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The lineup for the first episode of Channel Nine's new Q&A-style show The Verdict has been revealed, with social media mocking the motley crew of former AFL players, politicians and scholars.
Former Labor leader Mark Latham, Senator Jacqui Lambie, former footballer Campbell Brown and counter-terrorism expert Dr Anne Aly are among the seven panellists who will join host Karl Stefanovic for Thursday night's premiere.
The show promises to discuss hot button issues in the fashion of Q&A, with Thursday's panel set to debate whether convicted sports stars should be allowed to continue playing and what makes teenagers turn to terrorism.
Mamamia Network editor-in-chief Jamila Rizvi, Sydney Institute deputy director Anne Henderson and criminal psychologist Sandy Rea have also been confirmed.
After Stefanovic promised to round-up some of the "most fired-up minds in the country", The Verdict's bizarre lineup was lampooned on Twitter.
Media heavies such as Gruen Transfer host Wil Anderson callled the panelists "unreliable witnesses", while Triple J presenter Matt Okine said the show "doesn't look like Q&A at all".
Quipped Anderson: "If the ads for The Verdict said "Australia's Greatest Mimes" that would still be more likely than what they're promising."
Wrote another: "Panel billed as 'some of the finest minds in the country'. Not a joke. Anne Aly (very fine mind), next to Campbell Brown. 2015 television."
.@KarlStefanovic chairs @TheVerdict9 and discusses your big issues, TOMORROW 8.40pm. #TheVerdict https://t.co/qAdMqfgXBb— Channel 9 (@Channel9)
October 6, 2015
The show has reportedly been given a limited five episode run and will be filmed in front of a live studio audience in Sydney with a rotating panel each week.
Controversial former Labor leader Mark Latham, who was billed as a "stay at home dad" on the panel lineup, is expected to be a regular face on The Verdict.
While modelled on a mixture of Q&A and The Project, the Nine experiment looks set to be a lot less bipartisan than ABC's offering.
"Nothing and no-one is off limits," Stefanovic says in the explosive trailer.
"Let's get off the fence and find out what Australia really thinks."
The Verdict airs October 8 at 8.40pm on Channel Nine.
Ever had a dinner party spoiled by a really annoying person? Well now imagine everyone at the party is that person- Pitch for The Verdict— Wil Anderson (@Wil_Anderson)
October 6, 2015
Not a drill. Campbell Brown will be on the panel of Karl Stefanovic's new current affairs talk show The Verdict.— Anthony Colangelo (@AnthColangelo)
October 6, 2015
Panel billed as "some of the finest minds in the country". Not a joke. Anne Aly (very fine mind), next to Campbell Brown. 2015 television.— Anthony Colangelo (@AnthColangelo)
October 6, 2015
I suspect many of the panelists on The Verdict are unreliable witnesses...— Wil Anderson (@Wil_Anderson)
October 6, 2015
If the ads for The Verdict said "Australia's Greatest Mimes" that would still be more likely than what they're promising...— Wil Anderson (@Wil_Anderson)
October 6, 2015
"The Verdict": seems @Channel9 have taken straight over from Abbott as the antagonist of national division. #theverdict #auspol— Luke (@LukieSulz)
September 28, 2015
It would be good if Nine went cross promotion mad for The Verdict and got Latham to fill in for Joey on the sideline. #NRLGF— Nick Ralston (@NickDRalston)
October 4, 2015
