Paul Hogan returns to Australian TV next year as the star of the ABC documentary Hoges: I’ve Just Gotta Ask.
The Crocodile Dundee star, who’s 74, promises to tell his life story in conversation with his friend, fellow comedian/actor Shane Jacobson.
Produced by Dean Murphy's Sounds Write Productions, the one-hour special follows the pair as they revisit Hogan’s childhood home in Sydney’s Granville and spend time with his former workmates when he was a painter on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The program delves into the characters and sketches he created for his TV show and travels to Los Angeles where he revisits his favourite haunts and relives the Oscars when he was nominated for best screenplay for Crocodile Dundee with fellow writers Ken Shadie and John Cornell.
In a glimpse into his private life, he’s shown taking his 15-year-old son Chance to school in Santa Monica. The special will also film Hogan on his current stand-up comedy tour of Australia and, in the lead-up to that, trying out material on audiences at an open mic night.
Murphy is the writer-director and Jacobson is also producing. According to imdb, Hogan’s last screen appearance was in Murphy’s 2009 movie Charlie & Boots.
The Australian, which reviewed his show An Evening with Hoges in Perth last weekend, reported that he mentions his second wife, Linda Kozlowski, who has filed for divorce after 23 years, and son only in passing.
“He had two quick digs at the ATO with whom he had a major battle, but otherwise it was all about work and the Hoges character rather than the creator,” said the Oz. “While appearing to be himself at all times, he doesn't actually reveal much of himself at all. That may be his greatest talent.”
The ABC will showcase the talents of two other comedians next year. Judith Lucy is All Woman is a six-part series which explores the role and place of women in society. It’s produced by A Bearded Lady Productions, Pigeon Fancier and the ABC.
In Hannah Gadsby’s Oz, the stand-up comedian travels across the continent on a mission to debunk the myths of the Australian identity as portrayed by art. She’ll talk to a new generation of artists who are determined to redefine what it means to be Australian. The three-part series will be produced by Closer Productions in association with the ABC and the SAFC.