Peter Helliar
Encyclopedia
Peter Jason Matthew Helliar (born 16 June 1975 in Melbourne
) is an Australian comedian
, actor
and writer
. Most famous for his work on television as Rove McManus
' sidekick
on The Loft Live from 1997 to 1998 and on Rove from 1999 and 2009. He also appeared in Before the Game
as alter ego Bryan Strauchan
.
Helliar initially worked the Melbourne
stand-up comedy
circuit in the mid nineties, performing in various venues and the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival
. He performed in numerous television commercials, most notably for Fernwood. Helliar now lives in Eltham, Victoria
.
community television Channel 31's weekly variety show The Loft Live, hosted by Rove McManus
and including other well known Melbourne
comedians such as Dave Hughes
, Kim Hope, and Dave Callan
. He appeared as a live on-screen guest as well as scripting and recording skits for live playback.
He rose to national attention in 1999, wheb he became a regular (aka side-kick) to Rove McManus on Rove, which aired on the Nine Network
. In 2000, the show moved networks to Channel Ten, where Helliar and the show remained until it's ending in late 2009.
In 2010, Helliar joined the Seven Network
to appear on their new "family friendly" football show, The Bounce
, alongside Leigh Matthews
and Matthew Richardson
. The series would go on to be cancelled after just a few weeks.
On May 18, 2010 Helliar was guest co-host on The Morning Show
, alongside Kylie Gillies
, while Larry Emdur
was on holidays. In the summer of 2010 and 2011, he became the host of the quiz show The Trophy Room
that aired on ABC1
.
national youth network Triple J
.
In 2002, the Austereo radio network signed Peter Helliar, to appear alongside TV colleagues Rove McManus and Corinne Grant on the weekly program Saturday Morning Rove
, broadcasting from Fox FM every Saturday from 10 am to midday after being pre-recorded the day before. In 2004 the program moved to Friday mornings, allowing live phone callers, and was re-titled Rove Live Radio. It was discontinued at the end of 2004.
In 2004, Peter Helliar was signed to do the breakfast shift on Austereo's Sydney
station 2Day FM
with Judith Lucy
and Kaz Cooke
. The program was discontinued after its first year.
Still signed to Austereo, Peter also appeared on the Melbourne
based The Arvo, a daily program broadcast out of Fox FM between 4 pm and 6 pm and networked to other capital cities. It was discontinued in June 2005.
Helliar also has done his own show called Pete's Show which aired on 10am - 12pm on Fridays across the Today Network
.
He filled in for Merrick and Rosso
, along with Rove McManus
, for their breakfast daily show on Sydney's Nova 96.9
whilst they were on holiday. Helliar also filled in for Kate Langbroek
on Hughesy & Kate
on Melbourne's Nova 100
, while Kate was on maternity leave. It was announced by co-host Dave Hughes
that Helliar would begin making appearances on the show every Thursday morning.
In 2008, Helliar began presenting the Triple M
Melbourne breakfast spot with Myf Warhurst
called Pete & Myf
., but the show was axed in July 2009.
For the 2005 AFL
season, Peter created an alter ego
named Bryan Strauchan
(aka "Strauchanie") who debuted on the television show Before the Game. The character was the last pick in the 2004 AFL national draft, and yet to get a game for his new club Collingwood
.
For the role, Helliar dons a blonde mullet wig and attempts to play up an Australian bogan
stereotype. The comedy is achieved by self effacing humour, putting Strauchan in situations that highlight his weight, lack of fitness and general inability whilst his egotistical personality and delusions of grandeur mean he is completely unaware of these weaknesses. The character of Strauchanie has made several subsequent appearances across different media.
In the 2009 'EJ Whitten Legends' football match, Helliar broke his ankle late in the game after being tackled. He suggested that this could be then end of his career.
was released. The film was written by Helliar.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
) is an Australian comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. Most famous for his work on television as Rove McManus
Rove McManus
John Henry Michael "Rove" McManus is an Australian comedian, television presenter, producer and media personality. He was the host of the self-titled variety show Rove, and is the owner of the production company Roving Enterprises...
' sidekick
Sidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
on The Loft Live from 1997 to 1998 and on Rove from 1999 and 2009. He also appeared in Before the Game
Before the Game
Before The Game is an Australian rules football/comedy television show in Australia on Network Ten. The show is hosted by Andrew Maher, with regular panelists including Mick Molloy, Dave Hughes, Sam Lane, and Lehmo. The format of the show is a light-hearted discussion of issues relating to the...
as alter ego Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Keith Strauchan , better known as "Strauchanie", is a fictional Australian rules football player, portrayed by Peter Helliar, who first appeared during short sketches on Before the Game....
.
Helliar initially worked the Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
circuit in the mid nineties, performing in various venues and the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
. He performed in numerous television commercials, most notably for Fernwood. Helliar now lives in Eltham, Victoria
Eltham, Victoria
Eltham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2006 Census, Eltham had a population of 17,581....
