australian television information archive

Georgie tipped to take seventh Logie

GEORGIE Parker was the golden girl at the TV Week Logies last year, a feat she looks ready to repeat on Sunday.

Parker is the hot favourite according to betting agency Centrebet to win both the Gold and Silver Logie, as she did last year.

Second favourite for the gold is Channel 10's Rove McManus, whom Parker greatly admires.

"I'm a bit of a fan of Rove," she said. "If he doesn't get it on Sunday, he'll get it some time."

The star said she had not had time to think about the awards, because she was busy filming her hit drama All Saints up until yesterday afternoon.

"At the moment I'm thinking about packing," she said.

All Saints picked up 10 Logie nominations, more than any other program.

Parker said it took a while for the show to find its feet, but now it was shining. "It's really rewarding because we've earned our stripes."

During her career Parker has won six Logies. What does she do with them all?

"I must admit we've moved around a bit so a couple of them are in boxes," she said.

"But the ones I won last year are on display."

Last year she did not think she was going to win the Gold Logie.

"It was surreal," she said. "At the time I didn't know what it meant."

For those punters willing to bet on Parker, she has a bit of advice -- don't. "I would save my money if I was them," she said.

The red carpet can be intimidating for some actors, but Parker just enjoys the moment for what it is worth.

"It's like a circus," she said. "Some actors find it very hard, but I just enjoy it for what it is."

Parker is also nominated for the most outstanding actress award as well as the most popular actress award.

All Saints is equal favourite with The Secret Life of Us to win the most popular program award.

Secret Life has nine nominations.

Blue Heelers stalwart John Wood is nominated for the Gold Logie for the sixth consecutive time. He is yet to win it.

Sydney comedian Wendy Harmer will host this year's awards.

By LUKE DENNEHY, entertainment reporter
April 7, 2002
Herald Sun

Georgie's double gold heaven

STAR of All Saints Georgie Parker took out Australian TV's grandest accolade last night by winning her second consecutive Gold Logie - confirming the hold of the Seven Network's drama department on television's night of nights.

In one of the most even Logie contests in years, the network's top-rating All Saints won three awards while Seven's perennial favourite Blue Heelers saw its rookie actor Ditch Davey win the award for Most Popular New Male Talent.

In a night with few surprises, Seven and the ABC each took home six awards, Nine and Ten both snared five and SBS picked up two in one category -- two Dateline episodes tied in the special Public Affairs Report category.

For Seven, which has suffered a recent slump in ratings and a drop in its share price, the results must have been pleasing, but once more it was the network's drama department that saved the day.

As Georgie Parker entered Melbourne's Crown casino last night, she told waiting reporters: "I'm really excited to be nominated -- continually -- because when they do mention your name it's a real adrenalin rush and it's exciting to get it because a lot of people get to enjoy your success and it's reflected on the show."

Not to be outdone, Seven's Today Tonight beat off its main rival, Nine's A Current Affair, in the hotly contested Most Popular Public Affairs category, which gives credit to the show's Victorian and NSW presenter Naomi Robson.

As expected, Ten's rating sensation Big Brother won the award for Most Popular Reality Program, while the network's other recent successes, The Secret Life of Us and My Brother Jack, won peer-voted awards for Most Outstanding Drama and Most Outstanding Actor respectively.

For the ABC, warfare has proved a rewarding subject. Four of the corporation's six Logies were won by war-related programs.

The mini-series Changi received the gong for Most Outstanding Mini-series and Australians at War won Most Outstanding Documentary.

ABC coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan won the industry category of Best News Report, while Aunty's journalist on the ground Geoff Thompson won Best News Reporter.

In a popular choice, the TV Week Hall of Fame winner was television current affairs pioneer and stalwart, Mike Willesee.

Andrew Dodd and Amanda Keenan
April 29, 2002
The Australian