australian television information archive

Spay Misty For Me

Harvey McHugh works as a lowly clerk in the Government's Trusts Department. When a pensioner tells him of a 17 cent shortage in her fortnightly benefits, Harvey decides to demonstrate his efficiency by finding the money. Instead he discovers that all Australia's pensioners are deliberately being short changed by GOD—the Government's new computer, the Gatherer of Data.

Harvey's boss the Minister, decides to remove Harvey by severing the cable of the public service lift. But things go horribly wrong when the public service choir, the Young Matildans, join Harvey in the lift. Through a twist of fate, Harvey survives and unwittingly becomes indispensable to The Minister's career.

Harvey recovers from his "accident" and is sent to the Government abattoir as a tea-person. Here, amidst the joyous celebration of a Pork 2000! Campaign, Harvey finds some sinister meat-related activities.

Harvey saves a horse destined for slaughter and befriends its owner, and learns that both are scapegoats of a Government plot to alienate the monarch.

Harvey brings both horse and owner home, and a friendship blooms that will change many lives.

My Brilliant Chorea

Harvey is transferred to the Film Office where his exposure to "cinematic art" causes him to develop sexual anxiety and an acute chorea.

The McHughs are dismayed to learn that their home might become a religious shrine after a former lodger, Roy Millane, becomes a candidate for sainthood. Harvey's mother, Monica, harbours a guilty secret about her former boarder, could it wreck Roy's chances of a thumbs-up from the Vatican?

The Minister's leadership hopes are threatened when the Prime Minister signs a major trade deal with Japan. Harvey becomes an unwitting pawn in the Minister's plot to wreck the deal and start a trade war.

Whatever Happened To Baby X

Harvey is sent to work in the Family Court where he is ordered to look after a frozen embryo which is the centre of a custody dispute. When the Court's freezer breaks down, Harvey takes the embryo home to Mum's fridge, This breach of demarcation inflames the Public Service Unions and results in a national strike. Government Offices are plunged into darkness. And Public Servants loot them.

Harvey falls in love with Mary, a judge's associate, Mary is clever, kind and beautiful. Is she too good to be true?

The Minister is hosting a World Pollution Conference and must lower Australia's pollution levels at once. What better way to do this than by prolonging the national strike?

A Tree Grows in Botswana

The Minister faces political ruin when the media discover that he has been keeping dossiers on the private lives of rival politians. He devises an explosive solution to his problem—and hires an old friend of Harvey's to help.

Harvey is shocked to learn that a childhood mate is now doing time for computer fraud, Harvey's friend insists that he has mended his ways. But why is he secretly working for The Minister?

Monica's romantic life takes a turn for the worse when Bernard's ex-wife wins millions on Lotto.

Frank tries to solve his marriage problems by attending a self-help group called DUMP—Deserted and Unwanted Marital Partners.

Paint Your Bandwagon

Harvey is rumoured to be gay after a misunderstanding in the washroom at work. The rumour works to his advantage though when Harvey uses his "minority status" to land a job at a government sports institute—where he is soon caught up in lobbying for the right to stage the Little Olympic Games in the year 2000.

Working at the Australian Institute of Research into Sport, Harvey comes face to face with the new generation of super athletes. Dr. Voysner is feeding them a potion he claims has no side effects or dangers.

When the Minister discovers the truth he uses Harvey to blow the whistle.

Frank's despair grows because of his failed marriage and Bernard's ex-wife causes heartache for Monica, who is starting to wonder whether the lure of four million dollars could be stronger than love.

Little House on the Gold Coast

Harvey gets a job with the Police Department's Art Union and ends up working with his childhood idol, Sergeant Safety, a once-famous policeman who had his own television show.

Monica wins the Art Union prize—but more than luck is involved. When Monica refuses to give back her prize, a dream home on the Gold Coast, the police "discover" she is suppplementing her pension with illegal cleaning work. Monica is gaoled for "lace collar crime."

Harvey is distraught. Only an act of virtual dishonesty can get his Mum released, Is he capable of this?

Monica's arch rival takes advantage of her imprisionment to pursue Bernard.

Frank pawns his Mum's best china and uses the money to finance his forst post-divorce date.

Heaven Knows Mr. McHugh

The king of the crooners, Tony Coloni, arrives in Australia for a concert tour. But his fans do not know that Tony is a front-man for an American organized crime syndicate.

Harvey finally finds true live when he meets Georgina—who is conducting a crusade against Tony and his tour. Harvey soon realises they are playing with fire.

When Social Security adopts a "Get Tough With Widows" policy, Monica must either stop being a widow or go back to gaol. But the only man who will marry her is Bernard, and he is divorced. Monica faces a terrible dilemma. Should she go to gaol or marry Bernard and go to Hell? A whisky priest, on the run from the police, provides the perfect solution.

Hey, St. Jude

Harvey is nominated for the highest award in the public service—Clerk of the Month.

Harvey does not realise that the nomination is part of an attempt to destroy the whole McHugh family. Corky Coburn, head of the US Secret Service, has decided to make an example of Harvey for opposing the service's encroachment into Australia.

Harvey befriends Corky, thinking he is almost destitute. Then Harvey brings Corky home—with terrible results.

The Minister bets his political future on Harvey's fortitude and faith, Is Harvey strong enough to resist the trials that Corky has in store for him?

Monica is alarmed when her late husband's liver is returned to her by the Anatomy Department of the University. Its arrival unveils a dark secret.

Frank and Harvey find out the truth about their father's death.

Under The Rainbow

When Harvey starts work at Science and Development (SAD) he finds that his boss is a bundle of nerves, and he soon learns why—a destructive comet called Nemesis is heading straight for the earth. The comet cannot be stopped and the government, fearing anarchy, has decided to keep it a secret, so Harvey cannot tell anyone, including the lovely Diane, a woman he quickly falls for when she arrives to give him an efficiency audit on the eve of the earth's destruction.

Not knowing that the world is about to end, Monica decides to give up smoking. But at her Quitters' Support Group—Butt Out—she finds a temptation stronger than nicotine: Sasha, her designated "Butt Buddy."

When Frank's ex-wife decides to move to Darwin with their kids, Frank's problems overwhelm him. Unable to live with the thought of losing his sons, Frank decides to abduct them, and when that fails, he contemplates suicide.

How Green Was My Ballot?

Harvey stumbles onto a mystery when he is moved to the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Why is the Queen sending congratulatory telegrams to the now-dead residents of the local homes for the aged? On the eve of the national elections, Harvey unearths a massive electoral fraud.

The Minister fights to hold his seat against a popular green independent. Could he possibly be finished in politics?

Monica is dismayed to learn her father disinherited her only days before suffering his stroke. He has left his house to Monica's sister, Babe. When Babe arrives for a visit, old family tensions soon flare up.

From Here To Maternity

Harvey goes to work at PAP—Printing and Proofing. He soon discovers that his elderly co-workers are selling confidential government records to insurance companies and debt collectors. They are forced to do this because they are approaching retirement and The Public Service Superannuation Fund has collapsed.

When Harvey obtains an illicit copy of his own medical record, he is shocked to learn the truth about his hospital treatment after the lift accident many months earlier. Harvey has no choice but to flee. And The Minister is soon in hot pursuit. Harvey has a terrifying confrontation with The Minister.

Lord Of The Files

Harvey returns to work, convinced he is the victim of a medical experiment. But no one will believe him. Soon Harvey starts to wonder whether or not it was a dream.

The Minister is forced to take drastic action when he learns that the Prime Minister has been investigating his past.