Livvy - giving the warm shoulder
YOU MUST BE JOKING! For Livvy, despite her gentle manner and soft Australian accent, is quite a bright lady. And to prove she’s more than just a pretty face, the BBC have made four TV shows starring Livvy and guest artists.
“We made a pilot show last year some time, and they liked it, so they asked me do to three more.” But before you start imagining the usual type of all-round, family entertainment variety show, listen to her description of the show’s format.
“There are lots of songs and music, but all the links are poetry. I read some and each week we have a guest poetry reader too. There’s Shakespeare and all kinds of stuff.”
Hardly what one would expect from a “dumb” blonde? Livvy’s very happy about the show It should be screened in the summer, around June time. Apart from her artistic satisfaction at the shows, doing television has also given her a chance to return some favours.
“I was able to have Cliff on my show. I’ve always been on his, and it was great to have a chance to ask him back.”
In the other two shows, Livvy’s guests were Labi Siffre and Neil Sedaka - a fair indication of the type of voice the producer, Nick Hunter, thought would set the material off best. Everything is happening for Livvy at the moment not least the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Some people said they thought I might get a chance at it, but I never really thought so. Then one day there was this call from the BBC to say you’re doing it They don’t ask they tell you!” But as she elaborated, it’s hardly the sort of thing you turn down.
That momentous decision was made personally by the BBC’s head of light entertainment. Bill Cotton. “I’d met him before, of course, but I had no idea he was going to ask me to do Eurovision.” However he did, and April 6 is now not far away. The song has been chosen, and all the preparation that can be done is under way.
“I shall sing the song through a few times before then, and we’re going to Brighton on the Wednesday before to prepare.”
Even details of what she’s to wear have been decided. I said originally I’d wear trousers if it was an up-tempo number, but since the Clunk-click shows I’ve actually had letters from people asking me to wear a dress! As I don’t have to jig around much I think I will.
And don’t imagine Livvy spends hours in front of the mirror every day, primping and powdering “I wash my hair every other day, and make up takes about four minutes.” So much for the “three hours in the bathroom” every morning routine.
Having destroyed any idea that her beauty is anything but natural she went on to demonstrated just how successful a singer she is.
“Isn’t it good? I’ve just won a Grammy award in America for being top female country vocalist. And the competition was really strong was up against a lot of big names over there, including Marie Osmond”
Strangely enough, the song which made all the difference in the States hardly sold a copy (her words) here. It’s called Let Me Be There, and has actually been released here twice without doing anything. But it’s number one in the American country charts, and four in the pop charts.
Chart-wise she’s had better luck with her latest album here, it’s made our top fifty, an achievement she’s very proud of. And soon there’ll be another hit single, for the Eurovision song is always a hit.
But immediately after the contest, Livvy’s off to display her wares in the States, where she’s rapidly becoming a popular lady. Of course she’s looking forward to that, but as a professional, Eurovision is first and comes first. It could be the biggest break she’s had especially if she wins.
“I don’t think I will”, she says candidly. But the record of women in the contest is much stronger than men’s. And if anything’s going to keep that flag for women’s equality (if not superiority) flying. it’s the beauty, brain and talent of Olivia Newton-John.
By Rosemary Horide