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Number 96, Mavis Bramston and Me
Behind the scenes of two of Australia's most outrageous television shows - - - - - - - - - - Two shows changed the face of Australian television forever, and rocked the nation to its foundations. And now, the creator of 'Number 96' and the Executive Producer of 'The Mavis Bramston Show' takes you behind the scenes of these two controversial, outrageously ground-breaking series for a jaunt through the industry's Golden Years. - - - - - - - - - - These two shows flaunted the unmentionable, destroyed taboos, ridiculed sacred cows and dared to deal with subjects hitherto considered too shocking for polite society. They were condemned from the pulpit, slayed by the critcs, yet adored by an immense majority of viewers. - - - - - - - - - - Actor, script writer, producer and author David Sale's career progressed through the theatres and movie studios of London and Hollywood and the turbulent world of Australia's TV industry, and he takes us with him every step of the way. - - - - - - - - - - It's a life that began in war-ravaged Manchester, followed the migrant route to Australia, and - against all odds - hit the heights of show business. It can be summed up in four words. From Blitz to Glitz!
322 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 15, 2021
Listening to the audio version narrated by David Sale was most enjoyable and told with humour and warmth.
’Actor, script writer, producer and author David Sale's career progressed through the theatres and movie studios of London and Hollywood and the turbulent world of Australia's TV industry, and he takes us with him every step of the way.’
A fun and interesting look into what was one of the most popular and controversial TV series to hit Australia’s screens in the 1970s. Number 96 ran from 1972 until 1977 which made me too young to watch it, my dad was a stickler for the rules, when he read the bottom of the screen ‘not suitable for children’ I was sent to my room, I was not happy. The year it finished I was 15 and thought I was old enough to watch it but nope, I was still sent to my room, lol.
‘Number 96 became famous for its adult storylines, nude glimpses, and comedy characters. There were many controversial storylines and firsts, including the world's first gay character, an interracial romance, and other taboo subjects…’
A funny story: When I was 16 I had a friend sleep over and at 7.30 pm she marched into the lounge room to watch Kung Fu with my dad, he told her she couldn’t watch the show as it was not suitable for under 18s, she stormed into my bedroom gathered her belongings, said a few unfavourable words to my dad and stomped off home to watch it at her place. I can laugh about it now but back then I was embarrassed and so angry. When I turned 18 I watched the reruns of Number 96 and Kung Fu, lol.
’Actor, script writer, producer and author David Sale's career progressed through the theatres and movie studios of London and Hollywood and the turbulent world of Australia's TV industry, and he takes us with him every step of the way.’
A fun and interesting look into what was one of the most popular and controversial TV series to hit Australia’s screens in the 1970s. Number 96 ran from 1972 until 1977 which made me too young to watch it, my dad was a stickler for the rules, when he read the bottom of the screen ‘not suitable for children’ I was sent to my room, I was not happy. The year it finished I was 15 and thought I was old enough to watch it but nope, I was still sent to my room, lol.
‘Number 96 became famous for its adult storylines, nude glimpses, and comedy characters. There were many controversial storylines and firsts, including the world's first gay character, an interracial romance, and other taboo subjects…’
A funny story: When I was 16 I had a friend sleep over and at 7.30 pm she marched into the lounge room to watch Kung Fu with my dad, he told her she couldn’t watch the show as it was not suitable for under 18s, she stormed into my bedroom gathered her belongings, said a few unfavourable words to my dad and stomped off home to watch it at her place. I can laugh about it now but back then I was embarrassed and so angry. When I turned 18 I watched the reruns of Number 96 and Kung Fu, lol.
January 25, 2026
A friend of mine gave me this wonderful book for Christmas and I could not (literally) put it down. A funny, poignant and truthful account, not only about the two programs mentioned in the title, but about the author's life. "From Blitz to Glitz," as David says in his inimitable style. In the book, the author recounts his journey from world-weary England to the sunny shores of OZ. Well, Melbourne, at least.
David had me in tears about his account of having to leave his beloved dog behind - he was also given the task by his parents to actually undertake this task. It was so moving. I felt like ringing community services, then and there!
I never see the point of biographies unless the writer sets out their life with 100% honesty and transparency - David achieves this with wit, humility and sharp observation. From living in a house haunted by an early Australian stage actress, to his personal life - sometimes fraught, to all the tantrums and drama that went on behind the scenes of the television programs he was involved in (which sometimes were far juicier than the plots of the shows themselves) David had me rapt!
As Molly Meldrum used to say, "Do yourself a favour," and buy this book, which is a wonderful account by a brilliant and underrated author of early Australian television as well as being a moving and gripping account of a life well-lived. I loved it.
David had me in tears about his account of having to leave his beloved dog behind - he was also given the task by his parents to actually undertake this task. It was so moving. I felt like ringing community services, then and there!
I never see the point of biographies unless the writer sets out their life with 100% honesty and transparency - David achieves this with wit, humility and sharp observation. From living in a house haunted by an early Australian stage actress, to his personal life - sometimes fraught, to all the tantrums and drama that went on behind the scenes of the television programs he was involved in (which sometimes were far juicier than the plots of the shows themselves) David had me rapt!
As Molly Meldrum used to say, "Do yourself a favour," and buy this book, which is a wonderful account by a brilliant and underrated author of early Australian television as well as being a moving and gripping account of a life well-lived. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews