OZtralia.tv Blog

Another Australian Awards Show…

By: Souleo

Australia’s own Stevie Wonder, blind Indigenous singer, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, managed to pick up 3 awards at this year’s AIR Awards in Melbourne.  The AIR Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of local artists who release their work through an Australian-owned independent record label and distribute their work through an Australian-owned distribution company.

Yunupingu won best new artist, best independent album, and best Australian blues and roots album.   Yunupingu is on a serious winning streak.  I always wonder how the competition must feel when they lose to someone who is blind.  Do they cruelly think, “But he’s blind.  How could this be?!”

I remember walking down the street once and almost tripping a blind man because I didn’t see him coming.  I felt pretty stupid which is probably what some of the losers felt like last night.

Other performers included Lior, Martha Wainwright, The Getaway Plan, and more.

Symonds Finds Himself in Trouble Again

By: Souleo

Just last week Australia captain Ricky Ponting allowed Andrew Symonds back for the Test against New Zealand, and now Symonds may have gone and messed it all up again.  Cricket Australia is investigating an alleged physical altercation at a popular Brisbane hotel on Sunday night.  In a statement to the press, the all-rounder denies he did anything wrong and he also addressed rumors that he is being treated for alcohol.

“I was sharing some drinks with other players and close friends and did not in any way provoke this situation.  I would also like to take the opportunity to clarify reports last week that I am being treated for alcohol addiction. I am being treated for a stress related illness and I remain committed to dealing with these issues,” Symonds stated.

Andrew may not know the fate of his international career until after the Adelaide Test, which begins on Friday.

With his track record Andrew is practically begging for a reality show.  All of the troubled and semi-washed up stars get one when their personal lives are a wreck, so why not Andrew?  We could call the show “Life in the Cricket Lane,” and catch Andrew showing up to practice drunk and falling over himself (the 2005 incident) or catch him fishing when he’s scheduled for practice (the August 2008 incident).  Now that’s must-see TV

The Final Words of Grahm Kennedy

By: Souleo  Graham Kennedy, the king of television, may have passed in 2005 but he still has a lot more to say.  Kennedy biographer Graeme Blundell reveals the star’s secret letters today in The Weekend Australian’s Inquirer section. 

The letters offer a candid glimpse into the life and times of the legendry TV star.  One of the letters depicts his state of mind during his physical decline and reclusive lifestyle. 

“I’ve had a rubber stamp made and I send the faxes back with this on them: NIL INTEREST,” he writes.

In another letter, Kennedy displays his edgy wit which made him one of Australia’s most revered comedians. 

Of one of his final Coast to Coast shows in the early 90s, Kennedy says: “We had a charming but deadly quiet studio audience. I mean, they didn’t even laugh at, `What do bulldozers and orangutans have in common? They both f*** up trees.”

Make sure to pick up a copy for a sure to be funny and touching read.

Divorce is in Fashion for Wayne Cooper

By: Souleo 

Celebrity fashion designer Wayne Cooper appeared in court for his divorce case.  Wayne was arrested earlier this past October after he allegedly assaulted his ex-wife, Sarah Marsh.  To make it even worse the alleged incident occurred after Sarah’s recent cancer surgery.  Ugh! We sure hope Sarah gets a nice settlement and on top of that enough clothing to last a lifetime.  Although we’re pretty sure the last thing she wants to wear is a Wayne Cooper design.  Call us crazy but the “battered ex-wife chic” look is sooooo not in this season…or ever! Photo: WilliamsL/WireImage.com  

Aussie Oscar Winner Opens Sundance

By: Souleo

This is the year of Australian cinema.  Not only do we have the epic “Australia,” but now we have the first Australian film ever to open the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. 

Director Adam Elliot won an Academy Award for his short film “Harvie Krumpet”, after screening the film in the 2004 Sundance festival and now he’s back to open the festival with “Mary and Max.” 

The clay-animated film follows a 20 year penpal friendship between an eight-year-old girl in Melbourne and an obese 42-year-old man in New York.  Don’t worry it’s not about a pedophile, or so we hope. 

Australia’s own Toni Collette voices the female lead character and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Humphries, Eric Bana, Molly Meldrum and Renee Geyer are also featured.

With such strong buzz already expect the film to definitely get North American distribution.

