Talkback - Excerpt

'Out and proud' right-wing broadcaster Malcolm White (Jason Hoyte from Late Night Big Breakfast) is losing the radio ratings war, which piles pressure on his producer Steve Menzies (played by Talkback's creator Mike Minogue). In this excerpt from episode five, Menzies commiserates with his colleague Gretchen (Ginette McDonald, relishing some juicy lines) who has seen it all before. Left leaning personal assistant Zoe (Olivia Tennet) struggles with the "relaxed" ethics of her shock jock boss, while White enjoys modelling a freebie suit, courtesy of his sponsors.

...to [Jason] Hoyte’s credit, he doesn’t do the character as an impersonation. There’s much more subtlety to it, with plenty to develop as the season progresses. If you had to imagine a starting point, Hoyte plays White more like if former Radio Sport shock jock Mark Watson discovered mindfulness and chilled out a bit. There’s plenty to admire too in his portrayal of the brittle ego of broadcasters.

– Reviewer Alex Braae on Jason Hoyte's performance as right-wing shock jock Steve Menzies, The Spinoff, June 30 2021

Key Cast & Crew

Ginette McDonald

As: Gretchen Atkinson

Mike Minogue

Creator, Writer, Producer, As: Steve Menzies

Jason Hoyte

As: Malcolm White, Writer

Jesse Griffin

Director, Executive Producer

Alexander Borgers

Producer

Olly Harris

Cinematographer