I’m beyond excited to reveal we are screening STARSTRUCK in 4K for the Sydney Underground Film Festival this year.
STARSTRUCK from 1982 is one of my favourite Australian films, although it is rarely (if ever) on television and hasn’t been available on DVD for over 20 years.
The Sydney Underground Film Festival is at The Factory in Marrickville. STARSTRUCK will be screened on Saturday, 12 September at 3pm.
I will be awarding lo-fi but unique prizes before the screening for the best outfits, and DJ-ing afterwards in the courtyard bar.
If you came to last year’s Xanadu screening, you know we encourage singing and dancing, so bop along to Starstruck in what will be the most shamelessly colourful cinema celebration in Sydney. Dress up like it’s 1982 or pick a character from the film: Jackie, Angus, Ice Cream Girl or Max Cullen as the dressing gown wearing Reg. Maybe it’s time to break out that tutu you’ve got there.
Jackie in mock peril during her high wire publicity stunt
Tickets are limited, as are the people who really get into this film. There is nothing quite like sharing the enjoyment of a unique film with a cinema full of exuberant like-minded individuals. This will be fun, tutu or no tutu! Probably don’t bring a live cockatoo though, that wouldn’t work out well.
You can tell I’m excited about this film
Starstruck movie soundtrack insert sheet (Australian release)
Dr Cara Santa Maria has been with The Skeptics Guide To The Universe podcast for over 11 years now. Along with the rest of the crew, she recently visited Sydney, Australia for NotACon, hosted by SGU and Australian Skeptics. The three day skeptical festival was full of science and science adjacent antics.
During a break in the last night of the show, I was lucky to catch Cara, who is a clinical health psychologist, science communicator, podcaster, and Emmy Award-winning journalist. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in 2025 in the Patient and Family Support Program at the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center. She also holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology, an M.S. in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience, and a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy.
So obviously I started by asking her about Devo ..
Cara Santa Maria 2018. Source: Wiki
Our conversation ranged from advertising on podcasts to being a public figure, and we even speculate on how much George Michael will be played by George Hrab at the 80s Singalong grand finale at NotACon.
Also we discover Cara’s height in the newly discovered German metric measurement of the Zentimeter. Breaking news: she’s 165,000 Zentimeters.
Sunday Afternoon Fever, Triple J live to air 15th November 1992 and I’m heavily celebrating International Village People Day.
We had original Village People members David Hodo (Construction Worker) and Felipe Rose (Native American) live in the studio to take listeners’ questions and take some Polaroid photos with me … which were the prizes later in the show for Maynard’s Mastermind, we were that cheap.
The people at home are sitting there thinking – “Tonight, I want to see something cheap and vulgar.”
David Hodo -Village People
Some of the questions for David and Felipe included:
John (Adelaide) – Why a construction worker?
James (Sydney) – Why is David’s nickname “Scar”?
Caroline (Perth) – Is Glenn Hughes’ (Leatherman) back as hairy as his chest?
Marissa (Sydney) – Do they have any costumes to wear in front of their friends?
Caroline (Melbourne) – “Village People are the best band in the world ever!”
Elvis (Gold Coast) – Remake Blue Hawaii with Village People.
Mrs Fred Sinatra has gone missing at the Sands Casino buffet in Las Vegas, so I call them to see if I can find her.
This show featured a lot of technical trouble with the new Poul Kirk digital audio desks that were installed throughout the Ultimo ABC at that time. We had to reboot (which took between 5-7 minutes) two or three times during the live broadcast, which meant moving to another studio briefly, then back again to maintain continuity. I really did miss broadcasting from Triple J’s William St Sydney studios. We rarely experienced technical issues as often there. Except when Micheal Tunn spilt cola into the desk. But that only happened once…
Lance and The Hollywood Kids dish the very 1992 Tinsel Town gossip (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Alladdin, Jack Nicholson, U2 & the Madonna Sex book).
