Five Aussie TV props that deserve a Logie

[Mishyy]

Source

THE Logies is Australian TV’s night of nights, where the best actors and shows are rewarded for their hard work.

But the awards are also a sham. Why?

Because once again, the organisers have overlooked a category that is just as deserving of recognition as any male or female personality.

The props.

They’re the forgotten heroes on the small screen who bring a character or a set to life, and it’s high time they were recognised with their own piece of silverware.

So here at news.com.au we’ve compiled this list of our favourite Aussie TV props of all time, who we’re willing to pay homage to even if the Logies are not.

The Summer Bay diner phone:

It may look cheesy, but this phone definitely deserves a Logie. Source: Supplied

It’s perhaps the most famous Aussie TV prop ever. The hamburger phone in Summer Bay’s diner is the prop with the lot. It even withstood the earthquake that destroyed the original diner. For years it’s sat proudly in the Summer Bay eatery, ringing to inform the staff that Alf is on his way in and wants a cheeseburger waiting, or that Donald Fisher wanted to book a private table so that he can romance Marilyn, or even informing people of bad news such as Shane Parrish’s death of septicaemia (too soon? It always will be).

It’s about time the hamburger phone was given a big pattie on the back and rewarded for its loyal service to Summer Bay. By the way, ever wondered how Alf likes his burgers? FLAMIN’.

Harold’s tuba:

Blow that big thing Bishop. Source: Supplied

Sunday mornings in Ramsay Street are traditionally quiet — until that is a low, somewhat offensive sound pierces each house’s walls and wakes up the occupants lying inside. It could only be one of two things — either Toadie’s bowel movements after a big night out or Harold’s tuba. The tuba is Harold Bishop’s trustworthy companion. It’s done what Madge has failed to do, it’s survived. Whether it be entertaining passers by as part of the Salvation Army band or just letting an old man blow off some steam, the tuba is an icon of Australian TV. As the theme song says,With a little understanding you can find the perfect blend. Take a hint, Logie organisers.

Red Faces gong:

“Gong him Red!” Source: News Limited

It’s the piece of metal that ended the short-lived showbiz careers of thousands of Australians — and not a moment too soon. Manned by a stone-faced Red Symons, the gong was basically a life saver, putting us, the audience, out of our misery as we watched countless untalented hacks act like buffoons on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. The show won 11 Logies during its 29-year run. The gong won 11 less. It’s about time the award show organisers plucka-ducked the courage to recognise the gong’s long and outstanding service to Australian television.

Biggest Loser scales:

What goes from 0-100 in one second flat? The Biggest Loser scales. Source: News Limited

For nine seasons, this poor piece of metal has somehow managed to retain its shape as overweight Aussies walk all over it. We can’t imagine the horror this prop has been through. It’s about time these scales were rewarded with a Logie … it’s weighted long enough.

Bert Newton’s hairpiece:

It’s like seeing Molly Meldrum without his cowboy hat isn’t it? Source: News Limited

A wise man may or may not have said, “A man who can fool people with his hairpiece is no fool at all.” Bert Newton is certainly no fool. His glorious tuft of fake hair has sat proudly on his head for decades as he’s gone about entertaining millions of people on various shows. Whether he was manning the Family Feud buzzers or throwing to an infomercial about the latest ab crunching machine on Good Morning Australia, Bert’s hairpiece was there for the ride and added to the TV legend’s gravitas. While the man himself has won four gold Logies, his hardworking hair piece has never been rewarded. Travesty.

Wow i'd forgotten about the Diner Phone, all of a sudden i miss it lol

Marilyn's earring actually look like the phone cord hahaha.

[sindikatas]

It even withstood the earthquake that destroyed the original diner.

Correction, the original diner was destroyed by the fire. The idea looks interesting.

[dvj1208]

Only last week when Leah handed over the diner phone to Matt to call Sasha, I was thinking about the burger phone!

[Light of the Bay]

Does the Burger Phone even feature anymore? As I recall, they got rid of it when they designed the current Diner set in 2010.

[sindikatas]

Does the Burger Phone even feature anymore? As I recall, they got rid of it when they designed the current Diner set in 2010.

No it doesn't. There are only mobile phones in Summer Bay now.

[c120701]

I don't know if the phone survived the move from Beachside to the Den/Pier. The Jukebox did, but was presumably destroyed in the race riots.

[Jamie!]

I don't know if the phone survived the move from Beachside to the Den/Pier. The Jukebox did, but was presumably destroyed in the race riots.

I'm sure I fairly recently read Lynne McGranger saying somewhere that somebody took it and they don't know where it is. They could very easily have replaced both that and the jukebox - both iconic Diner props, in my opinion.

[-Andrew-]

I definitely remember it being in 'The Den' for a little while when it first opened ,but I think at some point, before changing to the Red/ Blue box diner, it disappeared off the counter. :|

If it was 'taken' then it would have been easy to replace surely? After the film 'Juno' (2007) featured the same/ or similar phone, they became quite easily available, and even I own one So the only reason for it to not be there is down to a lack of caring.

As much as I liked the new diner set used from 2010 to now, I remember thinking it seemed a bit characterless without those two set pieces.

Ah well, it doesn't matter anymore. There's no point in dragging 'old Home and Away' back into a show that has developed into something almost completely alien to what it was.

[Dan F]

Not sure when it will debut on screen, but the burger phone is back in the Pier Diner set.

I did hear of it being back a few weeks ago when the topic was posted, but didn't want to 'confirm' just in case - but Ada's also confirmed it in Channel 5's Facebook Q&A today.

[Jamie!]

Not sure when it will debut on screen, but the burger phone is back in the Pier Diner set.

That's great to hear. We just need the jukebox to come back as well.