australian television information archive

Action!

Episode 01
Australia: April 06, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by David Swann

There are new friendships to be forged and old alliances to be renewed as the Year 9 Media Studies class at Sunridge Park School begins the new term. Mr Long sets them a new challenge — a three-minute video on the topic of their choice. Ruth sees the project as the chance to help Fiona find true love.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Ronald Grima as Di Blasi, Anna Hayes as Librarian, Penelope Schlam as Harriet, Richie Akers as Alien

Wheels On Fire

Episode 02
April 13, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by David Swan

Anna doesn't feel a part of the Media Studies class and is going to leave until Mr Long teams her up with Oscar to work on a video. Ross badgers Sophie to help him with his soccer video, but in his enthusiasm to watch the game he tips her out of her wheelchair. Sophie and Oscar both discover that the camera can lie — with a bit of creative editing.

Guest Cast: Gary Rens as Coach Gary, Cameron MacDonald as Carl, Rowan Browne as Male Dancer, Melissa Gibson as Female Dancer

Money Or The Box

Episode 03
April 20, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by David Swan

Fiona is still not talking to Ruth after the fiasco of the Laz video, but she is forced to team up with her when she wants to video and meet her favourite band — International Oyster. But instead of meeting the band, Fiona lands in trouble and Ruth gets to meet them. Ross learns a lesson about sharing when Oscar discovers a family video that Ross has been editing.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Esme Melville as Mrs Green, Katerina Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Jan Skubiszewski as Stixx, Chrissy Velissaris as Greek Woman, Stephen Zombos as Greek Grandfather, Stella Angelico as Feral Girl, Marnie Statkus as Girl With Ferret, Terry Sotiriou as Chris, Henry Thedorou as Dimitri, Johnny McNamara as Metal Boy, Juz Cameron as Female Staff Member, Matt Norman as Security Guard, Pegasus Dance Academy as Greek Dancers

Au Naturel

Episode 04
April 27, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by David Swan

When Anna shows her nature video to the class they agree on one thing — it's boring. The class is not afraid to tell Anna what they think. Mr Long knows how to remedy that attitude — everyone has to make a nature video. What seems simple proves far more difficult and Anna becomes the most popular girl in class as everyone tries to solicit her help.

Guest Cast: Jacqui Sundbery as Miss Peterson, Amanda Buchanan as Ross Stunt Double

Crash And Burn

Episode 05
May 04, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by David Swan

The twins video the aftermath of a car accident outside the school. They see the video as a way to make fast money on TV's Funniest Home Video. Ross has his sights set on bigger fish — a new series called Funniest Home Car Crashes. For Sophie it is all too close to home — bringing back the bad memories of the accident that killed her father and left her in a wheelchair. It is up to Sophie to get the message across.

Guest Cast: Fiona Corke as Elisa Bennett, Mike Bishop as Sophie's Dad, Alice Garner as Moria, Craig Beamer as Tony, John Lockwood as Hippy, Lisa Fineberg as Allisha, Colette Bruggeman as Passenger, Conrad Bishop as News Reporter, Amanda Buchanan as Moria Driving Double, Graham Jahne as Tony Driving Double, Jools Weigh as Passenger Double

Home And Away

Episode 06
May 11, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Elise McCredie

Collaboration — Mr Long teams Ross with Anna and Kurt with Ruth to produce videos with very mixed results. Laz has moved in with friends and Ross sees his video as a chance to show their mum how well Laz is going. Ruth sees the collaboration as a chance to get close to Kurt. They are both disappointed.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Katerina Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Ronald Grima as Di Blasi, Heath Campbell-McLean as Seltmann, Lisa Bell as Greta Hartnell

Wonder Twins Activate

Episode 07
May 18, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Elise McCredie

Ruth thinks a video of Kurt's home life will help the class understand him. Oscar thinks an inside look at the twins' home life will help get the terrible two off his back. The two exposés into the private lives of Kurt and the twins have vastly different results for Ruth and Oscar. Ruth is a pariah and Oscar is a hero.

