Latest news with #Costas
The Age
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Porn king's new book laments decline of larrikinism
With all that behind him, Costas last graced these pages as the man behind British nativist politician Nigel 'Mr Brexit' Farage 's 2022 Antipodean tour, and has recently been doing interviews rebranding as a wise survivor of the digital publishing game. Now, it seems like Costas has taken a dash of inspiration from the blokes he's spent years bringing to Australia. Juiced Up An opening night standing ovation (when isn't there one in Melbourne?) at the Regent Theatre on Saturday for the Australian premiere of 'the global phenomenon' Beetlejuice The Musical 'proudly backed by the Victorian government', according to its own press release. But how much did the cash-strapped government via Visit Victoria and the Major Events tourism slush fund sling into the coffers of producer Michael Cassel for the musical you didn't know you needed, adapted from the much-loved 1988 Tim Burton gothic comedy film? Well, that's a state secret. Anyway, shush, the 'hit show nominated for eight Tony Awards' has songs and music by home-town boy Eddie Perfect and is contributing to Victoria's record $40 billion visitor economy, so just enjoy the show, OK? So who went? Everyone from songwriter and performer Tim Minchin to prominent financier and philanthropist Peter Yates. ABC Melebrities included ABC News Breakfast presenter Bridget Brennan and presenter of everything else Patricia Karvelas. ABC-aligned opening-night eventists included comedian Sammy J and Spicks and Specks panellist Alan Brough. Also up for a good time was Seven News presenter Karina Carvalho, actor Alison Whyte and actor Kat Stewart, who used to star with Perfect in Offspring. And at 7pm, just before lights down and curtain up, who were standing slap bang in the middle of the auditorium, having a power chat? None other than Martin Pakula, now chair of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and forthcoming chair of Crown Resorts (regulatory approval pending) and NGV president of trustees Janet Whiting. Loading Janet was appointed chair of Visit Victoria when Marty was major events minister. As the government likes to spruik, Melbourne is the 'cultural capital of the nation' but it's still a small town. Roy and his (Aussie) toy Last week, CBD brought word of former Liberal frontbencher Wyatt Roy 's remarkable post-political journey to Saudi Arabia, where he's become part of the kingdom's squillion-dollar global PR campaign to launder its image. In an attempt to show off the kingdom's cool and fun side, Roy posted an Instagram video of himself jetskiing while waving the Saudi flag. Turns out our youngest ever MP and minister hadn't completely abandoned his Aussie roots. In the video, Roy was riding an electric-powered water board from Byron Bay-based company Fliteboard, founded by kitesurfing world record holder and serial entrepreneur David Trewern. Before being turfed out of politics, Roy was assistant minister for innovation in the famously innovative and agile Turnbull government, and it's nice to see him maintaining the passion for True Blue Australian innovative agility on the global stage. Loading Head of innovation is also Roy's title at Neom, the futuristic linear megacity that is the vanity project of Saudi de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman. Right now, Neom needs all the innovation it can get. Recent reports suggested the project was set to blow out to an eye-watering $US8.8 trillion, and take over half a century to build. Various elements of the ambitious project have recently been scaled back, and former chief executive Nadhmi Al-Nasr departed last year. With financials like that, we don't begrudge Wyatt a little aquatic escapism. Dicker down All good things must come to an end. On Friday, one of Australia's most eccentric rich-listers stepped down as chairman and chief executive of the company he co-founded in 1978. We're talking about David Dicker, the (almost) billionaire behind Dicker Data. The lavishly bearded lover of fast cars and private jets left Australia in 2019 because it was an 'authoritarian shithole' to live his best life out of a Dubai hotel room. In the past two years, Dicker has sold nearly $300 million worth of stock in his logistics software company, citing costs associated with the divorce settlement with his second wife, Delwyn Dicker. The firm announced its co-founder's departure to the market late on Friday, with Dicker set to stay on for six months in a consulting role. Meanwhile, the other co-founder, Fiona Brown, who happens to be Dicker's other ex-wife, will move into an executive chair role.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney porn king releases new book lamenting decline of larrikinism
It's been a hot minute since we checked in on colourful Sydney porn king, right-wing tour impresario and CBD favourite Damien Costas. The brash publisher of nudie magazine Penthouse 's Australian spin-off and promoter responsible for bringing conservative culture warriors to these shores has shrugged off years of court battles, cranky creditors and embittered former business partners to turn over a new page as an author. Self-published, of course. Costas' new book, What Happened to the Lucky Country (displaying in title alone, a profound ignorance of what Donald Horne really meant), was released last month. It's basically a lengthy rant about the sheer horror that is modern Australia, where good patriotic characteristics such as larrikinism have been lost to psychological frailty and slavish deference to rules as exemplified by COVID restrictions that happened years ago. And while it hasn't exactly got critics and readers jumping out of their chairs, Costas' book has excited the people that really matter. Sky News bloviator Rowan Dean reckons 'if ever a book demanded a trigger warning, this is it'. And then, there's the foreword by Mark Latham, former