We’re into week two of our three week-long celebration for TV WEEK’s 60 birthday. And it’s time to relive the decade that gave us perms, mullets, shoulder pads, and some of our most iconic television shows.
From small screen darlings Scott and Charlene’s wedding to the comedic on-goings in Acropolis Now, scroll down see what made the cut.
Tony Barber and Victoria Nicholls
Sale Of The Century 1980:
Game-show king Tony Barber helmed the popular quiz show for 11 years from 1980. The format featured The Gift Shop and the “Who am I?” question. Victoria Nicholls co-hosted until 1982.
TV fans loved Wandin Valley townsfolk.
A Country Practice 1981:
For 13 years, A Country Practice kept TV WEEK readers hooked. Who can forget the tearful death of farmer Molly (Anne Tenney) and the wedding of doctor Simon Bowen (Grant Dodwell) to vet Vicky (Penny Cook). Terence (Shane Porteous) and Rosemary’s (Maureen Edwards) wedding was also one of the show’s more memorable storylines.
Good Morning Australia with Kerry-Anne Kennerley
Good Morning Australia 1981:
Debuting in 1981 with Sue Kellaway and Gordon Elliott, the hot new breakfast show was later hosted by Kerri-Anne Kennerley. GMA became known for its spontaneity. Its lengthy run made Kerri-Anne a household name.
The star’s characters had an ongoing love affair.
Sons And Daughters 1982:
Soap opera Sons And Daughters aired from 1982 to 1987. The series centred around the working-class Palmers and the wealthy Hamilton family. It even earnt star Rowena Wallace a Gold Logie award.
Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald
Mother And Son 1984:
Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald formed one of our country’s most formidable duos in this charming sitcom’s 10-year run. Ruth played Maggie, a woman in the grip of dementia. And Garry appeared as her long-suffering son, Arthur.
Andrew McFarlane and Robert Grubb
The Flying Doctors 1986:
Open skies and the Aussie countryside were the backdrop for the series that ran to 1993. Andrew McFarlane 66, who played Dr Tom Callaghan, says, “It was a great role, with great locations.”
Rob’s had us laughing since ’86
The D-Generation 1986:
Considered one of our most influential comedies, it brought together a group of Melbourne University students who went on to become household names, including Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner and Magda Szubanski.
Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton
The Movie Show/At The Movies 1986:
The oracles on local and international films for Australian audiences from 1986 to 2014 were Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton. The two lively film critics, who often butted heads over their reviews, hosted the series on SBS before it later moved to the ABC.
The Comedy Company 1988:
One of Australia’s most memorable comedic characters, Kylie Mole (Mary-Anne Fahey), appeared in the series that ran from 1988 to 1990. The scowling schoolgirl was featured on several TV WEEK covers, and Mary-Anne picked up a TV WEEK Logie too.
Scott and Charlene were the darlings of the small screen.
Neighbours 1987:
Just hearing the strains of rocker Angry Anderson’s love ballad “Suddenly” evokes memories of Charlene walking down the aisle in Neighbours. When Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie Minogue) married in 1987, the episode was watched by millions around the world.
It was also one of the biggest covers of TV WEEK. Decades on, the event is still considered one of our most memorable TV moments. Angry Anderson says Kylie hand-picked his song for the nuptials from a selection of Aussie classics. “The moment she heard ‘Suddenly’, she knew it was the one,” Angry, 70, says. Neighbours has since gone on to become the longest-running drama in Australian television.
A young Sally with foster mum Pippa.
Home And Away 1988:
Set in idyllic seaside town Summer Bay, Home And Away made its mark when it launched in 1988. And it’s dominated countless covers of TV WEEK since. The show centred around Fletchers Tom (Roger Oakley), Pippa (Vanessa Downing) and their foster kids. Kate Ritchie, now 39, who won two Gold Logies for her role as Sally Fletcher, says it’s the stories and characters that make it so successful. “No-one watches a show where they’re not caring about the people on screen,” she explains.
The Fast Forward crew became fast famous!
Fast Forward 1989:
The sketch-comedy series exposed TV WEEK audiences to some of our most beloved comedians. Running from 1989 to 1992, the line-up included Steve Vizard, Magda Szubanski, Gina Riley and Jane Turner.
Nicole Kidman in Bangkok Hilton
Bangkok Hilton 1989:
Before she made her big Hollywood break in Days Of Thunder, Nicole Kidman shone in the iconic three-part miniseries Bangkok Hilton. It was the highest-rating miniseries of the year and earned Nicole two Logies the following year. The star was 22 when she appeared in the miniseries.
E Street character Max and Bonnie had a love-hate relationship
E Street 1989:
The streets of Westside were the scene of risqué storylines in E Street. The series pushed the envelope for Aussie TV, with darker moments that included car bombs and a serial killer called Mr Bad (Vince Martin). The series earned Bruce a Logie for Most Popular Actor in 1992, while Simon Baker was awarded a Logie for Most Popular New Talent in 1993.
Gary Sweet in Police Rescue
Police Rescue 1989:
Cheeky Sergeant “Mickey” McClintock from the Police Rescue squad was a firm favourite with TV WEEK readers. The character even saw actor Gary Sweet win a Logie. Other key cast members in the series that ran until 1996 were Sonia Todd, Steve Bastoni and Steve Bisley.
Nick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris and Mary Coustas
Acropolis Now 1989:
The slapstick series, created by stars Nick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris and Simon Palomares, was set in a fictional Greek café in Melbourne. Running to 1992, it saw hairdresser Effie (Mary Coustas) become one of the show’s most popular characters.
