The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 51

THE GUIDE Network News i MiMMmiwiti i i. PETER MOCHRlE i ANDREW CONWAY MUD Plays Detective Steve Hayden in Murder Call, 9.30 pm, Tuesdays on Nine. 8 3. ft OVE over, Larry Emdur and 1 1 I John Burgess. It's only a Are you as organised and by-the-book as your character, or are you more willing to be spontaneous? I'm a lot more spontaneous.

Steve tends to do things by numbers. Should Steve and Tessa put all that romantic tension to good use, or do you think it should simmer indefinitely as with Mulder and Scully? Nah, let's let it simmer a while. A good curry always tastes better the next day. Given the choice, would you prefer to play a cop or a robber? Definitely the robber the bad guys always get the good lines. How old were you when you began working on The Restless Years -and what did your family and friends think when girls across the country began sighing over you and putting your picture on their walls? I was 19.

It became a pain in the neck (for want of a more appropriate expression) then again, it's not such a bad deal! How did you deal with all that adulation? Is there anything you miss about it? Badly how else does a 19-year-old deal with it? And I don't think there's anything I miss about losing my privacy. How do you feel to be off the soapie treadmill and working on shows such as Water Rats and Murder Call? Absolute elation. It's been a long and winding road. Are you naturally taciturn like Steve Hayden, or sociable and demonstrative (and if the latter, how do you stop your natural personality from breaking out occasionally)? I wear a special trace and clips, which stop my personality from seeping into Steve's character. You've called going to NIDA the'best and worst thing you've ever done.

Why? The people are great, but wearing a leotard on the first day was a little scary. Is there something you'd never do, even if it was crucial to the portrayal of a role? Act. Judy Adamson separate to Andrea Stretton's Sunday afternoon arts program and the existing (albeit shaky) Express. Our informant says a pilot has been made, but the format is still under wraps. What this means for the future of Express is unclear, ith an ABC spokesperson saying only that management was "canvassing a range of Apply within THERE'S some serious jostling under way among ABC news and current affairs heavyweights with word that the plum Washington DC posting is up for grabs.

Former Lateline executive producer Mark Bannerman, who's been in the US capital for only a year, is returning to Sydney and the search is on for a replacement. Why Bannerman is returning early is unclear our ABC source said it was for personal reasons but the key position is expected to attract some senior applicants. If you're not in the ABC, forget it. The post is only being advertised internally. Croc-a-bye, baby GOD love him.

The fearless Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin became a father for the first time last week and was so overwhelmed by CHANNEL 9 is leading the Emmy race with two of its major productions, Merlin and Moby Dick, receiving a swag of nominations. Merlin which starred Sam Neill (right), who is up for a lead actor gong has scored 15 nominations, behind Tom Hanks's $60-million From Earth to the Moon blockbuster with 17 nominations, and Emmy stalwarts ER and The X-Files with 1 6 each. The local TV industry was boosted further with a lead actress nomination for Judy Davis for her outback-filmed telemovie Tlie Eclio of Thunder, and five nominations for the mini-series Moby Dick, shot in Melbourne last year. Patrick Stewart and Gregory Peck have been nominated in lead and supporting actor categories, while the show itself is up for outstanding mini-series, art direction and visual effects. Nine's head of drama, Kris Noble, even gets an honourable mention as producer, alongside the legendary Francis Ford Coppola.

The 50th Emmy Awards will take uIG It lil whisper, but sources say II II Cnannc' 's developing a new prime-time game show with Hey, Hey. It's Saturday comedian Red Symons tipped as host. Nine is Keeping mum about its plans, but insiders say a new show, to debut next year, is on the drawing board and the Red Faces grump is in line for the gig. No word yet on the format, but we'll keep you informed. Comeback kid 1 JOHNNY Young, one of the founding fathers of TV entertainment and variety, is returning to the small screen to host a new Sunday night variety line-up.

Cavalcade of Stars, for Foxtel's retro channel TV1. The former Young Talent Tune presenter -signed a contract last week to introduce a series of legendary variety shows from Australia and around the world, including Tlie Ed Sullivan Sliow, Circus of the Stars, and his own YTT. Young, who produced the show from 1971 to 1989, has earmarked classic performances from Tina Arena, Karen Knowles. Dannii Minogue and Jamie Redfem for the program, which will debut on September 13 with the first rTTever made. You have been warned.

Comeback kid 2 IT WAS Paul Keating who originally questioned whether a souffle could rise twice (referring to Andrew Peacock), now the former game show king Tony Barber will put the theory to the test with his return to TV, apparently taking over from Amanda Keller as host of The Hub, the quirky and irreverent arts and entertainment show on Foxtel's arena. The cable channel won't confirm or deny the story, but sources say Barber has signed for a guest hosting. Negotiations are under way with at least one other well-known TV personality but Barber may end up as the full-time host While Keller filmed her final edition for Tlie Hub last week, there are several episodes in the can which will see the show through to the end of the year. Barber will shoot his first show on August 24. Art of the matter WHILE the ABC says there are ongoing talks about a variety of new programs, sources say plans are definitely in hand for a new arts show.

0116 The first series was sold to The Travel Channel, but the two other heavyweights have put in bids and a decision will be made by producer Working Dog this week. Whichever channel picks it up, it means a potential audience of millions around the world for presenters Rob Sitch and Tom Gleisner. Easy as BBC THE ABC's Adventures ofLano and Woodley, created by and starring comedians Colin Lane and Frank Woodley, is also flying high with word the BBC has picked up the second series, sight unseen. The new seven-part series goes into production in Melbourne today, but the BBC was so impressed with series one, it has bought both in the one package. The new series will be co-produced by Lano and Woodley and Mark Ruse (Fast Forward, Full Frontal) and directed by John 01b (Jimoein).

A new Star sign SOUTHERN Star has appointed Patrick Delany as its new business manager. Delany, 35-year-old son of TV veteran Maureen Duvall and brother of Olympic superfish Michael Delany, was managing director of the cable network East Coast Television. He starts his new job on September 1. Courting favour LAWYER and Hypothetical guru Geoffrey Robertson has come up with a novel idea for the Homebush site once the Olympics are over. He's told John Laws, in an interview to air on Foxtel's Fox Talk this week, that he is lobbying the United Nations to set up an International Criminal Court in some of the stadium buildings.

"It would be the perfect home," says Robertson, presumably with him as presiding judge. the sight of his baby daughter that he named her Bindy after his favourite croc, and Sue after his beloved kelpie. Irwin, who also signed a contract with Channel 9 last week for more croc specials, even helped in the delivery. It could have been worse for the bub. Irwin's other beloved croc at his animal park, north of Brisbane, is called Agro.

River flows on GOOD news for the ABC's A River Somewhere, with word that three major international cable channels Discovery, National Geographic and The Travel Channel are in a bidding war for the rights to series two, which premieres on Wednesday (8pm). HDD place in Los Angeles on September 13. Network Ten will air its Emmy broadcast the following night with Foxtel screening two specials -Prime Time's Brightest on September 13 and Emmy Celebrations the following night, both fronted by Fox Entertainment News hosts Mike Hammond and Antonia Kidman on FoxS. Meed al THE GUIDE Editor Kym Nicoll Phone 9282 2822 Fax 9282 2481 etnai guidesmh.fairfax.com.au Advertising Christian Knevitt Phone 9282 2239 Fax 9282 1748 Cover photograph of Calista Rockhart as Ally McBeal. Infosearch fee-based research of articles in The Guide: phone 9282 3052, fax 9282 3656.

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