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sky1 380x289 Mamamia gets a TV show

from the promo I clambered out of my sick bed to shoot this weekend....

I have some exciting news that I’ve been wanting to share it with you for a while now. Here goes. On Tuesday nights at 8pm on Sky News, Mamamia will be on TV. I’m hosting a weekly show on my favourite cable channel and I’m nervous like you wouldn’t believe.

The idea for the show – like Mamamia.com.au – is to look beyond the news cycle to the stories people are REALLY talking about, at dinner tables, in cafes. pubs and office kitchens all around Australia.

I couldn’t be more excited because this show combines so many of my favourite things: interesting people, asking questions, live unscripted TV, Sky News and Mamamia.

I’ll be joined by three guests each week – many of whom you’ll recognise from their contributions on Mamamia.com.au – and there promises to be some healthy differences of opinion. Just like we have here.

The show is being put together by me and news editor Rick along with Lana and an experienced TV producer called Steve (thank God) from Sky News.

I really like their style over there. It’s very stripped back and no fuss. DIY hair and make-up. BYO outfit. No autocue. Just an hour of TV to create some interesting content.

So please come watch tomorrow night at 8pm or IQ the show, get commenting and let me know what you think.

As I write this, I’ve been sick in bed with the flu since Thursday afternoon. I have pills and potions, vitamins, nasal sprays, puffers and tissues piled up on my bedside table. I practically rattle when I walk – which I can’t because I don’t feel well enough to walk. I hoiked myself out of bed on Saturday to film a quick promo for the show out at Foxtel and then collapsed back into bed.

Please send me healthy vibes for tomorrow TONIGHT!

Here are my  guests for the first show TONIGHT:

Jessica Rudd heashot Mamamia gets a TV show

Jessica Rudd

JESSICA RUDD: Jessica, 26, is a Canberra-born, Brisbane-raised ex-lawyer, ex-campaign worker and ex-PR consultant who lives with her husband in Beijing. She has written the occasional column, a host of legal letters, countless press releases and one novel, the best-selling Campaign Ruby. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her second novel.

 

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Angus Fontaine

ANGUS FONTAINE: Sydney-born Angus Fontaine has been a journalist for the Daily Telegraph, an editor of GQ Australia, an award-winning feature writer and the host of Discovery’s Five Star Insider. He brought global entertainment bible Time Out to Australia in 2007 and is currently Publisher of Time Out Australia.

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Sue Cato

SUE CATO: Sue has been a leader in corporate communications and issues management for over 20 years.  She established Cato Counsel in early 2003 and has since built a team of communications experts from the fields of politics, the media and business.  She has worked with most of Australia’s leading companies. She is a committee member for Chief Executive Women, an organisation dedicated to greater representation of women at senior levels of Australian business, Art Month, a festival that celebrates the Sydney arts scene and is also on the board of the Melbourne Art Foundation. Sue is the Chairman of The Counsel Group and appears regularly on ABC’s Q&A, The Drum and ABC 702.

 

You’ll be able to participate in Mamamia on Sky News by leaving comments here during the show on a dedicated post for it each week

We’re going to give it a whirl for the next 6 weeks, see if I have any fingernails left by the end of it. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh, and what have YOU been talking about over Easter that might make a good topic for the show?

Comments

Comment Guidelines : Imagine you’re at a dinner party. Different opinions are welcome but keep it respectful or the host will show you the door. We have zero tolerance for any abuse of our writers, our editorial team or other commenters. So if you’re rude, mean-spirited, snarky, aggressive, defamatory or bitchy, your comment will be deleted (so will any replies to the original comment – so don’t bother arguing with rude people, instead just hit the ‘alert moderator’ button).
And if you’re offensive, you’ll be blacklisted and all your comments will go directly to spam. Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re going to be – cool. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation…

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154 Comments so far

  1. saysshe

    Oh a MASSIVE crapola!

    Have been offline for a few days and have just seen this post.

    Needless to say, I missed it…poo bum wee!

    Have put it in my calendar for next week.

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  2. amandarose

    Just watched the show- loved it. Loved Mia’s hair- I hate the straighted look. Loved Ms Rudd too. an enjoyable 35 minutes!

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  3. missamyable

    Oh no! I don’t have cable :(

    Otherwise I’d watch it weekly. Will it appear online?

