Merrick’s time may be up
Last week’s ratings saw a slump for Nova’s new breakfast show featuring Merrick Watts with Scott Dooley and Ricki-Lee Coulter compared to the previous Merrick & Rosso and Kate Ritchie version. In this guest posting, Simon Corbett argues that it’s time for Merrick to call it a day.
There is a wonderful line spoken by Morgan Freeman in the movie ‘Million Dollar Baby’ when he talks of the end of his boxing career “Everybody’s got a particular number of fights in them – nobody tells you what that number is.”
For him, as for so many boxers, the number of fights he had in him was one less than the number of times he fought. He didn’t know when to call it a day, and he paid a brutal price for it.
I want to have this chat to Merrick Watts.
I am not a big commercial radio listener, truth be told. But I often caught snippets of Merrick & Rosso on Nova969 and to my mind they were a pretty good double act and a good comic foil for each other. They also MC’d at the Photon Awards a couple of years ago and they were genuinely funny – more so for the interactions between them than the scripted jokes but funny nevertheless.
For many people, Merrick especially I suspect, there must have been concerns around the potential for the post-Rosso morning show to continue in the same comic vein.
But surely they couldn’t have imagined it would be quite as dreadful as it is.
The forced hilarity…the awkward pauses…the sheer desperation that leaks out of the speakers truly makes me cringe. It is almost unlistenable – not because it is so unfunny but because it is just so, well, sad I guess. Mostly of course I cringe for Merrick Watts who must know surely with every bone in his body that it just isn’t happening.
Or does he? Are some thoughts too hard to think?
I wonder whether we are we capable of such painfully honest self appraisal. Are we brave enough to tap ourselves on the shoulder and say “it’s time to give it away mate”?
Or do we need that trusted friend or partner to be the voice of reason, to say the one thing to us that we are unable to say to ourselves.
I am sure that everyone reading this prides themselves on a certain level of self confidence and ‘can-do / never say die’ attitude. To get anywhere in the super competitive industries that we work you have to. And surely you have to underpin a solid level of self belief with a reasonable sense of denial to the naysayers who say things can’t be done. That’s all well and good. But is it possible to ring fence those great qualities and be able to take a long hard look at yourself and the job you’re doing and be able to recognise and accept that it just isn’t working anymore?
Where’s the line between giving up and wising up?
I want to reach out through the radio and tap Merrick kindly on the shoulder and say: “It’s time mate… it’s time.”
- Simon Corbett is managing partner at Photon styrategy agency Bellamy Hayden
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Disagree completely- with the exception of Ricki-Lee who definitely has no voice or talent for radio, Dools and Merrick have a great banter that stems from their friendship and works really well.
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I agree with Julia, it might not be as good as last year but it’s still better than the other breakfast shows, also give them a chance that type of comical relationship isn’t built in weeks.
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I remember when Shane Warne retired, he said that a friend had said to him that you want people to say “why did he retire”, rather than “why didn’t he…”. I think when hearing Rosso was calling it quits last year, we all felt a little sad and a bit “why did he/ why now” and I think sadly Mez will get the “why didn’t he…” sentiment. Totally agree with your opinion. Would much rather see Merrick go out on a high (if it’s not too late!)
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@ Simon – If you’re not a big commercial radio listener then why are you commenting at all? What about the other DJs who received even lower numbers than Nova? Maybe you have any other career advice for Mr. Watts post-radio.
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Look i don’t really think they are as bad as you make out, i think there is a lot of fun spontenaeity and Merrick has always used “awkwardness” as part of his comic routine anyway. i still think they are the best team on breakfast radio and honestly doubt that Simon is part of the target demographic anyway…
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I must say I have never thought Merrick was funny, Rosso was quick and witty and carried a large part of the show, Merrick alwasy seemed to like the boy at school who was desperatley trying to be funny but never was…………just boorish and foolish…….Kate certainly saw the wriitng on the wall…………
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it’s time to go – Merrick et al!!!
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Agree with the article, there’s no amount of money possible that could persuade me to listen to Ricky Lee let alone Merrick without Rosso, plus with Tom and Alex now on Triple J breakfast really hope people are switching dials over to them.
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I agree with you Simon on this and the people who are stating you have no idea, actually have no idea. If they were a good team they wouldn’t have lost 40% of their listeners in survey 1.
Call it quits now Merrick…you don’t need to prove anything to anyone.
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Corbett: I think your a bit hasty mate. A couple of wrong moves is not the end of a career. I think we all know that by now. Dools and Merrick are both talents in a B’fast radio pool sadly lacking.
Julia: Spot on. she’s a nightmare.
Patrick: because this is a forum for opinion. I think it says that somewhere.
Da Mitchel: Kate WAS the writing on the wall.
That’s my 10 cents.
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Maybe the flaw is in the measurement.
