Inspired mad Dagg

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33962, 1 October 1975, Page 18

Inspired mad Dagg

in a remarkably brief period John Clarke has made Fred Dagg a national figure — a caricature of a New Zealander, but a welcome one in a nation which has seldom seemed ready to laugh at itself. The pilot show for his television series “The Wonderful World of - . .” was on TVI ; last night, and it offered convincing evidence that Clarke ( i has considerable versatility in ivoice and characterisation. But it was also easy to see j, why the birth of the pro-h gramme has been long and < (difficult, and has given rise I ito doubts about the future 1 ■of the infant. ; There were some moments < of inspired madness, some 1 which were amusing, some i which were very laboured. < i The jam was spread just a

little too thin for complete enjoyment. But Clarke, with his delightful, deadpan face and delivery, is worth an allout effort from TVI. Surely more good material could be found for him. Last night, his half-hour show was reduced by commercials, but it seemed something of a struggle to fill in the time. There were quick-fire sketches, with send-ups of people and of television advertising. His piece on training for an international poetry writing competition came off splendidly, even if it relied heavily on the pun. The race commentarv on the morning exodus from the ’Wellington Railway Station- | was also a pronounced sue-’ i cess. And the show ended delightfully with seven Fred Daggs, black-singleted and gum-booted, on a hillside to sing “God Defend New Zealand’’ — a chaotic choir to revive upsets about TVl’s closedown procedures. Between times, there was 1

(Some outside assistance. Tina ’ Carline left her weather map long enough to make an appearance, which was greeted with wild but understandable enthusiasm. And the other member of the television Rowling family — the Prime Minister — shared a sketch with Fred Dagg. Mr Rowling showed remarkable and commendable aplomb during one of the longest segments of the' show. But he did not sing, so prospects of the election campaign being enlivened by Rowling duets are only faint. I New Zealand television has (not been strong in comedy. ■John Clarke has the ability iro remedy that. It was satisfactory' to find that there was no attempt to divorce him from his natural habitat; the show retained a completely New Zealand flavour. Clarke is a man of very considerable comic talents. But he needs help. —R.T.B.