While listeners Michelle (North Ryde), Julian (Newcastle) & Peter Young a current Patreon supporter (Castle Hill) play Maynard’s Mastermind. This week it was top to bottom Village People questions.
Movie man Peter Castaldi reviews Can’t Stop The Music and the 1992 releases Honeymoon In Vegas and the final ever Carry On movie with Julian Clary, Carry On Columbus.
But what did you play on the show Maynard? Here is a list for ya!.
Village People – Macho Man (Live) Def Fx – Surfers Of The Mind Cure – Friday I’m In Love Lene Lovich – Lucky Number (Recorded live 1983 by Triple J) Single Gun Theory – From A Million Miles (Recorded live by Triple j) Ratcat – Holiday (Recorded live by Triple J) The Rutles – Goosestep Mama Shonen Knife – Goosestep Mama L7 – Pretend We’re Dead Hoodoo Gurus – Come Anytime Divinyls – I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore Shamen – Boss Drum (Beatmasters Mix) Big Tuna – Normie Vs Casey (Demo) Swing Out Sister – Am I The Same Girl? Soft Hard – Take A Walk On The Wild Side (Cantonese) Baby Animals – Impossible To Fly Stray Cats – Elvis On Velvet Custard – Bedford Village People – YMCA (Live) The Sharp – Talking Shy Was (Not Was) – Shake Your Head A.L.T. & The Lost Civilization – Tequila Bananarama – Movin’ On Sultans Of Ping – Where’s Me Jumper? Betty Boo – I’m On My Way Madonna – Fever Stereo MC’s – Connected Village People – Can’t Stop The Music Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive Utah Saints -Something Good Duran Duran – Rio Village People – Spend The Night (partial) Village People – Diet (partial) Village People – Milkshake Village People – Spare My Balls (live) Village People – Trash Disco (live) Four Seasons – Oh, What A Night The Popinjays – Too Jung Frente! – Accidentally Kelly Street May May – Life’s A Test Fantastic Planet – Carry On Columbus Dwight Yoakam – Suspicious Minds Utah Saints – Something Good New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle Village People – San Fransisco (You Got Me)
Top tunes on International Village People Day, or anytime for that matter.
Special thanks to the work of Anne Marie my Producer and all Triple J in 1992.
Sunday Afternoon Fever, Triple J live to air on 14 November 1993 and what a line up! Dannii Minogue is back in Australia, engaged to Julian McMahon, and she has a new album to play us. Denis Leary is chuffed with the success of his No Cure For Cancer album and his song Asshole, which SAF was the first to play in Australia. I’m especially proud of that one.
“When people say to me ‘I don’t like Kylie’s music’, I think, I’m her sister you know.”
Dannii Minogue
Mrs Sinatra in Las Vegas has a new cordless speaker phone. Micheal Idato at the Mirror newspaper wanted to know who gave Ann-Maree Cooksley her job at Channel 9, so I rang them and asked. Lance and The Hollywood Kids share some very 1993 gossip about Heather Locklear and Johnny Depp.
We announce the 9 runners up and the winner of Sit Next To Maynard at Madonna Contest and play the Madonna soundalike entries we received. Thanks to Jaynie Edwards (Perth), Carolyn Hull (Bassendean, Perth), Lewis Payton and Rachael Wood (Subiaco, Perth), Kay Richards (Gorokan, NSW), Vivian and Rosie (Pascoe Vale, Melbourne), Caitlin Yeo (Earlwood, Sydney), runner up Nick Yankovic (Marino, Adelaide) for his polka rendition of Like a Virgin and the winner Eirinn Johnson (Northbridge, Perth) for his high Baroque interpretation of Erotic.
Richard Kingsmill drops by to spin some Revolting Cocks.
Listeners Ainsley (Melbourne), Kirren (Kardinya, Perth) and Jason (Brisbane) play Maynard’s Mastermind testing their Minogue family knowledge. Questions were prepared by the researcher for the show, Justine.
Crappy New Releases feature Desi Arnaz and The Muppets.
