Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral
Her Majesty’s last broadcast
Television introduced Queen Elizabeth II to the world. It was only fitting that television should see her out of it, reports The New York Times’ James Poniewozik.
The queen’s seven-decade reign almost exactly spanned the modern TV era. Her coronation in 1953 began the age of global video spectacles. Her funeral on Monday was a full-color pageant accessible to billions.
It was a final display of the force of two institutions: the concentrated grandeur of the British monarchy and the power amassed by television to bring viewers to every corner of the world.
The last funeral service for a British monarch, King George VI, was not televised. For one last time, Elizabeth was the first. She entered the world stage, through the new magic of broadcasting, as a resolute young face. She departed it as a bejeweled crown on a purple cushion, transmuted finally into pure visual symbol.
Nine presenters don’t recognise UK Prime Minister during Queen’s funeral
There was an awkward gaffe during Nine’s live coverage of the Queen’s funeral as the presenters momentarily seemed unable to recognise the UK’s new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, reports News Corp’s Nick Bond.
Nine on-air personalities Peter Overton and Tracy Grimshaw were both unable to recognise Truss as she emerged from a car to attend the funeral.
“So, this is a significant motorcade, we are being told now. Come with us as we try and identify who is getting out of the car. This is under police escort of course. I would suggest this might be royalty, Tracy,” said Overton.
But as Truss emerged, the pair were stumped: “Hard to identify. Maybe minor royals, members of the … I can’t identify them at this point …”
News Brands
The Age editor Gay Alcorn to take extended leave
The editor of The Age, Gay Alcorn, is taking extended leave until the new year. Deputy editor Michael Bachelard will be acting editor in her absence, reports The Age.
Alcorn said that her husband was diagnosed with a form of motor neurone disease earlier this year and she needed and wanted to spend more time with him.
“I intend to return to The Age, but this is a difficult time for my family and I need to put them first,” Alcorn said.
“I want to thank Michael, who is an outstanding journalist and will do a great job as acting editor, executive editor Tory Maguire for her compassion and support and my executive assistant Caroline Hartnett for everything she does at The Age.”
Podcasts
Judge overturns Adnan Syed’s murder conviction, orders release of the Serial podcast’s central figure
A US judge has ordered the release of Adnan Syed after overturning his conviction for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee — a case that was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial, reports Nine Publishing’s Brian Witte.
At the behest of prosecutors, Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn ordered on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that Syed’s conviction be vacated as she approved the release of the now-41-year-old who has spent more than two decades behind bars.
Phinn ruled that the state violated its legal obligation to share exculpatory evidence with Syed’s defence. She ordered Syed to be placed on home detention with GPS location monitoring. She also said the state must decide whether to seek a new trial date or dismiss the case within 30 days.
Syed, who has always maintained his innocence, received widespread attention in 2014 when the debut season of Serial focused on Lee’s killing and raised doubts about some of the evidence prosecutors had used, inspiring countless dinner table debates about Syed’s innocence or guilt.
Last week, prosecutors filed a motion saying that a lengthy investigation conducted with the defence had uncovered new evidence that could undermine the 2000 conviction of Syed, Lee’s ex-boyfriend.
See Also: Serial Podcast subject, Adnan Syed, could have conviction undermined with new evidence
Television
The problem with Bridgerton: Do TV shows need a consent classification?
When asked about what they learn about sex education, high school students often say they know a lot about sex in terms of “plumbing and diseases”. Human sexuality is explained to them in terms of risk, not pleasure, says Catharine Lumby, media professor at the University of Sydney. “Which is a shame,” reports Nine Publishing’s Kerrie O’Brien.
According to Lumby, that framework makes it very difficult to talk about consent. “When we’re talking about consent, the elephant in the room is pleasure – particularly female pleasure,” she says, making the point that the most famous scene of a woman having an orgasm in film is Meg Ryan faking it in When Harry Met Sally. Clearly, we have a long way to go. “When we’re talking about consent, you’ve got to understand your own needs before you can say yes to something.”
Now a new campaign has been launched to include a lack of consent rating to film and television classifications, alongside warnings about sex scenes, drugs and violence.
Samantha Armytage not interested in taking Tracy Grimshaw’s A Current Affair role
Don’t expect to see Samantha Armytage make the leap from Seven to rival network Channel Nine anytime soon, reports News Corp’s Bella Fowler.
The former Sunrise host has made it clear she’s not gunning to take over Tracy Grimshaw’s A Current Affair hosting slot after Grimshaw announced she was stepping down earlier this month.
Grimshaw’s surprise career announcement prompted fierce speculation surrounding who may be next in line to take over her role when she signs off in November.
MASH stars mark 50th anniversary
Two veteran stars from MASH reunited to mark 50 years since the comedy launched, reports TV Tonight.
Alan Alda played Hawkeye Pierce and Mike Farrell was B.J. Hunnicutt (from S3) in the comedy running from Sept. 1972 to Feb. 1983.
“Mike Farrell and I today toasting the 50th anniversary of the show that changed our lives – and our brilliant pals who made it what it was. MASH was a great gift to us,” Alda posted on Twitter.