Michael McColl-Jones OAM[1] (12 August 1937 − 11 March 2024)[2][3] was an Australian television comedy writer.
Mike McColl Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 August 1937 Kew, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 11 March 2024 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | television comedy writer |
| Known for | Writing material for variety TV programs particularly those aired on Melbourne's GTV-9 |
| Television | In Melbourne Tonight |
He is best remembered for his association with television personalities such as Graham Kennedy, Don Lane and Bert Newton.[4][5]
Early and personal life edit
McColl-Jones attended Xavier College in Melbourne where he excelled at tennis.[6][7] He attended the school at the same time as Philip Brady.[7]
McColl-Jones left school in 1956 and joined Myer as a salesman. When television started in Melbourne, McColl-Jones began submitting jokes to In Melbourne Tonight which were regularly used by Graham Kennedy.[7] Despite McColl-Jones' contributions, an offer of permanent work wasn't made until 1963 when GTV-9's general manager Colin Bednall offered him permanent work.[7]
His father Hector died in 1963 at the age of 57 from a form of leukemia.[7]
Career edit
Throughout his career, McColl-Jones wrote for In Melbourne Tonight, The Graham Kennedy Show, The Don Lane Show, The Bert Newton Show, The Ernie Sigley Show, The Peter Couchman Show, Blankety Blanks, Hey Hey It's Saturday and Tonight Live with Steve Vizard.[6] He also wrote for Joan Rivers and a number of Royal Command Performances.[6][8][9]
When In Melbourne Tonight was revived in 1996, McColl-Jones again wrote jokes for the show, this time hosted by Frankie J. Holden.[7]
However, it was his association with Kennedy that McColl-Jones is arguably best known for, having written jokes for Kennedy from 1958 to 1975.[6]
Books edit
McColl-Jones wrote a number of books throughout his career including My Funny Friends in 1979, And now, here's... in 1999 and Graham Kennedy Treasures: Friends remember the King in 2008.[10][11][4][12]
Honours edit
In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, McColl-Jones received a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the performing arts as a comedy writer for television.[13]
References edit
- ^ Gliddon, Greg (12 June 2017). "Entertainment writer Mike McColl Jones from Kew East among those recognised with Queen's Birthday honour". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Comedy Writer Mike McColl Jones turns 80". 3AW Weekend Nights (Podcast). Fairfax Media. 13 August 2017. Event occurs at 00:50. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (12 March 2024). "Vale: Mike McColl Jones". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Kennedy, Newton blazing row revealed". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 7 November 2008. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ "Have TV and radio gone too far?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 30 June 2003. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d Dickins, Barry (1 January 1994). "Life as a one-liner". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 46. Retrieved 13 March 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Aiton, Doug (21 June 1998). "The gag man". The Sunday Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 19. Retrieved 13 March 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The comedy wizard who sells jokes to the stars". The Sun-Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. 9 December 1979. pp. 44–45. Retrieved 13 March 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lawrence, Mark (7 December 1978). "Mike McColl Jones joins Couchman Show". Green Guide. The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 36. Retrieved 13 March 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McColl-Jones, Mike (1999). And, now here's... Aerospace Publications. ISBN 9781875671472.
- ^ McColl Jones, Mike (1979). My funny friends or, How an elephant was caught with his trunks down. Richmond: Richmond Books. ISBN 978-0-908157-11-2. OCLC 27574254 – via Google Books.
- ^ McColl-Jones, Mike (2008). Graham Kennedy treasures: Friends remember the King. Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 9780522855456.
- ^ "Award: 1770156". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2024.