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News and current affairs shows are, it seems, of little interest to younger viewers, and their ratings are declining. A Queensland University of Technology study last year found young people wanted information on the world and politics, but felt alienated by its presentation on television. The result was that they gained much of their information from satirical shows such as The Panel and Good News Week.
GNW's Julie McCrossin believes there are two ways to look at this situation: "At first I think, 'Oh my God!' Because I know, speaking for Good News Week, that we're an entertainment program, openly and honestly so.
"And, comments on native title, tax policy or social justice that I or anyone else can blurt out are going to be in 10 to to 15-second grabs. I know that to understand the world I need more information than that.
"But then another voice comes into my head," says the GNW team captain. "If this gets them thinking and they see that it's OK to really care about issues and that we're coming from somewhere, that we're committed, then at least it's kicking off an interest that may take hold in later life.
"Many parents come up to me and say, 'Thank God for Good News Week, it's the only time my teenagers take any interest whatsoever in what's going on in the world.'"
McCrossin believes life has changed for young people and outside pressures force them to reduce their outlook on life. "When I hit university in the early '70s, I was inculcated into a culture of comprehensive international learning about power and equity," she says.
"I'm at uni now (studying law part-time) and it's a different world. The poor buggers are all working to get through uni; they're frantic about their grades so they can get a job.
"I'm not going to knock the kids of today for being more individually orientated. The world's changed, it's a tougher place."
McCrossin does not see herself as a comedian, although she did perform stand-up comedy for many years. In fact, she does not see making jokes as her main role on GNW.
"I'm really quite, bemused by the fact that I'm now considered by most people as a sort of comedy woman,'' she says. "I think of myself more as a bit of a social commentator who's got a colloquial turn of phrase and some odd body language.
Her manic hand guestures and "readable" face make her the most popular choice for cutaway shots, and she thinks it's her manner, more than anything, that appeals.
"Often what I say is quite serious, but I say it in a way that will get a response from an audience. My main focus is on trying to have an attitude to the bigger stories. I've always got a deadset comedian sitting on my team with me.
"They (the producers) don't need me for gags, what they really want from me is an emotional attitude to the story."
For McCrossin, keeping up on current events is not just necessary for GNW research, it's an integral part of everyday life. A former journalist with Radio National's Background Briefing, she takes a strong interest in all media trends, and at present, doesn't like what she sees.
"It's hardly an original idea," she admits, "but the narrowness of ownership is a serious problem for independence and particularly coverage of the business interests of major shareholders.
"I miss in-depth investigative journalism. Very few outlets now are giving journalists the resources to do it."
One story she believes is crying to be written is about the companies behind the building of infrastructure in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics, but noone seems to be interested.
"That's why the cuts to the ABC are so tragic," she says. "Someone like Maxine McKew leaving Lateline and going to The Bulletin, I was very sorry to see her go to Packer. Somehow the ABC is losing good people.
Such as the Good News Week team?
"I wanted to stay with the ABC," McCrossin confesses. "My whole working life in the media has been ABC-orientated and I really value our public broadcaster immensely.
"But the staff at Ten that we deal with are just thrilled to have an Australian show, genuinely thrilled. So you feel really welcome."
McCrossin also finds decision making a much faster process at the commercial network, a distinct change from at the ABC. "I know that will mean one day they'll make a decision and we'll disappear fast too," she says. "But right now I feel comfortable with that."
"Whenever we make public appearances there is a really big slice of the audience, 65 to 70 percent, that is under 25 and they are engaging in full scale fan behaviour," McCrossin says.
"So, yes, there's a strong youth following, but when I was signing autographs at the Easter show in Sydney there was also a lot of middle-aged and older people queuing up. They are just thrilled that there's something on television with a bit of intellectual content, that enables them to keep up with a little of what their children and grandchildren are talking about."
Recently in Melbourne during the Comedy Festival to tape three episodes of GNW, McCrossin says she has changed the way she reads and what she reads sincejoining the program.
"I have always been an obsessive reader, although I only read popular magazines at the dentist, so it's new for me to pore over TV Week or Who. But I've increased the number of newspapers I should be across. And I read them differently now, because I'm looking for those quirky strange-but-true stories. You have to have a lot inside your head to just bounce off."
Although satire on television has recently come in for some criticism (GNW has been singled out for being too nice to its targets) with Roy and HG and McFeast back and with the addition of Network 10's The Panel, McCrossin believes the state of satirical TV is quite healthy.
"In the first show we did in Melbourne, Paul's opening nionologue included some really edgy satire about Senator Harradine dancing with the Wik people outside Parliament House. The joke ran "great to see him dancing for Aboriginal people and this important issue, but let's hope he can remember to dance for women next time an abortion debate comes up'. I think that was good strong material and when we've covered topics such as MPs' conflict of interest, Senator Parer's trust accounts and the PM and so on there's been good, strong stuff there."
McCrossin, who during the day is a law student, public speaker and professional MC, says that although she often doesn't get the big laughs, the program only works because of the chemistry between the three regulars.
"The program is an interesting mix of really strong structure - the opening commentary, the interlinking scripts, the selection of the stories and images - and ad libbing - Mikey and my team members just going for it in a wild way. The key for me is to be relaxed and happy. I obsessively read the papers so I can quickly ad lib content, because I think people look to me for content.
Mikey is clearly expected to be desperately gagging and funny, quick smart all the time, and Paul is expected to be incredibly erudite - and clever and funny. And I think people look to me for the physical comedy, warmth and facilitation and some social comment. And if I can also make people laugh, well that's great."
