Continuous Call Team
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The Continuous Call Team is an Australian radio sports program, covering the news and live games of the National Rugby League. It is produced and broadcast by 2GB Sydney, and is relayed to stations in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. The team have exclusive commercial radio rights to the National Rugby League (excluding Monday Night matches) until the end of 2009
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[edit] Team Members
[edit] Current Team Members
(The team are also known as "The Gibberers" because of their side-splitting knack for gibbering.)
- Ray Hadley (football commentator, and 2GB's morning show presenter)
- Steve "Blocker" Roach (football commentator, and former Balmain player and Australian representative)
- Bob "Bozo" Fulton (analyst, Australian and New South Wales selector, former Manly coach, former Australian coach, former Australian football representative, former Manly player, representative in 60's and 70's team of the decade)
- Tony "Magoo" Megahey (sideline commentator, and rugby league writer)
- Andrew Moore (football commentator, and fill-in for Hadley)
- Darryl "The Big Man" Brohman (ex-Bulldogs and Penrith player, football commentator and ex-Channel 9 presenter)
- Dean "Bulldog" Ritchie (The Daily Telegraph reporter, team news updates reporter, and sideline commentator for Saturday night matches)
- Tommy Raudonikis (former Western Suburbs Magpies and Newtown Jets player, raconteur and commentator)
[edit] Former Team Members
- In 2004, Peter "Chippy" Frilingos, who was a member of the team, and chief rugby league writer for The Daily Telegraph, died of a heart attack while working for the Telegraph. His spot was not filled for the remainder of the 2004 NRL season. A replacement was found in former rival, and ex-2UE commentator Darryl Brohman.
- John Gibbs
- Peter Jackson
- Andrew Voss
- Wayne Pearce
- Ray Price
- Laurie Daley
[edit] Coverage
See Also: Continuous Call Team network stations
Stations that carry the broadcasts include those owned by Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, Grant Broadcasters and some independently owned stations (such as 2BS Bathurst).
The show, also known as "Weekend Detention" is transmitted on Saturdays from 12pm through to around 8pm, and on Sundays from 12pm to 6pm. Some stations carry both days, some only cover the Sunday broadcast. Some stations like KOFM in Newcastle take coverage of other teams in place of the 2GB broadcast (KOFM for example carry games of the Newcastle Knights). The team also covers respresentative and finals matches, such as the State of Origin and the NRL Grand Final.
In 2006, the program lost major coverage with the Broadcast Operations Group failing to come to terms with Macquarie and the NRL to broadcast games, which lead to 2SM's own Talking Sport program being relayed in its place. This caused some problems in Newcastle, as long time broadcaster 2HD could not air neither the program or Newcastle Knights games for the first time in nearly 20 years. In some areas, other stations have picked up the program, notably FM stations Great Lakes FM in Forster/Tuncurry (a community station), Star FM in Dubbo and KOFM in Newcastle (who also picked up Knights games, and brought long time commentator Garry Harley along with them to the station).
[edit] Format
The program is popular and is a ratings winner for 2GB. Thanks to live streaming on the Internet, the program can be heard in other states of Australia and throughout the world, and many ex-pats living overseas email the team to have their say.
The team is backed up by around-the-grounds reporters including "Hard Punching" Don Moseley and Michelle Keighran, who is the first female sports reporter in the history of The Continuous Call Team. She also doubles up as a general sports reporter during the week as well as a producer for "Sportzone" hosted by Andrew Moore.
The team also have a number of regular callers to the program, including Elsie, the pensioner from Maitland, who always has pieces of advice for the boys along with anecdotes about greyhounds as well as her ardent support of her beloved Newcastle Nights; "Burnsie", an unlucky-in-love guy who always seems to be 'on the drink' when he calls but only rings just for the sake of getting on air and loving the sound of his own voice; and Clive the critical Roosters supporter and a serial pest with no constructive comments. Other callers who contribute from time to time include "The Phantom Whistler", "The Phantom Siren", "Dooma", "King Curtis" and a vivacious lady from Sydney (and avid listener to boot) named Dorita who enthralls listeners with whatever topic transpires such as certain team members, general observations of the footy and the odd contribution (see Songs).
