Tag Archives: Humour

We (Oz, NZ, The World) lost John Clarke #tragic #demoralising

[mrjohnclarkebandcamp.com]

John Morrison Clarke (29 July 1948 – 9 April 2017) was a New Zealand comedian, writer, and satirist.

Born: 29 July 1948, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Died: 9 April 2017 (aged 68), Grampians, Victoria, Australia

Living in Australia since the late 1970s, Clarke was a regular actor and writer on Australian television. He first became known during the mid to late 1970s for portraying a laconic farmer called Fred Dagg on stage, film and television. Gumboot and singlet-clad, Dagg had seven sons all named “Trev”. Clarke also recorded a series of records and cassettes and published several books as Dagg. Thirty years after its release, the first Fred Dagg album, Fred Dagg’s Greatest Hits (1976), remains one of New Zealand’s biggest selling records.

[nz rockstuff]

In 1982 he was nominated for an AFI award for co-writing the acclaimed Paul Cox film Lonely Hearts. He also co-wrote the mini-series Anzacs and provided the voice of Wal Footrot in the feature-length animated film, Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986), based on the comic strips by Murray Ball. Towards the end of the 1980s, he featured in a number of other films, and began to be known for his political satire.

In 1989, along with collaborator Bryan Dawe, Clarke introduced weekly satirical mock interviews to television, and these short pieces (usually between 2–5 minutes in duration) became a regular and popular segment of the Nine Network current affairs programme A Current Affair. […] In 2013 the mock interviews became an eponymous program Clarke and Dawe which screened at 6.57pm on ABC TV.

[mrjohnclarke.com]

Clarke was the author of several books, notably two mock compilations of Australian poetry, and The Tournament, a book describing a fictional tennis tournament involving many philosophical and literary figures of the twentieth century. Clarke was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame in 2008. The Logie was presented to him by long-time collaborator and friend Bryan Dawe.
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█ Website: http://mrjohnclarke.com/

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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Apr 5, 2017
Clarke and Dawe – Complete Cohesion As We Approach the Budget
“Scott Morrison, Federal Treasurer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 06/04/2017
Clarke and Dawe’s most recent segment, takes on Scott Morrison’s preparations for the budget.

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Jul 13, 2016
Clarke and Dawe – Thank God it couldn’t happen here.
“The Unique Circumstances Which Produced the Brexit Vote.” Originally aired on ABC TV: 13/07/2016

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 11, 2015
Clarke and Dawe – The Night the Abbott Went Down
“Scott Morrison, Federal Treasurer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 12/11/2015
Clarke as Scott Morrison sorts through the chaos of the night that Tony Abbott was deposed as leader of the Liberal party.

Umbrella Entertainment Published on Jan 11, 2015
The Games Excerpt
‘Have you measured the 100m track, Mr Wilson?’ Preparations for the Olympics run into a number of unexpected hurdles in this episode of The Games. Featuring John Clarke, Gina Riley, Bryan Dawe and Ross Stevenson, this hit ABC comedy series is a deadpan, surreal and highly satirical look at bureaucrats in the throws of organising the extravaganza that will be the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Jul 9, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Asylum Seeker Policy. Proudly Australian.
“Lionel Dropout. Customer Relations Consultant” Originally aired on ABC TV: 10/07/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Uploaded on Jun 23, 2010
Clarke and Dawe – The Front Fell Off
“Bob Collins, Australian Senator” Air date: 26/07/1991processing system.

Suparnovah Uploaded on Mar 25, 2007
Fred Dagg – We Don’t Know How Lucky We Are [1998] Clarke created the character Fred Dagg as a satire of the Kiwi everyman. A farmer, Dagg often appeared on television to express his opinion, often in song, and regularly accompanied by a dog.

So when things are looking really bad
And you’re thinking of giving it away
Remember, New Zealand’s a cracker
And I reckon come what may
If things get appallingly bad
And we’re all under constant attack
Remember, we want to see good clean ball
And for god’s sakes, feed your backs

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

John Clarke and Bryan Dawe [newsapi.com.au]

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April Fools

### ODT Online Sat, 1 Apr 2017
Bylaw would protect riders
Trucks, buses, cars and motorcycles must have them — and now the Dunedin City Council is considering a new bylaw making brake-lights and indicators compulsory for horses ridden on roads. The city had an extensive rural road network, used by hundreds of horse riders, whom the council had a responsibility to keep safe, a DCC equine spokeswoman said. In the first year, the council would subsidise the cost of tail-lights for horse owners who could provide evidence of financial hardship, after being saddled with the additional expense […] Ratepayers wishing to comment on the proposed bylaw will need to contact the DCC before noon today.
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18.3.17 DCC Proposed Reserves and Beaches Bylaw : Real-deal submission

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### NZ Herald 11:26 AM Saturday Apr 1, 2017
Best April Fools’ Day pranks of 2017
April Fools’ Day only comes around only once a year, so this is the only chance companies can prank the rest of the world. Here is a list of the best pranks of 2017 so far.
Read more + Video

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

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Tremain, thin comfort #pixels

Updated post – cartoon tweaked by whatifdunedin
Tue, 29 Mar 2017 at 6:40 p.m.

