The Newsreader (2021) s03e01 Episode Script

DALE: We've been in each
other's lives for two years.
No-one knows every part of me like you.
Will you do me the
honour of being my wife?
I I can't.
It's true. I grew up in a big house,
but it was drilled
into me that what we had
was only because my father
was famous and well respected.
Geoff's been getting phone calls
from Donna Gillis about information
that she might have in regards
to you and a male cameraman.
Helen, take a breath. I mean,
haven't you done enough already?
Too uncaring, too abrasive, too cold.
I don't work well under
all the rigid sets of hands.
It's the reason I left News at Six.
And it's the reason I
wanted to work with you.
You know that I'm flying to Washington,
and I've mentioned you as my producer.
Rob and I got engaged. I've
decided to decline your offer.
What do I do?
You do your job.
If you print that story, all that's
gone. If you don't, I'll remember.
I'm the face of the news now.
Millions of people turn to me
for stability and assurance.
I'm Dale Jennings.
Welcome to News at Six.
MAN: (SCOTTISH ACCENT) At this stage,
I'm not in a position
to say how it happened.
All I can say to you
is that it would appear
that wreckage has fallen
at six different locations.
There are bodies at
each of these locations.
MAN: There have been no survivors
reported from the crashed aircraft.
And we're waiting for
- I'm sure the sign said Dumfries.
- Yeah.
Are we in it or are
we passing through it?
No, we're in it.
I don't think we can be that far north.
- Can you turn it down?
- BOTH: No.
- Um
- Several helicopters
You should take this route, I think.
- What, just up here?
- Yes.
- It looks like a driveway.
- It's a road.
- It looks definitely like a driveway.
- It's a road. Can you just take it?
OK!
This is too far east.
No, no, just keep going.
I said it was a driveway.
Get back on the M6.
I'm gonna climb up this hill
and see if I can see anything.
When was the last time
you knew where we were?
- Gretna Green.
- What?
So we may not even be on the map?
Uh, I can't I can't confirm
that, but I know we must be close.
Jesus Christ. You said
five hours. It's been seven.
(SIRENS WAIL IN DISTANCE)
Helen! Get the gear! Quick! Quick!
- OK.
- Yeah. Quick! Quick!
OK, so, it was Flight 103?
- Pan Am 103.
- Pan Am 103.
Had 200 people on board. Right?
At least 250. OK? Including crew.
- Yeah. Are you ready?
- Mm-hm.
- OK.
- Yep.
We are on the outskirts of the
small Scottish town of Lockerbie,
where there has been a
catastrophic airline disaster.
Pan Am Flight 103 was leaving
London's Heathrow Airport
en route to New York
when it lost contact.
Shortly after that, reports
emerged of fiery wreckage and debris
falling onto this small rural village.
The airline had 250 passengers.
- It is unclear
- (MULTITUDE OF VOICES OVERLAP)
Pan Am Flight 103 was leaving
London's Heathrow Airport
en route to New York
when they lost contact.
Shortly after, reports emerged
of fiery wreckage and debris
(CAR DOOR OPENS)
Helen.
(DOOR CLOSES)
We're here.
- You right?
- Yeah.
- That one.
- You can take that one.
- And your pick-up tomorrow will be 9:30.
- Yep.
Um, and they reckon roughly
three hours to shoot the promos.
- OK.
- That'll include some fittings, too.
Yeah. You can just put that
there. Thank you so much.
Oh, yeah. No.
Do you want me to get you
some groceries or anything?
- No. Gosh, no.
- You sure?
- I'm totally fine.
- That's absolutely fine.
- I can just pop
- No, I'm totally fine.
Thank you so much for picking
us up from the airport.
- Nice to meet you.
- You too. Really nice to meet you too. Finally.
- And I'll see you tomorrow.
- Yes, on the big night. Can't wait.
- Liar.
- What? I can do fancy.
- Sure you can.
- No, I can.
Well, thank you again.
Let us know about dinner
too, because we can
Yeah, that would be
lovely. I'd love that.
That would be really welcome.
Yes. It'd be really nice.
- OK. Well, get some rest.
- Yes, I will. You too. Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
MAN: And in six, five, four
And those top stories again
this Thursday, the 16th of March.
Australian booksellers
receive threats for stocking
Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses,
and the Chinese government
doubles down on censorship
amidst rising dissent.
