Wikipedia

Jonesy & Amanda

Jonesy & Amanda is an Australian breakfast radio show hosted by Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller.[1]

Jonesy & Amanda
Amanda Keller & Brendan Jones in 2012.
GenreTalk and Music
Running timeWeekdays 6am–9am
(Gold 101.7)
Weekdays 6pm–7pm (Nationally)
Country of originAustralia Australia
Language(s)English
Home stationGold 101.7
SyndicatesGold Network
StarringBrendan Jones
Amanda Keller
Produced byJacinda Gugliemino
(Executive Producer)
Joanne Ockwell
(Executive Producer)
Megan Smith
(Senior Producer)
Jenna Benson
(Senior Digital Content Producer)
Monica Reid
(Producer)
Wayne Fox
(Image Producer)
Jeff Nielsen
(Image Producer)
Original release17 January 2005 –
present
WebsiteJonesy & Amanda
PodcastJAM Nation with Jonesy & Amanda

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]

History

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Before 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 segments

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Magnificent Seven

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The 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.

Instagrand

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This 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 Test

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The 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 Tucker

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Each 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 Flashback

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On 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.

Jalmanac

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The segment features trivia or interesting facts about a song or band, which the hosts discuss before playing the corresponding song.

The Tribal Drum

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This 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 Goolies

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Listeners 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 Tipper

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A 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 Match

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At 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 events

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World record attempts

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In 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]

Other

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On 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 reception

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The 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]

Team

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Current

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Name Position Start
Jacinda Gugliemino Executive Producer 2023
Joanne Ockwell Executive Producer 2024
Megan Smith[15] Senior Producer 2023
Jenna Benson[23] Senior Digital Content Producer 2019
Monica Reid[24] Producer 2024
Wayne Fox Image Producer 2017
Jeff Nielsen Image Producer 2018

Former

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Name Position Start End
Emily Waterson Producer 2023 2024
Ryan Atkins (Gen Y Ry)[25] Studio Producer 2022 2024
Millie Starling[26] Executive Producer 2018 2024
Tyran Stig[25] Senior Producer 2023 2023
Mariam Belle[25] Content Producer 2022 2023
Kate Meade[25] Senior Producer 2022 2022
Anna Crotti[23] Senior Producer 2019 2022
Natasha Fedele[23] Multimedia and Content Producer 2018 2022
Jimmy Manning[23] Studio Producer 2017 2022
Laura Bouchet[27] Executive Producer 2007 2019
Ben Latimer[28] Executive Producer 2007 2012

Awards

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Australian Commercial Radio Awards

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Jonesy & 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]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2011 Jonesy & Amanda's Underwater Broadcast[16] Best Sales Promotion Won
2012 Jonesy & Amanda[29] Best On-Air Team Won
2013 Charlie Fox[35] Best Program Director Won
2014 Jonesy & Amanda[30] Best On-Air Team Won
2014 Laura Viglino[30] Best Show Producer Won
2015 Laura Viglino[36] Best Show Producer Won
2019 Jeff Nielsen[18] Best Achievement in Production Won
2019 Jonesy & Amanda[18] Best On-Air Team Won
2019 Jonesy & Amanda's Sydney Lunar Festival World Record Yum Cha[18] Best Sales Promotion Won
2020/2021 Jonesy & Amanda's Holiday Book Club[33] Best Radio Show Podcast Won
2020/2021 Jenna Benson[33] Best Newcomer Off-Air Won
2022 Jonesy & Amanda's Time Travellers Podcast[34] Best Radio Show Podcast Won
2022 Mike Byrne[34] Best Program Director Won
2023 Jonesy & Amanda[31] Best On-Air Team Won
2023 Annette George[31] Promotions Director of the Year Won
2024 Jonesy & Amanda[32] Best On-Air Team Won
2024 Jenna Benson, Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller[32] Digital Team of the Year Won
2024 Jenna Benson[32] Best Digital Content Creator Won

References

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  1. ^ a b "Shows". WSFM. Archived from the original on 2024-10-14. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Interview with Jonesy and Amanda, WSFM, Sydney". Archived from the original on 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  3. ^ "Radio interview with Jonesy and Amanda WSFM". Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  4. ^ "Radio interview with Jonesy and Amanda, WSFM Pure Gold". Archived from the original on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  5. ^ "Radio Interview WSFM with Jonesy & Amanda". Archived from the original on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  6. ^ a b "Guinness World Record holders Jonesy & Amanda swim with sharks". Radioinfo. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  7. ^ "Jonesy & Amanda Drink Each Other's BLOOD!". Archived from the original on 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  8. ^ Welch, Kalila. "Dynamic duos: WSFM's Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller". Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  9. ^ a b Connery, Tess. ""It doesn't feel that long": Looking back on 18 years of Jonesy & Amanda". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  10. ^ a b Dunk, Tiffany. "EXCLUSIVE: Turning 60 is just the beginning for Amanda Keller as she embraces a new stage of life as an empty-nester". Women's Day. Archived from the original on 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  11. ^ a b c Joshi, Kruti. "The story behind WSFM's iconic pairing of Jonesy and Amanda". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  12. ^ "Sydney 705" (PDF). Nielsen Media. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-08-20. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  13. ^ "Sydney 805" (PDF). Nielsen Media. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  14. ^ "Jonesy & Amanda: Gets My Goolies". WSFM. Archived from the original on 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  15. ^ a b Burke, Olivia. "Australian radio producer's text mistake involving Paul Vautin". LADbible. Archived from the original on 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  16. ^ a b "2011 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  17. ^ a b "Largest dim sum (yum cha) dinner". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  18. ^ a b c d e "2019 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  19. ^ "Jonesy & Amanda hit the stage for their first live theatre performance". WSFM. Archived from the original on 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  20. ^ Patterson, Sarah. "Jonesy & Amanda prepare for move to new HQ with Jam-tiques Roadshow". Radio Today. Archived from the original on 2024-03-30. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  21. ^ "Sydney radio - Survey 4 2014" (PDF). Commercial Radio Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  22. ^ "Radio 360: Sydney - Total radio - Survey 7 2024" (PDF). Commercial Radio Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  23. ^ a b c d Manning, James. "Radio Giants: More than you need to know about WSFM's Jonesy and Amanda". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  24. ^ Patterson, Sarah. "From AFTRS student to Jonesy & Amanda's producer: How Monica Reid followed her dream". Radio Today. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  25. ^ a b c d Boland, Bray. "Jonesy & Amanda welcome new senior producer". Radio Today. Archived from the original on 2023-01-08. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  26. ^ "Jonesy & Amanda get Millie in the morning". Radioinfo. Archived from the original on 2022-08-13. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  27. ^ "Laura Bouchet takes on the role of Moonman's EP". Radioinfo. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  28. ^ "Ben Latimer". ABC. Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  29. ^ a b "2012 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  30. ^ a b c "2014 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  31. ^ a b c "2023 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  32. ^ a b c d e "2024 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  33. ^ a b c "2020/2021 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  34. ^ a b c "2022 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  35. ^ "2013 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  36. ^ "2015 ACRAs winners list" (PDF). Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
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