Glasshouse- final show tonight

[Cam]

Man, interesting thread.

I love the glasshouse, why? because they say things no one else on TV does. Sure they pay out on the Government, but if they paid out on the opposition constantly it wouldn't be as funny, because those clowns are not the people we elected to run our country. They pay out on terrorists, michael jackson, molly's sexuality and the list goes on, sure it offends people but if you dont like it then dont watch! People have remotes for a reason!

Next thing they'll be banning those comics in the paper where they bag out the government..dont like it...TURN THE PAGE!

Personally if last nights show is anything to go off i am looking forward to the final episode, complete with krispy kreme terrorists and michael jackson jokes....

Cam

[max]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

A sad day for Australia when crap like this happens.

Well now that the ABC Board sports a pokie baron and a self-confessed aboriginal genocide debunker, what do we expect man......

[merlin]

Originally Posted by flappist

Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what is for dinner.
Freedom, Liberty & Equality are when the sheep has a gun.

Great quote, yours or someone famous?

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Agreed.

But it's not "anti-anyone" comments that has been the show's demise. It's the lack of balance. There is a difference between freedom of speech and a political agenda.

The ABC is funded by left wing, right wing and middle of the road taxpayers. There is absolutely no place for anyone on the ABC to have a specific political agenda.

No taxpayer - and therefore funder of the ABC - should feel alienated when watching the programming. I would be just as critical of the Glasshouse if it had an anti-ALP skew.

The Chaser is a model of balanced political satire.

I'm unsure how you can lampoon our political leaders and not upset anyone??? Surely you would not be doing your job if there was not a few calls after each show!

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Hey.. im about as right winged as it gets...

So I reckon your idea of where the middle ground might be is questionable. :Reverend:

Sorry to see the Glasshouse go, but it finishes on top and had 5 good years!

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by max

Well now that the ABC Board sports a pokie baron and a self-confessed aboriginal genocide debunker, what do we expect man......

You appear to be suggesting the board composition of the ABC is inappropriate max

Would like to hear more on this theory...

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

So I reckon your idea of where the middle ground might be is questionable. :Reverend:

Haha, yeah that's a fair call. However, you'll note that im always forward in disclosing infromation that may affect my behaviour or my opinions.

Something perhaps the hosts of the Glasshouse could work on during their down time?

[XRQTR]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

The Chaser is a model of balanced political satire.

By no means mentally balanced though, alot of what they do is quite often in poor taste from the few episodes that I have seen, sorry but my view.



This is a good point though, took it from the press release

Firstly, the ABC has never said to me the axing had anything to do with bias. Let's be honest here folks, the show is biased. Extremely biased. I bang on about Shannon Noll all the time and I have never once made a joke about Guy Sebastian.

The Glass House is also biased against the Government. Although the important words there are "the Government".

Whichever government. I mean, do you think we would even mention the Libs if Mark Latham had won the last election? We would have changed from The Glass House to What Mad Mark Did Next!

And we all know how much crud Mark Latham copped from these guys after the taxi driver incident.

[max]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

You appear to be suggesting the board composition of the ABC is inappropriate max

Would like to hear more on this theory...

Oh Lordie, what IS appropriate in this age we live in?????
Its not theory, its plain observation and reading published facts.
And soon there will be advertising on our ABC I'm certain.
What will be advertised? Will that be balanced?
Will that be appropriate?
Will the best interests of taxpayers be best served by that?

Matter of fact I feel my ABC is on the run-down cycle...

[biomechanic]

Regardless of whether this is an issue of bias or not, jury's still out on that, I feel any satire program should be exempt from any anti-bias regulations. The Glass House is not there to inform the public, it is there to rip the **** out of those in power (and to a lesser extent make double entendres and laugh at fat Americans)

Yes, they rip the **** out of the government more than the ALP. Why? Because they're in power. The ALP and Greens are impotent as far as federal and international politics go, but if there's a chance for a good joke at their expense, they'll take it. I've noticed a heap of Kim Beazley jokes since he becamse opposition leader again.

