Midday (Australian TV program)
- For the former Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television program of the same name see Midday (CBC).
- For the temporal concept, see noon.
Midday (commonly referred to as The Midday Show) was a television show that aired on Australia's Nine Network from 1985-1998. The show aired, like its title suggests, at noon on every weekday and was a 90 minute variety programme with international and local guests. It featured interviews, musical performances and comedy spots. The format of the show was similar to that of its predecessor The Mike Walsh Show which it replaced in the lunch time slot.
Ray Martin
Following Mike Walsh's resignation from The Mike Walsh Show, Ray Martin was appointed as his successor in 1985, despite only being known as a journalist from the Australian production of 60 Minutes. The program was re-titled to The Midday Show with Ray Martin, which was later shortened to Midday With Ray Martin, and finally Ray Martin at Midday in 1993. Although Ray was seen as a shock choice at the time of his appointment, he soon became very popular with housewives. During his time on the show, a highly publicised on-air scuffle took place in 1991 between former pop idol Normie Rowe and radio personality Ron Casey. While Martin was at the helm, members of the Midday on camera team included band leader Geoff Harvey; comedians Graham Pugh, Ross Daniels (actor), Ewan Campbell; trumpeter Bob Bouffler; and pre Big Brother (Australia) star Gretel Killeen. Ray remained as host until 1993, when he was moved to replace Mike Willessee as host of A Current Affair, which had seen a ratings decline over the previous year.
Derryn Hinch
Following Martin's departure to A Current Affair, Derryn Hinch was appointed as host shortly after being sacked from his self-titled current affairs program on the Ten Network. The show effectively reverted partially to its old title by becoming Midday With Derryn Hinch. This was seen by many as a shock decision, as Hinch had previously been known as a hard-hitting, outspoken personality. Many were therefore surprised to see him showing a softer side in his role as Midday host, but gradually-declining ratings over previous years saw the show axed at the end of 1994 (Derryn had offered to resign for the good of the show, but stated in interviews that Nine Network executives made it clear that it was the show that was being axed rather than the host).
Tracy Grimshaw and David Reyne
Following the announcement of the program's axing at the end of 1994, it had been stated that the show would be replaced by a new talk program. After a six-month absence, a lower-budget hour-long program using the Midday title began. In its new form, the show had a more generic feel to it, with no live band and none of the loose 'variety show' feeling of the program in its previous incarnation. Tracy Grimshaw and David Reyne were the hosts of this version, which only lasted six months before the program was again reformatted, effectively making it more reminscient of the Mike Walsh/Ray Martin eras.
Demise
The Midday Show ended in 1998, with an end to the career of Nine Network musical conductor stalwart Geoff Harvey. It was replaced with The Young and the Restless and other soap-style American shows. However, Kerri-Anne now hosts a morning show that was put up to give competition to Good Morning Australia, which has since been cancelled. This morning show is entitled Mornings with Kerri-Anne.