Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo

Cleo magazine holds a very, very soft spot in my heart... it was the first ever grown-up magazine I bought and introduced me to a whole new world of publishing appreciation.

I bought my first copy at age 15, when I was in year 10. The October 1987 issue was my first. I was mesmerised. The next issue, November 1987, was the publication's 15th birthday issue, and by then I was hooked (I still have that issue!).

And now, ABC TV is bring the story of Cleo to life. This Sunday April 17 and Monday April 18, Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo will screen on ABC1.

The two-part mini-series stars Asher Keddie as Ita Buttrose (the magazine's launch editor) and Rob Carlton as an unnerving version of the late mag magnate Kerry Packer.

Interestingly, research and marketing analysis showed the whole Cleo project would be a failure and the magazine was vehemently opposed by the powerful head of the Packer clan, the domineering Sir Frank Packer (known to his employees as “God”).

Yet Ita and Kerry, knowing the consequences of failure would be more than dire, decided to follow their gut instincts anyway.

When I received the press kit for the series in the post I was blown away by the details. Presented as a glossy magazine, with cover lines and a free lippy, it reads like a mini edition of Cleo. Being a beauty buff, I studied the attached lipstick, and realised the Revlon lippy - in a shade called Blasé Apricot - was the exact shade of the mag's masthead.

A few emails to the network's PR and it's revealed that this was tracked down for the press pack as it's the exact shade Ita herself has always worn (and still wears to this day) - and therefore the one Asher sports during the entire series.

Asher's nail polish shade is an OPI hue called My Chihihuahua Bites (of course!) and Ita dons that in the series (and in real life) too.

It's all about the accuracy of the little things, people! Watch Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo on ABC1 this Sunday April 17 and Monday April 18, at 8.30pm.

Prince William won't wear his wedding ring after he weds Kate... discuss.

Prince William will not be wearing his wedding ring after he marries Kate Middleton later this month Palace officials have revealed... and I will admit this kind of bothers me.

I love a man who wears his wedding ring. I love that my husband wears his wedding ring. I love that he loves wearing his wedding ring.

It's totally his choice, always has been, but I did tell him right from the start that I liked it. (And I would do the same). And he's never taken it off. Never intended to, he tells me. I really adore that.

It's absolutely everyone's personal choice, but I kinda think, if you're married, and you don't like wearing it... well, why?

I am not suggesting if you don't wear your ring you're up to something sneaky. Or cruising to pick up on a Saturday night. For some men, they've said it gets in the way of their daily work. For others still - men and women - they say it's because their weight has flactuated since they married and it doesn't fit anymore (and they couldn't be bothered getting it re-sized).

We have a running joke in my house with an old friend of mine. She's been married for years but stopped wearing her ring ages ago - my mum always asks her where it is, and my buddy teases her saying she doesn't wear it because she intends to hook up with another man behind her husband's back. My mum has a chuckle, but I know it bothers her a bit. This coming from a woman who lost my beloved dad over 25 years ago - and still faithfully wears her wedding band every single day. Has never taken it off, in fact.

Not surprising then that I love wearing my wedding and engagement rings every day. I only slip them off when I get home for practicality's sake. For me, yes, it is a symbol that I am somebody's wife. Call me old-fashioned, but I like that - a lot.

Remember that scene between Carrie and Aidan in the Sex & The City series?

When long-suffering Aidan, affianced to Carrie (post Big-cheat) questions why she's doesn't want to marry him right now, the truth comes out...

Says Aidan: "Carrie, I want the whole wide world to know that you're mine." To which she replies: "Who else's would I be?" Until she has that sinking realisation that this is more than about just the ring or that piece of paper: "You still don't trust me!"

To which Aidan replies: "You don't even wear that ring on your fucking finger."

As I said I am big fan - huge - of wearing the only piece of jewellery that you as a couple exchanged, with a promise, at the same time in a church, or on a beach, or at the registry office, or in Vegas, or as a same-sex couple at a commitment ceremony.

What do you think about not wearing a wedding ring?

Like A Prayer: Madonna-inspired Diva collection

Everything about this new collection from Diva taps into my nostalgic psyche:

I was beyond obsessed with Madonna's Like A Prayer (remixes? I had all of 'em, and played them incessantly).

