The Chaser boys hold no punches hosting Aussie radio’s night of nights

WHEN two stars of The Chaser took to the stage as hosts of last night’s ACRAs, they took swipes at everyone from Eddie McGuire to the Budgie Nine.

The Chaser stars Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen won plenty of laughs as hosts of the 2016 ACRA awards in Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Jarvie

IT’S Australian radio’s biggest — and unruliest — night of the year.

And the gloves were off when The Chaser stars Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen opened the Australian Commercial Radio Awards in Melbourne taking swipes at everyone from Eddie McGuire and Kyle Sandilands to Tara Brown and the Budgie Nine.

Triple M breakfast host Eddie McGuire was absent from the ceremony and copped the first punches.

“It’s a great year for equality,” the boys told the audience. “Eddie McGuire offended both blacks and women equally. The Donald Trump of Australian radio. No matter what he says it doesn’t hurt him.

“I felt a little bit sorry for Eddie McGuire over the Caroline Wilson saga. On one hand, what he said was very misogynist. And on the other hand, you could see it as very progressive. It’s the first time Triple M has even acknowledged the existence of a woman.”

Pointing out the lack of controversies in radio this year, Taylor and Hansen then took aim at an absent Kyle Sandilands.

“It’s a weird year when Kyle Sandilands behaves more morally than Tara Brown,” they told the audience, pointing out no one in radio had tried to “kidnap a child in Lebanon”.

“And it’s a really weird year when Kyle Sandilands speaks less offensively than Sonia Kruger.”

Nova’s Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold on the ACRAs red carpet. Picture: Andrew Jarvie

The nods to national controversies didn’t stop there, and it was almost expected Taylor and Hansen would skewer the so-called “Budgie Nine”.

Pointing out the divide in emotions Australians had about the controversy, the boys had their own predictions about what would happen when the Budgie Nine returned home.

“On one hand, a lot of Australians look at these guys and are like, ‘They’ve brought shame,’ slamming them as disrespectful idiots. But Triple M management looks at them and think, ‘We’ve found our new breakfast team’.”

Following Smooth FM’s surge in the ratings over the past 12 months, the boys joked, “Richard Wilkins was so happy he almost displayed an emotion”.

Conveniently, Taylor and Hansen kept their jokes for people who were out of the room. Mostly. They couldn’t help but get one tiny swipe in about former Bachelorette turned breakfast show host Sam Frost.

“There’s a brand new award this year — the lifetime achievement award, which of course honours a long standing radio veteran. Yes, this year the nominees are Dennis Walter and Sam Frost — so that one could really go either way.”

Nova’s Kate, Tim & Marty picked up the big award of the evening, nabbing the ACRA for Best On Air Team.

In her part of the acceptance speech, Kate Richie took the opportunity to poke fun at her co-hosts.

“I did want to say two things — (one), what a pleasure it is to work wit these two guys … oh sorry that’s actually not what I wanted to say at all,” she joked.

Kate, Tim and Marty took home the coveted gong for Best On Air Team. Picture: Andrew Jarvie

“The first thing I wanted to say is, ‘Hashtag Radio Is My Life’. Thank you to all of the wonderful people we work with every day. I don’t know anything about radio but what I do know is the show we make every day is the radio show I want to make.”

Showing the chemistry that’s made the team so successful, Richie ended with another joke at the expense of her co-hosts.

“The other thing is, this trophy needs to go home with one of these two boys because I have loads of awards at home anyway,” she said to applause from the audience.

“To have this award with not only two of the greatest people in the radio industry — but two people I’d count as such dear friends — is actually the most incredible moment in the world,” Tim Blackwell added.

And Marty Sheargold was more frank.

“It’s a wonderful night. Obviously I’ve had a couple of fights with a few of you over the years. But that’s not what tonight’s about,” he deadpanned.

Beginning at the start of 2014, Kate, Tim & Marty have become Australia’s number one drive show and won the ACRA for Best Networked Program last year.

ACRA AWARDS WINNERS AND LOSERS:

BEST ON-AIR TEAM — METRO FM

Kate, Tim & Marty; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST ON-AIR TEAM — METRO AM

Nights with Steve Price; Steve Price & Andrew Bolt, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL

Chris & Juelz; Chris Sewell & Juelz Jarry, Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Mike E & Emma; Michael Etheridge & Emma Chow, The Edge, Western Sydney, NSW Australian Radio Network P

BEST ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC PRESENTER

Andy Young; Eagle FM, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C

Dave Rabbetts; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P

Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small; Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST TALK PRESENTER

Kate Vincent-O’Bree; 2BS Gold, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C

Brian Carlton; LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters P

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER

Stephen Cenatiempo; 2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters NM

Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER

Nathan Dell; Zinc 96, Gympie QLD, Grant Broadcasters C

Tom King; K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Tim Lane; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM

The Morning Rush; Jon Vertigan, Maria Foundas & Richard Kew, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Tasmania Talks; Brian Carlton, Grant Broadcasters P

