The Mick Molloy Show
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Television |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Mick Molloy |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Mick Molloy (host), Tony Martin, Judith Lucy, Bob Franklin, Dave O'Neil, Paul Hester (bandleader), Leigh Paatsch, Simon Morley, Pete Smith |
| Products | Television variety show |
Number of employees | Not specified |
The Mick Molloy Show was a television series broadcast on Australia's Nine Network for a limited run of eight weeks in 1999. The program was helmed by the well-known comedian Mick Molloy, recognized for his work on The Late Show and Martin/Molloy. Each episode lasted close to 110 minutes, excluding commercial breaks.
Presented in a casual chat-and-variety style, the set featured sofas, a coffee table, and a house band. The show showcased live performances from guest musical acts rarely seen on commercial television, along with pre-filmed comedy sketches, film critiques, sports commentary, and appearances by local comedians, cultivating a laid-back urban vibe. It followed programs such as Hey Hey It's Saturday and The Pretender in the schedule.
Conceptually designed as friends gathering on a Saturday evening to enjoy humor and music, the premiere introduced Mini-Mick—a comedic sidekick parodying the Austin Powers character Mini-me—portrayed by Arthur Serevetas. Mini-Mick’s crude catchphrase and antics were recurring elements throughout all eight episodes.
Molloy’s team included comedians Tony Martin, Judith Lucy, Bob Franklin, and Dave O'Neil, alongside bandleader Paul Hester with The Largest Living Things, film reviewer Leigh Paatsch, entertainer Simon Morley, and Channel Nine announcer Pete Smith.
Featured guests encompassed prominent performers such as Glenn Robbins, Mark Little, Alan Davies, Stephen Curry, as well as musical groups like Ben Folds Five, Spiderbait, The Fauves, Mach Pelican, and solo artists including Colin Hay and Stephen Cummings.
Although backed by notable talent, the show courted controversy from its initial episode due to a sketch depicting Molloy appearing intoxicated and urinating on stage. This led to harsh critical reviews and numerous complaints, ultimately resulting in the program’s cancellation after only eight episodes despite originally planning for twenty. Reports indicate Molloy earned in excess of A$1 million during its short tenure.
Axing
Compared to typical Australian live variety shows of its era, The Mick Molloy Show adopted an unconventional approach. Many attribute its cancellation after eight episodes largely to the contentious "pilot" sketch aired in the first installment. It is believed that Nine Network executives notified cast and crew about the termination shortly following episode eight, although this has not been officially confirmed. Additionally, challenges arose when Tony Martin and Judith Lucy participated remotely via satellite from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, which some viewers felt diminished their impactful involvement.
Reflecting in 2005 with The Sydney Morning Herald, Molloy stated: "It must be perceived as a failure but I still look on it as one of the most informative periods... I'm still very proud of it and, in a perverse way, I enjoyed it. It's good to pick yourself up out of the rubble, dust yourself off and wonder, 'What now?'"
The Pilot
The pilot sketch, which was replayed in the first episode, included a notorious moment where an inebriated Mick was shown urinating on set with his back facing the camera. This led many viewers to believe Molloy was truly intoxicated during the live broadcast, resulting in a wave of complaints.
Observing the Neighbours
In this segment, Mick used binoculars to spy on neighbours through windows behind the set, delivering visual humor with an eccentric lineup of characters.
Couch Testing
A pre-filmed sketch from the premiere episode depicted Mick and Simon Morley evaluating different couches for the set by jumping on and lying down on them. This was shot at "The Couch Potato" in Melbourne, a venue that has since closed.
How Delightful
Comedian Bob Franklin introduced a single pre-recorded sketch live, seated around a coffee table adorned with tea and finger foods. Over time, the segment expanded to include cakes and doilies, with Paul Hester adding comedic value by serving refreshments while wearing an apron. One sketch humorously portrayed Stephen Curry being "shot" for using sandwich bread as toast.
"Who would you sleep with if you were gay?"
A unique sketch from episode one featured Mick asking the cast and crew whom they would choose to sleep with if they were gay. Bob Franklin clarified that "gay" could also mean bright or cheerful.
Answers included:
- Mick: Detective Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) from NYPD Blue.
