Bluey might just be the best thing that ever happened to Brisbane.
This kids’ cartoon’s credentials are clear — from the Queenslander style homes to well-known River City landmarks, it oozes Brisbane. In a good way, of course.
So good that it was revealed this week that it’s the most-watched show in the United States. Not just the most-watched children’s show, or most-watched cartoon but the most-watched show of all!
Neilsen figures show that so far this year, Bluey has been watched for 35 billion minutes!
But if Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are to be believed (and they’re not), Bluey and her family ought to steer clear of Springfield, Ohio, where pets are supposedly on the menu (except, and I can’t say this more strongly, they are not, and saying so is irresponsible).
A few people had fun with this, including Hank Azaria, who assumed the voice of The Simpsons’ Police Chief Wiggum to make this video.
Once again, we on this side of Pacific are left wondering why some Americans actually believe these blatantly divisive lies. Have they learnt nothing from the good moral and ethical lessons taught in Bluey?
ARE YOU FEELING FESTIVE?
We are in the middle of the Brisbane Festival and I have to say that, despite two visits to the city in the past seven days, I saw nothing to remind me of that fact. There’s no vibe.
Yes, I know there are some great shows to be seen — among them, Trent Dalton’s Love Stories is getting rave reviews — but there’s none of the buzz you see and feel in, for example, Edinburgh during the Festival and Fringe.
Maybe I missed it, but — and yes, Natalie, I’m going to go there — I reckon a big community parade like the one we used to have with Warana would give the event wider appeal.
RADIO DAYS
In media news, it was all about Nine Entertainment, owner of Channel 9 and Radio 4BC. The short version: 4BC newsreader Steve Barker quit, then Drive host Peter Gleeson quit (to run the new greyhound track at Purga*), then Nine CEO Mike Sneesby quit, then Nine Radio announced 4BC breakfast trio, Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare and Mark Hine, would be leaving at the end of the month. Stay tuned for more.
For those who are taking bets on how long the next line-up lasts, here’s a rundown of breakfast shows on 4BC since 2000:
2000 - John Miller
2001 - John Miller and Ross Davie
2006 - Peter Dick and Ross Davie)
2009 - Jamie Dunn (with Ian Calder)
2011 - Peter Dick and Mary Collier
2014 - Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan
2016 - Alan Jones
2021 - Neil Breen
2023 - Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare and Mark Hine
For comparison purposes, Stav Davidson has been on brekkie at B105 since 2005, Greg “Marto” Martin has been at Triple M since 2001, KIIS’s Robin Bailey has been heard (on various stations, beginning with B105) for more than 20 years, her with co-host Kip Wightman along with his former colleagues, still on air at Nova 106.9, David “Luttsy” Lutteral and Ash (yes, Ash) Bradnam, not far behind in the longevity stakes.
Oh, and prior to joining 4BC, Edwards and Clare had been on air at 4KQ since the 1990s.
I guess more change is on the way, starting with the suggestion that — despite the lukewarm reception they’ve had in Melbourne — Kyle Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson will be heard on KIIS Brisbane next year. They’ve been around a long time, too. More about all that here and here.
CASINO CAPERS
You couldn’t make it up. A new casino complex opens and then just days later, the parent company is teetering on the brink, tenants drop out and accusations fly in all directions.
It’s hard to keep up. Here’s the latest from Brisbane News and InQueensland.
*Gleeson makes no bones about his conservative politics. Does this mean he’s now the Purga Tory?
Many many punny points for “Purga Tory”. 👍🏼