After a long run on Nine starting in October 1971, Hey Hey It’s Saturday is returning to TV for a one-off anniversary celebration. Seven has announced a special event Hey Hey We ’re 50 will premiere later this year on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Seven has yet to reveal a broadcast date, but the anniversary falls on Saturday, October 9.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch of Australia’s longest-running and much-loved variety/comedy show, the special will be hosted by Daryl Somers and will feature some of the favourite characters.
For 30 years, Somers and the team delivered viewers some of the biggest names in show business together with the organised chaos of regular segments including Red Faces, What Cheezes Me Off, Celebrity Head, Plucka Duck, Joking Off, Phunny Fotos and Chooklotto.
In a career spanning more than five decades, Somers has hosted light entertainment programs, kids’ shows, game shows, pop music shows and countless specials, including the Dancing With The Stars: All Stars series on Seven earlier this year.
Somers said: “I was absolutely delighted when Seven suggested a 50th-anniversary special.
“Trawling back through the vast archive has been almost as much fun as doing the show in the first place, so I hope we can offer a few laughs, not only to the diehard fans but to all Australians, as we desperately need a touch of levity at this time.”
Seven Network director of programming Angus Ross said: “There are very few Australian TV shows as loved as Hey Hey and we are really pleased to be able to work with Daryl and his team on this fantastic special event.
“For three decades, Hey Hey was one of the funniest, most entertaining and most unpredictable shows on TV. We’re honoured to be part of what promises to be a wonderful celebration.”
Hey Hey we’re 50 is a Somers Carroll production for the Seven Network.
See also: The Power of Nostalgia: How Dancing with the Stars returned to Seven