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From claws to applause: Jackman's Oscars blitz, by Clare Morgan - The Sydney Morning Herald - 23rd February 2009
To American audiences he is Wolverine but Hugh Jackman proved he has much more to offer than sideburns and retractable claws as he opened the Oscars ceremony with a raucous song-and-dance number that earned a standing ovation.
Joking that everything in the broadcast had been downsized due to the recession, a relaxed-looking Jackman told the audience at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles that he'd put together his own tribute in his garage.
There followed a witty musical routine covering the nominated films - Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon and The Reader - that featured what looked like home-made props, cardboard cut-outs and even the Craig's List Dancers.
A highlight was best actress nominee Anne Hathaway joining him on stage for the Frost/Nixon duet, with Jackman singing "Why didn't you burn the tapes?" With Hathaway playing the disgraced former president, Jackson held her in a clinch and whispered a breathy "Oh, Nixon."
The opening number showed Jackman at his singing and dancing best as he finished with "These are the Oscars! This is my dream! I am a slumdog! I'm the reader, the wrestler. I am Wolverine!" and the assembled stars leapt to their feet.
The Australian performer then chatted with some of the nominees in the front row, offering tributes to Meryl Streep and telling Mickey Rourke about the broadcast's 30-second delay. "But if you win we have a 20-minute delay."
It was vintage Jackman, who had proved how well he could work a room when he starred in The Boy From Oz in 2006.
This year's Oscars were given an overhaul by organisers as they seek to bounce back from 2008 television figures that were the worst in history.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Hugh Jackman
Oscars
Joking that everything in the broadcast had been downsized due to the recession, a relaxed-looking Jackman told the audience at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles that he'd put together his own tribute in his garage.
There followed a witty musical routine covering the nominated films - Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon and The Reader - that featured what looked like home-made props, cardboard cut-outs and even the Craig's List Dancers.
A highlight was best actress nominee Anne Hathaway joining him on stage for the Frost/Nixon duet, with Jackman singing "Why didn't you burn the tapes?" With Hathaway playing the disgraced former president, Jackson held her in a clinch and whispered a breathy "Oh, Nixon."
The opening number showed Jackman at his singing and dancing best as he finished with "These are the Oscars! This is my dream! I am a slumdog! I'm the reader, the wrestler. I am Wolverine!" and the assembled stars leapt to their feet.
The Australian performer then chatted with some of the nominees in the front row, offering tributes to Meryl Streep and telling Mickey Rourke about the broadcast's 30-second delay. "But if you win we have a 20-minute delay."
It was vintage Jackman, who had proved how well he could work a room when he starred in The Boy From Oz in 2006.
This year's Oscars were given an overhaul by organisers as they seek to bounce back from 2008 television figures that were the worst in history.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Hugh Jackman
Oscars
OSCARS: Slumdog dominates, Ledger wins, Rourke hits the canvas
The Live Winners List:
Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Best animated feature: Wall-E.
Art Direction: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Donald Graham, Burt Victor Graham Zolfo.
Costume design: The Dutchess - Michael O'Connor
Makeup: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Greg Cannom.
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire - Anthony Dod Mantle.
Live short action film: Spielzeugland - Directed by Jochen Alexander Freydank.
Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight.
Documentary Feature: Man On Wire.
Visual Effects: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.
Outstanding Sound Editing: The Dark Knight - Richard King.
Sound mixing: Slumdog Millionaire.
Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire.
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis.
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire - A.R.Rahman.
Best Original Song: "Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire. A.R.Rahman.
Foreign Languages Film: Departures.
Best Director: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire.
Best Actress: Kate Winslet - The Readers
Best Actor: Sean Penn - Milk
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire.
---------------------
For the 81st Oscars, it was a new look, new feel and a fresher approach. And for the most part, it worked.
Producers cut the fat of previous years, and lent a punchier, 'behind the scenes' feel to the presentation of the awards.
Long setups and elaborate comedy routines were eschewed for quick introductions to the various categories - spiced up with brief points explaining the backgrounds of writing, production, costume design, makeup, acting, animation and directing.
The admittedly nervous host, Australia's Hugh Jackman, maintained a steady, slick delivery thanks to the program's tightly formatted structure.
Jackman was under a certain level of pressure to perform well, with producers hoping to combat the falling ratings the ceremony has experienced in recent years.
He got off to a good start with an entertaining Broadway-style opening number that parodied the films up for best picture nomination.
