The Shebang
Encyclopedia
The Shebang was a radio
show broadcast weekday mornings from 6am to 9am AEST in Sydney
, Australia
on 2MMM
, the local Triple M
outlet. It was hosted by Marty Sheargold
, Fifi Box
and Paul Murray
with Anthony Maroon
as the show anchor. The producer, Anna, is often chastised for her many mistakes.
The show mainly worked around observational humour, derived from various media sources.
Formerly the Triple M network's main syndicated drive-time show, Austereo announced on 14 December 2006 that the Shebang would move to the breakfast shift for Triple M Sydney in 2007. The Shebang commenced the breakfast shift in Sydney on 29 January 2007.
On 6 August 2008 Triple M announced that The Shebang would not be continuing in 2009 as host Fifi Box leaving the station to appear on Channel Seven's Sunrise program, while Marty Sheargold said he would not continue at Triple M once the show finished. Unfortunately, unbeknown to anyone listening, without any warning, The Shebang cast announced their last show on Friday 31 October 2008.
Insiders report that there has been a bitter rift between Sheargold and Murray since the ratings dive of the show after Murray's arrival in 2008. It is believed this could have a link to Sheargold's disappearance for an extended amount of time from the show.
, Marty Sheargold
, Jodie J. Hill and Jo Stanley
. "The Whole Shebang" was nominated for the Award for Outstanding Radio Comedy Performance in the 2003 Comedy Awards (Radio). By the end of 2003, Robbins, Hill and Stanley had left, leaving Box and Sheargold. At the start of 2004, the show was further extended to Brisbane
and Adelaide
, although later dropped from Adelaide
following poor ratings.
In 2007, The Shebang moved to a breakfast slot for Triple M
Sydney only. Also in 2007, The Shebang had a float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
.
in eighth place) in the Nielsen ratings survey, a loss of 47,000 listeners since March.In the breakfast radio ratings for August 2007, The Shebang's ratings climbed 0.3 to 8.6 percent share of the breakfast audience in the Sydney market making the Shebang 7th overall and 4th in the FM market.
In May 2008 - Triple M's breakfast show was not going down well, with co-hosts Marty Sheargold and Fifi Box both believed to have threatened to walk over the program's ratings dive.
Sheargold reportedly clashed with new addition Paul Murray and Box after the show registered its worst result (down 1.5 percentage points to 5).
The gloomy news was compounded after Triple M was beaten by easy listening station 2CH. "It's a train wreck in here today," a Confidential source claimed. "Everyone is blaming everyone."
An Austereo spokeswoman denied "any drama" stating, "there's three of them and that's just how it is. No one's going anywhere."
A Daily Telegraph Article had suggested that former husband of Jackie O
, "Ugly" Phil O'Niell
may be taking over the Sydney breakfast slot. This would put him in direct competition with his former partner, in the same market, and in the same company as 2Day FM
, as both networks are owned by Austereo. Currently Ugly Phil hosts nights on Triple M Sydney.
According to a Nielsen survey reported in the Sydney Morning Herald (7 May 2008), The Shebang audience share fell by 1.5 points to 5 percent. Another Nielsen Survey report had shown that http://www.nielsenmedia.com.au/MRI_pages.asp?MRIID=11, The Shebang had fallen another 0.5 points to 4.5 percent market share in the 6-9am time slot.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 29 October 2008 that Triple M Sydney and The Shebang had received the "wooden spoon
" in the latest Nielsen Media survey. Separate to this co-host Marty Sheargold, who took leave four weeks ago for the birth of his first child had not returned and fill-in comedian co-hosts have been used, including Tony Moclair
and Justin Hamilton
.
and Steve Richards
. Mark Beretta
, however, remained. Segments that were kept from 2006 include Amazing Facts, Dog Whisperers (renamed "Thank Dog You're Here") and Shebanging the World.
There was some controversy surrounding the segment "Thank Dog You're Here" as one of the program directors David Rymer wanted to get rid of it, calling it "beige". After much argument and calls/emails from listeners a compromise was reached and it was restricted to Friday Fun Ones. Rymer was since dubbed "Master Beige" or "The Beigenator".
