If You're Listening The time Andrew Denton tried to hire a bounty hunter
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Nov 24, 2025 Mark Humphries, a comedian and host of the ABC Rewind series 'Skase: Fall of a Tycoon', dives into the wild tale of Christopher Skase, Australia’s most wanted fugitive. He shares how Skase fled to Mallorca, feigning severe illness to dodge charges back home. The discussion reveals a bizarre plan by Andrew Denton to crowdfund a bounty hunter to capture Skase, and the legal challenges that followed. Plus, Humphries highlights the pitfalls of vigilante justice, including failed attempts to kidnap Skase by ex-military groups.
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Skase’s Rise And Reckless Bid
- Mark Humphries outlines Skase's rise: media ownership, resorts, and an audacious $2bn MGM bid funded with debt.
- That overreach and lavish lifestyle led to the company's collapse and his flight to Mallorca.
Branding Signaled The Coming Collapse
- Christopher Skase's branding and project names signalled overreach and deception to the public.
- The Mirage resorts and ads titled 'Too Good to Be True' became ironic markers of his collapse.
Denton’s Bounty Hunter Stunt Falls Apart
- Andrew Denton launched a crowdfunding stunt to hire an American bounty hunter to capture Christopher Skase.
- The plan raised about $250,000 but was dropped because bounty hunting would be illegal in Australia.