American reacts to John Clarke "The Games" exerpts

[@turtle-frogs]

John Clarke, what a legend he was.😃

[@robynmurray7421]

In the lead up to the London Olympics, John Clarke went to the BBC with a proposal for a British adaptation of The Games. He sent the the BBC producers, including writer John Morton, DVDs of The Games. After four years of emails, they turned it down but later produced a show about dithering bureaucrats planning the 2012 Olympics called Twenty Twelve, which they described as an original idea. Coincidence? John Clarke thought not. In a response worthy of Clarke and Dawe, , he said: "It seems that in 2008, Morton had already had the idea he had never heard of and was so excited by, and he was interested in obtaining episodes of The Games only so he could check out how someone had created his original idea in Australia 12 years previously. We have suggested that once Mr Morton finds out that repressed memory is not an Olympic event, he should return the DVDs."

[@stevemurrell6167]

I never knew that but typical of the Poms. Clarke should have sued them.

[@helloshiny8475]

man that's shit,

[@Hi-Phi]

The English steal everything.

[@donnrutherford7059]

And thats how it all happens like the 2008 crash

[@LinMonash]

I'm so sad John is not here with us to respond to the BreakDancing saga.

[@JohnHF1957]

The upshot of the episode about the track measurements was that the 100m track was only 94m long and the punchline was that in testing it, Bryan now held the Australian 100m record.

[@StevenHaze]

One of the funniest things I remember, they have an episode where there is a ticket problem. A week after it aired the Olympic committee discovered the tickets did not fit the ticket machines. It was in some ways so devised and beautifully written it transcended comedy, politics and corporate life. Everyone on that show nailed it to the wall! Then we got The Dream featuring Roy and H.G. during the games as well.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

It was the best Summer Olympics EVER, and still is! 🙋👍💖

[@sueloughnan]

The late great John Clarke.

[@T.S.T2014]

Watch Roy & HG do the olympics and their nightly after shows from years ago. You tummy will be in pain from the laughter.

[@r.fairlie7186]

I was going to suggest this as well. Just use search words “The Dream with Roy & HG”. Quite a few of the Olympic athletes at the Sydney 2000 games would stay up late at night to watch it. They loved it! Their coverage of the Greco-Roman wrestling was hilarious, especially when they used Barry White’s romantic songs as the background music…😂 Then there was the men’s gymnastics when Roy & HG changed the names of all the moves. (hello boys, battered sav, flat bag, diddly squat etc.)

[@AnnQlder]

The Dream was legendary

[@NickJewlachow-of3yh]

Roy & HG had (and still have) a very healthy level of (dis)respect for sport. Their live calls of league and AFL grand finals and the state of origin games are legendary. Their Saturday afternoon show on JJJ was essential listening in the early 1990s

[@MattThomson]

Roy and HG doing the gymnastics commentary. Flat bags, crazy date

[@stelmosfire11]

Never been a fan.

[@katetailby6334]

John Clarke was born in Palmerston North NZ and became hugely successful as Fred Dagg so outgrew NZ. He had a very popular TV show as Fred Dagg - highly entertaining so please review...

[@Doris9664]

When he left NZ in the late 70s he was extremely popular here as Fred Dagg - once he was living in Australia he never returned to NZ due to his fear of flying

[@KiwiKaosAgent]

@@Doris9664 Kiwis just don't like flying........ Even when you glue them to the airplane wing with superglue the flight across the Tazzy frightens the shit out of them that they'll never go near a airplane again.

[@ailsahawkins1071]

Yep - Trev, Trev, Trev, Trev, Trev Trev and Trev lol - classic!!

[@iFlyTheWorld]

What made this series so funny was that this was written and produced in real time pre the Sydney Olympics and incorporated some of the actual issues that the organisers were facing at the time.

[@BradSimmonds-j7o]

I remember in that first part that the 100 metres track finished on a bend, then it was suggested that the race be made shorter to around 90 metres to have an even straight finish line, then the question of how that would affect World and Olympic record times, running a shorter race came up.

[@robertwilliams2959]

Have to find the rest of that bit. I believe John says that Bryan tried it & broke the 100metre record because it was 90 metres or something.

