Search

No more Mr Nice Guy: Tom Hanks blows up at movie critics

Tom Hanks has taken aim at movie critics in a heated on Conan O'Brien's podcast, calling out the entire review section of the entertainment industry. The Hollywood actor launched into his tirade on the Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast as he looked at how movie reviews and the general audience reception to films has changed over the years. “Now what happened is that time has become one of the metrics for how these things matter, right?” he said. “In the day it was just a fist fight. It was every movie you came out, are you going to make the playoffs or not? Guess what? No, kid, you’re 2 and 12 and you ain’t going nowhere. Or, you got a shot.” “It used to be you had these Rubicons that you crossed,” he continued. “First of all, do you love it or not? That’s the first thing. Yes, okay, you have crossed the Rubicon, right? The next Rubicon you cross is when the movie is completely done a year and a half later, and you see it for the first time, and you might like it. It doesn’t matter if it works or not, you look at it and say, ‘Hey, I think we acquitted ourselves pretty good.’ That’s Rubicon No. 2.” Hanks went on, “Then the critics weigh in, that’s Rubicon No. 3, and that’s always up down. ‘We hate it, we like it. This is the worst thing … Oh hey, oh hi Tom, I saw you in a movie. It was cute.’” “That’s when you ask the wife, ‘Hey, honey, could you take the revolver out of the glove box and hide it somewhere, because I think…,” Hanks joked. Podcast host O'Brien then brought up that Hanks was initially “disappointed” with his 1996 film That Thing You Do!, which marked his directorial debut, but the movie has since become a cult classic in pop culture. “Let me tell you something about these c***suckers who write about movies,” Hanks responded, before asking O’Brien and his co-hosts, “Can I say that?” “Somebody who wrote about it is, ‘Tom Hanks has to stop hanging around with veterans of TV, because this is just like the shot on TV and it’s not much of anything,’” Hanks recalled. “That same person then wrote about the cult classic That Thing You Do! Same exact person. They said, ‘All you need is 20 years between now and then, and it ends up speaking some words.’” Image credits: Shutterstock

Movies

Beloved Friends, Tootsie and Mr Mom star passes away

Teri Garr, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in classic films such as Young Frankenstein and Tootsie and her appearances on Friends, has passed away at the age of 79. Her death, confirmed by her publicist Heidi Schaeffer, occurred on Tuesday in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends. Garr's passing follows a long battle with multiple sclerosis, a condition she publicly disclosed in 2002 to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on daily life. Born Terry Ann Garr in Lakewood, Ohio, in 1944, Teri grew up in a theatrical family; her father was a vaudeville performer and her mother a Rockette. This background set the stage for Garr's early career, which began as a background dancer in Elvis Presley films during the 1960s. Her breakout role came in 1974 when she starred as Inga, the charming lab assistant to Gene Wilder's character in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. The film became a cornerstone of American comedy, showcasing Garr's unique blend of humour and warmth. Garr further solidified her place in cinematic history with her performance in Tootsie in 1982, where she portrayed the vulnerable actress friend of Dustin Hoffman’s character. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Critics praised her ability to balance comedy with emotional depth, with film critic Pauline Kael calling her "the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen" at that time. Despite her success, Garr faced significant challenges due to her health. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the filming of Tootsie, a struggle she detailed in her memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood. In it, she described MS as a "sneaky disease," one that complicated her life and career but did not define it. “My body had a trick or two up its sleeve," she wrote. "A stumble here, a tingling finger there. I was trained as a dancer and knew better than to indulge the random aches and pains that visited now and then. Being a successful Hollywood actress may be challenging, but little did I know that the very body that had always been my calling card would betray me.” Garr became an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, using her platform to inspire others facing similar challenges. Throughout her career, Garr appeared in over 140 film and TV projects. She was known for her roles in Mr. Mom, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and various television shows including Friends, where she played Phoebe's birth mother. Her playful spirit and comedic timing made her a favourite among audiences and fellow actors alike. In recent years, Garr had limited her appearances due to health issues but remained an influential figure in Hollywood. Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues alike, celebrating her legacy as a pioneer for women in comedy and an inspiration for those battling chronic illnesses. Teri Garr leaves behind a rich legacy filled with laughter and heart. She is survived by her daughter Molly O'Neil and grandson Tyryn. Her contributions to film and television will be remembered fondly by generations to come. Images: CNN \ Fox Studios

