Long before the availability of 24 hour News cycles, Netflix, Cable networks and Reality TV ..... companion stations to the urban networks existed all over regional Australia.

BTV6 in Ballarat was one such station, providing reach to the communities of Ballarat and Western Victoria. It provided local content to service the population - news, commercials and variety.

Following in the mould of offerings in the major cities - IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT with Graeme Kennedy, THE DON LANE SHOW, and THE MIKE WALSH SHOW ... BTV6 came up with its own offering - SIX TONIGHT!

Fronting the show was an unassuming chap who was thrust into the role, based largely on his experiences in the theatre and behind-the-camera work, at the station. He was very much learning an unfamiliar medium, on the job.

The host of SIX TONIGHT was Fred Fargher ... and he quickly established himself as a Master of the form, and through this regional offering of television variety, was readily accepted into living rooms around Victoria.

Fred sat down with STAGES to discuss his unique experience - the challenges of mounting a weekly variety show that went live to air - and also the rewards that it brought.