Would that be funny?

With special guest:

• Lorin Clarke
  … in conversation with Bill Kable

The mere mention of John Clarke’s name brings a smile to the faces of Australians and New Zealanders in particular.

The much loved actor/writer/comedian died suddenly on 9 April 2017 but his memory lives on. Now with the new book Would that be funny? John Clarke’s daughter Lorin Clarke ensures that we learn some more about the man we all feel we grew up with. Lorin really did grow up with him and she has a unique insight into the man who appeared so often on our radios and televisions.

John had an unlikely start into becoming an icon. He started two University courses that he did not finish and at that point had no idea what he was going to do in life. So he travelled to London as young people did and found himself with a key part in one of our favourite movies. When The Adventures of Barry McKenzie was being cast in London he played a stereotypical Aussie abroad. Most importantly he met in London his future wife Helen. “Picked her out of thousands” he liked to say.

On his return John developed a character for Kiwi audiences known as Fred Dagg. He played that character for four years before receiving some sage advice to relocate to Australia where he could develop his skills with a larger audience. However John Clarke did not need a big audience to exude his charm. A trip to the Post Office could involve a long conversation about the structure and history of postal services with the people behind the counter, or the person next to him in the queue.

Lorin gives us the family history on where John began people watching and this is a trait she has inherited. John did not have a great relationship with his own father and he was often put down as a failure even after his successes. However John demonstrated his love and loyalty to his father right to the end. Near the end of his father’s life John’s father finally acknowledged what John and the other members of his family had contributed.

John’s own children, Lorin and Lucia, received a vastly different upbringing where they were encouraged to develop opinions and a little eccentricity never went astray. Perhaps this is where John came up with the saying that it is up to us to find the pluses in this world.

We get to talk about the pre 2000 Olympics series The Games and the legendary weekly show Clarke and Dawe. We still remember John Clarke being interviewed as well–known characters, often leaders of political parties, where he made no attempt to dress differently or wear make-up or wigs. He just looked and sounded authentic as he managed to skewer some of our more ridiculous bureaucratic practices.

This interview is Nice, Different. And at the end of it you will definitely feel like saying “Thanks for your time.”

Lorin Clarke

Lorin Clarke is the author of celebrated Podcast The Fitzroy Diaries and writes for children’s television including the mercurial international hit series Bluey. Lorin has won acclaim for her plays including People Watching and For We Are Young and Free. Her latest work is the memoir Would that be funny? Growing up with John Clarke.

Song selection by our guest: Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf

Note: This program is an encore presentation of the one aired on 19 October 2023.

Podcast (mp3)