Logie Awards

The Logie Awards (officially the TV Week Logie Awards) is an annual gathering to celebrate Australian television, sponsored and organised by magazine TV Week, with the first ceremony in 1959, known then as the TV Week Awards, the awards are presented in 20 categories representing both public and industry voted awards.

For the most recent ceremony, see Logie Awards of 2019.

TV Week Logie Awards
Gold Logie Award statuette
Awarded forExcellence in Australian television
Sponsored byTV Week
LocationGold Coast, Australia
CountryAustralia
Presented byTV Week
First awarded1959 (1959)
Websitewww.tvweeklogieawards.com.au
Television/radio coverage
NetworkNine Network (1959–present)
ABC (1961–1965)
Seven Network (1989–1995)
Network Ten (1981–1993)
Runtime3 hours+

Gold Logie

The highest honour and most widely publicised award is the Gold Logie, which is awarded to the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television for the previous year.

History

The event has been strongly associated with TV and former radio personality Bert Newton, particularly in the early days, he has served as a solo host of the ceremony on 17 occasions, with a constant run from 1966 until 1980 and as co-host on 3 occasions. Over the years, the Logies have been hosted in Melbourne and Sydney. From 2018, the Logie Awards moved the ceremony to new location on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Known from their inception as the "TV Week Awards", the awards were instigated by TV Week magazine with the first voting coupons provided in the magazine in late 1958, two years after the introduction of television in Australia. The first awards were presented on 15 January 1959 on an episode of In Melbourne Tonight. Only Melbourne television personalities were nominated and awards were given in eight categories, including two for American programs.[1]

The most prestigious award in 1959 was Star of the Year presented to IMT host Graham Kennedy. The following year, Kennedy coined the name Logie Awards, to honour Scottish engineer, innovator after the contributor to the development of television as a practical medium, John Logie Baird.[2]

The Logie statuette was designed by Alec De Lacy, chief designer for Melbourne-based trophy makers KG Luke Ltd. The first Gold Logie, the equivalent of the Star of the Year Award, was presented in 1960, and again won by Graham Kennedy. The record for most "Gold Logie" wins at 5 a piece goes is a tie-in between Kennedy and Ray Martin.

The 2020 Awards were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Logie milestones

In 1960, the ceremony is coined "Logie Awards" to honour inventor John Logie Baird, by Graham Kennedy, after he won what was previously known as the "Star of the Year Award".
In 1961, the awards ceremony was televised for the first time, with the ABC screening the first half-hour of the awards in Sydney.
In 1962, Australian variety presenter, singer and actress Lorrae Desmond, best known for her role as Shirley Gilroy on A Country Practice was the first female star to win a Gold Logie, for her music variety program The Lorrae Desmond Show.
In 1963, the planned televised ceremony was cancelled due to the intended host, Tony Hancock cancelling a trip to Australia.
In 1968, there was no award for the Most Popular Female in Television. According to Bert Newton, who was hosting that year, "it appears no one was deemed worthy enough to receive it". He pleaded with the producers to never be put in that position again.[4]
In 1973, the media was invited for the first time to attend the Logies.
In 1974, Number 96 star Pat McDonald became the first "soap star" actress (not television personality) to win the Gold Logie.

In 1975, the Logie Awards are broadcast in colour for the first time.

In 1976, the first and only fictional character to win a Logie was Norman Gunston, with the award being presented to portrayer Garry McDonald, who accepted the award in character.

In 1981, the Logie Awards after being held in Melbourne for 20 years return to Sydney are broadcast for the first time on Network Ten.

In 1984, the Hall of Fame Logie was introduced by TV Week, awarded to recognise outstanding and continued contribution to television by an individual or program with the first induction being former conductor turned producer and television pioneer Hector Crawford (see below, under Logie Hall of Fame).

In 1988, Actress and future international pop star Kylie Minogue became the youngest person to win a Gold Logie, aged 19 for her role as Charlene Robinson in soap opera 'Neighbours.

