Tom Waits interview by Don Lane, Australia 1979 with Paradise Alley clip!

[@AlliBrock]

how do you not hear Heath's joker in this, not able to keep eye contact, the low rumble, the uneasy rocking back and forth, looking down and fidgeting.. the way he gets closer to the mic.

[@northernstar88]

"Most people don't care if you're telling them the truth or if you're telling them a lie, as long as they're entertained by it. You find that out really fast" - Tom Waits

[@fiorellafenati5395]

genius! that's right, tell lies or truth just have the right face😆😆😆😆

[@renbabe21st]

My all-time favorite interview. I haven't seen in decades but I remembered practically all of it Word for Word.

[@SLAV326]

Heath Ledger's inspiration for The Joker's character.

[@SLAV326]

It's true.

[@JaredWingate]

It's true though.

[@basilmanson5282]

I enjoy uhh.. Dynamite and.. Gunpowder... AnD GASOLINE!!!

[@westleyjacklone3944]

And he look like Heath Ledger too

There’s no proof that he actually used this guy for inspiration. That’s all speculation.

[@notgunnasay2968]

I've heard of Tom before but this is the first time I'd seen him. Interesting man with a unique sense of humor.

[@hankhill3126]

His walk in entrance was the Best, looked kind of like the heath ledger - Joker- walk from the hospital.

[@themurrayslive9276]

He was heaths inspiration for joker. Hank Hill

[@Mikebible67]

Done Lane, the master & Waits wicked sense of humour. Brilliantly choreographed skit.

[@Malouco]

This is absolutely the best. He is my hero.

[@basilmanson5282]

Mann this guy is so awesome!!!

[@abhishekdani2053]

This interview is a gem

[@15esstee]

Omg, heath did so good on basing the joker on tom waits, its amazing, he sounds just like him in the movie

[@MrEffusus]

This interview feels like a rehearsed comedy routine, its amazing

[@tmnl8037]

Not rehearsed. All live and never rehearsed on Australian television long, long ago.

[@Hatingmeisconforming]

I like how they play mama cass' "sing your own kind of music" we Tom enters.

[@LisaODavis]

Tom is the most creative and talented man alive today. Now that he is more accepted and older, I like seeing his confidence compared to these days. Why is there an American talk show host in Australia?

[@jeanettestein4056]

Tom Lane had an interesting career. Look him up on Wiki if you like. He was a New Yorker who found his way to Australia in the 60's. He became something of an icon on Aussie TV, especially after the appearance of a Canadian sceptic James Randi on Don's TV show.

[@danberger3593]

Tom Waits is The Man!

[@duanetrivett750]

Don new Tom was a individual of some Talent.

[@jenestin4]

It’s funny because Tom Waits and Heath Ledger both starred together in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Heath’s last film).

[@mottahead6464]

This interview was aired on ...... Australian television. Heath Ledger was originally from ...... Australia. Well, that adds to....... yes, Ledger most probably watched this interview and based his Joker character on it (which was a great artistic choice, by the way).

[@maxmilnes7617]

He was born the year this was aired. I very much doubt he will have seen it at the time at less than a year old... Good try though

[@mottahead6464]

Max Milnes Ok, maybe he watched a rerun of this interview or on some lost VHS tape, whatever. Yet, thanks for the information, Mad Max.

[@LukeTieppo1694]

+Mottahead I do believe he would have likely seen this at some point. Outside of the Joker, Heath did act quite a bit like Tom at times. Some of the mannerisms and quirky kind of posture he had. Even a passing facial resemblance. It is worth noting that Tom did the Trauberts Blues of Waltzing Matilda and Heath of course named his daughter Matilda but it is a common Australian folk song, however I did read some years back that Heath loved and was fascinated by Waits' rendition of it. So with all of this in mind, I think Heath may very well have been influenced by Tom Waits, even beyond the Joker. As for Joker, remember Heath said when he got the role that, "Within five seconds I knew exactly how I was going to do it." I bet he had known how he would do the Joker for many years before he got the role. Imaginarium had Tom Waits in it also. So they worked together. Add all of this up. This is not all coincidence. I do believe Heath was influenced by Tom Waits on quite a large scale in many aspects of his life and his craft.

[@samooskhka]

How the fuck do you know what he watched and what he thought?

[@angelomitchell9221]

Mottahead

[@hiteshgujarathi4636]

No wonder heath ledger took inspiration from this guy. You can see so many resemblance of such character in heaths jocker. This man was just unbelievable.

[@kdubya90]

*Takes notes, gains perspective* Tommy The fucking Cat. Thank you Primus for leading me to this guy.

[@GLRG5789]

“Why so serious? Let’s put a smile on that face!”

[@JoeLewis14]

4:05 "I'm so high." "Right, let's... let's move ahead." "Okay." Golden.

[@MartyViolio]

Tom waits actually says let's move ahead, and Don was just repeating what Tom was saying.

