind her," he said. Could this finally be the year for Ten's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris? Or will Seven's Sonia Kruger add to her Logies haul? These hosts are vying for television glory against the ABC's Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, MasterChef Australia's Poh Ling Yeow, and A Current Affair host Ally Langdon. At the announcement of the nominees at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, presenter Tara Rushton momentarily forgot to name the final nominee Sonia Kruger, who was waiting in the wings to be called to the stage. "I am never going to live this down. I'm surrounded by my idols," said Rushton, apologising. A new award named for five-time Gold Logie winner Ray Martin will be presented in 2025 - The Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Reporter. The nominees are Nine's Ally Langdon, Tara Brown, and Peter Overton, the ABC's David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, and Seven's Michael Usher. The ABC has received dozens of nominations, including for comedian Guy Montgomery for most popular new talent. Two-time Logie winner, the children's cartoon Bluey is up for another award for best children's program. Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar, which tells the story of conwoman Belle Gibson, received a massive eight nominations. Voting for the popular awards opened on Monday, with the ballot for the Gold Logie remaining open during the awards presentation itself. The Logies will be held at The Star Sydney and broadcast live on Seven on Sunday August 3. NOMINEES FOR THE TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE * Ally Langdon, A Current Affair, The Olympic Games Paris 2024, 9Network * Hamish Blake, LEGO Masters Australia, 9Network * Julia Morris, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Network 10 * Lisa Millar, Back Roads, ABC News Breakfast, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now, Muster Dogs: Collies & Kelpies, ABC * Lynne McGranger, Home and Away, Seven Network * Poh Ling Yeow, MasterChef Australia, Network 10 * Sonia Kruger, The Voice, Dancing With The Stars, Logies Red Carpet Show, Seven Network There have been some far-fetched Gold Logie pitches over the years - but this is an entirely new one. The 2025 field for the coveted prize has been revealed, and it's dominated by women, up against only one man, Hamish Blake. The Lego Masters host says he doesn't want to win, as victory would be a PR disaster. "It would not be a great look if I won, so figure out your favourite lady and get right behind her," he said. Could this finally be the year for Ten's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris? Or will Seven's Sonia Kruger add to her Logies haul? These hosts are vying for television glory against the ABC's Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, MasterChef Australia's Poh Ling Yeow, and A Current Affair host Ally Langdon. At the announcement of the nominees at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, presenter Tara Rushton momentarily forgot to name the final nominee Sonia Kruger, who was waiting in the wings to be called to the stage. "I am never going to live this down. I'm surrounded by my idols," said Rushton, apologising. A new award named for five-time Gold Logie winner Ray Martin will be presented in 2025 - The Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Reporter. The nominees are Nine's Ally Langdon, Tara Brown, and Peter Overton, the ABC's David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, and Seven's Michael Usher. The ABC has received dozens of nominations, including for comedian Guy Montgomery for most popular new talent. Two-time Logie winner, the children's cartoon Bluey is up for another award for best children's program. Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar, which tells the story of conwoman Belle Gibson, received a massive eight nominations. Voting for the popular awards opened on Monday, with the ballot for the Gold Logie remaining open during the awards presentation itself. The Logies will be held at The Star Sydney and broadcast live on Seven on Sunday August 3. NOMINEES FOR THE TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE * Ally Langdon, A Current Affair, The Olympic Games Paris 2024, 9Network * Hamish Blake, LEGO Masters Australia, 9Network * Julia Morris, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Network 10 * Lisa Millar, Back Roads, ABC News Breakfast, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now, Muster Dogs: Collies & Kelpies, ABC * Lynne McGranger, Home and Away, Seven Network * Poh Ling Yeow, MasterChef Australia, Network 10 * Sonia Kruger, The Voice, Dancing With The Stars, Logies Red Carpet Show, Seven Network There have been some far-fetched Gold Logie pitches over the years - but this is an entirely new one. The 2025 field for the coveted prize has been revealed, and it's dominated by women, up against only one man, Hamish Blake. The Lego Masters host says he doesn't want to win, as victory would be a PR disaster. "It would not be a great look if I won, so figure out your favourite lady and get right behind her," he said. Could this finally be the year for Ten's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris? Or will Seven's Sonia Kruger add to her Logies haul? These hosts are vying for television glory against the ABC's Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, MasterChef Australia's Poh Ling Yeow, and A Current Affair host Ally Langdon. At the announcement of the nominees at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, presenter Tara Rushton momentarily forgot to name the final nominee Sonia Kruger, who was waiting in the wings to be called to the stage. "I am never going to live this down. I'm surrounded by my idols," said Rushton, apologising. A new award named for five-time Gold Logie winner Ray Martin will be presented in 2025 - The Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Reporter. The nominees are Nine's Ally Langdon, Tara Brown, and Peter Overton, the ABC's David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, and Seven's Michael Usher. The ABC has received dozens of nominations, including for comedian Guy Montgomery for most popular new talent. Two-time Logie winner, the children's cartoon Bluey is up for another award for best children's program. Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar, which tells the story of conwoman Belle Gibson, received a massive eight nominations. Voting for the popular awards opened on Monday, with the ballot for the Gold Logie remaining open during the awards presentation itself. The Logies will be held at The Star Sydney and broadcast live on Seven on Sunday August 3. NOMINEES FOR THE TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE * Ally Langdon, A Current Affair, The Olympic Games Paris 2024, 9Network * Hamish Blake, LEGO Masters Australia, 9Network * Julia Morris, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Network 10 * Lisa Millar, Back Roads, ABC News Breakfast, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now, Muster Dogs: Collies & Kelpies, ABC * Lynne McGranger, Home and Away, Seven Network * Poh Ling Yeow, MasterChef Australia, Network 10 * Sonia Kruger, The Voice, Dancing With The Stars, Logies Red Carpet Show, Seven Network
