Ray Martin was firing on all cylinders on Tuesday night.
The veteran journalist appeared on The Cheap Seats to discuss his SBS documentary series which explores cultural traditions surrounding death.
Host and comedian Tim McDonald was quick to crack a self-deprecating pun on the subject of death he soon wished he hadn’t.
‘I’ve died every week for eight minutes,’ he told the industry icon, referencing that his comedy sometimes falls flat on the panel show.
‘I’ve noticed,’ Ray quipped, to laughter from Tim, who added, ‘Thank you, Ray.’
Ray then put the boot in, chiming in with: ‘Well, maybe, Tim, you’ve got actually an expert insight into this because they say when you die, your life actually flashes before your eyes.’
This caused further laughter from Tim, who took the cheeky quip in the jocular manner it was intended.
Ray is hosting the SBS three-part series, called Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, which will explore various taboos surrounding death.
Ray Martin (pictured) was firing on all cylinders on Tuesday night. The veteran journalist appeared on The Cheap Seats to discuss his SBS documentary series which explores cultural traditions surrounding death
At 79 years old, Ray said in a statement that statistically he is only four years away from his own death, and he will inject his trademark style and humour into the show.
The series will investigate various funeral trends and rituals and will address some deep questions, including why people choose certain ceremonies, songs and resting places.
Martin will discuss the topic with a variety of celebrity guests on the show, including veteran presenter Gretel Killeen, 61, and comedian Alex Lee.
SBS Commissioning Editor Bethan Arwel-Lewis said: ‘At SBS we aren’t scared to tackle those subjects that are sometimes provocative or difficult in our programming.
‘So an exploration of death – one of our last taboos is the perfect subject for us to lift the lid on, and who better to take us into this world and get us talking and even laughing about death, than Ray Martin.’
Host and comedian Tim McDonald (right) was quick to crack a self-deprecating pun on the subject of death he soon wished he hadn’t. Pictured, left, Georgie Tunny
The veteran journalist will host the the three-part series, called Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, which will explore the various taboos surrounding death
Last year, Martin insisted that he still has a lot of life left in him, as he grows older gracefully.
‘I’m never going to retire. David Attenborough is in his 90s and he’s my role model. He says you’ve got to keep doing what you love,’ he told Woman’s Day magazine.
He added the workaholic lifestyle he once had prevented him from enjoying the important things in life and he was never going to repeat that mistake.
‘I lived in New York for 10 years as the ABC correspondent and I worked eight days a week. Yet I think of all the things I didn’t do and should have done.
‘You’ve got forever to sleep, you’ve got to have a go.’
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 two grandchildren.
Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye will premiere on Wednesday, August 14 at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand
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