Is "Fremangle" affiliated with the Aussie TPIR(any way,shape or form). It sure sounds like it. SHHHHHH, don't give 'em any ideas for botching the US version, leave it the hell alone!!!
According to Fremangle's website, yes, they are affiliated with the Australian version "in some way, shape, or form," as you put it. They're probably not as involved with it as the version here or Bruce's version in Britain, but, if they own the format rights to it, it's a pretty safe bet they have at least some hand in any version of the show.
And, as far as Fremangle doing as their name suggests to TPIR, it certainly won't happen as long as Bob's around. Not only does he have a lot of stake in the show and its direction, but they haven't made him change anything to-date that's really significant, except for some minor set changes. Heck; they still let him keep doing the animal plugs, which I thought they would've forced him to stop a long time ago!
Even when he goes, though, I think there is something different about TPIR than the other shows Fremangle has done its namesake with: The shows that immediately come to mind, like MG '98, CS '01, etc. were all off the air when Fremangle started as Pearson Television; as a result, they probably looked at the older versions of the shows and thought how they could update them to attract the youth. TPIR, however, already has attracted the youth in droves (like myself!), and they have seen that the show and the way it's always been run works and is extremely popular among everyone, especially the youth. Thus, I really don't see any major changes when Bob finally either leaves, or, God forbid, dies.
Don't expect a host just like Bob, though, but also don't expect a host like Chris Wylde, either; I'm going to trust Fremantle (the first time I used their real name!) on this one and believe that TPIR will be largely left alone when Bob leaves.
Anthony
