The Two Smart Blondes are joined by special guest, Paul Ayre. Paul is an actor, comedian and writer, based in Sydney. They dive into:

*Heath Ledger's tragic death - re-examined ... an how actors embody a character.

There has been a flurry of articles and talk about Heath Ledger this past week, all due to one short sentence, spoken by Michelle WIlliams, Heath's former partner and mother of his daughter. On a recent podcast, Armchair Expert, with Dax Shepard, Michelle was asked about her relationship with Heath. She said he was "so special and thank God they have Matilda'. It also prompted some media outlets to revisit his tragic death, which was by accidental drug overdose in 2008. He had been filming the Dark Knight and playing the character of the Joker at the time.

*Is the "Good Guy" image unfair?...And has Hugh Jackman lost his?

The Good Guy or the Good Girl image is often great... until it's not. Aussie actor, Hugh Jackman has held the good guy title for decades, but since going through his separation and now divorce with Deborra Lee Furness... is it starting to slip? And does it actually matter for his career? Deborra officially filed for divorce this week and issued a statement which said “My heart and compassion goes out to anyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It is a profound wound that cuts deep".

*Did you also think that pea snack was real? We did!

You might have seen the viral social media rant, where Tiktoker, Nia, discovered that her favourite household snack "Harvest Snaps Baked Pea Crisps"... are not in fact little pea pods at all. That's despite a large picture of a pea pod on the package. She thought it was a dehydrated pea. So how easily are we fooled by food packaging and good marketing?

About the guest:

Paul Michael Ayre is a writer and actor born in Maidstone, Kent and raised in Sydney Australia. Paul wrote the pilot for Channel 10's Drunk History which went on to series, as well as winning over $70,000 worth of writing prizes for his self-produced series The Justice Lease and an extra thousand for his writing on the award winning series The Pet Killer. His online sketches across different platforms and channels have amassed over 36 million views with many Australian collaborators (The Bondi Hipsters, SketchShe and Legally Brown). Paul has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for 5 years, with several solo stand up shows His recent credits in television, include most streamers like Netflix's Wellmania, ABC's Barons and Stan's Bali 2002 - the retelling of the 2002 Bali bombings opposite Claudia Jessie.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. in collaboration with VAM paddock productions

Would you like to get in touch? Email us here: Kirsten@ruralpodcastingco.com

Our special guest is Ben Eltham, who is a writer, journalist, researcher and creative producer based in Ararat, VIC.

Why does the media struggle to report on suicide?

The AFL world and the entire nation has been rocked by the death of Adam Selwood and just months earlier, the death of his twin brother Troy. Tributes are of course flowing for Adam, who played 11 seasons for the West Coast Eagles and friends have described him as kind and caring. Originally a Bendigo boy, he died on the weekend at the age of 41.

We're not going to focus on the circumstances of his death... but more a broader conversation about suicide and men's mental health... especially in such a hyper masculine culture like football.

Viral anger over Victoria's Fire Services Levy

The backlash against Victoria's fire services levy is coming in thick and fast on social media. New laws went through the Victorian parliament... steeply increasing the fire services levy... which for farmers will mean a tens of thousands of dollars more. Farmers and CFA firefighters... who are often one and the same... have also protested outside parliament. So what makes a successful protest?


3. Australia has been in Eurovision for 10 years - is it worth it?

Austria has won Eurovision.. yes Austria, not Australia. The artist, JJ won with his song "Wasted Love". Unfortunately Australian, Matt Zambotto known by the stage name Go-Jo was knocked out in the semi-finals.

So after 10 years of involvement in Eurovision, what is our track record? And is it all worth it?

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr Ben Eltham is an Australian writer, journalist, researcher, creative producer and social commentator based in Ararat, VIC.

He is a lecturer in media and communications at Monash University's School of Media, Film and Journalism. He has a PhD in cultural policy and writes for news website, Crikey.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. in collaboration with VAM paddock productions

Would you like to get in touch? Email us here: Kirsten@ruralpodcastingco.com

Leila and Kirsten dive into:

1. Does Australia need its own "Clarkson's Farm"? - Season 4 returns soon!
The sensation that is Clarkson's farm is returning to Prime Video for its fourth season on May 23. Jeremy has apparently opened a new pub, got a new female farmhand and Richard Hammond from Top Gear makes an appearance. So, WHY this show is so good... and could we make an Aussie version?

2. Hollywood chasing viral "Twinnies"

Looks like Hollywood, Netflix and all the other big names are after Australian viral twins, known as the "Twinnies". Paula and Brigette Powers - who look the same, always dress the same and talk together too, were interviewed on TV news about their mother's carjacking. They have since gone viral, been imitated online countless times.

What's next for the sisters? Is this a flash in the pan moment, or the beginning of something bigger?

3. Will the Minecraft Movie be a success on streaming services?

The Minecraft movie is being released this week on streaming services, but will it perform well? Many didn't like the movie... but at $900 million at the Box Office it is the most successful Hollywood film for 2025 to date at the worldwide Box Office.So will it pull the money in via the streaming services too?

NOTE: There's no special guest this week! (Due to a blonde moment)... although a future guest, Paul Ayre, does make a cameo appearance. It's all very funny really.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. in collaboration with VAM paddock productions

Would you like to get in touch? Email us here: Kirsten@ruralpodcastingco.com