Lynne McGranger, who has been playing Irene Roberts on Home and Away on the Seven Network since the early 90s, has won the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the 65th TV Week Logie Awards.
“Thirty-three years, I’ve done this amazing show,” McGranger said when receiving her award.
“I’m thrilled and honoured.
“Before I forget, this is going to be pride of place next to my 1974 Wagga Wagga Drama Festival Best Actress [award].
“And it’s true, it’s absolutely true. That’s when I went, ‘This acting thing is kind of good! Maybe I will be better at it than I am at teaching.'”
McGranger, who is retiring from the show, received emphatic applause during her speech.
“For all of you fans, and those of you who keep free-to-air television alive, please keep on doing what you’re doing and watching what you watch,” she said.
Earlier, she won her first Logie for Best Lead Actress in a Drama for the same role.
“I know I’ve only got 30 seconds, but I’m old,” she said then.
“I want to thank the beautiful cast of Home and Away, who have just been my family and my friends.
“I love you all.
“And I am truly overwhelmed.
“And I love my daughter and I love my husband. I asked him to come tonight and he said, ‘I would rather swallow a hammer.'”
Appreciation for Sam Pang’s opening monologue
The Logies kicked off with Jimmy Barnes singing Working Class Man to a dancing TV industry audience.
Sam Pang was the host of this year’s Logie Awards. (Getty Images: James Gourley)
“Jimmy Barnes singing Working Class Man,” Sam Pang said during his opening monologue.
“Welcome to the 1985 Logies … Working Class Man. I can’t think of a song that has less of a connection to the people in the room tonight.”
Bluey later won the Logie for Best Children’s Program, with Pang offering early praise.
“Congratulations too to Bluey, which was the most-streamed show in the entire world this past year,” Pang said.
“Bluey is massive in the United States and is officially the most watched children’s content in America just ahead of a school-shooting safety video.”
Jimmy Barnes performs one of his best-loved songs. (Getty: James Gourley)
Pang pointed out that Farmer Wants a Wife had an incredible success rate.
“Over its 15 seasons, the show has resulted in 11 marriages and 27 children, meaning it is now officially the main way for farmers in this country to get screwed outside of Coles and Woollies,” he said.
Married at First Sight also failed to escape his scrutiny.
“This season MAFS was criticised for breaching ethical standards, [with] producers strongly defending themselves, saying every contestant had to undergo a mental health evaluation, an STI test and IQ test — and if they failed all of those, they were on the show,” he said.
“Next season, I think they should cast the mushroom lady … as the caterer.”
He said reality TV shows were all the rage.
“One of the most popular is Dancing with the Stars, where viewers try to guess which one is the dancer and which one is the star,” he said.
Last year’s Gold Logie winner was also in his sights.
“After a hugely popular win last year, Larry Emdur is not nominated for gold this year,” Pang said.
“Larry goes from winner to not even nominated.
“Hard to think of a Channel Seven game show host with a bigger fall from grace in recent years.”
A reference, of course, to former host Andrew O’Keefe.
Later, Pang announced that audience members were safe as there was no kiss cam.
ABC wins big
Lisa Millar expressed shock when Muster Dogs: Collies & Kelpies won Best Structured Reality Program.
Lisa Millar accepts the Logie after Muster Dogs wins Best Structured Reality Program. (Getty Images: James Gourley)
“Oh my God,” Millar, the host of the program, said.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for this beautiful show that is all about authentic people who have told their stories.
“The participants out there, we love you, you are our family, thank you so much.”
Guy Montgomery won the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent for Guy Montgomery’s Spelling Bee.
Guy Montgomery accepts the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent. (Getty Images: James Gourle)
“This is really crazy,” Montgomery said.
“I am from New Zealand … so I am so sorry to all of your country, but suck it: We got one up on you this time.”
Australian Story won the Logie for Best Current Affairs Program, with host Leigh Sales accepting that award.
“The Australian public has been so supportive of this program for 29 years,” Sales said.
“Thank you so much for everyone watching and to everyone who voted for us.”
Best News Coverage or Public Affairs Report went to Betrayal of Trust on Four Corners, with investigative journalist Adele Ferguson accepting the Logie.
“This is such a shock,” Ferguson said.
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted.
“1.5 million children go to child care every day and expect that they’ll be looked after.
“This investigation showed that doesn’t always happen.
“Thank you so much to the parents, the educators and the whistleblowers who made this happen.”
Return to Paradise won Best Drama Program.
“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness,” star Anna Samson said.
“This is such a cliche to say I wasn’t expecting this, but it’s true.”
Kitty Flanagan accepts the Logie after Fisk wins Best Scripted Comedy Program. (Getty Images: James Gourley)
Fisk was a massive winner, taking out the following awards.
Best Scripted Comedy Program: Fisk, ABCBest Lead Actor in a Comedy: Aaron Chen, Fisk, ABCBest Lead Actress in a Comedy: Kitty Flanagan, Fisk, ABCBest Supporting Actor: Glenn Butcher, Fisk, ABCBest Supporting Actress: Julia Zemiro, Fisk, ABCAlly Langdon tells Ray Martin to ‘jump off’ her dress
When A Current Affair’s Ally Langdon won the Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter, she was handed the award by the man himself.
Allison Langdon on stage with Ray Martin. (Getty Images: James Gourley)
“To this incredible man right here, thank you,” Langdon said.
“I think for a lot of us in this industry you are a big part of why we got into it.
“Just jump off my dress, thank you.”
She called Martin a “guiding light”.
“We are so incredibly privileged, each and every one of us, to hold the jobs we do.”Szubanski tears up
Magda Szubanski was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame and her video message speech received a standing ovation.Â
Magda Szubanski accepted her Hall of Fame Award via a video link. (Getty Images: James Gourley)
Comedian and actor, who recently announced she had been diagnosed with stage 4 blood cancer, revealed her bald head, saying she got her hair done to match her Logie.
“I do want to say thank you so much for this honour,” Szubanski said.
“The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami, from the Australian public, it has been overwhelming. And I have to tell you, it really helps.”
She was overcome by emotion, saying she did not intend to cry.
“When I go online and look at those messages, every time my heart lifts,” she said.
“And I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer.
“So, thank you for the love that you are pouring my way. I really feel it.
“I am grateful to have had 40 years in this industry in this country.”
Jelena Dokic in shock at win
The Best Factual or Documentary Program award went to Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story on the Nine Network.
Jelena Dokic accepts the Logie for Best Factual or Documentary Program. (Getty Images: James Gourley)
“Oof! I know you said 30 seconds, but I will need at least 30 to gather myself,” Dokic said.
Dokic singled out Todd Woodbridge, who she said encouraged her to be a commentator and bring her story to life.
“I was a person who couldn’t string two sentences together and had no skills,” she said.
“You believed in me professionally. I hope everyone finds a Todd like I did.”
Woodbridge later won the Bert Newton award for most popular presenter.