The Bachelor Gaye to The Bit Part | Memorable TV Australian Shows

AUSTRALIAN TV - THE BACHELOR GAYE to THE BIT PART

THE BACHELOR GAYE

9 Network-Transtalia / 5x25m-e / 1971 black and white

Producer/Writer: Ralph Peters / Director: Ron Way

Sitcom. A workshy layabout moves in with his put upon sister and her family. Cancelled after five episodes, eight were planned.

With:- John Meillon, Al Thomas, Jane Coughlan.

BACKCHAT

ABC / x15m-e / 1986-

A show offering viewers the opportunity to talk about the ABC shows they have been watching, with not always positive comments. Presented first by Tim Bowden and then from 1994 by Donna Mieklejohn.

BACKLASH

Beyond / 1x90m-e / 1986

Writer/Producer/Director: Bill Bennett

Thriller. A streetwise cop and a young female rookie take a prisoner back to a small outback town to stand trial. The prisoner is a black girl who has been charged with murder, however when they decide to take a shortcut they find themselves stranded in the outback.

With:- LYDIA MILLER / DAVID ARGUE / GIA CARIDES / BRIAN SYRON

BACKYARD BLITZ
Nine Network / x30m-e / 1999-continuing Sundays 6.30pm

Garden makeover show bearing remarked similarities to Seven's and the UK original Ground Force, this was hosted by Jamie Durie and also featured Jody Rigby, Nigel Ruck and Scott Cam (the Builder). The angle of the show was the same - surprise garden makeover delights.

BAD COP, BAD COP

ABC-Southern Star / 8x50m-e / 2002

Executive Producer/Producer: Errol Sullivan
Executive Producer for ABC TV: Geoff Portmann
Co-Producer/Head Writer: Ian David
Directed by: Cate Shortland and David Caesar

Comedy drama series about the working lives of plainclothes detectives Red Lilywhite and Lou Knutt who work in an outer
suburban police station in Sydney. Keeping the peace on the streets and always a piece of the action for themselves, Red and Lou are completely uninterested in actually solving crimes. Their relationships with crims and other members of the general public serve only to benefit themselves. In the face of new style policing, internal affairs enquiries and corruption commissions, they are the fat blue line.

With:- Michael Caton as Detective Sergeant Red Lilywhite / Daniel Wylie as Detective Constable Lou Knutt / Helen Thomson as Tracy Lafever / Roy Billing as Assistant Commissioner "Pud" Tugwell / Christopher Hobbs as Slim Azzopardi / Peter Browne as Sergeant Phil

BAILEY'S BIRD

7 Network-John McCallum Prod-Scottish and Global TV-Iduna / 26x30m-e / 1979

Creator/Producer:Tony Firth, Lee Robinson / Executive Producer: John McCallum

Children's adventure series. The exploits of a pilot with a one plane airline and a teenage son. Most of the action took place in South East Asia. An Australia-UK co-production.

With:- HUW PRICE / MARK LEE / HOLGER HAGEN / SAMIT BURANAKOL / NOOR AZIZAH

BALANCE OF POWER

ABC / 6x30m-e / 1983

Documentary series looking at various forms of power from windmills to nuclear. Presented by Peter Wherrett

BALLAD FOR ONE GUN

ABC / 1x75m-e / 1963 black and white

Writer: Philip Grenville Mann / Producer/Director: Raymond Menmuir

Drama looking at the life of Ned Kelly.

With: JOHN BELL / WALTER SULLIVAN / NEIL FITZPATRICK / MARK McMANUS / COLIN GORMS / JOHN NORMAN / GORDON GLENWRIGHT / JANICE DINNEN

THE BALLAD OF RIVERBOAT BILL
ABC / 6x15m-e / 1965 First Episode: 26 December black and white

Writer: Cliff Green / Producer: Beverley Gledhill / Director: Peter Summerton

Period children's comedy drama serial. In the 1890's Riverboat Bill plies his trade up the Murray River helped by his assorted crew which included a Chinese cook by the name of Harry Curry and Fred Clinker his engineer. Bill also had a bunyip aboard his boat. Bill's base was the town of Rivergum.

With:- RON HADRICK as Riverboat Bill / MICHAEL CROSBY / FRANK TAYLOR

BANANAS IN PYJAMAS
ABC/ x20m-e / 1996-

Producer:Virginia Lumsden / Title Music: Carey Blyton / Executive Producer: Mark Barnard.

Preschool entertainment. Playroom stories featuring actors in costumes (Bananas and Teddy Bears). Australian television's biggest overseas earner with more than $1 billion in retail sales. ABC alone making a net profit of more than $50 million from the series. For the 2002 season 80 new episode were filmed and a raft of new friends for the bananas were brought in, including Camembert the Cow, Dolly the Sheep, Pedro the Pig, Chicken's Gregory and Peck, other characters already in the show include Rat in a Hat and Teddy's Amy, Lulu and Morgan. The two actors who played B1 and B2 recently left the show (although they still provide the voices) to be replaced by Michael James and Benjamin Blaylock.

With:- Ken Radley as B1 / Nicholas Opolski as B2 / Mary-Ann Henshaw as Amy / Taylor Owynns as Lulu / Jeremy Scrivener as Morgan

THE BAND

Ten Network / x30m-e / 2000

Real life series following a covers band Josie 7 as they tour North Queensland. The band consisted of Frank Stafford (Vocals), Ryan Hanley (Guitar), Greg Hamilton (bass Guitar) and Will Mullins (vocals).

