TV WEEK
I joined the staff of Australia’s venerable TV WEEK magazine in August 2018 as the features editor and for more than a year, I covered stories for scripted programming, profiles and streaming content — quite a change from the emphasis on reality TV I’ve had for so long (although I still love those shows, too). The bonus? Getting to work on a monthly publication, TV WEEK Close Up, as well as the weekly! For recent TV WEEK stories or some other pieces not attached here, check out the On Right Now blog. For TV WEEK content online, click here. NOTE: To read the text, zoom in on the pages. Thanks!
Dichen Lachman: Memory Blank
March 5-11, 2022 issue of TV WEEK
Absolutely love speaking to Dichen Lachman. The catch-up resulted in this piece about her latest series, Severance.
Rebecca Gibney: ‘I Feel Alive’
January 22-28, 2022 issue of TV WEEK
One of the kindest actors in the business. A pleasure to reconnect with Rebecca Gibney for this feature, pegged to her newest series for Acorn TV.
Diana Gabaldon: Timeless Tale
January 8-14, 2022 issue of TV WEEK
After a year’s absence from my last full-time publication, I got a chance to speak to Outlander series author Diana Gabaldon about her latest book, Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone. You can read more of my interview on the blog portion of this site in March!
Jeff Probst: Still Surviving
March 14-20, 2020 issue of TV WEEK
It’s been 14 years since I went on location for US Survivor, but what better occasion than the 40th season celebration called Winners at War? I got a chance to catch up with some contestants I’ve profiled for People and some new ones, too, and of course sat down with host Jeff Probst for an in-depth chat. Alas I left TV WEEK before I got to write up all my stories, but luckily I have Thomas Mitchell and Thomas Woodgate helping out.
Joanne Froggatt: ‘It’s been a full-on year’
February 8-14, 2020 issue of TV WEEK
I interviewed Joanne Froggatt on the set of Stan’s The Commons in Parramatta Park, NSW. She was open, content, and absolutely a pro. Then I got to see her in action a few weeks later in one of the limited series’ final harrowing scenes. Thomas Mitchell did a fantastic job with the material.
Tim Minchin: Standing out in front
November 30-December 5, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
The first time I met Tim Minchin, I spoke to him for Who Magazine pegged to his stint on Squinters for the ABC. For our second interview, we discussed a passion project of his —the comedy-drama Upright on Foxtel. Check it out for some wonderful work my him and co-star Milly Alcock.
Dr Susan Carland: ‘I’m lucky to do this’
November 23-29, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
After meeting and speaking with Waleed Aly earlier this year, it was only fitting that I got to interview Dr Susan Carland as well. Together, they are a formidable, yet down-to-earth, pair.
Rachel Griffiths: ‘I found my voice’
November 15-22, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
The Six Feet Under star has now directed a box-office smash with Ride Like A Girl and co-created one of the best dramas of the year with Total Control. I speak to Rachel about returning home to Australia to make the art she craves.
Grant Denyer: ‘It’s been a crazy year’
November 15-22, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
I began my full-time career at TV WEEK with a Close Up cover story on Grant Denyer, and I end my tenure with a weekly cover on Grant. Makes sense, no? Thank you, Grant, for your time and trust.
Deborah Mailman takes Total Control
October 26-November 1, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
It’s been a thrill getting to know one of Australia’s best actors of all time. This was my recent chat with Deborah Mailman, who won a Silver TV WEEK Logie this year as Australia’s Most Popular Actress.
Chasing Rainbows: A look at Judy
October 5-11, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
I enjoyed writing this week’s Entertainment spread centred on the new film Judy.
Sarah Snook: Rising to the top
September 21-27, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Australian actress Sarah Snook can’t believe how fast her career has taken off. I talk to her about her breakthrough role as Shiv Roy in Succession.
Jonathan LaPaglia: Swept up in Survivor
September 14-20, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia’s main job is acting. But he is now fully a Survivor devotee. We have a nice, leisurely chat before he leaves Fiji for home.
Winter Streaming Guide 2019
August 2019 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
I really enjoyed writing these pieces on series I loved. Thanks to TV Week art directors Jacqui Page, Apostolos Nestor and Steph Knowles for making them look so good.
Tom Gleeson: ‘It means a lot to me’
Aug 24-30, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson has a wicked sense of humour. But he’s serious about his appreciation for the Gold Logie he campaigned so hard for this year.
Asher Keddie: Coming home
Aug 10-16, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Asher Keddie explains why the themes in The Hunting resonated with her as a mum to two boys.
Susie Porter: ‘My best role yet’
July 27-Aug 2, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
I spoke with Wentworth’s Susie Porter at the Logies for the bulk of this story, with a quote from earlier reporting conducted by Clare Rigden.
Emily Browning, Reese Witherspoon
July 2019 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
In the last traditional layout of TV WEEK Close Up, I profile Emily Browning of American Gods, write up Jenny Cooney Carrillo’s chat with Reese Witherspoon for Big Little Lies 2, edit together Miranda Tapsell’s piece about making Top End Wedding, and compile Luke Mitchell’s childhood TV show list.