Throughout the awards, he performed a medley of musical numbers which showcased his stage talents, sharing the duties with singer and actress Beyonce Knowles.
The crowd was also delighted by brief comedy routines by Steve Martin, Tina Fey and Jack Black.
Later, comedian Ben Stiller took a dig at derailed actor Joaquin Phoenix - appearing with actress Natalie Portman in full beard and long hair, and imitating Phoenix's recent rambling, incoherent dialog.
"You look like you work in a Hassidic meth-lab" Portman quipped.
As the awards kicked off, actress Penelope Cruz was the first to receive a gong, picking up Best Supporting Actress for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Her reception of this award instantly dispelled a supposed "leak" of the winners list - with fake information suggesting the award would be picked up by Amy Adams.
Not surprisingly, best Animated Feature went to the wildly popular robot love story Wall-E. However, it was the only award the Disney/Pixar film would receive on the night.
But the moment on everyone’s mind was undoubtedly the announcement of Best Supporting actor, and in particular if the Late Heath Ledger would receive the Oscar for his critically acclaimed role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.
The actor, who died in January last year, was the recipient of the award.
Ledger's family graciously, yet emotionally accepted the Oscar on behalf of Heath's daughter, Matilda.
"Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul, who added so much excitement and inspiration to our lives." Heath's sister Kate said.
"We have truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect been bestowed upon him with this award."
"Tonight we are choosing to celebrate what he has achieved."
Following a series of emotional tribues, including Jerry Lewis's reception of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, Kate Winslet was given Best Actress for her role in The Reader, with many believing her first Oscar was well earnt.
Winslet was emotional about her recognition, and said her dream to win the Academy Award started at an early age.
"I'd be lying if I hadn't made a version of this speech. Before I was 8 years old and staring into the bathroom mirror speaking into a shampoo bottle. But this isn't a shampoo bottle." she said.
While Winslet's win was basically in the bag, the announcement of Sean Penn trumping Mickey Rourke for Best Actor was a surprise.
Penn won the award for his gripping portrayal of a homosexual politician in Milk.
Rourke was initially penned to nab the gong for his role in The Wrestler, a part that was considered his 'resurrection'.
Thanking the Academy, Penn made a provocative statement by jokingly referring to the industry as "commie homo loving sons of guns".
He later went on to urge the importance of accepting all walks of life, including homosexuals.
The real winner however, was Danny Boyle's romantic tale of urban India, Slumdog Millionare.
Picking up best Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Original Score, Original Song Best Directing, and culminating in Best Picture, the film was the standout selection of the awards.
Media Man Australia Profiles
The Oscars
Australian Sports Entertainment
Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Best animated feature: Wall-E.
Art Direction: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Donald Graham, Burt Victor Graham Zolfo.
Costume design: The Dutchess - Michael O'Connor
Makeup: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Greg Cannom.
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire - Anthony Dod Mantle.
Live short action film: Spielzeugland - Directed by Jochen Alexander Freydank.
Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight.
Documentary Feature: Man On Wire.
Visual Effects: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.
Outstanding Sound Editing: The Dark Knight - Richard King.
Sound mixing: Slumdog Millionaire.
Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire.
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis.
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire - A.R.Rahman.
Best Original Song: "Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire. A.R.Rahman.
Foreign Languages Film: Departures.
Best Director: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire.
Best Actress: Kate Winslet - The Readers
Best Actor: Sean Penn - Milk
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire.
---------------------
For the 81st Oscars, it was a new look, new feel and a fresher approach. And for the most part, it worked.
Producers cut the fat of previous years, and lent a punchier, 'behind the scenes' feel to the presentation of the awards.
Long setups and elaborate comedy routines were eschewed for quick introductions to the various categories - spiced up with brief points explaining the backgrounds of writing, production, costume design, makeup, acting, animation and directing.
The admittedly nervous host, Australia's Hugh Jackman, maintained a steady, slick delivery thanks to the program's tightly formatted structure.
Jackman was under a certain level of pressure to perform well, with producers hoping to combat the falling ratings the ceremony has experienced in recent years.
He got off to a good start with an entertaining Broadway-style opening number that parodied the films up for best picture nomination.
Throughout the awards, he performed a medley of musical numbers which showcased his stage talents, sharing the duties with singer and actress Beyonce Knowles.
The crowd was also delighted by brief comedy routines by Steve Martin, Tina Fey and Jack Black.
