Episode Guide - In Wollongong Tonight

See where it all began. When we weren’t as ego driven. When the episodes were fifteen minutes. When nobody watched. The first ten ‘In Wollongong Tonight’ episodes that aired on SCTV that everyone chose to ignore. This handy episode guide will let you know when some of your favourite cast members and characters made their on screen debuts. Useful for trivia questions if nothing else.

The first ever episode of IWT and it shows. Plastic bags and a naked Tucker with other sporting mascots. This episode features a scene from short film ‘A Day With The TyTins’, the first A Currently Today with vox pops shot before we started the show and an interview with Ron Jeremy conducted by none of the regular cast. This episode featured Josh Moran as the first cast member on IWT in something we actually shot for the show. Trent Boncompagni is the first full time cast member in a sketch and Payney has the first of many rants although he’s missing his Steelers flag.

Starting with a 60 minutes credit sequence, we take a look back at the first episode, hang a Nazi flag in the studio, give Payney a Steelers flag, promote a Delta sex tape and end with the Try of the Century. Mark Holland (A Currently Today) and Grant Kinghorn (Caveman Inventions, Crazy Psychic) make their IWT debuts.

Opening with ‘Star Wars’ credits, it’s a huge IWT episode. The first hint of our egos appear with Dan A on satellite. Beloved character Mr Gadros begins his lessons, the first and last Shitcom Hall of Fame, Reporter Trent covers his first story (Still working on his voice) and Tucker gets his bandanna and back story! Mark Williamson starts his Featured Player career. Frank Csapo appears on IWT as a boomboy and Suzanne McGavin breaks into the boys club with her first appearance... And Dan S has his arm around her!

Opening with the Hungarian news, there’s more Caveman Inventions, an IWT party and the first appearance of Father Dick (Although he’s not as hip) mentioning his Friday Night Youth Group. Betty joins Tucker on the desk and we try and start a feud with local SCTV program ‘Gong On.’

Two Schapelle Corby intros lead into the first real hints of the studio characters as Dan A messes up and we take shots at Pat over his ridiculous straight hair (the only thing straight about him. Up top!) Plus more TyTins, more Caveman Inventions, another Crazy Psychic and the beginning of the ACT vs ACA showdown.

Confidence in front of the camera seems to be growing in this episode. Maybe because of the NEW GRAPHICS! Dan A isn’t in the studio again as Pat and Dan S do their part for tourism in Wollongong by showing some of the regions famous landmarks, Betty leaves the show and IWT’s first ad: Friday Night Youth Group. All this plus Dan A hosts IWT Up Late with Dr Rhysy and another sex tape.

It’s the Queen’s Birthday Special and that means the first gimmick show for IWT. A lot more relaxed studio this week and it seems there was a real lack of script. Pat rings Buckingham Palace trying to wish the Queen a happy birthday as Dan A and Dan S make her homemade cards. Reporter Pat makes a onetime appearance to cover the mysterious half house story and the first ‘Joseph!’

Deciding two gimmick episodes in a row was the ticket, IWT launches the Free Russ Campaign. ‘Throw A Phone for Justice Day’ sees IWT cast members pledging support for Russell Crowe, Dr Rhysy returns as does Mr Gadros in Dan S and Pat’s first IWT Vox Pops.

A ‘Brady Bunch’ credit sequence opens a show which sees our first studio guest- The Censor Man from SCTV- who sits in to monitor the content. A Live Abortion is aborted, Payney tries to be ‘G rated’ Father Dick gets censored and we don’t get to list the reasons why Hitler was hard done by. We get to air the first ‘Piss Weak O’Guyver’ sketch and a legitimate interview about a local play. This episode also marks the first appearance of Adam Fredericks (as a junkie in game show sketch ‘Who’s Gunna OD?).

The first half an hour season final kicks off with more hype and the boys are in suits for the studio segments. A massive episode featuring Dan A interviewing Tim Shaw, Payney interviewing St George Illawarra Dragons star Ben Creagh and training to take on the Overall Champion in the end of our go nowhere feud with ‘Gong On.’ There’s the Dan Auld vs Ray Martin showdown, our breakfast radio show and charity song ‘Do They Know Where Wollongong Is At All?’ Jacko helps Payney train and another Williamson - Elizabeth - appears on screen. Plus the garage door opens setting us free and on a search for a real studio.