Backchat, Episode 216

Clip 1: The proper way to end a program

1 min 45 sec

Taken from the TV program Backchat, Episode 216 (1988)

Original title classification PG – this clip chosen to be G

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Availability of the complete title

Curator’s clip description

A recent Geoffrey Robertson Hypotheticals about child abuse has concluded with an announcer’s voice coming in hard over the credits. A viewer complains that after such an emotionally draining program, viewers should be able to catch their breath before plunging into information about upcoming programs.

Curator’s notes

In this clip Backchat repeats the original crime by voicing the viewer’s complaint over the final moments of the Hypotheticals. No doubt a Backchat jape. And is that Kathy Lette just behind Geoffrey Robertson? This is probably where they met, later to marry.

Backchat was presented by Tim Bowden for over 8 years on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 9.20 pm for around 10 minutes each time. It was a great opportunity for the ABC audience to vent its spleen if a program was not popular or to heap praise on Aunty – as they invariably called the ABC – if they really enjoyed a program.

Janet Bell, curator

australian screen