Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Santo Cilauro

Four Diegos Profile:               

Well Known for his Involvement in the ABC’S ‘Frontline’ Program, feature award winning Aussie films – ‘The Castle’ and ‘The Dish’, Channel 10’s ‘The Panel’ and Network Seven’s Thank God You’re Here.

He also loves his soccer.

Diegos Verdict:                       

Great advocate for the game who graduated to an icon of the game with his brilliant SBS World Cup 2010 production Santo, Sam & Ed’s World Cup Fever.

In the Diegos Hall of Fame without having kicked a ball at senior level ….we can really relate to that. You’re a legend Santo.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Santo Cilauro

Santo on Kylie…

Diegos: "It is a great pleasure speaking to someone who has rubbed shoulders with a great fan of the Four Diegos – Kylie Minogue…

Did she mention us to you at all?"

Cilauro: “I can't say that l ever rubbed shoulders with her but l did come within three feet at one stage.

She couldn't stop talking about you guys. Obviously she must be a big fan."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Santo on World Cup 1998…

Diegos: "This year we saw another magnificent World Cup in France, with SBS TV providing some memorable moments of drama packed TV.

Who could ever forget Tracey Holmes threatening to give Les Murray a squirrel grip? But another great moment for us was when your show ‘The Panel’, crossed live via satellite for your World Cup report, and all we saw was an empty chair.

Can you tell us why you missed the interview?"

Cilauro: “I had been down to Marseille to see a quarter final and a semi final involving Holland, Argentina and Brazil.

The guys on 'The Panel' said that they would like to do a cross to Paris with me on that same day. So l decided to catch the French version of 'The Very Fast Train', so that l could get back to Paris in time for the interview. I don't know whether you Diegos have ever been on a 'Very Fast Train'…………."

Diegos: " The 10.45 am St Albans train from Flinders Street here in Melbourne, at times can pick up a bit of pace, especially when we're going downhill…."

Cilauro: “I’ve heard that Puffing Billy can also pick up some speed on a good day, but that's another story, let's get back to France. We were traveling quite nicely until the train started picking up speed and then slowing down.

I thought that this was a bit weird for such a high tech train so l approached the train conductor and asked whether there was a problem. He whispered 'Yes sir, we have encountered an obstruction'. I asked what kind of an obstruction, and he replied, 'A very little cow'.

So this caused me to be massively late for my interview in Paris. When l did eventually arrive at the studio, l asked the French TV producer whether l had missed the cross, and he said, 'No, No, No, they are having a laugh at your expense', so at least the boys on 'The Panel' got some mileage out of it."

Diegos: “Was this your first trip to a World Cup?"

Cilauro: “Yes, it was an absolute dream come true. I can't think of anything that I've done in my life that has been as exciting.

I'm such an opportunist. I talked some friends on a Melbourne radio station into paying my way in return for regular World Cup reports from France. It certainly was a dream come true."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Santo on the NSL…

Diegos: “We noticed that a fortnight ago you plugged the Carlton V Northern Spirit game on ‘The Panel’.

 How did prime time commercial TV executives cope with a rogue TV host that dared to mention soccer on Aussie TV?"

Cilauro: “Your running the gauntlet by mentioning soccer on prime time Aussie TV that's for sure.

The reason l mentioned the local game is that l didn't want to be hypocritical by only showing bizarre soccer clips from England or Brazil and not ever talking about Aussie soccer.

I certainly do get raised eyebrows when I suggest to our sports correspondent on 'The Panel', Steve Quartermain, I'm going to mention something about the Ericsson Cup on the show.

I think to general sports lovers in Australia, the game of soccer in this country is regarded as not being as good as the overseas product, which is a terrible perception of the game.

I get sick of explaining to people that Aussie soccer has lost a great amount of talent overseas and that the local games aren't as substandard as they think."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Santo on ‘Fantasy Football’…

Diegos: "A very popular show during the World Cup on SBS was ‘The Fantasy Football’ show that many non-soccer followers watched religiously.

Will your team on the 'Working Dog Productions' ever consider doing a show like that in Australia – Our production company “The Mangy Dog Productions' certainly have?

Cilauro: “Rob Sitch (The Panel) and l have a great love for sport. We had already seen the 'Fantasy Football' show a number of times prior to the World Cup and thought that it would be great to produce a sports show along the same lines.

The guys that are part of the 'Working Dog Productions' were very excited about the show, so much so that during the World Cup, they showed numerous excerpts on 'The Panel'.

It’s a wonderful way of presenting any sport because you know that the people involved genuinely have a passion for the game. I think that is the secret to an interesting and entertaining television show."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Santo and the Diegos Heart balm…

Diegos: " Santo, now its time for  ‘The Four Diegos Heart Balm’ where we ask you to give us your brief inner most private thoughts on the following topics…

 The Iranian national soccer team"

Cilauro: “I hate to sound really terrible and l know that l could be tried for treason in the Diego's High Court but l like them."

Diegos: “Paolo Di Canio"

Cilauro: “Paolo Di Canio is not my favorite player at present because l selected him as my striker in the Australian Premier League Fantasy Football competition and because of his run in with a ref he is out for a while. Having said that, l do like his coloured boots!"

 Diegos: "Natasha Stott Despoja"

Cilauro: “Too many bits in her surname!"

Diegos: "The best player in the world at this time"

Cilauro: “Chelsea’s Marcel Desailly"

Diegos: "The biggest dud player in the world at this time"

Cilauro: “Paolo Di Canio!"

Diegos: "Channel Ten news reader, Sandra Sully"

Cilauro:" I think she is cute but I want her to make the first move!"

Diegos: “Thanks Santo ……Keep plugging Aussie soccer mate, Ole! Adios amigo!"

Cilauro: “Thanks Diegos. Ole to you too!"

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999