by Nick Place
Panda in the news
September: The wedding of popular Channel 9 identity Panda Lisner to saxophonist Jimmy Allan on Saturday 24 September created a few headaches for her TV colleagues.
Such is Panda’s popularity that Channel 9 televised her wedding, meaning the station’s outside broadcast crew had to then dash to the MCG in time to show the last quarter of the VFL Grand Final between Melbourne and Collingwood.
Meanwhile, rumours continue to abound that Panda will soon follow former boss Norman Spencer to Channel 7, just as Happy Hammond did earlier in the year.
JO’K back on air
August: Johnny O’Keefe is back on air after dramatically resigning from his role as host of ABC TV’s Six O’Clock Rock. His resignation lasted all of one day, before the national broadcaster’s management hastily agreed to his demand for more rehearsal time in his new contract. With his new deal, JO’K is now believed to be one of the highest-paid stars on television.
Whatever he’s paid, JO’K should just be happy to be alive after the horrific car crash in June that left the rock-and-roll star needing plastic surgery. O’Keefe’s car collided with a gravel truck on the Pacific Highway near Kempsey on the north coast of NSW after a concert. His face was badly lacerated and doctors said he was lucky to be alive.
The accident occurred soon after O’Keefe had returned from America where he is determined to establish Six O’Clock Rock, which has been a hit with young audiences since starting last year, as an international show. Liberty Records had released his recordings in the USA as a first step, calling him ‘The Boomerang Boy’ for their promotional push.
‘Parents need to control TV’ – ABC boss
Australian Broadcasting Commission chairman Sir Richard Boyer has warned that parental discipline is required to put television in its place when children are in the house.
Delivering the Sir John Morris memorial lecture in adult education, Sir Richard said television, like motor cars, was a disturber of habit. He also warned that it was potentially addictive, with ‘compulsive’ complete attention required to watch the medium.
‘It [television] involves self-discipline of a high order by adults,’ he said. ‘There is something primitive about television and it is exemplified in its great attraction for children.’
Sir Richard said he was excited by television’s potential, especially its ability to convey serious cultural matter. ‘It has become quite clear that the discussion of serious topics, the dissemination of scientific fact, the interview of national and world figures can command a wider popular audience on television than has ever been possible on radio or even in the press.’
Geoff ‘Corkey’ Corke is definitely King of the Kids in Melbourne, through his role on the Tarax Show, and Channel 9 has gone out of its way to promote him as such since the departure of former kids show host Happy Hammond.
MEMORIES
> A blitz on unlicensed operators of TV sets. It is estimated that thousands of Australians dodge buying licences. There are 432,578 licensed viewers in Sydney and 370,183 in Melbourne.
> In Sydney, Ron Casey comperes TCN-9’s World of Sport. In Melbourne, Ron Casey (above) comperes HSV-7’s World of Sport, yet neither the Caseys, nor the shows, are related.
> Bert Newton breaks up with girlfriend of nine months, fellow GTV-9 star Joy Fountain.
> Princess Margaret’s wedding is seen on Melbourne’s three channels within two days of the event occurring.
> 1959 Pick-a-Box champion receives abusive letters accusing her of being selfish for remaining on the show so long and of being smug in her success.
> John Casement, from Geelong, has his name drawn from GTV-9’s Big Barrel five times in six weeks.
> A European company with the rights to TV coverage of the Rome Olympic Games allows Australian channels to screen only nine minutes of footage daily.
> GTV-9 uses two newsreaders, with Jack Little joining Eric Pearce. A rear-projection screen is used to show pictures of a person, place, map or diagram.
> Pick-a-Box is the top TV program in Australia – the first time a local show has beaten American film shows in Australia-wide ratings.
> The Postmaster-General, Mr Davidson, approves the renewal of licences to GTV-9 and HSV-7 in Melbourne, and ATN-7 and TCN-9 in Sydney.
