Peter Helliar
{{short description|Australian comedian and broadcaster}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pete Helliar
| image = Peter Helliar at Little Dum Dum Club live podcast 2017-04-09.jpg
| caption = Helliar in 2017
| birth_name = Peter Jason Matthew Helliar
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|6|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Australian
| occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|actor|television and radio presenter|writer|producer|director}}
| years active = 1997−present
| employer =
| television =
| spouse = {{marriage|Bridget Helliar|2001}}
| children = 3
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Pete Jason Matthew Helliar{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7sFfK6rGZA&embeds_referring_euri=https://www.bing.com/&embeds_referring_origin=https://www.bing.com&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY |title=Why Pete Helliar Is Changing His Name |date=2024-01-25 |last=The Project |access-date=2025-05-11 |via=YouTube}} (born 16 June 1975{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}) is an Australian comedian, actor, television, radio presenter, writer, producer and director. He is best known for his work on television as a former regular co-host of The Project on Network Ten from January 2014{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/peter-helliar-has-a-date-with-the-project-20140106-30csh.html|title=Peter Helliar has a date with The Project|last1=AAP|date=6 January 2014|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=27 January 2014}} to December 2022,{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title="I'm incredibly grateful": Peter Helliar farewells The Project|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/12/im-incredibly-grateful-peter-helliar-farewells-the-project.html|date=8 December 2022|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=9 December 2022}} replacing previous presenter Dave Hughes to host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Lisa Wilkinson. Helliar also appeared with Rove McManus as his sidekick on The Loft Live from 1997 to 1998, on Rove from 1999 and 2009 and in Before the Game as alter ego Bryan Strauchan. Helliar initially worked the Melbourne comedy circuit in the mid-1990s, performing in various venues and the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He has performed in numerous television ads, most notably for Fernwood Fitness.{{cite web|url=http://campaignbrief.blogspot.com.au/2006/08/peter-hellier-frocks-up-for-fernwood.html|title=Peter Helliar Frocks up for Fernwood|author=Staff Writer|date=2006|website=Campaign Brief|access-date=8 December 2013}} Helliar has been nominated for the Gold Logie, a prestigious award bestowed upon the Most Popular Personality on Television in 2017.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Logie Awards 2017: nominees|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2017/03/logie-awards-2017-nominees.html|date=26 March 2017|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=26 March 2017}}
Career
= Television =
Helliar has made guest appearances on Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Loft Live, Rove, The Morning Show, Studio 10, Show Me the Movie!, Celebrity Name Game, All Star Family Feud, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
In 1997, Helliar became a regular stand-up comic on RMITV's weekly variety show Under Melbourne Tonight broadcast on C31 Melbourne, hosted by Stephen Hall and Vincent Hedger.{{cite web |url=http://web.aanet.com.au/~vfok/umt/chronicle/97cast.htm |title=UMT – 1997 |publisher=Web.aanet.com.au |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116095029/http://web.aanet.com.au/~vfok/umt/chronicle/97cast.htm |archive-date=16 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://web.aanet.com.au/~vfok/umt/97cast/helliar.htm |title=UMT'97 – Peter Helliar |publisher=Web.aanet.com.au |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114225618/http://web.aanet.com.au/~vfok/umt/97cast/helliar.htm |archive-date=14 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}
In 1998, Helliar became a regular on Melbourne community television RMITV's weekly variety show The Loft Live broadcast on C31 Melbourne, hosted by Rove McManus and including other well known Melbourne comedians such as Dave Hughes, Kim Hope, and Dave Callan. He appeared as a live on-screen guest as well as scripting and recording skits for live playback.{{cite web|url=http://www.theloftlive.50megs.com/loft4/frames.html |title=The Loft Live |publisher=Theloftlive.50megs.com |access-date=15 June 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://onyasoapbox.com/talent/show.php?id=200 |title=Talent :: Peter Helliar |publisher=Onya Soapbox |access-date=15 June 2014}}
Helliar rose to national attention in 1999, when he became a regular (aka side-kick) to Rove McManus on Rove, which aired on the Nine Network. In 2000, the show moved networks to Channel Ten, where Helliar and the show remained until its ending in late 2009. Helliar also wrote for the show.{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/its-a-date-that-crazy-little-thing-called-love-20130810-2rocp.html |title=It's a Date: that crazy little thing called love |last1=Knox |first1=Debi |last2=Enker |date=11 August 2013 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=9 December 2013}}
In 2003 and 2004, Helliar was part of an ensemble cast in the comedy sketch program skitHOUSE that ran on Network Ten as well as being sold overseas.
