The Go!! Show

The Go!! Show was a popular Australian television series that aired from 1964 to 1967, featuring a mix of music, comedy, and variety acts. The show was hosted by Alan Field, Johnny Young, and Noeleen Batley, and was known for launching the careers of several notable Australian musicians, including Normie Rowe, The Easybeats, and The Seekers. The show was broadcast on HSV-7 in Melbourne and later on the Seven Network nationally, and was also popular among British and American audiences, with guests such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Roy Orbison.

Introduction

The Go!! Show was a groundbreaking program that brought together a diverse range of Australian and international talent, including music performers, comedians, and variety acts. The show was produced by HSV-7 and later by the Seven Network, and was filmed at the HSV-7 studios in Melbourne. The show's hosts, Alan Field, Johnny Young, and Noeleen Batley, were all well-known Australian personalities, with Johnny Young going on to become a successful music producer and television presenter, working with artists such as AC/DC, Men at Work, and Kylie Minogue. The show also featured regular appearances by Australian musicians, including The Masters Apprentices, The Twilights, and The Groop, as well as international guests such as The Kinks, The Animals, and Dusty Springfield.

History

The Go!! Show premiered on June 2, 1964, on HSV-7 in Melbourne, and was initially broadcast for 30 minutes, three nights a week. The show was an instant success, and was soon expanded to 60 minutes, five nights a week. The show's popularity was fueled by its mix of music, comedy, and variety acts, as well as its hosts' charismatic personalities. The show also played a significant role in launching the careers of several notable Australian musicians, including Normie Rowe, who appeared on the show numerous times, and The Easybeats, who were discovered by The Go!! Show's producers and went on to achieve international success, touring with artists such as The Who and The Small Faces. The show also featured performances by British and American musicians, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Roy Orbison, who all appeared on the show during their Australian tours.

Format

The Go!! Show's format was similar to that of other popular variety shows of the time, such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. The show featured a mix of music performances, comedy sketches, and variety acts, including dance routines, magic tricks, and acrobatic performances. The show's hosts, Alan Field, Johnny Young, and Noeleen Batley, introduced the acts and provided comedic relief throughout the show. The show also featured regular segments, such as the "Go!! Show" dance segment, which featured a group of young Australian dancers performing to the latest music hits, including songs by The Beach Boys, The Supremes, and The Temptations. The show's format was influenced by British and American television shows, such as Top of the Pops and American Bandstand, and featured a similar mix of music and entertainment.

Episodes

The Go!! Show aired for three years, from 1964 to 1967, and produced a total of over 200 episodes. The show was broadcast on HSV-7 in Melbourne and later on the Seven Network nationally, and was also syndicated to other Australian television stations. The show's episodes featured a wide range of Australian and international talent, including music performers, comedians, and variety acts. The show's hosts, Alan Field, Johnny Young, and Noeleen Batley, appeared in every episode, and were joined by a different group of guests each week, including Australian musicians such as The Seekers, The Masters Apprentices, and The Twilights, as well as international guests such as The Kinks, The Animals, and Dusty Springfield. The show's episodes were also notable for their fashion and style, with the hosts and guests often wearing the latest fashion trends, including mod clothing and hairstyles inspired by London's Carnaby Street.

Reception

The Go!! Show was a huge success in Australia, and was widely popular among Australian audiences. The show was also popular among British and American audiences, with many international guests appearing on the show during their Australian tours. The show's hosts, Alan Field, Johnny Young, and Noeleen Batley, were all well-known and respected Australian personalities, and the show's mix of music, comedy, and variety acts was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. The show also played a significant role in launching the careers of several notable Australian musicians, including Normie Rowe, The Easybeats, and The Seekers, who all went on to achieve international success, touring with artists such as The Who, The Small Faces, and The Rolling Stones. The show's influence can also be seen in later Australian television shows, such as Countdown and Hey Hey It's Saturday, which were both hosted by Ian Molly Meldrum and featured a similar mix of music and entertainment.

Cancellation

The Go!! Show was cancelled in 1967, after three years on the air. The show's cancellation was due to a combination of factors, including rising production costs and a decline in ratings. The show's hosts, Alan Field, Johnny Young, and Noeleen Batley, all went on to pursue other projects, with Johnny Young becoming a successful music producer and television presenter, working with artists such as AC/DC, Men at Work, and Kylie Minogue. The show's legacy continues to be felt in Australian popular culture, with many of its former guests and hosts still active in the entertainment industry, including Normie Rowe, who continues to perform and record music, and The Seekers, who were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1995. The show's influence can also be seen in later Australian television shows, such as Countdown and Hey Hey It's Saturday, which were both hosted by Ian Molly Meldrum and featured a similar mix of music and entertainment.

Category:Television shows