> Gold Logie: Graham Kennedy
> Best program: In Melbourne Tonight
1961
A big year for JO’K, Bobby Limb and Barry Jones, and the Logies just get bigger and better. More exposure for our footballers – but will it be welcome? And the possible dangers in watching TV too intently are finally exposed – along with plans to provide a couple of big stars with their own butler.
Quiz king Jones set to take on new challenges
The master of Pick-a-Box, Barry Jones, is set to take on all comers in a new version of the show. From 4 December Bob Dyer will launch the £1000 Barry Jones Handicap, pitting two contestants each episode against the famous quiz king.
No doubt viewers will be eager to watch Jones take on the only other man to scoop Pick-a-Box’s pool this year, PMG employee George Black, who walked away with prizes worth more than £11,500, including a brand new car, caravan and boat.
Jones has won more than £14,500 in prizes on the show, and celebrated his anniversary as unbeaten champion in June when he returned to the show on Seven. At that stage, he had made 41 appearances without being defeated.
He said he was finding his new fame a little tiresome, with people approaching him on the street. Jones was also annoyed that he couldn’t cash in his prizes, telling TV Times: ‘I have this luxury caravan worth £2500 … but how do you get £2500 for a two-ton luxurious freak?’
Jones, a schoolteacher from Dandenong, admitted he was looking at investing in a house but said most of his winnings were for the future. ‘I don’t want to end up as the headmaster of Upper Kookaburra Creek Public School,’ he said. ‘This is an honourable destiny, but I don’t want it. Therefore, I am trying to lay the foundations of an escape fund.’
Who knows, Jones might even end up in politics. He’s currently planning to write a book looking at the history of the three Labor Party splits in 1916, 1931 and 1954.
Pick-a-Box was last year shown to be the most popular program on Australian television, with an estimated audience of more than 1.5 million people. The radio version is heard by 1.75 million Australians on 80 radio stations across the country.
In other quiz show news, Wheel of Fortune host Reg Grundy says he will not quit the role despite the growing amount of work being conducted by his new production company, Reg Grundy Enterprises. ‘I work 70 hours a week to do both jobs but I’m staying a quizmaster because I like it and I like the people I meet,’ he said.
Will cameras clean up Rugby League?
April: Former great Ray Stehr believes that the introduction of live coverage of Rugby League games will clean up the game.
‘If a player knows he can be seen, he’s not going to try anything,’ said Stehr, who will be commentating for Nine on 15 April at 4 pm, when League goes live for the first time.
After protracted negotiations with the NSW Rugby League, the television stations have won cautious permission to screen the last half of one match each week this season. But League officials say they will remove that permission if attendances dip in the first five rounds – so fans need to turn up at games to ensure the TV coverage continues.
Stehr is excited about live Rugby League on television, telling TV Times that it could lead to League stars like Reg Gasnier getting the same sort of hero worship now enjoyed by cowboys in the westerns.
Ironically, just as League is introducing live broadcasts, the VFL is stopping theirs. Concerned at the impact on crowds, the League has this year abandoned its practice of allowing live telecasts of the final quarter of VFL matches.
No barrel – but we still want the girl
June: ‘Somewhere in Melbourne, surely, there’s a girl with an Irish accent (or Scotti
sh), in her early twenties and of a pleasing personality. An accent has often been an asset in show business. It can work like a hallmark and fix the identity of its owner in the mind of the public – a kind of bonus gimmick.’
Channel 9 is searching for an IMT barrel girl following the departure of Happy Cook, the Aboriginal girl who has returned to her home on Melville Island. ‘A girl the mums will like and who’ll make the dads feel younger,’ comes the station’s request.
But because there is no longer a barrel on IMT, Channel 9 is terming it ‘the female participation spot’, adding that a girl already established in a career would be foolish to give up whatever she is doing for such a role. ‘It might not lead anywhere,’ comes the warning.
