For the second time, the ABC is running Australia Talks, an extraordinarily unique Australian project that captures a snapshot of the nation’s thinking at this remarkable point in history.
This special TV event, hosted by Annabel Crabb and Nazeem Hussain, will feature contributions from some much-loved Australians as the show sets out to reveal the top 3 issues that unite and divide the nation, as well as exactly who is, and isn’t, living in the lucky country.
Earlier this year, the ABC asked 60,000 Australians a range of 600 questions about many issues that matter to Australians, and even some that don’t.
Should the Covid vaccine be mandatory? Is racism prevalent in Australian sport? Are allegations of sexual assault almost always true?
Should politicians resign if they lie to the public? Do you like your boss? And even how often should you change your bedsheets?
Viewers will discover what their neighbours think, what other states reckon, and exactly what the whole country believes is the right way forward after a pandemic that has affected us all.
Production credits: Executive producer: Tom Whitty; Series Producer: Melina Wicks; Manager of Factual: Julie Hanna; Head of Entertainment: Nicholas Hayden.
Load of Crabbe: I began to watch this much hyped and laboriously promoted event and despite the upbeat delivery with cameo’s from numerous duo’s and some interesting stats…if you could describe them as such, I was turned off by the sound , sight and ineptitude of Annabel Crabbe and her cringe-worthy , amateurish attempt at humour- she is no comedian- clown yes (definitely), but the forced “boom-boom” delivery of punchlines was gratingly out of step with what the program was meant to deliver and her frumpy appearance coupled to those hideous, childish red (signature?) spectacles merely added to just how drab and un-natural a presenter she is and highlighted how a cheap side-kick can derail, degrade and distract from what was quite entertaining social navel gazing. Even Nazeem, who is a spontaneous comedian appeared to be trying too hard and that is a shame as he has talent. What has not helped was the constant promotion at almost every opportunity of this survey on both ABC radio and TV, nationally and locally, between and during programming. The ABC in my view has skewered and lost itself in waves of drivelling self-promotion with this woeful attempt at socially inclusive broadcasting. Perhaps next time the survey is conducted and the results broadcast they will use a real gloved puppet to signal that the program is “light entertainment” so that we will immediately know what to expect and can calibrate our expectations to hearing facts and not have to wonder just who decided to combine a comic with a crabbe as we had to do last evening. Aunty Jack and even Roy & HG would have delivered this with both elan and punch…in other words, lasting impact.
Hi Tim – so let me get this straight: you both want the ABC to invest in “better” talent, more writers, and a better production, but you don’t want them to promote it across their various platforms so that people get to see the results? Umm…OK. Your criticism of Crabb speaks more about you than her.
Hi Steve, thanks for your constructive reply. I do want the ABC to keep up its usual standards, but not to overplay its hand as it has with this social exercise and perpetual promotion. I think Crabb is best heard and not seen as many of the ABC’s best work is heard and not seen. I do not regard Crabb as a particularly telegenic nor to be a great talent and I can compare her with for instance Ellen Fanning, Julia Baird, Leigh Sales, Sally Sara, Linda Mottram, Virginia Triolli, Laura Tingle & Sabra Lane- all of whom are very good broadcasters, whose work collectively and individually is benchmark broadcasting. Crabb, has over the years I have watched her on various programmes, always managed to make me think she lacks depth in her analysis of political situations and in most certainly in her presence on screen. There is a “look at me” element to her style, which is unappealing and distracts from her delivery, much the same way that Karl Stephanovic and David Koch manage to do…style over substance, ambition over talent. Crabb is the same and the ABC need to hear this, or is this one question that they dare not ask: Which ABC presenters are likely to make you switch channels?…My response: Crabb, Fran Kelly, Glen Bartholomew, Graham Creed, Charlie Pickering, Geraldine Doogue…to name a few for starters…what about you?
Hi Tim – I disagree with your assessment of Crabb. I think she plays well in the pool she now finds herself. Something like Australia Talks needs a more relaxed presenter, not a sharper journalistic approach. It’s light entertainment essentially and this is consistent with the content Annabel has been producing for the ABC in the last few years. I generally don’t tune in to a show (or away) based on the presenter…I’m looking at the content. What’s the story, what’s the show. Obviously if you don’t like Pickering you won’t hang around for The Weekly (but I like him and the program so I tune in). Other than the Sky News at Night mob there are few presenters I would turn away/off from.
I’m with Tim. This program a sure sign that ABC is losing the plot. This is chasing the `people whose lips move when they read’ demographic AKA CH 10, 9 & 7. Seriously awful. If Crabbe ever had any cred she has lost it and sold her soul.
The questioning of Tanya Plibersek about masturbation by Hamish Blake raped the dignity of women in Australian Politics today. Compare with the respect afforded to John Howard. If the national broadcaster that purports to champion the cause of women treats women and men so differently, then no wonder women remain in second place.
I wonder if a man would have tolerated such an interview.
Annabel Crabb is admired by many as an interviewer who treats her guests with respect and decency; by endorsing this interview on what was her show is a great disappointment.
The ABC should apologise to Tanya Plibersek for the insults she endured. She obviously did not enthusiastically consent.
Totally agree with you Micheal. The ABC should be ashamed for treating a respected politician to this awful kind of smut!!! Mind you, Tanya had the perfect platform to call this “show” out, for wasting (yet again) tax payers money in such garbage, but she didn’t. HER rating would have gone up 1000% had she done this.
I thought this show was going to be really good. Australia Talks, I thought would have been a show that asked relevant question & answers from across a WIDE range of “everyday” Australian people (not just labour infused audience), but NO, very disappointing show so I won’t be watching again.
Annabel Crabb is, unfortunately, a clown. She’s meant to be a political journalist, but just delivers silly policy-free shows about nothing.
Hi tarent – so, by your logic, people are only allowed to be one thing? They can’t do anything else?
When they are promoted and paid a fortune (in taxpayer money) as political journalists- and then turn around and produce trivializing rubbish like ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ and ‘the House’ etc etc then they trivialize the whole process. No wonder there is no discussion of policies or anything in Australia.