1979: June 30-July 6

Countdown – 200 not out!
In less than five years, Countdown has progressed from a hesitant, experimental program to a powerful force in the pop industry.  The program claims a weekly audience of over four million and superstars are scrambling for an invitation to appear.  And, even though the show’s host and talent co-ordinator Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum (pictured) is often mumbling on camera, he is an industry legend.  The ‘Molly’ nickname originated from a regular column that Meldrum wrote for Go-Set magazine that was referred to by Melbourne radio identity Stan Rofe as “Molly’s Piece,” as it could be a bit bitchy.  The ‘Molly’ reference was back again when pop star John Paul Young introduced the host as “boring Molly Meldrum” in the third episode of the show.  The name has stuck ever since.  Producer Michael Shrimpton recalls the development of the show: “When we started we had just five film clips from overseas and we just used them over and over, just to add overseas acts to the show.  Now we get offers from all over the world for first-release material, and whenever stars visit they want to appear on Countdown.  There is no doubt about the respect the show has.”  Shrimpton also credits Countdown as breaking Eurovision Song Contest winners ABBA into the Australian market: “ABBA were nothing in this country, but Countdown picked them up and look what happened.  An album track, Mamma Mia, was released as a single just for Australia.”  Local bands such as AC/DC, Skyhooks, Hush, Sherbet, Dragon and The Angels can also credit Countdown for their big breaks which have led to Australian and international success.  But despite the countless acts that have appeared on the show over its first 200 episodes, its biggest guest star was one Prince Charles – to which Molly casually recalled a recent trip to London: “I saw your Mum in an open carriage in the Mall.”  The Prince frostily replied, “do you mean Her Majesty The Queen?”

Gunston in union row
Norman Gunston is in trouble with Australian journalists following a press conference in Sydney for visiting American evangelist Dr Billy Graham.  In a letter to Actors’ Equity from Barry Porter, president of the NSW branch of the Australian Journalists Association, complaints were made of interference of '”non-AJA members” at the press conference.  Although Gunston is not specifically mentioned in the letter, it is known by Actors’ Equity that he is a target of complaints from the AJA.  John Eastway, producer of The Norman Gunston Show, said that Gunston (played by Garry McDonald) never sought to dominate press conferences: “He usually waits until there is a gap in the questions.  At the Billy Graham press conference, he put his questions 20 minutes after the conference had begun – and when he had finished, the proceedings continued on as before.  I think the whole thing is a joke.” 

So you want to be a …
The Young Doctors star Joe Hasham (pictured) has been trying out a number of jobs in different fields, but it’s not because he is down on his luck as an actor.  Instead, the job-hopping is all in the name of entertainment as Hasham introduces viewers to a different occupation each month in a segment on The Steve Raymond Show.  As well as introducing the segment he also demonstrates what the job entails.  Previous segments have seen Hasham as a policeman, garbage collector, barman, brewery worker and a shearer.  Apart from his acting interests Hasham would like to move into the area of producing programs such as telemovies: “But, after my family, acting still comes first at the moment.”

Briefly…
ABC presenter Peter Wherrett and newsreader James Dibble are two of the guests to appear on Mr Squiggle’s Birthday Party special to air this week.  The two-hour special commemorates Mr Squiggle’s 20th year on television.

Phones ran hot at ABC recently following a newspaper report that Countdown was expanding to a daily two-hour format as well as the usual Sunday episode.  The truth is that Countdown will continue in its present format.

A documentary which claims to reveal the identity and whereabouts of some of the world’s most wanted war criminals will probably be screened by the Seven Network in August.  The documentary, The Hunter And The Hunted, was made by Sydney film-makers John Oakley and Bill Bemister and was partially financed by Seven.

Viewpoint: Letters to the Editor
”I appreciate the efficiency with which Mastermind is organised but I find it too rigid and unfriendly.  Could we have the occasional laugh or just a smile?”" P. Bartok, NSW.

