Season 2012

2012 · 35 episodes

Episodes

12012-02-05conic journalist Mike Willesee marks his return to television on Sunday Night with an exclusive one-on-one interview with Prime Minister Julia Gillard. In a revealing and personal insight into an embattled PM and a woman under pressure, Gillard opens up to Willesee about a potential leadership challenge from Kevin Rudd as well as the role of her office in igniting the tent embassy riots. She also reflects on her family and why she is prone to hide her emotions. A doyen of public affairs broadcasting and an inductee into the Logies Hall of Fame, Willesee joins Seven’s flagship Sunday Night ahead of the 2012 series return this week. Also featuring this Sunday, award-winning reporter Ross Coulthart goes behind the scenes to discover the secrets of the hit series, Downton Abbey. With $1.5 million spent on each episode, it is also one of the most expensive. Coulthart meets star actress Joanne Froggart and is given a private tour of the famous Highclere Castle estate by the real lady of the manor, Lady Carnarvon. Viewers will also enjoy a sneak peek from the new season ahead. And in a rare treat, Sunday Night brings audiences the only Australian interview with Sir Paul McCartney ahead of the release of his new album. The greatest living songwriter of the modern age, McCartney talks about his love for Australia and his family connection to this country – as well as his string of wives, Beatlemania, the Beatles’ break-up, and the inspiration behind his latest songs.
22012-02-12When music legend Molly Meldrum fell at his home a week before Christmas, friends and colleagues could only wait and hope for good news. As the weeks progressed, it was clear 2012 for Molly would be a very different year. Battles for guests and ratings were gone, replaced with a battle to stay alive. This weekend on Sunday Night, host Chris Bath speaks in-depth for the first time with the only visitors Molly is allowed - his brother Brian, and long-time assistant and dear friend Yael Cohen. Hear the emergency call that saved his life on the day everything changed. For the first time, Sunday Night will reveal the untold story – what really happened that day – and ask the people who know, what does the future for Molly hold?
32012-02-19BEAUTY QUEEN MURDER She was bashed, raped and murdered on a cold September evening in 1969. Now, in an explosive investigation, Sunday Night examines the cold case of Anne Zappelli, the Perth beauty queen killed 42 years ago. Despite a deathbed confession and overwhelming circumstantial evidence, no one has ever been brought to justice for the murder of the popular Miss Australia contestant. Two men were extradited and questioned, but never charged. This is a story of a bungled police case, lost forensic evidence and a question – why did the investigating officer, who later rose to become the state’s Police Commissioner, refuse to have the case re-opened? See what happens when Rahni Sadler comes face to face with the prime suspect. THE AGASSI LESSON Once known for his mullet hair and denim shorts, the bad boy of tennis is now changing the lives of a generation of American children. Sunday Night guest reporter Edwina Bartholomew travels to Las Vegas to meet Andre Agassi, who after years of success on the court, says his latest project is his most satisfying. Agassi opens up about the depression and the pain of his early years in tennis, his life with fellow legend Steffi Graf as well as his decision to bankroll a school in the poorest, crime-ridden suburb of Las Vegas. The school now boasts a 100 per cent pass rate with every single child going on to further education. President Barrack Obama is so impressed by what Agassi has achieved he’s spending half a billion dollars building more of the schools across America’s rough inner cities. WILD LIONS Tim Noonan travels deep into wilderness of Africa in this Sunday Night investigation, uncovering a new threat to one of the world’s most magnificent beasts. Thirty years ago there were up to 400,000 wild lions in Africa, today that number is only 25,000 and falling. Hard to believe but lions are now extinct in many African countries. Tim meets Kenya’s fierce Samburu tribe which has hunted and killed lions for centuries. And he not only performs the tribal rituals, but finds himself face to face with the kings of the jungle.
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52012-03-04MURDER AT SEA In an explosive investigation Sunday Night examines the events surrounding the horrific deaths of four men – including young Aussie dad Aaron Houweling – in the Gulf of Mexico last year. An Australian marine company stands accused in a US court of “cowardice and murder” and of breaking the sacred maritime code, abandoning men in peril on the ocean. Ross Coulthart investigates why the Captain of the Australian-owned ship turned his back on Aaron and nine of his workmates as they clung to a life raft in mountainous seas in the middle of a tropical storm. For four days, without food and water, the men were left in raging seas. Four men, including Aaron, never made it. Now, as a multi-million dollar lawsuit is launched in the United States, Sunday Night uncovers the shocking story and attempts to answer the key questions about the tragedy. FITZY’S SUGAR-COATING Guest reporter Peter FitzSimons presents a very personal and bittersweet story that could change the way we eat forever. Experts now say sugar is toxic and we’re eating so much it’s driving obesity, heart disease and even cancer. The new claims suggest sugar is addictive and should be regulated like tobacco and alcohol. Yet every single day we are absorbing it into our bodies and feeding it to our children. In fact, on average, every Australian eats about 33kgs of sugar a year. Peter FitzSimons has had his own battle with sugar and weight gain. The former Wallaby piled on the kilos after he hung up the boots. Now at age 50, he takes on the challenge to cut sugar from his diet, with amazing results. Peter’s investigation asks is sugar really bad for you, or is it the victim of bad PR? JAMIE OLIVER The world’s most popular chef and food campaigner gives Sunday Night an exclusive interview as he touches down in Australia. He’s transformed school dinners in the UK, angered the Americans when he tried to do the same in Los Angeles, and now he’s on the warpath in Australia. Jamie talks food, family and what he’s doing next. Can he rescue Australia from being one of the most obese countries in the developed world?
62012-03-11WILD AND DEADLY Imagine if teenagers ruled the world and threw the wildest, craziest party ever staged. Well that party has already started, and it’s on the must do list for every young Australian heading overseas. Until recently Vang Vieng in Laos was a sleepy Muslim fishing village. Today it’s a thrill seekers paradise where anything goes and there are no limits. But with the buckets of booze, pulsing dance music and river tubing - death is stalking. In the past two months three young Australian fun seekers have died, making Laos and Thailand the most dangerous place in the rest of the world for Australians. Eighty five Aussies died there last year alone. This seemingly harmless stunt – floating down a river for several days in a tyre inner tube while stopping frequently to drink and dance, has taken a sinister turn. Unscrupulous operators are selling alcohol and illicit drugs to legion of backpackers, and the result is leaving families burying their children. This special Sunday Night investigation follows the harrowing stories of a number of Aussies who nearly died during what they thought was going to be the adventure of a lifetime. DECEIVED AND IGNORED It is the shocking scandal affecting up to 9,000 Australian women and their families. In a Sunday Night investigation, we investigate the PIP breast implant disaster, and the ticking time bomb terrifying women around the world. A month after the French manufacturer was charged for using industrial grade silicone to make cheap implants, we speak to women suffering the side effects of chemical leakages flowing through their bodies. And the explosive interview with one victim whose child is dying, a child she breastfed with leaking PIP implants. As Rahni Sadler discovers, Australian women are blaming the PIP manufacturers of being terrorists, while the TGA has failed to recommend their immediate removal. SWEET POISON It’s addictive, affects our brains and is so toxic it’s responsible for increased levels of obesity, heart disease and even cancer. Yet most of us spoon it onto our breakfast cereals every morning, and it’s added to just about every manufactured food we eat. Sugar – one of Australia’s most lucrative primary industries, is sweet poison. Guest reporter Peter FitzSimons investigates the truth about this white gold. A few weeks ago, flabby and the wrong side of fifty, he read a book about sugar and it changed his life. He stopped eating sugar and the weight has dropped off. New claims suggest sugar is so addictive it should be regulated like tobacco and alcohol. The world’s most popular chef Jamie Oliver tells Peter we are abusing our children by feeding them food laced with sugar. The average Australian now eats about 33kgs of it a year. Peter goes in search of answers and asks - is sugar really bad for you, or is it just the victim of bad PR? DANNY De VITO At nearly 70 years of age, Danny DeVito has lost none of the spark that led him to becoming one of the best character actors of his day. This week, he talks openly to Ross Coulthart about love, life and living with good mate Michael Douglas. Boasting one of the longest marriages in Hollywood, Danny talks success, and what he thinks of his former Twins co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger: “ a meat head – he’s a thick headed meat head”.
