According to Julia Morris, it’s hard to believe Julia Morris has never won a TV WEEK Logie Award.
“My first television appearance was in 1985 on New Faces with Bert Newton, and I’ve still never won my own Logie!” she jokes. “How long does a legend need to wait?”
Perhaps not much longer. A Jill of all trades – host, actress and comic – Julia’s Logies luck might be about to change.
This year, she’s nominated for a Logie Award for Most Popular Actress thanks to her work on Nine Network series House Husbands.
Meanwhile, her other series, Network Ten’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, is in the running for Most Popular Reality Program.
“I wouldn’t mind winning either,” Julia says when quizzed on her preference. “Maybe I’m A Celebrity – purely for the man hours and being away from your family for nine weeks. That’s hardcore, so a Logie for effort there, I reckon.”
Julia’s House Husbands spouse Lewis (Gary Sweet).
It’s clear that if Julia does win a Logie, she plans to let her success go to her head immediately.
“Oh, my God – I will become totally unbearable if I win a Logie!” she laughs. “I can’t wait to become drunk on Logie power.”
An industry veteran, she has had the kind of career most entertainers only dream about.
“I’ve been very lucky – I’ve never had to work in a cafe or bar,” Julia reveals. “I’ve worked consistently in TV ever since that first appearance [on New Faces].
“So while I might not have a Logie yet, my husband [Dan] says to me, ‘Let cash be your Logie’ – which is wonderfully specific.
“But I know I’m lucky to be working in this industry; that’s not lost on me.”
Julia is no stranger to the tough reality of surviving in showbiz. While her work in House Husbands may have earnt her a Logies nod, it couldn’t save the show.
The Nine Network axed the series earlier this year after five seasons.
“I was saddened not to have one more season,” Julia admits. “But in terms of the characters, I felt they were done.
“I’d rather end it before it started to become a bit tragic and it felt like it was time to move on.”
Julia with her House Husbands co-stars (from left) Louise Siversen, Denise Scott, Jane Allsop and Natalie Saleeba.
Meanwhile, Network Ten’s I’m A Celebrity famously costs a fortune to produce. And while the ratings are solid, they’re not spectacular.
“I think – and hope – it’ll be back, but I’m not sure,” Julia says. “It’s an expensive show to make. My salary alone had them reaching out to the shareholders! [Laughs]
“Then [Dr] Chris Brown demanded equal pay, which I think was greedy on his behalf…”
Dr. Chris Brown and Julia on set of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
All jokes aside, Julia reveals to TV WEEK she’s actually been working on her own sitcom.
“I’ve been working studiously with the lovely Louise Siversen, who played Miss Looby in House Husbands,” she says. “And we have a script in production.”
We can’t wait to see what Julia and Louise have in the pipeline!
You can vote for Julia, and other nominees, when the Live Voting system opens Monday, 25 June. Find out more here.
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