Tomorrow night, Rob and I
will be away from the desk
as we attend television's
night of nights,
the 31st annual TV Week Logie Awards.
That's right. And this fella here is
the favourite to take out the big one,
the Gold Logie for Most
Popular Personality on the box.
How are we feeling? Are we confident?
Well, I think the smart
money is on Kylie Minogue.
But thank you, Rob, and good luck, you.
Nominated for that remarkable
coverage of the Seoul Olympics.
And thanks again to all the
viewers who sent in voting coupons.
We'll see you next week.
And we're out.
The Hyatt have confirmed
that a 1pm check-in is fine.
- Great.
- And
here's two typed copies of
your speech. Both versions.
Thanks.
Did you get a chance to cross-check
with those other speeches?
Yeah, I timed the last
two winners' speeches.
Both Ray Martin and Kylie
Minogue were over two minutes.
So you're under both of them.
Unless you get emotional,
which might make you slower.
I've already factored that in.
Come on, everyone,
wish him all the best.
Big round of applause for
Mr Jennings! Come on. Hey!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
Hey, Dale, it's just
been confirmed by Bev,
the CEO will be at our table,
so if you get a chance
to hold up your gong,
can you talk him up big time, please?
I'll mention him.
Oh, no, he'll want more
than a mention, won't he?
Mate, he's gonna need a buttering up.
Oh, Dale, let me put it this way.
10 seconds of you
holding up your Gold Logie
and blowing smoke up
Richard Bertrand's arse
will be worth 18 months'
credit for all of us.
And when I say blow smoke up his arse,
I want you to turn him
into a smoked trout.
Not just a little puff up there, mate.
Two mighty lungfuls for our Dickie, huh?
The speech is timing nicely,
but I will look at it.
- Thanks, mate.
- Now get us the gold, mate!
- Let's go. Ah!
- Ah!
MAN: Mr Jennings. Mr Jennings.
Dale, could you turn
to the camera, please?
- Please, Dale.
- Mr Jennings.
- Dale.
- Dale.
(ANNA SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
- Hi.
- Hi.
(BOTH LAUGH AWKWARDLY)
- You look great.
- Oh, I'm just off air.
Still.
You too. You look You look different.
Yeah. I mean, I chopped all my hair off.
- I like it.
- Thank you.
- (LAUGHS) I'm a bit nervous.
- Why?
- I missed you.
- Yeah. Me too.
Anyway. Come on.
Thank you.
- Congratulations. Lockerbie.
- Oh, yeah.
- And the nomination
- Oh, yeah. I mean, I won't win.
- Well
- But you are. You know that, right?
- The gold.
- I think Kylie Minogue is gonna win.
No, you're absolutely going to win.
That's why they've asked me to present.
What?
Yeah. Unless you think that's cheesy.
I mean, I can say no if you
If you don't want them
No.
No, I actually think that
would be quite touching.
Something to drink, ma'am?
I'll take a vodka tonic, please.
- At once.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hm.
- (LAUGHS)
So, do you know how
long you're staying for?
Well, uh, it might be a while.
What?
Um, they've offered me my own show.
- What?
- Mhm. It's public affairs.
- It's late night, but it's every weekday.
- Yeah?
Um, small Melbourne crew,
but I'm EP and so is Bill.
- Wow.
- Mm. Yeah.
- When? When is it?
- In a month.
- A month?
- Mm.
Why is this the first
time I'm hearing about it?
Well, I didn't want to say
anything until it was
No. But why I haven't
seen any promos or ads?
No, Dale, we're announcing
it at the Logies.
Three weeks out?
They're totally committed to it.
Like, we've done a whole
promo shoot and everything.
I mean, there's going
to be a massive campaign.
And I'm so excited for you.
I just I was worried.
- Thank you.
- You're most welcome.
Helen.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Are you taking somebody to the Logies?
- Mum.
- OK.
- You?
- Bill.
Are you, um?
Oh, God. No, he's just my producer.
And he's married. No.
Is there anyone?
No.
I mean, there were a couple
of disasters in Washington.
And there was a disaster
in London, too, you know.
Hm.
So far, you remain
my only non-disaster.
And we were pretty disastrous. (LAUGHS)
I don't think we were.
(DOOR BUZZER BUZZES)
- Hi.
- Hi. Kay?
Paul. We, uh, we met at the memorial.