, Paul Stanley
, Jennifer Aniston
, Kiernan from Augie March
, Bill Gates
, Will Ferrell
, the then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard
, and Matt Damon
.
in the Sydney and Melbourne
markets. This was all but confirmed in a report in The Daily Telegraph
on 3 November 2006, which suggested the move would be announced shortly for 2007, and would make Box one of the highest-earning women in radio.
It was reported on 29 November 2006 in the Melbourne Herald Sun
, that Fifi and Marty had recently filmed a pilot of The Shebang chat show concept called The Late Night Little Big Show with comedians Glenn Robbins
and Tony Martin
. The article makes reference also that Nine Network
has given it the thumbs-down, but Seven Network
is considering it. Also the article mentions that the negotiations between The Shebang and The Cage shows and time slots are still in progress and nothing is confirmed at this stage.
In an article, Fifi Box
is understood to have signed a new contract worth $500,000 a year, making her one of the highest paid women on the air.
Austereo had announced on 14 December that The Shebang would move to the morning shift for Triple M Sydney in 2007. Wil Anderson
has taken over the drive-time shift as of 2 April 2007 with the show Wil & Lehmo
airing from 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
(After 2 years and poor ratings Wil and Lehmo were replaced by Roy and H.G. of Triple J fame at the start of 2009)
At the end of 2007, it was announced that Paul Murray
would be joining The Shebang in 2008 in a bid to lift soft ratings. The addition of Paul Murray came with a more "newsy" approach. Ironically, The Shebang's ratings plummeted with the addition of Paul Murray.
In 2008, Triple M's Anthony Maroon replaced Drew (who was then put on the morning shift) as anchor. The reason for this is unknown.
Unfortunately, without any promotion or in any way letting the listeners to The Shebang know, Friday 31 October 2008 brought about the final edition of The Shebang. It was sprung without warning, with Fifi Box and Paul Murray left to say goodbye without the presence of Marty Sheargold.
The Shebang Podcast was removed from iTunes on 1 November, with the last 7 shows not being available for download.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
show broadcast weekday mornings from 6am to 9am AEST in 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...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on 2MMM
2MMM
2MMM is a radio station broadcasting in Sydney, Australia. Triple M Sydney is part of the Austereo Triple M network and broadcasts on the 104.9 MHz frequency.-The Early Days:...
, the local 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 :...
outlet. It was hosted by Marty Sheargold
Marty Sheargold
Martin "Marty" Sheargold is an Australian stand-up comedian and radio broadcaster. He is best known for his role on the Triple M radio show The Shebang with Fifi Box...
, Fifi Box
Fifi Box
Fifi Box is an Australian radio broadcaster and television personality, formerly hosting The Shebang with Marty Sheargold on Triple M, and presenter on the Seven Network's Sunrise program....
and Paul Murray
Paul Murray (Triple M radio presenter)
Paul Murray is the regular drive presenter on 2UE, an AM radio station in Sydney. He also hosts Paul Murray Live on Sky News Australia .-Career:...
with Anthony Maroon
Anthony Maroon
Anthony Maroon is a Sydney radio personality and was born in the same city. Maroon currently works at Classic Rock 95.3 FM as a Breakfast presenter....
as the show anchor. The producer, Anna, is often chastised for her many mistakes.
The show mainly worked around observational humour, derived from various media sources.
Formerly the Triple M network's main syndicated drive-time show, Austereo announced on 14 December 2006 that the Shebang would move to the breakfast shift for Triple M Sydney in 2007. The Shebang commenced the breakfast shift in Sydney on 29 January 2007.
On 6 August 2008 Triple M announced that The Shebang would not be continuing in 2009 as host Fifi Box leaving the station to appear on Channel Seven's Sunrise program, while Marty Sheargold said he would not continue at Triple M once the show finished. Unfortunately, unbeknown to anyone listening, without any warning, The Shebang cast announced their last show on Friday 31 October 2008.
Insiders report that there has been a bitter rift between Sheargold and Murray since the ratings dive of the show after Murray's arrival in 2008. It is believed this could have a link to Sheargold's disappearance for an extended amount of time from the show.