The Hamish & Andy Show; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM

My Generation; Authentic Entertainment

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

hit104.7 Launch; Zak Davies, hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM

Hamish & Andy Return; Nikki Clarkson & Adam Bower, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

Embedded Devices in a Broadcasting Environment; Daniel Jackson & Ryland Sandison, Southern Cross Austereo

BRIAN WHITE MEMORIAL

Lisa Barnes; 6PR, Perth WA, Macquarie Media Limited

BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR

Peter Samios; Star FM, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Amanda Angiolino; Star FM, Warragul VIC, Southern Cross Austereo P

Sam Pang; Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE

Geelong v Hawthorn — Welcome to the Danger Zone; The K Rock Football Commentary Team, K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM

2015 AFL Grand Final; Triple M Footy, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL

Lois Chislet; 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Rod McLeod; Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

BEST NEWS PRESENTER — METRO FM

Ange Anderson; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER — METRO AM

Anne Stone; FIVEaa, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT

Kinderling Kids Radio; Evan Kaldor, Patrick Joyce, Lorna Clarkson, Tim Ritchie, Kylie Little, Shevonne Hunt, Sally Knight, Jason Treuen, Max Gosford, Melanie Valkenburg, Southern Cross Austereo

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT

Tantrum Song; Jon Vertigan, Maria Foundas & Richard Kew, 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Adele Phone Call; Adam Barratt, Sea FM, Maroochydore QLD, EON Broadcasting P

Avocado; Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang & Jonathan Brown, Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER — ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC

Nicole Levey; Tanya & Steve for Breakfast, KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM

Nic McClure; The Kyle & Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER — TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS

Melissa Mobbs; Tasmania Talks, LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters NM

Harriet Glenn; The Ben Fordham Show, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

Gemma Maddox; Max FM, Taree NSW, Super Radio Network C

Dan Hill; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Georgina Ingham-Myers; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR

Justin Williams; 102.9 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot Tomato NM

Natali Brabant; KIIS 101.1, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Michael Moffett; 2CS FM & Star FM, Coffs Harbour NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Leigh Kuhlmann; K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Peter Clay; smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST DOCUMENTARY

What Is It Like?; Kristen Henry, Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM

Modern Warrior; Merrick Watts, Triple M Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION

Troy McInnes & Brendan Egan; Zinc 96, Gympie QLD, Grant Broadcasters C

Matt Innes; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Darcy Milne; Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL

David Bowie Tribute Special; George Mihalos, 2XL, Jindabyne NSW, Capital Radio Network C

Back To The Future Day; Drew Chapman & Mark Hales, River 94.9, Ipswich QLD, Grant Broadcasters P

Top 500 Smooth Favourites Countdown; David Campbell, Peter Clay, Anna Crotti, Glenn Daniel, Simon Diaz, Melissa Doyle, Travis Evans, Ty Frost, Jennifer Hansen, Kate Mason, Georgie Page, Mike Perso, Lauren Saylor, Bogart Torelli, Byron Webb & Richard Wilkins, smoothfm, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT

KOFM Sales Team; KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM

ARN Adelaide Agency Sales; ARN Adelaide, Adelaide SA, Australian Radio Network M

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON

Natalia Papas; Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON

Kristy Cooper; 2DU, Dubbo NSW, Super Radio Network C

Casey Gould; KOFM & NXFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P

Brendan Blatt; Fox FM & Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL — SINGLE

Everything Goes With Eggs; Chris Mueller & Dalwinder Nijjar, 5RM, Riverland SA, Grant Broadcasters C

Dad’s Taxi; Ryan Musgrave & Chris Crickmay, Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Great Scott; Jonathan Williams & Chris Gates, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL — CAMPAIGN

Spot-Go; Cameron Horn & Anna Cook, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM

We Don’t Do Husbands; Matt Dickson, Mix 94.5, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SALES PROMOTION

The Running Of The Brides; Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C

Carl’s Junior Store Opening; Alana Hall, Cameron Horn & Renee Franckiewicz, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P

MLA — Operation Boomerang; Andy Milne, Jessica Roach, Eve Crawshaw, Ashley Minchin, Carlie Millican, Shaun Heron, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION — SALES

Kyle & Jackie O’s Haunted House; KIIS 1065 Campaigns & Content Team, KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION — STATION

Rescue With Heart; Heart 107.3, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo NM

The Ed Sheeran $2 Peep Show Experiment; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PROMOTION

The Zinc Alice Cooper Golf Day; Cassy Small, Zinc 96, Maroochydore QLD, Grant Broadcasters C

Bay 93.9 Sitar Hero; Bay 93.9, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

The Race That Slows Down The Nation; The Hamish & Andy Show, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Wimmera Health Care Group Telethon; Emma Elsom & Mark Sulic, 3WM, Horsham VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

i98FM’s Camp Quality Convoy; i98 Convoy Team, i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN P

Radiothon 2015; 2UE, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR

Alexis LeMasson; 2BS Gold & B-Rock FM, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C

Nikolina Koveska; The Edge, Katoomba NSW, Australian Radio Network P

Jack Charles; Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M