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Acropolis Now

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For the Lynne Truss radio series, see Acropolis Now (radio).

Acropolis Now
GenreSitcom
Created by
Directed by
Starring
  • Nick Giannopoulos
  • George Kapiniaris
  • Simon Palomares
  • Mary Coustas
Theme music composerGeorge Kapiniaris
Opening theme"It's a Sweet Life"
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes63
Production
Executive producers
  • Ian Bradley
  • Gary Fenton
Producers
  • Stanley Walsh
  • Peter Herbert
  • Oscar Whitbread
Running time30 minutes
Production companyCrawford Productions
Original release
NetworkSeven Network
Release9 August 1989 (1989-08-09) –
4 November 1992 (1992-11-04)

Acropolis Now was an Australian television sitcom set in a fictional Greek cafe, called the "Acropolis Cafe" in Melbourne that ran for 63 episodes broadcast from 9 August 1989 to 4 November 1992 on the Seven Network. It was created by Nick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris and Simon Palomares, who also starred in the series. They were already quite well known for their comedy stage show, Wogs out of Work. The title is a nameplay on the film Apocalypse Now. Each episode was 20 minutes in length and filmed in front of a live audience.[1][2][3]

Synopsis

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Jim's (Giannopoulos) father asks him to run the family business, the Acropolis café, when he suddenly leaves Australia to return to his homeland Greece. The series centres on the activities of the cafe staff. Greek Jim Stefanidis, is the immature owner and his best friend, Spaniard Ricky Martinez (Palomares) is the sensible manager (seasons 1-2 only). Memo (Kapiniaris) is the traditional Greek waiter, Liz is the liberated Australian waitress. Skip is the new cook from the bush, naïve to wog culture but more accomplished in Greek cuisine than Jim, and Manolis is the stubborn, incompetent, drunk cook from the old cafe. The show's humour arises from the clash of cultures and beliefs.

Jim's hairdresser cousin Effie, played by Mary Coustas, became a hugely popular and enduring character during the run of the show. Coustas later reprised the role for several TV specials and series including Effie, Just Quietly, an SBS comedy/interview show, and Greeks on the Roof, a short-lived Greek-Australian version of the British television show The Kumars at No. 42.

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
1119 August 1989 (1989-08-09)
2132 August 1990 (1990-08-02)
31321 February 1991 (1991-02-21)
41313 February 1992 (1992-02-13)
51312 August 1992 (1992-08-12)

Series 1 (1989)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Old Bar... New Bar"Ted EmeryNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares9 August 1989 (1989-08-09)
2"The Proxy Blues"Ted EmeryNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares16 August 1989 (1989-08-16)
3"The Martinez Inquiry"Ted EmeryNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares23 August 1989 (1989-08-23)
4"The Trouble with Mothers"Ted EmeryNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares30 August 1989 (1989-08-30)
5"It's Academic"Ted EmeryNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares6 September 1989 (1989-09-06)
6"It's Not Unusual"Ted EmeryNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares13 September 1989 (1989-09-13)
7"The Key to Her Heart"Pino AmentaNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares20 September 1989 (1989-09-20)
8"Easter Greek Style"Pino AmentaMary Coustas, Nick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares23 August 1989 (1989-08-23)
9"Three Skips and a Joey"Pino AmentaNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares4 October 1989 (1989-10-04)
10"Bucklovers"Pino AmentaNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares11 October 1989 (1989-10-11)
11"Writer's Block"Pino AmentaNick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris & Simon Palomares18 October 1989 (1989-10-18)

Series 2 (1990)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Cappuccino Catastrophe"Pino AmentaSimon Palomares2 August 1990 (1990-08-02)
2"Double or Nothing"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos9 August 1990 (1990-08-09)
3"Black Ain't Black"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos16 August 1990 (1990-08-16)
4"Olives Ain't Olives"Pino AmentaSimon Palomares23 August 1990 (1990-08-23)
5"St. Memo's Fire"Peter AndrikidisGeorge Kapiniaris30 August 1990 (1990-08-30)
6"Ms Acropolis"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos6 September 1990 (1990-09-06)
7"Carmen I'm Too Bizet"Pino AmentaSimon Palomares13 September 1990 (1990-09-13)
8"Ring of Confidence"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos20 September 1990 (1990-09-20)
9"Jobs for the Girls"Pino AmentaGeorge Kapiniaris27 September 1990 (1990-09-27)
10"Shakespeare Was a Greek"Pino AmentaGeorge Kapiniaris4 October 1990 (1990-10-04)
11"My Sister Aphroula"Pino AmentaGeorge Kapiniaris11 October 1990 (1990-10-11)
12"The Taxman Cometh"Pino AmentaSimon Palomares18 October 1990 (1990-10-18)
13"Ricky Sings the Blues"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos25 October 1990 (1990-10-25)

