New Faces (Australian TV series)

New Faces was an Australian talent show that preceded the British show of the same name, produced at GTV-9 Melbourne. The program began in 1963[1] under the name Kevin Dennis Auditions, sponsored by a new car dealership, Kevin Dennis Motors, which was run by Kevin Dennis (Dennis Gowing), who was also a well-known face on Australian TV from his catchy 'Update' TV Commercials in the 1960s–70s, which were featured during the breaks of the popular show. The program ran on Saturday mornings. The program name soon changed to Kevin Dennis New Faces, and later simply New Faces, becoming a Sunday night primetime show.

This article is about the Australian show. For the British show, see New Faces.

New Faces
Also known asNew Faces Australia
GenreTalent show
Presented by
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons24
Release
Original network
Original release1963 (1963)–1985 (Nine) –
1992–1993 (1993) (Ten)

The program began as a vehicle for rags-to-riches Melbourne businessman Kevin Dennis to promote his business.[2] Australian journalist Derryn Hinch, in remembering Kevin Dennis, said:[3]

Recently, I was asked to recall and record some thoughts about a genuine, almost (we thought) indestructible, Melbourne identity. Kevin Dennis. AKA, Dennis Gowing. He was a man who once (as Kevin Dennis) bought more TV advertising on more TV programmes than any person then or since.

Originally hosted by Frank Wilson from 1963 to 1976, and then by Bert Newton from 1976 to 1985, the show featured two serious judges, such as Bobby Limb, Geoff Brooke, Rod McLennan and Tim Evans.[1] Contestants would compete in heats, with the winners competing in finals. Many of its contestants later became famous, including Daryl Somers, Paul Hogan, The Hawking Brothers, Col Elliott, Julia Morris and Keith Urban.

Contestants and winners
  • The Spinning Wheels[4] – Contestants; later recorded for HMV and had a number of records in the charts – 1964
  • Olivia Newton-John made her TV debut on The Kevin Dennis Auditions  – 1965[5]
  • Liv Maessen – Heat winner[6] and Runner-up – 1969
  • Daryl Somers[7][8] – Grand Final Runner up – 1970
  • John Williamson – Grand Final Winner – 1970[9]
  • Susie Coles – Grand Final Winner – 1971[10]
  • Mike and Keith Webb – Grand Final Winners (SAS-10 Adelaide) – 1971
  • Shane Bourne – Heat Winner – 1972[11]
  • Col Elliott – Grand Final Winner[12] – 1973
  • Rave (Shepparton pop band) – Grand Final Winners – 1972
  • Paul Hogan[8] – contestant – 1971
  • Maria Mercedes – contestant – 1973[13]
  • Lyn Bryant (now Billie Wilde) – Grand Final Winner – 1976
  • Debby Jean (Baker) – Grand Final Winner – 1977
  • Martin Lass – Grand Final Winner[14] – 1982
  • Keith Urban – Contestant – 1983[15]
  • Michelle French – Grand Final Winner – 1984
  • Peter Andre[16] – Offered record deal on live TV auditions – 1990
  • Jerson Trinidad – Grand Final Winner – 1993

Revivals

From 1989, Daryl Somers hosted and produced the program on GTV-9.[17][18] In 1992, Bert Newton hosted the program on Network Ten, running until 1993.

See also

References
  1. "New Faces Turns 20". The Age. 8 September 1983.
  2. Whitlock, Fiona (24 June 1986). "Perfection surrounds a rags-to-riches achiever". The Age. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  3. Hinch, Derryn (3 November 1998). "Derryn Hinch on Dennis Gowing". Gowings. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  4. Glass, Keith (23 July 2000). "Spinning full circle". The Herald-Sun. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  5. "Stars in their eyes". The Age. 20 November 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  6. "Producer fought for Australian musicians". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  7. "20 lung hot Somers". The Guide. The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 589. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 26 August 1991. p. 1. Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. Yeaman, Simon (30 July 2003). "Then and now". The Advertiser. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  9. Johnston, Chris (18 September 2014). "Straight from the heartland". The Age. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  10. "Original bogan with a brilliant mind got 1970s Australia awake and laughing". The Australian. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  11. Courtis, Brian (10 July 2003). "Bourne aloft". The Age. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  12. Jarvis, Susan (28 March 1993). "The straight side to funny man Col Elliott". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. Litson, Jo (5 March 1988). "Mercedes makes Nine". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  14. Mengel, N (9 July 1998). "Who dares wins". The Courier-Mail. p. 14. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  15. Adams, Cameron (3 August 2021). "Why superstar Keith Urban agreed to return to The Voice". The Herald-Sun. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  16. "The Jordan Giver". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 113, no. 11. New South Wales, Australia. 1 December 2006. p. 2. Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. "The Cast". HeyHey.tv. Archived from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  18. "Unknown Article". TV Week (Victorian ed.). 24 March 1990.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.