MICK MOLLOY IS ONE OF A KIND IN THE RADIO INDUSTRY
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.


READ THE SHOW NOTES
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.