Nightlife

A couple of weeks ago on Nightlife we looked at the best science stories of 2025. And while 'the best' are.. well, the best..... their not as much fun as 'the weirdest'! And that's what we've got for you tonight.

For 'This Week in History' tonight, we're setting our sights out into the solar system.

"I'm bored!" They're the two words no parents or grandparents ever want to hear... especially during summer holidays.

Are you into your trivia? Calling all connoisseurs of cryptic to the ONLY quiz played live, all around Australia...Join the host of Weekend Nightlife Bern Young for The History Quiz! 

What if there are no more…new rom-coms?

There are some books that are just known for going hand in hand with music .. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby or Bachelor Kisses by Nick Earls.

Test your knowledge of all things pop culture with the 100% original, custom-built Nightlife Pop Quiz!

Do you remember the Jetsons? The cartoon series about the misadventures of a futuristic family.

This bestselling author is a prolific writer - a well known journalist and columnist - he has a passion for telling Australian stories of great men and women and the times through which they endured and prevailed.

Science has come a long way since mosquito nets. Genetically modifying mosquitoes is one of the many ways that scientists here, and around the world, are trying to fight the spread of these diseases. 

Are you into trivia? Calling all connoisseurs of the cryptic to the only quiz played live, all around Australia. Join the host of Nightlife Philip Clark for The Mighty Challenge!   

If you're trying to decide which car to buy or want to learn more about the latest EVs on the market, Motortorque can help. 

During Summer Nightlife we're calling on our political reporters around the country to find out what were the top stories to come out of the states / cities they are during 2025. Tonight, we're catching up with Monte Bovill from the ABC Canberra Newsroom.

Test your knowledge of all things obscure and specific with the 100% original, custom-built Mighty Challenge!  

For two decades the notorious Clarry Norris robbed banks up and down the east coast of Australia. It was a life of crime that not only left the police in chaos, but his family too, with his four young kids constantly on the move, often wrenched from their beds in the middle of the night, only to end somewhere new, maybe even with a new surname. In The Bank Robber's Boy, Peter Norris shares with Nic Healey what it was like to be born into the family of a wanted criminal and the complicated relationship and love he always felt for his father. The story of his life is by turns shocking, moving and upsetting, with twists that you won't see coming.

It might be a new year but tensions in the Taiwan strait continue as Beijing aggressively asserts its presence. China has recently launched a military exercise warning against Taiwan independence, surrounding the East Asian Island nation with army, naval, air and rocket force units.  Joining Nic Healey on Nightlife is Bang Xiao, a journalist at ABC's Asia Pacific Newsroom and supervising producer for the ABC Chinese in-language service at ABC News.

During Summer Nightlife we're calling on our political reporters around the country to find out what were the top stories to come out of the states / cities they are during 2025. Tonight, we're catching up with Adam Langenberg, ABC's State Political Reporter in Hobart 

Daniel Ziffer, Business Reporter for Digital and National News here at the ABC joined Nic Healey on Nightlife looking at the biggest business stories from 2025 and what's instore for 2026.

The guest for this Literary Lunch you'll hear is a New York Times Bestselling author, Sally Hepworth. She's written ten novels including The Soulmate and The Family Next Door which has been adapted into a drama series by the ABC and has consequently gone on to be the fastest growing commissioned drama premiere on ABC TV of all time. Her domestic thrillers have quirky humour, lots of sass and darkly charming undertone, and her new novel Mad Mabel is no exception.

Test your knowledge of all things obscure and specific with the 100% original, custom-built Mighty Challenge! 

Peter Marks, software developer and technology commentator from Access Informatics joined Nic Healey on Nightlife to look back at the biggest tech stories from 2025. From the rise and rise of AI to some of the biggest challenges faced by major stakeholders in the tech world.

During Summer Nightlife we're calling on our political reporters around the country to find out what were the top stories to come out of the states / cities they are during 2025. Tonight, we're catching up with Jack Hislop, State Political Reporter in Darwin.

The 1st of January 2026 marks the 125th anniversary of Australia becoming a Commonwealth, when the six British colonies united to form one nation. Michael Adams, creator and host of The Forgotten Australia Podcast joined Nic Healey on Nightlife to discuss this pivotal moment in our history.

