Countdown

Countdown was a long-running popular weekly Australian music television show broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 8 November 1974 until 19 July 1987. It was created by Executive Producer Michael Shrimpton, producer/director Robbie Weekes and record producer and music journalist Ian "Molly" Meldrum. Countdown was produced at the studios of the ABC in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. Countdown was the most popular music program in Australian TV history. It was broadcast nationwide on Australia's government-owned broadcaster, the ABC and commanded a huge and loyal audience. It soon exerted a strong influence on radio programmers because of its audience and the amount of Australian content it featured. For most of the time it was on air, it also gained double exposure throughout the country by screening a new episode each Sunday evening, and then repeating it the following Saturday evening. The majority of performances on the show were lip synched.

Talk

Seasons

1. 8 November 1974 - Show #1

Air Date: 1974-11-08

2. 15 November 1974 - Show #2

Air Date: 1974-11-15

3. 22 November 1974 - Show #3

Air Date: 1974-11-22

4. 29 November 1974 - Show #4

Air Date: 1974-11-29

5. 6 December 1974 - Show #5

Air Date: 1974-12-06

6. 13 December 1974 - Show #6

Air Date: 1974-12-13

7. 20 December 1974 - Show #7

Air Date: 1974-12-20

8. 27 December 1974 - Show #8

Air Date: 1974-12-27

1. 1st March 1975 - Show #9

Air Date: 1975-03-01

First episode of rock program, Countdown, to be transmitted in colour opening titles Countdown. MCU John Farnham opening program vs live in studio Skyhooks singing Horror Movie C/A Skyhooks in Luna Park.

17. 29 June 1975 - Show #26

Air Date: 1975-03-08

41. 12th December 1976 - Show #91

Air Date: 1976-12-12

Show compered by Daryl Braithwaite, assisted by Molly Meldrum (hatless), surrounded by studio guests like John Paul Young, Ol'55, and Sherbet. Interviews include Rockwell T. Jones, and Sherbet receives a "Golden Gull" award from the manager of new radio station 3MP, promoting Australian talent. Current Top Ten hits are discussed, though not listed—except for the number one hit, ABBA’s “Money Money Money,” which plays in full during the closing credits.

29. 3 July 1977 - Show #113

Air Date: 1977-07-03

Host: Jon English.

33. 7 September 1980 - Show #256

Air Date: 1980-09-07

37. 5 October 1980 - Show #260

Air Date: 1980-10-05

THE SHOW IS HOSTED IN TURN BY JIMMY MANZIE FROM THE BREAKERS,CHRIS VENN FROM DELANEY VENN,CHRISSY AND LINDSAY HAMMOND FROM CHEETAH AND MICHAEL HUTCHINS FROM INXS AND MOLLY INETRVIEWS JOHN FARRER LIVE STUDIO ITEMS: BREAKERS 'WHEN I'M ON TV' DELANEY VENN 'NO EXPECTATIONS' CHEETAH 'SPEND THE NIGHT' INXS 'JUST KEEP WALKIN' CHARTBUSTERS: OL'55 'TWO FACES HAVE I' CLIFF RICHARD 'DREAMIN' SKATT BROS 'LIFE AT THE OUTPOST' GEORGE BENSON 'GIVE ME THE NIGHT' LOCAL ARTISTS VIDEO ITEMS: MARK GILLESPIE & BAND 'SMALL MERCIES' OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO ITEMS: STEVIE WONDER 'MASTER BLASTER' WILLIE NELSON 'ON THE ROAD AGAIN' DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS 'GENO' WHITESNAKE 'FOOL FOR YOUR LOVIN' ABBA 'THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL' TOP TEN ITEMS: ROCKY NURNETTE 'FALLIN IN LOVE' MARTHA & THE MUFFINS "ECHO BEACH' ROMANTICS 'WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU' DAVID BOWIE 'ASHES TO ASHES' ONJ/ELO 'XANADU' KATE BUSH 'BABOOSHKA' DIANA ROSS 'UPSIDE DOWN' IRENE CARA 'FAME' LEO SAYER 'MORE THAN I CAN SAY'

1. 15 February 1987 - Show #541

Air Date: 1987-02-15

Hosted by Crowded House.

2. Episode 2

Air Date: 1987-02-22

3. Episode 3

Air Date: 1987-03-01

4. Episode 4

Air Date: 1987-03-08

5. Episode 5

Air Date: 1987-03-15

6. Episode 6

Air Date: 1987-03-22

7. Episode 7

Air Date: 1987-03-29

8. Episode 8

Air Date: 1987-04-05

9. Episode 9

Air Date: 1987-04-12

10. 19 April 1987 - Show #550

Air Date: 1987-04-19

11. Episode 11

Air Date: 1987-04-26

12. Episode 12

Air Date: 1987-05-03

13. Episode 13

Air Date: 1987-05-10

14. Episode 14

Air Date: 1987-05-17

15. Episode 15

Air Date: 1987-05-24

16. Episode 16

Air Date: 1987-05-31

17. Episode 17

Air Date: 1987-06-07

18. Episode 18

Air Date: 1987-06-14

19. Episode 19

Air Date: 1987-06-21

20. Episode 20

Air Date: 1987-06-28

21. Episode 21

Air Date: 1987-07-05

22. 12 July 1987 - Show #562

Air Date: 1987-07-12

Hosts: Kylie Minogue, Mike Hammond & The Village People. Performances by The Village People, Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls, Geisha. Exclusive live footage of Elton John performing 'Your Song'.

23. 19 July 1987 - Show #563

Air Date: 1987-07-19

Final episode of Countdown.

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Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

1974-11-08

Episodes

34 (14 seasons)

Status

In Production

Cast