Michael "Gibbo" Gibson and Ian "Crikey" Calder, ex-Cartoon Connection presenters, massive Derek and Clive fans, fanatical web-surfers, comic genii. It was only a matter of time before our path crossed with theirs. Clive caught-up with Gibbo in cyberspace...

Clive: So how did you stumble upon our web site guys?

Gibbo: Ian found your site first. He was searching using Yahoo for the offical Agro's Cartoon Connection Website and yours was first in the list. He told me about it and next day I was at his place and we logged on, laughed and logged off. We agreed it's a very strange thing to be the subject of a web site and even stranger to see the conjecture surrounding our diminished roles within ACC.

Clive: Yes, our Have Your Say section has turned into an industrial-strength rumour mill. You're probably refering to one post in particular, which tried to draw some parallels between Cartoon Connection and The Larry Sanders Show. The post suggested that backstabbing, hidden-agendas, alcoholism etc were commonplace off camera. So what really happens?

Gibbo: Jamie is a supportive and close friend of Ian and myself. Terasa and Holly are more than just co-workers, they too are close, personal friends with whom we shared a lot of good laughs and still stay in touch.

Clive: So there was genuine chemistry on and off the screen - excellent. A question that everyone who visits our site is dying to know the answer to: "where are Gibbo and Crikey?"

Gibbo: I've finished with the show and Crikey has been told he'll probably be finished in June or July.

Rumours had been rife about centering all production in Sydney. We were told by management these were only rumours. Then to my knowledge about 50 staff were made redundant in Brisbane. The show WAS moving to Sydney with an additional Sydney Producer and new Executive Producer.

Following a deafening silence from Sydney during the Christmas break and for quite some time after it, Ian and I were at last informed "there is no place for Gibbo, Crikey or Stacey in the show as it now stands". The new producers of the show have stated they want younger hosts for a new future direction.

Clive: Tell us more about Michael Gibson and Ian Calder. How long have you been working together?

Gibbo: For many years, over 20 in fact and, together with my wife Carol, we've been a writing/performing comedy team for radio, stage and television for most of that time. We've all had separate careers in the industry but we usually always had some outlet for our strange brand of comedy.

Ian and I have worked with Jamie in various shows for the last 15 years. We always enjoyed playing comedy relief because of our duties elsewhere and as the on-air television thing was about 10% of what we do it left us with plenty of time for a real job.

Clive: And on ACC?

Gibbo: The show started up as a regular gig for all of us when the format changed to accommodate a live audience. Our production input started to increase in the last 2 years and we were then credited as Creative Consultants assisting with show direction, segments, competitions etc- none of this stuff was scripted for the actual show, more a loose thematic guideline we'd forget after the first hosting and then make up from there. Ian and I were approached to become more "official" co-producers in October '96.

Clive: Derek refers to that period as the "Golden Age" of ACC. Now we know who to congratulate. So, what are you and Ian up to these days?

Gibbo: Ian, Carol and I have worked as comedy writer/performers for the B105 FM Morning Crew for the last 6 years and continue to see and work with Jamie everyday. Jamie also has concepted a new series that Ian wrote and I'm directing- it's top secret at this stage!

Clive: Terasa read out our email back in December. You, Ian and Jamie could hardly contain yourselves. You even shouted out one or two "Derek and Clive" quotes from behind camera. Are you big fans of the original D&C?

Gibbo: Ian and I have been fans for years and I bought all the albums in 1983 when the Qld Government threatened to ban them... "is this a way to run a dance hall?"

Clive: Thanks for your time Gibbo, and Happy Surfing!