So Sunday was Australian television’s night of nights, so here’s what went down:
No Host:
Other than an April Fools gag that Kyle & Jackie O were going to be the hosts for this years Logies, there was little speculation otherwise as to who would be hosting, and rightly so since it turned out there wasn’t one. Adam Hills opened, and it was difficult to find him amusing when he spent the entire time putting people down, The Kardashians and Karl Stefanovic among them (like they’re really hard targets). And we got this zinger as well: ‘I’d rather be opening the Joseph Kony Childcare centre right now’. So to be honest, I’m glad the decision was made not to have a host, and rather have an array of Australian personalities present the awards, as to deter audiences from how truly bad the script was. To be fair, there were a few standouts, the always bubbly Chrissie Swan played against Lincoln Lewis well (it’s a shame she’s gone back to radio), and Rove McManus has such a natural presence as an Australian comic, but other than those it was cringe-worthy banter and awkward pairings galore.
The Performances:
Flo Rida (Good Feeling): Not a bad opener, definitely a good upbeat song to kick-start the night. I might have enjoyed this performance more if it didn’t become plainly obvious as it went on that Flo Rida was singing over the top of a pre-recorded track. The cameraman could have taken some chill-pills as well, there was so much zooming in and out on Flo Rida (assuming to make his dancing look more energetic than it actually was), that I began to feel sick. His back up dancers were good though, all 100 of them.
Delta Goodrem (Sitting on Top of the World):
Richard Wilkins introduced her by saying, ‘She was born to try with those innocent eyes’, two of Delta’s hit songs that haven’t been on radio for the past eight years. While the performance wasn’t spectacular, her voice often straining, Delta makes up for it with a natural stage presence. She was enjoying herself, and that kind of feeling is infectious when watching a performer. And one may as well get used to seeing a lot more of her now that she’s a judge of certain mega-hit The Voice. I could have done without the wind machine blowing her hair about though.
Seal (Kiss from a Rose):
Kiss from a Rose is such an amazing song that no matter the context in which it’s being sung, I think people are just happy to sit, watch, and listen to Seal do his thing. Apart from him seeming a little subdued, I enjoyed it as always.
Tony Bennett (The Lady Is A Tramp):
Peculiar choice of artist, considering the age group the majority of other artists were aimed at. Then again, this is an Australian awards show, so we’ll take whatever big names we can get. It’s always a fun, jazzy tune nonetheless, and Bennett gets extra points for genuinely seeming as though he wanted to be there and was honoured to be invited.
One Direction (One Thing):
A lot has been said about One Direction, and while I detest the resurgence of boy bands into today’s mainstream music, there’s no denying they’re a well oiled machine. The precision and coolness in which they each played their part within the performance shows practise, determination and skill. And I guess you get used to a routine when you’re expected to perform it for thousands of fourteen year-old girls several times a week.
Winners & Losers (winners are highlighted in bold):
Most Popular Actress:
Asher Keddie (Offspring, Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo)
Danielle Cormack (Underbelly: Razor, East West 101)
Esther Anderson (Home And Away)
Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters)
Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters)
I don’t understand why some nominees were credited as having two television roles, when you think voting would determine which role they would be winning the Logie for. It seems a little unfair to other nominees, given that if you only have one role attached to your name, and another nominee has two, you would think your chances are severely diminished of winning, with other nominees having received votes for two shows. Asher Keddie seemed to have an incredibly difficult time trying to give her acceptance speech for the two programs she worked on.
Most Popular Actor:
Daniel MacPherson (Wild Boys)
Eddie Perfect (Offspring)
Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters)
Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters)
Ray Meagher (Home And Away)
Thank you to whoever decided that the snippet of Hugh’s great acting ability that was shown should be of his Packed to the Rafters character, Ben Rafter, announcing very drunkenly, ‘I’m gonna go have a little vomie’. Only at an Australian television awards show.
Most Popular Light Entertainment Program:
Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year
Spicks And Specks
The Project
Unsurprisingly, now with a Euro Gap Year on the way.
