Garry McDonald as TV host Norman Gunston was both sublime and absurd, as evidenced in this comical still from 1979 in which he wears a formal top half (shirt and tie) and bush-trekking bottom

Norman Gunston (Garry McDonald) interviews Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones in the US.

Comedian Dan Ilic writes that Norman Gunston was a gutsy and influential character that pushed anti-comedy into the mainstream on Australian TV.

Norman Gunston backstage at the Grammy Awards interviewing the Bee Gees

Australia has always prided itself on its sense of humour.

Maggie (Ruth Cracknell) is upset by a letter from the government over a letter about her pension cheques.