The Money or the Gun

"The Money or the Gun" was an Australian comedy / talk-show on the ABC network in 1989-1990, with occasional specials until 1994. It was written by Andrew Denton, Simon Dodd, Bruce Griffiths, and George Dodd, directed by Martin Coombes and produced by Mark Fitzgerald.

Each episode was based on a significant theme, with Denton interviewing a number of people as well as conducting vox pops on the street. Significant episodes include "Guns-The Musical" and the award-winning episode on disabilities, "The Year of the Patronising Bastard" (which picked up a United Nations Media Peace Prize). In 1993 a one-off special was called "Topic of Cancer", which talked to teenagers with cancer (while at a CanTeen weekend). In 2003 Denton held a 10-year reunion for the people on the 1993 show, as part of his ABC interview programme "Enough Rope".

Stairway to Heaven

Each week a guest would perform their own version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". Versions would occasionally tie in with the theme of the episode ("Guns - the Musical" had a Broadway-style version by Jodie Gilles as the conclusion, while the episode on Australian Comedy had the Doug Anthony All Stars performing it with the assistance of Barry Crocker) but the most surprising of all was the version by Rolf Harris which eventually reached number 7 on the UK singles chart. Generally the performance of "Stairway" would be a break in the program and the artists would have no other part in the program.

Performers and styles included:

* Kate Cebrano
* John Paul Young, in the style of "Love is in the Air"
* Pardon Me Boys, in a swing style (with numerous references to Glenn Miller songs))
* The Beatnix, a Beatles tribute band, in the style of "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "She Loves You" and "Twist and Shout".
* Nick Barker and the Reptiles, in a heavy blues style
* Rolf Harris, in the style of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"
* The Australian Doors Show, in the style of "When The Music's Over" by The Doors
* Sandra Hahn, Michael Turkic and the Australian Opera chrous, in the style of an epic Wagner opera
* Robyne Dunn in the style of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles
* Elvis impersonator Neil Pepper, in the style of "Viva Las Vegas"
* Whipper Snappers, in an indie rock girl group style
* Bob Downe, in the style of a lounge singer
* "The Castanet Club", as a sea shanty
* The Symphony Chorus of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, as an a cappella chorus
* Judi Connelli, as a gospel song
* Fargone Beauties, as a country thrash in the style of "Duelling Banjos"
* Vegemite Reggae, as a modern reggae
* Etcetera Theatre Company, as a techno dance in the style of Talking Heads
* Leonard Teale, as a dramatic poem
* Rock Lobsters, a B-52s tribute band, in the style of "Rock Lobster"
* Jodie Gilles, in the style of a Broadway musical (with numerous references to "One" from "A Chorus Line")

A compilation video of the performances, "Stairways to Heaven", was released in 1990.

See also

* List of Australian television series

External links

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