[@swagmundfreud666]

I've never heard someone describe a 22 hour flight as fascinating.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

You can’t be different in this world without someone making fun of you

[@acidmusicbr]

Great Tom!

[@DrsJacksonn]

The Joker would be scared of this guy.

[@deathproofpony]

You wanna know how I got these scars?

[@adalbertotrindade7287]

tom waits is a inspiration of the joker by heath ledger

[@v.mvarga4979]

He's wasted and wounded here but it ain't what the moon did

[@sdrewe99]

He sounds like Heath Ledger's Joker.

[@Orf]

8:19 joker noise

[@zero1188]

reminds me of joker from dark knight

[@chloebeckett9274]

Tommmm

[@williamloveday3728]

You can tell by the mannerisms between the two they were joking with each other for most of the interview. I don’t think there was any bad blood between the two, like when Tom calls him out for reading of the page, and Don asking Tom what he wants to answer, that’s comedy. Especially talking about the music they enjoy.

[@animatetoronto]

The host seemed like a jerk off to me.

[@SLAMMINnJAMMIN247]

Even if this inspired Heath Ledger for his portrayal of the Joker, he was a genius to connect those dots. Or maybe he was just "ahead of the curve".

[@christianityisunstoppable4155]

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen “, “ why so serioussSah

[@callumAS]

I can't help but wonder what's in those cigarettes.

[@N0va]

WHO THE HELL HAS THE SOURCE WHERE LEDGER SAYS HE USED THIS AS AN INSPIRATION?!?!?! No one, no where...

[@aaronm1483]

Sounds like the cat from Primus's Tommy the cat music video.

[@EileenD519]

My guy is lit!! 😂😂😂

[@zer08914]

04:06 "IM SO HIGH!!!" ahahahahah i love him

[@JensdePens]

I have not heard heath or tom say that heath got his inspiration from tom for the joker. I dont think anyone can provide a quote about this.

[@hiteshgujarathi4636]

Yes he did. He had his dairy when he locked up himself to prepare for the role and he had written about this interview. This was an inspiration for heath ledger to play jocker because there is so much resemblance in both of this character and the way they talk.

[@verybadwaitress]

Love this interview. Unsure which man is funnier

[@Anela0709]

"and I thought my jokes were bad"

[@Redfoot555]

wheres the second interview

[@LucidDream]

Can tell Don was quite an amateur at this. Why would you ever mock your guest? As a host, part of your job is to make the person being interviewed seem interesting. (Even though Tom is already interesting on his own.) Or even as someone who is interviewing someone else and not necessarily a tv host. Your supposed to show those that may not know what they are about, what they are about and show their strengths.

[@animatetoronto]

Yup, the host seemed like a complete jerk off to me.

[@ryanglaros9120]

A career in air conditioning and refrigeration. 🤣 Just the way he said it was great!

[@mikeecko]

I believe whatever doesn't kill you ....., Simply makes you , Stranger . aha

[@neilprocter]

Could have sworn it was this interview where Tom was asked, "Why do you drink so much?" He replied, "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

[@MisterBones2910]

neilprocter /watch?v=0GjyGdDrXXs Around 4:00.

[@neilprocter]

***** Ah, thank you.

[@ComicBookSyndicate]

2:28 Heath Ledger as THE JOKER.

[@xenomorphbiologist-xx1214]

“If you’re good at music, never do it for free”

[@shadowprince101]

07:58 " i enjoy, uuuh " .... i was kinda expecting him to say " dynamite, and gunpowderrrr.... aaaand GASOLIIIIINEE ! "

[@spaldron]

Ah-ha, now we know!

[@paddyplaysguitar]

"its simple...we kill the batman"

[@chadporter305]

Don Lane gave credit where credit was due to Tom , in a very humble manor at that!! RIP DON LANE

[@LucidDream]

I mean, kinda. He did acknowledge who Tom was pretty well. But my problem with Don is that he went on most of the time just kinda mocking Tom and trying to be funny. And putting Tom's quirks under a microscope so people could laugh about it. Like asking him what he was looking at and Tom had to tell him to move on with the show. Just obviously making him feel awkward about himself. A lot of hosts kinda did this to Tom, I've seen all of the interviews I could find on him. But Don's was one of the worst, but not THE worst. There was another one...can't remember it now or where it is on here and they just made Tom feel so awkward and the host was being a right dick. Edit: Oh, I remember now. The video doesn't appear to be up anymore. But one of Tom on the show 'Loose Talk'. Was just pathetic how they all treated Tom, even the crowd yelling out stupid shit. tomwaitslibrary.info/interviews/83-oct18-loosetalk.html He was completely surrounded by half-wits. Don isn't much better...just a guy who doesn't "get it".

[@animatetoronto]

The host was being a jerk off.

