“The Link” (To make you think)

by Desmond Kelly “the Star of eLanka”

Friday, the 3rd March, 2017, 7.30-8.00 pm, the “host” Stan Grant,in truly a “reality” television show like no other I have ever seen in all my 55 years to date, in Melbourne. There are dozens of “like-shows”, today, immediately after the nightly “news” broadcasts. There are also hundreds of worthwhile “stories” brought to us by mostly very experienced & beautiful ..personalities who do their best to keep us viewers “tuned-in” but, once again, just as soon as you start getting interested in something on offer, on comes a “flurry” of “ads” to completely spoil the moment. Granted, “ads” are needed to pay for the Commercial content of these programmes, but at least, Channels 7,9,10,11, 12 etc., should take an example from the SBS Channels and curtail their ads into “lots” each 15 or 20 minutes or so to allow us to enjoy the main “content”without too much disturbance. Thank you & Congratulations to the SBS Channel. Keep up the good work and keep those very interesting “docos” coming.

This was the “Curtain-Raiser” of “The Link” on the A.B.C. Channel 2. I have added the little “slogan” (To make you think), because this is exactly what it will do, if the Producers pick the “stories” as they have done for this superb introduction. The “Stars” of this particular production were all ordinary Aussies who became extraoridinary to my way of thinking, the minute they came on. Here, you see heroes & heroines who have been through the most horrendous catasthropes in their lives. Some of these wonderful people have lost EVERYTHING when fires burnt down their homes(to mention just one sad story) & to see the rest of their neighbourhood gather together as one to help out the unlucky “couple” was something else again. To watch “scenes” like this makes you feel as though life is worthwhile, after all. There was no “acting” here. They sat in front of the t.v.cameras and told their stories although it must have certainly pulled at their heartstrings to reiterate the “horrible happenings” they had been through recently.

This brings me to the “host” of the show again. He has “been around” the television circuits for quite some time now but Channel 2 (Aunty A.B.C.) has picked a “winner” this time in Stan Grant. This guy, in my book, would make a superb “actor”for any Aussie or American Movie. He certainly looks the part, is calm, cool & collected in his “hosting” role, perfectly natural, as a good actor should be, and from what I have seen, so far, has the uncanny ability of making all his interviewees feel extremely comfortable with the man in front of them. When they talk, he listens. Questions he asks are not confronting and I have never seen him interrupt an interviewee rudely. He talks clearly and never “mumbles”, reminds me of another fine Sri Lankan “host” in Vijaya Corea.

To conclude this little “link” that makes you think, let me just say that I am sorry that this programme is only shown on fridays. The ABC should seriously think of slotting it in every Monday thru to Friday. It would certainly be a winner in the “ratings-game” & Stan Grant and his team would, I feel certain, tell the stories good & bad, happy & sad, better than anyone else can.

Congratulations to the ABC, to Stan Grant & team, our condolences to those who have suffered stresses in life. Rest assured that MOST Aussies I know are compassionate good people who will help each other when necessary. Donald Trump wants America to be the greatest Country in the World. We, in Australia have beaten you Sir, WE ALREADY ARE.!

Desmond Kelly.
“Star of e’Lanka”