Helen Norville, will you do me the honour of being my wife?
I-I can't.
I feel like the way I love I-I can't.
I feel like the way I love doesn't fit in anywhere
and I've been ashamed of that for a really long time.
Had a bit of a conversation with the biggest news director working today
and Vincent Callahan is keen to have a little bit of a chat.
and Vincent Callahan is keen So you end your relationship with me
and right afterwards, So you end your relationship with me
and right afterwards, Charlie Tate is leaving messages?
It's got absolutely nothing to do with us, Dale.
It's got absolutely You stay away from my daughter!
I need you to cut me out of the story. I'm so sorry.
I need you to cut me MAN: Helen, 60 seconds!
LINDSAY: What's happening? What the fuck is happening?!
(FOOTSTEPS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(DISTANT MUSIC)
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
GERRY: And with only five more sleeps to go,
royalty is about to descend on Australia.
And by royalty, I of course mean pop singer Cliff Richard.
(LAUGHTER) Now...
..my co-host for next Tuesday's Bicentennial Spectacular
is, of course, News At Six's very own Dale Jennings.
(AUDIENCE TITTERS) Yes!
(AUDIENCE TITTERS) But you might have noticed,
we haven't seen a lot of the golden couple of news recently, hm?
In fact, Mr Jennings has been on the news desk alone
and just this week we heard Helen Norville's heading to Washington.
(AUDIENCE MURMURS) What on earth is going on?
(AUDIENCE MURMURS) Well, only two people can tell us,
and one of them is here with us tonight.
So please join me in giving a very warm Gerry Carroll welcome
So please join me in giving to Mr Dale Jennings.
(BAND PLAYS MUSIC) (CHEERING)
So, Dale, how was your Christmas break?
So, Dale, Slightly hectic, Gerry. Yours?
Absolutely no-one cares. (LAUGHTER)
So put us out of our misery, Dale. What is going on?
Are you and Helen OK?
Oh, well, look, Gerry, I'd love to deliver a juicy drama...
Well, yes, that's why we're here. (LAUGHTER)
Helen and I are great. Thanks.
But she's been offered a new job?
She has.
What could possibly surpass She has.
What could possibly surpass sitting beside you on camera?
(LAUGHS) Honestly, I'm doing it right now.
(LAUGHS) I can confirm, it's electrifying.
(LAUGHTER)
Uh, well, look, Helen's always been riveted by US politics.
And so when the opportunity came up to cover the US 1988 elections,
And so when the opportunity came up she couldn't turn it down.
But what does this mean for the golden couple, Dale?
My wife's very anxious about it.
(LAUGHTER)
Helen and I love and respect each other enormously.
But given the distance and the demands of her new job,
we've both decided, with a lot of love and a lot of sadness,
we've both decided, with to separate.
AUDIENCE: Oh!
Oh, I'm sorry. Um... (LAUGHS)
Oh, I'm sorry. Um... Oh, Carla will be devastated.
Um...
Not so much our neighbour Debbie, who I'm sure will want me to ask,
Not so much our neighbour Debbie, are you dating yet?
(LAUGHTER) are you dating yet?
(LAUGHTER) (LAUGHS)
Gerry, it's very recent. I know.
Gerry, it's very recent. How insensitive of you, Debbie.
(LAUGHTER)
Shall I ask again mid-year?
Let's say Easter.
(LAUGHTER) Very good.
And, ladies and gentlemen, that was Mr Dale Jennings.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Thank you very much.
Thank you.
(TRAM BELL RINGS)
Hi! Hi.
Nice to see you. It's good to see you too.
How are you? Yeah, I'm really good. How are you?
Good.
It's so strange being in the office without you.
It's so strange being in the office Oh, yeah. Boring.
I can't stay long.
No. Um, OK.
Alright, I'm sorry to put this on you so suddenly.
But, um...
..you know that I'm flying to Washington on Wednesday?
Yes. OK.
So we're starting to put a crew together and...
..and I've mentioned you.
To the execs.
As my producer.
Oh.
'88 in the US, it's gonna be incredible.
It's the election, it's Reagan's last year in office.
He's going to be putting immense pressure on Gorbachev.
He's going to be putting I'm contracted to News At Six.
Yeah, but it's a shitty contract
and you'd only have to give Yeah, but it's a shitty contract
and you'd only have to give two weeks' notice.
We'd have limited interference from the network,
we'd be able to pursue our own stories.
Noelene, it would catapult you.
It would set up your career.
(QUIETLY) Wow.
Noelene playing hard to get.
Well, we have a number of options Noelene playing hard to get.