[@AnnQlder]

I miss John Clarke so much. A lot of his comedy focused on current affairs, so it can be difficult to get it all years later, even harder for non Australians, but I think you’ll like The Games, it’s universal. Thanks Ry

[@Krzyszczynski]

Clarke himself was a non Australian - he came from New Zealand.

[@partymanau]

This sketch is more accurate than u would want to believe.

[@Thomamps]

John Clark pre games then Roy & HG during the games is what made me happy to have the games in Sydney.

[@PhilipShand]

The whole series "The Games" is highly,even higher,recommended. The laughs are continuous but the underlying truth of the constant absurdities are reminiscent of the English series "Yes Minister" & "Yes Prime Minister". The Games is just wonderful comedic tv viewing that is humour at its very best,perfectly done by the entire cast led by Clarke & Dawe,legendary humourists in their own right,but just so right in this piece of comedic genius. Track it down & laugh for hours.......go on,it's a rare treat.

[@nolaj114]

I am sure you would enjoy and appreciate "Utopia", a comedy/satire which revolves around a fictional government department.

[@juliewoodman2439]

Unfortunately, it is only available to US viewers in small bits and pieces on KZbin. I have read that UK and US viewers are desperate to watch the whole series, but can't find it anywhere . One of my absolute favourite shows. I hope there's another one being written.

[@warrenturner397]

@@juliewoodman2439I think it's on Netflix

[@juliewoodman2439]

​@@warrenturner397I'm only going by comments I've read, but several said it's not on Netflix. Seems like the ABC is missing out on a money making opportunity.

[@jasondoust4935]

And The Hollow Men is a magnificent take on working in the department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. FYI - Mr Wilson finally concedes that the hundred metre track was (ottomh) ~87m, to fit extra VIP seating in. (John and Brian discovered this after John broke the 100m WR in his suit and business shoes.) That scene is an icon of Australian comedy.

[@keithelliott3771]

Exactly, so hilarious and with Kitty Flanagan in the cast simply amazing.

[@FionaEm]

The Games was classic 😂 We're very lucky to have had such terrific satirists. Not as much opportunity for them on TV now, sadly.

[@donnrutherford7059]

Yes the age of satire is passing sadly I think because we are now living it with out the laughs

[@ericwolff6059]

One of the best comedy writers from New Zealand. Much loved by New Zealanders, Australians, and many around the world. Very much missed.

[@TheRoorkesy]

Fred Daggg!

[@zzzsydneyhom1379]

John Clarke with Brian Dawe as the straightman also did the most wonderful interviews with John posing as famous people. Unlike impersonators that went before him he didn't dress like them, talk like them or pull odd faces like them, he consistently remained John Clarke. It was a masterclass in satire and remains so to this day. The world would be a better place, or at least a funnier place, if John were still with us.

[@zybch]

The Games truly is an outstanding series. Brilliant example of our wonderfully dry humor.

[@keithelliott3771]

Surprised the POMS didn't pick it up. Spose it's like the Office being made in US,

[@artistjoh]

Roy and HG talking about "dates" in gymnastics is hilarious.

[@warrenturner397]

"Battered Savs" "Hello Boys"

[@tamarapetrov4990]

@@warrenturner397I will never stop laughing at Hello Boys

[@nikki4noo]

WA Gymnastics produced t-shirts with images of the moves and the Roy and HG "names" for the moves underneath. It was a great fundraiser!

[@Guvament_bs]

Glad you found this one. If you get the chance to watch the full show, you will be impressed. It's brilliant. Even if you don't react to it, you should watch it.

[@kennethdodemaide8678]

The writers for this show were brilliant.

[@daverobbo8869]

You've found one of our most understated and underappreciated comedians, well done :)

[@michaelmcintyre3226]

The episode with the 100m that turned out to be 94m is the funniest 30mins in Australian TV in my opinion. And that was only one part of the episode. The environment minister segments were hilarious. My children and I can recite it off by heart we've watched it that many times.

[@libbypeace68]

Loved the fact you commented 'the front fell off' lmao

[@brianlove8413]

At the time, the producers were pressed by officials, because it seemed their script was preemptive of what was really going on, the ticketing debacle comes straight to mind as just one example.

[@puppiTube]

I wondered when you would do "The Games" lol Brilliant. You should look up more of Clarke's work .. like Clarke and Dawe. HILARIOUS stuff and pure brilliance.

