Brett Debritz’s archive

Now here’s an idea that might catch on. Some radio stations in the US are abandoning traditional musical formats in favour of the almost-random selection of songs. The “we’ll play anything” phenomenon has been embraced by the iPod Shuffle generation. Some whiz-kid in programming has apparrently discovered that people don’t want to hear the same songs – or even the same sort of songs – repeated endlessly. What next? Sliced bread?

“Dying is easy; comedy is hard.” So, apparently, cracked the late Graham Kennedy on his death bed. Heard that one before? It’s an old comics’ standard, attributed by some to the actor Edmund Gwenn. And, according to the late Rodney Dangerfield in his book It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me, Peter O’Toole uttered the lines in the film My Favorite Year. That, of course, takes nothing away from Kennedy. I hope I have the presence of mind to remember something memorable when I go.

Australian television pioneer Graham Kennedy has died at the age of 71. Kennedy, known as “the King”, was an icon of early television and remained popular through the 1960s, 70s and 80s by reinventing himself for new audiences. The ABC coverage is here. For other recent deaths, go to my Celebrity Deaths Archive.

I don’t think I’d have much in common with Boris Johnson, the British Tory MP and editor of The Spectator. Still it’s hard to argue with this observation: “All politicians are basically weird; the electorate accepts that, and they find few things more embarrassing than watching us pretend to be normal by wearing fake ornaments or open-necked shirts or coming out as gay.”

Now here’s a spin. According to Radio Ink, WiMax technology will soon give wireless internet a range of about 50km – plus the ability to operate in cells, just as mobile phones do. And that could pose a huge threat to the radio broadcasters’ cartel. With the right equipment in our cars, we could soon be listening on the go to Netcasters from all over the shop – not just the stations with licences to operate in our local area. Australia’s government and radio operators still haven’t settled on a digital standard, and it could already be superceded!

If you’re a fan of Desperate Housewives in a part of the world where the final episode of series 1 has not yet aired, don’t read this.

1) From futurologist Ian Pearson: “If you draw the timelines, realistically by 2050 we would expect to be able to download your mind into a machine, so when you die it’s not a major career problem,” he said. “If you’re rich enough then by 2050 it’s feasible. If you’re poor you’ll probably have to wait until 2075 or 2080 when it’s routine.”
2) The Chinese government has banned the practice of serving sushi off the bodies of naked women, condemning it as “as both unhygienic and an infringement of women’s rights”. I’ve no argument on either count.
3) George Lucas is a leftie! Asked if the director’s latest and last Star Wars film “takes metaphoric shots at the war-mongering politics of US presidents Richard Nixon and the two George Bushes”, actor Hayden Christensen replied: “Absolutely.”

Now here’s a name to remember: Helena Paparizou. The Greek singer has just won the Eurovision Song Contest with a tune titled My Number One. This, of course, means global fame is only around the corner – just like it was for Abba, Johnny Logan, er, Brotherhood of Man, and, um, all those other memorable winners.

A British artist named Banksy has successfully placed one of his own creations among the ancient artworks in the British Museum. His was the one with the caveman pushing the shopping trolley. He claims the piece, known as Peckham Rock, was there for some time before it was discovered.

The critical verdict on Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith may be varied, but the movie has struck gold at the box office. With a record-breaking $US50 million takings in its first day on American screens, the Force certainly is with this film.