Well, we have a number of options for the producer role,
Well, we have a number of options if you're in trouble.
No, I'm not. Plenty of good people.
No, I am...I'm...I'm pretty sure that she's a yes,
but she's just going to need another week.
She's then going to need another two weeks to give notice to News At Six.
She's then going to need another two Cutting it fine for Iowa.
I know, but I think she's worth it.
She's smart as hell. I know, but I think she's worth it.
She's smart as hell. She seems unassuming.
Helen, if you think she's right, then we'll get her.
Helen, if you think she's right, It's your choice.
OK.
I've received a few phone calls from Lindsay Cunningham.
I've received a few phone calls Four, as a matter of fact.
They started right after we Four, as a matter of fact.
They started right after we announced that you were joining us.
They started right after we Right.
I'd recommend ignoring them.
Well, I've avoided him so far, but he will get to me eventually.
Is there anything I need to say or not say?
No.
I might leave him hanging for a bit longer.
Prick. (CHUCKLES)
Prick. DALE: Our top stories again,
the First Fleet re-enactment leaves Botany Bay
for the final stage of its Bicentennial voyage.
ROB: And Chris Evert advances to the final...
Why does he have to shout? ..of the Ford Australian Open.
She will face Steffi Graf on Saturday.
She will face Steffi Graf And, of course, on Sunday,
Aussie legend Pat Cash And, of course, on Sunday,
Aussie legend Pat Cash takes on Mats Wilander.
A week every Australian will long remember.
Have a great weekend. And carn, Pat Cash!
Hey! Well done, you. Young Dale.
Good on you. Where are you going?
You're not going to hang out for Geoff?
Oh, turn it up.
GEOFF: Before we commence tonight... Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
..I'll be taking a break next week as we cover the spectacle
..I'll be taking a break next week of the Bicentennial festivities.
And I'm sorry to say that I will not be returning to this desk
And I'm sorry to say that the following week.
I've made the difficult decision to take an extended break
from The Walters Report.
I've always maintained that newsmen should never become the news.
But this country is in the grip of a crisis.
And it is a crisis of drug addiction.
That crisis has now reached my own family.
As you can imagine, this is a deeply personal matter.
And I will not be talking in detail tonight.
But I do feel compelled to...
..just say two things.
Addiction is an illness.
And it is an insidious one.
I hope that my honesty tonight shows that it can affect
I hope that my honesty tonight any Australian family.
And, secondly...
Secondly...
(CLEARS THROAT)
I love my daughter.
Kay Walters is a beautiful, intelligent...
..creative young woman.
And she will be facing this recovery with her mother and I.
We will devote every effort to it.
Paddy Hewitt will be taking on my position as Bicentennial host
and be commandeering this desk in my absence.
I know he can look forward to the support
of our many, many loyal viewers.
(CLEARS THROAT)
To our first story tonight... What does this mean?
..look at Britain's...
It means... ..official Bicentenary gift to us.
..we are going to win Bicentennial week
..we are going to win hands fucking down!
Ha!
(LAUGHS)
..Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
Would you like to do the honours?
VAL: Goodness. A lot of space.
Magnificent, isn't it?
You must be so proud.
Well, enjoy.
(CHUCKLES)
I feel like I'm in a museum.
Well, it won't feel so big once there's furniture in it.
It's very modern, isn't it?
I know it's not a family home, Mum. I didn't say that.
I'm sure you'd prefer something cosier.
I just want you to be happy.
That's all I've ever wanted.
You won't be lonely here?
So much space for one person.
I love it.
I never thought I'd step foot in a house like this.
Let alone own one.
(URGENT STRING MUSIC)
(CAR ENGINE ROARS)
(STRING MUSIC CONTINUES)
(ALARM BEEPS)
NEWSREADER: This is ABC News on the 25th of January,
Bicentennial eve, and crowds are already gathering at Sydney Airport
for the arrival of the Prince and Princess of Wales
who are expected to land any moment now.
who are expected to land (PHONE RINGS)
The royal couple's stay in Australia (PHONE RINGS)
The royal couple's stay in Australia will last 10 days...
The royal couple's stay in Australia (NEWS CONTINUES DISTANTLY)
Hello?
It's...it's, um, Gerry.
Have...have you seen The Sun?
No. Why?
Um...
I was arrested yesterday in Sydney.
What?
The charge...
..um, the charge is indecency.
Hang on.
Listen, could you...
..could you come over here?
Before work?
Um...
Yeah, of course.
The network knows. I'm just not sure how they're going to manage it.
I-I might need your help.
Yeah. I'll be right over.
Thank you. (DISCONNECTS CALL)
MAN: Dale, hi! Dale!
