Darren McMullen is a ‘sexy Scotsman who knows how to host a show’. A star of MTV Darren recently crossed over to commercial television with his latest project on Channel Nine, Commercial Breakdown. Darren dissects all sorts of TV ads, turning everything we’ve ever seen about a clip show upside down. The ads are just a break between his skits, and essentially he has created a show within a show. He enjoys continuing his MTV antics by hosting ‘The Lair’ and ‘Fan vs Band’, amongst many other MTV shows and events.
Darren kicked off his career as a “corporate whore” - nine to five, what a way to make a livin’ and all that jazz. It wasn’t long before he realised this was definitely not the life he so desperately craved. He lit the bonfire, burned all the suits and ties and jetted off around the world with only the clothes on his back. When he was somewhere around the vicinity of North America, (recollections of that time are a little bit hazy….he wishes he could remember why…?) he realised he had a bit of a knack for making people laugh…….and it occurred to him that this might be where his destiny lay.
His first job on his return to the sunburnt country was as a compere for a nightly wet tee shirt competition up in Airlie Beach. A dirty job but, yes, someone had to do it. The bohemian life was looking good! He was thoroughly enjoying entertaining people, and it has to be said there were a couple of other perks with the job, too!
When Airlie got a bit too hot, even for Darren, he headed back to Sydney and scored himself a job hosting a monthly car show called ‘Ignition’. It was an absolute hit with car lovers and a great ‘jump start’ to his career in front of the camera.
Darren’s next job on the box was hosting Arena TV’s ‘Exclusive’, a show that he had helped to create. It was similar to ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and saw him cozing up to some of the biggest names in the industry. For a self confessed layabout, Darren really takes his background research very seriously and finds the secret of conducting a good interview is being able to get into someone’s head….and, well, yes, occasionally other anatomical areas! He has been romantically linked to the likes of Pamela Anderson, who was unable to resist the cheeky Scot and launched herself across the couch to pash him, mid interview. The Veronica twins (yes both of them) and is also been rumoured to have been up close and personal with at least two members of the Pussycat Dolls, although being a true gentleman, he refuses to say which ones.
Itching to be the bad rock‘n’roll boy he was at heart, the Arena gig saw him breaking boundaries left, right and centre - from crashing the stage at Eskimo Joe’s ‘Homebake’ performance to getting arrested at a Robbie Williams’ concert, and even turning the crowd on Johnny Knoxville at his own premiere, dressed as one of his alter egos Jean Pierre!
Just as well MTV came along at that point and gave Darren the perfect opportunity to let loose with his wild and crazy antics, as the host of ‘The Lair’, MTV’s live music show. ‘The Lair’ is the epitome of gritty, dirty, rock and roll music; it has no rules and neither does Darren – it’s the perfect match.
“I have a dream situation on my hands…” said Darren, “hosting the biggest party in town with the best bands, hottest chicks and craziest friends is not exactly a proper job - I can’t believe they actually pay me for this gig!”. It has given Darren the chance to hang out with some of the hottest international acts seen in Australia, as well as with breaking artists - The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Jet, Kasabian, Xzibit, Alice Cooper, Paramore, Juliette Lewis and the Licks, Hilltop Hoods, Peaches, Grinspoon, Scribe, Arrested Development, Fall Out Boy and The Klaxons are just a few acts to have partied with Darren at ‘The Lair’.
Darren hosts MTV’s newest show ‘Fan vs Band’, as well as a number of high profile televised events such as Snow Jam 2007 and 2008, the free, open air music festival that takes place on the slopes near Christchurch, New Zealand. When booze money runs short, he also pimps himself out as MC at large corporate events.
Darren also lends his talents to Greater Union’s ‘Cinebuzz TV’, another ’Entertainment Tonight’ style show, which is screened in the foyers of Greater Union cinemas all around Australia.
The list of interviews he has conducted are endless and include big A-List stars such as Robert Downey Jnr, Jack Black, The Pussycat Dolls, Fergie, Good Charlotte, Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Megan Gale, Peter Jackson, 50 Cent, Hugh Jackman, Deborah Lee Furness, Jessica Simpson, Harrison Ford, Snoop Dog, Rhianna, NEYO, Michelle Monahan, Director JJ Abrams, Sophie Monk, Alex Dimitriades, Amanda Byrnes, British legend, Richard E Grant, Viggo Mortensen, INXS, The Scissor Sisters, Girls Aloud, The Darkness, The Veronicas, Westlife, Eskimo Joe, Silverchair and Wolfmother. As you might expect, he has a relaxed, very cheeky interview style, but, against all odds, has up till now managed to emerge ‘black eye free’.
If we had to list off the celebrities he has locked lips with, we’d be here all day!.Looks like this is yet another Scotsman who has been given the “00” licence to kill!!
