Jo Beth Taylor
Encyclopedia
Jo Beth Taylor is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n television personality most well known for hosting three weekly programs on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 at the same time between 1993 and 1997: Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Videos is an Australian television show on the Nine Network that presents home videos sent in by viewers.The show is similar in content to You've Been Framed and America's Funniest Home Videos,...

, What's Up Doc? and Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

, before taking a hiatus from television for more than two years.

Taylor returned to television in 2000 as the host of StarStruck
StarStruck (2000 TV series)
thumb|right|StarStruck logoStarStruck was an Australian talent show that was broadcast on the Nine Network between the years 2000 and 2002. The show was originally hosted by Jo Beth Taylor, who was replaced by Jay Laga'aia after the first series....

, another Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 program, which was to be her last role until Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs is a program on the Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television, in which host Mike Rowe is shown performing difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties alongside the typical employees. The show premiered with two pilot episodes in November 2003...

in 2007. Taylor also had a music career in the early 1990s with the release of an album and four singles.

1971–1993: Early life and music career beginnings

Taylor began singing when she was 5 years old, and at the age of 13 began performing professionally when she started her career with the television program Perth's Young Entertainers. When she was 17 she joined a band named Street Cafe and played regularly around Perth.

Alan Laguda from Street Cafe was originally from Melbourne and talked Jo Beth and the band and crew into moving there. Jo Beth recorded a demo tape, which found its way into the hands of Molly Meldrum, who immediately signed her to Melodian records.

In 1990 Taylor toured with Indecent Obsession as the support act for Debbie Gibson. The two became firm friends and Gibson invited Taylor to go to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, where she then lived for a year. Gibson wrote and produced 5 tracks on her debut album 99 Reasons.

While in New York she also worked with Jelly Benetez who produced 5 tracks on her album.

Taylor began a pop career in the early 1990s, releasing the single 99 Reasons in 1991. The song hit the Australian Top 40, peaking at #31. Taylor's debut album was also titled "99 Reasons".

"You Don't Own Me" was released as the 2nd single, whilst 1993 also saw the release of the song "A Prayer For Jane". The lyrics of the song were about a friend of Taylor's who committed suicide. The song reached #61 on the Australian Charts.

1993–1998: Australia's Funniest Home Video Show, Hey Hey It's Saturday and nervous breakdown

In February 1993 Taylor took over the hosting role of the top-rating Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 program Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Videos is an Australian television show on the Nine Network that presents home videos sent in by viewers.The show is similar in content to You've Been Framed and America's Funniest Home Videos,...

. This made Taylor not only the sole woman to be hosting a prime-time show in Australia, but at just 22 years old she was the youngest.

Taylor also sang the opening theme song to Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Videos is an Australian television show on the Nine Network that presents home videos sent in by viewers.The show is similar in content to You've Been Framed and America's Funniest Home Videos,...

, titled "The Funny Things You Do".

In 1996, whilst still hosting on Funniest Home Videos Taylor earned the role of co-host on the long running variety program Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

following the departure of Ernie Carroll
Ernie Carroll
Ernie Carroll is an Australian entertainer and television personality most recognised for his role as the man behind Ossie Ostrich on Hey Hey It's Saturday....

's Ossie Ostrich
Ossie Ostrich
Ossie Ostrich is an Australian television character, firstly on the Tarax Show, and then on the long-running program Hey Hey It's Saturday which started as a Saturday morning cartoon show for children in 1971. In 1984, he also hosted an after-school children's show called The Ossie Ostrich Video...

.

On a number of occasions Taylor would host the entire Hey Hey show on her own if Daryl Somers
Daryl Somers
Daryl Paul Somers OAM , is an Australian television personality. The son of a dairy farmer and a cabaret singer, Somers rose to national fame as the host of the long-running comedy-variety program Hey Hey It's Saturday.-Early life:Somers, who has an Irish Catholic heritage, was educated at...

 were away, and would regularly perform music on the program. She was with the team when they celebrated their 25th Anniversary of the show at Disneyworld.

1996 also saw Taylor make a brief return to music with the release of I Love My Dog, a single for the 101 Dalmatians Movie soundtrack; reaching #95 on the ARIA
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...

 chart.

During this time, Taylor hosted a number of specials for the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

, namely the 40 Years of Television special which was filmed on the set of Taylor's sometime day job, What's Up Doc?.

