From Set To Sofa with Lulu

Lulu delves into the prolific career of Harry Michaels OAM. The dialogue follows Michaels' journey from a young Cypriot immigrant to a central figure in Australian media, highlighting his early acting role in the soap opera Number 96. Beyond acting, they explores his transition into a successful producer and entrepreneur, most notably through the global fitness phenomenon Aerobics Oz Style and his extensive work broadcasting professional soccer. Michaels reflects on the challenges of multiculturalism, the technical evolution of television, and his relentless drive to create his own opportunities. Ultimately, an interesting deep dive that provides a personal look at a man who shaped Australian sports and ethnic broadcasting while maintaining a deep commitment to philanthropy.

Lulu chats with the iconic Australian actress and philanthropist Paula Duncan.

You may remember as the Spray n Wipe lady cheerfully squirting stains on our television screens to gracing the cast of legendary dramas like Cop Shop, Paula’s sparkling smile has always captured the nation's heart. But what happens when the cameras stop rolling?

In this candid and heartwarming episode, Paula pulls back the curtain on a life of extraordinary highs and devastating triumphs, alongside deeply private heartbreaks. Discover what happened when she boldly stood her ground against a notorious industry clause early in her career, and why winning some of the country's most prestigious acting awards once sent her fleeing to the bathroom in pure panic.

We’ll tease out tales of a childhood encounter with Her Majesty the Queen, the chaotic, laugh-out-loud moment her ex-husband crashed a televised blind date, and the incredible journey into her family tree that revealed exactly where her fierce, unbreakable DNA comes from.

More than just a star of the screen, Paula opens up about how she turned immense personal grief into a multi-million-dollar force for community good, proving why she is truly a national treasure. Bitter-sweet, hilarious, and profoundly moving—this is a story of resilience, laughter, and a life lived beautifully in the limelight.

Tune in, laugh along, and prepare to be inspired by a conversation that feels just like catching up with old friends.

Lulu chats with veteran television writer and producer Ray Kolle. The conversation explores Kolle’s extensive three-decade career in the industry, highlighting his influential work on iconic Australian serials such as Neighbors, Prisoner, and The Sullivans. Throughout the discussion, Kolle shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including a humorous mishap involving an actress on a yacht and his experiences developing television in Germany and France. He explains the evolution of the "script producer" role and the collaborative nature of plotting long-running "strip shows." The dialogue also touches upon his unfulfilled passion for musical theatre and his continued dedication to storytelling through novel writing and teaching. Ultimately, the text provides a personal reflection on the creative challenges and triumphs of a prolific career spent mostly behind the camera.

Join Lulu for a special chat as she catches up with a legend of the Australian stage and screen who is celebrating a massive 50 years in showbiz. From a nomadic childhood across three continents to becoming an iconic screen hero, our guest reflects on the calculated gambles and bold reinventions that have defined his enduring career.

Lulu and Tom Burlinson revisit their very first days on set together, sharing revealing and deeply personal stories about the mentors who shaped them and the magic moments behind some of Australia's most beloved films. Discover how a self-described green graduate transformed into a world-class big band vocalist, and hear about the surprising encounters with Hollywood royalty that gave him the confidence to keep swinging. Tom also reveals some insider stories about some of Australia’s most iconic films including The Man From Snowy River to becoming the singing voice of Frank Sinatra.

It is a heartfelt look at a life lived in the spotlight, exploring the resilience found in early family upheaval and the simple gratitude of a performer who still feels a flutter before the curtain rises. Settle in for an hour of nostalgia and industry secrets with one of our most versatile stars.

Join Lulu for a fast paced and funny chat with the legendary Grant Dodwell, the man who stole the nation's heart as Dr. Simon Bowen on A Country Practice.

Grant reveals the secrets of his on screen chemistry with the late Penny Cook. His interesting anecdotes describe  trials and tribulations of early Australian Television.

But his biggest act is happening right now, and it is a total game changer. Grant is revolutionising the arts with the incredible Australian Theatre Live project, making sure the magic of the stage is never lost by bringing world class performances straight to your sofa in stunning 4K.

Tune in to find out why being kicked out of acting school alongside some of the industry's biggest icons was actually the best thing that ever happened to him. From his early days as a hypnotist's assistant to his mission to make theatre affordable for everyone, this is one journey you do not want to miss. It is humour, history, and a few secrets from the hospital corridors you definitely have not heard before!

In this episode of From Set to Sofa, host Lulu chats with legendary actor To, Richards, you may know him as David Palmer from Sons And Daughters.. Tom reveals what it was really like to be at the heart of the show's most scandalous twists and the hilarious truth behind the cast's secret Wednesday tradition, the "Prick of the Week" awards.

The drama was not just limited to the script. Tom shares the terrifying story of a massive studio fire that nearly went horribly wrong and the "naughty" tricks he used to steal extra seconds of screen time from his famous co-stars. From being mobbed by thousands of fans in a "Beatlemania" frenzy in Belgium to the harrowing motor scooter accident at eighteen that nearly ended his career before it began, his journey is full of shocking secrets. He even reveals his unconventional secret for a perfect night's sleep that he swears by today. You do not want to miss this exclusive look at the man behind the badge and the soap opera legend.

