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Merrick Watts and Annabel Crabb in cast for Andrew Denton-hosted show Randling

Zapruder’s Other Films and the ABC have announced the cast for word game show Randling, with radio DJ Merrick Watts, ABC political writer Annabel Crabb and broadcaster Wendy Harmer in the line up.

Over a 27 week period,  ten teams of two will compete in the quiz show hosted by Andrew Denton.

Denton said: “Some people you know well, others you know very well. There will be ten teams with a ladder, we have book makers in India, it’s the new model… It’s designed purely for fun, a place for smart people to be funny and funny people to be smart.”

The list includes radio and TV presenters, journalists, comedians, authors, and actors.

The line-up is:

  • Annabel Crabb – ABC Chief Online Political Writer. Currently bringing us Kitchen Cabinet on ABC TV. Also has a killer vintage frock collection.
  • Merrick Watts – Comedian, Triple M radio host and TV presenter. When he’s not hanging out with his family, Merrick also likes to restore old postie bikes.
  • Robyn Butler – Actor, writer and producer. We loved her in The Librarians.
  • Rob Carlton – the man behind ‘Chandon Pictures’ and an actor since he was 14. Most recently seen as Kerry Packer in the two part ABC TV series Paper Giants.
  • Toby Schmitz – Playwright, director and actor, knocked ‘em dead in Ruben Guthrie and in last year’s Much Ado About Nothing. Now appearing in Belvoir St Theatre’s The Wild Duck at the Malthouse.
  • Angus Sampson – Actor, writer, director. Former ‘Thank God You’re Here’ champion. Recent telly gigs have included Spirited, Underbelly, The Librarians and Wilfred.
  • Benjamin Law – Making his TV debut. Author of autobiographical novel, The Family Law and has also written for The Monthly, The Courier Mail, Crikey and Frankie Magazine. He appears to be only 14. The host already hates him.
  • Wendy Harmer – Author, broadcaster and humorist. Right now she is relishing her role as the Editor In Chief of The Hoopla.com.au.
  • Heath Franklin – Comedian, best known for his comedy character – ‘Chopper’, Created for The Ronnie John’s Half Hour. Has appeared in Spicks and Specks and Thank God You’re Here.
  • Felicity Ward – Comedian, also best known for The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. Won best newcomer at Melbourne Fringe Festival (2008).
  • Julia Zemiro – Presenter of Rockwiz and co-host of SBS’s broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest for the last two years.
  • Toby Truslove – Currently stars in ABC TV’s Outland. Recently seen in Laid, All Saints, McLeod’s Daughters, The Strip, Thank God You’re Here and The Librarians.
  • Genevieve Morris – Started in Comedy Inc, also caught the eye as Elaine Front in ‘Live From Planet Earth’. Became a household face as ‘Barbara the bank manager’ in a series of television ads.
  • Dave O’Neil – Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, radio fella. Regular on Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight.
  • Anthony Morgan – has been working as a stand-up comic since 1982, a legend of Australian comedy whose pauses are better than most other people’s punchlines.
  • David Marr – Author, biographer, investigative journalist, political and social commentator. Officially the ‘Cleverest Man In Australia’.
  • Jonathan Biggins – Actor, writer, director. Jonathan has directed, written and Co-Created The Wharf Revue since 2000. Officially the ‘Cleverest Man In Australia’.
  • Jennifer Byrne – Journalist, writer, broadcaster. Presenter of First Tuesday’s Book Club. Silver Logie winner and one-time Sale Of The Century champion.
  • Chris Taylor – Comedian, writer, Chaser, former ABC cadet journo.
  • Michael Williams – Making his TV debut:  Michael is the Director of The Wheeler Centre and previously co-presented 3RRR’s Breakfast Show.

Denton said the initial inspiration came from a British radio show called My Word with elements of shows like QI and Spicks and Specks.

Last week Zapruder’s Other Films merged with Cordell Jigsaw, the production company behind Bondi Rescue and Go Back to Where You Came From.

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