australian television information archive

No Worries, Cinderella

Episode 1
Australia: August 20, 1998 (ABC)
Germany: July 31, 2000 (Ki.Ka)
Writer: Michael Aitkens
Director: Alan MacMillan

Melanie Hobson is bored to death in the small English town of Bricksworth, at her dreary school, and with her terribly ordinary family. She dreams of leading an exciting life and becoming famous. But Bricksworth feels like a dead end to her. While she’s working on a tedious school assignment — a video diary — her younger brother Alex is watching TV and is convinced he sees Melanie’s doppelganger in a new Australian soap, Ocean Beach. But no one believes him. Of all things, it’s Melanie's video diary about her dreary life in Bricksworth that wins her a trip to Australia. This is her chance to escape the confines of small-town life. The only problem: her father insists on accompanying her.

Starring: Angela Kelly as Melanie Hobson, Angela Kelly as Minty Sullivan

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Peter O'Brien as Ric da Silva, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Elieen Colocott as Deidre Taylor, Rosie Logie as Julie Morris

Note: episode summaries have been translated from a German source with some edits for clarity.

No Probs, Princess

Episode 2
Australia: August 21, 1998
Germany: August 01, 2000
W: Michael Aitkens & Ron Elliott
D: Alan MacMillan

Melanie and her lovably clueless father, Lionel, set off on a trip to Australia. Meanwhile, Minty Sullivan, star of the Australian TV series “Ocean Beach,” is in the middle of filming another episode. Her day is packed with appointments organized for her by her business-savvy agent Pamela-Anne. Minty suffers under this restrictive schedule that leaves her no freedom. She would love to campaign for the protection of Australian wildlife. But unlike the rebellious, sassy Melanie, Minty is a well-mannered, obedient girl who does what is asked of her. She no longer has parents and Pamela-Anne acts as a surrogate mother. When Minty has to make a publicity appearance at the airport, Melanie arrives there with her father. By chance, the girls run into each other in the airport restroom and are instantly smitten — they look exactly alike!

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Peter O'Brien as Ric da Silva, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Igos Sas as Director Oleg, Quintin George as Harry, Mattie Porges as Mariana, Justin Beckett as Reporter, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

If I Were You

Episode 3
Australia: August 24, 1998
Germany: August 02, 2000
W: Barry Purchase & Ron Elliott
D: Alan MacMillan

As it happens, Minty and Melanie live in the same apartment building. When Melanie sees Minty’s handsome co-star Shane, she senses an opportunity. She learns that Shane has a crush on Minty, but Minty isn’t interested in him at all. Melanie suggests they switch places for a day, but Minty refuses. So Melanie locks Minty in her room without further ado and pretends to be Minty in front of Pamela-Anne and Shane. Unprepared, she has to accept an award in front of a large audience and TV cameras that evening. Meanwhile, Minty is on a tour through the Outback with Melanie’s father and has to deal with a flat tire — her first adventure as a nobody.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Peter O'Brien as Ric Da Silva, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Igar Sas as Director Oleg, Christopher Fare as Prince, Kelton Pell as Jack, Mark McAulley as Reg the Barman, Natalie Ryan as Receptionist, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

Dangerous Creatures

Episode 4
Australia: August 25, 1998
Germany: August 03, 2000
W: Sarah Smith
D: Alan MacMillan

Melanie stepped in for Minty to film a scene in “Ocean Beach” and completely botched it. When the press gets wind of it, a full-blown witch hunt against the TV star begins. Melanie continues to play with fire and, still pretending to be Minty, claims she’s completely lost her mind. Consequently, Minty is rumored to have had a nervous breakdown and Pamela-Anne, on the verge of one herself, has her hands full trying to set things right. On the other hand, the agent is delighted that Minty is having fun with Shane on the beach — that way, she can feed the press a love story. Pamela-Anne doesn’t know that Shane is actually teaching Melanie to surf. To make matters worse, Cameron arrives in Australia — Melanie’s childhood friend and admirer from Bricksworth. But before he meets Melanie, he has to rescue her father, Lionel, from a crocodile pool at the zoo.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Peter O'Brien as Ric Da Silva, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Igar Sas as Director Oleg, Justin Beckett as Reporter, Neal Lucanns as Reporter Tony, Mattie Porges as Marianna, Monica Main as Parking inspector, Gordon Honeycombe as Newsreader, Jason Lee Colby as Chad Bartholomeus, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

I've Got Who Babe?

