Disqus - Latest Comments for jimbo

Re: Find the culprit

jimbo — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:35:11 -0000

Jeez, what would we give to have Littlemore still hosting Media Watch. If only. But if he can break TT that would be good too.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 81

jimbo — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:07:32 -0000

Me too! Pete Smith is the king.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 86

jimbo — Tue, 22 May 2007 16:09:44 -0000

In Rod We Trust.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 89

jimbo — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:55:11 -0000

The Test Dream. End of Series Five. The dream sequence, which includes Annette Bening, could be the best dream sequence not just in the history of television but in films as well.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 97

jimbo — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:03:52 -0000

Marieke?? Screw that! Se ain't no fourth Boxcutter! Where are the runs on the board??

And agree entirely about The West Wing. How could you leave out a show which managed to gain a massive free-to-air audience in the States despite being incredibly smart? That combination is just pure genius.

But someone really needs to put Sorkin back on the crackpipe.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 97

jimbo — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:01:05 -0000

Brett, I agree with Rob. Sports Night just gets better as it goes along. Sorkin and Schlamme obviously start to gain more control - the laugh track does disappear after a few eps. But more than that, it's vey definitely the genesis of the Wing. Even a couple of the SN story lines are replicted in the early seasons of TWW.

And the dialogue, as always, crackles!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 97

jimbo — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 05:29:44 -0000

Because stationery's clever.

Next week we shall see just how clever!

I think the state of political satire -especially in Australia - is pretty dire if we have to consider the Chaser boys and The Daily Show for GAT. They're great, but I'm not sure they're genre-busting.

I'm gonna get absolutely flailed here, but has anyone considered Sex and the City?

Re: Boxcutters Episode 98

jimbo — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:17:15 -0000

For guys who know so much about television - you know nothing about television! Just this once, all the Boxcutters family who supported The West Wing for GAT were right, and Josh and Ross are wrong. Four perfect seasons...

And for the record... The Games was written by John Clark but not with Brian Dawe. He co-wrote it with Ross Campbell, who more commonly goes by the pseuodonym Ross Stevenson when hosting 3AW's breakfast show in Melbourne. He is hands down the best radio broadcaster in the country, and made cameos in The Games as a shock jock and a belligerent Scottish guy. I watched this show again last year and it still holds up very very well.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 98

jimbo — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:10:00 -0000

Right. That's it. I've had it.

NigelP, you're the king. As I said last week, TWW managed to snare a huge audience while tackling heavy subject matter in a political setting. But no - clearly the televisual descendants of fucken Gilligan are far more worthy!

Josh, sadly TWW was produced in the United States. Unfortunately, if you want to snare a huge audience while talking (walking and talking?) politics, the odd moment of schmaltz is probably going to be inevitable. I've managed to forgive just about every one of those moments in the first four series because the rest of it was so damn good. For fuck's sake, we're talking about a show which had one of its most dramatic and compelling and well-written episodes named after the number of an amendment to the US constitution! (And don't tell me you weren't clutching the arms of your chair when John Goodman snarled, "You're relieved, Mr President.")This show told the story of a presidential election - coherently somehow - while managing to avoid the detail of how on earth the presidential primary system works. (A hundred bucks to anyone who can thoroughly explain that to my satisfaction.) That's just great story-telling!

Yes, Don Henley sucks. But that was a big block of cheese day. So I think you're forgetting the golden moments of Toby ignoring a bunch of globalisation protesters, Sam investigating an old case of espionage, and CJ with some crazy map makers who wanted to turn the world upside down. And that was just one episode!

I also give you Ainsley Hayes, Joey Lucas, John Laroquette's cricket bat, the old guy from the state department, Bruno Gianelli, Amy Gardner sitting on Josh Lyman's stoop (and everything else she did), missing the motorcade, Karl Malden's amazing Oval Office cameo, Matthew Perry showing off some fairly good acting chops as a Republican, Hoover's good luck charm, Bartlet and Ritchie in the theatre foyer, Judge Roberto Mendoza, CJ and Simon, and Delores Landingham's new fucken car!

And you know very well, Kinal, that this list is just barely scratching the surface. So stop being so petulant!

Show me another show which could not only stay on air but hold an audience in America after showing the president cursing God out in Latin in a cathedral.

And then put it in the Golden Age of fucken Television ahead of the modern-day Ginger and Maryanne!

Right. I think I'm done.

Except to say that anybody who wants to use their mobile phone in a cinema better have a fucken heart to transplant or they can get fucked.

Thank you one and all.

Re: The golden age of television

jimbo — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:04:23 -0000

Josh, you're a gentleman. I knew it was the envelope all along.

Now, where's Mika's shredder when you need it...

I've now taken my pills. Apologies for the outburst!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 99

jimbo — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:51:43 -0000

Great show guys!

But don't be bitter about getting rolled on GAT. Sitting there in your Versailles studio you have to remember a little bit of revolution's OK every now and then.

I thought I was the only one who doesn't rate Kath and Kim. Ever since the first series it's sent me reaching for my thesaurus to find synonyms for underwhelmed. If those who do get it thought it sucked on Sunday night then Channel Seven can't be blamed. Remember, the creators pretty much had this series in the can before they shopped it around so they could pretty much do whatever they wanted.

By the way, I thought Sunday's edition of 60 Minutes was simply outstanding. ;)

Re: Boxcutters Episode 99

jimbo — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 20:39:40 -0000

Josh, I'm blaming you for everything whether it's your fault or not. And don't try to blame the envelope.

By the way... I'm a bloke.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 99

jimbo — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:14:16 -0000

Duff. That's a fabulous word for something that's shit. Hope you don't mind, AdamD, but I'm stealing it.

