Episode 4 Jack Thompson
Tuesday 6 June 8.00pm
David Wenham tracks back through the ABC archival life of Jack Thompson, the beloved face of Australia’s film renaissance and arguably our first real movie star. This frank, revealing interview will surprise anyone who thinks they know this giant of Australian cinema.
Among stories of pivotal roles like Sunday Too Far Away and The Sum of Us, Jack talks about the roles he didn’t get, the meaning of poetry in his life and why he did that centrefold. For the first time, we show Jack footage of himself at the first ever Garma Festival in 1999 and Jack speaks passionately about his views on an Indigenous voice to parliament. A 1962 recording of Jack’s adoptive father, John Thompson, prompts an emotional tribute from this grateful son.
Accompanying article
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Episode 5 Wendy Harmer
Tuesday 13 June 8.00pm
This week on The ABC Of, David Wenham sits down with the grande dame of Australian comedy, Wendy Harmer. She’s been on our screens for the better part of four decades, smashing stereotypes with every step.
Wendy reminisces about her part in the genre-defining comedy programs The Gillies Report and The Big Gig, where she was also the first woman to host a comedy show in Australian television history. She’s gone on to be a globally successful author, top rating radio host and television documentary maker with Stuff.
But success is just the top line of her story - Wendy talks about navigating a public career while having been born with a facial difference and how she’s found love and healing after a childhood marked by poverty and sadness.
Episode 6 Greig Pickhaver
Tuesday 20 June 8.00pm
David Wenham talks to Greig Pickhaver, who for decades has defined and defiled the Australian character with his alter ego, HG Nelson. Greig speaks openly about being unable to read and the enduring partnership of Roy and HG.
This week on The ABC Of, David Wenham goes fishing in the ABC Archival life of Greig Pickhaver, who for more than 40 years has defined and defiled the Australian character with his inimitable alter ego, HG Nelson.
As Greig admits, HG always asks the questions and Roy always gives the answers. In The ABC Of, we see Greig without the cloak of his character, speaking openly about his inability to read due to dyslexia and how that has uniquely fuelled his love of language. Greig lets us into the inner workings of his professional partnership with John Doyle, he speaks passionately about what it means to be and sound Australian and reminds us that every part of life is, at its essence, sport.
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Episode 7 Germaine Greer
Final Episode
Tuesday 27 June 8.00pm
This week on The ABC Of, David Wenham takes controversial world-renowned feminist Germaine Greer on a journey through her ABC archival life. In this rare and open interview, she shows sides of herself viewers will not have seen before.
Now 84, Germaine Greer is still a force to be reckoned with. Germaine shot to global prominence - and notoriety - in 1970 with the publication of The Female Eunuch. But the The ABC Of uncovered vision from well before her fame, from 1959 of Germaine at 20, working behind the scenes on an Alan Hopgood play. In a uniquely reflective interview, Germaine talks about her troubled childhood and wild youth, remembers her good friend, the late Clive James, and shares her fears now she is living in aged care.
The Greig Pickhaver episode was great to watch. While most of the episode was about Roy and HG (also mentioning the duo hosting The Dream on Seven during Sydney 2000 Olympics), it also revealed that Greig lived in Melbourne in 1970s and early 1980s, participating in local theatre and working as a 3RRR presenter.
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The Season 2 Finale aired tonight. Such a simple show, yet very enjoyable. Altough it was a show that was only to be aired last year for ABC’s 90th birthday, i am glad that the second season aired this year. I hope there is more to come
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UPDATED:
The ABC is yet to decide the future of the show, despite an earlier tweet by host David Wenham that the show has been axed.
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