1992: December 13-19

‘I would love to marry this girl!’
TV’s hottest couple Mat Stevenson and Toni Pearen (pictured) are optimistic that their relationship can sustain the pressures of showbusiness… with Pearen on the verge of a pop music career while Stevenson has just renewed with Home And Away with a contract that will see him in the series through until late-1993. “From the day we met we were both interested in each other’s hopes and aspirations,” Pearen told TV Week. “Mat is seeing all the amazing things that are happening to me at the moment, and while it is scary, we are there for each other.” Currently living together in Sydney the pair have no plans to tie the knot. “I would love to marry this girl,” Stevenson said. “But neither of us are ready for marriage yet.”

Nicolle’s away
After five years in Home And Away, Nicolle Dickson is set to quit the show. Dickson’s current contract expires in March, which will see her on-screen until mid-1993, but the show’s producers say they are still in negotiation with the popular star. “Nicolle has been talking about leaving for the past year,” producer Andrew Howie said. “We’re still negotiating.” With the series also losing cast members Les Hill and Rebekah Elmaloglou there will be some fresh faces moving in over the coming months. Lisa Lackey and John Adam have started work on the series, with another new female character still to be cast.

The long and short of commercial success
The British Academy Of Film And Television Awards (BAFTAs) are the annual highlight of the British film and television industry, with David Frost hosting the recent two-and-a-half hour presentation of the prestigious awards. But a pair of Aussies stole the limelight when Elle Macpherson and Rebekah Elmaloglou made a striking contrast as they posed together.

Briefly…

  • Alan Dale, one of the last two original Neighbours cast members, is leaving the series, although producers aren’t making any definite statement as yet. “We have been having discussions. That’s all I’m prepared to say,” Network Ten drama chief John Holmes told TV Week.  Dale’s departure will leave Anne Haddy as the only remaining original cast member.
  • Latest rumour doing the rounds is that Jana Wendt, recently farewelled from A Current Affair, is to join ABC radio 2BL in Sydney as a replacement for Margaret Throsby, who is at odds with ABC management over her appearances in advertisements for Macquarie Bank.
  • The cast list of Nine‘s new drama series Snowy has been finalised — Rebecca Gibney, Annie Jones, Catherine Wilkin, Bernard Curry, Lucy Bell, William McInnes, Charlie Powles and Jochen Horst.
  • A second series of sitcom My Two Wives (Nine) is likely to go into production — but some cast changes are to be expected.

Lawrie Masterson: The View From Here
“If your initial glance at our cover this week caused you to do a bit of a double take, it’s likely that not all the credit belongs to two of television’s hottest young stars, happy couple Toni Pearen and Mat Stevenson. TV Week has been touched by the zephyr of change which is causing a few flutters in the television industry at the moment, and we have a new masthead. It is a big move because any publication’s masthead should be a symbol with which that publication is synonymous.  It is the first time anyone around here cares to remember — well, to be truthful, it is the first time anyone around here can remember — the design of the TV Week masthead being changed. We think the new Nineties model is bolder, cleaner and more up-to-date and that the change itself is symbolic, too — symbolic of the fact that TV Week is prepared to move in pace with the television industry itself.”

Loose Talk

  • “In Canberra?  I knew they had the government but I didn’t know anyone worked there!” — Maggie Beare (Ruth Cracknell), Mother And Son, ABC.
  • “You wouldn’t necessarily know if they (soldiers) were gay, would you?” — Steve Liebmann.  “It depends on how amorous they are.” — Victorian RSL president Bruce Ruxton, Today, Nine.
  • “Bottoms up, everyone… not you, Fergie!” — Queen Elizabeth (Gerry Connolly), Fast Forward, Seven.

Program Highlights (Melbourne, December 13-19):
Sunday: ABC commemorates the UNICEF International Children’s Day Of Broadcasting with an afternoon of special programs. Sunday night movies are A Dry White Season (Seven), Iron Eagle II (Nine) and Coal Miner’s Daughter (Ten). ABC’s Sunday Stereo Special is the Australian Opera production of Hansel And Gretel.

Tuesday: ABC begins six days of coverage of the Kooyong Classic tennis, with commentators Peter Gee, Karen Tighe, Gordon Bray and Neale Fraser.

Wednesday: In A Life (ABC), Aboriginal artist and activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal (formerly Kath Walker) talks to host Peter Ross about how a brush with death led to her developing a new outlook on life. SBS presents the final 1992 episodes of The Movie Show and Face The Press.

Thursday: The National Press Club Luncheon (ABC) discusses the Pay TV debate, with guest speakers Senator Bob Collins and Warrick Smith. Fast Forward star Marg Downey (pictured) stars in her first dramatic role in telemovie Economy Class (Seven), a drama about the effects of the recession on people from vastly different backgrounds.

Friday: Today (Nine) presents its final program for 1992, while Ten’s Good Morning Australia signs off for the last time after 12 years. What’s Cooking (Nine) presents a prime-time Christmas special with hosts Gabriel Gate and Colette Mann joined by guests Glenn Ridge, Jo Bailey, Nikki Coghill, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and Sophie Lee.

Saturday: Barry Crocker and Jackie Love host the annual Carols In The Domain (Seven), featuring performances by Jeanne Little, Suzanne Johnston, John Williamson, Georgie Parker, Tom Burlinson, Noel Ferrier, June Bronhill, The Tin Lids, Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent, the Salvation Army Choir and the Sydney Youth Orchestra.

Source: TV Week (Melbourne edition), incorporating TV Times and TV Guide.  12 December 1992.  Southdown Press.

Permanent link to this article: https://televisionau.com/2012/12/1992-december-13-19.html

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