Kirsty Myer puts the tough (and not so tough) questions to the hardened newsreader.
Name: Matt de Groot
Title: Sydney Newsroom Manager – Brekky Reader
What do you enjoy most about your job at Nova?
Honestly – the people. To many, walking into my apartment and learning all of my belongings had been re-setup on Manly Wharf would negatively impact your view of someone – but like everything Fitzy and Wippa do – it seems to make them more endearing. It is a laugh with them – and the whole team – every day.
Oh – and we get free fruit!
What’s the downside to your job?
See above. Yes – it is endearing .. but they are also eternal pests. I am consistently disappointed with myself for not joining-dots and identifying I am being stitched up. It’s an indication of what working at Nova is like though – when having your car wrapped in gladwrap isn’t completely odd.
That and being called Pitbull.
Fitzy & Wippa have stitched you up a few times on and off air, which one caught you off guard the most?
Honestly – having the group General Manager of Nova Entertainment, Lou bloody Higgins call me up and demand to know what snap chats I had been sending .. I thought it best to fall on my own sword and admit what I was doing – but it turns out there was no need to reference any sword .. at all.
What news story for you has been the most interesting to cover and why?
I went to India to cover the 2010 Commonwealth Games .. that was certainly interesting. Not the Games themselves – they were boring as ass. But India – very interesting. Delhi in particular is a confusing – dirty – busy – vibrant – stunning city.
And by stunning – I mean dusty. It was a crazy few weeks .. But I loved it no end.
How did you get into radio?
I volunteered at the birthplace of champions CHYFM. A youth station in Coffs Harbour, where high school students are the announcers. It has developed a host of people working across the industry. Including my current boss, Brendan Taylor.
I am not going to say that’s why I got hired – but given we had never met, spoken, run across each other, nor would he even probably have heard of me – it’s good to see some people just trust a brand.
What does your radio timeline look like?
While there I did stuff with the great ATN – and WIN NEWS .
When I finished my degree I got a job in the newsroom at 2UE .. Was there for 5 years .. had a quarter life crises and quit. Caddied for my younger sister on the professional golf tour in the US for 7 months until she fired me for being a terrible caddy (I once recommended she use a 4 iron, to which she replied “there is no 4 iron in the bag, dick head)
At which point I was hired by Brendan at Nova – and have been here since the back half of 2012.
The first thing you do when you get out of the studio is:
Pray there isn’t an email in my inbox from the PD saying ‘WTF did you say that for?!’
If I wasn’t working in radio I would have been a:
Great question…
I’ve always wanted to work in radio – so I’ve never even considered it. But I suspect anything that actually earns money.
Where were you raised?
Coffs Harbour – NSW
Born on the Gold Coast though and lived there for about 15 minutes – which is why I am a Queenslander through and through.
(Left) Matt de Groot as Ron Burgundy with Fitzy and Wippa.
Most listened to song on your iPod/Phone?
Not true.
The most listened too would probably be the Beatles – Let it Be
Most embarrassing track on your iPod/Phone?
See above –
And Christmas Carols.
I lived in America for 7 months. And loved it.. I’ve been there three times.
From a broadcaster point of view – it is the crown jewel ..
Everything is a show on the grandest scale. Their sport, politics, music, TV coverage, news networks ..
I love the bravado of it all.
And NASCAR racing.
Your most annoying habit?
Correcting people’s grammar and pronunciation. Especially in SMS based communication.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I wasn’t always bald. Crazy huh.
And when I did have hair – it certainly wasn’t bloody red…despite the claims of some. It was sandy blonde.
I was also a finalist in the 2004 John Laws rising radio star competition.. But I didn’t win.
But who did, huh!…Who?
Married? Single? It’s complicated?
I am a single man. I fear commitment.
Which celebrity do you believe is the most influential in Australia?
Ahhh .. Sheesh –
I really want to say Cameron Daddo .. but that would be unfair to the other 13 Daddo’s. Perhaps the Daddo as a collective.
What would be a collection of Daddo’s called? A handsome? A handsome of Daddo’s ..
I like it.
If not the Daddo’s .. then definitely my current employer Lachlan Murdoch. Who is also very handsome.
What is on your bucket list?
To hook up with a Daddo.
I would also really like to go on a high-speed pursuit for hours down a freeway – and not be arrested for it.
What is your greatest indulgence?
Ahhh – banana bread. No, biscuits… The Arnott’s cream assorted pack … No .. chocolate coated macadamias ..
I don’t know .. all the things.
What do you think every person should try at least once in their life?
Avocado and Vegemite on toast.
Sounds weird .. and I agree with you .. but once you try it you will never go back.
On what do you spend the most: clothes, accessories, anything else?
Comfortably alcohol – or drinking based activities such as dinner, golf, dating, going out, watching TV, gaming or sleeping.
What’s the best piece of life advice you have ever received?
It’s better to know you can’t, than not know you can .. I.E. always have a crack .. the worst thing that can happen is you will stop wondering what-if, and start wondering what-if about something else.
Who inspires you the most?
There is a range of people depending on the WHAT ..
In radio – Glenn Daniel and Ray Hadley .. 2 very different styles of people – who are extraordinarily successful despite these differences. As a man – Glenn .. as a successful broadcaster – Raymond.
In life – Cameron Daddo.
Most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I was bored one Saturday morning so I drove to the airport, parked in long stay, and booked and boarded a flight to New Zealand for the weekend…It was wonderful.
That story is also totally fabricated. I would like to do that though .. except I would pick a much better destination than New bloody Zealand.
Some good advice you would give to someone who wants a career in radio?
Don’t try to sound like you think you should sound…
And say yes – to everything – always. Until you’re big-time enough to say no .. then still say Yes – and I imagine people will be even more impressed.
What’s been one of your favourite moments of 2014?
This year has honestly been a riot .. the stitch ups in particular have just been gold. The moving the furniture to Manly Wharf was near the top.
The fall out from the Channel 7 Morning Show – Cheating segment was .. extensive .. and I still get people contact me out of the blue and ask what the hell I was saying ..
(If you haven’t seen it google Matt de Groot – cheating – the morning show .. it will ensure I never convince a girl to marry me)
But number one moment was actually dressing up as Ron Burgundy and reading news to the full cast of Anchorman. It was just – Out. Of. Con. Trol. So surreal. That wasn’t even on the bucket list – and I was able to tick it off.
This job really is amazing.
Where can people follow Matt de Groot?
That does sound like a creepy question ..
@mattdegroot_ on twitter
@mattdegroot_ on insta
Matt de Groot on Facebook – I tend to accept first, and question later. Not sure why. I think I like the numbers.
Our profiler, Kirsty Meyer, has worked in news and programs in Australia and internationally.
This is the second in a series of profiles Kirsty is compiling for radioinfo.
@KirstyMeyer