Nova 969’s Paul Murray is making an impact on the late night timeslot with a program that mixes talk, comedy and music. Last survey, the show was up one point and is second placed FM program in that shift.

Paul Murray speaks to radioinfo this week about his adventures in ‘youth talk.’

radioinfo: What kind of show are you doing – is it really youth talk?

Murray: It’s not talk. It’s not comedy. It’s a topical show on a station that targets younger demographics.

If I can make a point about what our listeners are interested in, using either comedy or editorial, I’ll do it. You have to be fluid to appeal to this audience, they have no patience with clichés or stereotypes because they understand the media and know what they want from it.

radioinfo: Other people have tried youth talk style programs, most recently Phil O’Neill on Triple M, but they have not lasted long. Is your program going to stand the test of time?

Murray: I can only hope so. The station is pleased with what we have achieved so far.

Unlike other shows, this one is trying to merge various formats with reasonable success – we have achieved good ratings, good callers and our stakeholders are pleased about the business side of it.

radioinfo: What did you think of Ugly Phil’s format?

Murray: I liked Phil’s show, it was fun and informative. It centred around people’s recreation because Phil came from that kind of background.

I’m more focused on listeners’ opinions on current events and deciphering the news for an audience which is not really inherently enthusiastic about news. I’m coming at it as a former reporter – I have a different background from Phil.

And don’t forget Spoonman before Phil. He had long conversations about things that you don’t normally talk about on radio.

I guess I’m taking bits of what’s gone before and putting a contemporary feel on them.

It’s a blank canvas every night. I’m free to mix funny voices, serious comment or whatever suits the topic.

radioinfo: Oh yes, those funny voices. What does Premier Bob Carr think of you mimicking him?

Murray: When I was covering NSW politics and I met Bob Carr for the first time, he had heard I used to send him up by mimicking him. I thought he would give me trouble about it, but he asked me to do it for him, so I did and he laughed.

As a reporter, you hear so many people in the public eye so often that, if you’ve got an ear for voices, you end up mimicking them. I’ve always enjoyed doing that – analysing people’s characters and speech patterns then using that somewhere.

But don’t think that this show is just about funny voices and rolling, wall to wall comedy. That’s not what I’m about.

Nor am I playing an ‘angry ant’ just to watch all those little lights on the phones flash.

The core question for the show is what’s topical. I hope the show reflects the genuine range of conversations, silly stories, passionate debate and serious discussion that might be found being discussed between any group of friends.

It’s honest talkback with fun and music. Our PD, Scott Muller, reckons it’s a bit of an anti-talkback show because I don’t try to be an arrogant know-all.

radioinfo: As a former journo, has it been liberating to move into this format?

Murray: Yes. The best part about being a reporter is that it gives you accelerated life experiences. Even though I’m still comparatively young, I’ve seen horrific crimes, covered politics and interviewed celebrities, so I have a lot to draw on when I’m doing the show.

My intention is to do a topical personality show with music and news and whatever interests my listeners. The time I spent in news now seems like research for what I’m currently doing.

radioinfo: Do you have any paid callers like Stan Zemanek?

Murray: No. [laughs] The beauty about doing funny voices is that you don’t have to pay anyone else to be a great caller when you can do it yourself!

Paul is a generally unimpressive gent who began life as a radio reporter for stations like 2GB and 2SM before doing the same here at NOVA 969.

In a dramatic lowering of industry standards, Paul won the Brian White Award (radio reporter of the year in 2002 for his work on Sydney’s bushfires, the Federal election and the collapse of Ansett.

After producing some incriminating photos, Paul hosted a weekly talk show last year on NOVA, talking about all sorts of stuff from politics to affording a home in SYDNEY.

From time to time, he got annoyed and very opinionated on air and, by the end of last year, was nominated for current affairs’ commentator of the year at the annual radio industry awards. His name was written in pencil alongside ALAN JONES and RAY HADLEY as nominees.

This year, the leash is off and you’ll get to hear many of the voices in Paul’s head from Sunday to Thursday 10 till Midnight on NOVA 969 (click below for web page).

The intention is the big fella will join his love of the news with his short attention span and odd mind to make falling asleep the funniest part of your day.