New Episodes Of Spicks & Specks Aired Early By ABC In Speck-tacular Mix-up

New episodes of Spicks & Specks have aired in the early hours of the morning on the ABC,  weeks before their intended August premiere. 

The ABC has confirmed the scheduling error after viewers drew attention to the mix-up via comments on the popular TV website TV Tonight.

According to comments on the site, the episodes aired during the early hours of the morning across ABC digital channels ABC ME and ABC Kids/TV Plus. 

One of the episodes that aired early includes an appearance by Montaigne. Any early-morning confusion experienced by viewers as to whether or not they were watching the new season, was removed by a question in one episode directly referencing a Tweet about the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

TV Tonight contributor 'Tendbarb' provided an account of their premature Spicks & Specks viewing experience 

“Some of these eps were aired a few weeks ago in the early hours of the morning. I happened to come across them on ABC ME or ABC Kids / TV Plus, I can’t remember which,” said reader Tendbarb. “They were from this season with Montaigne (wearing that outfit) and Steph (in that top). They also featured the mystery song clues, with a special guest from Masterchef (I think it was) in the Montaigne ep, plus a magician with a bird in a cage in another ep, dropping in to give some of them. A question also referenced 2022 and they featured a tweet from Ukraine. I can’t remember if I saw two or three eps, they weren’t for about 40 mins each and yeah, I enjoyed them.”

The ABC has admitted the error, simply stating "Yes, it was a scheduling error".

10 new episodes of Spicks & Specks, the cult-adored, impossible-to-dislike music-themed quiz show will begin airing, on-schedule from August 7th. 

Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough will return to ABC TV and ABC iView with the first of ten new episodes airing Sunday 7 August at 7:40pm.

 Spicks & Specks viewers are in for a familiar yet freshened-up experience. With an announcement of the new season confirming “ten mystery songs, one-hundred clues, two team captains and forty guests trying to figure it all out”, with returning guests Hamish Blake, Denise Scott, Dave O'Neil, Luke McGregor, Rhys Nicholson, Nath Valvo and Zoe Coombs Marr onboard alongside newcomers Casey Donovan, Montaigne, Emma Watkins, Dylan Alcott and Mama Alto. 

Host Adam Hills offered his thoughts ahead of the August 7th premiere. “As the Australian live music scene slowly gets back on its feet, we wanna give it a leg up by showcasing some of the best new musicians Australia has to offer (as well as a couple of legends thrown in for good measure),” Hills said.  “Of course, we'll do it all with some of the best comedians in the country. Spicks & Specks is a joy to make, and this series feels like one of our best.”

You can check out a teaser of the new season below: