Contrary to the article by Julietta Jameson, Paul has been the one to be a shining star at the ABC . Until recently he Co-hosted the Breakfast Show with Mikey Robbins and The Sandman at JJJ but left because he couldn’t hack the early mornings and there is not a DAAS fan or ex-fan alive who doesn’t about the huge success ofGood News Week. (ABC, Friday’s 8pm) In fact, Good News Week has become one of the most watched programs for it’s timeslot, coming second to and occasionally beating Burke’s Backyard which is shown at the same time.
It hasn’t been an over night success. Paul wasn’t the ABC ideal host. The dreadlocks being a bit off a put-off. (Personally I give them two big thumbs up) It was difficult for the producers to separate Paul from his DAAS personae. Not to mention the fact that MOSH (Paul’s own creation) wasn’t too well received by critics at the Melbourne and Adelaide Festivals. Mind you, if you did listen to the critics, the only films you would be seeing would be Titanic and The Mirror has Two Faces.
Sarah Rough has given an audience-member perspective of MOSH .
And in ’96, with the budget cuts to the ABC, Good News Week looked to be headed for the scrap heap. But, possibly, public opinion and threat of many mass suicides if Paul was taken off air, swayed the producers and it came back for ’97 in full force. Now the fate of Good News Week is in Paul’s hands. He has given a verbal agreement to Ian Robinson but who’s to say that if a better offer came along Paul wouldn’t jump at it. The lure (money?) of commercial television or film prospects might see him on other stations. But he admits Good News Week wouldn’t have worked on a commercial station.
Has Paul been surprised by his success? I don’t think so. While he may be more reminiscent of his DAAS days now ( is he mellowing in his old age?) he obviously wants to be appreciated for his many other talents. (singer, songwriter, comedian, writer and artist). This was not easy for him in beginning, so soon after the DAAS break-up. Even when he did the debates for the Melbourne Comedy Festival fellow comedians had labelled him a "singer" and not a "thinker".
" These people had worked with me. It was a funny thing. They didn’t think I could write my own material and rubbish like that."
He has certainly proven them wrong. Now that he is established as one of the up-coming stars (Elle- September I think?) he can dictate his own terms and is constantly in demand. 1997 has seen Paul as a TV Host, A radio personality and even now a journalist. Paul does a weekly spot in Sunday life commenting on life as he sees it. Slightly cynical, so honest it hurts and always funny proving again that he shouldn’t be limited to just one role.
At least Good News Week is set to return for ’98 and the release of the Good News Week Book and the New Year’s Eve special are all promising signs that the show will continue and only get better.
There is even talk of the show touring next year.
Contrary to the article by Julietta Jameson, Paul has been the one to be a shining star at the ABC . Until recently he Co-hosted the Breakfast Show with Mikey Robbins and The Sandman at JJJ but left because he couldn’t hack the early mornings and there is not a DAAS fan or ex-fan alive who doesn’t about the huge success ofGood News Week. (ABC, Friday’s 8pm) In fact, Good News Week has become one of the most watched programs for it’s timeslot, coming second to and occasionally beating Burke’s Backyard which is shown at the same time.