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Jack Black cancels Tenacious D tour after on-stage Trump comment

<p>Jack Black has cancelled the rest of Tenacious D's Australia and New Zealand tour after his bandmate Kyle Gass’s on-stage joke about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump was widely condemned. </p> <p>Gass was celebrating his 64th birthday on stage at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on Sunday night, just hours after Trump was fired upon at a rally Pennsylvania, when Black presented him with a cake and asked for his birthday wish. </p> <p>“Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass replied. </p> <p>The moment was captured and posted to TikTok where it quickly went viral, even attracting attention from radio shock jock <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/kyle-slaps-comedy-legends-with-lifetime-ban-for-twisted-trump-joke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Sandilands</a>, who proposed Tenacious D receive a lifetime ban from touring in Australia.</p> <p>Since the moment garnered online attention, Kyle Gass has been dropped by his talent agency, Greene Talent, with rep Michael Greene telling <em><a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/07/16/tenacious-d-kyle-gass-dropped-talent-agency-trump-shooting-comment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">TMZ</a></em> they have parted ways due to the incident.</p> <p>In the hours after the show, Jack Black took to Instagram where he shocked fans by announcing the rest of their tour would be cancelled, as the joke prompted a falling out between the two bandmates.</p> <p>“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote in a statement.</p> <p>“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”</p> <p>Gass has since apologised for the joke, saying, “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake."</p> <p>“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement."</p> <p>“I profoundly apologise to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Reynaud Julien/APS-Medias/ABACA/Shutterstock Editorial/TikTok</em></p>

Music

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Most likely names for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s baby

<p><span class="CmCaReT" style="display: none;">�</span></p> <p>Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are expecting their first child in early 2021, and already speculation is intensifying on what they will name their baby.</p> <p>According to betting odds released by BetVictor in the UK, there are three names people are stuck on for the little royal!</p> <p>They are Alice for a girl and Arthur or Henry at equal odds for a boy.</p> <p>All three are at 9/1 odds.</p> <p>This has changed since the pregnancy was announced when Victoria and Arthur were the frontrunners.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFjXPhpFPpJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFjXPhpFPpJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a> on Sep 25, 2020 at 1:18am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Eugenie and Jack's pregnancy announcement is the good news that royal fans have been desperate to hear all year," Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said at the time.</p> <p>"The early betting suggests they may opt for Arthur or Victoria, but we can't rule out a slightly more left-field royal name."</p> <p>Alice is believed to have special meaning to Eugenie as it was the name of Prince Philip’s mother.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxAA9otl5c9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxAA9otl5c9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a> on May 3, 2019 at 5:22am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The names Arthur and Henry are both of special significance to the royal family considering Arthur is the middle name of three royals - Prince William, Prince Charles, and Prince Louis.</p> <p>Henry is the real name of Prince Harry and has strong ties with the British Royal Family.</p> <p>Other votes for a girl include Grace at 14/1, Victoria at 14/1, Alexandra at 14/1, Diana at 18/1 and Isabella at 22/1.</p> <p>If the baby is a boy other suggested names include Thomas at 12/1, Godfrey at 14/1, George at 18/1 and Charles at 20/1.</p> <p>Eugenie and Jack may opt for an unusual name as the world saw with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who chose to name their first child Archie.</p>

Family & Pets

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"Devastating": Jack Thompson reveals the iconic movie role that got away

<p><span>Jack Thompson is a name many would recognise.</span><br /><br /><span>He can boast a stellar acting career, however he has admitted there is one role that might have changed his whole life if he’d gotten it.</span><br /><br /><span>Appearing on Anh's Brush With Fame on Tuesday, the 80-year-old Aussie screen legend revealed he only just missed out on the lead in <em>Schindler's List</em>.</span><br /><br /><span>The Steven Spielberg-directed film was released in 1994.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837628/jack-thompson-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fdf91a1ce4d54da3aab296670b96dedf" /><br /><span>The iconic movie won seven Oscars, with Liam Neeson ultimately cast in the role.</span><br /><br /><span>The 68-year-old Irish actor also picked up a Best Actor Oscar nomination, but Jack said the role was “almost” his.</span><br /><br /><span>“I'd done camera tests, shot a couple of scenes, and then did a whole afternoon with Spielberg,” he explained to host Anh Do.</span><br /><br /><span>“At the end of it [Steven Spielberg] said, ‘Well, there's not much doubt.’”</span><br /><br /><span>Jack said Steven then told him that he had to catch a flight to New York, and they'd sign the contracts when he returned on the Monday.</span><br /><br /><span>But while he was in New York, the legendary director met up with Liam and had a change of heart.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837629/jack-thompson-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/688a7d12ba824ab8a97d2aeecb70ee7e" /></p> <p><span><em>Liam Neeson in the Schindler's List </em></span><br /><br /><span>Jack said while the news was “a bit devastating”, he was ultimately “OK” with it, due to the complex nature of the business.</span><br /><br /><span>However he confessed that the full impact of what had occurred only struck him ”months and months and months later”.</span><br /><br /><span>“I’m on my farm, I've gone right up to the back hill, and I get off the horse… and [I'm thinking about] what had just happened with Schindler's List and I just [yelled]: ’F***’,” he admitted.</span></p>

