1 9 7 7 – 1 9 7 9 (Australia)
21 episodes x 50 minutes
This Australian comedy programme began life as a radio show on ABC radio in 1976, sending up all aspects of Australian life, particularly politicians, the media and advertising.
The radio show was also adapted as a successful stage version which ran for more than six months in Sydney and Melbourne.
ATN Channel 7 commissioned 13 x 50 minute episodes in 1977 starring its original radio cast of Ross Higgins, Kev Golsby and Noeline Brown alongside Colin McEwan and Julie McGregor.
The show followed the format pioneered in Australia by The Mavis Bramston Show (1964–68), in which Noeline Brown also appeared for a time as the title character Mavis.
Each show began and ended with Brown, Golsby and Higgins sitting on stools reading spoof news items from scripts directly to the live audience.
ABC television expressed interest in producing a television version of their successful radio programme, but the public-funded station did not have the money due to budget cuts.
Originally aired on Thursday nights, the show took a beating from M*A*S*H and was moved to Tuesday nights in a bid to lift ratings.
One Naked Vicar Show sketch was spun off into its own successful Australian comedy series in 1980 as Kingswood Country.
Ross Higgins
Kev Golsby
Noeline Brown
Colin McEwan
Julie McGregor