“It was with pleasure and relief I read in TV Times (5 May 1979) of the extended help coming from the Australian Centre for Visual Television (ACVT) to help and benefit the deaf in understanding and enjoying TV.  It will certainly help the deaf feel TV is for them too.” M. King, NSW.

“It amazes me why, on commercial stations, some advertisements aim at degrading children who live in the city.  We all know that hens lay eggs and cows give milk.  Why do some advertising agencies persist in making city children look stupid by saying milk comes from a bottle and eggs come from cartons?” J. Levi, SA.

What’s On (June 30-July 6):
Barry Crocker presents ABC’s first Saturday Special program with a comedy and variety show featuring Denise Drysdale, Peter Russell-Clarke, Peter Brock and Allison Durbin.

On the afternoon before Countdown presents its 200th episode, ABC’s Sunday Spectrum takes a special look at a week in the life of Countdown’s production unit – with sequences shot in discos, record companies, studios and concerts, as well as glimpses of the producers at work and home.

This Fabulous Century (HSV7, Sunday) recalls the careers of Jack Davey and Bob Dyer (pictured), who both dominated Australia’s radio airwaves.  Their famous catchphrases such as ’Hi Ho Everybody!’ and ‘Happy Lathering Customers’ became the most familiar words on radio.

Starting 11.00pm Wednesday night, GTV9 presents live coverage of Wimbledon 1979.

HSV7’s Friday afternoon children’s program Stax looks at the Jewish religion and talks with 13-year-old Gerard, who has just celebrated his bar mitzvah and is learning Hebrew.

Sunday night movies: Twilight’s Last Gleaming (HSV7), Cabaret (GTV9), The Outlaw Josey Wales (ATV0).  ABC presents the BBC production of Shakespeare’s Richard II, the first of the British broadcaster’s series of 37 Shakespeare plays to be produced and screened over the next six years.

Source: TV Times (Melbourne edition), 30 June 1979.  ABC/ACP

1979: March 3-9

Tickling the Peter!
Cop Shop's Peter Adams hasn't always been cast in the macho roles he has become familiar for.  In fact, he made his acting debut playing a chubby woman in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta at age 10.  But in his adult career, mostly in the theatre, New Zealand-born Adams (pictured, with co-star Joanna Lockwood) has also had a variety of roles - including playing an owl in a panto production of Robin Hood.  Before scoring the role of "JJ" Johnson in Cop Shop, Adams' only regular TV roles were in ABC's Australia A To Z and as a newspaper reporter in Number 96.  Although a guest appearance in Division Four with Judy Morris in 1970 apparently has the unusual distinction of being the first nude bedroom scene on Australian TV.

The Kiwi Invasion
Australian television is about to be invaded by New Zealand actors.  Bill Stalker (pictured), one of New Zealand's most versatile stage and TV actors, is coming to Australia for a role in the new Seven Network series Skyways.  The actor had a popular following in New Zealand playing a mechanic in the long-running local soap Close To Home.  Fellow Kiwi actor Sam Neill has already had roles in two Australian films, My Brilliant Career and The Journalist, and will be starting work soon on The Sullivans, appearing on screen around mid-year.

'Sorry about that, love!'
A TV Times photo shoot featuring tennis star John Newcombe and 0-10 Network personalities Victoria Nicolls (pictured), Lenore Smith and Steve Raymond turned sour.  Nicolls, "only a social tennis player", took a fall when trying to return a hit from Smith.  Instead of returning to the set of The Restless Years for taping a wedding episode, the actress was taken to the local hospital.  No broken bones were found but she did have to keep her arm in a sling and managed to get to the postponed taping of the wedding episode later that day.

Briefly...
Actors John Ewart and Serge Lazareff are to join the cast of The Young Doctors, and there are plans for the Australian World Series Cricket team to also make a guest appearance next year.  Executive producer Alan Coleman is keen to have players such as Dennis Lillee come in to the hospital for treatment and end the guest stint with an appearance by the entire Australian team.

