australian television information archive

The Fastest Cab in the Southern Hemisphere

Episode 1
Tue, April 26, 1988 (8:30, ABC)
Written by
Directed by Chris Thomson

World-wary journalist Frank Buchanan returns to Australia for a rest, but all hopes of a quiet life disappear when he forms an unlikely partnership with an opportunistic young taxi driver, Yannis Moustakas, and begins working for Laura, his new editor.

Starring:

With:

Moving In

Episode 2
Tue, May 03, 1988
Written by
Directed by Kathy Mueller

Frank cannot escape disaster and Yannis. He is ejected from his motel room and agrees to stay at Laura's house, where he becomes the target of Beverly, a woman caught between separation and divorce.

With:

Tit for Tat

Episode 3
Tue, May 10, 1988
Written by
Directed by Ken Cameron

Laura asks Frank to write an in-depth article on post-feminism. He researches the story by interviewing the women he knows best and discovers facets of Laura and his former wife he never knew existed. At the same time Yannis has taken over the management of an all-female rock group.

With:

Commercial Break

Episode 4
Tue, May 17, 1988
Written by
Directed by Kathy Mueller

Despite his loathing of machines, Frank is not averse to using his old Olivetti to help out a mate, even though it involves the kind of writing he'd rather avoid. His friend, Greg 'Topsy' Turvey, is "blocked" and Frank enters the world of commercial television by writing a soapie episode for him.

With:

Our Man Frank

Episode 5
Tue, May 24, 1988
Written by
Directed by Ken Cameron

Frank's son Gordon suddenly appears on his doorstep. He wants to use Frank's place as a hideout. For Frank it is a chance to re-establish their relationship.

With:

Burying the Monkey

Episode 6
Tue, May 31, 1988
Written by
Directed by Kathy Mueller

At Laura's insistence Frank follows up a story about an reclusive old film star who starred in a lost classic, Miracle at Jackaroo Downs, alongside Errol Flynn. Kate MacQuire went into hiding after Flynn jilted her and seems to have gone further off the rails ever since.

With:

Fishy Chips

Episode 7
Tue, June 07, 1988
Written by
Directed by Chris Thomson

Frank is in the throes of buying furniture for his home when Yannis, who wants to start his own casino, suggests they have a night out on an illegal gambling boat. On the boat they meet Sylvia, a friend of Yannis' and a casino hostess. She tells Yannis there's more to the boat than meets the eye.

With:

Torch Song

Episode 8
Tue, June 14, 1988
Written by
Directed by Kathy Mueller

Laura has decided that she just might be in love with Frank. But Frank is lured into doing a story on a super-successful businesswom an, a woman he had an affair with 20 years ago that ended so badly they have not spoken since.

With: