The Shak
The Shak is an Australian children's television program that aired on the Nine Network from 2006 to 2010. Its four hosts, Curio, Nitro, Picasso and Eco answered viewer questions, queries, dares and challenges in an entertaining and educational manner. Each host's name relates to their personality and the type of stories they present. Viewers sent questions and suggestions to the presenters via the shows website.
For its eighth and ninth series, the show was revamped to include intersecting storylines, featuring its hosts living in a house together and including recurring guest actors. Willow joined the cast for the ninth and final series.
Cast
- Drew Jarvis as Curio: an expert in science, books and movies
- Beau Walker as Nitro: a daredevil who is interested in sports and surfing
- Kendal Nagorcka as Picasso : interested in art, fashion and pop culture
- Jacqueline Duncan as Eco : a nature and animal enthusiast
- Libby Campbell as Willow : a pop culture fanatic who loves animals
Production
In 2006, the filming was done at Sea World but in early 2007, filming was moved to the WhiteWater World theme park. This was explained via an explosion made by Curio, which resulted in the Shaksters moving. and the opening titles were fully animated however in 2007 it was changed to a mix of live action and animation.
The show was revamped in 2009 for its eighth series, which had Curio, Nitro and Picasso living in a share house. Picasso later left the show; a search for a Shakster competition was launched in which they cast Libby Campbell as Willow. On 13 January 2010, the Nine Network cancelled the show, claiming that it was an "economic decision".
Series summaries
Series 1 - Series 1 first aired in 2006 at 4:00pm weekdays, It replaced Hot Source. The opening was entirely cartoon animated and had the whole original cast which included Eco, Curio, Nitro And Picasso. The show was not very popular, but soon gained a steady audience.Series 2 - Series 2 aired in 2006. This series had a lot more comedy and entertaining segments with Drew Jarvis showing his talent with his alter egos. This series had an audience boost and was better received by audiences.
Series 3 - Series 3 aired in late 2006.
Series 4 - Series 4 aired in 2007.
Series 5 - Series 5 was shown in 2007 with a number of guests, Such as Bert Newton as Curio's Grandfather and a number of athletes, dancers and people associated with the themes. All of the cast returned for this series.
Series 6 - Series 6 was shown in 2008.
Series 7 - Series 7 was shown in 2008 and was the last series of the original format. This was Eco's last season.
Series 8 - The show changed its format to a half-hour scripted series where Picasso, Nitro and Curio move in together to a sharehouse which is owned by Aunt Agnes and Aunt Beatrice. They deal with everyday issues. Picasso leaves the house to attend the New York Academy of Performing Arts, which leaves Curio and Nitro, the only people living together in the house.
Series 9 - After Nitro and Curio feel lonely they search for a replacement, later finding Willow. The house now back to its original number of house-mates, once again deal with every day issues. Months into living in the house, Karl Stimpson marries Aunt Agnes, in order to evict the house-mates, however after his plans fail, he zaps Curio, sending him back in the past, leaving Nitro and Willow the only ones living in the share house.