Brian Wilshire back on 2GB, on overnights

Brian Wilshire, the long-time evening show host on 2GB who was replaced by Steve Price a few months ago ^[1] is back, but in a later timeslot. Brian is taking over the overnight shift, replacing Michael McLaren who is returning to his pre-hosting role as a program producer. Brian returns on Monday.

What does remain a mystery though is what timeslot Brian’s show will occupy. It will start at midnight and will, initially at least, run until 5am, but the question is whether 5am is a permanent finishing time, or if Wake Up Australia will return when Andrew Moore’s holidays come to an end.

Interestingly, Michael McLaren will only be producing Brian’s show three days per week, and he has hinted at the possibility of being involved in other things at the station. Whether that means he is taking on a weekend presenting role is anyone’s guess.

The overnight changes aren’t confined to 2GB either. Fairfax Radio have implemented an altered version of their plan to replace 2UE’s overnight show with 3AW’s overnight show. Network stations, including 4BC Brisbane are receiving the 3AW show where, despite promises from Fairfax of the 3AW show becoming more news-oriented, news still seems to be mostly avoided. 2UE is still running its own show with John Cadogan, just without a network audience.

One has to observe that if the Fairfax show remains as heavy on nostalgia as it is, Macquarie would be well-advised to syndicate Brian Wilshire as soon as possible. Brian, conspiratorial as he may be at times, is still more newsy and, in my opinion, more interesting than 3AW’s overnight show.

One other thing which did occur to me is that Brian, with his interest in conspiracies, could put together a very good Australian version of American overnight show Coast To Coast AM ^[2] which is an amazing ratings success with its mix of news-based discussion, and long-form interviews and talkback about subjects as diverse as conspiracy theories, UFOs, paranormal occurrences and alternative medical theories.

H/t to Frank from Frankster’s Archive ^[3] for alerting me to Brian’s return. I missed the on-air announcements. Also to John Moulis for his observations about where 3AW’s show is being heard. John also made some interesting observations about the ACT election recently which I’ll share with you soon.

Samuel