In 1989, the Seven Network screens the Logie Awards for the first time.

In 1997, Agro's Cartoon Connection won its seventh consecutive Logie Award for Most Popular Children's Program, ending the longest undefeated streak of the Logies of either show or person.

In 2010, Ray Meagher became the oldest person to win an award (age 66), for his portrayal of Alf Stewart in Home and Away.

In 2006, a new Logies category was introduced, named Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer, to honour Kennedy's career and legacy and to commemorate the 50th year of broadcasting of television in Australia.

In 2016, the Logies accepted nominations from locally produced digital content. Also in 2016, Waleed Aly (whose parents where born in Egypt) became the first non-Caucasian person to win the gold Logie.

In 2017, TV Week announced that after 30 years, the awards ceremony will no longer be held in Melbourne, due to the withdrawal of financial support by the Victorian government. The Logie awards ceremony will be held at The Star Gold Coast on the Gold Coast, Queensland for four years, with support of the Queensland government.[5][6]

The decade of the 2010s was the first decade where no one won the Gold Logie award more than once.

On 29 April 2020, the Logie Awards scheduled for 28 June 2020, were cancelled outright prior to any voting or nominations taking place, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TV Week has promised that the Logie Awards will return in 2021, with the eligibility window increased to include programs and personalities from both 2019 and 2020.

Logies Hall of Fame

The prestigious Logie Hall of Fame was first introduced in 1984; former conductor, turned television producer and pioneer and founder of Crawford Productions, Hector Crawford was the first inductee. The induction was a posthumous honour for TV cameraman Neil Davis, actor Maurie Fields, conservationist Steve Irwin, news anchor Brian Naylor and journalist Peter Harvey. In 2017, Kerri-Anne Kennerley was only the third woman to be inducted after Ruth Cracknell and Noni Hazlehurst. It has been criticised for its lack of women.[7]

Four Corners, Neighbours, Play School, Home and Away and 60 Minutes are the only programs that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.[8]

Nomination and voting procedures

Public voting

Voting for the Most Popular Logie categories is done using an online form, or by SMS (short message service) voting for the final nominees. Ten of the Logie Award categories are fan awards. In the past, the "Most Popular" Logies categories were voted by the readers of TV Week magazine using a coupon.

SMS (short message service) voting was introduced in 2006 for the Gold Logie. In 2008, Internet votes could be cast for the first time without having to buy a copy of the TV Week magazine.[9]

Before 2018, public voting usually lasted for four weeks, beginning in December or January, while the ceremony itself was in late April or early May. Since 2018, voting begins in March and the ceremony is held in July.

Industry voting

The Most Outstanding categories are voted on by a jury comprising members of the Australian TV industry peers. There were 15 categories in the industry awards at the Logie Awards of 2018.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a Logie, a program must be Australian produced, set in Australia and have a predominantly Australian cast. Although in other years there has been a Logie for overseas programs, these awards are no longer part of the awards. People eligible for a Logie must have appeared on an Australian-produced show that was broadcast on Australian television in the previous year.

There are long-held suspicions that network publicists engage in mass voting to rig the results. However, no hard evidence had emerged for this, other than the experiment by the satirical newspaper The Chaser, who attempted to have low-profile SBS newsreader Anton Enus nominated for the Gold Logie. They did so by getting their small readership to buy copies of TV Week and vote for Enus for the award. While the attempt failed (they came "reasonably close", to earning a nomination for Enus, according to a "TV Week Insider"), their failure gives some cause for the widespread derision in the industry (particularly the 'quality' end) towards the popular-vote awards.[10]

Community television, Channel 31, personalities and shows are eligible for nomination for Logies, however since their audiences are far smaller than those of the commercial channels and public broadcasters, they are at a tremendous disadvantage. For a time they had their own community television awards, known as the Antenna Awards. Despite this, in 2009 The Logies were dogged by minor controversy after organisers refused to allow an acclaimed community television show, The Bazura Project, to be nominated in the category of Outstanding Comedy Show, stating; As TV Week does not cover community television within the magazine, we are unable to consider individual programs on this platform. The ABC's Media Watch program first reported the story on Monday 9 March 2009,[11] with many media outlets covering the growing support for the community television program since.