Former Young Talent Time regular Debbie Byrne and husband Dave Dudley are expecting their first child in July.  Byrne, who appeared in ABC's The Saturday Show last year, is also to feature in ABC's upcoming variety series Follies later in the year.

It has taken two years of planning, but Days Of Our Lives stars Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth are coming to Australia for a series of club appearances starting in Brisbane and touring to other capital cities.  The actors will be temporarily written out of the popular US drama to allow them the Australian tour.

Viewpoint: Letters to the Editor
"Rowena Wallace, who plays Pamela Taylor in Cop Shop, should wear a wig, because she looks very old with grey hair.  A black or red wig would suit her very well.  She has a very young face."  C. Leoni, QLD.

"Monty Python's Flying Circus brings a touch of ABC sophistication to the otherwise tepid material usually screened on ATN7 Sydney.  But as usual we have to suffer for good TV on a commercial station - a fine, fast-moving show like Monty Python gets absolutely butchered by all the silly ads."  N. Wainwright, NSW.

"I wonder how many viewers know of the series Three's Company let alone watch it regularly?  I needed only one look to realise that it is yet another example of blatant American poaching of British ideas.  Man About The House was a far superior series.  ABC must have bought the series for a very low price, because it falls way below the standard I have come to expect from them."  K. Davidson, VIC.

What's On (March 3-9):
ABC presents live coverage of the Australian Masters' Golf tournament from Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  Saturday is Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield racecourse.  ATV0's Phil Gibbs and Clem Dimsey present a two-hour morning preview, then from midday Michael Schildberger heads the afternoon's live coverage.

Melbourne's Moomba festival is on again and ATV0 crosses live to the Yarra River embankment on Sunday afternoon for the 1979 Birdman Rally and Bathtub Regatta.

The second episode of HSV7's This Fabulous Century (presenter Peter Luck, pictured) is titled 'Institutions', looking at the Miss Australia tradition, Bondi Beach and the Holden motor car.

The winner of last year's Mastermind, John Bond, will represent Australia in Mastermind International which debuts on ABC on Wednesday night.  The series, taped in London, features Mastermind winners from around the world including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Nigeria, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

In ATV0's Prisoner there has been a murder at Wentworth Detention Centre and both the authorities and the inmates have their own methods of finding the culprit.  The new drama screens on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

The Australian Football Championships, a national night football competition, continues on HSV7 with Richmond versus West Australian team Subiaco.

This week's guests on Peter Couchman Tonight include Ian Meldrum, Bob Rogers, Normie Rowe, Stan Rofe, Debbie Byrne, Brian Davies, Gus Mercurio, Peita Toppano, The God Squad, Ross D. Wyllie, Jane Scali and Michael Cormick. 

Sunday night movies are Eliza Fraser (HSV7), The Steel Cowboy (GTV9) and Flood (ATV0). 

Source: TV Times (Melbourne edition), 3 March 1979.  ABC/ACP

1979: February 3-9

Cover: Rod Stewart

The $1m newsman is as hard as nails!
Brian Naylor, former long-time newsreader for HSV7 in Melbourne, was last year subject of the biggest takeover bid in the business when he was signed up by arch rival GTV9 to front National Nine News.  With more than 20 years at Seven behind him, Naylor is reluctant to confirm exactly how much he was paid to come over to GTV but $1 million has been reported in various circles - and both channels GTV9 and ATV0 have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in previous years to get viewers to switch over from Seven's top-rating news, without much luck.  GTV9's last option was to buy Naylor from Seven.  News director John Sorell had tried once before but Naylor didn't bite.  But then five months ago GTV9 was faced with losing newsreader Eric Pearce to semi-retirement and Sorell knew that Naylor's contract was coming up for renewal at Seven, so Sorell kept his eye on the calendar and when the time was right managed to make a successful offer.

