Denise Scott: Narrating Travel Guides Is Aussie Icon’s Top Job
Australian comedian Denise Scott says narrating Travel Guides, a job she has held since the show's 2017 premiere, is her favourite gig in more than 40 years in showbiz. Strangers know her by voice, not face, and sometimes mistake her for Judith Lucy.
Australian comedian Denise Scott says narrating Travel Guides is her favourite job after more than 40 years in Aussie showbiz, and the voice work is now what makes strangers recognise her. Scott has narrated the show since its 2017 premiere, making it the longest she has worked on a single program.
The common assumption is that fame works through faces. For Scott, it works through sound.
"No one will have recognised me, and then I'll talk to someone in a shop or whatever, and they go, 'Oh my God, you're the Travel Guides lady!'" Scott said. "They recognise my voice because it's such a popular show."
That sits oddly beside her résumé. Scott has worked as a comedian, actress, writer and broadcaster, and is described as an icon of Australian entertainment. Yet she can usually go about her day without fuss, until she speaks.
She does not hide her affection for the job. "What an awesome show," she said. "I love that show. I love the job. Oh my god, it's my favourite and the longest I've ever worked with one show."
What the narrator sees
On Travel Guides, Scott gives voice to the adventures, and misadventures, of the Guides on their trips around the world. That puts her close to the cast, and she has picked up a few details along the way.
One concerns the Guides' celebrations at the Logies, the Australian television awards. "Travel Guides, they're like naughty school kids or something there," Scott said. "So pissed and having the best time, and loving it!"
The Guides have reason to party. They are five-time consecutive winners.
Mistaken identity
Recognition by voice has a downside: it is easy to get wrong. Scott described a recent encounter at a holiday spot, where three generations of one family walked past.
"The grandpa clearly became the one with the courage," she said. He asked whether she was Judith Lucy. Scott told him she was not, but described herself as Judith's friend who works in the same area, doing comedy.
When he asked her name, she gave it. He called back to his family, and they all agreed they knew who Denise Scott was. Then he added a compliment: "Anyway, we all love you on Getaway."
Scott corrected him. "I haven't ever done Getaway, and nor for that matter has Judith Lucy, but that's beside the point. I do Travel Guides."
The family took that on board, at least in part. "That's right! She does Travel Guides! She's on Travel Guides!" they said, according to Scott. At goodbye, the grandfather still said: "Keep up the good work, Judith! We love you on Getaway!"
Scott's reply was simple. "Thank you."
On stage in 2027
Scott's audiences will get a chance to see her in person next year. She is touring her Tickety Boo comedy show throughout 2027, including as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival.
Tickets for the tour are on sale now.
