Memorable TV

NAKED

Beyond-Jan Chapman Produ. / 6x60m-e / 1995

Producer: Jan Chapman / Executive Producer: Penny Chapman / Directors: Neil Armfield, Michael Carson, Robert Klenner, Richard Lowenstein, Geoffrey Wright

NAKED UNDER CAPRICORN

9 Network-Resolution Films-Revcom / 2x120m-e / 1989 17-18 September

Writer: Peter Yeldham / Novel: Olaf Ruhen / Camera: Julian Penney / Design: Quentin Hole / Costume: Douglas Smith / Music: Bruce Smeaton / Producer: Ray Alchin / Executive Producers: Geoffrey Daniels, Peter Yeldham / Director: Rob Stewart

Period drama serial. The adventures of Davy Marriner, from being robbed in the desert to teaming up with cattle drover Bluey Dallas.

With:- NIGEL HAVERS as Davy Marriner / NONI HAZLEHURST as Monica / DAVID GULPILIL as Activity / JOHN JARRATT as Bluey Dallas / JOHN STANTON as Edrington / KYM VAN-LERSAL as Trubbity / ALFRED BELL as Mission Mo / PENNY COOK as Peggy Delaney / MARK LEE as Tim Roberts / KYLIE BELLING as Casey / BEN FRANKLIN as Sgt Perrin / GRAHAM MOORE as Henry / DAVID WHITNEY as Cres Cummings

THE NAKED VICAR SHOW

9 Network - RS Productions / 21x60 minute episodes / 1977-78

Music: Mike Perjanik / Writers and Producers: Tony Sattler, Gary Reilly

Irreverent, funny and topical sketch/variety show (based on a radio and stage original). Regulars included Noeline Brown, Kevin Golsby, Ross Higgins, Colin McEwan, Julie McGregor (1977) and Laurel McGowen (1978). One regular sketch character Ted Bullpit later went on to appear as the lead character in the sitcom Kingswood Country. 

NAME THAT TUNE

9 Network / x30 minute episodes / 1956-57 and 1975

Musical styled quiz (based on a US original) which saw the contestants having to guess which tunes was being played after hearing only a few notes (and sometimes just a single note), although they were given clues along the way. Hosted by Bruce Gyngell and Chuck Faulkner. Revived in 1975 (again on 9) with Tony Barber and Stuart Wagstaff hosting this time out. 

NANCYE

7 Network / 1x60m-e / 1970 (Broadcast: Thursday 15 January / 7.30pm)

Musical stage star Nancye Hayes in her own variety big production number filled special. Star guest on this was the UK's Tony Hancock.

NANCY WAKE

7 Network-Simpson Le Mesurier / 2x120m-e / 1987

Writer: Roger Simpson / Biography: Nancy Wake / Novel: Russelll Braddon / Camera: David Connell / Design: Otello Stolfo / Music: Greg Sneddon / Costume: Jane Hyland / Producers: Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson / Executive Producers: Alan Bateman, John Sturzaker / Director: Pino Amento

Period drama serial. During world war II journalist Nancy Wake becomes a key figure in the French resistance movement.

With:- NONI HAZLEHURST as Nancy Wake / JOHN WATERS as Henri Focca / SHANE BRIANT as Hermann / PATRICK RYECART as Farmer / ALAN ANDREWS as Rake / LUCIANNO MARTUCCI as Tardivat / FRANK GALLACHER as Gasbard / JOHN McTERNAN / KEVIN MILES / PAUL KARO / NICK PSALTOPOLOUS 

NARGUN AND THE STARS

ABC / 6x30m-e / 1980

Writer: Margaret Kelly / Music: Terry Saunders / Producer: Lynn Bayonas / Director: John Walker

Family drama series. A young boy makes friends with a group of strange creatures after going to live with relatives in the country following the death of his parents.

With:- RODNEY BELL / MELISSA JAFFER / NOEL TREVARTHEN / MARIANNE HOWARD / PETER GWYNNE

THE NATIONAL

ABC / x60m-e / 1985

Producer: Ian Carroll

Short lived much hyped nightly news review and current affairs type show concentrating on the whole of Australia. Hosted by Richard Morecroft,  Geraldine Doogue, Richard Carleton and Max Welsh. Replaced by regionalised show The 7.30 Report.

