Peter Helliar stepped off stage and walked to the bar. His stand-up had gone well, so a celebratory drink was in order. It was the mid-1990s, in North Carlton's grungy Nicholson Hotel. Every week, at its Elbow Grease comedy night, emerging performers honed their craft.
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"Great gig," said a voice behind him. The man introduced himself as Rove McManus. Over grimy pots of beer, they talked for hours.
The Nicholson Hotel is long gone, replaced by - what else? - an apartment building. But an enduring friendship was born that night, among the smoke and loud music. Neither knew it at the time, but this was also the creation of a Gold Logie factory.
Consider the haul from the stars of Rove Live. (Channel Ten broadcast the variety show for most of its run, though Rove began on Nine, evolving from The Loft Live on Channel 31. Helliar appeared in every incarnation.) McManus himself has nine Gold nominations and three wins. Hamish Blake: three nominations, one win. Andy Lee: three nominations.
Carrie Bickmore also found fame on Rove Live. Yet her five nominations, and 2015 win, resulted from The Project. Made by McManus' production company, the nightly panel show is another Gold magnet. Last year, co-host Waleed Aly took the top prize - and is in the running again this year.
For the first time, so is Helliar. (Also in contention are Jessica Marais, Grant Denyer, Samuel Johnson and Rodger Corser.) If he beats Aly, The Project will be the only program hosted by a trio of Gold winners.
"Waleed was friendly ... early on," Helliar jokes. "But as we get to the business end, he's starting to turn the screws."
Of course, Helliar would be delighted to win. If he doesn't, he'll breath a sigh of relief.
"Industry insiders" who complain about The Project's nominations leave him bemused. "It's not an award for the highest-rating show. It's a popularity award. People vote, then the votes are added up, then you get nominated."
More baffling still are those who rage at the very existence of the Logies. "I think they're hanging on a bit too tight," he laughs.
Helliar rates himself as an outside chance for Gold. His colleagues, however, believe his loyal fanbase could get him over the line. After all, he's been a regular on our screens for 20 years (Before the Game, The Bounce, SkitHOUSE, It's a Date). He wrote and directed a romantic comedy, I Love You Too. He authored a children's book, Frankie Fish and the Sonic Suitcase. His radio work spans Triple J, Nova, and the Hit and Triple M networks. Then there's Strauchanie, his lovably deluded bogan alter-ego.
"There's an expression in comedy called 'playing to the back of the room'," he says.
"Comics hang out the back [at gigs] - and some comedians play to them. But I've always played to my audience. Sure, you want the respect of fellow performers. But when people come to see my live shows, or say nice things on the street, or [nominate me for a Logie], that's a sign I'm doing something right."
The 59th Annual TV Week Logie Awards airs 7.30pm on Sunday on Channel Nine.