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nah, the flaw is in ricki-lee
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I listen to commercial radio, however I have got to say that I completely agree with Simon. When Rosso & Kate Richie were still there it would always be a struggle between who to listen to – Nova or Today FM…. Now I definitely don’t have a struggle. It’s always on Today FM unless they’re playing a crap song.
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I’d rather listen to Kevin Rudd scull laxatives and sing Susan Boyle’s entire album out of his rear end than Kyle and Jacki-o’s breakfast program.
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Merrick and Dools actually make a great team but the bad decision was Ricki Lee. It’s obvious she and the Nova team are wanting a Kate Ritchie repeat performance. When Kate started she was only known as the ‘Home and Away’ girl and most people didn’t have an opinion on and didnt know much about her outside of her Sally character. By the end of her time at Nova she was the face of many brands, Sydney had warmed to her and she carried her own against the other boys which I am sure saw an increase of female listeners to Nova.
Ricki Lee is only known as the Australian Idol girl and no one had or still does have an opinion on her. The problem with her is she has not had enough experience in the media/ents industry and its obvious when she is ‘ star struck’ with guests and can’t offer anything substantial to interviews.
Throw another girl in the mix and I bet Nova will see a ratings increase.
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I’d lke to see the Merrick / Dools and K Rudd Laxative option. Now that’s a start to the day
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Hi Simon, Merrick here.
I have read your comments about the breakfast show and I am sorry that for you it is not what it once was when you occasionally listened to it irregularly some time ago in the distant past. The change must be hurtful and I apologize for the shock.
Mate, please feel free to indeed “ reach out “ to me and tell me what is on your mind. 13 24 10. You could win tickets to see Lady Ga Ga.
Cheers mate.
Mez.
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Classic Mez!
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I’m in Melbourne so cant comment on how it sounds, but just look at the station shares, all over the joint like a mad womans dung. Nightmare for media planners, or whatever they call themselves now.
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Agree with others that say Ricki Lee is the weakest link in this chain. Nice enough girl but she’s not exactly playing to her strengths.
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Mez, you’re awesome. I think you need to give Luke a job on radio. He had me laughing out loud!!!
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I agree with Rob. Hire Luke.
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settle down everyone – a new show takes time…when merrick and rosso started on triple J they were clunky and not the brilliant talent they became but unless you consider maths jokes funny, or abuse of retarded listeners funny so on and so on then clearly Merrick is the funniest bastard on radio But really who cares about radio when Thom York has a new song out called Pigs Ear which you’ll probably not even hear on radio for 100 years……when some washed up public servant at Triple J figures out its been in their desk for weeks but that they forgot to add it because they have been too busy unearthing mediocre australian bands….its all about the internet…..you bunch of old, boring, self opinionated media muppets. Except you of course tim. You are handsome and funny also.
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OK some-ones done a Kyle Sandilands and taken themselves, and the issue too seriously…
The reason Nova is so enjoyable is because it is light hearted and Doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Chill out, dial 96.9 and find a little enjoyment in life.
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ABC continuous news radio all the way! Not as stiff as you might think and often witty. Genuinely funnier than any commercial radio station.
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Mez i phoned 132410 but only got hold of someone / something called a ‘Whipper’.
I’m unsure if that is a legitimate comedy radio nickname (Dools, Whipper…Elmo?) or you set me up and I just phoned a brothel.
I’d would sincerely love to chat to you about it if are up for it. The thrust of my article was obviously that you must know that it just isn’t happening on the show. I would love to hear straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
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When you ask people to remember their past listening of radio in 15 minute increments for the past week, is it any surprise listening figures jump about like mad?
Bit early to draw any conclusions other than what we have here is a completely outdated system of audience measurement
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I reckon theyre pretty funny, and Merrick is still funny, though not as funny as when he was with Rosso, but it takes time to ease into this kind of ‘comedy duo’ show. Ricki-Lee needs not be there. And as a Triple J listener Dools was funny when he had the drive time arvo show with Linda Marigliano. I switched to Nova because the Triple J morning show just isnt that funny and I get my fair share of cackles on my drive to work when listening to Merrick and Dools.
Give ’em a go and keep ’em on I say.
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Oh and can I say that the other bloody piece of crap show on 2Day FM should be the one to be scrapped. They rely on ‘celebrities’ and ‘special guests’ to hold the show up… the two baboons that talk arent even worth the gunk in my ears BTW.
But Hamish and Andy… Love ’em.
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@Simon. Why would Mez chat to you?? Do you think he would really believe you can help him or will you simply reassert your opinions? I’m just curious.
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Merrick, Dools and Luke? Has a nice ring to it…
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Again, I am with Rob. Drop Ricki Lee for Luke.
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I remember watching Merrick and Rosso at the Enmore Theatre warming up before Russell Brand. They were useless and a few of us started slow clapping. Terrible; both of them(.)