NATIONAL STAR QUEST

Grundy / 13x60m-e / 1978

Producer: Hal Croxon

Wollongong based regional (some 25 stations) based talent show featuring new to TV faces. Hosted by Lionel Long. Regulars on the judging panel included Tommy Tycho, Ken Stone and Peggy Mortimer.

NATIONWIDE

ABC / x40m-e / 1979

Producer: John Penlington

A news style show broadcast Monday to Thursday, shown nationally but with each region getting it's own presenter, these wre:- CLIVE HALE (Sydney), SONIA HUMPHREY (Melbourne), GERALDINE DOOGUE (Perth), JEFF THOMAS (Brisbane) and FRANK MILL (Hobart).

NATURAL JUSTICE

Barron Ent Ltd-Australian Film Finance / 1995

Producers: Paul D. Barron, Bill Hughes

Crime drama series.

With:- STEVE BASTONI as Paul Tancred / MARTIN JACOBS as Clive Harivald / JOHN MOORE as Dacey Ferguson / CLAUDIA KARVAN as Asta Cadell / MELODIE REYNOLDS as Glenda / JEREMY SIMS as Gavin Larsen / SONIA TODD as Jennifer Harivald

NATURE OF AUSTRALIA

ABC-BBC / 6x55m-e / 1988

Music: Kevin Hocking / Producer: John Vanderbeld

Natural History. A Look at the evolution of Australia over the last 50,000 years, a co-production with the UK's BBC this was some three years in the making.

NED KELLY

ABC / 1x90m-e / 1960 black and white

Writer: Douglas Stewart / Producer/Director: William Sterling

Period drama. The life of Australia's most infamous outlaw Ned Kelly who, jailed for a crime he believes himself innocent of (and bitter with resentment over the imprisonment of his mother) goes on a murderous spree with his gang (and wearing a homemade suit of armour) before being brought to justice.

With:- KEN GOODLET as Ned Kelly / BETTY KAUFFMAN / BEVERLY PHILLIPS / ROLAND REDSHAW / JOHN GODFREY / ALAN HOPGOOD / SYD CONABERE

NEIGHBOURS

Channel 7-Channel 10-Grundy / x30m-e / 1985-continuing (First Episode: 18 March 1985)

Creator/Producer: Reg Watson / Theme Music: Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent / Sung by Barry Crocker (the actor who starred in the cult film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie).

Soap drama series. Neighbours concerns itself with the residents of Ramsay Street in a suburban area of Melbourne. The show had a pretty troubled start beginning life on the seven network the show was cancelled after 171 episodes before being picked up by rival station Channel Ten. The show only really took off after being broadcast in the UK, shown at lunchtimes and teatimes the show became a big hit its two new younger stars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan moved to the UK and became major stars. The two main families for years were the Robinsons (headed by father Jim) and the Ramsays who lived next door to each other. 
Other major characters included the extremely finicky Harold Bishop and his wife Madge. Jim's son Paul transformed himself into a JR style businessman running Lassiters (a hotel/bar which plays a major part in the show). Another major character was the extremely nosey gossip Mrs Mangel (her layabout son Joe later moved into Ramsey Street). Over the years many new families have come and gone but the basic premise has remained unchanged. Barry Crocker who sang the theme tune was a former actor starring in the cult film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie. Neighbours has been seen in over fifty countries around the world. 

Neighbours celebrated its 20th anniversary on 18 March 2005, several major characters from the past returned to the show to help celebrate including Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), Lucy Robinson (Melissa Bell) and Annalise (Kimberley Davies) 

