Friday 27 February 1998
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

by Halliwell Hannah

As the 1998 season gets into gear and we see new shows arrive and old favorites return, let's speculate on the coming year and how things might shape up for a few celebrities and shows.

1. The Reappearance of Jo Beth Taylor

She has to reappear at some stage with her story, but where and how, and will she have a new haircut?

The ex-Channel Nine funny gal was often dismissed by her detractors as a blonde bimbo, but she also endeared herself to viewers of Hey Hey and Funniest Home Videos with her lovely wide smile and sense of fun. Even non-fans were concerned by her illness - which could be physical, mental or non-existent, depending on who you listen to. Her grand return will no doubt make the front cover of at least one weekly women's mag.

2. The New Ding Dong Show

Denise Drydale's defection from In Melbourne Tonight and Channel Nine, to Channel Seven sent a few shockwaves around the Packer stable. Most viewers seem to agree that she was the best thing about IMT and her departure left Frank Holden with no second banana to play off. Denise's enthusiasm and willingness to give anything a go gave the show a lot of its spontaneity and humor. She wasn't afraid to make a dill of herself and we loved her for it.

The first IMT for the year saw them drag in aging Mexican firecracker and Love Boat semi-regular Charo, to fill Denise's shoes. Even though Charo can still dance a mean coochy-coochy, she ain't no Ding Dong.

So what's ahead for Denise? Apparently, she left IMT because she wanted to have more air time, and (I read somewhere) show her serious side. I'm sure Channel Seven will find something for her, but what? A talk show? A variety show? A sketch comedy show? They will have to be careful about the vehicle they choose for her. Denise was superb comic relief on IMT, but can she hold a show on her own --- especially if it is one that shows her "serious side"?

I remember seeing Ernie and Denise, her Channel Nine morning chatfest with Ernie Sigley, a few years back, and when she was serious she was....well...serious. Give me Ding Dong the ding dong any day!

Seven could miscalculate, as Nine did a some years ago when they got her to join Hey Hey It's Saturday. Remember? I think she stepped in as token female funny girl when Jacki McDonald left. The union wasn't a happy one, and she eventually left amid rumors of a rift with Daryl. It will be interesting to see when and where she turns up.

3. The Anne Maree Biggar Mystery

Anne Maree Biggar used to co-host Agro's Cartoon Connection with the talking bathmat, then she graduated to one of those Channel Seven lifestyle programs that I never watch.

Late last year she was scooped up by Channel Nine, and her future looked rosy. There was speculation that she would step into Jo Beth Taylor's shoes on Hey Hey It's Saturday, but the gig went to Livinia Nixon. There was also speculation that she would step into Jo Beth's other shoes for Funniest Home Videos, but this gig went to an unknown. The Departure of Denise Drysdale also left an opportunity for a resident funny girl on IMT, but she hasn't popped up there either.

So just what are Nine's plans for her? Will she be relegated to "special projects"? This means things like "Australia's Ugliest Pets" or "Silliest Pedestrians". Why didn't she get a least one of the openings above? Maybe Nine is finding her "talents" hard to place.

4. The Footy Show Versus The New Footy Show

This will mean nothing to interstate viewers, but The Footy Show is a big deal in Victoria, and the Aussie Rules gabfest has just had a major series of defections to Channel Seven.

James Hird, Doug Hawkins and Jason Dunstall as well as one of the shows production bigwigs have been poached by Seven who are obviously trying to regain their crown as the home of footy. After all, they have the broadcast rights to the game, but Nine's Footy Show is a big ratings and Logie winner.

Sure Seven has Talking Footy, but this is a late night show for the footy diehards, and Seven needs a personality based program to steal The Footy Show's shine. They tried it twice and failed with er... um...that Friday night panel show with Sandy Roberts, Bridgette Duclos and others. I can't even remember what it was called it was so short lived. Then there was that other program with Rex Hunt as host? Remember? I can't.

So what will The New Footy Show be like, and will it be up and running for the first bounce of the season? Who will be on it apart from Hird, Hawkins and Dunstall? Bruce McAvaney? Dipper? Rex Hunt? Johnny "The Rat" Platten? Captain Blood?

Maybe Seven will fail to take up the challenge and not even have a New Footy Show. They could just make Hird, Hawkins and Dunstall boundary riders or relegate them to "special comments" at matches.

I don't think so as too much effort and money has gone in to poaching them. This year the TV footy war will heat up. It's more than a game!

5. The Revamp of The Price is Right

Where is The Price is Right? Catch Phrase with Baby John Burgess is back, but Larry Emdur and the gang have yet to "Come on down".

I heard that the reruns of Growing Pains (a silly season fill in) were quite popular and the station decided that there was no need to rush Right back. The longer it is away, the more the speculation will grow that it has been axed. I'm still waiting for the next season of Don't Forget Your Toothbrush that Nine promised us.

I think The Price is Right will be back, and it is due for a bit of a revamp as some of the games are getting a bit stale. Price has never really dominated its timeslot in the way that it should have as a lead up to Nine's news, so perhaps the producers will take the time to come up with some fresh ideas to pep up the show's appeal. Hopefully it will be more than just a "Home Viewer contest". This gimmick is getting routine for the return of most game shows, and Price needs more than this.

In future Switched On articles, I'll be returning to these speculations and commenting further on them. It's going to be an interesting year!