They say certain things happen in threes — and that was the case for Rove McManus, who won his third Gold Logie at the 47th annual TV Week Logie Awards, held at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on Sunday, 1 May 2005.
And McManus happened to win three Logies on the night — also collecting the Silver Logie for Most Popular Presenter and Rove Live winning Most Popular Light Entertainment Program.
“It’s just an incredible validation of everything that I’m doing and it shows people are still enjoying it,” he told TV Week at the time. “Just a nomination is enough, but to actually receive the (Gold) award for a third time is wonderful — very, very humbling — and I’m pleased and proud and honoured to receive it.” McManus’ on-screen acceptance speech included a tribute to his wife, Belinda Emmett, for always being supportive of him. (Emmett, ill with cancer, died in 2006)
McManus’ Gold Logie win saw yet another opportunity pass for Blue Heelers star John Wood (pictured). It was his ninth Gold Logie nomination, but he did score a Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor. It was his first Logie win since 1989. “It’s extraordinary for someone my age to even be nominated,” he said. “The highlight for me was the standing ovation. I mean, that was just unbelievable.”
Home And Away star Bec Cartwright, attending with then fiancé Lleyton Hewitt, won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress. “I’ve never seen a Logie this close up before,” she said. “And I wasn’t aware that they actually put your name on it.”
The Nine Network‘s McLeod’s Daughters won Most Popular Australian Drama despite losing a number of key cast members during the previous year. “The show’s kind of constantly evolving,” cast member Rachael Carpani said. “So you never know what the viewers are going to think. But they love us!”
Home And Away‘s Chris Hemsworth, now a major Hollywood star, won Most Popular New Talent, while Neighbours‘ Natalie Blair (pictured) won Most Popular New Female Talent. Blair’s acceptance speech was noteworthy in that she blissfully ignored the designated time limit and went on to thank just about everyone — even ignoring the wind up cues from the audience. “They may have put a little note on our seats,” she said. “But when you’re up there, you don’t think of time.”
Neighbours was also inducted into the TV Week Logie Awards Hall Of Fame, only the second time in the award’s history that a program had received the honour. The show’s cast accepted their award via a song and dance routine — including a rap from Ian Smith, Harold Bishop in the series. “The dance was nerve-wracking,” co-star Jackie Woodburne told TV Week. “But for non-singers and non-dancers, I think we did a damn fine job. We were all so nervous but it went very quickly and it was great fun.” The award, introduced by showbiz veterans Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell and Val Jellay, was timed to coincide with the show’s recent 20th anniversary.
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Australian Idol won Most Popular Reality Program for the second year in a row. Co-host James Mathison confessed that he didn’t think the show would win. “My Restaurant Rules has been really popular and we thought they might get up this year,” he told TV Week.
Backyard Blltz collected its fifth Logie for Most Popular Lifestyle Program, while fellow Nine Network program The Footy Show (NRL) won Most Popular Sports Program.
As was perhaps evidence of the voting demographic of the Logies, the award for Most Popular Overseas Program was The OC — seen in Australia on Network Ten. The program was never widely popular here but had a definite following among younger viewers. Series co-star Peter Gallagher accepted the award on behalf of the show via satellite.
In the peer-voted awards, Sam Neill (pictured) won the Logie for Most Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series for his performance in the mini-series Jessica, which also won Most Outstanding Mini-Series/Telemovie.
Miranda Otto won the Logie for Most Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series for her portrayal of Lindy Chamberlain in Through My Eyes.
Foxtel drama series Love My Way became the first pay-TV program to take out the award for Most Outstanding Drama Series. “It feels really good to be recognised and it’s boosted confidence,” co-star Asher Keddie told TV Week. The show’s win comes just ahead of production starting on a second series.
The Chaser had shared the Most Outstanding Comedy Program award with Kath And Kim in 2004, but this time around took the honour outright for their election-themed series The Chaser Decides.
The second series of Out There, screened on ABC, won Most Outstanding Children’s Program. “Doing good TV is just so important for our kids,” executive producer Michael Bourchier told TV Week. “It’s absolutely essential that we break the mould and do shows there the writing is as good as it is for an adult show.”
The President Vs David Hicks (SBS), following the plight of accused terrorist David Hicks being held indefinitely in Guantanamo Bay, won Most Outstanding Documentary Series. ABC’s Australian Story won Most Outstanding Public Affairs Report for “Into The Forest”. The program sought to find out more about convicted serial killer Ivan Milat, interviewing a number of his relatives, and provide a further insight into the horrific serial killings.
Network Ten’s coverage of the Bob Jane T-Marts Bathurst 1000 again won Most Popular Sports Coverage — beating fellow nominees NRL State Of Origin, AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup and the Athens Olympic Games. “The fact that people all tune in to see a special event like an Olympics doesn’t mean it’s the best coverage,” Ten presenter Bill Woods said.
The awards, held at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on Sunday, 1 May 2005, were hosted by Seven’s Andrew O’Keefe, Nine’s Eddie McGuire and Ten’s Rove McManus — emulating the same line-up that hosted the Australia Unites telethon a few months earlier.
International guests and performers included Kathryn Morris (Cold Case), Adam Rodriguez (CSI: Miami), R&B singer Mario, Michael Bublé and operatic group Il Divo.
There was also a performance by the previous year’s Australian Idol runner-up Anthony Callea, singing his signature rendition of The Prayer.
Publicly-voted Awards:
Gold Logie — Most Popular Personality: Rove McManus (pictured with wife Belinda Emmett)
Silver Logie — Most Popular Actor: John Wood
Silver Logie — Most Popular Actress: Bec Cartwright
Silver Logie — Most Popular TV Presenter: Rove McManus
Most Popular New Male Talent: Chris Hemsworth
Most Popular New Female Talent: Natalie Blair
Most Popular Australian Drama: McLeod’s Daughters
Most Popular Light Entertainment Program: Rove Live
Most Popular Reality Program: Australian Idol (pictured)
Most Popular Sports Program: The Footy Show (NRL)
Most Popular Lifestyle Program: Backyard Blitz
Most Popular Overseas Program: The OC
Industry-voted Awards:
Gold Logie — Hall Of Fame: Neighbours
Silver Logie — Most Outstanding Actor: Sam Neill
Silver Logie — Most Outstanding Actress: Miranda Otto
Silver Logie — Most Outstanding Drama Series: Love My Way (pictured)
Most Outstanding Children’s Program: Out There: Series 2
Most Outstanding Mini-Series/Telemovie: Jessica
Most Outstanding Comedy: The Chaser Decides
Most Outstanding Documentary Series: The President Vs David Hicks
Most Outstanding Public Affairs Report: “Into The Forest (Ivan Milat)”, Australian Story
Most Outstanding News Coverage: “Tsunami: 30 Dec 2004”, National Nine News
Most Outstanding Sports Coverage: Bob Jane T-Marts Bathurst 1000
Source: TV Week, 14 May 2005
The 57th annual TV Week Logie Awards. Tonight, Sunday 3 May, 7.30pm (Red Carpet 7pm), Nine Network.
