Yahoo Lifestyle Molly Meldrum and Sam Johnson chat about upcoming mini-series 'Molly'
Award-winning actor Samuel Johnson, 37, stars as the former Countdown host in a two-part mini-series based on Molly’s life. Molly comes shortly after the man himself was hospitalised in Bangkok following a fall from a taxi, which resulted in cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder. But it was a happy and healthy Molly who was joined by Sam at his Egyptian-themed Melbourne villa for New Idea’s recent shoot.
What do you think of Sam’s performance, Molly?
Molly: Sam’s great, but it’s hard to be objective, you know. None of us really know ourselves as we are. I don’t really like talking about myself or ‘Molly Meldrum’.
SAM: It’s like there are two blokes. One is Ian and the other is the Molly we all know, who’s insightful about music and a bit of a showman. But the Ian bloke, to my mind, is more reserved.
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Molly Meldrum and Samuel Johnson. Photo: Tina Smigielski.
Did you spend much time together, researching the role?
SAM: We got together a couple of times, but Molly hates talking about himself, so I just cherry- picked information from anywhere and everywhere. We’ve been friends for a decade, so it was really about digging out the film archives.
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He’s a national treasure – are you pleased you got a chance to play him in Molly?
SAM: As much as Molly might think he’s not interesting enough to warrant a TV show, he’s a fascinating bloke with an equally fascinating story. And this is the best TV I’ve ever been a part of. I can’t wait for people to see it!
Read the full story in New Idea’s brand new bonus 16-page TV Guide, on sale now
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