Ask the Leyland Brothers
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Television episodes |
Ask the Leyland Brothers was an Australian TV program broadcast on the Nine Network that aired 153 episodes between 1976–1980 and 1983–1984. The show followed documentary filmmakers Mike and Mal Leyland along with their families as they journeyed throughout Australia and New Zealand, fulfilling viewer-submitted questions and travel suggestions.
Development
Prior to creating Ask the Leyland Brothers, the Leylands produced four feature-length films—Down the Darling, Wheels Across a Wilderness, Open Boat to Adventure, and The Wet—from 1963 to 1972, capturing their explorations across Australia. Additionally, they developed two television series in the early 1970s titled Off the Beaten Track and Trekabout.
The idea behind the show was influenced by the American program You Asked for It, hosted by Art Baker, which featured fulfilling audience requests sent via postcards. This format, which aired in Australia during the 1970s, inspired Ask the Leyland Brothers to invite viewers to suggest locations for filming. Mike Leyland highlighted that this interactive element encouraged audiences to share the show with friends, especially when their names were mentioned on screen.
Production
In 1976, the Leyland brothers created a pilot episode to define the show's format and advertised in TV Week with a full-page spread soliciting questions and travel requests. The concept resonated strongly, attracting approximately 2.5 million viewers per episode—representing about 40% of the viewing audience at that time. The show's success led to public recognition of the brothers and their spouses during filming, sometimes prompting them to adopt disguises while scouting locations.
The team initially traveled in an orange Volkswagen Kombi, later transitioning to 4WD vehicles. Filming was conducted on Super 8 stock and edited with a style reminiscent of home movies. This combination of informal production techniques, the Leylands' on-camera personalities, and family participation contributed to the program’s unique "homemade" charm.