Blue Heelers’ red hot cops!
Blue Heelers stars Lisa McCune and Martin Sacks (pictured) might clash on screen as their alter egos Maggie Doyle and PJ Hasham, but in real life they are much better mates. “Martin’s like a big brother to me,” McCune told TV Week. “He’s a mate, and he’s such a gentleman! He’s so chivalrous, very polite and sensitive.” Both actors are now also learning how to cope with being recognised in public. While Sacks has been acting since the late 1970s, Blue Heelers is his first leading role. “Although I’ve had a lot of work, it’s never been in something where I was recognised much in public,” he said. Before Blue Heelers, McCune was best known from a series of TV commercials for the Coles supermarket chain. “It’s so nice now I’m starting to be recognised as Maggie, although people still say to me, ‘You’re the Coles girl, aren’t you?’,” she said.

Look who’s talking about a chat show!
Former A Country Practice star Georgie Parker, (pictured) soon to appear in Seven‘s new series Over The Hill, has been asked to host a prime time chat show being developed by Don Burke‘s CTC Productions. Parker was a recent guest star on Burke’s Backyard and instantly impressed Burke. “Georgie and I had never met, but after two sentences, I knew she was perfect for the show,” he told TV Week. “We’ve had this project on the backburner for four or five years because we couldn’t find the right person.” The talk show project, intended for a mid-evening timeslot, would be a “classy program featuring interesting Australians”.

Neil moves with The Times
This week marks the launch of Seven‘s long-awaited weekly current affairs program, The Times. Hosted by former Four Corners reporter Neil Mercer (pictured), The Times features reporters Marie Mohr, Anne Johnson, Tim Stott and Seven’s political editor Glenn Milne. “The show won’t be glamorous,” Mercer told TV Week. “We won’t be in the studio wearing suits and ties and made up for the cameras. There will be no voice-overs, but there will be a lot of graphics.” Mercer is currently also hosting Seven’s daytime news program Eleven AM until regular host Ann Sanders returns from maternity leave.

Briefly…

• Denise Drysdale (pictured), long rumoured to have been feuding with Daryl Somers since her split from Hey Hey It’s Saturday, will be a guest host of the program next week as Somers will still be in London.
• The Nine Network is negotiating to secure Hollywood actor Kevin Costner for an upcoming interview special to be hosted by Ray Martin. The special will coincide with the upcoming release the Costner-produced film, Rapa Nui.
• Canadian singer kd Lang will be a special guest at this year’s ARIA Awards, to be hosted by Richard Stubbs and broadcast on the Nine Network. Other international acts to appear include Willie Nelson, Don McLean and Urban Cookie Collective. 

Lawrie Masterson: The View From Here

“A couple of months ago I wrote a glowing column about an American show called Grace Under Fire, which is now one of the hottest series in the US. It stars a comedienne named Brett Butler, and I was absolutely bursting with enthusiasm for it. But that piece has never seen light of day because, just before we were about to go to press, Network Ten called to say Grace Under Fire had been removed from their schedule for no apparent reason. Well, I’m pleased to report that it is coming soon… on the Seven Network.”

Program Highlights (Melbourne, March 26-April 1):
Saturday: Wide World Of Sports (12pm, Nine) includes coverage of the Australian 500cc Grand Prix Trials. The AFL premiership season commences, with highlights of the day’s Round One matches (6pm, Seven). The Price Is Right host Larry Emdur is guest host of Hey Hey It’s Saturday (6.30pm, Nine).

Sunday: Ken Sutcliffe and commentators Darrell Eastlake and Barry Sheene host live coverage of the Australian 500cc Grand Prix (11.45am, Nine) from Eastern Creek. AFL coverage includes Brisbane Bears versus Sydney Swans (2pm, Seven), live from Brisbane, and Adelaide Crows versus Carlton (5.30pm, Seven), live from Adelaide. Sunday night movies are Dead Or Alive (Seven), Perfect Witness (Nine) and Harry And The Hendersons (repeat, Ten).

Monday: In Neighbours (6.30pm, Ten), Pam (Sue Jones) has to face Doug (Terence Donovan) over her relationship with Tom (George Mallaby). In Healthy Wealthy And Wise (7.30pm, Ten), Ross Greenwood has advice for people involved in fund raising, Ronnie Burns learns all about home brewing, and Iain Hewitson cooks up a classic dish — chicken and ratatouille.

Tuesday: In GP (8.30pm, ABC), the safety of Ian (Tony Llewellyn-Jones) and his family is put in jeopardy when one of his patients takes revenge. Guest stars Kim Lewis and Peter Kowitz.

Wednesday: In Hey Dad! (7.30pm, Seven), Betty’s (Julie McGregor) cousin Coral (Emma Jane Fowler) comes to visit. Norman Kaye and Rosa Tommasini star in A Little Love, this week’s drama in the Under The Skin series (8pm, SBS). Richard Stubbs hosts the ARIA Awards (8.30pm, Nine). Neil Mercer hosts the debut of current affairs show The Times (10.30pm, Seven).

Thursday: In Beyond 2000 (7.30pm, Ten), Andrew Waterworth is in Scotland to learn about a new ovary transplant technique to help cancer sufferers, Dr Caroline West reports on a portable solar power station, and Iain Finlay reviews Sony’s latest CD player. Diane Craig hosts Love Rules (8.30pm, Nine), a new series examining the issues that affect our relationships with partners, children and parents.

Friday (Good Friday): Seven’s annual Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal kicks off at 9am, breaking only for Seven News (12pm and 6pm), Real Life (6.30pm) and Home And Away (7pm), and continuing through to midnight. The appeal’s evening variety concert (8.30pm) from Melbourne’s World Congress Centre includes performances by Jimeoin, Jack Jones, Amazing Jonathon, the cast of A Chorus Line and Buddy, Franciscus Henri and Franklin Ajaye. Christina Koutsoukos presents a special Good Friday edition of Compass (7.30pm, ABC).

Source: TV Week (Melbourne edition), incorporating TV Times and TV Guide. 26 March 1994.  Southdown Press.