For Molly’s sake, call an end to this sad countdown

It’s time we all acknowledged the elephant in the room for Molly’s sake, writes former TV columnist and editor Debbie Schipp.

It’s a sad countdown: the one where the world waits for someone close to Molly Meldrum to save him from himself.

And it’s time that countdown ended.

At 80 years old, Australia’s music icon has become a sad parody of himself.

And it seems few are quite game enough to say it out loud, much less take control of what appears to be a car-crash situation sadly playing out publicly on the world stage.

Footage which emerged overnight of the legendary presenter and music critic appearing to expose himself before urinating on the floor at a Rod Stewart concert is as saddening as it is sickening.

And it comes just two months after Molly bared his bum to moon the crowd at an Elton John concert, then apologised.

On Tuesday, Molly has again apologised, with a spokesperson telling the Herald Sun the music legend was “embarrassed” and “sorry” about the incident.

Molly Meldrum celebrates his 80th birthday with a private party at the The Prince Hotel in St Kilda. Picture: Tony Gough

“Molly is embarrassed and of course sorry. He has given so much. He needs our love and support,” he said.

It’s a familiar tune. And it’s on repeat.

The spokesperson said there’s a “dedicated and wonderful team” of people that care for Molly but “unfortunately you can’t control everything or see everything no matter how dedicated you are or vigilant you are.”

That is no doubt true — Molly has always been a person who is easy to love.

The Australian Music Vault marks Molly Meldrum's 80th Birthday earlier this year. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But the fact is, many who have lauded and supported him have also for years seemingly turned a blind eye as the poor man deteriorated.

The fact is, Molly has an acquired brain injury and has had for years — since 2011 when he had a bad fall from a ladder.

Back then, friends, fans, connections and entertainment industry heavyweights were just desperate for him to just be OK. Because for a while there was a very distinct and very horrible chance we would lose him.

So when he returned, a little more frail, a little more offbeat, he was indulged at rambling awards night appearances and booked in happily for new gigs, even as the whispers acknowledged he perhaps wasn’t quite himself. Nah, we reassured ourselves. It’s just Molly.

It was complicated by Molly assuring all and sundry he was fine and continuing to fulfil media and big show commitments.

In another life as a TV columnist and editor, this journalist had the pleasure of being up close with the magic of Molly but also the uncomfortable feeling in later years that nobody would mention the elephant in the room.

Screen grabs of Samuel Johnson being presented with a gold hat from Molly Meldrum at the 2017 Logie awards. Picture: Nine

In the ensuing years, the scenario has become a sad case of the emperor has no clothes — many around Molly knowing he shouldn’t be left to his own devices but unable to truly protect an always-irrepressible icon.

Others have quietly reassured outsiders it’s all fine, leaving a much-loved character at risk.

Call it out, like actor Samuel Johnson, (whose portrayal of Molly in the miniseries of the same name won him a Gold Logie in 2017, only to see Meldrum crash the presentation and deliver a rambling speech) did and others did after the Elton John incident, and you’re pilloried by some of his supporters, who protectively say the whole situation shouldn’t be talked about publicly.

Thing is, these things are happening publicly — way too often to any longer turn a blind eye. And Molly, in hindsight, cringes in embarrassment.

“Do yourself a favour” was a Meldrum catchcry in his heyday when he’d recommend a listen of the latest song to his adoring audience.

It’s time those we did Molly a favour and intervened with enhanced supervision, support and guidance. I’m not saying remove him from the public eye. Just protect him better from it.

This has gone way, way beyond an eccentric, offbeat, larger-than-life icon doing things his way.

Instead of attacking people for telling the sad stories, we should be helping Molly avoid becoming them.

We all owe the national treasure that is Molly and the legacy he has spent a lifetime building, more than that.