Logies: The best moments, gossip and celebrity slip-ups
THE Logies have had their fair share of gossip and celebrity slip-ups over the years. We take a look at our favourite moments ahead of TV’s night of nights.
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FOR 57 years the Logies have provided us with some classic television moments, but often the real story is behind the scenes.
From crazy afterparties to fashion mistakes and diva moments, it’s always a big night.
There are the famous stories — Bert Newton telling Muhammad Ali “I like the boy” in 1979 and former soapies star Emma Harrison swinging her G-string overhead at Heat nightclub in 1997.
But there are also many untold stories and secrets.
MR BIG CHARMS EVERYONE ... NOT
IN 2006, the guest everyone was excited about was Chris Noth, most famously known as Mr Big from Sex and The City.
The show may have finished two years earlier, but Noth was still known as the thinking woman’s sex symbol.
But in person?
Seemed all he was interested in was chatting up local starlets, including then Neighbours actors Stephanie McIntosh, who at the time was dating St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt, and Eliza Taylor.
North was last spotted at 1.30am on the Monday at Channel 10s afterparty at Crown Promenade’s Tonic bar.
Noth declined to attend a press conference and was heard saying: “I just don’t want to be here.”
Alcohol appears to have been central to several international guest visits.
Friends star Matt LeBlanc also wasn’t interested in being at the Logies until he had a few drinks in 1998, and the late, great Joan Rivers was colourful to say the least after a few drinks in 2006.
“I don’t know what I’m doing here.
“I don’t know why the f ... I’m here,” she told the crowd.
LEGENDARY AFTERPARTIES
SOCIAL media has put an end to the wild afterparty.
In fact, this year Channel 7 won’t even hold an official afterparty, with the network’s stars instead attending the officially sanctioned TV Week/Foxtel event.
In the old days partygoers — gossip and TV writers included — used to celebrate until the sun came up. But everyone is more cautious, more careful these days.
Rewind to Heat nightclub at Crown in 2004.
It was 7am on Monday when we left. We’d been on the dancefloor with Curtis Stone, Jon Stevens and Shannon Noll as the sun came up with spectacular views of the city. A lot of booze, a lot of fun.
But, with stories to file, we headed straight to the office in the same clothes.
In 2008, it was Dannii Minogue’s turn to shine.
With her glamorous J’Aton gown in full flight, Dannii was the queen of the dancefloor — unbuttoning all the men’s shirts, removing their ties and slinging them around her neck.
Nowadays the parties with the most gossip happen in Crown’s three hotels — it’s not uncommon to spot a Home and Away star going from one room to the next early on Monday morning. (If those hotel walls could talk.)
Channel 9 held long and legendary parties for years at JJ’s at Crown. The network now takes over Club 23.
Channel 10 has made Tonic at Crown Promenade its own over the years, and Seven has been at many venues including Pure South and the Langham Hotel at Southgate, and most recently Level 28 at the Metropol hotel.
WHO WOULD WANT TO HOST?
THE days of the Logies host appear to be over. With former favourites Bert Newton, Andrew Denton and Shaun Micallef hanging up the tuxedo, successive attempts at finding the perfect front person have fallen flat. And who can blame celebs for not wanting to take on the role?
Former Big Brother host Gretel Killeen had a tough time in 2009 while comedienne Wendy Harmer was also savaged by the critics in 2002. The haters were out in droves.
Newton, the king of Logies hosts, whispered some wise words the morning after Harmer’s gig when we asked him on the quiet if he would ever host again.
“I never say never,” he said. “The format would have to be pretty loose and it doesn’t have that format at the moment.’’
COMEBACK KIDS
IN 2004 all eyes were on Delta Goodrem. It was the first time Australia had seen her as she recovered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Goodrem was the nation’s darling, a Neighbours actor turned No.1 recording star, who at just age 18 found herself bravely battling cancer.
There was also an added element of excitement — Goodrem’s date was Aussie tennis player Mark Philippoussis.
The day before, they were spotted at Bells Beach arm in arm so all cameras were ready to capture the new couple.
Behind the scenes it had been a stressful week for Goodrem. She wanted the perfect dress and tried on a few, including a Versace from the Crown boutique. In the end she settled on a black Peter Morrissey number.
Despite being favourite to take out the Gold, Goodrem lost to her good friend, TV host Rove McManus.
Another great Logies comeback was Kylie Minogue.
Minogue was a fixture and multiple Logie winner in the late 1980s after her stint on Neighbours. But she didn’t return until last year — and she shone.
“Any red carpet I get really anxious, there is a lot of excitement and adrenalin and nerves, but it feels amazing to be back,” she said.
“I don’t recall it being this big and snazzy.”
GUESS WHO, DON’T SUE?
■ Which star, renowned for his womanising ways, was seen in a deep and flirty conversation in the early hours with ladies from The Block?
■ Which Gold Logie nomination had a late wardrobe malfunction but refused to discuss it when asked on the red carpet?
■ Which network executive was seen getting loose on the dancefloor in the early hours, outdoing younger stars from his network?
■ Which big winner rocked up to his network’s post-Logies recovery on no sleep and slurring his words?
■ Which star rocked the red carpet in a $50 pair of shoes but was happy to take the plaudits for a perceived glamorous and expensive outfit?
■ Which nominee was unimpressed when the Real Housewives of Melbourne hogged the limelight on the red carpet at the time of her arrival?
■ Which outspoken reality TV star is peeved she’s only been invited to walk the red carpet, but is not invited to the awards. She will watch from an adjoining function room and then join the network afterparty.
■ Which network publicists had to keep two stars separated, after tempers flared over a new romance?
■ Which radio presenter was just a bit chatty on air the next day and questions were asked?
OUR AWARDS
BEST RED CARPET PERFORMER
Kerri-Anne Kennerley: Always gracious and always glamorous. When she hosted her morning TV show, she would always wear her Logies gown. Bring back KAK!
BEST ON GROUND
Karl Stefanovic: The Today host turned up to work under the weather in 2009 and the footage went viral. Stefanovic was much better behaved in 2011 after he won the Gold, attending a couple of parties and making it on-air next morning in good shape.
BEST DRESSED
Carrie Bickmore from The Project never disappoints.
BIGGEST MYSTERY
How are neither Manu Feildel nor Pete Evans nominated for Gold this year, despite My Kitchen Rules being the biggest show of the year? It simply doesn’t make sense. Eddie McGuire should surely have won Gold in the past too.
BEST NEW RED CARPET TALENT
Some new faces are set to turn up on the red carpet — watch for Home and Away star
Pia Miller and new Neighbours screen siren Olympia Valance.
MOST AWKWARD MOMENT
In 1993, Rhonda Burchmore took a tumble on stage after her dance routine with David Atkins and the Tap Boys. “I certainly woke a few people up,” Burchmore joked. She finished the number to a huge ovation.
MOST NAUGHTY STAR
Former Home and Away and Underbelly heart-throb Dieter Brummer was arrested in 2011 after an altercation at Crown with security in the early hours.
LOGIES FASHION FAUX PAS
The old Versace boutique at Crown was a mecca for visiting stars, including US singer Anastacia, who was a guest in 2004. While she was walking the red carpet and waving to fans, Versace staff were horrified to see the security tag to stop theft still attached to the dress. Oops!
Originally published as Logies: The best moments, gossip and celebrity slip-ups
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