Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Alone at Party Central

66 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 Newer→ Last

  • Ray Gilbert,

    First!!

    Since Nov 2006 • 104 posts Report

  • Grace Dalley,

    Scoundrels looks OK ( Honest was the UK version, I think), but can it really work without Robyn Malcom? OTOH I love the guy they've got in the Van role, he seems perfect!

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2008 • 138 posts Report

  • James Butler,

    I remember seeing Malcolm McNeil (by no means a tall man) perform Short People standing on a chair.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2009 • 856 posts Report

  • James Butler,

    Hey, I pressed "Preview"...

    Auckland • Since Jan 2009 • 856 posts Report

  • Lyndon Hood,

    I hazily recall being told that Bret and the Ukulele orchestra did Short People at an event in Civic Square and the audience didn't quite know what to make of it.

    Possilby faux-ironic pose issues have queered the pitch for actual irony as well as for sincerity. [short people != gingas]

    Or I'm speculating about rumours.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    The video clips are properly embedded-- rather than cut off -- in the original post:

    http://www.publicaddress.net/default,6659.sm

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Lawrence Arabia's 'Look Like a Fool'

    "... with your pants on the ground." ?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    It is easy to assume that everyone has access to pay TV. But at $80 or so a month it is just not an option for so many people, particularly those just surviving on benefits or super. I am becoming increasingly concerned about how NZ is made of two groups of people; those who can afford access to technology (pay TV, internet etc) and those who can't (and those who can don't seem to care about the others).

    The programmes on Heartland would have a ready audience among those in the latter category - so instead of just accepting the corporate model we need to keep challenging it.

    (I'm quite grumpy about social justice today - getting ready for the Welfare Working Group's two day public seminar next week).

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Scoundrels looks... weird. The light or something - everything looks fake.

    Outrageous Fortune without Robyn Malcolm or Antony Starr. Van's strength isn't his stupidity, it's his all-encompassing emotion - post Aurora, post-Sheree. Hope they don't just play it as just a dumb character for laughs.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • David Ritchie,

    That trailer calls it an "original series" with a straight face. It also says it starts June 20, which isn't this Sunday (more like 2 Sundays after that).

    Since Nov 2006 • 166 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Oh, how I love the WIUO. Love them. Love them. They are whimsical, and musical, and just good fun, not to mention quite seriously good looking, and fairly talented. And I don't know why, and you'll all think I'm emotionally just wrong, but listening to them always makes my eyes fill up with tears with how good they are. Some of Phoenix Foundations' stuff hits me like that too.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • slarty,

    Shameless...

    Since Nov 2006 • 290 posts Report

  • Craig Young,

    Yes, why do the Brits need an Outrageous Fortune
    adaptation, when they've already got Shameless...
    which, I seem to recall, preceded it in terms of
    series longevity.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 573 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen,

    That ukulele clip was brilliant.

    It is just impossible to listen to them and not smile, which is a great way to end the week. Thanks Russell and Gemma.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • andin,

    Scoundrels, the American Outrageous Fortune adaptation

    HoHum. Both just remind me of this song which sums up my feelings about these crime porn shows. Pigs, crims, thugs and their molls were always the least interesting people in the West Auckland I grew up in.
    Sure to ruin a party just by turning up.
    But hey its telly not reality.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • barnaclebarnes,

    You're right - The sheds shouldn't be a permanent fixture on the waterfront and we do need to do something there in the long term. The issue I have with this whole temporary structure thing is that there is no real benefit for the money outlaid. It is a boat load of cash for something that will end up just pretty. well, meh.

    The sheds themselves could be tarted up to make a great temporary space - Bring in some shipping containers and make some great popup bars outside (maybe the Justice Department can help fit them out ;-). Get people who know how to run local bars such as Luke Dallow to set up spaces suited to their theme. Maybe a champaign bar at the end, clubbing area, booze barn area, family firendly. Now that kind of thing would actually be shabby chic cool and we could probably get away with it for $5 million. Put the other the other $15 million towards running an international design competition for a proper cruise ship terminal that we can be proud of.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 90 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Lawrence Arabia's 'Look Like a Fool'
    "... with your pants on the ground." ?

    3410, have I ever mentioned that I love you?

    I am becoming increasingly concerned about how NZ is made of two groups of people; those who can afford access to technology (pay TV, internet etc) and those who can't (and those who can don't seem to care about the others).

    Much as I am loath to compliment librarians about anything at all, they do write quite a lot about this 'digital divide' and the ways in which is increasing. It's a worry. (However, in the interests of accuracy, Sky Digital isn't generally $80 a month - the basic package is $40something I think.)

    listening to them always makes my eyes fill up with tears with how good they are

    Dork alert: I saw them one year at WOMAD and got all misty at their version of, of ALL things, Prince's 'I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man'. Heh. I have no idea what's going on with me.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • recordari,

    listening to them always makes my eyes fill up with tears with how good they are

    I was watching WIUO videos on Facebook this morning, and being a Uke fan, they bring a tear to my eye also. We love you Raylene, whoever you are. The children were singing along. 'I got drunk, how drunk I got...'

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • 3410,

    3410, have I ever mentioned that I love you?

    You have, and - believe me - it helps. PS: it's mutual.


    Song of the Year:

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Sue,

    that judd is nowhere near as hot as the original

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report

  • Dave Patrick,

    Is it just me, or do the American Cheryl and Wolf look almost as young as their supposed kids?

    Rangiora, Te Wai Pounamu • Since Nov 2006 • 261 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    isn't botox a wonderful thing

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    However, in the interests of accuracy, Sky Digital isn't generally $80 a month - the basic package is $40something I think

    $51.54 for Sky Basic, according to the horse, but the small print says that SkyWatch is included, though optional, at $2.60/month. So the absolute-no-frills, bargain-basement price is $48.94. Plus installation. 12-month term.
    Which, really, puts it out of reach of a lot of households. That's not too far shy of $600/year, and that's without counting the installation charges.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Grace Dalley,

    Van's strength isn't his stupidity, it's his all-encompassing emotion - post Aurora, post-Sheree. Hope they don't just play it as just a dumb character for laughs.

    I think the same goes for all the characters, actually. While the story features farcical situations, it doesn't work if we can't take the characters seriously. Van is goofy but also extremely sweet and loyal and well-meaning. We enjoy the goofiness at the same time as worrying about him and hoping he'll be OK. We can laugh at the Wests because we feel we know and like them.

    Given the absurd situations the Wests get themselves into, this is no small acheivement for the writers and actors.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2008 • 138 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Which, really, puts it out of reach of a lot of households.

    Oh, I agree with the larger point. I was just noting that $80 a month is for *everything*, not the basic package.

    (I cancelled SkyWatch in the first few months, after a ludicrous email back-and-forth with one of their writers about, erm, Renee Zellweger. Because I am insane.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

This topic is closed.