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Merrick and Rosso.
I do one of the worst things I possibly could have at the beginning of my conversation with Tim 'Rosso' Ross. Discussing the difference between being interviewer and subject, I ask him which question he's been asked most so far. And then - cringe - I ask him the very same question. Despite this potentially rocky start to our chat, he's good enough overlook this and proves both thoughtful and a straight shooter in his comments.
He's on the media bandwagon promoting the newly-released 'Merrick And Rosso Unplanned' DVD. Originally employed by UK comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel (who also hosted the 'Fantasy Football' series), the unplanned format suits Merrick and Rosso down to the ground; being as they are storytellers rather than joke deliverers.
After watching a few episodes the boys were ready to roll. "I've seen a bit of 'Frank's Tonight' show which I've quite enjoyed, but I'm not much of a soccer fan, so the 'Fantasy World Cup' thing is not really my bag. I read his autobiography so I've got a reasonable understanding on how it works. The pair of them are obviously pretty smart, pretty funny, pretty talented guys."
As for what makes Rosso laugh, he can't name anything instantly.
"I'm not a great student of comedy - I like hanging out with my mates." Then it springs to mind. "Oh, the storyline of 'The Bill'. June, who's the older looking sheila; she thought she was rooting her son for a while there - that's sort of amusing. I love 'The Bill,' I'm fucking sick for it!" In the face of growing criticism over the long-running series, Rosso stands firm. "When June thinks she's rooting her son, I'm totally nutty for it."
Channel Nine has a reputation as a graveyard for homegrown comedians, but Rosso is pragmatic about things. "They've been really great for us, really supportive. They let the show sit at 10.30pm and have its ratings ups and downs; it's been a really nice learning curve actually."
Mick Molloy and Shaun Micallef might not agree. "Ah, but Mick's show wasn't very good, it was really sloppy. It was at a reasonable time slot and they were paying it a lot of money. I don't have any of those pressures, because my show's on at 10.30pm and I haven't been paid a fortune to do it. Shaun was a different story: I thought his show was good but just couldn't find an audience - that was the major problem. If people watch, you're never gonna get axed, on the whole - unless you're Daryl Somers; but that's more about timing.
"I think they [Nine] get a really bad rap on things not lasting, but you do get a chance. We were a bit sloppy at first in the ratings, but it turned itself around. It took a while, but you know, it's been fine."
Not only are Merrick & Rosso successful TV hosts, but their breakfast radio show is the number one show in the nation's toughest market. It's been an amazing journey for two mates who started doing stand-up together. Of course, the boys really came to the nation's attention at Triple J, and Rosso has a few thoughts on his former employer.
"I think they talk too much," he declares. "I think they cross promote shows that no one cares about. I think they - from time to time - have their heads up their own arses and they're playing it too cool for school. I think they've gotta realise that not everyone gets latest release records put on their desk for free, that's what I think. Most people aren't that up-to-date with music and don't listen to the radio 24 hours a day. They're playing a lot of records you can't buy and it's alienating. I think it's sad that Tim Freedman doesn't bother requesting an interview with them anymore because they won't play his records, even though he's a classic Triple J artist."
I can't let him go without checking how Merrick's coping with the recent demise of Magic Mountain. "He's ropable. He's a very angry young man; he loved Magic Mountain. It's such a shame. SA not as great, mate, as it used to be."
Wade Howland
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The DVD of 'Merrick & Rosso Unplanned' is out now through Sony.
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