So here's the list which im sure would be vastly different to your own.
SKIPPY The Bush Kangaroo
For any Australian kid, this was an institution!Produced from 1966 to 1968 Ninety-one 30-minute episodes were made over the three seasons of production.
It was practicaly mandatory to sit infront of the TV after school watching Skippy and his pal Sonny help people get out of all sorts of trouble. Who could forget Skippy putting out a bushfire, finding the arson suspect and getting home in time for dinner all in one day. She puts all other lazy kangaroo's to shame.
Educational TV helping kids rely on a Kangaroo putting out any fire they see while also knowing if ever in trouble all thats needed is to whistle into a leaf for help to arrive.
It was made before i was born but was repeated on television through the 80's and 90's.
The theme song to the show is known world wide and every kid usto pick up an eucalyptus leaf at some point and try to whistle through it. Didnt they ? I did . . . Hmmm
CHOPPER SQUAD
Anyone who has seen the American series Baywatch would probably have noticed that the format is an obvious rip-off of an Australian series which predated it by over ten years.Chopper Squad was an action adventure series centred around a helicopter surf rescue team. The series portrays outdoor summer life with copious amounts of sun, surf, sand and bikini babes with a corny script thrown in.
Once again, made before i was born, a concurent theme on TV was to repeat classic shows each afternoon for a new generation of kids. I was about 9 when i watched this and spent many weekends dreaming of becoming a life saver.
The Genie From Down Under
A more modern choice from the mid 90's, this one revolved around an ancient Opal that a british girl finds in an Australian mansion which contains two Australian Genies Bruce and his son Baz.The show was a success and was later superceded by the originaly named Genie From Down Under 2!
This one had Kangaroo's being kidnaped, sad british accents, slang australian accents (G'Day, Mate at the end of every sentence) and atleast one Kookaburra crowing each episode.
MACGYVER
I cant have a list without an American prime-time classic!This one needs little description, the man who could do anything, watch him escape from a neuclear facility and then blow it up with nothing but a tooth pick, wrist watch and ball of string.
The theme song for this one is also known by almost anyone who hears it. Find me someone who did not enjoy this show, go on, i dare ya!
FULL FRONTAL / FAST FORWARD
Full Frontal retained the same general format as Fast Forward -Each was formatted like someone continuously channel surfing and after the punchline each sketch would abruptly switch to the next as if someone had switched channels.It was part of the Australian comedy landscape for some time and launched many actors careers such as Eric Bana, most famous in Australia for his sketch POIDA, most famous elsewhere for TROY.
Needless to say Eric doesnt bring up his past too much when overseas.
and finally . . .
HEY HEY ITS SATURDAY!
Running for 27 years this was the be all and end all for anyone who didnt have a life on a Saturday night. basically a variety show with guests, music, reviews, dares, comedy etc
Most known for the stupid Ostrich named Ozzy and the jerk of a character named Dicky.Hey Hey continued to trudge on for 27 years and frankly, it really started to show.
The same old segments (Chook Lotto, Red Faces, Celebrity Head), the same old people (Plucka Duck, Red, Molly) and Daryl trying to bond with the "younger generation" was always embarrassing.Those of you overseas, be thankful this one did not reach international syndication its like Letterman hanging with a pink sock puppet.
Well thats it . . . Just a sample of life infront of the TV set while growing up.
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