Later, comedian Ben Stiller took a dig at derailed actor Joaquin Phoenix - appearing with actress Natalie Portman in full beard and long hair, and imitating Phoenix's recent rambling, incoherent dialog.
"You look like you work in a Hassidic meth-lab" Portman quipped.
As the awards kicked off, actress Penelope Cruz was the first to receive a gong, picking up Best Supporting Actress for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Her reception of this award instantly dispelled a supposed "leak" of the winners list - with fake information suggesting the award would be picked up by Amy Adams.
Not surprisingly, best Animated Feature went to the wildly popular robot love story Wall-E. However, it was the only award the Disney/Pixar film would receive on the night.
But the moment on everyone’s mind was undoubtedly the announcement of Best Supporting actor, and in particular if the Late Heath Ledger would receive the Oscar for his critically acclaimed role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.
The actor, who died in January last year, was the recipient of the award.
Ledger's family graciously, yet emotionally accepted the Oscar on behalf of Heath's daughter, Matilda.
"Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul, who added so much excitement and inspiration to our lives." Heath's sister Kate said.
"We have truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect been bestowed upon him with this award."
"Tonight we are choosing to celebrate what he has achieved."
Following a series of emotional tribues, including Jerry Lewis's reception of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, Kate Winslet was given Best Actress for her role in The Reader, with many believing her first Oscar was well earnt.
Winslet was emotional about her recognition, and said her dream to win the Academy Award started at an early age.
"I'd be lying if I hadn't made a version of this speech. Before I was 8 years old and staring into the bathroom mirror speaking into a shampoo bottle. But this isn't a shampoo bottle." she said.
While Winslet's win was basically in the bag, the announcement of Sean Penn trumping Mickey Rourke for Best Actor was a surprise.
Penn won the award for his gripping portrayal of a homosexual politician in Milk.
Rourke was initially penned to nab the gong for his role in The Wrestler, a part that was considered his 'resurrection'.
Thanking the Academy, Penn made a provocative statement by jokingly referring to the industry as "commie homo loving sons of guns".
He later went on to urge the importance of accepting all walks of life, including homosexuals.
The real winner however, was Danny Boyle's romantic tale of urban India, Slumdog Millionare.
Picking up best Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Original Score, Original Song Best Directing, and culminating in Best Picture, the film was the standout selection of the awards.
Media Man Australia Profiles
The Oscars
Australian Sports Entertainment
American public gives Hugh's Oscars performance a tick - 24th February 2009
Some US TV critics may disagree, but Hugh Jackman's performance as Oscar host has received a big thumbs up from the American public.
The affable Aussie's singing, dancing and stand-up comedy performance spearheaded a reverse in the troubling slide in US TV ratings for the film industry's glitzy night of celebration.
Preliminary figures pointed to a six per cent rise in American viewers for the Jackman-led US TV Oscar telecast over the dismal performance a year ago when the Jon Stewart-hosted ceremony pulled in a record low audience of 32 million.
Polls in the US also overwhelmingly gave Jackman the thumbs up.
New York newspaper Newsday asked its readers to rate the Australian host's performance and 65.5 per cent deemed it "excellent", 21.5 per cent "good", 8.1 per cent "satisfactory" and just five per cent gave him a "fail".
Entertainment Weekly asked its readers if Jackman should return as host.
Just over 70 per cent said he should and only 29 per cent said he should not.
Most negative reviews from TV critics pointed to Jackman's use of the words "excrement" and "pubic hair" and other lines they considered low grade humour.
"We knew that with Jackman involved, metallic lame was a real possibility, but to make fun of the Nazi-war-crimes/paedophilia-themed The Reader?," Los Angeles Times critic Mary McNamara, who voiced her complaints about Jackman when it was announced last year, wrote.
New York Daily News' David Hinckley agreed.
"His showcase opener would have been better served, however, without the line about 'human excrement'," Hinckley wrote.
"You'd think someone somewhere in the production process would have said, 'That's not entertaining. That's gross'.
"It pretty much killed any chance Jackman could summon the classy ghost of Fred Astaire, which made it ironic that his midshow number, an all-hands-on-deck Busby Berkeley blowout, was built on Astaire's Top Hat."
Other critics applauded Jackman.
"He sang, he danced, he sat on Frank Langella's lap and he also presented the 81st annual Academy Awards," New York Times' Alessandra Stanley wrote.
"Hugh Jackman was a shrewd, even thrifty choice for a recession-era Oscar night - the hosting equivalent of a value meal."
