Every US late night talk show should etch its own distinct charm and Conan O’Brien’s new program certainly achieves that. The format plays to his strengths and despite some first night jitters O’Brien delivered in spades, writes Dan Barrett.
November, 2010
Blogging by tweet
Maintaining a regularly updated blog is a tough grind, but Fairfax journo Miranda Devine was being a little lazy when she copied and pasted a tweet and used it as a blog post, writes Dave Gaukroger.
Sadly, seeing two powerful female leaders is still a big deal
Watching Hilary Clinton and Julia Gillard together in photo-ops was inspiring, but just because some women make it to the top doesn’t mean the playing field is level, writes Karen Brooks.
Van Onselen: Wong is prepared to slice and dice
If Julia Gillard is to make good on her promise to return the budget to surplus by 2012-2013 - and to maintain any notion of credibility she certainly needs to - the budget may have to take substantial cuts. That’s why she appointed Penny Wong as Finance Minister, writes Peter van Onselen.
The Bush memoirs: coming to a crime bookshop near you?
Inspired by a British campaign that pushed for Tony Blair’s autobiography to be placed in the crime, horror and fantasy sections of bookshops, US activists have launched a similar effort to have George W. Bush’s new memoir reshelved “to where it really belongs,” reports Benedicte Page
Victorian election: week two
Week two happenings in the Victorian election so far include the media’s diagnosis of the soon-to-be-forgotten leaders debate, Ted Ballieu’s struggle to get his message out and the ALP’s secret research that tells them what they should already know, reports William Bowe.
theatre reviews True West — fresh, vibrant, brilliant
Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and playing at the Sydney Theatre Company, True West features explosive character development and uniformly impressive production values heavily invested with passion, skill and steely sharpness, writes Lloyd Bradford Skye.
Theatre review: True West – a new American classic
Sydney Theatre Company has delivered a season of old and new American classics. Now Oscar-winning yank Philip Seymour Hoffman has ridden into town to deliver perhaps the best yet. True West, says Brad Syke of Crikey theatre blog Curtain Call, is a searing portrait.
Everything’s up, except the deficit — and housing
Today’s Mid-Year Economic Forecast (MYEFO) shows an appreciable acceleration in economic growth this year, but as expected the higher dollar has hit government revenue.
Ten rolls over to the One.Tel boys
In terms of rank corporate hypocrisy, today’s effort from the Ten Network is up there with the best.
Talking the Town: Lunch with Richo and the Faceless Man: launching Labor’s progressive manifesto
Is there any finer way of spending an afternoon than sucking on a lobster leg, gargling chardonnay and listening to top-quality political gossip? Margot Saville went to lunch with Richo and the Faceless Man to get the Labor Party gossip.
Outsourcing the risk: consolidating maintenance threatens Qantas safety
Critical safety and regulatory issues for all airlines are now coming into focus. Like the massive migration of airliner maintenance to consolidated service providers, and the dangers that arise where the designer and maker of something as critical as an engine also promises the earth in taking on its lifetime care.
Murray-Darling authority losing the spin war with councils’ PR flacks
As the beleaguered Murray Darling Basin Authority sinks further into the public relations mire following its disastrous run of community consultations last month, the other side of the debate had a powerful ally in prominent spin doctors Socom.
In the Asian century, Washington must still offer leadership
Experts tend to be relentless followers of academic fashion. Nowhere is this more apparent than talk about ‘the rise of China’ and the dilemma it creates for Australia, says Dr John Lee.
Will changing management arrangements give us better cities?
Almost everybody, it seems, from political parties to academics, think tanks and planning experts, reckons the key priority for improving planning and public transport in Melbourne is to reform the way they’re managed, writes Alan Davies, of the Melbourne Urbanist.
Labor’s identity crisis: why voters don’t know what Gillard stands for
Labor’s vote is in serious decline and its brand is badly damaged. The party leader needs to start showing voters where she wants to take the country.
Crikey clarifier: how to recognise indigenous people in the constitution
Prime Minister Julia Gillard sparked a debate yesterday when she annouced that the federal government will seek to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution. So far, there has been bipartisan support for a referendum on the issue, but will that support filter down to a community?
Hillary puts Australian solar producers to the test
Can solar energy really match the price of fossil-fuelled electricity? asks Giles Parkinson of Climate Spectator.
Senate to re-open bloggers versus journalists
That tired “bloggers are not journalists” debate looks like it’ll surface in Australia’s Senate soon, thanks to the Greens. It’ll be annoying. But it’ll be a good thing.
Ten boss’ exit hastened by the arrival of Packer
It is no secret that James Packer and outgoing Channel Ten executive chairman Nick Falloon aren’t the best of friends.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Of cookies and Canadian banks
Crikey readers have their say.
Morning Market Report: Markets down, gold at new high
The Gold price gained $5.50 to move above $1400 for the first time.
Daily Proposition: It’s pop music, with depth
Lior has perfected his brand of smart pop: folksy hooks layered over lush arrangements, infused with Middle Eastern influences, or pared back to show off a stunning, sinewy voice. His new album is his most mature.
Media briefs: Fairfax GM to the rescue … TV Twitter wars … Olbermann’s lesson …
In today’s Media Briefs, Fairfax staff return to the coalface, TV Twitter war begins, second Russian journo takes a beating and more…
