There is no doubt that Australian television back in the 60′s and 70′s was unique in that it was live, unpredictable, irreverent and just so bloody entertaining. We had the greatest of them all in Graham Kennedy, but when he stepped down his place on our screens was taken by a lanky, Yank from The Bronx – Don Lane and his ‘second banana’  Bert Newton. Every Thursday night at 9pm Australians sat down to watch 90 minutes of pure entertainment gold…lets remember some of those unforgettable moments…

* James Randy: James Randy was a famed American magician who also was a proclaimed skeptic of such celebrities as Uri Geller and British Medium Doris Stokes. He claimed to be able to reproduce the same ‘tricks’ they used to fool their audiences – he appeared on the Don Lane show and attempted to prove, through similar trickery, that Geller, Stokes and their ilk were con artists. Don Lane, and admirer of both Geller and Stokes, lost his temper with Randy during the interview and told him to ” Piss off ” on live telelvision. He apologised at the opening of the next show.

* ‘Max’ and the prize draw: A competition draw to select the winner of a car was to feature a new way of drawing the winners name out during the show. A huge cage with tens of thousands of entries was suspended above the studio and the idea was that Don would stand underneath and pull a latch which would cause all the entries to shower down around him so that one could be caught and read out as winner. The latch refused to open and the ensuing drama saw stage hands, cameramen, Don, Bert and the famous ‘Max’ – who was Floor Manager – all attempting to get the cage latch to open and drop the contents. After about ten minutes mayhem ensured with Max making determined efforts to get the latch to open with a long pole – Lane, who had become quite annoyed by now, was seen shouting ” MAX, MAX, LEAVE IT ALONE MAX !! “. The audience screamed with laughter. The winners name was eventually drawn by standing on a ladder and reaching into the cage.

* Sammy Davis Jr: One of the truly priceless moments occurred when Lane’s friend, Sammy Davis Jnr, appeared on the show and just towards the end with about ten minutes to spare decided to sing some songs for the audience. This was totally unscheduled as Davis had just stepped off stage an hour earlier in Melbourne to travel to the studio for his appearance on the Don Lane Show. The audience thought they had died and gone to heaven; even though the national news broadcast was due to begin in ten minutes Don just handed the reins over to Sammy and he began to sing all his famous songs taking the show well over its scheduled air time. Channel Nine boss Kerry Packer watching from his office, realised that television-gold was happening and called Peter Faiman, producer of the Don lane Show, directly. Faiman was about to cut the show to the news but when Kerry Packer gave an order people followed it…that order was ” Leave it on ! “ The show ran one hour over time, but what the heck, when Sammy Davis Jnr was singing who in their right mind would want to see the boring old news ?

* Demis Roussos: This happens to be my own personal favourite moment from the show. Greek singing star Demis Roussos was in Australia touring when Bert came out for the ‘Wheel’ segment dressed head to toe as Roussos. With long black wig, flowing kaftan and kohl-rimmed eyes he sang in Roussos’ falsetto style directly into the camera “Forever and ever and ever I’ll BEEEEE your love”. Suddenly from backstage Roussos himself came out on camera glaring mock-indignantly at Bert who then put on a wonderful act of being surprised and shocked at Roussos appearance.  The sight of Roussos chasing his dressed up alter-ego around the studio was something that still makes me cry with laughter.

* Bert as Gene Simmons (KISS): Bert dressed up for the Wheel segment as Gene Simmons from the band, KISS. Absolutely hilarious.

Don Lane and Bert Newton on the cover of TV Week.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.

I’ve just heard some very sad news; sad news for Australians and sad news for the Australian entertainment industry.

Television legend Don Lane is in a care facility and is suffering from advanced dementia. The announcement was made on radio station 2UE by Lane’s long time friend Chris Kearns and also asked that the media please respect the privacy of his family. At this time only his wife Jane and son PJ are visiting him.

The The Don Lane Show needs no introduction to any Australian who remembers the great days of night time variety TV back in the 60′s, 70′s and early 80′s – Don Lane was to Australian television back then what Johnny Carson and Ed Sullivan were to American television variety. Of course, Don never was a match for the King himself – Graham Kennedy - but nevertheless his show was the top rating and most widely watched night time show on Australian television back in the heyday of variety TV.

There are so many brilliant moments from his shows – both famous and infamous - that will always stay in the memories of Australian viewers. And along with that equally legendary icon, Bert Newton, the two created television history over a period of two decades. Every Thursday night, Live from Melbourne!, millions turned in to see Don and Bert create mayhem, interview famous international celebrities and, of course, spin that famous prize wheel, pictured above.

Don always knew that the secret to his success lay in the brilliant on screen chemistry between himself and Bert and he always acknowledged this; just as the undisputed King of Australian Television, Graham Kennedy( pictured circa 1960′s), acknowledged his partnership with Bert during his glorious days on primetime TV as being the vital ingredient for it’s widespread appeal. Of course no-one could come close to Kennedy when it came to sheer brilliance on TV or adulation from the public – Kennedy was the first and foremost in Australian’s affections –  Don Lane is still as loved and revered by his fans for his variety act, many recordings and love and committment to sports.

Where Graham Kennedy was an intensely private individual away from the cameras Don Lane was always very much in the public eye supporting his favourite teams; the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team, basketball and Australian football among many.

One of the many, many highlights of the Don Lane Show back in the 70′s was the memorable moment when he told guest magician/skeptic/Uri Geller-denier James Randy to ” piss off “ live on national television. Randy was appearing on the show and explaining how Uri Geller, and others such as the late British Medium Doris Stokes, were able to so convincingly fool their audiences into believing they were genuine when Don Lane lost his cool and cut the segment short. Both Geller and Stokes were previous guests on the show and Lane was particularly fond of Doris Stokes. The segment has gone down in television history in Australia as one of those moments which can only happen on live TV.

Pictured above is Don Lane telling James Randy to “piss off”.

While it has to be acknowledged that dementia does not wear off, nor does an individual recover from the condition, I think it would be safe to say that many Australians will be saying some prayers for a man who gave us so many wonderful moments of TV viewing. Back when TV was entertaining, when it was Live and anything can, and did, happen. Don Lane may have lost most of those priceless memories now…but millions of Australians certainly have not.

Best Wishes to Don, Jane and PJ.

Next: Unforgettable moments from the Don Lane Show…

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.