Logies Form Guide 2016: Who will win Gold?

WHO will take out the Gold Logie? That’s the big question as the stars get ready to hit the red carpet for the 58th TV Week Logie Awards.

WILL Waleed Aly snatch Gold from Carrie Bickmore? That is the big question as the stars get ready to hit the red carpet for the 58th TV Week Logie Awards.

Betting agency Sportsbet has Aly as the $1.30 favourite to prevent his co-host of The Project from winning back-to-back Gold.

SBS news presenter Lee Lin Chin is next at $11 with Family Feud’s Grant Denyer and Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries star Essie Davis equal on $21. Former Gold Logie winner Scott Cam is an outlier on $51.

The other big question going into tonight’s ceremony is who is going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Word is it will be a prominent Aussie female TV identity with the shortlist including Kerri Anne Kennerley, Denise Drysdale or Lorraine Bayly.

Whatever happens, Channel 9 will be hoping for some big ratings for TV’s night of nights. For the first time in years, it won’t be screening against a semi-final of Seven’s My Kitchen Rules.

Below, TV experts Colin Vickery and Clare Ridgen give their picks on who will be the big winners.

Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly are both vying for the Gold Logie.

TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE — Best Personality On Australian TV

• Carrie Bickmore (The Project, Network Ten)

• Essie Davis (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, ABC)

• Grant Denyer (Family Feud/ The Great Australian Spelling Bee, Network Ten)

• Scott Cam (The Block/ Reno Rumble, Nine Network)

• Lee Lin Chin (SBS World News/The Feed, SBS)

• Waleed Aly (The Project, Network Ten)

Colin

Carrie Bickmore

What a grab bag of nominees. Only one actor among them. The big question is whether Aly will take votes from Bickmore. I think Bickmore can make it a double.

Clare

Carrie Bickmore

As much as I’d like to see Lee Lin or Waleed take out Gold, I just don’t think you can underestimate the popularity of Carrie Bickmore. Grant Denyer might be this year’s dark horse though — his star continues to rise at Ten.

Holly

Carrie Bickmore

My heart says Lee Lin Chin (and I’ll have a beer on ice ready to celebrate if she wins) but my head says Carrie. She used the reflective glory of her Gold win last year to boost funds and awareness for brain cancer. Long may that continue.

Erik Thomson is a popular pick for Best Actor.

Best Actor

• Craig McLachlan (The Doctor Blake Mysteries, ABC)

• Erik Thomson (800 Words, Channel Seven)

• Firass Dirani (House Husbands, Nine Network)

• Josh Thomas (Please Like Me, ABC)

• Stephen Peacocke (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

Colin

Erik Thomson

800 Words was 2015’s breakout drama hit. Add Thomson’s popularity from Packed to the Rafters and he could get across the line.

Clare

Stephen Peacocke

This one might be Stephen Peacocke’s again. Although he’s no longer on Home and Away, he popped up on Seven’s new drama, Wanted, and he’s still phenomenally popular with TV Week readers.

Holly

Stephen Peacocke

Home And Away fans vote early and often and their love of Brax lives on beyond his tenure on the show. Craig McLachlan would be my dark horse here.

Marta Dusseldorp, star of A Place To Call Home, has had a stellar year.

Best Actress

• Bonnie Sveen (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

• Essie Davis (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, ABC)

• Jessica Marais (Love Child, Nine Network)

• Julia Morris (House Husbands, Nine Network)

• Marta Dusseldorp (A Place To Call Home, Foxtel — SoHo)

Colin

Essie Davis

No Asher Keddie this year. That opens this category right up. Given that Davis has been nominated for Gold I’m thinking she could triumph here.

Clare

Bonnie Sveen

Bonnie deserves this win — she’s had some great material to work with this year. She’ll have stiff competition from Marta Dusseldorp though — Marta’s been everywhere in 2016, and has a rabid fan base with A Place To Call Home.

Holly

Marta Dusseldorp

The fans who rallied to revive both A Place To Call Home and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries will determine this one between Marta and Essie. Marta for mine.

Family Feud host Grant Denyer has been nominated for the Gold Logie as well as Best Presenter.

