This month not only marks the 25th anniversary of the Sydney Olympics but also celebrates the milestone of one of television’s most beloved shows: The Dream with Roy and HG. Over two weeks, this late-night show on Channel Seven became a cult sensation, as hosts Rampaging Roy Slaven (John Doyle) and HG Nelson (Greig Pickhaver) delivered their unique brand of commentary, featuring a “fat-arsed” mascot and an alternative anthem. The duo recently spoke with national TV editor Louise Rugendyke to reminisce about their groundbreaking show.
The show’s inception was as unexpected as its success. HG Nelson recalls, “We were becalmed at the ABC after running 130-plus shows of a scandalous, late-night variety show called Club Buggery. Then, out of the blue, the head of Olympic coverage at Seven, Andy Kay, called and asked if we would make a show. I thought, ‘This person’s got to be joking.’ But he called back three weeks later, still interested.”
The Unscripted Magic
The spontaneous nature of The Dream was a significant part of its charm. Roy Slaven explains, “Our commentary of the men’s gymnastics went viral early on. It was all spontaneous. We invented the language by going for a cup of coffee in the International Broadcast Centre and figuring out how to do this in two hours’ time.” This approach led to memorable moments, such as the “Dutch wink” and “flat bag” references, which were entirely ad-libbed.
HG adds, “The language of gymnastics largely follows the people who brought these spectacular moments to the event. So, we thought, why not make up all the terms? We had no idea what they were, and as we read along to the footage, these things suggested themselves to us.”
Celebrity Cameos and Cultural Impact
A defining feature of The Dream was its ability to attract big names. Roy recalls, “Herb Elliott was very happy to participate in our Big Brother-style gag. Billie Jean King also joined us, understanding our genuine enjoyment of tennis. She said, ‘The only thing wrong with the Sydney Olympics is you,’ because athletes preferred watching us over sleeping.”
The show also famously introduced Fatso the Fat-Arsed Wombat, an alternative Olympic mascot. Roy recounts, “Michael Klim took Fatso onto the podium for the medal ceremony. This made Fatso real, and others were keen to be seen with him. He ended up dancing with Thorpey.”
“Fatso was a handicap to us. He became bigger than us. He had a life long after the Olympics.” – HG Nelson
Legacy and Future Prospects
The legacy of The Dream is undeniable. Despite its hectic schedule, the show became a cultural phenomenon. HG recalls, “Johnny Farnham turned up on the final night to sing Go You Good Thing, and that’s when I thought, this has reached an audience beyond what we can see here.”
As for the future, Roy and HG remain optimistic. “It would be nice to imagine there’ll be something to call in Brisbane for the 2032 Games,” Roy muses. HG adds, “We’re interested in the rowing in Cairns or Townsville. We’ll certainly be covering the crocs.”
Bludging on the Blindside with Rampaging Roy Slaven and HG Nelson airs on Saturdays at 10am on ABC Sport. For more TV, streaming series, and movies, get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
