| New Faces | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | New Faces Australia |
| Genre | Talent show |
| Created by | Kevin Dennis |
| Presented by |
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| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 24 |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nine Network |
| Release | 14 September 1963 – 1985 |
| Network | Network Ten |
| Release | 1992 – 1993 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
New Faces was an Australian talent show that preceded the British show of the same name, produced at GTV-9 Melbourne. The program began in 1963[1] under the name Kevin Dennis Auditions, sponsored by a new car dealership, Kevin Dennis Motors, which was run by Kevin Dennis (Dennis Gowing), who was also a well-known face on Australian TV from his catchy 'Update' TV Commercials in the 1960s–70s, which were featured during the breaks of the popular show. The program ran on Saturday mornings. The program name soon changed to Kevin Dennis New Faces, and later simply New Faces, becoming a Sunday night primetime show.
The program began as a vehicle for rags-to-riches Melbourne businessman Kevin Dennis to promote his business.[2] Australian journalist Derryn Hinch, in remembering Kevin Dennis, said:[3]
Recently, I was asked to recall and record some thoughts about a genuine, almost (we thought) indestructible, Melbourne identity. Kevin Dennis. AKA, Dennis Gowing. He was a man who once (as Kevin Dennis) bought more TV advertising on more TV programmes than any person then or since.