2020 was a year like no other. From the pandemic to the Black Lives Matter movement we saw unprecedented changes around the world.
They were moments projected on our screens in footage we’re likely never to forget.
On the other end of the scale, while locked down we watched more TV than ever before and some of our favourite dramas gave us unforgettable scenes that made us laugh and cry.
Productions and award shows weren’t immune to restrictions and social distancing either as they adapted to the new normal.
We’re reliving the biggest moments of the year in television, below.
Jimmy and Tam were this year’s Block winners.
(Nine)The Block Auction (The Block, Nine Network)
When filming had to be put on hold for 40 days after a looming COVID shutdown throughout Melbourne, tensions were high for all five teams, who hustled to get their decade-inspired homes finished in time. With the most expensive season yet in a year rife with struggle, bidding had to start high. Thankfully, all teams managed to sell far above their reserve thanks to IT entrepreneur Danny Wallis, who snapped up three of the five properties this year. And while all teams left with broad smiles and a wad of cash in their pockets, it was Jimmy and Tam (both above) who won The Block in 2020 with a staggering $1.066 million.
Moira’s papal glamour (Schitt’s Creek, ABC Comedy)
David (Dan Levy) and Patrick’s (Noah Reid) wedding was always destined to be spectacular. But no-one was quite prepared for the next-level amazingness of Moira Rose’s (Catherine O’Hara) Pope-inspired wedding attire. The bedazzled papal mitre and gold metallic gloves – peak Moira!
Sister act! The double Bachelorette (The Bachelorette Australia, 10)
There were TWO Bachelorettes looking for love this year: Elly Miles, from Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor, and her older sister Becky. And while both got their happy ending on film with their chosen beaus, Becky’s finalist, Pete Mann, dumped her just three days after the finale. Ouch!
The Dunphys say goodbye (Modern Family, 10)
After 11 years, we finally said goodbye to Modern Family. And while it was Cam and Mitchell waving farewell in the final episode (they moved to Missouri), we were all also saying hooroo to the Dunpheys , who have been regular visitors in our living rooms for more than a decade. Sob!
Carol Baskin fascinated the world in Tiger King.
(Netflix)Carole Baskin’s flower crown (Tiger King, Netflix)
No-one rocks a flower crown quite like Carole Baskin. The animal activist and Joe Exotic’s biggest nemesis became as famous for her floral headpieces as for her big cat obsession after appearing in the crazy Netflix documentary Tiger King.
Halifax’s husband is shot…right in front of her (Halifax: Retribution, Nine Network)
And we thought OUR 2020 was bad – try being Jane Halifax. Her husband was shot while sitting right next to her in the front seat of their car! The scene played out in the first episode of Halifax: Retribution, the rebooted reincarnation of the ’90s favourite fronted by Rebecca Gibney.
Never Have I Ever‘s love triangle (Netflix)
In Mindy Kaling’s delightful teen comedy, Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) ends up making out with not one, but TWO gorgeous boys. Who will she end up with in series two – her crush Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnett, above) or nemesis-turned-ally Ben Gross (Jaren Lewison)? Squeeee!
Checkmate! (The Queen’s Gambit, Netflix)
The future looks bleak for sullen orphan Elizabeth (Anya Taylor Joy, above) – until it’s realised the eight-year-old is a chess prodigy. Viewers were so captivated by her desire to be the best in the world, The Queen’s Gambit became Netflix’s most-watched limited series.
A bushranger steals the show (The Masked Singer, 10)
A betting agency had The Queen as a sure thing to take out The Masked Singer this year. But in an upset, it was The Bushranger – in reality, singer and former Neighbours star Bonnie Anderson – who won, beating a Queenly Kate Miller-Heidke and Eddie Perfect as The Lizard.
The Busharanger was unmasked!
(Channel Ten)Bingo goes to space (Bluey, ABC Kids)
Australian children’s series Bluey has been a favourite with parents since it debuted in 2018. But one particular episode – “Sleepytime”, about Bluey’s young sister Bingo’s attempt to stay asleep in her own bed and her subsequent intergalactic dream – had mums and dads across the world in tears over its beautiful message.
