EP 1000
Trevor Long 1000 Minute Live Stream
This week we’re celebrating the best bits from our 1000 minute live stream. Email us: hi@thedailytalkshow.com Send us mail: PO BOX 400, Abbotsford VIC 3067...
About Ben
Ben Fordham - Australian Journalist and host of Australian Ninja Warrior and Sydney's 2GB Drive shift.
Ben started his career in radio, working on Sydney's 2UE radio station, winning a Walkley Award for covering the 1997 Thredbo landslide.
Since, Ben has spent an incredible 20 years working with Channel 9 on programs like 60 Minutes, Nine News and Today. In 2016, Ben was announced as the co-host of Nine's hit program Australian Ninja Warrior.
Ben has an amazing work ethic and is incredibly generous and supportive.
Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/benfordham
Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benfordham9/
In Ben’s words
Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.
“I want a Gronk Squad t-shirt that's a bit bigger than the one you sent me.”
“I just really like that, that, that loud noise.”
“that's what people can do at the moment— throw people work.”
“I think ScoMo missed the mark big time on the bushfires, big time, and for a whole range of reasons.”
“It is absolutely unforgivable, and nobody's copped it.”
“it's adapt or die, and you've got to find ways.”
“Sometimes you've just got to ignore the critics and just keep punching on through.”
“just say to him, NFB, not for broadcast.”
Ben’s advice on the show
How can individuals help the economy and local workers during a lockdown?
Look around your house, office, or life for jobs you've been meaning to get done and hire someone to do them now, since tradespeople and casual workers are desperate for work.
Should people still shake hands given the coronavirus situation?
Stop shaking hands and find alternatives like fist bumps or elbow bumps, since people likely won't return to the same level of handshaking even after the pandemic passes.
How do you stop accidentally oversharing private information on a podcast or in public?
Before telling someone something private, say 'NFB, not for broadcast' and get explicit agreement; if you later want to share it publicly, you must negotiate that separately rather than assuming it's fair game after the fact.
How do you succeed as a new or inexperienced broadcaster?
Bring energy above all else; Karl Stefanovic told Fordham on his first TV day that any shortcomings in experience or knowledge will be disguised by great energy.
How do you maintain on-air energy when you're not feeling it?
Keep a bank of timeless pre-recorded interviews ready to air on days when you're not psychologically at your best, rather than forcing live energy you don't have.
Stories Ben told
Neighborhood Kid's Supermarket Discount Hustle
Ep 659Fordham describes how a kid he previously employed landed a job at a supermarket with a 25% staff discount, prompting Fordham to propose splitting the discount by having the kid do his grocery shopping and pocket half the savings.
Stealing Shane Crawford's Catchphrase
Ep 659Fordham describes how he adopted Shane Crawford's premiership-winning catchphrase 'That's what I'm talking about!' during Ninja Warrior commentary, timing it so producers couldn't edit it out.
Hiring the Driver-Turned-Fence-Painter
Ep 659Fordham explains how his usual driver Anthony, left without work due to cancelled events, offered to paint Fordham's fence and front door instead, illustrating his advice that people should hire out odd jobs during the downturn to support workers.
The Ruby Princess Cruise Ship Debacle
Ep 659Fordham describes how NSW Health allowed sick passengers to disembark the Ruby Princess cruise ship in Sydney, who then dispersed across Australia by car, train and plane, leading to six deaths and over 400 cases, which he calls unforgivable given nobody has been held accountable.
Zach McClain Sleeps in a Stranger's Car
Ep 659Fordham recounts how his producer Zach McClain, leaving a late-night party at Fordham's house, got lost in the dead-end street in the rain, slept in the back of a neighbour's unlocked BMW, woke up the next morning, lost his phone in the process, and Fordham then had to knock on the neighbour's door to retrieve it, eventually becoming friends with the neighbour and buying Zach a new iPhone while jokingly claiming he 'owns the rights' to retell the story.