And come on - The Government have the uberdork as their leader! There's at least 10 pages of jokes on his eyebrows alone!

[Cam]

Originally Posted by biomechanic

Regardless of whether this is an issue of bias or not, jury's still out on that, I feel any satire program should be exempt from any anti-bias regulations. The Glass House is not there to inform the public, it is there to rip the **** out of those in power (and to a lesser extent make double entendres and laugh at fat Americans)

Yes, they rip the **** out of the government more than the ALP. Why? Because they're in power. The ALP and Greens are impotent as far as federal and international politics go, but if there's a chance for a good joke at their expense, they'll take it. I've noticed a heap of Kim Beazley jokes since he becamse opposition leader again.

And come on - The Government have the uberdork as their leader! There's at least 10 pages of jokes on his eyebrows alone!

Agree 100%, got it in one :

[max]

Originally Posted by biomechanic

Regardless of whether this is an issue of bias or not, jury's still out on that, I feel any satire program should be exempt from any anti-bias regulations. The Glass House is not there to inform the public, it is there to rip the **** out of those in power (and to a lesser extent make double entendres and laugh at fat Americans)

Yes, they rip the **** out of the government more than the ALP. Why? Because they're in power. The ALP and Greens are impotent as far as federal and international politics go, but if there's a chance for a good joke at their expense, they'll take it. I've noticed a heap of Kim Beazley jokes since he becamse opposition leader again.

And come on - The Government have the uberdork as their leader! There's at least 10 pages of jokes on his eyebrows alone!

I agree so much with you mate.... we should be as Aussies, collectively capable of keeping the thing in perspective...
Keep our friggin' sense of humour– everything else has a limited shelf-life!

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by max

Oh Lordie, what IS appropriate in this age we live in?????
Its not theory, its plain observation and reading published facts.
And soon there will be advertising on our ABC I'm certain.
What will be advertised? Will that be balanced?
Will that be appropriate?
Will the best interests of taxpayers be best served by that?

Matter of fact I feel my ABC is on the run-down cycle...

I look at the Board structure (FYI for anyone else - http://www.abc.net.au/corp/board/board_members.htm) and see an independent board with an appropriate set of collective skills that you may expect the board of a TV station to need.

Publishers
Lawyers (including a QC)
Academics (socialogical)
Journalists
Business "people"

I see no conflicts of interest - potential or real, i see no large skills gaps individually or collectively, and i see an entity with a governance structure that provides the Board with sufficient guidance to let them know what's on and what's not. And at the risk of putting stock in my own opinion, corporate governance is a keen interest of mine and indeed, a topic that occupies a significant portion of my daily work.

As for advertising on the ABC, well this one gets dragged out everytime there's a changing of the guard, doesnt it? Lol, i rue the day SBS introduced advertising because now every board appointment brings about the flurry of these accusations.

Official government stance i believe is that it's for the ABC board to decide. I'd agree with that.

On a more amusing note, indicative polling suggests that people arent actually opposed to advertising on the ABC. I cant say i like the idea, as you so rightly point out max - identifying "appropriate" advertising for the public broadcaster would be... well... a nightmare.

[TUF_302]

!(*&(*$&(@#*($&)(@(*!_)$#:">":>" YOU ABC!, How dare you take off my Fav show on a wednesday night!! :thebirds:

[max]

Well whoop-doo mate! Great homework! Tells me really ****-all.
I will never be blown over by three line bio's crafted by a spin doctor's wordsmith.

I am going to see "Who Killed The Electric Car?" next week. You want to come?

What's this to do with the price of eggs? I hear you say.

Well its a film about what people had and had it taken away from them by the Big Guns in town, even though the people really liked the thing they had and that thing was really worthwhile. But the Big Guns in town got together and decided that THEY will decide whats good for those people, because those people have a principal purpose for being there and that is to keep the Big Guns in town in jobs/business and money, never mind the quality of those or any other people's lives.

Well that's the fundamentals of it. My kinda film – and its ridgy-didge true!

PS. I couldn't find a smilie icon for "Rambling on...."

