| Stan Zemanek |
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He was known for his forthright, generally right wing views and for trading abusive remarks with some of his callers. He was also the 13th, and longest serving "Beast" on the popular panel TV show, '' Beauty And The Beast ''. CAREER Zemanek grew up in Sydney , New South Wales but began working in radio as a researcher for Radio C-Fun 141 in Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada . He worked as a producer on the John Laws program in Australia starting in 1978 , before returning to North America for some years, where he covered the 1983 America's Cup . He spent a decade presenting on 2UE late at night beginning in 1987 . He spent a year in 2000 presenting the 2GB morning shift.1 23 Zemanek moved to Melbourne for a short stint with 3AW 's drive program in 2002 before moving back to Sydney and 2UE in 2003, having failed to garner ratings, and publicly falling out with several members of the 3AW 's broadcast team.4 5 While popular with much of his audience, Stan often boasted about being the most complained about broadcaster in the country, polarising opinions of those who didn't agree with his right-wing beliefs. He was not shy to admit that he was politically biased and often criticized " Idiot Labor voters" for not doing the same. His most commonly used terms were "numb nuts", "turn it up", "half-wit", "oxygen thief", "left-wing looney", "give yourself an uppercut" and "typical Labor voter"; and he once asked a caller who sounded to be a little slow 'are you smoking the wacky-tobaccy', a Slang reference to Marijuana .6 Zemanek had an ongoing rivalry with 2UE breakfast host Mike Carlton , ever since Carlton revealed on-air that Zemanek was about to move to 2GB . An angry Zemanek called for Carlton to be sacked and for the Australian Broadcasting Authority to investigate him for "irresponsible journalism". The "debate" between the two broadcasters degenerated over the next few days, with Carlton calling Zemanek "a little Shit ", "a village idiot" and "a stunted runt" and Zemanek calling Carlton a "a Turd " and "a ponce" with "his head up his backside".7 After Zemanek's death, Carlton stated on his breakfast show at 2UE that he hated Zemanek and would only attend his funeral to check that he was really dead, causing 2UE management to publicly denounce Carlton.8 PERSONAL LIFE Stan and his wife, Marcella Zemanek, had two daughters, Gaby and Melissa (both married) and two grandchildren at the time of Stan Zemanek's death.9. ILL-HEALTH, RETIREMENT AND DEATH Zemanek was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme 10, an aggressive Brain Tumour that is almost universally fatal within a few years, in May 200611. Treatment included Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in addition to surgery performed by Charles Teo . After rumours in 2006, Zemanek's retirement and intention to look after his health and spend time with his family was announced on December 9 2006. His final show went to air on December 22 200612. Those in the commercial radio industry have paid tribute to Zemanek on-air have been his former on-air colleagues and now rivals (on 2GB ), Alan Jones and Ray Hadley . While Zemanek intended to return to ''Beauty and The Beast'' in early 2007 13, and he celebrated his 60th birthday with former ''Beauty and the Beast'' co-stars14, his health deteriorated in retirement. In June 2007 he and his wife cut short a planned holiday due to illness and in early July 2007 his family announced that he was dying1516. He died in his sleep in the early hours on 12 July 200717. His Funeral , open to the public, was held on July 17 , 2007, at St's Mary's Catholic Church in North Sydney and was followed by a private Cremation 1819. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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