McGrossin says one of the changes GNW has made to her life is that she now wears a bra. "I had never worn them before I got this job and I have discovered that I've got cleavage! I've often thaught that it would be great if there were more slim lesbians, well, who look like our voraciously heterosexual British guest last week, Jenny Eclair. I want more lesbians who look just like Jenny Eclair! And all the the others! I want diversity of images."
Including her own, she says, "It has given me considerable pleasure, at 43, to be extremely open about being gay, notjust for the gay press, but for all the press - what has been interesting is who picks it up and who doesn't. It has given me great pleasure to be a glamorous middle-aged lesbian on telly - with a cleavage!"
Although McCrossin is a 78er - one of those involved with the demonstrations that eventually became the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - she claims not to have been at the march that eventually became Mardi Gras. "In Melbourne last week these young girls came up and said, 'are you a '78er?', lik ANZAC Day. It's almost as if on one particular evening at Kings Cross 20 years ago from the pavement sprang miracle-like the gay lib movement, but it doesn't feel like that to me.
While Good News week breathed its last gasp a few weeks back, Network Ten has already promised that the GNW gang- Paul McDermott, Mikey Robins and Julie McCrossin- will be back next year in an all new comedy show.
But it seems things are far from signed, sealed and delivered behind the scenes of their mystery new project. At this stage, Julie McCrossin doubts she will even be involved.
"I don't know- we'll see about that one," Julie says. "My instinct is that the boys are heading into light entertainment and that's not quite me. It'll be something in the comedy music arena, more in the mode of GNW Night Lite.
"As for the cocktail of Paul. Mikey and myself, I think I offered the 'warm woman's opinion" on many issues. It's best to play with your strengths- a chat show discussing ideas is much more me."
And that's exactly what Julie has landed at the ABC with her new chat show McCrossin, which screens Tuesdays at 10pm. After four years of being the third banana of the GNW trio, Julie has the chance to step in as the centerpiece of her own show.
McCrossin is a half-hour chat show format in which Julie will anchor a discussion among three guests on topics ranging from The Next generation to Coming Out. And at the end of every show, there will also be a musical number.
"One of the things I most wanted was a song at the end of every show," she says "It gives everything a sense of occasion! Three guests and a song- it's that simple."
While the quips and one liners slip easily from Julie's tongue, she says she would never consider herself a comedian. "I call myself a social commentator with extravagant body language," she laughs.
Julie has worked as a TV host and commentator on telecasts as diverse as Anzac Day marches to the Mardi Gras parades, as well as on ABC Radio National's Life Matters program.
McCrossin, she insists, will not be about funny gags or set-ups. It's about people discussing a range of topics.
"That's my background. I was pushed right outside my comfort zone with the GNW comedy material, but I love a challenge," she says
Julie is giving nothing away with her line up of guests, but she hopes one of her GNW pals will make an appearance.
"I hope Mikey will come on as this is very much his style"
So with some doubt over her TV plans for the New Year, would Julie be happy to stay on her own show at the ABC?
"In this current season, I have seven goes to get it right. If I have even more after that, I'll be thrilled!"
How long have you lived here?
I loved living in Sydney for 45 of my 46 years. I spent 1987 on the midnorth coast, at Kempsey, on ABC rural radio doing talkback.
What are your first memories of Sydney?
My earliest memory is graduating from the learn-to-swim classes at the Watson’s Bay baths. On graduation they gave you cloth water wings and sewed them on to your cossie. I can still remember feeling proud.
What is your favourite Sydney street and why?
My own street in Annandale. It is cut by an old aqueduct, so there’s only local traffic. Digs sit and sun themselves in the middle of the Road. My neighbours sit on their front steps on warm nights and we call out to each other as we arrive home from work. It’s a real “neighbourhood” to use a Yankee work I like.
What is your favourite restaurant and why?
The Bar Baba in Norton St, Leichhardt. It has great food, friendly family service that’s quick and they let me sit as long as I like.
What is your favourite past time and place to hang out?
Walking around the headland at Camp Cove for the best view in the world; or taking my stepchildren to the movies at the mecca of the west, Penrith Plaza; or relaxing at the Coogee Ladies Pool; or walking my beloved kelpie through the grounds of the old Callan Park psychiatric hospital.
What’s the best beach in Sydney and why?
Neilsen Park is a Sydney Harbour beach I adore. It’s full of happy childhood memories and I still love nothing better than a picnic at sunset with a pack of kids and mates.
What do you find most appealing about Sydney?
The sea, the harbour and the magnificent Blue Mountains just on our doorstep-and it’s the home of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which reflects a libertarian streak I enjoy.
What’s your perfect Sunday?
Being at home with my girlfriend and the kids with no plans and lots of time together.
TV WEEK: What book are youreading at the moment Julie?
Julie: The Great Arc by John Keay. It's a dramatic tale about how India was mapped and how Mount Everest was named.
TVW: WHat is the best film that you have seen recently?
Julie: Chicken Run. It was excellent- escapist animation that's sublime.
TVW:What is your favourite TV show?
Julie: Copmass (ABC) It's full of thoughtprovoking ideas about what life may mean.
TVW: Name the person who has most influenced your life, and why?
Julie: My mum, because she engaged me in conversation from a very early age and aroused my curiosity about all things.
TVW:What is the most embarrassing moment of your life to date?
Julie: When my underpants fell to my ankles while I was running for the school bus when I was 13.
TVW: WHat can't you live without?
Julie: The love of my friends and family.
TVW: What frightens you?
Julie: Prejudice.
TVW How would you like to be remembered?
Julie: As a realiable and trustworthy partner, daughter and friend.