Switcheroo
They say things happen in threes and that is the case right now, with Neighbours, Masterchef and Hey Hey It’s Saturday or maybe Wednesday are all playing the Switcheroo game. Some switches are permanent, while others are temporary.
In January this year, James Sorenson who plays Declan Napier in Neighbours, announced he was leaving the show. Sorenson first joined the show in 2007 and his character has gone through quite a transformation in the 420-odd episodes in which he has appeared. And while Sorenson was ready to leave, his character was very popular with some engaging story arcs, so instead of the writers giving him a one way ticket to Queensland, a la Scott and Charlene, it was decided that Declan would be recast and allow his to continue his Neighbours journey.
The new/old job has gone to newcomer Erin Mullally. Sorenson cited ‘other projects’ as his reason for leaving and it was thought that 23 year old would pursue other acting roles, and most likely overseas. He had appeared in ABC’s television series Blue Water High and the movie Hating Alison Ashley alongside Delta Goodrum and Saskia Burgemeister (ex-Sea Patrol). Instead, however but he left to join the army. It seems an unlikely decision especially when the lure of fame and fortune is so tempting for young actors, but with 99% of Aussie actors out of work at any given time, he should be credited for pursuing another career which will always stand him in good stead and no doubt steady employment.
While it always takes some getting used to when new actors step into a character having been played by someone else, audiences generally always do accept the new face, although comparisons are always made by die-hard fans.
In August 2008, Kym Valentine who plays Libby in Neighbours had to take an enforced one month break to recover from a collapsed lunch and pneumonia. Former McLeod’s Daughters star Michaela Banas stepped into the breach and the transition was made all the more seamless because of their similar physical appearances. If you squinted you hardly noticed the change.
But it’s the role of Lucy Robinson which took three actresses to play her over 20 years. Lucy appeared in the first episode of Neighbours played by Kylie Flinker (1985-1987). Next in line was Sasha Close (1987-1990), and then Melissa Bell completed her televisual life before the character departed for America. Bell played Lucy in 1991, 92, 93, 95 and a special return in 2005.
On a temporary basis, Masterchef Judge Gary Meighan has been replaced by Matt Moran (ex-The Chopping Block and My Kitchen Rules) for a number of episodes in series 2, which will screen on Channel 10 soon. Meighan tripped after a long day and damaged his leg sufficiently to require surgery. The good news is he returns to the show but on crutches. Luckily his judging duties require no footwork, simply his unaffected taste buds and knowledge. If he’d been a trainer on The Biggest Loser it would of course be a different story.
But the current task of finding a replacement for Molly Meldrum on Hey Hey It’s Saturday is in my mind impossible. Meldrum has remained with the network which threw him a lifeline after Hey Hey’s demise. Now with the return of the show, there is a hole where Molly’s Melodrama segment would air. There were no doubt his segments for the reunion shows were incredibly popular (and Channel 7 was wise to give him a network leave pass to do this). Over the years, sure Molly’s segment was about music but it was really about Molly and his banter with Blackers via Dickie and Angel and Mrs Macgillycuddy.
It looks like Ian Dicko Dickinson, a judge on the unofficially axed Australian Idol, will join Hey Hey as the ‘music guru’. Hey Hey would be wise to steer clear of any similarities with the backdrop and the style of the segment because comparisons will be inevitable. Indeed Dicko has some solid musical credentials but with no disrespect intended, he is no Molly. And that’s what I want.
But the Logie Award for most replaced character goes to Doctor Who. Since the show premiered on the BBC in 1963, eleven men have placed the lead role. William Hartnell appeared in the first episode with the TARDIS and enjoyed interplanetary activity for 44 episodes. Patrick Troughton followed from 66-69; then Jon Pertwee from 70-74 followed by Tom Baker (74-81), Peter Davison (81-84) – each played the role for 44 episodes. Then Colin Baker (84-86), Sylvester McCoy (87-89, 1996), Paul McGann (1996), Christopher Eccleston (2005), David Tennant (2005-2010) and now our latest incarnation and eleventh doctor, Matt Smith who has signed on for two series, will premiere in the UK on 3rd April and here in the ABC at a later day.
For me however there will on be one Doctor – Jon Pertwee, the first one I watched. All the others are imposters and aliens!
IF you can’t get the man get the next best thing – in the case of Molly Meldrum, his maltese shih-tzu cross Ziggy 4.
The dog made its TV debut on the Hey Hey It’s Saturday reunion shows last October when Meldrum’s employers Channel 7 and Foxtel allowed him to appear on the Channel 9 program.
But Molly has been barred from the 10-show series returning on April 21 – so Nine has signed up the dog for a series of segments.
“As we are unable to use Molly on the show, we got the next best thing,” host Darryl Somers said.
Ziggy 4 – yep, he’s the fourth Ziggy-pup Meldrum has owned – made his fame by going completely berko when Dicky Knee appeared during the Molly’s Melodrama segment.
IAN “Dicko” Dickson is to join Hey Hey It’s Saturday as its new Molly Meldrum.
Dickson has been in serious talks with host Daryl Somers about taking over from Meldrum as the show’s resident music guru.
It is believed Dickson will be on board for at least the first episode of the new Hey Hey series when it airs next month. He would not necessarily appear on every show. No deal has been done yet.
According to Hey Hey sources Dickson, a former Sony BMG general manager, would review local and international music while luring interviews with the biggest names in entertainment.
Somers is believed to have successfully lured back most of Hey Hey’s original cast, including Ossie Ostrich puppeteer Ernie Carroll, new mum Livinia Nixon and funny girl Jackie Macdonald
DARYL Somers is on a radical diet and working with a personal trainer to prepare himself for the juggernaut of hosting Hey Hey It’s Saturday next month.
Somers has given up alcohol, caffeine, dairy, sugar and salt to try to ensure he’s in peak physical condition when the much-anticipated show airs next month for an initial 10-week run.
The veteran performer has also been working hard behind the scenes to line up the hottest international talent to appear on the show.
Somers is also in the process of luring back most of Hey Hey’s cast, including Ossie Ostrich puppeteer Ernie Carroll, funny- girl Jackie Macdonald and new mum Livinia Nixon.
Fans had wrongly as sumed that Carroll – who’s in his 80s – Macdonald, who’s shunned the spotlight in favour of a quiet life, and Nixon -who gave birth to her son thisyear -would be non-starters.
But Somers reveals that all three had so much fun on the reunions that they are keen to return this year.
Red Symons, who was until this year a judge on Australia’s Got Talent, has jumped ship from rival network Channel 7 to return.
“Red is excited to be back and we’re excited to have him,” Somers said.
“Willy (Wilde) and John (Blackman) are already on board and Livinia, of course.
“She’s just had the baby, but I know she really enjoyed being part of it last year so I’m sure we’ll work something out.
“It will be lovely for Ernie to be back on board.
“Ern’s retired of course -but there’s only so much gardening you can do and I know he had a lot of fun (on the reunions).
“And I’ve put a call in to Jackie, too.”