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    • Rick Morton

      Bet your bottom dollar it will. And soon. Sky News have also put the link out.

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  4. kympiez

    Wohoo! What fabulous news! Congrats. And just when you thought you weren’t busy enough…

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  5. Leah

    Great show Mia!! I loved how natural (albiet perhaps a little nervous?) you were!! You shone when you in conversation mode with your guests – it was a great format. I will be tuning in for sure next week and will be wording up my fellow foxtel peers!

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  6. Emma

    Mia, congrats in advance, I know it will be ACE
    just wondering, I don’t have pay TV – can I watch it on any sort of catch-up tv type arrangement?

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  7. Lola

    Just some feedback, can you sit on your seat straight next time?

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  8. The girl from the carnival

    Congrats on Show #1. I really enjoyed watching it. Great range of topics. Jessica Rudd in particular was a brilliant guest. I could have listened to her all night. Best wishes for the shows to come.

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  9. suzie21

    http://skynews.com.au/video/?cId=Programs

    if you follow this link you will be able to open up mama mia and watch!!

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  10. trishmarchant

    Bugger I missed it!!! Will IQ from now on!
    Congrats Mia and team, a natural progression and there is no doubt in my mind it will be a huge success! xx

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  11. Petal

    Oh damn it have been away and am absolutely SPEWING I missed it! Is it being repeated or can I watch it on the net somewhere?

    Congratulations Mia, you deserve this show hope it all went well. Can’t wait to see it next week!

    PS Just checked comments below. Will check Sky News website.

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  12. Jane

    Congrats Mia, this is fabulous news and I wish you all the best!!! Have never really wanted pay TV… until now. But I’ll look forward to hopefully your show online or here at Mamamia.com.au YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

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  13. denyse

    Good debut guys!
    Mia…stunning despite your flu-residue.
    Lana…and Rick…are you guys OK??
    The guests were great. I remember now when I last saw Angus..it was a travel show. Jessica need to be retained …super commenter. Sue added lots as well.
    I suspect..once you go off air, you will ‘criticise’ all sorts of things..but hey! DONE..shared and I’m pleased as punch to see how you’ve done. Tweeted and FBooked about it & shared…In my one criticism only..the sound from that set is a bit off-putting..maybe like echoing? Or might be my crap analogue TV.
    Well done…pats on backs… Denyse

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  14. sunshinejamboree

    I’m so excited for you all… break a leg! xx

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  15. Anonymous

    Oh this is wonderful, congratulations!!! I am not sure if I can watch it from here (Switzerland) but wish you all the very best!

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  16. Kylie

    Have already set my IQ to tape it – looking forward to watching it tomorrow morning over brekkie :)

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  17. Anon

    Hi, having difficulty reading the comments. Shows that I’m reading comments 16 – 30 out of 127 but can’t view other comments.

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    • Lana

      go to the bottom of the page and click on the tiny little numbers to get to the next pages…

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  18. anna

    congrats! shame I don’t have cable :(

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  19. lola

    So excited, Tuesday night has always been my girly catch up night. Started with Packed to the Rafters, we now watch (sometimes) Winners and Losers, but from now on in we can watch MamaMia! Yay!!!

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  20. Anonymous

    healthy vibes being sent your way! good luck tonight mia and team! xxx

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  21. Lacer

    I’m jealous of everyone who has cable. Is there any other way I could watch?

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    • Anonymous

      stream it on the Sky website. As has been suggested about 8 times.

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  22. Natalie

    We are on holidays till Thursday, will it be replayed before next episode? P.s good luck , love your work, big fan

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  23. christinedarcas

    Good luck! And well done for so bravely pioneering into new territory. Will watch with excitement :)

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  24. Rock

    Congratulations! Don’t have Pay TV but am sure to catch up on any footage posted.

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  25. Kairam

    Good Luck Mia! You’ll be terrific! Nothing like a bit of adrenalin to get rid of flu symptoms. I’ll be watching.

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  26. Hayelz

    So wish I still had cable right about now… Good luck should be fantastic

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  27. Sizzles

    How exciting! Will be watching and sending you happy healthy vibes. Know what you’re going through. Been sick too and soldiering on best I can without coughing up a lung. Good luck Mia!

