Australia's Top TV Show: A Nod to Succession's Dark Inspiration

Introduction

In a recent announcement celebrating the launch of a new cultural segment, The Australian has compiled a list of the top 25 television shows from the past quarter-century. Topping this esteemed list is HBO's Succession, a series that has drawn considerable attention for its parallels to the powerful Murdoch family, owners of News Corporation and its flagship newspaper in Australia.

Succession: A Family Drama Like No Other

Recognized as the best television show in the last 25 years, Succession has captivated audiences with its portrayal of corporate power struggles and family dynamics. The show, described as "Shakespeare’s King Lear by way of the world’s most torturous corporate offsite," tells the story of the Roy family, whose internal conflicts and rivalries provide a dramatic backdrop that is both humorous and tragic.

The paper's writers noted, "Jesse Armstrong’s saga of the Roys turns boardroom squabbling into grand tragedy. It was terrifyingly funny, and funnily terrifying. Masterful storytelling, razor-sharp writing, and unforgettable performances make this show the best in the past 25 years." However, notably absent from this accolade was any mention of the real-life family that has inspired this acclaimed series.

Curators of the List

The selection of shows was made by a group of critics and writers including Geordie Gray, Graeme Blundell, Richard Ferguson, Troy Bramston, Bianca Farmakis, Joseph Carbone, Steve Jackson, and Milanda Rout. While Blundell is an established actor and television writer with legitimate credentials as a TV critic, the others primarily work in journalism and production, raising questions about their qualifications to critique television shows.

Promoting Culture

To promote the new cultural section, The Australian has released a video featuring its writers discussing their career highlights. This includes notable figures they have interviewed, such as literary editor Caroline Overington, who mentioned her encounters with Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Clinton, while former literary editor Stephen Romei reminisced about interviewing Hollywood stars like Margot Robbie and George Clooney. This endeavor demonstrates the publication's effort to showcase its cultural engagement.

Trump's Unfiltered Responses

In other news, Latika Bourke, a writer-at-large for The Australian, recently shared her experience with former President Donald Trump during a press event. Bourke recounted how Trump dismissed her question about his efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict by saying she "didn’t know what [she] was talking about." This encounter highlighted Trump's tendency to react defensively to questions he finds unfavorable.

Furthermore, Trump labeled Michael Koziol, a correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald and Age, as a "nasty guy" simply for posing a question. This incident not only reflects the contentious nature of Trump's interactions with the media but also emphasizes the challenges journalists face when covering figures in positions of power.

Media Coverage of Trump's Remarks

Various outlets reported on Trump's remarks towards Bourke, each providing a different tone to the narrative. The Daily Mail described the exchange as Trump "savaging" an Australian reporter for her lack of knowledge, while The Australian headlined the incident as Trump blasting Bourke for her inquiry about the Ukraine situation.

Conclusion

The release of The Australian's cultural list not only celebrates the impact of shows like Succession but also serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between media, power, and public perception. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the intersection of entertainment and reality remains a rich ground for discussion, especially when the lines are blurred by influential families and political figures.