O.T. Re: Australian Television

Is there a law requiring that John Howard must appear in EVERY Australian
television drama/comedy program? I have nothing against him and he is an
excellent actor (although he seems to play the same type of character in
everything), but it seems that all the Australian television programs we get
here in Sandy Eggo seem to have him in them.

Though we probably don't get 'em fresh, I always enjoy them. For the last
few months I have been watching a program called "Sea Change". It is very
enjoyable compared with most of the U.S. programming. This program also has
John Howard playing John Howard. <smile>

Charlie

"Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
news:TwWJd.6436$YD5.3331@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:

> Is there a law requiring that John Howard must appear in EVERY
> Australian television drama/comedy program? I have nothing against him
> and he is an excellent actor (although he seems to play the same type
> of character in everything), but it seems that all the Australian
> television programs we get here in Sandy Eggo seem to have him in
> them.

Your statement threw me at first, till I remembered John Howard _the
actor_ - it's also the name of our prime minister.

Anyhow, I don't think they've actually passed a law, Charlie <g>, but he
does seem to get a lot of work.

> Though we probably don't get 'em fresh, I always enjoy them. For the
> last few months I have been watching a program called "Sea Change". It
> is very enjoyable compared with most of the U.S. programming. This
> program also has John Howard playing John Howard. <smile>
>

Sea Change was very successful here, though I never really watched it - I
think the timing may have conflicted with something else I watched. I'm
not sure how long ago it finished showing here - last year, year before?
(time goes by so fast these days, I'm always finding out that events that
I think happened a couple of months ago, actually happened a year ago!)

For a while now John Howard has been a regular cast member on All Saints
(a hospital drama heavy on the personal lives of the characters).I used
to watch this regularly but sort of "dropped out" a year or so back.They
did a revamp of the show - changed quite a few things - and John Howard
was one of the new cast members they brought in.

What other Aussie shows do you get? I'm intrigued!


Rhonda Anderson
Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

Rhonda wrote:

> Your statement threw me at first, till I remembered John Howard _the
> actor_ - it's also the name of our prime minister.

Well, my governor is named Arnold Schwarzenegger...

Bob

Rhonda Anderson wrote:
> "Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
> news:TwWJd.6436$YD5.3331@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:
>
>
>>Is there a law requiring that John Howard must appear in EVERY
>>Australian television drama/comedy program? I have nothing against him
>>and he is an excellent actor (although he seems to play the same type
>>of character in everything), but it seems that all the Australian
>>television programs we get here in Sandy Eggo seem to have him in
>>them.
>
>
> Your statement threw me at first, till I remembered John Howard _the
> actor_ - it's also the name of our prime minister.
>
> Anyhow, I don't think they've actually passed a law, Charlie <g>, but he
> does seem to get a lot of work.
>
>
>>Though we probably don't get 'em fresh, I always enjoy them. For the
>>last few months I have been watching a program called "Sea Change". It
>>is very enjoyable compared with most of the U.S. programming. This
>>program also has John Howard playing John Howard. <smile>
>>
>
> Sea Change was very successful here, though I never really watched it - I
> think the timing may have conflicted with something else I watched. I'm
> not sure how long ago it finished showing here - last year, year before?
> (time goes by so fast these days, I'm always finding out that events that
> I think happened a couple of months ago, actually happened a year ago!)
>
> For a while now John Howard has been a regular cast member on All Saints
> (a hospital drama heavy on the personal lives of the characters).I used
> to watch this regularly but sort of "dropped out" a year or so back.They
> did a revamp of the show - changed quite a few things - and John Howard
> was one of the new cast members they brought in.
>
> What other Aussie shows do you get? I'm intrigued!
>
>
> Rhonda Anderson
> Cranebrook, NSW, Australia
I'm kind of partial to Mcleod's Daughters. -RP

"Rhonda Anderson" <schumacher11@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95EBDAA3F1F20schumacher11bigpondc@61.9.191.5...
> "Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
> news:TwWJd.6436$YD5.3331@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:
>
> > Is there a law requiring that John Howard must appear in EVERY
> > Australian television drama/comedy program? I have nothing against him
> > and he is an excellent actor (although he seems to play the same type
> > of character in everything), but it seems that all the Australian
> > television programs we get here in Sandy Eggo seem to have him in
> > them.
>
> Your statement threw me at first, till I remembered John Howard _the
> actor_ - it's also the name of our prime minister.

