20 to 1: Outrageous TV Characters

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"20 to 1: Outrageous TV Characters" was the third episode in the 2006 season of the Australian television series, 20 to 1. It showcased the craziest and funniest TV characters to brace Australian television. It aired on 27 February 2006.

1. Norman Gunston
   • The wacky interviewer, played by Garry McDonald, initially appeared on The Aunty Jack Show in 1973, which led to several seasons of The Norman Gunston Show in 1975-76 on the ABC and in 1978-79, 1981 and 1993 on the Seven Network. He is also the only fictional character to have won a Gold Logie.
2. Dame Edna Everage
   • The ever humble housewife from Moonee Ponds, Victoria, played by Barry Humphries - 1955 to present
3. Kath Day-Knight and Kim Craig née Day
   • played by Jane Turner and Gina Riley respectively, initially appeared on Big Girl's Blouse in 1994 on the Seven Network, which led to Kath & Kim on the ABC (2002 to present)
4. Leo Wanker
   • The ever daring stunman, played by Paul Hogan, appeared on The Paul Hogan Show (1973 to 1984)
5. Con the Fruiterer
   • The Melbournian Greek fruiterer played by Mark Mitchell appeared on The Comedy Company (1988-1991)
6. Effie
   • The Melbournian Greek with the big hair played by Mary Coustas first appeared on the Seven Network sit-com Acropolis Now (1989-1992). In 2004, she returned as host of her own talk show Greeks On The Roof. Her famous catch phrase was "How embrassment".
7. Sir Les Patterson
   • The supposed President of the Australian Cheese Board played by the legendary Barry Humphries first appeared in 1974 as the Dame Edna's mirror image.
8. Col'n Carpenter
   • The loveable pot smoking dole bludger, played by Kym Gyngell appeared on The Comedy Company (1988-1991)
9. Ja'mie King
   • The spoilt, self-centred, Sydney private school girl played by Chris Lilley appeared on the 2005 ABC mockumentary We Can Be Heroes: Finding The Australian of the Year
10. Aunty Jack
    • The obese, moustachioed, gravel-voiced transvestite, played by Grahame Bond, appeared the ABC series The Aunty Jack Show from 1972 to 1973.
    • Aunty Jack welcomed colour TV to Australia in a five minute segment in 1975.
    • The closing theme of The Aunty Jack Show, "Farewell Aunty Jack" sold 250,000 copies and went to number one in Australia.
11. Pixie-Anne Wheatley
    • The inept, daffy television interviewer for Eyeball News with the annoying laugh, played by Magda Szubanski, appeared on Fast Forward (1989-1992)
12. Strop
    • The sickkick to Paul Hogan, played by John Cornell, appeared on The Paul Hogan Show (1973 to 1984)
13. Uncle Arthur
    • Played by Glenn Robbins, appeared on The Comedy Company (1988-1991)
14. Kerri-Anne Kennel
    • A send-up of television presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley, played by Gina Riley, appeared on Fast Forward (1989-1992)
    • Other send-ups mentioned included Marge Downey's Jana Wendt and Glenn Robbins Richard Wilkins
15. Ossie Ostrich
    • The ever cheeky pink ostrich played by Ernie Carroll first appeared on The Graham Kennedy Show in 1972-75, but more famously appeared with Daryl Somers for 24 years on Hey Hey It's Saturday.
16. Derryn Hunch
    • A send-up of Derryn Hinch on his nightly current affairs program Hinch, played by Steve Vizard, appeared on appeared on Fast Forward (1989-1992)
17. Russell Coight
    • The accident-prone outback adventurer played by Glenn Robbins, on Russell Coight's All Aussie Adventures
18. Kylie Mole
    • The gum chewing 14 year old school girl played by Maryanne Fahey on The Comedy Company (1988-1991)
19. Reg Reagan
    • The retired rugby league footballer with huge beer gut and constantly states that Rugby League must "bring back the biff" played by Matthew Johns, appears on The NRL Footy Show (1999 to present)
20. Darryl and Wayne
    • Gay flight attendants played by Steve Vizard and Michael Veitch respectively, appeared on Fast Forward (1989-1992)

[edit] Contributors

This is a listing of personalities who were interviewed to provide comments and thoughts on the list (in order of appaearance):

• Wendy Harmer - broadcaster
• Steve Vizard - TV personality
• John Blackman - radio/TV personality
• Tracy Grimshaw - journalist
• Ben Dark - TV presenter
• Reg Reagan - The NRL Footy Show
• Natalie Gruzlewski - TV presenter
• Joh Bailey - celebrity hairdresser
• Melinda Gainsford-Taylor - former Olympic athlete
• Ian McFadyen - actor/TV producer
• Harry M. Miller - personality manager
• Jules Lund - TV presenter
• Georgie Parker - actor/TV presenter
• Kate Ceberano - singer
• Peter Rowsthorn - actor
• Richard Wilkins - TV presenter
• Catriona Rowntree - TV presenter
• Trevor Marmalade - The AFL Footy Show
• Garry Lyon - The Sunday AFL Footy Show
• Layne Beachley - world champion surfer
• Scott Cam - TV presenter
• Kerri-Anne Kennerley - TV presenter
• Jana Wendt - journalist
• Matthew Johns - The NRL Footy Show
• Ian Healy - Cricket commentator
• Pat Cash - Tennis champion
• Mike Munro - journalist
• John-Michael Howson - TV/media commentator
• Peter Garrett - singer/politician
• Amanda Keller - TV presenter
• Livinia Nixon - TV presenter
• Mark Mitchell - comedian/actor
• Megan Gale - supermodel/TV presenter
• Glenn Wheatley - music entrepreneur/agent
• John Paul Young - singer
• Vanessa Amorosi - singer
• Ita Buttrose - journalist/author
• Jessica Rowe - TV presenter
• Rolf Harris - entertainer