‘That’s got to count for something’: Julia Morris and Julia Zemiro on four decades in the spotlight

Two legends of Australian comedy, with career trajectories that feel eerily parallel despite often appearing on competing TV networks, Julia Morris and Julia Zemiro are the very definition of warm, professional and punctual. Most of the time.“We’ve just been low-level hugging in the make-up room so neither of us were able to get our make-up done on time,” says Morris, laughing. “But that is the thing when you put glorious humans together … it’s not going to be a short journey to the set.”Their instant chemistry and infectious enthusiasm for one another is the kind that only ignites when there’s a shared history in the mix, like finally catching up with your best friend from high school after life has spent years pulling you down different roads.“Having been around the industry for the exact same period of time, and watching the ebb and flow of our careers go along,” says Morris, “I always feel like I know everybody as well as I did in the early days.”Similarly, Zemiro has fond memories of seeing Morris on stage during the early days of her career. “Listen, I remember in the ’90s going to see stand-up comedy fairly regularly, and the two women that stood out the most were Kitty Flanagan and Julia Morris.”Now they’ve finally found themselves back on the same network, with the ABC banking on a one-two punch of Julia for its new Wednesday night line-up.Julia Morris and Julia Zemiro share tips for surviving (and thriving) over four decades on our screens.Simon ShulterFirst up, it’s Morris, taking six Australian comedians – Bron Lewis, Luke McGregor, Becky Lucas, Matt Okine, Nina Oyama and Dave Hughes – back to school for Class Clowns. Filmed at The University of Sydney’s sandstone showstopper St Andrew’s College, the contestants navigate pop quizzes, impromptu performances and the all-knowing eye of “Principal Morris” in the hopes of nabbing the Class Clowns Cup.“When you put big personality comedians into a vulnerable setting like school, everybody reverts to their childhood self,” says Morris. “But they’re competing in teams, so there’s less emphasis on performing a routine. They can be their hilarious selves with no pressure, and I think it’s wonderful to get to know them in a completely different way. Beyond Taskmaster, comedians don’t normally get to do that sort of fun, silly stuff.”As the host of Class Clowns, Julia Morris becomes Principal Morris.ABCClass Clowns is followed by season two of Crime Night!, where Zemiro hosts a panel of criminologists and comedians trying to navigate the psychology and science behind crime and human behaviour. “It’s really thrilling to be back,” says Zemiro, acknowledging that not every show gets picked up for another season these days (though it has to be said, anything she touches does seem to find a way).“There’s a really deep-thinking and rigorous team behind the scenes, and this season we’ve brought in a ‘sixth chair’ for some episodes; a person with a particular field of expertise who can add another perspective to the conversation.”Crime Night returns to the ABC with a new season hosted by Julia Zemiro (bottom centre).ABCCovering topics such as false confessions and “crimetainment”, Zemiro hopes it will encourage some critical armchair thinking. “It’s about being a jumping-off point for people to talk on the couch at home. I think we live in a time where maybe we don’t question enough, and it’s good to be a healthy questioner.”The fact Morris and Zemiro are now serving up a double bill on the national broadcaster is testament to not only their longevity in the industry (Morris first appeared at age 17 on talent show New Faces) but also their adaptability.“I think you should be a little bit tired, a little bit hungry and a little bit cold because that’ll bring out the best in you.”Julia Zemiro, on life in the entertainment industry“It’s a certain kind of resilience that you need to have that keeps you working, and not expecting to be pampered,” says Zemiro. “I always think you should be a little bit tired, a little bit hungry and a little bit cold because that’ll bring out the best in you. You can’t really survive as a performer otherwise.”Both women have carved formidable careers spanning multiple genres. Zemiro is the queen of presenting, having hosted Eurovision, Home Delivery, Great Australian Walks and Rockwiz (she still tours with Rockwiz, hosting live performances of the beloved rock music quiz show around the country), while Morris is best known for her 12-year run hosting I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!They also both started on TV in sketch comedy, with Morris breaking