BANDSTAND

9 Network / x55m-e/ 1958-72 black and white

Producers: Warwick Freeman(1958-64), Ray Newell (1964-70) , Brian Morelli (1970-72)

Long running and popular pop music show featuring not just local stars (among them the likes of The Bee Gees, Little Patti and Billy Thorpe) but also visiting overseas stars too. Host was Brian Henderson. Initially known as TV Disc Jockey (host of that version was Gaby Rogers) and seen only locally before going national in 1960. Revived 1976 with Daryl Somers in a Top of the Pops format.

BANDUK
9 Network / 1x90m-e / 1985 TV Movie

Writer: James Badger / Camera: Stephen Dobson / Design: Andrew Blaxland / Music: Geoff Harvey / Producer: Penelope Spence / Director: Di Drew

Drama. Young Aboriginal girl Banduk discovers that the evil Mr Kool is involved in a bird smuggling operation. Filmed on location in Arnham Land and made in association with the Yirrkala Dhanbul Community Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory.

With:- BAYULMA MARIKA as Banduk / GARRY McDONALD as Mr Kool / JONE WINCHESTER as Mrs Kool / YALUMUL MARKIA as Yalumul / ROY MARIKA as Granda Marika / GURUMIN MARIKA as Father / BANDUK MARIKA as Aunt / TOMMY MUNYURRAN as Police Aid

BANG GOES THE BUDGIE

ABC-Richard Bence Productions-ACTF / 13x30m-e / 1985

Producers/Directors: Jon Stephens, Tony Porter / Creator: Jennifer Hooks / Writers: Jon Stephens, Tony Porter, Nancy Groll, Jennifer Hooks

Series for young children featuring four kids who get jobs with a big corporation explaining to the public the meaning of various words.

With:- Jon Stephens, Jeff Phillips, Andrew Coodone, Carmelina di Guglieimo, Janet Shaw

BANJO PATERSON'S THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER

Nine Network-Family / 65x60m-e / 1993-97

Executive Producers: Richard Becker, Russell Becker / Theme Music: Frank Strangis / Producer: Jock Blair

Period drama series. Stories of Matt McGregor and his family as they try to make a go of their ranch in the Snowy Mountains during the 19th Century.

With:- ANDREW CLARKE as Matt McGregor / BRETT CLIMO as Colin McGregor / GUY PEARCE as Rob McGregor / SHERYL MUNKS as Emily McGregor / KRISTIE RAYMOND as Danni McGregor / DANIEL DAPERIS as Josh / GABRIELLE FITZPATRICK as Montana Hale / JOSEPHINE BYRNES as Jessie McCluskey / WENDY HUGHES as Kathleen McGregor (93-96) / GREG PARKER as Herbert Elliott (93-96) / JON FINLAYSON as James Gleeson (93-96) / RODNEY BELL as Frank Blackwood (93-95)

BANGKOK HILTON

10 Network - Kennedy Miller / 3x120m-e / 1989 5-7 November

Writers: Terry Hayes, Ken Cameron, Tony Morphett / Design: Owen Williams / Camera: Geoff Burton / Music: Graeme Revell / Costume: Glenys Jackson / Producers: Terry Hayes, Doug Mitchell, George Miller / Director: Ken Cameron

Drama serial. Whilst searching for her father (whom she has never met) Katrina Stanton meets Arkie Regan at Bangkok airport. Regan plants drugs on her, caught smuggling she is imprisoned in the prison known as the Bangkok Hilton. Filmed over 13 weeks and on location in Sydney, Bangkok and Goa. The Bangkok jail featured in the serial was actually an old water board building in Sydney. The show is also seen in 6x1 hour segments on repeat screenings.

With:- NICOLE KIDMAN as Katrina 'Kat' Stanton / DENHOLM ELLIOTT as Hal Stanton / HUGO WEAVING as Richard Carlisle / JEROME EHLERS as Arkie Ragan / JOY SMITHERS as Mandy Engels / NORMAN KAYE as George McNair / NOAH TAYLOR as Billy Engels / GERDA NICOLSON as Lady Faulkner / LEWIS FIANDER as James Stanton / JUDY MORRIS as Catherine Faulkner / PAULINE CHAN as Pretty warder / RIC CARTER as Detective King

BARBECUE

ABC / 6x30m-e / 1958 black and white

Producer/Director: Kevin Shine

Music based variety series with a country and western theme and a barbecue picnic set. With regular appearances from Frank Ifield, Lily Connors, Buster Noble and music from Ronnie Martin.

BARLEY CHARLIE

GTV-9 / 13x30m-e / 1964 (First Episode: 31 March)

Creators: Ronald Wolfe and Ronlad Chesney / Writer: Alan Hopgood / Music: Bruce Clark / Design: Quentin Mitchell / Producer/Director: Rod Kinnear

Popular comedy series that starred Robina Beard, Sheila Bradley, Edward Hepple. Interestingly the creators of the show Wolfe and Chesney were a pair of Englishmen better known for the sitcoms On The Buses and The Rag Trade.