In 2010, Helliar joined the Seven Network to appear on their new "family-friendly" football show, The Bounce, alongside Leigh Matthews and Matthew Richardson. The series was cancelled after just a few weeks.
On 18 May 2010, Helliar was guest co-host on The Morning Show, alongside Kylie Gillies, while Larry Emdur was on holidays. In the summer of 2010 and 2011, he hosted the quiz show The Trophy Room that aired on ABC1.
In 2013, Helliar created, wrote, co-produced and co-directed his own eight-episode comedy series titled It's a Date.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/its-a-date/ |title=It's a Date |author= |date=2013 |website=ABC TV |publisher=ABC |access-date=9 December 2013}} It was a strong performer and earned a second season for 2014. The show won the 'Best Scripted Format Award' in the International Format Awards at MIPCOM 2013 in Cannes.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/10/its-a-date-wins-format-award-at-cannes.html |title=It's a Date wins format award at Cannes |last1=Knox |first1=David |date=13 October 2013 |publisher=TV Tonight |access-date=9 December 2013}}
On 7 December 2013, Helliar appeared as one of the co-hosts of The Project from 2014 to 2022, replacing Dave Hughes who had resigned to concentrate on stand-up comedy.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/dave-hughes-stepping-down-as-fulltime-host-of-the-project-to-go-back-to-his-first-love-of-standup-comedy/story-fni0cvc9-1226777832279 |title=Dave Hughes stepping down as full-time host of The Project to go back to his first love of stand-up comedy |last1=Dennehy |first1=Luke |date=7 December 2013 |website=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney |access-date=8 December 2013}}
In 2017, Helliar hosted the unsuccessful game show Cram!, broadcast on Channel Ten. The show was very poorly received by viewers,{{Cite web|date=2017-11-02|title='Just diabolical': Viewers savage Ten's new comedy quiz show|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/viewers-savage-tens-new-comedy-quiz-show/news-story/12e0092a3f10e6ee0d6f25fd89c32b61|access-date=2020-06-08|publisher=News.com.au|language=en}} and although a second series was reportedly in the pipeline despite low ratings,{{Cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Kerrie|date=2018-03-29|title=Peter Helliar on getting the snip, awkward moments and why we need more silliness|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/peter-helliar-on-getting-the-snip-awkward-moments-and-why-we-need-more-silliness-20180327-h0y15a.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}} it never materialized.
In November 2018, a comedy series How to Stay Married, a spinoff of the aforementioned It's a Date, was released. Created and co-written by Helliar,{{Cite web|url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/how-to-stay-married-2018/36573/|title=How To Stay Married (2018) – The Screen Guide – Screen Australia|website=screenaustralia.gov.au|access-date=2019-02-16}} the series explores life after 15 years of marriage, and starred Peter Helliar as Greg Butler and Lisa McCune as Em Butler.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/pete-helliar-explores-the-15yearitch-in-new-comedy-how-to-stay-married-20181029-h177xq.html|title=Pete Helliar explores the 15-year-itch in new comedy How To Stay Married|last=Enker|first=Debi|date=2018-10-29|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2019-02-16}} The series aired for three series before being rested in 2021.
