David Tench

My next autograph is a bit obscure, since he only existed for a few months in 2006, and when you think about it, he didn't actually exist at all. Of course I'm referring to: David Tench.



"Who the hell?" you ask? Good question. David Tench was the host of a chat show on Channel Ten called David Tench Tonight, which aired from August to November 2006, with a Christmas Special the following month.

The show was created by Andrew Denton, and David was created via computer technology. He would interview real people (albeit celebrities) and according to funnyman Mick Molloy, the interviewee would simply interact with a TV setup behind the desk, with the CGI entered in later on.

During the 2006 season of Big Brother, the show was promoted via viral marketing, with the BB demographic their obvious target. Some of his guests included Pat Rafter, Nelly Furtado, Jimmy Barnes, Layne Beachley, Meat Loaf, and future Australian PM Julia Gillard.


How emabarrassment!

David Tench was played by Australian actor Drew Forsyth (uncredited), given an American accent, and was also meant to be very cheeky and contriversial. Although a lot of people didn't really get his jokes, enjoy the show, or even watch the show. That's why it was cancelled.

Regardless, just like I did with Hamish and Andy when they were on Channel Seven, I emailed David Tench Tonight via their website and asked for an autograph. What I received was not your standard signed photo, but a jpeg image:



Not bad considering he never existed.

Matthew Pavlich

My next celebrity autograph for you is one of my most recent, Matthew Pavlich.


For those of you who don't know (as I don't have many sportspeople on this blog), Pavlich is the current captain of the Fremantle Football Club, having been in the role since 2007 and with the club since 2000.

Whilst the club, joining the AFL in 1994, has yet to win a premiership and even play in a Grand Final, it has made the finals in 2003, 2006 and 2010, mainly due to Pavlich (let's be honest).

As at the end of the 2010 season, Pavlich has played 236 matches and kicked 468 goals, which is pretty good considering he's more of a Centre Half Forward and not a traditional Forward.


Originally from Woodville West Torrens in South Australia, Pavlich ended intense media speculation and fortified his loyalty to the club, by re-signing with Fremantle in late 2007 for a further 3 seasons.

The club changed their logo and guernsey for the 2011 season, perhaps that may take them a bit closer to a premiership? Only time will tell.


But not only is Matthew Pavlich a champion on the field, he's also a decent bloke off the field, as an Ambassador for PBF the Paraplegic Benefit Fund. For more info please check out their website: http://www.pbf.asn.au/index.php

Now, onto the autograph. As a long-time Essendon supporter I wrote a letter to their current captain Jobe Watson, and all I received in reply was a pre-printed autograph of the 2010 team. Disheartened with that dismal response, I then wrote to Matthew Pavlich and included his 2006 trading card (wearing the club's away guernsey at the time). It didn't take long and I received this reply:



Terrific stuff!