OBSERVER: OK Column with John O’Keefe


Actor-musician Rick Springfield has announced a MRI scan revealed he has lingering brain damage caused by a fall on stage in LA some 25 years ago. At the time of his fall Rick thought he had hurt his wrist and that cured itself. Onwards and upwards for Rick, aged 76, is keeping up his concert performances but under medical supervision for what the MRI discovered. Rick holds duel American/-Australian citizenship and is best known for his 1982 Grammy Award ‘Jessie’s Girl’, and before leaving for America he was with Australian powerhouse, glam rock band Zoot.

All in the Family
Bert Newton’s grandson, Monty, aged 9, makes his initial telly appearance in a commercial on air now, for Uni Super. Monty displays that Newton charm in a well-constructed commercial. Monty is the third generation of Newtons involved in Australian entertainment.

Kraft in booze business
Grocery supermarkets in the USA are trialling a new liquor product featuring hard seltzer infused with Crystal Light. The cocktail drink, in cans, is targeted to Generation Z, no sugar, vodka refresher that insiders hope will fill the slump in sales currently being experienced in grocery sector.

Brazen act live-to-air
Channel 7 reporter Hayden Nelson was on duty broadcasting from Rundle Mall, Adelaide. During his live to air chat about rising theft a lowlife walked up to where Hayden was broadcasting and scarpered off after nicking an expensive floodlight. Hayden covered the incident live to air.

Yibbida yibbida
Upscale fish n’ chippery, D’lish Fish, Port Melbourne, is for sale, asking price is $2.6million. The chippery was at one time run by AFL football media and broadcasting legend Rex Hunt.
In his time in the media Rex became famous for his crazy name calling of AFL players when broadcasting on 3AW. Who could forget Yaabbblettt for Garry Ablett, and the many other names and expressions he added to the footy lexicon. On Channel 7 he kissed fish and put them back to swim another day. Rex, now 76, is retired and is reported as suffering from mental health issues.

John O’Keefe