Best Presenter

• Amanda Keller (The Living Room, Network Ten)

• Carrie Bickmore (The Project, Network Ten)

• Grant Denyer (Family Feud/ The Great Australian Spelling Bee, Network Ten)

• Lee Lin Chin (SBS World News/The Feed, SBS)

• Waleed Aly (The Project, Network Ten)

Colin

Carrie Bickmore

Will Bickmore and Aly split The Project vote? Hard to say but I think Bickmore will have the votes to make this back-to-back.

Clare

Lee Lin Chin

I think Lee Lin might just have enough ‘novelty value’ to see TV Week fans voting for her in this category. She would be a fabulously worthy recipient. Lee Lin for the win!

Carrie Bickmore

This one is as tight as the battle for Gold and I think Carrie might edge ahead again. I’d love to see Amanda Keller get the gong, or the hardest-working man on TV, Grant Denyer.

Pia Miller is up for Best New Talent. .

Best New Talent

• Adam Dovile (Better Homes And Gardens, Channel Seven)

• Benson Jack Anthony (800 Words, Channel Seven)

• Dan Reilly (The Block, Nine Network)

• Joel Jackson (Deadline Gallipoli/ Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door, Foxtel —

Showcase/Channel Seven)

• Pia Miller (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

Colin

Joel Jackson

The Home and Away voting block could give Miller a win but Jackson has been the year’s standout.

Clare

Dan Reilly

‘Foreboy Dan’ has served his apprenticeship on The Block — and emerged the other side as fabulously likeable TV talent.

Joel Jackson

He took the double at the AACTA awards, so I think this one should follow suit.

Home And Away faces stiff competition from Seven’s 800 Words.

Best Drama Program

• 800 Words (Channel Seven)

• A Place To Call Home (Foxtel — SoHo)

• Home And Away (Channel Seven)

• House Husbands (Nine Network)

• Love Child (Nine Network)

Colin

800 Words

Home and Away has had a lock on this category for years. 800 Words could be the show to end it.

Clare

A Place To Call Home

It’s going to be a close race between 800 Words and A Place To Call Home, but my money’s on the ex-Seven-now-Foxtel drama, which boasts this country’s most committed fan base.

Holly

A Place To Call Home

This one should be headed straight to Foxtel’s pool room, but deserves to be shared with the fans who fought so long and hard to bring it back to life after its run ended on Seven.

Delta Goodrem on Nine’s The Voice, which is up for a Logie.

Best Entertainment Program

• Family Feud (Network Ten)

• Gruen (ABC)

• Have You Been Paying Attention? (Network Ten)

• The Voice (Nine Network)

• The X Factor Australia (Channel Seven)

Colin

Family Feud

No Hamish and Andy so another crap shoot. Given that Grant Denyer is nominated for Gold, I’m going for the Feud.

Clare

Family Feud

Yep, I’m agreeing with my esteemed colleague on this one — the survey says: Denyer.

Holly

Family Feud

In furious agreement in favour of the Feud. Do you think they’ll send us a new boardgame?

Lisa Wilkinson, co-host of Nine’s Today show.

Best News Panel Or Current Affairs Program

• 60 Minutes (Nine Network)

• Q & A (ABC)

• Sunrise (Channel Seven)

• The Project (Network Ten)

• Today (Nine Network)

Colin

The Project

Hard to go past The Project given the other nominations for Bickmore and Aly. If 60 Minutes wins expect a howl of protest.

Clare

The Project

I’m siding with Colin and saying The Project for a win. The show continues to go from strength to strength.

Holly

The Project

While Carrie and Waleed arm-wrestle for the other awards, I’m already excited at the prospect of a victory speech by Peter Helliar.

The Bachelorette is up for best reality program — but it’s a tight category.

Best Reality Program

• I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! (Network Ten)

• MasterChef Australia (Network Ten)

• My Kitchen Rules (Channel Seven)

• The Bachelorette Australia (Network Ten)

• The Block (Nine Network)

Colin

The Bachelorette

The Block won last year but it is on the wane. I’m tipping an upset with Sam Frost and The Bachelorette taking home the Logie.

Clare

My Kitchen Rules

It’s really hard to pick this one but there’s no arguing with the juggernaut that is MKR. Love it or hate it, you can’t argue with its popularity.

Holly

The Bachelorette

Sam Frost gets my final rose for this one, but my heart is torn between The Bachelorette and MasterChef Australia.

