Cultured Views

Don Lane suffering from dementia

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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…

Popularity: 16% [?]

I know it’s early but…planning Xmas yet ?

                                        It dosen’t seem that long ago that I was pondering on where for us all to go for Xmas 2007; looking back it was actually last July ! God, how time flies !!  

Well, we all ended up in Valencia, Spain, for the Xmas week and I recounted the nightmare that made up the first 12 hours of that trip so this year I am determined that our Xmas break will be a complete success. I know it is still only June - keeping in mind though that we have just over 24 weeks till Xmas itself (aaahhhh!!) - but already I have decided that we are going to try and get out to Australia for Xmas 2008. And I’m looking forward to it!

My relatives are on full alert as they haven’t seen me for six years and I have two new young nephews for my sister who is waiting with baited breath to get her arms around them both.  Unlike recent trips we don’t have to worry about accommodation as my sister threatens to disown me if we do not stay with her (actually she wants the kids more than she wants me and the man) but logistics such as airfares and transport will no doubt provide the usual stress.

The visit will also give me a chance to update my passport and take care of some other minor details such as my medicare card needing renewing; having that is a plus point for me while I am abroad as I can use it as a form of medical insurance should an emergency arise anywhere.  Hard to believe that when it was issued to me ten years ago the idea of ever travelling out of Australia was almost an impossible dream - funny how life changes direction.

Popularity: 11% [?]

How do you deal with school bullies?

Well, I was always taught that the only way is to stand up to them - give them a taste of their own medicine if possible. And on a couple of occasions that is exactly what I did at the age of 13 when one girl decided to make a habit of pulling my hair - life can be pretty tough in an all-girl school - but after a couple of well placed slaps to her mouth and the problem was solved.

But what if it is your child who is being bullied at school - what do you do then? a couple in Australia got so fed up with their 14 year old daughter being bullied that they took the law into their own hands and gave the assailant a taste of her own medicine. Stephan and Suzanne Baker complained to the school and police on several occasions for something to be done about what was happening to their daughter and, of course, nothing was done. Nothing ever really is these days.

They decided to act themselves, took on the female responsible, and gave her a few whacks so she could have a dose of what she was doling out herself. Of course, the parents are now in trouble for doing so. But, and I know many would disagree with this, I applaud them. I would have done exactly the same thing. Because I have been through this with my own kids.

There is only one reason why bullying is at such high proportions and that is because, simply, the young yobs get away with it. Pure and simple. Teachers these days are scared of the kids themselves and to say something to the little critters results in being confronted by their equally useless and in-denial parents. The police are just as useless issuing those ineffective verbal warnings that achieve nothing. Meanwhile your kid gets punched around and humiliated on a daily basis whilst the authorities concerned wrap themselves in their protective cloak of political correctness and do absolutely nothing about it.

In my own case where my kids were concerned I quietly approached the particular thugs making my son’s life hell after school and told them in no uncertain terms what would happen if they did not lay off…it worked. I also told my boys not to stand and take it - if they hit you then hit them back harder. It worked. There comes a time when a bully will meet his/her match - it’s about time that happened on a much bigger scale.

Popularity: 12% [?]