Garrick Tremain – 28 March 2017

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### ODT Online Sat, 25 Mar 2017
Defamation case against Little going ahead
Defamation proceedings against Labour Party leader Andrew Little by National Party donors and hoteliers Earl and Lani Hagaman will proceed. Mr Little publicly apologised yesterday after the Auditor-general found no link between a donation made by the couple and a hotel management contract.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

artistic license is: entirely at the artist’s discretion; intended to be tolerated by the viewer (cf “willing suspension of disbelief”); useful for filling in gaps, whether they be factual, compositional, historical or other gaps; used consciously or unconsciously, intentionally or unintentionally or in tandem #

political satire is a significant part of satire that specialises in gaining entertainment from politics; it has also been used with subversive intent where political speech and dissent are forbidden by a regime, as a method of advancing political arguments where such arguments are expressly forbidden. political satire is usually distinguished from political protest or political dissent, as it does not necessarily carry an agenda nor seek to influence the political process. while occasionally it may, it more commonly aims simply to provide entertainment. by its very nature, it rarely offers a constructive view in itself; when it is used as part of protest or dissent, it tends to simply establish the error of matters rather than provide solutions. #

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Murray Ball, ONZM

Murray Hone Ball ONZM (26 Jan 1939 – 12 Mar 2017) was a New Zealand cartoonist who became known for his Stanley the Palaeolithic Hero (the longest running cartoon in Punch magazine), Bruce the Barbarian, All the King’s Comrades (also in Punch) and the long-running Footrot Flats comic series. In 2002 Ball became an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services as a cartoonist. More

gisborneherald Published on Mar 12, 2017
Murray Ball, Footrot Flats cartoonist, dies at 78
New Zealand has lost its most loved cartoonist, Gisborne’s Murray Ball.
Best known for the memorable characters in his cartoon strip Footrot Flats, the widely-respected artist died at home at 11.30am yesterday surrounded by family.

His wife Pam, three children and grandchildren were there, as well as Mr Ball’s brother Barry and close friends. Mr Ball had been out of the public eye due to Alzheimer’s, which he lived with for eight years. He was aged 78.
“It was a terribly sad and emotional day yesterday,” said Mr Ball’s wife Pam. “It was expected but it was terrible to see him go. It was lovely to have family and friends there but it was so, so hard the moment he went.” The family had received some wonderful tributes from around the world, she says.

Mayor Meng Foon described Mr Ball as a legend in our community. On behalf of the community, and the art in public places committee, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the Ball family. “Murray made us laugh, reflect and inspired us as proud New Zealanders. It was a great honour to present Murray’s key collection of cartoon books to the Beijing Olympic committee in 2008.” Mr Foon is pleased Wal and Dog will take pride of place at the entrance of the re-developed library. Murray, your legacy will take pride in Bright Street, a fitting place for such a bright shining star of our creative community.”

Gisborne artist and art teacher Norman Maclean remembers Mr Ball as a man of the soil who loved the country, animals and bird life. He also remembers him as a fine artist, although Mr Ball disagreed. “Murray used to say he was not an artist — which was ridiculous. His command of line was outstanding. For a time he broke into painting. His paintings were forceful, with a very strong line and a strong sense of immediacy.” The cartoonist’s sense of fun came to light while out riding with Mr Maclean. “The first time out he gave me a huge horse called Black. Murray knew what he would do at a certain point and that was to turn home. Black took off, my feet flew out of the stirrups and I heard hoots of laughter behind me.” Mr Ball was a complex figure though, says Mr Maclean. He was very serious-minded. “He thought deeply about political and social matters and had a great sense of justice and of a fair go for the average person.” Although he ascribed to no religion, he described himself as a Christian socialist and enjoyed many arguments with Mr Maclean about religion and philosophy.

In a tribute to Mr Ball, Prime Minister Bill English describes the Gisborne cartoonist as a thoughtful New Zealander “who took our unique sense of humour to the world”.

