Editorial: Comic's wit as sharp as a knife

John Clark, aka Fred Dagg passed away recently.

John Clarke had two tilts at greatness - as the amiable yet shrewd Fred Dagg and as himself.

The latter was mainly in Australia, where he launched a second stellar career in political satire, not an easy thing to do in a land blessed with comic talent.

And it was there his whole range of skills was unleashed, be they writing, acting or broadcasting.

And it was here he refined the Fred Dagg character, poking the borax at politicians and skilfully exposing the pomposity and ridiculousness of those who make the rules. What started with the Taihape farmer who named all his sons Trev ended as a career as a much loved and nationally admired satirist in his adopted home.

John Clarke didn't need to laugh at his own jokes, he just made two countries smile.

And it was Taihape farmer Ken Donovan on Monday who made the comparison between Clarke and Billy T James: to paraphrase, they nailed the comedic zeitgeist in their own confident, refreshing way.

Clarke's death this week, so soon after Murray Ball's, has been a kick in the guts.

Only 68, he was still producing the weekly mock interview for the ABC with his partner in crime Bryan Dawe. Sharp as a knife, Clarke and Dawe sliced through Australian public life with a humour that was gentle yet deadly accurate.

His mockumentry TV series The Games showed up the corruption and jobs for the boys ethos that surrounds such international events.

The Palmerston North native had a long career. He died tramping and bird watching.

Clarke's humour was never forced or crude. It didn't need to be; it was backed by intelligence, timing, wit and real skill. He didn't need to laugh at his own jokes, he just made two countries smile.