Vale Bert Newton

[Twodogs]

Australia's TV legend has died at 83.

Vale Bert and commiserations to his family.

[Eastdog]

Re: Vale Bert Newton

An Australian TV icon. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Vale Bert Newton

Dear Woofers. I had the absolute pleasure of performing on GMA with Bert Newton on several occasions. Everything they say about him is true. He was warm, funny, generous with his time and attention, and was the consummate professional. As soon as you walked into his circle you felt like you were just as valuable as anyone else who had come before you. You were straight away 'in', and you were a valuable part of the show. From the moment you turned up, before the cameras even started rolling, it was all about teamwork. From the sound guy holding the boom mike, to the guy on camera 3, to the musicians and the make up artists and catering staff. Everyone was treated as equally important. I never met or dealt with anyone on Bert's team that seemed stressed, or rude, or too busy to help with a problem or request.
Bert always made the effort to get people's names right, and have something to say about them. I see and hear such sloppy interviewing and presentation all the time, but Bert, despite appearing laconic and off the cuff was absolutely crisp and prepared. It's hard to describe really. His enthusiasm and general goodwill and interest in you wasn't fake, or forced or 'professionally applied' it was bloody authentic. He still had this sparkle and energy for showbiz and broadcasting. He was still totally 'on'. And he was just so funny.... a little lift of an eyebrow, a little cough and straightening of the tie, a little rolling of the eyeballs or a glance at the door, and he had you in stitches. Everyone I know who worked with him genuinely loved him. And remember, GMA, as daggy as it was, was an opportunity for Australian musicians to appear live (no miming) on national television 5 days a week......... (seems like heaven now). I can't help thinking Bert was a driver of that. The old showbiz world of introducing new talent all the time, keeping things spontaneous and feeding off that energy. I only met him a handful of times but I could tell straight away this was a genuine man who really, despite being a national icon, had seemed to elevate himself above his own ego. Almost Buddha like. I guess he was Buddha like a bit physically too in the later years of his career our dear old moonface. Maybe Bert Newton is Australia's Buddha, maybe we should put concrete statues of Bert sitting cross legged and benignly smiling around our gardens, ferneries and water features. In fact it should be compulsory!!! At least one big one in the botanical gardens. He was a true gentleman and a nurturing soul. I find as I'm typing this I'm actually shedding a quiet tear for Bert. He was a gem, and my heart goes out to his family and friends. Vale Bert Newton.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Vale Bert Newton

That's a great read thanks for sharing.
Bert sounded like a legend

[Eastdog]

Re: Vale Bert Newton

Thanks for sharing DD.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Vale Bert Newton

Saw him in the Producers. Such a big heart. Awesome guy.

[Twodogs]

Re: Vale Bert Newton

Dear Woofers. I had the absolute pleasure of performing on GMA with Bert Newton on several occasions. Everything they say about him is true. He was warm, funny, generous with his time and attention, and was the consummate professional. As soon as you walked into his circle you felt like you were just as valuable as anyone else who had come before you. You were straight away 'in', and you were a valuable part of the show. From the moment you turned up, before the cameras even started rolling, it was all about teamwork. From the sound guy holding the boom mike, to the guy on camera 3, to the musicians and the make up artists and catering staff. Everyone was treated as equally important. I never met or dealt with anyone on Bert's team that seemed stressed, or rude, or too busy to help with a problem or request.
Bert always made the effort to get people's names right, and have something to say about them. I see and hear such sloppy interviewing and presentation all the time, but Bert, despite appearing laconic and off the cuff was absolutely crisp and prepared. It's hard to describe really. His enthusiasm and general goodwill and interest in you wasn't fake, or forced or 'professionally applied' it was bloody authentic. He still had this sparkle and energy for showbiz and broadcasting. He was still totally 'on'. And he was just so funny.... a little lift of an eyebrow, a little cough and straightening of the tie, a little rolling of the eyeballs or a glance at the door, and he had you in stitches. Everyone I know who worked with him genuinely loved him. And remember, GMA, as daggy as it was, was an opportunity for Australian musicians to appear live (no miming) on national television 5 days a week......... (seems like heaven now). I can't help thinking Bert was a driver of that. The old showbiz world of introducing new talent all the time, keeping things spontaneous and feeding off that energy. I only met him a handful of times but I could tell straight away this was a genuine man who really, despite being a national icon, had seemed to elevate himself above his own ego. Almost Buddha like. I guess he was Buddha like a bit physically too in the later years of his career our dear old moonface. Maybe Bert Newton is Australia's Buddha, maybe we should put concrete statues of Bert sitting cross legged and benignly smiling around our gardens, ferneries and water features. In fact it should be compulsory!!! At least one big one in the botanical gardens. He was a true gentleman and a nurturing soul. I find as I'm typing this I'm actually shedding a quiet tear for Bert. He was a gem, and my heart goes out to his family and friends. Vale Bert Newton.

Me and my mates figured out that GMA used a lot of the musicians we really liked back in the day and Bert was bloody hilarious and entertaining besides. We would pack around the TV and watch him most mornings, then it was Ricki Lake at mid-day until we emerged into the world around 1pm blinking at the sun! Great days.