By Deanne Jeffers
SHEPPARTON’S own Marty and Norm Richardson will soon appear on the popular game show Tipping Point Australia – but don’t ask them if they won. Due to confidentiality contracts, they can’t reveal their results until the episode airs but have plenty of entertaining stories to share.
Tipping Point, based on a UK format, blends trivia and arcade-style suspense. Contestants earn counters by answering quiz questions, which are then used in a giant coin-pusher machine to win cash prizes. “It’s skill and luck,” Marty said. “You hope the counters tip over the edge and win you big money.”
Marty landed a spot of around 20,000 applicants, after submitting a karaoke video of himself singing ‘Minnie the Moocher’ aboard the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship. “They say the video’s optional, but I’m not sure how far you’ll get without it,” he said.
Marty was invited to film at South Melbourne’s Docklands studio, with his dad Norm watching in the audience. Unable to miss Norm’s on-screen charisma, the producers invited him to feature in his own episode and try his luck and trivia knowledge.
“They emailed me and did the interview online. Next thing I know, I’m on the show too,” said Norm. His episode was filmed in February, and while the pair can’t spill the outcome, they’re excited to see themselves on the screen.
No stranger to Australian TV, Marty has been an extra in shows like Neighbours, where he famously handed Holly Valance (aka Flick) her VCE results. He also appeared in Jackie Chan’s Mr Nice Guy, and has several game show appearances under his belt.
“I’ve been on most of them: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Deal or No Deal, The Price is Right, Million Dollar Minute, even Red Faces on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, where I played the pineapple to the Hawaii Five-O theme,” he shared.
Marty estimates he has won around $20,000 to $30,000 from game shows. “Not bad,” Marty quipped. “It’s more like a sport for us now, competing, getting in front of the camera, and having a crack. They’re pretty addictive too.”
So, what makes Tipping Point special? For Marty, it was host Todd Woodbridge. “Most hosts don’t really interact, but Todd came into makeup and chatted. That’s rare. He made the effort to connect.”
Keep an eye on Channel 9 to catch the Richardsons on Tipping Point—and maybe, just maybe, see them tip the odds in their favour.
