No you don't need to go get your ears checked or be woken up from some fever dream, our beloved Drive hosts Lewis Hobba & Michael Hing have announced they will be leaving triple j next month.
We're not crying, you're crying. But also we are crying. A lot.
Hobba & Hing have been an integral part of triple j since their very first show together in 2020. They've unleashed an unrivalled blend of entertainment and madness, and their uncanny ability to connect with audiences around the country has earned them a legion of devoted fans who tune in every afternoon to be part of the Hobba & Hing-Corporated experience.
From sharing the best new music to side-splitting banter and a bunch of heartwarming tales, Hobba & Hing have produced some spectacular content together on our airwaves.
There's their radio segment-turned-hit podcast Simply the Jest, the time they designed triple j's first-ever mascot, Dr. Um, or when they rummaged through Hing's horrific teenage diaries, created the world's first festival-scented candle, auditioned for Magic Mike, and searched for the country's weirdest contest on Australia's Best Competition Competition.
They've been at the forefront of the station's broadcasts for triple j's Hottest 100, the very first triple j Takeover, and Splendour In The Grass, to name just a few.
"Hosting the Drive show has been my dream job since I was 12 and listening to triple j on the bus home," Hobba says.
"Spending my afternoons with millions of friends for the past eight years has been a huge privilege. It's brought me more joy than you can imagine (although sometimes you are super disgusting, you know who you are).
"Thank you to everyone who got involved in our silly show; I have zero doubt that the wildest stories in the world come from Hobba and Hing listeners. It's hard to leave the best job in the country, and I'm going to miss it so much. But it's the right time to hand the keys over to someone else who will be as excited as I was when I got this job."
Michael Hing could not be contacted for comment, but a representative for Mr Hing said, "My client had no idea that 'embezzling company funds' was a serious crime and- oh, this is about them leaving? No, sorry, yes, he's loved working at triple j and loved working with Lucas Hobbes? Hobba? Yes, Lewis Hobba, that's what I said. No, I'm pretty sure I said Lewis Hobba."
A note we found on Mr Hing's desk reads: "If anyone is trying to chase me down for money I owe them, good luck. I'm free like the bird".
It is unclear if he realises he is contracted until mid-August.
While their departure marks the end of an era, triple j is giving the guys a huge send-off with Hobba & Hing's Last Show Ever* (the live farewell tour).
Saying au revoir and a big thanks to you, the triple j audience, one last time, Hobba & Hing's victory lap will hit venues across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Bendigo and Newcastle this August and September.
They'll be joined by special guests you know and love from triple j Drive as they relive some of their greatest moments and say goodbye. Tickets are on-sale at midday on 17 July from the tour website, so ham it up in your group chat and get along to see these two out in style.
They may be leaving triple j, but this isn't the end of the road for Hobba & Hing at the ABC. They've got a new comedy podcast called Silver Bullet which you can listen to right now on the ABC listen app.
The new project sees Hobba & Hing try all the gadgets, hobbies, experiences, and wellness trends their celeb guests swear by to find the one silver bullet that solves all their problems. Brace yourself for their upcoming escapades and prepare to laugh your way through season one.
The first three episodes featuring Abbie Chatfield, Chris Parker and Grace Tame are live now, so dive on in.
"I'm so lucky that Hing and I got to have so much fun together, particularly in some very tough years," Lewis Hobba says.
"You spend more time with a radio partner than anyone else; it's a very unusual relationship. Luckily, Hing's a very unusual guy. I'm looking forward to delving deeper into his brain on our new podcast. There are secrets in there — dark secrets."
As Hobba & Hing move on to pursue other projects, we extend a huge thank you and wish them all the very best.
Stay connected with them and give them a firm but friendly handshake over on their officially unofficial Instagram.
Who will be taking over triple j Drive next month? Stay tuned to find out!
Check out all the important dates and details of Hobba & Hing's farewell tour below.
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