History
The program began in 2003 as The Whole Shebang, a drive program on the Melbourne Triple M station, with a cast of comedians and celebrities. Following a shakeup of programming at the station in mid-2003, the program extended to be broadcast in Sydney as well, with the cast being Mikey Robbins, Fifi BoxFifi Box
Fifi Box is an Australian radio broadcaster and television personality, formerly hosting The Shebang with Marty Sheargold on Triple M, and presenter on the Seven Network's Sunrise program....
, Marty Sheargold
Marty Sheargold
Martin "Marty" Sheargold is an Australian stand-up comedian and radio broadcaster. He is best known for his role on the Triple M radio show The Shebang with Fifi Box...
, Jodie J. Hill and Jo Stanley
Jo Stanley
Joanne "Jo" Stanley is an Australian television and radio personality.Stanley has appeared as the host of Network Ten's Bread TV program, a show that focuses on small business and is currently the host of The Matt and Jo Show on Austereo's FOX FM, a show she joined in 2003.- Biography :She...
. "The Whole Shebang" was nominated for the Award for Outstanding Radio Comedy Performance in the 2003 Comedy Awards (Radio). By the end of 2003, Robbins, Hill and Stanley had left, leaving Box and Sheargold. At the start of 2004, the show was further extended to Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, although later dropped from Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
following poor ratings.
In 2007, The Shebang moved to a breakfast slot for 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 :...
Sydney only. Also in 2007, The Shebang had a float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
The Sydney Mardi Gras is an annual LGBTQI pride parade and festival in Sydney, Australia, and draws in thousands of visitors from around Australia and overseas...
.
Regular Guests
- Glenn RobbinsGlenn RobbinsGlenn Maxwell Robbins is an Australian comedian, writer and actor.Robbins attended Strathmore Secondary College and graduated in 1975...
- Mark BerettaMark BerettaMark Beretta is an Australian media personality. He is known by the common nickname of Beretts.-Early life and career:Beretta was born in Geelong, Victoria on 16 June 1966. He was educated at St. Joseph's College...
- Liz EllisLiz EllisElizabeth "Liz" Ellis AM is a retired Australian netball player, a member of the national team from 1992 until 2007 and captain for the last four of those years. She is the most capped international player for Australian netball....
- Tom GleisnerTom GleisnerTom Gleisner is an Australian director, producer, writer, comedian, occasional actor and author. He was educated at Xavier College in Melbourne, Australia.-Television, radio and film:...
- Tony MartinTony Martin (comedian)Tony Francis Martin is a comedian and writer from Te Kuiti, New Zealand who has had a successful TV, radio, stand-up and film career in Australia.- Career :...
- Former regulars and other (occasional) guests include Lawrence Mooney, Scott CamScott CamScott Cam is an Australian television personality appearing on several lifestyle programmes on the Nine Network.-Early career:Scott is a qualified carpenter who did a three-year apprenticeship with his brother’s business....
, Andrew DentonAndrew DentonAndrew Christopher Denton is an Australian television producer, comedian, Gold Logie-nominated television presenter and former radio host, and was the host of the ABC's weekly television interview program Enough Rope. He is known for his comedy and interviewing technique...
, Stephen Curry, Chris MurrayChris MurrayChris Murray is a Canadian-born singer-songwriter and guitarist working primarily in the genre of ska. In Canada, he was a member of the now-defunct ska band King Apparatus during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He now lives in the Los Angeles, California area, where he performs regularly, both...
, Tim SmithTim Smith (comedian)Tim Smith is an Australian comedian, actor and writer.Tim rose to prominence as part of The Comedy Company, sketch comedy television series. He has also written for many other comedy series including Eagle & Evans....
, Richard MarslandRichard MarslandRichard Kemble Marsland was an Australian comedy writer, actor, comedian and radio personality.-Radio:...
, Peter Rowsthorn, Johanna GriggsJohanna GriggsJohanna Leigh Griggs is a former swimmer and current television presenter from Australia.-Swimming career:Griggs represented Australia at the Auckland Commonwealth Games in 1990—winning a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke event....
, David KochDavid Koch (analyst)David James Koch, nicknamed Kochie , is an Australian television personality.Koch currently presents Seven Network's Sunrise morning program each weekday, as co-host with Melissa Doyle. Koch and Doyle also co-hosted another Seven Network production Where Are They Now...
