Zach Mander has been one half of the duo Zach and Dom, who used to be on B105 and then KIIS, until they joined the many unfortunate souls who were thrown overboard to keep the Kyle and Jackie O boat afloat.
Mander has recently been heard as one of the “various presenters” filling in on ABC Brisbane — in this case on the Evenings show normally hosted by Kelly Higgins-Devine.
I listened on Thursday night, and he seemed to cope quite well within the format of the program, which is very different to what he has done on commercial FM. He was chirpy and likeable, and apparently across his brief.
Here’s his opening break:
My only complaint is aimed at the ABC and its website, which didn’t tell me who he was or what he looked like. How hard is it to type a name and to take and post a photo? Even if you have to do it a few times.
Instead, we got this…
This extended to the pre-recorded station IDs, which were still Higgins-Devine’s, meaning Mander had to point out after each one that he was not her.
If they didn’t think it worth making one just for him, they could at least have a generic one saying it’s Kelly Higgins-Devine’s show rather than it actually being her. That would make for a more natural follow up from the person actually in the chair.
In any case, my insider at Aunty was delighted that Mander was getting a go, saying: “This is exactly what ABC Brisbane needs to be doing! Succession planning.”
Bjorn Again again
I interviewed Bjorn Again in 1989 or 1990. Back then, it was a franchise with three groups on the road.
I’m not sure how many of them are now, but I’m pretty sure it’s not the original line-up — unless they’ve done what ABBA did and they now perform as holograms.
Anyway, the are playing at QPAC in August, with tickets going on sale today. In keeping with the faceless theme, here’s what they look like from behind:
If you like Mister Brisbane, you can buy me a coffee. Or become a paid subscriber…
Double dipping
Hamish & Andy, who had the sense years ago to get out of Breakfast radio and into podcasting (and many other ventures), have launched what a media release calls “ their next big audio adventure: a new feed, Hamish & Andy Plus +, now available to stream on LiSTNR”.
Hamish Blake said: “Everyone is doing ‘plus’ — Apple TV+, Disney+, 7PLUS — which naturally prompted the question: can we do one better? As it turns out, we can… by adding another plus.”
The media release continues that Hamish & Andy Plus + “will house all the complimentary projects from the duo that sit outside the main podcast, giving listeners even more from the record-breaking team. The new podcast feed launches with their brand-new game show Quizmas Time with Hamish & Andy.”
This should be bigger than Hubbl. (If you don’t know, Google it.)
P.S.
Congratulations to Brisbane 9News reporter Lily Greer, who has been named the network’s latest US correspondent. She’s probably going through her social media posts right now…
Disclosure: Brett Debritz used to work in radio and newspapers and knows enough about websites to create and post a picture and a brief bio in next to no time. It’s all about the full audience experience, innit?