72012-03-18MICHAEL J FOX Hollywood's most inspirational star opens his heart to Sunday Night’s Rahni Sadler about his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Michael J Fox no longer wants to hide his plight, but instead wants to talk about his “charmed life” and his mission to find a cure. Today, signs of Fox’s Parkinson’s symptoms are very noticeable – he even struggles to sip a glass of water – but he is empowered to find a cure and has been inspired by a fellow Aussie sufferer, . The former teen heart throb takes Sunday Night into the foundation he set up to search for a cure for the disease and reveals the real hope on the horizon. BARRY HUMPHRIES’ TRIPLE TREAT For the first time ever, three iconic Australians come together for a remarkable and explosive interview – Barry Humphries, Dame Edna and Sir Les Patterson take to the stage at the same time in an historic showbiz spectacular. When he received the Australian of the Year UK award recently, Humphries knew Dame Edna would be jealous. With cameras rolling, Dame Edna, in a fit of rage and egged on by Sir Les Patterson, launches herself at long-time friend Humphries armed with her gladioli. Sunday Night’s Ross Coulthart sits down with all three Aussie icons and witnesses the fireworks. GORILLAS IN THE CONGO Sunday Night reporter Tim Noonan this week goes deep inside the jungles of the Congo to discover the endangered mountain gorillas who have managed to elude the rebels wreaking havoc on the species. Just as Joseph Kony and his LRA have committed horrific crimes in Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo, another group of rebels – the FDLR – have been threatening the survival of these gorillas. There are only 800 mountain gorillas left in the world, and Sunday Night encounters a group of these magnificent animals which have survived the onslaught.
82012-03-25TITANIC ROMANCE It is one of the greatest real love stories never told. Until now. Sunday Night reveals the remarkable romance of Evelyn and William, who found love following the sinking of the Titanic. Evelyn was the only Australian on the great ship who survived. A nurse on the Titanic, she grew up in South Australia and learnt to row against the tides of the mighty Murray River. When the call came to get into the lifeboats after Titanic struck an iceberg, Evelyn took control of the oars and rowed survivors to safety. This little known Aussie heroine later married William, a doctor who also worked for the same shipping line, and should have been on the Titanic’s maiden voyage but for a last minute change of roster. THE BIRDMAN The most incredible vision of a man flying like a bird that has ever been captured on film. Wearing just a wing suit cape, and with absolutely no engine or jet pack involved, Jeb Corliss hurtles through the air at 200km/h. This crazy American, who leaps from mountains, skyscrapers and helicopters, met Sunday Night in 2009 when he outlined his dream to plummet thousands of metres and land without a parachute. But driven to pushing the limit, Jeb recently made a big mistake and pushed his luck too far. Jumping from South Africa’s Table Mountain Jeb was hoping to fly so fast and so close to the mountain he wanted to virtually touch it. But on the third day he miscalculated and slammed into the rock shelf at 200km/h. It’s amazing he lived. Instead he broke both ankles, and shattering his left leg. After seven weeks in a Cape Town Hospital, Sunday Night has returned with Jeb to the United States and followed his attempts to walk again. AN OUTBREAK Off the eastern coast of the United States, there lies a small and mysterious island which may unlock the key as to why hundreds of thousands of people are falling ill. There is growing evidence an outbreak with massive consequences has escaped from here, and in this special Sunday Night investigation, we look at the illness that’s infecting more than 225,000 Americans every year, with thousands more in Australia. Yet the Australian government refuses to admit the outbreak has reached our shores. And as we uncover, there is a secret US government research facility on this island – a facility where highly contagious and deadly virus’ were used in experiments and stored away from the mainland. Many believe the outbreak of the world’s fastest growing infectious disease has its origins on the island, and it’s now spreading across the globe.
92012-04-01SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS Ross Coulthart investigates the latest tragic death of a teenager at a surf lifesaving carnival at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast, just two years after Saxon Bird died there in treacherous surf. And Sunday Night revisits the scourge of Lyme disease, and finds yet another Australian with symptoms of the illness, despite health authorities maintaining it doesn’t exist on our shores. SMOOTH OPERATOR Sunday Night’s Alex Cullen catches up with the smoothest of smooth operators, Lionel Richie, as he coaxes the country music star Shania Twain into singing again for the first time in seven years. Now a grandfather, Richie takes Sunday Night on a tour of his LA mansion – the scene of his famous daughter Nicole’s elaborate wedding. And he speaks openly about his 43-year career, the secret behind his famous love songs and his very costly divorce. KNEE DEEP WITH DR JOHN What started out as a story on dodgy knees, or osteoarthritis, turned out very differently for Sunday Night’s resident doctor, Dr John D’Arcy. Like many Australians Dr John has had problems with his knees for years. In his case it was being overweight and not exercising; for scores of others it is the painful by-product of a sporting lifestyle. But now an exciting new surgery and rehab program – in which damaged bone is replaced with a metal and plastic crown – is transforming lives. Patients are walking within two hours of the operation. But it is an operation that Dr John kept putting off, instead turning to pain killers – until he made a mistake with his medication that very nearly killed him.
102012-04-08CHRISSY AMPHLETT’S NEW HOPE It is five years since the Australian queen of rock, Chrissy Amphlett, revealed she had multiple sclerosis, and just a year since she told Sunday Night that she was suffering from breast cancer. This week Sunday Night returns to the story of this remarkable woman as she fights back against one deadly disease and takes aim at another. She tells Rahni Sadler about her revolutionary new treatment for MS. It’s a controversial discovery that could hold the key for thousands of sufferers – so why is it being ignored here in Australia? BATTLESHIP BRAVEHEARTS For the first time on TV Sunday Night presents spine-chilling video of the infamous HMAS Perth resting on the sea-bed where she sank in battle, and took with her so many Australian lives. It’s been 70 years since the Battle of Sunda Strait, arguably the most significant Australian naval battle of World War Two. It was 1942 and the crew, 681 young Australian sailors, found themselves confronting the might of the Japanese navy as it advanced towards Australia. Half the sailors were killed in the ensuring battle off the Indonesian coast, the rest became Japanese prisoners of war and just 218 of them saw Australia again. There are now just a few survivors left, and they have told their extraordinary story to guest reporter Mike Carlton. TORNADO TOURISTS While most sane people run away from deadly tornadoes, a select few Australians love nothing better than running towards them – hoping to witness Mother Nature at her cruellest. This week Sunday Night meets the storm chasers – and the pictures they capture are amazing. Alex Cullen joins the action and goes chasing the eye of the storm. DANNY DEVITO Ross Coulthart sizes up the lovable comic villain in LA, Danny DeVito, who speaks openly about love, life and living with good mate Michael Douglas. At nearly 70, DeVito boasts one of the longest lasting marriages in Hollywood. And he also holds some very frank views on the differing political views of his former Twins co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who he describes as “a thick-headed meat-head”.
