by EM RUSCIANO
Yesterday I was to interview Lara Bingle of “Being Lara Bingle” fame.
I wanted to be proper about this, so I downloaded a dictaphone app, sharpened a grey lead and researched (read: looked at wikipedia) the intriguing blonde who appears to have grabbed the nation by the special area.
I sat by my phone and waited….
I felt a little nervous and a lot thankful that the glamorous model couldn’t see me sitting in my bed wearing a stained purple terri towelling dressing gown from Le Kmart and a pair of owl patterned PJ bottoms that had definitely seen better days.
I waited…
I already knew Lara was looking effortlessly chic as she had posted a photo of her outfit on Instagram that morning.
I waited…
I wondered if we would have an instant rapport or if she would be apprehensive, given her treatment by the public and some media outlets over the past week.
I waited…
45 minutes after her people were meant to call my people (me, I’m my people.. It’s just me.) I started to realise the interview just wasn’t going to happen.
Balls.
It was to be for this very website. For you, the Mamamia readers, to reflect upon and perhaps even enjoy…
So I decided to conduct the interview, sans Lara Bingle.
I will be playing both the roles of myself (Em Rusciano) and Lara Bingle. Please keep that in mind as you peruse the interview – I am answering for Lara, as I would imagine she would have answered should the interview have actually gone down.
So, here it is. My interview with Lara Bingle (with the role of Lara Bingle being played by me, Em Rusciano).
Em: Hi Lara, it’s lovely to speak with you. Have you had a fabulous morning so far?
LB: Hi Em, it’s a pleasure to speak with you also. I must admit I have found some facets of my day thus far irksome. I know I must overcome these tribulations, as I feel I am building towards a better life and hopefully changing the public’s perception of me as both a role model and a woman.
Em: Right. Okay. Well then… Can I please borrow Max? I mean, do you pimp him out to other people? The fact that he is a stylist/make-up artist/best friend/fabulous gay is quite appealing. Perhaps you could make some sweet cash on the side lending him to attention starved women such as myself? I would totally pay.
LB: Ha! You are hilarious Em. I must remember to tell all my friends about you, so that they can hire you to host their fabulous parties and wear sweet designer clothes and tell you how rad you are. Yes. Max is truly wonderful. He is my support system, my rock. We connect on a higher level of consciousness. We have transcended simplistic verbal exchanges and exclusively, telepathically communicate through our eyes.
Em: Holy shit balls really? Through your eyes? Well played. Moving on, how is your relationship with Hermione? Since she decided not to be your ‘frienager’ (friend/manager) any more, has your relationship recovered?
LB: Hermione is in a time of deep reflection, I understand that having to manage my affairs could be quite the ball breaker at times. I wish to also add that I find her attraction to my brother Josh to be both puzzling and creepy in equal measures. I am not sure our friendship will totally recover but I have forgiven her and hope that we can still be tight.
Em: Speaking of your brother Josh, what exactly does he do?
LB: I actually have no idea. None.
Em: Lara, I asked my Twitter friends what questions they would like me to ask you today and the overwhelming theme was your apparent aversion to hair brushes. How do you respond to this?
LB: Really? They don’t get it? It’s “effortless chic, boho glam, rock, sex” hair… Seriously. I mean, SERIOUSLY. Em, what do you see when you look at me?
Em: You are totally hot. I mean it. Your teeth alone transfix me like nothing else in my life can.
LB: Do you think I need a brush, Em?
Em: No Lara. I think your hair is pretty ace.
LB: Next question Em.
Em: Seriously, I mean your teeth are just spectacular. Just between you and I, how much dental work have you had?
LB: Next question Em.
Em: Err, right… Ok… Your Mother Shazza and your Nanna Bingle are in danger of stealing the show from you. How are they both handling their newfound fame?
LB: Shazza and Nan are handling it just fine. Nanna Bingle now has a publicist and will be bringing out a line of pastel leisure suits just in time for spring and Shazza is in talks with a few publishing companies about her autobiography “Just Shazza” due out next year.
Em: Great stuff. Lara, it’s been a month now. What have you learned so far about about starring in your own reality TV show?
