Thursday October 22, 2009
Richard Wilkins
TODAY Entertainment Presenter
G’day one and all greetings from beautiful Melbourne, where the sun is out, the birds are singing and all is well with the world!
Last night we rocked along to the Michael Jackson movie, This Is it, to see what all the fuss is about and I have to tell you, I was blown away. Having witnessed Michael in concert a few times over the years, it was mesmerising to see him in rehearsals for his comeback concert; and not for a second can you ignore the fact that this is a man only days away from his death. If that sounds a little macabre, it’s not meant to be, because ultimately, seeing this film is an uplifting experience and makes you realise what a true professional he was and how we’ve lost one of the all time greats way before his time.
Vanessa Amorosi was on fire on the show this morning, singing her first ever number 1 hit. I would have sworn she would have had one with ‘Absolutely Everybody’, ‘Shine’, or ‘Perfect’, but it was good for her and great for us this morning.
We’re in Melbourne for the spring racing carnival and we’d love to see you at the Bourke St Mall out in front of David Jones tomorrow morning if you’re lucky enough to be in this part of the world.
Have a good day, everyone.
Richard
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Georgie Gardner
TODAY newsreader
Hi everyone,
Well, there's been plenty of vibrant discussion on the set this morning on the back of yesterday's launch of the latest edition of Woman's Weekly. The talking point of course, is the use of Sarah Murdoch's face on the cover photograph in it's natural state - that is, for the first time ever the magazine has not airbrushed out any imperfections. Suffice to say, the beautiful Sarah has very few imperfections - trust me, I've seen her at 3.30am in the makeup chair (during her stint as fill-in host for the Today Show) and she is a naturally exquisite woman, a former supermodel no less.
So while the Weekly and Sarah should be applauded for taking this courageous and unprecedented step, surely the real test will be whether the magazine runs a cover photo of a woman who is less genetically blessed and more on par with the rest of us? Will that ever happen? Will the subject agree to it? And more critically, will we buy it? As the Weekly editor, Helen McCabe points out, at the end of the day a magazine is a business and it relies heavily on it's cover photo to sell copies. I have no doubt this latest edition will sell handsomely - Helen says she's already had scores of women tell her they'll buy it on principal.
So the message to Helen (and other magazine editors) now, is PLEASE keep up the momentum. Enough of the airbrushing and more power to women in their beautiful, natural, diverse state!
Have a great week,
X Georgie
Monday October 26, 2009
Karl Stefanovic
TODAY host
Good morning everyone,
There are some people who never get old, no matter how many birthdays they rack up - and Jackie Collins is one of them. The queen of raunchy romance was on fire this morning - and you've got to hand it to someone who's lived life to full like that - she even outs some of the characters in her books to shame. If you missed it, check it out on the website - definitely worth another look!
While you're on the site, don't miss Sarah Harris' gripping story of life inside the rehab centre saving the lives of teenagers addicted to drink and drugs. I think every parent has nights where we lie awake wondering what would happen if our kids went off the rails - for the parents of these teenagers, the nightmare has come true. But there is hope - over 90% of the kids who end up at the Triple Care Farm manage to turn their lives around. Today we met a couple of the young people hoping they can do the same thing - keep watching tomorrow to find out how they get on.
Like most race fans, I was glued to my TV for the Cox Plate - all eyes on Bart Cummings for the Spring Carnival hat-trick come Melbourne Cup day. And TODAY will be getting into the racing spirit with our special Spring Carnival shows this Thursday and Friday. We'll be bringing the whole show live from outside David Jones mens store in Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne - so come along and see us. Vanessa Amorosi will be performing live, and Megan Gale will be judging the best dressed viewer who turns up on Friday - you could win $1000 David Jones voucher and two passes to the Lexus marquee at Flemington on Oaks Day, so start choosing your outfit!
Don't forget - there's still time to get your entries in for your chance to be Weekend Today's next weather presenter. You'll find the entry forms in yesterday's copy of your local News Limited paper - the Sunday Telegraph, The Sunday Mail, The Sunday Times, Sunday Herald Sun, Sunday Mail, Sunday Tasmanian and Sunday Territorian - or on www.news.com.au. Then, go to out competitions page for further details on how to enter and also for full terms and conditions. Good luck!
And we're giving away a family trip for 4 to Japan as part of our great Astro Boy competition - check out the website for all the details!*
Stay tuned for some big interviews on the show this week - Wayne Carey fronts up about his fall from grace tomorrow, and Aussie cycling's king of the road Cadel Evans is on Wednesday.
I'm off to study the form guide - looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Melbourne!