Hamilton Spectator
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Brick by brick: Hamilton father-daughter duo make history on ‘Lego Masters'
In her early 20s, Maia Hughes' Lego collection fit into a large tote bag. Today, 33-year-old Hughes has plastic shelves lining her basement wall, packed with parts ranging from Lego heads and bodies to plant and fruit pieces. Building Lego is a passion that has led to opportunities for the Hamilton woman, who landed a spot in the fifth season of reality show 'Lego Masters.' 'My initial emotion was 'is this real?'' said Maia. 'I was definitely excited, but it's not something I ever thought that I would be chosen to do.' The American reality show in which teams compete in brick-building challenges has run five seasons. The winner is crowned Lego Master. Hughes and her dad, Jamie, made history on the show by being the first paired team to be a father-daughter duo. For Jamie, the experience was special because he could see his daughter's face light up doing what she loves. 'It was really exciting for me to, as a parent, just be able to stand back and watch her shine,' said Jamie. While 59-year-old Jamie had enjoyed building Star Wars Lego sets as a child, the true obsession started with five-year-old Maia. Maia's parents gifted her a castle set in the '90s. Young Maia enjoyed rebuilding the set over and over. 'My dad said to me 'You know you don't have to build it exactly how the instructions say. You can take the parts and build a different castle,'' said Maia. 'I was like 'Gasp, no way.'' But it was not until Maia started working that she was able to expand her collection. Jamie's Lego passion started in the late '70s and early '80s when he would build basic space-themed sets — sets that his younger brother would promptly destroy. Both Jamie and Maia said they continue to build because the process is therapeutic and relaxing. 'It can really take you out of this world,' said Maia. 'For myself, I think it's really the creative process,' said Jamie. 'Going on the show, it really got me back into building with Lego again, but building things coming out of my own mind.' It is a childhood hobby in which Maia continued to enjoy and develop her skill. Father/daughter team Maia and Jamie Hughes from Hamilton in Maia's Lego workshop with Maia's Mount Elven Fortress creation. In the basement of her Hamilton home, Maia has Lego scenes displaying an elf world, 'Harry Potter,' 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Jurassic Park.' Bookshelves are filled with Lego-themed books, including 'The Lego Ideas Book' and 'The Dino Files.' Maia Hughes enjoys creating dinosaurs and 'Jurassic Park' kits. Some bricks, plates and miniature items were sectioned off into resealable bags. The collection took about 10 years to build, she said. All the wall art was made of Lego, including cars hanging on the wall, a Lego periodic table and a sign denoting 'MB Bricks.' MB Bricks is the name Maia goes by on the YouTube and Instagram accounts she opened about six years ago. Maia said she wanted to both document her builds and share her work like others she viewed online. The builder has amassed roughly 5.3 million views on her 337 YouTube videos. The community of adult users who enjoy watching similar videos call themselves 'AFOLs,' or 'Adult Fans of Lego.' Her most viewed video features Maia building a Jurassic Park-themed scene. The 24-minute video is a speed build, meaning the video is sped up to fit the whole build into a shorter video. 'Once I found the online community and realized that I wasn't the only adult that still has a lot of fun playing with Lego and building different things, it really opened up a lot for me,' said Maia. Building the online community has led Maia to not only become a Lego ambassador and make a build for Hamilton's February 2025 Winterfest, but piqued the interest of 'Lego Masters.' After verifying the identity behind the account who messaged her was, in fact, someone from 'Lego Masters,' Maia still doubted she would make the show with her father. Four days before filming, the duo got the news they would be on the show, flying out to the Atlanta, Ga. set. But the doubt remained, said Maia. 'I think there was a bit of impostor syndrome going into the competition,' she said. 'When I got out there and I started meeting the other contestants and finding out all the things that they could do, it was very intimidating.' Jamie said the show was an opportunity to bond and spend time with his daughter, time that can become more scarce as she works and takes care of her family. ' It's interesting because as a father-daughter, you do have that connection. You kind of think along the same lines,' said Jamie. 'If I'm going to do a really bad dad joke, she knows before I even say it.' When Season five debuted on May 19, 2025 and has since released episodes every Monday. Where The show is streaming episodes on CTV2 on Mondays at 8 p.m. Watch Go to to watch. Maia Hughes' Lego workshop is lined with towers of drawers filled with expertly sorted Lego pieces. In one drawer, Lego people are sorted separately into heads, hair, torsos, and lower bodies. In another animals are sorted by species, and in another food is sorted by type. A unique dragon creation designed and built by Maia Hughes. The CN tower and SkyDome, a small kit purchased at a Toronto Lego convention. One of Maia Hughes' favourite creations is Rivendell from 'Lord of the Rings.' Maia Hughes' Lego workshop is lined with towers of drawers filled with expertly sorted Lego pieces. Maia Hughes Lego workshop is lined with towers of drawers filled with expertly sorted Lego pieces. In one drawer, Lego people are sorted separately into heads, hair, torsos, and lower bodies. Maia Hughes Lego workshop is lined with towers of drawers filled with expertly sorted Lego pieces. Maia Hughes' Lego workshop is lined with towers of drawers filled with expertly sorted Lego pieces. Animals are sorted by species, food is sorted by type. Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