Aussie drama Love Child has been a hit wth fans.

Best Sports Program

• AFL 360 (Foxtel — Fox Footy)

• Marngrook Footy Show (NITV)

• The AFL Footy Show (Nine Network)

• The NRL Footy Show (Nine Network)

• Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network)

Colin

The NRL Footy Show

Is the NRL Footy Show better than the AFL Footy Show? Absolutely not but for whatever reason it keeps winning this category.

Clare

The AFL Footy Show

I know nothing about sport, but I’m nothing if not contrary, so I’ll say AFL to Colin’s NRL (although I secretly hope Marngrook beats them both!)

Holly

The NRL Footy Show

Erin Molan wins this for the league show, adding both substance and style.

SBS newsreader Lee Lin Chin is a sentimental favourite.

Best Lifestyle Program

• Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven)

• Gardening Australia (ABC)

• Getaway (Nine Network)

• Selling Houses Australia (Foxtel — The LifeStyle Channel)

• The Living Room (Network Ten)

Colin

Selling Houses Australia

The Living Room beat out Better Homes and Gardens last year. I’m tipping another upset with Shaynna Blaze and co. splitting the pack.

Clare

The Living Room

Much as I love the ubiquitous Shaynna, I don’t think enough people have Foxtel. So I’m going with The Living Room, because: Dr Chris.

Holly

The Living Room

I never miss an episode of Gardening Australia (true story!) but The Living Room has earned its large and devoted audience.

Best Factual Program

• Australian Story (ABC)

• Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)

• Bondi Vet (Network Ten)

• Gogglebox (Foxtel — The LifeStyle Channel/Network Ten)

• Who Do You Think You Are? (SBS)

Essie Davis, star of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, is up for the Gold Logie.

Colin

Australian Story

There is no doubting the quality of Australian Story. It rates big too. That’s enough for me.

Clare

Gogglebox

There’s also no doubting the awesomeness of watching Anastasia and Faye weigh in on TV while wearing their trackies and eating biscuits on the couch.

Gogglebox

Australian Story deserves the recognition, but Gogglebox should win the popular vote.

Alex Dimitriades was “a revelation” in SBS’s searing The Principal.

Most Outstanding Actor

• Alex Dimitriades (Matt Bashir, The Principal, SBS)

• Hugh Dancy (Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, Deadline Gallipoli, Foxtel — Showcase)

• Malcolm Kennard (Ivan Milat, Catching Milat, Channel Seven)

• Patrick Brammall (James Hayes, Glitch, ABC)

• Sam Neill (Lang Hancock, House Of Hancock, Nine Network

Colin

Alex Dimitriades

Dimitriades was a revelation in SBS’s searing The Principal. Brammall was also fantastic in Glitch. Dimitriades for me.

Clare

Alex Dimitriades

Yep, agreeing with Colin on this one — Dimitriades was astonishingly good in The Principal. But, then, I’ve loved him since Heartbreak High ...

Holly

Malcolm Kennard

I was outraged when Mal was ignored by the AACTA awards, so I hope he gets the nod he so richly deserves for his chilling performance as Ivan Milat.

Sarah Snook was “heartbreakingly good” in The Beautiful Lie.

Most Outstanding Actress

• Deborah Mailman (Lorraine, Redfern Now: Promise Me, ABC)

• Essie Davis (Phryne Fisher, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, ABC)

• Mandy McElhinney (Gina Rinehart, House Of Hancock, Nine Network)

• Pamela Rabe (Joan Ferguson, Wentworth, Foxtel — SoHo)

• Sarah Snook (Anna Ivin, The Beautiful Lie, ABC)

Colin

Deborah Mailman

Mailman is one of our great actors and she added another stunning performance to her resume as Lorrain in Redfern Now: Promise Me.

Clare

Sarah Snook

There’s no denying last season belonged to Pamela Rabe on Wentworth, but I’m backing Sarah Snook for The Beautiful Lie, because she was just so heartbreakingly good.

Holly

Pamela Rabe

This category is like picking a favourite child: impossible. Deb Mailman and Sarah Snook just floored me with their performances, but I think the industry will pay Pamela her due credit.

