Back in 1956, in Australia, a revolution changed our lives forever. Television arrived in Melbourne, then Sydney and gradually across the country. Although the technology had been available for some time, the Melbourne Olympic Games provided the impetus to actually get broadcasting off the ground. Initially out of the average family's means, electrical stores would leave their televisions on in the front windows so passers-by could watch. Michael clearly remembers trotting over to the neighbour's house in North Innaloo to watch the early shows, such as Doctor Who, in fascinated wonder.
Very successful television shows included "In Melbourne Tonight" and "Bob and Dolly Dyer's Pick-a-Box". Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton launched this variety mish mash of guests, music and unscripted banter between the two hosts in 1957. The show ran until 1970 and was wildly popular in Melbourne.
Similarly, "Pick-a-Box" was also a crowd favourite, orchestrated by Bob and Dolly Dyer, two Americans who came to Sydney and never left. The famous saying -"the money or the box" was used to tempt successful contestants with the choice of cash or a small box, which may or may not contain anything of value. Tested on general knowledge, Barry Jones, former teacher, lawyer, social activist and politician was probably the most recognisable contestant and remained a stalwart of the program for an astonishing seven years. Now a Living Treasure, Mister Jones must have been a bit of a scallywag during his earlier years, as he is still hanging in there at the age of eighty-nine.
Early television did not have advertising commercials as we know know them. Instead, the main content would be interrupted by "a word from our sponsors". A significant nod to those enterprises putting up the cash for the shows was required. So, the hosts would read a prepared script, or demonstrate a product or play a short film, such as the infamous Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor clip on "Pick-a-Box". Whilst very informative, the idea was actually to promote British Petroleum/BP as providing the fuel for the employees cars, BP being the major sponsor of "Pick-a-Box"
Graham Kennedy became legendary for his treatment of these sponsored segments. A spot for Pal dog food went horribly awry when his dog Rover ignored the dog food and piddled on one of the cameras. Shoe retailer Raoul Merton was not popular with Mister Kennedy and he and his sidekick Bert ended up throwing the shoes at each other in one instance. Graham played the offended consumer with a packet of Colvan potato chips, complaining about the lack of potatoes used to produce the chips. Later, during the Graham Kennedy Show, he imitated a crow-call during a live read by Rosemary Margan advertising hairspray. His utterance of "faaaaaaark"was not well received and this signaled the end of his ability to perform live.
My introduction to Graham Kennedy was through the game show Blankety Blanks. By 1977, the use of commercial blocks during programs was well entrenched. Most viewers used these few minutes for a toilet break or to grab a cup of tea. Thus, sponsors would no longer have to wonder what a chap like Graham Kennedy might do with an in-program segment. A pity perhaps.
Humour is often utterly individual. What some find funny causes others to cringe. Politically incorrect jokes are often no longer acceptable. When does innuendo become smut? And is using smut in humour actually a hanging offence or okay depending on the context?
All I think is that we need to laugh more. Loudly and often. Snorting and giggling ought to be encouraged. A decent belly laugh is good for the soul. Even smiling is a start. The world has changed so much in the last two years that we need to find the absurd and the amusing at every opportunity. Visual gags are to be embraced with gusto. Unplanned disasters, as long as nobody is hurt, often provide the funniest of insights into somebody else's thought processes or lack of them.
Life is short and we are focusing on our mortality more, courtesy of COVID 19. The whole world is really a train wreck so joy is essential to survive these circumstances. Seek out happiness an an antidote to this new reality.
That is all from this sponsor. Stay tuned for the next instalment.
An Australian institution...
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