Your father's producer.
- You probably don't remember.
- No, of course I do.
- These are for Mum?
- Yeah.
OK. Come in. She's, um
She's still getting ready.
- She's a bit fragile today.
- Yeah.
How long till we need to leave?
Um Oh, the carpet just opened.
So your mother has
all the time she needs.
Or, um
Or 10 to 15 minutes.
- Mm-hm.
- (LAUGHS)
(KNOCKS ON DOOR) Mum, how are you going?
Paul's here.
Mum?
You took off the dress.
Honestly, darling, it's lovely,
but it looks almost festive.
Well, it's an awards night.
No-one expects you to
be in a mourning dress.
No. I'll find another night to wear it.
OK, well, I'm not letting you go
to the Logies without a red lip.
Oh.
- No, I really think a red lip is
- Oh, come on, Mum.
Here.
If I can't get through the tribute
You'll be fine.
If I'm not, promise me you'll
step forward and take the speech.
Yeah, I promise.
(CHEERING)
ANNOUNCER: We're live on the red carpet
as the stars arrive for the
31st annual TV Week Logie Awards.
(CHEERING)
(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
of the Locomotion, OK?
Oh! Fuck me sideways. Jesus.
Oh. Thank you.
(CHEERING)
If I could just get you to stand
on the right and work your way down.
Hey, Rob, mate, don't
embarrass us. Alright?
I'll have a beer waiting for you
as long as you don't stuff up.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
- You're coming with me, aren't you?
- Oh, I'm here as a producer.
Yeah, but I can't have my wife
sneaking off in front of me. OK?
Maybe just don't offer
up too many details.
OK.
Mrs Rickard, oh, you are simply
glowing. When is the baby due?
- Uh, a few weeks now
- Not too much longer.
Well, I'll tell you what.
The little one's ready.
She's kicking away like
a little full forward.
Oh, so it's a girl.
Oh, yeah. She's awake
tonight, isn't she?
And, uh, can we expect
this is the first of many?
Well, I do come from a big
family, so it's a conversation
- We'll just see. Thanks, Donna.
- OK.
- Good luck, Rob.
- OK.
Winner. Winner.
It just seems silly when you're
staying in the actual hotel.
It's an important image,
Mum, emerging from the limo.
I can't just walk out onto the carpet.
Other people seem to be.
No stars.
I just saw Bryan Brown and Rachel
Ward walking right by the car.
- Very casual.
- Mum.
When we get out, we're going
to go straight to Donna Gillies.
- Which one is she?
- I'll lead you to her.
She's going to ask you a question
about how I watched the
news when I was a boy.
And what should I say?
The truth.
That every night I always stopped
whatever game I was playing at 6pm
to watch the news.
I'll write it down.
Can you say it again?
That whatever game I was
playing always stopped at 6pm.
- But don't say any more than that.
- OK.
- Don't waffle on.
- Alright.
- You know, just be succinct.
- I won't waffle.
(CHEERING)
(LOUD CHEERING)
(HUBBUB)
Just sign on your right.
We're just talking to Donna, thanks.
Dale Jennings, the Gold
Logie. How does it feel?
Is this everything you
dreamed it would be?
He watched the news every
night, 6pm, when he was a boy.
Never any sports or playing
games with other kids or anything.
Just wanted to be on the couch
with Mum watching the news.
- And you must be mum.
- She is.
And we're both very excited.
Now, Helen Norville is
also nominated tonight
for her overseas reporting.
- Will you be cheering her on?
- Absolutely.
I know better than anyone what
a brilliant journo Helen is.
And this is overdue recognition.
Indeed. Alright, well, go for gold.
- Enjoy, mum.
- Thanks, Donna.
Thank you.
Paul is just lovely, isn't he?
So considerate.
- What?
- If you're trying to set us up
I'm not.
But he was so supportive
after your father passed.
My God.
And he knows all about your
struggles. No judgement whatsoever.
Shush, please.
(CLEARS THROAT) I found Paddy.
Evelyn, such an honour to be
able to pay tribute to him.
Oh, Geoff would be so touched.
Shall we run through
what you're going to say?
Oh. I'm very well rehearsed.
I'd prefer to run through it.
Oh, just, uh, just before that,
um, I just spoke to the producers,
and apparently there have
been some difficulties
with the, uh, the memorial reel.
