Sequins and glitter hide laid-back lead-up
The Canberra Times | May 5, 2008

For all the sequins, satin, fake tan and glitter, many celebrities enjoyed a low-key preparation for last night's 50th annual TV Week Logies at Crown Casino in Melbourne.

For Silver Logie winner Rove McManus and girlfriend Tasma Walton, it was munching on a packet of chips and watching the footy.

Best new female talent Bindi Irwin spent the morning climbing a lychee tree.

And supermodel Megan Gale's other half Andy Lee gulped down spaghetti while watching Pimp My Ride.

When the night started, the stars turned on the glitz as the most distinguished faces of Australian television mixed with the Biggest Losers, Australian Idols and dance competition winners.

Gold Logie winner Kate Ritchie impressed in a black and white Lisa Ho dress, fitting in with the off-the-shoulder look that was clearly in fashion among the women.

Long-time Logies accessory Patti Newton flashed her legs at the red carpet crowd, declaring that she had not received enough attention from the media.

Kate Langbroek's preparation was interrupted last week as her date, the controversial Sam Newman, was injured. Instead, seven others from The AFL Footy Show accompanied her down the red carpet, also helping her bat away questions about Newman's latest controversy regarding his views about the role of women in football.

For a change the boys from The Chaser's War on Everything were relaxed and not playing pranks.

They were nominated for the Silver Logie for most outstanding comedy program, but Andrew Hansen's plans for the night were modest.

"I'm just hoping that Chris Lilley will do something funny, that will make my night," Hansen said.

Lilley, whose triple-threat role in Summer Heights High edged the Chaser team out of a gong, laughed off suggestions he would carry the burden. "I'm not funny, I'm not funny as myself," he said.

Someone who did turn on the charm was Newstopia's Shaun Micallef, who announced he was attending to schmooze the suits at SBS to ensure there would be a third season of the satirical news show.

And he hoped that one of the shows promoted on Newstopia, the fictitious Homosexual Service Stations of Prague, would get the green light.

"I hope so, I've sunk a lot money into it and I get a big royalty cheque if they make it," he said.

Despite talk of a green Logies, with some stars walking or choosing a Prius, there were plenty of limos. The Underbelly cast showed up in style, arriving in a black stretch Hummer.

[source]