Prisoner: Cell Block H

A high percentage of the Australian population performed in this program, most memorably Florance, Lehman, Kirkpatrick and Ballantyne. I recall a babysitter who watched the show, and would allow my brother and I to watch it with her, even though it was on later than our bedtime (I’m guessing 9:30) and despite its seemingly “mature” content: this left an impression. Decades later I would become the boyfriend of a woman who had appeared in a small role as a secretary on the program. That’s life.

When we only had four tv channels and hormones meant we couldn't sleep 'till the early morning a good number of us at school watched late-night re-runs of this. It's odd mix of camp and unease still seems far more interesting than the twee teen and banal adult soaps.