MAN: Jennings! Mr Jennings.
Mr Jennings any comment MAN: Jennings! Mr Jennings.
Mr Jennings any comment on the arrest?
Have you seen the article this morning?
Is that reporter still out there?
There are at least five that I could see.
You alright?
I think we need to get Alison off to school.
No, let her stay at home.
No, I think it's important that the reporters see you and I together...
No, I think it's important that the No, the other kids.
Hey.
We keep smiling, we say nothing
and we never, ever apologise.
OK? That's how we get through this.
Yeah?
OK?
I love you. OK?
I love you. I love you too.
You read it? Yeah.
I mean, it didn't go into much detail.
It said, "Arrested in public bathroom." It's...
It's enough.
Do you have a lawyer?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. We think we can get the charges dropped.
What am I doing here?
I need...I need you to fight for me to stay on air, Dale.
People aren't answering my calls.
The sponsors have cut me.
I, um...
If I disappear, I'm done.
Do you understand?
Yep.
We've got each other's backs, don't we?
Don't we?
Of course.
Because, you know, um...
..if you were in this position...
..you know I'd do the same for you.
Of course.
LINDSAY: Oh, jeez. Dale! Dale, come here.
Uh, are you across all this Gerry business, are you?
The Sun? Yeah.
The Sun? And the Sydney Morning Herald.
Jean said she heard it on the radio twice.
Did you know he was a poof?
I'm not drawing any conclusions.
Oh, come on. He makes Bernard I'm not drawing any conclusions.
Oh, come on. He makes Bernard bloody King look like Tarzan.
Mate, he was sprung in a public toilet in a park.
Mate, he was sprung Could you imagine his poor wife?
Oh, she's alright, Robbo. She's pretty switched on.
Oh, she's alright, Robbo. I'd say she'd know about it
because we've been hosing down I'd say she'd know about it
because we've been hosing down stories about this fella for years,
because we've been hosing down haven't we?
Can't hose down an arrest, can you? So he's off air tomorrow.
It's a little premature, don't you think?
It's a little premature, (LAUGHS)
It's an arrest for public buggery.
Tomorrow is the biggest It's an arrest for public buggery.
Tomorrow is the biggest family day viewing
Tomorrow is the biggest in Australian television history.
He's gone.
Look, Rob's going to take over the Fleet.
We'll get the royal watcher in to help you with Charles and Di.
It'll be simple.
No, if you take Gerry off air that's just confirming he's guilty.
No, if you take Gerry off air He is guilty!
I just don't know how comfortable He is guilty!
I just don't know how comfortable I feel
I just don't know how comfortable about being up there beside him.
Like, he does that kind of thing.
Dale, morning update. Jean.
Gerry's the most popular personality on this network.
Gerry's the most popular personality I am not doing it without him.
He's turning into Helen. (ALL CHUCKLE)
MAN: 20 seconds!
10 seconds!
And in six, five...
Dale Jennings here with a morning update
Dale Jennings here on this sunny Bicentennial eve.
And today, we have already seen a double royal celebration.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have just arrived in Sydney
The Prince and Princess of Wales and Buckingham Palace has announced
that the Duchess of York is expecting her first baby.
REPORTER: The royal couple... And we're out.
..emerged from an Australian Air Force 707...
..emerged from an Vincent Callahan's on the line.
Oh, thank you.
2,000 well-wishers were there to greet them.
(CLEARS THROAT) Vincent, mate, how are you?
Lindsay, mate, sorry I missed your calls.
Oh, that's OK. You're a busy fella.
You're doing well for yourself, aren't you? (CHUCKLES)
Now, I reckon I know why you're calling.
Uh, do you just?
Lindsay, I just want to say that we didn't approach Helen
until well after she left News At Six.
Honestly. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Honestly. Mate, sorry. Did she say SHE left?
Well, she said there was an editorial dispute.
Well, she said Quite a heated one.
And, of course, we know she walked off air.
Oh, mate, I hate doing this, but...
..that was no walk off, Vincent.
That was a breakdown.
And if you're going to hire this woman,
you need to know that she has breakdowns regularly.
Well, I know she's volatile and very passionate.
Do you know that she was also in a mental institution?
Do you know that she was also A nut house.
And that some of the press know?
Hm?
(SIGHS) You've hired a woman Hm?
(SIGHS) You've hired a woman with real problems in her head.
Now, I don't know whether it's manic depression,
whether the poor thing has got schizophrenia,
but if Helen Norville can't read an autocue,
but if Helen Norville if she can't manage to do that,
how the fuck is she going to navigate a US election campaign?