In mid 1997 Taylor's time as host on Funniest Home Videos and co-host on Hey Hey came to an abrupt end when she suffered a nervous breakdown. Taylor finished both programs without warning, prompting emergency replacements.

Getaway
Getaway
Getaway is Australia's longest-running and most popular holiday and travel television programme. Debuting on 14 May 1992, it is currently broadcast on the Nine Network and TLC...

presenter Catriona Rowntree
Catriona Rowntree
Catriona Rowntree is a presenter for Australian Nine Network's Getaway program.Rowntree studied journalism at Macleay College in Sydney, after working as a researcher with Business Review Weekly, 2GB and Prime Television...

 was called to replace Taylor on Funniest Home Videos, whilst Livinia Nixon
Livinia Nixon
Livinia Nixon is an Australian television presenter and actress best known for her roles on the Nine Network as weather presenter on Nine News Melbourne and as co-host on the long running variety series Hey Hey It's Saturday....

 replaced her as co-host of Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

.

Taylor moved to California and remained out of the public eye for more than two years, before returning to Australia in mid 1999. Upon her return she revealed in an interview with Ray Martin
Ray Martin (television presenter)
Raymond George "Ray" Martin AM is an Australian television journalist. He is best known for his various on-air roles on Channel Nine from 1978 to 2008. In 2011 he returned to 60 Minutes....

 that her disappearance from television was due to a nervous breakdown.

1999–2001: Return to television and Happy Days: The Arena Mega Musical

Taylor made her return television appearance on In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight, also known as "IMT", was a highly popular nightly variety television show produced at GTV-9 Melbourne from 6 May 1957 to 1970....

in 1999, singing I Want You Back
I Want You Back
"I Want You Back" was released in 1969 and in early 1970s became a number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. The song, along with a b-side cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", was the only single from the first Jackson 5 album, Diana Ross Presents...

. Taylor also returned as a guest for the final episode of Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

in November 1999.

Also in 1999, she joined the cast of the Australian stage production, "Happy Days: The Arena Mega Musical". Taylor played Laura, a character created for the stage show, who was in cahoots with Jon Stevens
Jon Stevens
Jon Stevens is a New Zealand-born singer of Maori descent, now an Australian citizen. Stevens is the brother of New Zealand Idol judge Frankie Stevens....

' Frank (also an original character) to put the famous diner out of business.

The music selected for the Happy Days production was almost entirely from the sixties. Taylor's songs included "Stand By Me", "You Don't Own Me" and "Tell Him".

In 2000, Taylor hosted Starstruck
StarStruck (2000 TV series)
thumb|right|StarStruck logoStarStruck was an Australian talent show that was broadcast on the Nine Network between the years 2000 and 2002. The show was originally hosted by Jo Beth Taylor, who was replaced by Jay Laga'aia after the first series....

, an Australian Saturday night talent quest show, in what was her final television role for more than seven years.

Taylor married tennis player Thomas Muster
Thomas Muster
Thomas Muster is a former world no. 1 tennis player from Austria. One of the world's leading clay court players in the 1990s, Muster won the 1995 French Open and at his peak was known as "The King of Clay." In addition, he won eight Masters 1000 series titles, placing him sixth on the all-time list...

 in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

 in late 2000. They had one child (Christian; born 2001). Taylor and Muster divorced in 2005.

2002–2009: Further hiatus, radio work and minor television roles

Since 2002 Taylor made minimal television appearances; besides as a guest on Greeks On The Roof
Greeks on the Roof
Greeks on the Roof was an Australian television talk show that ran for 11 episodes on the Seven Network in 2003. It was hosted by Greek-Australian character Effie and her "family"....

in 2003 and on Australia Unites: Reach Out to Asia
Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia
Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia was a telethon held in Australia on January 8, 2005. The telethon raised money for World Vision, as a part of the humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. It was telecast on the three commercial television networks...

in 2005, a joint venture by the Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...

, Nine
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

, and Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...

 networks to raise money for the Boxing Day Tsunami.

In 2006, she moved to Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...

 and joined Noosa
Noosa, Queensland
The Shire of Noosa was a Local Government Area located about north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia...