112012-06-24Seven’s flagship news and public affairs program Sunday Night returns to air on Sunday June 24 at 6.30pm with an explosive, tell-all interview with , the father of baby Azaria. With the fourth and final coronial inquest confirming last week that Azaria was killed by a dingo, Chamberlain returns to the site of her disappearance in the shadows of Uluru for the first time in more than 30 years. He is accompanied on the emotional journey with Azaria’s sister Zahra, who has never spoken publically about the events which have so devastated her father. The pair come face-to-face with the Aboriginal tracker who followed the dingo that took baby Azaria – but was never called to give evidence at the trial. Finally vindicated by the coroner after years of criticism and condemnation, Chamberlain opens up to Ross Coulthart about the conspiracy he believes tore he and wife Lindy apart. He reveals for the first time the poignant and powerful photos from his private photo album of the day Azaria went missing, as well as the diary entries that detail his marriage breakdown. Also on Sunday Night this week, Rahni Sadler ventures behind the veil, getting remarkable access with a group of dinky-di Aussie women and fun-loving feminists who have embraced Islam and choose to cover up. They wear Burqas but say they’re far from oppressed – driving fast cars, jumping out of planes and challenging anyone who questions their right to wear the veil. And we also catch up with the loud, opinionated and endlessly funny Billy Connolly – the one-time welder who survived a brutal childhood to become a show business megastar. The straight-talking Scot takes on the Catholic Church, details his descent into alcoholism and reveals the chance meeting that turned his life around. But it’s what happens when he thinks the cameras aren’t rolling that reveals Billy Connolly best of all.
122012-07-01Exclusive: When Molly Met Katy In Molly Meldrum’s much anticipated comeback interview since his December fall, he sits down with pop superstar Katy Perry in Los Angeles. The result is a remarkably frank and open interview in which the singer opens up about her marriage break up with comedian Russell Brand, and subsequent break down on tour. She promises to be gentle with Molly telling him, “I’m so glad you’re back, and you’re well, and you’re here and you’re alive.” There’s lots of laughter, tears, kisses and presents – Molly’s first assignment is a must-watch television event. End Of The World They’re called ‘Doomsday preppers,’ and across the world they are hard at work planning for the end of the world. Sunday Night meets the US investor putting his money into building super-bunkers outside Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. According to the Mayan calendar the trigger for Armageddon will take place at the end of 2012. Alex Cullen joins one group in Alaska planning their last stand deep in the wilderness. Who will they be fighting against? Well they believe it could be Muslim terrorists, extra-terrestrial ‘zombies’, or simply a cataclysmic natural disaster. An explosive story that will leave you shaking your head. Bill Gates He was the richest man in the world until he started giving it all away. Bill Gates, the nerdy university dropout who founded Microsoft and built it into a $100 billion personal fortune, takes Sunday Night reporter Peter FitzSimons into the inner sanctum of his incredible charity city. He’s a man after every baby boomer’s heart – spending big and spending the kids’ inheritance on good causes, including ridding the world of deadly diseases. In this very rare television interview Gates pleads for wealthy Australians to follow his lead and become more generous philanthropists. The Day Doctor John Nearly Died Doctor John has had problems with his knees for years – like many Australians he was overweight and didn’t do enough exercise. Every extra kilo you carry in your body increases the force on your knees by about 6 kilos. But it’s not only people battling the bulge that are in danger. Around the country young, fit and healthy people are causing great damage to their knees every time they step onto a netball court or a footy field. But now, there is an exciting new surgery to replace the damaged bone with a metal and plastic crown. No recovery and rehab, patients are walking within hours. This is what Dr John should have done. Instead, he kept putting it off, turning to painkillers. Then, the doctor made a mistake that nearly killed him – he mucked up his medicine and it landed him the emergency ward. A very personal story from Dr John, and a warning for every Australian.
132012-07-08Tattoos To ink or not to ink? Tattoos were once considered taboo – mainly flaunted by footy stars, bogans and bikies. Now tatts are cool, and while parents may loathe them, many teenage kids count down the days until they can have one. Australian model and DJ Ruby Rose considers her naked skin a canvas for tattoo art. For her, they symbolise freedom and beauty. Join Sunday Night as we visit the very cheeky Rose at the tattoo parlour for yet another inking – she already has 30. But what happens when the ink begins to fade, replaced only by regret? Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg tells reporter Alex Cullen why he’s jumped the fence in the tattoo debate, and why he’s now undergoing hours of painful laser surgery to remove his ink. But before you make up your mind on this issue, meet the former white supremacist who is now on the straight and narrow -although his face still tells another story. His painful transformation is frightening. Homeland Terrorism The terrifying true story behind Australia’s unsolved terrorist attack. A police hero murdered, leaving a widow and two young sons behind. The 12th floor bombing at the National Crime Authority in Adelaide in 1994 also left another man clinging to life. The man named as the bomb maker, still walks free today. In this major investigation, Sunday Night’s Ross Coulthart reveals for the first time the extraordinary decision that allowed the killer to evade prosecution for 18 years. With a $1 million reward on offer, what Ross discovers could blow the case wide open. Old Pot Heads The biggest group taking up weed are the over 50’s – nowadays more and more grandparents are on the ganja. All across America, and here in Australia, baby boomers are fighting for their right to get high. Sunday Night guest reporter Mike Amor is taken into the secret vault, a hidden marijuana crop in a retirement village. The gardener is a grey-haired grandmother who gives advice on growing pot. We also meet Margo Bowler, a 76 year old pot smoking retired nurse, who says a joint eases the pain of her incurable illness.
142012-07-15Ping Pong Poms They come here in their thousands from wet and windy Britain – enticed by the “Home and Away” dream lifestyle down under. But every year several thousand poms who emigrate to Australia make the return journey home. And boy do they whinge about life here. Sunday Night’s Peter FitzSimons meets several families who have decided to go back – and they don’t pull any punches about what they think of Australia. Our roads are bad, our driving even worse, restaurants “crap”, our ocean full of deadly threats and “there is more culture in a yoghurt”. This story will make Aussies see red, but they will get really angry when they discover many Poms do one last thing here before getting the taxi to the airport – they take out Australian citizenship. It’s their insurance if it doesn’t work out back in Blighty. Xanax More addictive than cocaine, Xanax is the anti-anxiety drug in the medicine cabinet of millions of Australian homes. It was found in the bodies of Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Heath Ledger and Xanax is being prescribed here in greater and greater numbers by inexperienced doctors unaware of the drug’s dark side. After only a few weeks users are hooked – and if it doesn’t destroy their lives it can take a lifetime to be weaned off the drug. We meet two Australian Xanax users – their heart-breaking stories will shock. We also meet a mother on the east coast of America serving a prison sentence for killing a woman in her car while she was suffering Xanax withdrawal. Guest reporter on this powerful Sunday Night story is psychiatrist Tanveer Ahmed, who continues to treat a number of patients with Xanax addiction and withdrawal. He is better known to millions of Aussies as the umpire from the “No Bingo!” game show. The Gambler “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away, know when to run”. The lyrics you can’t help but sing out loud. A special treat on Sunday Night – the king of country music, Kenny Rogers, takes Alex Cullen on a tour of Nashville for his only Australian interview. At 74 years of age, he’s still packing in the crowds, and it’s made him a fortune – enough to pay a $60 million divorce settlement. But far from regretting the money lost, Kenny talks about happily handing over his riches to his ex-wife. And why, even after four failed marriages, he doesn’t believe in prenuptial agreements.