BARLOW AND CHAMBERS: A LONG WAY FROM HOME

9 Network-Roadshow Coote and Carroll-Steve Krantz / 2x120m-e / 1988

Writer: William Kerby / Camera: Julian Penney / Design: Brian Thomson / Costume: Anna Senior / Executive Producers: Matt Carroll, Steve Krantz / Producer/Director: Jerry London

Drama serial. When her son and his best friend are jailed in Kuala Lumpar on drug smuggling charges Barbara Barlow mounts an unsuccessful campaign to try and get them free. The pair were later executed. The serial caused a certain amount of controversy with both the parents of the pair feeling that the serial was untrue to the actual events.

With:- JULIE CHRISTIE as Barbara Barlow / JOHN POLSON as Kevin Barlow / HUGO WEAVING as Geoffrey Chambers / ROBIN RAMSAY as Wilf Barlow / JEREMY SHADLOW as Chris Barlow / MOUCHE PHILLIPS as Michelle Barlow / VICTOR BANNERJEE as Karpal Singh / SARAH JESSICA PARKER as Rachel Goldman / KERRY ARMSTRONG as Shawn Burton

BARNABY AND ME

ABC-Transatlantic / 1x90m-e / 1978 TV Movie

Writer: James Heenerson / Producers: Gene Levitt, Matthew Herman / Director: Norman Panama

Children's fantasy drama mixing animation and live action. A young girl, Linda, and her pet (talking) Koala Barnaby get involved with crooks.

With:- SID CAESAR as Leo Fisk / JULIET MILLS as Jenny / SALLY BOYDEN as Linda / RANGI NICOLS as Ko / HUGH KEAYS-BYRNE / JAMES CONDON / IVAR KANTS / BRUCE SPENCE / JOHN NEWCOMBE

BARRACUDA

7 Network-Amalgamated Barracuda Prod / 1x94m-e / 1988

Writer: Phillip Ryall, Keith Thomson / Cameron: David Connell / Design: Andrew Blaxland / Music: Chris Neal / Producer: Barbra Gibbs / Executive Producer: Alan Bateman, Victor Glynn / Director: Pino Amenta

Crime drama. Sydney cop Costelli attempts to catch an evil bomber.

With:- DENNIS MILLER as Abbottson / ANDREW McFARLANE as Costelli / KIM KREJUS as Bonnie / SHANE BRIANT as Zoli Scoane / GRAHAM ROUSE as Mack / CASSANDRA DELANEY as Cheri / JOE BUGNER as Crusher Harris / JOHN O'BRIEN as Danny / DAVID LYNCH as Fletcher / ROBERT TAYLOR as Gottleib / ANGELA KENNEDY as Kylie / BARRY DONNELY as Lennie / JOHN BONNEY as Astill / LISA TAYLOR as Bambi / ROSIE JONES as Sharon / PAT BISHOP as Whitten

BARRIER REEF

Network 10-Fauna / 39x30m-e / 1971

Producer: Lee Robinson, Joy Cavill / Executive Producers: John McCallum, Bob Austin

Action adventure series. The exploits of a science team on a boat called New Endeavor monitoring the sea bed and getting involved in adventures along the way. The ship was kitted out with all manner of scientific gizmo's and was like a laboratory at sea, the ship contained computers, underwater radio equipment, a jet boat and a two man submarine. The crew were financed by a giant industrial and pastoral group to locate sunken wreck which might just contain "extremely valuable cargo". Fauna who made the show for 10 had only recently finished filming Skippy. Critics were not overly kind to the series however branding the show "kidult", an article in the TV Week of 6 February 1971 said "the money should have been spent on a good rewrite coach" the writer of the peice Herb Martin feeling the scripts were not up to par.

With:- JOE JAMES as Captain Ted King / ROWENA WALLACE as Tracey Deane / ELLI McCLURE as Diana Parker / HAROLD HOPKINS as Steve Gabo / KEN JAMES as Kip Young / GEORGE ASSANG as Jack Meurauki / SUSANNAH BRETT as Elizabeth Brett / IHAB NAFA as Dr Paul Hanna

THE BARRY CREYTON SHOW

7 Network / x30m-e / 1967 black and white

Producer/Director: Alf Potter

Comedy variety show and part talk show, broadcast in the afternoons and starring Barry Creyton.

THE BARRY CROCKER SHOW

10 Network / x55m-e / 1966-67 black and white

Producers: Howard Scrivener, Neil Harrold

Twice weekly comedy variety show, a sort of continuation of "66 and all that" headlined by Barry Crocker with regular support from Hazel Phillips, John Ewart and the Jack Grimsley Orchestra. The show went to once a week towards the end of it's run and the title changed to "Say It With Music."

BARRY CROCKER: The All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing Hour

7 Network / 1x60 minute episode / 1972 black and white

Lavish variety special hosted by Barry Crocker and featuring Gloria De Haven as special guest star. Also involved were Helen Zerefos (covering the classical interludes) and Mary Jane Boyd (the pop stuff). Music was provided by Graham Lyall and a 30 pce orchestra.

BARTLEBY

SBS / 1x30m-e / 2001 (Tuesday 18 December / 8.00pm)

Story: Herman Melville

Period drama. In the late 19^th century clerk Bartleby gradually refuses to take part in life and ends up dying in jail. This version of Melville’s classic novella transplanted the story from New York to Sydney.

