Oz TV continued - The 90's

Although the spend crazy 80's were over and networks had to start tightening their budgets, Oz TV took a good turn in this downsize, low key, back to basics decade...

Comedy there was plenty of - god we needed it to take our minds of the recession (the one we had to have)...that bunch of genius's which got together for 'D-Generation' in the 80's - all started to splinter off to new projects throughout the decade...

Rob Sitch stars as Mike Moore in 'Frontline'- a brilliant satire on the current affair shows that were plaguing Australia, it was really what happened behind scenes and how these shows got their stories on air - and also started to blur the actual current affairs shows with this very well written comedy...my favorite reporter was Brooke Vanderberg (Jane Kennedy)and her 'nodding' episode...

'Funky Squad' - A 1990's satire on the 1970's cop show... yeah it was like an extended D-generation skit that lasted about 8 episodes but was brilliant for those who wanted a 70's retro show...fav line was 'That's Sassy Cassie..'

'The Late Show' - Almost the next 'D-generation' generation skit show... Mr Mick Molloy and Miss Judith 'Im so sarcastic it even pisses me off' Lucey made their TV debut (ALL Hail Queen Judith..)

The original D-Gen girls went off to Channel 7's for 'Fast Forward' - Jane Turner, Marg Downey, Magda Szubanski and introducing my all time fav Miss Gina 'Boy can she hold a note' Riley - this was almost the commercial TV channel version of D-gen, generally satire on movies & tv but also great skits...especially Magda's 'Pixie Anne Wheatley', Marg's 'Jana Wendt', Jane's Olympic Hopeful Berylina Stumpie and Gina changing costumes and wearing too much make up to look like Shirley Bassey, Cher, Heart to Bette Midler...god I love Gina...'Fast Forward' later came back as 'Full frontal' with a mix of old and new cast, and continued it satirical way for a few more years...

Steve Vizard made his debut also on FF - and became so popular he also Hosted his own 'Tonight Show' on 7 - Although a ratings success, it turned out a complete rip off of the David Lettermen talk Show... and to think OZ TV had come so far...

Ok back to the girls, as they had the hour...'Big girls blouse' with Magda, Jane and Gina only lasted 1 season but jesus this was hilarious...whether taking off old movie stars, 'Lyn' from information, themselves, swingers from the 60's and the first TV debut of Kath, Kim in a skit called 'Kimmy's Wedding'


I have recently purchased the DVD and these girls are still way too funny... they went onto 'Something Stupid'- Marg joined them again - continuing the fun - this time 'Kimmy's Baby' was skit du jour...

Ok guys turn -'The Panel' - was a simple yet successful creation - a bunch of them sitting around the table talking about topics of the day in a humorous way, mix in a few celebrities and music...a new take on the talk show...

...Channel 9 just took a new take on an old talk show and revived 'IMT' for a bit..but better success with the 'The Footy Show' - a talk show with footballers and ex footballers talkin' footy drama on and off the field...(Yawn as no nude footy players - and you can't count Sam Newman - the man's now a reject from the wax works)...

Drama was also prevalent in big OZ mini series like 'Brides of Christ' showing the Catholic Church reforms in Oz in the 1960's..to 'Blue Healers' Channel 7's Cop drama and rival Channel 9 with 'Water Rats' about Sydney's water Police...and to 'Seachange' Channel 2 new take on the country drama, a high profile lady judge from the city moves to a beach town - and the quirky tale is set of her new lifestyle...

...Ten also started the 'lifestyle' genre with 'Healthy, Wealthy & Wise' - a prime time magazine program and Channel 9 had 'Burke's Backyard' - Australia's love for the house and garden on TV finally started to blossom...we wanted more 'noice' things around ourselves, a 'lifestyle'...'not just a house butta hoooemmmmm'...was Oz's tastes were changing...

...and we were pushing boundaries in 'alternative lifestyles' as well - 1997 saw the first screening of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras...Gay was stopped being taboo and started to be 'du jour' in the 90's...and a new station was born through the 90's - Community Television or sometimes known as Channel 31 - opening up OZ TV to Bent TV and other diverse community groups to the average aussie... as long as you have a cam and a timeslot you get your 15 minutes on air...

...So as the 90's drew to a close, the economy was picking up and question asked was had OZ grown up? Were we getting to maturity? Were we ready for the millennium and further changes like reality TV and digital...

This is what I pose for the next and final installment of OZ TV...So put on streetwear and the designer sunnies, order an infused cocktail of exotic booze and hit the house tracks on the dance floor...2000 and beyond came on strong...

to be concluded...