152012-07-22Exclusive: Andres Kalazjich Interview – Did he do it? It’s one of Australia’s most infamous murders. A millionaire businessman, dubbed the ‘King of Manly’, who’d cheated on his wife. Andrew Kalajzich was convicted of paying a hit man to break into their waterfront mansion and shoot her as they lay in bed together. After 25 years in jail, Andrew Kalajzich is a free man, back at the scene of the crime, back in the house where his wife Megan was shot. He says police got it wrong, and he’s spent all his millions to prove he was framed. Now, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Night’s Tim Noonan, he’s ready to talk for the first time and he wants Australia to judge his explosive evidence. It’s a nail biting interview, and a dramatic walk through of the murder scene. Then comes the lie-detector test, and an outcome no-one could have predicted. Sleeping Beauties Imagine going to sleep and not waking up for eight months. This extraordinary behaviour is normal living for about 500 people around the world – including three Australians – who suffer from one of the world’s most bizarre conditions – Kleine-Levin Syndrome otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty Disease. Doctors know little about KLS, but believe it is triggered by something as everyday as the common cold. It usually strikes victims in their teens and can last for more than a decade before vanishing as quickly as it came. Sunday Night’s Rahni Sadler follows a Tamworth teenager who spends almost half of every year asleep. Analeigh has tried to complete high school many times, but falls asleep before she can finish exams. As people around her grow up and move on, Analeigh wakes from her slumber, oblivious to what she’s missed out on. Sunday Night also goes to Hawaii to meet another teenage victim, just coming out of the disease. She has spent five of the past eight years asleep, missing huge chunks of her life.
162012-07-29First Sounds Dr John D’Arcy presents the feel-good story of the year. Witness the incredible moment when little Cooper hears his mother’s voice for the very first time. First the look on his face, then his little giggle, then his roaring laughter – a sight, and sound, you won’t forget. The new-generation of hearing devices are much more advanced and powerful than the original cochlear implants, this technology is transforming lives young and old. Sunday Night is there for the joyful and inspiring moments, when patients hear their first sounds. The Land that Time Forgot It is a secret valley, a hidden canyon deep in the Kimberley, a land that time forgot. It is also the most magical place in Australia because it holds the secret to protecting the country’s native wildlife. Untouched by man, this remote part of our country is a refuge for endangered creatures. Join Alex Cullen on an expedition to investigate how the animals have survived here, and how they’ll stage their return. The Brave and the Beautiful They are the brave and once beautiful women whose beauty has been stolen forever. They are victims of acid attacks, who refuse to be bowed by the men who sought to scar them forever. Rahni Sadler explores the spate of these awful attacks around the world. See the medical miracles giving them back their hope, and the fighting spirit giving them back their lives.
172012-08-05Exclusive: Australia’s Unknown Schapelle Deep in one of South America’s most notorious Peru jails, a 27-year-old Australian sits convicted of drug trafficking after she was busted at an airport with a suitcase full of cocaine. Bronwyn’s heart-breaking story serves as a warning to every parent with a child jetting off on the trip of a lifetime. With nearly four years already served, she’ll be behind bars for at least another decade. Unlike Schapelle Corby – Bronwyn’s story has never been told. In this week’s exclusive investigation by Mike Willesee, Bronwyn tells of the cartel who hired her, set her up, and then betrayed her. She was a drug mule sacrificed so a more lucrative shipment could be smuggled through safely. Peru is now the centre of the world’s cocaine trade, and the Colombian drug lord El Chappo has targeted Australia because it is the most lucrative market for the drug in the world. Sir Elton John Sir Elton John owed Molly Meldrum an apology, and this Sunday you’ll find out why. It’s been a long time coming, but finally the two are face to face again. Undoubtedly one of the world’s biggest musical superstars, Elton John opens up like never about music, love and fatherhood. He shows off his son Zachary, reveals how he wants another child, and how becoming a father is his greatest achievement. In a raw and honest interview, Sir Elton tells Molly about the pain he still feels from the relationship with his own father. Storm Surfers It is some of the most incredible surf vision you will ever see. From the southern ocean to the far north west coast, two of the funniest and most experienced pro surfers take Sunday Night on a search of the biggest storms off Australia’s coastline. Up to 75 kilometres off shore, these daredevils ride the biggest waves possible. In this breathtaking and brave report, see how two time world champion Tom Carroll, and big wave expert Ross Clarke Jones are prepared to risk big in pursuit of the perfect wave.
182012-08-12Milk Wars Across Australia and the US, there is a new booming underground trade – not in drugs or guns, but in raw milk. Ordinary mums and dads are paying up to six times the normal price to exploit a legal loophole and get their hands on milk the way Mother Nature created it – straight from the cow. It’s sold as ‘bath milk’ and the label says ‘not for human consumption’. Supporters argue that raw milk has health benefits that everyday pasteurised milk does not, even though food authority officials warn raw milk can be deadly. It’s led to a milk war, and Doctor John D’Arcy meets both sides – including a Sydney shopkeeper fined a staggering $180,000 after being caught selling it illegally. And it’s not just raw milk that’s causing headlines – scientists now say there is growing proof that we should all switch to A2 milk because ordinary A1 supermarket milk could be linked to diabetes, autism and schizophrenia. When Nobody Listens Many children go to school every day living in fear and trepidation, subjected to relentless bullying which their parents have little or no idea about. From physical violence on the school bus, to torment and torture in the classroom, it’s a modern day epidemic, with tragic consequences. Sunday Night’s Ross Coulthart meets the parents of Olivia – a beautiful and talented teenager from Melbourne, who was the victim of bullying. The outcome is every parent’s worst nightmare. Olivia’s parents share their very personal story and share the emotional message that Olivia left behind. The Survivor 33-year-old Ben Cryan should not be alive. After a horrific surfing holiday overseas, his parents were told there was a good chance he wouldn’t make it. Then after more than 30 gruelling operations, his body failed him again. Sunday Night’s Alex Cullen meets the young man who has defied the odds to pull off a medical miracle, and his mother who made it all possible. An amazing story of how a mother’s love saved a young man’s life.
192012-08-19Heading Down Under A huge armada of rickety boats, stacked with hundreds of desperate people, is setting out from Sri Lanka: destination Australia. They’ve paid up to $8,000 each to sit huddled in the hold of tiny fishing boats, up to 12 people crammed into a 1 x 2 metre space, for the two week journey to what they hope is a better life. For every one of the 29 boats to have arrived in Australian waters this year carrying Sri Lankan asylum seekers, many more are turned round and seized by the Sri Lankan navy. The rush is sparked by fears Australia will soon pass new laws re-introducing off shore processing – so the race is on to get here before the legislation hits. While our politicians fiddle and fight over how to tackle the crisis, in this special Sunday Night investigation from the high seas, reporter Tim Noonan boards the boats and speaks to the new wave of illegal immigrants about their Australian dream, and entertainer Kamahl shares what he believes we should do next. Assistance Animals Forget the traditional guide dog, this is the truly remarkable story of animals transforming the lives of humans. From Cali the guide horse who accompanies her blind owner on a plane, to Kasey the monkey who brings the phone, puts on a DVD, turns the pages of a book, and even scratches her owners itch. The pictures of what these animals do for their owners have to be seen to be believed. Join Sunday Night as we visit the special animal training school where Kasey learnt her incredible skills – the only one of its kind in the world. Hearing for the First Time Sunday Night was overwhelmed by viewer responses to our videos of children hearing for the very first time. Little Cooper’s bright smile and cheeky laugh when he heard his first sounds melted hearts around Australia. Mark Ferguson caught up with a bright and bubbly 3-year-old Cooper a year after that switch-on video. Now, his parents reveal the real story about his diagnosis and what the future holds for Cooper. Meet Australian children who have received the gift of sound thanks to the hard work of Professor Graeme Clark. This week Sunday Night hands our show to the audience – these are your stories, and the videos you sent in. It’s not to be missed.