Logies ceremonies by year
Year Gold Logie winner(s) Venue Host Broadcaster
1959 Graham Kennedy
Panda Lisner		 Awards presented on In Melbourne Tonight Graham Kennedy
Guest Presenter – Googie Withers		 GTV-9
1960 Graham Kennedy Brighton Savoy Hotel, Brighton, Melbourne Hugh O'Brian GTV-9
1961 Bob Dyer Chevron-Hilton Hotel, Sydney Jimmy Edwards ABN-2 (ABC)
1962 Lorrae Desmond
Tommy Hanlon, Jr.		 Chevron Hotel, Melbourne Gerald Lyons
Awards Presented by Bob Dyer		 ABV-2 (ABC)
1963 Michael Charlton On board cruise liner Changsha. Originally to have been
Chevron-Hilton Hotel, Sydney.[12][13]		 Originally to have been
Tony Hancock with Marie McDonald		 Originally to have been ABC[14]
1964 Bobby Limb On board the Lloyd Triestino cruise liner Marconi Nine Network
1965 Jimmy Hannan Palais De Dance, Melbourne Gerald Lyons ABC
1966 Gordon Chater Southern Cross Hotel, Melbourne Bert Newton Nine Network
1967 Graham Kennedy
Hazel Phillips		 Zodiac Room on board cruise liner the Fairstar Nine Network
1968 Brian Henderson Southern Cross Hotel, Melbourne
1969 Graham Kennedy
1970 Barry Crocker
Maggie Tabberer
1971 Gerard Kennedy
Maggie Tabberer
1972 Gerard Kennedy
1973 Tony Barber
1974 Graham Kennedy
Pat McDonald
1975 Ernie Sigley
Denise Drysdale
1976 Norman Gunston
Denise Drysdale
1977 Don Lane
Jeanne Little
1978 Graham Kennedy
1979 Bert Newton Hilton Hotel, Melbourne
1980 Mike Walsh
1981 Bert Newton Centrepoint Convention Centre, Sydney Michael Parkinson Network Ten
1982 Bert Newton Hilton Hotel, Melbourne Bert Newton Nine Network
1983 Daryl Somers Wentworth Regent Hotel, Melbourne Mike Willesee Network Ten
1984 Bert Newton Hilton Hotel Melbourne Bert Newton Nine Network
1985 Rowena Wallace World Trade Centre, Melbourne Greg Evans Network Ten
1986 Daryl Somers State Theatre, Sydney Mike Willesee Nine Network
1987 Ray Martin Hyatt on Collins, Melbourne Don Lane Network Ten
1988 Kylie Minogue Daryl Somers Nine Network
1989 Daryl Somers Bert Newton Seven Network
1990 Craig McLachlan Mark Mitchell Network Ten
1991 Steve Vizard World Congress Centre, Melbourne Daryl Somers Nine Network
1992 Jana Wendt Radisson President Hotel, Melbourne Steve Vizard[15] Seven Network
1993 Ray Martin Grand Hyatt, Melbourne Bert Newton Network Ten
1994 Ray Martin World Congress Centre, Melbourne Ray Martin Nine Network
1995 Ray Martin Concert Hall, Melbourne Andrew Daddo
Noni Hazlehurst		 Seven Network
1996 Ray Martin Melbourne Park Centre, Melbourne Daryl Somers Nine Network
1997 Lisa McCune The Palladium Room, Crown Towers, Melbourne Daryl Somers
1998 Lisa McCune Daryl Somers
1999 Lisa McCune Andrew Denton
2000 Lisa McCune Andrew Denton
2001 Georgie Parker Shaun Micallef
2002 Georgie Parker Wendy Harmer
2003 Rove McManus Eddie McGuire
2004 Rove McManus Eddie McGuire
2005 Rove McManus Eddie McGuire
Rove McManus
Andrew O'Keefe
2006 John Wood Bert Newton
Ray Martin
Daryl Somers
Lisa McCune
Georgie Parker
2007 Kate Ritchie Adam Hills
Dave Hughes
Fifi Box
2008 Kate Ritchie No host. Only a series of presenters.
2009 Rebecca Gibney Gretel Killeen
2010 Ray Meagher Bert Newton
2011 Karl Stefanovic Shane Bourne
2012 Hamish Blake No host. Only a series of presenters.
2013 Asher Keddie
2014 Scott Cam
2015 Carrie Bickmore
2016 Waleed Aly
2017 Samuel Johnson
2018 Grant Denyer The Star, Gold Coast
2019 Tom Gleeson