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  28. Mala

    Is there any way to watch if you don’t have pay TV? eg. online? I don’t really care if it’s live or not, but it would be nice to see it. Can’t afford cable.

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  29. Son

    Sending you lots of good luck vibes…….break a leg guys! xxxxxx

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  30. roserusso

    I read this in my news feed yesterday on Facebook and I was so excited! I don’t have pay TV but the plan is to invade someone’s place tonight who has!!

    I think it’ll be a raging success – similar kind of concept to Q&A but less political I’m gathering which I think will appear to a larger audience.

    I don’t think I’ve been this excited for a TV show in a long time (if ever!) seriously guys you’ve come a long way since I started reading MM three years ago…… you should be very proud !

    The website is growing up so fast !!

    Best of luck tonight and feel better Mia. Know that your readers are behind you 100% :)

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  31. Anonymous

    Over Easter, I was talking about Easter. What it means, how it impacts our lives. And by that I mean the real meaning of Easter, not the public holidays and chocolate… The death and resurrection of Jesus, him dying for our sins so that we might be washed clean and be able to have a relationship with God. Praising and thanking God for the death of Jesus and acknowledging what was accomplished on the cross, and then rejoicing and celebrating what it means that Jesus overcame death and was resurrected. I love Easter weekend.

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    • Anon2

      I can edit this, and it’s not my comment…

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  32. Anonymous

    Ok this will sound really weird (and slightly trivial), but Justin Bieber is back in Australia. That 17 y.o is a phenomenon and the effect he has on people is unbelievable (and not just teenage girls). Using his celebrity for good, or how he can expect to have a private life would be interesting. Looking at “@justinbieber” for just 2 mins is fascinating.

    ANd scary.

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  33. S

    Cant wait for tonight! It will be great to have a programe to look forward to after i have put the kids to bed. Love the time slot. Hope you are feeling better, please try to calm your nerves, as you are so talented. Have faith and good luck. ps…hope you have heaps of rescue remedy on hand…it helps me xxx

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  34. You know when a friend unexpectedly tells you they are getting married or pregnant and you get tingles of happiness for them? Well this is how I felt reading this news in my facebook feed yesterday. Congratulations, I hope it is a raging success!

    PS. I can’t wait to see Jessica Rudd after your ‘on the floor’ interview.

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    • Mia

      oh… that is just the loveliest thing I’ve ever read…..xxxxx

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      • Anonymous

        you’ll be great, Mia!!!

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  35. misskatedaily

    Mia: wow! Like someone said below, so much has happened in two weeks. No wonder you are sick!

    It is exciting, yes. And unexpected, for me. My favourite website turned into a TV show? Computing… Yep, okay. On that, just wondering, was there any particular reason you didn’t let readers know this was on the cards? Was it the surprise factor or just that it wasn’t locked in? It’s just that your ‘behind the scenes’ insights into how these things work in the entertainment/media world are often really interesting. Just what’s on my mind. But will watch! (I can’t series link either.)

    Hope you feel better soon. Rest, water and a Marian Keyes novel x

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    • Mia

      Miss Kate, I kept it under my hat because I wanted to fly under the radar a bit. Get a grip on my nerves a bit….still trying!!!! Xx

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      • Anonymous

        Okay, well don’t be nervous – you’ll be fantastic! And you are bringing fans with you, think of us in the ‘audience’ with our little avatar faces. No, that might be creepy. But break a leg, you’ll be great. Just be yourself x

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  36. karenwilson

    Congratulations. If its being streamed online like The Today Show is then I’ll watch (I live in the UK). Is there going to be a Sky News website dedicated to MamaMia showing clips from the show or can you put them up on MamaMia for those of us who live outside of Australia please?

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    • Mia

      Clips on the site. Should be up by weds!

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  37. Najla

    This is fantastic news. I think you are going to do brilliantly. You guys deserve this.

    I wish you all the very best :)

    If you keep discussing issues like we do here, I can pretty much guarantee a HIT!

    Goodluck…xxxxoooxxx

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  38. chantelleellem

    Congratulations. I hope you wake feeling better.

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  39. bernadettemorley

    Oh and Mia, not sure if you’ve already tried it, but Olive Leaf extract. I know, late to the party, but it’s magic. ;)

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    • Lana

      That was MY suggestion to her. It is magic stuff

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    • Mia

      what do you do with it?