Movies

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The handwritten thank you cards Princess Eugenie and Jack sent to royal fans

<p>On October 12, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank tied the knot in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.</p> <p>And just shy of a month later, the newlyweds have already sent a special surprise to royal fans who sent them well-wishes for their nuptials.</p> <p>One Instagram user, who describes themselves as a “devout monarchist”, posted a photo of the card they’d been sent by the couple after wishing them well on their wedding.</p> <p>Fans were sent an official portrait of the 28-year-old bride and 32-year-old groom surrounded by their bridesmaids and page boys in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsFqxgFGAe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsFqxgFGAe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A fantastic reply from HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank thanking me for sending my good wishes for their wedding. #Royal #royalreply #royalletter</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by @<a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/loopycrown3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> loopycrown3</a> on Nov 2, 2018 at 11:59am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In the message, Eugenie and Jack say they are “completely overwhelmed with happiness”.</p> <p>Inside the card reads: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our wedding so special and for thinking of us as we start our married life."</p> <p>“We are completely overwhelmed with happiness. Eugenie + Jack.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsF30jlrub/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsF30jlrub/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Inside of the card from HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank. #Royal #royalletter #royalreply #princesseugenie</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by @<a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/loopycrown3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> loopycrown3</a> on Nov 2, 2018 at 12:01pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The letter, which also features their monogram in golden letters, is signed individually by both Eugenie and Jack.</p> <p>Sharing a photo of the card, the fan wrote: “A fantastic reply from HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank thanking me for sending my good wishes for their wedding.”</p> <p>Thank you cards were also sent out following Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s May 19 royal wedding.</p> <p>Commenting on the thank you cards, etiquette expert William Hanson said: “Gratitude is dying in modern Britain, but I am so glad to see that it is alive and well in the Royal Household.”</p> <p>Hanson continued, “The letters from Princess Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank are charming examples of the perfect thank you letter. They are not too short, but not too long; succinct and heartfelt."</p> <p>He added, “They show that the couple has excellent manners.”</p> <p>For her wedding day, Eugenie stunned in a Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos wedding gown.</p> <p>Later in the evening, she changed into a pale pink evening gown by Zac Posen.</p> <p>Do you send or like to receive thank you cards after a special occasion? Tell us in the comments below. </p>

Art

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Body language experts analyse Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s royal wedding

