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The West’s popular Up Late show celebrates first anniversary

Shannon BevenThe West Australian
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Ben Harvey and the team behind the online program which streams in the evening from Monday to Thursday, remain committed to the idea of news done differently.
Camera IconBen Harvey and the team behind the online program which streams in the evening from Monday to Thursday, remain committed to the idea of news done differently. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian

Birthdays are usually celebrated with family, cake, presents and wine. But it was slightly different for the Up Late team, who celebrated by bagging prison guards, Freemasons, drug dealers and bikie associates.

Not that they’d have it any other way. One year on, host Ben Harvey and the team behind the online program which streams in the evening from Monday to Thursday, remain committed to the idea of news done differently.

Up Late’s host Ben Harvey.
Camera IconUp Late’s host Ben Harvey. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian

Admittedly, delivering the news with a no-holds barred commentary in a tongue-in-cheek format can sometimes result in arguments around the office.

“Everyone is always asking me who the mystery lady behind the camera is,” Harvey says.

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“I tell them that the only reason her identity is a secret is because she’s too embarrassed for people to know she’s connected to the show.

“They think I’m joking but there’s a ring of truth.”

While her identity remains a closely guarded secret, the popularity of the show is not. The off-beat and bold commentary on news, politics and current events has already attracted a staggering audience.

More than 170 episodes have clocked up more than 1.5 million views on YouTube alone, with 7000 people subscribing to the channel.

More than 550,000 people are tuning in to the shows via the West Australian and PerthNow websites.

Viewers from all around Australia love that Harvey takes aim at everyone from bikies to politicians to corporate bigwigs.

One of the most talked-about episodes came in May this year, after seven Eagles players were revealed to have been partying at the Hip E club in Leederville following a thumping by Richmond in round 7 of the AFL season.

And Harvey pulled no punches in his assessment of chief executive Trevor Nisbett, at the helm during yet another scandal for the club.

“If Putin presses the button the only thing left alive will be cockroaches and Trevor Nisbett,” he said. “This guy has more lives than any executive in modern Australian history.”

Another must-watch episode came on the back of a revelation that one of WA’s most notorious bikies, Troy Mercanti, was thinking of pulling the footy boots back on after North Beach footy club had put out a call for players on Facebook.

Harvey pointed out the hilarity in the logistical difficulties of Mercanti taking to the field.

“He’s a convicted criminal, but it would be kind of fun to watch. Imagine seeing the gang response team tailing the umpires in case Mercanti disputes a call.”

Other must watch episodes include when Harvey blew the whistle on a price-fixing cartel organised by WA brickies, why the Hells Angels kicked Dayne Brajkovich out of the club, plus how the cops pulled off the greatest moment in WA policing history, finding little Cleo Smith. Harvey said credit for the show’s cult popularity must go to the hardworking team.

“We are just going to put our heads down and focus on what we’re good at,” he said. “Bringing you the news.”

Watch Up Late Monday to Thursday on thewest.com.au.

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