New Faces
Also known asNew Faces Australia
GenreTalent show
Created byKevin Dennis
Presented by
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons24
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release14 September 1963 (1963-09-14) –
1985 (1985)
NetworkNetwork Ten
Release1992 (1992) –
1993 (1993)

New Faces was an Australian talent show that preceded the British show of the same name, produced at GTV-9 Melbourne. The program began in 1963[1] under the name Kevin Dennis Auditions, sponsored by a new car dealership, Kevin Dennis Motors, which was run by Kevin Dennis (Dennis Gowing), who was also a well-known face on Australian TV from his catchy 'Update' TV Commercials in the 1960s–70s, which were featured during the breaks of the popular show. The program ran on Saturday mornings. The program name soon changed to Kevin Dennis New Faces, and later simply New Faces, becoming a Sunday night primetime show.

The program began as a vehicle for rags-to-riches Melbourne businessman Kevin Dennis to promote his business.[2] Australian journalist Derryn Hinch, in remembering Kevin Dennis, said:[3]

Recently, I was asked to recall and record some thoughts about a genuine, almost (we thought) indestructible, Melbourne identity. Kevin Dennis. AKA, Dennis Gowing. He was a man who once (as Kevin Dennis) bought more TV advertising on more TV programmes than any person then or since.

Hosts

Originally hosted by Frank Wilson from 1963 to 1976, and then by Bert Newton from 1976 to 1985, the show featured two serious judges, such as Bobby Limb, Geoff Brooke, Rod McLennan and Tim Evans.[1]

Contestants and winners

Contestants would compete in heats, with the winners competing in finals. Many of its contestants later became famous, including Paul Hogan, Olivia Newton-John, Daryl Somers, The Hawking Brothers, Col Elliott, Julia Morris and Keith Urban.

Year Contestant Placement
1964 The Spinning Wheels[4] Second-last
1965 Olivia Newton-John[5] Un­known
1969 Liv Maessen[6] Runner-up
1970 Daryl Somers[7][8] Runner-up
John Williamson[9] Winner
1971 Paul Hogan Un­known
Susie Coles[10] Winner
1971 (Adelaide) Mike and Keith Webb Winners
1972 Shane Bourne[11] Heat Winner
Rave (Shepparton pop band)[12] Winners
1973 Maria Mercedes[13] Un­known
Col Elliott[14] Winner
1976 Lyn Bryant (now Billie Wilde) Winner
1977 Debby Jean (Baker) Winner
1982 Martin Lass[15] Winner
1983 Keith Urban[16] Un­known
1984 Michelle French Winner
1990 Peter Andre[17][18] Offered record deal at audition
1993 Jerson Trinidad[19] Winner

Revivals

From 1989, Daryl Somers hosted and produced the program on GTV-9.[20][21] In 1992, Bert Newton hosted the program on Network Ten, running until 1993.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "New Faces Turns 20". Green Guide. The Age. 8 September 1983. p. 2. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  2. ^ Whitlock, Fiona (24 June 1986). "Perfection surrounds a rags-to-riches achiever". The Age. p. 24. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  3. ^ Hinch, Derryn (3 November 1998). "Derryn Hinch on Dennis Gowing". Gowings. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  4. ^ Glass, Keith (23 July 2000). "Spinning full circle". The Herald-Sun. p. 83. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Stars in their eyes". The Age. 20 November 2004. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Producer fought for Australian musicians". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 September 2020. p. 38. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  7. ^ "20 long hot Somers". The Guide. The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 589. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 26 August 1991. p. 1. Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Yeaman, Simon (30 July 2003). "Then and now". The Advertiser. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  9. ^ Johnston, Chris (18 September 2014). "Straight from the heartland". The Age. p. 16. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  10. ^ Howe, Alan (24 July 2021). "Original bogan with a brilliant mind got 1970s Australia awake and laughing". The Australian. p. 15. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  11. ^ Courtis, Brian (10 July 2003). "Bourne aloft". Green Guide. The Age. p. 8. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  12. ^ Leneuf, Denis (10 December 1971). "Winning Combination". Shepparton News. p. 6.
  13. ^ Litson, Jo (5 March 1988). "Mercedes makes Nine". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 73. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  14. ^ Jarvis, Susan (28 March 1993). "The straight side to funny man Col Elliott". The Sun-Herald. p. 100. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  15. ^ Mengel, N (9 July 1998). "Who dares wins". The Courier-Mail. p. 14. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  16. ^ Adams, Cameron (3 August 2021). "Why superstar Keith Urban agreed to return to The Voice". The Herald-Sun. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  17. ^ "The Jordan Giver". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 113, no. 11. New South Wales, Australia. 1 December 2006. p. 2. Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ Hines, Dominique (24 April 2023). "Peter Andre had a nervous breakdown triggered by 'casual sex and shirtless posing'". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  19. ^ Cordi, Jason (28 November 2020). "Getting to know Fil-Aussie soul star Jerson Trinidad". The Philippine Times. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  20. ^ "The Cast". HeyHey.tv. Archived from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  21. ^ "Unknown Article". TV Week (Victorian ed.). 24 March 1990.

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