Nationwide - 'a unique mix'
ABC's new current affairs program, Nationwide, will be "a unique mix of national and local current affairs," according to executive producer John Penlington.  The new program, which replaces the long-running This Day Tonight, begins on ABC on 19 February and will screen Monday to Thursday nights.  Former Adelaide TDT host Clive Hale (pictured) will present Nationwide from Sydney and will be joined by Canberra correspondent Richard Carleton and investigative reporters Paul Griffiths and Andrew Olle.  The program will also have local segments compiled in each state capital to include stories of local interest.

Many happy returns for Dorrie
Director Peter Williams was a schoolboy when he first saw Pat McDonald (pictured) perform in stage play The Cell in Canberra.  The young Williams went backstage after the show to meet McDonald and the rest of the cast.  Now Williams will be directing McDonald as she takes over from Ruth Cracknell in the stage comedy Bedroom Farce which is about to tour Australia.  Bedroom Farce marks McDonald's return to the stage after six years on TV as dotty pensioner Dorrie Evans in Number 96.  McDonald, whose career started in theatre, told TV Times she loves working on stage but would like to do another TV series if the public would accept her as someone other than Dorrie.

Briefly...
John Bond, winner of ABC's first Mastermind series, is "rather scared" at the prospect of facing Mastermind winners from Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Nigeria in a Mastermind International special to be taped this week at BBC in London.  The program will air in Australia later this month on ABC.

American-born Evie Hayes has returned from her annual trip back to the home country to start her eighth year as an adjudicator on Young Talent Time, and despite reports to the contrary, has no thoughts of moving from  her adopted home of Melbourne.

Rolf Harris has returned to his home town of Perth to appear in a televised concert to commemorate Western Australia's 150th anniversary.  The 49-year-old entertainer, now based in the UK, has also been negotiating with ABC to televise a concert that he is appearing in with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in May.

Viewpoint: Letters to the Editor:
"So Pensioner, you think you have it bad in Canberra (Viewpoint, 6 January 1979).  Here in Darwin, TV starts at 5.30pm-6.00pm and finishes at 11.30pm.  And that's on a late night!  At least Canberra TV starts at midday with The Mike Walsh Show.  We don't even get it - or The Sullivans.  One program here is The Cisco Kid made in the 1950s.  It's about time it was put in moth balls.  The movies are third rate." C. Kidd, NT.

"I'm a great fan of horror films and I think there should be one or two scary movies a week, at early times like there used to be on Saturday nights.  And I'm sure my blood thirsty friends would enjoy them as I will when, or if, it happens." T. Amalfigano, NSW.

"To that Canberra pensioner (Viewpoint, 6 January 1979) who wants another commercial channel!  Please point out to her the rubbish we have in Sydney with four channels.  Tennis, cricket, cricket, tennis.  I am a pensioner in bed with one leg in plaster.  I would like to see the people who run these stations spend time in hospital or in an old people's home and look at this trash.  So tell her Canberra is no worse off."  'Pensioner', NSW.

What's On (February 3-9):
Another week of cricket with World Series Cricket on GTV9 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and One Day International on ABC on Saturday and Sunday.  With school going back in various states, ABC's schools programming resumes between 10.00am and 2.30pm weekdays.

Also for kids is This Week Has Seven Days on HSV7 on Saturday afternoon.  This week's show includes David Johnston examining the history and background of the ancient city of Athens and Honor Walters' careers segment features optical mechanics.

Daytime show The Mike Walsh Show returns for another year, and GTV9's drama double, The Young Doctors and The Sullivans (pictured), are returned to their normal 6.00pm and 7.00pm timeslots for the 1979 season.  Game show Family Feud is settled back into its 5.00pm timeslot.

The new comedy series Doctor Down Under (based in the British Doctor In The House series) begins on HSV7 on Monday night, and The Naked Vicar Show returns featuring cast members Noeline Brown, Kevin Golsby, Ross Higgins, Colin McEwan, Laurel McGowan and guest stars John Farnham and Linda George.

Sunday night movies are The Mad Bomber (HSV7) and The Fox (ATV0).  GTV9 has World Series Cricket through to 10.30pm.