out in the mid-1990s, alongside Eric Bana, Shaun Micallef and Kitty Flanagan on the sketch show Full Frontal. When the show moved to a new network in 1998 and became Totally Full Frontal, it also served as a launchpad for French-born, Bondi-raised Zemiro (then an up-and-comer in Sydney’s comedy scene).Julia Morris became a household name in the 1990s after appearing on Full Frontal.Mario Borg/Fairfax MediaJulia Zemiro (back right) in the cast of Totally Full Frontal in 1998.Dennis WiskenEach has also navigated the “serious actor” route. Morris went to Los Angeles to hone her craft before returning to Australia and earning a lead role in all five seasons of Logie-winning drama House Husbands. More recently, Zemiro took home a silver Logie for her portrayal of straight-laced solicitor-turned-mediator Roz in the ABC’s little comedy that could, Fisk.You name it, they’ve given it a crack. But it hasn’t always been easy.“The industry hasn’t been that open to [talent] having multiple skills,” says Morris. “You’re either allowed to be a singer, or you’re allowed to be a presenter, or you’re allowed to be a comedian. And so if you happen to do all of those jobs, often you’ll be waiting for a job to fall over to be able to go and do the next one. I think that both Julia and I have been incredibly fortunate, alongside really hard work, to be able to do that. Also, to help the audience through these new iterations.”In Fisk, Julia Zemiro’s Roz Gruber runs a tight ship.But with age comes wisdom and, in the past five years, each has narrowed their focus while embracing the confidence that comes with having more than earned your stripes.“I’ve been in this business 41 years now. You know, I’m the elder. That’s got to count for something,” says Morris.Having reached a point in life where less really is more, Zemiro isn’t just glad to jump off the proverbial hamster wheel. She’s equally energised by what her “thanks but no thanks” can do for the new crop of talent trying to build their own careers.“As I get older – I’m 60 next year – I’ve said no to a lot of things in the last two years because I don’t think I have the energy to do them well,” says Zemiro. “I know that there are other people who will be able to do it better. And I won’t tell you what those shows are, but I’ve been proven right every time. So I’m happy to step aside, and I’m happy to choose the things [I want to work on].”That freedom to decide which jobs to chase and which to let go is one echoed by 58-year-old Morris. “When I was in the [Celebrity] jungle, I cut down a lot of my work, so I could really focus on that being my job. [Because] it’s not just four weeks on television, it’s seven months of my year.”“I’ve been in this business 41 years now … That’s got to count for something.”Julia MorrisBut when the long-running gig finished earlier this year, after Ten declined to renew the series (it was later picked up by Seven, but Morris’ return is unclear), she embraced it as an opportunity, not an ending. “These big monster projects might be coming to an end for me,” she says.Julia Morris co-hosted I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! for 12 seasons before the series was dropped by Ten this year.TenSince receiving a late diagnosis of ADHD in 2024, Morris has welcomed more time at home because it’s given her the chance to process and realign on the roles that light her up.“I don’t find that I’m always at my best with that sort of output – and, classic empath, I always just want to try to do the right thing,” she says. “But now my choices are directed towards where I think my neurodivergence will be supported.”Perhaps the most thrilling thing about speaking with Morris and Zemiro is being able to witness their passion up close. Even after four decades in the game, they share stories, talk shop and lift one another up with irrepressible energy. That they’ve managed to hold on to the magic that made us fall for them in the first place is just our luck.“Often people don’t know all the different things you can do,” says Zemiro. “You have to go out on a limb and do them.”Class Clowns premieres on the ABC Wednesday, September 30 at 8.30pm. Crime Night! follows at 9pm.Want more TV? We’ve got you.Newsletter: Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.September streaming guide: All the exciting new shows to watch this month.Movie guide: More than 200 handpicked hits from all the major streamers.Is Shaun Micallef’s son a nepo baby? With their new TV show, he explains, that’s kind of the point.Anthony Bourdain: Why nothing beats the wild, profane and heartbreaking TV made by this world-famous chef.Watch: Binged The Airport Chaplain? Meet the man who inspired the show.