LB: Fantastic question Em. I have learned that the Australian public appear to have a genuine problem with someone being successful because they are beautiful, privileged and young. I know that my life is sometimes pretty boring, so we have to add in superfluous ear candling scenes to beef it up. I have learned that I should wear underwear on high speed boats and most importantly I have learned that glass is see-through.
Em: Finally Lara, how is the envelope opening going?
LB: Em, any person with half a brain can see that I avoid emotionally challenging situations like the plague. Those envelopes represent responsibility and possibly an end to my frivolous, fun lifestyle. I avoid opening them because then I will be held accountable by what is inside of them. Obviously, I can perform the simple task of opening an envelope – it’s what the contents represent that troubles me.
Em: So, have you opened your mail yet?
LB: No.
Em: Bye Lara Bingle!
LB: Bye Em.
EM: Lara?
LB: Yes Em?
Em: Is it all worth it? What you are going though? All the microscopic judgement and angst… Is doing the show worth it?
LB: Em, what is life but a series of experiences for us to reflect back upon later and learn from.
Em: So that’s a yes?
LB: I have a solid gold iPhone.
Em: That’s a yes.

Lara Bingle outside the courtroom
Em Rusciano appears on Network Ten’s ’The Project’, she also regularly hosts The Circle. You should follow her on Twitter here and take a look at her website here.
Are you still watching ‘Being Lara Bingle’? What did you think of last night’s episode? Is your opinion of Lara changing as the series goes on?
If you’d like to read more of Em’s hilarious ‘Being Lara Bingle’ episode summaries (and you really should), then you can find episode 1 here and episode 2 here.
Note: Please remember our dinner party rules and lay off the bitchy comments. Imagine Lara’s reading this post and the comments, and bear that in mind when you choose to say something. Any nasty, rude or offensive comments about Lara will be deleted. Be kind. Thanks.







Comments
112 Comments so far
I’d just like to point out the statement at the end of this article:
Note: Please remember our dinner party rules and lay off the bitchy comments. Imagine Lara’s reading this post and the comments, and bear that in mind when you choose to say something. Any nasty, rude or offensive comments about Lara will be deleted. Be kind. Thanks.
Wasn’t this entire article just bringing Lara down? If this was written about me, I’d be hurt.
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I have an idea Em and Mamamia… ditch the Bingle column and replace it with The Voice (US version) coming up on Monday night… do it like you know you can!!! please
… your wrap up of the Aus version was brilliant.
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Hilarious! Very clever.
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Um what a waste of article. And a waste of time writing it. Poor Lara. She is young and irresponsible. But she is not unlike many young girls out there. Not the best role model but she is just being herself. Im not a fan of Lara’s but doing a pretend interview is kinda pathetic jab at her.
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Yes…her teeth!!! They are bloody mesmerising. Amazeballs. I also wonder how much she has spent.
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She looks like Sophie Monk (before all the face work) in pic 8
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Em, can we please be friends!? You are AMAZING. X
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Le Kmart – BAHAHAHAHAHHAHA I don’t know you Em but I would really like to hang out with you because you sound so cool and funny!!! Love your work
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Does anyone question why Lara didn’t go ahead with the interview!??
Could it be because she had the good sense to realise, or someone advised her, that she would be made fun of given the tone of the content and comments on this site around her.
Yes many may argue that she chooses to have a reality tv show, but from what want or need does that stem from?
Plenty of us with a good sense of self can handle people taking the piss out of us, but perhaps she isn’t in that space.
If she does want to continue a career of ‘celebrity’ then it would be nice for her to find something within herself that she is good at apart from having amazing teeth and eyes and being attached to male sporting stars.
And perhaps to get a manager and people around her who can sensibly and well inform her if that’s what she needs.
just saying…
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well said Lew, totally agree
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Ditch Hermoine Lara. She’s using you, shes a bad manager…
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Whenever I saw Hermione’s name before this show she was referred to as a socialite. And there was an article recently talking about her coming from a privileged background. So I guess she could’ve been using Lara for publicity but it wouldn’t have been for monetary benefit. But yeah, she’s not Lara’s manager any more so I guess that problem is solved.
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Seriously, WTF is a ‘socialite’ anyway? Do they help mankind in any way?
