Tim Mann Tonight - MCAE Live 60's TV show 1984

MCAE (Melbourne College of Advanced Education) Media Arts presentation.

Recorded Live - 1984

I was part of the Tim Mann Tonight Show studio audience. For two hours last term I was transported back into the 60s, what a wonderful world of Tarax commercials and black and white television. In the true fashion of that wonderful era (when most of the cast were still Hienz Babies ), Tim Mann Tonight had dark suits, bright miniskirts, heavy eyeliner and old Shell advertisements, Go Well with Shell, Bert Newton should watch it and take lessons. Tim Mann tonight was entertainment.
A Media Arts presentation, Tim Mann Tonight was directed by our own John Foss and stared Tim Mansour, as himself with a different name, and Darron Davies with his own name as the obligatory side kick. The show was taped live, which meant that everything had to run on schedule, which gave the studio audience of fascinating insight into the making of a television show, when it did not.
Studio cameras glided around the floor like Darleks to the unseen commands of Foss. Through the cameraman’s earphones we could hear, “Camera 2 left a bit more, camera 1, close up zoom, “ there was even a studio band, and theme music. That David Ashfield Big Band would alternative lengthen or shorten the theme music, depending upon the state of chaos in the programming. Not that it was unprofessional, mind you. It's just that sometimes the lights blew a fuse from overloading, and when we would hear Foss saying, “Cut to a commercial, another commercial…”.
Generally, the acting was slick, and most authentic. Tim Mann was a perfect Johnny Carson type, a quite conservative suited 60s man, dubious of long haired Beetles. Impishly, Darren Davies would play up to Tim, placing a Beetle wig on Tim's immaculately groomed hair. The humour was slightly archaic, almost innocent when one thinks of Hey Hey it’s Saturday, but the Tim Mann Tonight is ‘64 not ‘84 .
Modelled on the old Graham Kennedy Tonight Show, which the studio audience watched prior to entering the studio, Tim Mann Tonight had the same format of interviews, music, dancing, and its own dog called Fish. Fish taste tested our brand of dog food, wolfing down the appropriate tray in two seconds flat. My dog doesn't like to eat in front of people, so I was quite impressed with that skit.
This was very much a college production, with media hearts lecturer and critic Adrian Martin interviewing Terry McDermott, who was originally in Homicide. A hilarious ending came when Martin asked McDermott what his thoughts the future might hold for him. McDermott, in 1984 told him exactly what he had done in the 20 years since homicide. “Amazing insight into the future.” responded Tim Mann after the interview.
No Tonight Show is complete without music and dances, and Tim Mann Tonight had plenty of that. The seductive Zee, resplendent in tight sequin gown sang “Hey big spender” against a venetian blind background. Carmen and her band stomped through “These boots are made for walking” in micro minis . While another highlight was “Matt Bodgie and The Sensational Widgies” doing a surf number. (Um John Foss who put that one in?)
I may have caught the whole show live, but that doesn't mean that those who didn't, miss out. Tim Mann Tonight will replay over Griffavision for your enjoyment. So support your local talent, and do yourself a favour…..tune into Tim Mann Tonight one afternoon.

THE STAR
MCAE Newspaper circa 1984

Cast and Crew
Tim Mansour
Darron Davies
Adrian Martin
Terry McDermott
John Foss
Matthew Rees
Adam May
Toby Hines
Sue McCauley
Janis Lesinskis
Angela Maher
Stuart Miller
Tim Cole
Wendy Pollard
Carmen Cassar
Dennis Claringbold

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