Tim Ferguson
If there's one thing charismatic comedian Tim Ferguson likes, it's a career change. He's played Frank'n'Furter in The New Rocky Horror Show, hosted the off-the-wall Dont Forget Your Toothbrush and now fronts Network Ten's outrageous Unreal TV! But this funky funnyman says he likes to push the boundaries. We found how much by putting Tim in the Hot Seat...
TV WEEK: How did Unreal TV come about for you?
TIM: They called me and said they were putting together a show with bizarre clips from around the world. It was going to be Japanese people torturing each other, Swedish people baring their body parts and newsreaders getting it wrong. All I do is sit on a couch and make a fool of myself!
TVW: What draws you to outrageous projects?
TIM: The challenge! You've got to do stuff that's difficult and puts your head on the chopping block. So long as you're worried, terrified, and tossing and turning at night, what you're doing is probably good.
TVW: Is that your secret to good television?
TIM: Yeah! You should scare yourself every once in a while and push those boundaries.
TVW: What is your favourite TV comedy?
TIM: The Simpsons, Newhart and The Mary Tyler Moore Show - I just love Ted Baxter [Ted Knight]. I base my life on his teachings.
TVW: Who is the funniest person on TV?
TIM: It's a toss-up between Paul McDermott, Glenn Robbins and Mikey Robins - and Kate Langbroek makes me laugh.
TVW: What was it like reuniting with Doug Anthony Allstars member Paul McDermott on Good News Week?
TIM: It's always nice to get together with Paul to see if the old chemistry still fails - and it does, every time.
TVW: What is the wackiest thing you've done for the cameras?
TIM: I once made a short Dutch erotic film. It wasn't a comedy, but I was young, in Amsterdam and I needed the money...
TVW: What else are you doing?
TIM: I'm working on a one-man show and writing a novel about Australian casino culture. It'll probably get me killed!
