Acropolis Now

Acropolis Now (1989)

NR30m5 seasonsEndedNR(2)

Acropolis Now was an Australian sitcom set in a Greek cafe in Melbourne of the same name that ran for 63 episodes from 1989 to 1992 on the Seven Network. It was created by Nick Giannopoulos, George Kapiniaris and Simon Palomares, who also starred in the series. They were already quite well known for their comedy stage show, Wogs out of Work. The title is a play on the film Apocalypse Now. Each episode was 30 minutes in length and filmed in front of a live audience. Jim's father asks him to run the family business, the Acropolis café, when he suddenly leaves Australia to return to his homeland Greece. The series centres around the activities of the cafe staff. Greek Jim Stephanidis, is the immature owner and his best friend, Spaniard Ricky Martinez is the sensible manager. Memo is the traditional Greek waiter, Liz is the liberated Australian waitress. Skip is the naïve new cook from the bush and Manolis is the stubborn cook from the old cafe. 'Hilarity' prevails from the clash of cultures and beliefs. Jim's hairdresser cousin Effie, played by Mary Coustas, became a hugely popular and enduring character during the run of the show. Coustas later reprised the role for several TV specials and series including Effie, Just Quietly, an SBS comedy / interview show, and Greeks on the Roof, a short-lived Greek-Australian version of the British talk show The Kumars at No. 42.

Oh Suzanna

E1 - Oh Suzanna

Feb 13, 1992 - 30m

Jim's hormone driven employment policy leads him to trouble again when he causes his ex-flame Suzanna - a high powered marketing executive - to lose her job. That's when Jim takes his life into his own hands - he knows the others are going to kill him, but, regardless, he offers her a job at the café as a waitress.

Phantom of the Acropolis

E2 - Phantom of the Acropolis

Feb 20, 1992 - 30m

Jim's rival Vinnie has agreed to buy the Acropolis Now from Jim's father but the final word rests with Jim. Memo is convinced the café is haunted by his cousin Spiro Kruegernidis.

Crimes of Fashion

E3 - Crimes of Fashion

Feb 27, 1992 - 30m

Effie and Sophie hold their hair and fashion show at the café but when Suzanna steals the show, Effie tries to poison her with haircare products. Jim and Memo sabotage Suzanna's search for a new job.

Twenty One Today

E4 - Twenty One Today

Mar 5, 1992 - 30m

Effie is determined to make Sophie's 21st a birthday she'll never forget... if only they could get past the bouncer at Vibrations.

The Letter

E5 - The Letter

Mar 12, 1992 - 30m

The guys are convinced Suzanna is behind a letter printed in a magazine from a woman seeking dating advice in regards to her three co-workers. Effie is in search of advice on buying a car.

Wheel of Shame

E6 - Wheel of Shame

Mar 19, 1992 - 30m

To pay for his sister's return to Greece, Memo appears on the game show Wheel of Language. Suzanna forces Jim to get rid of his magazine collection but while going throught them one last time, he notices one of the centerfolds looks familiar...

Full Metal Jerks

E7 - Full Metal Jerks

Mar 26, 1992 - 30m

Jim puts Memo through training after he is drafted into the Greek army. Suzanna raids the annual party of the marketing company that fired her.

Four Eyes

E8 - Four Eyes

Apr 2, 1992 - 30m

Jim has to wear glasses or give up driving his Monaro but when the jokes get to be too much, Suzanna takes it upon herself to transform a bespectacled Jim from dag to snag (sensitive new age guy).

Devil in Disguise

E9 - Devil in Disguise

Apr 9, 1992 - 30m

When Suzanna's abrasive former colleague has car trouble outside the café she sees an opportunity to get her old job back. Suzanna pretends to be engaged to Alfredo

The King and I

E10 - The King and I

Apr 16, 1992 - 30m

Memo's discovery of Elvis' reincarnated frozen head in the kitchen freezer coincides with a visit from the health inspector. Inspired by Elvis' appearance, the pair make plans to travel to the world and visit Graceland.

Desperately Seeking Effie

E11 - Desperately Seeking Effie

May 7, 1992 - 30m

Effie ends up in hospital after she falls victim to a practical joke Memo intended for Jim. Left with no memory of her previous life, Jim sees an opportunity to create a new Effie, a better Effie.

Deaf Jammed

E12 - Deaf Jammed

May 14, 1992 - 30m

Jim takes advantage of his friends' generosity by pretending to have lost his hearing. When they discover the truth, Memo, Alfredo and Suzanna trick Jim into believing they are planning to kill him, but just who is being conned

The Last Temptation

E13 - The Last Temptation

May 21, 1992 - 30m

After a near-death experience, Alfredo decides it is time he embraced his faith. Meanwhile, Jim and Suzanna divert their sexual energies as they continue to deny their feelings for one another.