Barrie Cassidy returns as Insiders celebrates 20 years on Sunday mornings

ABC TV’s Sunday morning political analysis show Insiders celebrated its 20th anniversary on the weekend with a special episode. While most of the episode featured its regular segments, the show allowed a small indulgence near the end when founding host Barrie Cassidy returned as Mike Bower’s guest on a longer installment of Talking Pictures.

Cassidy remembered how he returned from his role as ABC Brussels’ correspondent to host a show he had wanted the broadcaster to produce. The then head of ABC News Max Uechtritz had long planned the show and Cassidy remembered on Sunday how he received a call confirming the project from Uechtritz who was with a young ABC reporter (now head of news) Gaven Morris and a young photographer Mike Bowers.

David Speers, who took over from Cassidy as Insiders host

Cassidy also fondly remembered regular Insiders’ contributor and friend Matt Price. A reporter with The Australian, Price died in 2007.

The show ended with a tribute from Christopher Pyne. Instead of celebrating with a glass of champagne, Pyne instead ended the anniversary episode being served a gin and tonic by former fellow South Australian politician Amanda Vanstone.

When the guests were asked about their favourite moments over the years, Annabel Crabb mentioned Insiders’ editor Huw Parkinson and his political mashups and Malcolm Farr talked about the Herbie Hancock theme music. Farr was also a guest on Cassidy’s last show as host almost exactly two years ago.