Awards ceremony

The Logie Awards ceremony is televised and became generally more elaborate as years went by. The awards have mostly been held in a ballroom, rather than a theatre, which is common for the Emmy Awards and Academy Awards. Dinner is served just before the ceremony and drinks are served during the ceremony.

Bert Newton, who has won the Gold Logie four times, hosted the awards a total of 19 times. GTV-9/Nine Network is also strongly associated with the history of the Logies. Nine has hosted the awards 46 times in their 60-year history.

Controversies

In 1973, American actor Michael Cole generated controversy after accepting an award while apparently drunk, uttering the word "shit" in a short, incoherent acceptance speech. This was the first time such profanity had been said on Australian television.[16] According to Bert Newton, Channel Nine received thousands of complaints about the use of the word, however, when it was edited for the repeat transmission "they got double the calls complaining it had been dropped."

In 1979, during a notable appearance with Muhammad Ali as co-presenter, Newton made a comment "I like the boy!" (in reference to a series of TV advertisements Bert had recently done). That was seen as racist by Ali, although Newton was oblivious to the term and claimed this was not his intention. Ali was upset at the comment and a full apology was issued by Newton and the Awards producers.

The most difficult guest to interact with, according to Newton, was Vic Morrow in 1967. He would just stand there saying nothing, silently handing out the Logies. According to Bert, "every so often, I'd say 'how are you going, Vic?' and he would just nod his head."[4]

Grant Denyer's 2018 Gold Logie win has proved controversial with people believing he only won because of Tom Gleeson's campaign.[17] Gleeson has shrugged off those suggestions.[18]

Tom Gleeson's 2019 Gold Logie Win has proved controversial with him not being so humble by the victory.[19]

Live performers

Many local and overseas performers have appeared at the Logie Awards ceremony. While it had been a tradition to choose performers with a television connection, this has not always been the case.

In 2001, Ricky Martin was the headline performer. In 2002, Destiny's Child performed, with Elton John and Shakira making appearances. In 2004, it was Michael Bublé with Delta Goodrem. In 2011, Katy Perry performed and presented an award. 2012 saw One Direction and Delta Goodrem perform on the night with appearances from Flo Rida, Tony Bennett and Seal. In 2013, it was Bruno Mars and 2014 Ed Sheeran.[20]

Award categories

Public voted categories

Gold Logie

Silver Logie

Program Awards

Industry voted categories

Gold Logie

Silver Logie

Former categories

Most Wins

Programs

As of 2017, Home and Away is the most successful program in Logies history, having won 46 awards since it premiered in 1988. Neighbours is the second most successful having won 31 Logies since it began in 1985. A Country Practice follows as the third most successful program, having won 29 awards throughout its twelve-year run. Blue Heelers is fourth with 25 Logies.

