From top bloke to toilet humour, how can a variety show tarnish its reputation?
There comes a time in a television show’s life, where after years of establishment as a clean-cut, family friendly and intelligent show hosted by a highly credible personality, decides to turn the other cheek and head down the s-bend of entertainment.
The Midday Show with Ray Martin had one of those very moments. From 1985 to 1993, television journalist and 60 Minutes reporter Ray Martin hosted a 1 & 1/2 hour variety show on Channel 9 from 12pm. With the core audience of retirees, senior citizens and grocery buyers, the highly popular show ranked well, containing interviews, musical performances, audience participation, and comedy pieces – it even scored Martin his first Logie award in 1987. You can’t even look past the infamous Casey v Rowe feud without thinking of Midday. Martin eventually moved on in 1993, to anchor Channel 9’s nightly current affairs show A Current Affair.
Rewind to 1991, and after Casey v Rowe fight calming down, the show needed a fill-in host as Martin was taking leave.
Cue: Doug Mulray.
A radio veteran of the AM and FM bands, from 2SM to 2JJ (later named Triple J), and Triple M, Mulray was not the person you’d expect to host such a show. Known for his extreme usage of double entendres, crude comedy, and cheeky homonym banters, Mulray was given an all-access pass to the Channel 9 Willoughby studios, and brought his mates with him. Because why not? He has his own breakfast radio show on Triple M that was rating extremely hot. He has a cult following, and loves pushing the cringe-worthy envelope.
In an episode broadcast on Friday September 20 1991, Mulray brought his signature style to the Midday audience. You can now watch Mulray:
- Crack borderline racist jokes and the audience laugh, but realise they shouldn’t;
- Raiding through the Triple M showbag;
- Interview The Naked Gun and Police Squad! star Leslie Nielsen and bond over far jokes;
- Australian Country music band Fargone Beauties
- Chat to footy legends Dermott Brereton (AFL) and Paul “Fatty” Vautin (NRL) about the upcoming finals
- Mulray play his ‘lativan’ instrument with Geoff Harvey and the house band performing When The Saints Come Marching In, and;
- Debate the topic ‘Blondes Have More Fun Than Brunettes ‘ with Gretel Killeen, Collette Mann, Megan Williams, Debbie Newsome
Enjoy the wholesomeness that is The Midday Show with Doug Mulray over a bowl of Mull-Os.
