THE NAKED CITY with Coffin Ed, Jay Katz and Miss Death

AFI’S WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Australians don’t do award shows very well. Some of the most cringe worthy and excruciating moments in local television have reared their ugly heads on shows such as The Logies and the ARIA awards. Whilst the Americans have virtually perfected the genre of awards ceremonies, a ritual in their own right, we just don’t seem get it.

A good example was last weekend’s AFI awards. Telecast from Melbourne’s impressive Regent Theatre and loaded with all the hype and expectations surrounding two excellent films in Jane Campion’s Bright Star and David Michod’s Animal Kingdom, they promised much.

There were the usual red carpet interviews including a bemused Willem Dafoe, part of the ubiquitous overseas talent quota which all Australian awards ceremonies seem to demand. An affable Shane Jacobsen joked and bumbled his way as MC through the hotch potch of film and TV awards but the sense of occasion that we associated with the Oscars or The Emmys was sadly lacking.

Instead there was a never ending procession of lame jokes from the various presenters and even more bumbling from the affable Shane, interspersed with a couple of music segments which appeared to bare no relevance to the event. Perhaps it’s our self deprecating sense of humour that makes it hard for many of the participants to take these awards seriously.

However the real plus in watching awards ceremonies, particular when they are homegrown and there’s none of the suspense of the Oscars, is that you can  flick from channel to channel in the predictably dull moments and not really miss anything. Last Saturday, after a quick workout on the remote, we switched back to find 2GB’s Alan Jones introducing Reg Grundy and Joy Chambers. As Reg did a painful mimic of the auto cue he was presented with the Raymond Longford award for his “enormous” contribution to Australian television. Not to mention his immortalisation in Australian rhyming slang.  It was enough to demand an immediate return to the Cage fighting on OneHD which by this stage was probably outrating the AFI’s two to one.

And speaking of awards next week in The Naked City we will be unleashing our coveted silver and gold Twonkies for the very best and very very worst of 2010. The nominations are in and it’s only a matter of ripping open that envelope to find who are this year’s lucky and in some cases, less than fortunate, winners.

The Hit List: If you are looking for a unique and safe subterranean experience on New Year’s Eve, far from the madding crowd, then Sinatra Rocks The Basement might be the gig for you.  Jeff Duff is joined by Frank Bennett and Grant Galea plus the mighty Jeff Duff Big Band in a shameless revamping of all the Sinatra classics.  A similar show was a sellout last year so you would be advised to book early.  www.thebasement.com.au