Game Changers: Radio

Mick Molloy is a game changer. He led the D-Generation, Martin/Molloy and Tough Love, and was one-third of The Hot Breakfast on Triple M in Melbourne (with Eddie McGuire and Luke Darcy). In late 2017 Mick left breakfast to host a national drive show on Triple M with Jane Kennedy. Mick’s track record over more than 20 years of broadcast is without peer.

2:04 Setting the scene

3:35 Listing his programs while reflecting on his fifth year of The Hot Breakfast

5:23 Recalling his first gig in radio, with Kevin Hillier and the Morning Crew

6:36 Pranking a community radio station was his first radio experience

7:58 Appreciating the apprenticeship he received by learning from the D-Gen

8:45 Talking about what he learnt from writing for the D-Generation

9:33 Writing is what he puts on his passport as his occupation

10:54 Reminiscing about the use of a thesaurus to write letters to his grandfather

11:40 Sharing an understanding of how radio has changed from heavily written (with Tony Martin on Martin/Molloy) to in-the-moment radio (The Hot Breakfast)

12:37 Imparting some wisdom - coming into the studio armed with something

14:10 The conservative nature of radio today

14:45 Describing the fear of some parts of the audience known as the ‘Hash tag Brigade’

15:30 Valuing producers more and more to save his career

16:53 Getting Martin/Molloy to air

18:30 Defining the FM radio Drive shift and the freedom you’re afforded in the time slot

20:05 Puzzling over Triple M rejecting the program concept, while Fox said yes at a time when the station was taking female vocalists only

22:08 Knowing they had two surveys to make it work

23:20 Sharing the strategic approach on The Hot Breakfast to hold onto an audience rather than letting them move off to AM radio or 3AW

24:28 Talking about the success of Martin/Molloy

25:55 Preparing stories for the next day

27:00 Explaining the importance of going against the grain and trying something different

27:45 Reflecting on their early success and attributing it to working to their strengths

28:22 Understanding that every show starts is a shit version of what it can be

29:15 Rejecting an interview with Celine Dion

31:38 Talking to Craig Bruce about content (warehouse vs. museum)

33:10 Fighting for the outcome you want (and pleasing the audience, not the sales department) 

34:08 Recalling how Martin/Molloy forced management to create a separate office space on the roof

36:12 Imparting wisdom: you need unbreakable rules to ensure success

37:03 Reflecting on his ability to procrastinate to avoid the creative process

39:06 Loving radio 

39:40 Comparing Martin/Molloy to Hamish and Andy

40:30 Believing Australian radio is as good as anything in the world

42:03 Writing for TV versus writing for radio

43:02 Who is the greatest broadcaster in radio?

43:43 Sharing his opinion on radio as a business

44:05 Reading Private Parts by Howard Stern

44:30 Describing the level of exhaustion at the conclusion of Martin/Molloy

44:58 Talking about the time between Martin/Molloy and Tough Love

45:27 Combining comedy and sport

46:35 Understanding the need for a thick skin after a dud project

47:28 Dealing with critics who like to shit-can things

49:12 Returning to radio to do Tough Love

50:13 Remembering the first time a radio station called it quits on the program before he did

51:28 Describing his start on The Hot Breakfast

55:50 Answering the ultimate question: How can you know that a show is going to work?

56:38 Understanding ratings

57:14 Talking up Luke Darcy as an anchor and expanding his expertise beyond sport

58:19 Working hard to ensuring a show that’s rating an 8 stays there

58:45 Keeping things fresh and 'coming up for air'

59: 50 Describing what its like working with a team of 'guns'

1:00:18 Loving what you’re doing, and watching the documentary The War Room about Bill Clinton getting elected.