Tag: Spicks and Specks

Last night after seven years and countless laughs we said goodbye to Spicks and Specks. Who would have thought that a music quiz show with no prizes at all could become such a national treasure? While on paper it didn’t appear like much, its easy blend of comedy and musical trivia made it something truly special.

I can’t remember exactly when I started to watch Spicks and Specks, as is invariably the case when a program enjoys such a long run. But somewhere along the way it became part of my routine, something to look forward to at the end of hump day, something to miss during the non-ratings period at year’s end. Thank god for those Christmas specials!

I suppose we’ve got Rockwiz to take the mantle, but I think we all know it won’t be quite the same. Their rotating celebrity team captains aren’t around long enough to become as endearing as Alan or Myf. Julia Zemiro is lovely, but she doesn’t set my heart a-fluttering quite like Adam Hills. And while some of those ordinary Joes are interesting, they can’t hold a candle to the mix of musicians and comedians Spicks and Specks attracted over its 266 episodes. Can you believe there were that many? Yet every one still felt fresh.

I’m going to miss debating over the answers to “Musician or Serial Killer” and “Know Your Product” with my husband. I’ll miss annoying him with the Europe riff every time we settled in for “The Final Countdown.” I’m going to miss the laughs, and I’m going to miss feeling just a little bit superior when I knew the answers to the more obscure questions. I’m just going to miss it.

Last night we were treated to an extended hour episode, but it still didn’t feel like long enough. As Adam announced “The Final Countdown” for the final time, I looked around at him, at Myf, and at Adam, and began to cry. I didn’t expect those tears. I knew the end was coming after all. But I wasn’t prepared for the floodgates when it happened.

Thank you Adam, Myf, and Alan for seven wonderful years. Those two words can’t possibly express the joy you’ve given me and the rest of Australia over that time, but they’re what I have. I’m going to miss Spicks and Specks immensely, but I look forward to seeing where your careers take you next.

Image source: Mushroom and Rooster @ Flickr

If you’ve ever thought you could give the celebs on Spicks and Specks a run for their money, here’s your chance. The popular music quiz show is breaking out of the ABC studios and hitting the road.

Adam Hills, Alan Brough, and Myf Warhurst will take the Spicks and Speck-tacular to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle and Perth.

The concerts promise to bring some of the program’s most popular segments, like Malvern Stars on 45 and Substitute, to a live audience. The crowd will also have the opportunity to stump the show’s musical brains with their knowledge of obscure pop trivia.

“Adam and I have a long history of performing live, so being able to take a show that we love doing and that people in Australia seem to love watching out on the road is extremely exciting,” Alan Brough told AAP.

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