Another feature of The Continuous Call Team is a plethora of phone calls from people wishing to seek some counselling, to which they are none the wiser with no help whatsoever from the team who are only qualified in football related matters. For their troubles, they receive a Continuous Call Team Showbag that consists of novelty items. Although they are of no worth at all, they serve as a reminder and a great souvenir of when they have been counselled by "The Gibberers".
A memorable counselling call came from a young lady named Kelly, who came from Hervey Bay and was dating a footballer's father twice her age. Hilarity erupted when Kelly attempted to put him on the phone but he wouldn't get off the lounge simply because he was old and lazy.
The show also specialises in trucking and features the "10-4 big buddy" theme song "Convoy" which was a massive hit for C.W. McCall. The song is featured as a small snippet to indicate the time is 3.50pm (or ten to four, big buddy - hence "10-4 big buddy") but is also played in full at the request of listeners.
The team offers podcasts via its website, featuring highlights of the program over the weekend, but not games.
[edit] Saturdays
Between 12pm and 5pm, the program is broadcast from the 2GB studio in Pyrmont with Hadley, Fulton, Brohman, and Roach (when the 5.30pm match is being played in NSW). The program consists of reviews of the previous night's match (with the exception of Brohman, who does not even bother to watch matches and spends his evenings out elsewhere), short reports on the night's upcoming match, combined with large amounts of comedy, including stories of the team member's private lives, humorous songs about the team members and issues in rugby league, as well as discussion on unrelated issues, and random comments from Tony "Magoo" Megahey. However, much of the program is focused on the open line calls of the program's listeners.
From 5pm-8pm (the program runs longer during the Finals series), the program moves to a live broadcast from wherever the 5.30pm NRL match is being played. The program is hosted by Moore, with Roach and Dean Ritchie. The team review what has happened so far that weekend, preview the match, before calling it. After the match, for around 50 minutes, they interview players and coaches, and get comments from listeners on what occurred during the match.
[edit] Sundays
The program airs from 12 Noon- 6pm and is broadcast live from the ground of a selected Sunday match. Progress scores from other matches are provided by reporters live at those grounds. The team review the Saturday night match, and discuss the upcoming matches for that day. There is less of a focus on comedy on Sundays, however it is still evident. From 2.30pm or 3pm, Hadley and Roach broadcast the selected match. After the game, players and coaches are interviewed, listerners give their opinions on the day's matches, the premiership ladder is updated, and the following weekend's fixtures are announced.
[edit] Season 2007, 2008 and 2009
On March 16 2007, the Continuous Call Team will broadcast Friday Night's Live TV game across NSW and provide around the grounds coverage from the second game, which also kicks off at 7.30pm. The team will be on air from 7pm every Friday Night throughout the season.
Saturday's and Sundays will remain the same, on air from Midday both days, with a Live game call at 5.30pm Saturday, and again on Sunday Afternoon. On Monday Night's 2GB will provide a comprehensive score service.
[edit] History
The program began in 1987 when Ray Hadley and Ray Price took over the commentary duties on 2UE. When 2UE lost the rights to broadcast NRL games in 1999 to 2GB, the station asked commentator Ray Hadley to present a six-hour rugby league program, without having the rights to the actual games, nor having access to their reporters inside the ground. Several 2UE commentators, including John Gibbs and Darryl Brohman, joined 2GB.
The program was renamed The Talking League Team. The team consisting of Ray Hadley, Peter Frilingos, Bob Fulton, Steve Roach, Tony Meaghey and Greg Alexander astounded industry insiders when they beat 2GB and ABC Radio, both of whom had the actual rights to NRL games in 2000 and 2001. Many network stations dropped 2GB coverage and switched to 2UE's coverage. At one stage, rival 2GB campaigned for Foxtel to cut off 2UE's access to the service, as they were calling games off their coverage. The team stopped the practice soon after the threat was made.
