Logie Awards 2009: Gallery

“It’s good to be here,” said Gretel. “I have never personally won a television award.” Except for running second in a poll of TV’s most annoying host, she joked.

“This is a chance for me to say hello to you at home whom I have not seen in a long time.

“It is a little bit daunting to be back in the spotlight,” she conceded.

The 51st TV Week Logie Awards opened with Jessica Mauboy pre-recorded on the rooftop of Crown Towers with the Melbourne backdrop before she appeared on the Palladium stage with five male dancers and a performance of “Been Waiting.”

Gretel Killeen took centrestage (complete with her new do) before being gunned down in an odd lead in to the Most Popular Actress.

Rebecca Gibney took the first award thanking her “gift of a role” from Packed to the Rafters.

Todd Lasance won his first Logie as Most Popular Actor for Home and Away.

Most Outstanding Actor was won by Gyton Grantley for Underbelly. “It was such a good story. Our story. An Australian story that we told really well,” he said. “This one’s for Australian stuff and let’s make more of it.”

Underbelly’s Kat Stewart won Most Oustanding Actress. “I’m so proud to have been involved in Underbelly,” she said. “This is magic.”

So You Think You Can Dance Australia won Most Popular Reality. “This lovely trophy goes to the dancers…. who slogged their guts out,” said Jason Coleman.

Dave Hughes lifted proceedings with a comedy monologue at the expense of Lincoln Lewis, Grant Denyer, Bondi Rescue and Bondi Vet. Go Hughesy!

The Hollowmen won Most Outstanding Comedy. Merrick Watts said, “Thanks to the ABC for their undying support of comedy.”

“God forbid we get real jobs,” he added.

Most Outstanding News Coverage was won by “China Earthquake”, ABC News. Presenter George Negus accidentally called it a Gold Logie. Correspondent Stephen McDonald said, “If you want to see the world through Australian eyes, the ABC is still the place to do it.”

Tom Burlinson sang “Unforgettable” to a montage of lost stars (including with a few bum notes).

Most Popular Lifestyle was won by Better Home and Gardens. Johanna Griggs thanked all the crew behind the show. “My peers on stage, all experts in their own field….not an ego amongst them. That is why it is a joy to go to work with each and every one of you.”

“We don’t take this for granted,” she added.

Rove won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Presenter for the seventh time, only to complain about the cheap seats.

The Hall of Fame induction for Bill Collins was presented by Sarah Murdoch -a surprising choice.

Collins received a standing ovation from the room.

“If I wasn’t paid to do what I love I’d do it anyway,” he said.

Collins thanked Foxtel’s Kim Williams, Brian Walsh, Jamie Campbell and FOX Classics staff and his wife Joan.

“I’d like to go on for 6 minutes but I won’t….”

Quoting director Martin Scorsese he added, “Good films unlock your imagination.”

Most Outstanding Sports Coverage went to Channel Seven for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bruce MacAvaney said, “China what a country, Beijing what a city. The bird’s nest and the water cube what iconic stadiums they turned out to be.”

The Footy Show (NRL) won Most Popular Sports Show. Paul Vautin said, “Thanks Dave (Gyngell). You’re one of the reasons we’re still on air.”

At a grand piano, singer Annie Lennox sang an earnest, accoustic version of “There Must Be Angel (Playing With My Heart)” one of the few intimate moments of the night.

Wil Anderson unleashed a routine on advertisements which has some good gags.

Rafters Hugh Sheridan won Best New Male Talent. “George I owe you $100 bucks,” he said to his co-star. “Thankyou to the best cast and crew in the world… George, this award is as much yours as it is mine.”

Best New Female Talent was won by his co-star Jessica Marais. “I want to thank the fans and viewers….all the mentors who have inspired and encouraged me,” she said. “This show is all about family.”

Miles Barlow’s Review of the Logies was a fun sequence with stars, including Margaret Pomeranz, David Stratton and Bert Newton sending themselves up.

Kerry O’Brien arrived without the 7:30 Report’s fanfare, and made a point of saying so. Way to go, Kezza.

Most Popular Factual was won again by Bondi Rescue. “We love making this show. It’s a lot of fun….we love making a show about the beach….” said producer Michael Cordell.

The Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent was also won by Jessica Marais. “I’ve been lucky to have been birthed into the Australian television industry… I feel so lucky to be nominated with such incredible people.”

Underbelly won Most Outstanding Drama (despite no clips being able to be shown all night). Producer Greg Haddrick said, “It had a lot of kalaeidescopic elements to it.” Somewhere in there he included “a little bit of sex.”

Four awards were given out prior to the telecast. Most Outstanding Children’s Programme went to H20: Just Add Water. Most Oustanding Public Affairs Report was won by Afghanistan a Survivor’s Tale from Foreign Correspondent. Most Oustanding Documentary was awarded to First Australians by SBS. Most Outstanding Factual programme was won by Border Security by Channel Seven.

Rove again won Most Popular Light  Entertainment as Rove McManus thanked the Roving Production team.

Peter Phelps presented the Silver award for Most Popular Drama, aided by Humphrey B. Bear. It was won by Packed to the Rafters. “We’ve been continually blown away by the success of Packed to the Rafters,” said Erik Thomson, describing it as “beyond our wildest dreams.” Rebecca Gibney thanked the production crew and families.

Finally, Gibney took out the Gold Logie itself, an acknowledgment of a long career in Australian television dating back to shows including Come in Spinner, Brides of Christ, The Flying Doctors and Halifax f.p.