The Mad Mad World of Television

The Mad Mad World of Television was a mid-90s variety show that certainly delivered on the “variation” — packing in celebrity interviews, performances, talent shows, comedy sketches, roving field reports, and much more. Hosted by Simon Barnett, straight off the heels of his What Now? fame, the 45-minute episodes were filmed in front of a studio audience and featured a full live band. The ambitious one-season show produced 15 episodes and attracted some impressive international guests for its day, including “Crocodile Hunter” duo Steve and Terri Irwin, Hollywood actor Cuba Gooding Jr, and homegrown talents like Temuera Morrison.