The Gordon Chater Show – produced by ATN-7 in Sydney – premiered on Monday 5 August 1968 (though it was broadcast the following Thursday in Melbourne).
The one-hour comedy/variety show was broadcast live with a studio audience, and Chater’s special guest-cum-co-host for the series was Miriam “Mim” Karlin (star of the British Rag Trade comedy series).
The show moved to the highly competitive Sunday night timeslot in September.
Visiting guest stars included Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Eden Kane, Tommy Leonetti, Buddy Greco, Barry Creyton, Dinah Lee and Barry Humphries.
The series was created to fulfil Chater’s remaining contract with the network after his sudden departure from the hit sitcom My Name’s McGooley, What’s Yours?earlier that year.
While the press at the time reported Chater had suffered a heart attack during the production of McGooley, he later revealed in his autobiography that it was actually a suicide attempt during a severe bout of depression.
Despite rating consistently well, the plug was pulled on The Gordon Chater Show in December 1968.
Gordon Chater died from heart disease in Southport, Queensland, on 12 December 1999. He was 77.
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While the press at the time reported Chater had suffered a heart attack during the production of McGooley, he later revealed in his autobiography that it was actually a suicide attempt during a severe bout of depression.
