We could just dance we could just sing we've got this beautiful day...
As a child of the 90s, the first (and only) quiz show that ever interested me (pre-millennium) was Vidiot. Televised on the ABC and targeting teenagers, it included questions about music, films, and general pop culture knowledge. Much to my disappointment, it only ran for three years - and it would be a long time before it was replaced in my heart.
Ten yeas later, along came what I perceived to be the adult version, based solely on music - Spicks and Specks. Hosted by comedian Adam Hills, with recurring team captains Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, alongside celebrity guests, it elevated quiz shows to a whole new level.
With cleverly named (and executed) rounds based on song titles (Can't Buy Me Love, Something's Missing, Step Back in Time to name a few), it covered a broad range of music in a format that meant people watching at home could play along. But what really set it apart was the genuine fun, energy, chemistry and knowledge/love of music brought to the show.
After seven years of success and 277 shows, the trio have decided to call it a day, ending on a high note - and on their terms. On Tuesday (the night before their 'Best Of' show aired on the ABC), they kicked off a nationwide tour at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion with SPICKS AND SPECK-tacular: The Finale.
House band, The Spectres, warmed up the audience with some great covers before the show began with a video of the trio in full rehearsal mode. Each of the three expected to be performing solos in the opening number, which led to a medley of John Farnham's Your The Voice (Adam - mullet inclusive), Tony Bennett's Top Hat White Tie And Tails (Alan - complete with Fred Astaire number) and Beyonce's Single Ladies (Myf) - that sounded far better than you would imagine.
When the boys stripped off to reveal their black spandex numbers and joined Myf in a choreographed dance routine, the audience erupted in a fit of laughter and cheers, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
I'm still a little divided about the way they chose to present show. While audience participation is always fun, I did think that selecting eight participants virtually at random was a bit of a recipe for disaster - especially considering the lack of knowledge most of them had. I really enjoy seeing Myf and Alan impart their musical knowledge and trivia so, given a choice, I would have opted for a pre-selection of audience members, so they could hold their own in such esteemed company.
That said, they did very well to bring the favoured games to the stage, with Know Your Product, Look What They've Done (To My Song Ma!), Musician or Serial Killer, and Malvern Stars on 45 - which was a huge hit! Though it has left me hoping if they'll donate it to the Powerhouse Museum, so I can demonstrate how easy it is to find the right rhythm...or eat my words in a vain attempt.
Adam Hills was as charismatic as ever, making for as witty and funny front man onstage as he is on camera. While his roots are in live performance, I doubt that doing solo stand-up comedy and hosting a panel draw many parallels - aside from the live audience. I really enjoyed hearing their personal memories and anecdotes about on and off screen experiences, with celebrity guests and each other.
My highlight would have to be Substitute, which featured the gang recounting their best and worst moments on the show to the medley of songs like Vogue, U Can't Touch This and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. But a very close second was seeing them acting out the lyrics for Throw Your Arms Around Me and It's The End of the World.
They closed the night with The Spectres and a performance of Spicks and Specks, which provided the soundtrack to a montage of video clips from the last seven years. As I'm sure was expected, it wasn't until this point that I experienced a stab of realisation; it's over and Wednesday nights will never be the same.
While there were some opening night hiccups (running an hour over time for one), the majority of the show was a lot of fun and stayed true to the nature and content of Spicks and Specks. It was a fitting farewell to a fantastic show that will be sorely missed - I just hope the ABC doesn't take another decade to come up with one I'll enjoy as much.
Ten yeas later, along came what I perceived to be the adult version, based solely on music - Spicks and Specks. Hosted by comedian Adam Hills, with recurring team captains Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, alongside celebrity guests, it elevated quiz shows to a whole new level.
With cleverly named (and executed) rounds based on song titles (Can't Buy Me Love, Something's Missing, Step Back in Time to name a few), it covered a broad range of music in a format that meant people watching at home could play along. But what really set it apart was the genuine fun, energy, chemistry and knowledge/love of music brought to the show.
After seven years of success and 277 shows, the trio have decided to call it a day, ending on a high note - and on their terms. On Tuesday (the night before their 'Best Of' show aired on the ABC), they kicked off a nationwide tour at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion with SPICKS AND SPECK-tacular: The Finale.
House band, The Spectres, warmed up the audience with some great covers before the show began with a video of the trio in full rehearsal mode. Each of the three expected to be performing solos in the opening number, which led to a medley of John Farnham's Your The Voice (Adam - mullet inclusive), Tony Bennett's Top Hat White Tie And Tails (Alan - complete with Fred Astaire number) and Beyonce's Single Ladies (Myf) - that sounded far better than you would imagine.
When the boys stripped off to reveal their black spandex numbers and joined Myf in a choreographed dance routine, the audience erupted in a fit of laughter and cheers, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
I'm still a little divided about the way they chose to present show. While audience participation is always fun, I did think that selecting eight participants virtually at random was a bit of a recipe for disaster - especially considering the lack of knowledge most of them had. I really enjoy seeing Myf and Alan impart their musical knowledge and trivia so, given a choice, I would have opted for a pre-selection of audience members, so they could hold their own in such esteemed company.
That said, they did very well to bring the favoured games to the stage, with Know Your Product, Look What They've Done (To My Song Ma!), Musician or Serial Killer, and Malvern Stars on 45 - which was a huge hit! Though it has left me hoping if they'll donate it to the Powerhouse Museum, so I can demonstrate how easy it is to find the right rhythm...or eat my words in a vain attempt.
Adam Hills was as charismatic as ever, making for as witty and funny front man onstage as he is on camera. While his roots are in live performance, I doubt that doing solo stand-up comedy and hosting a panel draw many parallels - aside from the live audience. I really enjoyed hearing their personal memories and anecdotes about on and off screen experiences, with celebrity guests and each other.
My highlight would have to be Substitute, which featured the gang recounting their best and worst moments on the show to the medley of songs like Vogue, U Can't Touch This and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. But a very close second was seeing them acting out the lyrics for Throw Your Arms Around Me and It's The End of the World.
They closed the night with The Spectres and a performance of Spicks and Specks, which provided the soundtrack to a montage of video clips from the last seven years. As I'm sure was expected, it wasn't until this point that I experienced a stab of realisation; it's over and Wednesday nights will never be the same.
While there were some opening night hiccups (running an hour over time for one), the majority of the show was a lot of fun and stayed true to the nature and content of Spicks and Specks. It was a fitting farewell to a fantastic show that will be sorely missed - I just hope the ABC doesn't take another decade to come up with one I'll enjoy as much.