Tim Ross
Tim Ross | |
|---|---|
| Born | Timothy Jonathon Ross |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, radio personality, author, television host |
| Known for | Merrick and Rosso; Streets of Your Town; Designing a Legacy |
| Notable work | Streets of Your Town, Designing a Legacy, The Rumpus Room, MOTEL – Images of Australia on Holidays, Scorcher |
Timothy Jonathon Ross, commonly known by the nickname Rosso, is an Australian entertainer recognized for his work as a comedian, radio personality, author, and television host. His career commenced with stand-up comedy alongside Merrick Watts as the duo Merrick and Rosso. More recently, he has gained prominence as the host of ABC programs such as Streets of Your Town and Designing a Legacy, showcasing his enthusiasm for design and architectural heritage.
Education
Ross pursued studies in drama and music at both the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and La Trobe University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Live performance
Ross’s entry into comedy began with a collaborative show in 1996 alongside Merrick Watts. The pair toured extensively across Australia and were regulars at various comedy festivals. Together, they authored two books: Merrick and Rosso, The Book and its follow-up. Ross also fronted the comedic music group Black Rose, which performed as an opening act at the Vivofit festival held in Melbourne and Sydney in 2009.
Radio
Ross launched his radio career with Merrick Watts on Triple J in 1998 under the banner of Merrick and Rosso, later transitioning to the commercial station Nova 96.9 in 2001. There, he co-hosted the breakfast program alongside Katrina Blowers, Sami Lukis, and Kate Ritchie until his departure in 2009. He made a return to morning radio in late 2011 on Sydney’s Mix 106.5, partnering with comedian Claire Hooper.
By December 2012, Mix 106.5 replaced Ross and Hooper with a new breakfast lineup featuring Sami Lukis and Yumi Stynes. Subsequently, Ross shifted to hosting the drive-time slot on the Mix Network, working with anchor Matt Baseley.
Television
The initial television venture for Merrick and Rosso was Planet Merrick and Rosso, later renamed Super Planet Merrick and Rosso, broadcast on The Comedy Channel. In 2003, they made guest appearances on the popular Australian drama series All Saints. That same year marked the debut of their show Merrick and Rosso Unplanned on the Nine Network, followed by The B Team on Network Ten in 2005. Returning to The Comedy Channel in 2008, they hosted The Merrick & Rosso Show. In 2009, Ross took on a role as an entertainment correspondent for Nine’s Today program.
In 2010, Ross hosted Uncharted, a competition spotlighting unsigned bands on MTV Australia, and led the show Australia Versus aired by the Seven Network. The following year, he joined Weekend Sunrise as a Weekend All Star replacement for Paul Murray, while also presenting season three of No Leave, No Life. By 2012, Ross was a regular contributor to the entertainment platform Live4.
In 2016, Ross presented the two-part documentary series Streets of Your Town, focusing on Australian modernist architecture; it became ABC’s highest-rated arts program that year. Later, in 2021, he hosted Designing A Legacy, an hour-long ABC documentary exploring families shaped by landmark architectural works.
Architecture and design
Ross has transformed his interest in architecture into active participation at events such as The 50s and 60s House Symposium at the Museum of Sydney and Sydney Design Week. Additionally, he acts as an ambassador for Sydney Open. In 2012, he was appointed to the Creative Services Advisory Committee for Sydney Living Museums. His speaking engagements include appearances at the London Design Museum inauguration, delivering the Heritage Council Address in Melbourne (2018), and serving as keynote speaker at London’s Culture of Lates Symposium. In December 2018, he inaugurated the exhibition "Home: A Suburban Obsession" at Queensland’s State Library.
His written contributions on architectural topics have appeared in publications like Real Living, Habitus, The Saturday Paper, The Smith Journal, Qantas Magazine, and The Guardian.
In recognition of his efforts championing architecture, Ross was awarded the National President's Prize by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2019. His critically acclaimed ABC documentary series include Streets of Your Town (2016) and Designing A Legacy (2021).
Writing and Publishing
Ross released his second book, The Rumpus Room, in 2017, a collection of nostalgic short stories reflecting suburban Australian life from the 1960s through the 1980s.
In 2019, he collaborated with the National Archives of Australia to produce the coffee table book MOTEL – Images of Australia on Holidays. This launch was accompanied by a live performance alongside his close friend Kit Warhurst.
December 2021 saw the debut of Scorcher, a compilation of short stories themed around Australian summers during the 1970s and 1980s, which has since entered its second printing.
Personal Life
Ross is married to Michelle Glew-Ross and together they have two sons named Bugsy and Bobby.
Studio Albums
| Title | Details | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Choice Cuts (as Merrick and Rosso) |
|
- |
| From Us to Youse (as Merrick and Rosso) |
|
52 |
Video Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Live And Totally Wrong (as Merrick and Rosso) |
|
Singles
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| "Teenage Mullet Fury" (As Merrick and Rosso with The Echuca Moama Sound Machine) |
1998 |
ARIA Music Awards
Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards, organized by the Australian Recording Industry Association, have annually honored outstanding achievements in various Australian music categories.
! Year || Work || Category || Outcome || Ref. |- | 1999 || Teenage Mullet Fury || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Nominated || |- | 2003 || From Us to Youse || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Winner || |- | 2008 || Live and Totally Wrong! || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Nominated ||