Caring

"They lied": Kerri-Anne Kennerley blasts I’m A Celeb

Kerri-Anne Kennerley has opened up on her dramatic appearance on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! last year, claiming that she was "lied to" ahead of her decision to sign up. Speaking to Tammin Sursok on her podcast, The Sh*t Show, Kennerly alleged that Network Ten made promises they couldn't keep. “[Ten] came to me and promised me this, this and this … and I had nothing else to do at the time,” the TV veteran claimed. “I got promised a bunch of stuff and they lied. And so instead of being in there, the three weeks I committed to, I got out in three days. They lied.” Sursok asked her to elaborate on the promises they made, but Kennerley refused. “I don’t want to go into it now. History. And I’m even dumbfounded that I said to myself after I’ve gone, oh my God. I avoided exactly what happened for 10 years. “ … If I had thought about it for one more nanosecond and the things that were said to me were not said to me, I wouldn’t have done it in a heartbeat.” Kennerley tearfully quit I'm A Celebrity last year after clashing with MAFS star Domenica Calarco, who she claimed called her "the most self-centred b***h” she’d ever met during an eating challenge. The TV veteran added that going on the show was the "dumbest" decision she has ever made. “Comes out as absolutely number one dumb and as backed by several of my friends – especially straight after [I left IAC], them going, ‘You didn’t tell us, we would’ve locked you in a room if you had said you were going’,” she admitted. “But I don’t know … I’ve always thought I was pretty bulletproof, and then you get wounded and move on. But no … dumb, dumb, dumb – and lies. That’s what I put it down to.” Images: Ten

"Last chance, Mr Banducci": Woolies CEO threatened with jail time

Outgoing Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci has been threatened with jail time for refusing to answer questions about price gouging at a fiery Senate enquiry. The parliamentary probe into supermarket prices has seen Banducci be grilled by senators about how the supermarket raked in record-breaking profits during the ongoing cost of living crisis. During the enquiry on Tuesday, Banducci was repeatedly warned by committee chair and Greens senator Nick McKim about giving evasive answers when asked about his company's return on equity. Banducci repeatedly told the committee that return on equity was not his focus, and Woolworths is instead more interested in return on investment, refusing the question and prompting a 15-minute adjournment. When the enquiry resumed, a similar exchange occurred, leading to another warning for the Woolworths chief executive. "Last chance, Mr Banducci," McKim said. "Do you accept that return on equity is an accepted measure of the financial profitability of a company?" When Banducci replied that "we measure return on investment", the committee was suspended. Its return immediately saw another round of the same questions and answers, with McKim warning Banducci about the consequences of not answering questions clearly. "It is open to the Senate to hold you in contempt, and that carries potential sanctions including up to six months imprisonment for you," he said after saying the Woolworths boss could simply say he didn't know the answer and take the question on notice. "That's why this is a critical matter so I'd just ask you to address your mind with absolute clarity, please, to the question I am asking." "I put it to you the reason you don't want to focus on return on equity is because you don't like the story that it's telling, which is that you are basically profiteering and making off with massive profits at the expense of farmers at the expense of your workers and at the expense of Australian shoppers who you are price gouging," Greens senator McKim said. The enquiry is still ongoing, with Coles counterpart Leah Weckert set to address the same Senate committee later on Tuesday as the government continues to probe allegations of price gouging. Image Credits: ABC - Four Corners

Legal

Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for a decrease in electric car sales, with a "damaging" article being debunked in the House of Lords. The actor and comedian, who is also a well-known car enthusiast, wrote an article for The Guardian, claiming he felt "duped" by electric vehicles, saying they aren't as eco-friendly as they are often portrayed. Atkinson says the problem with the vehicles' sustainable marketing focuses on just one part of the car’s operating life: what comes out of the exhaust pipes and ignores other elements such as the manufacturing and the mining of rare earth minerals, shipping and building of the batteries. These claims, and the article itself, have been addressed by the UK's House of Lords, with politicians blaming the story for a decrease in electric vehicle sales. UK think tank the Green Alliance says, “One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked.” Other deterrents identified by the committee were the high purchase price and insufficient charging infrastructure. Social media users were quick to take Atkinson's side in the debate, with one person writing on X, “If Rowan Atkinson is responsible, then give him a knighthood.” Another user says, “Rowan Atkinson with a degree and masters in Engineering. Knows more than those pushing electric cars.” "Apparently it's Mr Bean's fault for the poor take up of electric cars. Cancel him," another said. For the last 12 months, high power costs in the UK have meant that fast charging your electric car can be more expensive than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. The UK is planning to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035, despite the slip in sales. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