Take care
Karl
*Full terms and conditions are available from Channel Nine reception.
Thursday October 22, 2009
Richard Wilkins
TODAY Entertainment Presenter
Good morning, hope all is well in your world.
I’m in Brisbane today and what a magnificent day it is. I tell you what, sitting here looking over the Brisbane River is absolutely glorious. I'm on the road with Andre Rieu for a few days and have a pretty full plate but am hoping to steal half an hour by the swimming pool to do a spot of reading.
There's a hot new movie out today called An Education, starring Carey Mulligan, it’s a coming of age movie, set in London in the 1960s. It’s a really nice film and a breakthrough role for her – Carey is about to be huge. Well worth seeing.
On the other hand, All About Steve is an absolute stinker. It should be avoided at all costs. Despite the appearance of Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper (both should fire their agents) it’s just an unfunny story about a crossword puzzle obsessed woman who’ll go to any lengths to get the guy she's obsessed with - namely a cameraman who she follows the country on, following his various assignments. It’s All About Steve, you have been warned.
We’re coming to the close of our Michael Buble competition. There are only a couple of days left - we’re looking for the perfect location to have Buble for brekkie. We’ll be announcing that winner soon.
That's about it for now, I’ll catch you tomorrow.
Richard
Tuesday 20, October 2009
Lisa Wilkinson
TODAY host
A bit of talk around this morning on this proposed ban on hugging in one South Australian primary school. At first glance it seemed ridiculous...after all how much of a police state do we want to live in when the simple hug is no longer allowed. But look a little deeper and the principal in question has only banned hugs between "boyfriends and girlfriends" at the school in the final two years of primary. She believes this sets the right example to younger pupils at the school. Love to know what you think on the subject.
For mine, with all the recent concerns about the growing and inappropriately early sexualisation of young boys and girls through all forms of media from video clips to the internet and everything in between, is this not simply a concerned principal erring on the right side of caution? There is indisputable evidence to show that physiologically children are now reaching puberty at a much younger age - 11 and 12 is not unusual - so with all those hormones racing wouldn't you want to know that teachers had some sort of control on the situation?
Maybe it doesn't require something as hardline as this, and hey, we all had a kiss behind the woodshed when we were kids (hi Douglas!), but I always thought that being "boyfriend and girlfriend" was something to be giggled and whispered over at that age. Not taken to the point of open unfettered physical affection in the playground when kids are meant to be eating playlunch and running around playing handball? Whatever happened to boy's germs anyway? Do we really want our kids in that much of a hurry to grow up?
It's a hard one. Like I said, love to know your thoughts.
See you tomorrow, from 5.30.
Lisa.x
Monday October 19, 2009
Karl Stefanovic
TODAY host
G'day everyone,
It's great to be back after a couple of weeks' break - and no, that has nothing to do with looking after kids on holidays!
Speaking of kids doing their thing, we all bid farewell to adventure sailor Jessica Watson over the weekend and you would have seen some of what she had to say on the program this morning. Thanks to everyone who sent emails on Jessica. From the responses we got, most of you are thinking the same thing: while wishing her the best of luck, you're worried about someone so young taking on such a huge task. We're going to follow her voyage on the show and bring you regular updates so stay tuned.
Back here on dry land, we're searching for the perfect neighbourhood to host a Michael Buble concert - and it could be yours. We're going to be taking the whole show on the road with Michael on Friday 20th November, and you get to choose where we go. All you've got to do is email us at todaycompetitions@nine.com.au, and tell us in 25 words or less why Breakfast with Buble should be at your place. Get your entries in by Friday - this is going to be the biggest block party ever. *
Talking about big productions, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is coming to Australia, and we're giving you a chance to see the show in Sydney. This going to be the grandest Tattoo ever staged, with over 1,500 performers from around the world. We've got five prize packages to give away - each one includes flights to Sydney, hotel accommodation, and tickets to the show. Check out our website for all the details - www.today.ninemsn.com.au
And remember, you've also got the chance to be the next Steve Jacobs. Weekend Today is looking for a weather presenter - and anyone can apply. All you need to do is send us a 60 second audition DVD, a CV, a couple of photos, and an official entry form, which you can find in your local News Limited newspaper - the Sunday Telegraph, The Sunday Mail, The Sunday Times, Sunday Herald Sun, Sunday Mail, Sunday Tasmanian and Sunday Territorian - or on
www.news.com.au. Send them all in to us here at PO Box 27, Willoughby, NSW 2068. Good luck!
We've got a big week of shows lined up - see you in the morning.
