Ray Martin was firing on all cylinders Tuesday night.
The veteran journalist appeared on The Cheap Seats to talk about his SBS documentary series exploring the cultural traditions surrounding death.
Tim McDonald famously mocked himself by saying, “I’ve been dead for eight minutes every week,” meaning his comedy is sometimes unconvincing.
Ray muttered under his breath, but Tim caught on and asked, “I said, ‘I’ve been dead for eight minutes every week,’ and you said ‘yes?'”
“I noticed,” Ray joked, prompting a laugh from Tim, who added, “Thanks, Ray.”
Then Ray stepped in and added, “Well, maybe, Tim, you have some expert insight into this because they say that when you die, your life actually flashes before your eyes.”
This prompted more laughter from Tim, who took the cheeky joke in the humorous sense it was intended.
Ray presents the three-part SBS series, called Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, which will explore various taboos surrounding death.
Ray Martin (pictured) was in top form on Tuesday night. The veteran journalist appeared on The Cheap Seats to talk about his SBS documentary series exploring cultural traditions around death.
At 79, Ray said in a statement that he is statistically just four years away from his own death, and that he will inject his signature style and humor into the show.
The series will investigate various funeral trends and rituals and tackle some deep questions, including why people choose certain ceremonies, songs and resting places.
Martin will discuss the topic with a range of celebrity guests on the show, including veteran presenter Gretel Killeen, 61, and comedian Alex Lee.
SBS editor Bethan Arwel-Lewis said: ‘At SBS we are not afraid to tackle sometimes provocative or difficult topics in our programming.
‘That’s why exploring death, one of our last taboos, is the perfect topic to uncover, and who better than Ray Martin to take us into this world and make us talk and even laugh about death.’
Tim McDonald (right) poked fun at himself, saying, “I’ve been dead every week for eight minutes,” meaning his comedy sometimes fails and Ray had a quip ready.
The veteran journalist will present the three-part series, called Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, which will explore the various taboos surrounding death.
Last year, Martin insisted he still has plenty of life left in him as he ages gracefully.
“I’m never going to retire. David Attenborough is over 90 and he’s my role model. He says you should keep doing what you love,” she told Woman’s Day magazine.
He added that the workaholic lifestyle he once led prevented him from enjoying the important things in life and that he was never going to repeat that mistake.
‘I lived in New York for 10 years as an ABC correspondent, working eight days a week. But I think about all the things I didn’t do that I should have done.
“You have your whole life to sleep, you have to try.”
The esteemed A Current Affair host added that as he gets older, he is more committed than ever to spending time with his children Jenna and Luke and his two grandchildren.
Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye will premiere on Wednesday 14 August at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand and will continue on the following two Wednesdays at the same times.
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