Dec 07 2008

Richard Marsland dies

Tributes are flooding in for Richard Marsland, the radio anchor best known for his work on Tony Martin’s former radio show, Get This.

Marsland was found dead today aged just 32.

Austereo Melbourne general manager Ben Amarfio expressed the station’s sadness at losing a talented and popular member of the Triple M team.“Everyone he worked with was impressed with his professionalism and dedication and he had an extremely bright future ahead of him,” Mr Amarfio said in a statement.

“We thought so highly of Richard that we were expanding his role in the show next year.

“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Our deepest condolences to Richard’s family from all at Champagne Comedy forum central and myself. Please post your tributes and messages in the forum.

Aug 05 2008

Olympic fever nostalgia!

As the Beijing Olympics draws near, how about a trip down memory lane?
Remember when The Late Show went to Sydney and Mick and Tony asked people about the Sydney 2000 Olympics win?

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrK2dO8NO2s[/tube]

Jul 07 2008

More on The Hollowmen!

From the article Sitch In Time:

“As far as I can tell, Tony [Rob Sitch] is a variation on Frontline’s Mike Moore, his prevailing characteristic the same gormless naivety, his life a series of defeats, humiliations, pratfalls and disasters. He suggests that everything in his world is under control and yet also about to go hideously wrong. But there is a desperate, unwavering good cheer about him.”

“Sitch and Cilauro work together closely, even finishing each other’s sentences like a long-time married couple. Many collaborators develop a professional empathy… But these Working Dog people go deeper. There is obvious respect and affection, and each appears to supply what the others lack in areas that have nothing to do with their work. It is as though they regard the crazy goings on in the world with the same degree of amazement.”

You can also view a short clip, here.

Jun 25 2008

Late Show cast in new political series

Some of the old Late Show cast is working on a new political satire/drama, The Hollowmen, to air on the ABC on July 9.
Working Dog, the production company co-founded by Late Show alumni including Santo Cilauro, Rob Sitch and Tom Gleisner, began taping the new show recently.
The Hollowmen is thought to be named after TS Eliot’s famous poem of the same name, which references the corruption inherent in modern politics.
Information on the content of the new series is scarce but it is understood that Santo Cilauro and Rob Sitch will be part of the cast. Recently they have tended to work behind the scenes on creations such as Thank God You’re Here.

According to an article in the Perth Sunday Times:

Created and produced by Working Dog, the series features an ensemble cast: Lachy Hulme (The Matrix Reloaded), David James (All Saints), Neil Melville (Underbelly), Rob Sitch (Frontline) and introducing radio host Merrick Watts with Jacquie Brennan (City Homicide), Rob Carlton (Chandon Pictures), Santo Cilauro (Frontline), Stephen Hall (The King) and Nicola Parry (Thank God You’re Here).

The Hollowmen focuses on the workings of an internal think tank called the Central Policy Unit.

Set up by the Prime Minister, this Unit is charged with developing a “long term policy vision?.

Their job is to stop worrying about tomorrow’s headlines – and start worrying about next week’s.

Discuss this on the forum and find out more insider info from those in the know. Spies say it is very much like Frontline, with a hand-held documentary style approach. If you haven’t already joined, there is a Late Show related question that needs to be answered before you can join – it should be very easy if you’ve ever watched the show!

Apr 15 2008

Sandhurst Machinery revisited

Thanks to Lucas Buck Sherrif for sending in this photograph, taken a couple of months ago, of the famous Sandhurst Machinery toolshop! “Notice the lack of signage,” he points out. “Certainly no ‘As seen on The Late Show’ banners happening…”

For those of you who have no idea, here’s the appropriate clip:

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_cGcLk0KPU[/tube]

Apr 15 2008

Jane Kennedy flashes back to 1992

Thanks to menagers for scanning the magazine article 13 schoolyards pointed out featuring Jane Kennedy, former Late Show cast member, looking back on the good old year of 1992.

