Cover: Three Men And A Little Lady
‘I have no intention of staying in E Street for seven years…’
Joan Sydney doesn’t know much about the character she is going to play in Network Ten’s E Street, except for one thing – she won’t be anything like Maggie Sloan, the matron she played in A Country Practice for seven years. “I have to have a talk with the producers about my character, because I’m not interested in playing a matron again,” Sydney told TV Week. “I’m interested in doing something quite different.” She is also adamant that her E Street role will not last as long as that of Matron Sloan. “I only went into A Country Practice for six months, and ended up staying seven years. I didn’t know who I was when I came out of that – until I threw away the corset and cut my hair. So I have no intention of staying in E Street for seven years.”
There is a life beyond 2000!
Beyond 2000 reporter Iain Finlay and partner, associate producer Trish Sheppard are leaving the popular Seven Network program to embark on a new venture – chronicling their 25 years of life and adventure together in the form of a trilogy. Their life together has taken them to the wilds of Africa, to the Amazon River and freezing Siberia, amongst many other places.
Back in Harmer’s way!
Following a successful tour of the UK, comedian Wendy Harmer (pictured) is returning to ABC and the show that made her a household name. She will be re-joining The Big Gig in the new year as part as a reduced line-up to feature in the comedy show – following the departure of Jean Kittson, the Doug Anthony All Stars and this year’s host Glynn Nicholas. “I will be compering, but I don’t know whether it will be a full-time arrangement,” Harmer told TV Week. “I’m keen to get back because it looks like the show will be a lot different in format next year.”
Briefly…
Neighbours star Richard Norton has been informed by producers that they won’t be renewing his contract when it expires in February. “I was really counting on the six months to be working, but that’s the way it goes in this business. It was my first experience in television so I’ve learnt a lot,” he told TV Week.
Vikki Blanche, who plays Julia in the Ten Network sitcom Col’n Carpenter, has quit the series and is planning to head to London and New York to take acting classes. “I decided I’d done a year and I’ve learned a lot,” she told TV Week. “I had a good time. It’s the first time I’d done comedy in a formalised way. I learnt a lot about setting up gags and rhythm. Kim (Gyngell) is so good and he helped Stig (Wemyss) and me a lot.”
Former Neighbours star Guy Pearce (pictured) is set to make his stage acting debut with the role of Danny Zuko in the upcoming production of Grease. The role of Sandy, made famous in the 1978 film version by Olivia Newton-John, is tipped to go to Perth actress Louise Anton, a host of the WA variety program Young Entertainers and a performer on Midday With Ray Martin.
John Laws says…
”One of TV’s major successes in 1990 was SBS’ screening of the British production Seven Up, which traced the lives of 14 people from age 7 through to 28. It was fascinating and, as I’ve said previously, I can’t wait for the latest “seven-year” episode, which will reveal what is happening in the lives of the Seven Up subjects at age 35. At the time I wrote about Seven Up, I wondered why someone in Australia hadn’t done something similar. Well, of course, they had. And just recently, on ABC, I was fortunate enough to catch a repeat screening of Gillian Armstrong’s wonderful documentary Bingo, Bridesmaids And Braces.”
Program Highlights (December 22-28):
Saturday: HSV7 presents a direct telecast of Carols In The Domain, hosted by Barry Crocker and featuring Tina Arena, Jeanne Little, Grace Knight, Clare Gormley, The Salvation Army Massed Choirs, Cafe Of The Gate Of Salvation and The Sydney Symphony Youth Orchestra. Following the carols, Tony Charlton hosts The Australian Dancesport Championships.
Sunday: HSV7 presents a day full of Christmas specials, starting with The Flintstones’ Christmas at 9.00am and continuing with movies and specials right through to 6.00pm. Sunday night movies are I’ll Be Home For Christmas (HSV7), Heaven’s Gate (GTV9) and A Hobo’s Christmas (ATV10).
Monday: At 11.30am, HSV7, GTV9 and ATV10 present a repeat simulcast of the US animated special Cartoon All-Stars To The Rescue. The half-hour program first appeared simultaneously across all three channels in November. At 9.00pm, GTV9 presents a live telecast of the Royal Victorian Institute For The Blind’s Carols By Candlelight from Melbourne’s Myer Music Bowl, hosted by Ray Martin and featuring Suzanne Johnston, Debbie Byrne, Wendy Stapleton, Denise Drysdale, The Seekers, Simon Gallagher, Denis Walter, John Diedrich and Marilyn Richardson.
Tuesday: Christmas Day is dominated by Christmas specials and movies – and GTV9 presents a late-morning repeat of Carols By Candlelight. At 6.00pm, ABC presents the Countdown Revolution Christmas Special, featuring Kate Ceberano, the Doug Anthony All Stars, Stephen Cummings and Reg Mombassa. The Queen’s Christmas Message is broadcast on ABC (7.20pm), HSV7 (10.15pm), GTV9 (10.30pm), ATV10 (during Ten Evening News at 6.00pm) and SBS (6.20pm).
Wednesday: ABC presents live coverage of the start of the traditional Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race, and GTV9 crosses to the MCG in the mid-afternoon for Australia versus England in Day One of the Second Test.
Thursday: HSV7 presents live coverage from Perth of the Hopman Cup tennis – starting at 8.30pm and continuing through to 1.00am.
Friday: The second day of the Hopman Cup starts at 1.00pm through to 6.00pm and then continuing from 8.30pm to 1.00am.
Source: TV Week (Victoria edition), incorporating TV Times and TV Guide. 22 December 1990. Southdown Press.