Guest Cast: Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Carl Lennie as Paul Coxon, Desiree Smith as Mrs McQuilten, Ben Schmideg as Mickey, Hannah Greenwood as Terese, William Houten as Gangster-1, Paul Bongiovanni as Gangster-2, Tyson Taylor as Kid, Lauren O'Callaghan as Miss Hammond

Burn Baby, Burn

Episode 08
May 25, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Elise McCredie

Sophie can't bring herself to like her mother's boyfriend, Glenn. No matter how hard he tries Glenn can't do a thing right and Sophie won't give him an even break. Life at home is difficult for Ruth, too. When her mother goes on a diet she is forced to join in even though she doesn't need to lose any weight.

Guest Cast: Fiona Corke as Elisa Bennett, Brett Swain as Glenn, Robyn Butler as Mrs Hartnell, Alex Pinder as Mr Hartnell, Lisa Bell as Gretel Hartnell, Susanne Chapman as Mrs Powell, Paul Dawber as Reporter

My Funny Valentine

Episode 09
June 01, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Elise McCredie

When Mr Long forces Anna and Ross to work together and they have to find a topic they can agree on it seems like an impossible task — until Anna comes up with and idea. They will swap character traits! Oscar begs his family not to embarrass him when Fiona comes for tea. And Kurt decides to make a video on the old lady next door.

Special Guest: Shaun Micallef
Guest Cast: Esme Melville as Mrs Green, Bruce Spence as Mr Coxon, Denise Scott as Mrs Coxon, Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Carl Lennie as Paul Coxon

Grass Is Greener

Episode 10
June 08, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Elise McCredie

Kurt's video of his elderly neighbour, Mrs Green, begins as a joke. He wants to hurt the old lady by making her seem stupid, but the more time he spends with her the more he gets to like her. The new Kurt surprises his classmates, but not Mrs Green. She always knew there was more to the sullen boy. Kurt and Mrs Green form a close bond that is broken when she passes away before his video is completed.

Guest Cast: Esme Melville as Mrs Green, Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Kristie Raymond as News Reader, Irini Pappas as Pensioner #1, Brian Wray as Neighbour

Note: the script for this episode earned Marieke Hardy a nomination for a 2002 AWGIE Award (Australian Writer's Guild) in the category Best Children's Screen & Radio (Original)

Super Geek

Episode 11
June 15, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon

Directing his first film script proves to be a much harder job than Oscar imagined. The cast wants to rewrite the script and can't agree on Oscar's image of the characters. Kurt is still mourning his friend and neighbour, Mrs Green but his mood lightens when a new family moves in next door and their daughter is everything he dreamt of in a girl — a female version of him!

Guest Cast: Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Jillian Murray as Kendra, Reg Evans as Mr Barlow, Matt Dyktynksi as Stuart, Lucy Taylor as Maureen, Tanja Bulatovic as Reporter, Emily Mendoza as Olivia Sedaris, Roland Dantes as Dave Sedaris, Linda Keane as Amy Sedaris, Michael Ngan as Lou Sedaris, Marc Ngan as Giamo Sedearis

The Thrill Of The Chase

Episode 12
June 22, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon

The class is led on a merry chase when the twins steal the class video camera and hold it to ransom. They have been kicked out of the Media Studies class and want to prove they should be able to return and not be forced into Design Technology. Kurt is the only one not involved in the hostage drama. He has his own problems — a reluctance to take part in a personal profile video.

Guest Cast: Jacqui Sundberry as Miss Peterson

A Fête Worse Than Death

Episode 13
June 29, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon

The end of term is approaching and everyone is looking forward to the holiday. The class organises an awards night with the winner of the best film getting to take the camera home for the holidays. But before the holiday there is muck-up day. Pandemonium reigns until a word appears on the school oval. Chaos takes over. And it is chaos that could see Kurt expelled.