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by max

Well whoop-doo mate! Great homework! Tells me really ****-all.
I will never be blown over by three line bio's crafted by a spin doctor's wordsmith.

Right out of the spin doctor's textbook on making a point there max.

i.e.

You dont need to be "right", you only need to prove the other person is "wrong" - which, by default, makes you "right". (have you seen Thankyou for smoking? great film).

Movie sounds good. Unfortuantely Im working 730am til 730pm next week tho (who said the public service is easy going?). I assume it's playing at nova?

[max]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Right out of the spin doctor's textbook on making a point there max.

i.e.

You dont need to be "right", you only need to prove the other person is "wrong" - which, by default, makes you "right". (have you seen Thankyou for smoking? great film).

Movie sounds good. Unfortuantely Im working 730am til 730pm next week tho (who said the public service is easy going?). I assume it's playing at nova?

Matter of fact I wan't to see that one too. Will it help me to stop the filthy habit?

Yeah I guess WKTEC will be on at the Nova, where most of the off-the-wall, weirdo, left-wing, quasi-communist, indoctrinatory neo-fascist cellulo-dogma is screened.
I was hoping Marion Megaplex so I could rid myself of 20 bucks or so afterwards at Intencity video-arcade, and then get myself legless at Shenannigans.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by max

Matter of fact I wan't to see that one too. Will it help me to stop the filthy habit?

Hahaha... tell ya what, after watching the movie i was pretty keen to get outside and feel that rich virginian tobacco hit the back of my throat. So no, no effect lol.

It's not about cigarettes... but it is, kinda. Its about lobbyists and spin. You'll love it.

Thankfully our comrades at Nova are just around the corner from a few pints of belgium's finest So you'll be set regardless.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by max

Well whoop-doo mate! Great homework! Tells me really ****-all.
I will never be blown over by three line bio's crafted by a spin doctor's wordsmith.

I am going to see "Who Killed The Electric Car?" next week. You want to come?

What's this to do with the price of eggs? I hear you say.

Well its a film about what people had and had it taken away from them by the Big Guns in town, even though the people really liked the thing they had and that thing was really worthwhile. But the Big Guns in town got together and decided that THEY will decide whats good for those people, because those people have a principal purpose for being there and that is to keep the Big Guns in town in jobs/business and money, never mind the quality of those or any other people's lives.

Well that's the fundamentals of it. My kinda film – and its ridgy-didge true!

PS. I couldn't find a smilie icon for "Rambling on...."

Might be worth reading this before seeing the movie
http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/239

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Might be worth reading this before seeing the movie
http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/239

Always two sides to a story hey lads!

[max]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Always two sides to a story hey lads!

I don't care what anyone says! I'm going to see the film. And that's that!
And I am going to believe it too.
Mmmmm.... and a couple of Duvels after does sound OK. Sick of that Irish muck...

[Van D]

On a side note.. Thankyou for smoking was great indeed. I'm also looking forward to seeing who killed the electric car.. and that andrew denton (i think?) one on religion.

All look good.

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

How dare you compare the ANZACS to a decision surrounding a TV show. What a disgraceful thing to say. Seriously mate - that is sickening stuff.

And i must commend all participants on the thread for a great job in oversimplifying the matter. C'mon - i know you guys are media watch fans, surely you're aware of the bias issues that are currently a hot topic down at the public broadcaster.

And so they should be.

I know what you're thinking - here comes 4.9 EF to defend the government. That's not what im getting at here, believe it or not. I never liked the presenters on GH, but loved the satire and the jokes - yes, the jokes at the government's expense.

The government doesnt have a problem with the public broadcaster having a lend. Just look at the chaser - they're pretty popular with the blue boys over in canberra. Why? Because they take the p*ss out of the ALP as well, and the greens, democrats and independents.

It's balanced.

The glasshouse is not. Sorry - was not. You could not look me in the internet-eye and tell me that there was not a severe skew towards taking the p*ss out of conservatives.

That's not a problem in itself. What is a problem is the one-sidedness of it all. A strongly biased set of opinions has NO PLACE on the public broadcaster. It never has, and im glad the ABC are now looking a bit harder at the standards they need to adhere to. It is SO important that the public broadcaster maintain an appropriate bias, i dont know if i can stress that enough.