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haha hell if I know. I used to think it referred to 70 year old women with recognisable surnames dressed in Chanel suits who had 4hr liquid lunches and sat on charity boards. Now it seems if your parents have a bit of dosh and you show up to the opening of a nail salon, you qualify too.
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Love your turn of phrase!
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Well, Simone, socialites help society when they become “social commentators” and help us all to deep understanding of important social issues, like Prue McSween did when she discussed autism education on Channel Seven a while back. *Sarcastic font* My guess is that we can all look forward to Lara’s comments on various social issues soon.
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Oh, giggle giggle giggle!!
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Em, u r a superstar writer and bloody bloody hilarious!!! Brilliant fake interview shows real insight by you . 2 questions:-
1. What was LB’s excuse for the no show and
2. What is your new show/project?? I have seen the dancing with back up artists and am intrigued !! X
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Am still watching the show, only because it is the only thing on and I need something to get me in a sleepy mood before bed.
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Hilarious, Em! Your posts always make me LOL, and I love that they come from a place of kindness, never ever mean spirited! Anyone who thinks otherwise must have a rod jammed firmly up their backside. If there were more people with your witty sense of humour, the world would be a much happier place!
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Does Lara’s hair annoy anyone else but me??? It’s always so messy and makes her look ‘scrappy’ or ‘scruffy’.
I wish she’d develop a more ‘polished’ look – she’s such an attractive girl but that hair, urgh, drives me bonkers. I think you can still have a messy ‘bed head’ style hair do and still look polished, but for some reason Lara’s always looks like she literally has just got out of bed, and not in a sexy/good way.
Loved your ‘interview’ Em.
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Oh I love it!! I was going to take a pic of her to the hairdresser next week… maybe I won’t now… hmmmmm
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I love it too Natalia
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The teeth are too ‘perfect’, and yeah, the hair is messy.
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That was the best part of my day. Thank you.
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those eyes! those teeth! She’s just stunning.
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Can’t we all please just forget that she even exists???
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MM,
I’m not sure what the point of these posts about the show is. It seems like a weekly ‘review/commentary’ on this show is posted purely to encourage bitchiness and gossip about Lara. True, some people comment nice things, but that’s not the majority view.
I think MM can do without posts like this, especially because it’s about an individual, not an idea or topic (celebrities and personalities should not be topics). I know I can choose not to read this, but my comment is more regarding the tone and attitude and the ripple affect this can have. I think weekly posts like this are mean-spirited, given the type of conversation it incites. It just adds to my growing concern for the direction this site is taking.
Like someone commented further down, I don’t think Lara and the show needs additional air time to what she gets on television.
“Great minds discuss ideas;
average minds discuss events;
small minds discuss people.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
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Couldn’t agree with you more Mandy!
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I believe that many of us simply begged Em Rusciano to review ANY show for us MM readers once the Voice finished. The Lara show probably seemed like a fun one for Em to do. You will notice that Em can be utterly hilarious and very sarcastic, but never cruel or hurtful. I don’t agree with you Mandy, that this post is to simply start a bitch fest about Lara. It was for Em to make us giggle. Lighten up a little.
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Having a giggle is not quite the same when it’s at someone’s expense. I’m not saying that Em is doing this but it’s often too easy for people to cover up a spiteful, mean or bitchy comment with ‘I was only joking’ or ‘it’s just sarcasm’ – biting words are biting words.
As an aside, it’s sometimes unsettling how some of the readers of this site blindly worship the contributors and gush at anything that comes from their mouth (or through their fingertips).
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Why doesn’t Em do a reveiew of Offsring. She could have a field day with it or does she just write about reality TV?
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Oh blah blah
I LOVE these posts and completely disagree with you. Lighten up!
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One post after the premier is perhaps fine, but repeated, weekly posts when not much has changed by way of show content or public opinion is lazy.
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I agree whole heartedly….move on Em!!
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I wish Lara Bingle was more like you, Em!
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Leave the poor girl alone already!
How many articles does MM have to do on Lara before you’re done with constantly having a go at her?
I am not a fan and don’t watch her show, but this is getting relentless and petty MM.
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You got that from this piece???
I didn’t find Em’s post one iota bitchy.
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Oh come on! MM is really hounding this girl – how many posts have been up about her in the last month, about 4 or so I think.
