http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/reality-tv/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/life-after-masterchef-will-there-be-a-new-reality/ By the year 2014, scientists - meaning my brain - predict that four out of every five Australians will have participated in a televised cooking, singing or renovation competition. Unable to find anyone over the age of six who hasn’t ruined a batch of macarons, covered an ‘80s ballad or panicked about tiling patterns on national TV, producers will be forced to resort to the construction of an army of immortal robots tasked with endlessly installing water features and preparing fusion dishes until civilisation crumbles and George Calombaris becomes ruler of the rag-tag group of rebels who patrol the Earth’s shattered highways. For years, our screens have been dominated by accountants and architects in aprons, couples having domestics on building sites and bubbly teens with floppy fringes sacrificing themselves to Kyle Sandilands - the human-shaped God of Patronising Rage. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/life-after-masterchef-will-there-be-a-new-reality/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/life-after-masterchef-will-there-be-a-new-reality/#item8512 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-dusty-death-sentence-that-reality-tv-can-help-prevent/ The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-dusty-death-sentence-that-reality-tv-can-help-prevent/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-dusty-death-sentence-that-reality-tv-can-help-prevent/#item8229 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/top-tips-for-becoming-a-reality-tv-star/ Christmas is over, the hangover from New Years has receded and instead of having a New Years resolution of giving up smoking or losing weight, you have decided you want to be a reality TV star. Whether it is to be famous, or just to have an interesting unique experience, here are some tips that will get you closer to hearing “lights, cameras, action”! Being sexy, humorous or able to cause conflict may help you get on the show, however, all shows need a diversity of people to make it interesting and to keep it real. 1. Decide which show you are best suited for. If you can’t sing or dance forget the talent shows like The Voice, The X Factor or Australia’s Got Talent. If you can cook Masterchef Australia, and My Kitchen Rules are possibilities. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/top-tips-for-becoming-a-reality-tv-star/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/top-tips-for-becoming-a-reality-tv-star/#item7482 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/if-you-cant-handle-the-tweet-get-out-of-the-TV-kitchen/ When it comes to reality TV, this much we know: Facebook death threats and Twitter hate campaigns are very good for ratings. Just check the huge numbers hauled in by all the mass-hating on Deni Hines, reluctant anti-hero of what could well have passed by as just a paler Aussie version of one more American import, Celebrity Apprentice. Whether it was for her so-called “bullying” of fellow contestant, Polly, her brittle ego (bristling at being offered advice), or her diva antics (refusing to sing for her team’s KFC campaign because she is a vegetarian), Hines is so detested by the Twittersphere she confessed this week to being “the most hated person on TV”. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/if-you-cant-handle-the-tweet-get-out-of-the-TV-kitchen/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/if-you-cant-handle-the-tweet-get-out-of-the-TV-kitchen/#item7230 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-feel-good-tv-show-hiding-corporate-reality/ The average executive salary is 100 times more than the average worker’s—and widening—according to ACTU figures. We’re told that bank CEOs’ loot-bags are bulging with the run-off from excess rate rises and capricious ATM fees. But like so many social issues, the real battleground may be taking place outside of the political and news-based arena. It’s the mainstream popular media where opinions can be shaped and slippery messages fed to the young and the passive. Ten’s “Undercover Boss Australia”—recently renewed for a second season—is a prime example of cynical corporate interests being delivered as “entertainment”. And yet it gets a free pass in the cultural debate over workers’ conditions, pay rates and CEO salary obscenity. In an environment where popular media isn’t considered to be worth serious discussion, we’re just expected to lap it up, not to talk about it. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-feel-good-tv-show-hiding-corporate-reality/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-feel-good-tv-show-hiding-corporate-reality/#item4574 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-amazing-race-to-find-the-right-talent-for-reality-tv/ If you are a fan of reality TV then there’s every chance you’ve imagined yourself as contestant on one of the genre’s many shows. Maybe you’ve thought your singing ability could make you the next Australian Idol, perhaps your love of the outdoors made you feel like you could be the next Survivor or maybe you thought a childhood spent playing with table-tennis balls was worth $500,000. If The Amazing Race is your reality show of choice, your dreams of becoming a D-list celebrity could well be on their way to fulfilment. Channel Seven recently announced that it will be producing an Australian version of the popular US reality series, giving a handful of Australians the chance to race around the world for a “massive cash prize”. The show has been running in the US for nine years in which time CBS has managed to pump out an impressive sixteen seasons, with a 17th due for broadcast later this year. For those that haven’t seen the show, take the biggest scavenger hunt you’ve ever seen, add pairs of clueless tourists, some Big Brother-style 24/7 surveillance and the most stressful elements of travelling, mix them together and you get something that vaguely resembles The Amazing Race. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-amazing-race-to-find-the-right-talent-for-reality-tv/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-amazing-race-to-find-the-right-talent-for-reality-tv/#item3814 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dont-blame-the-armchair-critics-for-masterchef-attacks/ In a Courier Mail article this week Karen Brooks wrote that there was a lot of cyber hate on Twitter and Facebook directed at Masterchef Australia contestants. She alleges Masterchef nice has been turned into Masterchef nasty on social networking sites, and some of these remarks were sexist, racist and homophobic. As prolific tweeter I must be on a different stream as the majority of tweets I see are witty, and commenting mainly on what is being shown on the screen. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dont-blame-the-armchair-critics-for-masterchef-attacks/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dont-blame-the-armchair-critics-for-masterchef-attacks/#item3340 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/The-one-story-the-English-actually-give-a-rats-about/ Whenever I tell British friends, old and new, that I’m from Murwillumbah, the closest town to the jungle that is I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, I get the sort of response that I imagine Rolf Harris received when he introduced the wobbleboard to the Poms. For the past three years I’ve been in the Old Dart, I’ve been bombarded with questions such as “so… have you eaten kangaroo testicles?” whenever the latest instalment of the annual reality show rolls around. It’s my second draw card, my first one being my ocker twang. I have used them both to get a story, a drink, even a date in the Motherland. Last year I used the I’m a Celebrity factor to impress a potential Brummie suitor. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/The-one-story-the-English-actually-give-a-rats-about/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/The-one-story-the-English-actually-give-a-rats-about/#item1957 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/How-the-year-end-reality-shows-are-holding-up/ The TV stations are in the final throes of the ratings year and over the past few weeks they have launched the shows to lead them into the Christmas break. The big three stations have included some new reality TV shows in their arsenal to win over the viewers and therefore gain advertising dollars. How are they going? The Apprentice: One of Channel Nine’s highly promoted new programs, made by reality TV gurus Fremantle Media. The show started off to very poor ratings of under 700,000, but this week it improved and look like it is gaining traction. The problem with attracting viewers may not be the show but people lacking faith in Nine not sticking with the program. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/How-the-year-end-reality-shows-are-holding-up/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/How-the-year-end-reality-shows-are-holding-up/#item1496 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/whats-gone-wrong-with-australian-idol/ With the latest episode of Australian Idol still not hitting the 1 million viewer mark in the new 7.30pm time slot, it is time for Channel Ten to hit the panic button. Kyle Sandilands may have presided over the death of Big Brother by being the host in its last year, but has he also contributed to Australian Idol’s demise by not being on the show? Without a doubt this year Idol has had to overcome the challenge of standing down a judge the week the show premiered, the loss of co-host James Mathison, as well as other changes to try and keep a tiring concept fresh. Here is what I see the problems are: penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/whats-gone-wrong-with-australian-idol/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/whats-gone-wrong-with-australian-idol/#item1339 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 The March death of Everest man, Lincoln Hall, is a stark reminder that asbestos kills. Lincoln cheated death when he survived a night at 8600m near the summit of Mount Everest, without oxygen or proper equipment. But there was no escaping the disease caused by exposure to asbestos as a nine year old. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 700 people diagnosed each year. And as Lincoln’s death some 47 years after helping his father build two cubby houses with asbestos sheeting reminds us, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years. For those who have already been exposed to this carcinogen, the reality is that it may be too late.