We even hear the start of the film show that followed Sunday Afternoon Fever at 6pm, Creatures Of The Spotlight with Peter Castaldi and Lawrie Zion.
But what tracks will we hear from the show Maynard? Here’s a list smarty bum.
Salt-N-Pepa – Shoop The Wonder Stuff – Caught In My Shadow The Models – Preacher From The Black Lagoon The Cure – Hello, I Love You Urge Overkill – Positive Bleeding Die Screaming Lederhosens – Dog Pound Hop (Ren & Stimpy Theme) Weird Al Yankovic – Bedrock Anthem Captain Coco – The Three Little Bops The Beloved – Outer Space Girl M People – Movin’ On Up Denis Leary – Asshole Denis Leary – Voices In My Head New Order – Regret Barefoot (Rowan Smith) – Baby (You Got in the Way) Madonna – Hanky Panky Kate Bush – Eat The Music Dannii Minogue – Be Careful Dannii Minogue – Get Into You Kylie Minogue – Shocked (DNA Mix) Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name Pet Shop Boys – Go West The Revolting Cocks – Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? (Rod Stewart cover) Jenny Morris – Price I Pay (Billy Bragg cover) The Other Two (Gillian and Stephen from New Order) – Selfish Dennis Walter – The Ship Song (Nick Cave cover) Caligula – Tears Of A Clown ABBA – Lay All Your Love On Me (Ben Liebrand remix) Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
Every song a winner!
Special thanks to the work of Anne Marie as Producer, Justine Lynch and all Triple J in 1993.
Triple J live to air 18th April 1993 and despite the ARIA awards being on the Wednesday, it seemed the Australian music industry was still missing in action on Sunday Afternoon Fever as I brought to Australia everyone that would talk to me on the night, from the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Multiple interviews from artists and audience members during the 1993 ARIA after party. (no recorders allowed during the actual show, remember when that was a thing?)
Hear from Ash from Caligula, Andy Glitre, Boom Crash Opera, Glen A Baker, Elle McFeast, D-Gen, Mick Molloy, Jane Kennedy, The Rockmelons, Ray Medhurst, Johnny Diesel, Kate Cebrano, Crowded House and more…
Lance and The Hollywood Kids dish the very 1993 Tinsel Town gossip (Johnny Depp has bought a nightclub). While listeners Matt (Perth), Amy (Adelaide) & Jason Strong (Wannaroo, WA) play Maynard’s Mastermind. This week it was random music clip questions prepared by the newly promoted senior researcher for the show Justine.
Crappy New Releases from Kim Carnes and Eddie Murphy.
But what tunes did you play on the show Maynard? Here is a list I still stand by.
Utah Saints – New Gold Dream Shaggy – Oh Carolina Tom Jones – Help Yourself (Live in Las Vegas) Hummingbirds – If A Vow Def Fx – Feels Good Snow – Informer Tlot Tlot – Mothers Fluid Yothu Yindi – Sunset Dreaming (Reckless Kelly soundtrack remix) Barry Manilow – Copacabana (1993 remix) Belly – Feed The Tree The Church – Under The Milky Way Rob Clarkson – The Sphinx, The Parthenon & Me Headless Chickens – Juice Nits – Soap Bubble Box Mixed Relations – Aboriginal Woman Steven Wright – Bizarre Airways Heaven 17 – Penthouse & Pavement Boom crash Opera – In The Morning Pee Wee Herman – The Girl On The Flying Trapeze Single Gun Theory – From a Million Miles Right Said Fred – Stick It Out (Red Nose Day single) Digable Planets – Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) Caligula – I.C.U Rockmelons – Form One Planet (1993 remix) James Taylor Quartet – Love The Life (1993 remix) The Real Thing – You To Me Are Everything Cleopatra Wong – Baby For You Ween – Push The Little Daises St Etienne – Your In A Bad Way Swamp Zombies – Creeps Elektric Music – Baby Come Back Clip Clop Club – Rabbit Shootin’ Just A Gigolo – David Lee Roth
Top tunes!