Apparently, the News at Six failed
to deliver any archive material
of Geoff's time on the show.
Nothing whatsoever?
I'm so sorry.
They negotiated directly
with Lindsay Cunningham?
I believe so, yeah.
I thought I'd start my
speech with a question.
What is the definition of a legend?
LINDSAY: If I could organise a PR
campaign (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
it'll be the best campaign.
(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
Congratulations, Dale.
Ah.
Thanks, Evelyn. Mum,
this is Ms Evelyn Walters.
- Oh. I'm so sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.
I hope this doesn't sound silly,
but I did shed a tear when he died.
It's like losing a family member.
Yes.
Geoff touched so many so profoundly.
Which is why it is so distressing to
hear that News at Six didn't release
a single piece of archive
material for tonight's tribute.
Um, Darlene, did we get
a request for the archive?
The request was made directly to you.
- Oh. It's Jean. She's forgotten
- MAN: Take our seats, please.
- Seats, please.
- I'll have to have a word with Jean.
I grew accustomed to your graceless
and vindictive treatment of my husband.
But I had thought, now that he's passed,
you'd show a shred of
compassion to a bereaved family.
It's remarkable to have
such a low opinion of someone
and yet still to have
overestimated them.
Have a great night, Evelyn.
That's That's great.
That's really sad.
Noelene, we cut a reel after
Geoff's death, didn't we?
Yes. The moon landing,
the dismissal, Vietnam.
Well, can we make a call to the
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome
to Melbourne's Hyatt on Collins
for the 31st annual
TV Week Logie Awards.
Now, please welcome
your host, Bert Newton.
(FANFARE)
Good evening.
Just a couple of names I
didn't get to last year.
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you. Thank you.
You look stunning.
- Thank you.
- So very late, though.
Wow. Don't you look great!
- Oh, thanks.
- Yeah.
Is that your wedding suit?
Uh, maybe. Why, am I not
supposed to wear my wedding suit?
No, it looks good.
Oh, Helen, how lovely to see you
on home soil. You look fabulous.
Now, listen, I have been hearing
whispers that you are headlining
a brand-new show.
Very bold. Going head to head with
News at Six. How did Dale respond?
Just for the record, it's not
head to head. We're late night.
Oh, that's not what I've heard.
I've heard whispers that
you're doing weeknights, 6pm,
the flagship show.
Sorry. Who have you
heard these whispers from?
Well, I'm not going to be revealing
my sources. I'm a journalist.
Anyway, good luck tonight.
You'd better get in there.
Love what you've done with your hair.
(LAUGHS)
Nice to meet you.
- She's fucking terrifying.
- Yeah, and she's always right.
After this first commercial break,
it'll be great to
welcome back to Australia
Ireland's finest import, Dave Allen.
I'll see you soon.
(APPLAUSE)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Mrs Walters.
My apologies for the
confusion over the tribute.
It's a little late for us to rectify
it, but if you think it appropriate,
I would love to say a
few words about Geoff.
Thanks, Dale, but I
think we've got it sorted.
Oh, Geoff would be just thrilled.
Apologies, Paddy.
Um, there's a few thoughts here.
- Just a starting point.
- Oh, great.
We'll be guided by you.
Paul, we should notify the producers.
PAUL: Uh, yeah.
Oh, um, I'm sorry. We haven't
been properly introduced. I'm Dale.
I know. I voted.
- Oh, thank you.
- Mr Jennings. Just a photo.
Thanks.
(BOTH CHUCKLE AWKWARDLY)
Dale? Dale, if you wouldn't mind.
Oh. Well, um
Here she is.
Hi. How are you?
- You'd remember Walshy.
- Yes. Of course.
- How are you?
- Looking sensational.
Um, we just wanted to confirm something,
because we were just
asked on the red carpet
how we felt about being at
6pm as, like, a flagship.
Who asked you that?
Donna Gillis. (LAUGHS)
This is very new information.
Obviously, we would have preferred
to have told you ourselves
Well, congratulations.
Is this from you or?
Well, it came from programming, but
Programming have been considering
a lot of options for 6
There's obviously going to be
a lot of details to discuss.
Yeah. Money. Well, it's going
to need a much bigger budget.
Is it still the same launch date? Yep.
And you're still going
to announce it tonight?
- Tonight you're announcing the 6:00pm?
- Yes. Yes. Yes.