From 2 April 2023, Helliar appeared as a contestant in the ninth season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.{{cite web|last=Bond|first=Nick|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/im-a-celebrity/im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here-full-cast-revealed/news-story/4447c7306fd69df895f3d57007b246c6|title=I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here: Full cast revealed|date=2 April 2023|publisher=News.com.au|access-date=2 April 2023}} Helliar was eliminated seventh on 25 April 2023.{{cite web|first=David|last=Knox|url= https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/04/peter-helliar-latest-to-exit-im-a-celebrity.html |title= Peter Helliar latest to exit I'm a Celebrity |date=26 April 2023|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=26 April 2023}}
In July 2023, it was announced that Helliar will be a contestant on the second series of Taskmaster Australia.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-10 |title=Taskmaster Australia Announces {{as written|I|t's [sic]}} Season 2 Line-Up! |url=https://10play.com.au/theproject/articles/taskmaster-australia-announces-its-season-2-line-up/tpa230710xoamf |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=10 play |language=en-AU}} A new season was filmed to replace that season as the second season, with Helliar's season being pushed to the third season, which will air in the second half of 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-17 |title=Here's What's Still To Come On 10 In 2024 |url=https://10play.com.au/10-play-trending/articles/heres-whats-still-to-come-on-10-in-2024/tpa240516bhvie |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=10 play |language=en-AU}}
In May 2024, Network 10 announced that Helliar would appear as a celebrity contestant on the forthcoming eighth season of The Amazing Race Australia, with his wife Bridget. It is the second celebrity season of the show.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-10 |title=The Amazing Race Australia Celebrity Edition 2024: Meet The Full Cast |url=https://10play.com.au/the-amazing-race-australia/articles/the-amazing-race-australia-celebrity-edition-2024-meet-the-full-cast/tpa240510cilyo |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=10 play |language=en-AU}}
= Radio =
Between 1998 and 2000, he was a regular guest on the ABC's national youth network Triple J.
In 2002, the Austereo radio network signed Peter Helliar to appear alongside TV colleagues Rove McManus and Corinne Grant on the weekly program Saturday Morning Rove, broadcasting from Fox FM every Saturday from 10 am to midday after being pre-recorded the day before. In 2004, the program moved to Friday mornings, allowing live phone callers, and was re-titled Rove Live Radio. It was discontinued at the end of 2004.
In 2004, Austereo announced that Helliar will join Judith Lucy and Kaz Cooke to host The Judith Lucy Show on Sydney station 2Day FM. The breakfast program was discontinued after its first year.
Still signed to Austereo, Helliar also appeared on the Melbourne-based The Arvo, a daily program broadcast out of Fox FM between 4 pm and 6 pm and networked to other capital cities. It was discontinued in June 2005.
He also has done his own show called Pete's Show, which aired on 10 am – 12 pm on Fridays across the Today Network.
Helliar filled in for Merrick and Rosso, along with Rove McManus, for their breakfast daily show on Sydney's Nova 96.9 whilst they were on holiday. Helliar also filled in for Kate Langbroek on Hughesy & Kate on Melbourne's Nova 100, while Kate was on maternity leave. It was announced by co-host Dave Hughes that Helliar would begin making appearances on the show every Thursday morning.
In 2008, Helliar began presenting the Triple M Melbourne breakfast spot with Myf Warhurst called Pete & Myf,
[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22530647-10229,00.html Comedian Helliar takes on new radio gig] – AAP, 4 Oct 2007[http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/martins-get-this-gets-the-chop/2007/10/15/1192300688768.html Martin's Get This gets the chop] – The Age, 16 Oct 2007 but the show was axed in July 2009.
Since July 2022, Helliar has hosted the podcast Family Feud: The Podcast for iHeartRadio.{{cite web|title=ARN and Fremantle announce Family Feud The Podcast with Peter Helliar|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/arn-and-fremantle-announce-family-feud-the-podcast-with-peter-helliar/|date=14 July 2022|website=Mediaweek.com.au|publisher=Mediaweek|access-date=14 July 2022}}
= Films =
In 2010, a romantic comedy film called I Love You Too was released. The screenplay was written by Helliar, and he also co-starred in and co-produced the film.{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/i-love-you-too-20100505-ualh.html |title=I Love You Too |last1=Hall |first1=Sandra |date=6 May 2010 |website=The Age |access-date=9 December 2013}}
In 2012, Helliar appeared in the Australian comedy film Scumbus.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/daves-instant-role-in-kavalee-film/story-e6frf96o-1225998332117 |title=Dave's instant role in Kavalee film |author= |date=2 February 2011 |website=Herald Sun |access-date=9 December 2013}}
= Alter ego =
{{Main|Bryan Strauchan}}
For the 2005 AFL season, Helliar created an alter ego named Bryan Strauchan (aka "Strauchanie") who debuted on the television show Before the Game. The character was the supposedly last pick in the 2004 AFL national draft but never managed to get a game for his new club, Collingwood. His name is pronounced (Strawn/Strawny).
