Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred
1990 23m Television
- Comedy
- Popular Factual
- Arts/Culture
- Captioned
In the 1970s two hugely influential television characters would ignite Kiwi comedy. One came from the farm, one from the burbs. In this Magic Kiwis episode, Neil Roberts traces the inspirations behind John Clarke's deadpan Taihape farmer Fred Dagg, and Ginette McDonald's 'gauche' young suburbanite, Lynn of Tawa. Initially Fred and Lynn were controversial; state television was bombarded with complaints about Clarke's Kiwi accent, and the Mayor of Tawa worried about McDonald tarnishing the suburb's image. The episode includes rare clips of Lynn's earliest TV appearances, and a memorable interview with Elton John.
Key Cast & Crew
Related images
John Clarke as Fred Dagg in 1975
© Dominion Post
Fred Dagg improvising in Brian and Pam Lochores’ hay barn, from 1976 book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
A concept animation of Fred Dagg (John Clarke) from bro'town.
Ginette McDonald and John Clarke in a London flat, 1973.
Photo courtesy of Michael McDonald
Ginette McDonald playing her most famous character: Lynn of Tawa.
Kindly provided by Onfilm
Lynn of Tawa (Ginette McDonald) says hello to the Queen, during the 1981 Royal Command Performance.
Screengrab
Fred Dagg and television camera, from 1976 book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
