The Oracle 'stars Australian actor John Gregg. He plays Steve Black, a high-rating Sydney radio announcer. Each self-contained episode follows not only the personal life of Steve, but also the stories of some of the listeners who phone him on air to tell their trials and tribulations' (Australian Women's Weekly 21 February 1979, p.47).
While not solely a crime drama, The Oracle touched on people on the fringes of society and vulnerable to desperate (and illegal) actions. For example, The Canberra Times reported (Wednesday 9 May 1979, p.3) that episode 9, 'Pick a Side, Any Side', drew viewers' complaints for 'showing a distraught mother killing her baby', and indicated that the ABC was not inclined to apologise for the episode's content.
The Oracle is frequently described as a spin-off from the telemovie Say You Want Me, and the two do share subject matter. However, while Say You Want Me is dated at 1977 in some sources, its earliest traceable airdate is June 1979, which would mean that the telemovie did not air until a fortnight after the series had finished airing.
Further Reference:
Karen Earnshaw. 'TV '79'. Australian Women's Weekly 21 February 1979, pp.45-50.