Hahaha, and as for corin grant... well considering the content of the show, i think that is the most disgusting conflict of interest in the media right now. Even rupert himself would have cringed at the idea. She is on record as having an anti-howard agenda, let alone being the face of the ACTU's campaign.

And when was the last time we saw the glasshouse having a lend of the ACTU?

Balanced? Yeah right.

It's not about pollies getting their knickers in a knot. It's not about penalising an ACTU representative. Its about the standards of the public broadcaster. The ABC is not a tool for political aganda.

Climb down off the bronze lighthorse, it isnt going anywhere anyway. Diggers and ANZACS fought for what the country stood for, where it came from and the rights they feel it held for them and their families. They also fought for my right to make that comment.

What does this decision say about the governments view of Australian society? It says they think people form their views of the world and government from a comedy. Why would they say that? Dont try and dress it another way, its implied by the BIAS remarks.

What does have a place on the public broadcaster, is a show that the public obviously want to watch, that isnt being aired on the commercial networks. And Corine Grant has every right to a political opinion, and a job, or several. The only requirement is she be capable of doing them. Clearly she is.

If you, or one of your ilk had the creativity, you could float a show in opposition to it.

There was a push in the US to do the same to John Stewart, it was undemocratic then, as it is now. I didnt realise Id moved to Afghanistan. Howard, like Bush, is the one in the spotlight, thus the likely target.

Do you support Kahzakstans attempts to curb Borat? Do you really think their women ride outside the bus, and have been elevated to the status of just above cows?

Originally Posted by TS50

I think what he was trying to say is that Diggers and the Anzac fought to keep us free, and that includes freedom of speech. That is the way I took, and cant see how any offense is implied

Cheers. Two up anyone?

[XR Martin]

Havnt you ever heard "dont bite the hand that feeds you"?
Wil admits to being overly bias against the Government, now why should that government fund that when the whole purpose of the ABC is to offer unbiased opinion?

If it was on channel 9 and continuously bagged out Eddie or Packer, how long do you think the show would last? And would anyone be surprised if it was axed?

Using the Freedom of speech line is a cop-out, the show hasnt been banned, hell they are still showing the rest of the season, so if the Government really wanted to shut them up why havnt they just stopped it completely?

If its so popular it will be taken up by a commercial station and can show all the bias it pleases.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by fmc351

Climb down off the bronze lighthorse, it isnt going anywhere anyway. Diggers and ANZACS fought for what the country stood for, where it came from and the rights they feel it held for them and their families. They also fought for my right to make that comment.

What does this decision say about the governments view of Australian society? It says they think people form their views of the world and government from a comedy. Why would they say that? Dont try and dress it another way, its implied by the BIAS remarks.

What does have a place on the public broadcaster, is a show that the public obviously want to watch, that isnt being aired on the commercial networks. And Corine Grant has every right to a political opinion, and a job, or several. The only requirement is she be capable of doing them. Clearly she is.

If you, or one of your ilk had the creativity, you could float a show in opposition to it.

There was a push in the US to do the same to John Stewart, it was undemocratic then, as it is now. I didnt realise Id moved to Afghanistan. Howard, like Bush, is the one in the spotlight, thus the likely target.

Do you support Kahzakstans attempts to curb Borat? Do you really think their women ride outside the bus, and have been elevated to the status of just above cows?

Cheers. Two up anyone?

I'm not the one on the high horse telling others what is "australian" and what is "un australian".

Geez - one of you guys are gonna have to give me a copy of the "how to think like an aussie" textbook because by what you've been telling me, im way off.

Re: Corine Grant, i agree that she has the right to hold as many jobs as she likes and hold whatever views she pleases. And yes, she's quite capable in her current roles. However, conflict of interest is a serious matter and i have seen absolutely no attempt to manage the SERIOUS conflict which arises.