Channel 9 newsreader Eric Pearce showed off hitherto unknown skills when he played the violin during an edition of In Melbourne Tonight. He wasn’t bad at all, either!
ON DEBUT
> Consider Your Verdict – legal series
> Four Corners – current affairs
> Magic of Music – starts a 12-year run on the ABC
> The Outcasts – historical series about Governor Macquarie
> Music Room – ABC series featuring guest musicians
> Latin Holiday – variety
> Grands and Glamour – music program featuring four grand pianos, four pianists and four beautiful models
> Beginners Please – live show featuring new faces each week, compered by Gerry Hyman
> They Make You Think – series looking at the work and influence of modern theologians
> It Could Be You – audience participation
> Take Three – variety with Johnny Ladd
> VW Show – variety with Horrie Dargie
> University of the Air – educational talk show
> Focus on Football – sporting program with interviews and a quiz
> Whiplash – local western series
> The Mobil Limb Show – variety
> Fancy Free – variety program compered by Peter Smith
> Let’s Make a Date – variety show compered by Corinne Kerby
> Spotlight on Sport – sports panel show
> Just Barbara – variety show And from overseas comes:
> Emergency Ward 10 – BBC hospital drama series starring Australian Charles (Bud) Tingwell
> Dr Kildare – comedy drama
> Many Loves of Dobie Gillis – comedy
> The Jack Benny Show – variety
> The Flintstones – cartoon comedy
> Sing Along With Mitch – US musical show compered by Mitch Miller
> The Secret Garden – drama for children
> The Adventures of Charlie Chan – crime series
On-screen end to JO’K’s wild year
Melbourne’s GTV-9 has not committed to screening the new Johnny O’Keefe Show, meaning the show might only be screened on ATN-7 in Sydney.
GTV-9 executives have asked to see a telerecording of an episode before making a decision. They are believed to be concerned about the one-hour show’s ability to attract a sponsor in Melbourne, where they believe O’Keefe’s popularity is doubtful.
It sums up O’Keefe’s year. He only won the ATN-7 contract after a polished appearance on Revue 61, surprising TV executives with his ‘new-found maturity’. Before that, the wild child of Australian music had struggled throughout 1961. He was rumoured to have suffered a nervous breakdown after visiting England early in the year.
He had hoped to be back on his signature show, Six O’Clock Rock, quickly but his return was delayed for months. Then there were reports that O’Keefe was demanding a substantial pay-rise to return and that the ABC was saying it could not afford his new salary.
The ABC then announced in June it would hold off on making a decision about the fate of Six O’Clock Rock. Johnny had priced himself out of the show but viewers were complaining that the current hosts were morphing the program into a jazz show.
Johnny first appeared on Six O’Clock Rock in February 1959, when he and his band, The Deejays, were guests. They ended up as house band and host. The show has been responsible for introducing young Australian audiences to stars including Lonnie Lee, Barry Stanton and Warren Williams.
The butler did it
August: Comedian Barry Linehan has been sacked for ‘bad taste’ by GTV-9, following a comedy skit on IMT. More than 120 people telephoned Channel 9 protesting that his portrayal of Princess Margaret’s butler was in poor taste.
‘At least I know someone was watching,’ he quipped. The comedian returned immediately to Sydney where he is working on a new stage show. ‘It’s called Ooh La La and it’s French and naughty,’ he said.
The butler will do it
June: Channel 9 is to provide a personal valet with years of distinguished service overseas to look after Graham Kennedy’s and Bert Newton’s clothes – both on camera and off.
At the same time, Kennedy has had a brand new caravan installed in the grounds of Channel 9 to serve as his special dressing room. It has been set up to give Kennedy some privacy before he goes on camera each night, as he’s previously had trouble getting from dressing room to studio due to fans and sponsors wanting to talk to him.
However, Kennedy’s caravan will not have a star painted on the side or his name on it; Channel 9 don’t want to encourage any unwelcome visitors.
