Dave Hughes confronts Samuel Johnson over ‘holding a grudge’ against Molly Meldrum
Dave Hughes called out Molly Meldrum’s former protégé Samuel Johnson after he vowed never to speak to the TV legend following her attention-seeking scandal over the past week.
Meldrum exposed his bare buttocks live on stage at Elton John’s farewell concert in Melbourne last Friday, later blaming the incident on a faulty belt buckle.
Johnson said on Tuesday that the moon incident was the last straw after years of biting his tongue, adding that he was “fed up” with the music critic’s increasingly erratic behavior.
Dave Hughes (pictured) has called out former Molly Meldrum protégé Samuel Johnson after he vowed never to speak to the TV legend again after his attention-seeking display this week.
He referenced the 2017 Logie Awards when Meldrum stole Johnson’s attention while onstage accepting the Gold Logie for his performance in Channel Seven’s miniseries Molly, based on Meldrum’s life.
She wanted to take the opportunity to promote her charity, Love Your Sister, and to thank her sister Connie, who was battling cancer at the time and would die months later.
But Johnson said Meldrum ruined his “million dollar moment” after he took the actor’s microphone and “warbled in a very drunken way for a full eight minutes.”
Hughes scolded Johnson while interviewing him on his 2Day FM Breakfast Show, Hughesy Ed & Erin, for continuing to hold a grudge against someone for so many years.
Speaking on 2Day FM Breakfast Show Hughesy Ed & Erin on Thursday, Hughes chastised Johnson for continuing to hold a grudge against someone for so many years.
You said on Channel Seven the other day that you would never speak to Molly again. I hate holding a grudge. I think that’s bad for you,’ said the comedian.
Johnson agreed, adding, “And you shouldn’t have a forced leave of absence because that’s bad for you and it’s bad for the other person.”
‘But when I specifically asked you not to do something… It’s a once in a lifetime moment, it’s a moment I’ll never get back… He has violated my trust by showing up at that moment. So sorry, I’m not doing the Molly sequel. I don’t think he should do it,’ he added.
Johnson’s relationship with Meldrum changed at the Logie Awards in 2017 when the music critic stole Johnson’s spotlight while he was onstage accepting the Gold Logie for his performance in Channel Seven’s miniseries Molly, based on Meldrum’s life.
Hughes stood by his advice, saying there was “no point in holding on” to the situation.
‘No no no. I didn’t hold on to that until I saw the Elton video,” Johnson argued.
“I want you and Molly to go into a room,” Hughes added, suggesting that the pair could work out their feud.
Johnson ultimately said Hughes’ point was “valid”, saying that people “shouldn’t hold a grudge” and “should just call someone and ask if they’re okay.”
“He has a very good point,” Johnson added. And I don’t want to call him.
Hughes then suggested that instead of contacting the former Countdown host, the radio show arrange a face-to-face meeting.
‘If we could bring the two of you together, would you agree to a conversation with Molly Meldrum?’ Hughes asked.
Johnson said he never forgave Meldrum for upstaged him at the 2017 Logie Awards (pictured), where he hoped to use his time onstage to promote his charity, Love Your Sister. Instead, a rambling and incoherent Meldrum made it all about himself.
“Yes, of course,” Johnson said. Now you’ve made me feel really mean. I feel really, really pathetic.
‘No, you don’t have to feel pathetic. But you need to live in the moment,” the comedian replied.
Johnson and Hughes, who hosted the 2017 Logies, got into a heated argument over Hughes’ failure to intervene that night when Meldrum took the stage.
The Secret Life of Us star criticized Hughes for not taking the music critic off stage, but Hughesy revealed that he wanted to push him away.
“I was waiting for you to do something because you’re the fun guy,” Johnson said.
Meldrum exposed his bare buttocks live on stage at Elton John’s farewell concert in Melbourne last Friday, later blaming the incident on a faulty belt buckle.
The legendary Australian music critic was looking at his old friend Sir Elton in the crowd at AAMI Park for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, before taking the stage.
“I kept waiting for Hughesy to interrupt him with something funny,” he said.
Hughesy responded: “I was super stressed, thinking ‘how the hell do I handle this situation?’
He added that Eddie Maguire and “the boss of Channel Nine” told him to leave Meldrum on stage and so he “didn’t deal with it.”
Meldrum has apologized for the moon incident at the Elton John concert in Melbourne last week, noting that he had a belt malfunction.
Speaking with The Morning Show on Tuesday, Johnson expressed concern for the music legend.
“Maybe it’s time to hang up your hat, mate,” he said. I hope you are good.
It comes after Meldrum apologized for the moon incident at Elton John’s concert in Melbourne last week, noting that he had a belt malfunction.
Johnson went on to suggest that Meldrum has an alcohol problem, claiming that he has “two shots of vodka in his coffee in the morning”.
If I want to understand it, I have to see it by noon. Stop it Molly! he exclaimed.
Co-host Kylie Gillies then suggested that perhaps Johnson was in a position to call Meldrum and ‘talk’ about his behaviour, but Johnson said she hadn’t spoken to him since the Logies debacle six years ago.
‘I will never speak to him again. He cost my charity a million dollars that night,” he said.
‘Can someone take care of him? Can someone take care of him? Can someone? I’m really worried about him. I’m not mad at him. I’m really worried,” she added.