6 silent signs you’re being lied to

<h4>Is there a liar in the room?</h4> Lies occur between friends, teachers and students, husbands and wives, lawyers and clients – yet nobody wants to be caught. “I’ve interviewed crooks more apt to admit to a major crime than to lying,” says Glenn Woods, a criminal profiler, who’s been studying deceptive behaviour for more than a decade. “Everybody lies to some degree.” Of course, there’s a gulf that separates little white lies from the whoppers, but learning how to tell if someone is lying is a skill that’ll always come in handy. Here’s what to watch for. 1. Listen to the voices Pay attention to voice changes like change in pitch or cracking; they may well indicate deceit. “A person’s voice pitch tends to be a bit higher when they’re lying than when they’re telling the truth,” says Dr Mary Ann Campbell, assistant professor of psychology. “It doesn’t mean they’re lying for sure, but there’s a higher likelihood.” 2. Watch those words What about written material? Can we spot misleading behaviour in letters, emails and even resumés? Professor David Skillicorn and his students in the School of Computing at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, created software – based on the deception model developed at the University of Texas at Austin – that can sniff out lies in emails and other written material by studying the frequency and kinds of words used. Skillicorn says liars tend to use fewer exclusive words such as but, or and except. They also tend to use more negative-emotion words such as ashamed, upset and embarrassed. “These are the words that send up red flags,” says Skillicorn. “It’s as though some part of the brain is feeling bad and this comes out in the writing.” 3. Look past shifty eyes While most people may interpret darting, unfocused eyes as a classic sign of lying, it’s vital to consider the context of the behaviour. For example, experienced poker players are careful not to make too much of eye “tells.” People usually look to the left or right when thinking about an answer. Someone not making eye contact should arouse suspicion, but eye contact, cautions Woods, can be a tricky evaluation tool: consider that a psychopath can look you in the eye and lie with ease. And in some cultures, it’s considered inappropriate to maintain eye contact. 4. Get better at body language Even though a high percentage of communication is thought to be non-verbal, no single part of the body – such as the eyes or hands – reveals the whole story when it comes to lying. Campbell says people who are lying often become more still: Hand gestures that normally accompany talking may occur with less frequency or intensity, and there may be fewer arm and leg movements. “The person becomes more focused on telling the lie,” explains Campbell, “so they get quieter in their body.” 5. Ask questions – quickly If you suspect you’re being deceived, try this technique, which experts say can trip up a liar. Try asking questions quickly – one after the other. “The initial lie is easy,” explains Kang Lee, professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education’s Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development. “The follow-up lie is more difficult. When you continue to ask questions and put people on the spot, it gets harder to maintain the lie.” 6. Check for emotional “leaks” Micro-expressions that flit across the face often expose a person’s real thoughts. “If you were to watch people on videotape, frame by frame, you would see them showing their true emotion just before they show the fake expression designed to cover up the lie,” says Campbell. But these ultra-brief facial movements, some only lasting a quarter of a second, aren’t easy to spot. Even professionals trained in lie detection can’t always isolate them. And deliberate liars tend to add other expressions, like smiling, to disguise a lie. So, here’s hoping that the next time someone lobs a lie your way, you’ll know just how to catch it. Image: Getty This article is written by Diane Sewell originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/6-silent-signs-youre-being-lied-to" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Relationships

“Putrid cookers”: Anti-vaxxers slammed for spreading lies about Jock Zonfrillo’s death

Just hours after MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo’s sudden death, heartless anti-vaxxers took to social media to spread disinformation. Zonfrillo died in Melbourne on May 1. While the cause of death has not been publicly announced, police said that his death was not being treated as suspicious, and a report was made for the coroner. The anti-vaxxers took this as a chance to spread disinformation online, implying that his death was linked to the Covid vaccine. “Did Jock Zonfrillo get the Pfizer or Moderna RNA vaccine?” one person tweeted the day after his death. Another commented on the way that his death was described as “sudden” with no confirmed cause- completely ignoring the fact that Zonfrillo’s family have not released that information. “The mainstream media has been reporting countless such ‘sudden deaths’ with ‘no cause of death given’,” wrote the anti-vaxxer on Facebook on May 2. “Since when are death reports being provided with no cause given? “I know since when: since they rolled out those experimental Covid vaccines, which are dropping people faster than they can clue in that it is murdering them. The mainstream media and medical establishment will never admit it – they omit the REAL reason someone died by saying ‘no immediate cause of death was given’,” wrote another. The ill-informed comments have attracted significant backlash from Aussies who slammed the “cookers” for taking advantage of the tragedy to spread disinformation. “Of course the putrid cookers have already come out, saying it was the Covid vaccine that killed Jock Zonfrillo. They really are opportunistic scum. RIP Jock,” one person tweeted in response to the lies. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Of course the putrid cookers have already come out, saying it was the covid vaccine that killed Jock Zonfrillo. They really are opportunistic scum. RIP Jock. <a href="https://t.co/t7jxe9QX1P">pic.twitter.com/t7jxe9QX1P</a> — JayJay (@JayJay91341991) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayJay91341991/status/1653215630768865281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></blockquote> “I’m always unsurprised at the amount of cookers that come out of the woodwork when a celebrity dies. Shame on anyone who is using Jock Zonfrillo’s death to push their anti-vax vile rhetoric,” tweeted another. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I’m always unsurprised at the amount of cookers that come out of the woodwork when a celebrity dies. Shame on anyone who is using Jock Zonfrillo’s death to push their anti-vax vile rhetoric. — MrDreeps (@MrDreepy) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrDreepy/status/1652947746419281921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote> “Distance yourself from people who impulsively attribute the death of a celebrity to the Covid-19 Vaccine. “It demonstrates extreme congruence bias, and a profound lack of empathy. #jockzonfrillo,” wrote a third. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Distance yourself from people who impulsively attribute the death of a celebrity to the Covid-19 Vaccine. It demonstrates extreme congruence bias, and a profound lack of empathy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jockzonfrillo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jockzonfrillo</a> — Nick Holt (@realnickholt) <a href="https://twitter.com/realnickholt/status/1652919969926254592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote> Images: Instagram