I know she puts herself out there and ok, so that’s going to invite criticism, but these stories about her are either openly negative or so sarcastic they’re just getting mean.
Confess I think it’s odd odd that she’s getting so much MM air time when this site is generally pretty overt about the negative impact that bullying can have on people.
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Yeah I don’t understand why there have been so many articles about her either. It’s not like her show is The Voice and millions are tuning in to each episode. Ratings are falling each week but this show in particular warrants Em’s awesome recaps?
The cynical side of me wonders if all this attention has something to do with Lara’s not so nice connection to a prominent contributor here.
But I choose to believe Mia and her staff are above that level of cattiness so again I’m left to wonder why she’s attracting so much attention on Mamamia. It’s quite obvious that the comments always slant to the “I don’t watch/don’t care about her” side so I don’t get the motivation at all.
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Yes Beans – true.
Being totally un-celebrity savvy as I am, didn’t realise there was a ‘not so nice connection’ to a MM contributor, but that makes more sense than anything else in terms of understanding why what the ? is going on here!
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What is the connection?????
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I don’t understand? What is ‘Lara’s not so nice connection to a prominent contributor here.” [end quote]. Yours, Intrigued in Tokyo
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Zoe Foster… and when she was with Craig Wing, something to do with Lara possibly sniffing around him. I don’t know anything for sure obviously, but thats the rumour.
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I don’t like Hermione. She seems like a complete leech – travelling, shopping, living with Lara. Don’t. Like. Her. At. ALL! She seems very condescending and smarmy and I don’t think she actually likes Lara very much.
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Funniest, best and most entertaining Lara interview ever! If you ever find yourself at a loose end Em, you know you would make a brilliant script writer for her reality show!
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Does is surprise you Lara wouldn’t want to be interviewed by you after the way you write about her?
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Em wrote this article after Lara stood her up….
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Em wrote at least 2 posts before this one.
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Great post! Funny too. I’m still watching; not sure what it is I find interesting but it’s difficult not to watch.
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Hurrah – justification of my existance.
I’m not the only one that exclaims “Balls!”
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bahahahahahahaha!
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Hahahaha you are the f***ing best! I haven’t missed an episode of BLB even tho I complain about how trashy it is all the way through..but that’s all part of the fun!
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Em, please PLESE do a recap of that new show ‘The Shire’ when it comes on! It’s begging for it!
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Please Em, you must do a re-cap of that show “The Shire” when it starts. It’s begging for it!
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Brilliant writing Em and I’m sure Lara would find the tongue in cheek tone. I do not understand the bullying suggestions- Lara Bingle has done a reality show and I admire her ability to put herself out there because when you do that you need to be able to welcome the positive feedback and turn a blind eye to the negative. So I wonder why people feel sorry for Lara? Do people feel sorry for Kim Kardashion? She gets just as much criticism but maybe people think she is a stronger person to handle it?
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The people who are writing these comments about bullying obviously have not read the articles. Em is obviously standing up for Lara, and seems to have genuine concern. If anything, she is mocking the way the show is made.
READ THE POSTS PEOPLE, before you judge.
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The interview was well worth the read btw, loved it
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Hilarious! Great read and not bullying or rude at all. I’m sure this is EXACTLY how the interview would have panned out, had it happened.
Em – I went to your school & remember you singing “Fever” in the singing competition! Awesome to see you doing so well
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Clearly Ms Bingle does not think that MM readers are worth her time so please Mia, can we and this site return the favor???
No more air time for her, please.
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I`ve aways hoped things would work out for Lara, I felt for her when paparazzi swooped with the broken engagement. No doubt Lara is beautiful, has worked hard for where she is, has a few good friends and a normal down to earth family but I`m worried for her with this show.I would have liked to see her doing normal thinks like cooking and dishes, living an affordable life in the series. It`s a little too much “all about me” what will happen when the looks fade, money doesn`t come so easily, will the friends stick around then? She should be studying, looking towards the future and what to do with her life after the glamour dies down. It will, sooner than she thinks. As for her brother, about time he stood on his own two feet and not sponged off his sister`s short lived fame.
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I thought this was funny to start with… but now I just think it is mean spirited.
We bang on about bullying all the time and I feel there should be zero tolerance. No matter WHO it is or what the context bullying is not OK. Imagine this article was written by a school girl about one of her peers and then posted on Facebook. We would be crying out about it being awful!
