This incredible moment in Australian current affairs television follows 60 Minutes journalist Richard Carleton as he documents his own heart operation. This 1988 footage was selected from the original rushes filmed at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, where Carleton underwent coronary bypass surgery.

Having joined Channel Nine’s flagship program earlier that year, Carleton and executive producer Gerald Stone decided to film the moment, believing it would be a strong ratings draw during a period of intense competition. Known for his aggressive interviewing style and prominence on 60 Minutes, the clips presented an intimate side to the reporter that had never been seen before.

Filmed before and after the operation, the unedited rushes observe a version of Carleton who can barely move without the help and encouragement of two kindly nurses. His childlike demeanour and silent lapses are intensified by the camera, which often veers close to his face, capturing every flicker of this vulnerable experience. This current affairs clip encapsulates both the intimacy and intense discomfort of voyeuristic viewing, and the keen interest in seeing a more personal side to public personas.