Can't get enough of that wonderful Duff!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 100

jimbo — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:43:13 -0000

Guys, big congratulations on becoming centenarians! The show continues to be compelling listening and may there be many more episodes to come!

For what it's worth, I would be happy to suspend a hostage negotiation or just about anything else I might be doing because of a misplaced apostrophe. Yes - punctuation nerd me.

On the matter of Channel Seven's AFL story and the ensuing controversy: Ross, I think it was you who said that Seven's news was clearly way out ahead of everyone else on the story. However, I think it may be worth considering the possibility that the confidential medical files in question were peddled to a number of Melbourne media outlets. Only one of those outlets chose to buy them and run their contents.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 100

jimbo — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:41:16 -0000

Ross I've often told TJ he reports like a rookie... he doesn't like it much! The hardest-working man in television, the Godfather of Sport. I can think of a couple of Nine employees who work harder, but not many.

As for the medical files, that was just assumption on my part. I really don't know. But no individual journo could make such a story happen. You'd still have to get a news director to agree to include it in the bulletin.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 100

jimbo — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:43:18 -0000

As for a James Talia doppelganger on Channel Seven, I don't think Mia Greves would be very happy to be spoken about in such terms.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 100

jimbo — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:12:39 -0000

You are bumming me out. I'm so sick at the moment I can't do anything except sit here and blog. So I won't do so for too long.

Don't take for granted what the news media does. Yes, a lot of rubbish is reported. But think of the stuff, day to day, which no one would know about otherwise. I guess I'm thinking particularly about political stuff.

For the record, the t6erm the fourth estate is centuries old. It wasn't conferred on the media by the media.

And there's no exemption for contempt at all. That's why two Herald Sun reporters were recently tried in the Victorian County Court for refusing to reveal the source of an explosive federal politics story. The court demanded it, they refused, they were hauled over the coals.

Now, back to my poor tonsils...

Re: Boxcutters Episode 100

jimbo — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:12:20 -0000

I wanted to reply so as not to look as if I was dipping out on the debate but I'm so couch-stricken I've had a replacement arrive all the way from LA.

What I meant was that however many centuries, it certainly wasn't the 20th century. So it's not as though it was some sort of fake legitimacy dreamt up by the London Sun in the '80s.

As for conflict? Yeah, it makes a story better. However, if political reporting becomes a bit he said/she said, it's often done in the name of balance. Never underestimate how quick spin doctors will be to call journos and give them an absolute bollocking over some perceived bias. They're usually wrong. But I've had some extraordinary calls of that type over the years. And I think the leaqst you can do within a story is give both sides their say.

Re: Boxcutters Epsiode 102

jimbo — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:55:23 -0000

Pinky Tuscadero was Fonzie's long-lost love. In fact, they nearly got married. She was the woman the Fonz nearly gave it all up for.

Leather was her little sister. Suzi Quattro played Leather. She didn't play Pinky as well. Pinky got Malachi crunched. She wore all pink. Leather wore all leather.

Then they all jumped the shark.

Brett, who the fuck doesn't know this stuff??!

Re: Boxcutters Epsiode 102

jimbo — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:12:02 -0000

Very pleased to be able to report Jon Stewart will host next year's Oscars ceremony and broadcast. Thought it could never possibly happen again after his last hilarious effort. The grand-daddy of event TV specials will once again be in good hands after the entirely vanilla, inoffensive and just plain dull effort from Ellen De Generes this year.

Re: Today Tonight are picking sides

jimbo — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:22:49 -0000

Fantastic exclusive. Kevin Rudd hasn't given any other interviews all year. Or all week. Or even on the same day this was going to air.

Sigh.

I've also given up defending myself when it comes to bias. Being a member of a profession which is clearly peopled with lefty, Howard-hating pinko scum while at the same time clearly being a Howard-arse-licking Nine Network fascist is quite an achievement in contortion.

Ross, I agree. When it comes to a couple of programmes in particular my feeling is they follow their perception of public opinion rather than trying to form it. A loungeroom sit-down would be driven as much by Rudd's office as TT. Same principle applies in other areas: just because Howard absolutely refuses to do FM radio doesn't make those stations left wing just because they get Rudd on.

And when the election is called - possibly as soon as this Sunday - don't forget this speck of gold dust:

Birch Barlow: There are three things we are never going to get rid of in this town. One, the bats in the public library; two, Mrs. McFuly's compost heap; and three, our six-term mayor - the illiterate, tax-cheating, wife-swapping, pot-smoking spendocrat, Diamond Joe Quimby.
Mayor Quimby: Hey, I am no longer illiterate!

God bless Diamond Joe.

Re: Today Tonight are picking sides

jimbo — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:10:50 -0000

I should also add that having to put up with the inane host of Today Tonight in that kind of interview is almost too high a price to pay to become prime minister.

Re: Today Tonight are picking sides

jimbo — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:22:52 -0000

Catbrain, Ross is right... it could well be D-FENS on the ACA set!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 103

jimbo — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:35:35 -0000

Ross phones every episode in.

Zing!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 103

jimbo — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:25:36 -0000

I hadn't seen the YouTube stuff you've posted until now.

This no-name headcase can get fucked.

But the fuckwad TV exec who commissioned him to be in a show can really get fucked!

To quote Ainsley Hayes, used to be you had to sing and dance.

Also, have just heard of a very interesting new show being made in the UK, from the creator of Life on Mars. More on Monday perhaps!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 104

jimbo — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:54:55 -0000

Swingers is the best movie ever made. Ever.

So there, McQueen.