Most Popular Factual Program:
Bondi Rescue
Bondi Vet
Border Security: Australia
RPA
World’s Strictest Parents
Five years in a row, that’s not half bad.
Most Popular Reality Program:
Beauty And The Geek Australia
MasterChef
My Kitchen Rules
The Block
The X Factor Australia
Not really a surprising result, but, as Scott Cam mentioned in his acceptance speech, it would have been a hard won to win, considering the popularity of MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules.
Most Popular Presenter:
Gordon St Tonight
Carrie Bickmore (The Project)
Chrissie Swan (The Circle)
Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year)
Karl Stefanovic (Today)
Again the nominee with two shows wins... But congrats to Adam Hills Australia
Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent:
Anna McGahan (Underbelly: Razor)
Chelsie Preston Crayford (Underbelly: Razor)
Hamish MacDonald (Senior Foreign Correspondent)
Hamish Michael (Crownies)
Melissa Bergland (Winners & Losers)
I didn’t watch Underbelly: Razor, but I hope that all the female nominees were not voted for on the horrible accents they all seemed to acquire for the show from the looks of the clips shown. Also, who knew there were so many men in the Australian industry with the name Hamish?
Most Popular New Male Talent:
Dan Ewing (Home And Away)
James Mason (Neighbours)
Peter Kuruvita (My Sri Lanka
Steve Peacocke (Home And Away)
Tom Wren (Winners & Losers)
A guy from Home And Away who spends most of his screen time with his shirt off won. Big surprise.
Most Outstanding Factual Program:
Go Back To Where You Came From
Leaky Boat
Mrs Carey’s Concert
Outback Fight Club
Tony Robinson Explores Australia
I have been meaning to watch this show, I’m so glad it won. It had an amazing premise and had the guts to question prejudices that are rife within Australia
Most Popular New Female Talent:
Anna McGahan (Underbelly: Razor)
Chelsie Preston Crayford (Underbelly: Razor)
Demi Harman (Home And Away)
Melissa Bergland (Winners & Losers)
Tiffany Hall (The Biggest Loser Australia
Nice to see this girl win.
Most Outstanding Actor:
Alex Dimitriades (The Slap)
David Wenham (Killing Time)
Don Hany (East West 101)
Geoff Morrell (Cloudstreet)
Rob Carlton (Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo)
I really don’t understand the necessity to have several categories for actors, actresses, shows etc. under the slightly different titles i.e. ‘Most Popular’ and ‘Outstanding’. Viewers voted for all of these categories so it’s not as if there’s are any differences between the two categories. The Logies would run to a half-decent time if they didn’t feel the need to add all the unnecessary awards.
Most Outstanding Actress:
Asher Keddie (Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo)
Diana Glen (Killing Time)
Essie Davis (The Slap)
Kat Stewart (Offspring)
Melissa George (The Slap)
Let’s hope Anthony Hayes doesn’t lose her award.
Most Popular Lifestyle Program:
Better Homes And Gardens
Getaway
iFISH
Ready Steady Cook
Selling Houses Australia
Most Popular Drama:
Home And Away
Offspring
Packed To The Rafters
Underbelly: Razor
Winners & Losers
Still going strong, unfortunately.
Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program:
Gruen Planet
Spicks And Specks
Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation
The Project
Congrats again to the Aussie staple, always good for a show to win in it’s last year, you’ll be sorely missed.
Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie:
Cloudstreet
Offspring
Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo
The Slap
Undrbelly: Razor
I should really get around to watching this, I’ve only heard good things, and the snippets I’ve seen here have been quite compelling.
Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on TV:
Asher Keddie
Carrie Bickmore
Esther Anderson
Hamish Blake
Karl Stefanovic
While my interest has waned in Hamish & Andy as I’ve matured there’s no denying that the pair are a dynamic duo, and have worked really hard the past couple of years to earn their popularity with the young generation of Australia
What did everyone else think? Happy Hamish won the gold? Did you enjoy the performances? Were you glad there was no host? Let me know.