, Steve RichardsSteve RichardsSteve Richards is a British TV presenter and chief political columnist for The Independent newspaper.-Early life:Richards was educated at Christ's College, formerly a state grammar school, in Finchley, North London, and graduated in History at the University of York in 1981 before securing a place...
and Colin LaneColin LaneColin Stuart Lane is a comedian and actor, best known for being one-half of former comedy duo, Lano and Woodley.-Lano and Woodley:...
.
Audience and ratings
In the breakfast radio ratings for April 2007, The Shebang only managed a 5.3 percent share of the breakfast audience (tied with 2CH2CH
2CH is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia, at 1170 kHz AM. It broadcasts an oldies format, and is aimed to an older age demographic...
in eighth place) in the Nielsen ratings survey, a loss of 47,000 listeners since March.In the breakfast radio ratings for August 2007, The Shebang's ratings climbed 0.3 to 8.6 percent share of the breakfast audience in the Sydney market making the Shebang 7th overall and 4th in the FM market.
In May 2008 - Triple M's breakfast show was not going down well, with co-hosts Marty Sheargold and Fifi Box both believed to have threatened to walk over the program's ratings dive.
Sheargold reportedly clashed with new addition Paul Murray and Box after the show registered its worst result (down 1.5 percentage points to 5).
The gloomy news was compounded after Triple M was beaten by easy listening station 2CH. "It's a train wreck in here today," a Confidential source claimed. "Everyone is blaming everyone."
An Austereo spokeswoman denied "any drama" stating, "there's three of them and that's just how it is. No one's going anywhere."
A Daily Telegraph Article had suggested that former husband of Jackie O
Jackie O (radio host)
Jacqueline Ellen Marie Henderson, better known as Jackie O, is an Australian commercial radio host, actress and television presenter. She is best-known nationally for presenting The Hot Hits, the Hot 30 Countdown, Take 40 Australia and the Kyle & Jackie O on 2Day FM with Kyle Sandilands and for...
, "Ugly" Phil O'Niell
Ugly Phil
Ugly Phil O'Neil is a radio DJ/announcer. He was born in the United Kingdom, and lived the majority of his life in Australia. Before adopting the on-air name of Ugly Phil he was known on-air as Phil O'Neil...
may be taking over the Sydney breakfast slot. This would put him in direct competition with his former partner, in the same market, and in the same company as 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 :...
, as both networks are owned by Austereo. Currently Ugly Phil hosts nights on Triple M Sydney.
According to a Nielsen survey reported in the Sydney Morning Herald (7 May 2008), The Shebang audience share fell by 1.5 points to 5 percent. Another Nielsen Survey report had shown that http://www.nielsenmedia.com.au/MRI_pages.asp?MRIID=11, The Shebang had fallen another 0.5 points to 4.5 percent market share in the 6-9am time slot.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 29 October 2008 that Triple M Sydney and The Shebang had received the "wooden spoon
Wooden spoon
A wooden spoon is a spoon made from wood, commonly used in food preparation.- History :The word spoon derives from an ancient word meaning a chip of wood or horn carved from a larger piece. Wooden spoons were easy to carve and thus inexpensive, making them common throughout history.The Iron Age...
" in the latest Nielsen Media survey. Separate to this co-host Marty Sheargold, who took leave four weeks ago for the birth of his first child had not returned and fill-in comedian co-hosts have been used, including Tony Moclair
Tony Moclair
Tony Moclair is an Australian actor, writer and comedian. He has worked on various Australian radio networks, often appearing in character rather than as himself.-3RRR Breakfasters:...
and Justin Hamilton
Justin Hamilton (comedian)
Justin Hamilton is an Australian comedian, writer and radio host.-Early life:Hamilton grew up in Adelaide, South Australia.-Career:...
.
Content Changes
As the show moved shifts, several segments were omitted. These include Backyard Riffs, Captain Obvious (after Fifi confessed on air that she disliked the segment) and Paul Calija's History Lesson. Also, many regular guests did not appear in 2007 such as Cal WilsonCal Wilson
Cal Wilson is a New Zealand stand-up comedian and radio and television personality. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is well known in Australia through her appearances on television and radio.-Biography:...
and Steve Richards
Steve Richards
Steve Richards is a British TV presenter and chief political columnist for The Independent newspaper.-Early life:Richards was educated at Christ's College, formerly a state grammar school, in Finchley, North London, and graduated in History at the University of York in 1981 before securing a place...
