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The Money or the Gun

From Alfawiki
The Money or the Gun
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryTelevision broadcasting
Founded1989
FounderAndrew Denton, Simon Dodd, Bruce Griffiths, George Dodd
Defunct1994
Headquarters
Australia
ProductsComedy and talk show episodes, music CD "Stairways to Heaven"

The Money or the Gun was an Australian comedy and talk show broadcast on the ABC from late 1989 until mid-1990, with occasional specials continuing through 1994. The series was developed by Andrew Denton, Simon Dodd, Bruce Griffiths, and George Dodd, directed by Martin Coombes, and produced by Mark Fitzgerald.

Each installment centered on a particular theme, featuring Denton conducting interviews with guests alongside street vox pop segments. Memorable episodes include "Guns-The Musical" and the acclaimed "The Year of the Patronising Bastard," which received a United Nations Media Peace Prize. A 1993 special entitled "Topic of Cancer" focused on teenagers coping with cancer during a CanTeen weekend event. In 2003, Denton brought together participants from the 1993 special on his ABC show Enough Rope.

"Stairway to Heaven"

Every week, a guest artist delivered their own interpretation of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", often thematically linked to that episode—examples include Jodie Gilles’ Broadway-inspired rendition in "Guns - the Musical" and the collaboration between the Doug Anthony All Stars and Barry Crocker for the Australian Comedy episode. The most commercially successful cover was by Rolf Harris, which climbed to number 7 on the UK singles chart. These performances functioned as interludes within the program, with most performers not participating elsewhere in the show. A CD featuring these covers was released in 1993, winning an Aria Award, and was subsequently issued in a condensed version in the United States by Atlantic Records.

Artists and musical styles featured included:

In 1992, two compilations were made available: a video collection containing 25 of the 26 performances, and an album titled Stairways to Heaven featuring 22 tracks. An international release followed in 1995 with a selection of 12 tracks showcasing artists such as Kate Ceberano, John Paul Young, Rolf Harris, and Leonard Teale.

ARIA Music Awards

Founded in 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), the ARIA Music Awards celebrate outstanding talent, creativity, and accomplishments within every genre of Australian music each year.


! |- | rowspan="2"| 1993 | rowspan="2" | Stairways to Heaven | Best Comedy Release | | rowspan="2"| [1] |- | Best Adult Contemporary Album | |-


See also

External links

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