<p>Boy, were we in for a treat this year, as not only was there one royal wedding to celebrate, but two. While everyone made sure to tune in to watch Prince Harry marry the now Duchess of Sussex in May, it was a pleasant surprise when the Queen’s granddaughter Princess Eugenie announced her wedding for the month of October.</p> <p>Marrying Jack Brooksbank in the iconic St. George’s chapel, Princess Eugenie looked radiant and positively glowing as she stood in front of family and friends, ready to say her vows while the world watched on.  </p> <p>She stunned in a beautiful Peter Pilotto gown and accessorised it in true royal fashion, with a tiara. But while these were all obvious to the eye, what you may not have noticed is the loved-up couple’s body language.</p> <p>“This couple is completely enveloped in one another,” said human behavioural expert and author Susan Constantine to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a23739200/princess-eugenie-jack-brooksbanks-royal-wedding-body-language/" target="_blank"><em>Goodhousekeeping.com</em>.</a> “From start to finish, you can tell this is a solid couple who actively listens – and respects – one another.”</p> <p>Throughout the ceremony, Jack seemed visibly nervous, as he prepared himself to wed the Princess in front of millions.</p> <p>“He’s sporting a sombre look,” body language expert Patti Wood told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a23739200/princess-eugenie-jack-brooksbanks-royal-wedding-body-language/" target="_blank">GoodHousekeeping.com</a></em>.</p> <p>“He’s holding all of his tension in his mouth without letting it get the best of him.”</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821407/gettyimages-1051952738.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2629d10370e44d6bad62e36b93474200" /></p> <p>But despite her fiancé’s anxiousness, Eugenie is completely enthralled with her husband-to-be. “Although her mouth is also tightly closed, she’s looking at him like he’s delicious,” says Wood. “It’s a look you’ll typically see when someone spots someone new and attractive, which makes it rare – and extra-special – on their big day.”</p> <p>During the vow and ring exchange, which is the most important part of the entire ceremony, the couple is seen rubbing each other’s fingers. “This is their way of playing and comforting one another,” Wood explains.</p> <p>While the ring exchange didn’t go smoothly for Jack, Constantine points out Eugenie’s reaction to the moment. “When he’s having a hard time with the ring, Eugenie maintains her stance and is very patient with him. She doesn’t try to step in or adjust the ring herself but lets him take charge.”</p> <p>Once the formalities were done and dusted, the newlyweds made their way outside where they shared a kiss in front of a doting crowd.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821408/gettyimages-1051954184.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1225d00a12df4dfb9aca3ca60e066017" /></p> <p>“There’s a special tenderness and sweetness in this highly publicised moment,” Wood explains. “Her light handhold, his check in before the kiss, and the mutual gaze are all good signs, especially on a couple’s wedding day.”</p> <p>As Jack holds on to Eugenie during the kiss, his hand is placed firmly on her lower back, while the Princess has a much gentler touch, and according to Wood, this shows his deep level of respect for his new wife.</p> <p>“This couple has a strong, unbreakable love for one another, which you can see through their mutual gaze and full smiles,” Wood says.</p> <p>Did you watch Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s wedding? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

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Jack Nicholson’s 10 most iconic roles

<p>Over the course of Jack Nicholson’s career, he has earned a dozen Academy Award nominations, making him the most nominated male actor in film history.</p> <p>He took home three Oscars for best actor in O<em>ne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest</em>, <em>As Good as It Gets</em> and best supporting actor in <em>Terms of Endearment. </em></p> <p>Nicholson earnt his big break in 1969 for his role in <em>Easy Rider</em> but had been acting in films since the late 1950s.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Jack Nicholson’s most iconic roles.</p> <p>Did your favourite performance of his make the list?</p>

Movies

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Are Princess Eugenie and her fiancé Jack related?

<p>Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank excitedly announced <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/01/another-royal-wedding-on-the-way/">their engagement</a> this week. The couple first met seven years ago during a ski trip in Verbier, Switzerland.</p> <p>Brooksbank, 31, a wine merchant and nightclub manager, proposed to Princess Eugenie, 27, during a trip to Nicaragua earlier this month after more than six years of dating.</p> <p>According to a BBC interview, the young couple have a lot in common.</p> <p>“We have the same passions and drive for life,” Princess Eugenie said in the interview.</p> <p>It turns out she is correct in more ways than one, with speculation by royal experts that the pair are, in fact, distantly related!</p> <p>The <em><a href="http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/22/princess-eugenie-jack-brooksbank-apparently-already-related-just-like-meghan-harry-7250761/">Metro</a></em> claims that they are third cousins, twice removed.</p> <p>The link is Thomas Coke (1822-1909), the second Earl of Leicester.</p> <p>“Eugenie’s mother, the Duchess of York [Sarah Ferguson], is the great-great-granddaughter of Lady Julia Coke,” claims the <em>Metro</em> report.</p> <p>“And Lady Julia Coke is the daughter of Jack’s great-great-grandfather, Thomas Coke."</p> <p>If that’s not strange enough, it appears that Prince Harry and fiancé Meghan Markle share a common ancestor, too.</p> <p>It’s based on a distant relative named Ralph Bowes, born in 1480 in Streatlam, County Durham, in the UK.</p> <p>It turns out he was both Harry and Meghan’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.</p> <p>Royal records also show that Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip are, in fact, third cousins, as they are both directly related to Queen Victoria.</p> <p>Have you ever heard of people getting married that later found out they were related? Share your story with us in the comments below. </p>

Relationships

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We tried home exchange and loved it!

