Norman Gunston in the mid 1970s was world-class comedy genius. It was only brief, but it was gold. Gary McDonald brought him back in the early 1980s but it just wasn't right anymore. Roy Rene loves ya Gary!
Gary McDonald won a gold Logie for being Norman Gunston. Just think about that for a second. How good do you have to be to pull that off? Norman was so loved, so perfectly flawed; part clown and part suburban boy. Norman Gunston charmed politicians, rock stars and actors, but he always had the upper hand and he directed the path of the humour so it directly exposed the soft under belly of celebrity. There is nothing that has ever even come close to his brilliance and I suspect there never will be.
What in the Hell happened to Australian television. All of these absolute shining stars and the megastars from Hollywood. They don't get any bigger than Sammy Davis, Mickey Rooney and Lancaster. And the ONE bloke that I'd put on the same level is the inimitable Graham Kennedy. Of course Norman Gunston was more than fantastic, just wonderful, and Barry Humphreys perhaps the best comedian the WORLD has ever seen not just Australia.So just what went wrong? It all went to Hell WAY before the invasion of computers, live streaming etcetera. So why did it turn so crap? It seemed to really go down hill once Rove McManus won.
It is a little curious isn't it? Rove McManus is rarely all that funny (lacks any real wit most of the time). Sean McCalif (not sure if I spelled that correctly) is often amusing and sometimes quite funny but still not in the same class as these old school personalities. Maybe it's down to what's viewed as acceptable for general exhibition influencing things nowadays, and much of what we see is almost exclusively scripted to give it the safety factor. Talents can't be truly free for fear of litigation or people reviling out of offense... Unless they have almost wreckless guts
Lucky I stumbled onto this video and your question, 'what went wrong with Australian television.' The answer is not difficult to identify, in fact its one word. Money. The bean counters wanted everything to be a hit over night and when they were not the only thing they knew to do was chop chop chop. Very sad as like you have listed (only a few) we had some enormous talent in this country. Sadly money squashed talent.
I wonder if the News Anchors in Australia won Logie Awards? (Roger Climpson (ATN7), Peter Hitchener (GTV9, formerly TCN9), Des McWilliam (TVQ0), Mike Higgins and Frank Warrick (BTQ7), Peter Waltham (TVW7) etc...)
@BUSTER HYMEN Ernie & Denise did a stack of charity work, the proceeds of 'Hey Paula' went to charity. He helped the careers of many Aussie talents on his 3AW afternoon show and was bloody funny to listen to,he was respectful and empathetic to his guests and listeners, will never forget his laugh. An Aussie battler who brightened the souls of many.
hi-you have a wonderfull combination of great tv stuff-can i share this stuff on my facebook page-it needs to be shared-i ican i would like to please-cheers brae chatfield
Some truly classic characters and films over the years. I live across the ditch, but have followed a lot of the greats in the Aussie media industry for years.
hello do you have the were on the buses won it in 1973 for best british show as i would love to see that clip and hear them ???. can u let me now asap . thank you George
There is no one like Norman......brilliant!
You got to love Norman Gunston . Those were the days.
Farkkkk, way ahead of his time!
Norman Gunston - BRILLIANT!
Gunston was the best by a million miles.
Came for Norman, wasn't disappointed!
Norman Gunston in the mid 1970s was world-class comedy genius. It was only brief, but it was gold. Gary McDonald brought him back in the early 1980s but it just wasn't right anymore. Roy Rene loves ya Gary!
When Australian TV was at its best.
7:38 Gray gray is so humble. lol
Gary McDonald won a gold Logie for being Norman Gunston. Just think about that for a second. How good do you have to be to pull that off? Norman was so loved, so perfectly flawed; part clown and part suburban boy. Norman Gunston charmed politicians, rock stars and actors, but he always had the upper hand and he directed the path of the humour so it directly exposed the soft under belly of celebrity. There is nothing that has ever even come close to his brilliance and I suspect there never will be.
Barry Humphries has been just as good to be fair, if not better. Both truly brilliant though.