News

Russell Crowe and girlfriend denied entry at restaurant

Actor Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot were refused entry at a Melbourne restaurant for not meeting the smart-casual dress code, according to a report. The pair went to eat at Mr Myagi, a Japanese-fusion establishment in Melbourne, wearing outfits they had played tennis in earlier that day, and the staff were quick to deny them entry. “He went there wearing a brand new Ralph Lauren polo, having just played a game of tennis and was turned away,” Crowe’s manager Grant Vandenberg told the Daily Mail Australia. Mr Miyagi describes itself as “casual but fancy” where “work gear, activewear, singlets, and thongs” are forbidden. The restaurant’s management doubled down on their decision to deny the pair service, saying no one is above their rules. “We treat everyone the same. It doesn’t matter who you are or if you are Russell Crowe. We’ve got a dress code that we push across every level,” restaurant owner Kristian Klein told The Herald Sun. “We are consistent with it and I don’t feel like it’s unreasonable," Klein added. “But I know personally if I’m in my thongs and my boardies, I’m not going to try and go to a nice restaurant, because I wouldn’t be dressed appropriately.” Klein said the staff member that denied Crowe’s entry did not know who the Gladiator actor was, and it was a “very unfortunate situation for everyone”. The restaurant had some fun with the situation, posting an updated dress code policy on Instagram. “Dress smart casual, unless you’re Russell Crowe, then wear whatevs,” the sign read. Mr Myiagi also addressed Crowe to clear the air. “Dear Russell, During your last visit it seems we got off on the wrong foot. After much reflection on what occurred, we have made a permanent change to our dress code,” the caption read. “We would love to see you again in the future, you’re always welcome at Mr. Miyagi.” According to the Daily Mail, radio broadcaster Steve Price and his partner were turned away from Mr Miyagi just days later for the same reason. Crowe has now joined the list of recent A-listers who were denied service from restaurants. Talk show host James Corden was banned from Balthazar, Keith McNally’s restaurant in Manhattan, in October 2022 after he allegedly mistreated the restaurant’s staff. Other celebrities that have been turned away from establishments include Ariana Grande, who was banned from a California doughnut shop after being seen on a surveillance camera licking unattended pastries. Image credit: Getty

Food & Wine

Body language expert reveals “telling” signs Michael Clarke lied

A body language expert has weighed in on the infamous public scuffle where former Cricketer, Michael Clarke, was accused of cheating on his girlfriend, Jade Yarbrough. Louanne Ward, an Australian relationship expert, told The Daily Mail that some of Clarke's words and actions were indicative of him not telling the truth. The first sign that Clarke wasn't being truthful was when he took his shirt off to try and "make himself look bigger". "People....often make really big, bold gestures in an attempt to intimidate, look at the way Michael was walking in that video and you'll notice his arms are rounded and splayed," she said. She also told The Daily Mail that removing his shirt is a "fight response". The second sign the expert identified was the rising inflections in his voice as he pleaded with his girlfriend. "When someone is not telling the truth, their voice goes up a little bit at the end of a word," she highlighted. "You'll notice that you can definitely hear the inflections in Michael's voice when he speaks to Jade". Another "telling" sign was Clarke's choice to deflect the argument back to Jade. "Go, hit me ... do it again. You're wrong, you're f**king wrong," Clarke deflected in the video. The expert said that in choosing to say "you're wrong" instead of "I", "he's not taking any responsibility," which could be "indicative of guilt". Another subtle sign, according to the expert, was that he "kept shuffling his feet while he was standing with Jade", which is a natural response. The expert said that when people are being accused of something, "the limbic brain - which controls our behavioural and emotional responses - switches on and freezes body responses." "So when he can't keep his feet still, that could seem to be a sign of something not quite right". The last tell-tale sign was that he tried to invade Jade's personal space despite her walking away from him. "Clearly, Michael got slapped and that's a big invasion of personal space," said the expert. "But when someone tries to remove themselves from the situation like Jade walked off, and you go and follow them and get back in their space". The expert said that it's impossible to tell if someone is lying based on their body language alone and that we should look out for clusters of behaviours. "If they have three different things, then you can certainly tell that if they're not being dishonest, then there is something that is making them exceptionally uncomfortable, it's important to look at all aspects of their behaviour," she said. Image: Getty

Body

Man hides hefty lottery win from wife and child

A Chinese man has kept his eye watering 219 million yuan (AUD$47,068,869) lottery win a secret from his wife and child so they don’t become lazy. Known only as Mr Li to conceal his identity, the man dressed up in a yellow cartoon costume when he accepted the huge win on October 24 at the lottery office in Nanning, in the southern region of Guangxi. “I did not tell my wife and child for fear that they would be too complacent and would not work or work hard in the future,” he told Nanning Evening News. Mr Li confessed that he bought 40 lottery tickets all of which had the same seven numbers, with the lottery company paying out 5.48 million yuan (AUD$1,177,811) for each ticket. Eventually he found out that he had the winning lottery numbers of 2, 15, 19, 26, 27, 29, and 2 and went to claim his prize. After receiving the hefty sum, Mr Li donated 5 million yuan (AUD$1,074,597) to charity and is still unsure of what to do with his fortune. Mr Li has been playing the lottery for a decade and only won minor prizes until this time round. “I regard buying the lottery as a hobby, and my family does not care. Plus, I do not spend much money on it, and the lottery provides a ray of hope for me,” he told the South China Morning Post. Image: Guangxi Welfare Lottery Centre

