60 Minutes Australia

tv show

poster for 60 Minutes Australia

314 total episodes

-

13 seasons

First Aired February 11, 1979

Genres:

Overview

60 Minutes, an Australian version of the U.S. television newsmagazine 60 Minutes, airs on Sunday nights on the Nine Network and is presented in much the same way as the American program on which it is based. The New Zealand version of the show has also featured segments of the Australian version. Gerald Stone, the founding executive producer, was given the job by Kerry Packer and was told: "I don't give a f... what it takes. Just do it and get it right." After the first episode was broadcast on 11 February 1979, Packer was less than impressed, telling Stone: "You've blown it, son. You better fix it fast." Over the years, Stone's award winning 60 Minutes revolutionised Australian current affairs reporting and enhanced the careers of Ray Martin, Ian Leslie, George Negus, and later Jana Wendt. Since it was first broadcast, 60 Minutes has won five Silver Logies, one Special Achievement Logie, and received nominations for a further six Logie awards.

2013-11-24 poster unavailable

2013-11-24

Season 2013 - Episode 40 - 0h 0m

Air Date

November 24, 2013

Overview

World Exclusive: Off the Wall The Somerton Man Gentle Giants Finnan’s Legacy World Exclusive: Off the Wall Conrad Murray is the man who killed Michael Jackson. He was also Jackson’s personal doctor, who was paid $150,000 a month to keep his star patient healthy. In 2011 a jury found Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter, convinced he gave the pop star a lethal dose of Propofol, a sedative usually only used in surgery. Conrad Murray spent two years in prison for his crime and has just been released. This Sunday for the first time he tells his story about what happened that night, and reveals surprising thoughts on Michael Jackson’s controversial life. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Phil Goyen The Somerton Man We all know that fact is stranger than fiction and that’s very much the case with this story. It’s the true tale of espionage, a love affair and murder – that wouldn’t be out of place in the movies. The year was 1948. Communism and democracy were wrestling for world supremacy. The nuclear arms race was in high gear. And there were spies everywhere, even in Australia. Against this sinister backdrop, an unidentified body was found on Adelaide’s Somerton Beach – the so-called Somerton Man. Now, 65 years after he was buried, there are moves to exhume him, in an attempt to finally solve this lingering Cold War Mystery. This Sunday, 60 Minutes will reveal for the first time the identity of the mysterious nurse who was romantically linked to the Somerton man, and talk to the woman who claims she’s the Somerton Man’s granddaughter. Reporter: Charles Wooley Producer: Steve Jackson Gentle Giants They’re the biggest fish in the ocean – and one of the biggest targets for fishermen around the world. The whale shark is massive, magnificent and on the brink of extinction, but in a tiny corner of the Philippines, man and shark have come to a unique compromise. Fishermen who used to hunt this marine giant, now protect it – reaping a financial bonanza from tourists. And everything was going swimmingly, until a group of Western environmentalists showed up. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Gareth Harvey Finnan’s Legacy What should have been the happiest time for Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin, turned into tragedy two and a half years ago. She and husband Oliver became proud first time parents, but baby Finnan was born with congenital heart disease, and despite his extraordinary will to live, died after just ten days. Alisa and Olly were inconsolable. They were also inspired by their son, and determined to make his short life meaningful. Today Finnan’s legacy lives on with a wonderful charity that donates money and medical equipment to the Melbourne Hospital which looked after him. And there’s some good news for Alisa and Olly – they’ve had a baby girl! Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Taylor