Tony Moclair (born 4 September 1969 in Cork, Ireland) is an Australian comedy actor, writer, performer and radio broadcaster. He has worked on various Australian radio networks, often appearing in character rather than as himself.

Tony Moclair
Born (1969-09-04) 4 September 1969 (age 55)
Cork, Ireland
NationalityAustralian
Occupations
  • Comedy actor
  • writer
  • performer
  • radio broadcaster
Employer(s)Freelance performer and writer for 3AW
Children2

Radio

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Moclair has a successful and varied radio career hosting radio shows on a variety of Australian radio stations both as himself and on occasions, in the guise of some of his many character creations.

Guido Hatzis

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Guido Hatzis is a Greek-Australian comic character created by Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller and voiced by Moclair. Guido appeared originally in the context of Schiller and Moclair's radio program "Crud" on the Triple M network. Several albums have been released in the name of Guido Hatzis, the first two winning including Do Not Talk Over Me in 1999 (platinum sales, winner of 2001 ARIA for Best Comedy Release) Whatever in 2000 (Platinum sales and winner of 2002 ARIA of Best Comedy Release) and Deported in 2002 (Gold sales) . Most of Hatzis's comedy involves making prank calls that are usually centred on outrageous claims about his looks and abilities. Moclair appropriated the last name "Hatzis" from friend and sometime producer of the "Crud" program, fellow broadcaster and actor Chris Hatzis.

Restoring the Balance

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Restoring the Balance was a satirical radio segment that appeared at various times in 2003-2004, 2007 and 2011 on radio station Triple J. The segment attempted to display the contrasting political views between the conservative Australian Howard government, and the majority of the Left wing government-funded Triple J radio station.

3RRR Breakfasters

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Tony Moclair (aka Tony Kelly), along with Chris Hatzis and Julian Schiller have hosted the long running breakfast program on 3RRR 102.7 FM, The Breakfasters.

Nova 91.9

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In August 2004, Schiller and Moclair signed on to do breakfast radio at Nova 91.9, a new Adelaide station.

ABC Radio Adelaide

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In the mid 2000s, Moclair hosted weekday breakfast radio on ABC Radio, Adelaide.[1]

DJ Domm

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In October 2007, Triple M launched a new podcast only show hosted by Moclair's new character DJ Domm. The show was cancelled by Triple M after Episode 21.

ABC Radio Melbourne

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Along with Rachel Berger, Moclair hosted breakfast on ABC Radio Melbourne over the 2007/2008 Summer and also appeared on Conversation Hour with Jon Faine.[2]

Triple M

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In late 2008, Moclair was a guest co-host of The Shebang radio program filling in for Marty Sheargold. In 2009, Moclair was appointed breakfast co-host alongside Eddie McGuire, Luke Darcy and Mieke Buchan on The Hot Breakfast.

Previous to the Hot Breakfast commencing, Moclair worked on the Pete and Myf show following the death of Richard Marsland. Moclair did not appear on air as himself but rather as one of many regular characters such as Tom Cruise, Colin the Taxi Driver and Clem, the show's oldest listener.

In addition to this, Moclair wrote sketches for the show. Moclair and Mike Fitzpatrick presented breakfast during August 2009 after the axing of Pete and Myf. Moclair left The Hot Breakfast in June 2010.

In 2011, Moclair began appearing on 3AW on The Weekend Break replacing Sam Pang on the segment 'The Sunday Roast' withJohn Origlasso.

Moclair also had a regular segment on Denis Walter's afternoon program. He has also filled in as the host of the weekday and weekend Melbourne Overnight programs.

In October 2015, Moclair began hosting a segment called Friday Night Lights from 8 - 10pm on Friday evenings on 3AW over the summer period.[3]

In August 2016, Moclair signed to host Australia Overnight, the midnight to dawn radio program.

On 10 January 2020 it was announced via a Facebook post that Moclair would not return to Australia Overnight in 2020 and the program would be replaced with a networked show from Sydney hosted by Michael McLaren. Listeners flooded to the shows Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/AustraliaOvernight/ to express their disgust in the axing of the show, a petition was also started urging the decision to be reversed by Nine Entertainment the new owners of 3AW.

On 25 April 2020, it was announced that Moclair would be returning to host Australia Overnight from 27 April 2020 less than four months after his axing. Moclair was joined by his former producer and panel operator Bianca Johnston, however in February 2022 it was announced that Johnston has moved to afternoons and Sean Woodward would take over as producer.

In September 2023, 3AW announced that Moclair will host Afternoons replacing Diane "'Dee Dee"' Dunleavy.[4] Jacqueline Felgate and Jimmy Bartel filled the role until an announcement was made. Moclair commenced hosting Afternoons on 30 October 2023.

Writing

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Moclair was a writer on Shaun Micallef's Newstopia on SBS and is a writer on Mad As Hell[5] and Spicks and Specks[6] both on the ABC.

Moclair takes a keen interest in modern military history and military aviation and regularly mentions it during his on-air radio stints. He often contributes articles to military magazines and is a monthly feature writer in Australian Aviation Magazine.[7][8]

Television

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Moclair made appearances on the ABC's The Einstein Factor as part of the Brains Trust as well as a contestant on Joker Poker on Channel 10.

Moclair had a role in Season 3 of The Librarians as Bingo, and he made a small guest appearance in Upper Middle Bogan, in Episode 4.

Personal life

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Moclair was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1969, the sixth of eight children and the last to be born in Ireland. He has three brothers and four sisters. In December 2006, after the birth of his first child, he and his wife settled in Melbourne.[9]

Moclair graduated from Monash University in 1991 with an arts degree, majoring in history and English literature.[citation needed]

Moclair is a Carlton Football Club supporter and co-hosts their podcasts.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "ABC Radio", ABC Australia. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Tony Moclair, Hugh Dolan and Ross McMullin". 774 ABC Melbourne 20 April 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Friday Night Lights", 3AW. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Tom Elliott, Jacqui Felgate and Tony Moclair headline changes in new look 3AW". Nine for Brands. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell credits", ABC website. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  6. ^ Moclair, Tony (5 February 2014). "Interview segment". Afternoons with Denis Walter (Interview). Interviewed by Denis Walter. Melbourne: 3AW.
  7. ^ "Australian Aviation Magazine", August 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  8. ^ Pang, Sam (18 February 2013). "Unexpected Passions: Tony Moclair and Jess McGuire". The Wheeler Centre. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  9. ^ "The Brains Trust", ABC Australia.. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  10. ^ "The Carlton Podcast" Archived 22 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Carlton FC website, retrieved 8 September 2013.
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