Karl
*For full terms and conditions, contact Channel Nine reception.
Thursday October 15, 2009
Richard Wilkins
TODAY Entertainment Presenter
Plenty going on in the entertainment world at the moment with our Russell Crowe exclusive on the set of the Robin Hood movie attracting a lot of attention. As is our Michael Buble competition...
If you reckon you’ve got the perfect place to have us bring Michael for breakfast on Friday 20 November get in quick and let us know. Check out the competitions page of our website.
Movies this week... the Astro Boy big screen remake is a huge disappointment. It’s torn between being a reincarnation of the original and a new discovery for the next generation...But really fails on both counts, which is sad because he’s a much loved character.
Woody Allen's got a new movie, which sees a 60-something year old man falling for a (surprise, surprise) much younger woman. It’s not one of best ever, but it’s far from his worst. If you’re a fan you'll lap it up. It’s called Whatever Works.
And also out today, a movie called The Damned United, which is a must see for sports fans. It’s based on an English soccer legend, Brian Clough, and his stormy forty four day reign as the coach of Leeds footy club in the 70s. It’s a cracker.
Andre Rieu kicks of his Australian concert tour tonight, Liza Minnelli is in the country, we’re all gearing up for the new Michael Jackson movie... It’s all happening!
I hope all is well in your world.
Have a great day.
Regards,
Richard
Wednesday 12, October 2009
Lisa Wilkinson
TODAY host
Good morning everyone,
Calling all fans of Michael Buble - have we got a treat for you! In case you missed the big announcement this morning, the King of Swing is coming down under - and TODAY is giving you the chance to have him perform in your neighbourhood! We're going to be taking the whole show out on the road with Michael on Friday 20th November, and you get to choose where we go. All you've got to do is email us at todaycompetitions@nine.com.au, and tell us in 25 words or less why Breakfast with Buble should be at your place. Whoever comes up with the best answer gets to wake up the neighbours with a live Michael Buble concert - and the rest of us tagging along as well. So get your entries in - and don't worry, we'll get Karl to tidy up after afterwards! *
We've got more to come from Michael Buble tomorrow - find out why Crazy Love is the perfect name for his new album - there's a man who definitely knows how to charm the ladies! Also this week, Richard's exclusive look behind the scenes at Russell Crowe's new Robin Hood movie - you can't beat men in tights...
And talking about men who love dressing up - how do you fancy being the next Steve Jacobs? Weekend Today is looking for a weather presenter - and anyone can apply! All you need to do is send us a 60 second audition DVD, a CV, a couple of photos, and an official entry form, which you can find in your local News Limited newspaper - the Sunday Telegraph, The Sunday Mail, The Sunday Times, Sunday Herald Sun, Sunday Mail, Sunday Tasmanian and Sunday Territorian - or on www.news.com.au. Send them all in to us here at PO Box 27, Willoughby, NSW 2068. Good luck!
Don't forget to enter the Great Cash Giveaway too - if you needed any convincing, just check out our $35,000 jackpot winner Barbara. Sarah Harris caught up with her this morning after she scooped the prize on Friday's show, and she's had her life transformed just by picking up the phone and saying "I wake up with TODAY!" As she says, you've got to be in it to win it - there's still $50,000 up for grabs this week - all the details on how to enter are on our website.
Take care,
x Lisa.
* Terms and Conditions available at Ch 9 reception.
Thursday October 01, 2009
Richard Wilkins
TODAY Entertainment Presenter
G’day one and all,
I hope you enjoyed the Hey Hey reunion last night as much as we did. It’s been a talking point for us all day, today. It was nice to see the gang back together and I’m sure the boys upstairs are in a bit of a huddle, discussing the prospects of a permanent slot on the network.
I recently had fun catching up with Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell, three of the stars of the very funny film Couples Retreat. They’re in town for the big premiere tonight and we'll have our cameras there to bring you all the fun and games tomorrow morning. Also, joining us in the studio is Delta Goodrem. Spread the word about that one!
A couple of hot ones out this week... Mao’s Last Dancer is a true story about a young man who gets plucked from obscurity to study at a prestigious dance studio in Beijing before heading to Houston and deciding to defect and take US citizenship. He ultimately resides in Australia. It’s an amazing story, directed by Bruce Beresford. Put that on your list and also, the story of argentine guerrilla leader Che Guevara. It’s a four hour epic in two halves, directed by Steven Sodergh.
We’ve also got the Black Eyed Peas on the show tomorrow... And lots of other stuff.
Have a good one, catch you tomorrow morning from 5:30am.
Richard
