Gimme an 'O' for Operation Oprah in Oz
FORGET the security surrounding a royal visit, an APEC silly shirts summit or CHOGM. Oprah will be at Federation Square today and the "strictly embargoed" details convey it's the VIP event of the century. At the risk of being thrown in jail for anti-Oprah uprising, Channel Ten's Carrie Bickmore will host the extravaganza from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and then possibly head to a McCafe on Swanston Street, one of those "hip hang-outs" us Aussies apparently flock to. We can't confirm or deny that Julia Gillard will pop in and say "g'day" to Oprah. Journalists have been summoned to the check-in desk from 1pm, instructions saying: "Accreditation for this media opportunity is strictly by invitation only and is not transferable. Photo ID will be required." One question on the form is: "Focus of article/coverage." Um ... gee ... that Oprah is here for her Ultimate Australian Adventure? Oprah quashed one angle when telling US interviewer Barbara Walters that she wasn't a lesbian, describing her close friend Gayle King as the "friend that everyone deserves". The hoopla surrounding Oprah's visit has earned 3AW's showbiz commentator, Peter Ford, the Twitter of the Week award. He said: "WikiLeaks have just published full Oprah itinerary."
Now it's the WikiRally
TODAY'S other big event is the "Defend Assange and WikiLeaks" rally outside the State Library at 4.30pm to mark Human Rights Day. If Oprah wants to meet some "real Aussies", she should head over to see the placards supporting besieged cables guy Julian Assange. Someone attending is activist Van Thanh Rudd, the artistic nephew of Kevin Rudd. Despite WikiLeaks cables labelling Uncle Kev as a "control freak" and "micro-manager obsessed with managing the media cycle" when he was prime minister, Van will be at the rally with bells on.
Taking the Mickey
EDDIE McGuire's Hot Breakfast show on Triple M looks set to get hotter next year after this column received a hot tip that Mick Molloy will be joining the team. Molloy, a buddy of McGuire, would become the fourth talking head with Mieke Buchan and Luke Darcy, a team energised by their recent ratings resurgence. It's believed the program wanted the voice of a funny man after Tony Moclair left in June and Molloy impressed the bigwigs when he filled in when Darcy covered the Commonwealth Games. An egg timer will come in handy to ensure everyone gets a word in.
Crikey! Bob not invited
EDDIE is back to being Mr Everywhere, hosting This is Your Life for Channel Nine. Terri Irwin, widow of the Crocodile Hunter, had the red book treatment when the show was filmed at the Crown Palms but someone not invited to celebrate her life was Steve Irwin's father, Bob. A rift between Bob and Terri developed in 2008, apparently over the direction of the Australia Zoo, but at the time she denied it. Bob told a friend he was "totally unaware" that Terri's episode had been filmed.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is Oprah doing in Melbourne and where is her public appearance taking place?
Oprah is holding a public appearance at Federation Square in Melbourne as part of her Australian visit. The article reports a high-profile VIP-style event at the square, with Carrie Bickmore hosting the program.
What are the media accreditation rules to cover Oprah’s Federation Square event?
Journalists were asked to check in from 1pm and accreditation for the media opportunity is strictly by invitation only and non-transferable. Photo ID was required, and the accreditation form even asked for the "Focus of article/coverage."
Did Oprah address rumours about her sexuality during the visit?
Yes. The article notes Oprah told US interviewer Barbara Walters she wasn’t a lesbian and described her close friend Gayle King as "the friend that everyone deserves."
Is there a WikiLeaks or Julian Assange rally happening at the same time as Oprah’s visit?
Yes. The article mentions a "Defend Assange and WikiLeaks" rally outside the State Library at 4.30pm to mark Human Rights Day, and activist Van Thanh Rudd was expected to attend.
What did the article say about WikiLeaks cables and former prime minister Kevin Rudd?
The article cites WikiLeaks cables that reportedly described Kevin Rudd as a "control freak" and a "micro-manager obsessed with managing the media cycle."
Are there any changes or rumours in local radio programming mentioned in the article?
Yes. The article says Eddie McGuire’s Triple M Hot Breakfast show may add comedian Mick Molloy next year. The show’s on-air team includes Mieke Buchan and Luke Darcy; Molloy impressed when he filled in and Tony Moclair had left in June.
What did the article report about Terri Irwin’s This Is Your Life episode and Steve Irwin’s father Bob?
The article reports Eddie McGuire hosted a This Is Your Life episode for Channel Nine filmed at the Crown Palms featuring Terri Irwin, and that Steve Irwin’s father Bob was not invited. It notes a rift between Bob and Terri that developed in 2008 over the direction of Australia Zoo, which Terri had denied at the time.
Was there any social media commentary or jokes about Oprah’s itinerary mentioned in the article?
Yes. The article highlights a quip from 3AW showbiz commentator Peter Ford, who earned a "Twitter of the Week" mention for saying, "WikiLeaks have just published full Oprah itinerary."
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