[@alexbalik2221]

heath ledger studied his voice btw this is the original voice

[@row907]

Holy Cow Batman, Its the joker.

[@patricknipsports]

you know how i got these scars?

[@JensdePens]

@fdecoy123 lol, never noticed that :-)

[@Orf]

9:48 "meh. Ahh"

[@alvaro0105]

Why so Serious??

[@joelworld2063]

The men who inspired the joker of Nolan's batman movie

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

Tom Waits family should sue the hell out of WB and DC for their cut of the profits!

[@Custnam]

Wow. Thats him alright.

[@yungluke09]

"You wanna know how i got this HAT?" ;)

[@rsvjr619]

It's called drugs folks. Relax.

[@Blahsumza]

Tom Waits isn't dead.

[@contact1araya]

its funny how Heith LEger's joker videos come up when looking for tom waits.......boy did heith stole his act!!

[@Rosesyoutube]

HIs delivery is like the Rabbi in Seinfeld that hits on Elaine

[@mjm4222]

He should of asked him "Where is Harvey Dent?

[@Wildanimal144]

KNIVES DONT FORGET THE KNIVES

[@kingharlan8164]

pencil trick on Don Lane

[@simen-pedrokaroliussen9163]

I feel the reason why tom is acting like this is not because of drugs. This is what i think. i think tom was exhausted and had ben drinking some alcohol and thats the reason why he appearse high and strung out.

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

Lol my bad.

[@sveitagothabilly]

I want to be him.

[@ryanglaros9120]

He smoked 3 cigarettes in 11 min!

[@spudbeau]

I used to watch Don Lane cos he had great guests. Trouble was he couldn't just interview them, he had to try and upstage them and be more entertaining; always failed!

[@ismailyaman3779]

01:30 - 02:09 - 02:26

[@GPow69]

Not far from the truth actually.. This man is where Heath Ledger got his inspiration for the Joker

[@philgee72]

yet again the embarrassment Don Lane is completely confused and out of his depth.

[@animatetoronto]

Agreed. The host seemed like a jerk off to me.

[@lastrada52]

Don Lane is not even aware that Waits sets him up with his answers. Waits isn't drunk or on drugs -- that's the typical hipster persona Tom has used often. If he were stoned he wouldn't answer so sharply and humorously. The only thing Lane can do to save face is to be condescending. But it makes him look stupid. Unlike WABC-TV's show in New York with Stanley Siegal at the same time (a show I worked on so I'm familiar with this style of interview). Siegal was never condescending but he was an entertaining host. He and his show made the newspapers almost every other day.

[@tavogerard9691]

Ahahah this host was a savage

[@animatetoronto]

You mean the host was a complete jerk off.

[@quizmaster85]

DL: You can ask for anything you want in this show, and we'll have someone go out and get it for you. TW: Christ! DL: We tried to get him, but there wasn't enough money. Classic!

[@sandyposs2693]

ROFL, poor poor Don Lane, just having to do the best he can with Tom Waits!

[@GuruOfGreatness]

High as f...

[@stimpytab]

The bartender moves fast!!!!

[@ageshero]

Is he drunk?

[@hankhill3126]

Jean-Luc Thomas I would have thought something like heroin but looking it up he was an alcoholic. Is that his usual body language? Must admit I kind of like it

[@johndoherty431]

+Hank Hill i would have said heroin too looking at his interviews from recent years he's a lot less junked out

[@raucousreg9064]

+Jean-Luc Thomas Can't help thinking you missed the question about his acting career - I suspect he is very much "in character" in a lot of interviews

[@Nomadmandolin]

+Jean-Luc Thomas He's in character....

[@cherylandrew]

Apparently everything was funny in the 1970s.

[@ryanglaros9120]

The leprechaun comment was really horrible. I may have walked off the show if he told me that. 🤦‍♂️

[@animatetoronto]

The host was a jerk off.

[@isabelarielginasiano7715]

Is that an american presenting a show in australia? Looks like someone from Jersey

[@rudibasabasi]

just close your eyes. and you got Joker on a talk show

[@derekjwalls]

"do I worry about achievement"? "I worry about a lot of things... but I don't worry about achievement".. Heath ledger all

[@TheOriginalDogLP]

Why the fuck they should?

[@DeanGoulding]

Stupid Don Lane... he should have just acted naturally and waited for Tom to be himself instead of rushing him for answers and trying to make him lift his head etc.

[@guivasconcelos21]

Rapaduracast!

[@alexthehellspawn]

05:00 or gambol here wont be able to get a nickel for his grandma.

[@pea6]

I don't even see what point you are making. Seek help.

[@TheFlizash]

Is he just drunk?

[@iliketurtles8918]

All I see is someone trying to emulate a Black Jazz artist with his music.

[@v.mvarga4979]

iLikeTurtles Learn to observe then

[@iliketurtles8918]

Dawood Ibrahim yah, ok.

[@FDThom]

rapaduracast+