“When I see this photo, which also shows I clearly didn’t know you could get your eyebrows shaped, I have to wonder why I was wearing my father’s suit,” says Jane. (I think she looks nice! Another big 1992 fad, if I recall, was long-sleeved shirts with the buttons undone, and a slogan-clad T-Shirt worn underneath. With tight jeans and sneakers or boots. This was just on the cusp between grunge and wearing your underwear so it showed outside your trousers. Jane looks normal!)

Jane also discusses (ooh, err!) meeting Rob!

Feb 12 2008

Archibald painting of Santo is finished

Daniel Sanger has painted Santo Cilauro as his Late Show character “Santo the Magnificent” for the famous Archibald Prize portrait competition. The painting is finished and Santo really liked it. Here he is, posing in front of the masterpiece. What a good sport.

Check out Daniel’s blog about the painting and how it progressed!

Jan 04 2008

Santo the Magnificent for Archibald Prize!

Late Show fan Daniel Sanger is painting Santo Cilauro as his famous Santo the Magnificent character and entering the creation in the (even more) famous Archibald Prize portrait competition!

Santo told The Daily Telegraph:

“It’s so surreal, it’s ridiculous. The artist, as a kid, was obsessed with (the ABC comedy) The Late Show and wanted to paint me as a character from the show. I thought, ‘That’s crazy, I’ll do it’. ”

Santo has posed for some photographs. Sanger said on his blog: “He was such a good sport and was incredibly generous with his time. He really is such a nice guy – exactly as you’d expect him to be! I have the utmost respect for him and thank him enormously. After numerous photographs and sketches I had all the information I required to begin the painting.”

You can check out the painting’s progress on Daniel’s blog.

The Santo the Magnificent Clip, if you’re unfamiliar (and you shouldn’t be!)

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pisr8KiaK78[/tube]

 

Addendum: Sadly Daniel’s portrait didn’t make the final cut. It’s now for sale—contact him if interested.

 

Dec 17 2007

Merry Christmas Champagne Comedy fans!

To everyone who has supported this site by visiting the forums and participating in the brilliant discussion, we salute you!
2007 has been the biggest year for the Champagne Comedy site and its illustrious forums. Let me give you a small sampling of highlights from the website and the D-Generation world:

  • In the members’ only forum, the Get This discussion thread has had more than two thousand posts and just under 50,000 views!
  • Mick Molloy’s show, The Nation, lasted one season to lacklustre reviews
  • Our most prolific new member was undoubtedly menagers who joined in April and has racked up more than 700 posts already and scanned in countless wonderful memorabilia {CORRECTION!} Actually, although baudrillard hasn’t done as many posts as menagers he joined in June and therefore on a per-month average he has posted about the same amount!
  • The Bargearse/Olden Days DVD was released
  • Alf Camilleri, The Late Show prop man, passed away at the beginning of 2007 – RIP Alf.
  • Lucky Grills, aka Bargearse, also passed away in July 2007 – he’ll be sadly missed.
  • Tony Martin’s radio show, Get This was axed and the last show aired in November. Save Get This rallies and farewell dos were prevalent across the globe; including the London one attended by yours truly—we even got our voices heard on Tony’s show. We’re sure Tony will be back very soon in some shape or form!
  • The majority of visitors are regulars and type the web address of this site in directly. However the top ten search terms in 2007 were: champagne comedy, the late show, bargearse dvd, billy joel, forum, save get this, tony martin mick molloy feud, shitscared, tanya blencowe and martin molloy.
  • The forum now has 349 registered members with at least 100 of these members being active (that is, logging in and viewing or writing posts).
  • A record number of Late Show videos (at least 120) is now available on YouTube (join the group), grabbing the attention of Tony and countless new fans. Spread the word, people!
  • The Champagne Comedy Facebook group, started up by Shitscared, now has more than 600 members!

So, with those statistics and factoids, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008.

Nov 23 2007

Get This farewell party – photos

Thanks to menagers on the members’ forum for the first-hand pics of the Get This Farewell party at Dick Liquor! Details to follow… or why not join the forum and tell us your own stories?