With:- ANNE HADDY as Helen Daniels / ALAN DALE as Jim Robinson / KYLIE MINOGUE as Charlene Robinson / JASON DONOVAN as Scott Robinson / CRAIG MacLACHLAN as Henry Ramsay / STEFAN DENNIS as Paul Robinson / VIVIEN GRAY as Mrs Mangel / MARK LITTLE as Joe Mangel / PETER O'BRIEN as Shane Ramsay / PAUL KEANE as Des Clarke / FIONA CORKE as Gail Robinson / GUY PEARCE as Mike Young / LYNDA HARTLEY as Kerry Bishop / BEN GEURENS as Toby Mangel / GILLIAN BLAKENEY as Caroline  Alessi / GAYLE BLAKENEY as Christina Alessi / MAGGIE DENCE as Dorothy Burke / KRISTIAN SCHMID as Todd Landers / LUCINDA COWDEN as Melanie Pearson / TERENCE DONOVAN as Doug Willis / SUE JONES as Pam Willis / NICOLA CHARLES as Sarah Beaumont / IAN SMITH as Harold Bishop / ANNE CHARLESTON as Madge Bishop /  TOM OLIVER as Lou Carpenter / JACINTA STAPLETON as Amy Greenwood / JESSE SPENCER as Bill Kennedy / ALAN FLETCHER as Karl Kennedy / KYM VALENTINE as Libby Kennedy / JACKIE WOODBURNE as Susan Kennedy / DAN PARIS as Drew Kirk / REBECCA RITTERS as Hannah Martin / IAN RAWLINGS as Philip Martin / AILSA PIPER as Ruth Martin / RYAN MOLONEY as Toadfish / DANIEL MacPHERSON / BROOKE SATCHWELL as Anne Wilkson / ANDREW BIBBY as Lance Wilkinson / JONATHAN DUTTON as Tad / PHOEBE BRIGHT as Simone / HOLLY VALLANCE as Felicity / SHANE CONNER as Joe / DELTA GOODREM 

NEST

SBS / 7x30m-e / 2002

Lifestyle type show looking inside the homes of ordinary people discovering all manner of weird and wonderful things in the process. Hosted by Andrew Urban, Gerri Williams and Julie Nimmo.

NEVIL SHUTE'S A TOWN LIKE ALICE

7 Network-Marriner-Victorian Film Corporation / 3x120m-e / 1981 (July)

Writers: Rosemary Anne Sisson, Tom Hegarty / Novel: Nevil Shute / Camera: Russell Boyd / Design: Larry Eastwood / Costume: Ron Williams / Music: Bruce Smeaton / Producer: Henry Crawford / Director: David Stevens

Period drama serial. During World War II English Jean Paget, living in Singapore, is (along with a whole party of women and children) taken captive by the Japanese, forced to trek across Malaya she meets and falls in love with POW Aussie Joe Harman, after losing contact she mistakenly believes him to have been killed by the Japs but later after the war he tracks her down and the pair start a new life in the Australian outback. Henry Crawford had a great deal of trouble raising the cash to make the serial. The BBC expressed an interest in co-funding but didn't commit although they later bought the British rights.

With:- HELEN MORSE as Jean Paget / BRYAN BROWN as Joe Harmon / GORDON JACKSON as Noel Strachan / DOROTHY ALISON as Mrs Frith / YUKI SHIMODA as Sgt Mifune / ANNA VOLSKA as Sally Wilson-Hayes / DONALD MacDONALD as Derek Wilson-Hayes / JENNIFER WEST as Mrs Horsfall / PAT EVISON as Mrs Collard / MANDY BOOCOCK as Marlene Collard / RICHARD NARITA as Captain Sugamo / ARKIE WHITELEY as Annie 

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF BLACK BEAUTY

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SKIPPY

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OCEAN GIRL

Media World Pty Ltd / 26x30m-e / 2000

NEW EDEN

ABC / 6x30m-e / 2001 (First Episode: Friday 10 August / 6.00pm)

Documentary series examining the evolution of the Australian garden. From taming the landscapes of the 19th century to todays new interest thanks to lifestyle shows such as Groundforce. Presented by Richard Heathcote.

NEW FACES

9-10 Networks / x60m-e / 1963-85 1989-90 and 1992-93

Long running talent show which actually began life in 1963 as "The Kevin Dennis Auditions" (same format though - acts do their stuff whilst a guest panel of "experts" pass judgement on them. Initially on 9 with later hosts including Frank Wilson and in the late 70's and early 80's Bert Newton. Daryl Somers hosted the 1989-90 run.

NEWLYWEDS

7 Network-Crawfords /  52 x 30min / 1992-4

Creator: Ian McFadyen /  Producer: David Taft

Sit-com following  young couple Peter and Allie as they go through courtship, marriage and the birth of a baby. 