ANNOUNCER: And pop
queen Deborah Phillips.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
Get your jacket on. This is you.
Oh, shit.
What a thrill it is to present the award
for most popular sports coverage.
The nominees are
the Australian Open Tennis.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
One day international cricket.
(APPLAUSE)
And the Seoul Olympics.
Yeah. Hey-hey!
And the winner is
- the Seoul Olympics.
- Yeah!
ANNOUNCER: Accepting the award,
presenter and commentator
Mr Rob Rickards.
Well. Thank you. Um Well,
this was a huge team effort.
Uh, look, I'd like to thank, uh,
the best boss in the business,
Mr Bertrand, for your
trust, your support,
and just your love of the games, mate.
Thank you. I want to pay tribute
to the athletes, to Flo Jo,
to our extraordinary Aussie legends,
Duncan Armstrong, Debbie Flintoff-King,
to everyone who voted.
And my wife, Noelene.
And thank you, everyone. Cheers.
LINDSAY: Hey!
And now the Logie for
Are we going to have
to reshoot the promo?
- No, the promo is fantastic as it is.
- But I said 9:30.
- They've recorded a new voiceover.
- (APPLAUSE)
From Afghanistan.
The Walsh Street Killings.
(APPLAUSE)
And the Lockerbie Air Disaster.
(APPLAUSE)
And the Logie goes to
- the Walsh Street Killings.
- Yeah!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
And we're definitely, definitely
going to announce it tonight?
- Tonight. Yes.
- Absolutely.
Show the promo?
See, I feel like I need
to forewarn some people.
Congratulations to Michael Venus.
Who?
He was assigned to
this most horrific story
and he handled it with
compassion and sensitivity.
Plus, of course, the
tremendous camera work
- Just wait here.
- Thank you.
and graphic art.
And finally, my thanks to
everybody who worked with me on
I'm just going to love
you forever for this.
Oh. It's my pleasure.
She's still angry they
didn't offer a state funeral.
She wrote complaint letters
to the Premier. Four of them.
Please welcome a Gold
Logie nominee tonight,
the News at Six's Dale Jennings.
(APPLAUSE)
Like so many in this room,
I find it hard to imagine television
news without Mr Geoff Walters.
Right from the birth of television,
Geoff defined the role of a TV newsman.
On screen and off,
Geoff was the embodiment of a gentleman,
a mentor and a television legend.
Would you join me in welcoming
Mrs Evelyn and Miss Kay Walters?
(APPLAUSE)
Meet me in the foyer.
Thank you.
Geoff wasn't often lost for words,
but I dare say he would be
speechless at this tribute.
My husband was renowned
for his dignity, his rigour.
But if there was one quality
he stood for above all others,
it was integrity.
And as we reflect on
- You OK?
- No.
I mean, I'm about to I'm
about to introduce our promo
right before I give out the Gold Logie.
- Yeah.
- Yeah. To Dale.
- Well, maybe.
- No, he's absolutely fucking won.
And he is going to find out that
I'm in direct competition with him
in front of 2 million people.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
I mean, it's a it's
a hell of a launch.
They should have fucking told us.
Yeah. I don't think they knew, Helen.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Really?
- Yes.
Noelene?
- Oh!
- Helen!
- Hi.
- Hi. Oh, my.
- Wow. Look at you.
- Oh, yeah. There's a lot of me.
Yeah, I mean, congratulations.
When are you due?
About four weeks.
Hoping I don't go into labour tonight
because Rob's on his 16th beer.
Oh. (LAUGHS)
So, what are you Are you
on leave. Are you working?
- What are you doing?
- I'm not taking leave.
Why?
I requested it, but the expectation
seems to be that I'll finish up.
Sorry, Helen Sorry.
Oh, this is, um
This is Bill MacFarlane.
- This is Noelene Kim.
- Hi.
- Rickards.
- Yeah. Sorry.
- I forgot you got married.
- Hi. Lovely to meet you.
Mm.
Helen, we should get back to Vincent.
- Yeah. I'll meet you in there.
- Yeah?
Yeah, yeah.
- Mm.
- Wow.
(LAUGHS) Mm.
Well, I've got to
Oh, yeah. Yeah. The wee thing.
I have a few friends that were pregnant.
Mm.
Fuck.
Oh. Sorry. I was just, um
Escaping?
