Unscripted, uncensored, unplugged: Welcome to The Room
New York was home to Letterman. Oprah ruled the talk show world from her TV studio. Michael Parkinson was chat show royalty in the UK and Australia. Get ready, Brisbane, as Rebecca Levingston is inviting you to The Room.
I reckon Brisbane needs a live talk show. I love talk shows. Live studio audience. Big names. Surprise stories. Live music.
So I’ve created The Room. Think Parkinson meets Oprah – with a Queensland twist.
When I wrote to Andrew Denton to tell him what I was planning, he sent a lovely note of congratulations which was a thrill.
“You rarely lose from putting yourself in play,” he said.
My first shows are booked for November. I’m chasing genuine human connection. Storytelling that’s not curated for perfection.
I want to hear people talk about their lives so we can share the weirdness, the highs and inevitable lows. The ridiculous and the sublime. Maybe even the mundane? Because it makes you feel like the world is mostly just people trying their best. And I want to laugh and cry with them. Real feels. No AI. No scrolling. No edits.
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My job has been talking for the last 20 years – mostly on ABC Radio. I was a producer, reporter and host. I spent around 10,000 hours on air interviewing everyone from the Prime Minister to talkback callers who wanted to have a rant or a giggle. Once I accidentally interviewed Louis Theroux. I loved it.
When I left the ABC I went travelling with my boys and I had time to think. I read more books and less bad news. I picked up Michael Parkinson’s autobiography and it turned up the volume on the little voice inside my head that was saying don’t just dream about it – do it. Try. And don’t take yourself too seriously.
Anytime Barry Humphries was on Parkinson you were guaranteed a naughty snorty laugh. David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey are woven into my early childhood so vividly it feels like they’re my extended family. Letterman was my funny uncle who found himself sitting opposite Madonna, Eddie Murphy or the President.
Oprah was my generous Aunty with a huge heart who occasionally gave away her favourite things. Then there’s my cousin Graham Norton and his couch of celebs, along with the unpredictable joy of the red chair storytellers. Normal people! Even better than famous.
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So I started seriously talking about a talk show. Brisbane Powerhouse boss Louise Bezzina said yes. Kris Stewart at the Kingston Butter Factory said yes. I got a couch, more courage and guests. People like Matt Okine, Libby and Georgie Trickett, Li Cunxin and songstress Patience said yes.
I want our city to have an iconic space that is known around the country – maybe even around the world – as a forum for conversations where everyone is welcome. So long as you like talking and listening (which is actually the true skill of a talk show host) you’re welcome in The Room.
I hope this show is smart, fun and deeply curious conversation with the thinkers, entertainers, leaders and artists shaping our city. Substantial without being heavy, fun without being trivial. I don’t think it’ll be a piece of cake, but I’m willing to bake until I get the mix right.
I think Parky would approve.
The Room, Underground Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse, November 28, 2pm and 6pm: brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/the-room
The Room, Kingston Buttery Factory, November 15, 2pm and November 22, 2pm: loganarts.com.au/event/the-room-with-rebecca-levingston-15nov
Rebecca Levingston is the host of The Room. You might’ve heard her voice on ABC Radio Brisbane or read her words at InDaily Queensland. She’s also looking for people to paint two koalas – that’ll make sense if you follow her on Instagram @reblev_radio
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