Beauty and the Beast (talk show)
Beauty and the Beast is an Australian panel television talk show that has appeared in numerous versions since the early days of Australian television. The concept of the series is that viewers write in asking for advice about personal problems such as family squabbles, questions of social etiquette, marriage problems, contraception, work or career problems. The host of the program - usually an intentionally brusque and outspoken older male - the so-called "Beast" of the title presents each viewer question in turn and a panel of female celebrities AKA "the Beauties" serve as panellists who  provide their advice on the problem and solutions, the panel then discuss the problem and the advice given offering opinions and views. History. The first version of the show began on the Seven Network in 1964, hosted by Eric Baume as the "Beast". Baume was later replaced by presenters including Stuart Wagstaff (1966-1968), Noel Ferrier (1969), John Laws (1970), and Rex Mossop (1971-1973). The format was revived in 1982, with two rival versions, both carrying the same title, appearing on different networks. Network Ten's version had John Laws back as host, later replaced by Clive Robertson, whilst  the Seven Network version was hosted by Derryn Hinch. A 1990s version of the program ran on both Network Ten and Foxtel, hosted by radio broadcaster Stan Zemanek (1996-2001) and radio broadcaster Doug Mulray (2002). Network Ten along with FX aired the final episode in 2002. The series returned on W exclusively in 2005 after a 3-year hiatus, with Stan Zemanek returning as host. "Beauty and the Beast" aired its final episode on W in early July 2007, with Zemanek passing away that same month. Since then the program has not returned to air. Notable "Beauties". Original cast . The original "Beauties" included Maggie Tabberer, Dita Cobb, Ena Harwood (mother of Andrew Harwood), Patricia Firman, Patricia Lovell, Hazel Phillips, Noeline Brown and Freda Lesslie. Notable celebrity panellists. Other notable panelists on the latter versions included New Zealand version. The "Beauty and the Beast" format was adopted by Television New Zealand as an afternoon television series. It was filmed in the Dunedin studios from 1976 to 1985. The show was directed by Lorraine Isaacs, and featured Selwyn Toogood as the host with a four-woman panel. Notable panelists included Shona McFarlane, Catherine Tizard (later Governor-General), and Johnny Frisbie. The  show occasionally featured male panelists such as art-dealer Trevor Plumbly. A show with a similar concept called "How's Life?" aired in the early 2000s in New Zealand hosted by Charlotte Dawson.