202012-08-26Murder on the Dance Floor Zahra Abrahimzadeh was a caring and loving mother, who for years protected her three children from her violent husband. When she left him, he was vengeful. She was in hiding, protected by a restraining order – until the courts made a fatal mistake. They gave her husband Zialloh permission to attend a function she would also be at. The police said she would be safe in a public place, protected by the crowd. How wrong they were. He sat at a nearby table, then acted out his promise – stabbing Zahra to death in front of their daughter. Alex Cullen presents a special Sunday Night investigation into a family failed by the system. Kerri-Anne in Africa In her first major television report since her cancer diagnosis, Kerri-Anne Kennerley travels to the wilds of Africa on a deeply personal crusade. Deep in the heart of Kenya, a dangerous battle is being waged to try to save the world’s last few wild rhinos from extinction. There are only eight northern white rhinos left on the planet. Kerri-Anne and an Aussie banker track down the only four that can still breed, and bring them to safety. Elsewhere in the vastness of Africa, rhinos are transported like teabags, sedated and dangling from helicopters in an operation to de-horn them and thwart armed poachers. It’s a dangerous mission, and this is the ultimate Sunday Night adventure, an assignment close to Kerri-Anne’s heart. Medical Tourism Australia’s public health system is bursting at the seams, with long waiting lists for elective surgery and many people suffering prolonged pain. Last year alone, two million Australians put off getting expensive dental treatment. It’s led to a booming business in medical tourism – package deals that combine cut price treatment abroad with a resort holiday. Sunday Night reporter Rahni Sadler follows one Aussie tour group as they travel to Bangkok for everything from boob jobs to hip replacements, root canal work to face lifts – for roughly half the price it would cost in Australia. Australian medical authorities warn patients are taking a risk, but are the results worth it? Glen Campbell One of the bravest and most heart-wrenching celebrity interviews you will ever see. Forty-eight hours after Alex Cullen interviewed country and western legend Glenn Campbell at his US home, the singer’s management team cancelled his Australian tour. It is doubtful he will ever return, and his appearance on Sunday Night could well be his final interview ever. For it has been revealed that Glen Campbell, who has sold 50 million records in a 50 year career, is battling Alzheimer’s disease. That he’s been able to continue performing for the past year, despite his short-term memory loss, is down to the love and support of his wife Kim and their children. A tender look into the home and family life of this musical legend.
212012-09-02Music Boss Murder Music icon Peter Ikin was adored by the world’s biggest rock stars. The Warner music boss not only brought superstars like Elton John, Rod Stewart and Fleetwood Mac to Australia, he was also a close friend of Molly Meldrum. He lived a life of wealth and power in luxurious homes in Sydney and London. In October 2008 Ikin secretly married a dashing young Frenchman named Alexandre Depellieres. Just weeks later, Ikin was dead in a Paris hotel room with a lethal dose of pain killers found in his blood. Within days Depellieres had Ikin cremated, and faked a will to claim a slice of his lovers fortune. In this Sunday Night exclusive, Molly Meldrum tells us why his best mate was murdered and who did it. And in Paris, Ross Coulthart confronts the accused lover, who was arrested and later released by French police. In this explosive interview, Depellieres goes on the record for the first time. Did he do it? Strokes of Life Chris was a 120 kilogram beer chugging rugby player. Engaged to be married, life was perfect for the macho 20-year-old. Then he suffered a knock on the head doing a forward roll which cut off the blood supply to his brain. It triggered a mini stroke, and when he woke up his life had done a complete turnaround. He’s now a gay hairdresser with a different taste in everything from music, food and romance. He’s even engaged again, this time to a young man named Jak. And Chris is not alone. Alan, a middle aged life-long tradie, woke up from his stroke a gifted artist. He no longer works as a glazier, has completed a fine arts degree and owns his own prestigious gallery in north London. Join Sunday Night for this incredible story of two men who have proven how life can change in an instant. A Father’s Love This Father’s Day Sunday Night brings you a story of how a father’s love can work miracles. The proof is young Jackson Keleher. When he was starved of oxygen at birth, Jackson’s devastated parents were told he would be developmentally challenged. Severely brain damaged, he was expected to never walk or even stand. Paralysed from the neck down with Cerebral Palsy, Jackson would never talk and tell his parent’s he loved them. But his father refused to give up, instead giving up everything else to devote himself to his little boy. Two years later, after an incredible journey of pain, joy and inspiration, Sunday Night is there as Jackson stands up and walks for the first time.
222012-09-09Nigella Lawson She’s the queen of cuisine who women adore and men lust after. Nigella Lawson is the sexy, chocolate-loving foodie who introduced the world to gastro-porn. A bestselling author and TV star, Nigella has no professional cooking training, but her passionate palate has brought her millions of fans and plenty of admirers. Married to a multi-millionaire and living in London’s poshest suburb, Nigella invites Sunday Night’s Ross Coulthart into her incredible kitchen for an intimate interview. Nigella opens up about men, sex appeal, body image, her love of Australia, that infamous burqini incident on Bondi Beach, plus she reveals her secret Vegemite pasta recipe. Accidental Killers Every three days, someone around Australia is killed on our railways. Trains are delayed, commuters get angry, and police and paramedics have the grisly job of cleaning up. But spare a thought for the train drivers who witness everything. They are the accidental killers and what they experience from the driver’s cab makes their job perhaps the most traumatic in the country. Until now, train drivers have never spoken out about what they face every day they clock on. Sunday Night’s Peter Fitzsimons meets the ordinary men who have tragically taken more lives than some of our worst serial killers. We also meet one lucky survivor who wandered onto train tracks while drunk, losing and arm and a leg. Jonathan now dedicates his life to teaching school children about the danger of risky behaviour near railway tracks. Mr Narcolepsy Sunday Night spends a day in the life of the man who sleeps up to 70 times a day – but never gets a good night’s sleep. Dee Doud is the biggest sleepyhead on the planet. He suffers from the rare conditions narcolepsy and cataplexy. He falls asleep at the drop of a hat – the slightest stress or excitement causes him instant paralysis. It doesn’t matter what Dee is doing, he can keel over and sleep for minutes or hours. Rahni Sadler experiences Dee’s extraordinary life as he crashes out while walking, talking, playing his guitar, ten pin bowling, washing the dishes or just sitting on a park bench.
232012-09-16Burning Man Burning Man is a festival like no other. In the middle of the Nevada desert, an instant city is assembled, with 60,000 people attending. Money is banned in this experimental community. Everyone has to get involved – it’s called “radical participation” and the aim is to create Nirvana. New Sunday Night reporter PJ Madam joins the madness, and the many Aussies flocking to take part in what’s been described as Woodstock on steroids. Sir Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard is the Peter Pan of pop. He’s the Queen’s favourite rocker and has sold a staggering 250 million records over a career spanning an incredible six decades. Later this year he’s heading to Australia for another sell-out tour, but at present the music legend is sitting amongst the grapevines of his Portuguese vineyard, having his very own “Summer Holiday”. This week on Sunday Night, Sir Cliff invites Ross Coulthart into his beautiful home and teaches him a thing or two about winemaking. From poor beginnings, the lifelong bachelor shows no signs of slowing down in his seventies. With worldwide hits such as “Congratulations” and “Living Doll”, find out the truth behind the unforgettable songs. Surrogacy They’re like any other Australian babies – except these twins have three mothers. One who sold her eggs, another who rented her womb, and then there’s the Australian mum who paid to take them home with her husband, who donated his sperm. It’s one of the most complex routes to parenthood imaginable, but more and more Australian couples are using overseas surrogates to sidestep surrogacy laws here. In this Sunday Night report by Tim Noonan, you will meet Plugger, a Melbourne father who always wanted sons to follow in his football footsteps. Now after handing over $36,000, he and his wife Tammy are bringing their twin baby boys home for a very emotional reunion. But there is a dark underbelly – a new form of human trafficking. Desperate women in Thailand forced to carry babies against their will. In some states in Australia you can be jailed for bringing a surrogate child home, while in others it is perfectly legal. See this very personal story, and make up your own mind.
