Entertainment & Lifestyle Roundup
Netflix Comedy Special: Funny Garden
Comedian Aaron Chen's Netflix special, Funny Garden, has been released.
Filmed in New York by Australian filmmaker Henry Stone, the special marks a milestone in Chen's career. He moved to New York in 2023 with the stated goal of advancing his comedy career.
Prior to his move, Chen achieved significant success in Australia, including winning "best newcomer" at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, performing sold-out shows at Sydney's State Theatre, and receiving a Logie award for his role in the ABC TV comedy Fisk.
The special showcases Chen's awkward, deadpan comedic style, covering topics such as married life, taxes, overnight oats, his relocation to the United States, and the challenges of a stand-up comedy career.
Streaming Availability: Rake
The Australian television series Rake is now available for streaming on ABC iview, Netflix, Prime Video, and Stan.
The series, which ran for six seasons from 2010 to 2018, stars Richard Roxburgh as criminal defense barrister Cleaver Greene—a character loosely inspired by real-life barrister Charles Waterstreet. Set in Sydney, the show features storylines involving Greene's legal cases and personal relationships.
New Album: Creature Of Habit
Musician Courtney Barnett has released her fourth studio album, titled Creature Of Habit, on the Mom + Pop label.
Investigative Podcast: Expanse: The Nannup Four
The ABC has released a podcast series titled Expanse: The Nannup Four, reported by Dominique Bayens. The podcast investigates the 2007 disappearance of four individuals from a farm in Nannup, Western Australia.
The missing persons are Simon Kadwill, Chantelle McDougall, their six-year-old daughter Leela, and Tony Popic. A note left at the scene stated the group was traveling to Brazil due to concerns about electromagnetic fields (EMF). It is reported that Kadwill was a conspiracy theorist. There is no evidence the group left Australia, and their fate remains unknown. The report states that the search for answers uncovered alleged acts of manipulation, deception, and stolen identity.
Cult Investigation Podcast: Uncover: The Cult Queen of Canada
The CBC podcast series Uncover: The Cult Queen of Canada explores the impact of a cult in the community of Richmound, Saskatchewan.
Romana Didulo, who identifies as the "Queen of Canada" and is described as a conspiracy theorist, participated in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests. In 2023, Didulo and her followers established a base in an abandoned school building in Richmound.
Many residents, including the mayor, expressed opposition to the group's presence, citing concerns about a potential takeover similar to the Rajneesh movement.
A local resident's invitation to the group prompted divisions within the town. A forthcoming mayoral election was reported to have further intensified local tensions.
Recipe: Vegan Massaman Curry
A recipe for Vegan Massaman Curry, created by Hetty Lui McKinnon, has been published. The recipe uses ingredients including mushrooms, potatoes, soy sauce, and store-bought red curry paste. Preparation time is 10 minutes, and it can be made up to three days ahead.
Recipe: Soondubu Jjigae
A recipe for a vegetarian version of the Korean stew soondubu jjigae, also created by Hetty Lui McKinnon, has been published. The recipe is described as requiring a short list of ingredients and just 10 minutes of preparation time.