LA Times' McNamara did have some kind words for the family of Heath Ledger, father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate, and the way they accepted the best supporting actor Oscar.
"To the Ledger family, we are all sorry for your loss," McNamara wrote.
"Thank you for the simple and heartfelt words about your son and brother and for reminding us that just one step back from all the glamour and craziness are ordinary people who understand both the importance and the limitations of a night like this."
Media Man Australia Profiles
The Oscars
Hugh Jackman
Heath Ledger
Australian Sports Entertainment
The affable Aussie's singing, dancing and stand-up comedy performance spearheaded a reverse in the troubling slide in US TV ratings for the film industry's glitzy night of celebration.
Preliminary figures pointed to a six per cent rise in American viewers for the Jackman-led US TV Oscar telecast over the dismal performance a year ago when the Jon Stewart-hosted ceremony pulled in a record low audience of 32 million.
Polls in the US also overwhelmingly gave Jackman the thumbs up.
New York newspaper Newsday asked its readers to rate the Australian host's performance and 65.5 per cent deemed it "excellent", 21.5 per cent "good", 8.1 per cent "satisfactory" and just five per cent gave him a "fail".
Entertainment Weekly asked its readers if Jackman should return as host.
Just over 70 per cent said he should and only 29 per cent said he should not.
Most negative reviews from TV critics pointed to Jackman's use of the words "excrement" and "pubic hair" and other lines they considered low grade humour.
"We knew that with Jackman involved, metallic lame was a real possibility, but to make fun of the Nazi-war-crimes/paedophilia-themed The Reader?," Los Angeles Times critic Mary McNamara, who voiced her complaints about Jackman when it was announced last year, wrote.
New York Daily News' David Hinckley agreed.
"His showcase opener would have been better served, however, without the line about 'human excrement'," Hinckley wrote.
"You'd think someone somewhere in the production process would have said, 'That's not entertaining. That's gross'.
"It pretty much killed any chance Jackman could summon the classy ghost of Fred Astaire, which made it ironic that his midshow number, an all-hands-on-deck Busby Berkeley blowout, was built on Astaire's Top Hat."
Other critics applauded Jackman.
"He sang, he danced, he sat on Frank Langella's lap and he also presented the 81st annual Academy Awards," New York Times' Alessandra Stanley wrote.
"Hugh Jackman was a shrewd, even thrifty choice for a recession-era Oscar night - the hosting equivalent of a value meal."
LA Times' McNamara did have some kind words for the family of Heath Ledger, father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate, and the way they accepted the best supporting actor Oscar.
"To the Ledger family, we are all sorry for your loss," McNamara wrote.
"Thank you for the simple and heartfelt words about your son and brother and for reminding us that just one step back from all the glamour and craziness are ordinary people who understand both the importance and the limitations of a night like this."
Media Man Australia Profiles
The Oscars
Hugh Jackman
Heath Ledger
Australian Sports Entertainment
Monday, February 23, 2009
Academy Awards Live Broadcast in Australia First Time Ever - Gambling911 - 22nd February 2009
You won't have to rise too early in Australia, but you might want to skip work for a few hours. That's because it's the first time ever the Academy Awards are being broadcast live in the country. Late morning through early afternoon is the time frame for this huge awards show that features some of Australia's best talent.
Channel Nine, which also broadcasts the phenomenally popular Underbelly series, will air the Oscars Monday morning in Australia the same time they are being shown at 5 pm Los Angeles time (Sunday).
The Media Man, Greg Tingle, tells Gambling911.com that everyone in Ledger's native Australia will be tuned in to watch the Oscars later this month.
"Australia is very excited about the Heath Ledger being nominated," Tingle Said. "I never heard anyone ever say a bad word about him. Heath used to live just down the road from us at Bronte Beach, however, one or two rabid paparazzi saw Health generally keen a lower public profile in the proceeding 12 months prior to his untimely death. Like many actors, artists and talented arty types, his fame grew after he left us, and Australia still loves him despite Ledger's sometimes problem with drugs, which ultimately cost him his life."
And while Australia will be rooting for Ledger, they'll also be watching another native son, Hugh Jackman, host the show.
"It would be a travesty not to broadcast the show live," says Tingle.
According to the Courier Mail, there used to be a massive blow-out in the Hilton Hotel ballroom, hosted by the various film distributors, back when they maintained a decent presence in Queensland.
