This Australian variety show from Sydney’s ATN Channel 7 premiered on Saturday 22 September 1962, giving compere John Laws his first big break on television.
Laws – one of Sydney’s top radio personalities – brought a smooth and relaxed style to the national weekly hour-long show which was designed to foster Australian talent.
John was joined each week by the Revue 20 Choir (comprising 10 men and 10 women) and the dance team of Carlu Carter and Bill McGrath, assisted by eight other dancers.
Startime aired each Saturday night at 7.30 pm. When the show returned in March 1963 the title changed to Startime 63.
The final show was telecast on Saturday 15 June 1963.
Guests on the show included Patsy Ann Noble, Chips Rafferty, Col Joye, Judy Stone, Lucky Starr, Johnny Rebb, The Delltones, Dig Richards, Judy Cannon, comedian Barry Humphries (debuting his creation of ‘Mrs Norm Everage’, a housewife from Moonee Ponds in Melbourne giving a talk about her trip to England), Robina Beard, Ruth Cracknell, Tex Morton, Gordon Chater, Jimmy Little, vocal group The Kon Tikis, and Johnny O’Keefe.
The producer was American Gil Rodin. The director was Kevin Ryder, who formerly produced and directed The Johnny O’Keefe Show.
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This Australian variety show from Sydney’s ATN Channel 7 premiered on Saturday 22 September 1962, giving compere John Laws his first big break on television.