. Mark Beretta
Mark Beretta
Mark Beretta is an Australian media personality. He is known by the common nickname of Beretts.-Early life and career:Beretta was born in Geelong, Victoria on 16 June 1966. He was educated at St. Joseph's College...
, however, remained. Segments that were kept from 2006 include Amazing Facts, Dog Whisperers (renamed "Thank Dog You're Here") and Shebanging the World.
There was some controversy surrounding the segment "Thank Dog You're Here" as one of the program directors David Rymer wanted to get rid of it, calling it "beige". After much argument and calls/emails from listeners a compromise was reached and it was restricted to Friday Fun Ones. Rymer was since dubbed "Master Beige" or "The Beigenator".
Celebrity Interviews
The pair have interviewed the likes of Ricky PontingRicky Ponting
Ricky Thomas Ponting , nicknamed Punter, is an Australian cricketer, a former captain of the Australian cricket team between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very...
, Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley
Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
, Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Joanna Aniston is an American actress, film director, and producer, best known for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends, a role which earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.Aniston has also enjoyed a successful film career,...
, Kiernan from Augie March
Augie March
Augie March are an Australian indie/pop rock band. Formed in 1996 in Shepparton, Victoria, the band currently consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Glenn Richards, lead guitarist Adam Donovan, bassist Edmondo Ammendola, drummer David Williams, and keyboardist Kiernan Box...
, Bill Gates
Bill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
, Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
, the then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
, and Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
.
Friday Fun Ones
As the name suggests, 'Friday Fun Ones' occur every Friday. It is usually accompanied with loose, 'fun' attitudes, Captain Obvious and as of 2006, a new sound effect every week. Often, there is a 'Friday Fun One Acoustic', where a singer or a band would come in and perform an acoustic version of one of their songs. The format of Friday Fun Ones changed after the time slot change. The sound effect was scrapped and Captain Obvious was replaced by Thank Dog You're Here.Missed Opportunity
The "Missed Opportunity Podcast" is an exclusive podcast that contains stuff that didn't make it to air and is done every weekend. Marty is known to be extremely reluctant in doing these as he dislikes the extra work. It can be accessed through the usual podcast feed or streamed from the website.Segments
- Captain Obvious: This is a segment where callers talk about hearing or seeing something that's just plain obvious, such as the classic "Mixed nuts may contain traces of nuts".
- Cart It Up: is a segment introduced in 2007 which replays the mistakes that Fifi, Marty or Drew have picked up on over the course of the show. The concept is if whoever is talking at the time mispronounces a word or has trouble saying a word, either the co-anchor or themselves say "Cart It Up" to add it to the end-of-show replay segment. Fifi is known for dominating the segment.
- Thank Dog You're Here: This is a segment in which Fifi and Marty take calls from listeners, and try and guess what breed of dog they have, based on their bark. The title is taken from comedy show, Thank God You're HereThank God You're HereThank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season...
, on which Fifi is a regular guest.
- Age of Reason: In this segment, Marty and Fifi try and guess the age of particular public figures. There are also the spin-off segments "Height of Reason", "Weight of Reason" and "Shoe Size of Reason".
- Amazing Facts: One of the few original segments carried over from the drive shift. Listeners ring up with a piece of trivia (an "amazing fact"). The only rule of the segment is that a caller must say the word "Fact" before telling their fact.
- Car Idiosyncrasies: This is where listeners ring up and tell of their "car idiosyncrasies", which are odd habits of their cars. One example is if one's windscreen wipers only worked if the radio was on.
- Fatima Files: Listeners ring up with their supernatural or "other worldly" experiences.
- Fifi's Diary: A new segment where Fifi reads out entries from her old diary that she kept when she was a child.
- Getting to Know You: With Julie Andrews in the opening song, Marty comically tells the listeners about various childhood experiences.
- Ponder This: Marty gives Fifi a conundrum to try and solve such as "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?". If he likes Fifi's answer, he says "Well pondered" and they move on.
- Riddle Me This: Marty and Fifi attempt to solve some riddles but the segment was axed after complaints that is was boring.