Guest Cast: Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Katerina Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Carl Lennie as Paul Coxon, Robyn Butler as Mrs Hartnell, Kevin Tran as Kid #1, Emma Leonard as Kid #2, Cameron MacDonald as Kid #3, Melissa Amin as Kid #4

Anarchists' Convention

Episode 14
July 06, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Liz Hughes

The new term begins with a new Kurt showing his holiday video — a film of student revolution. Ross is motivated and decides to stand for Student Representative Council. Oscar is motivated too. He helps Kurt show his film on the internal TV system, seeing it as a way to get a student run TV station. The class is enthusiastic, but Mrs Bartlett doesn't think it is such a good idea.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Katerine Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Robyn Butler as Mrs Hartnell, Lisa Bell as Gretel Hartnell, Fiona Corke as Mrs Bennett, Marco Chiappi as Mr Klopfer, Jacqui Sundbery as Miss Peterson, Anthony Breslin as Rudy, William Szekeres as Geek #1, Angela Giannoulopoulos as Geek #2, Lance Anderson as Maintenance Man

Eye Of The Tiger

Episode 15
July 13, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Liz Hughes

The class is determined to change Mrs Bartlett's mind about the student TV station and plan to put together a promo tape to show her just what they have in mind. Anna is going to be the face of the student TV but doesn't turn up to the planning meeting. Everyone is annoyed until they realise she is seriously ill. Should they proceed without her?

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Shuhei Nagao as Kiyoshiru, Reiko Nagao as Kiyoshiru's Mum, Julia Nagao as Kiyoshiru's Sister, Takahito Masuda as Kiyoshiru's Dad, Yumi Umiumare as Nurse, Marc Arena as Tony 'Tyson' Vanetti, Graeme Kuchmar as Announcer

What A Feeling!

Episode 16
July 20, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Liz Hughes

The school dance is coming up and Fiona is holding dance lessons. Her only two students are Ross and Oscar and they both want to impress and be her date for the dance. Ruth is sick of Kurt's attitude and tells him so. He tries to ask her to the dance but the words never come out right. Everyone is having a good time until they find out that Anna is really ill — she is in a coma.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Katerina Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Jacqui Sundbery as Miss Peterson, Stephen Wools as Rhys Graham, Angus Sampson as DJ

Every Vote Counts

Episode 17
August 10, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Moira Moss

With Anna still gravely ill in hospital an election is held to replace her as Head of Form. Both Sophie and Ruth put themselves forward as candidates — setting up the two for an interesting battle. Ruth is the caring sharing candidate while Sophie wants a revolution. Mrs Bartlett makes a decision about the student TV station. It can't go ahead while Sophie is preaching revolution. She will have to withdraw from the race for the station to have a chance. Sophie has a decision to make.

Guest Cast: Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Marco Chiappi as Mr Klopfer, Marie Louise Walker as Mrs Klopfer, Katerina Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Lisa Bell as Gretel Hartnel, Justin Lehmann as Male Nurse, Alicia Gardiner as School Nurse, Zac Jardine as Lance Georgina, Michaela Watts as Becky Grigg

The Night Of Nights

Episode 18
August 17, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Moira Moss

Mrs Bartlett has finally given her permission for the student channel to go to air, but it isn't easy sailing getting the station up and running. Anna is out of her coma and has just one wish — that Ross isn't the anchor. That leaves a reluctant Fiona to take the spotlight. Oscar takes over running the channel and becomes a tyrant. Some how the kids have to bring him into line.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Emily Mendoza as Olivia Sedaris, Stephen Wools as Rhys Graham, Ronald Grima as Di Blasi, Casey Lee Walker as Kid #1, Greta Larkins as Kid #2

Splitting A Tom

Episode 19
August 24, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Moira Moss

It is clear that the twins depend too much on each other so Mr Long proposes a test. They must each make a video without the help of the other. Tim's is good, but the same can't be said for Tom's. He copied Tim's idea without the same success. In hospital Anna borrows a video and has a lot of fun making a film with the other patients.