Well...
..I appreciate the candour.
Listen, Lindsay, I've got to go.
Thank you. (DISCONNECTS CALL)
Fuck you, Helen.
# Come on, baby, do the locomotion
It's getting late.
too much longer.
Oh, well, it can't go too much longer.
Also, I need to speak to you. too much longer.
Also, I need to speak to you.
OK, I've got to be up at five, so...
Hey, Jen, could you turn down the telly? Noels.
# Do the locomotion
# My little baby sister can do it with ease... #
Alright.
Noels...
(LAUGHS)
You bring out the best in everyone around you, especially me.
Um, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you
Um, and I want to spend and build a family with you.
Noelene Kim...
(CRIES) Yes.
Yeah? (CRIES) Yes.
Yeah? Yes.
Yeah, I told Jen I was going to do it tonight,
and then I couldn't find the right spot
and then I couldn't find and was getting panicky there.
Yeah. Um... Oh, yeah. Thank you, Jen.
Yeah. Um... Uh, yeah, Mr and Mrs Kim,
I wanted to bow for blessings.
Oh, let's take a photo.
Um, if it's OK,
I think I just want one with the both of us.
OK. Hey.
Sorry, should I not have done that in front of your family?
Sorry, should I not have done that They're fine.
I just thought it might help They're fine.
I just thought it might help with your dad,
but he still seems pretty suss on me.
It's not you. That was actually a good reaction.
Really? Mm-hm.
Really? (CHUCKLES) Yeah. Come here.
I love what you did.
You've made me very happy.
How about one last drink?
It's late.
Please, now that I can relax.
Just one more.
I have one thing I need to tell you.
Alright.
I've been offered another job
at another network.
Jesus, Noels.
(LAUGHS) You just had me Jesus, Noels.
(LAUGHS) You just had me shitting bricks.
(LAUGHS) You just had me For a second there I was thinking,
"You idiot. What else have you ballsed up?"
That's...that's great. It's good.
Of course other networks are going to be chasing you.
Of course other networks What is it?
Helen asked me to be her producer.
For election coverage.
In America.
Over there in America?
How long for?
Until the end of November, at least.
And here I am, signed for another two years.
And here I am, Um...
So hang on, when do you have to decide by?
I said tomorrow. You said tomorrow?
I said tomorrow. Jesus. Uh...
I made it very clear I needed to speak to you first.
Uh...
I don't know what to say.
I feel like I've been very patient
sneaking around for a whole year, and then...
Did you want to say yes to this?
I want to do what's best.
For both of us.
(SIGHS) Right.
(WEEPS)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
What...what time is it?
Too bloody early. 7 o'clock?
Yeah.
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Oh. I hope I didn't wake you.
Could I have a word in private?
Sure.
I understand you've accepted a new position.
Geoff and I spent two months in Washington
in the wake of the Kennedy...
What do you want to talk about, Evelyn? Why are you here?
I'm aware of what you did.
With Kay.
I wanted to thank you for your decency in a troubling situation.
I wanted to thank you for your Well, that was for Kay, not for you.
Uh, also, Geoff heard something last night.
Something concerning. I felt I ought to warn you.
He's had several calls in the wake of the Gerry Carroll business.
Last night, Donna Gillies
specifically mentioned Dale, repeatedly.
She mentioned something about a tryst with a news cameraman.
Geoff said nothing, of course,
but she proposed that was the real reason for your separation.
Well, I think next time... I think you should answer.
I think you should answer and you should deny it firmly.
I think a denial from Geoff Walters would go a...
Thank you very much, Evelyn. (CLEARS THROAT)
I asked you to stay in that room!
She's the last person in the world... Helen!
..that I would want to know about whatever the fuck this is.
Helen, it sounded like a crisis. Jesus Christ.
I just didn't... Alright, alright, alright.
I'll grant you, we've never exactly had a conversation
about Dale before. What?
We've never spoken about Dale. A conversation about what?
A conversation about the fact... What are you trying to say?
We both know what team Dale bats for, Helen.
Get dressed.
Get your shit
and get the fuck out of my house!
Go.
Hello? Dale, it's Helen.
Can you please stay at home? I'm coming right over.
I'm already late. No, I need you just to stay there.
(EXHALES HARD)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Hi. Hi.
Thank you for, um...
Thanks for staying.
Um... Oh. OK.
Dale, I need to tell you something, Um... Oh. OK.
Dale, I need to tell you something, and I just need you not to...
Dale, I need to tell you something, ..not to freak out.
But, um, Evelyn Walters came to my house this morning.
What? And, um, well, uh...