In 2002, when Ray Hadley moved to 2GB, he brought his team over with him (with the exception of Alexander), and combined the comedy and listener-driven aspects of the program with coverage of live NRL games, and has continued to win the ratings since then.
In 2004, the team lost long time member Peter Frilingos to a heart attack, and his spot was not filled for the rest of the season, to be eventually replaced by Darryl Brohman in 2005.
[edit] Songs
Throughout the history of The Continuous Call Team, music has been an integral part of the program with send ups of popular songs of any era and genre. Lyrically, these songs have been directed at anyone or anything related to rugby league (be it referees, clubs, players, coaches and the like). Additionally, Dean Ritchie (aka "Bulldog") has his own intro to his segment with the appropriate song "Who Let The Dogs Out?" (dance remix) by The Baha Men.
There have been other songs of mostly novelty value that also feature prominently. They include the Danny McMaster rugby league anthem, "U.G.L.Y." from Daphne and Celeste, "Football, Beer And You", "Man Boobs", "The Man Song", "Ain't No Ugly People After 2am", "I'm My Own Grandpa" by Ray Stevens, "The Day My Wife Met My Girlfriend" and "Mama's Got Her Boobs Out" to name a few.
Members of The Continuous Call Team are also targeted with numerous songs collectively about them with each stanza dedicated to each member. However, Ray racks up the most songs written about him including "Mr Ed" (Captain Ed), "Blue Suede Shoes" (White Horselike Teeth) and "Piano Man" to name a few. These songs and more are in reference to Ray's distorted features including having no neck, no bum; and teeth that resemble a horse and a piano, and a head that also resembles a horse.
There have also been songs written about The Big Maaan in reference to his duplicitous character traits and the fact that he's fat, jolly, disloyal and a backstabber. He also recorded a few songs himself (albeit rather badly with no melodical grasp) - including "Great Balls Of Fire" (Big Maaan's On Fire), "Mamma Mia" from his favourite band ABBA (Don't Pick On Me-a), "I'm Too Sexy" and "Summer Holiday". Lyrical emphasis has been placed on his self-promotional and glorified attitude and the belief that he's revered by his 'faaans' along with bagging the other members of The Continuous Call Team - much to the ire, dismay and chagrin of Ray Hadley.
Following the lead of The Big Maaan, the other members decided to follow suit (with hilarious results!). Firstly, a very 'Spicey' duet from Bozo and Blocker (aka Bozo Spice and Blocker Spice) performing "Wannabe" dedicated to the big blancmange. While Bozo might not have melodical concept, Blocker is surprisingly a great singer! After much persuasion, Ray also hit the recording studio by recording a dedication to the 150kg white ant with the song "Achy Breaky Heart" (Eeny Weeny Heart), under the pseudonym "Billy Ray Hadley." It is a well-established fact that, as a great commentator and broadcaster, Ray is profoundly tone-deaf. Speculation is rife that he might appear in next season's 'It Takes Two' on Channel 7 with Beccy Cole, Melinda Schneider or Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to improve his singing - albeit massive pitch problems.
All these footy songs are written and performed by "The Boys" who are exclusively commissioned by and to The Continuous Call Team, as well as other aspiring performers.
A perennial favourite has been a dedication to hard-hitting Parramatta reserve grade and sometimes first grade player Fuifui Moimoi simply titled "Fuifui" (to the tune of the ABBA song "Honey Honey").
There have also been contributions by listeners including a young boy with his rendition of the Slim Dusty hit "G'day, G'day!" (G'day To Ray) as well as a few from avid Sydney listener Dorita. Her self-penned contributions include "Amazing Grace" (Amazing Blokes) (which was performed acapella over the phone), the Guy Sebastian hit "Angels Brought Me Here" (I'll Wait Until Next Year), as well as a dedication to Billy Slater stemming from his try-fest in State Of Origin with the Delta Goodrem hit "Born To Try" (Score A Try), along with the Michael Jackson hits "Beat It" (which was completely ruined by Australian Idol reject Flynn) and "The Way You Make Me Feel" (The Way They Make Me Feel).
