australian television information archive

The Soufflé Rises

Mike, angered by accusations of being a lightweight, decides to editorialize. Such a decision sparks a rash of complications. Meanwhile, Brooke and Marty have their hands full with more important matters.

The Desert Angel

Word comes through to Frontline that a beautiful aid worker, presumed dead after going missing in the Sudanese desert, has turned up alive. At the same time, a rival network tries to poach Mike Moore, and Brooke Vandenberg interviews Pat Cash for her celebrity profile series. Only Brian Thompson seems to have his mind on the main game: getting the 'Desert Angel'.

City Of Fear

Frontline is accused of being sensationalist after it links two unrelated murders to a mythical serial killer. Meanwhile, Mike is confused over his fan mail.

She's Got The Look

When Brian hires an attractive sports star because he likes her, the team's (especially Emma) moral values come into play.

The Siege

When a gunman with several hostages holes up in a remote farmhouse, the race to get the best coverage is on. Frontline's questionable methods bring a storm of criticism, but they have their ratings and nobody got hurt... surely 'all's well that ends well'...?

Playing The Ego Card

Mike wants to boost his credibility, so he insists on going out on the 'frontline' and covers a story in Bougainville. Meanwhile Brooke takes full advantage of Mike's absence from the front desk by hosting 'Frontline'.

We Ain't Got Dames

Frontline's female viewers are tuning out, so Brian and the team try all of the proven 'techniques' to get them back. In the midst of this feminine push, Brian decides to get rid of Elliot Rhodes, their Friday night funnyman, a task that proves more difficult than he thought.

The Art Of Gentle Persuasion

Mike is planning a story but the others convince him to do a so-called expose on table-top dancing. When a crocodile victim's husband won't give a story, Marty goes to extreme lengths to get one.

The Invisible Man

A hidden camera story for Brooke backfires while Mike tries to fix up his low profile and the cameramen get an eyeful of Brooke.

...Add Sex and Stir

Frontline transforms another boring story about underrecognised sportswomen into a hot story about lesbians in sport. Meanwhile Mike has a party and it's certainly an affair to remember with such guests as Molly Meldrum, Glenn Ridge and George Negus.

Smaller Fish To Fry

Mike investigates the story of his careerŠ however, it could incriminate some of the nation's top businessmen. The powers that be want the story dropped. Will Mike stick to his guns?

Judge And Jury

Brooke does a series on a priest accused of rape and Mike goes up against cross-network promotion. During a story, Marty unwittingly wipes out an entire genus of butterfly.

The Night Of Nights

It's Australian television's most exciting night... the Logie Awards, but for Mike Moore there's a problem... he can't find a date. Meanwhile Brian runs a story he knows he shouldn't and ends up regretting it.

One Big Family

Ratings are down and heads may roll at the Frontline office. But nothing gets in the way of the network promo.

Workin' Class Man

Frontline attempts to boots its blue-collar audience with Mike Moore taking on the unlikely role of a "working class hero".

Hereos and Villains

Our team is hot on the heels of a racist academic. Mike, just back from holidays, leads the charge.

Office Mole

Mike is bored but when Frontline suspects that someone is leaking stories to another station, he springs into action.

Basic Instincts

When a Frontline cameraman tapes a savage bashing, the story is aired ­ with disastrous results.

Let The Children Play

Sam is keen to boost the ratings by building a playground for underprivileged kids. But he doesn't count on Mike offering to help out.

Keeping Up Appearances

When a tragically scarred woman agrees to sell her story, the price is too high. But Sam comes up with a plan to raise the money. Mike appears on the front cover of a gay magazine.

Divide The Community, Multiply The Ratings

When ethnic violence explodes on the streets, the Frontline team is there to capture it. But no one is prepared to pay the price.

All Work And No Fame

Mike is concerned he is not being taken seriously as a journalist. But when Marty agrees to let him help out on a story, things don't quite work out as planned.

Changing The Face Of Current Affairs

In an effort to combat falling ratings, a consultant is called in. But his changes do not quite work out as planned.

A Man Of His Convictions

When Mike is accused of being a lightweight, he decides to hit back. But his past catches up with him.

The Great Pretenders

Mike is upset when a viewer accuses the show of being irresponsible. Meanwhile, Marty helps a killer to walk free.

Give 'em Enough Rope

When the network owner announces he wants to be interviewed on Frontline, Mark is thrown into an ethical spin.

Dick On The Line

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.

My Generation

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."

The Shadow We Cast

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.

One Rule For One

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.

A Hole In The Heart, Part 1

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.

A Hole In The Heart, Part 2

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.

The Simple Life

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."

I Get The Big Names

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?

The Art Of The Interview

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"?

"I" Disease

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.

Addicted To Fame

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".

The Code

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?

Epitaph

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.