Yes indeed! I had to check the name several times because I thought that I
must be going with the name because it was the same as the Prime Minister!

> Anyhow, I don't think they've actually passed a law, Charlie <g>, but he
> does seem to get a lot of work.

Most of the ones we get seem to have them in them!

> >
>
> Sea Change was very successful here, though I never really watched it - I
> think the timing may have conflicted with something else I watched. I'm
> not sure how long ago it finished showing here - last year, year before?
> (time goes by so fast these days, I'm always finding out that events that
> I think happened a couple of months ago, actually happened a year ago!)
>
> For a while now John Howard has been a regular cast member on All Saints
> (a hospital drama heavy on the personal lives of the characters).I used
> to watch this regularly but sort of "dropped out" a year or so back.They
> did a revamp of the show - changed quite a few things - and John Howard
> was one of the new cast members they brought in.

I don't think we have gotten this one yet but have heard of it. I look
forward to it!

> What other Aussie shows do you get? I'm intrigued!

I wish I could remember names of things better. I really enjoyed the one
about the Olympics a couple of years ago. It was excellent. I enjoyed that
male N.Z. actor in the lead. I think the last one was about a family that
traded houses and moved from the city to a rural area. The others I can't
remember much about.

These programs appear on our local Public Television station. We used to get
a lot of British programs, but they have almost disappeared. We have had a
bunch of BBC programs and some SKY, Yorkshire Television, Scottish
Television, RTE (Irish) and Canadian programs, but the Australian programs
are much more prominent now.

Charlie

> Rhonda Anderson
> Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

Charles Gifford wrote:

>
> These programs appear on our local Public Television station. We used to get
> a lot of British programs, but they have almost disappeared. We have had a
> bunch of BBC programs and some SKY, Yorkshire Television, Scottish
> Television, RTE (Irish) and Canadian programs, but the Australian programs
> are much more prominent now.
>
> Charlie
>
>

Interesting, we're still getting British shows on PBS, but different
ones. No more Keeping Up Appearances, Are You Being Served, or the
one with Judith Dench whom I adore. I wonder if they priced themselves
out of the running?

Right now we're seeing Good Neighbors and May to December. I don't
recall any Australian series, but then our PBS station calls 10-11 PM
"The British Comedy Hour".

Have you ever seen the Canadian "Red Green Show"? It is on here most
Saturday nights at 10:30. Worth waiting up for. (OMG, I can remember
when Saturday night BEGAN at about that hour.)

gloria p

"Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
news:MhhKd.7923$r27.270@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net:

>
> "Rhonda Anderson" <schumacher11@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns95EBDAA3F1F20schumacher11bigpondc@61.9.191.5...
>
>> What other Aussie shows do you get? I'm intrigued!
>
> I wish I could remember names of things better. I really enjoyed the
> one about the Olympics a couple of years ago. It was excellent. I
> enjoyed that male N.Z. actor in the lead.

That one's not ringing any bells, but my memory's not always that great!

I think the last one was
> about a family that traded houses and moved from the city to a rural
> area.

OK, that would be Always Greener. Another show that critics liked, and
seemed to be doing well, but then was cancelled. Finished in 2003.

I suppose it figures that someone with the good taste to enjoy Vegemite
would like some Aussie TV shows <g>.

Rhonda Anderson
Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

Michael O'Donnell <foodie_in_Oz@alphalink.com> wrote in
news:MPG.1c64e25fe8b38dc49897c9@news.individual.net:

> In article Rhonda Anderson savoured the salmon then said
>> "Charles Gifford" <> wrote :
>> > "Rhonda Anderson" <> wrote ...
>> >
>> >> What other Aussie shows do you get? I'm intrigued!
>> >
>> > I wish I could remember names of things better. I really enjoyed
>> > the one about the Olympics a couple of years ago. It was excellent.
>> > I enjoyed that male N.Z. actor in the lead.
>>
>> That one's not ringing any bells, but my memory's not always that
>> great!
>
> "The Games"
> http://www.abc.net.au/thegames/about.htm
>
> John Clarke is very dry
>

Ah, of course. I remember now. I'm not sure if I saw a couple of
episodes, or only saw portions - I do recall it looked very amusing.

