Carine Senior High School

Hey Hey - It's Jo Beth Taylor!

by Crystal Pinzone

Jo Beth Taylor who is known to some as the Channel 9 former presenter of `Australia's Funniest Home Video Show' and `What's Up Doc?' comes across to most as being a bright, happy and attractive woman who loves her work and tries her best at it. In both shows Jo Beth Taylor has corny jokes to say but she tries to make them sound good and not too predictable and amazing!

Like her Carine co-student Renee Poetschka, (Olympic athlete at Atlanta) Jo Beth Taylor is now a `household name' throughout Australia.

Born in Perth, 25 year old Jo Beth started singing when she was five years o1d and has been performing ever since.

When she was 13 she began performing professionally and started her career with the television program `Perth's Young Entertainers'. When she was 17 she joined a band `Street Cafe', but realising there were more opportunities in Melbourne, she moved there.

RECORD CONTRACT... ON THE WAY UP

Jo Beth recorded a demo tape, which found its way into the hands of lan `Molly' Meldrum, who immediately signed her to Melodian records.

In 1990 Jo Beth toured with Indecent Obsession as the support act for American singer Debbie Gibson. Debbie and Jo Beth became firm friends and Debbie invited Jo Beth to go to New York, where she then lived for a year. Gibson wrote and produced 5 tracks on her debut album `99 Reasons'

While in New York Jo Beth had the opportunity to work with the legendary Jelly Benetez, famed for his work with Madonna, and he produced 5 tracks on her album.

In 1993 Jo Beth took over the hosting of Channel 9's top rating program `Australia's Funniest Home Video Show' making her not only the only woman to be hosting a prime-time show but at just 21 the youngest.

Jo Beth released a single titled `A Prayer for Jane' on the Melodian label in 1993.

In February 1996, Jo Beth joined Daryl Somers and the team on Hey Hey It's Saturday. Within just months Jo Beth has had face-to-face interviews with Robin Williams, Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage. A long way from Carine Senior High School you might say - but then seen in lots of Carine family rooms, "live"and in colour each week