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Clip description
As a sketch titled ‘Junkies – the sitcom’ draws to a close, ‘Gwen from ABC Documentaries’ (Genevieve Lemon) is not amused. She demands that Denton carry out a serious interview. Moving from fiction to reality, Denton begins an interview with heroin addicts Rowena and Libby.
Curator’s notes
Up to this point in the episode, Denton and Gwen have combined their introduction to the subject of heroin with an extended argument over the use of comedy to explore it. Hilariously, and against Gwen’s wishes, Denton has just slipped in a sitcom segment.
This clip is a good example of Denton’s skill as an interviewer. He expertly and seamlessly switches from humorous banter with Gwen to a serious interview with Rowena and Libby. In making the transition with unexpected humour ('Where can I score and what will it cost?’), he relaxes both the interview subjects and his audience. His candid approach is a refreshing antidote to the dull earnestness of many interviews about drugs and makes for entertaining television.
In retaining his irreverent tone throughout the clip, Denton successfully shows that his comic approach can indeed elicit a sincere exploration of a serious subject. This series as a whole is remarkable for the candour of many of Denton’s non-celebrity interviewees and this interview is no exception.
