Daryl Somers plans 50th anniversary Hey Hey show for TV rival network

Hey Hey It’s Saturday funnyman John Blackman has revealed his favourite segments ahead of the iconic variety show’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Hey Hey It’s Saturday host and producer Daryl Somers.

Hey Hey It’s Saturday funnyman John Blackman has opened up about his favourite moments from the show ahead of plans for a 50th anniversary celebration.

Blackman, who did witty voiceovers for the variety show, and also played the Dickie Knee puppet character, said: “Way too many fave moments, and the ones that stand out for me are too hard to explain”.

But Blackman cited two segments — one where co-presenter Molloy Meldrum’s dog Ziggy attacked Dickie Knee on air, and another in which Australian film director Russell Mulcahy tried unsuccessfully to promote his killer pig movie

“If you look at these two segments, you’ll get some idea of the fun we had over 28 years,” Blackman said.

Livinia Nixon, Daryl Somers and Ossie Ostrich on the set of Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Picture: Channel 9

Mulcahy, fresh from shooting Elton John’s I’m Still Standing video clip, went on the show to promote his oinker horror flick Razorback

“Oh dear, what a boar,” Blackman said, later adding: “This won’t go over too well in South Caulfield.”

Mulcahy was asked if Australian pigs were used in his film, or if he imported an animal from abroad.

Blackman jokingly added: “Stick to Elton John clips”.

Blackman opened up about his favourite memories as Hey Hey host and producer Daryl Somers revealed plans for a 50th anniversary celebration show.

Last week, Somers put out a call on social media about “plans to celebrate” the iconic variety show, which aired on Channel Nine from October 1971 to November 1999.

Somers hosted and produced the show, alongside co-stars including Blackman, Meldrum, Red Symons, Russell Gilbert, Lavinia Nixon and Jo Beth Taylor.

However, Nine says it’s not airing Hey Hey’s 50th celebration show, with TV sources saying it may find a home at Seven, where Somers hosts Dancing With The Stars.

Somers wrote on Facebook: “As we approach the 50th anniversary of Hey Hey It’s Saturday, we will be letting you know our plans to celebrate the event.

“One thing I realise is that pretty much from day one, a significant portion of our show was generated by you, our loyal audience.

“Whether through (popular segments) ‘What Cheeses Me Orff’, ‘Phunny Fotos’, ‘Media Watch Press’, you provided us with fodder for fun.

“It’s only appropriate to keep that going for our 50th, so time to mine your memories and get your creative juices flowing,” Somers added.

“Tell us what you would like to see again from Hey Hey episodes from yesteryear or maybe you could suggest an idea for a segment in a celebratory show.”

Molly Meldrum and Daryl Somers on Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

Meldrum, who presented Molly’s Melodrama on Hey Hey from 1987 to 1999, told the Herald Sun: “I hope Daryl celebrates 50 years of Hey Hey with a lot of fun and laughs because that’s what the show was.

“I never dreamed I’d end up on Hey Hey,” Molly added. “I’d just come out of Countdown, and all I was doing there was, ‘Do yourself a favour’ and ‘um’ and ‘er.’ But the (Hey Hey) producers said: ‘We love what you do. You’re coming on our show.’

“Hey Hey gave me a whole new look at things, and it was just a fantastic experience.”

Meldrum said his favourite memory was the Ziggy versus Dickie incident.

Blackman gave Molly stick about the dog, but soon discovered Ziggy didn’t interact well with Dickie.

“That’s hoo-roo from the Guru,” Blackman announced after the segment. “And take that piece of s--- with you, as well.”

Meldrum laughed and said: “That launched Ziggy on his path to fame.”

Comedian Gilbert told the Herald Sun: “Who could believe it’s been 50 years? Hey Hey was a great show and I have lots of happy memories.

“My major role was to warm up the audience and entertain them during the break. I was lucky enough to travel with the gang around the world. Hey Hey opened a lot of doors for me.”

Cast of Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

Daryl Somers with puppet Ossie Ostrich.

It is believed Somers has started filming segments with key cast members for the 50th celebratory show.

Channel Seven “declined to comment on speculation we’re involved in a Hey Hey 50th anniversary special.”

But TV expert Colin Vickery said the show was worthy of celebration.

“In pandemic times, we all need a good laugh, and Hey Hey certainly provided a lot of those along the way. I think there is a hunger to get the gang back together again,” Vickery said.

“Hey Hey was a Saturday night ritual for a lot of people. Like Countdown, it became an intrinsic part of people’s lives. It showed new talent and gave Aussie stars a chance to shine.

“The thing is, TV networks never found an answer to Saturday nights after Channel 9 got rid of Hey Hey. Once Hey Hey ended, people more or less abandoned Saturday nights for watching television.”