What, Helen? No, no, it's...
So, Geoff, Geoff's been getting phone calls from...from Donna Gillies
about, um, information that she might have
in regards to you and a male cameraman.
She called me too.
She called me yesterday twice and left messages, which I ignored.
Geoff?
Geoff's made no comment.
Dale, has something happened since, um...
..since we separated that...?
Dale.
OK.
OK, well...
I mean, that means it's...it's just...
It's just Geoff and myself that she's called.
And nobody else knows, do they?
Gerry knows.
I told Gerry.
What do I do?
You know what?
I still think that there's a really huge chance
I still think that there's that this will just blow over.
Just go in. Just do your job.
Act confident.
Just...it's what you do.
(SNIFFS) Come on, get up.
(SNIFFS) Get your bag.
You go in to work Get your bag.
You go in to work and you act like everything's normal.
And I do...I do think this could blow over.
And I do...I do think I just...
I just needed you to know.
Happy Australia Day! Thanks.
We're putting Rob on with you right from the start.
Then Gerry will take over for the Royals and the ceremony.
Then it will be you alone for the fireworks.
Then it will be you alone OK.
Oh, Dale.
You've had several messages.
A former cameraman. You remember Tim Ahern?
A former cameraman. Oh, of course.
He stressed he wants you to call him as soon as you get in.
(PHONE RINGS)
Hello? Hi. It's Dale.
Just returning your call. Dale Jennings.
I don't know any other Dales, Dale.
Hey, are you somewhere quiet?
Yeah.
So I've been getting a couple of calls from a gossip columnist.
Donna Gillies? Yeah.
Yeah, she's been asking a lot of questions about you.
And me.
And I said nothing, obviously, And me.
And I said nothing, obviously, and hung up.
Well, great. Thanks.
I-i-if she calls back, could you just...could you clarify...?
I-i-if she calls back, could you I won't answer again.
If you could just say we were I won't answer again.
If you could just say we were in a professional relationship,
If you could just say we were that would be appreciated.
I'll ignore her, but I'm not lying.
I'm past that.
Did she say who fed the story?
Look, I, uh...
..I know you're going to deny everything.
And I didn't expect anything different.
I got to go.
Good luck.
But no-one wants to hear Steve when the Princess of Wales is 200m away.
But we've got to fill a gap. It's a waste of an OB.
But we've got to fill a gap. What do you want?
Upon reflection, I've been thinking about what you said about Gerry.
You're right. He should be off the desk.
Oh, Jesus Christ. Oh, Jesus Christ.
We said this yesterday.
Yeah, well, I'm hearing more and more about his behaviour.
Ooh, fuck me. What?
Well, I don't know specifics,
but for such a landmark broadcast,
it's not worth the risk.
Jesus, we said this yesterday, Dale!
Just ring Gerry. Tell him not to come in.
Just ring Gerry. Well done, mate. Music to my ears.
Well done, you.
Now, listen, you do realise that
you're signing up for 14-hours-plus on the desk.
I can handle it.
Good morning.
I'm Dale Jennings.
MAN: 10 seconds!
And five, four...
Good morning. I'm Dale Jennings and wherever you are in Australia,
thank you for joining us as we celebrate our 200th birthday
thank you for joining us as a modern nation.
And what a spectacular day we have ahead of us.
Isn't that right, Rob? That's right, Dale.
And the centrepiece of it... (PHONE RINGS)
And the centrepiece of it... ..re-enactment of the arrival...
Jean speaking.
..First Fleet.
It arrived back in 1788...
Apparently Gerry's down in makeup.
What? Fuck!
..Sydney Harbour today.
Why don't we cross to the air right now for our first live pictures?
Why don't we cross to the air right As you can see, it's a stunning day.
And there has been a massive spectator fleet out there
And there has been a massive on the water all morning.
LINDSAY: Hey, there he is. Gerry! Hang on a tick, mate.
LINDSAY: Hey, there he is. Hey!
We've been trying to call you.
Oh, well, we've taken the home phone off the hook, so...
But I'm here and I'm ready.
And we appreciate that, mate.
But, you know, just on reflection,
we were thinking But, you know, just on reflection,
we were thinking it might not be a bad idea
if you rest off air just for now.
if you rest off air And who's 'we'?
Yeah, well, you know, it... (CLEARS THROAT)
It's a combined decision, isn't it, Dennis?
Yeah. Yeah, like, like, administration, publicity.
You know, just until this whole business blows over.
Yeah, it has blown over. Story peaked yesterday.
No, no, no, mate. Just worthwhile letting the dust settle.
No, no, no, mate. Just worthwhile What is this?
