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Friday Flashback: The Loft Live

In 1997, a young Rove McManus began hosting on Community TV Ch 31.

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In 1997, a young Rove McManus began hosting The Loft Live, produced by student television RMITV for Channel 31.

He was reportedly given a budget of $50 per week, most of which went to the make-up artist.

It was there he met long-time co-host Peter Helliar, appearing alongside Scott Brennan, Adam Richard, Myf Warhurst.

The show ran across 2 years with guests including Larry Emdur, Livinia Nixon, John Brumby, Nadine Garner, Judith Lucy, Jeremy Sims, Neville Stonehouse, Dylan Lewis, Francis Leach, John Safran, Edwin Maher.

He soon headed to Foxtel as a roving reporter on a show called In Fashion, hosted by (wait for it) a young Hugh Jackman, before Nine offered him a Rove tonight show which ran for 10 episodes in 1999 (Nine reportedly wanted him to ditch his ensemble), and then onto 10 for Rove Live in 2000.

That year he was also nominated for a Gold Logie which he later won in 2003.

This promo is from 1988.

6 Responses

  3. 10 should do a “Hey Hey” style reunion clip show of Rove Live with the cast. I think it would rate well with viewers who love nostalgia! Alot of the content was great from big international guests and crazy segments “what the” “flick ya switch” “two minutes at your place.” Say hi to your mum for me!

    2. I didn’t get to see the Channel 31 show as I wasn’t in Melbourne metro area at that time, though Rove Live I thought wasn’t that great or funny. I remember being disappointed that it was the best Australian TV could offer at the time in terms of live variety and comedy. Though the reunion and clip style shows are a good idea, like the Hey! Hey! special, Recovery: The Music and The Mayhem etc. I’d like to see that with shows like The Panel, and can possibly work with some other shows as well. Great ratings opportunities for the networks. Viewers do love the nostalgia.

  4. It’s a little-known fact that while at Foxtel he also performed a puppet character named Curly as part of a duo called Short and Curly on thecomedychannel. The duo would record links to drop in between the various shows of an evening. It doesn’t even seem to be on YouTube such is the rarity of the show. Shame because it was quite funny, and pretty blue.

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