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…

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