‘I’ll definitely be a target for myself’
Hughes says he’ll get Coast Logies off to rip-roaring start
ALMOST 500 crew are hard at work transforming The Star Gold Coast into the salubrious venue for the 60th anniversary of TV’s night of nights, the TV Week Logie Awards.
The highlight of the calendar for the on-air and behindthe-scenes workers who make up Australia’s TV industry, the four-hour awards show will be broadcast live from The Star’s Pavilion Ballroom on Sunday night.
Comedian Dave Hughes, who earned a Logie nomination for his his Channel 10 show Hughesy, We Have a Problem, has postponed the start of his family holiday to present the opening monologue at the awards for the fourth year in a row.
“I do like it,” he said of the hosting gig.
“I mean it’s work, but it’s fun, you know?
“I’ll definitely be a target for myself. I mean, I bought a house on The Block last year and invested $3 million of my own money on a television show … You can’t say I’m not committed to the industry.”
The awards’ move north have thrown up some new challenges for Logies executive producer Brent Williams and his team.
“We’ve had to make several visits to the Gold Coast to ensure we know the venue inside out,” he said.
Almost all of the 300 places available in fan areas along the red carpet have been allocated, most of them as promotion and competition prizes.
In addition to the pre-allocated spaces, limited spots will be available on the day but are expected to be snapped up when the area opens at 2pm.
The Star Gold Coast will remain open to the public throughout the red-carpet event and awards ceremony but Garden Kitchen & Bar, Cucina Vivo and Nineteen at The Star will be closed for private events.
A spokesman for The Star Gold Coast said the TV Week Logies telecast would screen live in the Atrium Bar for guests wanting to stay and enjoy the atmosphere.
This year’s Logies trophies have been cast, polished and plated ready to be transported to the Coast under tight security late on Saturday.
Live voting for the awards’ 10 popular categories will remain open until the ceremony starts at 7.30pm on Sunday.