Occasionally ABC will air a string of old Countdown episodes during RAGE, and the freewheeling nature of the program, Molly’s garbled interviewing technique, and the liberal on-set smoking and drinking is rather shocking in today’s squeaky-clean media climate.
That such a show existed at all during the ’70s and ’80s was amazing, but for it to happen in Australia, each Sunday evening, was truly a landmark achievement, with Molly’s keen ear meaning that a number of international artists scored their first real exposure in Australia.
Now ABC have remastered and restored a number of old episodes, which they will roll out from September 17, each Sunday evening at 6pm – the show’s original timeslot. The likes of Steve Kilbey, Richard Clapton, John Paul Young, and Kate Ceberano will provide guest commentary for episodes they appeared in, while original announcer Gavin Wood will add new voice-over.
In addition, ABC are releasing a best-of 4CD collection of performances from the show’s original run, which will be out September 15.