242012-09-23Barry Gibb: The last Bee Gee In a Sunday Night world exclusive, Bee Gees star Barry Gibb opens up to Rahni Sadler like never before in this deeply moving interview. It’s been four months since the tragic death of his brother Robin, and Barry reveals the pain over his loss, and his biggest regret. From growing up in Australia, to the magic that saw the Bee Gees sell more than 220 million records around the world, Barry talks about his success, the love of his life, and what he really thinks about Barbra Streisand. But the realisation of being the “last man standing” amongst his brothers finally hits home and the tears flow for the first time. An Uncomfortable Truth Two years ago, Major General John Cantwell was Australia’s toughest, battle-hardened soldier. He was in command of 1500 Australian troops in Afghanistan, with an exemplary 38 year military career. Today he is a broken man – but a man with extraordinary secrets he is now telling for the first time. In three terrible months in 2010, ten Australian diggers were killed under Cantwell’s command. It was the beginning of the end for one of our most decorated heroes. One moment he was favourite to be the new Chief of the Australian Army, weeks later he was curled up in a ball, sobbing on the floor. For twenty years he had hidden the crippling post-traumatic stress he was suffering. Now out of the army, Cantwell is speaking out, and it’s an uncomfortable truth he reveals to reporter Mark Ferguson. His opinion on the war on terror and bringing home our troops from Afghanistan will have major political ramifications. Grand Designs: America’s Biggest House Take a property tycoon, his former beauty queen wife, give them more money than sense, and see what they do with it. Meet the Siegel family – mum, dad and eight kids. They are building a new home – a palace which is bigger than the White House. It comes complete with 30 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, two bowling alleys, two swimming pools and a roller skating rink – even her wardrobe is big enough to have its own staircase. But even billionaires make bad decisions. Watch what happens when the wealth comes crumbling down. Join Alex Cullen for this incredible riches to rags story on Sunday Night.
252012-09-30Tourette’s To the outside world, it can appear something of a joke, but Tourette’s is no laughing matter for those living with the syndrome. Sufferers’ lives are forever marred by the constant, uncontrollable urge to shout, swear and tic inappropriately. In this remarkable story, we meet Jess, who finds it impossible to control the urge to say the word ‘biscuit’. She says it hundreds, if not thousands of times every single day, often while punching herself in the chest. Jess invites Sunday Night into her life to experience what it’s like to live with Tourette’s. It is heartbreaking television. Rahni Sadler also meets an amazing young jazz singer who swears and tics uncontrollably off stage, but transforms into a composed and talented songstress on stage. This story will forever change the way you think about Tourette’s. Dirty Rotten hero? Lance Armstrong was a cycling god, winning seven Tour de France titles and earning a place as one of the greatest sportsmen in history. For years, Armstrong denied his remarkable achievements were assisted by performance enhancing drugs. In fact, three years ago on Sunday Night, he categorically denied ever taking drugs. But this Sunday, in an interview with Alex Cullen, his former friend and teammate Tyler Hamilton breaks ranks and calls Armstrong a cheat. Hamilton is breaking the sport’s code of silence and detailing what he claims is the shocking truth about the drug cover-up that reaches all the way to the top. Hamilton claims to have taken part in systematic drug taking with Armstrong. Who is telling the truth? You be the judge. David Frost Renowned for his take-no-prisoners interview style, David Frost has gone toe-to-toe with seven US Presidents, seven British and five Australian Prime Ministers. Celebrities, sporting legends and the world’s richest and most powerful leaders have all squirmed when faced with his probing questions. Now, the tables are turned as he sits down with Sunday Night’s PJ Madam to reflect on his 50-year career as one of the great interviewers. Find out how his career-making interview with disgraced US President Richard Nixon scoop hinged on a bet with friend Kerry Packer.
262012-10-07Without a Trace He is a ruggedly handsome doctor and a noted scientist. His first wife fell from a waterfall while they were hiking. His latest partner fell overboard from a luxury yacht while they were sailing. Both women died leaving him a rich man. Both the loves of his life lost their lives in tragically similar circumstances. On both occasions he was the only other person there. This special Mike Willesee investigation follows the dogged efforts of a loving brother, family and loyal friends who don’t believe the official explanation about what happened out on the ocean, and just want some answers to how Carmel disappeared. Face to Face For ten years Australia has been waiting for this moment. Some of the most powerful and emotional television you will ever see. A decade after the Bali bombing that claimed 202 lives – including 88 Australians – one brave man comes face to face with the terrorist responsible for blowing his legs off. Andrew Csabi lost his left leg and his right foot when the bomb went off in the Sari Club. He was lucky to survive, and had to learn to walk again with prosthetic limbs. In this heart-wrenching story he travels to Indonesia and demands answers when he confronts the mastermind who trained the bombers. Sunday Night reporter PJ Madam goes inside the high security anti-terrorism complex for a chilling meeting with Ali Imron, the man who built and delivered the bomb. In his first ever television interview, the terrorist delivers the message that will leave you shaking your head. Kiss Army They are the men in their sixties wearing makeup and high heels, worshipped around the world. For four decades KISS has Rock and Rolled All Night, and adoring fans have lapped it up. But the men behind the makeup are more than rock gods – they are marketing masters. KISS is one of the most lucrative brands on the planet, probably the only band with its own army. These music superstars aren’t only selling albums and concerts; they have a memorabilia chain turning over millions of dollars every year. Meet the obsessed Australian fanatics who follow them around the world and spend fortunes on collectibles. Sunday Night’s Rahni Sadler was granted unprecedented backstage access to the band, for a rare glimpse behind the glitter and glam.
272012-10-14Toxoplasmosis Terror Toxoplasmosis is a disease that affects up to one in three Australians – yet the vast majority have no idea what it is or if they are infected. People infected with toxoplasmosis have microscopic parasites living in their brains. Most of the time these parasites lie dormant, but shocking new research reveals they could be responsible for more than we ever believed. The main source of toxoplasmosis is the domestic cat, and a human can become infected in just eight seconds. In Australia, pregnant women are warned to avoid cats, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy. In many other countries women are regularly tested for the disease, and while there is no cure, fast treatment can save lives. In Australia we do not routinely test for toxoplasmosis. Alex Cullen’s worldwide investigation asks why this quite terrifying disease is not being highlighted by Australian health authorities. Midget Sub Mystery Sunday Night guest reporter Jack Thompson sets out to solve one of Australia’s greatest wartime mysteries. In 1942, World War II came to Australia, with three Japanese midget subs entering Sydney Harbour. In this major eight-month investigation, Sunday Night travels to Japan to interview the only Japanese survivor of the attack, and reunites him with the young Aussie gunner who witnessed it. Then we explore the ocean floor and go inside the mystery sub that caused so much havoc that day. The fate of the two kamikaze Japanese sailors who manned the sub has never been known, until this final chapter. Jerry Lewis An entertainment legend, he was Hollywood’s favourite funny man and the king of slapstick comedy. Now 86-years-old, Jerry Lewis has been making people laugh for decades. Join Sunday Night’s PJ Madam for a laugh a minute visit to Jerry Lewis’ Las Vegas home to talk about life, love, and his famous partnership – and subsequent fallout – with friend Dean Martin. In the decades that followed the movies and stage performances, Jerry Lewis has poured his time into raising billions of dollars for those in need. Find out why his charities mean so much to him and why one Australian family has touched his heart.