.
Television
In 1998 he became a regular on MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
community television Channel 31's weekly variety show The Loft Live, hosted by Rove McManus
Rove McManus
John Henry Michael "Rove" McManus is an Australian comedian, television presenter, producer and media personality. He was the host of the self-titled variety show Rove, and is the owner of the production company Roving Enterprises...
and including other well known Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
comedians such as Dave Hughes
Dave Hughes
David William "Hughesy" Hughes is an Australian stand-up comedian, radio and television presenter. He is currently co-host on the Network Ten's The Project and Before the Game as well as the breakfast radio show Hughesy and Kate.-Television:Hughes co-hosted the ABC comedy talk show The Glass House...
, Kim Hope, and Dave Callan
Dave Callan
Dave Callan is a comedian based in Perth, Australia. He currently works as a Triple J disc jockey.- Biography :Callan was born in Dundalk, Ireland, and arrived in Australia in 1990, aged 15...
. He appeared as a live on-screen guest as well as scripting and recording skits for live playback.
He rose to national attention in 1999, wheb he became a regular (aka side-kick) to Rove McManus on Rove, which aired on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
. In 2000, the show moved networks to Channel Ten, where Helliar and the show remained until it's ending in late 2009.
In 2010, Helliar joined the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
to appear on their new "family friendly" football show, The Bounce
The Bounce (TV series)
The Bounce was an Australian sports television program which debuted 24 March 2010 at 6:30pm in most states on the Seven Network....
, alongside Leigh Matthews
Leigh Matthews
Leigh Raymond "Lethal Leigh" Matthews AM is a former player and coach of Australian rules football. He played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League from 1969 to 1985, coached Collingwood from 1986–1995, and coached the Brisbane Lions from 1999 to 2008...
and Matthew Richardson
Matthew Richardson (Australian rules footballer)
Matthew "Richo" Richardson , is a retired professional Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Australian Football League...
. The series would go on to be cancelled after just a few weeks.
On May 18, 2010 Helliar was guest co-host on The Morning Show
The Morning Show (TV program)
The Morning Show is an Australian morning talk show that premiered on the Seven Network on 18 June 2007. The show airs between 9am and 11:30am weekdays and follows Seven's breakfast news program Sunrise, with both programs closely interlinked....
, alongside Kylie Gillies
Kylie Gillies
Kylie Gillies is a television presenter for the Seven Network based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She currently co-hosts The Morning Show with Larry Emdur.-Career:...
, while Larry Emdur
Larry Emdur
Larry Emdur is an Australian television personality. He is currently co-hosting Saturday's Weekend Sunrise alongside Samantha Armytage....
was on holidays. In the summer of 2010 and 2011, he became the host of the quiz show The Trophy Room
The Trophy Room
The Trophy Room is an Australian sport-themed comedic television quiz show which first screened in 2010 on ABC1.The show is hosted by stand-up comedian Peter Helliar who poses questions to two teams headed by Sports Journalist Amanda Shalala and broadcaster Adam Spencer....
that aired on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
.
Radio
Between 1998 and 2000 he was a regular guest on the ABC'sAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
national youth network Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
.
In 2002, the Austereo radio network signed Peter Helliar, to appear alongside TV colleagues Rove McManus and Corinne Grant on the weekly program Saturday Morning Rove
Rove Live Radio
Rove Live Radio was a radio programme starring Rove McManus, Corinne Grant, and Peter Helliar. It ran from 2002 to 2004.It was originally known as Saturday Morning Rove due to its 10 am - 12 pm Saturday timeslot. It was pre-recorded on the preceding Friday...
, broadcasting from Fox FM every Saturday from 10 am to midday after being pre-recorded the day before. In 2004 the program moved to Friday mornings, allowing live phone callers, and was re-titled Rove Live Radio. It was discontinued at the end of 2004.
In 2004, Peter Helliar was signed to do the breakfast shift on Austereo's Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
station 2Day FM
2Day FM
Not to be mixed up with Today FM in Ireland.2Day FM is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting in Sydney, Australia, on a frequency of 104.1 MHz, and part of Austereo's Today Network.- Transmission :...
with Judith Lucy
Judith Lucy
Judith Mary Lucy is an Australian comedian, known primarily for her stand-up comedy. She has toured Australia with several highly successful one-woman shows, including No Waiter I Ordered the Avocado , King Of The Road , An Impossible Dream , The Show , The Show 2 , Colour Me Judith...
and Kaz Cooke
Kaz Cooke
Kaz Cooke is an Australian author and cartoonist. Her books include Real Gorgeous, Up the Duff , Kidwrangling, Girl Stuff and Living with Crazy Buttocks, which won the 2002 Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year...
. The program was discontinued after its first year.
Still signed to Austereo, Peter also appeared on the Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
based The Arvo, a daily program broadcast out of Fox FM between 4 pm and 6 pm and networked to other capital cities. It was discontinued in June 2005.
