Australian TV audiences react to first episode of Holey Moley

Holey Moley wins the TV ratings with the first episode of Holey Moley; leaves audiences divided.

For those of you that missed the first episode of Channel 7’s Holey Moley last night, you can catch up online here, but there did seem to be a lot of people tuning in to see what all the fuss was about.

Originally slated to have been filmed in the US featuring AFL commentator Brian Taylor (with more air-time for Greg Norman) the production was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production was eventually restarted in Australia last year, the result of which we’re now seeing on Australian TV screens.

Featuring a bunch of Australian professional, semi-professional and amateur golfers the premise of Holey Moley sees contestants going head-to-head on a giant mini-golf course. The journey to the hole is often broken up by giant obstacles that must be tackled by the golfers or risk a one-stroke penalty.

Think mini-golf meets “It’s A Knockout”, or perhaps more recently, “Australian Ninja Warrior”.

The whole show is wrapped up with commentary from Matt Shirvington and American comedian Rob Riggle, the occasional introduction from Sonia Kruger, and a fleeting chat with Greg Norman.

Personally, I thought it was ok without being incredible TV. Good fun that had the kids laughing – mostly at the plethora of Uranus jokes. Rob Riggle is probably the star of the show.

Is it good for golf? Yeah, probably. Does it matter if it’s good for golf? Probably not.

But here is a selection of what some people thought of it on social media including a few from the golf industry.

I’ve seen enough. #HoleyMoley is a winner.

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) February 1, 2021

I’ve watched 5 mins of #HoleyMoley and it’s cringeworthy. I’ll hang on for a bit longer. But geez, it’s a hard slog atm

— The Full Plate (@guttso77) February 1, 2021

They’re even making Greg Norman funny. This show is a triumph. #HoleyMoley

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) February 1, 2021

Holey Moley was good, but could get repetitive #HoleyMoleyTV

— Anthony Webb (@anthonyqld) February 1, 2021

I’m thinking #HoleyMoley will be lucky to last a month before it’s booted to a secondary station. Happy to stand corrected. And now they’re wheeling out Dicko. Ffs

— tim sells (@tim_sells) February 1, 2021

Cannot work out why holey moley is so funny

— Mephdard (@DaneMepham) February 1, 2021

Shocked at some of the criticism of #HoleyMoley after its debut on @SevenNetwork. My boys and I had a great laugh. I get it may not be the oldies’ cup of tea but some current players and young GMs should be thinking about their membership in 10-20 years! @GolfAust @PGAofAustralia

— Brad Clifton (@bradcliffo) February 1, 2021

Watching #HoleyMoley.

My opinion is…… meh. Rob is annoying and the "jokes" are getting old.

Doubt I'll tune in next time.

I can see what they're trying to do, but this is a fail.

— Rhiannon Elizabeth Irons (@Ahlephia) February 1, 2021

https://twitter.com/Manyfacedgod00/status/1356342221142806529

https://twitter.com/SevenNetwork/status/1356406983650201602

https://twitter.com/JimmySpeckled/status/1356178553079963650