282012-10-21King Kyle He’s the man the public loves to hate. Kyle Sandilands still rules the radio airwaves, despite almost being sacked several times for bad behaviour. He’s gone from homeless kid to Hollywood. It’s been a rollercoaster ride to the top and this is the first time he’s ever sat down for a one-on-one television interview. In this exclusive Sunday Night interview, Mike Willesee doesn’t pull any punches. It’s the match up that could rehabilitate Kyle or bury him forever. Catt vs Catt Roseanne Catt spent 3,652 days in jail for conspiring to murder her husband. She was portrayed as an evil and manipulative wife who tried to poison him. Even though she had no criminal history, she was found guilty. But after a ten year campaign, the Court of Appeal agreed she had been wrongly convicted – the victim of a husband who lied and a deceitful police officer who led the prosecution against her. She is now having to fight for compensation, even though ironically her husband Barry did receive compensation when she was jailed, that he has not had to pay back. Today, Barry Catt still claims his ex-wife is guilty, describing her as Satan. Both Roseanne Catt and Barry Catt have spoken to Sunday Night in exclusive interviews. Forget everything you thought you knew about this case, this story is more explosive than ever. One Direction They are the biggest and fastest selling music act in the world today. The boy band that recently brought Sydney to a standstill, sits down with Sunday Night’s PJ Madam to discuss fame, bullying, racism, hate mail and hysteria. The boys tell of their love of Australia – especially Aussie girls. They describe their humble beginnings, coming from poor, working class families, to being superstar millionaires. See the real story of One Direction.
292012-10-28Robbie Williams He’s the cheeky English pop star with millions of admirers around the world. But life has changed dramatically for Robbie Williams since becoming a father for the first time. In this very candid interview, the former boy band star opens up to PJ Madam about his new album, Take The Crown, his life as a sing-along Daddy, and how his new responsibilities have turned his life around. The biggest-selling British solo artist in history reveals the dark times in his past and how drugs and alcohol nearly overtook his life. He says life is better since he’s become a father and now he’s extremely passionate about his charity that’s raising millions for disadvantaged children. Murder Secret She was a beautiful and vivacious dance instructor, a young mum raising her daughter after fleeing an abusive and possessive husband. When she was found dead in the shower of her Sydney flat, a suicide note left on the side of the bathtub, police wrote it off as a suicide linked to a failed marriage. However, Nadine Haag’s family refused to accept the police version of events and launched their own investigation. What they discovered blew the case wide open. Among the chilling evidence the police missed were two secret messages written by Nadine in her final moments saying ‘He did it’. Sunday Night’s Ross Coulthart pieces together this extraordinary chain of events, which ends with him coming face to face with Nadine’s husband, the man her family believes, has so far got away with murder. Size Doesn't Matter Warwick Davis is the biggest small man in Hollywood. He stars alongside Ricky Gervais in the television series Life’s Too Short, he’s been in every Harry Potter movie, and even played an Ewok in Star Wars. But aside from his extraordinary film and TV career, he’s leading a campaign to change the public’s perception of dwarfism. Sunday Night reporter Rahni Sadler accompanies Warwick to the first Little People UK Convention and talks to him about his own battles for acceptance. And there are plenty of laughs along the way.
302012-11-04Kerri-Anne’s Most Emotional Interview Just when Kerri-Anne Kennerley had battled through the toughest year of her life, things got a whole lot worse. Already in the midst of her own battle with cancer, her world was turned upside down again; with the news her brother was to undergo radical brain surgery. Kerri-Anne’s brother Malcolm is a gentle giant, a tradie struck down with the incurable disease Essential Tremor. He struggles to hold a glass or use a knife and fork, trapped in a body he can’t control. Kerri-Anne is with her big brother every step of the way as he undergoes Deep Brain Stimulation therapy. It’s an emotional rollercoaster for the normally smiling TV queen. This week the pacemaker device connected to Malcolm’s brain was switched on. Sunday Night is there for the results in the most emotional interview that Kerri-Anne has ever done. Australia’s Adoption Shame 18-year-old George Dennehy was abandoned at birth. Born without arms, he was dumped at an orphanage in Romania. He was starving to death and not expected to live. That is until his name was added to a long list of children available for adoption. His desperate picture was on the very last page, but that didn’t stop an American couple with three children of their own from taking him home. Today, George is an all-American teenager who plays the guitar and can even drive a car – amazingly with his toes. His mum and dad have now adopted nine children from around the world. Their home is full of love, joy and laughter. However, this is where the story takes a dark turn. Here in Australia, though there are 32,000 children in state care, and tens of thousands of childless couples desperate for a family, less than 400 children from here and overseas were adopted last year. Alex Cullen meets one of a growing number of Australian couples forced to move overseas to achieve their dream of starting a family. Deborah Lee-Furness, who with husband Hugh Jackman was forced to adopt in America, tells how laws must be changed to give more disadvantaged kids a loving home. Sunday Night then travels to Canberra to ask Federal Minister Nicola Roxon why Australia, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, has such a poor rate of adoption. Susan Boyle Goes Gangnam She lives alone with her cat in a small council house in Scotland, but this middle-aged spinster in sensible shoes is credited with saving the world’s music industry. Susan Boyle may not look like your usual pop star, but since being discovered on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, SuBo has sold over 18 million albums and stormed to the top of the charts in over 30 countries. In this remarkable interview we discover the dark side to Susan Boyle and how she has fought to live with her sudden stardom. Ahead of the release of her fourth album, Standing Ovation, Rahni Sadler joins Susan as she hits the bright lights of Las Vegas. Growing up, the songstress never believed she’d meet her teenage idol Donny Osmond, let alone sing alongside him. And don’t miss Susan letting loose and getting down – Gangnam Style.
312012-11-11Dawn French Dawn French is one of the most beloved women in comedy. Adored in Australia for French and Saunders and the Vicar of Dibley, she’s also just appeared in a supermarket campaign poking fun at her large frame. Dawn is a poster girl for curvy girls – and she’s not afraid to speak her mind about it. Ross Coulthart sat down with Dawn over High Tea at London’s Savoy Hotel where nothing was off limits. Behind the laughs Dawn talks about the suicide of her father, the breakdown of a 25-year marriage, and the endless criticism of the British press. This is a woman’s story to make you laugh and cry. Never Ending Appetite It’s the most baffling and bizarre medical syndrome known to science. Around 20 Australian babies are born with it every year, half a million live with it around the world. There is no test for it, and scientists do not know why it strikes. There is no cure and currently no answers – sufferers simply have a constant, total uncontrollable urge to eat. Imagine always being hungry and never feeling full? It’s called Prader Willi Syndrome – a random brain abnormality which causes many victims to literally eat themselves to death. They will eat anything they can, from the floor, from bins, anywhere. In this remarkable Tim Noonan investigation, meet the mother of James from Melbourne, who at 21, pleaded with his mother to allow him to escape his misery by committing death by food. There was nothing in Australia to help James. But there is hope. A place where PWS sufferers help each other. One success story is Laetitia, who was a staggering 203kgs, and needed 19 firemen to help her out of her house. Now, on the road to recovery, her transformation is extraordinary. Checking Out Susan Potts is incredibly fit for 89 years of age. A former model, her photos show a beautiful woman leading a full and colourful life. Married three times, Susan was eccentric and until just recently, still driving her vintage Rolls Royce around the Gold Coast. Her sister was the famous author Sarah Henderson, who died a lingering and painful death Susan witnessed first-hand. It’s not a path she wanted for herself. So, five weeks ago, Susan decided to ‘check out’, on her terms, to her own timetable. And she wanted her decision to be a lightning rod for the euthanasia debate. Two weeks ago she made a video interview, put her affairs in order, and then four days later – at home alone – she took her life. She didn’t tell her friends or family. Susan’s remarkable interview will polarise views about the right to choose your demise, particularly for people who are fit and healthy. Doctor Death Philip Nitschke, who met Susan, denies the death of a perfectly fit and healthy person is a step too far. Indeed Nitschke believes the age at which someone can decide to legally take their own life should be set at 50. This controversial and confronting story will spark reaction and debate, and is not to be missed.