Helliar also has done his own show called Pete's Show which aired on 10am - 12pm on Fridays across the Today Network
Today Network
The Today Network is a network of Contemporary Hit Radio stations run by Southern Cross Austereo in Australia.-Affiliates:-History:The Today Network started when the Austereo Radio Network secured the first commercial FM licence in Adelaide in 1980. Austereo launched a station called Double SA FM,...
.
He filled in for Merrick and Rosso
Merrick and Rosso
Merrick and Rosso are an Australian comedy duo, Merrick Watts and Tim Ross. The duo began in stand up comedy and first came together when they teamed up for a one off comedy show in 1996...
, along with Rove McManus
Rove McManus
John Henry Michael "Rove" McManus is an Australian comedian, television presenter, producer and media personality. He was the host of the self-titled variety show Rove, and is the owner of the production company Roving Enterprises...
, for their breakfast daily show on Sydney's Nova 96.9
Nova 96.9
Nova 96.9 is a commercial radio station operating in Sydney, Australia, owned by the DMG Radio Network.-History:One of the driving forces behind the creation of Nova was the growing demographic of youth who were embracing the commercialised anti-pop movement fronted by such artists as Daft Punk...
whilst they were on holiday. Helliar also filled in for Kate Langbroek
Kate Langbroek
Katherine Elizabeth Wilhelmina Beuving Langbroek is an Australian television and radio personality of Jamaican, Jewish and Dutch heritage...
on Hughesy & Kate
Hughesy & Kate
Hughesy and Kate is an Australian radio station breakfast show on Nova 100 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is hosted by Australian Comedian and TV Personality Dave Hughes and Australian TV and Radio Personality Kate Langbroek...
on Melbourne's Nova 100
Nova 100
Nova 100 is a commercial radio station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, broadcasting on 100.3 MHz. It is in the Melbourne radio market, with the intention of challenging the number one FM Austereo station Fox FM by playing alternative, hip hop, pop & dance music, with a strong lean towards...
, while Kate was on maternity leave. It was announced by co-host Dave Hughes
Dave Hughes
David William "Hughesy" Hughes is an Australian stand-up comedian, radio and television presenter. He is currently co-host on the Network Ten's The Project and Before the Game as well as the breakfast radio show Hughesy and Kate.-Television:Hughes co-hosted the ABC comedy talk show The Glass House...
that Helliar would begin making appearances on the show every Thursday morning.
In 2008, Helliar began presenting the Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
Melbourne breakfast spot with Myf Warhurst
Myf Warhurst
Myfanwy "Myf" Warhurst is an Australian radio announcer and television personality, best known for her work at Triple J and on ABC Television's music-themed quiz show Spicks and Specks. Before her career as a radio announcer and TV personality, she was editor-in-chief of Melbourne street press...
called Pete & Myf
Pete & Myf
Pete & Myf was a Melbourne breakfast show on Triple M. It was broadcast weekdays from 6am - 9am with "Pete & Myf Re-gifted" being aired on a Saturday. Hosts of the show are Peter Helliar and Myf Warhurst with Mike Fitzpatrick being anchor of the show in 2009...
., but the show was axed in July 2009.
Alter ego
For the 2005 AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
season, Peter created an alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
named Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Strauchan
Bryan Keith Strauchan , better known as "Strauchanie", is a fictional Australian rules football player, portrayed by Peter Helliar, who first appeared during short sketches on Before the Game....
(aka "Strauchanie") who debuted on the television show Before the Game. The character was the last pick in the 2004 AFL national draft, and yet to get a game for his new club Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
.
For the role, Helliar dons a blonde mullet wig and attempts to play up an Australian bogan
Bogan
The term bogan is Australian slang, usually pejorative or self-deprecating, for an individual who is recognised to be from a lower class background or someone whose limited education, speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour exemplifies such a background....
stereotype. The comedy is achieved by self effacing humour, putting Strauchan in situations that highlight his weight, lack of fitness and general inability whilst his egotistical personality and delusions of grandeur mean he is completely unaware of these weaknesses. The character of Strauchanie has made several subsequent appearances across different media.
In the 2009 'EJ Whitten Legends' football match, Helliar broke his ankle late in the game after being tackled. He suggested that this could be then end of his career.
Writing
In 2010, a romantic comedy film, I Love You TooI Love You Too (2010 film)
I Love You Too is a 2010 Australian romantic comedy film, and the directorial film debut of Daina Reid. The screenplay was written by first-time writer Peter Helliar. It stars Brendan Cowell, Peter Dinklage, Yvonne Strahovski, Peter Helliar and Megan Gale, and was produced by Princess Pictures on a...
was released. The film was written by Helliar.
Further reading
- Helliar, Peter and Paul Calleja. Bryan Strauchan: My story : The rise and rise of a genuine superstar of Australian sport. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 2007. ISBN 9781741753431