Rhonda Anderson
Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

"Puester" <puester@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:xkiKd.101980$w62.72634@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> Interesting, we're still getting British shows on PBS, but different
> ones. No more Keeping Up Appearances, Are You Being Served, or the
> one with Judith Dench whom I adore. I wonder if they priced themselves
> out of the running?

Those are still all on here every saturday night along with a new one (for
us) "On The Up" which I watched once and didn't take to it.

> Right now we're seeing Good Neighbors and May to December.

Geeze! I haven't seen those in years! Both very good indeed!

> I don't
> recall any Australian series, but then our PBS station calls 10-11 PM
> "The British Comedy Hour".

Our "British Comedy Hour" is actually 2 hours between 7 and 9 pm.

> Have you ever seen the Canadian "Red Green Show"? It is on here most
> Saturday nights at 10:30. Worth waiting up for. (OMG, I can remember
> when Saturday night BEGAN at about that hour.)
>
> gloria p

Heh, heh! We haven't seen "Red Green Show". I'll watch for it. My Saturday
night bedtime is usually around 4:00 am.

Charlie

"Rhonda Anderson" <schumacher11@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95ECD42812FA0schumacher11bigpondc@61.9.191.5...
> "Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
> news:MhhKd.7923$r27.270@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net:
>
>
> I think the last one was
> > about a family that traded houses and moved from the city to a rural
> > area.
>
> OK, that would be Always Greener. Another show that critics liked, and
> seemed to be doing well, but then was cancelled. Finished in 2003.

That's it! It was a very good program with well developed characters. Lots
of good actors down your way.

> I suppose it figures that someone with the good taste to enjoy Vegemite
> would like some Aussie TV shows <g>.
>
> Rhonda Anderson
> Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

You are right Rhonda! I just wish Aussie beer was easier to get without
going to a specialty store. Most of the good beers we can't get here even at
a specialty store. I'll have to make a trip over there someday -- I'd love
to do that. We did have a nice Australian Pub here. They had some excellent
beers and gave me my first taste of Australian traditional food. Some of
your fellow countrywo/men and Miche in N.Z. have helped me recreate some of
these. I have no fear of not finding something to eat if I visit! I actually
had Mar**t* before I tried Vegemite. No contest! Vegemite!

Charlie

"Michael O'Donnell" <foodie_in_Oz@alphalink.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1c64e25fe8b38dc49897c9@news.individual.net...
> In article Rhonda Anderson savoured the salmon then said
> > "Charles Gifford" <> wrote :
> > > "Rhonda Anderson" <> wrote ...
> > >
> > >> What other Aussie shows do you get? I'm intrigued!
> > >
> > > I wish I could remember names of things better. I really enjoyed the
> > > one about the Olympics a couple of years ago. It was excellent. I
> > > enjoyed that male N.Z. actor in the lead.
> >
> > That one's not ringing any bells, but my memory's not always that great!
>
> "The Games"
> http://www.abc.net.au/thegames/about.htm
>
> John Clarke is very dry

That's the one! It was aired here in a timely manner so the whole experience
of "The Games" was very enjoyable! John Clarke is outstanding!

>
> I'd direct Charles to the NG "aus.tv" if he was interested ... but the
> group does attract a lot of trolls, smoke and mirrors, and a lot of
> bull**** not related to TV at all ... but if you're interested, take a
> lurk ?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mick.

Thanks Mick! I'll take a look.

Charlie

"Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
news:8SzKd.361$cl1.138@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:


>
> You are right Rhonda! I just wish Aussie beer was easier to get
> without going to a specialty store. Most of the good beers we can't
> get here even at a specialty store. I'll have to make a trip over
> there someday -- I'd love to do that.

We would love to have you. Seriously, if you ever do manage to make it
over here,and you're going to be in Sydney, let me know. You probably
wouldn't want to travel out to where I live, but I could at least meet up
with you in the city.

We did have a nice Australian
> Pub here. They had some excellent beers and gave me my first taste of
> Australian traditional food. Some of your fellow countrywo/men and
> Miche in N.Z. have helped me recreate some of these.

What dishes did the pub serve - do you remember?

I have no fear of
> not finding something to eat if I visit!