<p><em><strong>Vicki Jacks and her husband first tried a home exchange a few years ago and they haven’t looked back! Here, Vicki shares the secret to making a home exchange program work for retirees looking to travel the world.</strong></em></p> <p>Well before I retired I came across an article about home exchange while sitting in the waiting room for a routine mammogram. I was immediately taken with the idea, so I ripped it out and took it home to show my husband.</p> <p>Fast-forward a few years and by this time we’d both retired and relocated from Perth to Melbourne.     We decided that our motto would be to travel and do as much as we could while we were fairly young and able. We’d both worked all our adult lives and now was the time to have some adventures. </p> <p>Realistically we didn’t have the money to travel to far-flung places and so the home exchange idea was revisited.</p> <p>We briefly researched various websites and decided on one that seemed like it had been going for many years and had large numbers of listings in various parts of the world. We paid our subscription for a year, entered photos and a full description of our home and our area and sat back to see what would happen. We didn’t have to wait long!</p> <p>Very soon we began to get offers for exchanges and plans began to evolve. Our first exchange was to a lovely little terrace house in Edinburgh for the month of December. All our (adult) kids were elsewhere that Christmas so it was a perfect chance to try something different and the exchange person was happy for my sister and brother in law from Western Australia to join us.</p> <p>It was great fun to experience Edinburgh at Christmas and especially New Year, to explore all the museums and galleries, to drive out to nearby places (a car was included in the exchange) and to be able to head home to our warm and cosy house each night.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="480" height="640" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7267187/in-text-one.jpg" alt="In Text One (1)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Our ‘London home’.</em></p> <p>Since then we’ve spent two wonderful weeks in Ballinskelligs on the Ring of Kerry (again our exchanges were happy for friends to join us) where we explored this magical part of Ireland, did a fair amount of walking and spent many hours at the local music festival and of course, the pubs. Following this we had three weeks in a lovely home in Essex where we explored the fascinating muddy, “smuggler” coastline, quaint villages, historical Colchester and Chelmsford and we were able to easily commute from the local train station into London for shows and concerts. </p> <p>The following year, we returned to “our” Edinburgh house for two incredible weeks of the Edinburgh Festival when we attended four performances a day every day! This was truly a bucket list item!</p> <p>We’ve spent two glorious late autumn weeks in Noosa. While our friends and family in Melbourne were rugging up, we were swimming every day and enjoying our four-bedroom home with pool. This exchange also welcomed us having friends come to stay and a car to explore further afield. </p> <p>In 2017 we completed four exchanges – a three week exchange to a four bedroom, three bathroom home in London (we never did get to the end of our “Museums and galleries list”), a 2.5 week exchange to a great funky 19th floor apartment in the middle of Berlin, a week in a large ranch style home in Phoenix, Arizona and a two week stay in a lovely eclectic home in wonderful Boulder, Colorado where were able to use the exchangees car to explore the surrounding mountains and where we woke up one morning to find it had snowed. </p> <p>One aspect of our home exchange site is “hospitality exchange” and we’ve tried that in Galloway, Scotland. Our hosts are now our good friends and we catch up with them every year when they come to Melbourne to visit family.</p> <p>There are some ‘cons’ to this type of travel. You have to like organizing! Organising the actual exchange takes time – sending requests, answering emails promptly, researching if this is actually somewhere you want to visit and so on. Once you have the exchange you have to be prepared to organize your own holiday, this would not suit everyone. We research the area in advance quite a bit to find guided walking tours and search out museums, galleries and concerts. We’ve booked tickets (Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, West End Theatre etc) well in advance but we’ve also had great luck with ‘last minute” tickets as we’re not restricted to one particular night.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="480" height="640" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7267186/in-text-two.jpg" alt="In Text Two (3)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sampling some of Berlin’s local delicacies.</em></p> <p>We agree to simultaneous and non-simultaneous exchanges and this works well in our favour as we can be flexible. We’ve found that most offers from the UK and Europe are for our summer and we don’t want to experience too many winters, so the flexibility works well. We’ve found it challenging to arrange USA and Canadian exchanges as Australia seems so far away to many people, even if they have listed “anywhere, anytime”!</p> <p>We have not experienced any negative aspects at all in the 5 or so years we have been involved in home exchanges.  We have always returned to a perfectly cleaned and wonderfully tidy home.  Our next trips are to Washington DC, a village between Bath and Bristol and Kilkenny in Ireland. </p> <p>When you’re only paying the airfare and no hotel costs – what’s not to like?</p> <p>Have you tried home exchange? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Vicki Jacks</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Kate Winslet reveals which Hollywood star nearly landed the role of Jack in Titanic

