Frontline (season 1)

Frontline season 1
Country of origin	Australia
No. of episodes	13
Release
Original network	ABC TV
Original release	9 May 1994 – 1 August 1994

This is a list of the 13 episodes of series one of Frontline, which first aired in 1994. In series 1, Frontline chronicles the behind-the-scenes workings of a struggling current affairs show competing with dominant players for audience share. The series is shot in mockumentary style.

All of the show's episodes were written and directed by Rob Sitch (Mike Moore), Jane Kennedy (Brooke Vandenberg), Santo Cilauro (Geoffrey Salter)—who also did most of the camera work—and Tom Gleisner. Although Gleisner did not have a regular role, he had several cameo appearances in the first season as Colin Konica, the photocopier repairman, who has one line in the last episode of the season.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date
1	1	"The Soufflé Rises"	9 May 1994
Frontline presenter Mike Moore (Rob Sitch) wants to shed his image as the nice guy of current affairs, and tries to raise his status by interviewing people perceived to be soft targets, such as Dr. John Hewson, (not long after the infamous birthday cake interview). Meanwhile, reporters Brooke Vandenberg (Jane Kennedy) and Martin DiStasio (Tiriel Mora) attempt to deal with more important matters.
2	2	"The Desert Angel"	16 May 1994
When a beautiful young aid worker is found alive after a month missing in the desert, Brian (Bruno Lawrence) and the Frontline team get into a bidding war with Channel Nine for the interview. Elsewhere, Brooke's interview with Pat Cash has the team gossiping about their relationship.
3	3	"City of Fear"	23 May 1994
The Frontline team finds two stories about a murder and a kidnapping, with no likely connection, and decides to merge the two together claiming that there is a serial killer. Elsewhere, Mike grows confused by his fan mail, and Brian skews the opinions of Media Watch to ease Mike's burden.
4	4	"She's Got the Look"	30 May 1994
Brian hires Nikki Burke (Rachel Kennedy), an attractive female athlete, as a reporter – which offends the women of Frontline, particularly Emma (Alison Whyte).
5	5	"The Siege"	6 June 1994
A gripping hostage siege becomes fodder for the media. Brooke attempts to interview the gunman's mother; Marty and his camera team attempt to break the police barriers; and Brian manipulates both the network and the audience. But Mike scores the big success when he finds himself negotiating with the gunmen on television. This episode is a thinly veiled reference to a highly controversial real-life incident, in which Mike Willesee interviewed gunmen and hostages on-air.[1]
6	6	"Playing the Ego Card"	13 June 1994
In an attempt to gain credibility, Mike travels to Bougainville to do a week's worth of stories on a civil war. When the lacklustre nature of his story is discovered, however, Brian and Emma must attempt to spice it up. Meanwhile, the rest of the team enjoy his absence, while the network trial Brooke as anchor.
7	7	"We Ain't Got Dames"	20 June 1994
With the show losing female viewers, Brian and Emma attempt to tailor the show to a stereotypical women's market. Mike, meanwhile, attempts to get a serious story on migrant textile workers on the air, while also trying to have 'Friday Night Funnyman' Elliot Rhodes fired, and film a new promo for the network.
8	8	"The Art of Gentle Persuasion"	27 June 1994
The team must manipulate Mike – in one of his 'serious journalism' phases – to do a so-called exposé on table top dancing. And when a crocodile victim's husband won't give a story to the press, Marty goes to extreme lengths to get one.
9	9	"The Invisible Man"	4 July 1994
Brooke uses hidden camera footage to do a story on female shoplifters, causing a media outcry and debate about journalistic ethics. And when Mike is dubbed "the invisible man of current affairs", he begins a variety of publicity stunts to raise his profile. Mike's musical attempts are considered a clear dig at Stan Grant, who is an amateur musician. It was claimed in the media at the time that Grant hated the show, was convinced that Mike Moore was a caricature of him.
10	10	"Add Sex and Stir"	11 July 1994
When a woman is dropped from an (unnamed) Australian sport team, she thinks it is because she's not a lesbian. Brooke takes the story, and attempts to transform it into a hit, but in the process ignites hatred from the sporting community. Meanwhile, Emma attempts to get Marty to take his holiday time.
11	11	"Smaller Fish to Fry"	18 July 1994
After Media Watch criticises Frontlines small and easy target, Mike attempts to go for a big story that will take down some of the country's top businessman, but finds himself thwarted at every turn.
12	12	"Judge and Jury"	25 July 1994
Brooke does a series on a priest accused of rape, and Brian decides that Frontline needs to play up the moral outrage. Meanwhile, Marty is left with the low-quality news subjects when he and his team wipe out an entire genus of butterfly.
13	13	"This Night of Nights"	1 August 1994
When a charity loses thousands of dollars, they ask the media to keep it quiet for the sake of their reputation. Brian and Marty, however, decide to go ahead with the story. Elsewhere, Mike and Brooke prepare for the Logie Awards, but Mike finds himself the only one without a date. This is Bruno Lawrence's last episode. He died before season 2 began filming. In the story it was explained at the start of season 2 that his character, Brian, had been fired off-screen.

References

1. Molitorisz, Sachalast (5 January 2004). "Scream test". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 April 2011.

External links

• Frontline website (Circa 1997)
• Interview with Rob Sitch on the tenth anniversary of Frontline
• Frontline DVDs at the ABC shop online