The multi-talented Tim Minchin has shown some serious acting chops. Picture: Ellen Smith

Most Outstanding Supporting Actor

• Dan Wyllie (Jimmy, No Activity, Stan)

• David Berry (James Bligh, A Place To Call Home, Foxtel — SoHo)

• Ryan Corr (Corporal MacDonald, Banished, Foxtel — BBC First)

• Tim Minchin (Jacob, No Activity, Stan)

• Tim Minchin (Smasher Sullivan, The Secret River, ABC)

Colin

Tim Minchin

The famed musician and comedian showed he had major serious acting chops as Smasher Sullivan in The Secret River.

Clare

Tim Minchin

Surely it’s about time we gave Tim a Logie? Either of his nominated shows will do. I just want to hear his acceptance speech.

Holly

Tim Minchin

He gets my vote for his work on Matilda the Musical.

Harriet Dyer, star of Love Child, is nominated for best supporting actress. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Most Outstanding Supporting Actress

• Celia Ireland (Liz Birdsworth, Wentworth, Foxtel — SoHo)

• Emily Barclay (Sarah Hayes, Glitch, ABC)

• Harriet Dyer (Patricia Saunders, Love Child, Nine Network)

• Jenni Baird (Regina Standish, A Place To Call Home, Foxtel — SoHo)

• Rarriwuy Hick (Robyn Davis, Redfern Now: Promise Me, ABC)

Colin

Jennie Baird

Baird is the standout in A Place to Call Home — pitch perfect as Sarah Adams’ (Marta Dusseldorp) nemesis Regina Standish.

Clare

Celia Ireland

I have absolutely no idea about this category — they’re all fabulous. But I love Celia’s character in Wentworth, so I’m going to be sentimental and pick her.

Holly

Rarriwuy Hick

I can’t get Rarriwuy’s performance out of my head. Playing opposite Deb Mailman in Redfern Now, these women brought out the best in each other.

Deborah Mailman delivered yet another powerful performance in Redfern Now.

Most Outstanding Drama Series

• 800 Words (Channel Seven)

• A Place To Call Home (Foxtel — SoHo)

• Glitch (ABC)

• Love Child (Nine Network)

• Wentworth (Foxtel — SoHo)

Colin

Glitch

800 Words was embraced by viewers but will probably be deemed too lightweight to win this category. That’s a shame. Glitch was a critics’ darling and could take the chocolates.

Clare

Wentworth

Last season was nothing short of sensational. This show deserves every award it’s nominated for.

Holly

Wentworth

The best ensemble on Australian television.

Most Outstanding Miniseries or Telemovie

• Deadline Gallipoli (Foxtel — showcase)

• House Of Hancock (Nine Network)

• Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door (Channel Seven)

• The Beautiful Lie (ABC)

• The Secret River (ABC)

Colin

The Secret River

All very worthy contenders and all quite different in tone. For me, The Secret River was the standout.

Clare

The Beautiful Lie

Colin’s right, all were equally worthy. But, for me, The Beautiful Lie was last year’s standout drama.

Holly

The Beautiful Lie

The chemistry between Benedict Samuel and Sarah Snook was off the chart, the writing was extraordinary, and visually it was a stunningly sophisticated production.

Most Outstanding Entertainment Program

• Gruen (ABC)

• Have You Been Paying Attention? (Network Ten)

• The Voice (Nine Network)

• The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (ABC)

• The X Factor Australia (Channel Seven)

Colin

Have You Been Paying Attention?

Ten’s comedy panel show found its mojo last year. It was the most consistently entertaining of the shows in this category.

Clare

The Weekly with Charlie Pickering

I have to admit, I do agree with Colin, but I think Charlie’s show might get the gong.

Holly

Have You Been Paying Attention?

I found it hard to pick a real stand out in this category, but agree HYBPA delivered.

Josh Thomas’s Please Like Me is in the running for best comedy.

Most Outstanding Comedy Program

• No Activity (Stan)

• Open Slather (Foxtel — The Comedy Channel)

• Please Like Me (ABC)

• Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell (ABC)

• Utopia (ABC)

Colin

Utopia

My heart says Mad as Hell or Please Like Me but my head says that Utopia will grab another win.

Holly

Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell

I think the question needs to be asked how those LOL-ing cats missed out on a nod for this one, but if we’re going to insist on giving it to someone who is actually funny, Shaun Micallef gets my vote.

Originally published as Logies Form Guide 2016: Who will win Gold?