Money & Banking

World’s Ugliest Dog crowned

A 17-year-old dog called Mr Happy Face has been dubbed the world’s ugliest dog. The Chihuahua-Chinese crested mix has an evil scientist look to it with a long tongue hanging out and boofy white hair. The event was held on June 25, with dog owners from around the US coming together to see whether or not their pet will win the title of the world’s ugliest dog. Mr Happy Face, who was adopted by musician Jeneda Benally in August 2021, was told by the shelter that he only had a few weeks left to live due to being neglected and the tumours he had. She said that Mr Happy Face “chose her” when she found out another dog she wanted had already been adopted. “I saw a creature who was indeed old, needed a second chance and deserved to be loved,” she said. “He came from a hoarder’s house where the conditions were deplorable. He was a survivor of abuse and neglect. “When I first met him, he was the happiest creature that I had ever met. He hobbled up to me and chose me. “I vowed that day, he would be so loved that he would never remember how awful his previous life had been. “Love, kindness and mommy kisses have helped him defy the anticipated short life that we all expected him to have with our family. “I don’t feel like I have the world’s ugliest dog, I feel like I’ve got the world’s most-loved dog who is bringing happiness to everybody.” Jeneda won a total of $US1500 ($A2170) after Mr Happy Face won the competition. Image: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Event Center

Family & Pets

Mrs Doubtfire actors 30 years on

The actors who played the children in Mrs Doubtfire have reunited in honour of the movie’s release almost 30 years ago. Lisa Jakub who played the older sister Lydia, Matthew Lawrence who played Chris the middle child, and Mara Wilson who played Natalie posed for a photo at their heartwarming get together. “Siblings” Lisa captioned the photo of her on-screen family, along with a heart emoji, while Mara captioned hers “Hilliard Family reunion”. Since the movie’s release, the actors have gone on to do their own thing, with only Matthew sticking to acting. Lisa, 43, quit acting at 22 and married Hollywood theatre manager Jeremy Jones in 2005. She currently works as a yoga teacher, speaker and writer. She wrote an autobiography called You Look Like That Girl. Last year, she launched Blue Mala, a wellness website to help those in need. Matthew, 42, continues to act and regularly appears in his siblings’ TV shows. Mara, 34, also well known for her role in Matilda, quit acting after tragically losing her mother. She did however, recently star in TV series BoJack Horseman as the recurring black widow NYC playwright "Jill Pill" Philipowicz, and has also released her own book, Where Am I Now? Image: Instagram

Movies

How Mr Bean came to be

We all grew up watching Rowan Atkinson in the much loved Mr Bean television series, animation and movies. But how did it all come to be? Atkinson, who actually has a degree in electrical engineering from Oxford University, came up with the show’s idea while studying. It was his love for acting and performing with the university’s comedy group known as “The Oxford Revue” which helped bring his character to life. The British actor had a stutter which would disappear while portraying a character but he was well received by his peers and eventually by large audiences. Atkinson described the show as “a child in a man’s body” and went on to create his dream which debuted on New Year’s Day in 1990 on ITV to a worldwide audience. Not many actors can boast that. Atkinson worked with fellow actor Richard Curtis, who saw a successful five-year run of Mr Bean which in turn saw the production of several movies. Then in 2002, an animated series of Mr Bean was also created, which saw it enjoyed by millions more around the globe. So how much did this make for Atkinson? Are you ready? An eye-watering $150 million. Not bad when you consider that the iconic character barely even utters a word! Image: Instagram

Movies

Mrs Doubtfire not the only one in disguise

It’s the movie that keeps on giving and almost 30 years later Mrs Doubtfire continues to be a fan favourite. Starring the much-loved Robin Williams as Daniel, an unsuccessful actor who disguises himself as a female Scottish housekeeper to spend time with his children following a messy separation, it's a great movie for a rainy day. And one eagle-eyed viewer has pointed out an unexpected cameo and fun fact. “In Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), the poolside bartender is played by an actor credited under the nickname Dr. Toad,” he wrote on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieDetails/comments/t4zp0l/in_mrs_doubtfire_1993_the_poolside_bartender_is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit</a>. “But his real name was Robert Todd Williams, and he was Robin Williams’ older brother.” The post includes a photo from the scene where Daniel, dressed up as Mrs Doubtfire, is sitting at a bar while keeping an eye on his ex Miranda and his children, while out on a date with her new boyfriend Stu. The bartender in that scene is Robin’s brother, Robert. That was Robert’s only scene in any movie, as he works as a vintner by trade. Robin Williams was sadly found dead in his California home on August 11, 2014 aged 63 - but of course he lives on through this film and many other brilliant works. Image: Reddit

Movies

Readers respond: What were the dumbest lies you believed as a kid?

