Cut to the Puppies

There’s an absolutely glorious interview in today’s Courier Mail with All Saints stars Judith McGrath and John Howard.

Writer Geoff Shearer shares a lunch with the two (possibly some weeks ago) in which they are very up front about the industry, the Logies, changes to their show, and actors having to do nude scenes in Underbelly.

There are far too many gold quotes to re-print here, but here are a few choice moments…

Howard: Hey, when did you last appear at the Logies?

McGrath: You mean that time when I was trussed up like a chook?

Howard: The only year you came down was the year you were nominated.

McGrath: (deadpans) And that was worth it. I’m sorry, but you do get over it. I was of the era of the “best time” Logies when it was like a celebration of the industry not of a bloody network. So people weren’t closed out of other people’s parties – well, they tried to, but there was no point – and you could still be in the ballroom at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning until they swept you out. It’s all so “designed” now. One time the women’s toilets were the best fun to be had. Logies were left. Fabulous. Sheila Florence left hers – not a surprise there. But it is hard work now, isn’t it?

Howard: It is, yep.

When the subject of the show switching to its Medical Response Unit is broached, here’s how John Howard remembers producer Bill Hughes breaking the news to the cast:

Howard: “When he told me we were changing and we were going to have MRU, he spoke for a little while, very enthusiastic, and then he paused and went, ‘of course it will mean less screen time for you, John’ – and my immediate response was, ‘well, bang goes the Gold Logie’,” he says, tongue firmly in cheek. “And you can print that. But make sure it’s a quote from John Wood.”

McGrath laughs. “Oh, yes, do make sure. No, really make sure, that it’s in.”

And there’s an hilarious reference to ‘that poor girl’ in Underbelly who is forced to appear in nude scenes every five minutes:

Howard: “You know, there used to be an expression in show business – ‘and we’ll cut to the seagulls’.

“But in that show it’s ‘cut to the puppies’, isn’t it? Or am I missing something?”

His broad grin and his hands thrust at us, palms up in expectation, forces everyone into laughter.

“Call your article ‘cut to the puppies’,” Howard booms.

The newspaper decided to run with another title.

A great read. Check it out at news.com.au