"King" Kennedy Dead
#1
"King" Kennedy Dead
I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here yet but Graham Kennedy died this morning. An absolute TV legend here in Australia. I used to watch his Coast to Coast show, it was hysterical.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...-28101,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...-28101,00.html
#2
Rocket Scientist
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Dreamland AKA Brisbane which is a different country to the UK
Posts: 6,911
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Didn't know - what a sad day & a great loss .
#3
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Even Rove McManus can't measure up to his zaniness and showmanship. Australia has lost a unique talent.
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
He was in three really good Aussie films l have seen:
" The Club"
" The Odd Angry Shot"
"Traveling North"
" The Club"
" The Odd Angry Shot"
"Traveling North"
#5
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
I can't remember him, but will watch the news etc tonight to see what he was about. And maybe I'll recognise something!
#6
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Kennedy is mainly remembered (by older locals anyway) for his ground breaking show IMT (In Melbourne Tonight) which started in the 60's. His sidekick was one Bert Newton. I can remember seeing Kennedy often in Trak (Toorak) where he used to live. He moved down past Frankston and then became a bit of a recluse from the 80's onwards, retiring to a farm in NSW I think (Bowral?). After his pet horses and dogs died he went downhill and finished his days in a nursing home. I'm not surprised Simone can't remember him!
The Club (play by David Williamson) was made into an excellent film - based on Collingwood FC. Kennedy was excellent in it (as was Frank Wilson).
One of Kennedy's best bits on IMT was actually the ads which they did live and often slagged the product off. Companies were queueing up to advertise on the show because sales took off. Invariably Bert was his straight man (Kennedy allegedly wasn't 'straight' himself) e.g. the shoe ads when they used to throw them around and put in the slogan 'You're feet are hurtin' when you wear Raoul Merton'.
Memories!!
OzTennis
The Club (play by David Williamson) was made into an excellent film - based on Collingwood FC. Kennedy was excellent in it (as was Frank Wilson).
One of Kennedy's best bits on IMT was actually the ads which they did live and often slagged the product off. Companies were queueing up to advertise on the show because sales took off. Invariably Bert was his straight man (Kennedy allegedly wasn't 'straight' himself) e.g. the shoe ads when they used to throw them around and put in the slogan 'You're feet are hurtin' when you wear Raoul Merton'.
Memories!!
OzTennis
#7
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Well, saw him on tv, and recognised him immediately, though don't think I was around when he had his own shows etc.
#8
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Can't say I know much about Graham Kennedy.
Obviously I've not been living in Oz long enough.
But from what I've seen on the news all day today, Australia has lost one of its favorite sons!
RIP Graham......
Obviously I've not been living in Oz long enough.
But from what I've seen on the news all day today, Australia has lost one of its favorite sons!
RIP Graham......
#9
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
p.s. I heard Burt Newton decribe himself on the radio as the 'crown prince'. Does that make him the King now?!!!!
#10
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Originally Posted by Simone
p.s. I heard Burt Newton decribe himself on the radio as the 'crown prince'. Does that make him the King now?!!!!
OzTennis
#11
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Originally Posted by OzTennis
Bert was never much without GK - and still isn't! Bert has made a modicum of talent go a long way and last 40 years.
OzTennis
OzTennis
It is pretty amazing of him to last 40 years though!
Anyway, I'm still mourning the loss of Burke...with him I did grow up! Saw an interview with him on 'Andrew Denton'. Was very interesting!!
Don't know if you know OzT, but the show that replaced Burke's Backyard recently got pulled of air, ratings very low(while Burke was still getting 2 million or so viewers when they axed him! Must be politics or something going on there!)
#12
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Originally Posted by OzTennis
Bert was never much without GK - and still isn't! Bert has made a modicum of talent go a long way and last 40 years.
OzTennis
OzTennis
Anyway bye Grah-grah.....oz legend.........Faaaark ......Faaaark
#13
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Originally Posted by Simone
Yes, that's the impression I got, but couldn't/can't say, cause I haven't actually seen much of his stuff(he really only does GMA now, doesn't he?)
It is pretty amazing of him to last 40 years though!
Anyway, I'm still mourning the loss of Burke...with him I did grow up! Saw an interview with him on 'Andrew Denton'. Was very interesting!!
Don't know if you know OzT, but the show that replaced Burke's Backyard recently got pulled of air, ratings very low(while Burke was still getting 2 million or so viewers when they axed him! Must be politics or something going on there!)
It is pretty amazing of him to last 40 years though!
Anyway, I'm still mourning the loss of Burke...with him I did grow up! Saw an interview with him on 'Andrew Denton'. Was very interesting!!
Don't know if you know OzT, but the show that replaced Burke's Backyard recently got pulled of air, ratings very low(while Burke was still getting 2 million or so viewers when they axed him! Must be politics or something going on there!)
Give me a home amongst the gum trees with lots of plum trees ...........
OzTennis
#14
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Originally Posted by gogdownunder
Played footie against Bert's nephew's team, kicked their arses.....is that off topic?
Anyway bye Grah-grah.....oz legend.........Faaaark ......Faaaark
Anyway bye Grah-grah.....oz legend.........Faaaark ......Faaaark
OzTennis
#15
Re: "King" Kennedy Dead
Originally Posted by OzTennis
Bert was in The Producers in Melbourne and according to friends was surprisingly good in it! Don Burke was possibly something to do with ageism - get a younger presenter in, happens everywhere (BBC are experts at it eg replace experienced travel journalists with pretty (that's the men) airheads.
Give me a home amongst the gum trees with lots of plum trees ...........
OzTennis
Give me a home amongst the gum trees with lots of plum trees ...........
OzTennis
Verandah out the front, and an old, rocking.... chair! Ahhh, my Australian dream Replace kangaroo with chooks and goats.
Hmm, I'd get it if Don's (why do I keep calling him Burke?! argh!) ratings were down, but they weren't(hmm, well, maybe they were down against what they were, but they were still very high). But yeah, ageism seems the only 'logical' answer at the moment.
Or maybe finances(Don and his wife had their own company that produced the show...)
Ahhh, going nice and off topic again as usual!!!