Doug Liman, more power to ya.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 104

jimbo — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:02:28 -0000

Nah. I'm trying to cut down!

Even without the profanity my post is still money.

It's so money and it doesn't even know it.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 105

jimbo — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:03:40 -0000

Whether or not Stan Grant was nasty to Mary, whether or not he's a massive arsehole, can we at least stop referring to him as the host of Real Life as if it was the only thing he'd ever done? While I'll be first to admit he was an absolute joke at that time (literally, on Frontline) he's since earned some serious chops anchoring breaking news on a global network and working as their Beijing correspondent. That's gotta be worth something, doesn't it??

One more thing, please don't bag the shit out of Nine just because it's the only bulletin you saw that night. If Nine's crew was the only one outside Cindy Gambino's house last Saturday I'll give each of you a million dollars.

And, yes... it was live. Whenever it's pre-recorded, they won't call it live, or super it live. Believe it or not. None of you will.

Yours,
Grumpy in Paris.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 105

jimbo — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:33:21 -0000

For fuck's sake Kinal!

The audience for SBS news is exactly the part of Australia which could be assumed to be looking outside of Australia. Unlike the rest of Australia. If not even they are doing that then there's no hope.

As for the Farquarson story, anyone who's ever heard the term death knock knows that it's not a new phenomenon. In fact, contrary to Ross's highly scientific conclusions (not) there's less of this sort of stuff going on than there ever has been in the past. The '90s saw the low point. When a journalist stood on the roof of a house in Frontline and shouted, "If you loved your daughter you'd come out and talk to us," that was based on a real incident. There's not a chance in the world that would happen today.

The death knock has happened since TV news was invented. In fact, since newspapers were invented.

What I object to is the bullshit, blanket and - far too easy - assumption that everyone who works in commercial television news is a heartless, tabloid, muckraking c nt. That's an easy generalisation for people who never have to think about what it's like to gather news. It's not easy to look at the prime minister and ask him whether he's lying either but somehow that's more noble when Kerry O'Brien does it.

Look, bottom line... I covered the Farquarson story when it first happened. And I was abused for days on end by the people of his town for being unfair to one of their honest, upstanding citizens. Tell it to the jury, Winchelsea c nts.

That was one of one of my worst weeks in journalism. (And there have been a few.) Not because I got absued, and not because it offended my pride. But because I'm a human being too and having to deal with people who are dealing with the loss of three young boys - at one point - left me in unstoppable tears in a camera crew car. And one of you should know this better than anyone.

And if you think that sounds like disingenuous excuse-making then find someone else to talk to you on the first Monday of November because I'm seriously offended.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 105

jimbo — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:40:47 -0000

And furthermore, if you think that a declaration by Nine that we'renot going to death knock anymore would induce Seven to do the same, then you're living in fantasyland. Seven would think they'd had a win and so would Ten. And they'd keep doing it relentlessly.

And the f cking viewers would watch it in their f cking droves.

Because, here in the real world, the outraged people who write into (text?) the Herald Sun's 50/50 column are actually the worst offenders.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 105

jimbo — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:47:18 -0000

OK. Deep breath.

Let me publicly - as I have privately - apologise to Ross and Josh for attacking them personally. I know they don't mean it that way and I hope they know I really don't either. But clearly this is a subject which raises passions. Mine in particular!

I wrote: "What I object to is the bullshit, blanket and - far too easy - assumption that everyone who works in commercial television news is a heartless, tabloid, muckraking c nt."

And sure as night follows day, there's MordWa proving me right.

Mate, I don't know what you do for a living and it doesn't matter. The fact is (as far as I know) all you know about me is what I do, and who I do it for. You have no idea what kind of person I am. You don't know my background, my parents, my upbringing. My passions, my likes, my dislikes, who I vote for. You don't know whether the fuck I cry when Bambi's mother gets killed or laugh my fucking arse off. So I thoroughly object to you lumping me in with your cliched view of the television news reporter.

To answer your direct question, there have been a number of occasions when I've objected to particular stories or interviews. I have always been heard.

fourthof5, I don't know which network you worked for, or where, or when, but it doesn't matter. What you say is right. So often the story develops before your very eyes as you stand there watching it. In those cases, I can attest to a number of occasions when I've returned to the newsroom to tell my boss - the Nine news director in Melbourne - that I'm not comfortable with what we've shot or the manner in which it was gathered. On EVERY occasion this has happened, his response has been that he trusts my judgement and the tape hasn't been run.I know others who have done likewise. I grant you that not every journalist is like this, and nor is every news boss. But some of us like to think that we try.

I'm not going to pretend there aren't commercal imperatives. I'm not going to pretend we aren't trying desperately to win. As for legal issues, the footpath is public property. The back fence is not. You're not trespassing until you're asked to leave.

And for the record, MordWa, a surprising number of people WANT to talk to the public when they're in that situation. I never understand why. I know I wouldn't. But I figure all I can do is ask the question and if they say yes, that's their business.

I never met Kerry Packer. I've never met James Packer. I have NEVER been issued an instruction about how to report a story in relation to how it affects the company or a political party. And if you think someone like Laurie Oakes would cop that kind of shit, you're kidding yourself.

Guess what MordWa, I wasn't on the fucking grassy knoll either. Stop painting me as a cliche.

In between the rubbish, there's plenty of valuable news imparted to the good people of the nation. Even on the commercial stations.

Maybe my job is comparatively cushy. Even during the frequent 20 hour days. But I take it extremely seriously and know I have a grave responsibility in discharging it. I never forget this.

As for Tucker Carlson, he's a commentator. That's a very different thing. His corporation sets him up to be deliberately antagonistic so people who agree with him will keep watching and, perversely, people who don't agree with him will keep watching him to see why they loathe him.

So while sarcastically saying that you're sure I'm lovely, moral and upstanding, you better belive I sleep like a baby. For about four hours a night.

Which probably explains my grumpiness!

Again, guys, apologies. If anyone tries to take my first Monday of the month slot I'll beat them up. Cos I'm that kind of journo arsehole!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 105

jimbo — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:17:23 -0000

Jeez, I leave the room for one minute and look what happens.

MordWa, I haven't been dodging you. I actually managed to get a couple of days off and went away for once. Ross, you wouldn't believe the sight of some of our old mates when one of them marries a Slovakian girl... in Slovakia!

MordWa, I think you make a couple of good points, even though I'm not going to address them just now. Maybe there's a disconnection between whet I think I try to uphold day to day, and what many of my colleagues in the past and in the present do to give the very fair impression that we're all shonks. And I think that's why I get so fired up about it - because some of us genuinely do try.

Ross, you're right - Howard has never won an election debate. It's written in his new biography that he suffers badly from nerves and it always shows. I watched in person last time as Latham gave him a pasting. It was the only real high point in Labor's campaign.

The incumbent always sets the terms. Catbrain's right about that. The opposition always requests three debates knowing they'll only get one, yada yada.

However I'd forgotten til recently that Keating refused to debate Howard at all in 1996. Pity. It would've been great to see Keating in full flight take Howard apart!

But these days I'm not sure a PM from either party could get away with refusing to have any debate at all.

Either way, the campaign's going to be a ripper. Game on!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 107

jimbo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:11:01 -0000

BBC. Shambles. Cut news. Fund Radio 6 on digital only with two people listening. Shambles.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 107

jimbo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:23:25 -0000

By the way, Brett, I thought Speersy was very even-handed in the debate and you're showing your lefty proclivities.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 107

jimbo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:25:51 -0000

Plus, Glenn Milne is a
Liberal Party stooge. He's not a journaliat anymoe - absolute disgrace.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 107

jimbo — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:52:33 -0000

This may be the last time I post. I seem to incite WWIII every time at the moment.

David, I do know Brett personally but not nearly well enough to vouch for his political allegiances. I just thought his comments in this particular episode made him sound like a lefty.

I do, however, know David Speers - much better than I know Brett as it happens - and I'll vouch for his capacity for balance any day of the week and twice on Sundays. He's going to be one of the greats of Australian political reporting.

The phrase "fair and balanced" stuck out like dogs' balls to we media watchers, but I'm sure it wasn't meant that way. It's a pity the actual meaning of the words has been overtaken by its misuse by those particular Americans.

It's right to say the Liberal Party dictated the terms of the debate and got exactly what it wanted. The benefits of incumbency. But I don't think their selection of Speers indicates that he's a raving Tory. I'm positive it was motivated more by a desire not to offend Seven or Nine by selecting a moderator from one of those networks. Those arrangements would have been made at a level well above Speers, and I thought he did a great job.

But it raises another interesting issue which the TV pundits seem to have missed in all this. I stood in a studio at TCN9 and watched the last debate between Howard and Latham with Laurie Oakes hosting. A mere three years ago it would have been unthinkable to entertain any other arrangement. How the mighty have fallen.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 108

jimbo — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:37:39 -0000

Good God. We discussed this a month ago Brett!

Choof was the news director in Sydney. He was replaced in that job some five or six weeks ago -by Ian Cook - at the same time it was announced David Gyngell was returning. Choof's now decided to leave the network.

You can make any simple scenario sound like a massive conspiracy!Fight the power!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 108

jimbo — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:33:41 -0000

MordWa, it's a red-letter day - I think we're agreeing about something! Secret Diary is all sizzle and no sausage. It's entirely lacking in any sort of atmosphere or buzz. In the vernacular of one of my colleagues, it's as flat as a shitcarter's hat.

Very disappointing considering the massive promotional effort in the UK.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 108

jimbo — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:10:27 -0000

Um, which news bulletin? I'd like to investigate. Frankly I can't see how it could possibly be anywhere close to ten minutes. If there's gonna be ten minutes of news time devoted to a dead person it'd wanna be the Pope.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 109

jimbo — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:08:54 -0000

David, you're obviously very passionate about this subject and it's one on which I would always seek to tread carefully, for obvious reasons.

I do believe you've made a couple of very good points. You're right about celebrity suicides. The fact is, in those cases, it's news judgement overwhelming any reasons for usually not reporting suicides. The fact is I'm not sure how you could report Kurt Cobain's death - and I hope you agree you simply have to - without mentioning how he died.

Maybe my use of the word copycat was inappropriate. We seek not to glamourise it. Not to encourage and not to condone.

By the way, it's not just the TV news. The convention applies to all media, not just us.

I very much take your point that people who are wanting to commit suicide will not necessarily be induced to do so - or not - by seeing a report on the news or in a paper. But perhaps this is just for people suffering from depression who make a rational decision. I'm clearly no mental health expert but I'm thinking there are other forms of illness, such as schizophrenia, where more delusion may be in play. The Safran example is a good one.

Can we ever get to a point where, rather than individual incidents, we report a suicide toll the way we report a road toll? I wonder. Maybe in 10 or 20 years.

I agree that perhaps we all need to pay greater heed to suicide as a phenomenon in aggregate. The efforts of the likes of Jeff Kennett over the past few years have been amazing. I hope you'd agree there's much greater awareness of depression, at least, than there used to be. But depression isn't the full story.

I also very much MEANT to mention on air that it's now very much the convention to plug organisations like Lifeline immediately after suicide reports. The papers do same. This isn't something which has just come about by accident. It's because of far greater awareness of suicide issues because of organisations like Beyond Blue and demonstrates a far greater willingness than ever before to acknowledge the associated complexities with suicide.

Sorry about the long post but it's clearly not a simple issue and it deserves proper debate.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 109

jimbo — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:42:09 -0000

Grumpy Old Men.

Best. Show. Ever!

Everything they say is 100 percent correct.

Which will come as no surprise to my long-suffering colleagues.

Should someone try an Australian version? I'm not that old, but I'm up for it.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 110

jimbo — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:40:20 -0000

Why doesn't Brett ever know anybody's bloody name, even when he's going out of his way to talk about them in the Boxcutters news?!

Anyhoo Gary (not Scott) Burns has forgotten more about... yada yada. Good appointment.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 110

jimbo — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:05:23 -0000

By the way, Ross, you're absolutely right about Dear John. Judd Hirsch rocked.

Those shows got me through uni. Loved Doctor Doctor. But it wasn't paired with Dear John. You're forgetting Night Court. The best cult show ever! I can't ever watch John Laroquette's star turn cameo in The West Wing (complete with cricket bat of course) without thinking of Night Court.

Plus Paradise Beach.

Re: boxcutters episode 111

jimbo — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:17:40 -0000

I've listened a couple of days late this week, so I'm playing catch-up. (Without Libbi Gore.)

I'm not sure there's any danger of the Beeb canning Top Gear. They must make a fortune off international sales, with an audience of at least a quarter of a billion. Yeah, it would be expensive to produce but that's part of its appeal. I don't know one end of a car from the other but it's simply the sexiest looking factual show on television anywhere.

Brett, the story I read said SBS would show its own series and then the British series at a different time of year.

I can't see an Australian version working. It won't look as good - you'd think - and how do they get access to all those flash cars?? It'll be three eps long - Commodore, Falcon, Camry.

And Brett, it's very true to say the Channel Nine hampers were a personal gift from the Packer family. They always came with a card with Kerry's signature printed at the bottom.

It's another sign of the way things have changed, but it's also just the way it goes I guess.

From,
"A Nine Source"

Re: Boxcutters Episode 112

jimbo — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:51:37 -0000

It's like a foreign language. I have no idea what any of that means. I have a cathrode ray tube - a fairly small one - in the corner. It has a cable box and a DVD player attached to it.

Beyond that, I can barely use Outlook. And I think I have a full (enough) life!

Jonathon Holmes. Good call. Fingers crossed.

Now... has someone given me back my dots??!

Re: Boxcutters Episode 112

jimbo — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:37:34 -0000

Ross, I really don't know. But I wish someone would tell me... so I can order some new stationery!

By the way, I know there are seemingly millions of puns to be made by calling them balls. But in-house they've always been the dots, and the logo's always been called the dotty Nine. As in, walking back into the newsroom wih exclusive pictures, handing over the tape to the tech boys and declaring, "Gimme a big dotty Nine on this one boys!"

Platforms? Is someone catching a train?

Re: Boxcutters Episode 112

jimbo — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:04:33 -0000

By the way Brett, we've got serious things to talk about. The Rainbow?? What???

Re: Boxcutter Episode 113

jimbo — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:23:05 -0000

Exactly David.

I heart hearts.

Re: Boxcutter Episode 113

jimbo — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:54:30 -0000

Boy. I've just finished listening to the This American Life podcast. Not only is it beautifully done but, for me, some of it is disturbingly familiar.

A few preliminary thoughts:
-everyone who works in commercial news will be able to think of times they've done stories they wish they hadn't;

-I can think of endless occasions when competitors have branded stories as exclusives when, in fact, they were the only newsroom to bother covering a story everyone else knew about but decided against;

-The aphorisms hold true across the developed world... if it bleeds, it leads and some days you're really just filling the black.

I can also think of numerous occasions when I've phoned my boss from the road to say the story is actually a non-story. On EVERY single occasion, I've been told, "You're the guy on the road, I'm trusting your judgement, can the yarn." Self-evidently, not every news director or chief of staff is like that.

But above all else, neglecting to contact the subject of a story - as opposed to seeking a response but failing to get one - is inexcusable.

Without mentioning details or networks, I've seen and heard of a couple of instances in Mebourne where certain reporters and news bosses have not only crossed the line - they've taken up permanent residence on the other side. Everyone knows who they are. Everyone scorns them. There is still plenty of principle in the ranks of Australian reporting but it's not universal.

I highly recommend this podcast to the Boxcutters family.

Thanks very much for the link, FC.

Re: Boxcutter Episode 113

jimbo — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:57:33 -0000

By the way - and I never thought I'd have cause to say this - God bless St Michael's.

Re: Boxcutter Episode 113

jimbo — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:11:00 -0000

Not at all, fourthof5. No rules governing any such thing. Which is why the question of ethics comes into it.

Some people have ethics.

Some people have "etics", like Johnny Caspar. (If you have to ask...).

Re: Is John Westacott’s Hair On Fire (or does it just look like that because his ears are burning)?

jimbo — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:52:01 -0000

Since when is it unusual - in any industry - for changes to be made when new bosses come in?

This is a massive beat-up all round.

How come I never get to break Holly Hunter's heart? "You're the devil!"

Re: Boxcutters Episode 115

jimbo — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:31:35 -0000

Plus don't forget EP Andy Wilman. He and Clarkson were at school together (Stig was their nickname for all new boys at their school)and invented the current format - changing it from a boring car safety show into a virtual sketch comedy show which happens to be about cars.

Can't be replicated in another territory with just any old EP, let alone presenters.

Re: boxcutters episode 117

jimbo — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:30:48 -0000

I don't have a problem with Peep Show. It doesn't annoy me the way it obviously annoys Josh. I just don't get that much of a laugh out of it.

However, I have only just discovered The Thick Of It. Anyone know it??

Re: boxcutters episode 117

jimbo — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:10:28 -0000

Yeah, Rob. Malcolm Tucker is the PM's communications director. And enforcer. And he can swear for Britain! He just absolutely lights up the screen with sheer menace. Diabolical! And the Scottish accent just makes it even funnier.

He's very transparently based on Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's absolutely brutal communications chief.

I've seen all six of the original episodes and the first of the specials. Unfortunately, before they shot the specials Chris Langham, who plays the minister, had been convicted of child p rn charges so he clearly wasn't available.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 118

jimbo — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:05:56 -0000

S U P E R T U E S D A Y!!

CNN's doing magic things with a political correspondent standing in front of an interactive plasma screen. He's using it like an iPhone to highlight - and then sweep away - individual counties in individual states. More numbers than I can get my poor head around!

No sign of a shredder.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 118

jimbo — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:12:59 -0000

In fairness, there's no Mel and Kochie either. Don't know how they're surviving.

Re: Boxcutters Episode 118

jimbo — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:44:14 -0000

You guys should do some of that sort of stuff on the video podcast.

Re: Ep 119: Underbelly, Other stuff

jimbo — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:33:19 -0000

Thanks Judge Betty.

Contrary to what you guys said in the episode, the Victorian Supreme Court has no jurisdiction in the rest of Australia. They could never order it not to be shown in other states.

But Victoria's bad enough.

QF 9's in the offing.

Re: Ep 119: Underbelly, Other stuff

jimbo — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:10:14 -0000

If you were ever in doubt about the fact the Sydney Daily Telegraph is waging a war against Channel 9, check out the latest internet fare about Underbelly. In the desperate search for an angle with which to beat Nine they've gone with the old chestnut of "It's too violent for television - agree, or disagree" which has brought about the standard knee-jerk response from Christians who haven't seen it saying kill it dead now, versus the standard more sensible use-you-remote brigade. And never a mention of the fact it might be landmark television. It's about an underworld war! Like you didn't know that by now! People are going to get shot! You fucking cunts!

Probably because it's based on events which happened in Melbourne. Terrible city where people sit in holes in walls while sipping chardonnay and reading books. Terrrible arty, commo, God-less stuck-up Mexican city with no morals and even worse liquor laws.

No wonder I drink. For fuck's sake.

Re: Ep 119: Underbelly, Other stuff

jimbo — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:27:45 -0000

Oh yeah. I meant to do this days ago but, regarding my previous post...

LANGUAGE WARNING.

Most of Camden still stands, though the Hawley will never be the same again. For those of you who don't know the area, apart from being the centre of all things alternative in London, is a significant TV production centre. Not far from the fire stands the headquarters of MTV Europe. And the priod building at the back of the lock is APTN's global headquarters. And apart from originating much of the great news agency content from around the world, it also houses - through leasing space - the foreign bureaux of many international networks. In fact, both Channel Nine and Seven (requiescat in pace) had their European bureaux housed in that building in days gone by.

Never seen Amy Winehouse but I've downed MANY a pint in the Hawley. Nuff said.

FulltimeCasual - perhaps not quite as young as I look. (I moisturise.) But sufficiently world weary to take World Weary as a compliment! For the record - Ross and I went to high school together (I've outed you dude). I've known Josh since he and Ross were at uni together. (Can't tell you how much I wish I was going to be home for Oscar night!). And I've known Brett for as long as he's been lobbing grenades at me.

Re: Ep 120: Cashmere Mafia vs Lipstick Jungle, Underbelly, Monster House

jimbo — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:36:11 -0000

Just watching last night's Four Corners. For those who haven't seen it, it is a landmark in Australian television, especially for those who have seen Labor in Power.

And for those who have seen Labor in Power as many times as I have you'll recognise everything from the framing to the string soundtrack to the use of file vision to break up the extremely candid interviews as hallmarks of that earlier series.

Apparently there is a Liberal equivalent to come. To prove it, the new EP of 4C is one of the orignal producers of Labor in Power. It is absolutely compelling television, with Costello playing the Keating role and several other cabinet ministers re-writing history for the cameras. As they say in the classics... do yourself a favour...

Re: Ep 121: In Treatment, Oscars, The Biggest Loser

jimbo — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:12:34 -0000

Labor in Power was shot in 1993 when everyone - including the then government - expected Labor to lose. For that reason even the most senior of ministers was extremely candid. It was screened in 1994 after Keating's "sweetest victory of all". (Brett, how could you get that quote wrong?? "This... this is the sweetest victory of all. (Raucous applause) This is a victory for the true believers.") It came off the back of Keating's famous parliamentary response after the polls had started to turn. Hewson asked him in question time, "If the prime minister is so confident of victory why doesn't he call the election now?" To which Keating responded, elbow on the despatch box, searing gaze across the table, "Because mate, I want to do you slowly." Arguably the best ever response to a question in the House of Reps.)

As I noted last week. that Four Corners episode mirrored all the framing, editing and musical methods of Labor in Power. But The Howard Years - whenever it's screened - will not be able to match the added frisson which comes with screening extremely candid interviews with ministers who are, against the odds, still in power. Nonetheless, I still thought it was great telly even though there's been cricitism of it as a let down.

And let's get this straight about Oscars night: as I texted you guys, better to have average pizza and a great host than the other way round. No matter who gets the awards.

Re: Ep 122: James Talia, Ashes to Ashes, Tony Mokbel

jimbo — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:39:45 -0000

Oh, that Charlie... he's c-raaazy!

Re: Ep 123: The Thick of It, Lots of Swearing

jimbo — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:15:04 -0000

From - and exemplifying - the collected works of Malcolm Tucker:

"I'm really sorry, you won't hear any more swearing from us, YOU MASSIVE GAY SHITE! Fuck off!"

Josh, call me juvenile, but The Thick of It is laugh-out-loud funny every time Malcolm Tucker is on screen, swearing for Britain like it's an Olympic sport!

Re: Ep 123: The Thick of It, Lots of Swearing

jimbo — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:37:55 -0000

Catbrain, you are right. Malcolm Tucker is not only inspired by but is every inch Alastair Campbell.

For those who don't know, Campbell is a Scot raised in the north of England who was a fiercesome political journalist who went on to become Tony Blair's Director of Communications. Despite his constant protestations that he should not ever become the story, he was the most famous press sec in the history of British politics.

His attitude, profanity and bollockings are the absolute epitome of Malcolm Tucker, despite denials from the producers of The Thick of It.

Re: Ep 125: Tim Ferguson, DAAS Kapital, Big Gig, Emerald Falls

jimbo — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:36:56 -0000

"Spend, spend, spend." Words I've never heard.

Fuck those were the days.

Re: Ep 126: Gladiators and East of Everything

jimbo — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:54:55 -0000

Gladiators. Is that wat it's come to? Kill me now.

Re: Ep 127: James Talia, Anna Brain, BBC, Logie nominations

jimbo — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:52:51 -0000

You very well know I'm a tech nuffy of the worst kind but I understood FTC to a point. Inasmuch as I hit subscribe but when I hooked my music gadget with headphones machine up to my gizmo thingy Boxcutters didn't magically appear in my headphones like it was meant to.

I blame Bill Gates. And the Melbourne smartcard people. And that's all. Anything to avoid a Brett tech rant. The Channel Nine rants are bad enough.

Re: Ep 127: James Talia, Anna Brain, BBC, Logie nominations

jimbo — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:12:04 -0000

Have to agree with Brett (there's a first for everything.) The licence fee means it's unlikely the government can arbitrarily slash funding - but it can certainly stop funding increases whenever the licence fee is re-negotiated. And it definite;y doesn't stop the same old allegations of bias. Sometimes it's funny how similar are the criticisms of the BBC and the ABC.

And while often it's the conservative side of politics which criticises public broadcasters it's certainly not always. Ask Greg Dyke.

Re: Ep 127: James Talia, Anna Brain, BBC, Logie nominations

jimbo — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:12:50 -0000

Besides (sorry to double up) it would be extremely hard to justify introducing a licence for something which is rapidly becoming obsolete.

Re: Ep 128: Wilbur Wilde, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, jPod

jimbo — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:29:00 -0000

Money blowing around a clear perspex box. For some reason one of this show's many utings was in an early morning slot. I don't know how it was deemed to be a kids' show but there you go. Good God, I even remember the theme music. And I've discovered it was a Dave Clark Five song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKBVY28fImM&...

Don't say I don't give ya nuthin.

Re: Ep 130: Nelly Thomas, So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother

jimbo — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:00:13 -0000

I've heard some scary shit from Brett in my time but, "She'd smell like mints", about Kerrianne, takes the cake.

And that other shit is like asking Kevin Rudd to do the election report the night before the election. Rubbish.

Re: Ep 130: Nelly Thomas, So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother

jimbo — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:04:24 -0000

Nelly, it's Noel. Episode 10 of series 4. The christmas episodes of the Wing are particularly noteworthy. I serve at the pleasure of the president, Josh. Screw you.

Re: Ep 132: Justin Hamilton, Lost, AFL on 10

jimbo — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:47:05 -0000

So very true, Lyndal, so very true.

Re: Ep 132: Justin Hamilton, Lost, AFL on 10

jimbo — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:59:34 -0000

By this is a bit late but This American Life last week was about the things we've learned from television. Funny, poignant, insightful... all the things TAL always is. Still available for download at www.thisamericanlife.org

Re: Ep 134: Ice TV and Channel Nine with Jim Schembri

jimbo — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:28:09 -0000

I haven't yet listened to the show but very much looking forward to it. Jim Schembri was one of my journo idols in high school - as an aspiring journo. I even interviewed him for a Year 11 assignment though I'm sure he wouldn't remember it! One of the gentlemen of the game, was very generous with his time, and a great writer to this day. Yay for us this week!

Re: Ep 134: Ice TV and Channel Nine with Jim Schembri

jimbo — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:52:42 -0000

Christ Bill, such passion!

Don't give up on Boxcutters just yet. I promise this week's episode will be thoroughly moron-free.

Though I'm certain last week's was too.

Re: Ep 135: Wilbur Wilde & James Talia

jimbo — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:21:34 -0000

Have spoken, through an intermediary, to Coxy from the Roxy. He has confirmed the Punt Road yarn in hilarious fashion! I asked him whether he ever found out the identity of his armed passenger and he replied, "No mate, we didn't want to know. We let him out at St Kilda and he went on his way." Gold!

Re: Ep 135: Wilbur Wilde & James Talia

jimbo — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:49:18 -0000

And, Wilbur...

The British generals at Fromelles were Monro and Haking.

