The Mike Walsh Show
 The
Mike Walsh Show was originally launched on the Australian
Network Ten in 1969. At the time it was a ground-breaking concept
for daytime television, combining talk with variety and interviews
with fun and frivolity.
Local and international guests were interviewed, songs were
sung, and Mike charmed his way into the hearts of the Aussie
viewing public.
Eventually, the live show would outlast six hosts, two
timeslots, two axings and jump networks. It would revitalise
careers, embarrass politicians and spark controversy. Along the
way it became as essential to Australian lunchtime as vegemite
sandwiches.
The Mike Walsh Show was dropped by channel Ten in 1972,
given another chance in 1973, and eventually moved to rival
channel Nine in 1977.
The noontime variety show bloomed at channel Nine, and until 1984,
Mike amassed 24 Logie Awards and a devoted following amongst the
"blue rinse" set.
Then ratings flagged again and Walsh abandoned the daytime
format, moving to primetime on Channel Nine.
 His loyal audience
however, did not follow and midway through its first year in
primetime, The Mike Walsh Show was axed for good.
His
concept of a daytime variety show refused to die, and in February 1985 the
clone Midday With Ray Martin was born.
Midday was
hosted by Martin until 1993, and then subsequently by Derryn Hinch
(1993 - 1994), David Reyne and Tracy Grimshaw (1995 - 1996), and
Kerry-Anne Kennerley (1996 - 1998).
Regular personalities on the show were Musical Director Geoff
Harvey, comedienne Jeannie Little, Floor Manager Mike 'Shirley
Temple' Williams, singer/pianist Jade Hurley, movie guru John
Michael "Hollywood" Howson, and family medico, Dr James
Wright.
Old rocker John Hurley (nicknamed 'Jade' by rocker Johnny
O'Keefe in the 60s because he wore green gloves when he played)
made his original TV debut in 1960 on the ABC's Six O'Clock
Rock. Hurley had served as an alderman on the Deniliquin
council and campaigned for Al Grassby in the 1972 Federal
elections.
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