FRED Shop: Product Highlight
FRED the ALIEN’s range of mugs come in three different sizes, featuring an assortment of designs created exclusively for our online store. Whether you need your caffeine hit at the office or in the car, there’s a mug for you!
Also, for today only, you save 20% off all mugs from the FRED the ALIEN Online Store!
Simply enter your code at the checkout: MAKEROOM20
👽 Click HERE to start shopping now!
Offer valid until Thursday, 6 October 2016, 11.59pm (AEST) and cannot be used with other offers unless otherwise specified. All products are advertised in good faith and are managed outside of FRED the ALIEN Productions. Please take a moment to read the returns policy and address all enquires to redbubble.com/contact. Have an idea for a design that you would love to see on some merchandise? Let us know at FREDtheALIEN.productions@gmail.com and our team will see what we can do. 👽
FN@F Question of the Week: Pick Your Future
It’s your choice: Star Trek utopia or Mad Max dystopia?
Michael and Phillip are back tomorrow evening with an all-new Friday Nights @ FRED’s podcast! They’ll be wrapping up the past week’s pop culture news and will be reflecting on The Writer, giving you an insight into FRED the ALIEN Production’s stage debut!
The boys also want you to contribute to this week’s Popcorn Culture segment. They want to know your preference:
If you had a choice, would you rather live in an utopian or dystopian future? Do you prefer watching of reading one or the other? Which is the extreme of your choice?
Let Michael and Phillip know your thoughts and reasons by commenting below using #askFRED.
In the meantime, have your Friday Nights @ FRED’s binge on SoundCloud and remember to rate and review us on iTunes. 👽
ICYMI: Margot Robbie delivers political statement to Australian government on SNL
Australian actor Margot Robbie has used her hosting stint for the United States’s popular comedy series Saturday Night Live‘s forty-second season premiere opener to deliver a political statement to the Australia government.
Wearing a Say ‘I Do’ Down Under tee, Robbie contributed to the discussion regarding marriage equality that continues to be tempestuous topic between the Liberal/National Coalition Government and the Australian Labor Party, who both went to the last federal election with opposing promises regarding the civil rights issue. The Malcolm Turnbull-led government continues to stand by a (potentially) $175 million plebiscite, despite the Prime Minister’s personal support for marriage equality, whilst the Bill Shorten-led opposition is pushing for a vote in parliament; the latter would most likely result in an amendment to the Marriage Act passing through the lower house.
The Say ‘I Do’ Down Under campaign was launched on Saturday, 1 October by British actor Joshua Sasse, whose fiancée, Kylie Minogue, remains one of the LGBTI+ community’s most celebrated and adored icons. Sasse took to Twitter to release his line of tees, posting a photograph of himself with Minogue and the legendary Dolly Parton. He encouraged his followers to spread the word about ‘SAYING I DO DOWN UNDER’.
FRED Shop Special: 15% off everything!
Hey there, FRED fans! Save 15% off store-wide from FRED the ALIEN merchandise! That’s 15% off ALL clothing, decor, tech accessories, and stationary! From UNI-Bums and Incompetent Gamers to The Writer and exclusive FRED the ALIEN designs, now you can splurge on all the things!
Simply enter your code at the checkout: YOURTHING15
👽 Click HERE to start shopping now!
One Day Sale: 15% off tees, framed prints, throw pillows, notebooks, studio pouches, mugs, hoodies, bags, phone cases, and more!
Offer valid until Monday, 3 October 2016, 11.59pm (AEST) and cannot be used with other offers unless otherwise specified. All products are advertised in good faith and are managed outside of FRED the ALIEN Productions. Please take a moment to read the returns policy and address all enquires to redbubble.com/contact. Have an idea for a design that you would love to see on some merchandise? Let us know at FREDtheALIEN.productions@gmail.com and our team will see what we can do. 👽
Friday Nights @ FRED’s #28: Cars Will Kill Us
The boys are back! While Kendall is still jet-setting, Michael and Phillip argue their way through the Nerdy News, Trailer Park, and Popcorn Culture segments of this week’s Friday Nights @ FRED’s and provide us with a rant or two.
This week’s point of discussion was about self-driving cars:
If you could program a self-driving car, what morals would you instil? In a scenario where your car must decide who lives and dies, who would you permit it to kill?
The question struck a chord―so much so that our listeners refused to pick a side even after taking the moral machine test.
From the Will & Grace reunion to Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King, and giving an overdue so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night to Charmian Carr, best known to film fanatics as The Sound of Music‘s Lisel, here is your pop culture round-up!
CLICK HERE to listen to Friday Nights @ FRED’s #28―Cars Will Kill Us.
Have your Friday Nights @ FRED’s binge on SoundCloud and remember to rate and review us on iTunes. 👽
5 Things To Do in Melbourne If You’re Not a Footy Fanatic
Despite the sheer thrill of seeing underdogs (no pun intended) Western Bulldogs defeating the mighty Sydney Swans and nabbing their second premiership, not everyone is excited about the AFL Grand Final.
So, as Victorians gather for the state’s most significant sporting (and, for some, religious) event, here is a list of some alternative, creative activities to get you excited about if Aussie Rules isn’t your thing…
While your family and friends are at the stadium, local pub, or causing a ruckus in the lounge with a stubby in hand, lock yourself in a quiet room, get inspired by the literary greats, and finally write that poetic masterpiece you’ve always wanted to put to paper.
There’s a reason why there’s four quarters (including a lengthy half-time), and that’s so you can read out your masterpiece. Don’t worry, your family, friends, and their guests aren’t interested in watching the commercials anyway and will be grateful that you’ve made them that little more cultured… we promise!
