TELEVISION PLAY FOND RETURN OF TRUE GREAT

Wood used to rule Australian television, but now the Gold Logie winner hardly gets a look- in.

Wood, who starred in Blue Heelers and Rafferty’s Rules, makes a welcome, if fleeting appearance on Monday night’s fourth episode of True Story with Hamish & Andy.

Wood, 70, who is celebrating his 50th year as an actor, also sometimes popped up on The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

“I’ve felt underused for the last 12 years since Blue Heelers finished,” Wood says. “The industry has dropped the ball. Everybody went the way of cheap reality stuff.”

On True Story with Hamish and Andy, Wood plays Principal Scott alongside Glenn Robbins ( Upper Middle Bogan), Ryan Shelton ( Rove) and former Blue Heelers co- star Julie Nihill.

Wood’s episode is the true tale of a genius schoolboy, Damien ( Rafferty Grierson) who pulls a scam on his teacher.

“This ( True Story) is something that is so new and bizarre. It is quite a funny story but I had no idea how the show might come together,” Wood said.

Wood says he is baffled by the ABC’s recent decision to end The Doctor Blake Mysteries after five seasons.

“I thought it was a poor decision,” Wood says.

“It didn’t make a lot of sense to me to cancel your highest rating show.

“It is not as if it is the most expensive show on television.”