Finally, A Great Australian Film

By: Souleo

When I first saw this picture I thought oh great, looks like Nicole Kidman or Hugh Jackman have gone and pulled a Madonna/Angelina Jolie and adopted some poor child, with the plan to give him the true love that only Hollywood parents can provide.

But upon further investigation it turns out the two are posing with actor Brandon Walters for a photocall ahead of the world premiere of “Australia” at the Museum of Contemporary Art yesterday in Sydney. 

Sorry Brandon.

At the official premiere of one of this season’s most talked about films, numerous stars came out.  Among them was tabloid favorite Ruby Rose who worked a sexy pair of gloves.  No word yet on whether she was caught making out with some random female like usual, but we’re pretty sure she did.

Entertainer Maria Venuti showed up in a dangerously low cut dress that miraculously managed to deflect attention from the catastrophe that is her make-up.  This is what Americans call a “hot mess.”

Media Personality and sister of Nicole, Antonia Kidman, and her daughter Lucia Kidman also came out to support.  A special thanks to Antonia for reminding us what Nicole might resemble without all of her Botox injections.  She’s the closest thing to looking like a human version of Nicole Kidman since well, Nicole Kidman.

Photo: D. Arnold, WireImage.com

AFL Star Back on Field

By: Souleo

Ben Cousins has had a rough couple of years battling his drug addiction but the AFL has finally agreed to let him return to playing football.  The only catch is that the AFL is imposing some mighty tough restrictions on Ben.  According to The Australian in order for Ben to play he will have to undergo as many as three urine tests a week, regular hair testing and immediate suspension for failing to even sit a test.  That’s a total of 160 tests per year, a number no other athlete in the world has to deal with.  The cost to the AFL for all of this is about $100,000 a week.

We know he’s good but is he really worth that much just for tests?!

Of course Ben is not pleased with any of this after calling the rules “onerous.”  We kind of agree with him and have decided to give him some tips on how to rebel against the excessive testing.

Urine Tests:  Bring a small can of apple juice and fill ‘er up with that.  No one will ever be able to tell the difference.

Hair Tests:  Pull a Britney Spears and shave it all off.  You probably won’t get as much press for it since you’re a dude unless you make it all the more dramatic and start attacking cars with umbrellas and crying for apparently no reason.  On second thought the latter might backfire.

Stay off drugs:  This is the only way we know to really beat the system.

Good luck to you, Ben.

Maybe He Can Give Those Girls Tips

Andre Rieu visist the cast of Wick in Australia recently. Dont get yourself all in a tussy, these photo ops only happen when speical people like Andre come along. You can be there are a bunch of back stage shots that you will never see.

 Anyhow, Andre spoke with the cast and give them advice on their future. How cute.

Check out the full coverage of Wicked by visiting www.Broadway.tv.

 photo Serge Thomann/WireImage.com

The Gold Coast Baby!

By: Souleo 
On November 13^th, plenty of celebrities wanted to be on the inside as they all came out for the Inside Film Awards held at Royal Pines Crowne Plaza on the Gold Coast.  The Inside Film Awards are the people’s choice awards for Australian films.

Actor Hugo Weaving was there along with an unidentified male guest.  Since we don’t know who the guy is we’ll reserve any sarcastic comments, but Mr. No-Name Mate better watch out for us next time.

The world’s sexiest mermaid, actress Indiana Evans, looked pretty in blue.  Indiana is now appearing on the international hit, “H2O: Just Add Water.”  Her departure from the hit soap “Home & Away” came as a shock earlier this year, but it looks like she’s back on her tail-I mean two feet.  Excuse the lame Mermaid joke.

One of our favorite comedians and actresses, Rebel Wilson, passed through.  Rebel recently launched her new fashion line “Fat Mindi,” named after the poplar character she created on “The Wedge.”  The line is proud to be 100% fully fat which is great.  Now when ladies ask their lovers if they look fat and get a yes response, they have no one else to blame but Fat Mindi. 

Other celebrities included actress Susie Porter, Sigrid Thornton, actor/director Nash Edgerton, and more.

Photos WireImage.com

Oh Erin, We Like You

By: Souleo  The pure hotness known as Erin McNaught(y) helped launch the ASUS Green Collection Launch at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on November 12, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

Photos: WireImage.com