Blog with The Bunch
What's Your Favourite Don Lane Memory? Post by: The Bunch 22 October, 2009 - 12:58 PM
A massive chapter in Australian TV history was closed today on the sad news of Don Lane's passing.
Born Morton Donald Isaacson in New York City, Lane cut his teeth initially as an entertainer in clubs throughout Hawaii, Los Angeles and New York. He had a brief foray into American television as one half of a double act on the Ed Sullivan program, before he was drafted into the US army and spent two years touring and entertaining the troops. During his US stage career, he worked with such luminaries as Johnny Carson, Sammy Davis Jr and Wayne Newton.
Lane was discovered in one of his Hawaii club gigs by Channel 9 producer John Collins, and subsequently made his Australian TV debut after replacing Irish comedian Dave Allen in a Sydney talk show for Channel 9 in 1965. Thanks to a ground-breaking coaxial cable linking Melbourne to Sydney, Lane appeared simultaneously with Graham Kennedy on Australian TV via the cable, a first for Australian television and the beginning of a lifelong chemistry between the two superstars.
After returning to the US for more nightclub work, Lane came back to Australia to perform at a benefit concert for the victims of Cyclone Tracy. It was then that Lane began as host of what was and still is the highest rating variety program in Australian television history, The Don Lane Show. The show would run until 1983 and in absolute terms, made him the highest paid entertainer on Australian television.
The show was responsible for many of Australian television's most famous moments, including his professional relationship with Bert Newton, as well as his much publicised run-in with debunker James Randi. After a heated exchange, Lane says "we're going for a commercial break and you (James Randi) can p*ss off..." Subsequently, Lane walks off the set, sweeping the props from the small table in the process to applause from his studio audience.
His final show featured superstars Sammy Davis, Jr., Phyllis Diller, and David Bowie, and also featured musical appearances by John Farnham and Colleen Hewett. His crew famously bought him a dog for a present, which at the afterparty he mistook to be a drug sniffing dog. Lane subsequently panicked and pleaded with the guests at the after party to throw out any drugs they had.
Lane went on to host various TV specials for Channel 10, as well as host the weekly Gridiron Game Of The Week for the ABC throughout the '90s.
A multiple Logie winner (including one gold in 1977), Lane was inducted into the Logie hall of fame in 2003.
Lane was diagnosed with dementia in 2005, and close friends of the TV star had been concerned with his state of health in the past few weeks. From all reports, he passed away in his Melbourne nursing home on October 22. He was 75 years old.
What are your fondest memories of Don? Pay your respects below.
Leave your comment
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Tania says
RIP Don... You gave me so many fond TV memories over the years x
Posted Thursday 22 October, 2009 12:58 PM -
Stephanie T says
Don, you were a true legend and gentleman. A beautiful man, you will eb missed.
Posted Thursday 22 October, 2009 12:59 PM -
ADHD says
Don Lane was a legend. I remember watching late night NFL as a kid with Don as a host. RIP.
Posted Thursday 22 October, 2009 2:22 PM -
Melinda says
I remember going to Ch9 studios in Sydney to watch the taping of a show Don was doing..I think very early days he did "Its Academic" or a kids game show and he could not believe how unalike my twin brothers were and insisted on having his pic taken with them...RIP..you made us laugh
Posted Thursday 22 October, 2009 6:48 PM -
Trevor says
I loved his personality and treated him like an honorary Aussie.. will be missed.
Posted Thursday 22 October, 2009 7:08 PM -
Lee Facey says
I remember meeting Don when I was helping out at Appealathon one year and sat down next to me and we chatted for ages. He was such a nice guy and I was saddened to hear of his passing. Rest in peace .
Posted Sunday 25 October, 2009 1:15 PM
