The two of them formed one of Australian television's greatest partnerships in 1959, when a planned 30-second commercial involving Newton - who was filling in as a temporary presenter - turned into 27 minutes of chaos.

Newton paid tribute to Kennedy's enduring influence on Australian television during his eulogy.

"Apart from being the best television performer this country has ever seen, it is also worthwhile remembering the influence that he had on television was quite amazing," Newton said.

"Graham Kennedy basically started Australian television in terms of tonight shows and chat shows and variety generally. I wouldn't be sitting here on the set of Good Morning Australia or Rove on the set of Rove Live without Graham."

Newton said that although In Melbourne Tonight was planned as a copy of Steve Allen's Tonight Show, Kennedy soon transcended the genre and made it his own.

"In the end the only similarity was that there was a desk there and songs," Newton said.