Down Under TV special
“Olivia Down Under” (Saturday. HBO at 10) purports to be a “picture-postcard tour” of Australia seen through the eyes of one of its most famous emigres, pop star Olivia Newton-John.
In fact, it’s a collection of 10 music videos (from her new album “The Rumour,” due Aug. 15) loosely tied together with scenes of the singer shearing sheep and playing interviewer with some of the locals.
Starting out with the requisite “g’day, mate” and fairly littered with Foster’s beer cans, the hour does include scenes of the outback and celebrates Australia’s 200th birthday with fireworks in Sydney Harbor. It also perpetuates the “Crocodile Dundee” stereotype of drinking, gambling, chauvinist Aussie men.
Overall, Olivia’s perky presence and coquettish smile are wearing, and the songs are, at best, forgettable.
Boca Raton News, July 15 1988.
Actress Dyan Cannon (left) and singer Olivia Newton-John share a laugh during the Hollywood premiere of “HBO World Stage: Newton-John in Autralia.” The special highlights the singer’s homeland.
More from the Down Under, Olivia Newton-John in Australia HBO special.