Peter Helliar, Lisa Wilkison, Jessica Marias expected to get push for Gold nominations

THE list of Gold Logie nominees always raises eyebrows — and there’s already speculation about who the networks will push in 2017.

GET ready for the TV networks to start their campaigns as voting officially opens for the TV WEEK Logie Awards.

Come Monday, every star’s dream of scoring a coveted Gold Logie nomination will start to play out.
Former winner Carrie Bickmore knows the importance of taking home the ultimate prize. Her emotional acceptance speech in 2015 is rendered into the memories of TV fans around the country.

“The Gold Logie win for me was still one of the greatest highlights of my career and I could have never anticipated what would come from it personally and professionally,” she said.

With her Project co-host Waleed Aly having backed up her win in 2016, now it may just be fellow panellist Pete Helliar’s turn.

Bonnie Sveen, Rove McManus, Miranda Tapsall, Scott Cam, Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly, Danielle Cormack, Kate Ritchie, Denise Drysdale and Erik Thomson gather together to celebrate 60 years of TV and the commencement of voting in the TV WEEK Logie Awards. Picture: TV WEEK

Triple Gold winner Rove McManus — who was among the Logie winning stars who got together for the magazine to celebrate the start of the award season — certainly has his money on Helliar.

“I dare to say, there will probably be a campaign,” he said.

“I think we can all quite clearly say he was undoubtedly the highlight of last year’s awards with his presentation with Kitty Flanagan. It brought the house down and there was so much love in the room for him.”

Will Peter Helliar become the third Project host to take home a Gold Logie? Picture: Supplied

Bickmore is equally effusive in her support for Helliar.

“I’m with Rove,” she said.

“It’s hard to believe Pete has never been nominated for the Gold Logie. I’ve worked alongside Pete for over 10 years and he is an absolute legend. He is funny, generous, smart and has incredible timing. He would make a great Gold Logie winner.

“I feel sorry for whoever has to follow Waleed’s speech from last year but you know what, if anyone could do it Pete’s your guy. It would be funny and very memorable I am sure.”

With last year’s list of Gold nominees — which included SBS personality Lee Lin Chin who mounted a successful fan campaign — having raised a few eyebrows, will 2017 see an equally diverse list of personalities?

Today host Lisa Wilkinson will no doubt be a popular Nine contender. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Rumours are that along with Helliar, Today’s Lisa Wilkinson will be given a big push for a nomination as will Jessica Marais who will have the might of both Nine (Love Child) and Ten (The Wrong Girl) behind her.

Having been nominated last year for popular drama 800 Words, Seven will no doubt be hoping Erik Thomson will also repeat his success in 2017.

Jessica Marais fans would love hero to add a Gold man to her collection of awards. Picture: Channel 10

While it’s up for public vote, previous campaigns by networks have done their job in seeing their talent nominated. In 2009 a “vote for Harold” campaign saw Ian Smith land a Gold nomination while in 2011 both Karl Stefanovic and Chrissie Swan’s nods were credited to a big push from their respective shows Today and The Circle.

Cast your vote at www.tvweeklogieawards.com.au from Monday.

Voting closes on December 18.

Originally published as Peter Helliar, Lisa Wilkison, Jessica Marias expected to get push for Gold nominations