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Down Under pays tribute to legendary satirist, John Clarke, dead at 68

Australia and New Zealand say goodbye to a satirical genius.

Jerico Mandybur

on April 9, 2017

He was a comedian, a novelist, an actor, and a poet, but New Zealand-born John Clarke will be known as one of the sharpest (and definitely the driest) satirical wits to ever grace Australian TV.

The man best known as one half of sketch duo “Clarke and Dawe” -- who conducted fake TV interviews each week on the 7:30 Report -- died on Sunday, while hiking in Victoria, the ABC confirmed.

Now, tributes are being sent across social media on both sides of the Tasman Sea for the cheeky mind who brought us the 1998 mockumentary The Games, and who director and comedian Taika Waititi says influenced a generation of Kiwi comedians, helping them find their unique voice. And it shows, don't you think?

"Clarke and Dawe" (co-created by fellow satirist Bryan Dawe) ran for 27 years with the same weekly formula: Dawe was an ever-patient news interviewer and Clarke was a cleverly-named interviewee.

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Without naming names, Clarke sent up everyone from the powerful heads of major corporations involved in mining and the media, to Australian political leaders, dodging questions with a frustrating (lack of) logic.

It was as simple as it was effective. Satirical news shows came and went, but Clarke and Dawe were the originals. National treasures, always willing to show up the ridiculousness of party lines.

Their take downs of long-running discussions on climate change were particularly cathartic for people following along at home.

Everyone from the prime minister of New Zealand, Australia's opposition leader, to comedians are mourning the loss of John Clarke online.

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Jerico Mandybur

Jerico Mandybur is the editor of Mashable Australia. Previously, she worked as a digital editor at SBS, Oyster Mag, MTV and ASOS. Tweet her at @jerico_m.