Stan Zemanek
Encyclopedia
Stan Zemanek was an Australian radio
broadcaster who presented a popular night time show on 2UE
Sydney
and which was networked across parts of Australia via Southern Cross
.
He was known for his forthright, generally right-wing views and for trading abusive remarks with some of his callers. He was also the 13th, and longest serving "Beast" on the popular panel TV show, Beauty and the Beast.
, New South Wales
but began working in radio as a researcher for Radio C-Fun 141
in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
. He worked as a producer on the John Laws
program in Australia starting in 1978, before returning to North America for some years, where he covered the 1983 America's Cup
. He spent a decade presenting on 2UE
late at night beginning in 1987. He spent a year in 2000 presenting the 2GB
morning shift.
Zemanek moved to Melbourne for a short stint with 3AW
's drive program in 2002 before moving back to Sydney and 2UE
in 2003, having failed to garner ratings, and publicly falling out with several members of the 3AW
's broadcast team.
While popular with much of his audience, Stan often boasted about being the most complained about broadcaster in the country, polarising opinions of those who didn't agree with his right-wing beliefs. He was not shy to admit that he was politically biased and often criticized "idiot Labor voters" for not doing the same. His most commonly used terms were "numb nuts", "turn it up", "half-wit", "oxygen thief", "left-wing looney", "give yourself an uppercut" and "typical Labor
voter"; and he once asked a caller who sounded to be a little slow 'are you smoking the wacky-tobaccy', a slang
reference to marijuana
.
In 2003, following his return to 2UE, he received a bombardment of calls from a number of people he referred to as 'The Phone Box Boys', thinking they were all calling him from a phone box. The calls would sometimes reach 20 a night, and would spin several staples of Zemanek such as sound effects, on Stan himself. This led to an enormous spike in his ratings for the period of March-July 2003. A CD based solely on these calls is in the pipeline for a release.
Zemanek had an ongoing rivalry with 2UE breakfast host Mike Carlton
, ever since Carlton revealed on-air that Zemanek was about to move to 2GB
. An angry Zemanek called for Carlton to be sacked and for the Australian Broadcasting Authority
to investigate him for "irresponsible journalism". The "debate" between the two broadcasters degenerated over the next few days, with Carlton calling Zemanek "a little shit
", "a village idiot", "a homosexual", and "a stunted runt" and Zemanek calling Carlton a "a turd" and "a ponce" with "his head up his backside". After Zemanek's death, Carlton stated on his breakfast show at 2UE that he hated Zemanek and would only attend his funeral to check that he was really dead, causing 2UE management to publicly denounce Carlton. Carlton made his comment while showbiz reporter Peter Ford was doing a report on Zemanek's funeral. At the time Ford made light of Carlton's comments. On reflection however he was disgusted and blasted Carlton on 2UE that day. Ford explained that Zemanek was a mentor and friend and that he was disgusted with what Carlton had said. Ford resigned from his spot on Carlton's program (but continues to report for other 2UE programs).
is the dominant football code), he elected to support the Carlton Football Club
.
, an aggressive brain tumour
that is almost universally fatal within a few years, in May 2006. Treatment included chemotherapy
and radiotherapy in addition to surgery performed by Charles Teo
. After rumours in 2006, Zemanek's retirement and intention to look after his health and spend time with his family was announced on 9 December 2006. His final show went to air on 22 December 2006. Many in the commercial radio industry paid tribute to Zemanek on-air, including his former on-air colleagues and later rivals (on 2GB
), Alan Jones
and Ray Hadley
.
While Zemanek intended to return to Beauty and The Beast in early 2007, and he celebrated his 60th birthday with former Beauty and the Beast co-stars, his health deteriorated in retirement. In June 2007, he and his wife cut short a planned holiday due to illness and in early July 2007 his family announced that he was dying. He died in his sleep in the early hours on 12 July 2007. His funeral
, open to the public, was held on 17 July 2007, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in North Sydney
and was followed by a private cremation
.
The Chaser
has mentioned him in The Eulogy Song.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
broadcaster who presented a popular night time show on 2UE
2UE
2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and which was networked across parts of Australia via Southern Cross
Southern Cross Broadcasting
Southern Cross Broadcasting Limited was a diversified Australian media company, that owned and operated a variety of media businesses, primarily radio and television.-History:...
.
He was known for his forthright, generally right-wing views and for trading abusive remarks with some of his callers. He was also the 13th, and longest serving "Beast" on the popular panel TV show, Beauty and the Beast.
Career
Zemanek grew up in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
but began working in radio as a researcher for Radio C-Fun 141
CFUN (AM)
CFTE is a Canadian radio station in Vancouver, British Columbia. On 1410 AM, it is owned by Bell Media and currently carries a sports format as TEAM 1410, a secondary station to CKST .-History:...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He worked as a producer on the John Laws
John Laws
Richard John Sinclair "John" Laws, CBE , an Australian radio presenter, sometimes known as Lawsie, was from the 1970s until his retirement in 2007, the host of a hugely successful morning radio program, which mixed music with interviews, opinion, live advertising readings and listener talkback...
program in Australia starting in 1978, before returning to North America for some years, where he covered the 1983 America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
. He spent a decade presenting on 2UE
2UE
2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
late at night beginning in 1987. He spent a year in 2000 presenting the 2GB
2GB
2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926...
morning shift.
Zemanek moved to Melbourne for a short stint with 3AW
3AW
3AW is a talkback radio station in Melbourne, Australia on 693 kHz AM. It began transmission on 22 February 1932 as Melbourne's fifth commercial radio station.-History:...
