RNZ
In 1977, David McPhail, then a young producer with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, pitched an idea for a satirical comedy show to air on its second channel, South Pacific Television.
In 1977, David McPhail, then a young producer with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, pitched an idea for a satirical comedy show to air on its second channel, South Pacific Television. The response from his superiors was that it was a terrible idea because New Zealanders are staunch sensible people who don t like laughing, and certainly don t like laughing at themselves.
Photography by Jane Wyles Luckily, he ignored that and went on to make
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Tributes have been pouring in after actor and comedian David McPhail, famous for his impersonations of Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, died.
Your playlist will load after this ad The actor and comedian died of a heart attack yesterday at the age of 76. Source: 1 NEWS
McPhail, 76, was a writer, producer, actor and comedian who became one of the best known people in New Zealand television.
In a post on Facebook, his son Matt said: It is with the deepest sadness that I share with you the news that our wonderful husband, father and grandfather David McPhail died in his sleep last night. He leaves a great big hole in our lives but not in our hearts. A truly beautiful man.
“He leaves a great big hole in our lives but not in our hearts. A truly beautiful man,” his son Matt said. McPhail s wife Anne had said goodnight to him before going home from the resthome. He died soon after, Matt said. “She said her farewell, and we feel like he was happy. He knew everyone was there and he was ready,” he said. Although his health had taken a bad turn, Matt said his father remained in good spirits. “He was sharp as a tack, one of the most intelligent men I have met and one of the funniest as well. He had that right till the end.”
COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS
Helen Kelly pics. In 2010 the National government announced plans to roll back worker s rights. Helen Kelly led a Fairness at Work protest in October.
To some she was a hero. To others she was “a bloody pain in the neck”. Kirsty Johnston reports on a new biography of Helen Kelly, an ordinary girl who refused to be quiet. It was early 1981 when 50,000 people marched down Auckland’s Queen St, an angry uprising against the union movement that seemed to take even its participants by surprise. Led by a young woman called Tania Harris, the protesters united under the “Kiwis Care” banner, railing against “Pommie stirrers” and “commos” they believed responsible for recent strikes. “We must pull together, not apart,” Harris, a 22-year-old sales representative, told the gathered crowd.
Hon Carmel Sepuloni
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni today pays tribute to David Alexander McPhail (11 April 1945 – 14 May 2021) – New Zealand comedian, actor, producer and writer.
David McPhail ONZM QSM had a comedy career that spanned four decades, across both television and theatre.
“David’s contribution to New Zealand comedy was immense, and his passing is a great loss to Aotearoa,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
“David began his celebrated career as a television journalist for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. From there he went on to report on Town and Around, working also as a producer and actor.
“David fronted one of the earliest New Zealand comedy shows, A Week of It, which was hugely popular for its innovative style of political satire and sketch format.