Iconic Tasmanian television personality Peter Murphy has made a special guest appearance on Channel 10’s ‘The Cheap Seats’ following his recent retirement.
The weatherman, affectionately known as ‘Murph’, brought his characteristic dad jokes and self-deprecating humour to the show.
He even presented hosts Tim McDonald and Melanie Bracewell with maps of Tasmania and honorary Tasmania Devils caps.
“It’s pretty easy to be a television presenter for 41 years. You pick a job no one wants and you pick a subject that is easy. Tasmanian weather. There’s two seasons, winter and January,” Murph said.
Murph joked about the improvement of being in a mainland TV studio for The Cheap Seats, compared to the studios in Launceston he has worked from for decades.
“I’m here in a big city studio. I’ve been in the green room … there is biscuits, cheese, chocolates and Nutrigrain, so much in there, it’s unbelievable and in here – more than one camera in the studio,” he said.
The show featured clips highlighting Murph’s notoriously groan-inducing puns and the reactions of his former colleagues.
“I did buy two dozen oysters, I ate them. I’m very ‘shellfish’,” Murph said in one clip, to which his anchor Kim Millar responded: “Oh, spare me, good night Murph.”
Murph said he had been “threatening” to retire for years and has finally put in his notice because “the puns have run out”.
He said he is now embarking on a quest with his wife following his retirement, as they set out on a journey around Australia in their Toyota.
“We’re searching for Mr Albanese,” Murph joked.
“1982 Commonwealth games, no map of Tasmania at the opening ceremony, same happened in the 2014
games. Swim suits had an emu and a kangaroo where the map of Tassie should have been.”
“When they put the Australia Day stuff out, hardly ever a map of Tasmania. I’m going to search out and find our Prime Minister to see if he can formally recognise the State of Tasmania.”
Hosts Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald joked that they would “love to come to Tasmania” but “can’t find it on a map anywhere”.
During his final weather bulletin on 7 Tasmania in September, Murph thanked viewers and colleagues for their support over four decades.
“To the viewers, look at you all, for all your recent comments everywhere on the line, it’s been really heartwarming and thanks for being onboard for the past 41 years and 12 days.”
“Goodnight and goodbye, you stay classy Tasmania.”
