…and then Tracy Grimshaw pashed Rodger Corser

It had a brass band, Jimmy Barnes singing, shiny blue balls and even Tracy Grimshaw pashing Rodger Corser. Well why, wouldn’t you…?

Nine’s Upfront event at FOX Studios yesterday welcomed 1200 guests from around the country, requiring a small army of staff and a fleet of buses to meet the demand.

The event kicked off with a very amusing (and cheekily edited) Married at First Sight dinner party splicing former contestants with Nine celebrities and even the CEO Hugh Marks around the table. Most shocking moment was the pash between the A Current Affair host (“I can’t believe Grant Denyer won the Gold Logie!”) and the Doctor Doctor star.

It also featured Rebecca Maddern, Karl Stefanovic, Sonia Kruger, Scott Cam, Neale Whittaker, Hamish & Andy, Mandy McElhinney, Richard Wilkins and Georgie Gardner, who turned to Karl at the end and asked “Anyone wanna share an Uber?” Love it.

Marks led the proceedings welcoming media buyers before the content showcase with casts from Doctor Doctor, Bad Mothers, SeaChange plus Hamish Blake (in a Lego Masters costume). Sports boss Tom Malone spoke about Nine’s sports before Tony Jones interviewed Jim Courier and Lleyton Hewitt for the Australian Open.

Other execs spoke about various Nine brands to advertisers including 9Now, 9Galaxy. At the end of proceedings Hamish & Andy and a brass band walked guests to an adjacent studio for the after-party (no rain, thankfully). A carnival atmosphere was filled with 9 exhibitions for shows including Love Island, Family Food Fight, plus mini golf, spinning wheel and even an indoor ferris wheel.

Sigrid Thornton was in demand after the SeaChange revival surprised everybody.

Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell entertained guests as media buyers mingled with Nine stars.

Later in the night, Hugh Marks joked to me his very own acting career had kicked off!

Next week, curtain up on Seven ‘AllFronts.’