There's such a wide variety of foods (lots of different cuisines)
available here, that anyone who couldn't find something to eat wouldn't
be trying!

I actually had Mar**t* before
> I tried Vegemite. No contest! Vegemite!

I've never actually tried Marmite. I'm a Vegemite kid, through and
through.BTW, are you still collecting rarebit recipes, Charlie?

Rhonda Anderson
Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

"Rhonda Anderson" <schumacher11@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95EDC47D2173Dschumacher11bigpondc@61.9.191.5...
> "Charles Gifford" <taxicolor@earthlink.net> wrote in
> news:8SzKd.361$cl1.138@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:
>
>
> >
> > You are right Rhonda! I just wish Aussie beer was easier to get
> > without going to a specialty store. Most of the good beers we can't
> > get here even at a specialty store. I'll have to make a trip over
> > there someday -- I'd love to do that.
>
> We would love to have you. Seriously, if you ever do manage to make it
> over here,and you're going to be in Sydney, let me know. You probably
> wouldn't want to travel out to where I live, but I could at least meet up
> with you in the city.

It is unlikely that I will make the trip. I sure would like to though and
Sydney would be my first destination (cousins I've never met). I certainly
wouldn't miss meeting you Rhonda!

> We did have a nice Australian
> > Pub here. They had some excellent beers and gave me my first taste of
> > Australian traditional food. Some of your fellow countrywo/men and
> > Miche in N.Z. have helped me recreate some of these.
>
> What dishes did the pub serve - do you remember?

The usual things one would find in a British or Irish pub plus meat pies 'n
peas and a few other things I can't remember just now. The hamburgers were
of the U.S. type as far as I recall.

> I have no fear of
> > not finding something to eat if I visit!
>
> There's such a wide variety of foods (lots of different cuisines)
> available here, that anyone who couldn't find something to eat wouldn't
> be trying!

Isn't it Sydney that has a great China town? That would be good. I'm easy to
feed -- some pasta, cheese, bread, a hamburger now and then, and lots of
beer!

> I actually had Mar**t* before
> > I tried Vegemite. No contest! Vegemite!
>
> I've never actually tried Marmite. I'm a Vegemite kid, through and
> through.BTW, are you still collecting rarebit recipes, Charlie?

I am indeed collecting rabbit/rarebit/toasted cheese recipes! It is
difficult to find fresh recipes that are edible, different, and, something
that can be reasonably called a rabbit. Historical recipes are especially
difficult. The best variations have come from the use of local beer/spirits
and cheeses -- IMO.

Charlie

> Rhonda Anderson
> Cranebrook, NSW, Australia

Michael wrote:

> From memory, it's all Coors & Bud from the local grocery store.

All the grocery stores in my area carry Sierra Nevada, and most of them
carry Pyramid. Henry Reinhardt beer is also available with only a tiny bit
more trouble. I'm happy with any of those.

Oh, and I can find Guinness easily, too.

Bob

Michael O'Donnell <foodie_in_Oz@alphalink.com> wrote in
news:MPG.1c67727d75e24aa19897cd@news.individual.net:

> In article Charles Gifford savoured the salmon then said

>> The usual things one would find in a British or Irish pub plus meat
>> pies 'n peas
>
> See, that's funny. *I've* never had meat pie & peas. I eat my pies
> with sauce ( ketchup ). I think 'pea floaters' are predominantly a
> South Australian thing ( although I know Rhonda will tell me of
> Harry;s Cafe de Wheels ( I think I got that right ), which is a SYD
> institution too.

Yep, I think it is Harry's Cafe de Wheels. They serve pie floaters. I've
never been there, though. Don't spend very much time in Sydney city at
all (Westie, through and through <g>), and have rarely been there at
night. Maybe years ago when I was young and footloose - not that often,
though, too difficult to get home in the early hours.

I've certainly had pie and peas, though not mushy ones. When I was a kid,
we would sometimes have pie, mashed potatoes and peas for tea. It would
be one of those frozen family size meat pies. I have sauce on my pies too
(though I have them very rarely - too much fat!). Actually, my dad used
to ask if I would like a little pie with my sauce <g>. Then I would mix
the peas into the potato and mix some sauce in there too. Ooh, I think I
know what the next nostalgia meal will be!


Rhonda Anderson
Cranebrook, NSW, Australia