Rosemary Margan - recalling the 'crow call' incident

On the 3 March 1975 edition of The Graham Kennedy Show, the host incurred the wrath of the peak industry body, the Australian Broadcasting Control Board. During Graham's mocking of a live sponsored advertisement for Cedel hair products, the audience could hear him add an 'F' to one of his regular 'Aaark' crow calls. Despite protests from Graham that comedienne Mary Hardy had used similar language on a Seven Network program to no consequence, the show's delayed screening in Adelaide the following night included a one-second edit of the offending moment. 

Following the 'crow call' controversy, pressure from the Broadcasting Control Board led to the show being pre-recorded rather than broadcast live. Footage of the 'crow call' no longer exists; the whereabouts of the 3 March 1975 episode, handed to the Broadcasting Control Board at the time, remains unknown.

Rosemary Margan joined GTV9 in 1965 as a weather presenter before becoming a station 'all rounder'. Amongst her most remembered roles was on In Melbourne Tonight, where she advertised a range of products each episode. She then worked with Graham on The Graham Kennedy Show (1972-3, 1975). 

This interview excerpt derives from The Real Graham Kennedy, a 2008 DVD documentary produced by GTV9 floor manager and producer Bob Phillips, examining the private side of Graham Kennedy through interviews with many of his closest friends and former colleagues.

Notes by Simon Smith