Luke’s Kingdom: The Nine Network‘s big-budget mini-series event — a $1.5 million, 13-hour production in co-operation with Trident Television in the UK. Set in the 19th century, the series follows the adventures of a Yorkshire family who adapt to settling in Sydney. Filmed on location near Bathurst, NSW. Starring British actor Oliver Tobias as Luke Firbeck, co-starring with James Condon, Gerard Maguire, Elisabeth Crosby, Shirley Cameron, Joseph Fürst, Willie Fennell, Les Foxcroft and Helen Morse.
The Young Doctors: Sydney-based serial drama from Reg Grundy Organisation, set at the fictional Alfred Memorial Hospital. Cast includes Mark Holden, John Dommett, Ugly Dave Gray, Iain Finlay, Alfred Sandor, Michael Beecher, Delvene Delaney, Peta Toppano, John Walton, Cornelia Frances, Chris King, Lyn James, Joanna Moore-Smith and Gwen Plumb.
The Sullivans: Crawford Productions‘ ambitious drama, based around a Melbourne suburban family whose lives are changed forever with the outbreak of World War II. Featuring meticulous recreation of the period, starring Paul Cronin, Lorraine Bayly, Andrew McFarlane, Steven Tandy, Richard Morgan, Susan Hannaford, Vivean Gray, Noni Hazlehurst, Reg Gorman, Vikki Hammond, Maggie Dence, Michael Caton, Leon Lissek, Fred Parslow, Ingrid Mason, Norman Yemm and John Bowman.
The Maumill Show: Bob Maumill, formerly of Perth and Sydney radio, comes to Melbourne to launch a new weekly variety show at GTV9.
King’s Men: Detective drama from Sydney, starring Gordon Glenwright with Tom Oliver, Tina Bursill and Don Spencer.
Campbell Down Home, Down Under: One-hour special featuring American singer Glen Campbell with Olivia Newton-John, Sherbet, John Meillon and Bill and Boyd. Filmed on location in Sydney and Melbourne for the Nine Network, US network CBS and international distribution.
Bandstand ’76: A revival of the long-running pop music/variety show that ended in 1972. Hosted by Daryl Somers from Hey Hey It’s Saturday and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation, featuring live performances and music video clips.
Ask The Leyland Brothers: Documentary series with brothers Mike and Mal Leyland as they travel the country to answer viewers’ questions about anything to do with Australian wildlife, geography or natural history.
New Overseas Shows include Starsky And Hutch, Baretta , The Invisible Man, Joe Forrester, Laverne And Shirley, Doctors’ Hospital, SWAT , Napoleon And Love and Swiss Family Robinson.
Source: TV Times, 31 January 1976. TV Week, 24 July 1976, 11 September 1976, 20 November 1976.
Tomorrow: The 0-10 Network