In this gripping episode of From Set to Sofa, Lulu sits down with the legendary Olga Tamara to uncover a life of glamour, grit, and some truly jaw-dropping secrets.  From sharing the stage with icons like Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn to dining with Elizabeth Taylor, Olga has seen it all. But what really happened during that "scary" night in a New York hotel where the televisions were chained to the floor and the windows were barred? And why does she still refuse to reveal the scandalous details of her global tours because the people involved are still alive?

You will hear about the "melting moment" at the Sydney Opera House that left her frozen in front of a live orchestra, and the bizarre rehearsal ritual that involved mandatory injections just to keep the cast on their feet.

The discussion highlights Tamara’s early years as a professional ballerina with the Australian Ballet, where she performed alongside legends before transitioning into a successful acting career in television and theatre. She candidly reflects on the challenges of fame, touring, and the industry’s volatility, which eventually led her to reinvent herself as a business owner and event manager. Tamara also details her enduring passion for Pilates, having founded her own studio and teacher training program to maintain physical health and professional stability. Now returning to the screen and exploring directing, she shares her perspective on the necessity of lifelong learning and the scarcity of complex roles for mature women. Overall, the source serves as an inspiring retrospective on a life defined by creative evolution and the refusal to retire from the spotlight.  This is a masterclass in reinvention that proves talent and tenacity definitely do not have an expiry date.

In this episode of From Set To Sofa,  Lulu dives deep into the heart of the golden age of television to reconnect with a man who lived through 1,086 episodes of drama both on and off the screen, a true icon of the golden age of Australian television for a reunion four decades in the making. Behind the polished performances of one of the country’s most beloved long-running dramas lies a treasure trove of unfiltered secrets, on-set blunders, and encounters with future global legends.

The conversation primarily focuses on King's extensive career in Australian television and theatre, most notably his seven-year tenure playing Dennis Jamison on the soap opera The Young Doctors. King reflects on his early beginnings in Tasmania, his transition to the Sydney entertainment scene, and his experiences working alongside industry legends like Gwen Plumb and Reg Grundy. 

But the secrets do not stop at the hospital doors.  Beyond the glitz and the unfiltered blunders, this is a deeply personal conversation about the reality of raising a "tribe" of seven children on an actor's pay packet and the incredible resilience required to bounce back after a massive, life-altering health crisis. From discovering a future international pop princess in a local talent school to introducing Prime Ministers on stage, this episode offers an intimate look at a career that defines the very spirit of Australian entertainment. It is time to step behind the curtain and hear the stories that were never meant for the morning headlines. The chat concludes with King sharing his continued passion for community theatre and his upcoming directorial project on the Central Coast

A shocking accident on the first day of shooting Mad Max. A biker gang closing in at a hair salon. Hidden tensions on a hit TV show. A world famous actor passed out on a couch after a night of pure chaos.

In this explosive episode of From Set To Sofa, Lulu reunites with her longtime friend and fellow screen beauty Joanne Samuel for a candid, high spirited and often jaw dropping conversation about the golden years of Australian television and film.

To audiences, they were two unforgettable stars of The Young Doctors, lighting up the screen as glamorous nurses in one of Australia’s most beloved dramas. Off screen, their friendship was forged in a very different world, one filled with wild parties, private confessions, backstage dramas and the kind of outrageous real life stories that rarely get told.

Joanne opens up about the life changing phone call that led to Mad Max and the terrifying near fatal incident that almost ended the journey before it began. She shares the surreal experience of being trapped in an upscale salon while a real biker gang gathered around her, turning an ordinary day into something that felt genuinely menacing.

Lulu and Joanne also lift the curtain on the hidden side of fame. There are surprising revelations about Mel Gibson and the unexpected bond he and Joanne still share.  It is warm, funny and at times incredibly moving, showing the real loyalty that existed behind the glamour.

They also revisit the truth behind the so called pioneer days of television, when studios leaked, tapes were erased, everybody worked at full speed and not everything was as happy behind the camera as it looked on screen. From secret tensions on successful productions to mystery tours filled with dangerous driving, handbrake turns and total mayhem, this episode captures an era when the industry was thrilling, unpredictable and completely unfiltered.

Funny, revealing, nostalgic and packed with stories you will not hear anywhere else, this is more than a reunion. It is a front row seat to the real backstage world of Australian entertainment, told by two women who lived it.

In this episode of From Set To Sofa with Lulu, Lulu welcomes a very special guest and a dear longtime friend, Tim Page. They first met on the set of The Young Doctors back in 1977, right in the middle of the show’s peak. Tim went on to become a true household name as Dr. Graham Steele, a regular from 1976 to 1982. So what does it feel like to be recognised everywhere, years before social media and PR teams smoothed the edges? Did strangers assume he was the doctor in real life? Did fans cross lines, follow him, or demand medical advice because they believed “Dr. Steele” was real?

And then comes the part most people do not know. Tim is not just an actor. He is a multi-talented performer with a career that moved far beyond Aussie television. He wrote television scripts for The Young Doctors, The Restless Years and Neighbours. He toured, he sang, he directed, and he built a reputation in musical theatre that took him overseas. Highlights include two years in London in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, and a year in The Buddy Holly Musical. Lulu also revisits the unforgettable concert nights Tim created with his partner, Allan Royal, and the musical world he helped shape through teaching at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.

Expect backstage stories, career turning points, the tough moments actors rarely admit to, and the advice Tim would give anyone dreaming of the stage or screen. Plus, there is a twist that still surprises people.

If you love classic Aussie TV nostalgia, this episode delivers the fame, the fallout, the secrets, and the talent that made Tim Page unforgettable.