With:- ROBERT MENZIES / JOHN GADEN / FRANK WHITTEN

THE BATTLERS

ATN 7 / 26x30m-e / 1968 (First Episode: 26 June)

Creators: John Kiddle, Pamela Punch / Producer: John Walters / Director: Jacques de Vigne

Drama series about a young boxer, Wayne Small living in a tough part of Sydney and determined to make it to the top no matter what it costs, Small was helped by former champ Tolly McCall.

With:- VINCE GIL as Wayne Small / MARK McMANUS as Tolly McCall / JOHN ARMSTRONG / BILL HUNTER / CARMEN DUNCAN / GRAHAM ROUSE / GORDON GLENWRIGHT / RICHARD MEIKLE / LUCKY GRILLS

THE BATTLERS

7 Network-South Australian Film Corporation / 2x120m-e / 1994 13-14 July

Writer: Peter Yeldham / Novel: Kylie Tennant / Camera: Roger Dowling / Design: Richard Roberts / Costume: Anna French / Music: Carl Vine / Producer: Gus Howard / Executive Producers: Valerie Hardy, Tom Donald / Director: George Olgilvie

Period drama serial. During the depressed 1930's itinerant Snow Grimshaw meets and falls in love with fellow wanderer Dancy Smith.

With:- GARY SWEET as Snow Grimshaw / JACQUELINE McKENZIE as Dancy Smith / MARCUS GRAHAM as Busker / PETER STONHAM as Jimmy / AUDINE LEITH as Dora Chester-Phipps / RICHARD PIPER as Apostle / AMANDA CROSS as Millie / ANNE PHELAN as Ma Tyrell / ROGER NEWCOMBE as Burning Angus / ALAN HOLY as Thirty Bob / MADELEINE BLACKWELL as Molly / PETER DOUGLAS as Derek / TROY HANDLEY as Brian / HENRY SALTER as Shamus / LIZ WINDSOR as Mrs Marks / JAMIE BLACK as Charley

BAY CITY

Nomad Films Int''l. Prod / Ravensburger Film + TV GmbH & Videal GmbH / 13x30m-e / 1993

Executive Producer: Doug Stanley / Producer: Kate Faulkner

Children's drama series set amid Western Australia's magnificent and diverse locations. It successfully combines the proven elements of children's drama: action and high adventure - and explores contemporary issues such as the environment, technology and life in a multicultural society.

THE B.C COMEDY HOUR

7 Network / 1x60 minute episode / 1973

Writer/Producer: Chris Bearde

Comedy variety special hosted by Barry Crocker and featuring some up and coming talent like Michael Caton, Paula Duncan, George Spartals, Belinda Gibson, Denise Drysdale as well as special appearances from Abigail, Colleen Hewitt and Edwin Duff. 7 wanted a series after the success of this one off but didn’t want to spend the money that had been lavished on this production and Crocker didn’t want to do anything with a lesser budget.

BEAST

Calamari Prod. / 2x120m-e / 1996

Writer: J.B. White / Novel: Peter Benchley / Camera: Geoff Burton / Costume: Margot Wilson / Executive producers: Dan Wigintow, Peter Benchley, Julie Cohen / Producers: Mike Joyce, Tana Nagent / Director: Jeff Bleckner

Thriller serial. The residents of a coastal fishing village are menaced by a giant squid.

With:- WILLIAM PETERSEN as Whip Dalton / KAREN SILAS as Kathryn / CHARLIE MARTIN SMITH as Graves / LARRY DRAKE as Lucas Cohen / DENNIS ARNDT as Manning / RONALD GUTTMAN as Talley / MISSY CRIDER as Dana / STERLING MACER JNR as Mike / MURRAY BARTLETT as Christopher / ROBERT MAMMONE as Raines

BEATBOX

ABC / 41x120m-e / 1985-88
Producers: Graham Thorburn, Mark Fitzgerald

Excellent music series, shown Saturday afternoons, looking at the 1960's and 1970's and featuring clips and interviews. Also broadcast on radio channel Triple J at the same time. Hosted by Kerrie Ross, Andy Nehl and Amanda Collinge.

BEAT OF THE CITY

ABC / 8x30m-e / 1975-76 (First Episode Broadcast: 30 December 75)

Writers: Virginia Duigan, Monte Miller / Music: Merrilyn Lambert, Peter Mort, Michael Norton / Executive Producer: Christopher Muir / Producer: John Gauci

Drama serial. Young Raylene Slater runs away to Melbourne from the small country town of Mussel Flat and ends up getting mixed up with a bad lot and falls into crime.

With:- LIZ RYAN / JOANNE SIMMONS / ROBERT HEWETT / ROBERT RATTI

BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

ABC / 6x30m-e / 1975

Producer: Harry Greaves / Music: Sven Libaek

Lifestyle show visiting beautiful gardens across Australia. The show focussed on those gardens not normally open to the public. Narrated by Ric Hutton.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

7 Network then 10 Network (and also Foxtel) / x30m-e / 1963-73 (7) 1981-83 (7 and 10) / 1997- continuing (10 and Foxtel

Daytime panel show in which four women (the Beauties) are the panellists trying to solve the viewers problems. The male host was the beast and generally poured scorn on the panels views. Unusually during 1982 the show was seen on both the 7 and 10 Networks at the same time and even now is seen on both 10 and pay tv channel Foxtel. The beasts have been Eric Baume (1964-66), Stuart Wagstaff (1966-68), Noel Ferrier (1969), Rex Mossop 1970-71), John Laws (1970/1982), John Forgeham (1972), Ron Frazer (1972), Don Lane (1972), Alwyn Kurts (1973), Derryn Hinch (1982-83), Clive Robertson (1982-83), Stan Zemanek (1997-2002), Doug Mulray (2002-). Beauties have included Dita Gibb, Maggie Tabberer, Pat Firman, Hazel Phillips, Ena Harwood. From 1997 there were six beauties and these have included Judy Nunn, Maureen Duval, Ita Buttrose, Prue MacSween, Jeanne Little and Jan Murray.