's drive program in 2002 before moving back to Sydney and 2UE
2UE
2UE is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia owned by Fairfax Media. It is Sydney's and Australia's oldest commercial radio station, first broadcasting on 26 January 1925 on 1025 kHz AM before moving to 950 kHz in 1935 when virtually all Australian radio stations were assigned new...
in 2003, having failed to garner ratings, and publicly falling out with several members of the 3AW
3AW
3AW is a talkback radio station in Melbourne, Australia on 693 kHz AM. It began transmission on 22 February 1932 as Melbourne's fifth commercial radio station.-History:...
's broadcast team.
While popular with much of his audience, Stan often boasted about being the most complained about broadcaster in the country, polarising opinions of those who didn't agree with his right-wing beliefs. He was not shy to admit that he was politically biased and often criticized "idiot Labor voters" for not doing the same. His most commonly used terms were "numb nuts", "turn it up", "half-wit", "oxygen thief", "left-wing looney", "give yourself an uppercut" and "typical Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
voter"; and he once asked a caller who sounded to be a little slow 'are you smoking the wacky-tobaccy', a slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
reference to marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
.
In 2003, following his return to 2UE, he received a bombardment of calls from a number of people he referred to as 'The Phone Box Boys', thinking they were all calling him from a phone box. The calls would sometimes reach 20 a night, and would spin several staples of Zemanek such as sound effects, on Stan himself. This led to an enormous spike in his ratings for the period of March-July 2003. A CD based solely on these calls is in the pipeline for a release.
Zemanek had an ongoing rivalry with 2UE breakfast host Mike Carlton
Mike Carlton
Mike Carlton is an Australian media commentator and broadcaster. He formerly co-hosted the daily breakfast program on Sydney radio station 2UE with Peter FitzSimons and later Sandy Aloisi. He is a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald, having been sacked from the position on 29 August 2008, for...
, ever since Carlton revealed on-air that Zemanek was about to move to 2GB
2GB
2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926...
. An angry Zemanek called for Carlton to be sacked and for the Australian Broadcasting Authority
Australian Broadcasting Authority
The Australian Broadcasting Authority was an Australian government agency whose main roles were to regulate broadcasting, radiocommunications and telecommunications....
to investigate him for "irresponsible journalism". The "debate" between the two broadcasters degenerated over the next few days, with Carlton calling Zemanek "a little shit
Shit
Shit is usually considered vulgar and profane in Modern English. As a noun it refers to fecal matter and as a verb it means to defecate or defecate in; in the plural it means diarrhea...
", "a village idiot", "a homosexual", and "a stunted runt" and Zemanek calling Carlton a "a turd" and "a ponce" with "his head up his backside". After Zemanek's death, Carlton stated on his breakfast show at 2UE that he hated Zemanek and would only attend his funeral to check that he was really dead, causing 2UE management to publicly denounce Carlton. Carlton made his comment while showbiz reporter Peter Ford was doing a report on Zemanek's funeral. At the time Ford made light of Carlton's comments. On reflection however he was disgusted and blasted Carlton on 2UE that day. Ford explained that Zemanek was a mentor and friend and that he was disgusted with what Carlton had said. Ford resigned from his spot on Carlton's program (but continues to report for other 2UE programs).
Personal life
Stan and his wife, Marcella Zemanek, had two daughters, Gaby and Melissa (both married) and two grandchildren at the time of his death. After moving to Melbourne (where Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
is the dominant football code), he elected to support the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
.
Ill-health, retirement and death
Zemanek was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiformeGlioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans, involving glial cells and accounting for 52% of all functional tissue brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Despite being the most prevalent form of primary brain tumor, GBMs...
, an aggressive brain tumour
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
that is almost universally fatal within a few years, in May 2006. Treatment included chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
and radiotherapy in addition to surgery performed by Charles Teo
Charles Teo
Charles "Charlie" Teo AM is a high profile Australian neurosurgeon.- Neurosurgery :Teo trained in Sydney, but worked for a decade in the United States, where he still teaches. His sub-speciality is paediatric neurosurgery. He is the director of the Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery at...
. After rumours in 2006, Zemanek's retirement and intention to look after his health and spend time with his family was announced on 9 December 2006. His final show went to air on 22 December 2006. Many in the commercial radio industry paid tribute to Zemanek on-air, including his former on-air colleagues and later rivals (on 2GB
2GB
2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926...
), Alan Jones
Alan Jones (radio broadcaster)
Alan Belford Jones AO is an Australian radio broadcaster, former rugby union and rugby league coach and administrator.Jones hosts Sydney's most popular breakfast radio program, on radio station 2GB...
and Ray Hadley
Ray Hadley
Raymond Morris Hadley OAM is an Australian talkback radio broadcaster. He presents 2GB Sydney's morning show, and leads the Continuous Call Team, a rugby league-based talkback radio panel program.-Early Life:...
.
While Zemanek intended to return to Beauty and The Beast in early 2007, and he celebrated his 60th birthday with former Beauty and the Beast co-stars, his health deteriorated in retirement. In June 2007, he and his wife cut short a planned holiday due to illness and in early July 2007 his family announced that he was dying. He died in his sleep in the early hours on 12 July 2007. His funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
, open to the public, was held on 17 July 2007, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in North Sydney
North Sydney, New South Wales
North Sydney is a suburb and commercial district on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Sydney is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of North Sydney...
and was followed by a private cremation
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
.
The Chaser
The Chaser
The Chaser are an Australian satirical comedian group, known for their television programmes on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation channel. The group take their name from their production of satirical newspaper, a publication known to challenge conventions of taste...
has mentioned him in The Eulogy Song.