1976 — fifty years ago — and the four networks have a bumper year coming up with new drama, comedy, documentary, children’s, variety and game shows. And there is a definite trend towards the past with each network’s major drama offering. ABC has a 26-episode saga, Power Without Glory, and a follow up to its 1974 gold rush drama, Rush, while Seven and Nine both have mini-series depicting stories based on Australia’s early colonialism period, and Seven also has a comedy based on 18th century convicts. The 0-10 Network has an ambitious children’s series that, while set in the present day, has a creative historical bent.
First up, some of the new shows coming up during the year on ABC. Tomorrow: Seven Network.
Power Without Glory: ABC’s lavish $2 million, 26-part adaptation of Frank Hardy‘s novel is to be a highlight of the year, featuring a who’s-who of A-list actors, including: Martin Vaughan, Rosalind Spiers, George Mallaby, Michael Pate, Wendy Hughes, Tony Bonner, Frank Wilson, Fred ‘Cul’ Cullen, Graeme Blundell, Terence Donovan, Tim Robertson, John Wood, Rowena Wallace, Tristan Rogers, Gerard Kennedy, Gus Mercurio, John Hargreaves, Leila Hayes, Sean Scully, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, Vivean Gray, Mary Ward, Patsy King and a guest appearance by Graham Kennedy. Power Without Glory is the story of John West (Vaughan) from his impoverished youth in the 1890s through to his death as a multi-millionaire six decades later.
Rush: Following the successful 1974 series, Rush is back for a second series. Unlike the first series, the new series is produced in colour in partnership with French network Antenne 2. John Waters reprises his role as Sergeant Robert McKellar, this time joined by French actor Alain Doutey as policeman Emile Bizard. The second series is set in the 1860s, ten years later than the 1974 series, and filmed on location in the Sydney suburb of Belrose.
No Thanks I’m On A Diet: This six-part comedy series stars husband and wife Maurie Fields and Val Jellay with Berrie Cameron-Allen. A spin-off from the play featured in the anthology series This Love Affair, the series tells the story of the romantic trials of plus-sized Brenda (Cameron-Allen), who keeps getting set up on blind dates by her friend.
Andra: A six-part science fiction series starring Lisa Peers, Bruce Kerr, Robert Hewett, Suzanne Dudley, Adrian Wright, Marcel Cugola and Jonathan Hardy. Andra (Peers) is a child in the year 4000AD who suffers an injury and receives a brain transplant from a child from the 20th century.
Moynihan: A seven-part co-production with New Zealand’s Television One, telling the story of activities of a New Zealand trade union trouble-shooter. Filmed on location in New Zealand, featuring New Zealand and Australian actors.
YouTube: The Forgotten Outsiders
The Outsiders: An Australian-German co-production telling the story of Charlie Cole (Andrew Keir) and his grandson (Sascha Hehn), who wander all over Australia on the hunt for odd jobs in bush towns, sheep stations, deserts and islands.
Alvin Purple: A 13-episode sitcom spin-off from the movie of the same name, featuring Graeme Blundell reprising his role as the hapless sex symbol. Also featuring Chris Haywood, John Ewart, Jeff Ashby, Jacki Weaver, Judy Lynne, Peta Toppano, Angela Punch-McGregor, Briony Behets, Belinda Giblin, Chantal Contouri, Noeline Brown, Judy Morris, Tina Bursill and Dawn Lake.
Winner Takes All: Weekly game show hosted by Ron Frazer with Liz Burch. Based on the British show The Generation Game, four teams of two contestants copy experts in a series of challenges in a bid for prizes.
Arena: A two-part drama, proposed as a pilot for series, starring John Meillon, Julie Hamilton, Chelsea Brown, Brian Blain, Vincent Ball and Ray Barrett, and written by actor Michael Craig. Meillon plays a Sydney lawyer who starts his own company to protect the interests of sporting celebrities.
The Sentimental Bloke: Musical adaption of the classic poems from Songs Of A Sentimental Bloke by CJ Dennis, to commemorate the centenary of the poet’s birth. Starring Graeme Blundell, Jimmy Hannan, Nancye Hayes, Jon Finlayson, Anne Phelan, Laine Lamont, Geraldine Turner and Joy Westmore.
Who Do You Think You Are: In this 13-episode situation comedy, Kelly (Barbara Stephens) is a young woman recently separated from her husband Tony (Stephen O’Rourke) and living with flatmate Tom (Tony Llewellyn-Jones). Written by John O’Grady.
The Fool On The Hill: An ambitious musical production based on the songs from The Beatles and performed by the Australian Ballet with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, the Don Burrows Quintet and The Claire Poole Singers. Recorded at ABC’s Melbourne studios and on location around Melbourne and at the Sydney Opera House. Directed by Sir Robert Helpmann, who also appears as Sgt Pepper, and choreographed by Gillian Lynne.
Flashez: Weekday after-school pop music show to be hosted by Ray Burgess.
In The Wild With Harry Butler: Documentary series hosted by naturalist and conservationist Harry Butler, presenting a first-hand account experiencing the natural plant and animal life of remote and outback Australia.
Quest 76: Peter Regan, who plays the part of a fictional TV host in The Box, becomes a real-life TV host in ABC’s new talent quest series, with performers supported by the ABC orchestras and the ABC Melbourne Show Band.
Horizon 5: A weekday afternoon report on rural and national affairs, presented by Neil Inall.
New Overseas Shows include The Wackers, The Pallisers, Warship, David Copperfield, How Green Was My Valley, Rock Follies, The Regiment and The Brontes Of Haworth.
Source: TV Week, 3 January 1976. TV Times, 31 January 1976, 10 July 1976, 24 July 1976, 7 August 1976, 25 September 1976, 6 November 1976.
