Meeting the new Barry Crump

Press, 12 July 1976, Page 15

Meeting the new Barry Crump

By KEVIN McMENAMIN

From politics to sex (in 'two helpings), to religion — Brian Edwards continued to [delve into sensitive topics when he had the original good keen man. Barry Crump, as his guest on Saturday evening-

How’ever, to be fair, the [ programme was more about Crump than it was about re-1 ligion. If Barry Crump had! found gold, instead of God,' he would, no doubt, have been just as welcome. This was a very’ different Crump from the man whose rugged life style, and ability to write about it, made him a national celebrity. His sub[dued manner might even I have given weight to a vipw I Edwards expressed about [people who preach religion [tending to be rather dull.

Yet if Crump has switched from extrovert to introvert,

there could be no questioning the sincerity of his belief. Edwards pushed him hard on whether religion was just another phase in the colourful career of Barry Crump — but got nowhere.

Although Crump has certainly changed greatly, it was pleasing to find that he still retains many of his more

[agreeable mannerisms. The [“yeah” and “I reckon” still !had the country-boy ring to [them, and his habit of stumbling through a sentence in search of just the right words was oddly appealing. It may have come as a shock to some that this once super example of New Zealand manhood should not only turn to God but also become teetotal and celibate. [Yet Crump explained himiself well, and he had some [ particularly thoughtful [things to say about the problems of living with fame.

t It must also be taken into I account that the “old” i Crump was not treated so very kindly by television. He is, perhaps, best remembered | for his association with the ibest forgotten comedy series

[“Buck House.” and his other ilong-term starring role was [as a salesman for ball-point [pens.

Edwards handled the interview with his usual acumen, and gave nothing away when Crump discerned, from his eyes, that he. too. was in the process of discovering God. His only failing might have been not making more effort to ascertain how and for what reasons Crump came to travel his road to Damascus. As can be seen from this column most Monday mornings, “The Edwards' Show” is a life-saver for week-end reviewers. Apart from I recording the fact that

“Dave Allen at Large” made a welcome return, and that “Man About The House” provided its usual quota of laughs, there is little else to be said for Saturday evening.

[ No. There is something [that can be added — a pat ion the back for Brian Murphy. who plays the sex-shy landlord. George Roper, in “Man About The House.” George might have his marital problems, but as a comedy character he is an absolute delight. His tipsy bedroom scene on Saturday was the Highpoint of the show.

However, we do have some strong words to say about something we did not even see on Saturday evening, and we doubt if many others with an interest in the item did either. Whoever decreed that the All Blacks’s [Saturday matches in South [Africa should be screened at 15 p.m. the next Saturday

should be given the starring part in a live re-enactment of one of Dave Allen's firing squad skits.

There is probably no time of the week — and that includes working hours — [that rugby players and supporters are less likely to be !in a position. or a mood, to watch television. It can only be assumed that such a ridiculous time was chosen as a favour to long-suffering rugby wives who have learnt from bitter experience [the foolishness of preparing an early’ tea on Saturdays.

It must be hoped that TVI will realise its mistake and choose a more suitable slot — say, Sundays about noon — by which time almost all players and supporters should have found their way [home. Or it could at least arrange to have the film rescreened at a later date.

[ There seemed something very wrong with TV2's new comedy, “Sadie, It’s Cold Outside,” when viewed for the first time on Friday evening. But once we identified the failing about half-way through, it suddenly lost relevance. The difficulty was accepting Bernard Hepton, a fine dramatic actor whose impssive expression has enriched many a production, in a comedy role. Acceptance was made easier by the script taking a sharp turn for the better and the surgery scenes, especially the one in which Rosemary Leach unburdened herself, was as clever as it was funny.