Ted Danson tells us to “Take it Sleazy” (The Good Place, Netflix)
The Good Place’s resident architectdemon, Michael (Ted Danson, above with Kristen Bell as Eleanor), finally got his ultimate wish – to become human. He also got to utter the ultimate sign-off: “Take it Sleazy.” Everything about the final season was forking perfection, in our book.
Connell and Marianne say goodbye (Normal People, Stan)
Fans were crushed to realise Normal People‘s star-crossed lovers Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones, both above) were destined to go their separate ways with a simple ‘I’ll go” and “I’ll stay”.
Alex does a Blake Garvey (Farmer Wants A Wife, Channel Seven)
In this season’s final episode of Farmer Wants A Wife, Alex ditched Henrietta for Jess. And then he turned up to the reunion with… Henrietta. “Chemistry is a hard thing to find,” he declared, as he and Henrietta sat on the couch together and displayed their chemistry with a kiss.
The toothbrush incident (Married At First Sight, Nine Network)
Believing his “wife” Hayley had cheated on him, David used her toothbrush to clean their dirty toilet, then put it back for her to use in her mouth. Plus, he filmed the whole thing. Gross? Yes. The most talked-about moment on reality TV in 2020? Also yes.
“Take it sleazy” is our new favourite quote.
(Netflix)The return of The Freak (Wentworth, Foxtel)
Fans knew Joan “The Freak” Ferguson had survived being buried alive after glimpsing her at the end of last season. But no-one expected she’d be bashed in the street and wake up convinced she was homeless woman Kath Maxwell, right?
Chris Sebastian’s blind audition (The Voice, Nine Network)
It took just a few notes of “Jealous” for Guy Sebastian (above inset) to recognise his brother Chris’ voice and turn his chair. Chris absolutely nailed the song, the look of quiet pride on Guy’s face beautiful to see.
Bella serves Locky (The Bachelor Australia, 10)
Um, excuse us – WHAT? Survivor-turned-Bachelor Locky Gilbert (above) shocked fans when he told both finalists he loved them – only to pick Irena Srbinovska at the final rose ceremony. Bella Varelis (right) was left heartbroken, but her response was all-time – “Can I leave? I’m going.” Yes, girl – keep walking!
Gyton Grantley brings back Carl Williams (Informer 3838, Nine Network)
Gyton Grantley gave viewers one more chance to enjoy him as doomed underworld figure Carl Williams – this time, in the story of lawyer and police informant Nicola Gobbo (Ella Scott Lynch, above).
The all-Asian-Australian immunity challenge (MasterChef Australia, 10)
It was the immunity challenge that made history. All five contestants in the cook-off – Jess Liemantara, Khanh Ong, Poh Ling Yeow, Brendan Pang and Reynold Poernomo – were Asian-Australian. Judge Melissa Leong said she could “never conceive of witnessing a moment like this on primetime television in my lifetime”.
Hugh and Penny talk love (Doctor Doctor, Nine Network)
This was the season where Penny (Hayley McElhinney, left) actually went and married someone else. Then, just as she was about to fly to Broome in the finale, Hugh (Rodger Corser, left) told her he really did love her. She said she loved him too, then flew away. There’s still hope…
The Freak’s return on Wentworth wasn’t what fans were expecting.
(Foxtel)In the news
Baboons on the loose! (Channel Seven News)
Onlookers did the double-take of their lives in February when baboons escaped a research facility and went exploring the grounds of Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Footage given to Seven News showed a male baboon (on his way into the hospital for a scheduled vasectomy) and his “wives”, roaming freely. All were eventually captured safely.
Jonathan Swan takes down Trump (Axios, HBO)
Aussie journalist Jonathan Swan (son of the ABC science journo Dr Norman Swan) made global headlines – and became a meme overnight – after his one-on-one interview with US president Donald Trump went viral.
Victorian Coronavirus media conferences (All channels)
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ (right) daily public health updates became must-watch events during the state’s coronavirus crisis and lockdown this year. Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton reached cult status, his face even appearing on T-shirts!