Can’t believe the difference between the Norman Gunston and Arthur Beare characters! Amazing actor😀
I remember watching Picnic at Hanging Rock as part of a high school trip and Garry appeared on screen as a policeman and everyone was laughing.
2 comedic geniuses Barry and Garry .
Don Lane was great. Extremely talented and an extremely nice man.
Rest In Peace Bert
Love these Aussie talented characters"
Funny & witty 😊❤
I hope Lee Marvin was pre warned about “the little Aussie Bleeder”😂
John Cleese in live at aspen gave the best speech when accepting the award!
He's a rock star
You can never go wrong when you have Lou Freakin' Ferrigno on a stage wearing a tuxedo.
What in the Hell happened to Australian television. All of these absolute shining stars and the megastars from Hollywood. They don't get any bigger than Sammy Davis, Mickey Rooney and Lancaster. And the ONE bloke that I'd put on the same level is the inimitable Graham Kennedy. Of course Norman Gunston was more than fantastic, just wonderful, and Barry Humphreys perhaps the best comedian the WORLD has ever seen not just Australia.So just what went wrong? It all went to Hell WAY before the invasion of computers, live streaming etcetera. So why did it turn so crap? It seemed to really go down hill once Rove McManus won.
It is a little curious isn't it? Rove McManus is rarely all that funny (lacks any real wit most of the time). Sean McCalif (not sure if I spelled that correctly) is often amusing and sometimes quite funny but still not in the same class as these old school personalities. Maybe it's down to what's viewed as acceptable for general exhibition influencing things nowadays, and much of what we see is almost exclusively scripted to give it the safety factor. Talents can't be truly free for fear of litigation or people reviling out of offense... Unless they have almost wreckless guts
Lucky I stumbled onto this video and your question, 'what went wrong with Australian television.'
The answer is not difficult to identify, in fact its one word. Money.
The bean counters wanted everything to be a hit over night and when they were not the only thing they knew to do was chop chop chop.
Very sad as like you have listed (only a few) we had some enormous talent in this country. Sadly money squashed talent.
Normy nLee Bloody Marvin good shit love ya Garry
The internet and the looney left is what happened
You are so right. the personalities in the old days were so great. I think we just don`t have personalities like that on TV any more.
It's difficult to believe that Ernie Sigley was only 36 years of age at the time of his Gold Logie win.
Genius
I wonder if the News Anchors in Australia won Logie Awards? (Roger Climpson (ATN7), Peter Hitchener (GTV9, formerly TCN9), Des McWilliam (TVQ0), Mike Higgins and Frank Warrick (BTQ7), Peter Waltham (TVW7) etc...)
Not likely, yet every one of these people were in our homes every night doing a great job.
Gotta love old Ernie.
Denise Drysdale does - like a big sister (she and Ermie are long-term friends). They did a song together in 1974 - "Hey Paula".
@BUSTER HYMEN Ernie & Denise did a stack of charity work, the proceeds of 'Hey Paula' went to charity. He helped the careers of many Aussie talents on his 3AW afternoon show and was bloody funny to listen to,he was respectful and empathetic to his guests and listeners, will never forget his laugh. An Aussie battler who brightened the souls of many.
Garry McDonald and some other winner. Pity Australia doesn't have an award of higher esteem.
hi-you have a wonderfull combination of great tv stuff-can i share this stuff on my facebook page-it needs to be shared-i ican i would like to please-cheers brae chatfield
NG FOR GG
Tacky australian excellence.
Some truly classic characters and films over the years. I live across the ditch, but have followed a lot of the greats in the Aussie media industry for years.
A wild chas appears in 13:07
Daryl Sommers lost out for quite a few years!
Some familiar faces from when I used to live downunder,such a small scene with the same people receiving the logie most times
BURT LANCASTER!!!!
Steve Vizard and Rove were so dull.
hello do you have the were on the buses won it in 1973 for best british show as i would love to see that clip and hear them ???. can u let me now asap .
thank you
George