Merrick Watts: ‘I’m not being asked to pretend to be younger’

Merrick sounds relieved to be back on Triple M. Source: Supplied

MERRICK Watts doesn’t have to pretend to be young anymore and he couldn’t be more pumped about that.

The comedian makes his return to Triple M today after a rather forgettable 2014 which saw his breakfast show on Today’s Hit Network in Sydney (featuring Sophie Monk and Jules Lund) struggle in the ratings from day dot and ultimately get the chop.

When news.com.au caught up with the radio veteran, he sounded thrilled to be putting last year’s events behind him.

“I’m doing the exact show that I want to do,” said Merrick about his new drive show, Merrick … and Australia.

Merrick was joined by Sophie Monk and Jules Lund on radio last year. Source: News Corp Australia

Whereas he spent last year trying to come up with content that appealed to a young female audience, Merrick can now focus on the things that really interest him.

“This is the great thing about working at Triple M and being a 41-year-old male ... I can just use myself as a gauge for the audience,” he said, “I’m not 20 years older than my audience which I was last year. There’s a little less Ariana Grande and a little more Jimmy Page”.

“I’ve been in that situation where you feel too old for the format you’re in. I feel absolutely bang in the middle of it now. I’m not being asked to pretend to be younger, I don’t have to worry about my age and it’s a real thing with radio broadcasters.

Merrick has already lined up interviews with Dave Grohl, Jimmy Page and Jeremy Clarkson. Source: News Limited

“Rosso and I, towards the end of our time on Nova, we both at times felt as though we had outgrown the demographic and it’s really hard. You make a reference to a TV show from the 1980s or the 1990s and the audience doesn’t know what you’re talking about.”

Merrick, who previously had a show on Triple M from 2011 — 2013, isn’t the only heavyweight returning to the FM drive shift this year.

Hughesy and Kate kicked off their new show on Kiis FM last week and Hamish and Andy will make their big return to Today’s Hit Network in July.

But Merrick’s not too worried at all.

Hamish and Andy are coming back soon. Source: Supplied

Hughesy and Kate are now on Kiis FM. Source: Supplied

“The other three (FM drive shows) are all the same format so they’re all fighting to be the best at the one thing,” he said.

“We’re fighting to be the best at our format and our format is a male audience, it’s a rock audience, it’s a niche audience and it’s different so we have to be the best at what we do.”

Merrick … and Australia starts today on Triple M and LocalWorks:

4-6pm on Triple M Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and regional NSW, VIC, QLD and SA.

5-7pm on Gold FM Gold Coast and Heart FM Hobart.

7-9pm on Triple M Adelaide and regional WA.

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