Episode 5
Australia: August 26, 1998
Germany: August 07, 2000
W: Sarah Smith
D: Alan MacMillan

To boost ratings, Minty is supposed to kiss Shane for the first time on “Ocean Beach” but she isn't thrilled with the idea at all. Then she meets Cameron on the beach, who mistakes her for Melanie. Minty thinks Cameron is really nice and is incredibly impressed that he followed Melanie all the way to Australia. The girls decide to switch places. Melanie has a picnic with Shane on his yacht, and Minty goes on a riverboat cruise with Cameron. Things heat up on both boats but end abruptly when Cameron falls into the water and has to be rescued by Melanie. The next day, the kissing scene is scheduled to be filmed. Everyone on set is quite surprised by the passionate kiss Minty and Shane share. Shane is the most surprised of all — and has no idea that he kissed Melanie.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Peter O'Brien as Ric Da Silva, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Igar Sas as Director Oleg, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

Between Rock 'n' Roll and a Hard Place

Episode 6
Australia: August 27, 1998
Germany: August 08, 2000
W: Sarah Smith
D: Alan MacMillan

Pamela-Anne has decided that her protégé should become a pop star, but Minty sings terribly. She realizes this herself and wants to call the whole thing off but Melanie is all fired up. She’s a great singer and convinces Minty to let her go to the recording studio in her place. Before that, the stylist Pamela-Anne hired drives Melanie to despair with his whole team fussing over her. Meanwhile, Minty is cruising through the countryside on the back of Cameron’s scooter. The two of them break out in a sweat when they’re surrounded by a motorcycle gang, the “Sons of Death.” But then the bikers turn out to be fans of “Ocean Beach.” Minty now has to — for Cameron’s sake — pretend to be Roxanne. The next day, Melanie convinces everyone in the recording studio that she’s going to make a career as a singer.

With: Peter O'Brien as Ric Da Silva, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Ian Bolgia as Franco, Ross Clements as Daryl, Gavan Ellis as Si, Dene Irvin as Spider, Tilly Ozsdolay as Rex, Habby Heske as Biker #1, Chris McCreddie as Biker #2, James Scannell as Jay, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

The Great Escape

Episode 7
Australia: August 28, 1998
Germany: August 09, 2000
W: Mick Le Moignan
D: Alan MacMillan

Melanie is horrified to realize that her vacation in Australia is coming to an end and she'll have to go back to England with her father — just as her dream of a singing career is so close to coming true. At Melanie's suggestion, Minty scares Shane off by pretending she's eager to marry him as soon as possible. Minty is undecided about her future. She no longer wants to act and her planned music tour can’t happen because she can’t sing. Plus, she’s sad that Cameron will be leaving with Melanie. Melanie uses all her powers of persuasion to convince Minty to switch places with her and lead a quiet, normal life with her family and Cameron. Finally, Minty agrees. Melanie also has an idea for how the two can switch back later. She and Willie convince Ric, the producer, to organize a live show with the “Ocean Beach” cast in England after her music tour ends.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Peter O'Brien as Ric Da Silva, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Igar Sas as Director Oleg, Ross Clements as Daryl, Ramsay McLean as Judge, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double, Gavan Ellis as Si [uncredited]

Secret Identity

Episode 8
Australia: August 31, 1998
Germany: August 10, 2000
W: Nick Rheinberger
D: Alan MacMillan

Now things are getting serious. Minty, as Melanie, flies back to England with Lionel and Cameron but doesn’t have an easy start in Bricksworth. She first has to find her way around Melanie’s family and the town, and get used to no longer being waited on hand and foot. She makes a terrible mess in Lionel’s hardware store and then it seems like Cameron is avoiding her, too. Melanie’s mother, Peg, doesn’t notice the switch, but Melanie’s brother Alex quickly becomes suspicious. He’s convinced he’s dealing with a con artist and starts spying on "Melanie". Meanwhile, the real Melanie is living in Australia just as she’s always wanted. She’s shooting a music video and working on her singing career.

With: Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Ross Clements as Daryl, Maurie Ogden as Barry, Kate Hall as Aunt Ruby, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double, Gavan Ellis as Si [uncredited]

Good One, Sport

Episode 9
Australia: September 01, 1998
Germany: August 14, 2000
W: Nick Rheinberger
D: Alan MacMillan

Filling Melanie’s role in Bricksworth continues to be a nightmare for Minty. What is Melanie’s school uniform? Where is the school? And where is her class? She embarrasses herself in choir practice and can’t make a single shot in basketball causing her team to suffer a crushing defeat. And while her strong math skills impress the teacher, she comes across as a nerd to the rest of the class. Things aren’t all sunshine and roses for the real Melanie in Australia either. She’s put on a diet and drilled by a dance instructor. To convince the press that she can really sing, Melanie pushes for an “unplugged” performance and celebrates an overwhelming success. Meanwhile, Minty can only rely on Cameron. He’s growing fonder and fonder of the new Melanie, and the inevitable happens: their first kiss.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Sarah McNeil as Music Teacher, Rosie Logie as Julie, Eileen Colocott as Diedre Samson, Jenny Lynnd as Anna Karininna, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