With:- ANNIE JONES as Allie / CHRISTOPHER GABARDI as Peter /  SANDIE LILLINGSTON as Marnie / JOSEPH CLEMENTS as Simmo / SANDY GORE as Irene / CATHY GODBOLD as Jules / VALENTINA LEVKOWICZ as Bev / DENIS MOORE as Ross / JASON TORRENS as Duncan / JOHN WOOD as Frank

THE NEWLYWEDS GAME 

THE NEW PRICE IS RIGHT

NEWS FREE ZONE

ABC / 50x30m-e / 1985 (29 July - 3 October)

NEW WORLD TEMPTATION see The Great Temptation

NICE AND JUICY

ABC / 13x30m-e / 1966 (First Episode: 6 October)

Writer: Colin Free / Music: Richard Connolly / Producer/Director: Eric Taylor

Sitcom. The exploits of a pair of brothers Jack and Mont who run a none too profitable orchard in Wyvern, Sydney. Much of the storylines centered around the relationships of the brothers as well as a local man-eater who was afer Mont.

With:- WILLIE FENNELL as Jack / JOHN EWART as Mont / CARMEN DUNCAN / STUART FINCH / GWEN PLUMB

A NICE DAY AT THE OFFICE

ABC / 7x30m-e / 1972 black and white

Writers: Marcus Cooney, John Brendan / Producer: Maurie Murphy / Director: Ric Burch

Sitcom. Spin off from an episode of the Comedy Game and basically a series of vignettes about office life. The lead role in the pilot was played by John Bell although Rod McLennan took over for the series.

With:- ROD McLENNAN / NEIL FITZPATRICK / GORDON McDOUGALL / FAY KELTON / MAGGIE DENCE

THE NICKEL QUEEN

Fauna / 1x90m-e / 1971

Thriller. A group of hippies become embroiled with a company dealing with mining and Nickel deposits in Western Australia (in reality Broad Arrow). Much of the action was filmed in the ghost town of Ora Banda.

With:- GOOGIE WITHERS as Meg Blake / JENNY TUURENHOUT as Cheryl / MAG MASTERS as Martin / JOHN LAWS as Claude Fitzherbert / JOANNA McCALLUM as Jenny Blake / ROSS THOMPSON as Arthur / CHRISTINE MEARING as Kay / ALFRED SANDOR / ED DEVEREAUX

1915

ABC-Lionheart TV International Productions / 7x60m-e / 1982 June - July

Writer: Peter Yeldham / Novel: Roger McDonald / Camera: Peter Hendry / Design: Laurie Johnson / Music: Bruce Smeaton / Producer: Ray Alchin / Directors: Chris Thomson, Di Drew

Period drama serial. Two friends, Billy McKenzie and Walter Gilchrist, have their lives changed forever by World War One and the horror of Gallipoli. There were over 70 speaking parts as well as hundreds of extras, locations included much of NSW as well as Quandialla (which became Bindogundra). The series sold to almost 40 countries and won Logies for Best Mini Series, Best Supporting Actor (Adrian Wright) and an Awgie for best adaptation (Peter Yeldham).

With:- SCOTT BURGESS as Billy McKenzie / SCOTT McGREGOR as Walter Gilchrist / LORRAINE BAYLY as Helen Gilchrist / GARY HOLMES as Douggie Gilchrist / BILL HUNTER as Alan Gilchrist / JACKIE WOODBURN as Dina / ANNA-MARIA WINCHESTER as Brigid / RUSSELL NEWMAN as Dave Scott / REV JONES as Henry Scott / SIGRID THORNTON / BILL KERR / ANNE HADDY / GERARD KENNEDY / ANDREW McFARLANE / ILONA RODGERS

THE NOISE

SBS / x30m-e / 1986-92

Rock music show (broadcast late night) with the SBS asian and european influence well to the fore. Host was Annette Shun Wah. Replaced by the similar nomad (see below).

nomad

SBS / x30m-e / 1993-?

Producer: Tracee Hutchinson / Executive Producer: John Walsh

Late night, all kinds of music rock show (music from all over the world too).

NO MAN'S LAND

9 Network / x60m-e / 1973 -76

A daytime discussion type show that originally came out of two cities and was two different programs. Melbourne was hosted by Tanya Haylesworth and Sydney by Penny Spence. In 1973 Mickie de Stoop took over as Presenter and Producer and the program - which took on a harder, current affairs style - went national. (Shown in every state at various times each afternoon.) Mickie was awarded a Logie in 1974 for Best Afternoon Program - beating Mike Walsh at the time. Although some swear words did get to air during one program there were no complaints from any viewers around Australia and the belief of those working on the show was that programmers decided to save money and put a movie on at midday. The axing of the show led to a front page story in the Melbourne Herald (such was the program's popularity) and included comments from the Australian Broadcasting Control Board who supported the show by saying they had never received any complaints about content. The day the axe fell Phillip Lynch, then the Federal Treasurer, was being interviewed on A Current Affair and annoyed producers by expressing his shock and disappointment that No Man's Land had been given the flick. It was considered to be a ground-breaking program and Peter Faiman - later to direct Crocodile Dundee - was astonished to find that the network had either tossed out any taped over any material recording the show when he was putting together the program, "Twenty Years of Television". Deborah-Lee Furness, actor and wife of Hugh Jackman, was one of the many reporters who worked with Mickie de Stoop over the three years she held the reins and was included in the photo of the Herald's axing story. Mickie went on to present a similar show, Shoulder to Shoulder, for the Ten network.

