Desperately seeking Barbara
Dr Mumbo loves nothing more than a good talk back radio call and this one between ‘Barbara’ and Sydney’s king of breakfast radio Alan Jones certainly delivers in spades.
Barbara rang Jones yesterday morning to complain about people booing conservatives Tony Abbott and John Howard at the memorial to former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, but the call quickly moved on to a rant over a right-wingers checklist, including dole bludgers, the need to bomb the left wing sides of town, how Clive Palmer needed to lose some weight and her struggles with her cat.
After a hilarious four minutes Jones, clearly realising it was a prank, even asked her to stay on the line so they could get her number and make her their “regular social commentator”.
Since the call emerged online yesterday it has had more than 19,000 listens on Sound Cloud and now the question everyone wants to know is who was ‘Barbara’?
ABC boss Mark Scott tweeted:
While Media Watch host Paul Barry (tongue-firmly-in-cheek we presume) offer a cash reward:
Dr Mumbo also notes that today’s SMH carries an appeal asking ‘Barbara’ to come forward.
Among the theories being floated are that the caller was actor Bryan Wiseman, who apparently specialises in older female voices, or comedienne Andrea Powell who plays “Australia’s favourite octogenarian” Ethel Chop.
You can see Ethel in full flight here.
Dr Mumbo isn’t sure who is it but for his money it is four of the most entertaining minutes of talkback you will hear this year.