Reality Bites Back

Episode 10
Australia: September 02, 1998
Germany: August 15, 2000
W: Robert Arley
D: Alan MacMillan

Alex has figured out that his sister is really Roxanne from "Ocean Beach" but his parents don't believe him and send him to therapy. The real Melanie arrives in England with the “Ocean Beach” team to promote the show with a series of stage productions of Cinderella. It’s Melanie's birthday and she longs to be with her family so she sneaks into her own birthday party and forces Minty to switch places with her. Minty doesn’t want to do that at all, because she and Cameron have grown very close in the meantime. A talking frog challenges Minty on live TV to prove that she can sing and Melanie has to step in for her. Melanie, in turn, is supposed to give a calculus lecture and for that, Minty has to step in. After all the performances are completed with flying colors, the girls return to their old lives: Melanie to her family, Minty to the “Ocean Beach” crew. Cameron has had enough of a Melanie who is affectionate toward him one moment and snubs him the next and breaks up with her.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Rosie Logie as Julie, Eileen Colocott as Diedre Samson, Margaret Ford as Mrs Mac, Nick Sheppard as Roland/Maurice, Elwyn Edwards as Dr Goldfarb, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

All The World's A Stage

Episode 11
Australia: September 03, 1998
Germany: August 16, 2000
W: Michael Aitkens
D: Alan MacMillan

Minty is rehearsing “Cinderella” as a live show with the “Ocean Beach” team, but then it turns out she's supposed to sing in the production. Melanie gladly trades Minty her job as a line prompter for the school’s performance of “Romeo and Juliet” in exchange for singing. Opening night arrives but when both lead actors drop out, Cameron and Minty suddenly find themselves on stage as Romeo and Juliet. They do a very good job. It’s just strange that in the balcony scene, they’re reciting a completely unfamiliar script. Their kiss, at any rate, is very convincing. In the performance of “Cinderella,” one blunder follows another. But the passionate kiss that Melanie-Cinderella gives Prince Shane to stop his spontaneous outbursts of speech sends the audience into a frenzy of enthusiasm.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Rosie Logie as Julie, Eileen Colocott as Diedre Taylor, Elwyn Edwards as Dr Goldfarb, Ian Burgin as Freddie, Edgar Metcalfe as Roy the Director, Heath Miller as "Romeo" pupil, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

Double Exposure

Episode 12
Australia: September 04, 1998
Germany: August 17, 2000
W: Barry Purchese & Ron Elliott
D: Alan MacMillan

Lionel's sister Ruby is finally getting married but in all the excitement, he forgot to rent the reception hall. The entire party has to celebrate at the Hobsons’ home. Melanie is stuck at a promotional event and can’t make it to the reception forcing Minty to play her part, even though she doesn’t know any of the relatives. Alex takes advantage of this and spreads his information in such a way that Minty puts her foot in her mouth at every turn. In no time, heated arguments break out among the guests and when Melanie finally arrives, everyone is already throwing the cold buffet at each other. In all the commotion, Cameron has realized the truth about the two Melanies. As the two girls are talking in Melanie’s room, they’re tracked down by the wedding photographer who snaps a photo of them. The photo falls into the hands of a triumphant Alex — he finally has the proof! He shows the picture to Cameron who makes the picture disappear and, for the time being, saves Melanie and Minty’s secret.

With: Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Elwyn Edwards as Dr Goldfarb, Ian Burgin as Freddie, Kate Hall as Aunt Ruby, Frank Johnson as Stan, Andrew Warwick as Vicar, Phil Bennett as Frankie, Tracey Woolrych as Blanche, Alice Dule as Aunty Ivy, Graham Mitchell as Phillip, Martina Breen as Morag, Justin Cheek as Charles, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double

All Good Things…

Episode 13
Australia: September 07, 1998
Germany: August 21, 2000
W: Ron Elliott
D: Alan MacMillan

After the final performance of “Cinderella,” Minty is about to fly back to Australia, which means the two girls will return to their own worlds. This weighs heavily on both of them. Minty misses her family and doesn't want to part with Cameron, while Melanie is once again overcome by the Bricksworth wasteland. She longs for life as a star. Cameron continues to act as if he doesn’t know about the other Melanie, and when Minty tries to make a confession to him during a motorcycle ride, he keeps her waiting a bit. But then they talk it out, and he confesses his love to her. He begs her not to return to Australia. Minty is already at the airport with the “Ocean Beach” crew when the girls make a decision that sets things on a completely different course.

With: Bill Kerr as Willie Courtney, Bill Kerr as Old Thane, Kim De Lury as Cameron, Michael Loney as Lionel Hobson, Vivienne Garrett as Pamela-Anne, Damian de Montemas as Shane Connor, Pauline Bennion as Peg Hobson, Phineas Glover as Alex Hobson, Ian Burgin as Freddie, Amy Douglas as Minty's Double