Labor leader turned Macquarie Street's resident village idiot, in which he refers to One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts as a 'right-royal dingbat' for believing that United Nations globalists are secretly working to destroy Australia. While lavishing praise on Costas' book, of course. Costas the businessman first burst on the scene as the promoter behind alt-right poster boy Milo Yiannopoulos' 2017 Australian tour. But that was soon followed by a spectacular falling-out between Costas and his co–promoter, celebrity agent Max Markson, over unpaid debts, which brought its share of legal action and media mudslinging. Costas was eventually bankrupted by his former printer, but in 2021, convinced a majority of creditors to vote in favour of having the bankruptcy annulled. Amid all that, there was the matter of Costas' former business partner Sean Dolman jailed after being caught up in Australia's biggest meth bust. With all that behind him, Costas last graced these pages as the man behind British nativist politician Nigel 'Mr Brexit' Farage's 2022 Antipodean tour, and has recently been doing interviews rebranding as a wise survivor of the digital publishing game.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎙️Milito hits back at Costas over lack of new signings
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. In Racing, spirits have improved, but the week was not easy at all. After the elimination against Platense, the debate about the squad was once again on the table. Part of the fans believe that more reinforcements were needed in the transfer market. And during the week, a rumor emerged that Costas was standing firm on that position. However, the management prioritized keeping the squad that won the Sudamericana, as Milito explained. "One must always have players, and I believe Racing has them. We have a great squad. Gustavo knows we made a great sacrifice to keep it. We look forward to what's coming with great hope of having a successful Copa Libertadores." 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA
NBC Sports
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Bob Costas wins Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award
NEW YORK — Bob Costas has won the fifth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest. The longtime broadcaster was honored Thursday with an annual distinction that 'recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has made significant contributions to the game.' Willie Mays won the inaugural award in 2021, followed by Vin Scully (2022), Joe Torre (2023) and Dusty Baker (2024). 'Baseball hasn't just been a big part of my career. It's been a big and ongoing part of my life,' Costas said in a news release. 'Someone once said of me, 'He is a citizen of the game.' I hope that was true. I hope I have meant something to the game. I know it has meant a great deal to me.' Costas has hosted or called seven World Series, 10 League Championship Series and eight All-Star Games. He's been with MLB Network since its inception in 2009. He stopped doing play-by-play following the 2024 postseason but will continue to contribute to the network's coverage. He received the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award in 2018 for major contributions to baseball broadcasting. 'As one of the most decorated sports broadcasters of all-time, Bob Costas' love of baseball and passion for the game has always been evident,' MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. 'Bob has been a part of some of the most important moments in MLB history. His vast baseball knowledge and experience has allowed him to provide thoughtful commentary and valuable historical context throughout his career working with MLB's broadcast partners and MLB Network.' Costas was chosen in voting by a 19-member panel from a list of 10 finalists that also included Terry Francona, Sandy Koufax, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Lou Piniella and Bud Selig, among others.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bob Costas wins Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award
NEW YORK (AP) — Bob Costas has won the fifth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest. The longtime broadcaster was honored Thursday with an annual distinction that 'recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has made significant contributions to the game.' Willie Mays won the inaugural award in 2021, followed by Vin Scully (2022), Joe Torre (2023) and Dusty Baker (2024). 'Baseball hasn't just been a big part of my career. It's been a big and ongoing part of my life,' Costas said in a news release. 'Someone once said of me, 'He is a citizen of the game.' I hope that was true. I hope I have meant something to the game. I know it has meant a great deal to me.' Costas has hosted or called seven World Series, 10 League Championship Series and eight All-Star Games. He's been with MLB Network since its inception in 2009. He stopped doing play-by-play following the 2024 postseason but will continue to contribute to the network's coverage. He received the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award in 2018 for major contributions to baseball broadcasting. 'As one of the most decorated sports broadcasters of all-time, Bob Costas' love of baseball and passion for the game has always been evident,' MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. 'Bob has been a part of some of the most important moments in MLB history. His vast baseball knowledge and experience has allowed him to provide thoughtful commentary and valuable historical context throughout his career working with MLB's broadcast partners and MLB Network.' Costas was chosen in voting by a 19-member panel from a list of 10 finalists that also included Terry Francona, Sandy Koufax, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Lou Piniella and Bud Selig, among others. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. ___ AP MLB:
