Bert speaks on Gra-Gra
- Published by David Knox
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A curious move by Bert Newton will see him discuss his friendship with Graham Kennedy tonight on A Current Affair, hours before Nine screens the telemovie which Newton ignored, The King.
In the interview, according to the Herald-Sun, Newton will address “the pair’s friendship, Kennedy’s homosexuality and his retreat from public life.”
“I think the reason I didn’t say a hell of a lot was it became a cesspool at one stage which I thought was disgraceful given the manner in which he died,” he tells Tracey Grimshaw.
The interview is bound to raise interest in the telemovie starring Stephen Curry, which Newton has apparently yet to watch. What makes he interview interesting is its timing.
Given Newton was so silent on the telemovie it is curious that he has chosen to discuss the matter prior to its airing on Nine -a move that elevates the screening.
Bert is a pro and he would be well aware that discussing his friendship with Kennedy would assist in the promotion of the biopic.
Press Release:
Australian television legend Bert Newton talks exclusively to Tracy Grimshaw about the brilliance and tragedy of his close friend Graham Kennedy on A Current Affair this Monday night.
Newton, who has not spoken about Kennedy since his death in 2005, speaks for the first time about their friendship, Kennedy’s sexuality, and the rumours that surrounded the man he calls “the most brilliant performer” he’s ever worked with.
Having met and worked together since the late 1950s, Newton strongly refutes claims Kennedy was a reclusive, tortured soul. He gives a rare insight into the private life of Kennedy and reveals the pact the two made just months before Kennedy’s death.
With The King, a dramatised tele-movie based on the Graham Kennedy’s career, airing on the Nine Network Monday at 8.30pm, Newton says he’s undecided as to whether he’ll watch it.
He tells Tracy Grimshaw, “My thoughts are very straight and that is I know that Graham would not have wanted a movie made about his life.”
Bert Newton’s honest and open interview will air in full on A Current Affair 6.30pm Monday on Channel Nine.
One Response
I wonder if Bert only spoke out on direction from the network.. when they’re paying him $1m (or thereabouts) and with no on-air work to do, he’s probably not in the most negotiable position. And let’s face it, it got me to watch ACA for the first time in years! But having watched the telemovie tonight, for the first time, i was disappointed. It’s always hard having actors “recreate” real-life talents like Graham and Bert and I’m not sure Stephen Curry really captured the on-air charisma of Graham. I think also they took a LOT of artistic licence as factually it was all over the place. 5/10 for the movie I’d say.