The Logie Awards (officially the TV Week Logie Awards; colloquially known as The Logies) is an annual ceremony celebrating and honouring the best shows and stars in Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine TV Week. The event is telecast live and billed as "television's night of nights". The first ceremony was hosted in 1959 as the TV Week Awards.
The Gold Logie is the most prestigious award and the industry's highest honour; it's awarded to the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television for the previous year. The award receives much publicity and media attention. Awards are presented in 20 categories, representing both industry and public voted prizes
The event has been strongly associated with the Nine Network, who have hosted the ceremony on the most occasions, and TV and former radio personality Bert Newton, particularly in the early days, who served as a solo host of the ceremony on 17 occasions, with a constant run from 1966 until 1980 and as co-host on three other occasions. Over the years, the Logies have been hosted in Melbourne and Sydney. From 2018 to 2022, the ceremony was held on the Gold Coast before the 2023 ceremony was announced as moving to Sydney for the first time in 37 years.
History
Known from their inception as the TV Week Awards, the awards were instigated by TV Week magazine with the first voting coupons provided in the magazine in late 1958, two years after the introduction of television in Australia. The first awards were presented on 15 January 1959 on an episode of In Melbourne Tonight. Only Melbourne television personalities were nominated and awards were given in eight categories, including two for American programs.[1]
The most prestigious award in 1959 was Star of the Year presented to IMT host Graham Kennedy. The following year, Kennedy coined the name Logie Awards, to honour the Scottish engineer and innovator who contributed to the development of television as a practical medium, John Logie Baird.[2]
The Logie statuette was designed by Alec De Lacy, chief designer for Melbourne-based trophy makers KG Luke Ltd. The first Gold Logie, the equivalent of the Star of the Year Award, was presented in 1960, and again won by Graham Kennedy. The record for most "Gold Logie" wins—at five apiece—is a tie between Kennedy and Ray Martin.
The ceremony, instituted the previous year as the TV Week Star Awards, now officially becomes known as "Logie Awards", in reference as an honour to TV inventor/engineer John Logie Baird, the name is chosen by entertainer Graham Kennedy, after he won what was known the previous previously year as the "Star of the Year Award", which itself would become the Gold Logie.
1961
The awards ceremony is televised for the first time, with the ABC screening the first half-hour of the awards in Sydney.
The planned televised ceremony was cancelled due to the intended host, Tony Hancock cancelling a trip to Australia.
1968
There was no award for the Most Popular Female in Television. According to Bert Newton, who was hosting that year, "it appears no one was deemed worthy enough to receive it". He pleaded with the producers to never be put in that position again.[5]
1973
The media was invited for the first time to attend the Logies.
1974
Number 96 star Pat McDonald became the first "soap star" actress (not television personality) to win the Gold Logie.
1975
The Logie Awards are broadcast in colour for the first time.
1976
The first and only fictional character to win a Logie of any kind was Norman Gunston, who won the Gold Logie, with his portrayer Garry McDonald, accepting the award in character.
1981
The Logie Awards after being held in Melbourne for 20 years return to Sydney and are broadcast for the first time on Network Ten.
1984
The Hall of Fame Logie was introduced by TV Week, awarded to recognise outstanding and continued contribution to television by an individual or program with the first induction being television pioneer and producer Hector Crawford (see below, under Logie Hall of Fame).
1988
Actress and future international pop star Kylie Minogue became the youngest person to win a Gold Logie, aged 19 for her role as Charlene Robinson in soap opera Neighbours.
1989
The Seven Network screens the Logie Awards for the first time.
1997
Agro's Cartoon Connection won its seventh consecutive Logie Award for Most Popular Children's Program, ending the longest undefeated streak of the Logies of either show or person.
The Logies accepted for the first time nominations from locally produced digital content. Also in 2016, presenter Waleed Aly (whose parents where born in Egypt) became the first non-Caucasian person to win the Gold Logie.
2017
TV Week announced that after 30 years, the awards ceremony will no longer be held in Melbourne, due to the withdrawal of financial support by the Victorian government. The Logie awards ceremony will be instead held at The Star Gold Coast on the Gold Coast, Queensland for four years, with support of the Queensland Government.[6][7]
The decade of the 2010s was the first decade where no one won the Gold Logie award more than once.
