Andrew Denton returns to TV with word game Randling

Andrew Denton is to return to the TV screen two years after saying he was moving behind the camera for good.

He will front cerebral word-based game show Randling which will be produced by his production company Zapruder’s Other Films.

Denton is co-creator of one of the ABC’s most popular TV shows, The Gruen Transfer.

The announcement came as the ABC revealed its plans for 2012.  

When Mumbrella editor Tim Burrowes asked Denton in 2010 about whether he would go back in front of the camera, he insited he wouldn’t “Unless it was Dancing With The Stars Underwater”.

Denton is best known for his TV interview show Enough Rope.

The ABC’s director of television Kim Dalton said at the launch: “We’re really thrilled he’s made the decision to put himself back in front of the cameras. I’m absolutely confident the programme’s going to be a tremendous success.”

Denton told the audience that Randling was a made up word. He said: “The definition of randle is a nonsensical poem recited by Irish schoolboys as an apology for farting at a friend.”

Also announced at the event was Shaun Micallef’s news analysis show Shaun Micallef is Mad as Hell. There will also be a second series of Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight, and the rumoured Annabel Crabb series Kitchen Cabinet was confirmed – Crabb will feature in a documentary style series following her as she goes into the homes and kitchens of Australia’s politicians – the sizzle reel featured Labor party senator Penny Wong.

While there was no word on a second series of The Chaser’s Hamster Wheel, cast member Chas Liccardello is due to team up with News Radio’s John Barron for coverage for the 2012 US presidential election in Planet America.

Drama-wise, the broadcaster announced a second series of Rake, Essie Davis in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Guy Pearce will front two Jack Irish telemovies, family crime story The Straits and Mabo, which is based on the true story of Aboriginal land rights featuring Deborah Mailman.