This morning, 2GB reported the death of Paul B. Kidd, best known for his 20 years as co-host of the George and Paul Show with George Moore.
Kidd had a number of underlying health issues, including heart problems and recurring cancer. It is understood he died of heart failure, aged 76.
John Stanley, filling in for Ben Fordham, posted audio tributes from George Moore, Dr Ross Walker and Clinton Maynard on 2GB’s website.
Dr Ross Walker, host of Healthy Living, told John Stanley he counted Paul among his “best mates” for many years.
“It’s just pretty devastating, mate,” Dr Walker said. “Paul was such a wonderful person, he had a beautiful sense of humour.
“He used to laugh at my jokes, which showed he had some problems.”
While listening to the John Stanley's 2GB breakfast, 27-12-2021 between 0530 and 0900, I like many listeners was saddened to hear of the passing of Paul B. Kidd.
Since Paul had a varied career from journalist, chicken-shop owner, accomplished author and TV producer, I will only talk about his broadcasting career as this is a site about broadcasting.
I have been a keen listener of the George and Paul show since the show started on 2UE in 2001. I used to listen to the show with my late father (RIP 2005) while driving. It was compelling radio with a mix of commentary, guests, readings about notorious criminal cases and not to forget the quiz in the last hour of the show, featuring "Dolly" the co-presenter. On rare occasions Paul would be so excited and take on "Dolly" even when "Dolly" was not present.
The quiz especially with "Dolly' was "theatre of the mind". Perhaps my "theatre of the mind" was different to someone else's "theatre of the mind". My imagination of "Dolly" was someone in a light-blue dress with a matching blue-rinse hairdoo. She'd be the one who would consume more than a couple of tipples of alcohol. She'd be the kind of person who would turn up to the then TCN-9 studios at Willoughby in a coach full of the blue-rinse set to be part of the studio audience of the "Mike Walsh Show".
It was so funny hearing "Dolly" during the quiz utter the term "...nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnew leadaaaaa....." when a new contestant scored higher than the previous contestant or when the final score was declared at the end of the quiz.
Importantly, "The George and Paul Show" lasted 20 years. Apart from the informing and entertaining the audience, what made the show endure was the "chemstry" between George Moore and Paul B. Kidd.
"Chemistry" is something that results in harmony in a team resulting in highly productive outcomes. Where there's a lack of "chemistry" results in conflicts and possible decline in productivity. It is said that 60% of teams fail. Some of those factors may be lack of creativity and lack of clarity, ref: https://leaderchat.org/2011/11/03/60-of-work-teams-fail%E2%80%94top-10-reasons-why/.
The factors don't have to be a checklist of things. Connections between team members can be instantaneous. To illustrate, the chemistry between George and Paul started when George Moore as a solo presenter first interviewed Paul B. Kidd as a commentator on things pescatorial. The relation between the two resulted in an instant bond and the rest is "...history...".
The bond between presenters must have that chemistry. It was there during 1980s on JJJ with the Jay Team breakfast show, it's there with Jonesy and Amanda, and there with Kyle and Jackie O'.
But that chemistry bond does not persist on those other breakfast shows where there is a constant change in radio presenters due to various reasons such as not getting on with other team members and getting exhausted especially in a short time.
Chemistry does not work by employing a comedian, a reality star, a soapie star, a journalist and jock in one studio unless there's "chemistry" and a common clarity of direction.
In conclusion, the George and Paul show is an example where there is information and entertainment, a smooth flow in presentation and "chemistry" between the two. It's a program that endured for nearly 20 years.
Thank you,
Anthony of Belfield in the land of the Wangal and Darug peoples of the Eora Nation