Australia in Pop Culture

[ang]

I cant watch it, being in NZ, but Lavinia has been in entertainment in NZ for quite a while, shes very good.

[180deg]

evilminion said:

Is anybody paying attention to Australian Idol?

I like watching the recap (when they give the voting numbers) - it's a 2 minute "best of" package, and I don't have to see Kyle at all (is there a puking smiley?).

I'm quite fond of Irish Guy, I liked his Hallelujah. I don't like Kasey Chambers Jr. or Shaved Head Guy. I'm hoping Courtney's Brother stays in for a while, at least he seems like he has a personality.

I don't actually pay enough attention to learn their names, though ;D

[Deleted]

Yeah, Kyle's a knob.

[Deleted]

evilminion said:

Is anybody paying attention to Australian Idol? I haven't in previous years because it just seemed to be an endless parade of R'n'B and Whitney/Mariah/Celine wannabes, but this year they've opened up the criteria - they've upped the age limit to 30 and have encouraged 'well-rounded' performers who play instruments and write their own songs. Now I'm hooked, there seems to be a lot of talent. I'm not keen on Lisa Mitchell, as much as I don't like to say that about a 16 year old, I think she sounds too much like Missy Higgins, and she probably needs a few more years before she can become a good enough artist for a recording contract. Likewise Jessica, the 16 year old from Darwin. I'm a Darwin girl, and love Jessica, but she probably needs a few more years too, but she does have a great voice.

I'm glad Joseph went. He's cute but dull, and I'm not keen on Damien (the Irish guy?). Dean is hot and a great singer and I think Chris is great too.

I love love love Bobby and Lavina, and I really hope one of those two win.

Well, that lengthy post and I'm probably the only sucker over the age of 15 watching.

I'm not exactly watching every week, eagerly anticipating the next song or anything, but I watched the auditions with ardor. I quite liked Lisa Mitchell -- talented, but she doesn't hide her Aussie accent (unlike *ahem* Kasey Chambers). The chick I really don't like is Reigan (Reeghan? Reagan? Sprhvdjfh?). Something about her just bugs.
Jessica's alright, but she's not pretty enough to win. Plus, she's not white, so she's un-Australian.
Wasn't at all impressed with the male selection, only because none of them are good looking enough. I want eye-candy, not singing dammit!
That gay one in the auditions, gawd! Sorry, he wasn't gay, he was 'metrosexual' (and liked it up the ass, I'm guessing). I wanted him to get into the top 12 just for the entertainment value.

[Yossarian]

David Gulpili is up on charges for carrying a machete around Darwin:

Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil compares carrying a machete to walking around with a knife and fork.

But Darwin police don't feel the same, and yesterday the movie veteran appeared in court charged with carrying an offensive weapon after being arrested with a machete in a city street.

Gulpilil, 54, who has starred in films such as Storm Boy and Crocodile Dundee, was arrested in July after an incident at a boarding house on Wood Street in central Darwin.

Police allege the 2005 NT Australian of the Year grabbed a machete after arguing with another person about the alcohol policy of the premises.

During a brief mention in Darwin Magistrates Court yesterday, Gulpilil's lawyer Chris McGorey said police did not have permission to search the actor.

But Magistrate David Loadman ruled police were within their rights.

"You don't need permission to search someone you believe to be in possession of an offensive weapon," he said.

"Or was the machete really a toothpick or in films he was going to make?"

A good humoured Loadman then asked the actor: "What happened to that film you were going to make about police in the Northern Territory?"

Outside court, Gulpilil said he was "just helping people with a party".

"It wasn't even true ... that was my knife for my carving, for my didgeridoo ... I carry all my equipment just like a knife and fork. So then people complain about it, I am in white fellas law, I am here, I am trying to save myself."

Gulpilil, who lives for much of the time in remote Arnhem Land, began his movie career in the 1971 movie Walkabout.

His film career has undergone a revival in recent years, and he is the narrator of the recently-released Rolf de Heer film Ten Canoes, the first major Australian feature acted entirely in an Aboriginal language.

The movie has been selected as Australia's official entry for consideration for best foreign language film at next year's Academy Awards.

A hearing into the offensive weapon charge was set for January 8, before Gulpilil heads overseas on a promotion circuit for Ten Canoes.

[december]

Seriously he is a great actor, but dude is kinda crazy. I love the judge though.

[Deleted]

Is anyone else feeling a little schadenfraudelicios about Lleyton Hewitt's reception in Argentina?

[Deleted]

Ooooooh, I read about that thing with Hewitt. Aussie athletes are so freaking *embarrassing*...it's like, my Yankee friends all make fun of how boring our actors and actresses are (with the exceptions of Russell Crowe and the aforementioned Gulpilli...WTF was up with the machete there, Davie? You always carry a machete with you? Who are you, William Wallace?), and they ask me, isn't it boring to not have any celebs to make fun of?

My answer: oh, friend of mine...you have no idea. The likes of Hohan and Hilton are NOTHING compared to Warnie, and now, it seems, Hewitt. Our celebs are boring because they know they can't outshine our athletes, and they don't even try.

[Deleted]

I like Lleyton Hewitt.

[Deleted]

Don't feel bad. Lots of people do.

For me, the thing is that arrogance and brashness are qualities in people that I just can't stand. Hewitt to me embodies both, and he puts a sour taste in my mouth because of it.