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      • Najla

        You drink it. I do, and so does my lil monkey. I managed to lure him into it, by giving it with a yummy omega smooth milkshake fish oil….

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      • bernadettemorley

        Take a couple of teaspoons. There is a kids one as well which I give mine and they love it (peppermint flavoured) Chemist or Health Food stores. Feel better x

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  40. MsKymOG

    Can’t wait to see the clips you show! Congratulations on the show and wishing you all the best of luck!

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  41. deeofadelaide

    Well done MM team. I’ve IQ’d it.

    Stuff being talked about over easter around here…

    What is rich? The endless use of the $150k family income for discussion of both benefits and tax breaks means that governments have decided thta is rich. Is it? Is it all relative? Or is that just what old lefties who now have large mortgages say to each other? How do people afford to have one parent at home? How do people live off $40k when at our table of 8 adults with family incomes from $120 – $180k, everybody got red coloured bills, nobody had been on a holiday that didn’t injvolve driving interstate for a family event for over 5 years (with small children..to a party you are obliged to go to = not really a holiday), all live in not particularly posh areas. All are forking out between $350 and $1300 a week in child care fees. So…what is rich? What is comfortable? I think if we are going to reform the family tax system, the health insurance rabate, the child care rebate etc then that conversation is essential.

    Also discussed, strange weather in the last 12 months, how winter makes people grumpy, why are sympathy levels for people with infertility so low if you already have a child or children compared to those without children, how to talk religion to your children when you aren’t sure what you think yourself, the death of decent labor politics at a state and federal level, what to do when you spent a decade working for a political party and now you don’t even want to vote at all…

    Good luck guys!

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    • Anon

      I work in politics in Adelaide so I’m totally with you

      Congrats on the tv show MM team, I have no doubt it will be great. I just wish I had foxtel!

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      • deeofadelaide

        I have never worked in party politics in SA. But feds, vic and qld…its all the same shit different day!

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    • banjo

      My llitle girl and I live off 27k a year. I have a mortgage and decent car, I pay my bills the week i get them, and im going on a cruise this sept….

      I thought I was comfortable (we dont want for anything)… but now im thinking we are er poor? Im a tad gobsmacked, 120 – 180k a year!! Im not sure where to start spending :)

      oh and congrats mia!!!!

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      • Anonymous

        Yeah I never really understood people who are on 150k+ and whinge about never having enough money and thinking they can’t get by. I just think that they aren’t very good with managing their money.

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        • Angie

          It’s the size of the mortgage and the cost of the childcare that burns through the cash. If youn earn that kind of money then you pay the full amount of childcare upfront and you don’t get many of the other tax breaks and payments that others get.

          If you bought your house 10 years ago or more you probably have a mortgage less than $280k. If you bought a house more recently than that and you bought in a city then you probably have a mortgage of $500k or more (and a pretty average house to boot).

          It’s not as straightforward as saying that those people are bad at managing their money. They’re not, but their cost of living pressures are probably radically different to yours.

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  42. bernadettemorley

    Congrats! Will I be able to watch it on line at all anywhere with no Pay TV? I’m really hoping that falls into the “there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers” category.

    Topics over Easter: Lame or obscure claims to fame. Like Under 11 Irish Dancing champion or Junior Sale of the Century Champion for instance.

    Best of Luck guys x

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    • LozFromOz

      I don’t think it’s a stupid question, I want to know as well because we don’t have payTV- I’m a Uni student and can’t afford it! Hopefully it will be available online *fingers crossed*

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      • Mia

        Crossed fingers worked. It will.
        Check back here on Weds and you can watch comments live here on Tues night during the show!

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        • Anonymous

          Yay! Great news :) will me watching the show online…congratulations!

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    • Kylie L

      Thank you for asking that Bern. We don’t have pay TV either, because if we did my husband would just lie on the couch watching sport 24/7. I know this because we tried it once #longestthreemonthsofmylife
      Hoping we can see the show through this site!

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  43. Blogger LKW

    YAY! Just sey up IQ so I can watch your new show in peace without hectic littleones. Great news congrats.

    As for topics, the royal wedding for sure!!

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  44. Clairek

    Congratulations Mia! I’ve IQ’d it so that if I forget it’s on I can watch it later in the week! Looking forward to it!

