It finally happened — the Logies are all grown up

Remember when the Logie Awards inspired only cringes? While it’s still fun to critique the frocks and hear the goss, TV’s night of nights is now sparking important national debates.

The people have spoken: Waleed Aly takes out the Gold, and in doing so, has helped further revolutionise the Logies. (Pic: AAP Image/Joe Castro)

“Do not adjust your sets — there’s nothing wrong with the picture... this is happening.”

And with those tongue-in-cheek but poignant opening words, Waleed Aly summed up why the TV Week Logie Awards has grown up to become one of the most important events on the small screen.

And, at the risk of sounding dramatic, a critical contribution to our social discourse.

It used to be that all we’d talk about the day after this long-running institution was who wore the prettiest frock, how good looking the new kid on Home And Away is, which breakfast show host disgraced himself or herself or who delivered the worst speech.

And there’s nothing wrong with that — I’ve usually been front and centre of that conversation. But this year, something is different. So different it’s hard to know where to start.

Noni Hazlehurst delivered swing after swing after being inducted into the Hall Of Fame — just the second woman to do so. There was a not too subtle swipe at the government’s asylum seeker policy, talk about women on TV, the state of the world and much more besides.

Noni Hazlehurst had a lot to say and she wasn’t afraid to say it. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)

ABC teen drama Ready For This saw talk of Indigenous representation on TV.

And of course, Aly spoke eloquently about the significance of his win.

Yes, today we’re still talking about who wore what and the whispers trickling out about after-party shenanigans, but we’re also continuing some important conversations.

Race, diversity, inclusion, equality, sexism, broad representation... all important issues, raised at the Logies. Seriously. Who would’ve thought that was possible just a few years ago when the highlight from the Crown Casino event was a Gold Logie winner talking about his wife’s ass? How did this happen?

Well, like the Logies, TV audiences have grown up. We expect more from our stars, more from our shows and more from the event that celebrates them.

We reward bold storytelling and even bolder casting — and increasingly, not just when it’s on the ABC.

We demand quality dramas that celebrate all Australians, not just a small and typically white selection of them.

We want intelligent presenters who ask tough questions and push the envelope, and relish in the opportunity to take the mickey out of themselves.

We demand more — and finally, we’re getting it.

While it’s always fun to see the performances, the frocks, the speeches, the stuff ups and the awkward moments, it’s even more enjoyable to see the bar continue to rise.

After all, we’re smarter than TV executives give us credit for.

Tiffany Dunk is News Corp’s National TV Editor.