‘I walked off’: Sam Pang’s awkward celebrity encounter
Logies host Sam Pang recalls a recent run-in with an Australian acting legend, as he prepares to launch the biggest project of his career.
Stellar
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Normally reticent to talk about himself (unless it’s bragging about his golfing prowess), Sam Pang admits he was tempted to do a bit of shameless self-promotion at the AACTA Awards last month.
Surrounded by luminaries such as Russell Crowe, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, Henry Cavill and Robbie Williams, the wry comic contemplated sweet-talking them into appearing as guests for the inaugural season of Sam Pang Tonight.
He even made a beeline for Jack Thompson. “I introduced myself, said, ‘I’m a big fan’ and walked off,” Pang says with a laugh about how he lost his nerve to invite the esteemed actor on his new series.
“I had to be very careful about not just blatantly asking [any of] them to be on the show.”
For the first time in a career in which the 51-year-old comedian has excelled in ensembles, Pang is going solo.
“I’ve been very lucky,” he says of working as a panellist with host Tom Gleisner on Have You Been Paying Attention? and co-hosting AFL show The Front Bar with sports journalist Andy Maher and fellow comedian Mick Molloy.
“I haven’t had to do anything except sit there and not get in the way until now.”
When he launches his new prime-time talk-and-variety show this month, Pang will draw upon his mastery of deadpan delivery and clever ripostes, plus his experience on breakfast radio coaxing funny stories out of AFL footballers, Hollywood actors and reality TV stars.
Given Australia hasn’t had such a talk show since Rove McManus ended Rove Live in 2009, Pang believes the format is ripe for a revival.
“It’s not like we looked for a gap in the market or anything,” he says, shrugging.
“I’ve always wanted to do one. I don’t know why this country hasn’t had one [for so long]. It’s a bit like the Logies; I don’t know why they didn’t have a host for 12 years.”
Perhaps they were just waiting for the right emcee.
Because in the past two years, Pang managed to beat back the supposed curse of the Logies hosting gig, which many considered a poisoned chalice.
For Sam Pang Tonight, he is taking inspiration from his all-time favourite host, David Letterman, by opening with a monologue poking fun at the week’s events before interviewing a variety of guests.
The one thing his show won’t feature? “I had one idea of having a one-man band,” he says with a smirk.
“Like one of those buskers who’s got the drums and cymbals.
“But I don’t even think we’ve got the budget. So there’s no band and no sidekick.
“But [we have] the monologue, the desk, the [studio] audience – all those other familiar things.”
While veterans such as Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon have brought their own styles to the format, Pang says, “Hopefully, [mine is] slightly different because it’s 2025 and I’m hosting.”
One adjustment: he will focus on just two guests each week. “I see [Graham] Norton wrangle that show and I’m not sure I’m up to that,” Pang says of the Irish host’s tendency to crowd three or four big-name stars on the same couch at once.
Borrowing elements from other hosts he admires, Pang says he will mix guest interviews with funny segments and live crosses.
“I might do Ellen’s dancing,” he says with a chuckle, citing Ellen DeGeneres’ habit of opening her show by dancing through the audience.
“Or there’s Drew Barrymore: warmth and love,” he offers.
“You know, these are all things I’m not really known for, but I’m up for anything. We’ll see what works and what doesn’t.”
Sam Pang Tonight premieres at 8.40pm on March 17 on Network 10 and 10 Play. For more from Stellar and the podcast Something To Talk About, click here.
Originally published as ‘I walked off’: Sam Pang’s awkward celebrity encounter
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