's radio station Zinc 96.1 FM morning crew with Jamie Dunn
Jamie Dunn
Jamie Dunn is an Australian comedian.Starting his entertainment career as a singer, Jamie Dunn moved into television, working the puppet Agro on Agro's Cartoon Connection.- Radio :Up until 2005, Dunn was a member of a radio breakfast show in Brisbane...

 and Agro. As of mid-2007 she no longer appears on the Zinc FM website. There has been no official announcement regarding her departure.

Taylor co-hosted an Australian version of Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs is a program on the Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television, in which host Mike Rowe is shown performing difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties alongside the typical employees. The show premiered with two pilot episodes in November 2003...

on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 with Ben Dark
Ben Dark
Ben Dark is an Australian television presenter.From an early age, Ben had an affinity with the bush. Born on a dam bank on 14 January 1972, he spent the first 11 years of his life on his parents' property in Stanthorpe, south-east Queensland. In 1984 Ben was sent to all boys Anglican boarding...

 between October and November 2007.

Taylor has made at least one appearance on Mornings With Kerri-Anne
Mornings with Kerri-Anne
Kerri-Anne is an Australian morning television program shown on the Nine Network, hosted by Kerri-Anne Kennerley. It aired weekdays at 9am for two hours. The final episode of the series aired on November 25, 2011.-History:...

in 2009 during a travel infomercial segment. Taylor returned for the second Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

reunion show on 7 October 2009.

2010–present: Dancing with the Stars and second television return

Taylor was amongst the line up of celebrities competing in the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is a Logie Award-winning, Australian light entertainment reality show airing on the Seven Network and filmed live from the HSV-7 studios in Melbourne...

on the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...

. She was eliminated in the fourth week.

On the 13 November 2010 episode of Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

Jo Beth returned to the show as a contestant during one of the game segments. She returned again on 27 November 2010 to judge Red Faces on the series finale.

Filmography

Television
Year Show Role Notes
1993–1997 Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Video Show
Australia's Funniest Home Videos is an Australian television show on the Nine Network that presents home videos sent in by viewers.The show is similar in content to You've Been Framed and America's Funniest Home Videos,...

Host Became the youngest female to present on prime time TV in Australia
1995–1997 Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...

Co-Host Returned for the final show in November 1999
1996–1997 What's Up Doc? Host Filled in for the regular hosts on occasion over this period
1996 40 Years of Television Host Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 Special Presentation
2000 StarStruck
StarStruck (2000 TV series)
thumb|right|StarStruck logoStarStruck was an Australian talent show that was broadcast on the Nine Network between the years 2000 and 2002. The show was originally hosted by Jo Beth Taylor, who was replaced by Jay Laga'aia after the first series....

Host Hosted first season only
2003 Greeks On The Roof
Greeks on the Roof
Greeks on the Roof was an Australian television talk show that ran for 11 episodes on the Seven Network in 2003. It was hosted by Greek-Australian character Effie and her "family"....

Herself Appeared in one episode, interview and performance
2005 Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia
Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia
Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia was a telethon held in Australia on January 8, 2005. The telethon raised money for World Vision, as a part of the humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. It was telecast on the three commercial television networks...

Herself Joint venture between Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...

, Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...

 and Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...

2007 Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs is a program on the Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television, in which host Mike Rowe is shown performing difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties alongside the typical employees. The show premiered with two pilot episodes in November 2003...

Presenter First regular television role in seven years
2009 Mornings With Kerri-Anne
Mornings with Kerri-Anne
Kerri-Anne is an Australian morning television program shown on the Nine Network, hosted by Kerri-Anne Kennerley. It aired weekdays at 9am for two hours. The final episode of the series aired on November 25, 2011.-History:...

Presenter Infomercial presenter for travel segments
Hey Hey It's Saturday: The Reunion Herself Returned for the second reunion show on 7 October
2010 Dancing with the Stars
Dancing With The Stars (Australian Season 10)
The 10th Season of Dancing with the Stars was announced in the May edition of New Idea magazine. It debuted on 27 June 2010 and ended on the 29th of August 2010.-Couples:...

Contestant Eliminated 3rd

Albums

Year Album Australia
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...


1991 99 Reasons -

Singles

Year Single Australia
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...


Certification Album
1991 99 Reasons 31
-
99 Reasons
You Don't Own Me
-
-
1993 A Prayer For Jane 61
-
single only
1996 I Love My Dog 95
-
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK