Australian panel TV shows where comedians allegedly show their razor sharp wit are notoriously scripted and rehearsed.
So how many times did prime minister Kevin Rudd run through the questions he was thrown on Good News Week last night, with his staff? I'd say, at least ten times. Probably a few times with his image handlers as well, just to get the nuances of Friendly NewKev just about right :
Has a laugh track been added to enhance the crowd reaction?
Rudd had to change his public image, he was moving dangerously close in real life to the impersonation by Anthony Ackroyd :
UPDATE : 2UE political correspondent Latika Bourke reports the prime minister's office has confirmed Rudd had plenty of time to rehearse :
"(GNW) producers volunteered the seven comedy quiz questions to the Prime Minister in advance...'I wonder what would have happened had they changed those questions on the night, without letting Rudd or his people know?
You just don't get that kind of anarchic behaviour in Australian TV comedy anymore.
It's all so safe.
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