Frontline: episode guide

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Dick On The Line

Episode 3.01 (27)
February 24, 1997

It's the end of another successful season at Frontline, but after three years at the helm, Mike Moore is not happy. He feels the show has become lightweight, obsessed with ratings rather than serious public issues. It is time to make a stand.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Marcus Eyre, Linda Gibson, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Alan Dale, Wendy Damien, Barry Freidlander, Peter Stratford
Special Guests: Stuart Littlemore, George Negus
Voice Over: David Bradshaw

My Generation

Episode 3.02 (28)
March 3, 1997

After giving a talk at a school, Mike becomes concerned that Frontline is presenting a negative view of young people. He sets out to fix the problem, but runs into a slight problem — his executive producer, Graham Prowse. As Prowsey would say, its an episode "no parent can afford to miss."

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Sally Bayes, Mark Casamento, Jade Clarkson, Kate Ditchburn, Tim Fuller, Katrina Katz, Brad Lindsay, Saery Rost, Joshua Schmidt, Elliot Summers, Kate Whitbread, Shayne Willey, Zanthea Zanas
Special Guest: Greg Evans
Voice Over: David Bradshaw

The Shadow We Cast

Episode 3.03 (29)
March 10, 1997

When an independent Queensland MP makes a controversial maiden speech, the Frontline Team swings into action. "Where does she get her prejudiced views from?" demands Mike, before introducing another story on Vietnamese heroin dealers.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Chris Doyle, Eng Aun Khor, Bruce Mansfield, Jo Pearson
Special Guest: Pauline Hanson, Noel Pearson

One Rule For One

Episode 3.04 (30)
March 17, 1997

After attacking a dubious property developer on air, Mike starts to receive death threats. Prowsey arranges for a bodyguard for Mike's protection, but Mike is less than happy with this arrangement.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Marcus Eyre, Lynda Gibson, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Raymond Dunstan, Sarah Henderson, Joy Mitchell, Robert Morgan, Dino Nicolosi

A Hole In The Heart

Episode 3.05 (31)
March 24, 1997

A media frenzy breaks out after Marty does a story on a young New Guinea boy in need of an operation. Using every trick in the book, Prowsey battles to keep the story exclusive to Frontline. Brroke's colleagues are worried she may have an eating disorder.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Lynda Gibson, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Natalie Bond, Paul Collins, Anthony Gabb, Douglas Gabb, Geoff Gaskill, Kevin Groves, Brett Tucker, Christopher Uhlmann

A Hole In The Heart, Part 2

Episode 3.06 (32)
March 31, 1997

Mike is excited about playing a charity golf game with Ian Baker-Finch until he finds out he is not in the main group. Meanwhile, Brooke drops a bombshell.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Lynda Gibson, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Anthony Gabb, Douglas Gabb, Geoff Gaskill, Peter Stratford
Special Guest: Ian Baker-Finch

The Simple Life

Episode 3.07 (33)
April 7, 1997

Mike is seen bidding at a luxury house auction, buying high-priced art and even make it into BRW's "Richest Entertainers List", coming in behind The Wiggles. Meanwhile, Brooke is busy playing up community outrage over her story on a family of unemployed teenagers. Frontline's audience hate these kids and perceived them to be all lazy dole bludgers. "So we fix the perception?" asks Emma. "No", replies Prowse, "We feed it."

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Lynda Gibson, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Torquil Neilson, Linda Ross
And: Jay Allen, Isabella Dunwill, Lynn Gerguson, Sarah Henderson, Keith Hutton, Bob Maver, Nan Maver, Clint Wood and Jessie the Dog
Voice Over: David Bradshaw

I Get The Big Names

Episode 3.08 (34)
April 14, 1997

Mike is convinced the only reason he gets the big name guests is because he is such a good interviewer; but does Mike get the big names, or do the big names get him?

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Stephen Curry, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Linda Ross
And: Paul Czarnota, Timothy Fatur, Marc Goldenfein, Sarah Henderson, Frances O'Connor, Billy Pinnell

The Art Of The Interview

Episode 3.09 (35)
April 21, 1997

An up and coming executive producer seeks advice from Prowse on what makes Mike such a good interviewer. With a little help from Emma and Marty, they dissect the "Art Of The Interview". Over his years at the Frontline desk, Mike Moore has become a master interviewer, whether it's sucking up to a sports star, or nailing a crooked politician, Mike has a trick for every occasion. Is it any wonder they call him "The Velvet Hammer"?

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Stephen Curry, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Linda Ross
And: Bob Brown, John Browning, Robin Cuming, Tony Hawkins, Bill Johnston, Stanley McGeagn, James Wright
Special Guests: Jeremy Sims, John Pasquarelli

"I" Disease

Episode 3.10 (36)
April 28, 1997

A new researcher discovers the truth that in current affairs, ego rules. Meanwhile, Mike is working on a book about himself. This episode explores the notion that journalism today is increasingly about self-promotion; journalists don't want to be reporters, they want to be stars. Mike, Brooke and Marty are all suffering from "I" disease.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Stephen Curry, Marcus Eyre, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Linda Ross
And: Valentina Levkowicz, Iain Murton, Jessica Muschamp, Jackie Piper, Libby Stone
Special Guest: Doug Aiton

Addicted To Fame

Episode 3.11 (37)
May 5, 1997

Mike decides to reduce his public profile, but soon finds it hard living without publicity. Meanwhile Geoffrey Slater finally gets a show of his own — with amazing results. As much as people in the public eye complain about the pressures of stardom and the constant demands of publicity, the fact is — most of them are hooked on it. Mike discovers his addiction to fame when he tries going "cold turkey".

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Stephen Curry, Trudy Hellier, Pip Mushin, Linda Ross
And: Colette Mann
Special Guest: Bryce Courtney
Voice Overs: Wendy Mooney, Richard Stubbs

The Code

Episode 3.12 (38)
May 12, 1997

Mike is furious when Friday night funny man Elliot Rhodes offends a colleague, and he decides to have him sacked. Meanwhile Marty is given his toughest assignment yet — a story on Mike. Behind the veneer of friendliness, TV can be a very cruel world. The only way those in it survive is by sticking to "The Code" — pretending they're all great mates. But what happens when someone breaks the code?

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Stephen Curry, Tom Gleisner, Pip Mushin, Linda Ross
And: Jason Buckley, Gerlinda Campbell, Kate Campbell, Andrew Dennis, Nina Godinho, Bob Halsall, Sarah Henderson, Marijke Mann, Patsy Martin, Belinda McClory, Rod McLennan, Thea McLeod, Michael Saunders, Peter Stratford
Special Guests: Franklyn Ajaye, Toni Collette, Samantha Fox, Trevor Marmalade, Tony Martin, Mick Molloy, Geoffrey Rush

Epitaph

Episode 3.13 (39)
May 19, 1997

Mike wants to make his mark as a journalist, and decides to tackle the problem of Aboriginal health. But Prowse has other ideas. Meanwhile for Brooke, wedding bells are in the air.

With: Anita Cerdic, Santo Cilauro, Boris Conley, Stephen Curry, Marcus Eyre, Lynda Gibson, Pip Mushin, Linda Ross
And: Dawnie Donaghue, Alastair Harris, Margaret Harvey, David Hudson, Raymond Marsden, Kerry Steel
Special Guest: Kerry O'Brien