BECAUSE HE'S MY FRIEND

ABC-Transatlantic Ent / 1x90m-e / 1978

Writer: Peter Schreck / Story: Pamela Stone / Camera: Peter Hendry / Costume: Caroline Suffield / Producer: Geoffrey Daniels / Executive Producer: Robert Kline / Director: Ralph Nelson

Drama. A married couple newly moved to Sydney from Canada face problems as their retarded son grows into adulthood.

With:- KEIR DULLEA / KAREN BLACK / TOM OLIVER / DON REID / MICHAEL LONG / TOM McCARTHY / RAY MEAGHER / WARWICK POULSEN / BARBARA STEPHENS / ADAM GIBSON / MATTHEW O'SULLIVAN / CHARLES TAME / JUNE SALTER / JACK THOMPSON / TONY WAGNER

BECCA

ABC-S4C-Film Victoria-Teliesyn-Kingscroft Australia / 1x90m-e / 1989 13 September

Writer: Howard Griffiths, Daffyd Rowlands / Producer: Terry Ohlson, Richard Meyrick / Executive Producer: Ross Dimsey, Dilwyn Jones / Director: Paul Turner

Period drama. Welsh farmer Dai Jones (after battling with his hated English landlords) is sentenced to transportation to Australia, his wife Becca determines to follow him. This TV Movie was simultaneously shot in both Welsh and English.

With:- BETH ROBERT as Becca / DAFYDD HYWELL as Dai Jones / DAFYDD EMYR as Gwilym / ROBIN GRIFFITH as Probert / LYNETTE CURRAN as Emma / GARY SWEET as Matt Bourke / POLLY CROKE as Louise Fitzgerald / CHRIS HALLEM as Edwin Fitzgerald / JEFF PHILLIPS as Ullysses / SHEILA FLORENCE as Old Becca / JACINTA STAPLETON as Becky / STAN MICHAELS as Harry

BEHIND THE FRIDGE

9 Network / 2x50m-e / 1971

Writers: Peter Cook and Dudley Moore

Highlights of a revue English Peter Cook and Dudley had made sending up their Beyond the Fringe days.

BEHIND THE LEGEND

ABC / 38x30m-e / 1972 and 1974-75

A series of dramatisations of the lives of notable Australians. 1972 subjects included Nellie Melba (played by Kate Fitzpatrick), Henry Lawson (Tim Elliott), and Arthur Phillip (Charles "Bud" Tingwell), 1974 saw Francis Greenway (John Ewart), Ray Parer (Graeme Blundell), William Bligh (Brian James), Thomas Mitchell (Gordon Chater), 1975 saw Marcus Clarke (Robin Ramsay), Walter Burley Griffin (Joe James) and Matthew Flinders (Paul Mason).

BEHIND THE NEWS

ABC / x30m-e / 1969-?

Producer: Roz Lawson

A kids news show in an easy to digest format based on the UK show "John Craven's Newsround" . Presented have included John Hall, Basia Bonkowski, Richard Morecroft (1983-85) and Paul Higgins.

BELINDA

7 Network / 1x30 minute episode / Broadcast Tuesday 9 January 1973 @ 7.30pm

Documentary about three year old Aboriginal girl Belinda and the trials she is sure to face growing up.

BELLAMY

Ten Network/Grundy / 26x60m-e / 1981

Executive Producer: Don Battye

Crime drama series focusing on the work of a Special Crime Squad.

With:- JOHN STANTON as Bellamy / TIM ELSTON as Mitchell

BELLBIRD

ABC /1697 episodes 1508x15m-e 53x60m-e 134x30m-e / 1967-77 mostly Mondays to Thursdays 6.45pm

Executive Producer: James Davern

Early soap style drama series. Episodes in the life of the people living in the rural town of Bellbird, the biggest incident in the show was probably the surprise death of Charlie Cousens in a 'wheat silo' accident, the ABC's programme guide TV Times received more letters about his death than any other topic for months. Another big plotline featured the arrival of an Aboriginal to the town, Gerry Walters (who also had a white wife) to work with solicitor Gil Lang. Walters soon had the locals up in arms with his belligerent attitude. Another big storyline during the early part of 1973 was the birth of Des and Fiona Davies first child (in May 73).

A film version called Country Town appeared in 1971. Bellbird being a rural soap was more popular in rural areas of Australia than anywhere else. Main players of the series were Joe and Olive Turner and executive producer Davern later went onto create A Country Practice. The local paper was The Bellbird Clarion. Bellbird initially played for 15 minutes just before the evening news but later the series expanded in length. The show was seen four times a week, all year round except for a short Christmas break. The show celebrated its 1000 episode in June 73 which allowed the producers to put together a special where many of the old regulars made a reappearance.

The show was often likened to long running rural radio show 'Blue Hills and many of the location scenes were filmed in Cranbourne on a huge dairying estate, scenes were also filmed at Sunbury just north of Melbourne.