[@smalltime0]

I actually thought Hewson's interview about GST on cake was a clarke and dawe bit when I was a kid

[@puppiTube]

@@smalltime0 I don't often miss a celeb. But in his case, I will absolutely make an exception. Brilliant man and such a great, wise family man.

[@edwina.johnston]

The actor who plays 'Gina' was in the comedy series 'Kath and Kim'.

[@gregoneil3523]

The 100m track was in fact 91m so they could add another row of corporate seats, and Brian had just broken the Australian record. Haha what a great series.

[@debkendall]

you have to watch the whole bit about the 100 metres track. It was a brilliant show.

[@trevx3680]

There is another comedy gold from the 90’s called Frontline. It is a spoof of current affairs shows. It is evidently quite close to what happens in a studio as they get ready for each night’s show.

[@coollikeyodais]

You should watch Utopia staring Rob Sitch, Celia Pacquola and Kitty Flanagan. Similar type of comedy.

[@keithelliott3771]

Possibly raised to an even higher plane of comedy if only because Kitty is in it.

[@CassTaz]

RIP John Clarke. You made me laugh even when the world was grey. 🥇 ps John was a Kiwi but we Aussies claimed him as we do 😉

[@MsAdrian1958]

The episode with the 100m track incident is one of the best from the series - which is saying a lot!

[@gavinholt5428]

I have it all on DVD and watch it regularly. Great show. So funny and biting at the same time. My favourite episode is 'a management course'.

[@ronnie7075]

Yeah the best bit about the 100 metres track was the bend, where a runner would end up ripping his freckle out! On that bend.

[@davidlloyd7597]

That's all to the genius of John Clarke.

[@jackeagles1637]

This sort of dialogue reminds of the movie "The Pentagon Wars". Absolutely hilarious. I loved this TV show and the movie.

[@peterflynn2111]

From memory the 100 meter track was 98 meters was a top sketch

[@caromurray6152]

I loved The Games. My favourite episode ( they were all great). Was the team bonding in the Blue Mountains. Couldn’t stop laughing.🤣

[@mp4986]

You have to find the rest of that 100m track clip. Honestly that was the stupidest place to end that.

[@CoolCoyote]

aha funny kiwi he was he used to live in palmy north new zealand. famous for his fred dagg sitcom series where he played a ludicrous farmer .

[@DavidH-y4k]

You would love a few episodes of Utopia!

[@Aussie_Haire_Wood]

The Games..... an hilarious series. The late John Clarke is sadly missed. RIP JC

[@IanM-id8or]

John Clarke was an Australian legend. He was, of course, born in Palmerston North, New Zealand

[@lukeridley6214]

A great series to watch is Frontline. it's a send up of current affairs television.

[@norwaybirds3015]

I worked for an international sporting event at the time. Some of my colleagues refused to watch "The Games" because it was identical to our work environment and they didn't get the joke. 😂😂 I miss John Clarke. What a brilliant man ❤

[@margaretirvine3267]

And the idea of the Seekers on the back of a truck turned out true - like many other things they said. 😊😊

[@NickJohnCoop]

Another good episode of The Games is where an agent for the Dream Team is having a meeting with John trying to get their demands met, unfortunately John is very Australian about meeting those demands. He does get to see a kangaroo though.

[@darrenkoglin3423]

In 1990 John Clarke starred opposite Sam Neil in a film filmed in Melbourne call Death in Brunswick and its hilarious so if u want to see some more of Clarke I suggest u watch this timeless classic from Australian film

[@sandrahansen83]

Ryan, you should watch a bit of "Utopia" which is also hilarious. It is in the same vain with different people. Melbourne Australia

[@michaelsilk275]

A lot of what they put into this show actually came true, as they were writing it as the actual games committee were putting it together, and they came up with worst case scenarios based on their decisions. The ticketing issues was one of the things they predicted (they got one country to print the tickets, and the ticket reading machines from another country: what could possibly go wrong?)

[@Phase52012]

My favourite episode, the 100 meter track that was only 98 meters long due to a design over site. "So to make it exactly 100 meters long, we'd have to have it turn into the entrance tunnel?"

[@trig1900]

It was brilliant. One of the best episodes was where the Olympic certification official [who is meant to check, verify and sign off on all the venues for the games] dies before he can do so. So they cart this cadaver around to all the venues...

