A humorous take on the shenanigans of the parliamentary press as they battle with the prime minister over their journalistic freedom.
Pilot
This was part of the Loose Enz series of plays.
2/5/1982
A high-flier in the Beehive’s' Press Gallery takes a dramatic tumble from grace.
Tom Scott gives inside view
Press, 28 April 1982,
If ever there was anyone to write a play about what the Parliamentary Press Gallery is really like, it must be “Listener” political columnist Tom Scott. And that is exactly what he has done with “Press For Service,” a play that looks inside the Press Gallery and at its relationship with those it serves. It relates the story of one journalist’s fall from grace and the reactions of those around him. Produced by Tony Isaac for the “Loose Enz” series, “Press For Service” was directed by Tony Wilson and screens on One on Sunday, at 9.30 p.m. “It is based,” says Tom Scott, “on an amalgam of events that have happened to
a number of people in the gallery. The lead character is not me,” he declares. “Only Robert Redford could play me and he wasn’t available.” He says he hopes people will find it amusing. “I have tried to be objective,” he adds, to the derisive laughter of other members of the gallery. Scott maintains that five years ago his play would not have been possible. “The gallery used to conduct its affairs in much the
same manner as the cardinals selecting a new Pope, only without the aid of coloured smoke. However, I think they will view my play dispassionately and I fully expect to be alive on the Monday following the screening. “The play is not set in any particular time and the political persuasion of the Government in the play is immaterial, although people will undoubtedly see overtones of the present administration.”
“Press For Service” is Scott’s second play for television. His previous effort, “Inside Every Thin Girl (1980),” was a serious look at a girl suffering from anorexia nervosa. “Press For Service” includes some very well-known performers in the cast — expatriate New Zealand actress Barbara Ewing, Richard Poore, Ross Jolly, John Banas, Ray Henwood, Patrick Smythe, Roy Billing and Terry Connolly.
Series
A comedy series about the workers, drones and bumblers of the Beehive's Press Gallery, who every day comb the corridors of power seeking out that most elusive nectar good story.
Cast
Tony Coe RAY HENWOOD
Eadie JOHN BANAS
Alan Pollock ROY BILLING
Shona Forrester ANNIE WHITTLE
Bev PRUE LANGBEIN
Crawford BILL JOHNSON
Rutledge MICHAEL WOOLF
Stan ALEX TROUSDELL
Writers TOM SCOTT
A K GRANT
Producer SIMON MORRIS
Fear of Flying: (17/5/1986)
Tony has qualms about sending Alan to cover a big overseas story, and Eadie gets lobbied by a one-person pressure group.
Smelling a Rat (24/5/1986)
When Eadie takes over Alan's column for two weeks he uses the opportunity to get a few things off his chest.
Budget Leak (31/5/1986)
To print or not to print? Everyone has an opinion when Eadie receives a leaked copy of the budget.
Midnight Cowboy (7/6/1986)
Covering the all-night sitting is tough enough for Shona without having to fend off the amorous advances of Dusty Millar, MP. (Final)
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