Series 3 (1991)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Harry Who Didn't"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos21 February 1991 (1991-02-21)
2"The Goddess"Pino AmentaGeorge Kapiniaris28 February 1991 (1991-02-28)
3"A Fistful of Cabana"Pino AmentaPino Amenta, Chris Anastassiades & Peter Herbert7 March 1991 (1991-03-07)
4"On the Waiterfront"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos14 March 1991 (1991-03-14)
5"Teenage Mutant Ninja Greeks"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos21 March 1991 (1991-03-21)
6"The Kid"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos28 March 1991 (1991-03-28)
7"The Best of Enemies"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos4 April 1991 (1991-04-04)
8"Throw Memo from the Plane"Kendal FlanaganJulian Glavacich, George Kapiniaris & Alan Keaughran11 April 1991 (1991-04-11)
9"Snow Job: Part One"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos18 April 1991 (1991-04-18)
10"Snow Job: Part Two"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos25 April 1991 (1991-04-25)
11"Midnight Expresso"Kendal FlanaganSimon Palomares2 May 1991 (1991-05-02)
12"Back in the U.S.S.R"Kendal FlanaganMarc Gracie, Peter Herbert & Simon Palomares16 May 1991 (1991-05-16)
13"Acropolis Law"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Mary Coustas23 May 1991 (1991-05-23)

Series 4 (1992)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Oh Suzanna!"Peter AndrikidisElizabeth Coleman13 February 1992 (1992-02-13)
2"Crimes of Fashion"Mark PiperRay Boseley20 February 1992 (1992-02-20)
3"Phantom of the Acropolis"Mark PiperJulian Glavacich, George Kapiniaris & Alan Keaughran27 February 1992 (1992-02-27)
4"21 Today"Julie Bates & Aleksi VellisMary Coustas5 March 1992 (1992-03-05)
5"The Letter"Julie Bates & Aleksi VellisKevin Nemeth12 March 1992 (1992-03-12)
6"Wheel of Shame"Elizabeth CrosbyGeorge Kapiniaris19 March 1992 (1992-03-19)
7"Full Metal Jerks"Julie BatesNick Giannopoulos & Aleksi Vellis26 March 1992 (1992-03-26)
8"Four Eyes"Kendal FlanaganNick Giannopoulos & Aleksi Vellis2 April 1992 (1992-04-02)
9"Devil in Disguise"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Elizabeth Coleman9 April 1992 (1992-04-09)
10"The King and I"Kendal FlanaganJohn Ruane16 April 1992 (1992-04-16)
11"Desperately Seeking Effie"Kendal FlanaganMary Coustas23 April 1992 (1992-04-23)
12"Deaf Jammed"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades30 April 1992 (1992-04-30)
13"The Last Temptation"Kendal FlanaganChris Anastassiades & Nick Giannopoulos7 May 1992 (1992-05-07)