From the real reason behind thunder, to where babies come from, our readers were told some hilarious fibs in their youth.We asked what what the funniest, silliest and downright ridiclous lies you believed as a kid, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what you said:Kaz Appleford - We can't go to the beach because granddad has pulled the plug and there's no water. Marianne Oates - Our golden Labrador was hit by a car and taken to the vet for medical attention. When he came back he was a black Labrador, changed colour because of the medication.So for many years we had a black Labrador called Goldy.Sharon Waldron - If I didn't clean my ears, I would get potatoes growing out of them.Aileen May - That is the wind changed just when I was pulling a face, my face would stay like that forever. Sharon McPherson - That my Dad left England (banished by Queen) because he wanted tomarry Princess Margaret and she wouldnt let him!!!I believed this until year 6 in Primary school.Yolanda Battistini - When I would ask where babies come from, ,y mum told me I was in a shop window & they bought me.Trish Hogan - if you swallowed a fruit pip, you'd grow a tree inside you. Angie Broyles - Thunder was angels bowling in heaven.Annette Saarinen - That babies were found in the cabbage patch. Glenda Barkle - I was told when we had thunderstorms, that it was God just moving his furniture around.Bev Baldock - That if I picked at my navel, it would turn into a big hole and all my guts would fall out.Greg Browning - My grandfather told me that he didn’t shave, he just pushed his whiskers through to the inside and bit them off.Heather Gleeson - My dad said he worked in Queensland putting bends in bananas. Pete Lemin KT - If you sit too close to the TV, you'll go blind. Cheryl Ann Brown - Eating your crusts makes your hair curly. I never ate my crusts and I have a head full of uncontrollable curls.Jodi Pickering - I went to a catholic school the first few years when I was young, and the nuns told me if Jesus stops watching me I will die, I have never forgotten that. I was absolutely terrified.Brian Wolfe - If you hear the Mr Whippy jingle, it means they're out of ice cream. Dawn Dean - My Aunty told me there was a man in the moon that God put there because he chopped wood on a Sunday.Deidre Moore - I was told people who had a gap in their front teeth were going to be rich one day. Still hasn’t happened.Sandra Anderson - If I bit my nails, my hands would turn into pigs feet.Jill Croden - My mum said if you swallowed chewing gum it would wrap around your bones.Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Mr Big responds to two sexual assault allegations

Chris Noth has spoken out about recent sexual assault allegations, after two women claim they were assaulted by the 67-year-old. The Sex and the City actor has denied the allegations, saying the encounters were consensual. "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false," Noth said in a prepared statement. "These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. It's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out." "I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women." Chris has reentered the pop culture conversation recently, as his return to the screen as Mr Big in the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That premiered last week. The storyline in the reboot between Mr Big and Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, has made headlines around the world, and projected Chris Noth into the pop culture zeitgeist. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/chris-noth-accused-of-sexual-assault-1235063596/#recipient_hashed=b5b85875847e16b6300a5556e2ad9538b4ea3ee614088f601dba287255540194" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a> has shared a detailed report on the alleged assaults after speaking to the women in question anonymously. The women, who don't know each other, told the publication that the recent airing of And Just Like That brought up painful memories and prompted them to come forward with the allegations against Chris Noth. One of the women claims she was raped by Noth in Los Angeles in 2004, while the other woman claims she was sexually assaulted by the actor when she was in New York City in 2015. The report shares the intimate details of each assault, to which Chris has not responded to other than his sweeping denial of both instances. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Woman’s eyebrow procedure leaves her “looking like Mr Bean”

UK mum Sarah Donnelly has proved that we go to extraordinary lengths for beauty. Sarah took to Tik Tok to share the results of a beauty treatment that she said left her “looking like Mr Bean”. She went to have her eyebrows laminated, which according to <a href="https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a29030088/eyebrow-lamination-review/">Elle magazine</a>, “is like a lash lift for your brows ... Every hair stands to attention, giving a result very similar to the full and feathery effect of microblading, but without any needling or pain.” During the procedure, eyebrow hairs are “straightened” using a chemical solution that has results lasting for several weeks. As Sarah showed off her new brows to her online followers, she said she “couldn’t stop laughing”. In hysterics in her car after her treatment, Sarah said, “I look ridiculous! What have I done to myself?” “I don’t know whether I want to laugh or cry.” The clip was captioned, “I was trying to keep up with the kids, so I got my brows laminated, and this happened.” Among the 1,600 comments on the video, one follower likened her thick black brows to Mr Bean, to which Sarah responded, “Hilarious! I actually really look like him, don’t I?” Luckily, Sarah was able to find the humour in the situation, as she even referred to her new brows as “slugs” in one comment. While many poked fun at the trendy procedure, one person questioned why the beauty professionals would use such a dark tint colour. They asked, “Why on Earth would they put black tint on a blonde-haired woman?” Despite many in the comments vowing to never risk the procedure themselves, a few people insisted Sarah’s new look would be worth it. “In a couple of days these will look epic,” one person reassured her. “Lamination is the ultimate, trust the process!” We can only pray that Sarah publishes an update for us all to enjoy. Image credits: TikTok @sarahdonnelly5