Huh?
Look, I want to talk to Dale.
Dale's on air, and he will be for the next few hours.
Dale's on air, and he will be Well, I'll wait till the break, then.
(LAUGHS) He wants to speak to Dale.
(LAUGHS)
Dale is behind this decision, mate.
Dale Jennings came to us and he said,
"Listen, you know, it's an unfortunate situation."
"Listen, you know, Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Unfortunate situations happen in this place every fucking day!
Do they? Camera boys touching up makeup girls.
Execs doing drugs in boardrooms. Oh, yeah.
I haven't done anything like that.
I've done nothing like that.
I haven't hurt anyone.
Well, I don't know whether your wife would agree.
You don't know the first thing about my wife.
Or me.
Well, I know a hell of a lot more about you than I want to, Gerry.
(CHUCKLES)
Listen, mate, I didn't think you were a bad sort of a fellow,
and I couldn't give a rat's toss bag what you fuck or you suck.
But you broke telly's golden rule!
You got caught with your pants down!
Mate, this is going to end one way.
You can either walk out of here under your own steam
or get drop-kicked out of here on your filthy arse!
or get drop-kicked out of here But you're gone!
By you.
(SCOFFS) Come on.
Yeah.
Oh, fuck!
DALE: To the aerial shots there. What a sight that is.
And now we can see the crew climbing the ma...
The...
The crews climbing up there on the mast of the ship.
It's just hundreds of thousands of spectators. Right, Rob?
And millions more tuned into the telly too, Dale.
And look at all those spectator crafts,
from yachts to ferries to families piled into dinghies.
They're all feeling that same sense of excitement.
You know what that looks like to me, Rob?
You know what that looks like It looks like a birthday cake.
And what an awful lot of candles glittering on the ocean today.
Isn't that beautiful, Rob?
That is a sight to behold, Dale.
Gosh, it's hard not to feel a sense of that Aussie spirit, isn't it?
What an absolute ripper. What a ripper, indeed.
Now, let's go again back to those gorgeous aerial shots.
Now, let's go again Magnificent.
You can see the... Magnificent.
You can see the... station sponsor there.
(QUIETLY) Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
Listen, mate. I'm nervous. I'm still nervous. I'm still nervous.
You...you keep an eye on things here. Keep an eye on things here.
Yeah, OK. OK?
Yeah. OK. I got it.
..summer day.
And here we are.
Another glorious view And here we are.
Another glorious view of the tall ships
with the News At Six exclusive helicopter of Sydney Harbour.
I hope we haven't interrupted
any of your Bicentennial celebrations.
any of your Bicentennial (LAUGHS) No. I promise you, no.
Um, so I have Alan confirmed.
And Noelene I should hear back from tonight. I think she's a yes.
I'm sorry it's taken so long.
We actually wanted to discuss the producer position
We actually wanted to discuss just one more time.
Because Walshie reminded me
that we have a great candidate that I'd overlooked.
Bill Macfarlane.
Covered Washington for us in the '70s.
He's been back recently doing some exceptional work
He's been back recently on the Iran-Contra affair.
Really strong.
There's no Australian who knows the terrain better.
And he's a major fan of you. Huge fan.
OK.
Um, I mean, for me, it's really more about energy and tenacity.
And Noelene's hungry, and I...
Well, from our perspective, it's...
The US campaign trail is incredibly stressful.
It's a marathon and we just feel that having a more experienced
It's a marathon and we just feel set of hands would help.
Oh.
So this is about me.
This is about who would best compliment you.
And that's no longer my choice?
Could we have a minute?
Of course.
Walshie? Of course.
Walshie? Sure.
I mean, I was pretty clear in our first meeting
that I don't work well under older, rigid sets of hands.
that I don't work well under It's the reason I left News At Six
and it's the reason I wanted to work with you.
Is that the only reason you left News At Six?
You've been talking to Lindsay?
Anything he says, I take with a grain of salt.
Well, what did he say?
That campaign trail would test anyone
physically and psychologically.
So we'll get back to you with our decision.
Have a great flight.
Thank you.
Carol.
Can you send Walshie back in, please?
And coming into view right now, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
And isn't the princess looking stunning?
And isn't the princess Both elegant and festive
in a beautiful aqua-green ensemble with cream trim.
Reception's on the line.
Helen's here... What?
..asking for you. She's been calling as well.
Well, just tell her I'm not here. She knows you're here.
Apparently, she's already on her way up.
Oh, Jesus Christ. I better make myself scarce.
What a day for my bloody gout to flare up.
