Mikey Robins
Encyclopedia
Mikel Mason "Mikey" Robins (born 8 December 1961) is an Australian media personality, comedian and writer. He is best-known for the satirical game show Good News Week
, which ran on the ABC
and Network Ten
between 1996 and 2000, and returned again when the series was resurrected in February 2008.
, New South Wales. He attended the University of Newcastle
, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Drama. His father, Bill, sold hair-care products and worked for a time as an announcer at weekend surf lifesaving carnivals, which Robins says was his "introduction to talking into a microphone". When he was eight, Robins' father was diagnosed with cancer and died two years later. Robins claims he reacted to his father's death by eating more and giving up sports, pointing to this as the beginning of his battle with obesity
. His obesity was a frequent source of comedy in his performances, but also held serious health implications. In 2003, he was diagnosed with extreme sleep apnoea which caused him to stop breathing around 70 times an hour while he slept, due in large part to his weight.
In addition, he suffered from high cholesterol
, borderline Type 2 diabetes
, abnormal liver function and poor mobility. In 2006, he underwent lapband bariatric surgery to combat his obesity. At the time, Robins weighed close to 150 kg; in an episode of Australian Story
that aired on 3 July 2007, he announced that he had lost around 65 kg to date.
In 1999, Robins married his long-time partner Laura Williams.
Robins was a breakfast radio presenter for the Australian FM radio station Triple J
for seven years, ending in 1999. His co-presenters included Helen Razer
(1996), Paul McDermott
(1997), Jen Oldershaw
and The Sandman (Steve Abbott) (1998). He formally co-hosted the breakfast program on Sydney radio station Triple M
with Amanda Keller in 2001 and then Vega 95.3
alongside Tony Squires
and Rebecca Wilson
.
The recognition he gained through Triple J launched Robins' career in television comedy; he appeared on Live and Sweaty
and was a regular on McFeast before joining McDermott on Good News Week in 1996. He remained with Good News Week throughout its initial run between 1996 and 2000, and when Network Ten renewed the series in 2008 he returned in his original role.
Robins' other television projects have included several documentaries on Australian pubs, as well as appearances on the ABC series The Fat
, and the Seven Network
's breakfast program, Sunrise
. In 2005, he was a contestant on the TV show Australian’s Brainiest Comedian. In the final round, he beat Bob Downe
, winning the game by one point. He was presented with a trophy and won AUD $20,000, which he donated to the NSW Autism Association.
Robins is also a published author, having co-written two books, Three Beers and a Chinese Meal (with Helen Razer
), a bestseller, and Big Man's World (with Tony Squires
and Steve Abbott).
Good News Week
Good News Week is an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that initially aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and resumed on 11 February 2008 to 9 May 2011. The show aired first on ABC TV before it was bought by Network Ten in 1999...
, which ran on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
and Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
between 1996 and 2000, and returned again when the series was resurrected in February 2008.
Personal life/health issues
Robins was born in NewcastleNewcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales. He attended the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle, Australia
The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales...
, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Drama. His father, Bill, sold hair-care products and worked for a time as an announcer at weekend surf lifesaving carnivals, which Robins says was his "introduction to talking into a microphone". When he was eight, Robins' father was diagnosed with cancer and died two years later. Robins claims he reacted to his father's death by eating more and giving up sports, pointing to this as the beginning of his battle with obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. His obesity was a frequent source of comedy in his performances, but also held serious health implications. In 2003, he was diagnosed with extreme sleep apnoea which caused him to stop breathing around 70 times an hour while he slept, due in large part to his weight.
In addition, he suffered from high cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
, borderline Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and...
, abnormal liver function and poor mobility. In 2006, he underwent lapband bariatric surgery to combat his obesity. At the time, Robins weighed close to 150 kg; in an episode of Australian Story
Australian Story
Australian Story is a national weekly documentary series, produced and broadcast on ABC Television.Since 1996 Australian Story has featured many Australians from diverse backgrounds and reputations...
that aired on 3 July 2007, he announced that he had lost around 65 kg to date.
In 1999, Robins married his long-time partner Laura Williams.
Career
He was a member of The Castanet Club with Steve Abbott and Maynard CrabbesMaynard Crabbes
-Radio:Maynard F# Crabbes started his radio career as a volunteer at community radio station 2NUR-FM at Newcastle University. In December 1985, he had his own program Radio Stupid, on Saturday nights from 11:00pm to station close at about 1:00am. The format was partly based on The Castanet Club...
