What Rove told Jay

Rove's appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno was a bright and bubbly segment, much like the popular guy himself.

Rove followed a slightly difficult chat spot in which Dr. Phil was discussing the Virginia Tech tragedy with Jay. It was certainly time for the mood to lift when he was introduced as the host of "the most popular chat show in Australia."

Then after a friendly greeting, Rove proceeded to answer Jay's questions about Australia. After admitting his real name was John, he joked that it has a population of about two, "me and the other guy." And that Perth's 2 skyscrapers didn't so much skrape the sky as lean "pathetically towards it." Jay was also sniggering about the fact that Rove only presented his show once a week (Leno is nightly).

But Leno talked up some of the cheeky segments from Rove including the "flick the switch" stunt, showing footage of Sydney Harbour residences turning their lights on and off (it's a stunt that was actually first used in Don't Forget Your Toothbrush). The kicker was the shot of a Kirribilli House* light flick, even though the PM and his wife were out.

Rove also explained some of the differences with Aussie TV, where nudity and profanity was acceptable. "But we can only use the F bomb twice in one show", he said. And he explained that network personalities could not appear on rival networks.

Which is kind of ironic given the Leno appearance made it onto both Today Tonight and A Current Affair.

But Rove did good. Methinks he's gonna have himself a pretty good week.

* I also seem to remember this was actually Admiralty House for the GG and not Kirribilli. Anybody else recall?
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BB task backfires

Big Brother today addressed the withdrawl of one of its tasks after a housemate reacted emotionally to its plan.

BB had paired housemates together to look after a fake baby, but when Kate broke down in tears and wanted to leave the house, it was clear there had been an unexpected and emotional trigger.

Kate explained to BB and later to her housemates that she had lost a baby through pre-eclampsia.

The incident was first leaked at Behind Big Brother Australia, which pointed to vanishing websites on the official TEN site.

It has since been detailed in full at bigbrother.com.au and in the daily show.

The baby-care task was also used in the first season of BB.

Kate is up for eviction this week and this turn of events may have a significant sympathy push, which would be a pure turn of fate.

Meanwhile the bigger question is how did this happen? Either housemates have not confided enough prior to entering the house, or BB needs better research. Read more...

First Review: The King

Talk about ambitious.

We all knew and loved Graham Kennedy the performer. On In Melbourne Tonight, Blankety Blanks, Coast to Coast and even Funniest Home Videos he is burned into our minds and hearts as television history. Daring to depict his life as a biopic is treacherous territory, especially one so recent.

Pivotal to all of this is the casting of Kennedy. Without a convincing central character there is no point to even try to understand the man. Yet how can anyone capture such a unique individual: Kennedy was the court jester, the ultimate improviser, the ratbag larrikin who adhered to none.

The King directed by Matt Saville for TV1 is an outstanding achievement. And Stephen Curry as Kennedy is a knockout.

Curry captures the vocal nuances of Kennedy to a tee. He has the lilt in his voice, the spring in his step, the tongue in his cheek (literally), the camp buffonery and the "bugger you lot" attitude for which he is known. And most essentially, he is very, very funny.

As the film charts his rise from radio to early television there are iconic Kennedy moments: the dog peeing on set, taking the piss out of live commercials, the tantrums, the comic sketches and "that" crow call. Kennedy is both a boon to Frank Packer's Nine Network and a thorn in its side all at the same time -neither of which seem to matter much to him.

The personal chapters of his life, many of which were referenced by longtime Kennedy friends, help peel back the mask behind a sometime sad clown. Abandoned by his mother, he was raised by his grandmother, which resonated throughout his life. The film also visits his homosexuality, mostly through his reserved relationship with a young Channel Nine dancer, known here only as "Tim." It is a subject that many of his longtime fans may not willingly associate with their beloved star, but it is faithfully handled here in dignified manner, fitting of its time.

In support roles are Shaun Micallef, Stephen Hall (a splendid performance as the young Bert Newton), Garry McDonald, Monica Maughan and Jane Allsop - the spitting image of Noeline Brown for her short screen time.