Okay, you’ve been given the hint that your cultured spirit won’t be appreciated as the Bulldogs battle it out against the Swans in an interstate rivalry to match the most colossal of confrontations. Head down to the Melbourne Museum and check out Jurassic World: The Exhibition. It’s squarely aimed at the under-twelves and you will feel pressured to strike an oh-wow-I’m-so-scared-of-the-dinosaur-that’s-as-high-as-the-top-of-the-esculator pose before entering, but there’s no mistaking the mastery of the animanimatronics before your eyes. Big crowds make the exhibition difficult to appreciate, with crying tots and eager parents taking photos of their youngsters, so it’s your judgement call if Grand Final Day is the best time to visit.
Overall, the admission ticket is too high for the experience provided, so if you’re a budding paleontologist and need to get Jurassic World out of your system, stick around and explore the rest of the museum while you’re there―you’ll find lots of free and interesting additional exhibitions.
Jurassic World: The Exhibition ends on Sunday, 2 October 2016. Tickets range from $22 (child) to $34 (adult), with other options available. Book your session time and tickets HERE.
Need somewhere quiet to hang out that’s not a library? (Hey, what do you have against our great library?!) The National Gallery of Victoria is a fantastic spot to appreciate local and international artwork, including Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s magnificent The Banquet of Cleopatra and Pablo Picasso’s The Weeping Woman. We may not have Michelangelo’s David, but most of the exhibitions are free.
Of course a FRED list is going to include a trip to the theatre! Melbourne is Australia’s home of musical theatre, live art, independent, and experimental performances. From Matilda the Musical at the Princess Theatre to the final Melbourne Fringe Festival shows, there’s so many brilliant things to see and experience on stage.
A Simpsons marathon also seems like a good idea all of a sudden…
Images: Gracie Films / 20th Television / Fox
Come on, you know you want to! The AFL Grand Final kicks off on 1 October 2016 at 2.30pm (televised on the Seven Network, Australia). And if that’s wet your appetite, there’s also the NRL Grand Final the following day…
FN@F Question of the Week: Who Would You Kill?
Who would you kill?
No, seriously. If given the choice, how would your moral compass dictate who lives and dies? Encouraged by the moral machine, the Friday Nights @ FRED’s team question this week is:
If you could program a self-driving car, what morals would you instil?
Take the morality test at http://moralmachine.mit.edu/ and see how you fare. Let us know in the comments below using #askFRED.
For the latest pop culture news and views wrap-up, be sure to listen and subscribe to Friday Nights @ FRED’s on SoundCloud and iTunes, with selected highlights on YouTube.
FN@F Nerdy News Update
In what could be described as the most exciting television news for a long time, classic sitcom Will & Grace is set to return to the screen.
The internet went into near-meltdown over a series of taunting social media posts from the comedy’s stars, including a photograph of Eric McCormack on set holding a script and making fun of the fact that he now has to wear glasses to read.
Regarding McCormack, Debra Messing affectionately posted, ‘You smell the same!’, whilst co-stars Megan Mullally tweeted, ‘I remember this place’ and Sean Hayes cheekily referenced former cast member Leslie Jordan (the 4’ 11” actor played eccentric villain Beverly Leslie).
Will & Grace ran for eight seasons (1998-2006) and followed the titular uptight gay lawyer (McCormack) and neurotic straight interior designer (Messing). Their friends, socialite Karen Walker (Mullally) and failed actor Jack McFarland (Hayes), were the basis of much of the series’ exaggerated gags.
The series remains one of the most significant in American entertainment
for its portrayal of LGBTI+ characters, as well as depicting positive relationships within that community, as well as with the broader heterosexual population. It was also notable for its on-point pop culture and political references, and its engaging characters and story arches has ensured its staying power.
Will & Grace maintains a strong fan base, and its accessibility through DVDs, online streaming services, and syndicated reruns will not doubt mean that the upcoming reunion will be greeted with open arms.
20% off the entire FRED Shop!
Hey there, FRED fans! Save 20% off store-wide from FRED the ALIEN merchandise! That’s 20% off ALL clothing, decor, tech accessories, and stationary! Plus FREE standard shipping within Australia for orders over AU$60! What better reason to smile during retail therapy?
Simply enter your code at checkout: TOOTH20
👽 Click HERE to look at the returns policy.
👽 General enquiry? Click HERE.
Offer valid until 11.59pm on Monday, 26 September 2016 and cannot be used with other offers unless otherwise specified. All products are advertised in good faith and are managed outside of FRED the ALIEN Productions. Please address all enquires to redbubble.com/contact.
FRED Watch News Update
Bill Nunn (1953-2016) as Joseph “Robbie” Robertson. (Image: Marvel Enterprises / Columbia Pictures.)
Bill Nunn, a recurring presence in Spike Lee‘s films and Peter Parker’s Daily Bugle editor Robbie Robertson in Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man franchise (2002-07), has died aged 62.
Born William Goldwyn Nunn III, the actor made his big screen debut in Lee’s School Daze (1988) and is best known for playing Radio Raheem in the Oscar-nominated comedy-drama Do the Right Thing (1989). Lee, who directed Nunn again in Mo’ Better Blues (1990), paid tribute on Instagram:
Nunn’s other films include Sister Act (1992), Money Train (1995), Kiss the Girls (1997), and Runaway Jury (2003). His last screen role was in the television series Sirens (2014-2015).
FRED the ALIEN Productions 