Sunday, July 16, 2017

WHO IS SHIRLEY BARRY?

Recently unreleased archival footage of the incredibly talented and popular Shirley Barry has emerged from the archives.
Lisa Defazio host of the youtube channel Have You Got a Minute that shines a light on passionate people and their interests has just revealed she is the custodian of this incredible legacy.

Details of how she came to get the footage remains unclear what is evident however is that she is onto something truly significant as for as our Australian cultural heritage is concerned.

Shirley Barry, it is believed was raised in a typical outer suburb of Melbourne, during her hay day as one of the medias most loved hosts and entertainers she rubbed shoulders with all of the networks most significant icons. Shirley reigned supreme as on the Australias most respected female entertainers of the late 60s through to the 90s. As her show was stated she was the Royal Standard in variety entertainment.
Shirley Barry as she first appeared on Australian TV
Then in the late 90s Ms Barry all but disappeared from view, it was rumoured that the break down in her eighth marriage, weight gain and the loss of her time share apartment at Club Mulwala was the final straw.



Defazio claims she discovered the footage spanning Shirley's entire 40-year history while rummaging through a charity store. An avid vintage collector this could be possible but the fact that this footage could be discarded defies belief.
Shirley's Mother and sister seen here on board a flight toasting to the Ansett Airlines sponsorship of the show.
Companies lined up to get endorsement deals with Shirley thus was the calibre of her influence.

There is currently a bidding war raging between the ABC and the ill fated channel 9 over the rights to not only the Shirley Barry Variety Show but also never been released tell all interviews. The footage has programs like The Project, The Circle and the talent at the ABC running scared as Shirley threatens a return.

Heralded a feminist icon and regarded not only for her sharp with and feisty attitude her take no prisoners approach to life Ms Barry was more akin to her male colleges of the time. Shirley stood toe to toe with them all. With most of her peers now retired she could be on the verge of a comeback and is about to prove that She who laughs lasts laughs loudest.

Defazio is guarded when asked about her plans of the footage.

Newly appointed ABC art critic Mx Rasberry Curtains has met with Ms Defazio for an interview on Have You Got a Minute - discussing the cultural significance of Shirley's role in Australian entertainment. This endorsement alone speaks volumes. Ms Curtains suggests you subscribe to the youTube channel to keep abreast of developments.
Mean while Ahn Do is trying to gain access to Shirley hoping to use her status as leverage for his Brush with Fame series. The Project, Laurence Mooney and Working Dog and Princess Productions have all put forward collaborative offers to Lisa to access the material.

It seems ironic that Shirley Barry an unconventional yet brilliant woman from an age now perceived as archaic could stand to revolutionise this uninspired media landscape of political correctness and ever expanding fragmented inclusion and reemerge as a pivotal dynamic force.

For the time being, we are being drip feed snippets of Shirley via Instagram, facebook and youTube.
Let's just hope the world is ready for it.


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