It’s that time of year again! Australian TV’s “Night of Nights”. The TV Week Logie Awards.

Each year I watch, hoping that this year Australia will stand on it’s own two feet and not require “imported” celebrities to give out awards, sing or dance. And each year I am disappointed. Ok, not really disappointed, as it always makes me cringe so much I laugh our loud.

Anyway, on with the show. Following a trend started a few years ago, there are three hosts for the show this year. It seems that after Wendy Harmer’s efforts in 2002, the producers are too scared to let a single person host the show – so we get this odd mixture of hosts. Maybe they think it increases the number of viewers – adding more developers to a software project always makes the product better, so why not do that with a TV awards show. :-)

Last year we had 5 hosts, and a “back stage” host. That was insane, so this year they went back to 3 hosts, and added in 2 “back stage” hosts! Those forward thinkers!

The Hosts

So, this year we had Adam Hills, Dave Hughes and Fifi Box. And back stage we had Hamish Blake and Andy Lee – (the duo known as “Hamish and Andy” locally). So all comedians this year.

What about the International Guests?

International guests? Unfortunately yes. We had this year James Morrison and Avril Lavigne. We were also supposed to have Kelly Clarkson, but I must have fallen asleep as I don’t recall seeing her. Anyway, only the best for Australian TV. :-)

We also had the stars of the new Fantastic Four movie. Got them cheap as they were peddling their new movie I guess. Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Ioan Gruffudd. Actually, we probably got them for free, as they made us sit through a trailer of the new movie. Given how bad the first movie was, I’m surprised they made a second.

Oh yeah – we also had that guy from NCIS – Michael Weatherly. Apparently, according to Adam Hills, he actually studied Australian TV shows before appearing. That must have been fun – so good on ya Mike. He was actually quite funny, while Fifi did that painful “I’m starstruck” thing that someone always does at the Logies when talking to one of the international guests. Interestingly, his ex-fiance Jessica Alba was also at the awards. Awkward.

Unfortunately, Snoop Dogg couldn’t make it. Well actually, he could, but the Australian government wouldn’t let him in. That’s the first thing Howard’s government had done right since they were voted in!

The Show

The hosts actually did a pretty good job. They were more standup comedians than hosts – but it was entertaining. And the Americans actually didn’t make me cringe as much as Bindi Irwin‘s speech.

Adam Hills’ jokes about his artificial foot fell a bit… er… flat. The audience looked a little uncomfortable being shown his artificial limb. I could have made some joke about him “not having a leg to stand on”, but that would be too easy.

The Chaser

What happened to The Chaser boys this year? There was nothing obvious that they were up to all night. I guess we’ll see on this week’s episode.

The Gold Logie

Kate Ritchie. I thought it would be Rove. But well done Kate.

Conclusion

Overall a fairly boring Logies really. The most interesting thing was Michael Weatherly. That messed up my whole premise that the Logies doesn’t need international guests. Hmmmm….