2020
It was announced on the 29 April that the Logie Awards scheduled for 28 June 2020, were being cancelled outright prior to any voting or nominations taking place, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was set to return on 28 November 2021, but was again cancelled on 4 September 2021. It later took place on 19 June 2022.[8]
The first time that an Indigenous person, Mark Coles Smith, was nominated for the Gold Logie. Kween Kong from RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, became the first drag queen nominated for a Logie. 6 of the nominees for Most Outstanding Actress are from a subscription television network.[10]
2024
The Logies announced a major overhaul for the 2024 ceremony, whilst the Gold Category and the Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter and the Graham Kennedy Award for Best Newcomer will remain the same, the previous "most popular awards" will be replaced by a "best of" category, the drama and comedy award will also be separated for Best Actor and actress as well as the drama and miniseries categories will also be separate, the new format echoes that of a similar style to the United States Emmy Awards.[11]
These are the only programs that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.[13]
Nomination and voting procedures
Public voting
Voting for the Most Popular Logie categories is done using an online form, or by SMS (short message service) voting for the final nominees. Ten of the Logie Award categories are fan awards. In the past, the "Most Popular" Logies categories were voted by the readers of TV Week magazine using a coupon.
SMS (short message service) voting was introduced in 2006 for the Gold Logie. In 2008, Internet votes could be cast for the first time without having to buy a copy of the TV Week magazine.[14]
Before 2018, public voting usually lasted for four weeks, beginning in December or January, while the ceremony itself was in late April or early May. Since 2018, voting begins in March and the ceremony is held in July.
Industry voting
The Most Outstanding categories are voted on by a jury comprising members of the Australian TV industry peers. There were 15 categories in the industry awards at the Logie Awards of 2018.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a Logie, a program must be Australian produced, set in Australia and have a predominantly Australian cast. Although in other years there has been a Logie for overseas programs, these awards are no longer part of the awards. People eligible for a Logie must have appeared on an Australian-produced show that was broadcast on Australian television in the previous year.
There are long-held suspicions that network publicists engage in mass voting to rig the results. However, no hard evidence had emerged for this, other than the experiment by the satirical newspaper The Chaser, who attempted to have low-profile SBS newsreader Anton Enus nominated for the Gold Logie. They did so by getting their small readership to buy copies of TV Week and vote for Enus for the award. While the attempt failed (they came "reasonably close", to earning a nomination for Enus, according to a "TV Week Insider"), their failure gives some cause for the widespread derision in the industry (particularly the 'quality' end) towards the popular-vote awards.[15]
Community television, Channel 31, personalities and shows are eligible for nomination for Logies, however since their audiences are far smaller than those of the commercial channels and public broadcasters, they are at a tremendous disadvantage. For a time they had their own community television awards, known as the Antenna Awards. Despite this, in 2009 the Logies were dogged by minor controversy after organisers refused to allow an acclaimed community television show, The Bazura Project, to be nominated in the category of Outstanding Comedy Show, stating "As TV Week does not cover community television within the magazine, we are unable to consider individual programs on this platform." The ABC's Media Watch program first reported the story on Monday 9 March 2009,[16] with many media outlets covering the growing support for the community television program since.
The Logie Awards ceremony is televised and became generally more elaborate as years went by. The awards have mostly been held in a ballroom, rather than a theatre, which is common for the Emmy Awards and Academy Awards. Dinner is served just before the ceremony and drinks are served during the ceremony.
Bert Newton, who has won the Gold Logie four times, hosted the awards a total of 19 times. GTV-9/Nine Network is also strongly associated with the history of the Logies. Nine has hosted the awards 46 times in their 60-year history.
In 1973, American actor Michael Cole generated controversy after accepting an award while apparently drunk, uttering the word "shit" in a short, incoherent acceptance speech. This was the first time such profanity had been said on Australian television.[25] According to Bert Newton, Channel Nine received thousands of complaints about the use of the word, however, when it was edited for the repeat transmission Newton stated "they got double the calls complaining it had been dropped."