Beauty & Style

"Lies need to stop": Irwin family member rushes to support Bob

The Irwins are hardly the type to battle it out publicly, but for years the family have been at quietly a loggerheads, it was revealed over the weekend. In a sweet Father’s Day post Bindi shared, she thanked Steve, her own husband Chandler, and her father-in-law. One fan took to the comments to asks Irwin why she left her grandfather Bob out of the tribute and the young celebrity unleashed. “Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family,” she wrote. “He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship … I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain.” A family member of the family took to Facebook to angrily dispute Bindi’s claims made about her grandfather Bob. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQUfEJ8BMgF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQUfEJ8BMgF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a> </div> </blockquote> Bethanny Wheeler explained that she is the “the granddaughter of Bob Irwin via marriage of my father and my Stepmother Mandy as a very young child,”. She called Bob “the most genuinely beautiful human on this planet and has NEVER spoken out or put down anybody! "He is a man who sits silently and battles his demons alone, in what is great sadness. He doesn’t retaliate, only prays for his grandchildren’s safety and good lives.” Wheeler wrote that her “sisters and brothers will happily back me up when I say that Bob Irwin is a passive and beautiful human, and these lies need to stop.” Bob Irwin’s biographer also said he was “devastated” by Bindi’s claims of abuse. Amanda French, who co-wrote Bob’s 2016 autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter, slammed Bindi. “To write that there is psychological abuse from the kindest, most beautiful soul I have ever met, is heartbreaking,” she wrote. She went on to say Bob has been “devastated to his core.” “Unbeknownst to you, and what you know, he is suffering deeply for the loss of his family … He has done all he knows how to do and that is bury his head in the sand because that’s how he copes,” she continued. “He’s not someone who is out there about reaching out and communicating, he’s like your Dad was. An introvert and not someone who can navigate people well. “He loves your Dad, and you guys more than you know. This should be a private matter not written about on Facebook.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841917/bob-irwin-family-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/44f9f932a55748b6a0ce4bc6df1ef9c4" /> Entertainment Reporter Peter Ford told Sunrise on Monday that after speaking to Bob’s wife Judy over the weekend, he could confirm they were blown away by Bindi’s comments. “They were pretty shellshocked by it and when I rang and read to his wife Judy the details, they’re not on social media, so they were not aware of what was going on at all, I think they were pretty shocked and devastated,” the reporter said. “That’s just the feeling I got. They didn’t say that to me and they did not come back and offer any kind of reply or response.” Steve and his father were incredible close, once labelling him: “the legend of the universe.” Steve told the ABC’s Enough Rope in 2003: “He was everything I wanted to be. And all I’ve done in my life is follow in his footsteps, mimic him and try to be him. And nowadays I just try to make him proud.” Steve was killed in a 2006 freak accident, right after the father and his son wrapped up their month-long in Cape York, “You never expect that’s the last time you’re ever going to see your son, but I certainly had a feeling he sensed something was about to happen,” Bob said after the accident. Steve died after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while he was filming on the Great Barrier Reef. When Bob released his autobiography in 2016, he said that “when the world lost Steve, the animals lost the best friend they ever had, and so did I.” “What he stood for and what he was able to achieve means just as much now as when he was here in the physical world.” Bindi insists that she and her family want the best for Bob. “We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing,” she wrote.

News

Teen driver who lied after killing boy in car crash sentenced

A boy who caused the death of another teenager by crashing a car while driving dangerously north of Brisbane has been handed a detention sentence. Jacob Hopkins, 14, was injured during the crash in Rothwell in the Moreton Bay region in May 2019. The underage driver who cannot be named due to being 14-years-old, will be released after serving half of his four-year detention service. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and grievous bodily harm in Queensland Children’s Court. The teenager recklessly drove along Anzac Avenue, nearly hitting a young girl by a metre as she crossed the road. The car, which contained six teens, then collided with another car driven by a mother with her four children inside in Rothwell. The family luckily managed to escape with minor injuries, but some of the teenagers suffered from serious injuries including Jacob. Jacob’s family, who were sitting on the front seat during the crash, told the court about the impact of his death. “Every time I hear sirens I have flashbacks to the crash scene,” his sister said in a victim impact statement. “My children will grow up not knowing their uncle Jacob.” After the crash occurred, the driver lied and told police Jacob was the one driving the vehicle. The court heard he had a troubled upbringing and started using drugs from the age of 10. The judge said he had been showing signs of rehabilitation since the incident. “[There is] some hope you can move forward in your life and become a contributing member of the community,” the judge said in sentencing. Convictions weren’t recorded against the boy. In a statement to 7NEWS, Jacob’s sister reflected on the sentence. “While the four-year sentence is significant, no amount of time served would ever be enough,” she said. “It is our hope that [the driver] takes these four years to genuinely reflect on the impact of his decisions and that he exits the system better than he entered it.”