With:- TERRY NORRIS as Joe Turner / MOIRA CHARLETON as Olive Turner / LYNETTE CURRAN / PENNE HACKFORTH-JONES / ELSPETH BALLANTYNE / ROBIN RAMSAY as Charlie Cousens / TERRY McDERMOTT / GARY GRAY / MAURIE FIELDS / ANNE LUCAS / JOHN STANTON / PETER AANENSEN / DENNIS MILLER as Constable Des Davies / GERDA NICOLSON as Fiona Davies / MAURIE FIELDS as John Quinney / MEG MORRIS as Laura Chandler

BEN HALL

ABC-BBC-TCF / 13x50m-e / 1975

Producer: Neil McCallum

Period action adventure series. Settler Ben Hall faces hard times first getting involved with outlaws and then after his marriage to a woman called Biddy trouble with his land, he later ends up becoming an outlaw himself. This show was actually a UK-Australia co-production.

With:- JON FINCH as Ben Hall / JOHN CASTLE / VINCENT BALL / BRIAN BLAIN / EVAN GROWLEY / SANDRA LEE PATTERSON

BENNY HILL IN AUSTRALIA

Channel 10-Thames / 1x60m-e / 1977 11 October

Writer: Benny Hill

Comedy. One off special in which Benny Hill took his cast of usual suspects to Sydney, Australia.

BENTLEY'S BANDBOX

ABC / x30m-e / 1960 black and white

Producer/Director: James

Lacklustre comedy themed variety show starring Dick Bentley brought back from England especially for this series.

BE OUR GUEST

ABC / x30m-e / 1966-67

Producers/Directors: David Price ('66), John Wynn-Jones ('67)

Variety series supposedly set in a Motel close to an airport with the guests at the motel acting as the show's guests. Lorraine Bayly was supposed to be an air hostess and made regular appearances. Also with Jacki Weaver, Sean Scully, Gordon Glenwright, Jack Allen.

THE BERT NEWTON SHOW

Bert has used this title on three occasions providing comedy and variety in each of them. 1963 (for the 9 Network), 1973 (for ABC this show was broadcast from the Doncaster Theatre in Kensing(ton. Regulars included Bunny Gibson, Freddy Bamberger and John Kendall.) and 1989 (for seven).

BEST AND WORST OF RED FACES see Hey Hey It's Saturday

THE BETTER SEX

9 Network-Grundy / 130x30m-e / 1978

Game show based on a US original in which the contestants had to prove who was the better sex. Host was Mike Preston and also on hand was Ann Sidney (a former Miss World).

BETWEEN OURSELVES

ABC / x30m-e / 1964 black and white

Producer/Director: Fred Maxian

Melbourne based musical variety series with Johnny Ladd and Tikki Taylor, Bill Newman, Kevin Johnston, Julian Hough, Jean Clark, Phil Lanham.

BEVERLY HILLS FAMILY ROBINSON

ZM Productions-Walt Disney TV / 1x90m-e / 1996

Camera: Roger Lanser / Design: Ian Allen / Costume: Tom Allan / Producer: Jeffrey Lambert, Irwin Marcus / Executive Producers: George Zaloom, Les Mayfield / Director: Troy Miller

Comedy. A celebrity interior designer and her family are shipwrecked on a tropical isle and it's not long before she is turning the island into a 'showhome'. A US-Australia co-production.

With:- DYAN CANNON / MARTIN MULL / SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR / RYAN O'DONOHUE / KEVIN WEISMAN / MICHAEL EDWARD-STEVENS / NIQUE NEEDLES / JOSH PICKER

BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

ABC / 4x55m-e / 1977

Creator: Geoff Daniels / Producer: Murray Travis / Directors: Stephen Ramsay, Murray Travis

A quartet of reconstructions of court cases which criminologist Gordon Hawkins felt didn't have the outcome they deserved. The subjects featured were Ronald Ryan, McLeod-Lindsay, Van Beelen and Leith Ratten.

BEYOND 2000

7/10 Networks-Beyond Productions / x60m-e / 1985-

Original Producer: Tim Clucas / Music: Colin Bayley, Murray Burns, Kevin Bayley

Science show, a sort of continuation of the ABC's Towards 2000 and very similar to the UK show Tomorrow's World in that it looked at advances in science and technology. Switched to Ten Network in 1993. Hosts included David Flatman, Carmel Travers, Chris Ardill-Guinness, Iain Finlay and Jeff Watson.

THE BIG BREAKFAST

7 Network / x120m-e /

Seven's breakfast entertainment show presented by Anna Choy, Jennifer Hardy, Ben Hewitt and Curtis Fernandez.

