Esteemed actor David Wenham is casting his net into the expansive ABC Archives to delve into the life of the enigmatic Greig Pickhaver in an engaging episode of ‘The ABC Of’.
This acclaimed interview series has Wenham conversing with a bevy of notable Australians, this week focusing on Pickhaver, who has been both shaping and subverting the Australian identity for over four decades through his beloved alter ego, HG Nelson.
In a rare opportunity to see Pickhaver sans the persona of HG Nelson, the episode airing this Tuesday, 20 June, at 8:00pm on ABC and iview, provides an open discussion of Pickhaver’s journey, his struggle with dyslexia, and its unexpected boon to his profound appreciation of language.
Pickhaver candidly opens up about his professional collaboration with John Doyle, and his passionate perspectives on what it truly means to be Australian, both in essence and in sound. He emphasises that sport, in one way or another, pervades every facet of life.
‘The ABC Of’ uncovers hidden gems from the ABC Archives, using them to prompt unexpected discussions with its seven distinguished guests. These include former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, cricketing great Ian Chappell, performer and indigenous advocate Miranda Tapsell, actor Jack Thompson, comedian and broadcaster Wendy Harmer, and leading feminist and intellectual Germaine Greer.
The series puts a unique twist on the traditional interview format. Guests are unaware of the archival clips selected for their episode, leading to genuine reactions and discussions that often veer from the beaten path of their well-known career highlights. This approach has uncovered footage that hasn’t been viewed in decades, adding an element of surprise to the already engaging series.
‘The ABC Of’ is a creation of Guesswork Television, commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The series is executive produced by Jon Casimir and Jo Long, with Julie Hanna serving as the ABC Commissioning Editor.