(GOD SAVE THE QUEEN PLAYS DISTANTLY)
(ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR PLAYS DISTANTLY)
Jean.
Hello, Helen.
I know what you've been saying to Vincent Callahan,
I know what you've been saying and I want you to stop.
We're done, we're out,
and we never have to We're done, we're out,
and we never have to see each other again.
OK?
Fair enough by me.
But, you know, it's not just me who's been talking to Vincent.
Everyone...has something to say about you, Helen.
I mean, everyone in this office has a Helen Norville story to share.
Oh, and you think any of them have anything nice to say about you?
Everyone fucking hates you.
Even fucking Dennis had a knife out for you.
Even fucking Dennis Do you know that?
He had it all set up Do you know that?
He had it all set up with Charlie Tate.
And they don't even know the worst of it.
What is the worst of it, Helen?
Mm?
You really want to go there? Oh, why not? We're both here.
What's the worst of it?
I don't have any friends. Boo-hoo fucking hoo!
I don't need these people to be my friends.
They fucking work for me.
I mean, whatever you think I've done to you,
whatever you think anyone has done to you,
it pales into insignificance to what you've done to yourself!
You're all over the place like a mad woman's shit.
What happened to that ambitious young woman?
What happened to that Do you remember her?
She came here and she would Do you remember her?
She came here and she would do anything to get on the desk.
And she did everything.
And more.
And she got there.
But when she got there, she didn't use her talent
or her integrity, and certainly not her looks.
Did she, Helen?
You remember?
And she had it all.
And she threw it all away.
And now she's all alone.
No-one to clean up after you.
No-one to cling to. Alone.
And off to America. Ooh!
(LAUGHS)
How's that gonna go for you, do you think?
Best be careful, Helen.
'Cause you might come home in the cargo hold.
But, you know, Helen,
good luck in America...
..Helen Kaasik!
Or whatever you're going to call yourself.
You make sure, Helen...
..you pack lots of Valium.
You're gonna need it!
And not least in the United Kingdom.
Well, what are you looking at,
you bunch of raggedy-arse gypsy bastards?
you bunch of raggedy-arse Nothing to do?
There's a 1-in-200-year news event.
Nothing to do?!
Get on with it!
Jean...
..get Dennis.
Ah. OK.
That was Noelene.
Says you better think twice about going back to the office.
You need to go after Helen?
Noels...
Oh, I feel like such a dickhead for saying all that last night.
Well...you didn't say anything I wasn't expecting.
A year's a long time.
Well, I woke up this morning and I just thought,
"You absolute wanker.
"I mean, you had one dream in life, right?
"I mean, you had one dream in life, "To play in a grand final team.
"And you got it.
"But Noels hasn't had that yet."
You really want it?
The job?
DALE: And for those of you who've been with us since early morning,
what a fitting crescendo this is.
Sydney Harbour alight like never before.
What are you doing in here? Rob's been looking for you.
Jean's been looking for you.
Now, Dennis, tell me, are you hiding from me?
No, no, no, no. I was just coming out.
Well, after midnight. (CHUCKLES)
Now, mate, I realise this is coming from Helen,
which means it's about eight times removed
which means it's about from even a skerrick of the truth.
But are you doing deals from even a skerrick of the truth.
But are you doing deals with little Chuck about me?
Jesus Christ! Look, look, look, look.
I met with Charlie. It was only brief. There's no deal, Lindsay, OK?
You hear from the CEO, you come to me. I'm your boss.
He owns the network. He owns half of Australia!
He owns fuck all, Dennis!
Jesus, mate, you do not realise how lucky you've been.
There is no other bloke in Australian television
that would have given you the chances I gave you!
A piss-weak, half-arsed coffee boy in a bad acrylic vest.
(GRUNTS) Oh!
(COUGHS)
Sorry.
Sh-sh-sh- I should not call...
No, no, no. Don't call anyone. Give me a hand.
Come on.
(CHUCKLES)
Dennis, you never apologise for a good punch in the face.
It is better than a head job to give you focus.
(CHUCKLES)
What did you get in your deal?
Come on, tell me. Tell me. Tell me.
$50,000, Lindsay.
(LAUGHS)
50 grand?
You'd have never even 50 grand?
You'd have never even got anywhere near that.
Oh, Dennis, you're not very good at this, are you?
Oh, Dennis, you're You poor sausage.
But you are good at your job.
I'll give you 60.
(CHUCKLES)
DALE: ..a cascade of light spilling into the Harbour,
setting in the city, and indeed... (LAUGHS)
..the nation alight.
Of course, the Bicentennial commemorations will continue
as we look towards the rest of the royal tour,
the cultural and sporting highlights
and, of course, to World Expo '88 in Brisbane.
