TV stars Amanda Keller, Melissa Leong share their joy at being Rogies winners

Sunday Herald Sun experts and readers are in agreement over who the big winners should have been on television’s (cancelled) night of nights this year. See who our readers chose to win the rogue Logies. The Rogies, held last week in lieu of the cancelled Logies, saw industry experts Holly Byrnes, Colin Vickery and Nui Te Koha defy restrictions to pick the nominations that should have been, and winners that may well be, when television’s night of nights returns in 2021. And, giving the glittering Rogies even more sparkle, Sunday Herald Sun readers voted en-masse to vote for their own winners. In the case of Gold Rogie and Best New Talent Rogie, readers agreed with our podium picks, Keller and Leong, respectively. “I’m so thrilled to have won the first ever Gold Rogie, particularly as I was able to do it without having to wear my spanx or wake up with a terrible hangover,” Keller said. “Thank you to all the people who voted. I’m truly humbled by all your love and support.” Leong added: “I never thought I’d ever be in the running for a Logie, but a Rogie? This is, we hope, a once in a lifetime gong. “Thank you to the esteemed judging panel, but more crucially, the incredible MasterChef Australia audience for giving this new chapter, and us, a chance. It really means a lot.” The selection process was based on a stellar year of shows, from Mystery Road and MasterChef, to Upright and Wentworth, and exceptional talent, from Aaron Pedersen and Jessica De Gouw, to Ewen Leslie and Melissa Leong. Admittedly, we were a little loose with the qualifying period for votes, but only because there were several trailblazing moments on TV after the 2019 nomination cut-off date. But they were all worthy inclusions that will highly likely get a gong, if not a perch at the victory podium, in 2021. Logies organisers Bauer Media, parent company of TV Week, cancelled this year’s event due to the coronavirus pandemic. GOLD ROGIE FINALISTS Hamish Blake (Lego Masters, Nine) Joh Griggs (Better Homes & Gardens, Seven) Andrew Winter (Selling Houses Australia, Love It or List It, Foxtel) Mick Molloy (The Front Bar) WINNER We picked Amanda Keller (The Living Room, Ten) and said: “Let’s start by saying what we’re all thinking: Amanda Keller was robbed for Gold last year and we all know it. She got our vote then and she gets it now. Readers picked: Amanda Keller, who won 45 per cent of the popular vote. BEST ACTOR FINALISTS Tim Minchin (Upright, Foxtel) Ewen Leslie (Operation Buffalo, The Gloaming, ABC/Stan) Ryan Corr (The Commons, The Secrets She Keeps, Stan/Ten) Rodger Corser (Doctor, Doctor, Nine) WINNER We picked Aaron Pederson (Mystery Road, ABC) and said: “Not only has Pedersen found the character of his career with gruff Aussie outback detective Jay Swan, but he’s truly emerged as a strong and bankable leading man.” Readers picked: Aaron Pederson, with 36 per cent of the vote, slightly ahead of Rodger Corser, with 30 per cent. BEST ACTRESS FINALISTS Pamela Rabe (Wentworth, Foxtel) Asher Keddie (The Hunting, SBS) Jessica De Gouw (The Secrets She Keeps, The Hunting, Ten/SBS) Cate Blanchett (Stateless, Mrs America, ABC/Foxtel) WINNER We picked Deborah Mailman (Total Control, ABC) and said: “Whenever Aussies see Mailman’s name attached to a local drama we know it’s quality. Total Control was no exception. She’s a national treasure.” Readers picked Deborah Mailman, with 42 per cent of the popular vote. BEST NEW TALENT FINALISTS Milly Adcock (Upright, The Gloaming, Reckoning, Les Norton, Foxtel/ABC/Stan) Kavitha Anandasivam (The Hunting, SBS) Jock Zonfrillo (MasterChef Australia, Ten) Carina Hoang (The Heights, ABC) WINNER We picked Melissa Leong (MasterChef Australia, Ten) and said: “Fresh and fierce, it’s been a real joy seeing food writer Leong explode to life on the small screen. Strong opinions, expert knowledge and a killer wardrobe made her the surprise TV package of 2020.” Readers picked: Melissa Leong, with 39 per cent of the popular vote. HALL OF FAME FINALISTS Amanda Keller (The Living Room, Ten) Sandra Sully (Ten News First, Ten) Caroline Jones (Australian Story, ABC) Geraldine Doogue (Compass, ABC) WINNER We picked Gina Riley, Magda Szubanski and Jane Turner (Kath & Kim, Big Girl’s Blouse, Full Frontal) and said: “A trio of fabulous women who have led the way in comedy, drama and factual entertainment. They gave us Kath and Kim and Sharon, who are loved the world over — way before Kim Kardashian got in on their act.” Readers picked: Gina, Magda and Jane with a ‘noice’ 55 per cent of the popular vote. MORE ENTERTAINMENT MORE CONFIDENTIAL nui.tekoha@news.com.au