The 12th Man was the alias of Australian humorist and sometimes sports journalist Billy Birmingham, who first attracted widespread attention in 1983 as the writer behind Austen Tayshus' comedy hit Australiana. Around the same time, he began developing the 12th Man concept, which capitalized on his skill as an impressionist to lampoon the hyperbole of professional sports, in particular cricket. The 12th Man LPs (beginning with 1984's It's Not Just Cricket) essentially comprise a series of extended satiric narratives purporting to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Nine Network's broadcasts. Despite six consecutive number one efforts, Birmingham hinted at retiring the 12th Man concept after 2001's two-disc The Final Dig? He nevertheless returned in 2006 with Boned! ~ Jason Ankeny