<p>Over 20 years ago, Leonardo DiCaprio won over fan’s around the world for his portrayal of Jack Dawson in <em>Titanic</em>.</p> <p>During an interview on <em>The Late Show with Stephen Colbert</em>, Kate Winslet, who starred as Rose DeWitt Bukator, revealed some interesting details about her audition for the James Cameron film.</p> <p>Winslet explained that actor Matthew McConaughey was initially the favourite to play Jack.</p> <p>“I auditioned with Matthew, isn’t that weird?” Winslet told Colbert.</p> <p>“Never said that in public before. I auditioned with Matthew, which was completely fantastic … It just wouldn’t have been the whole, Jack and Rose, Kate and Leo thing.”</p> <p>Paramount Pictures preferred McConaughey for the role whilst Cameron insisted for DiCaprio.</p> <p>During the interview, Winslet also revealed that Cameron, not DiCaprio, drew the sketch in the movie.</p> <p>Winslet joked that she “totally lied” to DiCaprio during the final scene where Jack dies and that “he just should have tried harder to get on that door. Because I think we would have (fit)!”</p> <p>Winslet and Colbert then recreated the iconic scene on the talk show host’s desk to see if Jack could’ve survived.</p> <p>Last month, Cameron spoke to <em>Vanity Fair</em> to discuss his decision to make Jack die in that way.</p> <p>“Obviously it was an artistic choice, the thing was just big enough to hold her, and not big enough to hold him," the director said. “The film is about death and separation; he had to die. So whether it was that, or whether a smoke stack fell on him, he was going down.”</p> <p>Do you think Matthew McConaughey would have suited the role of Jack Dawson? Tell us in the comments below.</p>

Movies

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Jack Nicholson’s son looks exactly like him when he was younger

<p>It is not uncommon for children to look like their parents, especially not in Hollywood.</p> <p>Matt Lauer’s son resembles his father, Reese Witherspoon could pass as a triplet with her two oldest kids and Meryl Streep has blessed her daughter with her striking facial features.</p> <p>However, one father and son duo have one of the most identical similarities we have ever seen.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img width="497" height="275" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34841/son-and-father_497x275.jpg" alt="Son And Father (2)"/></span></p> <p>The 79-year-old actor has changed in his facial features since his youth but when you compare Jack’s younger photos, the two could pass as the same person.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="400" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34842/jack-nicholson_500x400.jpg" alt="Jack Nicholson"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Young Jack Nicholson</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="414" height="559" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34843/ray-nicholson.jpg" alt="Ray Nicholson"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>22-year-old Ray Nicholson</em></p> <p>Movie icon Jack has three daughters and one 22-year-old son, Ray.</p> <p>Ray has also followed in his father steps by entering the movie industry. Ray is an actor and assistant director who has featured in <em>The Benchwarmers</em>.</p> <p>From both of their eyes right down to the way they smile, there is no mistaken whose son Ray is.</p>

Movies

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Jack-o’-lantern cake pops

<p>These Jack-o’-lantern cake pops are almost too cute to eat, and your grandkids will have a blast making them.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Makes:</span> </strong>54</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>1 430g box of moist cake mix and ingredients listed on box</li> <li>1 cup of cream cheese frosting</li> <li>4 cups of orange candy melts</li> <li>2 tablespoons of Copha vegetable shortening</li> <li>54 lollipop sticks</li> <li>A foam block</li> <li>¼ cup of green sprinkles</li> <li>½ cup of black candy melts</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method: </span></strong></p> <p>1. Make cake mix as directed by box in a baking pan. Crumble cake into a large bowl.</p> <p>2. Add frosting and mix together.</p> <p>3. Shape into 3cm balls. Flatten the tops gently and place on a baking sheet, freezing until cake balls are firm.</p> <p>4. In a bowl, microwave orange candy melts and shortening for 1 minute or until melted. Stir together.</p> <p>5. Take a lollipop stick and dip the tip into melted candy. Stick the lollipop stick into a cake ball on the non-flattened end, pushing about hallway through. Repeat for all balls and refrigerate for five minutes to solidify.</p> <p>6. Dip cake balls into orange melt, coating them. Stick into foam block to stand. Add green sprinkles on top.</p> <p>7. Melt black candy melts and pour into a plastic bag, cutting off a tiny corner to create a piping bag. Decorate cake balls with jack-o’-lantern faces. Refrigerate before serving.</p>

Food & Wine

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