"Then it dwindled to the point where Nine would take the live feed off a satellite and everyone would gather in a studio or in one of those more intimate cinemas and then head back to work sometime during the afternoon. Only they knew who the winners were." (Credit: Gambling911)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Network Nine Australia
Heath Ledger
Hugh Jackman
Entertainment News
Channel Nine, which also broadcasts the phenomenally popular Underbelly series, will air the Oscars Monday morning in Australia the same time they are being shown at 5 pm Los Angeles time (Sunday).
The Media Man, Greg Tingle, tells Gambling911.com that everyone in Ledger's native Australia will be tuned in to watch the Oscars later this month.
"Australia is very excited about the Heath Ledger being nominated," Tingle Said. "I never heard anyone ever say a bad word about him. Heath used to live just down the road from us at Bronte Beach, however, one or two rabid paparazzi saw Health generally keen a lower public profile in the proceeding 12 months prior to his untimely death. Like many actors, artists and talented arty types, his fame grew after he left us, and Australia still loves him despite Ledger's sometimes problem with drugs, which ultimately cost him his life."
And while Australia will be rooting for Ledger, they'll also be watching another native son, Hugh Jackman, host the show.
"It would be a travesty not to broadcast the show live," says Tingle.
According to the Courier Mail, there used to be a massive blow-out in the Hilton Hotel ballroom, hosted by the various film distributors, back when they maintained a decent presence in Queensland.
"Then it dwindled to the point where Nine would take the live feed off a satellite and everyone would gather in a studio or in one of those more intimate cinemas and then head back to work sometime during the afternoon. Only they knew who the winners were." (Credit: Gambling911)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Network Nine Australia
Heath Ledger
Hugh Jackman
Entertainment News
Sunday, February 22, 2009
NRL Club Launches BunnyBet Bookmaker Website Venture - Gambling911 - 21st February 2009
What's not to like about a site calling itself Bunnybet.com.au? Actually, the link redirects to the Betezy.com website as part of the latest NRL club joint venture with a bookmaking organization in Australia.
The Rabbitohs on Thursday launched the website following in the lead of other NRL clubs that have now begun to understand the potential in teaming up with betting groups like Darwin-based Betezy.
The Melbourne Herald writes:
"It is a stunning backflip after co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court unsuccessfully attempted to rid the embattled Souths Leagues Club of pokies 18 months ago. If there was any concerns about hypocrisy, Souths members don't seem to care."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said around 90 percent of the club's members gave their approval to join up with Betezy.com.
"Obviously people are going to talk about it being a backflip,'' he said. "This is a decision made after much consultation with the members. From a commercial point of view, we would be mad not to do it.
"As a CEO, I asked all the questions and it is the smart way to go. We've not entered into this partnership lightly. We consulted our members on this issue by sending them a Members First video over three weeks ago, explaining our options on sports betting, and the response we received was over 90 per cent in support of moving ahead with a sponsorship agreement.
"We've been in consultation with the NRL to ensure we meet their policies regarding sponsorship and sports betting, and they have given us the green light to move ahead.''
The Rabbitohs will receive a guaranteed six-figure sponsorship plus advertising commissions based on turnover. (Credit: Gambling911)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Betezy
South Sydney Juniors
NRL
Sports Betting
Australian Sports Entertainment
The Rabbitohs on Thursday launched the website following in the lead of other NRL clubs that have now begun to understand the potential in teaming up with betting groups like Darwin-based Betezy.
The Melbourne Herald writes:
"It is a stunning backflip after co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court unsuccessfully attempted to rid the embattled Souths Leagues Club of pokies 18 months ago. If there was any concerns about hypocrisy, Souths members don't seem to care."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said around 90 percent of the club's members gave their approval to join up with Betezy.com.
"Obviously people are going to talk about it being a backflip,'' he said. "This is a decision made after much consultation with the members. From a commercial point of view, we would be mad not to do it.
"As a CEO, I asked all the questions and it is the smart way to go. We've not entered into this partnership lightly. We consulted our members on this issue by sending them a Members First video over three weeks ago, explaining our options on sports betting, and the response we received was over 90 per cent in support of moving ahead with a sponsorship agreement.
"We've been in consultation with the NRL to ensure we meet their policies regarding sponsorship and sports betting, and they have given us the green light to move ahead.''
The Rabbitohs will receive a guaranteed six-figure sponsorship plus advertising commissions based on turnover. (Credit: Gambling911)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Betezy
South Sydney Juniors
NRL
Sports Betting
Australian Sports Entertainment
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