The Money or the Gun

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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, 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.

[edit] 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 The Doors
Sandra Hahn, Michael Turkic and the Australian Opera chrous, in the style of an epic Wagner opera
Robyne Dunn
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
Vegemite Reggae, as a modern reggae
Etcetera Theatre Company, as a techno dance
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)