Series 5 (1992)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Dream Baby"Mike SmithRay Boseley12 August 1992 (1992-08-12)
2"Love"Mike SmithKevin Nemeth19 August 1992 (1992-08-19)
3"Hair Razors"Mike SmithChris Anastassiades, Peter Herbert & Aleksi Vellis26 August 1992 (1992-08-26)
4"The Other Man"Mike SmithChris Anastassiades2 September 1992 (1992-09-02)
5"The Lars Supper"Mike SmithRay Boseley & Lachy Hulme9 September 1992 (1992-09-09)
6"Mum's the Word"Andrew FriedmanRay Boseley16 September 1992 (1992-09-16)
7"Coward's End"Andrew FriedmanChristine Madafferi23 September 1992 (1992-09-23)
8"The Battle of the Sexists"Andrew FriedmanJulian Glavacich & George Kapiniaris30 September 1992 (1992-09-30)
9"Torn Between Two Lovers"Andrew FriedmanElizabeth Coleman & Peter Herbert7 October 1992 (1992-10-07)
10"Stupidstition"Andrew FriedmanJulian Glavacich & George Kapiniaris14 October 1992 (1992-10-14)
11"Confessions of a Hair Gel Goddess"Andrew FriedmanMary Coustas21 October 1992 (1992-10-21)
12"Here Come the Brides: Part One"Andrew FriedmanNick Giannopoulos28 October 1992 (1992-10-28)
13"Here Come the Brides: Part Two"Andrew FriedmanNick Giannopoulos4 November 1992 (1992-11-04)
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Acropolis Now helped popularise the term "skippy" or "skip" to refer to Anglo-Celtic Australians and others of European but non-Mediterranean descent. This term (inspired by the iconic 60's TV series Skippy the Bush Kangaroo) became popular with Mediterranean-Australians, and to a lesser extent non-Mediterranean people, especially in Melbourne.

Production

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The program was produced by Crawford Productions which is now owned by WIN Television.

Characters

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Overview

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Character Portrayed by Acropolis Now
1 2 3 4 5
Drimitrius "Jim" Stefanidis Nick Giannopoulos Main
Agamemnon "Memo" Aristotele Hatzidimitropoulos George Kapiniaris Main
Efthimia Francesca "Effie" Stefanidis Mary Coustas Recurring Main
Ricardo "Ricky" Martinez Simon Palomares Main
Elizabeth "Liz" Maloney Tracey Callander Recurring
Gavin "Skip" Farrell Simon Thorpe Recurring
Manolis George Vidalis Recurring
Sophie Sheryl Munks Recurring Guest Recurring
Aphrodite (Aphroula) "Afro" Costadina Afiyenya Hatzidimotropoulos Evdokia Katahanas Guest
Harry (the bouncer) Kris Karahisarlis Guest
Alfredo Nick Carrafa Recurring Main
Suzanna Martin Nicki Wendt Main
Despina Hatzipapadopoulos Georgie Parker Main
Lars Larson Simon Wilton Main
Julia Katerina Kotsonis Recurring
Olga Christine Kaman Recurring

Other characters

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  • Russell Crowe – Danny O'Brien (Soccer Star)
  • Anthony Brandon Wong – Guido Mazzio (Italian-Asian; Guido Rosi's cousin)
  • Warren Mitchell – Kostas "Con" Stefanidis (Jim's Father)
  • Zlatko Kasumovic – Vlad (Harry's Brother; the bouncer)
  • Lawrence Mah – Colin (Chinese Green Grocer)
  • Tony Poli (S03E07) & Joe Perrone (S04E02) – Vinnie Vincenzo (Owner: Vinnie's Bistro, Jim's long-time rival)
  • Gerry Connolly – Larry (Wheel of Language Host)
  • Vince D'Amico – Don Santo (The Italian Godfather)
  • Di Adams – Michael "Mike" (Female Masculine Chef)
  • Fotis Pelekis – Dimi Stefanidis (The Kid; Jim's Identical teenage year 10 wagging school Cousin)

Awards

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The show itself did not win any awards, but Mary Coustas won the 1993 Logie for Most Popular Comedy Performer for her role as Effie.

Home media-DVD release

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Acropolis Now has been released as a complete series boxset by Crawfords Online Store. The boxset contains all 63 episodes on a 15 disc set, along with episode synopses and out-takes from episodes as a special feature.[4]

Filming location

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Although the Acropolis cafè/hotel was filmed in HSV-7 Studios, the exterior is still standing and looks almost identical to the show. It is located on 251 Brunswick Street, and corner of Greeves Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.[5][better source needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Acropolis now : Season 1 [DVD]". Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2013 – via Trove.
  2. ^ "Acropolis now". Retrieved 4 June 2013 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "Australian Web Archive". 23 August 2006. Archived from the original on 24 June 2001. Retrieved 4 June 2013 – via Australian Web Archive.
  4. ^ "Acropolis Now on DVD | Crawfords Online Store". Crawfordstore.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Google Maps".
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