So it’s fair to say that “Canadian Idol,” the TV talent show competition, is a hit in Canada this summer. But it isn’t just a hit – it’s a ratings monster, scoring some of the best numbers ever for a Canadian TV show. “The show pits young Canadian crooners against each other for a shot at a recording contract. It has become so popular that it is even beating some numbers from this year’s Stanley Cup.”
Tag: 08.13.03
Massed Singing In The Rain
A mass public performance of dance from the movie “Singing in the Rain” is being mounted in Australia as part of the Melbourne Festival. “Thousands of people are expected to don raincoats and gumboots at Federation Square on October 9 to learn the dance immortalised by Gene Kelly in the film of the same name. A Melbourne Festival spokeswoman said as far as they knew, it was the first time a mass production of the the dance with members of the public had been undertaken.”
Australia Making Fewer Films
Are fewer features films being made in Australia? Yes, says the Australian Film Commission’s chief executive. And the reason is lack of funding – both private and government. “There’s less money to make them. The funding that’s available through either direct or indirect government support is less than what it has been in the past.”
The Problem When Your Book Exceeds Expectations
David Lipsky got his book launched with plenty of buzz. His publisher was foursquare behind him. And the opening round of publicity created aa run of sales any publisher would envy. One problem? You can’t buy the book anywhere. Lipsky’s book sold out of its first printing of 40,000, and making more takes three weeks or longer. By then, will people stiull be lining up to buy it? The story shows how cautious publishers have become…
Senator Dodd’s Quiet Campaign
Connecticut senator Senator Christopher J. Dodd is “seeking to correct what he and other lawmakers regard as a longstanding injustice: a dearth of images of women and members of minorities in one of the nation’s most visited buildings” – the Capitol.
Making Monet Look Like A Hack…But Who Seems To Care?
Edinburgh’s mamoth Monet show has Richard Dorment wondering if Monet “may not be the most overrated painter of the 19th century. Monet was a virtuoso, like the composer Rossini. Both were prolific with their enormous talents. Ravishing though it is, their work needs to be taken in small doses so that you don’t notice how formulaic and repetitive it can be. This sprawling, grab-bag of a show looks at the period 1878-83” and reveals a formula applied over and over again. “So what if the show is lousy? It’s Monet, stupid. The box-office queues are long, and the gift shop is busy. The cynicism of the whole enterprise boggles the mind.”