It may not have been a good throw, but it made for pretty good TV. During last night’s episode of Q&A, audience member Peter Gray took off his shoes and hurled them at former PM John Howard. Rumour has it Gray went to reception later and asked for his shoes back…
October, 2010
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Panic at Seven, so where’s Batho? Word is there’s panic in Martin Place after Seven News was beaten four weeks in a row by Nine in Sydney. The ratings race is on, with both a chance at taking out the prize of being number one. So many are asking why Chris Bath is missing in […]
Crikey Says: The public polling on kids in detention
The call on kids in detention should not be left to the minister of the day’s discretion. Why? Because here is what the polling looks like on this issue.
Does Telstra want to steal control of your computer?
Telsta has announced it will improve its tech support capabilities by introducing remote access to computers and mobile phones. Should customers be pleased or petrified?
Falling in love in one fifth of a second
A new study from an American university boldly claims falling in love elicits a similar feeling as cocaine, and also claims people can fall in love in a some amount of time - say, one fifth of a second.
Theatre review: Jesus Christ Superstar – JC has lost some of his edge
Before Andrew Lloyd Webber became Lord Boring Fart, he wrote an incredible and iconic musical. Jesus Christ Superstar is probably his best work, but a new production at Sydney’s Riverside Theatres doesn’t quite do it justice, writes Lloyd Bradford Skye.
Shoe throwing does not a popular show maketh
John Howard may have had two shoes hurled at him during ABC’s Q&A, but the program - described by The Australian as a “cult hit show” - only ranked 23rd in the ratings, writes Amanda Meade.
Memo to Perth’s mayor: get with the evidence on liquor licensing
Last week Perth Mayor Lisa Scaffidi claimed liquor licensing restrictions - particularly regarding energy drinks - are strangling the city and inhibiting its growth. A vast body of research begs to differ, writes Sarah Jaggard.
Book reviewer’s envy
You know that annoyed feeling you sometimes have when you have an issue with a book review and there is no way to comment on it? W H Chong takes his revenge and critiques the critics.
US economic debate mired in pankration politics
The current political debate about the US economy is like an ancient Greek fight-to-the-death sport called pankration. But the country doesn’t need economic innovation - it needs decisive leadership, writes Tunku Varadarajan.
Where the bloody hell is the campaign for indigenous tourism?
In Australia to talk about tourism and sustainability at the Global Eco Conference, Gap Adventures Founder and CEO Bruce Poon Tip has lambasted Tourism Australia and described its promotion of indigenous assets as “very naive,” writes Amber Jamieson.
Five reasons why the Democrats will get slaughtered
There’s been a lot of speculation about the Democrats facing electoral butchering come the midterms. The end is nigh speculation is not only right but actually underestimates the party’s woes, writes Benjamin Sarlin.
The jury is still out: how can lawyers use social media?
Social networking services are increasingly being used in the court room and throughout legal processes, including jury selections and even in providing evidence. Zachary Sniderman asks three net savvy attorneys about the future of social media and the law.
Wright: Howard dodges shoes and Hicks
On last night’s Q&A program former PM John Howard not only fielded some tricky questions - one from former Guantánamo Bay detainee David Hicks - but also dodged a volley of shoes, writes Tony Wright.
Back to basics for Murray Darling Basin
Water Minister Tony Burke has distanced himself from Murray Darling Basin Authority chairman Mike Taylor and undermined the authority’s guidelines document, which suggests he may be endorsing a back to the drawing board approach, writes Mark Kenny.
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Are universities the marketing arm of the alcohol industry?
For any company marketing alcohol there could be no better example of a ‘captive market’ than a residential campus full of 18-22 year olds all looking for a good time. This can lead to a questionable relationship between universities and the alcohol industry, writes Margo Saunders.
Newspoll: 52-48 to Coalition
The latest Newspoll has the Coalition opening a 52-48 lead, with Labor’s primary vote down to a new low of 33 percent. There is speculation the fall has been driven by the Murray-Darling Basin report, writes William Bowe.
Commercializing marijuana in California: it used to be about the smoke Qantaslink concerns sent to Senate Inquiry
Serious deficiencies in Qantaslink are understood to have been drawn to the attention of the forthcoming Senate Inquiry into pilot training and standards, including an extraordinary disclosure that ought to cause alarm for Qantas and safety regular CASA, writes Ben Sendilands.
Cover songs that actually work
Cover songs are rightfully regarded as patchy affairs, but there are some diamonds buried in the rough. Upstart has sifted through the rubble and compiled a list of covers that do their originals justice.
Essential: still locked up
The political stalemate continues in the latest Essential Report poll: the two parties remain stuck in their post-election position of polling lock-up, with Labor and the Coalition on 50-50 on a 2PP basis, writes Bernard Keane.
A history of the Chelsea Hotel
From the songs of Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin to the brutal murder of Sid Vicious’ girlfriend Nancy, the Chelsea Hotel in New York has a pretty colourful cultural history. Check out the songs and films it inspired.