Was more than fixated on crucifixes (being Italian Catholic, it was only natural).

And I sought out any photo shoot featuring Madonna (the top photo, shot by Herb Ritts, and featuring in Australian Rolling Stone was taped inside my wardrobe).

So, these new Diva pieces are all highly covetable for me - my faves are the turquoise rosary beads and the silvery/crystal cluster of bracelets.

On-sale now at Diva stores nationally.

See: http://www.diva.net.au/

Mr Morph 2011 - Morphsuit comp

Morphsuit-wearing men will out in force in Sydney today.

They are competing to be crowned Mr Morph 2011. The contest will be judged solely on talent and answers, not looks (although body shape could come in to play!).

Contestants will compete in two categories, talent and questions and answer.

WHERE: Coogee Bay Hotel, Corner Coogee Bay Rd & Arden St, Coogee

WHEN: Heat 3 occurs at 3pm, Saturday 12th of March (Final Saturday 19th of March)

Don't understand the morphsuit phenomenon? Here's a rundown: it covers the whole body (even the head), you can breath through them, see through them and even drink through them. Australians are the biggest buyers of Morphsuits per capita in the world.

Heats 1 and 2 have produced some interesting contenders for the crown of Mr Morph Australia. Heat 3 is the final chance for contestants to book their spot in the final.

There are about 100,000 morphs running around the globe, and more than 480,000 Morphsuits fans on Facebook - here are some of their global shenanigans...

To buy one, go to: http://www.morphsuits.com.au/ and for more information go to http://www.morphsuits.com.au/ or www.facebook.com/morphsuits

Jennifer Aniston kicks Brad Wollack in the groin for Smart Water. SCOOP: Brad tells all

Have you seen the new Smart Water ad yet, featuring Jennifer Aniston? She's made a video that has turned into a virus... I mean, gone viral: http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/03/jennifer-aniston-sex-tape-smart-water.html

She drew on all the elements of viral success: dancing babies, animals, lip-synching... and a kick to the nuts.

The person who got that coveted role was Brad Wollack, one of the comedians on the Chelsea Lately 'round table'.

And after the taping of one of the Sydney show tapings (see:
http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rihanna-on-chelsea-lately-sydney-show.html) I cornered him and asked him, well... how his balls were feeling. As you do.

Brad explained to me how the whole thing came together.

"What they do is, they place this thing in your pants. Seriously, it's like this whole contraption they use: it’s a long strap, and there's holes on each end, and you put your feet through them and you string up this thing which pulls your pants away from your genitals. And then there's more padding underneath that, so you have a lot of resitance when it's kicked, so you don't feel it so much."

So, he didn't feel a thing?

"Hmmm, after a few takes, it’s does hurt a bit. She felt badly though. And I was like, 'You can do wharever the hell you want, Jen!'"

Even without protection he would have gone there, I ask Brad?

"I woulda done it in two seconds…!" he says with a laugh.

Before he took on the shoot and when the concept was explained, Brad says, "I was like, how does this happen? There were stunt guys who came along and showed me how to do it… it was such fun."

He adds: "Chelsea [Handler] was my agent on my that! She booked me! I got an email from her that said, 'You’re in a commercial with Jen Aniston, this Friday. You’re welcome.'

And that was that. I was suddenly starring in a commercial with Jennifer Aniston!"

Chelsea Lately - Sydney Shows, Behind-The-Scenes

Behind the scenes is where all the fun is at for true TV fans.

As a reality show junkie and talk show aficioniado - and lover of all things Chelsea Handler - I was in heaven when they recorded their Australian shows "Chelsea Lately Goes Down Under" shows for the smash hit E! show Chelsea Lately.

I came along for show tapings last time in November 2009 and this time was thrilled to be seated in the front row. Here are some behind the scenes shots from the show taping I attended last night - Tuesday 9 March 2011 - at Sydney's Foxtel studios are North Ryde.

For a full report on what happened, go here: http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rihanna-on-chelsea-lately-sydney-show.html

And don't forget to watch the Rihanna show this Friday on E! at 10.30pm, with all Aussie Chelsea Lately shows screening this week on E!