- Bob Franklin: Geoff Jansz, provided Kerri-Anne Kennerley was watching.
- Tony Martin: President Bill Clinton and Ricardo Montalbán (Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island).
- Kram (Spiderbait): Homer Simpson, due to his "thing about his butt crack".
- Paul Hester: "The Super Woodies" (Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodford).
- Barry Stockley: Pigsy from Monkey Magic.
- Kevin Garant: Kim Beazley.
- Judith Lucy: Probably anyone, including Pat Benatar or Agnes Moorehead.
- Mini-Mick: Daryl Somers.
- Archie S. (Floor Manager): "I don't know whether I should say it, but I'd reckon I'd go you!"
Entertainment Updates
Leigh Paatsch hosted an entertainment news segment that included coverage of the Australian premiere of "Weird Al" Yankovic's "The Saga Begins" in the second episode.
Largest Living Things
The resident band, Largest Living Things, was a Melbourne-based ensemble active between 1995 and 2000, consisting of Paul Hester (vocals, drums), Kevin Garant (guitar), and Barry Stockley (bass). Positioned on the left side of the stage, they provided musical backing and performed during commercial breaks. Outside the program, they released two albums and one EP, all produced by Hester and Stockley.
Episode Summary
Airing live on Saturdays at 9:30 pm via the Nine Network from GTV 9's Studio 2 in Melbourne, the show was also accessible in Sydney and Adelaide. Although no repeats were broadcast, Tony Martin (comedian) has expressed enthusiasm for a DVD release featuring the show's iconic burning couch logo alongside the phrase "a televisual shitheap" from a critical review.
Episode 1
Broadcast date: 10 July 1999 Duration: 110 minutes
- "The Pilot Episode" – Paul Hester, the band leader, offers his critique of the pilot, while Mick Molloy responds by sharing footage capturing a drunken incident on stage.
- My photo's up the foyer – Molloy takes a tour of the reception area to see his photograph displayed alongside other network figures, sparking humorous remarks.
- Musical performance – Spiderbait
- Guest appearance – Judith Lucy joins Molloy to reminisce about early television gigs, including a sketch originally from The Late Show.
- Couches – A promotional segment featuring Molloy and the writing team as they hunt for couches for the set, involving antics in furniture outlets and an unexpected interruption during The Boy from Oz.
- Guest appearance – Lucy offers commentary on mixing alcoholic drinks before participating in a sketch about government health warnings on alcohol packaging.
- Guest appearance – Bob Franklin (comedian) and Molloy discuss the decline in advertisements for the Adult Literacy Board, followed by a comedic sketch titled "Bob's Scrapbook," which humorously depicts Franklin’s life through flashbacks.
- Musical performance – House band delivers a number
- Guest appearance – Tony Martin shares thoughts on politics and John Howard's concept of a "can-do country," complemented by rare archival footage from In Melbourne Tonight, featuring a drinking contest hosted by Bert Newton.
- Mick introduces "Mini Mick," a dwarf character portrayed by Arthur Serevetas, who makes an entrance carrying Victoria Bitter beer and Winfield Blues cigarettes.
- Midget Selection – A sketch showcasing auditions filled with irreverent humor and impersonations of Molloy; includes a parody of The Full Monty striptease scene interrupted by a dog.
- Musical performance – Spiderbait returns for another set
- How Delightful segment
- Interview – Mark Maher (Kram) from Spiderbait is featured
- Who would you sleep with if you were gay – Molloy, Franklin, Martin, Maher, and Hester engage in a humorous discussion about hypothetical romantic interests over cucumber sandwiches, with participation from the house band and Mini Mick.
- Guest appearance – Leigh Paatsch reports on entertainment news while declining cucumber sandwiches; covers movie updates and vox pop interviews exploring why women favor older men, linked to the release of Entrapment.
- Guest appearance – Pendo presents sports coverage alongside Maher and Paatsch.
Episode 2
- Broadcast date: 17 July 1999
Episode 3
- Broadcast date: 24 July 1999
Episode 4
- Broadcast date: 31 July 1999
Episode 5
- Broadcast date: 7 August 1999
Episode 6
- Broadcast date: 14 August 1999
Episode 7
- Broadcast date: 21 August 1999
Episode 8
- Broadcast date: 28 August 1999