Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Fifteen Minutes of Fame Part 5

That's All Folks!

The credits rolled and inside the studio the lighting changed so that people could find their way out. The majority of the cast moved towards the audience to answer any questions and smile in photographs. Daryl made his way around to me and shook my hand and said that he hoped I enjoyed the night. I certainly had. People stood to make their way to the exit and I headed over towards that vinyl seat that had caused all this and to my friends in the front row. I must say when I finally arrived home an hour or so later, I had expected a few messages on my answering machine, but not one person had phoned. Had no one seen me on television?

The following Monday morning I left my house to walk to the train station to catch the 7:48am to the city. It was a cool morning but the sun was shining which felt nice. I bought my usual paper from the shop just one block from the station and as I was walking back out the door the owner stopped me.

'Excuse me', he called out, 'you were on Hey Hey it's Saturday weren't you?'

The gentleman called out to his wife through the doorway to their adjoining house saying she should come quick! As she did to see what was happening the man pointed at me and said, 'see I told you it was him, he was on Hey Hey it's Saturday.'

I was amused by the excitement. I saw this guy every day and although we were always pleasant towards each other, we had never really said anything more than 'good morning!'

The train carriage I boarded was three quarters full. I stood near the doorway as usual to read my paper standing and I heard school children on the seats in front of me giggling, the Saturday evening show was mentioned in their conversation. I glanced over the corner of my paper and several of the adults sitting near these children were looking at me and smiling. It felt quite unusual. It was unusual. I was starting to wonder if I was imagining all of this but as I walked towards the bank where I worked, two young men in suits walked passed me on the street. About ten paces behind me one of them called out in a loud voice, 'Hey mate', I turned, 'you were on Hey Hey it's Saturday!' I laughed, nodded and continued walking.

At the bank I found myself working a nine to five job, until now I had always been a shift worker. My routine from Monday to Friday would normally include stopping at the café opposite the Bank of Melbourne to get breakfast and a coffee before I actually started for the day. The female staff behind the counter had been waiting for me to appear which was when I realised my morning routine was in fact very routine. I was greeted with little claps of applause from the ladies and confused looks from other customers standing my side of the counter. The experience was becoming a little odd!

At the bank the mood changed however. None of the other three staff in our small branch had seen the show. It stayed that way for half an hour until someone opened the doors and let our customers in. The very first person that stood in front of me to complete a transaction greeted me with the words, 'Hey Hey I'd like to make a withdrawal thanks!' The comments would continue from different people throughout my day and eventually the staff was asking me what was going on.

I had enjoyed my time in the spotlight and eventually my fame fizzled into obscurity. I had only been a part of one episode but in the preceding weeks had tasted an aperitif of celebrity. It had been fun. I now look at it as if somewhere in the analogues of Hey Hey it's Saturday's esteemed television history; I played a very small part.

Just over twelve months after that show, the curtain came down on Hey Hey it's Saturday! One Australian newspaper called it the death of variety television in this country. Many people were saddened hearing the news of the show's axing and the public response was more than what I believe the Nine Network anticipated. Hey Hey it's Saturday had made a huge impact within the Australian psyche over nearly 30 years and the following year it would not return!

During Hey Hey's last telecast many famous Australians and international celebrities recorded announcements to be aired. Jim Waley, the networks anchor for Nightline said,

'Good evening Daryl. Three decades of delivering unique entertaining television, what an achievement. You, Blackman, Dickie Knee and the whole crazy gang, will surely be missed. Leave them laughing Daryl, who knows who will be left with red faces.'

Daryl himself had said at the start of the final show that they had known this day would finally come; pleasantly it had taken 28 years to happen. Ironically the night before, Daryl Somers had been awarded the People's Choice award for most popular comedy/light entertainment personality on Australian television.

As Daryl, holding back tears and probably living one of those surreal moments in life said goodbye to the audience on his last show, people across the country had lumps in their throats. For those who had been fans of Hey Hey it's Saturday it was the end of an era.

Sombrely and for the last time the voice over man said ...

'Hey Hey was a Somers Carroll production for the Nine Network Australia,

that's all folks!,

thank you and goodbye.'

Beautiful.

Then the cast and crew, past and present, went off to have one heck of a party!

Thanks Hey Hey!

October 6th, 2001 would have marked Hey Hey it's Saturdays 30th anniversary.

The day just happened to be a Saturday.

 

World Wide Web.

Today, Hey Hey it's Saturday can be found actively posting on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Heyhey.tv and elsewhere. Google the show and follow the links to 28 years of wonderful Australian television.

Thank you cast and crew of  Hey Hey it's Saturday.

...for those of you who have fond memories of this show,

and I love to hear all about them,

please leave your comments here ...

http://www.facebook.com/fifteenminutesoffame

http://www.facebook.com/heyheyitssaturday

http://www.youtube.com/jonesytv

oh and also ...

http://twitter.com/jonesyOz

And THANK YOU for reading my little book.

Comments and/or ratings appreciated!