Sports Broadcaster and Author Ken Piesse, joined Nic Healey on Nightlife to discuss the latest news and issues in sports with his weekly wrap on events, including the controversial Boxing Day Test that lasted just two-days and the fallout over the pitch, plus the 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis match between Nick Kyrgios and women's world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, and the Sydney to Hobart.

Test your knowledge of all things obscure and specific with the 100% original, custom-built Mighty Challenge! 

We're diving into the world of professional matchmaking, and while dating apps dominate the modern dating scene, there's still a thriving industry dedicated to helping people find love the old-fashioned way. Linda Prescott is the founder of Ideal Introductions in Brisbane and has spent years connecting singles and creating countless success stories. There might also be the odd disaster story in there too. 

A new study from the University of Arizona suggests new species are being discovered faster than ever before. Consciousness has puzzled philosophers and scientists alike throughout history, but a new theory is cutting a path through the middle of the discussion in an attempt to explain it. Zoe Keane, ABC science communicator and editor of The Best Australian Science Writing 2025 joined Nic Healey on Nightlife.

During Summer Nightlife we're calling on our political reporters around the country to find out what were the top stories to come out of the states / cities they are during 2025. Tonight, we're catching up with Charlie Mills, Editor, ABC Pilbara.

When we think of holidays, we often think of long stints away. But can you get a pretty good refresh with just one night? A list of Australia's top 10 overnight hikes has been released and Mel Woodley, the Travel Editor from Time Out Magazine joined Nic Healey on Nightlife.

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, and with around seventy per cent of melanomas appearing on highly visible areas like the face, head and neck, many patients' needing life-saving cancer surgery, are left with initial disfigurement as well as impaired vision, breathing, speech or facial movement after. Reconstructive procedures are critical to restoring these essential functions, from blinking to protect the eye, to nasal airflow for breathing, and facial movement for speech and expression.

Test your knowledge of all things obscure and specific with the 100% original, custom-built Mighty Challenge! 

The night that cinema was born

Are you into your trivia? Calling all connoisseurs of cryptic to the ONLY quiz played live, all around Australia...Join the host of Weekend Nightlife Suzanne Hill for The Pop Quiz!    

Are you into your trivia? Calling all connoisseurs of cryptic to the ONLY quiz played live, all around Australia...Join the host of Weekend Nightlife Mel Bampton for The Mighty Challenge! 

Christmas is different in many other countries of the world. How do Christians living in Pakistan celebrate it? Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison over a corruption case, in the latest of a series of charges laid against him, and Pakistan Airlines is set to be privatised. Adeel Azhar, Radio and TV Presenter from Pakistan joined Nic Healey on Nightlife.

Test your knowledge of all things obscure and specific with the 100% original, custom-built Mighty Challenge!

From Yule Log to Mistletoe, Christmas Carols to Hanging Stockings, Christmas has a long history of traditions. Where did they come from, and what are some of your unique traditions during Christmas? James Lancaster, Lecturer in Studies in Western Religious Traditions at the University of QLD, joined Nic Healey on Nightlife to explore the history of these traditions.

Ian Verrender, ABC's Business and Finance Editor, joined Nic Healey on Nightlife to discuss the latest in economic, business and finance news. 

Santa Claus isn't the only person feeling the pressure tonight, with many people working long hours to prepare a delicious Christmas lunch for a large gathering of family and friends. Fortunately, Naomi Crisante, food educator, food stylist, TV presenter and author, joined Nic Healey on Nightlife with tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your Christmas meal.

He's a multi-talented actor, producer and now crime fiction author. His recently released novel, The Hidden, centres on a small village on the NSW north coast and features drug running, bikie gangs, coke shipments and dead roosters in the forest. Intriguing stuff.Bryan recently spoke at a literary lunch with Cassie Hamer about his writing, shift from working in insurance to acting and how he became a film star.

Test your knowledge of all things obscure and specific with the 100% original, custom-built Mighty Challenge! 

The Ballarat Mechanics' Institute, or BMI, is celebrating 165 years since its reading room first opened in December 1860. It's the oldest surviving cultural institution in Ballarat and has an incredible story. From hosting Mark Twain, screening some of Australia's earliest films, to inspiring inventors like Henry Sutton. Joining Nic Healey on Nightlife to share the rich history of this remarkable institution was Ellen Becker, the Heritage Collections Curator at the BMI.