NO THANKS, I'M ON A DIET

ABC / 6x30m-e / 1976

Writer: Margaret Kelly / Producer: Keith Wilkes / Directors: Mike Ludbrook, John Gauci and David Zweck

Sitcom. The misadventures of an overweight lovelorn young woman. Grew out of an episode of the This Love Affair anthology series.

With:- BERRY CAMERON-ALLEN / PATSY DOWNES / MAURIE FIELDS / VAL JELLAY

THE NORMAN GUNSTON SHOW

ABC / 24x30m-e / 1975-77

Writer: Garry McDonald

Comedy. A fake chat style show in which Norman Gunston (played by comic Garry McDonald) interviews various celebrities in a none too flattering way. See also Gunston's Australia as well as below for a second series called The Norman Gunstan Show.

THE NORMAN GUNSTON SHOW 

7 Network / 8x60m-e / 1978-79

Writer: Garry McDonald / Producer: John Eastway

Comedy. A continuation of Gunston's previous fake chat show series (see above). Gunston attracted many high profile showbusiness names including Burt Reynolds, Charlton Heston, James Garner, Lee Marvin and Phil Silvers onto his shows. The character was revived in 1993 for a new series which was cancelled after McDonald had a nervous breakdown after two episodes and couldn't carry on.

THE NORMAN LINDSAY FESTIVAL

ABC / 9x60m-e / 1972 black and white

Music: Laurie Lewis / Producer: Alan Burke

A drama anthology series based on the novels of Norman Lindsay mixing three single dramas with two three part serials (these two Redheap and the Cousin From Fiji are treated individually). The three single dramas were 1. DUST OR POLISH / Writer: Peter Kenna / Director: Julian Pringle / With:- ARTHUR DIGNAM, SANDY GORE, BARBARA STEPHENS, MARLON EDWARDS. / 2. A CURATE IN BOHEMIA / Writer: Michael Broody / Director: Alan Burke / With:- BRYAN DAVIES, REG LIVERMORE, RAY GURNEY / 3. HALFWAY TO NOWHERE / Writer: Cliff Green / Director: David Cahill / With:- GEOFF BOON, ROSALIE FLETCHER, SALLY CAHILL

NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO

ABC / 2x30m-e / 1971 8 - 15 February

Writers: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore

Comedy. A pair of shows made specially in Australia in which Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (along with special guest Barry Humphries) recreated some of their sketches from the 1960's BBC classic Not Only...But Also.

NOT SUITABLE FOR ADULTS

SBS-It's About Time / 26x30m-e / 1986

Music: Greg Thomas / Producers: Pat Hunder, Geoff Pollack / Directors: Gary Dunstan, Leon Devine

Entertainment/Variety show for teenagers hosted by Angela Gigliotti and Ted Freeman. Steve Vizard was a writer on the show.

NOW SOUND

9 / x30m-e / 1970 black and white

Pop music show with performances from acts in the charts. Presented by Ronnie Burns.

NOW TIME

ABC / 13x30m-e / 1968 black and white

Creator: Peter Clifton / Producers: Peter Clifton, Peter Ryan

A pop culture magazine show actually filmed in London and featuring people like The Beatles, Twiggy, David Frost etc.

NOW YOU SEE IT

N3tv

Lifestyle Channel (Pay TV) / 30x30m-e / 2000-continuing

A science and technology show in which emerging breakthroughs in the above two fields are looked at in an easy to understand way.

NURSES

ABC / 4x60m-e / 2000

Documentary series that followed the lives of four nurses working at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. The four were ER nurse Jane Newman, Oncology and Haematology nurse Kerryn O'Rourke, Theatre Nurse Cassie Steward and Homeless Psychiatry nurse Trish Bulic.