![1998–2002: After The Race
After this brush with fame, the ABC commissioned two 30-minute TV pilots from Safran.[citation needed]
One pilot called John Safran: Media Tycoon focused on the media industry, airing in 1998. It became famous for a segment involving Ray Martin, then host of tabloid current affairs TV show A Current Affair, where Safran harassed him in the style characteristic of A Current Affair by sorting through his bin, which was later satirised by comedian Shaun Micallef. Martin had set up members of the Paxton family. Safran and one of the victims, Shane Paxton, turned up to Martin's home. Martin and his wife Dianne physically threatened Safran.[8] Martin's wife ripped apart Safran's papier mâché hat and Ray grabbed Safran by the collar, prompting Shane Paxton to intervene. Martin was in contact with the ABC and specifically warned Safran in the segment that he had spoken to Roger Grant, who was then Head of Corporate Affairs at the ABC.[9] Martin's connection with this executive at the ABC is suspected to be a reason the series never made it to air. The Ray Martin segment was later played on Media Watch, John Safran: The Lost Pilot and on YouTube.[9] In 2014, Martin still appeared bitter about the incident, calling Safran a "serial pest".[9]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:i6zytisnyswggfxkyuddk7xh/bafkreigljbj4zcqz4dv65fzsvyyr32bg3c6ac4ktmclya3sic3fulvajry)
1998–2002: After The Race After this brush with fame, the ABC commissioned two 30-minute TV pilots from Safran.[citation needed] One pilot called John Safran: Media Tycoon focused on the media industry, airing in 1998. It became famous for a segment involving Ray Martin, then host of tabloid current affairs TV show A Current Affair, where Safran harassed him in the style characteristic of A Current Affair by sorting through his bin, which was later satirised by comedian Shaun Micallef. Martin had set up members of the Paxton family. Safran and one of the victims, Shane Paxton, turned up to Martin's home. Martin and his wife Dianne physically threatened Safran.[8] Martin's wife ripped apart Safran's papier mâché hat and Ray grabbed Safran by the collar, prompting Shane Paxton to intervene. Martin was in contact with the ABC and specifically warned Safran in the segment that he had spoken to Roger Grant, who was then Head of Corporate Affairs at the ABC.[9] Martin's connection with this executive at the ABC is suspected to be a reason the series never made it to air. The Ray Martin segment was later played on Media Watch, John Safran: The Lost Pilot and on YouTube.[9] In 2014, Martin still appeared bitter about the incident, calling Safran a "serial pest".[9]
Obligatory Ray. #neverforget