I'm Dale Jennings.
This has been News At Six.
Goodnight, Australia.
And we're out!
(APPLAUSE)
Great job, Dale.
WOMAN: Good job, Dale.
WOMAN: That was great, Dale.
MAN: Good stuff. Well done, mate.
(APPLAUSE CONTINUES)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Hi.
Come in.
Sorry I'm late.
Please take a seat.
Can I get you something?
Like wine or a water or a tea or...?
I'm fine, thank you. OK.
Hm.
Rob and I got engaged.
Oh.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
He asked me last night.
I had to tell him about your offer straightaway.
It took him a moment...
..but today he said he would support my choice.
That he would wait for me.
But I've decided to decline your offer.
I'm so sorry.
I really appreciate you thinking of me.
And...I know I would have loved the job.
And...I know Hm.
It's OK.
I totally understand.
I know this isn't the choice you would have made.
But the landscape looks different for me.
Helen... Mm-hm.
..you're going to be incredible.
And I'll be watching.
Well...
OK.
Let me walk you out and thank you so very much
Let me walk you out for taking the time to tell me
all that in person.
Congratulations again.
Bye.
(PHONE RINGS)
(ANSWERING MACHINE PICKS UP) You've reached Dale Jennings.
I'm unable to attend the phone right now.
Please leave me a message.
(BEEP!)
Dale? It's Geoff Walters here.
I just wanted to offer my sincere congratulations.
We watched the entire telecast.
Geoff. Sorry.
I'm here.
Stellar job, Dale.
You left the competition Stellar job, Dale.
You left the competition in the dust.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh...thank you.
It means a great deal.
I feared...
..as I left the desk the, uh...
..there was a dearth of great newsmen left.
I underestimated you, Dale.
The, um, golden couple was clearly just a stepping stone.
If I was in PR, I'd brand you the king of news.
You've earned it.
Good job, lad.
Hi.
When's your flight?
I'm...I'm not going.
What?
I've got Donna Gillies coming over today.
And I'm just...
..I'm going to give her the story.
The story about why I'm not leaving.
I'm going to tell her that, um...
..that I couldn't pack yesterday.
That I...
..that I watched you on the television all day.
And realised...
..how much I missed you.
And then you came over,
to say goodbye and...
..and I just couldn't leave.
Because I...
..I don't function without you.
Helen.
I don't have, um...
I don't have a ring or anything like that.
Dale Jennings...
..will you marry me?
Helen...
Helen, I love you.
But we can't do this.
No. (SIGHS)
(CRIES)
What do I do, though?
You do your job.
Uh, sorry, I...
Helen's not here. Uh, sorry, I...
Helen's not here. Would you like to come in?
I'm aware of the story you're pursuing about me.
I know who you've been calling.
Obviously, I was going to approach you for a response.
And...and I can take a comment now, if you like.
If you print that story, you will sell a lot of copies.
For one edition.
I can offer you so much more.
You see, Helen's left.
Geoff's stepped back.
I'm the face of the news now.
Millions of people turn to me for stability and assurance.
Because they trust me.
And that relationship is very important to me.
It could be very valuable to you.
Because they are going to keep turning to me
Because they are going to every night for decades.
For the rest of your life, Donna.
Because a great newsreader...
..is forever.
Now...
..if you print that story...
..all that's gone.
But...
..if you don't...
..I'll remember.
And I promise you...
..it will pay off handsomely.
# Change your heart
# Look around you
# Change your heart
# It will astound you
# I need your lovin'
# Like the sunshine... #
WOMAN: (OVER TANNOY) ..please make your way to Gate 12.
WOMAN: (OVER TANNOY) # Everybody's gotta learn sometimes
# Everybody's got to learn sometimes... #
# Everybody's got to learn MAN: And five, four...
Well, it's the morning after,
as Australia and the world
reflect on some of our nation's biggest ever celebrations.
Record-breaking crowds watched the spectacle on the Harbour,
Record-breaking crowds watched as protesters filled Sydney streets.
The re-enactment of the First Fleet
was cheered on by hundreds of thousands,
among them Prince Charles, Princess Diana
and Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
And the international media covered all of it extensively.
And the international media For a complete Bicentennial roundup,
as well as highlights For a complete Bicentennial roundup,
as well as highlights of all the key events,
you're in exactly the right place.
Our reporters around the nation are standing by,
and soon we'll be crossing live to Melbourne
as the Prince and Princess of Wales continue their royal tour.
I'm Dale Jennings.
Welcome to News At Six.
Captions by Red Bee Media
Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation