Comedian Mick Molloy hits back at ‘reckless joke’ outrage ahead of The Front Bar Adelaide taping

Funnyman Mick Molloy has hit back at a “dumb and stupid” argument from an SA politician who criticised a “reckless joke” about smuggling fruit over the Victorian border.

Mick Molloy pictured in Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

One of Australia’s top comedians has hit back at a “dumb and stupid” argument from a state politician who criticised a “reckless joke” about smuggling fruit over the Victorian border for a major AFL event.

Cult Channel 7 footy show The Front Bar, and hosts Mick Molloy, 56, Andy Maher, 58, and Sam Pang, 49, will broadcast from Adelaide Oval next month to celebrate the first Gather Round.

But Molloy hit back on Thursday after he was accused in state parliament of a “reckless” joke to The Advertiser promoting the popular show’s first interstate taping about “bringing fruit over in my boot”.

Front Bar Show. Andy Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang outside The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

On his Sydney breakfast radio show on Thursday, Molloy refused to apologise “because it is a joke and I’m a comedian” as criticised the “dumb and stupid” argument from SA-Best Upper House MP Frank Pangallo.

He also praised Adelaide and that he “always had faith in you” after an Advertiser online poll (vote below) found three quarters of almost 900 votes backed him as making a joke.

He at first joked about asking Premier Peter Malinauskas for a “pardon” as he claimed SA “hates me” as part of a “payback” for our bid to “steal” the Sydney Cricket Ground New Year’s cricket test match.

“I’ve had no joy in this state,” he told his Triple M Sydney listeners from Melbourne.

“I think it was a quiet news day in Adelaide is my official comment.

“Look, you know what, I haven’t been there for a while. In fact I haven’t been there since the Crazy Horse (strip club) has closed down.

“Look if the weight of opinion in Adelaide is that they would not like me to attend, the (Front Bar) show won’t go.”

He added: “I find this a dumb and stupid argument. I don’t know if he (Mr Pangallo) is attention seeking and feels everyone out there is silly as he obviously is.

“But I’m happy not to distract from what should be a great weekend and a celebration of football. But I do find the whole thing a little stupid.

“Wouldn’t it be great to be deported, stopped at the border or turned around at the Airport – again.”

Strict laws ban most fresh fruit and vegetables from being brought into South Australia to protect the state’s $2bn horticulture industry from disease.

Any breaches risk a $409 fine.

Primary Industries biosecurity authorities last year fought several major fruit fly outbreaks.

After she ruled out contacting producers, Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven has been urged to intervene amid fears it may trigger a biosecurity alert.

Despite being a “regular” show viewer, former Seven Network journalist Mr Pangallo, criticised Molloy in parliament this week for his “lighthearted poke at our biosecurity border controls”.

Frank Pangallo MLC was not impressed with the gibe. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

“Mick can be a funny bloke, but it appears that he has dropped the ball as to the consequences of his reckless joke,” he told MPs.

“Should others take him literally and bring fruit in their car boots and expose our state to yet another costly fruit fly outbreak, which endangers the fruit fly free status.”

Calling for a “tongue in cheek” response, Mr Pangallo warned it would “no laughing matter if there’s a fruit fly outbreak as a result of carelessness by interstate visitors”.

“Jokes have backfired before,” he said outside parliament.

The show would not comment.

Clare Scriven in the Upper House. Picture: SA Parliament

But a source close to Molloy, renowned for his dark humour – such as joking about having SA arrest warrants – said: “Mick took a lighthearted approach to the trip over to SA due to the strict laws.

“He always provides something funny and a bit on the nose.”

The show was considering including the bizarre row in its Wednesday night episode, featuring former SA great Stephen Kernahan as guest.

The show, launched in 2016, attracts more than 351,000 viewers a week. Network officials say there has been “huge demand” for tickets to its SA show.

Ms Scriven told MPs on Tuesday the significance of any fruit fly outbreak was “huge”. But she declined to issue warnings on Wednesday after it was suggested she would contact the show.

“Having now seen the comments that Mick Molloy made, they are light hearted when viewed in context of a comedic sports-based talk show,” she said.

Fruit fly quarantine warning sign approaching the fruit fly inspection point near Blanchetown. Picture: Russell Millard

“I continue to encourage all residents and travellers to help protect SA from any further fruit fly outbreaks by checking for travel restrictions for fruit and vegetables before travelling.”

A Seven Network spokeswoman declined to comment.

Originally published as Comedian Mick Molloy hits back at ‘reckless joke’ outrage ahead of The Front Bar Adelaide taping