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Logies: the roll call begins

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Organisers for the 50th TV Week Logie Awards have so far been tight-lipped about special guests for the big night, now only two weeks away.

No international television stars have yet been announced (Wouldn’t Gordon Ramsay be the #1 name to get right now?).

But today they have announced some local presenters, and promised pop band Westlife will perform. Can we ask them to sing the theme from Prisoner or Neighbours, please? I’d even settle for Class of ’74.

After all this is the FIFTIETH year, so one would hope there is a fitting acknowledgment of Australia’s vast televisual history.

Here is a list of the local presenters so far confirmed:

Lisa McCune, Adam Hills, Garry McDonald, Kate Ritchie, Steve Jacobs, Tim Campbell, Natalie Blair, Daryl Somers, Les Hill, Gyton Grantley, Ian Stenlake, Alison Whyte, Johanna Griggs, Sonia Kruger, Shane Jacobson, Richard Wilkins, Tracy Grimshaw, Helen Kapalos, Georgie Parker, Damien Leith, Bert Newton, Rose Byrne, Vince Colosimo, Denise Drysdale, Patti Newton, Claudia Karvan, Shaun Micallef, Eddie McGuire and Rodger Corser.

Again the list is weighted to current stars. Not too many names representing the past (go, Ding Dong!) although some manage to cross both past and present. A few names are also very new in the television arena. Shane Jacobson is a hoot as Kenny, but he isn’t television yet. His appearance is no doubt viewed as a win / win / win for everyone. Organisers get a name performer, TEN gets to plug his upcoming mockumentary series and the stage musical Guys and Dolls gets a free kick. Notably there are several others from said musical (Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake, Garry McDonald… what no Magda?).

There also don’t seem to be any SBS names except for Shaun Micallef.

TV Tonight looks forward to hearing how those from our past are also acknowledged for this 50th celebration: what about Lorraine Bayly, Mike Walsh, Val Lehman, Jacki McDonald, Tony Barber, Gerard Kennedy, Bud Tingwell, Abigail, Paula Duncan, Brian Henderson, Lorrae Desmond, Peta Toppano, Judy Nunn, Anne Tenney, Mary Coustas, Johnny Young, Mark Mitchell, Michael Craig, Carol Burns, Colin Friels, Molly, Steve Bisley, Max Cullen, Don Burke, Val Jellay, Tracy Mann, Brian Naylor, Simon Townsend, Plucka Duck, Agro, Fat Cat, Tony Martin, Simon Burke, Julie McGregor, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Maggie Kirkpatrick and yes even Dieter Brummer?

Press Release:

With the 50th Annual TV WEEK Logie Awards two weeks away, TV WEEK can confirm a who’s who of Australian television as the special guest presenters.

Confirmed to present on Logies night are:

Lisa McCune, Adam Hills, Garry McDonald, Kate Ritchie, Steve Jacobs, Tim Campbell, Natalie Blair, Daryl Somers, Les Hill, Gyton Grantley, Ian Stenlake, Alison Whyte, Johanna Griggs, Sonia Kruger, Shane Jacobson, Richard Wilkins, Tracy Grimshaw, Helen Kapalos, Georgie Parker, Damien Leith, Bert Newton, Rose Byrne, Vince Colosimo, Denise Drysdale, Patti Newton, Claudia Karvan, Shaun Micallef, Eddie McGuire and Rodger Corser.

With more names to be added to the presenters list, 2008 is shaping up to be a huge celebration of 50 years of the TV WEEK Logie Awards.

Also confirmed to appear at the TV WEEK Logie Awards is Irish pop sensation Westlife, who will perform their brand-new single “Something Right”, from the album released last November, Back Home. Westlife has sold 40 million records worldwide and celebrate 10 years together this July. They are the third biggest-selling act in the British Isles (pipped only by The Beatles and U2). In Australia alone, they are a six times platinum-selling act, with a huge following – and their performance on Logies night is sure to thrill.

The 50th Annual TV WEEK Logie Awards will be held on Sunday, May 4, at the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne and televised on the Nine Network.

9 Responses

  2. I watched the opener from the 1990 Logies recently (which was on the Ten Network), and I was wondering if Nine would go to the effort of buying the non-Nine Logies footage to show on the night (as it is the fiftieth Logies and because Nine did not screen every ceremony. At one stage in the late 80’s to mid 90’s, the ceremony rotated between the three networks)? and also, they should send a invite to Con the Fruiterer and his wife Marika, Col’n Carpenter, Uncle Arthur and Kylie Mole (in other words a 20 year reunion of the Comedy Company). As for Westlife, get them to play a medley of TV promotional themes from all capital cities, not just Sydney and Melbourne. (like they did in 1987, which was also screened on Ten).

  3. They are getting Westlife to perform because they will be on their way to New Zealand for their sold out tour (TRUE, they are doing 5 sold out dates from May 7 to 13). For some bizzare reason Westlife are huge in New Zealand, unlike here – they arent even doing 1 date in Australia.
    For once NZ gets a tour & Aussies don’t LOL!
    I would also like to see stars of the past present, people like Val, Colette from Prisoner, stars from E Street (is Melissa Tkautz free??)
    They should get Dannii Minogue to perform, she’s in the country!

  4. Val Lehman has confirmed on her official website that she has been “invited to attend” the Logies. No word about whether she’s been asked to present or not, but she seems pretty excited to have been invited.

  5. knoxoverstreet, I believe Gordon is due in Australia in June, so there is no chance he will be at the logies(but yes it would be great to see the man there)this year.

  8. Firstly re Ramsay this is one of the busiest guys out there and I’m sure he’s not going to jet over here for the logies,although it would be great to have him.

    Next I’m a huge fan of aussie tv history and would love to see names like Lorraine Bailey and Rowena Wallace up there as presenters.

    And I’ll put in a request for Westlife to do the theme for The Restless Years!

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