HG Nelson treated Hardy’s Bay Community Club patrons to a rare one-off show, bringing back the same jokes which made people laugh then and still do now.
The satirist and social commentator famous for his dry and humorous sport commentating reminisced about the time Rampaging’ Roy Slaven and himself hosted ‘The Dream’ for Channel 7 at the 2000 Sydney Olympics games.
HG Nelson was joined by CNN’s own David Abrahams as MC for the booked out show at the club on Friday, November 13.
Roy and HG became well known for their commentary of certain events, particularly the men’s gymnastics, speaking with mock-seriousness and using fictitious terminology to describe various manoeuvres.
Coined terms included adapted vernacular such as “battered sav” and “Chiko Roll”, and other inventions like “flat bag”, “Dutch wink”, “crazy date” and “hello boys” that became familiar to viewers worldwide.
They also became known for their made-up “facts” about the competitors, such as their occupation and pre-match preparation routines.
HG Nelson said each show was researched before the event but lots of the commentating was made up on the spot.
“We were called up by Channel 7 who asked us to do it and we told them they can but they are going to have to do it our way.
“We told them to ring us back in two weeks and think about it, and if they still want us to do we’d do it”
The Dream aired for all 14 days of the Sydney Olympics for 4 hours every evening.
HG bought along some give-away prizes on the day.
VHS videotapes and memorial programs were given to quick-witted attendees.
Committee member, John Brown, was very pleased with the afternoon.
“HG treated us to some real belly laughs and he’s done the club a great service,” Brown said.
COVID safe photos of HG with Fatso the fat arsed wombat were an extra treat for patrons of the Hardys Bay Community Club.
Roy and HG started their offbeat sporting career on ABC double j radio hosting the live, improvised, and satirical radio program This Sporting Life from 1986 to 2008.
Jacinta Counihan