[@ianharkin2691]

It's disappointing that they cut off that bit about the 100 metres track. There was more to go with that. Meanwhile, check out The Dream with Roy & HG.

[@partymanau]

The Dream nearly gave me the Bends.

[@mrmockatoo6786]

It's a pity the 100m track skit ended where it did. For your own enjoyment it's worth tracking down the episode to see some world class squirming by the dodgy builder.

[@TheRoorkesy]

25 years later and it's stipl one of my favourite scenes ever.

[@mrmockatoo6786]

@@TheRoorkesy Classic! 🔥😂

[@valeriehughes1008]

John Clarke a great New Zealander and a great comedian... his kiwi icon character was FRED DAGG.. the farmer who drove his tractor to town wearing his gumboots and to save confusion named all his sons Fred! Fred was the source of all knowledge and his version of politics kept us all greatly amused as he took "the mickey" out of all and sundry. We gave Australia John Clarke and have missed him ever since... sad he died so young.

[@Krzyszczynski]

His sons were named Trevor (“Trev”) not Fred.

[@fan-i-am]

Utopia is definitely the series Ryan should check out if he likes the Aussie mocking of the corporate and office professions!

[@TheRoorkesy]

Hollow Men is great too. Frontline as well.

[@Paul77ozee]

My 2 favourite mockumentaries are this and Frontline (Breaking News in the US). Got both on DVD.

[@elettewheeler7893]

John Clarke was a New Zealander. His most iconic character was Fred Dagg. He was very droll.

[@misstracyatkins9874]

John Clark ❤ you are loved and missed ❤️ ♥️ thank you for your humour ❤️ 😊 yep definitely watch Roy and HG coverage of 2000 Sydney games. We all looked forward to having those to comics going over the day. FATSO the fat as×ed Wombat the unofficial Best Olympic Mascot!!!❤😂😂😂😂

[@martinbynion1589]

John Clarke, a great KIWI comedian! 🙂Talk about blood, Trev... 🙂🙂

[@davidmouser596]

The key point of the first discussion is the track is not 100 meters it is ABOUT 100 meters. That was the point where The Games really started to hit the nail on the head with every episode..

[@raemac44]

As kiwi I loved John Clarke as he first came into our lives as Fred Dagg. Everyone loved him. Then unfortunately he went to Oz and never came home. He was a hilarious comic but also highly intelligent. AROHANUI John.

[@Krzyszczynski]

He had a bad flight and could never get on a plane again, which is why he stayed in Melbourne.

[@Inimitable]

You should also watch "Utopia". It is a mockumentary of a bureaucratic organisation in Australia. Along the same lines as "The Games" and other side-splitting shows. You'll love it, I'm sure.

[@L-K-Jellyfish]

This made me miss John Clarke! His corporate man’s frustration was the very essence of every (male) boss I had through the 90s, and I did a lot of temping.

[@gusdrivinginaustralia6168]

Check out "Utopia" and "Hollowmen ", very similar in that they are comedies about government departments. Working Dog is the production company and they have an excellent back catalogue of shows , movies, books and radio programs. Currently have 3 prime time TV shows.

[@oakfat5178]

Happy Arvo Ryan,, Thanks for the view, I'm glad you enjoyed those legendary satirists,

[@basilpunton5702]

The Games finished on the Opening Ceremony with the protagonists flying out to Athens. We did not have to after the finish of tne Olympics to view. The second one you showed was about the 87 metre track.

[@narellesmith7932]

Too soon with the “break dancing “ mate🤣🤣

[@Hapitap]

John was actually a NZer and had a character called Fred Dagg and you should really watch him

[@TheNanoNinja]

I bet The Games will be back on TV for the Brisbane Olympics, and still as relevant.

[@jeffwilson7100]

It later emerged in thats scene that the 100m track was 92 metres long.

[@trevorkrause7220]

While the series was originally a mockumentary on what could go wrong at the Sydney Olympic Games it seemed to be able to foretell way ahead of time much of what did go amiss during the planning and actual duration of the games in more accurate detail than seemed to be just coincidental.

[@kathydurow6814]

Ironically, the big Olympic stadium was supposed to be pulled down & reconstructed about 20 years afterwards. Don't know if it actually happened but that was a fairly short lifespan for a public building if it did.