Black Lives Matter rallies (All channels)
In early June, as the world was emerging from the first coronavirus lockdown, a series of Black Lives Matter protests broke out across America, sparked by the death – caught on camera – of an African-American man, George Floyd, at the hands of white police officers.
It was the interview we couldn’t stop watching.
(HBO)Home And Away
ROBBO’S TRAGIC END
When Robbo washed up in Summer Bay, trouble wasn’t far behind. He had amnesia and struggled to figure out his past – who was he? Turns out, he was a federal police officer whose family had been killed by the violent Ouroboros gang.
In the season opener, Robbo (Jake Ryan) discovered his partner Scott (Trent Baines) was a crook, and the pair wound up in a horrific car crash. Meanwhile, the thugs had locals held at gunpoint in the hospital. Mason (Orpheus Pledger), trying to stop them, became their first victim – but he wouldn’t be their last.
Hours after the siege’s terrifying end, Robbo was found in the crashed car nearby. He appeared to know his time was up and bade an emotional farewell to his baby girl, Grace, and wife Jasmine (Sam Frost) at the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His funeral (below) was one of Home And Away‘s saddest moments.
STREWTH, ALF GOT MARRIED!
Alf (Ray Meagher) has had only two loves – but he never expected to be reunited with the woman he last saw more than 30 years ago. Having returned to Summer Bay and rekindled their connection, Martha (Belinda Giblin) and Alf decided to make up for lost time and get hitched! The day was full of joy as they exchanged vows in the beautiful gardens of Summer Bay House.
“AM I PREGNANT?”
Jasmine (Sam Frost) has endured a hellish year. After losing husband Robbo, she discovered she was pregnant. Her grief turned to elation – but it wasn’t to be. Doctors confirmed she had a phantom pregnancy, which led her to shunt everyone in her life.
HELLO, BOYS!
When new blood came wandering shirtless into town, it left a few people hot and bothered – for several reasons. The Parata family from New Zealand – Tane (Ethan Browne), Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) and Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) – didn’t play by John’s (Shane Withington) rules, but his wife Marilyn (Emily Symons) was more than happy to welcome the mischievous newcomers.
TERROR IN THE BUSH
Leah’s (Ada Nicodemou, left) new blog garnered many admirers.. And one deranged stalker. His obsession with the attractive brunette led him to hold her hostage in a remote cabin, where she was forced to tend to his every need – or else. On a day he planned for them to marry, she fought her way free and fled in her wedding dress!
We’re still not over this heartbreaking moment.
(Channel Seven)Neighbours
Finn Kelly dies
One of the most diabolical villains in Neighbours history, Finn Kelly (Rob Mills, right), was finally brought down, and died in a grave he dug for Susan (Jackie Woodburne)! After causing them years of torment and trauma, his victims couldn’t help but feel relief at his demise.
Dee and Andrea return
Toadie (Ryan Moloney) rekindled his love with his former flame, Dee (Madeleine West), but her evil twin sister Andrea (also Madeleine West) caused them serious problems. Andrea nearly got away with escaping prison by leaving Dee in her place, but was busted. After all the drama, Dee fled the country – without Toadie.
Five weddings
In the special 35th anniversary week, not one, but five couples tied the knot at the Lassiters wedding expo. Congratulations were in order for Lucy (Melissa Bell) and Mark (Bruce Samazan), Jane (Annie Jones) and Des (Paul Keane), Sky (Stephanie McIntosh) and Lana (Bridget Neval), Paige (Olympia Valance) and Mark (Scott McGregor) and Prue (Denise van Outen) and Gary (Damien Richardson). Whew!
Mackenzie’s confirmation surgery
Schoolgirl Mackenzie (Georgie Stone) reached a major life milestone when she decided she wanted to go ahead with gender-confirmation surgery. With support from her closest friends and family, she had the operation to physically confirm what she always knew to be true: she’s female.
Mark and Paige finally got their happy ending!
(Channel Ten)