[edit] Quotes
- "Poess" (originally by Greg the caller and adopted by Federal Liberal MP and ice dancing queen Jackie Kelly, who has used the word in Parliament and it was officially recorded in Hansard)
- "10-4, Big Buddy" - Ray
- "Try, try, try!" - Ray
- "You've got massive problems." - Ray
- "Sit down, you fat heap!" - Ray (direct reference to The Big Maaan)
- "Keep quiet, you big blancmange!" - Ray (direct reference to The Big Maaan)
- "Aw, just drop off, OK?" - Ray (direct reference to The Big Maaan)
- "Don't touch the sets, don't touch the dial, don't you go anywhere!" - Ray
- "Make no mistake, they are white hot!" - Ray
- "Like a runaway XPT through Fassifern" - Ray
- "He passes the ball like Marty Coffey." - Ray
- "Blocker, pinch me, I'm dreaming!" - Ray
- "Thanks, Scoop!" - Ray
- "Surprise, surprise!" - Ray (with an excellent impersonation of the bumbling Jim Nabors character Gomer Pyle)
- "Rice Wisser" - Tommy (he meant Rhys Wesser)
- "The great Paul Rau-hoohoo....Rauhihi...whatever his name is" - Tommy
- "I really mean it!" - Tommy (Blocker is often revered for his flawless impersonation of Tommy, it's hard to spot the difference.)
- "He passes the ball a-la carte AFL style." - Tommy
- "Ah, not the cursed CATTLE DOG!" - Tommy
- "That'll do me" - 'Chippy'
- "What's this got to do with the football?" - 'Chippy'
- "How is this germane to the football?" - 'Chippy' (Ray would often imitate Chippy and completely have it down pat.)
- "They got lapped...L-A-P-P-E-D" - 'Chippy'
- "Cor-rect!" - 'Chippy'
- "You're a germ, you're an imbe-ceel!" 'Chippy'
- "Ray, you're a halfwit! Make that a congenital halfwit! It means that it goes back centuries." - 'Chippy'
- "Chris Walker is a goose. Can we leave it at that?" - 'Chippy'
- "Blblblblbl" - 'Chippy' (moving his bottom lip with his finger)
- "Let Chippy give you the tippy." - 'Chippy'
- "Who was the greatest front-rower you ever played against, and why was I?" - Darryl
- "You've got nothing!" - Ray and 'Bozo' (direct reference to The Big Maaan)
- "Back to you, Ray." - Darryl
- "When's the next ratings survey, Ray?" - Darryl
- "Beautiful conditions and clear skies" - 'Around the Grounds' reporter Don Moseley
- "You're a goose, you're a grub, you're a lowlife, you're a backstabber, you're a flip!" - 'Bozo' (direct reference to The Big Maaan)
- "You just cross the line, don't you?" Ray and 'Bozo' (direct reference to the Big Maaan)
- "Yo, bro!" - 'Magoo'
- "Time on, boys" - 'Magoo'
- "...on a more serious note, boss" - 'Magoo'
- "I take, and take, and take, but eventually I snap" - 'Blocker'
- "I know nozzink!" - 'Blocker' (imitating Sargeant Schulz, or Colonel Klink)
- "Let's get it on, baby!" - 'Blocker' (after a melee between opposing players)
- "Hi, I'm Arnie!" - Darryl (a very bad impersonation of a very bad Arnold Schwarzenegger)
- "Previously, on Survivor" - Darryl (a very bad impersonation of Survivor host Jeff Probst)
- "I'm an ideas man, Ray!" - Darryl
- "I'm here for the fans, Ray!" - Darryl
- "I'm tipping exclusively....." - Darryl
- "It's an exclusive!" - Darryl
- "I didn't watch any football last night." - Darryl
- "You see, this is where you let yourself down..." - Darryl