For the role, Helliar dons a blonde mullet wig and attempts to play up an Australian bogan stereotype. The comedy is achieved by self-effacing humour, putting Strauchan in situations that highlight his weight, lack of fitness and general inability, while his egotistical personality and delusions of grandeur mean he is completely unaware of these weaknesses. The character of Strauchanie has made several subsequent appearances across different media and has made numerous appearances to support an array of charities.
In the 2009 'EJ Whitten Legends' football match, Helliar broke his ankle late in the game after being tackled. He suggested that this could be the end of his career. {{blockquote|You could be seeing the end of a great career. Doctors say I won't walk again unless there's two blokes on either side of me. I will always stay involved in football; maybe even coach.|Peter Helliar in the role of Bryan Strauchan}}
Personal life
Peter grew up in Bundoora, Victoria and attended school at Parade College.
Helliar is married to Bridget "Brij" Helliar, and they have three sons.[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/peter-helliar-talks-about-how-good-life-can-be-when-youve-just-lost-your-job/story-e6frf96x-1225761763662 Peter Helliar talks about how good life can be when you've just lost your job | Herald Sun 15 August 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2013][http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/helliar-skips-for-labour-ward/story-e6frfmqr-1111117266959 Pete Helliar quits Triple M show with wife Bridget in labour | News Ltd 22 August 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2013] In 2013, Peter and Bridget, together with their three young sons, backpacked around Eastern Europe. Peter summed up the experience by saying "Backpacking with your kids is tough work but hugely rewarding for everyone. Just like parenting, really."[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/peter-helliar-backpacks-europe/story-e6frea6u-1226573853463 Peter Helliar backpacks Europe | Adelaidenow 9 February 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013]
In 2007, he sold a property he owned in Montmorency.{{Cite web|title=Peter Hellier Sells Montmorency Home Archives|url=https://www.realestatesource.com.au/tag/peter-hellier-sells-montmorency-home/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=realestatesource|language=en-US}} In 2016, Helliar sold a luxury property they owned in Plenty.{{Cite web|date=2018-05-05|title=Comedian Peter Helliar's luxury former home sells in Plenty|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/comedian-peter-helliars-luxury-former-home-sells-in-plenty/news-story/d247a9969e528c5d0b254ffb43eb5ec2|access-date=2021-07-03|publisher=News.com.au|language=en}} Helliar currently lives in the suburb of Ivanhoe in Melbourne, Victoria.{{cite web |title=The Projects: Peter Helliar moves closer to Melbourne |url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/real-estate/victoria/the-projects-peter-helliar-moves-closer-to-melbourne/news-story/fc2341448611c14c03e6eff27833ef94 |access-date=27 August 2017}}{{dead link|date=December 2023|fix-attempted=yes}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Helliar, Peter and Paul Calleja. Bryan Strauchan: My story : The rise and rise of a genuine superstar of Australian sport. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-74175-343-1}}
External links
- [http://www.rovingenterprises.com.au Roving Enterprises official website]
- [http://www.tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project The Project official website]
- [http://www.strauchanie.com.au Strauchanie official website]
- {{IMDb name|id=0375429|name=Peter Helliar}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-media}}
{{s-bef
| before = Dave Hughes
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = The Project
Co-host
| years = January 2014 – December 2022
}}
{{s-aft
| after = Incumbent
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helliar, Peter}}
Category:Australian stand-up comedians
Category:Comedians from Melbourne
Category:Australian male comedians