Satirist does not apologise

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 1

Satirist does not apologise

• N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 13.

The TV satirist, Dave Smith, today dissociated himself from the apology by TVI to a former Prime Minister, Sir John Marshall, over a skit in the “Edwards on Saturday” show.

Mr Smith wrote the skit and also appeared in it. The apology was read just before the start of last Saturday’s Edwards show.

Mr Smith said today that the sketch was a lightly humorous and innocuous general comment on Sir John Marshall’s career, the substance of which was well known to the New Zealand public. There were several extravagant images in the sketch, none of which purported to be serious, he said.

He said he dissociated himself entirely from the apology, which had been made without any consultation with him.

Yesterday, the star of the show. Dr Brian Edwards, also dissociated himself from the apology.

The matter was briefly discussed today at the usual Tuesday meeting of the Edwards’ show production team but. it is reported, the feel-

ing, was that the matter was best left alone. Dr Edwards said the situation remained that there was a difference of opinion between TVI on the one hand, himself and, he thought, probably the team as a whole.

“But there is no acrimony involved,” Dr Edwards added.