Review by Markus Hamence – Tonight’s Guest: Rove McManus (tales from the talk show trenches) – Performance date: Wednesday 11 March 2026. Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide, South Australia.
Rove McManus has had over 25 years of talk show hosting under his belt. That’s a lot of talking… as well as chatting, conversing, interviewing, chin wagging and general banging-on – so why stop now?
Only this time, it’s you the audience who get to ask the questions. Favourite guest? Worst disaster? What’s Elmo really like?
Go spend a night of stand up and stories as Rove spills the tea reliving his days behind the desk.
Here’s my take…
Adelaide Fringe has once again turned the city into a cultural playground, with thousands of artists and hundreds of venues showcasing comedy, theatre, cabaret and more from mid-February to late March.
Among the big comedy draws in the 2026 program is the show ‘Tonight’s Guest: Rove McManus – Tales from the Talk Show Trenches’, a fast-paced night of stand-up and storytelling from one of Australia’s most recognisable TV personalities.
Now, I was a fan back in the day of the program ‘Rove’ and would stayed GLUED to the tv set each week to see what MAJOR artist he had on, and it was them ALL from Ricky Martin to Prince and Kylie to Bert & Pattie then John Travolta to Cameron Diaz. I was hooked and buckled in tight for the ride. It was a moment in tv that won’t ever be repeated again (they’ve tried).
Rove McManus doesn’t simply perform stand-up – he hosts the room like a late-night show that has wandered into the Fringe and decided to stay for a drink. He’s so bloody likeable and casual with his approach and doesn’t take his incredible experiences for granted. “Rove” plays like an intimate conversation between the audience and a seasoned showman who has spent more than two decades chatting to celebrities, navigating live TV disasters and finding humour in the unpredictable chaos of entertainment.
“He’s so bloody likeable and casual with his approach and doesn’t take his incredible experiences for granted…”
Markus Hamence
What makes the show land so well is the format. Rather than a rigid set of rehearsed jokes, McManus invites the audience to ask the questions (at the end). Favourite celebrity guests, awkward interviews, behind-the-scenes television stories – nothing feels off limits. The result is a loose, honest, conversational vibe that keeps the laughs rolling while giving the night a sense of spontaneity that suits the Fringe perfectly. Regaling stories of P!nk (his litte/big ‘sister’), Elmo, Bea Arthur (Golden Girls), Will Ferrell, the joy and the connection we had with this nations beloved comedy stage and tv son was fun and rewarding.
McManus is an effortless storyteller. His delivery is slick, his timing razor sharp, and his ability to pivot from heartfelt reflection to a perfectly timed punchline keeps the crowd hooked. There’s something reassuringly nostalgic about hearing the inside stories from the era when his television show dominated Australian pop culture, but the material never feels stuck in the past. Instead, it becomes a celebration of the unpredictable ride of show business itself.
The setting at the Garden of Unearthly Delights only amplifies the energy. With the audience packed in close, the show feels less like a traditional comedy gig and more like a backstage hang after a big night in television. It’s relaxed, irreverent and packed with moments that feel completely unique to the night. I freakin’ loved being in his audience, can’t lie. He was the HOST and the GUEST, it was our pleasure.
“Rove is a masterclass in charisma and crowd connection. This artist has it in spades…”
Markus Hamence
Ultimately, ‘Rove’ is a masterclass in charisma and crowd connection. This artist has it in spades. McManus proves that great comedy doesn’t always need elaborate staging or big theatrical tricks – sometimes all it takes is a sharp mind, a lifetime of stories and the confidence to let the audience steer the conversation.
Wrap-up:
‘Rove’”’ delivers exactly what the Adelaide Fringe does best – big laughs, loose energy and the feeling that anything could happen once the lights go up.
How did he wrap up the night? With the famous line: ‘Say ‘Hi!’ to your mum for me!’ of course silly, DUH!
Tonight’s Guest: Rove McManus (tales from the talk show trenches)
Monday 09 March – Sunday 15 March 2026
Le Cascadeur at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Tickets