Uh, I was looking for
somewhere to go over my speech.
Drink?
Uh, I should probably stick
closer to the green room.
They'll find you, Dale.
I mean, that was Dad's
golden rule of award nights.
If they need you, they'll find you,
so spend as little time
on the table as possible.
(LAUGHS)
Ha.
If you're nervous about it
No, no. No.
Dad would have loved
the tribute, by the way.
You sounded just like him.
Thank you.
He was very skilled
at reading an autocue.
It's a little more
than reading an autocue.
No, of course.
It's important.
And you're very good at it.
Mr Jennings, your award is up next.
Told you.
Thanks.
SIGOURNEY WEAVER: But I'm
going to send Pablo over.
I know you'll be happy to see him again.
You'll be announced just
after the Hall of Fame speech.
- OK. And we exit this way?
- Yes. This way.
your hard work and
your stamina at parties.
(LAUGHTER)
Anyway, have a wonderful time tonight.
And I wish I could be with you.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
BERT: It's a great pleasure for me
to be able to introduce
the Hall of Fame winner.
Bryan Brown.
(APPLAUSE)
Goodness, this is really a surprise.
Did everyone else turn it down?
(LAUGHTER)
I am very pleased that you give
this to an Australian actor.
And to all of us it's terrific.
(APPLAUSE)
Please welcome two-time Logie
nominee, Ms Helen Norville.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
Oh, fucking hell.
Oh, boy.
Well, it's such a thrill to be home.
And I am so excited to present a
very first look at my brand-new show,
Public Eye with Helen Norville
premiering soon.
- (APPLAUSE)
- MAN: Hey!
VOICEOVER: She's at the forefront
of Australian journalism.
Never afraid to ask the tough questions.
A woman who can laugh.
Now she goes beyond the headlines
for a new era in current affairs.
Public Eye with Helen Norville,
every weeknight, 6pm, from March 27.
LINDSAY: 6pm?
Fuck me dead.
Did he say 6pm?
6pm? What's that all about?
And now the moment you've
all been waiting for
the nominees for Most Popular
Personality on Australian Television
are
Kylie Minogue Neighbours.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
- Dale Jennings News at Six.
- Yeah!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
Daryl Somers Hey, Hey, It's Saturday.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
Jason Donovan Neighbours.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
And the winner is
Dale Jennings.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) LINDSAY:
He won! Ha, so bloody good!
(CHANTS) Daniel
Jennings. Daniel Jennings.
Ha. It's (CLEARS THROAT)
certainly a surprise.
Um
You know, as a small boy
growing up in Bendigo, I, um
well, I don't think I missed
the News at Six bulletin once.
And so, I won't lie, I did dream
about sitting behind that desk,
but I don't think I
ever dreamed this big.
So
Um, I want to thank my mother
for letting me watch the news
all too young, and
and for all her support.
No tapes exist of my first
attempt at newsreading.
I've had them all destroyed. (LAUGHS)
- (LAUGHTER)
- Um, but, um
believe me when I say that no-one
showed less potential
as a newsreader than me.
And, um, more than anyone
I'd like to thank Helen Norville
for somehow seeing
the newsreader in me
and for her sharp eye and
and all her enduring support.
So
thank you, Helen.
I'd also like to thank the
tireless News at Six team,
led by our fearless
CEO, Richard Bertrand.
But most of all, I'd
like to thank the viewers.
It is the honour of my life
to be welcomed into
your home every evening.
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
BERT: I thank everyone for
taking part in tonight's
Congratulations.
Sorry, Mr Jennings, we have
to go to the press room.
I'm going to call you. I'll call you.
for being such a wonderful audience.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
It was a pleasure to work for you.
And thanks, of course, to the unseen
audience out there throughout Australia.
Until next year, wherever
and with whomever,
it's goodnight to you
from the Logies for 1989,
and thank you for your company.
Goodnight and God bless you.
Alright. Beers. Beers. Beers on me.
- Have you been in here all night?
- Ha?
You've been giving your nostrils
a bloody workout, haven't you?
No, no, no, no, no. I was
I was just heading back.
Nope. Too late, mate.
Missed it. All over.
- Just handed out the Gold Logie.
- Are you serious?
Yeah. I'm always serious when
I've got my talent in my hands.
You know who they gave
it to, the Gold Logie?
Who? Dale Jennings.