322012-11-18A Cure in Sight The world applauded three months ago when it was revealed Australian scientists had won the race to produce the first implanted bionic eye. The prototype was implanted into Melbourne mum Dianne Ashworth. With her help, scientists are now fast tracking the next device, which could transform the lives of millions of people around the world. Among them is Rachael Leahcar, the blind teenager who captivated the nation as a contestant on The Voice and could be a prime candidate to receive a bionic eye. But incredibly, on the cusp of making medical history, the entire Bionic Eye project is under threat from a lack of cash. When the money former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged runs out at the end of the year, key scientists will be forced to leave the unfinished project. Rudd risks the wrath of Julia Gillard by telling Sunday Night guest reporter Peter FitzSimons why the government must continue to back the bionic eye. Living with Danger Imagine having a polar bear as a pet. What about a pride of lions in the backyard or a cuddly grizzly bear of your very own? The sale of dangerous and exotic pets is a booming industry, but it’s a practice with a dark side as the animals are a threat to their owners and can languish without proper specialised care. Rahni Sadler meets the expert who has to rescue and relocate dozens of these animals every year, and who blames the late Steve Irwin for fostering this interest in wild animal ownership. In this Sunday Night investigation, Sadler also discovers the sad fate of arguably the world’s most famous exotic pet – Michael Jackson’s former pet chimp Bubbles. Dustin Hoffman It’s been 35 years since a young Dustin Hoffman became an overnight star thanks to his on-screen seduction by the much older Mrs Robinson in The Graduate. Now, the two-time Oscar winner reminisces with Ross Coulthart about his incredible career. Hoffman is at his charming best when he re-enacts his Oscar-winning role as an autistic savant with extraordinary mathematic abilities in Rain Man. And while his 1982 cross-dressing caper Tootsie is one of the best comedies of all time, even funnier is his story about walking into a bar dressed as Tootsie and trying to pick up a male friend. But Hoffman isn’t all about the Hollywood high life. In this deeply personal interview he also opens up about his difficult relationship with his father and the self-doubt that made him beg to drop out of Rain Man.
332012-11-25Bath Salt Tragedy One dose of this legal powder is turning ordinary people into zombies with possessed minds and bodies. It’s an intense synthetic drug that’s marketed as a safe alternative to illegal substances – but it’s sending users into states of psychotic delirium, consumed with rage and superhuman strength. One man ate the family dog while under the influence of the substance that goes by the misleading name ‘bath salts’. In this special Sunday Night investigation, Ross Coulthart reports on the heartbreaking story of an Australian mum of two who lost her partner just weeks ago when the pair took the drug, believing it was safe. Rachael tells of the horrifying ordeal the pair suffered before her partner Glenn died when doctors had to switch off his life support. Easily purchased over the counter at stores across Australia, how is this legal and how do police counter the threat? Willesee & Quentin – 30 Years On It won him his first logie and is the story Mike Willesee is always asked about by members of the public. He first interviewed Quentin Kenihan 30 years ago when Australia fell in love with the cheeky seven-year-old who was confined to a wheelchair, suffering from a rare genetic bone condition. The boy who became a household name is now a 37-year-old man, and his reunion with the veteran journo will warm your heart. While he still battles health problems, having suffered pneumonia for the past 12 months, Quentin’s thirst for life is intact. Back then, Mike Willesee openly bribed him with toys to get the answers he was after, but now Quentin turns the tables and gives the interviewing legend a run for his money. See what happens when he returns a gift Mike gave him when they first. Proof Of Heaven? It’s the age-old question – is there an afterlife, and what is it like? Sunday Night meets a world-renowned and Harvard-trained neurosurgeon – for years a non-believer in the afterlife, but now a convert. When Dr Eben Alexander collapsed with meningitis four years ago, he spent seven days in a coma. When he finally awoke he told an extraordinary tale of what he’d experienced while he was sleeping. Dr Alexander distinctly remembers butterflies and beautiful women. Thousands of people – among them Melbourne woman Carmel Bell – have reported similar near-death experiences: travelling towards a light, encounters with heavenly beings, a sense of being outside their bodies. But none have had the scientific credibility of Dr Alexander. Sunday Night’s Pete-Jane Madam takes you on a journey into the afterlife and examines the scientific basis of his claims. We meet the scientists studying whether consciousness can live on despite the apparent death of the brain. Those who have ‘been there’ swear it’s real, while those who haven’t are sceptical. You be the judge.
34Summer Edition - 2012-12-02In the Line of Fire When Sunday Night first introduced Australian war hero Ben Roberts-Smith to audiences earlier this year, he became the subject of a media storm. Now, we take you back to where it all began, with Ben opening up to Mike Willesee about the guilt he feels at being singled out for his courage with a Victoria Cross, the best mate he lost in war, and the pain of being separated from his wife and twin daughters. Outback Miracle In a new story by Dr John D’Arcy, Sunday Night ventures into the Australian outback. Julie Young was a Royal Flying Doctor Service nurse, teaching first aid in remote communities, until a horrific desert car crash. Having been trapped in her car for seven hours, her chances of survival were fading with the light – until an unlikely miracle. One by one, her former students found her, and remembered all the life-saving techniques she’d taught them. Michael J Fox Viewers were moved when Hollywood’s most inspirational star opened his heart to Sunday Night’s Rahni Sadler about his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Michael J Fox no longer wants to hide his plight, but instead wants to talk about his “charmed life” and his mission to find a cure. Today, signs of Fox’s Parkinson’s symptoms are very noticeable – he even struggles to sip a glass of water – but he is empowered to find a cure and has been inspired by a fellow Aussie sufferer. The Last Bee Gee This is the interview in which Barry Gibb broke down and cried for the first time since the tragic loss of his brother Robin. From growing up in Australia, to the magic that saw the Bee Gees sell more than 220 million records around the world, Barry talked to Rahni Sadler about his success, the love of his life and how it feels to be the “last man standing” amongst his brothers – the last Bee Gee.
35Summer Edition - 2012-12-09The Boss The Boss is back, and about to tour Australia. Sunday Night revisits Molly Meldrum’s chat with his good mate Bruce Springsteen. Bruce won’t let Molly forget the mammoth interview he’d given him years earlier describing it as the longest four hours of his life! Springsteen reveals the making of his incredible four-decade career as ‘The Boss’, and delivers some timely advice to today’s aspiring rock stars. Ping Pong Poms It’s the controversial story about the love/hate relationship between Aussies and Poms. Last year 56,000 Poms came to Australia to live, and more than 30,000 went home – desperate to leave ‘boring’ Australia behind. They complained the sun is too hot and the beach is too sandy. But the fact some become Australian citizens before they left, in case they changed their minds, sparked much debate. First Sounds Seeing 3-year-old Cooper’s joyful face when he heard sounds for the first time melted hearts around Australia. Now his parents reveal the real story about his diagnosis and what the future holds for the adorable toddler. Doctor John D’Arcy reveals how new cochlear technology is transforming lives young and old. It’s a fresh look at the feel-good story of 2012. Paradise Lost A new Sunday Night story on one of the most beautiful and remote places on earth. Pitcairn Island is situated halfway between New Zealand and South America and has a population of just 54. But although breathtakingly beautiful, the island hides a dark past. The key to its survival lies in luring those from the outside world to visit. Samsara 25 countries, five years, one extraordinary film. No actors, no dialogue, just the most breathtaking imagery you will ever see. Samsara is a snapshot of life around the globe. Cameras capture stunning pictures of temples scattered high on mountain tops, rituals of ancient civilisations, cities destroyed by flood, and fire burning deep below the earth’s surface. A new Sunday Night story that showcases our amazing planet.