Aperçus of Entertainment

The Hot House Finale Decree: Nobody Likes a Bogan

Ethan Switch - Monday, 26 April, 2004 - 21:22:57 - print it raw

Finally putting to rest a torturous thirteen weeks of unskilled labour, lukewarm ratings and an at times overbearing Erika Heynatz, The Hot House ended with nice, underneath-the-radar couple Simon and Jules coming out on top as winners. Topping off the win of the $2 million house was the fact that self-proclaimed and self-imposed underdogs Pete and Tina fell down losers collecting a KISS framed poster as their consolation prize.

The dream of the "Aussie battler" that contestant Pete so desperately tried to co-opt was not enough for the viewers who voted 61% against their claim of the prize. Had Pete won, viewers would have been vindicated in their similar lifestyle of watching other people do the work while claiming the kudos. There may no be real relief as only a week later, Channel Ten will unleash the fourth series of Big Brother.

Read the rest of The Hot House Finale Decree: Nobody Likes a Bogan

Pop and the Methodic Madness of an Expected Bang

Ethan Switch - Monday, 19 April, 2004 - 20:32:32 - print it raw

Following the dismal ratings and reception of the fourth series of Popstars, producers are still hitting the headlines for a desperate attempt at attention. First on the block was the lining up of mediocre talent. Unfazed, they then added saccharine judges hell bent on out-"nice"-ing each other. Seeing things take more of a downward run, they then dropped most of the judges while keeping everything else the same.

Now they've decided to take on a more subversive route.

Read the rest of Pop and the Methodic Madness of an Expected Bang

'Irreversible' Stays Underneath

Ethan Switch - Wednesday, 31 March, 2004 - 16:03:27 - print it raw

Sensing that the furore over the controversial film, Irreversible, is pretty much over, the Classification Review Board upheld its previous rating of R18+. This will render the film, which features a near ten minute rape scene starring Monica Bellucci, naked on the sole front of previously generated publicity and an ever quietening hype flow.

Seeking to have the film banned to reap the spotlight and rushed cinema drive of such other luminaries as Ken Park and Baise-Moi, pocket groups were left wallowing in a tunnel of their own enthusiasm with no relative sense of time toward actions.

Read the rest of 'Irreversible' Stays Underneath

She Bangs, He Rocks, They Make Gravy

Ethan Switch - Friday, 5 March, 2004 - 13:44:36 - print it raw

For those having to endure another series of American Idol, William Hung seemed to be the kind of reason to put down the gun for at least a few minutes. His nakedly raw rendition of Ricky Martin's She Bangs was damningly shredded by judge Simon Cowell.

"He's the most unlikely of celebrities because he doesn't have the looks, the talent or even the confidence you typically need to sell yourself, but that's precisely why people are rooting for him," said Dan Young, creator of WeLoveWilliamHung.com, clamouring for hits to yet another website devoted to the UC Berkeley engineering student.

Read the rest of She Bangs, He Rocks, They Make Gravy

World's Oldest Teenager up for Age Discrimination

Ethan Switch - Wednesday, 3 March, 2004 - 19:46:26 - print it raw

Dick Clark currently faces charges of age discrimination in a lawsuit filed by his once long-time colleague and creator of TV shows, Ralph Andrews. Andrews - two years older than Clark who himself is a farcically frozen 74 in real time - claims that he was led on to believe by Clark that he would have a chance at any job openings with Dick Clark Productions. Andrews later claims that on one day he was told that there were no openings only to discover that quite soon after, two younger people were later found and hired.

"It was good to hear from you, Ralph. This is a tough letter to write, I have great respect and admiration for your accomplishments... The last development guy we hired was 27 years old. Another person who is joining our staff next week is 30. People our age are considered dinosaurs. The business is being run by "the next generation." wrote Clark in the letter.

Read the rest of World's Oldest Teenager up for Age Discrimination

Wonderland Falls Prey to Everything Conceivable

Ethan Switch - Tuesday, 17 February, 2004 - 22:31:58 - print it raw

On April 26, Wonderland Sydney, a theme park hidden in a jungle near a raceway, will close its doors for the final time. With as much variety in their rides and potato sourced foodstuffs, they offered a litany of impressive conditions which led toward their financial doom.

"The challenges faced by the tourism/leisure industry over the past few years... the Asian financial crisis, September 11, Ansett collapse, War on Iraq, HIH collapse and the skyrocketing insurance premiums, the Bali terrorist attack, the devastating bush fires, SARS and now the Asian bird flu have simply taken their toll."

Read the rest of Wonderland Falls Prey to Everything Conceivable