- No! Our Dale? Holy shit!
- (LAUGHS)
- Weird shit happens in television.
- Oh, my God, that is
- (DOOR OPENS)
- Oi!
- Hey! There he is.
- What a win.
- What a magnificent Wasn't it?
- So terrific. (LAUGHS)
(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
Yeah.
(LAUGHS)
No, fellas,
I know at times it may look like
I don't see the inner
workings of the newsroom
Oh, no. No, not at all.
I know exactly why Dale
Jennings won that Gold Logie.
- And it was not me.
- Of course it was. It was all you.
- And it was not Helen Norville.
- Oh, Jesus.
It was the two of you.
Now, the job you have
done with that young man,
it's
well, it's exceptional.
Well, very kind of you.
In my eyes, this is your win.
- Richard. Richard.
- That is so perceptive.
- Oh, Jesus. Jesus, you
- 100%.
(LAUGHTER)
There'll be people standing out there.
- I don't want to see them.
- OK.
- I just want to get in the car.
- Yeah. No. Yep.
Hey, Helen Carsick. Hey, Helen.
Seriously, commiserations about
losing that award, but, uh,
not bad practice for you to get
used to coming in second place, hey?
You know what? Pay Noelene her leave.
She works four times as
hard as everybody else.
And besides that, it is fucking illegal!
Yah! (LAUGHS)
The wit and wisdom of Helen Carsick!
Good luck with that, Bill.
We pay her husband eight
times what he's worth.
We haemorrhage money to that household!
Good on you, Helen!
What?
(CHUCKLES)
Noelene
you fill out your maternity leave form
if you could be bothered
doing the paperwork.
I did fill out the
paperwork months ago.
Oh, yeah, of course you did.
(LAUGHS)
Commiserations, Rob.
Whatever she gets,
we're gonna treble that,
and we're going to take
it off your next contract.
(LAUGHS) And good fucking night.
That fucking cow can get on
the fucking plane. Dear me.
Fucking yeah!
Noels? Don't worry about him.
- I'm not.
- 'Cause he's blind drunk.
He won't even remember that.
It's fine.
Did you not like my speech?
You thanked the CEO in
detail and all the athletes.
All I got was a quick
thanks as your wife.
You are my wife.
(LAUGHS)
I worked 25 days straight
producing that coverage.
I gave you a Korean
angle no-one else had.
It's a one-minute speech, Noels,
and I had old mate in
there giving me the wind up.
I know. I shouldn't
have brought it up now.
No, I'll tell you what, at the
end of the day, you're my wife
before you're my producer.
I don't mean
Well, that didn't come out right.
I'm just
I was trying to
I love you, Noels. I love you.
Oh. Forget it.
Go back inside. Find Dennis.
Alright.
You got my Logie?
No.
I thought I gave it to you.
No, I never had it.
BILL: Look, I agree with you, I
do. I completely agree with you.
Putting you on the spot
like that, I think it was
It was fucked. It was just fucked.
It was unfortunate.
OK? Because at the end of the
day, it's commercial telly.
And their job is to put as many
eyeballs on your show as possible.
Yeah, and it's just a reminder of
what it's like to work in a network.
It is this kind of shit day
in, day out, day in, day out.
And I I just I don't
think that I can do it.
What is this?
(SNIFFLES)
Is this guilt about Dale?
Dale Jennings is where he
is because you put him there.
You don't owe him anything.
And, Helen, you were the first
woman in Australian history
to be offered a commercial
prime time television show.
And you've earned it.
But try and enjoy it.
Good.
And, if you can, get some sleep.
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
A couple of people in the lobby,
but no-one took any notice of me.
Thanks.
Drink?
Yeah, please.
Sorry about the late notice.
I'll pay extra if you want.
Fine.
Mind if I pick it up and look?
Sure.
It's heavier than I thought.
What's it like?
Standing up there?
I felt nothing.
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
- Just wait.
- What do you want me to do?
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
ROB: Hey, Dale, open up,
son. We know you're in there.
Can you go in the bedroom?
It's, uh it's room service.
Coming.
Yeah, we bought the Radox and
the hot chips that you ordered.
(LAUGHS)
Mate, you don't have my Logie, do you?
No. Sorry, Rob. Bugger.
Dale? Dale! Dale! Dale?
Holy shit! Look at this
place. Oh, bloody hell.