Guest Cast: Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Emily Mendoza as Olivia Sedaris, Marco Chiappi as Mr Klopfer, Marie Louise Walker as Mrs Klopfer, Vishnu Vadivelu as Jack, Domani Madigan as Meg, Roberta Dora as Eli, Justin Lehmann as Male Nurse, Leah Vanderberg as Psychologist, Peter Kismartoni as Karate Kid #1, Kayne Homer as Karate Kid #2, Stephen Wools as Rhys Graham, Richard Vette as Cinema Worker

Mummy Dearest

Episode 20
August 31, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Moira Moss

Kurt's mother returns home after a seven-year absence and the boy is transformed. The sullen face is gone and a smile has replaced it. No one can believe the change — especially Ruth when Kurt invites her out! But the new Kurt is going to be short-lived — she leaves again just as unexpectedly. Oscar has been filming Ruth's mother's pregnancy and she has had enough — no more filming! But Oscar is persistant and arrives unannounced and is there where Ruth's baby sister is born.

Guest Cast: Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Saskia Post as Louise, Robyn Butler as Mrs Hartnell, Alex Pinder as Mr Hartnell, Lisa Bell as Gretel Hartnell, Katerina Kotsonis as Mrs Papasavas, Marie Louise Walker as Mrs Klopfer, Nick Perry as Young Kurt, Isabella Rome as Baby Hartnell, Alex Marriot as American TV Kid #1, Sophie Ewert as American TV Kid #2, Richard Andrew as Band Member, Joel Silbersher as Band Member, Barry Stockley as Band Member

Note: in Ruth's criticism of children's tv series as not being representative of normal kids' lives, she uses "busting a bird smuggling ring" as an example. This is a nod by writer Marieke Hardy to series two of The Henderson Kids, a series in which she starred, in which the kids break up a bird smuggling ring. If there was any doubt, this plot is again referenced in the finale and Haven Bay, the fictional location of The Henderson Kids, is specifically mentioned.

Party On, Rhys

Episode 21
September 07, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Moira Moss

Fiona is having a birthday and she wants a more grown-up party that doesn't include the boys from the Media Studies class. Fiona is inviting her Year 11 boyfriend and his mates — it proves to be a disastrous move. Anna is out of hospital but too scared to go back to school or Fiona's party. Sophie and Ruth have a plan to get her back in the action. And the boys have a plan to get their own back for not being invited to the party.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Marie Louise Walker as Mrs Klopfer, Marco Chiappi as Mr Klopfler, Vishnu Vadivelu as Jack, Stephen Woolds as Rhys Graham, Heath Campbell-McLean as Seltman, Ronald Grima as Di Blasi, Lisa Aldenhoven as Mrs Frischmann, Nicholas Crawford Smith as Mr Frischmann, Marty McQuilten as DJ, Anthony Mays as Stunt Performer, Paul Reid as Stunt Performer, Kristen White as Ruth Stunt Performer

Fight The Power

Episode 22
September 14, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Oscar's sister comes home for an anti-uranium demonstration. Her mother is going to join in but Oscar and his dad want them to keep out of trouble. Sophie is keen to be part of it and when she can't get anyone to join her she goes alone. Meanwhile, Kurt makes a special appearance with his father's band — but it is a gig he doesn't want anyone to find out about.