Matt Saville's direction is assured and affectionate, highlighting the significant moments of Kennedy's career. With the era re-created wonderfully by Production Designer Paddy Reardon, it is almost deserving of a big screen release.

This is a project which, much like a Kennedy gag, could have flopped spectacularly in a heap on the floor, or left them laughing in the aisles.

With Curry under its crown, it has unquestionably achieved the latter.

The King premieres at 8:30pm Sunday May 20 on TV1 with an airing on Nine later this year.

Photo Gallery.
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Returning: 2&Half; Men, Gone: I Shouldn't Be Alive

Been saying for some time Nine needs to address its Tuesday schedule, especially with Dancing with the Stars in hiatus. Now is the time to move.

So Nine is dropping I Shouldn't Be Alive, moving its CSI repeat into 9:30pm and returning double eps of Two and a Half Men to 8:30pm.

The episode "And the Plot Moistens" from Series 3 will air on Tuesday May 15.

I'm adding I Shouldn't Be Alive to the Missing in Action archive....

Kindly credit this website when posting in messageboards, thanks!
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Kylie staying a red-blooded woman

Don't expect to see Kylie Minogue guest-starring anytime soon on Doctor Who.

Writer Russell T. Davies has laughed off suggestions that the pop star is set to join the Time Lord as an "evil cyberwoman."

"Don't be stupid," he laughed. "I haven't even written the script yet, and a woman like that is booked up two years in advance."

There were reports last week that Minogue had met Davies at the behest of stylist William Baker's love of the show. But it seems we'll have to add them to the exhaustive Minogue rumour mill list.

Maybe rent Streetfighter if you want to see Kylie in the future?

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Wed May 2

[E!/9:30pm] Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Destiny’s Child / Jonathan Brandis
[Ovation/8:30pm] Masterclass: An Audience with Filmmakers. David Caesar
[Bio/10:15pm] Pretty Boys
[Ovation/10:30pm] Dolly Parton.
[Comedy/11:00pm] Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Guests: Dr Phil, Rove McManus.

[ABC/8:30pm] Spicks And Specks
[ABC/9:00pm] The Chaser's War On Everything
[ABC/9:35pm] The Catherine Tate Show. Elaine finds new love via an internet chatroom. The lucky man is Mohammed, 24, who sells spices outside Luxor temple. On high school detention, Lauren asks her teacher if she's a farmer and does she eat pig swill. Randy nurse Bernadette gets excited by her vibrating phone, rhubarb and custard sweets and a man in the waiting room. Essex couple, Paul and Sam, share a hilarious reminiscence with her parents about the time the shopping order got mixed up at a fancy dress party. Nan returns from her neighbour's funeral with eclairs in her pocket and a quiche in her handbag - and the sudden realisation that the deceased owed her £15. Flatulent posh lady Sheila Carter goes to the cinema. And Madonna is the latest famous customer Neville missed at Irene and Vern's café.

[ABC/10:05pm] At The Movies. SPIDERMAN 3 - Directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire. INTO GREAT SILENCE - The Grande Chartreuse, the mother house of the legendary Carthusian Order, is based in the French Alps. Into Great Silence is the first film ever allowed to be made about life inside the Grande Chartreuse. Founded in the 12th century, the Carthusians are among the most rigorous of all Catholic orders, and the monks mostly live alone in their individual cells. In an overwhelmingly noisy world, the Carthusians seek God in solitude. No music except the chants in the monastery, no interviews, no commentaries, no extra material. Changing of time, seasons, and the ever repeated elements of the day, of the prayer. A film to become a monastery, rather than depict one. A masterpiece of contemplative filmmaking that will take viewers to a place of absolute calm, this beautifully filmed documentary creates a meditative space as profound as that surrounding the monks' daily routines. THE HISTORY BOYS - based on play by Alan Bennett- about an unruly class of gifted and charming teenage boys pursue of sex, sport, and higher education. NOISE - Australian film from director Matthew Saville (Roy Hollsdotter Live) Graham McGahan (Brendan Cowell) is a cop - almost by default he thinks. Self centered, beset with doubt and afflicted with tinnitus, a few days before Christmas he is sent by his boss to man a police van in a suburban shopping strip, after violent murders rock the local community + i/v with Director Matthew Saville.