Sorry Em, love your work but not on this one.
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Hi Felicity, I am still not sure why you feel this way. Can you be more specific about why you find this piece mean spirited?
I know that Lara’s PR people have read it and took no issue.
Thanks for reading it anyway, I totally respect your feelings.
Em. x
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To take a leaf from you current book Em, that reply was disingenous to say the least
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Come on Felicity! This is hardly bullying. It is a funny tongue-in-cheek article with no malicious intent. Lara’s family and friends seem to give her way more sh*t than Em does!
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A light hearted peice about this city’s greatest waste of space is hardly bullying, if Lara was so concerned she could have fulfilled her interview commitment.
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Em’s piece may be light hearted but it incites NASTY comments like yours.
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I think calling ANYONE, whether you like them or not, a “waste of space” is just downright nasty.
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Possibly the best interview with Ms Bingle ever.
I rate it 5 STARS, would read again.
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I saw her shopping in five ways yesterday. I love your posts and would never have stood you up had I been given the opportunity to be interviewed by you! I have been told many a time that I look like Lara, so you can interview me in her place anytime!
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I absolutely love the show, its interesting seeing what famous people do compared to ourselves.
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DUDES! I fell I have stated on numerous occasions that I LIKE Lara. I at no time feel as though I have been unkind to her or bullied her. All of these things are written with my tongue firmly in cheek and come from a kind place. Some of you seem to want to read deeper into my motives, I assure you they are shallow. I am just looking to entertain you lot and explore parts of Lara you may not have thought of. I feel as though there is enough snark on the interwebs so everything I write I aim to make positive and fun if I can.
Thanks for reading my words, Em. xx
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I know you are writing this tongue in cheek but I can tell you from experience when someone is constantly having a laugh at your expense it gets to you!!
And I can understand why Lara wouldn’t want to join in on your fun when it’s at her expense.
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Em, I thought it was hilarious. And I love your ‘funny article lemonade out of lemony bad manners’ attitude
I also wanted to say that I have a theory that when people like something, they often don’t comment, they just nod and smile along. However, when someone doesn’t like something they are much more inclined to make their opinion heard. I loved this, but wasn’t going to comment, but then wanted to reassure you. What I’m saying is, I think sometimes the negative comments (valid or not) look like they outweigh the good, when there is really a whole bunch of people loving it quietly.
Love your work xx
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Like this
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Em – absolutely brilliant although your answers are much more intelligent and thoughtful than the real LB would have been.and I know this because I have interviewed her and the answers I received were not nearly as clever as yours. As for the show, I have nothing against her but find it absolutely boring and a waste of time. I turned off after week 1.
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Ha ha, love it. I always thought that, while she’s not the sharpest of ladies, Lara seems to have the ability to laugh at herself and would love stuff like this?
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No doubt about it. I’d have you at my dinner party anytime, Em.
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Perhaps lara didn’t do the interview with you because she is made fun of by you and mamamia and there have been many negative comments made by the readers?!
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I just couldn’t keep watching last night, it felt like I was getting dumber by the minute. pointless drivel.
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I think Lara gets totally picked on from the people around her – give the girl a break! I am utterly enjoying ‘Being Lara Bingle’ bring on season 2!! xx
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She lost me last night, although I must admit I am wearing Lara inspired lips and messy up do today.
BUT did anyone else notice that in the first scene where she and Hermoine were discussing their fractured relatioship status- you could see the henna tatttoo on Lara’s hand that she got in India, but according to the show she is not going to India until next week???? (yes I know way too much time on my hands)
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Good call EmC!! Didn’t watch it because I’d rather do ANYTHING else but this just confirmed what I already know. I lasted about 7 minutes into episode one and had to leave to do a crossword and earn some brain cells back!!
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Hahaha! Em I love it. I missed last night’s ep but thought to myself “I’ll just read Em’s post on MM tomorrow”.I look forward to your Bingle recaps each week. Hilarious but still respectful and appropriate. Keep up the great work! X
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I think it’s pretty admirable of you Em to be lighthearted towards your portrayal of Lara. You’ve been so respectful towards her since she began the show and even though she stood you up, you’re still a great sport (with a little humour of course!)
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