- WOMAN: It's bigger than my house.
- Hey, Dale. That's that's Deb.
Deb, Dale. And Deb just wants
a photo taken with the Logie.
You don't mind if we use yours, do you?
- (LAUGHS) Sure.
- (LAUGHS)
Mate, Dennis is on fire and he's
getting somewhere with this bird.
- Is that right?
- Yeah.
- And I don't think he's gonna mind.
- (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
I know, right? Hey, Dale.
You want to come and stand
next to her for the photo?
- Oh, no. Come on. I want you in it.
- Me?
- Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
- See what I mean?
Robby, you got the camera?
Nah. I don't have it.
Mate, I don't have it.
Shit. I must have put
everything down at once.
I I I actually have a ton
of interviews to do in the morning,
and I've got a splitting headache.
- Yeah.
- So
That's OK.
I'm sorry. If you wouldn't mind
- Oh. But
- (LAUGHS)
Um
- Yeah, I'll leave you to it.
- Thanks.
Wait, what? No, no, no, no.
Wait, wait, wait. Hey. Hey.
You are with the news crew,
and we rock around the clock.
Yeah!
(BOTH LAUGH)
Alright. Good. Listen, do you want
to go to the Channel Seven party?
- Yeah.
- Really?
- Yeah!
- Let's go. Come on, man, let's go.
Did you see his hand?
Did you see his hand?
- Did you see the hand?
- Yeah.
- See?
- Goodnight.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
All good?
Yeah.
Sit down.
Take off your clothes.
Give it up, everyone, for the
1989 Gold Logie winner himself.
- (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
- Yeah!
Keep it going for the other feature
of the night, Dennis Casanova Tibb.
Skips the entire ceremony
but still walks home with the
biggest prize of the night.
- Yeah. Thanks, mate.
- Where's your gold, hey?
- Oh, it's at home.
- Right. OK. Yeah.
- Are we leading with Beijing?
- Yep. And the IVF controversy.
And Howard's tipping they might
call an early federal election.
I'm trying to get a live interview.
Thanks, Noelene.
You can relax, by the
way. Mine showed up.
- It didn't show up. It didn't show up.
- Dennis found it.
Yeah, in the dunny, mate. Well done.
5am.
To be fair, I always said
I put it down when I pissed.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
but it turned out you'd pissed in
seven different locations, mate,
including a pot plant,
so not much help.
Someone on the line for you.
Um (SOFTLY) I'll just close the door.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Dale Jennings.
HELEN: Hi. Can you come over?
So, what happened to late night?
The first I heard about
it was on the red carpet.
Really? Yes.
Yeah, I'd shot a whole promo.
I'd done a voiceover. I mean,
I wouldn't lie to you, Dale.
So you've committed to it?
- Yeah.
- (SCOFFS)
Dale, I've worked my entire
life for something like this.
I I was a fucking mess when I left.
I was a professional joke,
and I killed myself overseas
in the hopes that I end
up with an opportunity
Helen, you deserve a
show, of course you do.
It's just the way they've positioned
this feels like a cheap stunt.
Dale, they are giving me
the best slot in television.
I am the first woman to have ever
been offered anything like this.
And I believe that they are doing it
because they think I could do well.
We can separate the personal
and the professional, can't we?
(STAMMERS)
So you think we can go head to head
in the most ambitious
time slot in television
millions of people
watching us, and just
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
keep catching up like old friends?
(BOTH LAUGH)
Is that ridiculous?
It's ambitious.
Good.
I am excited to see your show.
Thanks.
I don't want you to watch it until
we've had a little bit of time.
I'm definitely gonna be
watching from the first week.
- You're going to be on air, so
- Yeah, I'll tape it.
No, I want you to You
can't. You're not allowed
- You can't watch until I say you can.
- OK.
I won't watch it, but I'll definitely
tape it. I'll tape every episode.
I just don't want any comments
for the first week or two
HELEN: I've just started
the biggest job of my life.
You wouldn't happen to know what
Helen's leading with tonight,
would you?
If News at Six have this, and
we have a couple crying over IVF,
I know where I'd go.
The Exxon Valdez
supertanker has run aground.
triggering the single
largest oil spill in US history.
I do think we should induce.
It's time.
You're gonna have a baby, Noels.
You do know that's the last time
that you'll be able to pull
off grateful country boy.
Well, you're TV royalty now.