Young Talent Team at Australia's Wonderland, 1988

Special episodes like this one shot at Australia’s Wonderland in Sydney were popular with Young Talent Time fans. 

Team members featured include Juanita Coco (1987–88), Joey Dee (1987–88), Rikki Arnot (1987–88), Courtney Compagnino (1986–88), Jamie Churchill (1988) and Johnnie Nuich (1988). 

The opening number ‘Get Ready’, written by Smokey Robinson, was made famous by The Temptations. It had recently been covered by Australian singer Carol Hitchcock in a 1987 version produced by Stock Aitken Waterman in the UK.

This opening clip is effectively an advertisement for the fun park which opened in 1985 (and eventually ceased operation in 2004). 

Hordes of fans follow the team around as they go on rides including the Bush Beast roller coaster, Dastardly's Flying Circus, Boo Boo’s Balloon Race, Bounty’s Revenge pirate ship, the Zodiac ferris wheel, HMS Endeavour and Snowy River Rampage. 

The sound of screaming crowds on the soundtrack boosts the segment's excitement, and the colourful costumes and playful antics of the performers add to the cheeriness.

By this time, the show’s 18-year run was almost at an end. It is noticeable that there is no longer a wide age range among the singers, with the cast members looking a lot younger. 

This excerpt comes from episode 88/44 which was filmed in September 1988. The show’s final episode was broadcast on 23 December 1988. Young Talent Time was rebooted in 2012 but only ran for one series. 

This episode is also an advertisement for a spin-off called The New Generation which was filmed in Australia and screened in the US in 1988. 

The show’s cast, only seen briefly here, includes recent graduates Danielle (Dannii) Minogue (1982–88), Vince Del Tito (1983–88), Natalie Miller (1985–88), Beven Addinsall (1983–88), Lorena Novoa (1984–88) and a new member, Keith Williams, from Los Angeles. The show ran for 13 episodes. 

Other special episodes of Young Talent Time include a live show at World Expo 88 in Brisbane and a concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Notes by Beth Taylor