Channel 31 is set to launch a new Greek variety show called GR-TV this Monday with Nick Missailidis and Theologia Preece as hosts of this half-hour. GR-TV stands for Greek TV – a variety show that will be filmed live from festivals, people’s home, bars and clubs.
“Myself and Theologia Preece were working on 3XY for 14 years and we were offered a Greek variety show on Channel 31, said Missailidis to Neos Kosmos, “and we took it.” Channel 31 first approached Mr Missailidis and Ms Preece to create a variety show about Greek nightlife to appeal to third generation Greek Australians. The aim being to highlight Greek nightlife, the vibrant cultural scene and get the younger generation involved in Greek culture.
Missailidis said that Greeks in Australia run the risk of losing their heritage and this show will make sure that it doesn’t happen. “Most third generation Greeks can’t speak the language, they don’t go to Greek nights and they don’t know who the Greek singers are, they don’t listen to the music. We don’t want to lose that Greek spirit,” Mr Missailidis said. He went on to say that the program will assist third generation Greeks to “Go to Greek school, learn Greek, mix with Greeks and listen to Greek music.”
Your roots don’t need to be purely Greek to be part of this show. Co-host Theologia Preece is Greek and Irish/Welsh. She speaks fluent Greek and loves the Greek language, according to Mr Missailidis. Starting from June 10, GR-TV will have a live audience, in a similar fashion to the Rove show. Missailidis told Neos Kosmos that this will be a perfect way to highlight Greek celebrities. Mr Missailidis said the show will “have Greek bands, introduce local singers, have comedy sketches and theatre.
“We can feature all sorts of Greek celebrities, from sport stars to finance, to promoters to business – we want to know about it and we want to interview them,” he added.