Marking 10 years of The Project
July 20-26, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
I spoke with Waleed Aly, Pete Helliar and producer Craig Campbell for this piece on news panel series The Project, while Melissa Field spoke to Carrie Bickmore, and Helen Vnuk spoke to Lisa Wilkinson.
The 2019 Logie Awards winner profiles
July 6-12, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Although the Jacki Weaver is mostly from my own interview (with a quote assist from the great Jenny Cooney Carrillo), writer Thomas Mitchell did a beautiful job on Lucy Zelic. For Lucy I wove in quotes from her SBS colleague Craig Foster.
The 2019 Gold Logie nominees
June 29-July 5, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
I got to interview Waleed Aly, Costa Georgiadis and Tom Gleeson for TV WEEK’s annual Logie Awards. They were amongst the seven Gold Logie nominees this year.
George Calombaris: ‘To those I’ve hurt, I’m sorry’
May 18-24, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Zara Zubeidi’s research and my interview with MasterChef Australia judge George Calombaris fused together to present this portrait of a chef at the crossroads. He and his co-judges would see the end of their 11-season run on the series in 2019.
Game of Thrones: Collector’s Edition
April 2019 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
This labour of love fills 84 pages, working closely with creative director Jacqui Page, photo editor Julie Hankinson, and a team of talented writers and artists. The sample below features pages I wrote most of, but my words and others are scattered throughout. What I am proudest of is having a clear vision for the sections and content I wanted, and having Jacqui share that vision with what she wanted. This best-selling monthly issue is a rare find now, but I hope you see it in all its glory!
Samuel Johnson: ‘I Want to Make Her Proud’
February 23-March 1, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Wonderful to catch up with Samuel on the eve of his dancing debut on Dancing With the Stars Australia. Good luck!
Destiny Calls: Geraldine Hakewill
February 23-March 1, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Here is the updated profile of Geraldine Hakewill! I had done a piece with her for TV WEEK Close Up toward the end of her run on Wanted. As a bonus, two weeks’ worth of plot teasers for the series!
Glamorous Private Eye: Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries
February 16-22, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Another day, another set visit, this time to Melbourne for a new take on the popular Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries series. Any chance to see Geraldine Hakewill is well worth taking, and I got a chance to speak to her and several other actors on the trip. You will see more of their stories in the weeks to come.
New Show on the Block: The Heights, and Dan Paris
February 16-22, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
In September 2018, I made my first trip across Australia to Perth for a set visit to The Heights, a new multicultural serial drama from the ABC. The time spent on set was worth it as I got a chance to interview several of the cast and witness a truly spectacular show come to life. Thank you to the ABC for hosting me. In this first set of features for the drama, I give a plot teaser to the first two episodes and revisit Neighbours with star Dan Paris.
Devil May Care: Charlie Cox
February 2019 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
Senior writer Tamara Cullen did the fabulous chat with Charlie Cox — I spoke with Elden Henson and wrote the copy. This was the one profile in the otherwise meaty and fun Streaming Guide edition of TV WEEK Close Up.
’I Was Willing to Risk It’: Margot Robbie
January 26-February 1, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
For the majority of my 18-year career at PEOPLE, I reported a story and someone else wrote it up. In the last few years, there have been times I’ve been the main author and it’s a strange sensation. Such was the case with this piece.
Coming Out Party: The Family Law
January 26-February 1, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Three seasons of groundbreaking TV come to an end for The Family Law. Bravo, SBS, bravo.
Boyle’s Roar: Joe Lo Truglio
January 26-February 1, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
As a Brooklyn Nine-Nine fan, I spoke to Joe Lo Truglio with relish. The fact that he was so amiable and candid was a bonus.
‘I Finally Feel Like I Belong’: Sam Frost
January 19-25, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Following the arc of Sam Frost’s career from The Bachelorette to Home and Away has been a pleasure, and one that’s crossed over from WHO to TV WEEK. Here is a catch-up with Sam, now better known as Jasmine Delaney on the iconic soap.
A Golden Career: Lisa McCune
January 2019 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
After making the weekly magazine’s cover with my How To Stay Married chat with Lisa McCune, I put together this special piece for the monthly edition.
Rising Stars 2019
January 5-11, 2019 issue of TV WEEK
Another fun package to coordinate, similar to WHO’s Ones to Watch! Love leading the charge for diversity. Thanks to Zara Zubeidi for writing this feature and all the staff who contributed reporting.
A Career in Bloom: Phoebe Tonkin
December 22-January 4, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
Phoebe Tonkin gave such a great chat with me during my set visit in Clunes that I was able to include her in the show feature, the Next Generation of Women in Television package, and in this profile.
Australian Gothic: Bloom
December 15-21, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
On my first trip out of New South Wales, I went on a set visit to Bloom, the supernatural Stan series, in rural Clunes, Victoria. Here is the report that resulted from that.
