Burke's Backyard

*Burke's Backyard*
Burke's Backyard
	File:Burkesbackyard.gif
Created by	Don Burke
Starring	Host; Don Burke; Team Members (87-04); Scott Cam; Tara Dennis; Geoff Jansz; Rebecca Harris; Team Members (07); Scott Cam; Giaan Rooney; Paul Clitheroe
Country of origin	Australia
Original language	English
No. of episodes	713
Production
Running time	60 minutes (include commercials)
Original release
Network	Nine Network
Release	12 September 1987 –; 26 November 2004

Burke's Backyard is an Australian gardening and lifestyle television program that was broadcast on the Nine Network as a regular weekly series from 1987 to 2004 and from 2007, the show has been revived with themed specials. Hosted by Don Burke, it is one of the most watched and adored programs in Australian television history and was the the first program on Australian television to fit in with the "lifestyle program" genre.

History

The program initially began on the Sydney AM radio station 2UE on Saturday and Sunday mornings before being picked up the Nine Network in late 1987. It then broadcast on Friday evenings for the next 17 years. The popularity of the show also lead to a spin-off magazine of the same name by Australian Consolidated Press. Don Burke would also later create backyard makeover show Backyard Blitz with Jamie Durie, which also proved to be very popular.

Theme song

The theme to Burke's Backyard is a modified version of John Williamson's "Home Among the Gum Trees", with the last line of the chorus changed from "and an old rocking chair" to "all in Burke's Backyard".

1987-2004 cast

In the original series, Don Burke has a number of assistant members throughout the 17 year run who come and go. The cooking expert was Geoff Jansz, who also hosted the Channel Nine cooking show Fresh. Tara Dennis coordinated the fabrics and design section, while Rebecca Harris coordinated the pet section as she also did in her own Nine series Animal Hospital. Harris also helps out with design and fabrics at times. Scott Cam is Don's right hand man for 10 of the 17 years as the building, gardening and design expert. Other lesser members of the series who stay for only short times include current Great Outdoors reporter Ernie Dingo, Jackie French, Elise Pascoe and Rebecca Stanton.

2007 cast

For the 2007 specials, Don Burke is once again assisted mainly by former Backyard Blitz host Scott Cam, who also participated for 10 years in the previous series. Former international swimmer Giaan Rooney joins the cast for the specials, giving tips regarding the environment, while financial expert Paul Clitheroe heads up the financial section.

Ratings

The show was consistently a very strong ratings performer for the Nine Network right through most of the 17 years it first screened. It occupied the Friday 7.30-8.30 timeslot right through this period. The ratings however dwindled during its final year and it was announced on 1 November 2004 would be rested by the network.^[2]

In the spring special return in 2007, the show posted a very encouraging 10^th place in the weeks shows. It defeated both of its competing Seven Network shows including Australia's Best Backyards and Hot Property, and was the most watched Nine Network show of the week.

References

^ Idato, Michael (2007-04-30). "Those were the days". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-01-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
^ "Burke's Backyard axed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-11-01. Retrieved 2008-01-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

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[1] Idato, Michael (2007-04-30). "Those were the days". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-01-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

[2] "Burke's Backyard axed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-11-01. Retrieved 2008-01-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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