    Topics discussed in our house this Easter…..

    1. We went to the Anzac Day march in Adelaide today and were really pleased at the diverse range of cultures that watched and clapped along with us. (Asians, Indians, Africans and Europeans).
    2. Keisha – a tragedy. Well done to our police for hopefully arresting the guilty parties, they obviously worked really hard to bring justice for this little girl. It was very distressing to see people raw with emotion being exploited by the media. Found it very disrespectful of the media.

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    • August

      Kiesha is def top of mind for me too & has been for days…

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  45. 41 Baby Project

    Hey, I just tried to IQ it but the series link isn’t operating – so you can only record each week’s episode manually…

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    • Anonymous

      I believe thats called a #firstworldproblem

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    • Anonymous

      Probably because it hasn’t been picked up as a series yet. Mia said its a 6 week trial run (or perhaps I read that wrong) so maybe SKY hasn’t registered it as a ‘series’. Series link doesn’t work sometimes for various reasons.

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  46. pixie

    Mia, take garlic and horseradish tablets-they’re amazing! I’ve found that they’re fairly awesome at getting rid of a cold/flu.

    Good luck tomorrow :)

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    • detachableprincess

      And if nothing else, at least you won’t make other people sick – they won’t want to get within 10 feet of you if you smell like garlic and horseradish! :D

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  47. louiseaged15

    Wow! That is utterly fantastic! I wish I could watch it but we only receive ABC1 in the place where I live.
    Best wishes to the Mamamia team and everyone on the show!
    xoxo xoxo

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  48. redhossy

    Oh, M… poor, sick you. Take everything you have at your disposal. Then take some more.
    Wishing you buckets of luck, love and health tomorrow for your debut. I’ll be watching!
    CHOOKERS!!
    Rxoxo

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  49. Angie

    I’m wondering what it’s like to be just 26 and to already have two ex-career changes behind you.

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    • pixie

      Who is 26?

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      • Angie

        It’s Jessica Rudd that I was referring to. I would be interested to know more about her and her career changes – obviously she didn’t spend long at the careers or law and PR. I’m wondering about that and what lead her to each change.

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    • Clairek

      Pixie, I think Angie is referring to Jessica Rudd.

      I agree Angie! At 26 and after all those years studying law is there time for 2 careers? Just askin….

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    • Mia

      Ha – I just read that and thought “but I’m not 26…I wish!”
      Yes, Jess is quite extraordinary…..can’t wait to have her on the show.

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    • Anonymous

      Yeah reading “ex-lawyer, ex-campaign worker and ex-PR consultant” makes me wonder, first, given that she is only 26 if she has commitment issues with work – or maybe just doesn’t have a good sense of what she wants in life, and second, what she does now other than finishing her second book. Or is writing her main career now?

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      • tara

        Well, I’d suggest that it’s a bit difficult to remain a campaign worker and consultant in an electoral office when there’s no longer an election being held and the person for whom you’re working/volunteering is suddenly deposed and no longer holds that particular office.

        Perhaps an Australian law degree isn’t recognised in Beijing so she’s unable to practice there? Just speculating.

        There are many valid reasons for having a change in career – they’re not necessarily negative, such as ‘commitment issues’.

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  50. Lu

    Great news, well done to you Mia!
    Topics we have been chewing the fat over this Easter:-
    Assylum seekers and detention, poor darling Kiesha and why there isnt more being done for dysfunctional families like hers in our community who are very obviously struggling. I struggle to understand how a child can miss almost an entire term of school with no questions being asked or contact with the family. Anzac day and explaining it to our kids, my husbands ban on the Easter show since it moved to Homebush and how its a terrible rip off for young families, and the part the Royal Agricultural society has to play in this, La Nina, wine, chocolate, food, 2 up…..we’ve discussed it all at our house this weekend. Oh and my main obsession at the moment – royal wedding fever and I have it. Maybe thats whats wrong with you ;)
    Good luck, I cant wait to see your show.
    I hope you feel better. When I feel terrible I find a good massage (by someone else) with Tiger Balm over my sinuses (but away from your eyes) really help ease the pain.

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    • Happymum

      Lu, those are all the things we have talked about in our house these past few weeks. Great advice on topics!

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