Out of one side of their collective mouths, the Glasshouse are claiming that its "all in good fun" and "not to be taken seriously". That's fine. What's not fine is that Corine has a VESTED interest in making the government look bad. And by the looks of it, the same could be said for wil. Or maybe he attends these ALP functions pro bono... out of the kindness of his heart...

Such conflicts needs to be addressed and managed in the context of the public broadcaster. Considering corine's roles outside of the glasshouse, it's possible for these roles to impact on her behaviour on the public broadcaster. A potential conflict of interest needs to be managed - it's right there in the Australian/NZ Standards on governance. These principles are accepted by all facets of government, academics, private industry etc etc Perhaps you know better than all these people? Admittedly, responsibility for managing this probably rested with the ABC or Good News Week, who produce the show.

The ABC, just like the BBC and any other publicly funded station around the world needs to present a balanced view. This is not my opinion - its intrinsic to the concept of a government funded TV station.

Balance is something the Glasshouse could easily have achieved - without any degradation in the standard of their comedy - but decided not to.

There is no place on the public broadcaster for a specific political agenda... that's all im saying.

[Work Horse]

I listened to someone from ABC management defend this decision yesterday. Offically the Glasshouse has not been axed, it's simlpy not being picked up again next season. This decision had nothing to do with perceived bias, they said. In fact satire is specifically exempt from the "balance" requirement in the ABC charter.

So I defend the rights of 4.9 EF Futura and XR6 Martin to hold their opinions. But they need to realise that's all they are, opinions. It's interesting you keep banging on about bais, and glasshouses. :

So there is no requirement at our public brodcaster to produce "balanced" satire. I wonder how you would do that? 20 jokes per show, 10 about the left, 10 about the right? Come on, its not like the glasshouse is the nightly news, it's meant to be funny and entertain people. IMHO it did that very well.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

There is no place on the public broadcaster for a specific political agenda... that's all im saying.

...then presumably you would be horrified to learn that the ABC Board consists entirely of those of a conservative persuasion and most (if not all) have an association with the Liberal Party.

Even poor old Keith Windschuttle has seen the light and now spits out conservative venom instead of progressive venon. There's nothing more bitter than a reformed lefty, lol.

I don't have a problem with the board as is. I accept that conservatives will load what they can with mates and progressives will do the same. Look at the Boards of various state govt enterprises.

It's all about getting what you want from what you can control. It's been going on forever and will continue so.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by ronwest

...then presumably you would be horrified to learn that the ABC Board consists entirely of those of a conservative persuasion and most (if not all) have an association with the Liberal Party.

Yeah they're appointed by the governor general arent they? And there used to be a staff elected director? but that topic best left alone lol.

I guess that's where policy comes into it. It's something that i dont see happening in reality (agency theory and conservatives... a match made in heaven lol), but it's possible that... depsite the persuasions of the Board, so long as the policies that govern the organisation are appropriately written and complied with - the Board's policitcal persuasions need not come to front in the ABC's programming.

If left wing bias was being shot down whilst right wing bias was being given a free reign, then i think we'd have some serious concerns. Addressing left wing bias has obviously been the focus of attention recently (media watch and GH), but i see no evidence that conservative bias is having a blind eye turned on it. Your toughts?

I dunno, maybe... like others have been keen to suggest.. im just naiive?

[max]

Originally Posted by ronwest

...then presumably you would be horrified to learn that the ABC Board consists entirely of those of a conservative persuasion and most (if not all) have an association with the Liberal Party.

Even poor old Keith Windschuttle has seen the light and now spits out conservative venom instead of progressive venon. There's nothing more bitter than a reformed lefty, lol.

I don't have a problem with the board as is. I accept that conservatives will load what they can with mates and progressives will do the same. Look at the Boards of various state govt enterprises.

It's all about getting what you want from what you can control. It's been going on forever and will continue so.

Exactly! We know what's going on! Nothing's changing my mind on this one....

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by max

Exactly! We know what's going on! Nothing's changing my mind on this one....

I seek to persuade no one. It is merely the pursuit of discussion.

[max]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

I seek to persuade no one. It is merely the pursuit of discussion.

I know! I just luuuuurvvvv a good discussion too....