Robins was a breakfast radio presenter for the Australian FM radio station Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
for seven years, ending in 1999. His co-presenters included Helen Razer
Helen Razer
Helen Razer is a Melbourne-born and Canberra-raised radio presenter and writer. She is the author of four non-fiction books and a columnist with the Australian version of The Big Issue, Melbourne newspaper The Age, and contributor to monthly magazine, Cherrie .-Media work:Razer was a prominent...
(1996), Paul McDermott
Paul McDermott (comedian)
Paul McDermott is an Australian comedian, actor, writer, director, singer, artist and television host. He currently hosts the satirical news-based 'Good News World' a follow up to quiz show Good News Week which airs in Australia on Network Ten...
(1997), Jen Oldershaw
Jen Oldershaw
Jen Oldershaw began as a presenter on Triple J, presenting music shifts. She presented the Morning Show in 1996 and 1997 and Breakfast with Mikey Robins and the Sandman in 1998 before becoming the producer of Merrick and Rosso's drivetime radio show on Triple J during 1999 and 2000.When Merrick &...
and The Sandman (Steve Abbott) (1998). He formally co-hosted the breakfast program on Sydney radio station Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
with Amanda Keller in 2001 and then Vega 95.3
Vega (radio network)
Classic Rock is a network of two Australian commercial radio stations operated by DMG Radio Australia, one in Sydney, the other Melbourne. The Classic Rock stations were previously known as Vega, which was a sister station to DMG's other Australian radio network Nova...
alongside Tony Squires
Tony Squires
Tony Squires is an Australian media personality, currently presenting the sport report on Seven News in Sydney. He is perhaps best known as the presenter of the comic sport news show The Fat, which ran on ABC television from 2000 to 2003....
and Rebecca Wilson
Rebecca Wilson
Rebecca Wilson is an Australian media personality, known mainly for her reporting on sport.-Career:Wilson has worked in both the newspaper and television industry for over 20 years...
.
The recognition he gained through Triple J launched Robins' career in television comedy; he appeared on Live and Sweaty
Live and Sweaty
Live and Sweaty was an Australian sports television program, broadcast on the ABC from 1991 until 1995. Hosted by Andrew Denton , the show was part panel-based, part talk show and part comedy, and predated The Footy Show which has a similar format.-Live and Sweaty regulars:Andrew Denton was the...
and was a regular on McFeast before joining McDermott on Good News Week in 1996. He remained with Good News Week throughout its initial run between 1996 and 2000, and when Network Ten renewed the series in 2008 he returned in his original role.
Robins' other television projects have included several documentaries on Australian pubs, as well as appearances on the ABC series The Fat
The Fat
The Fat was an Australian sports based talk show television series, broadcast and produced by ABC TV.The series began on 6 March 2000, and ended on 18 November 2003....
, and the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's breakfast program, Sunrise
Sunrise (TV program)
Sunrise is an Australian breakfast television program, broadcast on the Seven Network. On weekdays the programme follows Seven Early News, and runs from 6am through to 9am.-History:...
. In 2005, he was a contestant on the TV show Australian’s Brainiest Comedian. In the final round, he beat Bob Downe
Mark Trevorrow
Mark Trevorrow , is an Australian comedian, television host and media personality.He has developed the flamboyant alter ego "Bob Downe" - a cheesy, safari-suit-wearing lounge singer with dazzling teeth, and host of the fictional regional daytime TV show Good Morning Murwillumbah...
, winning the game by one point. He was presented with a trophy and won AUD $20,000, which he donated to the NSW Autism Association.
Robins is also a published author, having co-written two books, Three Beers and a Chinese Meal (with Helen Razer
Helen Razer
Helen Razer is a Melbourne-born and Canberra-raised radio presenter and writer. She is the author of four non-fiction books and a columnist with the Australian version of The Big Issue, Melbourne newspaper The Age, and contributor to monthly magazine, Cherrie .-Media work:Razer was a prominent...
), a bestseller, and Big Man's World (with Tony Squires
Tony Squires
Tony Squires is an Australian media personality, currently presenting the sport report on Seven News in Sydney. He is perhaps best known as the presenter of the comic sport news show The Fat, which ran on ABC television from 2000 to 2003....
and Steve Abbott).