In 1979, during a notable appearance with Muhammad Ali as co-presenter, Newton made a comment "I like the boy!" (in reference to a series of TV advertisements Bert had recently done). Ali became upset at the comment, as the term "boy" carried negative racial connotations for many black Americans, although Newton was oblivious to this use of the term and claimed this was not his intention. After realising his faux pas, Newton quickly apologised to Ali on stage.[26]
The most difficult guest to interact with, according to Newton, was Vic Morrow in 1967. He would just stand there saying nothing, silently handing out the Logies. According to Bert, "every so often, I'd say 'how are you going, Vic?' and he would just nod his head."[5]
Grant Denyer's 2018 Gold Logie win has proved controversial with people believing he only won because of Tom Gleeson's campaign.[27] Gleeson has shrugged off those suggestions.[28]
Tom Gleeson's 2019 Gold Logie win has proved controversial with him not being so humble by the victory.[29]
The trial of the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins was delayed because of comments from Lisa Wilkinson's acceptance speech.[30]
Every year before public voting opens, major commercial networks ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine, and 10 are restricted in the number of personalities and programs they can submit for consideration in the publicly voted category, including up to 10 names in both the Most Popular Actor and Actress categories, 15 names for Most Popular Presenter and five programs for Most Popular Drama. These restrictions often are introduced over those who are not listed in the voting form, and as a result, they are not eligible to be nominated for an award.
Live performers
Many local and overseas performers have appeared at the Logie Awards ceremony. While it had been a tradition to choose performers with a television connection, this has not always been the case.
As of 2017, Home and Away is the most successful program in Logies history, having won 46 awards since it premiered in 1988. Neighbours is the second most successful having won 31 Logies since it began in 1985. A Country Practice follows as the third most successful program, having won 29 awards throughout its twelve-year run. Blue Heelers is fourth with 25 Logies.
People
Television personalities with the most national wins (excluding state-based Logie awards) are:
3 Gold Logies (1983, 1986, 1989), 3 Most Popular Light Entertainment Personality (1993, 1995–1997), 1 Most Popular Light Entertainment/Comedy Personality (1990) and 1 Most Popular Comedy Personality (1995)
Albert Watson Newton was an Australian media personality. He was a Logie Hall of Fame inductee, quadruple Gold Logie award-winning entertainer, and radio, theatre, and television personality and compere.
The Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, commonly referred to simply as the Gold Logie, is an award presented annually at the Australian Logie Awards.
The 14th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Friday 18 February 1972 at the Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne. The awards were broadcast live on the Nine Network in Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide and broadcast later elsewhere. Bert Newton from the Nine Network was the Master of Ceremonies. The awards featured appearances by Rock Hudson and Roger Moore. Juliet Mills, Kenneth Connor and Robert Reed were also present.
The 48th Annual TV Week Logie Awards was held on Sunday 7 May 2006 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast on the Nine Network. The ceremony was hosted by Bert Newton, Ray Martin, Daryl Somers, Lisa McCune and Georgie Parker. The nominations were announced at the 50 Years of Television Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on 3 April 2006. In an historic first, the public then voted for their choice of the eight nominees for the Gold Logie via SMS or a 1900 number, right up until the awards night. Special guests included Chris Noth, George Eads and Joan Rivers.
The 50th Annual TV Week Logie Awards was held on Sunday 4 May 2008 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast on the Nine Network. For the first time in the Logie Awards 50-year history, there was no host for the ceremony, but only a series of presenters. Also for the first time, the public were able to vote online for the "Most Popular" categories without needing to buy a copy of TV Week. The nominations were announced on 7 April 2008. Hamish Blake and Andy Lee were the backstage hosts, while Jules Lund, Livinia Nixon and Shelley Craft were the red carpet arrivals hosts.
The Silver Logie for Most Popular Presenter is an award presented annually at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. The award recognises the popularity of a presenter, co-host or judge of an Australian program.
