Nova’s Kate, Tim and Joel: How Joel Creasey overcame listener backlash

Joel Creasey has opened up about the initial backlash he copped from Nova listeners when it was revealed he’d be replacing Marty Sheargold.

Joel Creasey has opened up about the initial backlash he copped from Nova listeners when it was announced he would be taking over from Marty Sheargold.

In an emotional segment on air in July, Sheargold told listeners he had decided to leave the number one FM drive show, Kate, Tim and Marty, because he had “outgrown” it. His last show was on September 11.

In August, Nova announced that Creasey would be joining the show from September 14 onwards.

Initially, Creasey’s appointment didn’t go down too well with some loyal listeners who bombarded the show’s Facebook site and Instagram account with negative comments.

The comedian addressed the backlash during his first week on air, saying: “The hate actually really makes me laugh.”

He then read out some of the mean comments he’d received, including: “Being told Marty is leaving and Joel Creasey is replacing him is like the doctor telling you that you may have cancer and then saying, ‘Yep, and it’s inoperable.’”

Nova’s Tim Blackwell, Kate Ritchie and Marty Sheargold. Picture: Ian Currie

The daunting task of filling the void left by Sheargold was made even more difficult for Creasey by the pandemic, which saw him having to broadcast the first three months of the show via Skype from Melbourne while Kate Ritchie and Tim Blackwell were based in Sydney.

Border closures meant he didn’t actually get to be in the same studio as his co-hosts until this week.

Speaking to news.com.au about the rocky start, Creasey said: “I was very grateful to have a job so I didn’t want to whinge, however it was incredibly tricky.

“Essentially I was online dating two people with a whole bunch of other people having an opinion on those dates,” he laughed. “So I now really know what it’s like to be a Married At First Sight contestant.”

Listeners have since warmed to Creasey if the comments on the shows’ social media accounts are anything to go by, with one Facebook fan writing: “Joel, you are awesome and a great addition to the team.”

Another added: “Missing the big Shiggs but Joel is smashing it outta the park.”

Kate, Tim and Joel met in studio for the first time this week.

BLACKWELL WAS NERVOUS ABOUT CREASEY’S SUDDEN START

It’s no secret that Blackwell and Sheargold are best mates, having been on air together since 2010. And Blackwell was happy to admit that he was nervous about inviting a new co-host into the show so quickly after Sheargold’s departure.

“We had our last show with my co-host of over 10 years and then had a weekend and then started a whole new show,” he told news.com.au.

“In a way I wasn’t really looking forward to that part. I was thinking, ‘This is a bit too soon.’ But now that we’re sitting here and it’s been such an enjoyable few months, it’s probably happened the best way. No chance to mourn, just bang, next!

“Most shows start fresh,” Blackwell continued. “Like, if you’re changing the drive show, it’s always replaced by a new drive show, so it’s kind of a strange experience for all of us in a way because we’re dealing with the people who have always been listening and trying to keep the popular parts of the show together as much as we can, while also putting a whole new spin on things, which I think has just come naturally.”

Kate, Tim and Joel host Nova’s national drive show.

Ritchie was full of praise for her new co-host, telling news.com.au: “This back end of the year has been so incredibly enjoyable.”

She added: “I think the fact that Joel had the chance to start in September has been a blessing, because I think what we’ll do now is head into our Christmas break and know that we’re coming back to a really solid, fun show.”

When news.com.au spoke to Ritchie in August, we asked her what she was going to miss most about Sheargold and what she wasn’t going to miss at all.

“I think one of the biggest changes will be the off-air chat and I think when speaking about the off-air chat, that probably covers both bases, the things I will miss and the things I won’t miss about Marty Sheargold,” she answered at the time.

So how has the off-air chat changed since Creasey entered the team?

“I am reading less magazines … so what does that say?” Ritchie laughed.

Kate, Tim & Joel air weekdays from 3-6pm on Nova. Also, Blackers has a new podcast called ‘Introducing with Tim Blackwell’ which launches on November 30