‘WE ARE TERRIBLE SHOW-OFFS!'

Rita and Madge are still recognised as the stars of their famous TV ads

- Glen Williams

They’re the stars of two of the most loved and enduring commercials on Australian television. Madge the mad manicurist soaked her clients’ tired hands in Palmolive dishwashing liquid while Rita The Eta Eater swore her favourite brand of margarine gave her superpowers.

And even though decades have passed, they remain fresh in our hearts, dearly cherished and instantly recognised. They are Robina Beard, who played manicurist Madge from the 1960s through until the late ’80s, and Bunny Gibson, who was Rita for an equally impressive 18 years from the ’70s until the late ’80s.

CLASSIC LINES

“We still get stopped in the street,” Bunny laughs. “People come up to me and say ‘Rippa Rita’ and ‘G’day loves’. It’s so nice.”

Robina, responsible for uttering the immortal lines, “You know you’re soaking in it”, “Pretty green” and “Mild on your hands while you do the dishes”, often has these pearlers quoted back to her.