The 52nd TV Week Logie Awards ceremony was held on Sunday 2 May 2010 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast on the Nine Network. The ceremony was hosted by Bert Newton, making it the 19th time he hosted the event as a solo host. The red carpet arrivals were hosted by Karl Stefanovic, Lisa Wilkinson, Jules Lund and Ruby Rose, while Richard Wilkins and Natalie Gruzlewski presented the Myer Logie Minute during the ceremony. The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki was one of the international guests. Musical performers at the event were John Mayer, Gabriella Cilmi with the cast from the stage musical Fame, k.d. lang and the Rogue Traders. John Foreman returned as musical director for the event. Susan Boyle was scheduled to perform but pulled out a few weeks before the ceremony, cancelling all her appearances in Australia. PJ Lane sang a tribute to his late father Don Lane. Early that year, Each network is restricted in the number of personalities and programs they can submit for consideration in the publicly voted category, including up to 10 names in both the Most Popular Actor and Actress categories, 15 names for Most Popular Presenter and 5 programs for Most Popular Drama. These restrictions often lead to controversy over those who are not listed in the voting form, and are not eligible to be nominated for an award.
Tony Patrick Armstrong is an Australian television presenter and former professional Australian rules footballer.
The 56th Annual TV Week Logie Awards was held on Sunday 27 April 2014 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast on the Nine Network. The red carpet arrivals was hosted by Sonia Kruger and Jules Lund.
The Silver Logie for Most Popular New Talent, also known as the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent, is an award presented at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. The award recognises the popularity of a new talent in an Australian program. The program may or may not be the nominee's first television appearance, however it should be their first major television role.
The Silver Logie for Most Popular New Female Talent was an award presented at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. It was first awarded at the 41st Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony, held in 1999. The award is given to honour a standout performance of a new female talent on an Australian program. It may or may not be her first television appearance, however it is her first major television role. The winner and nominees of Most Popular New Female Talent were chosen by the public through an online voting survey on the TV Week website. This award category was eliminated in 2014 and replaced by the gender non-specific category, Most Popular New Talent. Home and Away has the most recipients of this award, with a total of five wins, followed by Neighbours with two wins.
The Silver Logie for Most Popular New Male Talent was an award presented at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. It was first awarded at the 41st Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony, held in 1999. The award is given to honour a standout performance of a new male talent on an Australian program. It may or may not be his first television appearance, however it is his first major television role. The winner and nominees of Most Popular New Male Talent were chosen by the public through an online voting survey on the TV Week website. This award category was eliminated in 2014 and replaced by the gender non-specific category, Most Popular New Talent. Home and Away has the most recipients of this award, with a total of seven wins, followed by Neighbours with two wins.
The 57th Annual TV Week Logie Awards was held on Sunday 3 May 2015 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast live on the Nine Network. The red carpet arrivals coverage was hosted by Shelley Craft and Jules Lund.
The 58th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were held on Sunday 8 May 2016 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast live on the Nine Network. Public voting for the Best Award categories began on 16 November 2015, and ended on 17 January 2016. Nominations were announced on 3 April 2016, along with the winners of the Outstanding Newcomer Awards.
The Logie Award for Most Popular Panel or Current Affairs Program is an award which is presented at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. It is given to recognise the popularity of an Australian news panel discussion or current affairs television show.
The 59th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were held on Sunday 23 April 2017 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast live on the Nine Network. Public voting for the Best Award categories began on 20 November 2016 and ended on 18 December 2016.
The 60th annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony was held at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland, and broadcast live on the Nine Network. Public voting for the Most Popular Award categories ran from 5 March to 1 April 2018, with the shortlist of nominees revealed on 27 May. Voting reopened for the Popular Award categories on 29 June and remained open until the start of the ceremony, with each person given one extra vote in each category.
The 61st Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony was held at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland and was broadcast live on the Nine Network. Public voting for the Most Popular Award categories ran from 4 to 31 March 2019, with the shortlist of nominees released on 26 May.
The 62nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony was held on 19 June 2022 at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland and broadcast live on the Nine Network. It is the first ceremony to be held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public voting for the Most Popular Award categories ran from 15 May through to the day of the ceremony. The ceremony was criticised for their tribute to Neighbours, which was described as an "insult to the cast and crew" online.
Chris Taylor, 17 May 2003, "The Insider", Sydney Morning Herald – article describing the Logies, as well as a comic attempt to rig the Gold Logie voting process
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