Fordham befriended the owners of a Cammeray café, nudged them into opening a pizza shop on the old 'Livio's Pizza' site, got carried away at the taste-test night and offered to work free every Friday, and now has his own key to lock up.
Questions these interviews answer
Drawn from the episode transcripts.
What is the Daily Talk Show megaphone sponsorship saga about in episode 734?
Josh had bought a $39 megaphone with batteries for personal training sessions, and the hosts jokingly opened it up for 'naming rights' bids via PayPal. Bids escalated from $50 to Kate Mead's $120 and then $125, before Ben Fordham called in live and ultimately paid $250 for naming rights during the first week of his new 2GB breakfast radio show (June 1-5).
From episode 734→How did Ben Fordham's 2GB radio show change during the COVID-19 pandemic?
He dedicated three hours a day entirely to coronavirus coverage for three weeks straight, avoided politicians in favour of medical experts, introduced a daily 'fun fact' homeschooling segment for kids, and hosted a 'Corona Concert Series' with musicians performing from home.
From episode 659→What did Ben Fordham say about the Ruby Princess cruise ship incident?
He said sick passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney and travel across the country, leading to six deaths and over 400 cases at the time of recording, and called the decision by NSW Health 'absolutely unforgivable' with no one held accountable.
From episode 659→What is the 'not for broadcast' system discussed on the episode?
Ben Fordham suggested Mr. 97 (the show's producer) use the phrase 'NFB, not for broadcast' before sharing anything personal with Josh and Tommy, requiring explicit renegotiation if they later wanted to use that information publicly.
From episode 659→Where was Daily Talk Show episode 461 filmed?
It was filmed at Giovanni's Pizza in the Sydney suburb of Cammeray, with desserts and thick shakes supplied by the nearby Maggio's Bakery and Maggio's Cafe, where Ben Fordham works Friday nights.
From episode 461→How did Ben Fordham's catchphrase 'that's crazy' originate?
Fordham says it's one of his on-air 'get out of jail free' verbal fallbacks, used when he's not sure what else to say to a caller; it became a running bit after he used it dismissively in a video about Tommy's reaction to 'Organised August,' and the hosts and even Kyle Sandilands now reference it back to him.
From episode 461→What career advice does Ben Fordham give to young people in media?
He advises against the modern trend of job-hopping every two years, suggesting people slow down and stay in good jobs longer since careers now last into people's 60s, 70s and 80s, and says he now follows a rule of saying yes to anything that scares him.
From episode 461→When Ben came up
Mentioned on 42 episodes Benwasn’t on.
Australian radio host Tommy jokes he could replace, compared to Dave Ramsey's cockpit-like broadcast style.
Radio host who texted Tommy calling him out over a misunderstood joke referencing bacon and Kevin Bacon.
Radio host who phoned Josh to tease the hosts about repeatedly discussing 'Screenplay Sunday' and labeled them 'pseudo self-help' guys.
Radio host who sent Josh an unsolicited late-night text telling him to make his own coffee for Bree.
Radio host whose new 2GB breakfast show is advertised via a sponsored megaphone segment read live during the episode.
Episodes with Ben
Every episode featuring Ben Fordham on The Daily Talk Show.
EP 734
54:05Sharing The Juice
We chat to Fordo and Kate Meade about the Megaphone sponsorship, a merch run and COVID and dentistry.
EP 659
Oversharing With Ben Fordham
Ben Fordham is back and joins us live from Sydney! We chat about Australian Ninja Warrior, radio broadcast and covering COVID-19, working from home, oversharing...
EP 461
93:11Ben Fordham 🍕 That's Crazy
Ben Fordham joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 461 (19 September 2019) — "Ben Fordham 🍕 That's Crazy". Ben Fordham - Australian Journalist and host of Australian Ninja Warrior and Sydney's 2GB Drive shift. Ben started his career in radio, working on Sydney's 2UE radio station, winning a Walkley Award for covering the 1997 Thredbo landslide. Since, Ben has spent an incredible 20 years working wit...