Enough Rope
| Enough Rope | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Enough Rope with Andrew Denton |
| Created by | Andrew Denton,Anita Jacoby |
| Presented by | Andrew Denton |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC1 |
| Release | 17 March 2003– 8 December 2008 |
| Related | |
| |
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton(often shortened toEnough Rope) is a television interview show originally broadcast onABC1in Australia. The title of the show came from the phrase "give someone enough rope and they'll hang themselves".
The program was the brainchild of Australian comedian, social critic, producer and media personalityAndrew Denton,who hosted the show. The hour-long chat show aired from 2003 to 2008.
Overview
[edit]The show was based around in-depth interviews Denton held with a celebrity or person of note, usually before a studio audience. Many high-profile guests would comment on Denton's meticulous research in interview preparation.
In addition to celebrities, Denton's interviewees have included people who are perceived to have extraordinary life stories or to hold interesting professions. An occasional feature of the show was "Show & Tell", in which Denton interviewed members of the studio audience, who revealed unusual stories about themselves.
The show initially competed against theNine Network'sMicallef Tonightin the Monday 9:30 pm timeslot, and critics have claimed thatEnough Rope'shigh ratings forced Nine to axe their program.[citation needed]Throughout 2004 and 2005Enough Ropecontinued to dominate, averaging well over a million viewers weekly. At the beginning of both 2007 and 2008, the series began with severalMore Than Enough Ropespecials, a series that revisited interviews with past guests along with behind the scenes footage. In 2008, the series had a series of interviews with people who are of 'older age', and these interviews were re-titledElders with Andrew Dentoninstead of the usual 'Enough Rope' banner. Elders also aired in 2009. The show also included three 'On the Road' specials in which Denton travelled to a small country town and interviewed some of the local residents about their lives and experiences. The towns which the show visited wereRainbow, Victoria(2006),[1]Mount Isa,Queensland (2007)[2]andKununurra, Western Australia(2008).[3]
In an interview withThe Sydney Morning Heraldin October 2008, Denton announced that the 2008 season would be the last. He claims to have ended the show because he thought "It's a good time to finish." and saw his television future behind the camera.[4] In a 2018 interview he said it was because he believed more of his guests were putting on an act instead of being themselves.[5]
Notable guests
[edit]Some of the high-profile international guests that appeared on the show include former U.S. PresidentBill Clinton,David Attenborough,Al Gore,Jerry Seinfeld,Jim Carrey,Bob Geldof,Antonio Banderas,Helen Mirren,Bono,Dave Grohl,DrJane Goodall,Elton John,Crown Princess Mary of Denmark,Angelina Jolie,Clint Eastwood,Mel Brooks,andMichael Parkinson.Denton sometimes flew to international destinations to conduct his interviews.
On a local level, comedianDave Hughesopened up about what led him to give up alcohol, and lifestyle television pioneerDon Burkeshed some light on the axing of his show,Burke's Backyard.A highly publicised interview with disgracedfootballerWayne Careyconducted in the weeks after a series of controversies drew in a television audience of 1.5 million viewers.[6]Other Australian guests of note includeBernie Banton,Tim MinchinandKevin Bloody Wilson.
Enough Ropewas at the centre of political controversy in 2005 due to a controversial interview with formerALPopposition leaderMark Lathamwhich almost did not make it to air (Latham was also interviewed forLateline). In 2004, Denton interviewed the controversial anti-immigration figure from Australian politics,Pauline Hanson,who argued that she was not a racist.[7]
For the final program, aired on 8 December 2008, the guests wereBen StillerandWendy Whiteley.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton – episode 114: Rainbow (31/07/2006)".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Archived fromthe originalon 16 December 2015.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^"ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton – episode 143: Mount Isa (13/08/2007)".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Archived fromthe originalon 20 December 2014.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^"ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton – episode 196: On the Road Kununurra (01/12/2008)".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Archived fromthe originalon 28 January 2015.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^Denton brings down curtain on Enough Rope (25/10/2008)
- ^Bucklow, Andrew (2 March 2018)."Why Denton quit Enough Rope".News.com.au.
- ^1.5m tune in for Wayne Carey confessions
- ^ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton – episode 60: Pauline Hanson (20/09/2004)
- ^Curtain comes down on Enough Rope