Myf Warhurst has spilt the behind-the-scenes secrets to a new Spicks and Specks special

The horror of 2020 is about to get better with tonight’s Spicks and Specks special. And Myf Warhurst is spilling the tea for super fans.

Myf Warhurst will let you in on a Spicks and Specks secret.

Substitute is the only segment of the acclaimed musical game show where the guest in the hot seat – or rather, on the hot mic – is given the questions, answers and time to rehearse.

Typically a singer from each team has to sing three well-known tunes but instead of the lyrics, they must substitute words from a different text, with hilarious effect.

Over the Adam Hills-hosted show’s seven seasons, books have included the Datsun 180B Service Manual, the 2004 Australian Government Tax Pack and A Guide to Yabbie Farming.

Warhurst has performed the role twice during the show’s history, and in both instances she reveals she was consumed with nerves before her “performance.”

“That is the one game you get to practise, the singer knows the songs, because it’s really hard,” Warhurst tells The BINGE Guide.

Beloved … Spicks and Specks star Myf Warhurst returns for the show’s latest special Picture- Nicole Cleary

“There’s so many things that can go wrong if you get your rhythm wrong with the words. And the worst bit is you wait for the whole show before you get to do it. All you can think about is ‘I’ve got to sing!’”

Nerves aside, the formula for this must-watch series remains irresistible to ABC programmers, who convinced the original cast to return for a series of specials – kicking off with a reunion show in November 2018, which proved to be the ABC’s highest ratings show that year.

That rolled into four more specials from November 2019, themed by decade, with the 2010s explored for the final episode tonight.

Call it the only silver lining of 2020, but fans were given a much-needed boost to their spirits when the ABC revealed a more permanent return for the show in its 2021 calendar.

Warhurst says the havoc wrought on everyone’s plans this year opened the door to the return of Spicks and Specks for a 10-episode season next year.

“I don’t know if a new season was in the back of our minds when we got back together to do the specials,” she says.

Double act … Zan Rowe and Myf Warhurst work together on the Bang On podcast Picture: Instagram

“When we did it, we all felt ‘how many opportunities do you get to work on telly and it’s that much fun and you actually like everybody you work with and have a ball?’

She adds: “the one good thing that came out of COVID was Hillsy was supposed to be hosting the Paralympics for ITV and he was back in Australia when that got cancelled, which is obviously terrible for all of them; but it freed up his time to do a new series.”

Like all great game shows, Spicks and Specks struck a chord with its fast-paced segments which naturally engaged viewers in playing along from the comfort of their couches.

Its unique combination of guests, musicians and comedians, added to the feel-good factor and while nobody ever really cared which team won, Warhurst says her natural competitiveness always came to the fore in the rapid-fire Final Countdown quiz at the end of each episode.

She says guests can’t help themselves either, throwing themselves into the battle for trivia supremacy (particularly Vance Joy, Kate Miller-Heidke, Claire Hooper and Luke McGregor in the tonight’s special).

“When we were doing the first series,” she says, “I lost a lot because [rival team leader] Alan [Brough] has a phenomenal brain and I used to get a bit ‘Oh, what’s wrong with me?’ Why aren’t I as smart as Alan?” she says, laughing.

“Now I don’t care as much but I am competitive AF when it comes to the game, especially when it gets to that final round. We give it a good crack, we’re not mucking around. In the new series, I played hard … you can’t help it.”

Gang’s all here … Myf Warhurst, Adam Hills and Alan Brough reunite for a Spicks and Specks special Picture: Supplied/ABC

When they filmed the new series of 10 episodes (set to air in 2021) during lockdown, Warhurst was shocked to discover the show’s intergenerational appeal and the appetite for its repeat screenings on ABC Comedy.

Award-winning songwriter Alice Skye, who features on the new Midnight Oil album The Makarrata Project and appears on an upcoming episode, told Warhurst she’s been “playing Spicks and Specks since she was two-years-old.”

“She said being on the show was a full circle moment for her because she had been playing it since she was a kid. That made me feel so old!” Warhurst laughs.

“Most of the younger artists we have on the show now have grown up watching it.”

Filming the new series during the pandemic lockdown proved to be an unexpected lifeline not only for television workers but musicians and comedians who lost income because of the restrictions on live entertainment.

A grateful Warhurst has been a vocal champion for arts workers during the lockdowns, advocating for those who had fallen through the cracks of the government support packages and championing fundraising for Support Act and other organisations helping them to get through the crisis with financial and mental health initiatives.

It has become a deeply personal cause for her after the loss of her former partner, respected musician Mike Noga in August.

“Losing Mike this year was just devastating, it just breaks my heart for his beautiful family,” she says. “If anything, I’ve come through this rollercoaster of a year to appreciate everything I have and value it more. The music industry was one of the first to be decimated (by the pandemic) and will be one of the last to get back on its feet and we really have to look at how we support artists better,” Wahurst argues.

“During COVID, we all enjoyed the work of artists, that kept us sane, and the level of disrespect shown to creative people in terms of understanding of their role and financially what they bring to the entire community – it brings in billions of dollars – makes me furious.

They contribute to our mental health and I feel quite motivated to stick up for them a hell of a lot more when politicians seem to think they are not important.”

* Spicks and Specks airs 7.40pm tonight, ABC.