Cartoonist Tom Scott, who co-wrote the screenplay for Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale, told the New Zealand Herald Mr Ball was “funny and goofy and generous, and incredibly serious about inequality”. “He mourned the New Zealand he remembered being fair, and I guess if he had his life over again Murray would rather have been an editorial cartoonist.” Mr Scott also remembers Mr Ball as “an unbelievably strong, fit, handsome man all his life”.

New Zealand Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson said Footrot Flats captured the essence of New Zealand farm life. “But farm life is virtually the same the world over, hence it quickly became a household icon both here and abroad. How lucky are we to have had the pleasure of Murray Ball’s home-grown genius to entertain us when we needed it most.”

The funeral service will be held at Bushmere Arms on Friday at 1pm.

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thatdickgmail Published on Oct 4, 2012
Footrot Flats Rugby Scene

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

GMRedWing Published on Jun 18, 2015
Footrot Flats – Wal’s Date gone wrong
Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale

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Site Notice

A Number of Short Videos by animator and cartoonist Douglas Field, formerly embedded at the What if? Dunedin website are no longer available for viewing. The author was contacted after holes suddenly appeared in What if? posts and comments.

It turns out Douglas had committed to a spot of housekeeping at his YouTube channel and the links were lost.

Because of healthy, greedy, viewer interest in Douglas’s craft, and the utmost value we place on the political satire, joy and reach he stirs, Douglas has generously offered to upload the animations when he has time.

Douglas, you have No Idea how much we miss your “subtle” characterisations and “situational histories” —COME BACK Douglas Field lololol

GIF files

The Delta Affair by Douglas Field 23.2.16

The Kingmaker acts [Douglas Field 25.2.16]

Besides, Douglas, it’s ELECTION YEAR. We’re Desperate.
Madness has to be tracked.

Douglas Field's room with Easter Egg [liveinternet.ru]

No rednecks, according to MickyW.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

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Clarke and Dawe (palliative care after extraordinary meeting at #DUD)

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 19, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Growth first. Then these other things can be dealt with, whatever they are.
“Joe Hockey, Australian Treasurer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 20/11/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 12, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – A Busy Time at the Great Hall as We Prepare for Guests
“Tony Abbott. Prime Minister of Australia” Originally aired on ABC TV: 13/11/2014


ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 5, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – The G20 explained
“Godfrey Marketz, Economic strategist.” Originally aired on ABC TV: 06/11/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Oct 15, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – International Diplomacy. A Users Guide.
“Rowan Machine, a resident of Albury.” Originally aired on ABC TV: 16/10/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Sep 17, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Des is Eliminated Here But at Least he Isn’t at Work.
“Mr Desmond Traction. Fear Maintenance Officer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 18/09/2014

http://www.mrjohnclarke.com | http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke | http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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Clarke and Dawe: ‘We’re getting a lot of changes coming through….’

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Aug 6, 2014

Clarke and Dawe – An Exciting New Interpretation of The Text.
“An Important Government Functionary. One of many.” Originally aired on ABC TV: 07/08/2014

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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Aug 13, 2014

Clarke and Dawe – The Exceptions that Prove the Rules
“Mr Desmond Gruntled, Financial Projectionist” Originally aired on ABC TV: 14/08/2014

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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Aug 20, 2014

Clarke and Dawe – Who said that?
“Mr Tim Astraya, Asparagus farmer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 21/08/2014

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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Aug 27, 2014

Clarke and Dawe – Some Slight Difficulties in the Workplace
“An Extremely Senior Australian Treasury Official” Originally aired on ABC TV: 28/08/2014

http://www.mrjohnclarke.com
http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke
http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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Eddie Cull suffering lead singer’s disease?

Received from Another Anonymous
Wed, 23 Jul 2014 at 8:05 p.m.

Gary Larson - The Far Side (undated cartoon) 2The Far Side (undated cartoon) by Gary Larson

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

█ Urban Dictionary: lead singer’s disease

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Clarke and Dawe: Slush funds… and footie bookings

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Jun 25, 2014

Clarke and Dawe: The Title of This Item Was Deemed to be Freighted and Has Been Removed
“Denny Kistmee, Slush Fund Consultant” Originally aired on ABC TV: 26/06/2014

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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Jun 18, 2014

Clarke and Dawe – International Sport is Open for Business
“Arthur Swissbank, Senior Protocols Advisor to FIFA” Originally aired on ABC TV: 19/06/2014

http://www.mrjohnclarke.com
http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke
http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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For women and men —Jean Kittson, author of You’re Still Hot to Me: The Joys of Menopause #sharethis

Women are now in menopause for 40% of their lives. It’s a natural and normal part of life. It’s not about getting old, it’s about growing up.