Special thanks to the work of Anne Marie the Producer, Justine Lynch and all Triple J in 1993.
A Very Maynard Xmas 2025 brings you the unexpected festive farce that you’ve come to expect from someone who has inflatable legs for a window.
Low budget has been swapped out for no budget this year as a Xanadu-themed Xmas special brings you the talents of Leslie Fountain (Glenn Keenan), Fat Elvis (Chris Kelly, Ship-o’-Fools) and Olivia Cardboard-John on the Maynard International Studios Mainstage, as well as greetings from around the world and around Tony Push (whose new teeth are a feature this year), plus more impractical outfits and the wonders of Magpie TV.
Watch in wonder at A Very Maynard Xmas 2025
Guests include Tim Ferguson (Australian legend), one Wiggle and two Cockroaches and an indeterminate Xmas hand puppet. Leslie Fountain brings his finest Xanadu moves to our stage, Brigitte Handley has issues with technology, Tony Push is poorly lit on a dodgy street in Western Sydney, and George Hrab is all over Xmas like a rash as usual.
It’s the Xmas special that you probably don’t want or need, but you have anyway. Just in case everything else falls through. Where else are you going to get someone in a tree getting excited about Supernaut?
A Very Maynard Xmas 2025 promises you an hour of Xmas entertainment for which you will only have yourself to blame. Musically the show has everything from Swing to The New Seekers in their flares and maxi dresses. Plus, as expected, both the West Germans and that magpie remain permanently unimpressed.
For the first time, here is A Very Maynard Xmas (pre show)
Maynard dances onstage with Fat Elvis. A Very Maynard Xmas 2025
Maynard as the mythical Dr Who Christmas Nimon.
None of us know what is happening next. Especially Tim Ferguson’s dog Kylie Minogue.
Leslie Fountain is drained while Maynard helps Olivia Cardboard-John ascend.
Richard Saunders is the entire crew once again this year.
A Very Maynard Xmas 2025 brings you the unexpected festive farce that you’ve come to expect from someone who has inflatable legs for a window.
Here is the link to view A Very Maynard Xmas 2025 for free. It will be live from around 8.15pm Saturday 6th December. Watch along with us and comment like a crazy person.
Low budget has been swapped out for no budget this year as a Xanadu-themed Xmas special brings you the talents of Leslie Fountain (Glenn Keenan), Fat Elvis (Chris Kelly, Ship-o’-Fools) and Olivia Cardboard-John on the Maynard International Studios Mainstage, as well as greetings from around the world and Bexley, plus more impractical outfits and the wonders of Magpie TV.
What you can expect Saturday December 6th from 8.15pm…
Guests include Tim Ferguson (Australian legend), one Wiggle and two Cockroaches and an indeterminate Xmas hand puppet. Leslie Fountain brings his finest Xanadu moves to our stage, Brigitte Handley has issues with technology, Tony Push is poorly lit on a dodgy street in Western Sydney, and George Hrab is all over Xmas like a rash as usual.
It’s the Xmas special that you probably don’t want or need, but you have anyway. Just in case everything else falls through. Where else are you going to get someone in a tree getting excited about Supernaut?
A Very Maynard Xmas 2025 promises you an hour of Xmas entertainment for which you will only have yourself to blame. Musically the show has everything from Swing to The New Seekers in their flares and maxi dresses. Plus, as expected, both the West Germans and that magpie remain permanently unimpressed.
A bit more of what you can expect Saturday December 6th from 8.15pm…
Maynard dances onstage with Fat Elvis. A Very Maynard Xmas 2025
Maynard as the mythical Dr Who Christmas Nimon.
Leslie Fountain is drained while Maynard helps Olivia Cardboard-John ascend.
None of us know what is happening next. Especially Tim Ferguson’s dog Kylie Minogue.
Richard Saunders is the entire crew once again this year.