Source: TV Times (Melbourne edition), 3 February 1979.  ABC/ACP

1978: March 25-31

The day Mike Walsh blew a fuse!
TV Times' cover story reveals some of The Mike Walsh Show's behind-the-scenes hazards in producing a daily live variety program. One incident involved a local electrician being summonsed at the last minute to present a segment on how to replace a fuse, only to have host Mike Walsh realise the electrician spoke little English. The segment became a impromptu, though brief, comedy spot. Another incident saw one visiting guest that came very close to catching a glimpse at Walsh's normally top-secret interview notes while on-air, which gave some unflattering references to some of the star's previous incidences which he would have rather forgot.

Ed Devereaux stars in school kidnap drama:
Ed Devereaux, star of the former children's drama Skippy, is to star in a BBC dramatisation of the real-life 1972 kidnapping of a teacher and her young students from a school in the small town of Faraday in Victoria. The re-enactment of the crime is to feature in an eight-part series, Life At Stake, which is to screen in Australia on ABC.

May the best mind win!
The first episode of a new ABC quiz show, Mastermind, is about to go to air. Forty-eight contestants will embark on a battle of the brains over seventeen weeks. The winner of the series will then head to the United Kingdom to appear in the BBC series of the same name. But unlike most quiz shows, Mastermind will have no loud audience participation, no "pick a box" or "spin the wheel" type stunts - but does take general knowledge question and answers to a new level with subjects ranging from the music of Beethoven, to the royal families of Europe in the 19th century. One of the show's upcoming contestants will be Hutton Gibson, an American-born computer programmer living in Sydney who had also been champion on other game shows including the US version of Jeopardy. Mr Gibson also has a son, Mel, who had just graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Viewpoint: Letters to the Editor:
"The lovely little lady who, until now, had been only a voice on radio 2BL afternoon programs popped up on ABC News at 1.00pm. How wrong can one be? I had pictured Margaret Throsby to be a lass wearing long caftans, shawls and an Afro hairstyle. Instead, I find she is quite beautiful. Thank you ABC, it is about time we saw a pretty girl reading the news." I.C. Alexander, NSW.

"Why is such a low-down, vulgar and senseless show such as Blankety Blanks allowed to be shown? The alternative channels often have little better. Give us good family shows. The Celebrity Game was enjoyed by my family. They like something that makes their brains tick over." C. Roberts, VIC.

"Paul Makin of Willesee At Seven handles serious subjects with understanding, but he should stop there while he's ahead, as his interviews and antics with visiting celebrities and his street interviews are embarrassingly unfunny." G. Sheen, NSW.

What's On (March 25-31):
Weekend sport telecasts include the traditional easter Stawell Gift on ABC and HSV7. ATV0 presents a delayed telecast of Caesar's Palace Challenge Cup Tennis, from the Caesar's Palace Hotel in Las Vegas. ABC presents the Australian Rowing Championships from Hobart, and the Australian Surfing Championship from Budgen Beach, NSW.

ATV0 presents a one-hour US musical spectacular celebrating the 100th anniversary of America's Bell Telephone Company, hosted by Bing Crosby and Liza Minnelli.

GTV9 screens a one-hour presentation of the Little River Band performing in concert in at the Rainbow Theatre in London. The special includes songs from the band's album Diamantina Cocktail, and interviews with the band members. The band will also appear as special guests on GTV9's The Don Lane Show.

Easter Sunday night movies include the biblical epic The Greatest Story Ever Told (GTV9) with an all-star Hollywood cast including John Wayne, Charlton Heston, Angela Lansbury, Shelley Winters, Telly Savalas and Max Von Sydow as Jesus.

Source: TV Times (Melbourne edition), 25 March 1978. ABC/ACP.