People

Television personalities with the most national wins (excluding state-based Logie awards) are:

Rank Name Total Wins Awards Won
1 Rove McManus 10 3 Gold Logies (2003–05) and 7 consecutive Most Popular Presenter (2003–09)
2 Bert Newton 9 4 Gold Logies (1979, 1981, 1982, 1984), 4 Best Compere (1970, 1972 – 74), Hall of Fame inductee (1988)
3 Graham Kennedy 8 6 Gold Logies (1959, 1960, 1967, 1969; 1974, 1978), 1 Special Gold Logie – Star of the Decade (1967), Hall of Fame inductee (1998), 10 state Logies
3 Daryl Somers 8 3 Gold Logies (1983, 1986, 1989), 3 Most Popular Light Entertainment Personality (1993, 1995 – 97), 1 Most Popular Light Entertainment/Comedy Personality (1990) and 1 Most Popular Comedy Personality (1995)
3 Ray Martin 8 5 Gold Logies (1987, 1993 – 96), 2 TV Reporter of the Year (1981, 1983), 1 Most Popular Light Entertainment Personality (1995)

Actors / Actresses with the most national wins:

Rank Name Total Wins Awards Won
1 Lisa McCune 10 1 New Talent (1995), 5 Most Popular Actress (1996–2000) and 4 Gold Logies (1997–2000)
2 Georgie Parker 7 1 New Talent (1990), 4 Most Popular Actress (1991 – 1993, 2001), 2 Gold Logies (2001, 2002)
3 Asher Keddie 7 5 Most Popular Actress (2011–2015), 1 Most Outstanding Actress in a Series (2014), 1 Gold Logie (2013)
4 Kate Ritchie 5 2 Gold Logies (2007, 2008), 3 Most Popular Actress (2006–2008)
4 Martin Sacks 5 5 Most Popular Actor (1997–2001)
gollark: NO.
gollark: I MEAN I THEORETICALLY COULD REMOTE WIPE ALL POTATOS MACHINES
gollark: You are destroying everything over digital signage.
gollark: @Terrariola#0000 this is a stupidity.
gollark: WHY

See also

References
  1. Crook, Frank (2 May 2008). "Logies celebrate 50 years". The Daily Telegraph. News.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  2. "Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent". ninemsn.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009.
  3. Coronavirus pandemic forces cancellation of 2020 Logie Awards ABC News 29 April 2020
  4. TV Week magazine, 13 March 1993, pp. 16–18. "The Way We Were" text by Bert Newton, edited by Chrissie Camp.
  5. http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/gold-coast-steals-tvs-night-of-nights-with-star-casino-to-host-the-logies-in-2018/news-story/e7df284fd42d961089e946bb3293ab45
  6. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/logie-awards-set-for-the-gold-coast-20170907-gyd35x.html
  7. https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/awards/logies/the-one-big-problem-with-the-logies-hall-of-fame-where-are-all-the-women/news-story/03c0be9bea21a4253d5bac0bd5632ee4
  8. Jonathon Moran (19 April 2015). "Logies Hall of Fame awaits Australia's favourite soap Home and Away". The Sunday Telegraph.
  9. "Logies voting switch a boon". Herald Sun. News.com.au. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
  10. Taylor, Chris (17 May 2003). "The insider". smh.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
  11. "Project Logies, Media Watch Episode 05". 9 March 2009.
  12. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104592569
  13. http://televisionau.com/2013/04/tv-week-logie-awards-50-years-ago-3.html
  14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104591297
  15. https://www.webcitation.org/6OyNbTNWk?url=http://www.tvweeklogieawards.com.au/logie-history/1990s/1992/
  16. "The Logies". ABC.
  17. "Tom Gleeson: "You don't blame me, you thank me"". Nine.
  18. "Logies 2018". TV Tonight.
  19. "Tracy Grimshaw slams Gleeson over Gold Logie win". yahoo.
  20. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/international-performers-at-the-tv-week-logies-46012
  21. Knox, David (4 November 2015). "Logies announce new categories, voting to open shortly". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 November 2015.

Other references
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