Legal

COVID Lockdown: Victorian premier may have lied about curfew advice

Both the Victorian Police Commissioner and the Victorian Chief Health Officer have embarrassed Premier Daniel Andrews this week by admitting on separate occasions to national media that the nightly curfews which have Melburnians locked in their homes between the hours of 8pm to 5am were not instigated by either of them. Now many are asking the question: who decreed the nightly lockdowns, and why? Originally, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told State Parliament that the Police Commissioner had told him that a nightly curfew would make it easier to police stage four restrictions. But this appears to be incorrect, with the <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/i-was-never-consulted-police-did-not-request-victorian-curfew-20200910-p55u7j.html">Police Commissioner saying he was never consulted on the issue</a> and was only alerted to the curfew hours before it was put into place on 2 August 2020. Melburnians continue to face another several weeks of night curfews, although from this weekend, the night curfew will be changed to start at 9pm. Pressure to remove the curfew With many questioning the difference an hour could possibly make in terms of ‘stopping the spread of the virus’, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton has also admitted that the curfew was not his idea, although staying on Uncle Dan’s good side by saying he is not against it. “The curfew came in as part of the state of disaster, for example, it wasn’t a state of emergency requirement,” Professor Sutton told the media. Many believe overnight curfews are excessive and unnecessary, considering that under Stage 4 restrictions people in Melbourne are banned from travelling more than once per day and further than 5km to go shopping or to exercise, with very few exceptions, and must wear a face mask when in public. But despite mounting pressure to lift the curfew, Mr Andrews is adamant it will remain in place until 26 October 2020. Covid-19 fines exceed $1 million in Victoria According to data released last month, the curfew has also been a steady revenue earner for the state, with dozens of people fined for being out of home after 8pm, including a man who was <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-shoot-through-car-window-of-man-who-allegedly-ignored-curfew/">involved in a serious incident with Police who shot through his car window.</a> In one night alone, <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-shoot-through-car-window-of-man-who-allegedly-ignored-curfew/">shortly after the curfew was introduced, police issued 43 fines</a>. So far, <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/state-governments-collect-millions-in-covid-fines/">Victoria has collected a total of more than $1 million </a>in fines for Covid-19 public health breaches. Federal Government intervention In the meantime, the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has urged Daniel Andrews to lift the curfew, considering that it is not based on health advice, and has also asked the government to be transparent about its virus modelling. Whether his federal standing will actually make a difference is difficult to determine. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-10/annastacia-palaszczuk-scott-morrison-bullying-covid-19/12649008">found himself accused </a>by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of bullying when he intervened in the case of a woman from the ACT who had been refused permission from Queensland Health Authorities to attend her father’s funeral. At the same time, a family with four children had been told that only one child could visit their dying father in a Brisbane Hospital. While the funeral issue was eventually resolved and the family has since been allowed to visit, under strict conditions, there have been other reports of the harsh impact of the strict Queensland border closures on people in Northern New South Wales, with some being <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/twins-die-after-delay-in-border-exemption/">denied access to medical care</a>, and many families separated because of work and other commitments. The fact remains that at some point the state governments have got to put sensible measures in place to deal with Covid-19. Medical experts have been saying for a long time that we will have to learn to ‘live with’ the coronavirus for many months to come, which means that governments should be considering ways to isolate, contain and manage virus outbreaks, rather than simply revert to severe laws lockdowns which are not only beginning to take a toll on people’s <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-mental-health/">mental and emotional wellbeing</a>, but have all but brought the economy to a standstill. This is a very real and complex issue that needs to be addressed so that Australia can start to move forward, and give people back their basic democratic freedoms and safeguards. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/covid-lockdown-victorian-premier-may-have-lied-about-curfew-advice/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers.</a>

Legal

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

No more Mr Nice Guy: Tom Hanks blows up at movie critics

Beloved Friends, Tootsie and Mr Mom star passes away

"They lied": Kerri-Anne Kennerley blasts I’m A Celeb

"Last chance, Mr Banducci": Woolies CEO threatened with jail time

Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

6 silent signs you’re being lied to

“Putrid cookers”: Anti-vaxxers slammed for spreading lies about Jock Zonfrillo’s death

Russell Crowe and girlfriend denied entry at restaurant

Body language expert reveals “telling” signs Michael Clarke lied

Man hides hefty lottery win from wife and child

World’s Ugliest Dog crowned

Mrs Doubtfire actors 30 years on

How Mr Bean came to be

Mrs Doubtfire not the only one in disguise

Readers respond: What were the dumbest lies you believed as a kid?

Mr Big responds to two sexual assault allegations

Woman’s eyebrow procedure leaves her “looking like Mr Bean”

"Lies need to stop": Irwin family member rushes to support Bob

Teen driver who lied after killing boy in car crash sentenced

COVID Lockdown: Victorian premier may have lied about curfew advice

Our Partners