1978: February 4-10

Cover Story: Inside the Game Show business:
TV Times talks to producer Reg Grundy, the radio game show host of the 1950s that went on to head a TV production empire worth around $6 million (in 1978 dollars) turnover a year. Famous for taking US game show formats and franchising them for local audiences, Grundy had launched over 50 game show titles since he launched Wheel Of Fortune in 1959. Despite his longevity in the game show business, his latest venture, the top-rating Blankety Blanks almost never got to air after being offered and refused by the other networks but eventually picked up by the 0-10 Network where it became a huge ratings hit (Cover photo: Noelene Brown and Ugly Dave Gray, two of the resident panellists on Blankety Blanks)

The Year's New Shows:
TV Times' preview of new shows for 1978 was already covered in our blog post on New Year's Day. New shows to launch during the year included drama series Catspaw, Twenty Good Years and Truckies - all on ABC. ABC also promises a new series of Marcia Hines Music and an Australian version of the British quiz Mastermind.

The Seven Network was preparing an Australian version of the British comedy Father Dear Father, and Nine had announced a series of Australian-made telemovies. Heading the 0-10 Network's new season line-up was the action drama Chopper Squad.

Sammy Davis for Don Lane show:
Entertainer Sammy Davis Jnr is reportedly to be planning a trip to Australia to appear on Nine's The Don Lane Show. Don Lane is a fan of Davis and had arranged the visit while staying with him at his Nevada property. Meanwhile, The Don Lane Show is about to launch its 1978 season and producer Peter Faiman is promising changes to the show including a $1 million revamp of the show's studio and as many as 15 international celebrity appearances via satellite over the first few months of the year.

Wind of a new career:
Rock star Jon English is announced as heading the lineup for the upcoming Seven Network/Pegasus Productions mini-series Against The Wind, about to commence production. English is signed up to play convict Jonathon Garrett in the historical drama that has a $1 million budget for 13 episodes. English's only prior acting experience was as a rock star involved in a murder case in the police drama Homicide.

Price rise:
TV Times announced that "increased production and paper costs have regretably caused us to raise the cover price of TV Times from 30 to 40 cents. It is our first price rise in two-and-a-half years".

Viewpoint: Letters to the Editor:

"Blankety Blanks' panel spends most of its time sniggering at (Graham Kennedy's) lavatory wall innuendos. Most of us ceased to be impressed by this daring wit at the age of 10." T.Martin, VIC.

"At least five times in the last month, TV Times has printed one thing and a TV station has shown another. If the stations tell TV Times their programs for the week, then they should stick to it and not change it whenever they feel like it." M.Turnbull, VIC.

"I would like to thank ABC for that brilliant English comedy Are You Being Served? and the repeat of the Rush series. In these days of endless movie repeats, excessive sports broadcasts and mediocre American cop dramas, programs of historical value and entertainment quality such as Rush, Are You Being Served?, Warship, South Riding and The Pallisers have become all too few and far between." S.Cass, NSW

What's On (February 4-10):

The Don Lane Show (GTV9) returns for its fourth year, up against ATV0's new Monday-to-Thursday night variety show Peter Couchman Tonight.

On Wednesday night ABC launches a new music series The Real Thing hosted by radio identity Ron E Sparx. The first show includes appearances by Little River Band, Radio Birdman, Renee Geyer and Dragon. On the weekend, Countdown is still continuing its review of the top 100 albums of 1977.

After-school TV programming is mostly dominated by imported product with Sesame Street, The Partridge Family, The Flintstones, Get Smart, Nanny And The Professor, Family Affair and My Friend Flicka shown across the networks. The only local content to be found between 4.00pm and 6.00pm is Play School (ABC) and GTV9's Cartoon Corner which only served to introduce US cartoon series Valley Of The Dinosaurs and Josie And The Pussycats.

Sunday night movies for the week are Trader Horn (HSV7), Charlie's Angels feature in Angels In Paradise (GTV9) and ATV0 screens The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean. All are TV premieres. Following the movie on ATV0 is the current affairs/interview program Firing Line with Maxwell Grant, Alan Ramsey, Mickie de Stoop and Jeremy Cornford.

Source: TV Times, 4 February 1978 (Melbourne edition) ABC/ACP