- The Money or the Gun
"The Money or the Gun" was an
Australia n comedy / talk-show on the ABC network in1989 -1990 , with occasional specials until1994 . It was written byAndrew Denton ,Simon Dodd ,Bruce Griffiths , andGeorge Dodd , directed byMartin Coombes and produced byMark Fitzgerald .Each episode was based on a significant theme, with Denton interviewing a number of people as well as conducting vox pops on the street. Significant episodes include "Guns-The Musical" and the award-winning episode on disabilities, "The Year of the Patronising Bastard" (which picked up a United Nations Media Peace Prize). In
1993 a one-off special was called "Topic of Cancer", which talked to teenagers withcancer (while at aCanTeen weekend). In2003 Denton held a 10-year reunion for the people on the 1993 show, as part of his ABC interview programme "Enough Rope ".Stairway to Heaven
Each week a guest would perform their own version of
Led Zeppelin 's "Stairway to Heaven ". Versions would occasionally tie in with the theme of the episode ("Guns - the Musical" had a Broadway-style version byJodie Gilles as the conclusion, while the episode on Australian Comedy had theDoug Anthony All Stars performing it with the assistance ofBarry Crocker ) but the most surprising of all was the version byRolf Harris which eventually reached number 7 on the UK singles chart. Generally the performance of "Stairway" would be a break in the program and the artists would have no other part in the program.Performers and styles included:
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Kate Cebrano
*John Paul Young , in the style of "Love is in the Air "
*Pardon Me Boys , in a swing style (with numerous references toGlenn Miller songs))
*The Beatnix , aBeatles tribute band, in the style of "I Want to Hold Your Hand ", "She Loves You " and "Twist and Shout ".
*Nick Barker and the Reptiles, in a heavy blues style
*Rolf Harris , in the style of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport "
*The Australian Doors Show , in the style of "When The Music's Over " byThe Doors
*Sandra Hahn ,Michael Turkic and the Australian Opera chrous, in the style of an epic Wagner opera
*Robyne Dunn in the style of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds " byThe Beatles
* Elvis impersonatorNeil Pepper , in the style of "Viva Las Vegas"
*Whipper Snappers , in anindie rock girl group style
*Bob Downe , in the style of alounge singer
* "The Castanet Club", as asea shanty
* The Symphony Chorus of theSydney Philharmonia Choirs , as ana cappella chorus
*Judi Connelli , as a gospel song
*Fargone Beauties , as a country thrash in the style of "Duelling Banjos "
*Vegemite Reggae , as a modernreggae
*Etcetera Theatre Company , as atechno dance in the style ofTalking Heads
*Leonard Teale , as adramatic poem
*Rock Lobsters , aB-52s tribute band, in the style of "Rock Lobster "
*Jodie Gilles , in the style of aBroadway musical (with numerous references to "One" from "A Chorus Line ")A compilation video of the performances, "Stairways to Heaven", was released in 1990.
See also
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List of Australian television series External links
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