‘You just bow down': What happened when ABC's Bridget Brennan met her childhood idol
ABC News Breakfast host Bridget Brennan had never met her childhood idol, Ernie Dingo, until a script-reading for That Blackfella Show, a 'cheeky, very Blak' hour of variety entertainment the pair is hosting for NAIDOC Week.
The Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman, who was inspired to pursue a career in journalism by Dingo, along with Stan and Karla Grant, was starstruck.
'Any kid from the '90s grew up watching Ernie Dingo. He's the guy!' says Brennan. 'You forget how much of a sole voice he was for so many years. The path that he has paved for young Aboriginal people is incredible. I mean, you just bow down to Ernie. He's so funny. And he's got so many amazing stories. He lifts the whole team.'
Sharing hosting duties is musician and comedian Isaac Compton, a Munanjali, Minjungbul and Wiradjuri man and winner of Nine's reality adventure competition, The Summit.
'I've shed tears of laughter watching Isaac's comedy online,' says Brennan. 'He's so grounded in Community. And he brings those Black in-jokes to a wider audience via TikTok and Instagram. His commentary is so sharp, but he's also a warm, beautiful performer.'
The First Nations line-up includes comedians Steph Tisdell, Dane Simpson, Kevin Kropinyeri and Outback Tom; rappers Barkaa and Miss Kaninna; all-female rock band the Ripple Effect; and Eurovision contestants Electric Fields. Two non-Indigenous performers also appear – Jimmy Barnes, and former Bachelor contestant Abbie Chatfield.
'People will be surprised when they see their cameos' says Brennan. 'I think it's great because there are a lot of non-Indigenous Australians with profound, deep connections to Aboriginal Australians. So many non-Indigenous Australians celebrate NAIDOC. It's for everyone.'
A team of First Nations people is also working behind the scenes.
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