Tim Freedman on Insight with blow up the pokies (29/4/08)

[CellarDoorAU]

Just add to RedDwarf707 & Chrismcguiness666's sentiments

Honestly some of you people - You should be glad that programs like Insight, with hosts like Jenny Brockie exist! For OBVIOUSLY if it weren't for them, Tim Freedman would not be on this very program performing his song AND getting the chance to air it's context AND his views on pokies? You see this anywhere much else on TV eh? It's all the more topical now, with Wilkies introduction of mandatory pre-commitment. Great song AND great show.

[lindam3691]

Hey Tim. This song rings so true for me after a 10 year pokie addiction. Fortunately I sought help. I am in Christchurch, NZ now (home town) after 10 years in Sydney. The Whitlams are not well known here but of course I know "Blow up the Pokies" and "No Aphrodisiac". Be great if you would tour NZ. We have just suffered a pretty bad earthquake here in Chch. Fortunately no lives taken but I'm sure there are more lives taken through the pokies - we don't hear about those

[barclosed]

there a sick invention,my in laws are hopelessly addicted to the machines,it sickens me to think how much money they,ve wasted and keep on wasting,can,t tell them though

[gerryman30]

These lyrics and this music: exactly what I need to listen to at the moment. Thank you.

[breakmycover]

Shes fake alright. Fantastic song.

[chrismcginness666]

I had a letter to the Herald today accepted then rejected because I bagged ClubsNSW for the joke that .8 percent of gamblers have a problem. Poekies are evil fucking things.

[rwc20071]

If i was prime minister i know what ill get rid of first.

[rwc20071]

omg even better live

[mrmattyb1985]

amazing song, tragic story. another example of the government thinking about their pockets and not the families affected by pokie addiction

[velvetregulus]

Is it just me or is this woman an insensitive twat?

[khgbsagkg]

Yeah, what a fucking cunt of a bitch. I would of knocked her teeth out if she smiled at me while I spoke about one of my best mates commiting suicide.

[chrismcginness666]

"Cunt of a bitch"? Quite the wordsmith. Jenny is one of the best host/interviewers. Tim is an acquaintance of mine and I think he he would accept he is guarded in what he says. "Cunt of a bitch" - seriously, if I was not the calm boring old bloke I would defenf her honour to an ignorant fool like you. I hope you were drunk when you posted that becuase if that is how yo uthink you should not be allowed children you moron.

[leeriley66]

@velvetregulus No, it's not just you. She is a twat.

[RedDwarf0707]

@velvetregulus She is a great interviewer who tackles the tough social issues of our time. If you've ever watched her show she plows through a huge amount of questions and opinions during her segment and is constrained by time. I'm sure if she had more time she'd have given Tim more time too!

[dankru]

@RedDwarf0707 Well put

[carpau0]

when i saw them back at the start of the year in Perth, Tim was saying when this was released, the song sold the best in WA, were there is no pokie machines, apart from inside the Casino and people in WA musn't listen to the words of songs :-)

[dreamscometrue30989]

The world needs more songwriters like Tim. Hes a legend

[doctorgriffith]

Poker machines are a drain on society. If only the government had the foresight to realise that the taxes that these damned things bring in are offset by the crime and welfare dependency that results from people being addicted to them.

[weazle1991]

this particular performance of the song is so amazing

[dreamscometrue30989]

Who agrees with me that this is perhaps one of the most beautiful songs?

[loopy1980]

agree

[carpau0]

Totally, one of my favourite songs they do. I got the chance to hear it live in November 2008, and it's both beautiful and sad at the same time.

[dreamscometrue30989]

dude i totaly agree

[FootinMouthDisease]

Saw Tim live at Woodford in 06/07.

A woman heckled him about Andy, his reply was devastatingly sharp and pointed.

Then he launched into this song, you could hear a pin drop.

[nollykin]

What was the comment/retort?

[FootinMouthDisease]

Belated hi, nollykin, honestly can't remember. But he'd been zapped by the mic. a couple of times immediately prior to the performance, and just let her have it.

[sianipants]

such a beautiful voice

[MBCoffeeNutter]

WOW! That was such a powerful video! He is the best musician to ever come out of Austraia. Andy Lewis RIP

[carpau0]

I totally agree with you on that one.

[dreamscometrue30989]

Oh for sure. I wasnt lucky enough to myself, but my sister and mum saw him live in Newcastle and said he was amazing

[lovethewhitlams]

pure from his heart!

[Cutsik]

Saw this the other day, nearly brought me to tears

[carpau0]

I nearly did cry as well. you can tell from the video that tim is close to crying as well, especially after performing the song.

[dreamscometrue30989]

i nearly just cried too :,-(

[kezacoop]

Thankyou so much for adding this.

Sad subject, but a powerful song.