- Rulebook: Marty and Fifi identify a facet of life, such as wearing tracksuit pants, and listeners call up with their rules about it.
- Shebanging the World: Listeners take a photo with a Shebang sign in other countries and email them through, which Marty and Fifi read out and put on the website. This is done in an attempt to get a photo from every country in the world.
- Six Billion to One: Listeners call with their stories about unbelievable coincidences. The title is based on the premise that there are approximately six billion people in the world. After several years, Fifi still cannot sing the segment's song correctly.
- Sucked in robbers: Listeners call with their stories about when they have been robbed, but the robbers didn't get what they were expecting, such as: the person didn't have any money in their wallet, or the car that was stolen had no petrol, etc.
- Wake Up Call: Marty and Fifi gives someone an early start to their day.
Changes
Throughout 2006, there were rumours that The Shebang would be moved to the breakfast shift, replacing struggling breakfast show The CageThe Cage (radio show)
The Cage is the name of two different breakfast shows on Australian radio network Triple M, broadcasting in Brisbane and Melbourne.Previously Sydney and Adelaide received the Melbourne version, however these cities now have their own individual shows....
in the Sydney and 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...
markets. This was all but confirmed in a report in The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The Daily Telegraph is an Australian tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News Corporation.The Tele, as it is also known, was founded in 1879. From 1936 to 1972, it was owned by Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. That year it was sold to...
on 3 November 2006, which suggested the move would be announced shortly for 2007, and would make Box one of the highest-earning women in radio.
It was reported on 29 November 2006 in the Melbourne Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
, that Fifi and Marty had recently filmed a pilot of The Shebang chat show concept called The Late Night Little Big Show with comedians Glenn Robbins
Glenn Robbins
Glenn Maxwell Robbins is an Australian comedian, writer and actor.Robbins attended Strathmore Secondary College and graduated in 1975...
and Tony Martin
Tony Martin (comedian)
Tony Francis Martin is a comedian and writer from Te Kuiti, New Zealand who has had a successful TV, radio, stand-up and film career in Australia.- Career :...
. The article makes reference also that 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...
has given it the thumbs-down, but 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...
is considering it. Also the article mentions that the negotiations between The Shebang and The Cage shows and time slots are still in progress and nothing is confirmed at this stage.
In an article, Fifi Box
Fifi Box
Fifi Box is an Australian radio broadcaster and television personality, formerly hosting The Shebang with Marty Sheargold on Triple M, and presenter on the Seven Network's Sunrise program....
is understood to have signed a new contract worth $500,000 a year, making her one of the highest paid women on the air.
Austereo had announced on 14 December that The Shebang would move to the morning shift for Triple M Sydney in 2007. Wil Anderson
Wil Anderson
William James "Wil" Anderson is an Australian comedian, writer, performing stand-up, and television and radio presenter and personality.- Early life :...
has taken over the drive-time shift as of 2 April 2007 with the show Wil & Lehmo
Wil & Lehmo
Wil & Lehmo was an afternoon drive time radio program broadcast nationally on Triple M and was hosted by Wil Anderson and Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann. It began broadcasting on 2 April 2007....
airing from 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
(After 2 years and poor ratings Wil and Lehmo were replaced by Roy and H.G. of Triple J fame at the start of 2009)
At the end of 2007, it was announced that Paul Murray
Paul Murray (Triple M radio presenter)
Paul Murray is the regular drive presenter on 2UE, an AM radio station in Sydney. He also hosts Paul Murray Live on Sky News Australia .-Career:...
would be joining The Shebang in 2008 in a bid to lift soft ratings. The addition of Paul Murray came with a more "newsy" approach. Ironically, The Shebang's ratings plummeted with the addition of Paul Murray.
In 2008, Triple M's Anthony Maroon replaced Drew (who was then put on the morning shift) as anchor. The reason for this is unknown.
Unfortunately, without any promotion or in any way letting the listeners to The Shebang know, Friday 31 October 2008 brought about the final edition of The Shebang. It was sprung without warning, with Fifi Box and Paul Murray left to say goodbye without the presence of Marty Sheargold.
The Shebang Podcast was removed from iTunes on 1 November, with the last 7 shows not being available for download.