Revolution in cricket broadcasts
June: Cricket lovers will be in for a treat during this year’s Ashes series in England, with highlights of each day’s play being screened on Australian television a mere 72 hours after play has been completed in ‘the Old Dart’.
A special deal between the BBC and the ABC will enable Channel 2 to screen a 30-minute film of highlights of each day’s play. Film clips of play will also be shown during news broadcasts.
Scores and highlights will also be shown on Channel 9’s IMT, and a highlights package and 15-minute commentary every night on 7.
Limb continues to climb TV tree
August: After a frenetic 18 months, Bobby Limb has entrenched himself among the biggest names in Australian television.
A star in Sydney through his Late Show and other appearances, Limb last year also broke into the Melbourne market when he, his wife Dawn Lake and comedian Buster Fiddess became regulars on HSV-7’s Bandwagon. A few weeks later it was announced that Limb would host his own national variety show – replacing Bandwagon! Late last year he also signed a new long-term contract with TCN-9.
The moves have boosted Limb’s profile – and his pay packet – leaving him alongside quiz master Bob Dyer, Graham Kennedy and Digby Wolfe, star of the acclaimed variety show Revue ‘61, as one of the highest paid and best known performers in the country.
Lock doors before watching TV – warning
August: The Australian newspaper has warned TV viewers of the dangers of watching their favourite obsession with unlocked doors, as burglars are reportedly enjoying Australia’s small screen fixation.
‘One of the less innocent benefits of television is now becoming apparent,’ the newspaper said. ‘The hypnotic power of the electronic box of tricks in the living room is proving a boon for burglars. Not only can they go about their work with assurance while the household stares at the TV screen, oblivious to things going bump in the night, but also they can do it in more reasonable hours than their fathers enjoyed. Considered in the burglarious sense, TV represents progress and more civilised conditions of employment.’
Chief Inspector H. McMennemin took a less light-hearted approach to the problem, confirming that ‘preparation for TV watching should include the locking of all doors and windows or, alternatively, the transfer of all valuables to the viewing room’.
The King is on holidays – long live the King. King Corkey ‘anoints’ Philip Brady to fulfil royal duties as King of the Kids during his absence.
MEMORIES
> Panda Lisner quits Channel 9 and switches to Channel 7.
> Melburnians are watching less
TV than they were 12 months ago and far less than when TV made its debut five years ago. The main reason given is that people are getting tired of seeing the same faces.
> Regional TV begins in Victoria with the launch of commercial stations GLV-10 Traralgon, GMV-6 Shepparton and BCV-8 Bendigo.
> Australian interviewer George Barker quits the ABC, accusing the network of being too tame and timid.
> A sophisticated, accurate counting machine is being used to count the votes for the TV Week Logie Awards.
> Mike Williamson, compere of Pelaco Inquest, is regularly threatened, abused and even assaulted by fanatical football followers who think their team hasn’t been given a fair go on the show.
> Professor Browne makes his 1500th appearance on GTV-9. Apart from short holidays, he has been seen nightly since the station began transmission in 1957.
> A young talking dog destined for fame on IMT dies suddenly … of a sore throat!
> Gold Logie: Bob Dyer
> Special Logie for Best Drama: Stormy Petrel (ABC)
1962
A momentous year in Australian television, with the formation of true networks for both Nine and Seven. Tommy Hanlon rules the airwaves, especially with the mums, a popular performer makes a comeback from serious illness, and an animated chocolate frog makes history.
Packer swoop leads to networks
April: The four Nine stations across Australia will become one network from 1 July, after some calculated power plays by media magnate Sir Frank Packer. In response, Australia’s quartet of Seven stations will become a rival network.
It’s a fundamental change in television in this country and the effect for viewers will be obvious and profound. Popular shows and personalities will have shuffled from one network to another in the big carve-up of Australian television, so keep a program guide handy.
