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Jonesy & Amanda
Jonesy & Amanda is an Australian breakfast radio show hosted by Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller.[1] The program airs weekdays on Gold 101.7 in Sydney from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and is also syndicated nationally on the Gold Network in a late drive slot from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.[1] Since the show's debut in 2005, Jonesy & Amanda have garnered a loyal audience and received several industry awards, reflecting their prominence in Australian radio. Jonesy & Amanda have conducted interviews with several Australian Prime Ministers[2] [3] [4] [5], set a Guinness World Record by broadcasting their show from underwater for over three hours[6], and even drank each other's blood.[7] HistoryBefore working at WSFM, Jones and Keller both previously worked at Triple M Sydney, with Jones on the drive shift and Keller on the breakfast shift with Andrew Denton.[8][9] During a week when Jones filled in for Denton on the breakfast show, he noted strong on-air chemistry with Keller.[9][10] In 2003, Jones joined WSFM to host its breakfast program. At the time, the station faced challenges in building an audience, and Jones described this period as one of the most difficult of his career.[11] In 2004, Jones suggested to WSFM's management that hiring Keller would improve the show's performance, reportedly stating, "If we get her, we will go #1 next year, and if we don't, I will leave."[11] Initially, Keller was hesitant to commit to full-time breakfast radio due to family responsibilities and her work on the ABC TV program Mondo Thingo. However, after Mondo Thingo was not renewed, she accepted the breakfast co-host role at WSFM.[11] In 2005, Jonesy & Amanda became the top-rated FM breakfast radio show in the seventh ratings survey of the year, achieving an 8.8% share.[12] In the following survey, WSFM was ranked the number one FM station overall, with a 9.5% share.[13] Regular segmentsMagnificent SevenThe show begins with a quiz segment where callers answer a series of seven questions in a relay format. If a caller answers incorrectly, the next caller takes over from the same question. The questions often relate to current events, and the caller who answers the seventh and final question correctly wins a prize. InstagrandThis trivia-based segment invites callers to answer ten questions correctly to win a cash prize of $1,000. Participants who succeed have the option to risk their winnings on a double or nothing bonus question. Pub TestThe segment involves discussing a recent event, news story, or social concept, with callers invited to share their opinions on whether it "passes the Pub Test." TikTok TuckerEach Thursday, Jonesy and Amanda try out a viral recipe from TikTok, recreating it live on the show. The hosts often provide humorous commentary, with many of the recipes eliciting mixed reactions, sometimes being deemed unappetizing. Fight for Your FlashbackOn Fridays, Jonesy and Amanda receive a theme from management and each selects a classic song that aligns with it. These rarely-played tracks are then pitted against each other, with listeners voting on which song should be played. JalmanacThe segment features trivia or interesting facts about a song or band, which the hosts discuss before playing the corresponding song. The Tribal DrumThis segment invites callers to share personal stories and experiences based on a specific topic introduced by the hosts. Keller described the concept in an interview with Woman's Day, stating, “Part of our job is to be what we call a tribal drum: to have people talk about what they are going through and what we are all going through and how we experience the world."[10] Gets My GooliesListeners are invited to share personal grievances or pet peeves. Participants can submit their "goolies" through the iHeartRadio app. The hosts present the best "goolies" at the end of the show, and each year, the most compelling submission is awarded a significant prize, such as $20,000 in cash.[14] Mystery Footy TipperA weekly segment during the NRL season featuring a guest, often a celebrity or sports figure, who predicts the results of upcoming National Rugby League (NRL) games. In 2024, the segment gained international attention after Senior Producer Megan Smith mistakenly texted Academy Award-nominated actress Rachel Griffiths while attempting to book former rugby league player and sports commentator Paul "Fatty" Vautin. Smith’s initial text was professional, asking "Paul" to appear as the "Mystery Footy Tipper". When the recipient replied, “Also, Megan, it’s not Paul,” Smith assumed Vautin was offended by her use of his first name rather than his nickname, "Fatty." In response, Smith apologized and addressed the recipient as "Fatty." Griffiths responded with, “WTF? Your job is to call people fatty?” prompting Smith to realize her mistake. The blunder was shared widely on social media, with clips from Jonesy & Amanda attracting international media attention.[15] Man of the MatchAt the end of the show, the favourite call, email, or social media comment of the day wins the "Man of the Match" title, along with a prize. Special eventsWorld record attemptsIn 2010, Jonesy & Amanda set a Guinness World Record for the 'Longest underwater broadcast,' achieved by broadcasting their breakfast show for over three hours underwater at 3.8 meters from inside the Great Barrier Reef Habitat at the Sydney Aquarium, surrounded by sharks.[6] This segment won an Australian Commercial Radio Award for Best Sales Promotion in 2011.[16] In 2019, Jonesy & Amanda set a Guinness World Record for the 'Largest dim sum (yum cha) dinner.'[17] This was achieved during the 2019 Sydney Lunar Festival. Approximately 3,100 individual pieces of dim sum were cooked by the Let's Do Yum Cha food truck and were served to 764 people.[17] This segment won an Australian Commercial Radio Award for Best Sales Promotion in 2019.[18] OtherOn November 23, 2023, Jonesy & Amanda hosted "An Evening with Jonesy & Amanda" at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre. This 90-minute live show emulated their radio program's format, featuring signature segments like "Magnificent Seven," "TikTok Tucker," and "Gets My Goolies." The event celebrated their 18-year partnership and included a live performance by Marcia Hines.[19] In March 2024, as they prepared to move to new headquarters in North Sydney after over 18 years in their studio at Macquarie Park, Jonesy & Amanda organized the "JAM-Tiques Roadshow". This live on-air event auctioned unique memorabilia from their tenure, with all proceeds donated to the Sydney Children’s Hospital.[20] Ratings and receptionThe show has consistently achieved strong ratings, often ranking among Sydney's top breakfast programs. The highest rating ever recorded for Jonesy & Amanda was in the fourth radio ratings survey of 2014, where the show achieved a rating of 11.5%.[21] In the seventh radio ratings survey of 2024, Jonesy & Amanda achieved a share of 11.3%, their second highest ratings on record.[22] TeamCurrent
Former
AwardsAustralian Commercial Radio AwardsJonesy & Amanda have been recognized at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) with multiple accolades, including winning the Best On-Air Team award five times (2012,[29] 2014,[30] 2019,[18] 2023,[31] and 2024[32]). Amongst the team, Senior Digital Content Producer Jenna Benson has received notable recognition, winning five ACRAs, the most of any individual team member.[33][34][32]
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