Gallery - Fred Dagg and company

David Exel was the reporter and we had to give the character a name. He thought Fred. I thought Dagg. So it was.

– John Clarke on the process of naming his most famous character, Audioculture 10 April 2017

You can't play around with nature like that, David — it just can't be done. I've known people try it, it just won't work. That's what I always say, I'm always saying that.

– Fred Dagg (John Clarke) offers thoughts on the topic of daylight savings

Sex and violence — there's not enough of it.

– A random flasher (Paul Holmse) on what he'd like to see more of on NZ television

You've been to university, have you?

– Fred Dagg ( John Clarke) is momentarily stumped by Gallery reporter David Exel

Get a treadmill, get some of these bloody longhairs, put 'em on a treadmill — do 'em good.

– Fred Dagg (John Clarke) on energy alternatives to oil

It is amazing to reflect on how deeply ingrained Fred Dagg became in New Zealand popular culture in such a short space of time, and that he has remained there. The relevance of many comedy creations lessens with the passing of time. Those that endure are the result of a special alchemy, in which the creator combines caricature, comic writing and performance with aspects of a widely accepted national identity. Fred Dagg (his hilarity largely undimmed 40 years later) is one such creation....

– Writer Matt Elliott on Fred Dagg's cultural impact, Audioculture 10 April 2017