The Final Don Lane Show (Aired: 10.11.1983) Guests include: David Bowie, John Farnham

[@charris939]

What a fantastic trip down memory “Lane”. Brings back memories of watching the show with Mum and Dad. A golden age of Aussie TV never to be repeated, fantastic big band and very classy production values. A really magical time. Thanks for the upload😀

[@gordonbeattie4864]

Truly the end of an era, and the end of great entertainment that the whole family could really enjoy.

[@robertparry4929]

That ending is arguably the greatest ending to show ever

[@dizzman5546]

Colleen you are an incredible performer. Just brilliant 😮

[@brett515627]

Thanks for the upload, they don't make shows like this anymore unfortunately.

[@retrothingz]

Thanks for these uploads. I was at Bendigo Street at the time. I remember when a member of the DLS team told me that the show was being cancelled. I couldn't believe it. Met Don, briefly, once or twice .Always a very pleasant guy. Very supportive and encouraging to young people at the station.

[@GreenDistantStar]

Can it be true that 40 years have passed? Wow, how time flies...

[@katiedeluise2345]

Very much enjoyed watching this , have never seen it i was out of the country, but l loved staying up late to watch Don Lane in Australia before, so Thank you for sharing.🤗

[@Mary-kt3vr]

To add just another Don Lane was a great interviewer.

[@Piratebreadstick]

What a band! The best ever on Australian TV.

[@cookie5335]

Shows the power of TV When it was the only form of entertainment, a captive audience

[@cookie5335]

What a production

[@dizzman5546]

Don would have made it big. In America .😊😊😊😊

[@dizzman5546]

Thank you, I miss him very much😢

[@mangasky7]

The Bowie appearance is legendary. Just listen to that audience reaction. Mind you, Laine's treatment of the great James Randi was a disgrace.

[@aflaz171]

You have to wonder if Don lived to regret that!

[@joshdrayton1230]

Yes, always great to see that clip of Lane defending psychic Doris Stokes as a sweet old lady "who never harmed anyone". Stokes was, of course, eventually debunked as a fraud who conned thousands across the UK and Australia. She had plants in her audiences and accomplices eavesdropping on punters in the foyer before shows. And all her claims to have helped police solve crimes were entirely false. She preyed on people's grief and happily ripped them off. And Don was among her most gullible fans.

[@margaretbuckley2624]

What a great son. Show

[@Mediawatcher2023]

This was channel nine's night of nights.

[@stupendous1068]

40 years ago today.

[@dizzman5546]

I would just love to know what became of the engraved silver platter Phyllis gave Don, hope its still with his son.

[@danrobinson572]

Good 👍 video

[@tobyfitzpatrick3914]

I vividly recall him singing a finale called "It's Not How You Start, It's How You Finish...and we're gonna finish on top!" Was this sung on a final episode in a previous season??

[@TheFrode69]

That's the fastest "Help" I've heard from John. EDIT: I had the speed at 1.25... How stupid is that? 😂😂

[@farnham1949]

The best way part for me is John Farnham and there’s NO AUDIO NO SOUND!!!

[@JillFijolek]

I've tried several times to watch this but each time the sound cuts out as John starts to sing. Does anyone else have the same problem? The rest of the video seems to be ok.

[@LaurieBasile]

Thanks Jill, unfortunately, KZbin has asked me to mute the performance. Sorry.

[@JillFijolek]

@@LaurieBasile Thank you for replying. Well that's a shame. Do you know if there is anywhere the sound is not muted? I have never seen this performance and would really love to.

[@LaurieBasile]

@JillFijolek I'll upload his performance this weekend as unlisted or private. Send your email address to [e-mail] and I'll provide you with a private link.

[@LaurieBasile]

@JillFijolek Hi Jill, I have uploaded it. Happy to provide you with a private link.

[@user-fh1ov1db5b]

@LaurieBasile I’m having the same problem with John Farnham’s segment…any ideas ?

[@neilforbes416]

The James Randi episode by rights should've had Don Lane *SACKED* from Station GTV-Melbourne in 1980.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@neilforbes416 Oh yes that episode it was all over a spoon trick.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Mediawatcher2023 No, it was because James Randi was telling the truth about Doris Stokes and Don wasn't having any of what Mr. Randi had to say.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@@neilforbes416 And after that Bert Newton made a joke out of it.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@@neilforbes416 here's really what happened Uri Geller, Doris Stokes and broadcaster Kevin Arnett regularly appeared on The Don Lane Show discussing psychic and paranormal themes. On one occasion in 1980, the skeptic James Randi was a guest on the program. After Randi criticised one of the show's regulars, a heated exchange occurred at the end of the interview, which led to Lane saying, "we're going for a commercial break and you can piss off. We'll be back with Diana Trask". Lane then walked off the set, sweeping the props from the small table, to audience applause. The aftermath of the event led to a national apology for using profanity, which was televised on the Nine Network, but he stood by his behaviour towards Randi.

[@top40researcher31]

@@neilforbes416 Bert covered it up afterwards.

[@knownpleasures]

Why is Don so happy the show is over ? Why was the show cancelled in the first place?!? And what’s a New Yorker doing an Australian chat show for ?!?

[@LaurieBasile]

I wouldn't say Don was "happy" - he was a true professional. The Don Lane Show was cancelled in 1983 due to "declining" ratings and increased production costs. The decision was influenced by a combination of factors, including changes in television programming preferences and the economic considerations of maintaining the show. I put 'declining' in quotation marks because the show was still rating good numbers and would win its slot in today's schedule. Don tried his hand in the USA but eventually adopted Australia as his home from home.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@@LaurieBasile Due to new management at Channel 9 and its expensive budget, the show was cancelled despite still having strong ratings. During its time on air the show often gained a 30 per cent share of all viewers in the ratings. The Don Lane Show ended on 13 November 1983, Lane's 50th birthday.

[@LeonAust]

Grew up watching the lanky yank, a much loved American in Australia.

[@cookie5335]

Dog was the best guest

[@neilforbes416]

28:40 Johnny Farnham was *NEVER* lead singer with Little River Band. That role belongs with Glenn Shorrock. Farnham simply had the leaderless LRB as backing musicians for his *solo* records until Glenn Shorrock returned in 1985.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@neilforbes416 He did say new member glenn rejoined the group in 1988 releasing their new album called monsoon as i do have in my record collection.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Mediawatcher2023 Glenn Shorrock was *NOT* a new member of LRB, he was an *ORIGINAL* member! Farnham was, and is a *SOLO* performer and the leaderless LRB served as session musicians on Farnham's solo works.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@@neilforbes416 Neil i think you misread what i typed Glenn rejoined LRB in 1988 Johnny its john now.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

@@neilforbes416 LRB was never session backing musians on his solo albums

[@neilforbes416]

@@Mediawatcher2023 Yes they were. During their "leaderless" period while Glenn Shorrock was absent.

[@cookie5335]

666 hows= 9. End of an Era

[@StFidjnr]

They have picked a bad day to have a birthday