BIG BROTHER

Ten-Endemol-Southern Star / x30m-e / 2001 (Started end of April)

Game show with voyeuristic tendencies in which twelve people were locked in a house doing everyday things. Each week the viewing audience voted to get rid of one of the ten until one remained - that person then winning a cash prize. In this case some 250,000 Australian dollars, there was a live one hour eviction special each Sunday night at 7.30pm. The contestants were Sara Marie Fedele, Andy Silva (female), Todd James, Sharna West, Christina Davis, Johnnie Cass, Peter Timbs, Blair McDonagh, Lisa Standing, Gordon Sloan, Ben Williams and Jemma Gawned. Hosted by Gretel Killeen. A surprise was in store for the remaining contestants when on Wednesday 30 May two new housemates, Anita Bloomfield and Rachel Corbett were brought in which saw the housemates voting to evict one of the two on the Friday and allow the other to stay. Anita was the one who stayed. On 4th July at 7.30pm there was an hour long special in which host Gretel enter the house to present the four remaining contestants with a series of challenges which saw them win almost $20,000 each. This was the first time anywhere in the world the host had entered the Big Brother house. For the series finale there was a 90 minute special on Sunday 15 July which saw the three remaining contestants reduced to two followed by a two hour special the following evening at 7.00pm. Key moments included the infamous dancing doona incident involving Christina and Peter, Andy getting Gordon involved in a bondage session, Peter kicking the chicken, Sara-Marie's bum dance, Gay Johnnie and Sara Marie kissing and Ben and Blair's naked Greyhound Race. On Sunday 22 July 2001 at 7.30pm there was an hour long follow up called Big Brother Evicted seeing how the inmates have got on since the show ended. Most of the gang appeared on a big brother special edition of The Weakest Link on Monday 27 August 2001.
Order of evictions: 1. Andy (Sunday 5 May) / 2. Sharna (Sunday 12 May) / 3. Todd (Sunday 19 May) / 4. Gordon (Sunday 26 May) / 5. Lisa (Sunday 3 June) / 6. Peter (Sunday 10 June) / 7. Anita (Sunday 17 June) / 8. Johnnie (Sunday 24 June) / 9. Gemma (Sunday 1 July) / 10. Christina (Sunday 8 July) / 11. Sara Marie (Sunday 15 July) / 12. Blair (Monday 16 July ). Winner of the $250,000 :- Ben

Season two (again hosted by Gretel Killeen) started 7 April 2002 with a 60 minute special looking at the audition process. The second group were Shannon Cleary, Alex Christioe, Peter Corbett, Jessica Hardy, Sahra Kearney, Nathan Martin, Damian Hoo, Katrina Miani, Mirabai Peart, Nathan Morris, Turkan Aksoy and Aaron Benton.
Order of Evictions:- 1. Damian (Sunday 21 April) / 2. Katrina (Sunday 28 April) / 3. Aaron (Sunday 5 May) / 4. Shannon (Sunday 12 May) / 5. Turkan (Sunday 19 May) / 6. Brodie the Intruder (Sunday 26 May) / 7 and 8. Nathan and Alex (2 June - For the first time ever two people were evicted on the same day). / 9. Mirabai (9 June) / 10. Kieran - the second intruder (16 June) / 11. Jess (23 June) / Season three (again with Gretel) ran from May-July and winner was Tazmanian Regina Bird.

THE BIG BYTE

SBS / 26x30m-e / 1994

Producer: Phil Qerlach

A series looking at the latest innovations in computers. Hosted by Basia Bonkowski and Simon Nasht.

A BIG COUNTRY

ABC / 300+ x30m-e / 1968-87 and then 1991-92

Original Producers: John Sparkes, John Mabey / Theme Music: Sven Libaek

A documentary series looking at issues concerning rural people and industries.

THE BIG GIG

ABC / 66x60m-e / 1989-92

Producer/Director: Ted Robinson

Comedy sketch series that modeled itself on the US show Saturday Night Live.

BIG GIRL'S BLOUSE

7 Network / 5x30m-e 4x60m-e / 1994-95

Writer/Producers: The Cast / Executive Producers: Ted Emery, Andrew Knight, Steve Vizard / Director: Kevin Carlin

Sketch based series starring a trio of women, Magda Szubanski, Jane Turner and Gina Riley. The three had previously appeared in Fast Forward.

BIG IDEAS

London Films / 1x90m-e / 1993

Writer: Peter Neale / Producers: Robert Bruning, Adrienne Read / Executive Producers: Robert Bruning, Tom Donald / Director: Mike Smith

Comedy drama. Problems of a would be entrepreneur caught up in bureaucratic red tape.

With:- JUSTIN ROSNIAK / GOSIA DOBROWOLSKA / HAROLD HOPKINS

THE BIG KILLING

ABC / 1x80m-e 1965 black and white

Producer/Director: James Upshaw / Writer: Philip Mackie

Crime drama. In Palm Beach, Sydney the police look into the murder of a woman.

With:- Roger Climpson, June Thody, Ron Haddrick, Nigel Lovell, Benita Harvey, Stewart Ginn, Tom Dysart.

BIG NINE

9 Network-Screen Gems / x30m-e / 1969-70 black and white (shown Thursdays at 7.00pm)

Quiz show based on a the US show original 21 and using a general knowledge format. Contestants had to notch 9 points in progressive stages to win a maximum of $1000 per round. Athol Guy hosted, and also featured were twins Suzanne and
Jennie Brown.

THE BIG SCHMOOZE

The Comedy Channel (Pay TV) / x60m-e / 2000-

Weekday mornings entertainment show hosted by comedians Matthew Hardy and Kate Langbroek. The show mixed stand up with sketches, live music and celebrity interviews.

THE BIG SQUARE EYES

ABC / 80x30m-e / 1991-93

Producer: Helena Harris / Director: Stephen Jones

Children's weekday game show the rounds of which focused on the arts and sports. Hosted by Bob La Castra.

BIG SKY

x60m-e / 1998-continuing

Drama series. Stories of a small Sydney based aviation company run by Lauren Allen who took over the running of the place following her father's death. Lauren clashed regularly with main pilot Chris Manning (although the pair later end up as a couple).

