The return of Two and a Half Men did better than some expected, including me.
September, 2011
Media briefs: Book protectionism … NotW sources … WikiLeaks and Al Jazeera …
In today’s Media Briefs: stats defeat argument … Google+ now open to all … Facebook goes Hollywood (again) … Did WikiLeaks end the run of Al Jazeera’s director? and more …
Power Shots: Power Shots: ACCC power fail … Kelly’s female exec … world’s luckiest treasurer …
ACCC’s leading man gasping for power. Rod Sims won’t be deterred by a setback in the Federal Court on Wednesday that means Metcash is able to proceed with its purchase of the retail business of Franklins, despite the ACCC’s upcoming appeal against the sale. After all, it was Sims himself who said, during his maiden […]
Political snippets: No reason to believe the IMF’s economic prediction either
Another day and another gloomy prediction about the world economy.
Video of the Day: Bill O’Reilly threatens to quit
Bill O’Reilly detractors have reason to cheer: the infamous right-wing US firebrand has threatened to quit his show if Barack Obama raises his taxes. And for O’Reilly fans, it’s another reason to dislike the President. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Is Vinnies being uncharitable to staff? St Vincent de Paul sent staff to “healing sessions” to talk openly about their concerns with the organisation, we’re told. The company — led by former NSW state government minister Graeme West since late last year — has since announced a restructure that will see several redundancies. According to our spy: “Surprisingly staff […]
Crikey Says: Crikey says: News Limited is no more
News Limited is no more, with Rupert Murdoch’s Australian empire to adopt a new name and extensive marketing strategy to counter an “arrogant” public perception, according to confidential documents leaked exclusively to Crikey.
Ralph Norris: The Kiwi computer nerd on the way out of Australia’s top home lender
Ralph Norris knows what it’s like to be the most hated person in Australia. He’s greedy, overpaid, an enemy of the Aussie battler. But he also knows what it’s like to wield serious clout, writes Tom Cowie.
Which literary characters could be best buds?
Ignoring the constraints of time, distance and, well, reality, Kathleen Massara pairs famous literary characters she believes would be best friends in real life — among them Captain Ahab and Kurtz and Holden Caulfield and Draco Malfoy.
Ten dumps late night news and Sports Tonight
Channel Ten are reportedly dumping their late night news service, along with Sports Tonight. Given the news programming changes at Ten it is not a massive surprise, writes Dan Barrett.
travel Why only idiots travel without a smart phone
The explosion in smart phone usage has completely revolutionised how travellers keep in touch. Hostels are now full with people cradling an iPhone in one hand and a beer in the other, writes traveller Ben Oliver.
Palestine’s UN bin: a time of great opportunity
The longstanding situation between Palestine and Israel has become untenable, but Palestine’s bid to join the United Nations may turn a crisis into an opportunity, writes James L. Richardson.
Opening the Google Wallet
Is this the beginning of the end for the humble wallet? Google’s mobile payment system, Google Wallet, is now officially available for those with certain phones and credit cards, reports Emily Banks.
Keating’s still got the gift of the (expletive laden) gab
Paul Keating remains as gracious as ever when he gets to talk to journalists. If, by gracious, you mean saying things like “just f-ck off.”
TV reviews The Joy of Sets
With anticipation for this series quite high amongst fans of Get This, Tony Martin, and/or Ed Kavalee, the debut episode of Joy of Sets was almost critic proof. And it ticked all the boxes, writes Dan Barrett.
Global economy in danger, but Oz cruising along nicely
Crikey media wrap: A new report by the International Monetary Fund declares that the global economy is in “a dangerous new phase”.
comedy Two and a Half Men: lost its Sheen but with added Kutcher
Much hyped, lumbering, and tired, Two and a Half Men is back on our screens, Sheen-free and with extra-added (Ashton) Kutcher. The big question is: will it survive? asks Matt Smith.
comedy First impressions of The Joy of Sets
Hosts Tony Martin and Ed Kavalee generate great chemistry in The Joy of Sets, which discusses the elements of TV shows. However, it’s a bit static, writes Matt Smith.
The Oz bows out of Manne debate
This Wednesday The Australian’s Paul Kelly and academic Robert Manne were due to debate at Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre. But now one side of the battle is not going to show.
Women lumped with thin end of retirement wedge
The ABS has again produced data that shows women are lagging badly behind men in one of the pillars of our retirement income. This is because our highly subsidised superannuation system is based on pre-retirement earnings.
Qantas protests nationally over an international dilemma
Most passengers who want to fly the flag to London for the Olympics next year won’t get the chance to fly Qantas, as it has cut its Heathrow airport access in half to divert resources into a new brand Q airline venture somewhere in Asia.
NBN retail pricing neither a bargain nor an extravagance
With the National Broadband Network retail pricing announced by iiNet yesterday, it becomes clear that claiming the NBN is too expensive, a bargain, or little-bear just right for the punters is a tad premature.