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I have rarely ever found Merrick and Rosso remotely funny, and even less so without Rosso, which I didn’t think was possible. Merrick tells pointless anecdotes that go for far longer than they should (they would be shorter if he didn’t continually laugh at himself). He relies on the lowest form of humour that is neither witty nor intelligent and he really needs to increase his vocabulary to include more than the word ‘Awesome’. He should also realise yelling as he gets excited about himself does not make him funnier, just annoying at a higher volume.
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Luke M from DMG, that you mate?
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ah Luke M…how is brisvegas, I miss our duels!!
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This isn’t the real Mez.
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94.5 FBI is by far the best morning radio. There’s no try hard wanna be celebrities, no shit attempts at humour, no redundant opinions, no regurtitated news commentary, just great music and info relating to upcoming artists and gigs.
Triple J used to be bearable but Alex and Tom and their giggling producer are completely dull, and unfortunately all the other morning shows are only fit for bogans with their ocker dribble
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I had a horror experience on the weekend when I heard Fifi’s show. I can’t understand how she has air time. Laughing at every spoken word, and having an opinion on only fashion or drivel. Being a complete bimbo might have worked with Mel on sunrise but it does not work on radio.
It’s time to recruit intelligent, interesting, opinioniated and funny women!
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@ Outdoor Avenger
Right you are. However, I do think that Tom & Alex are an improvement on Robbie, Marieke and the Doctor
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FBi’s mornings with Michaella was the golden era of breakfast radio. Alex Pye is as much a bimbo as Fifi, though the music is still good which is the most important part.
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Why the insistence on viewing women as eye candy to be drafted in as the foil to the real talent? Not only is it offensive and outmoded , it makes no sense – it’s *radio* for christ’s sake.
There are loads of highly intelligent, funny women around. Is the fear that if we let them on the radio they’ll get ideas above their station? They’ll be wanting the vote next!
Not that I listen to any of these shows, but i *do* have a face for radio, which makes me as qualified to comment as anyone else. Ahem.
Nice piece, Mister Corbett. I like the image of you as the grim reaper of media. I have a list of other people you could adminster the shoulder tap of doom to, if you’d like….
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“Mr. Gyngell…” ….tap tap….
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Ricki Lee? She’s double the man I ever was!
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I find this all this highly amusing – For the past two weeks, I an avid listener of Nova and the boys since they started have been looking for a new radio station. I have tried every other radio station except Kyle and Jacky O who don’t deserve airtime.
The problem is Ricki Lee – she has no class, no concept and is trailer trash. (Sorry Ricki Lee – I use to stick up for you when my friends dist you on Idol – but now I know why!) I think get rid of Ricki Lee and let Dools and Mez do their thing! Maybe use Kristy Warner as the chick option.
Nova If you get rid of Ricki Lee you still have your station on my dial.
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(Moderated by Mumbrella for courtesy reasons)
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On this mornings show Merrick took laxatives for a laugh.
Surely a sign that straws are being grasped at
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what does a ‘styrategy agency’ actually do?
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Nothing beats Hamish & Andy. The chemistry and banter between those two are second to none.
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When Merrick and his new team first started I did not enjoy the listening experience but more recently I have tuned back in and enjoy them a lot.
It appears they have found their mojo.
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I must say I have to agree… its absolutely cringe worthy
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never found Merrick & Rosso funny – they’re as boring as each other
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Get rid of Ricki Lee and Nova may still have a chance !
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my boss thinks they’re shit.
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“Gasp”..who would have ever thought that this new lineup would rate terribly? Not me..oh hang on, I totally knew it was going to be crap once I heard the name “Ricki-Lee” Boganface Idol Washup
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Chris Walton has a primary focus … survey one 2010 was full of anomalies, Nielson is laughing all the way to the bank. All you Media guys and the public in general can debate until you’re all blue in the face (trendy right now) but the fact is Radio is dying a slow death due to lack of imagination and truly experienced media management that relies far too much on research as a substitute for a creative formula for innovative entertainment. We all know Triple M won by default due to Mix / Today dropping the ball !!! Nova are still a bunch or immature learners “trying” to be humurous, sort of like that fat guy who was on Rove and got the boot from Melbourne radio. He was so good I even forgot his name … 🙂
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What is this Styrategy that Simon Corbett is Managing Director of. It sounds exciting.
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Dools needs to come back to triple J.
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Can’t listen to commercial radio anymore, arse gravy most of it. For what there is of it for that matter….can I have some music with my 5 billion ads please?
Can’t hear Syd brekky Radio from Melbs. But can’t think Lee would be fab, but give her a chance before shooting the poor gal down. At least she’s having a bash even if she does want to make you stab yourself in the ear with your pen.
Dools with his old co Linda, haaaaa-lariousness. Robbie marieke and the Doc, get in my coffee cup so I can have another sip. They were ear-licious.
SYN…now THAT is train wreck FM! But so bad it’s good….not bad mix of music either.
On that note (plugs in iPod)
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