Belle of the Ball: Danielle Macdonald
December 8-14, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
I first met Danielle Macdonald on the eve of the Australian premiere for her indie film Patti Cake$, which received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Her star was on the rise, and by the end of 2018, she had several projects ready for release, from the Netflix horror hit Bird Box with Sandra Bullock to the film adaptation of Dumplin’, co-starring and executive produced by Jennifer Aniston. A toast to the very talented Danielle!
In Conversation with Dichen Lachman
December 2018 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
Altered Carbon star Dichen Lachman returned to Australia from Los Angeles for Oz Comic-Con. She took time out to speak to me on diversity matters rarely discussed in Australian entertainment media. Very proud of her, and thrilled to have this interview featured in TV WEEK Close Up.
Joyride to the Top: Geraldine Hakewill
December 2018 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
Expect to hear more from Geraldine Hakewill, a theatre actress who found TV fame as fugitive Chelsea Babbage on Rebecca Gibney’s female-forward thriller Wanted. Photo by Johnny Diaz Nicolaidis.
The Tough Ones: Adam Hills
December 2018 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
Comedian and host Adam Hills, currently thriving with talk show The Last Leg in London, returned to Australia to drum up support for the Physical Disability Rugby League and record a special reunion Spicks & Specks show.
The Next Generation of Women on Television
November 24-30, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
I am very proud of compiling, reporting, writing, assigning and editing this special package celebrating the diversity of women changing Australian television. This may be an annual feature — I welcome that. I’m thankful to the people who spoke to us for this story and the women who co-wrote this with me.
Keeping it Real: Peter Helliar
November 10-16, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
First, there was the Lisa McCune profile. Now, her husband on How to Stay Married, Peter Helliar! He also created the series. Jessica Multari wrote this from my interview.
Mind the Gap: Jacqueline McKenzie
November 10-16, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
This week, we get to run my chat with Jacqueline McKenzie for Pine Gap, but I was on holiday when the story had to be written! Our fabulous freelancer Thomas Mitchell put this together, and we combined to do the Plot Teaser for the end of the series.
Trying Something New: Lisa McCune
November 3-9, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
Lisa McCune became an Australian TV legend when she starred as a cop on Blue Heelers. Now she returns to TV in a comedy, How to Stay Married. I met Lisa on a photo shoot in Melbourne, where she brought along her daughter to check things out. The interview resulted in several features and an appreciation of a career well earned. Photos by the great Tina Smigielski; hair by Wayne chick, makeup from Shelby Rose, and styled by Marissa Peden.
Secrets of Pine Gap
October 13-19, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
This was an introduction to a series co-produced by the ABC and Netflix. I got the chance to speak with Parker Sawyers, Tess Haubrich and Jacqueline McKenzie.
The Past was Consuming Me’: Jimmy Barnes
September 29-October 5, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
I’ve come to know Australian music icon Jimmy Barnes through reading his two fantastic memoirs, Working Class Boy and Working Class Man, and two very revealing interviews. He’s honest, raw, and always gracious. This piece prefaced the airing of the Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy documentary on Channel Seven.
On Demand: Top 7 Shows to Watch, The Edit
November 2018 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
For the third issue of TV WEEK Close Up, I got to select and write about a diverse group of shows. While that was a large piece, I also enjoyed putting together the bitsy elements in The Edit, our issue appetizer.
It’s Hard to Let Go’: Richard Roxburgh
September 15-21, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
I enjoyed speaking with Richard Roxburgh for his first children’s novel, Artie & the Grime Wave, at WHO, but getting a chance to reflect with him on the wickedly funny series Rake was even better!
Hard Quiz Returns: Tom Gleeson
September 15-21, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
It’s great when you get to talk to someone who hosts a show you enjoy. I wish American audiences could see Hard Quiz and sample the blistering wit of Tom Gleeson.
Coming Up Roses: Daniel Levy
September 8-14, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
Although Schitt’s Creek has been airing on Netflix in Australia, the series just started its syndicated run on national broadcaster the ABC. I was determined to get an interview with co-creator and star Daniel Levy and my US colleagues at POP TV were so helpful. Loved speaking with Dan!
The Tough Ones with Russell Coight
October 2018 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
A rare in-character Q&A for me with a non-animated person! Outback adventurer Russell Coight is the alter ego of comedian and actor Glenn Robbins.
Grant Denyer: Good as Gold
October 2018 issue of TV WEEK Close Up
This was a banner year in speaking with Grant Denyer, whom I covered in two pieces for WHO. Now it was a chance to get to know him even better. Thank you to editor Thomas Woodgate in allowing me to write more than 1200 words, a freeing experience. Photographs by Lawrence Furzey.
Streaming Guide: Disenchantment
August 25-September 1, 2018 issue of TV WEEK
It’s scary and exciting to start a new job, one where you are entrusted to use your judgment to select what readers need, or want, to know. Here are my first spreads in the On Demand section for TV WEEK. Credit to the design team for making things looks vibrant and fun, and Jenny Cooney Carrillo for her great interview with Matt Groening.