Guest Cast: Bruce Spence as Mr Coxon, Denise Scott as Mrs Coxon, Marieke Hardy as Josephine Coxon, Carl Lennie as Paul Coxon, Marcus Eyre as Aaron, Fiona Corke as Mrs Bennett, Jane Hall as PC Demmler, Dominic Raso as Big Bad Kev, David Brown as Jumpin' Jack Joel, Robert Monea as Reelin' & Ridin' Richard, Tanja Bulatovic as Reporter, Stella Angelica as Heather, Russell Allan as Stunt Performer, Davin Taylor as Stunt Performer, Graham Jahne as Stunt Performer

Note: for this episode, Marieke Hardy won a 2002 AWGIE Award (Australian Writer's Guild) in the category Best Children's Screen & Radio (Original).

Cops And Robbers

Episode 23
September 21, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The class has been getting complaints about their programming of the student TV channel so they decide to create an original film for broadcast. The cops and robbers film is going well until they are all arrested. Mrs Bartlett is far from amused when she hears the news. The Media Studies class is banned from the school channel and Mr Long is out of the classroom and into the gym — teaching PE.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Bruce Spence as Mr Coxon, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Ross Williams as Mr Tucker, Jane Hall as PC Demmler, Tamara Chatterton as Gabi, Ronald Grima as Di Blasi, Anna Jennings-Edquist as Cute Girl #1, Lisa Crittenden as Gabi's Mum, Russell Allan as Stunt Performer, Davin Taylor as Stunt Performer

Survivor

Episode 24
September 28, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Karl Zwicky

With Mr Long teaching PE and the Year 9 students locked out of the TV studio, drastic measures are called for. Led by Sophie, the class stages a sit-in. Everyone is prepared to take part — except Ross, he has an important soccer match. The strike creates a lot of interest with the entire school — especially after Ross turns the boring protest into a reality TV series. To bring it to an end Mr Long makes an unusual move.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Bruce Spence as Mr Coxon, Denise Scott as Mrs Coxon, Marieke Hardy as Josephine Coxon, Carl Lennie as Paul Coxon, Louise Siversen as Mrs Bartlett, Jacqui Sundbery as Miss Peterson, Ross Williams as Mr Tucker, Ronald Grima as Di Blasi, Tamara Chatterton as Gabi, Heath Campbell-McLean as Seltmann, Tanja Bulatovic as Reporter, Shaun Hodges as Kid #1, Angela Giannoulopoulos as Netballer Girl

As A Row Of Tents

Episode 25
October 05, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The class heads into the bush for the school camp. No one is very keen apart from Ruth and Kurt who see it as a chance to sneak off together and Mr Long who will be able to spend time with Miss Petersen. When Kurt and Ruth go missing everyone fears the worst.

Guest Cast: Marcus Eyre as Aaron Winters, Denise Scott as Mrs Coxon, Jacqui Sundbery as Miss Peterson, Tamara Chatterton as Gabi, Babs McMillan as Miri Lieberman, Tom Meadmore as AC (Kurt Lookalike), William Szekeres as Damian (Oscar Lookalike), Bridie Anderson as Lucy (Anna Lookalike), Stephanie McIntosh as Katie (Fiona Lookalike), Melissa Amin as Leah (Ruth Lookalike), Jim Sirilas as Alex (Ross Lookalike), Amanda Orr as Gemma (Sophie Lookalike), Myles Collins as Mr Matthews

Cut

Episode 26
October 12, 2002
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The big day is looming and there are wedding jitters for Mr Long and Miss Petersen. When the kids find out that Miss Petersen has landed a job in Greenland they decide to stop the wedding. They can't lose their favourite teacher to Greenland with his wife! Complicated plans are hatched and in full swing when Oscar finds out that Mr Long loves Miss Petersen and is keen to go away with her. Somehow he has to stop the plans and get Mr Long to church on time.

Guest Cast: Alex Konis as Laz Papasavas, Bruce Spence as Mr Coxon, Jacqui Sundbery as Miss Peterson, Tamara Chatterton as Gabi, Kristy Chatterton as Shanti, Russell Allan as Stunt Driver, Morgan Evans as Ross Stunt Double, Butt Funky's Non Stop Disco Party as Band & Dancers