[@timothywhitehead500]

You need to watch Utopia or for you Americans Dreamland. It is another comedy in the same genre about a government infrastructure authority.

[@MyMusic-cd3do]

@ Ryan Was Another Ozzie national treasure, back in the day, was Norman Gunston. He was an interviewer who did deliberately awkward interviews with unsuspecting guests, a persona of Gary MacDonald - the true national treasure. Sometimes the interviews were one on one, sometimes during a press interview, in which the other reporters would give him time do his interview. Check out his interview with Cathy Struthers, Mick Jagger, Kiss, Karen Black, Leif Garrett, Warren Beatty (you might need to google a few of them LOL). It helps if you know the guest, but still should be funny even if you don't.

[@robynjefferson4779]

These are my favourite Ryan.

[@DavidClark-c1f]

If you would like to see more of this type of humour, try The Hollowmen and Utopia. Having worked in government, it is scary just how accurate their portrayals of certain types of government staffers and politicians are done.

[@leighhandley8928]

The clip ended before best bit where john explains if you try to run 100 metres on a circuitous track the centrifugal forces will tear your freckle off.

[@supercededman]

You missed the best part of the "100 metres track" skit. John asked the construction engineer why all of a sudden - in pre-Games trials - athletes were breaking the World Record, consistently. There is a book which has all of the dialogue in it. Remarkable series.

[@joelrobinson5179]

John Clark is a kiwi formerly Fred Dag on TVNZ look it up from the 1970s

[@elletee]

I heard the words “athletics track” and started giggling.

[@hawke2325]

You have to watch Roy and HG comment on the water polo at the 2000 games. Most Americans wanted satellite to watch those guys when they got home

[@TheDoobington]

John Clarke was a comic genius...his work with Brian Dawe was next level

[@morganway483]

This show is basically The Office before the UK version of The Office came out .

[@denisewilson9783]

Rob Sitch has many great satirical Mocumentaries and his show ‘Utopia’ is exactly like the federal government that I worked in for 25 years. Kitty Flanagan is also similar show ‘Fisk’

[@rodneyfaulkner7453]

The 100 mts is a classic - old matter is the current record holder and had a few beers

[@BuntingClipClop]

Haha, it cuts so deep because it's reality. But John Clarke's delivery is so dry and sarcastic it has me in fits.

[@podlettte]

Look up a show called Utopia, similar vein to the games, but is the Nation Building Authority... lots of golden shovels breaking ground before feasibility studies are done rtc. Working dog productions, Rob Sitch and a few d gen guest appearances etc.

[@PaulA-bv1rt]

The best thing to come from the 2000 Olympics is Mary of Tasmania meeting Prince Frederick of Denmark. Now Queen Mary.

[@angstyrossini]

What was more hilarious was that the week after each episode was aired - a real-life news story that copied this show would make the news. LOL PS - try to find and watch the rest of that episode with the 100 metre track. John at his best!. The episode on the green credentials of the games was also hilarious Other Oz mokumentary suggestions: The Hollow Men (Politics) Frontline (tabloid news show)

[@Cloudbusting31]

John Clarke was a genius.

[@katehobbs2008]

The really funny thing is, that there WAS a wrong measurement. All the vaulting women were falling, the horse was 3cm too tall, from memory!

[@mariannewhyte8310]

You have to try watching him as Fred Dagg. He outgrew New Zealand as he was so good he needed a bigger audience.

[@davejensen7922]

Check out Roy and HG call Steven Bradbury winning gold in the speed skating

[@kathryn4002]

John Clark is in crackerjack, movie

[@competitionglen]

Also "A death on Brunswick " with Sam Neill. Great movie.

[@markbarker2613]

Watch Malcom Douglas Kimberley Adventure Very educational Awesome coastline.

[@crispypancetta681]

We don’t know how lucky we are!

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Glad they never released the Emu's on the worlds athletes! I doubt the Olympics is ever profitable, my own family had free tickets to Sydney 2000 from a sponsor (Avis) as many people did, and the venues are not used that much now! Great insights, when your chief administrators keep having to hire random assistants, you have lost control! 😁

[@djwashb]

This excerpt cut out before the best bit. For those who are wondering the 100m track is 94m long.