http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/television/ 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 2013 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +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/peter-harvey-canberra/ We’ve lost a good one. And when we say “we”, we don’t just mean “we” of the journalistic fraternity but we the Australian public. We could sum Harves up in as many words as the internet can hold, but the three words in the headline say it all. When he signed off with his dulcet “Peter Harvey, Canberra”, it was a sign that you’d just heard a report you could trust. No doubt it had been a story colourfully told too. Our thoughts this evening are with Harvey’s family, including his daughter and our News Ltd colleague Claire Harvey. We welcome you to leave your thoughts below, and you can also read more about Peter Harvey at news.com.au. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/peter-harvey-canberra/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/peter-harvey-canberra/#item10703 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Just-let-me-enjoy-my-TV/ Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Just-let-me-enjoy-my-TV/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Just-let-me-enjoy-my-TV/#item10625 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-the-end-we-all-just-want-to-share-our-story/ If the walls of the SBS foyer in Sydney could talk, they’d have plenty to say about the state of the world today, and even more about what it means to be human. That’s largely thanks to a weekly program called Insight which has been hosted by acclaimed journalist, Jenny Brockie since 2001. Panel shows are usually filled with people trying to outsmart or out-funny the person sitting next to them. They can be glib, awkward and far too easy to switch over when something better comes along. Insight is different. If you want to understand people, their motivations, their tragedies, their histories and their lives then you can’t afford to miss it.  And tonight’s episode, “Child Warriors” is no exception. It kicks off the 2013 season with the question: what happens to children who grow up in extreme political circumstances? feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-the-end-we-all-just-want-to-share-our-story/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-the-end-we-all-just-want-to-share-our-story/#item10584 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-ad-that-takes-us-back-at-least-20-years/ Imagine this new TV advertisement: A gorgeous, shapely young woman is mowing the lawn in the golden summer sunshine. She’s admired by some eager young men who roll a can of Diet Coke down the hill towards her. She stops mowing, and starts drinking the fizzy soft drink. She gets some of it on her t-shirt so she removes it, revealing a toned midrift and huge rack enclosed in a sexy red bra. She keeps mowing with her top off in soft-focus slow-motion, closely watched by the guys. The soundtrack, of course, is Etta James’ “I just want to make love to you”. I’ll bet there would be a huge outcry if any soft drink maker dared to make an ad like that these days. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-ad-that-takes-us-back-at-least-20-years/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-ad-that-takes-us-back-at-least-20-years/#item10572 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/im-not-anti-breast-feeding-just-pro-politeness/ Australian women should be able to breastfeed anywhere at anytime. Are we clear on that? Anywhere, anytime. And the Australian public should be overwhelmingly supportive and respect that right of nursing mothers. But, and call me a dinosaur, that respect is a two-way street. Nursing mothers also need to be aware of the sensitivities of breastfeeding in public and return that respect by, when appropriate, being discreet and modest. Whether they be generational, cultural or religious sensitivities, some people in the community are just not comfortable with uncovered breastfeeding. It’s a very emotional issue, and the Koch family certainly isn’t immune. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/im-not-anti-breast-feeding-just-pro-politeness/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/im-not-anti-breast-feeding-just-pro-politeness/#item10442 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/nobodys-making-a-racquet-about-this-gender-bias/ Like most Australians, January is the month where my TV screen is dominated by either tennis or cricket. It’s a fantastic time of year. You’re pretty much guaranteed that any time you turn on the TV, some top line sporting matchup will be ready for you to watch. I also got the chance to see the most dominant female sports star of the past 20 years, Serena Williams, in action the other day. Playing at the Brisbane International, Serena was up against an up-and-coming young American player Sloane Stephens. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/nobodys-making-a-racquet-about-this-gender-bias/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/nobodys-making-a-racquet-about-this-gender-bias/#item10370 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/i-wont-be-watching-oprahs-lance-armstrong-interview/ Don’t let cycling supercheat Lance Armstrong take you for another ride. This is what he’s no doubt planning to do when he appears on Oprah’s couch in a no-holds-barred interview next week. Oprah is promising no question will be off-limits, but, interestingly, the interview will not be broadcast in full or live. No doubt Armstrong will be contrite, sincere and regretful. He may even cry. He may need a few rehearsals to get these emotions down pat. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/i-wont-be-watching-oprahs-lance-armstrong-interview/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/i-wont-be-watching-oprahs-lance-armstrong-interview/#item10375 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/welcome-back-warnie/ Welcome back, Shane. It was like watching the Warnie of old on Sunday night as he let that carefully crafted veneer of calm, cool and collected respectability drop and showed us the competitive animal beneath. Watching Warne gesticulate wildly at opponents and umpires alike, drop the F word, grab Marlon Samuels’ shirt and then aim a ball at his body was genuinely entertaining stuff. I haven’t had so much fun watching a quasi-sporting event since Wrestlemania XVI where Triple H defeated The Big Show, Mick Foley and The Rock in a four way elimination match for the title. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/welcome-back-warnie/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/welcome-back-warnie/#item10343 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/theres-nothing-new-on-tv/ My wife and I were having an interesting discussion the other night, so I quickly turned on the TV and we both breathed a sigh of relief. After what seemed an age of the TV shouting at us and trying to sell us stuff A Current Affair finally went to a commercial break and the summer promos started. One thing about summer programming is that it’s much less predictable than regular programming. You can easily stumble across a viewing of 1988’s Coming To America and not see it repeated until at least the following week. Summer programming also involves lots of promos with slow motion and the word “DRAMA” appearing in bold graphics every so often to remind you not to laugh. As I was sitting there watching the word DRAMA slowly move toward me, I realised I’d seen pretty much all these shows before. Re-imagined, re-booted, re-told, re-whatever, they are all old shows that are now being sold as new. Channel 7 has even re-booted the tennis again. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/theres-nothing-new-on-tv/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/theres-nothing-new-on-tv/#item10342 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/maybe-this-wasnt-such-a-big-fat-honey-boo-boo/ How could a seven-year-old chubby redneck beauty queen be named as one of 2012’s Most Fascinating People? Eyebrows were certainly raised when Alana Thompson, star of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, made it onto US TV journalist Barbara Walters’ famous list alongside US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and actor Ben Affleck. And yet at the same time, her reality TV show, a spinoff from Toddlers and Tiaras, is being slammed by others as evidence of “the decay of Western civilisation”. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/maybe-this-wasnt-such-a-big-fat-honey-boo-boo/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/maybe-this-wasnt-such-a-big-fat-honey-boo-boo/#item10301 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Sometimes I just want to watch a TV show. That’s it - just watch it and enjoy it. Shallow aren’t I. Sure, during Downton thoughts about class and sexism sometimes bubble to the surface. When I catch MKR I’m aware I’m being sold a formula. And of course as a dominant cultural medium TV is going to come in for a bit of cultural analysis every now and again. But there’s a difference between that and ruining good TV with a constant stream of scene-by-scene examination of the motives and significance of every, single, utterance.