[Nine/7:30pm] McLeod’s Daughters.
[Nine/8:30pm] Cold Case. “Forever Blue.”
[Nine/9:30pm] Without a Trace. “Watch Over Me.”

[Ten/7:30pm] Big Brother Special. Wild Card Entry.
[Ten/8:30pm] House. "Socratic Method" Repeat from season one.
[Ten/9:30pm] Medium. "Apocalypse, Push" Arliss Howard reprises his role as Texas Ranger Kenneth Push, who returns to Allison's life when he experiences frightening visions about a Phoenix-based slaying. Meanwhile, Joe tells a little white lie, and suffers the consequences.

[Seven/7:30pm] Last Chance Learners.
[Seven/8:30pm] Heroes. CHAPTER FOURTEEN 'DISTRACTIONS'
Hiro struggles to make his father and sister understand his new heroic path in life. Niki has a chance to be with D.L and Micah again, but will she really be with them? Claude attempts to teach Peter to harness his abilities. Determined to find her birth mother, Claire makes her way to a trailer park in Texas. Guest starring CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON and JESSALYN GILSIG. George Takei.
[Seven/9:30pm] Prison Break. JOHN DOE. Kellerman brings Michael and Lincoln face to face with Steadman, but their plans unravel in a heartbeat. Bellick crosses the wrong prisoner at Fox River. 'Uncle Teddy' T-Bag terrorizes the Hollanders with his own warped idea of 'family'.
[Seven/10:30pm] 24. 10:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M. Wayne Palmer faces the reality of the missile strike. He experiences the consequences of the adrenaline he forced his doctor to inject into his arm. Jack is busy out in the field and may face grave danger. Guest starring RICK SCHRODER. .

[SBS/7:30pm] Eco House Challenge - Driving Me Crazy -This week, the Shepherd family face their toughest trial yet. The transport challenge is underway, and for university student Jesse, giving up his car is a huge sacrifice. Over at the Edwards household, the transport challenge rules spark debate. There is, however, some respite. Having passed the water challenge both families receive their water efficient white-goods. As the final day of the transport challenge dawns, both families are doing everything possible to stay away from their cars. The Shepherds pass the challenge and are rewarded in a way they could never have imagined. (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Documentary Series) G CC WS
[SBS/8:00pm] Golden Sandals: The Art Of Reg Mombassa - Chris O'Doherty, better known as Reg Mombassa, is a renowned rock star, artist and writer, who has influenced Australian culture for thirty years. From performing in his band, Mental As Anything, to Mambo designer, he has made two generations of people laugh, dance and wonder at the beauty of his creations. Golden Sandals not only offers a journey into the world of Mombassa and acts as a guide to appreciating his art, thoughts and life but it also reveals a side of Reg Mombassa few have seen - his delicate landscapes and extraordinary fine art. (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Documentary Series) PG CC WS
[SBS/10:00pm] Movie: Zatoichi - Zatoichi is a blind swordsman who shuffles from town to town, righting wrongs with the remarkable sword he conceals within his cane. He is also a masseuse and likes to gamble. He unknowingly walks into a classic tale of revenge, as two women plot to kill the men who murdered their family. As he becomes more involved, a showdown with the young Samurai Hatttori is inevitable. Directed by Takeshi Kitano, and stars Beat Takeshi and Tadanobu Asano. (From Japan, in Japanese, English subtitles) (Drama) (2003) MA (V) WS
[SBS/1:30am Thu] Drawn Together - Tonight, Princess Clara is embarrassed when her retarded cousin Bleh comes to visit her. She's a real looker and Captain Hero wants to take her out on a date. Spanky Ham bets him $50 that he can't seduce her. Xandir and Toots lick Ling Ling accidentally and get high. They try again and nothing happens. It's only when Ling Ling gets disappointed that he gives off a special compound. So they find various ways to disappoint him. (From the US, in English) MA (S,A,) (Rpt) CC WS Read more...