With:- ALLY FOWLER as Lauren Allen / GARY SWEET as Chris Manning / MARTIN HENDERSON as Scotty Gibbs / RHYS MULDOON as Jimbo James / LISA BAUMWOL as Lexie Ciani / ROBYN CRUZE as Shay McWilliam

BIG TOYS

ABC (Australian Theatre Festival) / 1x85m-e / 1980

Writer: Patrick White from his own play / Camera: Peter Hendry / Design: Quentin Hole / Costume: Beverley Powers / Music: Ian Cicciari / Executive Producer: Alan Burke / Director: Chris Thomson

Comedy drama. A QC and a trade union leader get caught up in a conflict over some uranium. Matters are complicated when the trade union man begins an affair with the QC's wife.

With:- DIANE CILENTO as Mag / JOHN GADEN as Ritchie / MAX CULLEN as Terry / COLIN FRIELS

BILL PEACH'S HIGH ADVENTURE

9 Network / x50m-e / 1985

A travel series, hosted by Bill Peach naturally, that ventured all over the world. Reporters also included Eric Oldfield and Amanda Tabbet.

BILLY AND PERCY

ABC / 1x70m-e / 1974

Writer/producer/director: John Power / Journals: Percy Dean

Drama. Percy Dean, private secretary of Prime Minister Billy Hughes, tells the story of that man's tempestous time in government.

With:- MARTIN VAUGHAN as Billy Hughes / HAROLD HOPKINS / ROSALIE METCHER / DON CROSBY / DON REID / CORALIE NEVILLE / DON PASCOE

BILLY BORKER YARNS AGAIN see The Yarns of Billy Borker

BINGLES

10 Network-Media Arts / 26x30m-e / 1992

Producer: Joanne Mulvaney / Director/Creator: lan McFadyen

Sitcom. Exploits of the staff of a crash repair garage.

With:- Shane Bourne / Nick Bufalo / Tim Scally / Russell Gilbert / Tammy MacIntosh / Cliff Ellery

BIRDS IN THE BUSH

ABC-BBC / 13x30m-e / 1972 3 May - 26 July

Writer/Director: David Croft

Sitcom. British water diviner Hugh inherits an Australian farm staffed by nubile young women. A strange Australia/UK co-production. The show is known as The Virgin Fella's in the UK. David Croft the writer is probably better known as co-writer of the likes of Dad's Army and Hi-De-Hi.

With:- HUGH LLOYD as Hugh / RON FRASER as Ron / ALASTAIR DUNCAN as Hoffnung / KATE FITZPATRICK as Michelle / ELLI MACLURE as Abigail / ANN SIDNEY as Nanny / SUE LLOYD as Lolita / KATE SHEIL as Friday / BRIONY BEHETS as Tuesday / NICOLA FLAMER-CALDERA as Wednesday / JENNY HAYES as Buster

THE BITE

ABC-BBC-Warner Sisters-Palm Beach / 2x90m-e / 1996 17 - 18 April

Writer: Terry Johnson / Camera: Stephen Windon / Design: Murray Picknett / Costume: Alexandra Tynan / Music: Paul Grabowsky / Producers: Lavinia Warner, David Elfick / Executive Producers: Sue Masters, Michael Waering / Director: MIchael Carson.

A UK-Australia co production. Thriller serial. Australian Jack Shannon drags his English wife Ellie into a disastrous drugs running venture when he gets mixed up with the sinister Shelley.

With:- HUGO WEAVING as Jack Shannon / LESLEY MANVILLE as Ellie Shannon / PAMELA RABE as Samira Nazib / FRANK GALLACHER as Larry Schofield / KEITH ALLEN as Shelley / REBEKAH JAY as Nicola Shannon / SHANE-FEENEY CONNOR as Thompson / GRANT PIRO as Miles / ARTHUR ANGEL as Bambi / CHRIS SIMPSON as Nick Joquin / THERESA WONG as Saw-Ye / PETER HARDY as Pete / STEVE PAYNE as Geoff / PETER ROBERTS as Dan / EDDIE SIM as Singh

BIT PART

ABC / 1x75m-e / 1978

Writer: Colin Free / Producer / Director: Eric Taylor

Comedy drama. An actor thinks he is in for his big break when he gets the chance to work with a big British star.

With:- JOHN MEILLON / JUDY NUNN / NONI HAZLEHURST / MAX CULLEN / VINCENT BALL / NOEL TREVARTHEN / STUART WAGSTAFF

THE BIT PART
Comedia / 1x90m-e / 1987

Writer: Ian MacFadyen / Camera: Ellery Ryan / Design: Carole Harvey / Costuyme: Reuben Thomas / Music: Paul Grobowsky, Red Symons / Producer: John Gauci, Peter Herbert / Executive Producer: Stephen Vizard / Director: Brendan Maher

Comedy drama/ Careers councillor Michael Thornton yearns to become a successful actor. This was planned to have a cinema release but instead received its premier showing on TV.

With:- CHRIS HAYWOOD as Michael Thornton / NICOLE KIDMAN as Mary McAllister / KATRINA FOSTER as Helen Thornton / JOHN WOOD as John Bainbridge / MAURIE FIELDS as Peter / MAUREEN EDWARDS as Bev Howard / DEBORRA-LEE FURNESS as Acting Teacher

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