Maynard presents the second greatest musical from 1980: Xanadu.
Xanadu will be screened for your viewing pleasure in Sydney for one night only on Saturday 13th September, 8.30pm as part of Sydney Underground Film Festival at The Dendy Cinema, Newtown.
Then join us afterwards for the unlikely 1980 Disco afterparty at Bootleggers, upstairs at Kelly’s On King almost next door in King Street, Newtown from around 10.30pm. I’ll be your DJ, so you’ve been warned.
Olivia Newton-John as the Greek muse Terpsichore comes to earth to inspire two guys who are low on their creative juices. One is Gene Kelly in his last big starring movie role, the other one is Michael Beck, hot off The Warriors and coincidentally also in his last big starring movie role.
The Electric Light Orchestra do the soundtrack to a seemingly never-ending festival of flowing drapery and fluoro.
Gene Kelly, 72 years old at the time, risks his life roller skating in the finale that is over the top and under the table at the same time.
Olivia Newton-John was in this film instead of Can’t Stop the Music. Frankly I think she should have been in both, and probably Spice World as well. Every moment she’s on the screen is the best part of the film. Sadly she only gets one outfit for most of it, then gets about 10 different outfits in the final minutes.
This film is for anyone who has stapled a ribbon to a stick and run around the house imagining they are in the rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics. My favourite number is All Over the World, for its blatant over-acting from almost every extra and the special effects that you may have seen in Tron and The Black Hole.
Scholars of Ancient Greek mythology will be bewildered and confused, but potentially entertained.
Xanadu is a much-maligned movie. Unfairly so, considering it was originally conceived to be even more of a roller disco movie than it turned out. It is often given the back handed compliment of being a “guilty pleasure”. Let us absolve you of your roller skate induced guilt! Unless you are Catholic, feel no shame whatsoever and enjoy every ELO-filled moment of movement from a cast best described as disco diverse.
If you came to last year’s Village People screening, you know we encourage singing and dancing, so glide along to Xanadu in what will be the most shameless cinema environment in Sydney. There will be lo-fi but unique prizes for best outfits.
Even they can’t believe this movie!
Actual roller skates are not encouraged at the screening. Think of them as a signifier, or a metaphor, on how your life could be if you hung out with the guy from The Warriors (Micheal Beck).
What other film offers so many genres of music, with so much colour and roller-skated movement? It’s FUN in the extreme.
If you still have criticisms of this misunderstood masterpiece, you’re the one with issues, not us. We’ll be dancin’ at the after party …
Tickets are limited, as are the number of discerning people who love this leg warmer of a musical. There is nothing quite like sharing the enjoyment of the unique film with a loud cinema of like minded people. To quote Olivia herself from the film “I thought we were going roller skating.” Well you are, but without the bruising.
We catch up with the legend Tim Ferguson. Unsurprisingly he has a lot to say in just 12 minutes.
Hear his predictive powers for the last 9 Federal elections, why improvisational comedy has to go and the importance of an Australian pope.
“I think a bit of starvation and anger will create more interesting comedy.”
Tim Ferguson (married man that owns a dog AND a cat)
Tim is running his monthly stand up comedy night at The Harold Park Hotel in Glebe, as well as creating his artworks and generally telling people how to be funnier.
Prepare yourself for the video of the warmest parts of The Coldest 100, 2025.
Maynard hosts a video of Australia’s own Coldest 100 – 2025. Mostly picked by Andrew Sholl, it will features world class musical “issues” only Australia can produce.
The Coldest 100 is songs about Australia, or by Australians that sometimes didn’t turn out as planned…
Expect to see Good News, Kamahl, Kylie, ONJ, The Cockroaches, Collette, Simon Gallaher, Nick Cave and a lot of marsupials doing their bit to get on the show. Guest appearances from fellow Aussie travellers Paul Field, Bronwyn Mulcahy, Lesley Fountain (Glenn Keenan), Tony Push and the man in a tree (newly promoted with a desk).