OK, this evening I got sick of forever lamenting greedy men in connection with the stadium and professional rugby, and stupid city councillors. Instead, I sought out something positive, laughter-inducing in a kind way, discursive, enlightening – for a change, The Change.

Sneaking this in before evangelists Malcolm Farry, Dave Cull, Jim Harland, Athol Stephens, and the likes of Terry Davies, start leading the way on men’s health by taking more doctors along to local Blokes’ Sheds – so in this er tight gap before they try “giving back to humanity”, listen to the audio, read the extract, email it, share it – be generous, buy the book for yourselves, your families, your women friends and men friends. Talk about it.

### radionz.co.nz Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20140626

Jean Kittson, author of You’re Still Hot to Me: The Joys of Menopause
10:10 Jean Kittson is an Australian comedian, performer and writer who’s on a mission to break the cone of silence she says exists around menopause. She’s written a book about the subject, called You’re Still Hot To Me: The Joys of Menopause, as she insists it’s possible to cheerfully embrace and confidently manage the “change of life”. Published by Pan McMillan.
Audio | Download: Ogg MP3 (28′33″)

Book cover Jean Kittson

BRILLIANT EXTRACT | Book information – Pan Macmillan

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video

Marketing student life (passive/aggressive)

Godfrey Hirst 30 Apr 2014

STUDENTS VS CARPET
18 Students, all male, flatting together in Dunedin over Orientation Week 2014. Did our Student Proof carpet survive?
[View Street]
http://www.studentproof.co.nz

5.5.14 Human traffic: Otago students put carpet through its paces
http://www.stoppress.co.nz/blog/2014/05/students

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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Jints, this one’s forya

On science communication . . .

Uploaded: May 7, 2012. TheXRelease.
The Lorax By Dr Seuss’s (1972)WebRiP XviD_X-Release
Copyright for this special is owned by “The Cat in the Hat Productions” and current distributors. This is for Entertainment/Educational Purposes only.

The Lorax is a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss and first published in 1971. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. As in most Dr. Seuss works, most of the creatures mentioned are original to the book. [text]

The Lorax, book cover [en.wikipedia.org]The book is commonly recognised as a fable concerning industrialised society and the danger it poses to nature, using the literary element of personification to give life to industry as the Once-ler (whose face is never shown in any of the story’s illustrations or in the television special) and to the environment as the Lorax.

The book was adapted as an animated musical television special produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, directed by Hawley Pratt and starring the voices of Eddie Albert and Bob Holt. The line about Lake Erie was spoken by one of the Humming-Fish as they marched out of the river at the foot of the Once-ler’s factory. The special also features more of an in-depth look at the problems, including the Once-ler arguing with himself about what he is doing, and at one point asking the Lorax if shutting down his factory (and putting hundreds of people out of a job) is really the answer. Many of the Lorax’s arguments seem to be focused on how “progress progresses too fast”, in a sense arguing that things might’ve been better if the Once-Ler had come to a balance with the forest and slowed down production of the Thneeds.”

Wikipedia: The Lorax | Dr. Seuss | Political messages of Dr. Seuss

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Russell Garbutt at ODT Online:
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Jints DCC Lorax 1Jinty MacTavish at ODT Online:
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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Clarke and Dawe —November/December 2013

Published 4 Dec 2013. ClarkeAndDawe.
Ensuring Certainty in The Seasonal Gift Delivery Business
“Declan Halls, Foreign Affairs Spokesman” Originally aired on ABC TV: 05/12/2013

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Published 27 Nov 2013. ClarkeAndDawe.
Live from the Adelaide Oval
“Wayne Interruption, Cricket commentator” Originally aired on ABC TV: 28/11/2013

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Published 20 Nov 2013. ClarkeandDawe.
Ministerial responsibility. Coming soon to Australia.
“Hugh Manrights, Mastermind contestant” Originally aired on ABC TV: 21/11/2013

ABCTV: For 25 years John Clarke and Bryan Dawe have broadcast a weekly interview in which prominent figures speak about matters of public importance. John pretends to be someone he isn’t pretending to be and Bryan behaves with grace under pressure. The interviews are broadcast on ABCTV on Thursday nights and are available online here, on mrjohnclarke.com and on YouTube. They are also available by prescription at selected retail outlets.

http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke
http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

More Clarke and Dawe here:
17.11.13 Cull, MacTavish: (to borrow a phrase) “Have you fixed the debt crisis?”
9.11.13 Quiz on politics

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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