Dave O'Neil, TV WEEK Aug 25-31, 2018

One of my first interviews for TV WEEK was with comedian Dave O’Neil. A good start to the new job!

Ones to Watch, WHO Aug 6, 2018

So proud to end my time at WHO championing diversity and new talent, especially Yoson An.

Items in WHO July 16, 2018: Tiarnie Coupland, Nicole Byer and RuPaul's Drag Race

For this week's Back Chat, I got to speak with up-and-coming actress Tiarnie Coupland and hilarious Nailed It! host Nicole Byer. 

Items from WHO June 18 and 25, 2018: Michael Hing, Manu, John Cameron Mitchell

Anytime I can champion more diversity in the magazine is a good thing, and this week, it's a chat with Michael Hing, whose documentary series Where Are You Really From? tackles head on the "double from" question many Asian Americans and Asian Australians have encountered. From there, I talked to MKR judge Manu Feildel about his menu for the Hoyts Lux movie experience. In the issue on stands with the June 25 cover date, I spoke to John Cameron Mitchell, the pioneer behind Hedwig and the Angry Inch, for the Soundtrack of My Life feature, and took a look at the final four on The Voice. 

Items from WHO June 11, 2018: Alan Cumming, Lucy Sibbick, 'MasterChef'

Alan Cumming called while leaving his home (and his cats) to catch a taxi on the way to a CBS upfront party in New York. If only he knew just how much I knew where he was headed and why! This week also featured chats with Oscar-winning makeup artist Lucy Sibbick, Body Hack 2.0 host Todd Sampson, and one of the favourites in MasterChef, Brendan.

Item in WHO June 4, 2018: Trent on 'The Voice', Annabel Crabb

Sam Perry isn't the only one with a sweet romance tale on The Voice. Meet Trent! Also, a fun chat with Back in Time for Dinner host Annabel Crabb.

Items from WHO May 21, 2018: Delta Goodrem, 'Aggretsuko', Marcia Hines, Myf Warhurst

I have interviewed Delta Goodrem often during my time (so far) in Australia but never for a cover. This May, Delta had a miniseries, Seven's biopic Olivia: Hopelessly Devoted to You, and a regular gig, Nine's The Voice, along with an album of Olivia covers, all hitting the same time. She spoke with ease and candor. Although the cover line may have emphasised newsy beats of the moment, Delta was nonetheless complimentary in a reply to my tweet thanking her for her time. Her response was unexpected but really sweet and generous. In addition to the online story, you can read the print interview in the WHO tab of the Telling Stories section on the site. Following the Delta cover is my short take on fave show Aggretsuko, which you can also find under my Shameless Plus tab, and interviews with Marcia Hines and Myf Warhurst.

Items from WHO in March 2018: Audra McDonald, Joel Creasey, Nat Bass and Colin Fassnidge

I spent most of March on MKR and other features rather than shorter interviews. Even so, I got to speak to one of my favourite singers and actresses, Audra McDonald, for her coming aboard The Good Fight. I also spoke with Natalie Bassingthwaighte about her return to Neighbours, Joel Creasey about hosting Sydney Mardi Gras coverage for SBS, and MKR judge Colin Fassnidge.

Items from WHO Feb 19, 2018: Grant Denyer, Tabatha Coffey and Michael Bolton

I had no idea at the start of the week that I would be pitched Michael Bolton for a Back Chat item, but it turned out to be so fun. Add to that words from Tabatha Coffey and Grant Denyer, plus a recap of the brilliant Tourism Australia ad that aired during the Super Bowl and you get our pop culture collection for mid-February.

Back Chat Q&A with Tim Minchin, WHO Feb 12, 2018

What a joy to meet Tim Minchin and talk comedy, music, politics and the weather (we did—raining outside!)

Items from WHO Feb 5, 2018: Chats with Julia Morris and Colin Hay

I had no idea how fun it would be to talk to Men at Work's Colin Hay. He has had a long residency at LA's Largo (old and new locations) and is such an insightful, witty guy. He indulges me in a Soundtrack of My Life interview. I also have I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here's host Julia Morris for a Last Word.

Items in WHO January 2018: MKR 9, TV Preview and Richard Armitage

Each year, I get to know the contestants of Seven's My Kitchen Rules very well. It all begins with this contestant preview and the small tease in the TV Preview (which also includes a quote from my interview with Chai Hansen for The New Legends of Monkey). Aside from that, here is also an interview with Richard Armitage (whose voice I could hear all day) for Berlin Station, and a pun-filled box on Game of Thrones stamps. 

The Year in Review 2017: WHO Jan 8, 2018

The fun part about a Year-End issue is getting a chance to follow up with stars you met/spoke to earlier and ones you wanted to speak to. Included here are my items on Sophie Monk, Jimmy Barnes, Lisa Wilkinson, Casey Donovan and Rob Collins. I also spoke to the incredible Bria Vinaite of The Florida Project and offered my review of Twin Peaks: The Return. 

Items in WHO Dec 11, 2017: ARIAs 2017, Antonia Thomas, Tom Bailey

Soundtrack of My Life has to be one of the best briefs in the business, and for this issue, I got to speak to Thompson Twins founder Tom Bailey. I also got in a Last Word with The Good Doctor's Antonia Thomas, and turned around an on-location ARIAs red-carpet story on the day we closed the issue. Good times, good times.

Items in WHO Nov 27, 2017: The List review of 'The Punisher', Caroline Buchanan and Qantas

A mixed bag, to be sure, but here was my take on the first season of Marvel's The Punisher on Netflix. Also, I spoke to motocross legend Caroline Buchanan and got to call my cousin Ben Wang for consultation before my interview with Qantas Dreamliner pilot Alex Passerini.

Items in WHO Nov 6, 2017: Ioan Gruffudd, Osher Gunsberg, 'Thor: Ragnarok'

The only time I could speak to Ioan Gruffudd was at 11.30 pm on a Monday night. Well of course I said 'yes'! Here is that chat, along with one with Bachelorette host Osher Gunsberg, and a review of Thor: Ragnarok.

Back Chat, WHO Oct 23, 2017: Sean Keenan in 'Wake in Fright'

Although Sean Keenan had been in a number of notable series such as staple soap Neighbours and hip series Glitch, the Ten remake/update of Wake in Fright would be his most ambitious. Here is my review and chat with Sean.

Back Chat Oct 16, 2017: 'Survivor' Top 4

I used to break down the US Survivor finalists with Jeff Probst. Now, it's a tradition with Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia. Next to it is the following week's winner chat!

Items in WHO Sep 11, 2017: VMAs 2017 and 'Bachelor' drama

Items in WHO Aug 28, 2017: Teen Choice Awards, Cara Delevinge's birthday, Jamie Morton and Top of the Lake: China Girl

What a week! I delve back into the awards show lane with a summary of the Teen Choice Awards, then wrap up celebrity news with Cara Delevingne and Jamie Morton, plus the other items in Back Chat. And then, review Top of the Lake: China Girl.