The Australian commanding the 5th Division was General McCay. Sadly, the Germans - on the morning after the initial charge - offered a ceasefire to collect the dead and wounded. A desperate private agreed but McCay - the cunt - said no. Had he agreed, the missing men of Fromelles would've been collected and buried then and there instead of 92 years later.

Just another one of the disgracs of the Fromells campaign. If anyone wants to knwo more in detail, turn to Patrick Lindsay's book Fromelles.

Re: Ep 135: Wilbur Wilde & James Talia

jimbo — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:33:22 -0000

Brett is right. Often times it's just an easy cutaway to hide an edit.

For example, say an interviewee gives a good answer across 30 seconds which can be concisely cut down to ten seconds for a story running 1.30. A jump cut is unacceptable so a cutaway is required to cover the join and it's in the cameraman's playbook to get shots of each other to cover this. I don't know how it developed.

A show like Four Corners might resolve the same problem by doing an extremey quick disolve. Sports Tonight for example (unless they've changed their style while I've been out of the country) will cut between the two segments with a quick flash edit of white.

Re: Ep 136: Ray Watch, Lawrence Mooney

jimbo — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:34:45 -0000

I loved Lawrence too. Very insightful and amusing. Though one of his gags was definitely pretty tired! And I pretty much thought he sounded a lot like... Shane Bourne!

Josh, if I recall you were talking a couple of weeks ago about Back To You, the new Kelsey Grammer vehicle set in an affiliate newsroom. And I think you shitcanned it.

Caught the first episode last night and yeah it's pretty standard "My Life In Four Cameras" fodder but I still got a more than hearty laugh out of it. Maybe a couple of the characters were a little too close to home!

Re: Sometimes we all need a break

jimbo — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:52:34 -0000

Feels odd not getting the weekly fix!

Have a good rest, and we look forward to your return.

*slack bastards*

Re: Ep 141: Making a Pilot, Battle Star Gallactica, Dr Who, with John Richards

jimbo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:37:51 -0000

Trained monkeys??

Re: Ep 141: Making a Pilot, Battle Star Gallactica, Dr Who, with John Richards

jimbo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:45:36 -0000

And another Australian hybrid remake of a foreign show - don't forget Ladette to Lady. Taking eight Aussie girls to the same finishing school in northern England to be dealt with by the same posh etiquette teachers.

Re: Breaking News

jimbo — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:09:50 -0000

Mike, you're so wrong. It's about a network's prestige. And Oakes's interview alone makes it worthwhile. Even if the only people watching are in the Canberra press gallery it can resonate across the whole week.

Re: Ep 143: Sunday, Nightline and the Networks’ Future. With Tom Elliot and James Talia.

jimbo — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:05:43 -0000

The Dart Center is the organisation dealing with trauma in the news media.

http://www.dartcenter.org/

The site has links to the Australasian arm. Brett McLeod has produced a DVD documentary about news trauma which is now available through the site.

Re: Ep 144: Olympics, Hole in the Wall, Neighbours, Chicken Ads, with Gerard McCulloch

jimbo — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:25:58 -0000

Well that's filled in a gap in a report I received about the opening ceremony broadcast in Australia - it must have been Sonia Kruger (down, Josh) who announced the entry into the stadium of the team from Czechoslovakia.

Long way from a paso doble.

Re: Ep 144: Olympics, Hole in the Wall, Neighbours, Chicken Ads, with Gerard McCulloch

jimbo — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:04:36 -0000

By the way, if you're not seeing the Olympic event you want to see there's an easy solution...

multi-channeling!

Oh, hang on. It's Australia.

BBC rocks - just press red.

Re: No Boxcutters This Week

jimbo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:33:59 -0000

Probably for the best. Tough to follow last week's show anyway ;-)

Re: Ep 155: James Talia, Louis Theroux, TV Board Games

jimbo — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:17 -0000

Ah, election night. Magnificent fun. Watching the Fox News Channel guys try desperately to find any sign contrary to the inevitable oncoming train.

Watching the "Best political team on television" go through their paces, somehow seeming a bit more edgy just because the head guy's name is Wolf.

But this little bit of gimmicky nonsense is just a bridge too far. Beam me up:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=thOxW19vsTg&s...

Re: Ep 155: James Talia, Louis Theroux, TV Board Games

jimbo — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:39:50 -0000

Plus, I can think of much better ways to use THIRTY-FIVE CAMERAS!

On to other more important matters. Much has been made of the spooky psychic abilities of The West Wing's writers in its last two seasons. Earlier this year they admitted they'd based Matt Santos on Barack Obama after the latter's 2004 covention speech.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/21/bar...

Now, it gets even better! Obama has just announced his White House chief of staff will be Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel is a massively connected Democratic insider and congressman who was a senior political adviser in the Clinton White House.

AND... Emanuel was the inspiration for the character of Josh Lyman on The West Wing!

Josh Lyman is Obama's chief of staff!

Stick that in your Golden Age of Television and smoke it!

Re: Ep 156: Yael Bergman, Shark Jumping, Lazy Country Music Stars

jimbo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:42:05 -0000

Ah MordWa, the Prince Pat - that takes me back!

Now, a most vital matter. What is Brett's special fancy and how does it work? It's a most urgent inquiry to do with a certain four-part series starting on ABC1 on Monday night. Some of us will simply convulse if we can't see it from our distant locales.

Re: Ep 156: Yael Bergman, Shark Jumping, Lazy Country Music Stars

jimbo — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:28:58 -0000

Thanks Brett, I'll give it a shot. And, yes, the ABC site does restrict viewing in that way. Was the same with Hollowmen too although a couple of those episodes could be viewed only for 24 hours after they'd gone to air.

Now, has anyone seen the new South Park episode following the presidential election? Hilarious!